New College Teams – Part Three (2020-2022)
TDR Editor’s Notes ; This is the third, and last for now, part in this series on colleges and universities that have added or announced they would add a wrestling program at their school. Some of the schools are re-starting a program while most are establishing wrestling for the first time. Many of those schools are adding two teams as the number of Women’s programs are exploding. In order to keep track of all colleges’ records and the head coaching records we also include the schools that have dropped the sport. In addition to the teams listed below Alvernia University is the first to announce that they will add a Women’s Wrestling team in the 2022-2023 season.
Starting in the 2021-2022 season ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Men’s Wrestling Teams
Div. I — Augustana University (S.D.) to move up to Division I
Div. II – Bluefield State College, Lincoln Memorial Univ. (Tn.)
Div. III – Albion College (restarting), Aurora Univ. (re), Roanoke College, William Jewell College(re)
NAIA – St. Ambrose (Ia.), Friends Univ. (Ks.)
Women’s Wrestling Teams
Albion College, Augustana College (Ill.), Aurora University, Friends Univ. (Ks.), Hiram College, Friends Univ. (Ks.), Sacred Heart Univ. (Ct.), Siena Heights University, William Jewell College
Drops – Urbanna Univ. – school to close and merge into Franklin Univ.
Stanford Univ. – announced it will drop wrestling & 10 other sports
Starting in the 2020-2021 season ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Men’s Wrestling Teams
Div. I — none, yet
Div. II – Glenville State College (W.V.), Wheeling Univ.,
Div. III – Carthage College (Wisc.), Elmira College (N.Y.), Emory & Henry College (Va.), Hiram College (Oh.), Iowa Wesleyan Univ., Shenandoah Univ. (Va.), Siena Heights Univ. (Mi.)
NAIA – Montreat College (N.C.), Univ. of Rio Grande (Oh.), St. Thomas (Fl.), JUCO – Eastern Gateway Comm. Coll. (Oh.), Indian Hills Comm. Coll. (Ia.), Patrick Henry Comm. Coll. (Va.), Sussex County Comm. Coll. (N.Y.),
NCWA – New Jersey City Univ.,
Women’s Wrestling – Carthage College (Wisc.), Concordia Univ. (Wisc.), Corban Univ. (Or.), Davenport Univ., Delaware Valley Univ., Elmira College (N.Y.), Emory & Henry College, Greensboro College (N.C.), Hastings College (Neb.), Indiana Tech., Iowa Wesleyan, Lackawanna College, Lincoln College (Ill.), Lourdes Univ. (Oh.), New Jersey City Univ., Northern Michigan Univ., St. Andrews Univ., Trine Univ. (Ind.), Univ. of the Ozarks (Ark.), William Penn (Iowa),
Drops – MacMurray College – Men’s & Women’s teams (college closed),
Old Dominion Univ.,
St. Olaf College,
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
National Wrestling News – Oct. # 2
TDR Editor’s Notes ; Two articles that are encouraging to see are the interview with USA Wrestling Executive Director Rich Bender who shares his enthusiasm and plans for wrestling beyond the current pandemic news (#6) and the last article which has the pre-season college team and individual rankings by WIN magazine. (#10)
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1 } – J’den Cox Strives For Greatness
View All 2020 BTS Virtual Benefit
Create Free Account on FlowWrestling to view this video and others form the Senior Nationals this week. … rest of story at https://www.flowrestling.org/articles/6782496-jden-cox-strives-for-greatness
2 } – Xtream Arena set to open as events, tourism look for boost during pandemic
CORALVILLE, Iowa (IOWA’S NEWS NOW) — The pandemic delayed its grand opening – but now Coralville’s Xtream Arena is being looked at as a possible saving grace for the greater Iowa City and Johnson County areas. “I refer to it as an attractor,” Think Iowa City president Josh Schamberger said on Wednesday as local media got a first look at the arena. “You have attractions in various communities – whether they be cultural or otherwise – but then you have attractors – the reason people go to communities.”
Xtream Arena will be able to hold 5,100 people in permanent seating once pandemic restrictions are lifted (and 6,600 when chairs are added to the floor for some concerts). The venue’s Green State Family Fieldhouse is already open for pickleball players and will also host the All Iowa Attack basketball program. The venue is already set to be the future home of Iowa Hawkeye volleyball – as well as the host of USA Wrestling’s Senior Nationals tournament in October. … rest of story at https://cbs2iowa.com/news/local/xtream-arena-set-to-open-as-events-tourism-look-for-boost-during-pandemic?mc_cid=27cd8af936&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
3 } – Wrestling Launches 100 for $100 Campaign
SAN FRANCISCO — San Francisco State Wrestling has launched its 100 for $100 campaign to support SF State student-athletes. The campaign is seeking 100 donors to donate $100 each to meet the wrestling program’s fundraising goals for the Fall.
San Francisco State Wrestling has a rich history but with the challenges facing college athletics today, your support is more crucial than ever. The Gators’ most recent season saw Maxamillian Schneider named RMAC Wrestler of the Year while teammamtes Mason Boutain and Justin Pichedwatana were also named All-RMAC. Pichedwatana had a fantastic season and advanced to the NCAA Division II Championships for back-to-back seasons but saw … rest of story at https://sfstategators.com/news/2020/9/9/wre-wrestling-launches-100-for-100-campaign.aspx?mc_cid=d4c11c167e&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
4 } – Nationally Ranked Matchup Announced for NOC
By Ross Bartachek
IAwrestle is proud to announce it’s main event for the September 26th Night of Conflict card with one of the state’s top ranked wrestlers taking on a nationally ranked opponent. The out of state prep will be none other than Alek Martin of St. Paris Graham, Ohio who checks in at #6 on MatScout’s national rankings at 145 pounds. Naturally with one of the best in the country coming in state to battle, we looked to Lisbon’s Robert Avila to answer the call.
Checking as IAwrestle’s #4 ranked wrestler in the FAB50, Avila is easily one of the biggest names – and perhaps the biggest available recruit in the entire state. He’s won titles as a freshman and sophomore for the Lions setting him up to be the third Lisbon wrestler to win four state titles within the last ten years. Avila also boasts a Greco-Roman All-American honor and was a USA Wrestling Postseason national champion which has put him in the top 100 for the Class of 2022.
From out of state we have Martin, from the powerhouse Graham that has produced numerous Division I stars over the years, including three-time Hawkeye All-American Alex Marinelli. … rest of story at https://iawrestle.com/2020/09/10/nationally-ranked-matchup-announced-for-noc/?mc_cid=27cd8af936&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
5 } – Always Aggressive Podcast: Season 2, Episode 3
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Purdue redshirt junior Jared Florell joins head coach Tony Ersland and the crew for the Always Aggressive Podcast, airing out his incredibly impressive resume and variety of interests as a Boilermaker student-athlete.
