Takedown Report

College Wrestling News – # 97

1 } – Thompson Resigns from Head Wrestling Coach Position
HAYS, Kan. – Fort Hays State head wrestling coach Chas Thompson announced he is resigning from his head wrestling coach position at Fort Hays State University. Thompson led the program for 12 years from 2008-2020. “I want to thank Fort Hays State University and the Athletic Department for all of the opportunities given to me in my tenure in Hays,” said Thompson. “I have many fond memories here. I will truly miss my FHSU Wrestling family, and I look forward to seeing them reach their goals. While this has been a very hard decision for me, with all this uncertainty due to COVID-19, I am looking into opportunities to get back closer to family.”  “We’d like to thank Chas for his efforts as our head wrestling coach over the years,” said FHSU Athletic Director Curtis Hammeke. “We wish him and his family the best in their future endeavors.” Most recently in 2019-20, Thompson coached the Tigers to a fourth-place finish …. rest of story at … https://fhsuathletics.com/news/2020/5/21/thompson-resigns-from-head-wrestling-coach-position.aspx?mc_cid=97df5e5b46&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

2 } -Getting II Know a DII Program: Western Colorado
Head Coach Charlie Pipher was a three-time All-American and National Finalist for the Western State Mountaineers, a program that currently has three of its former All-Americans leading NCAA Division II programs, with RC LaHaye of Lander and Chris Frieje of Fairmont State also reaching the podium during their collegiate years at Western Colorado. A total of 142 Mountaineers have qualified for the NCAA Division II Wrestling Championships in 27 years, with 70 of those reaching All-American status and six winning National Championships. Donovan McMahill, who accounts for two of those National titles in his time as a Mountaineer, is currently an assistant for Western Colorado. The Mountaineers sent two to the 2020 NCAA Division II Wrestling Championships, with true freshman Patrick Allis coming away as an NWCA All-American as the fifth seed at 125. Allis returns to the lineup for Western Colorado, along with …. rest of story at … https://news.theopenmat.com/college-wrestling-news/getting-ii-know-a-dii-program-western-colorado/77846?mc_cid=8266d89c28&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

3 } – Jensen Grateful To Fulfill Academic, Athletic Achievements At Nebraska
David Jensen enjoyed a successful high school wrestling career, going 62-6 over his final two seasons and finishing state runner-up as a senior. His older brother, Collin, had already been on the Nebraska wrestling team for a couple of years by the time David graduated from Mobridge-Pollock High School in Mobridge, South Dakota. But David, also a Nebraska wrestler who will graduate with his degree in nutrition science on Saturday, didn’t originally come to Lincoln to join his brother in the wrestling room. “I wasn’t a big time recruit or anything,” Jensen said, “where I had a bunch of D-I schools on me.”  
Yes, some NCAA Division II schools recruited Jensen to wrestle. But none of them could fulfill his wish of attending a big-time university, something different from the small-town, small-school life, where he could meet new people and expand his horizons. …. rest of the story at … https://huskers.com/news/2020/5/7/wrestling-jensen-grateful-to-fulfill-academic-athletic-goals-at-nebraska.aspx?mc_cid=8266d89c28&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

4 } – Dr. Takedown: Bohlken leaves Missouri as starting heavyweight, aspiring orthopedic surgeon
Jake Bohlken stood in the lobby of Missouri’s wrestling room during a standard weightlifting session in December after running down from the weight room to grab his phone. When the senior looked down at the screen, he saw the call he’d been waiting for throughout his four years in Columbia. With his freshman teammate and brother Mitchell coincidentally standing beside him, Bohlken was accepted into medical school. As the voice on the other end of the line confirmed it, he broke into tears. “It was just awesome,” Bohlken said. “Even being in the wrestling facility when I got that call was really special. Something I’ll never forget.” A month later, Bohlken received another call …. rest of the story at … https://www.themaneater.com/stories/sports/dr-takedown-bohlken-leaves-missouri-as-starting-heavyweight-aspiring-orthopedic-surgeon?mc_cid=8266d89c28&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

5 } – LANE ONE: NCAA stonewalls calls for universities to sponsor less (Olympic) sports … for now; but what happens if there’s no football?
While the coronavirus has brought collegiate sports to a standstill, the off-the-field activity has hardly slowed, with the NCAA Division I Council Coordinating Committee making a critical announcement last Wednesday. In the face of direct requests from five conferences for relief from, among other things, Division I scholarship requirements, football attendance minimums and the number of sports participated in to be in Division I, the Division I CCC voted only to allow waivers for one year of:
● “Schools to provide less than the currently legislated minimum financial aid requirements to maintain membership in Division I. …. rest of the story at … http://www.thesportsexaminer.com/lane-one-ncaa-stonewalls-calls-for-universities-to-sponsor-less-olympic-sports-for-now-but-what-happens-if-theres-no-football/?mc_cid=2bb0dedacc&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

