College Wrestling News # 101
1 } – Hokies add Holmes to loaded incoming class
Tech gains another in-state wrestler in Midlothian native
BLACKSBURG – With a top-10 nationally ranked incoming class already, Virginia Tech wrestling adds another prospect with the signing of Simeone Holmes. Holmes, hailing from Midlothian, Virginia, wrestled at 170 and 182 pounds for Cosby High School. He was the second-ranked 182-pound wrestler in the state of Virginia, according to Virginia Wrestling, and won the 2019 and 2020 Virginia state championship after a second-place finish as a sophomore in 2018. … rest of story … https://hokiesports.com/news/2020/6/3/wrestling-hokies-add-holmes-to-loaded-incoming-class.aspx?mc_cid=e0ec51354d&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
2 } – Robinson, Hildebrandt Earn MAC Medal Of Excellence
MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. – Central Michigan’s Alexandria Robinson and Drew Hildebrandt have been named Mid-American Conference Medal of Excellence Award winners. Robinson, a member of the women’s track & field team, and Hildebrandt, an All-American wrestler, are two of 24 student-athletes — two from each full-time member institution — to be so honored by the league. … Hildebrandt, a junior from Granger, Ind., led the Chippewas with 31 victories (against three losses) in 2019-20, winning the MAC title at 125 pounds and then earning First Team All-America honors from the National Wrestling Coaches Association. He finished the season ranked eighth nationally and was seeded sixth for the NCAA Championships, which were cancelled because of the coronavirus pandemic. … rest of story at https://cmuchippewas.com/news/2020/6/3/general-robinson-hildebrandt-earn-mac-medal-of-excellence.aspx?mc_cid=1ad1a557de&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
3 } – MCCAA “Coach of the Year” Grant McKenzie of Henry Ford College Interview!
A lot of people involved in wrestling don’t even know or consider the fact that there is an organization like the NJCAA that gives student athletes an oppurtunity to continue wrestling after high school while attending a 2 year college program. Tonight on the show we will be discussing Grant’s work with the new program and what Henry Ford and other NJCAA programs have to offer a wrestler who might be like to continue wrestling but has no plans to attend a major university.
Grant was named the MCAA 2020 “Coach of the year” and 2014 “Coach of the Year” Great Lakes Conference NCWA.
Check out Henry Ford Athletics (Including wrestling) here: https://www.hfcc.edu/athletics … rest of story at https://www.blogtalkradio.com/combatsports/2020/06/08/mccaa-coach-of-the-year-grant-mckenzie-of-henry-ford-college-interview?mc_cid=1ad1a557de&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
4 } – Getting II Know a DII Program: Alderson-Broaddus
Another program added to NCAA Division II within the last decade, the Alderson Broaddus Battlers took to the mat for their first DII season seven years ago. Sam Gardner has led the program since the 2016 season, mentoring two-time National Qualifier and three-time Super Regional placer Geno Sita along the way. Sita qualified for the NCAA Division II Championships in both 2018 and 2019 at 184, and finished fifth at last year’s NCAA Super Regional 2 Tournament. In total, three have qualified for the NCAA Division II Championships for the Battlers, with Sita representing two of those three trips. Cody Spinks, also a 184 pounder for Gardner, represents the third qualifier in program history, making his trip in 2016. “We are a small school in small-town West Virginia where wrestling is important,” Gardner said of his program. “We are building, and it is taking time, but the foundation is there for good things to happen in the coming years.” … rest of story at https://news.theopenmat.com/college-wrestling-news/getting-ii-know-a-dii-program-alderson-broaddus/78153?mc_cid=1ad1a557de&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
5 } – NSIC to debut new video streaming network in 2020-21
Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference Commissioner Erin Lind announced Wednesday that the league has entered into an official partnership with BlueFrame Technology. BlueFrame will partner with the NSIC and its 16 member institutions to launch the “NSIC Network”, an end-to-end digital network available online and across custom NSIC streaming applications for TV and mobile devices. BlueFrame will power the NSIC streaming network for the next 3 years. … rest of story at https://scsuhuskies.com/news/2020/6/10/NSICNetwork.aspx?mc_cid=54d8473a59&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
6 } – NJCAA Announces Adjustments to 2020-21 Wrestling Season
Charlotte, NC – As the 2020-21 academic and athletic year approaches, the NJCAA has released a plan of action for the fall and winter sports season in response to COVID-19. The NJCAA National Office, along with the NJCAA Health and Safety Council, has also issued a list of safety protocol recommendations for member colleges during regular season competition and championship events.
Fall 2020 Sports Season
At this time, the NJCAA will proceed …
Winter 2020-21 Sports Season
The NJCAA National Office and Board of Regents have carefully considered the winter 2020-21 sports season. With growing uncertainty and the possibility of a second wave of COVID-19 later this year, the following changes have been made: …
The 2020-21 NJCAA Wrestling season has been altered to protect the best interest for student-athlete health and safety. NJCAA Wrestling programs will be permitted to hold fall practice starting October 1, 2020, concluding October 31, 2020. Regular season practice will be permitted to begin starting January 1, 2021. Competition will be permitted to begin starting January 20, 2021. The 2021 NJCAA Wrestling Championship will be held April 23-24 at the Mid-America Center in Council Bluffs, IA. … rest of story at https://portal.nwcaonline.com/articles/NWCA_News/NJCAA-Announces-Adjustments-to-2020-21-19-6-2020
7 } – Return to the Mat Guidelines updated to reflect how local health requirements are being instituted
BY GARY ABBOTT, USA WRESTLING | JUNE 11, 2020, 5:12 P.M. (ET)USA Wrestling has updated its “Return to the Mat Guidelines” document, which are guidelines and recommendations for the wrestling community as it makes decisions on a local level regarding when and how to safely resume wrestling activity.
Updated USA Wrestling Return to the Mat Guidelines
The reason for the update is to make the guidelines better align with the ways that state and local governments and public health departments are implementing their requirements concerning the COVID-19 pandemic. The changes appear in the Phase 3 portion of the document (pages 10-14), a period when public health authorities allow small group activities. … rest of story at https://www.teamusa.org/USA-Wrestling/Features/2020/June/11/Return-to-Mat-Guidelines-updated-by-USA-Wrestling?mc_cid=d457d68b82&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
8 } – Introducing…The Noke Wrestling News Podcast – Episode 1 #TheBuild
Welcome to the latest project from The Open Mat. We have teamed up with the newly formed Roanoke College wrestling program to bring you Noke Wrestling News. Roanoke College is a Division III school in southwestern Virginia. This podcast will bring you up to date on all of the news and happening surrounding this team in its initial season. In episode 1, we talk with the Maroons first head coach Nate Yetzer. Coach Yetzer comes over from fellow DIII program Ferrum, which he also helped build from scratch. Yetzer was an All-American … rest of story at https://news.theopenmat.com/podcasts/introducing-noke-wrestling-news-episode-1-thebuild/78214?mc_cid=d457d68b82&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
9 } – TOM’s Quarant-Interview with Michigan Head Coach Sean Bormet
Recently, TOM got a chance to speak with Michigan’s third-year head coach Sean Bormet. We talk about the emergence of some previously unheralded members of his squad in 2019-20, along with his three All-Americans that took Olympic redshirts. Those redshirts ended up being a blessing after the NCAA Tournament was canceled and all three are seniors. Coach Bormet looks ahead … rest of story at https://news.theopenmat.com/college-wrestling-news/toms-quarant-interview-with-michigan-head-coach-sean-bormet/78192?mc_cid=54d8473a59&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
10 } – Obe Blanc: My Wrestling Hero
The 47th installment of My Wrestling Hero features Obe Blanc. The North Dakota State assistant shares his thoughts on his wrestling heroes: Jeff Mustari, Cary Kolat and Jordan Burroughs.
These are Blanc’s words on his wrestling hero:
“My high school coach, Jeff Mustari, was definitely a wrestling hero. He was a great mentor and helped me along the way. … rest of story at https://www.trackwrestling.com/PortalPost.jsp?TIM=1591822064083&twSessionId=zqmhvgvnad&postId=782469135&mc_cid=54d8473a59&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
Klessinger Coaching Notes (part 2)
21 things I’ve learned in 21 years as a head wrestling coach: Part 2
Disclaimer: I am not an expert coach and I struggle at times getting my teams to perform at the level I expect from them. But I have been more successful the past ten or eleven years than the first ten or eleven because I’ve recognized that I needed to keep learning more and get better. There is so much we can take from coaches like Cael Sanderson, Tom Ryan, and Cary Kolat and many others. If you are a coach, watch and learn from those guys. If you are a wrestler, watch and learn from Spencer Lee, Yianni Diakomihalis, or Daton Fix. We can absorb so much by merely observing them. Listen to interviews of coaches and wrestlers. What are they saying that you can use to up your game? Peoples’ words reflect their thoughts. Everything we do starts with our thinking. Being successful begins first in our minds with an idea, followed by an action. Modeling the behaviors and thinking of the best is a quick way to improve performance.