In addition to being a Boilermaker wrestler, Florell boasts an outstanding GPA and several academic awards as a finance major in the Krannert School of Management. He’s a member of the Big Ten Anti-Hate and Anti-Racism Coalition, the President elect of the Purdue Student Athlete Advisory Council and works with several other groups on campus. In short, Florell is taking advantage of all things that college has to offer him. … rest of story at https://purduesports.com/news/2020/9/9/wrestling-always-aggressive-podcast-season-2-episode-3.aspx?mc_cid=d4c11c167e&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
6 } – RICH BENDER COLUMN: SUPPORT WRESTLING’S STRONG COMEBACK IN 2021
As the Summer of 2020 ends and we head into autumn, who would have expected that we are still dealing with COVID-19 challenges after the whole world shut down way back in March? The pandemic has remained a harsh reality in our lives and continues to affect every aspect of what we do on earth. For many, it may seem like all that has been going on in wrestling has been the postponement or cancellation of competition and training. For sure, that has happened. However, there has been much work at USA Wrestling and within the entire sport planning for the safe return of wrestling at all levels.
USA Wrestling has formed four COVID-19 committees of experts who are helping educate the sport and guide our decisions. We have developed Return to the Mat Guidelines and Return to Events Guidelines to organize wrestling in the safest environment possible. We have been very creative in how we engage the wrestling community through new methods of communication and training. We have also fully participated in the national discussion about social justice and equality, with a unified commitment to be better moving forward.
USA Wrestling has been blessed during the pandemic to continue working hard for our sport and members. Due to many prudent financial decisions by our volunteer leaders over the years, much shared sacrifice at all levels, and some fortunate timing of when the pandemic hit, USA Wrestling has been able to maintain its commitment and financial support for its National Team athletes, while employing its national staff in full. We understand that there are many more challenges in front of us, … rest of story at https://www.teamusa.org/USA-Wrestling/Features/2020/September/11/Rich-Bender-column-Join-in-Wrestlings-Comeback?mc_cid=aa70f844b7&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
7 } – JORDAN BURROUGHS ADDED TO ALL-STAR CAST FOR BEAT THE STREETS VIRTUAL TELETHON
Beat the Streets has added Olympic and four-time World champion Jordan Burroughs as a speaker at their Virtual Telethon, which will be held on September 17 at 6:00 p.m. on FloWrestling.
Burroughs, who has competed in the Beat the Streets benefit competitions more than any other athlete, is one of three Olympic champions and five Olympians who are participating in this event. Other Olympic champions as part of the Virtual Telethon are Helen Maroulis and Henry Cejudo, as well as 2016 Olympic bronze medalist J’den Cox and 2008 Olympian Ben Askren. All of these Olympians have also competed in Beat the Streets events in the past. World bronze medalist Sally Roberts, founder of Wrestle Like A Girl, will serve as host. MMA star and former college wrestler Justin Gaethje is also featured during the Virtual Telethon.
According to Beat the Streets in an email sent earlier this week, the Telethon has raised $326,614 of our $650,000 goal, a little over halfway there. Funds will support Beat the Streets youth wrestling initiatives in New York City. The Virtual Telethon will be a thoughtful and dynamic event that showcases the resilience of Beat the Streets staff, kids, and community. It is free of charge to watch the Beat the Streets Virtual Telethon on FloWrestling. … rest of story at https://www.teamusa.org/USA-Wrestling/Features/2020/September/11/Jordan-Burroughs-added-to-Beat-the-Street-Telethon?mc_cid=aa70f844b7&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
8 } – BEAT THE STREETS UNDERCARD PREVIEW: FIVE GREAT MATCHUPS FEATURING TOP MEN AND WOMEN FREESTYLERS
In spite of the current pandemic, Beat the Streets has been able to pull together a live competition card of elite wrestling matches, to be held alongside its Virtual Telethon tomorrow, Thursday September 17.
The Virtual Telethon, featuring a variety of wrestling celebrities, will be free on FloWrestling for fans to enjoy, starting at 6:00 p.m. Eastern time. The six-match competition card, held in an undisclosed location somewhere in the New York metropolitan region, will begin at 7:30 p.m. Eastern time, and can be viewed by those who have a FloWrestling subscription. This event has one purpose, besides entertaining and inspiring wrestling fans. It is serving as a fundraiser for Beat the Street’s extensive programs for youth in New York City.
Here is a short preview of these matches in the undercard, in the order that they will be held, leading into the Main Event of Yianni Diakomihalis vs. Vlad Khinchegashvili.
Bout One – Women’s Freestyle: Emily Shilson vs. Charlotte Fowler
Shilson’s Resume
Shilson became the first U.S. athlete to win a gold medal at the Youth Olympic Games, … rest of story at https://www.teamusa.org/USA-Wrestling/Features/2020/September/16/BTS-Undercard-match-preview?mc_cid=f697b041da&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
9} – How former Penn State wrestler Mark Hall’s move to the Penn RTC could help reinvigorate two programs
It’s not lost on Mark Hall that his decision to move on from Penn State wrestling and its freestyle club, the Nittany Lion Wrestling Club, was a big one. Back in June, Hall announced he’d be continuing his freestyle career at the Pennsylvania Regional Training Center out in Philadelphia in 2021.
Hall’s decision wasn’t born out of any hard feelings toward his former program. It was instead more about the opportunity. “It was about [Penn RTC] coach [Brandon] Slay — there’s a lot of opportunities. It wasn’t so much me wanting to get out of Penn State — I love this place, obviously. I love living in State College and I love all my teammates. It was more me wanting to be in Philadelphia,” Hall told The Daily Collegian.
Hall benefited from the training partners during his time in Penn State’s room, both with the collegiate team and with the NLWC. He said he saw how helpful it was to have World and Olympic caliber wrestlers in the same room. Now, he’ll get the opportunity to serve in a similar capacity for two different programs — Penn and Drexel — and try to help elevate those programs and lay the foundation for them to be successful. … rest of story at https://www.collegian.psu.edu/sports/wrestling/article_bddc682e-f61e-11ea-b6dc-23b63741f47d.html?mc_cid=aa5954ac13&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
10 } – Iowa rated No. 1 in WIN Preseason TPI and Rankings, which include past champs Lee, Suriano, Diakomihalis and Lewis
NEWTON, Iowa — As the NCAA waits to announce when the Division I college wrestling season will take place this winter in the wake of the COVID pandemic, the University of Iowa has earned the No. 1 ranking in WIN Magazine’s 2020-21 Preseason Tournament Power Index and Rankings, which includes four past individual champions. WIN’s College Rankings are presented by Cliff Keen Athletic.