6 } – Adams turns around a wrestling career and program in one season
Perhaps the most impressive part of what West Virginia wrestler Noah Adams did as a sophomore this past season was not that He finished undefeated in 32 matches in the extremely competitive 197-pound weight class — seriously, Adams was dominant, and he wasn’t the top-ranked performer at 197. No, the true triumph was that Adams became one of the very best in the country after losing 15 times the year before.  “A lot of people ask me this about the big step or whatever, and he was 19-15. He was not 32-0,” Mountaineer wrestling coach Tim Flynn said. “But it’s not one thing. He got a little bit better with conditioning and strength and being on top. He got better with speed. It was a little bit of all these areas that made this big, giant step. It wasn’t one thing.” …. rest of the story at https://247sports.com/college/west-virginia/Article/Adams-turns-around-a-wrestling-career-and-program-in-one-season-146934624/?mc_cid=2bb0dedacc&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

7 } – Andrassy, Kent State wrestling program forge ahead through pandemic
Naturally, when Kent State wrestling coach Jim Andrassy first heard on March 12 that the 2020 NCAA Championships had been canceled along with the rest of the collegiate athletic season due to surging coronavirus concerns, he felt immediate sympathy for Tim Rooney and Andrew McNally. Rooney had qualified for the NCAA Championships the previous weekend by winning the 133-pound title as a fifth-year senior for the Golden Flashes at the Mid-American Conference Championships. He was to be joined at the NCAA meet in Minneapolis on March 19 by McNally, his junior teammate, who was the MAC runner-up at 174. “I knew the first second I heard everything was canceled that Tim’s wrestling career was over. Even if the NCAA decided to give back a year, he wasn’t going to take it. He wants to be a physician assistant. He’s moving on,” said Andrassy. “Andrew has another year (of eligibility). But they were both wrestling really well this year. They were both dangerous, …. rest of story at … https://www.record-courier.com/sports/20200515/andrassy-kent-state-wrestling-program-forge-ahead-through-pandemic?mc_cid=d787fad1c9&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

8 } – 2019-2020 NWCA DIVISION I SCHOLAR ALL-AMERICA AWARDS
Manheim, PA – On Thursday, the National Wrestling Coaches Association announced the full slate of 2019-2020 Scholar All-American Team and Individual honorees for NCAA Division I with awards going to 183 individuals representing 66 institutions.
LINK: Top 30 Scholar All-American Teams
LINK: Individual Scholar All-Americans
“On behalf of the NWCA and our Board of Directors, we are ecstatic to honor the amazing academic achievement demonstrated by this year’s Scholar All-American teams and individuals,” said NWCA Executive Director Mike Moyer. “NCAA Division I institutions continue to demonstrate their commitment to academics.” In the team race, Drexel University finished atop the field with a 3.5895 GPA followed by American University (3.5497) and Harvard University (3.4962). …. rest of the story at … http://www.nwcaonline.com/2019-2020-nwca-division-i-scholar-all-america-awards/?mc_cid=04468f0b0b&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

9 } – Sterk says Missouri Olympic sports not ‘on the block’
The coronavirus pandemic has provided another stark contrast between the haves and have-nots in the world of college athletics.
COLUMBIA — The coronavirus pandemic has provided another stark contrast between the haves and have-nots in the world of college athletics. Thanks to ticket sales, media and television rights, donations, NCAA and conference disbursements and revenue from coaching clinics and camps, Power 5 athletic departments like the University of Missouri’s will likely be able to weather the lost revenue from the cancellation of March Madness without eliminating varsity programs. “Depending on how deep and long it is, we’ll have to make adjustments,” …. rest of story at … https://www.newstribune.com/news/sports/college/mizzou/story/2020/may/16/sterk-says-missouri-olympic-sports-not-block/827659/?mc_cid=73440286e7&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

10 } – ‘I don’t see an end in sight’: How Penn State wrestling has cultivated elite talent to build its dynasty
At one point in program history, former Penn State wrestler Andy Matter was one of a kind. He didn’t just leave behind a historic legacy by being Penn State’s first two-time national champion in 1972 — he showed a glimpse of what was possible for the first time. He was of the first Nittany Lions to establish hope for the program’s success at the national level, and ever since his accomplishments and the many others who followed him, the program has learned to recognize what it means to see wrestler after wrestler complete similar careers in the blue and white singlet. In the last 23 years, Penn State has produced three two-time national champions — Kerry McCoy, Quentin Wright and David Taylor, and four three-time national champions — Ed Ruth, Zain Retherford, Bo Nickal and Jason Nolf, …. rest of story at … https://www.collegian.psu.edu/sports/wrestling/article_c44a2214-9561-11ea-aa7a-b30bbc077283.html?mc_cid=73440286e7&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

May 27, 2020 Posted by The TakeDown Report | Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Looking to Next Season (#2)

1} – ALL-AMERICAN TATE ORNDORFF COMING TO OHIO STATE
COLUMBUS, Ohio – Tate Orndorff, a heavyweight from Spokane, Wash., has signed on to become a Buckeye after spending the last three years competing for Utah Valley University. The 2020 NWCA First Team All-American maintains two seasons of eligibility as a redshirt junior for the 2020-21 campaign. … rest of the story and photos at https://ohiostatebuckeyes.com/all-american-tate-orndorff-cohttps://ohiostatebuckeyes.com/all-american-tate-orndorff-coming-to-ohio-state/?mc_cid=547ad9bd30&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