Related:Part 1 | “Strong Mind Strong Body” ebook
12. Be consistent in your communication and behavior
Consistency in your actions, what you say, and your day to day interactions with your team builds trust. From trust, your team will respond more effectively. Loose cannon outbursts and erratic behavior puts people on edge and can be counterproductive when working with your team. However, I believe there are moments when we should deviate from our regular routines. A good “rant” every so often can light a fire in your kids.
13. Be loving, kind, and grateful
I know there is a belief that our society is getting “soft.” Being kind and caring to your kids may perpetuate the development of lack of toughness if we mistake love and kindness as taking it easy on them. I look at being loving and kind as holding your team accountable. People that genuinely love us want us to be successful. They go the extra mile to help us. They are also the ones who let us know when we aren’t giving our best effort. Gratitude is an extension of love. It is recognizing and appreciating that we become better through challenges and hard work.
14. Be hard on them when they win and love them harder when they lose
I stole this from a book years ago. Ironically, a book by a basketball coach. I think most people do the opposite — be tougher on them when they lose. However, when you are winning, your attitude is in the right place, and you are more motivated. When you lose, a flood of negative emotions can surface — doubt, fear, insecurity, and questioning of commitment. No one likes to lose. The natural defense mechanism is to downplay a loss and say, “It is not a big deal.” But losing hurts. After a team or individual loss, it is always good to step back and evaluate your team’s mindset. It may be a good time for a light practice, a team meeting, or a general morale boost. The statement does not reflect my belief about poor effort. A poor effort is not the same as giving your best and losing.
15. The more I’ve learned, the more success we’ve had
There is so much to learn about wrestling and coaching. As I said in the opening paragraph, we can learn from watching the greats. When I was a younger coach, I was hard-headed and thought I knew a lot about wrestling. I admit I had a very good youth league, high school, and college coaches. I learned a lot from them, but when I opened my eyes to other methods and practices, my knowledge expanded, and we began to win more. I continue to learn from great coaches and leaders in wrestling and outside of wrestling about leadership, culture, technique, communication, and more.
16. Parents will support you if you challenge their children to be better
Better said, the majority will be on your side if they know you are looking out for their child’s best interests. Dealing with parents can be a juggling act at times. … rest of story and list at … https://intermatwrestle.com/articles/23724?mc_cid=c0a731c968&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
Klessinger Coaching Notes
TDR Editor’s Notes ; John Klessinger started his head coaching experience at SouthWest Edgecombe High School. We had the pleasure of working with him running some tournaments before he moved back to Maryland.
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21 things I’ve learned in 21 years as a head wrestling coach: Part 1
The list of 21 things I’ve learned could be 51 or 101. I have learned so much over the years about coaching and working with people that it easily could consume an entire book (which I am working on). Below are 11 of the 21 most impactful concepts, ideas, and practices I have learned in my 23-year coaching career, the last 21 being as a head high school coach.
1. Actions speak louder than words
My dad would say this to me often. In the context of coaching, it means your actions will make more of an impact than what you say. If you want your team disciplined, you have to be the first to demonstrate discipline. Your actions have to reflect your words. Young men and women respond well to visual models. If you talk too often without a concrete backing, eventually your team will not listen. I want my wrestlers to be at every practice on time and ready. Therefore, I am at every practice on time and prepared. It is a simple philosophy that has paid significant dividends over the years.
2. Rapport is a better motivator than yelling
I learned this from some of my high school and college coaches. Later the idea was cemented by a fellow coach and teacher I had the opportunity to talk at length about coaching, athletes, and teaching. Your team “will run through brick walls for you” (her comment) if you develop a relationship with them and show them that you care about them. Building rapport is not a difficult task but does require conscious effort. Sometimes we “live” in our agendas and practice plans, and we neglect to talk to our athletes about their life, school, and family. By the time they are juniors and seniors, I usually know much about their hobbies, interests, family, and goals. It takes time for you and them to open up about matters, not about wrestling. Each of us has our “story” and background unique to us. The more you learn about each of them, the more you will be able to push them later on.
3. Lead from the front
Set the example for your team. Be the first to get “in the fight.” Like actions speak louder than words, your team will come to expect from what you consistently demonstrate to them. If you routinely model what you want from your athletes, your team will fall in line. Setting the examples entails doing first what you want from others and then helping them do the same.
4. Focus on developing people first
This concept has changed my belief and love for coaching. For too long, early in my career, I focused on winning. More accurately, not losing. Admittedly, I probably dislike losing more than I like winning. As a competitor, the exhilaration from winning fades more rapidly than the feelings you have when you lose. Losing kind of haunts you and leaves you with the dialogue of “what if, why didn’t I, or I should have.” Once I changed my belief or focus, it became much easier to try to make “Jimmy” better than winning or losing a wrestling match. I can control making Jimmy or Sally better. I cannot always control the outcome of a wrestling match. More interesting though, once I changed my goal of coaching from winning to developing young men and women, it became much more fun, and ironically we won more. Go figure.
5. Enthusiasm is contagious, and so is negativity
You can practically change the perspective of any situation (wrestling or non-wrestling) with having an enthusiastic attitude. … rest of story at … https://intermatwrestle.com/articles/23698?mc_cid=19bf6bc4f5&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
Looking to Next Season #5
1 } -Harvard Wrestling Announces Incoming First-Year Class of 2024
CAMBRIDGE, Mass. – The David G. Bunning ’88 Head Coach of Harvard wrestling, Jay Weiss, announces its seven-member incoming class: Cole Bayless, Kenny Herrmann, Will Hoeft, Niko Katsuyoshi, Nick Marcenelle, Dom Mata, and Luke Rada. “We’re really excited for this group to join our wrestling family,” says Weiss. “Not only are they all accomplished on the mat, but they come with high character which will add to our current culture. This is going to be an impactful group that I can’t wait to get on campus.” Hailing from four states (California, Iowa, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania), … rest of story … https://www.gocrimson.com/sports/wrest/2020-21/releases/20200512mimkvv?mc_cid=c97d5b4f2c&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
2 } – NAIA Announces Extensions to Championship Hosts Affected by COVID-19
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) announced it will extend championship agreements for seven of its championship host sites affected this past year by COVID-19. The extensions were announced to assist further the relationship between the NAIA and its host cities. Women’s basketball (Sioux City, Iowa), women’s wrestling (University of Jamestown, Jamestown, N.D.), men’s and women’s bowling (Lawrence Tech University, Sterling Heights, Mich.), men’s and women’s tennis (Mobile, Ala.), baseball (Lewis-Clark State, Lewiston, Idaho), outdoor track and field (Gulf Shores, Ala.) and men’s golf (Mesa, Ariz.) came to an agreement on a one-year extension. Of these sites, Lewiston, Idaho has second-longest run of consecutive championships hosted with the NAIA Baseball World Series (since 2000). … rest of story … https://lcvalley.dailyfly.com/Home/ArtMID/1352/ArticleID/55629/NAIA-Announces-Extensions-to-Championship-Hosts-Affected-by-COVID-19?mc_cid=d787fad1c9&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
3 } – Pendleton Adds Martinez, Engel as Assistant Coaches
CORVALLIS, Ore. – Oregon State wrestling coach Chris Pendleton has announced the additions of Isaiah Martinez and Nate Engel to the Beaver coaching staff. “I’m excited to officially announce the hiring of two outstanding men,” Pendleton said. “From the start, I knew that I was looking for like-minded people that would help me with the holistic development of young athletes, and build a culture that places an emphasis on doing things the right way.” … rest of story … https://osubeavers.com/news/2020/5/18/wrestling-pendleton-adds-martinez-engel-as-assistant-coaches.aspx?mc_cid=588b1d30ac&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
4 } – SOONERS ADD TRANSFER MITCH MOORE
NORMAN – University of Oklahoma wrestling head coach Lou Rosselli announced the addition via transfer of two-time NCAA qualifier and ACC Freshman of the Year Mitch Moore to the roster. Moore comes to Norman from Virginia Tech where he was named ACC Freshman of the Year in 2019 after compiling a record of 18-9 and finishing as the runner-up at the ACC Championship at 141 pounds, earning an NCAA berth. His 10 falls as a freshman were the 10th most in a single season at Virginia Tech.