The TPI is an accumulation of potential national tournament points that are associated with individual wrestler’s rankings in WIN’s preseason poll and predicts how teams could finish at the 2021 NCAA Division I Championships, which are scheduled March 18-20 in St. Louis, Mo.
The Hawkeyes, with 114 TPI points, feature a ranked wrestler at every weight class, including a pair — two-time champ Spencer Lee (125) and three-time All-American Michael Kemerer (174) — who are ranked No. 1 in their weight classes. Iowa, which is looking to win a 24th all-time NCAA team title and first since 2010, also features four past All-Americans in Austin DeSanto (5th/133), Kaleb Young (9th/157), Alex Marinelli (2nd/165) and Jacob Warner (4th/197) … as well as Jaydin Eierman (2nd/141), who transferred from Missouri.
Three of the remaining eight top-ranked individuals per weight class have won NCAA championships in the past before taking an Olympic redshirt in 2019-20: Rutgers’ Nick Suriano (133), Cornell’s two-time champ Yianni Diakomihalis (141), and Virginia Tech’s Mehki Lewis (165). The other No. 1-rated wrestlers are North Carolina’s Austin O’Connor (149), Northwestern’s Ryan Deakin (157), Cornell’s Max Dean (184), West Virginia’s Noah Adams (197) and Minnesota’s Gable Steveson (heavyweight).
Rounding out the top five teams in WIN’s TPI are Michigan (72.5 TPI points), Cornell (68), Oklahoma State (56) and Nebraska (52.5). The Wolverines, Big Red and Cowboys all return former All-Americans who took Olympic redshirts last winter. WIN will announce a dual-team ranking once the season begins. … rest of story at https://www.teamusa.org/USA-Wrestling/Features/2020/September/11/Rich-Bender-column-Join-in-Wrestlings-Comeback?mc_cid=aa70f844b7&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
WolfPack Wrestling Brings Home Three Podium Finishes at U.S. Senior Nationals
Hayden and Trent Hidlay both finish third while Jakob Camacho takes seventh
CORALVILLE, IOWA – A trio of current NC State wrestlers returned to the mat this weekend, and brought home podium finishes at the U.S. Senior Nationals at Coralville, Iowa this weekend. All three competed in freestyle this weekend, their first wrestling matches since helping the Wolfpack win the 2020 ACC Championship back in March.
R-Sr. Hayden Hidlay took third at 74 kg, brother R-So. Trent Hidlay was also third (86 kg), and fellow R-So. Jakob Camacho was seventh at 57 kg.
Hayden Hidlay came in as the sixth seed, and captured the bronze. Hidlay opened with techs of 10-0 and 11-0 then a 9-5 win before falling in the quarterfinals to eventual runner-up Anthony Valencia of Arizona State. He came back in the consolation rounds with a 10-1 win and then 7-1 over former NCAA finalist Joey Lavallee. That set up a huge battle with David Carr of Iowa State, which saw Hidlay come out top 10-5. In the third place bout, Hidlay downed the second seed, Evan Wick of Wisconsin, 11-8, a takedown and three leg laces opened up the scoring.
Coming in as the third seed, Trent Hidlay held that spot and also earned a bronze finish. Hidlay also raced out with a pair of techs (11-0 and 13-2) before taking out former Virginia Tech four-time All-American David McFadden 7-6 in the semifinals. He fell in the semifinals to eventual champion, former Cornell national champion Gabe Dean 2-1. In the consolation bracket, he opened with an 8-0 win over Elam of Missouri, and in the third place bout he took out former Northern Iowa national champion Drew Foster, 7-4.
Competing in his first senior-level freestyle event, Camacho brought home a seventh place finish at 57 kg after coming in as the 10th seed. Camacho started with back-to-back techs of 14-1 and 10-0 before falling to eventual champion Vitali Arujau of Cornell. Camacho then went 2-1 in the consolation bracket, highlight by a 5-2 win over Shelton Mack (NYC RTC) in the seventh place bout.
All three are now qualified to take an Olympic redshirt this upcoming collegiate season. … rest of the story at https://gopack.com/news/2020/10/11/wrestling-packwrestle-brings-home-three-podium-finishes-at-us-senior-nationals.aspx
New College Teams – Part Two (2018-2020)
TDR Editor’s Notes ; The schools listed below started college wrestling programs in the past two seasons. They are Part two of our three part series on the growth of college wrestling opportunities.
Starting in the 2019-2020 season ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Men’s Wrestling Teams
Div. I – University of Arkansas at Little Rock,
Div. II – Fairmont State Univ. (W.V.), Lander Univ. (S.C.), Mount Olive Univ. (N.C.)
Div. III – Alvernia Univ. (Pa.), Davis & Elkins Coll. (W.V.), Fontbonne Univ. (Mo.),
JUCO – SW Virginia Comm.Coll.,, Union County College (N.J.)
NAIA – Arizona Christian Univ., Central Methodist Univ., Cleary Univ. (Mich.), Corban Univ. (Ore.), Keiser Univ. (Flor.), Rochester College (Mi.), Texas Wesleyan, Vanguard Univ. (Cal.)
Women’s Wrestling Teams – Augsburg Univ., Central Methodist Univ., East Stroudaburg Univ., Fontbonne Univ. (Mo.), Grand View Univ., Life Pacific Univ., Limestone College, Lock Haven Univ., North Central College (Ill.), Simpson Univ. (Cal.), Texas Wesleyan, Wisconsin-Stevens Point
Drops – Kansas Wesleyan, Lindenwood-Belleville (merged w/ St. Charles), Truman State Univ., Wheeling Jesuit Univ.
Starting in the 2018-2019 season ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Men’s Wrestling Teams
Div. I – Presbyterian College (S.C.)
Div. II – Kentucky Wesleyan, Urbana Univ. (Oh.)
Div. III – Defiance College (Oh.), Ohio Wesleyan, Univ. of Pittsburgh-Bradford, Schreiner Univ. (Tex.), Wilmington College (Oh.)
NAIA – Life Pacific College (Cal.), Midway Univ. (Ky.), Oklahoma Wesleyan, Rochester College,
JUCO – Garrett County Comm. Coll. (Md.)
Women’s Wrestling Teams – Baker Univ. (Ks.), Big Bend Comm. Coll. (Wa.), Central Christian College (Ks.), Colorado Mesa Univ., Gannon Univ., Kentucky Wesleyan, Lakeland Univ. (Wisc.), Presbyterian College (S.C.), Schreiner Univ. (Tex.), Southwestern College (Ks.), Tiffin Univ. (Oh.), York College (Neb.)