2 } – OSU Wrestling: Q&A with Top-Ranked Recruit and OSU Commit AJ Ferrari With sports postponed for a while, I reached out to the top-ranked recruit in OSU’s No. 1 recruiting class for 2020, AJ Ferrari. We talked about his training, his injuries, his recovery, his recruiting and much more. Let’s dive in.
SD: With the world pretty much locked down, do you have a workout plan or regimen? How are you handling all of that?
AJ: It’s hard man, but honestly …. …. rest of story at … https://pistolsfiringblog.com/osu-wrestling-qa-with-top-ranked-recruit-and-osu-commit-aj-ferrari/?mc_cid=547ad9bd30&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

3 } – Lander Wrestling signs 11 for 2020-21 season
GREENWOOD – Lander wrestling and head coach RC LaHaye announced the addition of 11 Bearcats to the 2020-21 roster on Friday. 
KAIDEN FISHER – Lake Norman, N.C. | 125
Fisher was a three-time state placer for Lake Norman H.S. and a three-time regional champion. He helped lead the Wildcats to a third-place finish at the 2020 4A West Regional Championships. 
BRENNEN CROUT – Gilbert, S.C. | 133
Crout won his first state championship in March, … rest of story at … https://landerbearcats.com/sports/wrest/2019-20/releases/20200424iz96iq?mc_cid=78e39ca524&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

4 } – Chris Weiler to transfer to Wisconsin
MADISON, Wis. – Chris Weiler, the redshirt senior from Lehigh University, is headed west to finish out his collegiate career at the University of Wisconsin, head coach Chris Bono announced on Tuesday. Weiler is expected to compete at 184 pounds in the 2020-21 season for the Badgers.
 Weiler, a former FloWrestling Wrestler of the Week, took second place at the 2019 Eastern Intercollegiate Wrestling Association (EIWA) at 197 pounds, earning him a 13^th seed at the NCAA Tournament. In 2020, Weiler finished second at 184 pounds at the EIWA championship and earned honorable mention All-America honors. The Biglerville, Pennsylvania native also qualified for the 2018 NCAA Championships, finishing just one win shy of All-America honors. He has a career record of 54-28, aiding the Mountain Hawks to three EIWA championships. “We are excited to get Chris campus,” Bono said. … rest of story at … https://uwbadgers.com/news/2020/5/5/wrestling-chris-weiler-to-transfer-to-wisconsin.aspx?mc_cid=ffdd6be49b&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

5 } – Flynn Excited About Mountaineer Wrestling’s Future
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – Tim Flynn finally sees some light at the end of the tunnel for his West Virginia University wrestling program. It’s been mostly darkness for the last six years, particularly when it comes to the Mountaineers’ dual-meet performances. West Virginia has not had a winning dual season since 2014, which was two head coaches ago when Craig Turnbull was still running the program.  
Flynn arrived in 2019 after a highly successful run at Edinboro that saw his teams regularly place in the top 20 at NCAAs with a number of national title contenders. The rebuilding job he stepped into here at West Virginia was far greater than he initially anticipated from the perspective of an outsider.
 “I was at one place for so long and people talk about culture … the kids know what is expected of them, they know your system, they’re going to class and doing the right things off the mat,” Flynn said earlier today via video conference. “I probably underestimated how hard it would be to kind of get a winning culture in place (here), and I think we have it now.” … rest of story at … https://wvusports.com/news/2020/5/6/flynn-excited-about-mountaineer-wrestlings-future.aspx?mc_cid=6299171a9e&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

6 } – All-American wrestlers Jack Mueller and Jay Aiello discuss the state of Virginia wrestling
With COVID-19 in mind, the two Virginia stars speak on their futures, Virginia wrestling and the sport as a whole
By Chad Whych | 04/23/2020
After a grueling season filled with numerous highs and lows, the Cavaliers are still seeking glory. It has been exactly one month since the NCAA decided to cancel collegiate wrestling’s national championship and all other championships for both spring and winter sports due to the COVID-19 outbreak. Along with this, Virginia Athletics suspended all athletic activities until further notice. Yet neither of these obstacles are stopping two Virginia star wrestlers in junior Jay Aiello and senior Jack Mueller.  The abrupt end to the season couldn’t have come at a worse time for Virginia, as the Cavaliers were picking up quite a bit of momentum. At the ACC tournament they finished higher as a team than rival and top-ten program Virginia Tech and closed out their season ranked 24 by Intermat.  …. rest of the story at … https://www.cavalierdaily.com/article/2020/04/all-american-wrestlers-jack-mueller-and-jay-aiello-discuss-the-state-of-virginia-wrestling?mc_cid=52d81661de&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

7 } – Simaz pins down offer to wrestle at Iowa
TRAVERSE CITY — When one of the most prestigious college programs in your sport comes calling, you don’t say no. So when the Iowa Hawkeyes made a pitch to Traverse City St. Francis star wrestler Andy Simaz, the result was a resounding yes. Simaz accepted a preferred walk-on spot with the Hawkeyes this week after missing his senior wrestling season with a torn anterior cruciate ligament. “It’s like the Alabama football of wrestling,” Simaz said. Iowa is second in NCAA history with 23 national championships and six national runner-up spots — all since 1975. Iowa produced 54 individual national champions, 22 of which won multiple titles. Seventeen Hawkeye wrestlers have gone on to become head coaches at Division 1 schools. …. rest of story at … https://www.record-eagle.com/sports/simaz-pins-down-offer-to-wrestle-at-iowa/article_2aa05c40-8978-11ea-9a68-cfb69611597e.html?mc_cid=b693ccac6a&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