As a sophomore in 2020, Moore once again tallied a record of 18-9 and an impressive 11-2 record in dual action. He collected a team-high six wins via fall and earned an at-large bid to the NCAA Championship. “We’re really excited to welcome Mitch to our OU family.” Rosselli said. … rest of story … https://soonersports.com/news/2020/5/18/wrestling-sooners-add-transfer-mitch-moore.aspx?mc_cid=588b1d30ac&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
5 } – Notre Dame’s Ungar commits to Cornell for wrestling
Cornell might have enjoyed a head start in securing Brett Ungar as a wrestling recruit. “Back when I was little I always dreamed about being a Division I wrestler,” said the Notre Dame junior, who fulfilled that dream by committing to the Big Red Sunday evening. “And I always dreamed of Cornell since I was 8 or so — there was always something about the school, the combination of academics and the strong wrestling there. And then a couple of years ago, I really liked (four-time national champion) Kyle Dake a lot.” … rest of story … https://www.lehighvalleylive.com/highschoolsports/2020/05/notre-dames-ungar-commits-to-cornell-for-wrestling.html?mc_cid=588b1d30ac&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
6 } – Rider adds 4th N.J. state finalist to next year’s incoming wrestlers
Kingsway Regional High School senior McKenzie Bell became the fourth New Jersey state finalist to commit to Rider for this incoming season. Bell reached the 126-pound state final this year after upsetting Pope John’s Eddie Ventresca, who is headed to Virginia Tech, before losing to two-time state champ, four-time finalist and Penn State-bound Robert Howard. … rest of story … https://www.nj.com/highschoolsports/2020/05/rider-adds-4th-nj-state-finalist-to-next-years-incoming-wrestlers.html?mc_cid=588b1d30ac&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
7 } – Virginia Wrestling Announces 10 Newcomers For 2020-21
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – Virginia head coach Steve Garland announced a group of 10 wrestlers who will join the Virginia wrestling program for the 2020-21 academic year with the release of the latest incoming class. The class includes four state champions, seven All-Americans and two national champions and seven state place-winners among its 10 members. The class also features three wrestlers ranked in the top 20 nationally in their weight classes and two ranked among the top 100 seniors regardless of weight class. “Our staff is really happy with this group coming in,” said Virginia head coach Steve Garland. “This is an underrated group in our opinion. We have guys coming in this class that have won at the highest levels and we feel like most people have overlooked them. We trust they see that and we hope it motivates them. We have guys coming in from all over and we are excited to bring a diverse group of student-athletes to Grounds this fall.” … rest of story … https://virginiasports.com/news/2020/5/22/virginia-wrestling-announced-10-newcomers-for-2020-21.aspx?mc_cid=97df5e5b46&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
8 } – Rider Wrestling Announces 11-Member Incoming Recruiting Class
LAWRENCEVILLE, NJ – Rider University Wrestling Head Coach John Hangey has announced the signings of 11 student-athletes for the 2020-21 season. Six of the incoming wrestlers (four freshmen and two transfers) were ranked in the Top 20 in the nation at their respective weight classes upon graduating high school. Eight of the 11 were State Finalists and four were State Champions in high school. “Our 20-21 incoming class is very accomplished, talented and by far the deepest class we’ve ever brought into our program,” said Hangey. “We welcome these young men into our family and look forward to developing them as successful student-athletes, on and off the mat.” … rest of story … https://gobroncs.com/news/2020/5/22/wrestling-announces-11-member-incoming-recruiting-class.aspx?mc_cid=97df5e5b46&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
9 } – West Virginia Wrestling Adds 2020 NCAA Qualifier
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – West Virginia University wrestling coach Tim Flynn has announced the addition of Killian Cardinale, a qualifier for the 2020 NCAA Championships, to the Mountaineer wrestling roster. Cardinale, a native of Bristow, Virginia, has spent the previous two seasons at Old Dominion and will have two years of eligibility left. “We’re really excited to welcome Killian to Morgantown,” Flynn said. “He has proven himself against some of the best guys in the country, so we are looking forward to him arriving on campus. He’s going to be a big part of our future.”
This past season starting at 125 pounds, Cardinale finished the 2019-20 campaign ranked in the top 15 in four major polls and earned National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA) Division I All-America Honorable Mention honors. He led the Monarchs with 25 wins on the year, including 13 in dual matches, and defeated six ranked opponents. … rest of story … https://wvusports.com/news/2020/5/21/wrestling-adds-2020-ncaa-qualifier.aspx?mc_cid=97df5e5b46&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
10 } – Smith: NWCA discussing the potential of shifting college wrestling to spring
The idea of moving college wrestling out of the winter sports window isn’t a new idea, but it is one that is gaining momentum in the current environment of sports in a global pandemic. According to Oklahoma State wrestling coach John Smith, the National Wrestling Coaches Association has had discussions of approaching the NCAA about moving college wrestling from the winter sports window – currently spanning November to March – to one semester, specifically the spring.
“We’re looking at right now, real closely, to moving our season to January, for a lot of reasons,” Smith said in an exclusive interview with the News Press on Wednesday. “The main one being that extension of time of maybe, making sure that we get situated early on as we return to school and following guidelines that we need to follow, but also giving us additional time in our sport to prepare in preparation of the virus in our sport. …
“The NWCA, along with the coaches, are looking at maybe moving the season to January and beyond. That would be definitely something that would have to get approval from the NCAA, and we’ll see how it goes.”
Wrestling had its season end a week before the national tournament in March when the novel coronavirus became more prevalent in the United States – and ultimately shut down all sports, both college and professional.
There is a fear among medical experts that there could potentially be another wave of the novel coronavirus this fall – coupled with the normal flu season. A move of the winter sport back several months, could be viewed as a way to prepare for such a thing.
One of the issues with such a move right now, though, is the dates are locked in for the NCAA Division I National Wrestling Championships, held the second weekend of Spring Break (and the same weekend as the opening rounds of the men’s basketball tournament). The 2021 and 2022 locations and dates for the national tournament are already set with St. Louis due to host March 18-20, 2021, and Detroit set to host March 17-19 in 2022. … rest of story … https://www.stwnewspress.com/sports/osu_sports/smith-nwca-discussing-the-potential-of-shifting-college-wrestling-to-spring/article_00176159-d0d1-50a7-b2ac-9e1751eaba86.html?mc_cid=97df5e5b46&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
Wrestling History # 7
1 } – Nate Carr: My Wrestling Hero
The 40th installment of My Wrestling Hero features Nate Carr. The three-time NCAA champion shares his thoughts on his wrestling heroes, including his brothers. These are Carr’s words on his wrestling heroes:
“I didn’t look too far past my family: Jimmy, Joe, Fletcher. I didn’t go too much past that, but if I go out of the family it might be Lee Kemp. He’s one of the guys that was dominant when I was coming up. He was a quiet person who didn’t talk a lot. Reserved off the mat but strong on the mat. Chris Campbell, when I was being recruited by Iowa, was similar. You didn’t really hear him talking a lot but strong representation on the mat. … rest of story … https://www.trackwrestling.com/PortalPost.jsp?TIM=1591119428305&twSessionId=eeyksylkpq&postId=782300135&mc_cid=3777fdd4a3&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
2 } – Phil Sullivan, Cal Poly’s First NCAA College Division Champion, Passes
SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. — Phil Sullivan, Cal Poly’s first NCAA College Division national wrestling champion, passed away early Saturday morning, May 24, 2020, in Visalia, Calif. Sullivan was 76. A two-time letterman in wrestling at Tulare Western High School, Sullivan earned a pair of CIF-Central Section titles. There was no state meet at the time Sullivan competed in wrestling. 15Sullivan graduated from Tulare Western in 1962. He competed on Cal Poly’s freshman wrestling team in 1963 and was a redshirt in 1964. As a redshirt sophomore for the 1964-65 season, Sullivan went undefeated en route to the NCAA College Division national championship at 177 pounds. In the finals at Golden, Colo., he won by referee’s decision after battling Mel Schmidt of Northern Illinois to a 3-3 draw in regulation and 0-0 in overtime. … rest of story and pictures at … https://www.gopoly.com/sports/wrest/2019-20/releases/20200602iwdmae?mc_cid=3777fdd4a3&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
3 } – Petrella Family Comes Full Circle at Baldwin Wallace
BEREA, Ohio — When Michael Petrella ’24 steps on campus in August with his father, Paul ’79, and stepmother, Barbara, the Petrella family will have come full circle. And, after fathering, teaching, coaching and preparing five of his six children to wrestle, Michael is coming to his father’s alma mater to join Baldwin Wallace and Jamie Gibb’s championship Yellow Jacket wrestling program.