Drops – Bacon College (closed), Eastern Michigan, Hampden-Sydney (Va.),
Women’s Wrestling News – # 49
TDR Editor’s Notes ; A list of all new women’s college programs is linked in article #3. Encouraging to see the enthusiasm for wrestling.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
1 } – Mercado Brings in Talented Women’s Wrestling Class
GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. – Colorado Mesa women’s wrestling coach Travis Mercado announced his complete 2020 recruiting class on Tuesday (Sept. 1) afternoon. The class consists of 18 girls with 10 girls ranked inside the overall top-100 by The Open Mat with six ranked by USA Wrestling’s High School weight-by-weight rankings.
“This recruiting class is another statement to the commitment we have had in recruiting and building a premier program for women’s wrestling here at Colorado Mesa University and the Western part of the United States,” Coach Mercado said. “We have 10 of the Top 100 seniors ranked by The Open Mat coming in this year. All of the incoming girls bring a unique skill set, are eager to be a part of our program, and excited to help us in our quest of winning a national championship.”
The group will join one of the top recruits in the country in Tristan Kelly from Erie, Colo. who was announced earlier this summer.
Hailey Ward is a 101-pounder from Turlock, Calif. Ward was a four-time state placer in California and a two-time Cadet Folkstyle All-American. She was also a Cadet Fargo All-American and ranked No. 70 in The Open Mat class of 2020 rankings.
“Hailey is a well-known name in California as she was a 4-time state placer in California. Her skill set is going to help strengthen our lower weights. Coming from an all-boys team in high school, she is looking forward to being on a women’s team with girls who all have high expectations of themselves and have similar goals,” Mercado said. … rest of story at https://cmumavericks.com/news/2020/9/2/mercado-brings-in-talented-womens-wrestling-class.aspx?mc_cid=fd098ddc36&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
2 } – Stittsville’s Erica Wiebe inspires others to start your ‘impossible’ – Olympic channel
In June of 2019, wrestling gold medalist Erica Wiebe joined nine other Canadian athletes on ‘Team Toyota’ to inspire others as they reach for the top. We brought you this story on June 12 of last year. Since that time, Erica has been supporting young girls in Calgary (where she trains) to grow their confidence and purpose through wrestling.
Toyota in partnership with the Olympic Channel have produced a six-part original series featuring the inspirational lessons from the nine world-class Team Toyota athletes and their stories about overcoming common personal barriers and starting their own impossible. In the new original series What Moves Me, Erica shares her personal story – with less than one year to go before next summer’s Paralympic and Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 being hosted in 2021. … rest of story at https://stittsvillecentral.ca/stittsvilles-erica-wiebe-inspires-others-to-start-your-impossible-olympic-channel/?mc_cid=72ed629a09&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
3 } – 2020-21’s New Women’s Collegiate Programs
With most colleges back underway, it’s time to look at and salute those that have added women’s wrestling programs. 17 collegiate teams, across four different classifications, are set to hit the mat for the first time in the 2020-21 season. Of course, with all of the fallout from the pandemic and some schools/conference on lockdown and others with fall seasons cancelled/delayed, it’s unclear when these teams may actually wrestle for the first time. As of now, they are scheduled to compete this school year. We’ve only included the programs which are wrestling at the varsity level in 2020-21. Additionally, the University of the Ozarks and Northern Michigan are set to compete as a club sport this year and will have a full season in 2021-22. They will be included in next year’s edition. Hopefully, that list is twice as big as this one, which is impressive itself.
Carthage Lady Reds – Kenosha, Wisconsin (DIII)
Head Coach: Alberto Quiros
Carthage is the third women’s program to be added in Wisconsin in the last three seasons. The other two, Lakeland and UW-Stevens Point, have already produced national champions. With the blossoming girl’s scene in Wisconsin, there’s no reason to think that Carthage won’t have success early on, as well.
Corban Warriors – Salem, Oregon (NAIA)
Head Coach: Stryder Davis
Look for this program to impact the NAIA sooner, rather than later. Coach Stryder Davis brought in a gigantic freshmen class that garnered an honorable mention notice in TOM’s Class of 2020 recruiting rankings. Ivy Kraight was a top-50 senior in the nation, and joins Grace Nelson, Taylor Ohlson, and Brigid Shannon as freshmen with strong pre-collegiate credentials that could have an impact in year one. Additionally, Kyleigh Lopez, a top-100 wrestler from the Class of 2019, will transfer over from Southern Oregon.
Davenport Panthers – Grand Rapids, Michigan (DII)
Head Coach: Jamie Boyd
Before the 2020-21 season, Michigan had only one women’s college program, but Davenport will be one of two that has been added in the last year. … rest of story at https://news.theopenmat.com/womens-wrestling/2020-21s-new-womens-collegiate-programs/78825?mc_cid=72ed629a09&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
4 } – Whitney Conder: ‘Wrestling made me feel like I was enough’
Whitney Conder, a five-time World team member and Junior World champion, thrives in the World Class Athlete Program. She talks about her experience in the army, facing resistance to women’s wrestling, and life after competition. … rest of story at https://www.trackwrestling.com/tw/PortalPlayer.jsp?videoId=865395135&mc_cid=99708d813d&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
5 } – First Two Matchups Announced for Girls Night of Conflict
When: Girls Sept 25th | Boys Sept 26th
Where: The Arena, 4501 Southern Hills Drive, Sioux City, Iowa 51106, United States
Start Times: Doors Open 4:00PM | Event 6:30PM
Tickets: NightofConflict.com
Watch: Rokfin $10
Rules: High School Rules with Push Out Rule
IAwrestle has been bringing you the Night of Conflict for years now with mostly boy’s matches on the card with some girl’s matches sprinkled in. This year we are excited to bring you the first-ever ALL GIRLS Night of Conflict in Sioux City on Friday, September 26th. The card is filling up fast and we are kicking off the announcements with a pair of great matchups. Two-Time IWCOA high school state champion Millie Peach from Iowa Valley-Marengo is one of the top girls in the state and the senior is currently ranked #8 nationally by USA Wrestling. She also comes in at #4 on the IAwrestle Girls Fab50 list of best in state wrestlers. We went out of state to find her opponent in Nebraska state champion Zeriah George who comes in ranked #21 in the country by USA Wrestling. George is a Junior at Winnebago High School in Nebraska. … rest of story at https://iawrestle.com/2020/09/10/first-two-matchups-announced-for-girls-night-of-conflict/?mc_cid=27cd8af936&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
6 } – Jessica Medina: My Wrestling Hero
Today’s installment of My Wrestling Hero features Jessica Medina. The USA Wrestling women’s freestyle developmental coach shares her thoughts on her wrestling heroes: Tricia Saunders and Toccara Montgomery.