8 } – Brown University Wrestling Unveils Seven-Member Incoming Class
PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Brown University wrestling will welcome seven freshmen to the program for the start of the 2020-21 season as part of the Class of 2024, Brown head coach Todd Beckerman announced on Wednesday. The group has captured multiple state titles and state placer honors and represents five states with two student-athletes apiece coming from Pennsylvania and Ohio alongside one wrester each from California, Massachusetts, and New Jersey. The cohort comprises wrestlers from the lower, middle, and upper weight classes. “We are really excited about this recruiting class! Credit to our staff for finding the best and brightest,” Brown head coach Todd Beckerman said. …. rest of story at … https://brownbears.com/news/2020/4/29/wrestling-unveils-seven-member-incoming-class.aspx?mc_cid=09298b3e7a&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4

9 } – Northern Iowa adds Junior All-American to 2020 recruiting class
Northern Iowa’s already impressive incoming recruiting class just got a little better. Dajun Johnson, one of the nation’s budding middleweight prospects, announced his commitment to the Panthers on Wednesday. His addition gives Northern Iowa’s 2020 haul a fifth top-200 recruit. He projects around 165/174 pounds. “I am happy and excited to announce that I will be attending the University of Northern Iowa next year,” Johnson wrote in a tweet announcing his decision. “Thank you to everyone for the continued support and faith through this journey! Go panthers!” …. rest of the story at … https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/sports/college/northern-iowa/uni-panthers/2020/04/29/northern-iowa-wrestling-adds-dajun-johnson-2020-recruiting-class-junior-all-american-panther-train/3050888001/

10 } – Oklahoma State Freshman Triston Wills Transferring to Arkansas Little Rock
Wills moving on to wrestle for former Cowboy Neil Erisman
Oklahoma State freshman and former Kansas state champion Triston Wills has announced he’s transferring. The Derby, Kansas product, who would be entering his redshirt freshman season next year, will now be doing it as a Little Rock Trojan for former Cowboy Neil Erisman. Wills did not compete in any tournaments this season for OSU. The Cowboys have Chris Bahl, Gavin Stika, Laquan Jackson, Christian Mccutcheon all currently on the roster listed at 174. They also have three highly touted recruits coming in next season …. rest of story at … https://pistolsfiringblog.com/osu-wrestling-freshman-triston-wills-transferring-to-arkansas-little-rock/?mc_cid=ffdd6be49b&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

May 26, 2020 Posted by The TakeDown Report | Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Top Active Coaches in Dual Wins – NCAA D-II

ACTIVE Coaches (D-II)– Top 20 (or so) with at least 60 wins   

1. Pat Pecora (Pitt-Johnstown)                                 618
2. Mike Denney (Maryville Univ./Nebr.-Omaha)    372
3. Jim Makovsky (Minn. St.-Mankato/Valley City St.)   312
4. Steve Costanzo (St. Cloud Univ.&Dana College)       285
5. Robert Fisher (Kutztown Univ.)                           219
6. Doug Henry (Gannon Univ.)                                216
7. Jason Reitmeier (Augustana College-S.D.)         191
8. Heath Grimm (Upper Iowa Univ.)                       191
9. Mike Wehler (Mercyhurst, West Liberty State)  188
10. Doug Moses (New Mex. Highlands, So. Colo., Col. St.) 150 inc.
11. Dave Shutter  (Truman State, NE Missouri St.) –  133  team dropped 2019
12. Chuck Piper (Colorado Mesa)                        113
13. Jason Ramstetter (Adams State)                    105
14. Shawn Nelson (Findlay Univ.)                         96  inc.
15. Seth Bloomquist (Shippensburg State)            93
16. Jason Warthan (Indianapolis Univ.)                93
17. Chas Thompson (Fort Hays State)                   91
18. Dock Kelly (Anderson)                                   83 – active at Juco school
19.  Jesse Nelson (SW Minn. St. Un.)                  70
20. Brian Tucker (Seton Hill)                                68