The Petrella’s Are Known for Excellence in Wrestling
“The Petrella Family is known throughout Ohio for its excellence,” said Gibbs. “No matter who you ask in Ohio and throughout the Midwest who is influential in the sport of wrestling, they know the name, they know Paul and they know the family and its success. … rest of story … https://www.bwyellowjackets.com/general/2019-20/releases/petrellafamily?mc_cid=3777fdd4a3&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
4 } – Sam Barber: My Wrestling Hero
The 39th installment of My Wrestling Hero features Sam Barber. The Air Force coach shares his thoughts on his wrestling hero: His college coach at Upper Iowa, Mike McCready. These are Barber’s words on his wrestling hero: “I grew up in such a rural, small town. My hero — I’d have to think about that. Once I went to college it became Mike McCready. He was probably the most influential person I met who opened my eyes that there’s other things in the world besides what you see right in front of you. His character, integrity and work ethic to this day are things I think about. Whenever I’m a coach, what kind of coach do I want to be? … rest of story … https://www.trackwrestling.com/PortalPost.jsp?TIM=1591070071851&twSessionId=bmhhjffjdg&postId=782283135&mc_cid=3777fdd4a3&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
5 } – Legacy of ‘father of wrestling in Massachusetts’ Jim Peckham lives on
Two new scholarship winners selected
Jim Peckham’s friends made sure his legacy would carry on after his death. Shortly after his passing in 2011, Peckham’s loyal legion of friends formed the Jim Peckham Scholarship Fund. It supports Massachusetts high school wrestlers who plan to wrestle in college and who have demonstrated excellence in wrestling, academics and personal character.
“It really was a collaboration of people getting there to get this going,” said Michael Stuer, a former standout wrestler at Lowell and Brown University. “Stephen Henry, Steve Biondolillo, Phil Grebinar, Tom Bartosek and myself were involved in initiating the scholarship. People just wanted to recognize Jim Peckham because he was the founder and often referred to as the father of wrestling in Massachusetts.” Despite never having wrestled in high school or college, Peckham went on to become an Olympic wrestler and later coached a pair of U.S. Olympic teams. He is in a very select group as an inductee of the National Wrestling Hall Of Fame in Stillwater, Okla. … rest of story … https://www.bostonherald.com/2020/06/01/legacy-of-father-of-wrestling-in-massachusetts-jim-peckham-lives-on/?mc_cid=3777fdd4a3&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
6 } – Gable the GOAT: How I Made It
Dan Gable is the most successful wrestling coach of all time. During his 21 years as the head coach at Iowa, Gable won 21 Big 10 championships and 15 NCAA team championships, including nine in a row from 1978 – 1986. Even more impressive is that Gable and the Hawks are a comeback story. Yes, the Hawks were removed from the throne as the kings of college wrestling from 1987-1990, where Iowa finished 2nd, 2nd, 6th and 3rd at the NCAA championships. During those years, we see Gable reflect, improve and bring Iowa back to college wrestling greatness by dominating the 1990’s era of wrestling. … rest of story … https://www.attackstylewrestling.com/gable-the-goathow-i-made-it/?mc_cid=ecaa75d4fa&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
7 } – Sam Hazewinkel: My Wrestling Hero
The 42nd installment of My Wrestling Hero features Sam Hazewinkel. The 2012 men’s freestyle Olympian, 2018 Greco-Roman World Team member and current head coach at Oklahoma City shares his thoughts on his wrestling heroes: His parents.
These are Hazewinkel’s words on his wrestling heroes:
“My dad (Dave) was my wrestling hero. He was always the guy I looked up to and spent a lot of time with him and learned a lot from him for all the normal reasons a kid looks up to his dad. Mine worked out so that he actually was the strongest in the world. It was easy to do. “I thought my life was pretty normal. He made me wrestle, but at the same time he explained why. He pointed out that I was getting better … rest of story … https://www.trackwrestling.com/PortalPost.jsp?TIM=1591330990785&twSessionId=qppxdlhnfa&postId=782330135&mc_cid=e0ec51354d&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
8 } – John Peterson’s path to a gold medal at the 1976 Olympics defies logic
John Peterson placed fifth at the 1971 NAIA Championships then made a World team a few months later. What happened next seems improbable: Peterson won a silver medal at the 1972 Olympics followed by a gold medal in 1976. … Podcast at … https://www.trackwrestling.com/PortalPlayer.jsp?TIM=1591330990785&twSessionId=qppxdlhnfa&videoId=782328135&mc_cid=e0ec51354d&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
9 } – World & Olympic champion Kevin Jackson & the discussion of race
An open dialogue with Kevin Jackson on race and wrestling and the current events going on in the world. … podcast at … http://www.mattalkonline.com/podcast/trackwrestling/on-the-mat/world-and-olympic-champion-kevin-jackson-and-the-discussion-of-race/?mc_cid=2e4d96fd0e&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
10 } – Hall of Fame HSU Coach Frank Cheek Passes Away at 82
Humboldt State University Athletics Department:
This past Saturday, legendary Humboldt State University Coach Frank Cheek passed away at the age of 82. His long career at Humboldt State included 22 years coaching wrestling and 25 years coaching softball. Most recently, Cheek was inducted into the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) Hall of Fame.
Cheek guided the Lumberjack softball team to NCAA Division II National Championships in 1999 and 2008. Fifteen of the Lumberjack softball and wrestling teams finished ranked in the top ten in the nation. … rest of story … https://lostcoastoutpost.com/2020/jun/1/hall-fame-hsu-coach-frank-cheek-passes-away-82/?mc_cid=3777fdd4a3&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
College Wrestling News – # 100
1 } – Getting II Know a DII Program: Drury
The Drury Panthers have just four years under their belts, with the young program wrestling its first season in 2017. Three have qualified for the NCAA Division II National Championships in the four years of Drury wrestling, two of those making the trip to the 2020 event that eventually was canceled in Sioux Falls. Former Adams State National Qualifier James Reynolds heads the Panthers after starting the program at Drury. “Drury Wrestling is striving to become a contender in Division II wrestling,” Reynolds said. “Our Wrestlers work hard toward success on and off the mat as the team looks to produce All-Americans, National Champions, All-Academic Honors and Dean’s List scholars. This team is full of future teachers, doctors, businessmen, coaches, physical therapists, dentists, software engineers, multimedia producers and leaders within their communities. Ductus Exemplo” … rest of story … https://news.theopenmat.com/college-wrestling-news/getting-ii-know-a-dii-program-drury/78069?mc_cid=3777fdd4a3&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
2 } – Oklahoma State Wrestling Finishes 6th Nationally in Attendance
The National Wrestling Media Association recently compiled a list of wrestling attendance data from the last year and here’s where the Cowboys landed compared to other top programs. … rest of story & list … https://pistolsfiringblog.com/oklahoma-state-wrestling-finishes-6th-nationally-in-attendance/?mc_cid=9b182d31f3&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
3 } – Nazareth products Travis Stefanik, Sammy Sasso are NWCA Division I Scholar All-Americans
Nazareth High graduates Travis Stefanik and Sammy Sasso were among 175 wrestlers recognized Thursday by the National Wrestling Coaches Association as NCAA Division I Scholar All-Americans. Stefanik, a sophomore 184-pounder who was 17-7 for Princeton in 2019-20, has not yet declared a major. He was sixth at EIWAs and seeded 29th at NCAAs. Sasso, a redshirt freshman University Exploration major at Ohio State, was 24-3 at 149 and named an All-American after the NCAA Wrestling Championships were canceled. He was ranked No. 1 nationally for much of the season and was seeded third entering NCAAs. … rest of story … https://www.mcall.com/sports/varsity/wrestling/mc-spt-nazareth-wrestling-ncaa-scholar-all-americans-20200430-n5ea2z4mejgd3jyzcojcgu5yxa-story.html?mc_cid=d92f731bd9&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
4 } – Former Upper St. Clair heavyweight Jake Slinger transfers from George Mason to Pitt
As a kid, Former Upper St. Clair wrestler Jake Slinger frequently attended Pitt wrestling matches at the Fitzgerald Field House. He remembered the atmosphere, the energy in the arena and the reaction of the crowd after a Panthers victory. “I loved the atmosphere, wrestling in the Fitzgerald Field House,” Slinger said. “It’s something that I’ll never forget. It’s something that definitely weighs heavy in my heart.” … rest of story … https://triblive.com/sports/former-upper-st-clair-heavyweight-jake-slinger-transfers-from-george-mason-to-pitt/?mc_cid=3777fdd4a3&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
5 } – Getting II Know a DII Program: CSU-Pueblo
Dax Charles resurrected the Colorado-Pueblo program in 2008-09, after the ThunderWolves program hadn’t seen the mat in eight seasons. Charles made a return to the program, after wrestling for CSUP and serving as an assistant coach for seven seasons before the program was cut in 2001. The 12-year head coach was the first of four NCAA Division II National Champions for the ThunderWolves, taking the top of the podium at 150 pounds in 1992. He has since served as either an assistant coach or head coach to the other three to win titles for Colorado-Pueblo. Three Pack wrestlers were set to wrestle at the 2020 NCAA Division II National Championships in March, with all three of those student-athletes set to take the mat again next season for Charles. Heavyweight Gavin Nye, who finished in the top 10 in the NCAA Division II Most Dominant listings, leads the Colorado Pueblo returners … rest of story … https://news.theopenmat.com/college-wrestling-news/getting-ii-know-a-dii-program-csu-pueblo/78115?mc_cid=773016901f&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
6 } – KELLAN STOUT: A LETTER TO WRESTLING AND MY DAD
As cliché as a rags to riches trope has become, it also pertains to a greater truth that reflects on the ideals of our culture and how it has come to define success. Rising from the pool of silent voices to overcome the disparity in being less fortunate is a small percentage that manages to escape their own circumstances. Take my own life for example; I have a male figure that fits perfectly into this small percentage giving me a unique, third party point of view into the link between this eager drive resulting from a preceding childhood that was rich with character building experiences, yet underwhelming materially, and how it echoes within the man I have become today—he is my father.