These are Medina’s thoughts on her wrestling heroes:
“(My wrestling heroes are) Tricia Saunders and Toccara Montgomery. The times that I talked to them about the sport, it’s amazing to hear their stories and the adversity they went through. Sometimes it’s the same thing that I’m going through. (Tricia) was struggling with the same things I was struggling with 15 years later. The way that she really had to problem solve and fight just to be on teams and to get partners. She was so creative. She’s all business. When I’ve been able to pick her brain she gets it. She was definitely ahead of her time. … rest of story at https://www.trackwrestling.com/PortalPost.jsp?TIM=1599702431931&twSessionId=jomgsauurn&postId=865127135&mc_cid=d4c11c167e&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
7 } – WISCONSIN RTC RAISES $1,400 FOR USA WRESTLING WOMEN’S PROGRAM THROUGH VIRTUAL FUNDRAISER
he Wisconsin RTC, one of the very active Regional Training Centers which provide opportunities for elite athletes to train, recently raised money which will benefit USA Wrestling’s women’s wrestling program.
During the month of August, the Wisconsin RTC’s Cardio for A Cause fundraiser was held. Wisconsin RTC supporters tracked their exercise for the month. The challenge was to get to 500 miles between August 1 and August 30. People registered individually or created teams of up to 10 racers, participating at their own pace. … rest of story at https://www.teamusa.org/USA-Wrestling/Features/2020/September/11/Wisconsin-RTC-raises-funds-for-USA-Wrestling-Womens-Team?mc_cid=aa70f844b7&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
8 } – Nine More Matches Set For Girls Night of Conflict
#1 Val Boleyn (North Fayette Valley) vs #3 Toyia Griffith (Nashua-Plainfield)
Boleyn was a relative unknown coming into the IWCOA state tournament last season but finished as a runner-up after upsetting Griffith in the semifinals. Boleyn is currently #29 on the girls Fab50 list for Iowa. Griffith was the 2019 state champion and multiple time AAU state champion who is currently ranked the 5th best girls wrestler in Iowa on the Girls Fab50. Will Boleyn prove that she belongs with the very best girls in the state or can Griffith get some revenge?
#1 Jannell Avila (Lisbon) vs Madison Diaz (Waverly-Shell Rock)
Many wrestling fans around Iowa are familiar with the Avila family from Lisbon due to Robert Avila being a multiple time state champion on track to possibly become a 4-time state champion. What some wrestling fans don’t know is that his sister Jannell is on track to maybe do the same thing! She had a great freshman season and captured the IWCOA state title and is currently ranked the 7th best girls wrestler in Iowa in the Girls Fab50. You might see that we don’t have Madison Diaz ranked but that is because she hasn’t wrestled in Iowa yet. She is a highly decorated wrestler who recently transferred into Waverly-Shell Rock from Florida and by all accounts is more than holding her own in the wrestling room of the defending state championship team. This will be a big gauge of just where Diaz fits into the ranks here in Iowa. … rest of story at https://iawrestle.com/2020/09/15/nine-more-matches-set-for-girls-night-of-conflict/?mc_cid=451344eca7&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
9} – Afsoon Johnston: My Wrestling Hero
Today’s installment of My Wrestling Hero features Afsoon Johnston. The first women’s freestyle World medalist in American history shares her thoughts on her wrestling heroes, including her father, Tricia Saunders and Dan Gable.
“I have several wrestling heroes, but let me start off by saying my father because that’s who I watched as a very young child. Growing up, I watched him wrestle and that’s who introduced me to the sport and that’s how I was in awe of the sport. He has always been my wrestling hero.
“Throughout the years I actually have several — Dan Gable, John Smith, Tricia Saunders. Even though she and I competed against each other, she has done so much for women’s wrestling. I was very proud to wrestle alongside her. Terry Steiner and everything he’s done for women’s wrestling in our and our national team and where we are now. Those are just a few of my all-time heroes. “Gable was always this legend. … rest of story at https://www.trackwrestling.com/PortalPost.jsp?TIM=1600138730428&twSessionId=oiucoioptf&postId=866491135&mc_cid=aa5954ac13&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
10 } – PreSeason National Girls High School Rankings
The National Wrestling Hall of Fame, USA Wrestling and FloWrestling are again partnered to create preseason national rankings for high school girls wrestlers for the 2020-21 season. This ranking evaluates all girls enrolled in grades 9-12, and athletes from all 50 states are eligible for selection.
Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the last National Girls High School Rankings were published in March 2020. The committee chose to publish the 2020-2021 preseason ranking earlier than last year, due to the changes in the sport which have occurred because of this historic international challenge.
Almost all of the major national and international events which are used to evaluate performance were either cancelled or postponed in the spring and summer. There were a limited number of competitions for high school girls in the last few months, and a number of the nation’s best athletes did get opportunities to wrestle. These events were researched and used as part of the preseason rankings.
The first decision for the committee was to rank all of the athletes based upon their weight class back in March 2020. Since the pandemic affected the sport in different ways based upon what region or state an athlete is living, not all of the athletes had the same opportunities to train or compete. This ranking, using last year’s weights, will create the baseline for the rankings for the rest of the year.
The next ranking will be published in early November 2020, after major competitions such as the USA Wrestling Preseason Nationals and Super 32 are held. The committee will move athletes to new weight classes, if appropriate, based upon where they compete at the major events this fall. There are eight seniors and six juniors who are ranked No. 1 in the preseason rankings. … rest of story at https://nwhof.org/blog/preseason-national-girls-high-school-rankings/?mc_cid=f697b041da&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
New College Teams – Part One (2016-2018)
TDR Editor’s Notes ; This is the first of three postings which list the colleges that have added wrestling teams in recent years. The following teams added a wrestling team during the two seasons listed below. Some reinstated a program but most added wrestling for the first time.
Starting in the 2017-2018 season ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Men’s Wrestling Teams
Div. I – Fresno State
Div. II – Queens Univ. (NC),
Div. III – Averett Univ. (Va.), Westminster College (Mo.),
NAIA – Bluefield College (WV), Cleary Univ., (Mi.), Judson Univ. (IL), Oklahoma Wesleyan Univ., University of St. Mary,
JUCO – Cloud Community College (Ks.), Cowley Community College (Ks.), Joliet Junior College (IL), Lackawanna College (Pa.), MaComb Community College (Mi), Moorpark College (Cal.), Penn State-Behrend, St. Clair County Community College, Umpqua Community College,
Women’s Wrestling Teams – Nassau Community College, Norwich Univ. (Vt.), University of St. Mary, Umpqua Community College, University of Great Falls, Westminster College (Mo.)