May 26, 2020 Posted by The TakeDown Report | Uncategorized | Leave a comment

USA Wrestling News – # 2

1 } – USA Wrestling and Athlete Performance Solutions announce fundraiser for Senior Teams and sanctioned wrestling clubs
BY MORGAN RABINE, USA WRESTLING | MAY 13, 2020
Big Game Wrestling Club in Bozeman, Mont., is one of many clubs participating. 
USA Wrestling, the sport’s national governing body and a member of the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee, and Athlete Performance Solutions, a globally authorized distributor for Nike Inc., announce a fundraiser for the U.S. Senior National Teams and Sanctioned USA Wrestling Clubs, during COVID-19 with the “We Will Wrestle Again” fundraising program.  “The We Will Wrestle Again effort will help ensure the USA Wrestling National Teams direct athlete support funding will be reinforced, will raise funds for wrestling programs all over the country, all while helping our own team at APS continue to work during this difficult time. The time is now for us to help the wrestling community.  We hope clubs all over the country will sign up so we can help them raise funds.” said Eddie Brown, President of Athlete Performance Solutions.
The fundraiser for our U.S. Senior National Teams and Sanctioned USA Wrestling Clubs will feature custom “We Will Wrestle Again” shirts utilizing Sanctioned USA Wrestling Club logos that will be sold online via APS’ website with a portion of the proceeds from every shirt sale going back to the club and/or team. … rest of story at … https://www.teamusa.org/USA-Wrestling/Features/2020/May/13/USA-Wrestling-and-Athlete-Performance-Solutions-Announce-Fundraiser?mc_cid=0f2858c4d6&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

2 } – USA Wrestling forms four special committees to deal with specific issues caused by COVID-19 pandemic
BY GARY ABBOTT, USA WRESTLING | MAY 14,
USA Wrestling, the national governing body for wrestling in the United States, has formed four committees to deal with specific issues facing the organization and the sport caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. These committees include numerous experienced professionals in a variety of industries who have chosen to volunteer their time and expertise to assist USA Wrestling and the sport of wrestling as it navigates through these extraordinary times. “USA Wrestling is tremendously grateful and blessed that these talented leaders are willing to step up for wrestling at this time. All have a passion for the sport and a commitment to help guide our organization in its decision-making process. With this assistance, our sport will have the best possible direction to help us get through the current situation and emerge successfully, with a clear vision for the future,” said USA Wrestling Executive Director Rich Bender.
Each committee is currently led by a USA Wrestling Staff Liaison, who is responsible for organizing regular meetings and providing the information and support necessary to allow the committee to do its important work. The first committee created by USA Wrestling was its COVID-19 Advisory Committee, which is … rest of story at … https://www.teamusa.org/USA-Wrestling/Features/2020/May/14/USA-Wrestling-forms-four-committees-to-deal-with-pandemic-issues?mc_cid=04edd3f4d0&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

3 } – USA Wrestling releases Return to the Mat Guidelines to assist wrestling community in making local decisions
BY USA WRESTLING | MAY 15,
USA Wrestling has released the “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.
Click for USA Wrestling Return to the Mat Guidelines
The document was initially drafted by one of USA Wrestling’s special committees created during the pandemic, the Return to Practice and Competition Committee, which includes medical experts and event operations professionals. It has been reviewed by USA Wrestling’s COVID-19 Advisory Committee, a group of experts who advise the organization on medical, scientific and government matters pertaining to the novel coronavirus. This document includes recommendations from the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee and numerous other sources, including public health agencies and other sports organizations. As USA Wrestling has suggested since the pandemic began, all individuals should keep themselves updated with the most recent information from their state and local public health department, and follow those local regulations. Club leaders, coaches, parents and individuals must make their own assessments as to the safety of their situations in conjunction with this document. There are four phases included in the Return to the Mat Guidelines, …. rest of the story at … https://www.teamusa.org/USA-Wrestling/Features/2020/May/15/USA-Wrestling-Return-to-the-Mat-Guidelines-released?mc_cid=d787fad1c9&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

4 } – THE J’DEN COX DILEMMA: THREE USA WORLD CHAMPIONS COMPETING FOR TWO OLYMPIC BERTHS
In an Olympic Channel exclusive, wrestling world champion J’den Cox reveals why he chose to challenge Kyle Snyder for a place at Tokyo 2020, how he learned to cope with partially losing his hearing, and how his greatest victories are against depression.
By Andrew Binner18 May 2020
J’den Cox recently caused a bit of a stir in the freestyle wrestling world.The reigning two-time world champion at 92kg [a non-Olympic weight category] was expected to drop weight and compete for the 86kg title at the US Olympic Team Trials, as he did before winning bronze at the Rio 2016 Games. Fans were starting to salivate over the prospect of a final between Cox and current 86kg world champion David Taylor,** to decide who would grapple in red, white and blue at Tokyo 2020. However, Cox announced his intentions to bulk up and challenge for the 97kg title instead, putting himself on a potential collision course with reigning 97kg Olympic champion Kyle Snyder at trials. … rest of the story at https://www.olympicchannel.com/en/stories/features/detail/jden-cox-dilemma-wrestling-tokyo-olympics/?mc_cid=09c8756a50&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

5 } – USA Wrestling launches Game Room in its membership system; Word Game is first game available
BY GARY ABBOTT, USA WRESTLING | MAY 21,
USA Wrestling has developed a fun and educational way for the wrestling community to test their knowledge of wrestling facts and trivia. USA Wrestling has launched the Game Room in the USA Wrestling membership system (https://www.usawmembership.com/games), which will feature a number of different games and puzzles for fans to enjoy. Currently, there are over 1,000+ clues in the USA Wrestling Game Room database, with many more being added on a daily basis. Because of the random game play feature, you always get a new game every time you play. There is an ongoing Overall Leader Board for the entire Game Room, as well as Individual Game Leader Boards. The first of the games, entitled “Word Game” has been launched in the Game Room. …. details of story at … https://www.teamusa.org/USA-Wrestling/Features/2020/May/21/USA-Wrestling-launches-Game-Room-starting-with-Word-Game?mc_cid=97df5e5b46&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