I was 10 years old and in the middle of my third grade school year when I first realized that the world I lived in wasn’t entirely nice, but rather it existed in a very different way depending on who you were. I checked out a library book about Muhammad Ali—dissecting each page image by image while trying to wrap my mind around the greatness that he embodied. My father and I have always had a relationship that partly revolved around athletics and it seemed natural to approach him about something I saw. … rest of story … https://pittsburghpanthers.com/news/2020/4/24/kellan-stout-a-letter-to-wrestling-and-my-dad.aspx?mc_cid=52d81661de&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
7 } – Undrafted rookie Jan Johnson brings ‘unique story’ to Texans
Toward the end of a heavyweight wrestling match and trailing on points, Penn State freshman Jan Johnson charged off the mat and launched his upper body at Ohio State NCAA champion Kyle Snyder. … rest of story … https://www.houstonchronicle.com/texas-sports-nation/texans/article/Undrafted-rookie-Jan-Johnson-brings-unique-15260242.php?mc_cid=2bb0dedacc&mc_eid=
8 } – Central Michigan can stay at five men’s teams for now; new sport required by 2022
The NCAA has approved Central Michigan’s request for a temporary waiver to dip under the minimum number of male sports teams required to maintain Division I status. Central Michigan received word Thursday, in a letter from Troy Arthur, the NCAA’s director of academic and membership affairs. The NCAA’s Strategic Vision and Planning Committee reviewed the case, and approved Central’s request. … rest of story … https://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/college/2020/06/04/cmu-can-stay-five-mens-teams-now-new-sport-required-2022/3148005001/?mc_cid=e0ec51354d&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b and another story at … https://www.mlive.com/sports/2020/06/central-michigan-receives-ncaa-waiver-will-remain-division-i-program.html?mc_cid=e0ec51354d&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
9 } – The Road to Recovery/Nationals for Augustana Wrestling’s Brandon Carroll
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. — Augustana rising senior, and Sioux Falls native, Brandon Carroll burst onto the scene during the 2016-17 campaign. The then-freshman went 20-13 overall and 5-3 in NSIC duals at 125 pounds, becoming the first true freshman to qualify for nationals at Augustana in nearly 15 years. For his efforts, he was named Super Region 3 Freshman of the Year and earned Second-Team All-NSIC honors. “I really don’t know,” said Carroll when asked about what he did so well. “I didn’t think about how good other teams were and how good other wrestlers were. I never counted myself out and I definitely had to prove myself. I still feel like that today. It just kind of happened.” It definitely wasn’t supposed to happen, however. Carroll planned to redshirt during his freshman season, but decided to give it a go once the season started. … rest of story … https://goaugie.com/news/2020/6/4/the-road-to-recovery-nationals-for-augustana-wrestlings-brandon-carroll.aspx?mc_cid=e0ec51354d&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
10 } – Behrend Wrestling Joins Empire Collegiate Wrestling Conference
ERIE, Pa. – The Penn State Behrend wrestling team has joined the Empire Collegiate Wrestling Conference (ECWC) for the 2020-21 season. The Lions and Pitt-Bradford, currently members of the Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference (AMCC), have been accepted into the conference as associate members. The ECWC was established in 1991. The charter members include The College at Brockport, SUNY Cortland, Ithaca College, SUNY Oneonta, SUNY Oswego and Rochester Institute of Technology. In addition, Alfred State rejoined the conference in 2018. … rest of story … https://www.psblions.com/sports/wrest/2020-21/releases/20200603fiephz?mc_cid=e0ec51354d&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
High School Wrestling News – # 18
1 } – Westside’s Lou Miloni ‘coached with a passion’ and touched lives on and off wrestling mat (Nebraska)
Lou Miloni’s legacy to Omaha Westside wrestling is found on the school’s mat. Right there in the center circle, his face is drawn in caricature. Miloni couldn’t attend the mat’s unveiling last year at the state tournament at CHI Health Center, as he was at his home in Arizona with non-Hodgkins lymphoma. But he came back last June when the school unveiled a commemorative plaque and announced an annual endowed scholarship in his name. The 36-year teacher and coach at Westside died May 15 in Chandler, Arizona. He was 79. A memorial service will be held in Omaha at a later time, daughter Tiffany Small said. “Sports were always important to him,” she said. “The family has been touched by the former students who have reached out or visited my dad during his sickness. It meant so much to him.” … rest of story … https://www.omaha.com/sports/high-school/westsides-lou-miloni-coached-with-a-passion-and-touched-lives-on-and-off-wrestling-mat/article_d193cc11-4568-54d2-a189-db360bcdc4f2.html?mc_cid=97df5e5b46&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
2 } – Bozeman wrestling got its coach after novel hiring process (Montana) BILLINGS — The hiring process was new due to the novel coronavirus, but Bozeman Public Schools Activities Director Mark Ator feels the Bozeman Hawks got the right man to lead the wrestling program. Sean Dellwo is the new wrestling coach at Bozeman High, pending school board approval. Ator said Dellwo, who formerly coached the Belgrade Panthers, was hired May 15 after an online meeting. He will also teach math at the school. The school board will address personnel moves during the first part of June, Ator said. Dellwo would succeed Nate Laslovich, the longtime Hawks coach who will now be guiding the new Gallatin High School opening in Bozeman this fall. … rest of story … https://406mtsports.com/high-school/wrestling/bozeman-wrestling-got-its-coach-after-novel-hiring-process/article_48059eed-5b9c-575a-a505-f2c3eacb9421.html?mc_cid=97df5e5b46&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
3 } – Former Burlington High School wrestler Josh Bird killed in accident (Wisconsin)
The Burlington High School wrestling program is reeling from another tragedy. Twenty years after former state champion Mike Kramer was killed in a motorcycle accident, two-time state champion Josh Bird also died on his motorcycle. Bird, who won state championships as a freshman in 2013 and as a junior in ‘15, was killed in a two-vehicle accident in the Town of Mukwonago on Friday. The Waukesha County Sheriff’s Office and Wisconsin State Patrol said a 23-year Burlington man was killed in a motor vehicle accident at 4 p.m. Friday on State Highway 83 and Sugden Road in the Town of Mukwonago. … rest of story … https://journaltimes.com/sports/former-burlington-high-school-wrestler-josh-bird-killed-in-accident/article_dcce7182-a27e-58b3-b9c1-9d18246455ea.html?mc_cid=4b3d9c77ea&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
4 } – Scott Green and Wyoming Seminary finish as the top high school team in the country
Scott Green talks about the process of getting into Wyoming Seminary, college wrestling combines and making it at the next level.