Dropped Teams – Boise State Univ., Morthland College, Shorter Univ.,
Starting in the 2016-2017 season ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Men’s Wrestling Teams
Div. I — none
Div. II – Bellarmine University (Ky.), Drury University (Mo.).,
Div. III – Castleton Univ., Keystone College, MacMurray College, Nebraska Wesleyan, New England College, Otterbein Univ., Thomas More College,
NAIA – Central Christian College, Eastern Oregon Univ., Lourdes Univ., Marian Univ., Reinhardt Univ. (Ga.),
JUCO – Ancilla College, Henry Ford Community College, Northeastern Junior College (Co.), Otero Junior College (Co.), SUNY Ulster
Women’s Wrestling Teams – Bacone College, Eastern Oregon Univ., Grays Harbor College, MacMurray College, Richland Community College, Wentworth Military Academy
Dropped Teams – Anderson Univ. (S.C.), Grand Canyon Univ., St. Catharine College (school closed) ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
NCAA Division II Programs & News – # 4
TDR Editor’s Notes ; Ten Division II programs are included in this posting. These stories are in a series by The Open Mat over weeks this fall. Some are located in traditionally active wrestling states such as Iowa (#5 & #6), Pennsylvania (#2) and Minnesota (#1). There are other schools across the country in South Carolina (#10), Missouri (#4) and Colorado (#3). Also out of the country in British Columbia (#7) and one of the newest programs in West Virginia (#8) as the number of schools in Division II with wrestling keeps growing.
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1 } – Getting II Know a DII Program: St. Cloud State
In four of the last five seasons, the St. Cloud State Huskies have been the team to hoist the NCAA Division II team trophy, with Steve Costanzo’s squad winning the team title in 2015, 2016, 2018 and 2019. In winning those team titles, the Huskies put 26 All-Americans on the podium and had seven national finalists, with two National Champions at 125: Tim Prescott (2015) and Brett Velasquez (2016).
In total, the Huskies have sent 201 NCAA Division II qualifiers to Nationals in program history. St. Cloud has 136 NCAA Division II All-Americans, and six total NCAA Division II National Champions. In the last decade of DII wrestling, there is not a more dominant program, with SCSU finishing as runner up in 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2017 in addition to the four team titles mentioned earlier.
“We focus on being a Life Champion,” Costanzo said. “At the end of the day when our wrestling careers are over, I would like our student-athletes to be respected and successful in their life endeavours. Our young men take great pride in wearing the black and red.”
Last season, the Huskies sent nine to the 2020 NCAA Division II National Championships, with a representative at all but 125. Six of of the nine SCSU wrestlers that qualified were two-seeds in their respective weight classes heading into the event, with the Huskies ranked #1 as a team headed into nationals. Eight … rest of story at https://news.theopenmat.com/college-wrestling-news/getting-ii-know-a-dii-program-st-cloud-state/78660?mc_cid=040ae84fd3&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
2 } – Getting II Know a DII Program: East Stroudsburg
One of the nation’s oldest programs and the oldest in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC), the East Stroudsburg Warriors have taken to the mat since 1929. The Warriors are 14-year members of NCAA Division II, and have 16 All-Americans and one National Champion in their two stints in the division. ESU wrestled DII 1974-76, and then reclassified again to NCAA Division II in 2010 after 30 years wrestling NCAA Division I. Anibal Nieves, a two-time NCAA Division I National Qualifier and All-American in 1989 for the Warriors, is currently leading the program at his alma mater.
A season ago, a pair of Warriors made the trip to the NCAA Division II National Championships, with both Michael Raccioppi (174) and Eliott Riddick (184) earning trips to Nationals. Raccioppi earned his second trip to the NCAA meet, while Riddick qualified for the first time in a win over Pitt-Johnstown’s Connor Craig in the 184 final to become the first Warrior to win a Regional title since 2013. Both ESU National Qualifiers earned 2020 NWCA All-American status. … rest of story at https://news.theopenmat.com/college-wrestling-news/getting-ii-know-a-dii-program-east-stroudsburg/78779?mc_cid=1f5a8a16f5&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
3 } – Getting II Know a DII Program: Colorado School of Mines
One of the country’s oldest programs, the Orediggers of Colorado School of Mines, has been competing as a varsity program since the 1920s. The Orediggers have been a part of NCAA Division II since the 1992-93 season, and in those 28 years have sent 45 to the NCAA Division II National Championships. Twenty have earned All-American honors for Mines, with four of those winning National Championships. Austin DeVoe just finished out his seventh season at the helm of the Oredigger program, after taking over as Interim Head Coach in 2013-14 and dropping the interim title for the next season.
“Colorado School of Mines is a place where student-athletes can excel on the mat while becoming world-wide leaders in the STEM field,” DeVoe said. “A tradition of excellence has been established and continues to grow with prospects joining the program from all across the country.”
Four wrestlers represented Mines at the 2020 NCAA Division II National Championships, with two of them coming away as NWCA All-Americans. Weston Hunt, a 2020 NWCA All-American at 285, returns for the Orediggers next season, along with six other starters. Joining two-time All-American Hunt are another pair of National Qualifiers in Anderson Salisbury (184) and Nolan Funk (197). … rest of story at https://news.theopenmat.com/college-wrestling-news/getting-ii-know-a-dii-program-colorado-school-of-mines/78690?mc_cid=1321811b68&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
4 } – Getting II Know a DII Program: Lindenwood
The Lindenwood wrestling program was established in 1991, and was an NAIA program until the 2013-14 season. During their time in the NAIA, the Lions won five team National Championships, with Jimmy Rollins’ program putting up two individual National Champions in its time in NCAA Division II. Lindenwood has sent 32 National Qualifiers to the NCAA Division II National Championships, with 18 of those qualifiers returning to St. Charles, Mo., as All-Americans.
“We are fortunate to have a tremendous history within our program,” Rollins said. “What we pride ourselves on is looking at each recruit and student-athlete as a member of our family. We are going to support our wrestlers and give them all the resources they need academically and athletically, and we are going to be behind them holistically in all aspects of life both while they are here at Lindenwood and after they graduate and go into the world.. We have the best seat in the house in each of our guy’s corners to watch them work for and reach their goals.”
Rollins enters his fifth year at the head of the Lion program, after five years as an assistant for Lindenwood. He has been a part of the programs for both NCAA Division II individual champions that have come through the Lindenwood room, with Terrel Wilbourn taking the 157 title in 2016 and Carlos Jacquez winning at 125 in 2019. … rest of story at https://news.theopenmat.com/college-wrestling-news/getting-ii-know-a-dii-program-lindenwood/78865?mc_cid=d4c11c167e&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
5 } – Getting II Know a DII Program: Upper Iowa
ByJackie PaquettePosted
The lone NCAA Division II program in the great wrestling state of Iowa, the Upper Iowa Peacocks have been NCAA Division II members since 2006. Prior to the jump to Division II, the Peacocks spent 28 years as an NCAA Division III program, and were an NAIA institution in their early days, with the program wrestling its first year in 1958. Heath Grimm currently leads the Upper Iowa team, and just completed his 20th year as head coach of the Peacocks in 2019-20.