6 } – United World Wrestling Launches #ThisIsWrestling in Celebration of “World Wrestling Day”
CORSIER-SUR-VEVEY, Switzerland (May 21) — United World Wrestling has launched #ThisIsWrestling, a multi-platform social media campaign asking athletes, fans, coaches, and members of the wrestling community to  share photos and videos of themselves as it relates to wrestling. The social media driven celebration is in recognition of “World Wrestling Day” on Saturday, May 23 and will continue throughout the month, known widely as ‘World Wrestling Month.”
Images for #ThisIsWrestling are meant to be personal to each person’s journey in the sport. Maybe an athlete reflecting on teamwork, doctors tending to their wrestlers, or mothers nervously watching the action at home — wrestling effects us all in a unique way. United World Wrestling wants it fans to share those special moments with the world and relive the moment on and off the mat that makes the sport special. “This Wrestling Day is about you, the fans, the athletes, the coaches, doctors, mothers and fathers,” said United World Wrestling president Nenad Lalovic. …. rest of story at … https://unitedworldwrestling.org/article/united-world-wrestling-launches-thisiswrestling-celebration-world-wrestling-day?mc_cid=97df5e5b46&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

7 } – USA Wrestling provides free Bonus Digital Edition of USA Wrestler magazine to the wrestling community
BY GARY ABBOTT, USA WRESTLING | MAY 21,
USA Wrestling, the national governing body for wrestling in the United States, has created a free Bonus Digital Edition of its membership magazine USA Wrestler, as gift to the wrestling community during the challenging times of the coronavirus pandemic.
Click here for the May 2020 USA Wrestler Bonus Digital Edition
This issue does not replace USA Wrestler print editions, which will resume publication in the future, but is an expanded additional issue available to all in the wrestling community, including current USA Wrestling members and anyone else who enjoys the sport.
USA Wrestling and its publishing partner WIN Magazine came together to design this 60-page digital magazine, the largest USA Wrestler ever published. The use of the digital magazine format allows USA Wrestling and WIN to create a more interactive publication, which includes the ability to click images to see a variety of videos. …. rest of the story at … https://www.teamusa.org/USA-Wrestling/Features/2020/May/21/Free-Bonus-May-2020-USA-Wrestler-digital-edition-launched?mc_cid=97df5e5b46&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

8 } – USA Wrestling Executive Director Rich Bender featured in Sports Business Journal’s “Power Players: The Olympics”
On April 20, Street & Smith’s Sports Business Journal, a leading sports industry publication, published its list of the top leaders in Olympic sports, in an extensive feature entitled “Power Players” The Olympics,” written by Ben Fischer and Chris Smith. USA Wrestling Executive Director Rich Bender, who has been a USA Wrestling employee for more than three decades and its chief executive since 2001, was among those named to this prestigious list. Bender was one of 77 individuals from across the world included in the feature, and one of just seven National Governing Body chief executive officers on the list.
The article said following about Bender:
RICH BENDER
Executive Director, USA Wrestling
Bender has been in charge at USA Wrestling for nearly two decades, …. rest of story at … https://www.teamusa.org/USA-Wrestling/Features/2020/April/21/Bender-recognized-in-Sports-Business-Journal?mc_cid=945de33a33&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

9 } – Wrestling legend Bruce Baumgartner retires today after over 36 years working at Edinboro University
36 years is a long time for anyone to be doing anything. When asked, Bruce Baumgartner said that he has been with his wife Linda longer than that. The conversation came up, mainly because today is the day that wrestling hero Bruce Baumgartner retires after over 36 years working for Edinboro University. His resume shows four different jobs at the university, each with its own set of challenges and achievements.
1984 – Hired as assistant wrestling coach
1990 – Promoted to head wrestling coach
1997 – Named Director of Athletics
2018 – Appointed Assistant Vice President of University Advancement
Of course, wrestling was also a part of Bruce’s life the entire time that he has been with Edinboro. When he first accepted the job as an assistant wrestling coach to work with in-coming head coach Mike DeAnna, Baumgartner was a 23-year-old young wrestling star, trying to make his first Olympic Team. Today, as he leaves his employment with Edinboro, he is the president of USA Wrestling, helping lead the organization through the COVID-19 crisis. Even when his professional job was not specifically in wrestling, Bruce Baumgartner has always been part of USA Wrestling in some important capacity. …. rest of the story at … https://www.teamusa.org/USA-Wrestling/Features/2020/May/08/Bruce-Baumgartner-retires-after-36-years-at-Edinboro