Podcast at … https://www.trackwrestling.com/PortalPlayer.jsp?TIM=1590514634797&twSessionId=gfefzvfhud&videoId=782127135&mc_cid=a56cef7301&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
5 } – Area wrestling coaches give their views on PIAA proposal to cut a weight class (Pennsylvania)
High School wrestling matches are poised to have a different look next season. While there are still steps to be taken before a shift from 14 weight classes to 13 is officially put in place, the PIAA’s board of directors moved in that direction last Wednesday when it passed on a first reading basis the wrestling steering committee’s proposal that would transform the four weight classes between 170-220 into three – 172, 189 and 215. Area coaches weighed in on the move, meant to decrease the number of forfeits seen in matches. “I understand the reason behind PIAA reducing the amount of weight classes,” said Jim Thorpe head coach Shawn Albert. “This does eliminate the amount of wrestlers needed to complete a full lineup. … rest of story … https://www.tnonline.com/20200526/area-wrestling-coaches-give-their-views-on-piaa-proposal-to-cut-a-weight-cl/?mc_cid=a56cef7301&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
6 } – Whether it’s the NFL or wrestling, recruiting is the key
Preparation for a wrestling meet doesn’t start in the locker room or the wrestling room — it starts in the living room. Recruiting battles are where the competition really begins. Coaching philosophy and technical aspects of wrestling get talked about often, but recruiting usually gets overlooked. Recruiting is an essential part of winning. One person — good or bad — can change the entire dynamic of a team. That means getting the right recruits is fundamental to future success. So what goes into recruiting? Each coach has to sell himself and his program to an athlete. There is an art to getting a high school wrestler — and his parents — to commit to a college. … rest of story … https://www.trackwrestling.com/PortalPost.jsp?TIM=1590641077660&twSessionId=oyfwdiszrh&postId=782210135&mc_cid=2313436fb3&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
7 } – PREP WRESTLING: Before he became the head coach at Grundy High School, Travis Fiser forged his mat identity in Iowa (Virginia)
Travis Fiser was a sophomore wrestler at Kirkwood Community College and was looking to stay in tip-top shape over Christmas break in 1988. After wrapping up practice one day at a local high school (Kirkwood did not have its own wrestling room on campus), Fiser happened to bump into Barry Davis, a three-time national champion at the University of Iowa, and asked about possibly coming to Iowa City and working out with some of the Hawkeyes. … rest of story … https://www.heraldcourier.com/sports/prep-wrestling-before-he-became-the-head-coach-at-grundy-high-school-travis-fiser-forged/article_97263fde-a6a5-11ea-8721-6704c392573b.html?mc_cid=2e4d96fd0e&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
8 } – Big Red’s Tuttle Keeps D-I Tradition Alive (Ohio)
STEUBENVILLE — Keeping the tradition alive. Steubenville High School had four recent graduates wrestling at the NCAA Division I level last season. This year there will be five competing. David Tuttle, a 4-year standout on both the mat and the football field, recently announced that he will attend Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania this fall to continue his academic and wrestling careers. He will join former teammates Tariq Wilson (North Carolina State), Jashon Hubbard (Ohio State University) and Peyton Blasko and Anthony Rice (Cleveland State) at D-I schools. “We’ve been blessed with some exceptional athletes over the past few years,” veteran Big Red head coach Mike Blackburn said. “It’s a nice accomplishment, … rest of story … https://www.theintelligencer.net/sports/top-sports/2020/05/big-reds-tuttle-keeps-d-i-tradition-alive/?mc_cid=af75736df9&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
9 } – The National Wrestling Hall of Fame on Thursday announced that Braxton Amos of Mineral Wells, West Virginia, is the 2020 national winner of the Dave Schultz High School Excellence Award
“Being named the 2020 Dave Schultz High School Excellence Award winner is an awesome ending to my high school wrestling career. My club coach, Miron Kharchilava, trained with Dave on several occasions. Hearing his stories about Dave and their training is inspiring,” said Amos, who is the first national winner from West Virginia. “One of the posters that still hangs in Miron’s room is Dave with a quote about the Japanese Samurai Musashi Miyamoto. I have walked by that poster thousands of times, it makes me appreciate the amount of time Dave put into chasing perfection and reminds me that people who didn’t see the discipline will never understand his sacrifice. “It’s an honor to join the list of past DSHSE winners,” he added. “I’m proud to represent the University of Wisconsin, the State of West Virginia, and Parkersburg South High School.” … rest of story … https://nwhof.org/blog/west-virginias-braxton-amos-named-dave-schultz-high-school-excellence-award-national-winner/?mc_cid=af75736df9&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
10 } – PREP WRESTLING: Wrestling legend Barry Davis keeps ‘giving back’ as assistant with New Lisbon (Wisconsin)
Barry Davis has accomplished just about everything there is accomplish in the world of wrestling. During his lengthy, illustrious career as both a wrestler and a coach, Davis has piled up a surefire Hall of Fame résumé. In high school, Davis was a three-time state champion before moving on the wrestle at the University of Iowa under legendary coach Dan Gable. Davis was a four-time NCAA All-American and racked up three NCAA titles during his college career and still owns the Hawkeyes’ career wins record — no small feat at a program that has won 23 team NCAA championships over the years. Davis’s wrestling success continued on to the international stage. He was a silver medalist at the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles and … rest of story … https://www.wiscnews.com/juneaucountystartimes/sports/high-school/wrestling/prep-wrestling-wrestling-legend-barry-davis-keeps-giving-back-as-assistant-with-new-lisbon/article_10c01e4e-3e98-55c3-9cc7-c2daa726bf5d.html?mc_cid=e0ec51354d&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
National Wrestling News & Views – June
1 } – Wrestling’s Quincy Monday: Going His Own Way
Both when it came to what sport to pursue and where to pursue it collegiately, Quincy Monday showed he’s not one to back down from a challenge. Quincy’s father, Kenny, was a three-time Olympian, a gold medalist in Seoul in 1988, a silver medalist in Barcelona in 1992, and a sixth-place finisher when the Games came back stateside in 1996. All of that came after a college career at Oklahoma State that saw him win the 1984 NCAA title at 150 pounds. It’s a resume that’s a lot to live up to. There’s no way, though, that the significance of all of those accomplishments could have been in young Quincy’s mind when he started in the sport. He was just spending time with his dad and thought what he saw the other kids doing was fun. … rest of story … https://goprincetontigers.com/news/2020/4/21/wrestlings-quincy-monday-going-his-own-way.aspx?mc_cid=9b182d31f3&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
2 } – SingleSpeed to host virtual Happy Hour with Dan Gable
WATERLOO – Nearly every wrestling fan in the state of Iowa has their own individual story on the time they met Waterloo’s own Dan Gable. It might have been randomly where the 1972 Olympic Gold medalist was filling up his car with gas in Iowa City. Maybe the fan ran into him at Carver-Hawkeye Arena or waited in line to get his autograph at various events. But how many of those same fans can say they sat down and had a beer with Gable? SingleSpeed Brewing is going to make that possible later this month with a Virtual Happy Hour with Dan Gable at 5 p.m. on May 20 as part of its weekly Virtual Happy Hour’s on Facebook Live. The Waterloo-based brewery will host Gable as well as moderator Kyle Klingman from Trackwrestling and brewery founder Dave Morgan. The idea came after SingleSpeed rebanded its Gable Munich Helles lager, a beer that celebrates Gable’s Olympic triumph in Munich. … rest of story … https://wcfcourier.com/sports/blogs/half_nelson_half_fiction/singlespeed-to-host-virtual-happy-hour-with-dan-gable/article_48749182-cde7-5469-8f8f-f5d7864598b4.html?mc_cid=6299171a9e&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
3 } – NWCA TO HOST VIRTUAL CONVENTION
Manheim, PA – The National Wrestling Coaches Association announced today that their annual national convention will switch to a virtual event in response to concerns over social distancing and travel. Sessions will run, as usual, just online starting Wednesday, July 29, and closing Friday, July 31. Title sponsors for the NWCA National Virtual Convention include Cliff Keen, Defense Soap, and Resilite.