“We’re extremely proud of our wrestling program’s previous successes, but never in my 20 years at UIU have I been more excited about where our program is headed,” Grimm said “We’ve brought home NCAA team trophies, crowned NCAA champions, increased our streak of placing at the NWCA national dual meet championships to 9 years in a row and 12 times in the past 13 seasons, and have seen over 100 individuals named to NWCA Scholar Academic teams. However, with the recruitment of some outstanding classes lately, we’re thinking at a higher level and eager to raise the bar.”
A season ago, Upper Iowa sent five to the 2020 NCAA Division II National Championships, with four of those qualifiers earning NWCA All-American honors. Nick Baumler and Justin Folley led the group as veterans, with Baumler earning the two-seed at 197 after taking third in 2019 and seventh in 2017. Folly was the three-seed at 133, and also a returning placer from 2019 after being a two-time junior college All-American prior to coming to Upper Iowa. True freshman Chase Luensman (5th, 149) and Triston Westerlund (9th, 285) rounded out the 2020 Peacock All-Americans. … rest of story at https://news.theopenmat.com/college-wrestling-news/getting-ii-know-a-dii-program-upper-iowa/78893?mc_cid=26de816f3c&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
6 } – Getting II Know a DII Program: Davenport
ByJackie PaquettePosted
The Davenport Panthers come in as one of Super Region 3’s newest teamms, with the six-year-old program just coming into NCAA Division II for the 2019-20 season. Jamie Boyd started the program in 2014-15 as an NAIA team, and is still at the head of the Panthers.
“As a relatively new program, we are laying the foundation with individuals who are able to handle the complexity associated with competing in college athletics and in the classroom,” Boyd said. “Our coaching staff develops our diverse roster as athletes, as well as, provides guidance through the inevitable adversities students face as they mature.”
After the Panthers’ transition to NCAA Division II, a three-year process, they competed in their first NCAA Super Regional last season, with none of the eight Davenport wrestlers competing qualifying for the 2020 NCAA Division II National Championships. Two of the Panthers placed at the Super Regional, with Sam Greco taking fifth at 174 and River Fox taking sixth at 285. Both Greco and Fox return for the 2020-21 edition of Davenport wrestling, with six total starters coming back for the Panthers.
Boyd will add a handful of local Michigan products to his roster for next season, … rest of story at https://news.theopenmat.com/college-wrestling-news/getting-ii-know-a-dii-program-davenport/78907?mc_cid=c6a292a4f2&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
7 } – Getting II Know a DII Program: Simon Fraser
The lone NCAA institution North of the border in Canada, Simon Fraser has been an NCAA Division II member since the 2012-13 season. The Clan program was established in 1976, and is currently headed by Justin Abdou. The Clan head coach, who represented Canada at the 2000 Olympics in Sydney, Australia, was a four-time NAIA national champion for Simon Fraser, and currently still holds the Clan record for career wins with 212. In eight seasons in NCAA Division II, the Clan have sent 10 National Qualifiers to the NCAA Division II Wrestling Championships, with five of those qualifiers finishing as All-Americans. Morgan Smith highlights the Clan All-Americans, finishing 4th at 197 in 2017 and 3rd at 197 a season later. The last Simon Fraser wrestler to earn All-American honors was Ciaran Ball in 2019, at heavyweight.
A season ago, the Clan sent a lone representative to the 2020 NCAA Division II National Championships, in Logan Nelson at 174. Nelson earned his trip by way of a runner-up finish at the Super Region 6 tournament, where he fell in the final to the nation’s #1 wrestler at 174 in Colorado Mines’ Robert Gambrell. … rest of story at https://news.theopenmat.com/college-wrestling-news/getting-ii-know-a-dii-program-simon-fraser/78932?mc_cid=e10bcd29f6&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
8 } – Senator Spotlight: Jerry Boland, Wrestling
Davis & Elkins athletics has unveiled its Senator Spotlight series to highlight members of the department throughout the semester. Check back to SenatorNation.com each Monday and Friday for the latest Spotlight.
Name: Jerry Boland
Title: Head Wrestling Coach
Hometown: Elkins, W.Va. (via Marlton, N.J.)
Where did you work prior to arriving at D&E? Evesham Township School District.
What is your why? Build relationships, watch student-athletess succeed, give back to our sport at its highest level, embrace the competitiveness of collegiate athletics.
What is your most memorable moment (at any level) in athletics? My junior year in college: placing at the NCAA Tournament and our team winning national duals. … rest of story at https://senatornation.com/news/2020/9/21/general-senator-spotlight-jerry-boland-wrestling.aspx?mc_cid=1ea990827d&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
9} – Getting II Know a DII Program: American International
The American International wrestling program was established in 1991, and has been an NCAA Division II member all of its 29 seasons. In that time, seven Yellow Jackets have earned All-American honors. Rich Hasenfus is the current head coach at American International, and will enter his fifth season as the Yellow Jackets head man in 2020-21.
“The Yellow Jackets are up and coming, #OneHiveOneFamily,” Hasenfus said. Sixteen National Qualifiers have represented American International at the NCAA Division II Wrestling Championships. Mike Mitchell is the lone multiple-time All-American in Yellow Jacket history, taking runner-up at 174 in both 2000 and 2001. Mitchell qualified for Nationals three times, while Rafeal Calixto (1997, 2000), Ben McCrillis (1998, 1999) and Jojo Gonzalez (2019, 2020) represent the only other multiple-time qualifiers in program history. Gonzalez became the first Yellow Jacket to qualify for Nationals since 2012 in earning his trip in 2019. He became the first American International All-American since Aaron Smith took eighth at 141 in 2012 with his NWCA All-American honors this past season. Gonzalez returns for his senior season in 2020-21, and will be joined … rest of story at https://news.theopenmat.com/college-wrestling-news/getting-ii-know-a-dii-program-american-international/78978?mc_cid=8e7f0f219d&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
10 } – Getting II Know a DII Program: Newberry
Former Newberry National Champion Cy Wainwright closed out his fourth season as the head coach at his alma mater in 2019-20, with the 2009 NCAA Division II Wrestling 285 Champion leading a Wolves team that qualified four last season. The Wolves, who have sent 76 to the NCAA Division II Wrestling Championships in 15 years as a DII program, have 39 all-time All-Americans and three National Champions in their history.
In addition to Wainwright, another of those former National Champions are also on the coaching staff in 2010 National Champion Bryant Blanton. Wainwright and Blanton headline the Newberry record book, with one of the Wolves coaches or the other holding marks for wins in a season, wins in a career and career pins. Either Wainwright or Blanton appears in the top 10 in every statistical category kept in the Newberry record book.