10 } – USA Wrestling suspends sanctioned events through May 24, as Return to Practice and Competition Guidelines being finalized
Based upon its principle of following current advice and direction from local health and government authorities, and with a focus on developing best practices for the return to wrestling, USA Wrestling has extended its suspension of sanctioned events through May 24. The postponement of national and regional events will remain through July 1 at this time. At this time, based upon the input of USA Wrestling’s COVID-19 Advisory Committee, and through careful review of the national, state and local restrictions concerning the novel coronavirus, USA Wrestling has not identified any situation that would allow competitions to resume yet. As the situation concerning the pandemic remains fluid and ever-evolving, USA Wrestling will continue to monitor this closely and pledges to regularly update the wrestling community on changes to its policies. Based upon the direction of the COVID-19 Advisory Committee, USA Wrestling does not believe there will be one national proclamation that it will be safe to return to practice and competition for wrestling. The organization understands that both the return to practice, as well as the return to competition, will begin at the local level, based upon the situation in that community. The expected progression of wrestling activity will most probably begin locally, … rest of the story at … https://www.teamusa.org/USA-Wrestling/Features/2020/May/08/USA-Wrestling-Statement-on-May-8?mc_cid=4570e96a5e&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

May 26, 2020 Posted by The TakeDown Report | Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Wrestling History – # 4

1 } – Mental Mondays with Ben Askren: Being Your Best Self During Quarantine
On this episode of Mental Monday, Ben Askren gives tips on how to stay active and improve yourself while quarantined due to the Coronavirus pandemic. Whether you spend your time getting smarter or getting stronger, Askren breaks down the best ways to do it from the safety of your home. … rest of story content at https://therudis.com/mental-mondays-with-ben-askren-being-your-best-self-during-quarantine/?mc_cid=8ec233ede0&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

2 } – The Koll connection
Lisa Uhl was an NCAA champion and Olympian, but her story isn’t unique to the family — or Fort Dodge
Last week, we published an article about Fort Dodge Senior High graduate Lisa (Koll) Uhl’s pending Iowa State Athletics Hall of Fame induction. We also decided to dedicate our “throwback” picture that day to one of Lisa’s relatives, fellow former Dodger and wrestling legend Bill Koll. I quickly began to realize — through texts, calls and emails — just how many of our readers didn’t make the connection between Lisa and Bill, and also, were unfamiliar with Bill’s Fort Dodge roots.
As such, it’s time for a history lesson. … rest of story at https://www.messengernews.net/sports/local-sports/2020/04/the-koll-connection/?mc_cid=9b182d31f3&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

3 } – A decade in athletics: Wrestling attempts to recover from program-shaking scandal
BY ELIZABETH KARPEN |
The nation’s oldest wrestling team spent the past decade struggling to break through to the front of the pack. The team has remained unable to clinch an Ivy League title since 1982 and has been unable to capture an Eastern Intercollegiate Wrestling Association title in the program’s 126-year history. Over the past 10 seasons, the Light Blue has only had two with a winning Ivy record. Prior to the arrival of current coach Zach Tanelli, the Lions began the decade with one of their two victorious Ivy seasons under former coach Brendan Buckley. Buckley had revolutionized the historically mediocre program into one that sat at a solid middle-tier with exceptional individual performances. At the conclusion of the 2011 season, Buckley left the Light Blue to become head coach at California Polytechnic State University. He left the Mustangs in 2016 to become the executive director of Beat the Streets New York City Wrestling. … rest of the story at … https://www.columbiaspectator.com/sports/2020/04/24/a-decade-in-athletics-wrestling-attempts-to-recover-from-program-shaking-scandal/?mc_cid=78e39ca524&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

4 } – Where are they now: Bismarck wrestling standout Scott Glasser
Won five individual state titles for the Demons
When it comes to the top high school wrestling program in North Dakota, Bismarck High has no peer. The Demons are synonmous with championships and dominance. Over the years there have been many standout performers that were clad in BHS’ maroon. Among the greats is Scott Glasser. Winning a state title is special. Winning two in a row is impressive. Three straight is quite a career. How about five consecutive championships? That is what Glasser achieved during his career with the Demons (2002-06). He is the only BHS wrestler to accomplish that feat. Following a successful collegiate wrestling career and graduation from the University of Minnesota, Glasser later went on to serve as an assistant coach for NDSU’s wrestling program for a year. Today, he resides in Bismarck and is employed by Emerson, a firm that specializes … rest of story at … https://www.wdasports.org/where-are-they-now-s.-glasser.html?mc_cid=09298b3e7a&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

5 } – Former Ithaca College wrestler Luke Broadwater wins Pulitzer Prize
Luke Broadwater ’02, an Ithaca College wrestling alumnus, was surprised when he found out that the story he broke for the Baltimore Sun had earned the newspaper a Pulitzer Prize. His reporting led to a series of stories written last year in the Baltimore Sun exposing Baltimore’s mayor, Catherine Pugh, as receiving hundreds of thousands of dollars in deals for her “Healthy Holly” books, including a deal with the University of Maryland Medical System (UMMS), where she served as a board member. Pugh sponsored dozens of bills affecting hospitals in Maryland, including several that would have benefited UMMS. Broadwater was a member of Ithaca’s varsity wrestling program during the late-90’s and early-2000’s. The Bombers finished in the Top-15 in the team standings at the NCAA Championships during his time with the program, which included a sixth-place finish during his final year in 2001-02. Ithaca also captured an ECWC Title during that final year. … rest of the story at https://intermatwrestle.com/articles/23611?fbclid=IwAR1tt8SpWluMmE4Xlo9TuesRKeGHgtkMrkAtH-DEU6lL6Ly1WtN7wTavddw