“The past couple of months has been full of unprecedented shifts in our society and we understand that it would have been difficult for our annual convention to take place as usual,” said Mike Moyer NWCA Executive Director. “It is our hope that shifting to a virtual platform and keeping the same format and schedule we could continue to serve our members and provide them with three tremendous days of high caliber coaching development and much-needed interaction.”
The NWCA team is hard at work finalizing the full slate of presenters and creating scheduling tracks for college coaches, scholastic coaches, officials, and retired coaches. Not only will the sessions take place online, but the exhibitor trade show will also be available virtually … rest of the story … http://www.nwcaonline.com/2020-nwca-to-host-virtual-convention/?mc_cid=8266d89c28&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
4 } – In Olympic sports, canceled events mean fewer member fees, which mean trouble
With their competition calendars wiped clean, Olympic organizers in the United States say the financial toll of the novel coronavirus is coming into focus, and the overall economic impact of the pandemic promises to be staggering. The national governing bodies (NGBs) that oversee the individual Olympic sports are nonprofit organizations that have seen their funding sources dry up in recent weeks as thousands of competitions and events have been canceled or postponed indefinitely. Most rely heavily on membership dues and event proceeds for revenue but have been unable to host competitions during what would normally be a busy season. Max Cobb, head of the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee’s National Governing Bodies Council, said in an interview this week that lost revenue could reach $100 million.
“With the loss of the season so far — and potential loss of it through much of the summer — we’re looking at an enormous drop-off in membership renewals and a huge number of events that have been canceled,” said Cobb, who also is the chief executive of U.S. Biathlon. “A handful of those events might happen at a later date, but most of that revenue is just never coming back.” … rest of story … https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2020/05/07/olympic-sports-canceled-events-mean-fewer-member-fees-which-mean-trouble/?mc_cid=8266d89c28&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
5 } – ESPN’s Quint Kessenich and his life in wrestling
Growing up on Long Island, Quint Kessenich played a bunch of sports, but he was most successful in wrestling and lacrosse. When the time came to go to college in the late 1980s, he went where he felt he was best – tending goal for national powerhouse Johns Hopkins and its storied lacrosse program. Years later, Kessenich would reconnect with wrestling and serve as a commentator and sideline reporter for ESPN, covering a number of NCAA wrestling championships as well as calling the action for events on the ESPN family of networks. On Episode 603 of Short Time, Kessenich talks about his origins in wrestling and in broadcasting, what it’s like to be in the moment on the sidelines, how he deals with criticism and some of his best moments he’s been able to witness. … rest of story … http://www.mattalkonline.com/podcast/short-time/espns-quint-kessenich-and-his-life-in-wrestling/?mc_cid=c97d5b4f2c&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
6 } – Bob Bowlsby analyzes the challenges and opportunities that wrestling faces in the next 60 days
Big 12 commissioner Bob Bowlsby talks Bob Siddens, Dan Gable, Tom and Terry Brands, Bob Stoops, the current state of wrestling, and the toughest decisions he has ever had to make. … rest of story … https://www.trackwrestling.com/PortalPlayer.jsp?TIM=1589846281894&twSessionId=atzmltkojt&videoId=782018135&mc_cid=588b1d30ac&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
7 } – Cole Erickson ponders life beyond wrestling
CEDAR RAPIDS — Cole Erickson was supposed to be wrestling for a national championship this weekend, completing his senior season on the mat for Coe College at the NCAA Division III Wrestling Championships at the U.S. Cellular Center. Instead, the Mediapolis High School graduate was sitting in his apartment, trying to wrap his head around all that had transpired in the past 24 hours after the NCAA canceled all of its winter and spring championships because of the coronavirus outbreak. And it left Erickson to ponder what the future holds, both short term and long term after his wrestling career came to an abrupt halt. … rest of story … https://www.thepredicament.com/2020/05/cole-erickson-ponders-life-beyond-wrestling-2/?mc_cid=0f2858c4d6&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
8 } – State of Wrestling Podcast: Nate Naasz talks about the genesis of the NWCA Virtual Convention
Nate Naasz of the NWCA comes back to State of Wrestling’s fifth episode to talk about the dynamics of working remotely in the world of wrestling and what the National Wrestling Coaches Association has been doing to continue working through the global pandemic. The key points of the episode are about the move to a virtual convention for 2020 as the NWCA Convention will take place online July 29-31, 2020. We touch on some of the keynotes, tease some of the sessions and talk about the growth and how the virtual convention may be a way to reach more coaches as well. … rest of story … http://www.nwcaonline.com/state-of-wrestling-podcast-nate-naasz-talks-about-the-genesis-of-the-nwca-virtual-convention/?mc_cid=09c8756a50&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
9 } – From a distance, these young Journalists of the Year share their wrestling passions
Note: The following story appeared in the May issue of WIN Magazine. Click here or call 888-305-0606 to subscribe.
By Mike Finn
The recent social distancing demands caused by COVID-19 certainly have not affected the communication pattern of wrestling friends Jude Swisher and Sam Herring. That’s because communicating from a distance has never been an issue — especially for over a year — for Swisher, a 16-year-old high school sophomore from State College, Pa., and Herring, a 13-year-old seventh grader from Memphis, Tenn.
For despite the 900 miles between their hometowns, these young wrestlers have created a buzz since March of 2019 when they created Home Mat Advantage, a weekly wrestling podcast … and most recently were honored by WIN as the magazine’s 2020 Journalists of the Year. … rest of story … https://www.win-magazine.com/2020/05/from-a-distance-these-young-journalists-of-the-year-share-their-wrestling-passions/?mc_cid=73440286e7&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
10 } – Kevin Harvick’s High School Wrestling Helped Make Him One of NASCAR’s Top Drivers
Kevin Harvick’s first love has always been racing. Ever since his parents bought him a go-kart as a kindergarten graduation gift, the NASCAR star has fallen in love with racing cars. Like most youngsters, Harvick participated in other sports. In high school, Harvick was a member of his high school wrestling team, qualifying for a sectional tournament. Harvick, however, drifted away from wrestling, but still managed to use his experience in the sport to get him to where he is today. … rest of story … https://www.sportscasting.com/kevin-harvicks-high-school-wrestling-helped-make-him-one-of-nascars-top-drivers/?mc_cid=1ad1a557de&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
Albion College adds men’s, women’s wrestling programs
Albion College President-Elect Mathew Johnson has announced the Albion College Athletic Department will bring back men’s wrestling after a more than 40-year absence as well as add women’s wrestling and esports.
All three are expected to begin competition for the 2021-2022 academic year. “Albion College is always striving to provide a great educational experience, and athletics is part of that experience,” said Dr. Johnson, who was a high school and college athlete. “With men’s and women’s wrestling as well as the rapidly growing esports, Albion will provide more opportunities for all those students who wish to participate.”
The additions will bring to 24 the number of varsity sports sponsored by Albion — 12 for men and 12 for women. Albion last added a varsity sport in 2017 when the Western-style discipline was added in equestrian. In 2014, Albion added men’s and women’s indoor track and field.
“We are fortunate to have a rich athletic tradition that serves as a foundation in this next chapter as we bring back men’s wrestling and welcome women’s wrestling and esports,” said Erik Braun, Albion’s assistant athletic director.
Mike Moyer, president of the National Wrestling Coaches Association, was also thrilled with Albion’s return to collegiate wrestling. “It’s a real big deal,” he said. “And it’s an even bigger deal to … rest of story at … https://intermatwrestle.com/articles/23721?fbclid=IwAR0a2Cru5pNPkiggORaFELMtbB9LB96TN0TM40MzAYy8wjVwM9tmfOZYW5s
and school link at https://www.gobrits.com/general/2019-20/releases/sportsadditions
Women’s Wrestling News # 39
1 } – Easton on the verge of taking leadership on girls wrestling
By Brad Wilson | For lehighvalleylive.com
When it comes to scholastic wrestling, Easton has always been a leader. From the fundamentals taught in the room, to an approach to scheduling, to finding ways to support the program, and from developing a fan base, the Red Rovers have always been in the forefront of the sport. And with the growth of girls wrestling, Jim Pokrivsak wants to keep it that way.