“We are extremely excited about the direction that our program is headed,” Wainwright said. “ Having helped build this program as a student-athlete and to now foster it and maintain its standard of excellence is exciting. We look forward to an exciting future with bringing in more top-notch recruits and even better students.”
Last season the Wolves sent four to the 2020 NCAA Division II National Championships, led by three Regional Champions in Isiah Royal (141), ZeBrandon Gant (184) and Nick Weldon (197). Damien Penichet also qualified for the NCAA meet, via a third-place finish at 149. Both Royal, the 2019 national runner-up at 141, and Gant earned NWCA All-American status with the cancellation of the 2020 NCAA Division II Wrestling Championships. Royal will return to the Newberry lineup in 2020-21 for his senior season. … rest of story at https://news.theopenmat.com/college-wrestling-news/getting-ii-know-a-dii-program-newberry/79000?mc_cid=a2feb99899&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
Lincoln Memorial University to Add Field Hockey and Men’s and Women’s Wrestling
TDR Editor’s Notes ; Fantastic to see another school take a bold step by adding wrestling for next year. Lincoln Memorial joins a trend of schools that are adding two wrestling teams, Men’s and Women’s in the same year. Three school did that in the past season, nine schools have announced that they will start both teams in the 2020-2021 season and five schools will start both in the fall of 2021. Yet all of these schools are in Division II or NAIA or Division III levels but NO Division I schools which is disappointing. Keep wrestling, add more teams increase opportunities for the sport.
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HARROGATE, Tenn. – Lincoln Memorial University announced Thursday, Sept. 24, 2020, that it will be adding field hockey and men’s and women’s wrestling to its athletics portfolio beginning in 2021-22. The 23rd, 24th and 25th intercollegiate sports sponsored by the university will become the first athletics programs added since men’s and women’s bowling and men’s volleyball started at LMU in 2016-17.
“We are extremely excited to establish women’s field hockey to our programs here at Lincoln Memorial University,” Director of Athletics Jasher Cox said. “Institutionally, we have recognized that this is a very competitive sport within our region of the country and one that will provide more opportunities for female student-athletes to benefit from competing in intercollegiate athletics.”
“The addition of men’s and women’s wrestling comes at a particularly exciting time for our university,” stated Cox. “This is the perfect opportunity to provide a unique experience for a new wave of student-athletes, while adding to our already robust athletics programs and the pulsating culture within our current student body.”
Field hockey and men’s and women’s wrestling will become the ninth, 10th and 11th sports LMU has added since 2014 with men’s and women’s lacrosse and men’s and women’s track and field beginning in 2014-15 and beach volleyball starting the following year in 2015-16.
“Lincoln Memorial University is proud and excited to offer additional athletic and cocurricular opportunities for students at LMU,” added Vice President and Dean, Enrollment and Student Affairs Dr. Jody Goins. “Adding field hockey and wrestling to our athletics portfolio aligns with our institutional goals and provides prospective students additional avenues to compete at the NCAA Division II level while receiving a high-quality education.”
The Lady Railsplitter field hockey and Railsplitter men’s wrestling programs will both compete in the South Atlantic Conference Carolinas, a joint league made up of South Atlantic Conference and Conference Carolinas member schools. South Atlantic Conference Carolinas field hockey currently features seven teams, including SAC institutions Coker College, Limestone University, Newberry College and Queens University of Charlotte. LMU will become the conference’s eighth member for field hockey.
The co-branded South Atlantic Conference Carolinas currently has nine teams for men’s wrestling with the Railsplitters bringing the league’s total to 10. Fellow SAC members include Coker, Limestone, Newberry and Queens.
The Lady Railsplitter women’s wrestling program will compete as an NCAA emerging sport. An emerging sport is a women’s sport recognized by the NCAA that is intended to help schools provide more athletics opportunities for women and more sport-sponsorship options for the institutions, and also help that sport achieve NCAA championship status. The Women’s Collegiate Wrestling Coalition was created to bring the sport of women’s wrestling through the NCAA Emerging Sports for Women program. During the Division II Business Session at the NCAA Convention in Anaheim, California, held in January 2020, women’s freestyle wrestling was added to the emerging sports for women list. There are currently 42 NCAA women’s wrestling programs, 15 of which are at Division II schools, LMU will be the 43rd. … the rest of the story at https://lmurailsplitters.com/news/2020/9/24/general-lincoln-memorial-university-to-add-field-hockey-and-mens-and-womens-wrestling.aspx?mc_cid=f2d65a70bb&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
Friends University to add Wrestling teams
FRIENDS UNIVERSITY ADDS MEN’S AND WOMEN’S WRESTLING FOR 2021 SEASON
WICHITA, Kan. – Friends University Director of Athletics, Dr. Rob Ramseyer, has announced the addition of Men’s and Women’s Wrestling and Men’s Golf to the list of sports the athletic department offers starting in the Fall semester of the 2021 season.
These additions increase the number of sports that Friends University sponsors up to 23 and will raise the level of the overall effectiveness and competitiveness of the department. “We are excited to announce the addition of these programs,” Ramseyer said. “We believe we are positioned to be competitive quickly and are looking forward to getting them started.”
The local community is already embracing the notion of men’s wrestling in the area, as Visit Wichita is the official host of the 2020 and 2021 NAIA Men’s Wrestling Championship at Hartman Arena in Park City, Kan.
According to the National Wrestling Coaches Association, women’s wrestling is a growing sport that has seen the number of high school women wrestlers increase from 804 in 1994 to 21,124 (as of 2019).
The KCAC currently has six schools competing in women’s wrestling (Midland University, Missouri Valley Colllege, Ottawa University, York College, the University of Jamestown, University of Saint Mary), with seven schools participating in men’s wrestling (Bethany College, Kansas Wesleyan University, Oklahoma Wesleyan University, Ottawa University, University of Saint Mary, York College). … rest of the story at https://portal.nwcaonline.com/articles/NWCA_News/FRIENDS-UNIVERSITY-ADDS-MEN-S-AND-5-10-2020
Fall Brawl at the Zoo
Open Tournament in Monroe, N.C. Nov. 7th, 2020
USA Wrestling youth-HS tournament with full details at http://www.techfallnc.com/fallbrawl.htm
TDR blog
After 20 seasons of publicizing wrestling The TakeDown Report’s (TDR) focus has changed to the collecting of college coaching records from North America since 1903. We will continue to recognize and reward successful wrestlers in eastern North Carolina (east of Raleigh & Fayetteville), assist with schools in starting or re-starting a team and this blog. Join us on our FaceBook Page – “The TakeDown Report” for photos and news. Please send results, stories, links and news to pass along. E-mail us at takedownreport@gmail.com
Martin Fleming, Editor
Takedown Report