6 } – U.S.A. wrestling great Baumgartner retires
Bruce Baumgartner will call May 8, 2020, his final day at Edinboro.
Baumgartner served in the athletic department for over 30 years before assuming the role of Assistant Vice President for University Advancement two years ago. A four-time Olympic medalist in wrestling who served as the captain and flag-bearer for the United States team in the 1996 Olympics, Baumgartner came to Edinboro as assistant wrestling coach in 1984 and later served seven years as head coach. He has been inducted into numerous Hall of Fame’s and was the recipient of the James E. Sullivan Award in 1995. He transitioned to the position of interim athletic director in 1997, and was appointed to the role permanently in 1998. Over the next 20 years, he combined with Todd to form a potent one-two punch in the department. During his tenure, notable accomplishments … rest of story at https://intermatwrestle.com/articles/23602?fbclid=IwAR3auJIax0fsKVvJ_cFSlpBpm7me55HsHSsOS7hWZO_fxyZkbIcobKj1AFg

7 } – 2006 All-American David Hoffman breaks down his Hokie wrestling highlights – VT97
Four-time NCAA qualifier and 2006 All-American David Hoffman comes on to Episode 97 of Inside Virginia Tech Wrestling. Hoffman just finished up his second year as the head coach at The Hill School in Pottstown, Pennsylvania, his alma mater. Hoffman talks about coming to Virginia Tech back in the fall of 2001, competing as a true freshman, managing the gap between Keith Mourlam and Tom Brands as well as the changes in the program when the Dresser-Robie era rose to prominence in Blacksburg. Hoffman spent time coaching with … rest of story at … http://www.mattalkonline.com/podcast/inside-vt-wrestling/2006-all-american-david-hoffman-breaks-down-his-hokie-wrestling-highlights-vt97/?mc_cid=04468f0b0b&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

8 } – Brandon Slay: My Wrestling Hero
The 11th installment of My Wrestling Hero features Olympic gold medalist Brandon Slay. Now the executive director and head coach of the Penn Regional Training Center, Slay shares his thoughts on his wrestling hero — seven-time World and Olympic medalist and 1984 Olympic champion Dave Schultz.  These are Slay’s thoughts on his wrestling hero: 
“My wrestling hero is a man by the name of Dave Schultz. I’m looking at his poster in my office. The reason he is my wrestling hero is because I saw him win the gold medal in 1984 in Los Angeles on TV. I was eight years old —a little boy in Amarillo, Texas. I saw him, among many other Americans win the gold, and so that started my Olympic dream.
“That became more real … rest of story at … https://www.trackwrestling.com/PortalPost.jsp?TIM=1588657181674&twSessionId=swaddqguon&postId=780277135&mc_cid=91ffce1a35&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

9 } – Which U.S. wrestlers would have won the boycotted 1980 Moscow Olympics? Randy Lewis makes his picks
Randy Lewis was a member of the 1980 Olympic team that was boycotted by the United States. He eventually won a gold medal at the 1984 Olympics but others weren’t as fortunate. Lewis offers insight on himself and his freestyle teammates from the 1980 Olympic team and their chances at the boycotted Games.  “This is my optimistic prediction on how we could have been expected to do,” Lewis said. “Some would do better than expected and some would do worse. I did not take into consideration that the Olympics were in Moscow where winning on the road is much more difficult than winning a Big Ten football game on the road.”
The following are insights from Lewis in his own words. 
105.5 pounds: Bobby Weaver
Bobby Weaver is one of the most underrated American wrestlers of all time. He reminds me of Spencer Lee. When he was a junior in high school,  … rest of story at https://www.trackwrestling.com/PortalPost.jsp?TIM=1588803075333&twSessionId=eixrzxtyrh&postId=780330135&mc_cid=6299171a9e&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

10 } – Disappointment of the 1980 Olympics Still Vivid for Three Illini
By Mike Pearson FightingIllini.com
Forty years ago, two gifted University of Illinois athletes and a talented future Illini coach – all destined for potential Olympic glory – unwittingly became symbolic pawns in a game of international politics. Mike Durkin, Craig Virgin and Mark Johnson were but three of 466 American athletes and approximately 4,000 individuals from 65 other nations who for years had dedicated their lives to rigorous training regimens, only to see their dreams of participating in Moscow’s 1980 Olympic Games shattered by a purely political decision. Protesting the Soviet Union’s 1979 Christmas Eve invasion of Afghanistan, U.S. President Jimmy Carter debated whether to use an Olympic boycott or a grain embargo, or both, as leverage against the host nation. Eventually, about 96 percent of the U.S. Congress approved the President’s suggested measure. On April 12, 1980, the U.S. Olympic Committee, under withering pressure, officially voted to boycott the Games. … rest of the story at … https://fightingillini.com/news/2020/5/19/general-disappointment-of-the-1980-olympics-still-vivid-for-three-illini.aspx?mc_cid=09c8756a50&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

May 25, 2020 Posted by The TakeDown Report | Uncategorized | Leave a comment