On Tuesday, the Easton Area School Board will vote on establishing girls wrestling as a separate sport, as proposed by Pokrivsak, the Red Rovers’ Athletic Director. … rest of story … https://www.lehighvalleylive.com/highschoolsports/2020/05/easton-on-the-verge-of-taking-leadership-on-girls-wrestling.html?mc_cid=4b3d9c77ea&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
2 } – Hawaii’s Nanea Estrella Named Tricia Saunders High School Excellence Award National Winner
The National Wrestling Hall of Fame on Tuesday announced that Nanea Estrella of Makawao, Hawaii, is the 2020 national winner of the Tricia Saunders High School Excellence Award (TSHSEA) “I am so excited to receive this award. There were so many amazing female wrestlers up for this award and I am blessed to be a part of this group,” said Estrealla. “Tricia Saunders was a leader for female athletes and is a true role model for people like me, who are just starting their career and hope to be the best one day. I hope to one day inspire female wrestlers like she has inspired me. Thank you to all who helped me achieve this honor and I want to thank the National Wrestling Hall of Fame for this tremendous award.” … rest of the story … https://nwhof.org/blog/hawaiis-nanea-estrella-named-tricia-saunders-high-school-excellence-award-national-winner/?mc_cid=a56cef7301&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
3 } – INJURY ADVERSITIES TO A COMEBACK SEASON
HELLO, I’M MARISSA GALLEGOS.
I went from being injured and unable to wrestle in my first college season attending Colorado Mesa University, to finally being able to compete in Women’s Wrestling College Nationals the next year to earn a 3rd place finish. I surprised myself at my second senior tournament ever. A big part of why I was able to have such a surprising comeback this season was because of how I approached my injuries and other setbacks along the way. … rest of story … https://www.wreaperwrestling.com/injury-adversities-to-a-comeback-season/?mc_cid=2313436fb3&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
4 } – COLLEGE COACHES OPPOSE REQUEST TO REDUCE SPORT SPONSORSHIP MINIMUMS
Liz Robertshaw realizes there is no going back to business as usual, that a post-COVID-19 college sports landscape likely will not look the same as that which preceded the pandemic. But as cash-strapped universities and athletic departments look for ways to compensate for revenue shortfalls caused by school closures, the cancelation of the NCAA basketball tournament and the threat of a similar shutdown of football in the fall, Robertshaw and other college coaches association leaders are lobbying Indianapolis to make sure the new normal does not come at the expense of non-revenue sports.
“Olympic sports student-athletes have generated $3.6 billion in tuition and fees for universities. We’re also teaching life lessons, how important the opportunity to play college athletics is for these students at all levels,”
… rest of story … https://www.uslaxmagazine.com/college/women/college-coaches-oppose-request-to-reduce-sport-sponsorship-minimums?mc_cid=b693ccac6a&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
5 } – PATRIOTS GAIN FOUR WRESTLERS FOR 2020-21 SEASON
Williamsburg, KY – Adding on to their roster for next season, UC women’s wrestling is excited to announce four more recruits. Emily Alderman, Vanessa Nebre, Destiny Parsons, and Tenyea Ramirez have all signed to join the team starting this fall. Alderman is a native of Fair Oaks, CA having wrestled for Bella Vista. Through her years of wrestling she has been a Napa Valley Classic Finalist, a two-time regional champion, a Master’s Tournament Champion, and placed at the California State Tournament twice, earning fifth place this past season. When not competing, Alderman is involved in her school’s student government and was a member of her high school’s first graduating class. Nebre joins Alderman as a California native, living in Bakersfield. … rest of story … https://cumberlandspatriots.com/news/2020/5/28/womens-wrestling-patriots-gain-four-wrestlers-for-2020-21-season.aspx?mc_cid=af75736df9&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
6 } – Michaela Beck: My Wrestling Hero
The 41st installment of My Wrestling Hero features Michaela Beck The 2019 Junior World Team member shares her thoughts on his wrestling heroes: Terry Steiner and Cary Kolat. These are Beck’s words on her wrestling heroes: “I have two (wrestling heroes). Terry Steiner wrestled at Iowa and that hard-nosed style. The stories he told of his brothers doing three workouts a day and not being most talented in the world, but they built themselves up and they were consistent with their training and their lifestyle every day to the point where the people who thought they were like that couldn’t keep up with them. “Terry told me once that they … rest of story … https://www.trackwrestling.com/PortalPost.jsp?TIM=1591239752045&twSessionId=uhxtlzefar&postId=782324135&mc_cid=773016901f&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
7 } – Steubenville High School to add girls’ wrestling team
STEUBENVILLE — The fastest-growing sport in the nation has reached the Ohio Valley. It was recently announced that Steubenville High School will field a girls’ wrestling team for the 2020-21 school year.
The team will be led by Big Red boys’ coach Mike Blackburn and Tommie Goff, an Akron Copley graduate who led the junior high program last season at Harding Middle School.
“We wanted to try to establish a team and be the first team in the area. We wanted to try and get things rolling because it’s going to happen,” Blackburn stressed. “It’s the fastest growing sport in the nation and it’s a great opportunity for all of the girls. … rest of story … https://www.weirtondailytimes.com/sports/local-sports/2020/06/steubenville-high-school-to-add-girls-wrestling-team/?mc_cid=afb6e864d0&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
8 } – ANOTHER FOUR WRESTLERS JOIN UC FOR NEXT SEASON
Williamsburg, KY – Looking to remain one of the top teams in the NAIA, the UC women’s wrestling team has added another four student-athletes to next year’s squad. Isela Mendez, Ariana Pereira, Alyssa Porter, and Mariana Rosales will all be joining the Patriots this fall.
Mendez becomes the third Northview High School graduate to wrestle for Cumberlands in recent years where she will join current Patriot, Alexis Medina and Graduate Assistant Coach Ismileyna Valles. Mendez has had much success in California winning a League Championship, CIF Regional Championship, and a CIF Masters Championship. She also placed twice at the CIF Regional and the CIF Masters while qualifying for the State Tournament twice. On the national stage Mendez was an All-American and placed seventh at the Folkstyle National Tournament.
Pereira, a Newark, CA native, has also seen success at the state level. She qualified for the State Championship all four years of high school becoming a state finalist twice and was a 2020 CIF State Champion. … rest of story … https://cumberlandspatriots.com/news/2020/6/4/womens-wrestling-another-four-wrestlers-join-uc-for-next-season.aspx?mc_cid=e0ec51354d&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
9 } – Popular girls wrestling on verge of earning FHSAA state championship status
When Kalani Rivas went to her first wrestling practice as a freshman at Freedom High School of Orlando, she had no idea that the sport would change her life. Rivas, who as a senior this past season won a title at the unofficial girls state championship, was struggling with the wrong crowd and never envisioned going to college because of the cost. “In my freshman year, I wasn’t surrounded by the best people,” Rivas said. “But once I stepped into the [wrestling] room, I met amazing teammates and they are now my family and definitely changed my path.”
Now Rivas is heading to Limestone College in South Carolina on a wrestling scholarship. “I’m the first in my immediate family going to college,” Rivas said. “and because of wrestling, I’m going for free.”
Stories like Kalani’s can be found across the state as girls have flocked to the sport at an increasing rate. Girls wrestling is among the fastest-growing sports in the United States. According to the National Federation of High Schools, girls wrestling participation has increased every year since 1990.
“It’s exciting and it’s a great opportunity for girls,” Kissimmee Osceola wrestling coach Jim Bird said. … rest of story … https://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/highschool/wrestling/os-sp-hs-wrestling-girls-wrestling-feature-20200607-4q53usvyrzc3dgel4kfv73iw5q-story.html?mc_cid=afb6e864d0&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
10 } – For girls wrestling, it’s a start
David City’s Sammi Krafka was excited to start wrestling again in her freshman year after not competing in junior high. Unfortunately for the Scout, her season came to a premature end when she broke her collarbone in her first match against a boy. It’s those kind of scenarios David City coach Tanner Thiem says can turn young women away from the sport of wrestling forever.
However, there was some encouraging news on May 21 when the NSAA approved girls wrestling as an emerging sport, opening up the door for girls to face off with girls across the mat. The NSAA can give it full sanctioning any time over the next three years, meaning a championship tournament, except for in Year 1. In 2018-19, high school participation in the sport declined for the first time in 30 years but girls wrestling increased by 27%, according to the National Federation of State High School Associations. “I guess it’s disappointing,” Thiem said. “The way it is now, it’s a lose, lose for both boys and girls, in my opinion. There’s not one boy that enjoys wrestling a girl. … rest of story … https://columbustelegram.com/community/banner-press/sports/for-girls-wrestling-its-a-start/article_39aa4099-0806-5a8e-a96b-351b03f77115.html?mc_cid=e0ec51354d&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
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
