USA Wrestling Events
USA Wrestling suspends sanctioned events through May 24, as Return to Practice and Competition Guidelines being finalized
BY USA WRESTLING | MAY 08, 2020, 
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, based upon health and government regulations, then move on to state, regional and national activity. The development and mass production of a vaccine could speed up this timeline but even the most optimistic estimates don’t expect a vaccine for many months. …. rest of the story at https://www.teamusa.org/USA-Wrestling/Features/2020/May/08/USA-Wrestling-Statement-on-May-8
2020 Top ALL-TIME College Coaches Dual Wins
TDR Editor’s Notes ; For the first time in 40 years there is a new leader on this list of head coaches with career dual meet wins. Pat Pecora moved past Dale Thomas with his team’s 22-12 win over Mercyhurst University on February 7th. Listed here are the top 29 coaches all with at least 400 career wins. John Smitth of Oklahoma State moved into the top 20 this past season and could well pass several more coaches next season. Smith is the top active Division I coach. Roger Crebs of Lycoming College is the third active coach in this group and the top Division III coach.
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2020 ALL-TIME Coaches – Top 25 w/ at least 400 wins Wins &-Level
Division I Schools unless noted otherwise
- Pat Pecora (Pitt-Johnstown) 618 – II
- Dale Thomas (Oregon State) 616 – I
- Jare Klein (Olivet College) 569 – III
- Bill Racich (Ursinus College) 540 – III
- David Icenhower (College of New Jersey) 534 – III
- John Reese (Wilkes Univ.) 515 – I/III
- Jack Childs (Drexel/Thad. Stevens Tech) 512 – I/JuCo
- Harold Nichols (Iowa St.) 493 – I
- Max Servcies (Wabash) 487 – III
- Doug Parker (Springfield, Mass) 485 – III
- Milton Martin (Westmar) 462 – NAIA
- Don Elia (Carson-Newman/Maryville) 461 – II
- Ned McGinley (King’s College) 458 – III
- Ron Mirikitani (St. Louis C.C.-Meramec) 457 – JuCo
- John Sacchi (Middlesex Jr. Coll./Rutgers Un.) 447- JuCo/I
- Gary Taylor (Rider) 442 – I
- Bobby Douglas (Iowa St/CSSB/ArizSU) 440 – I
- J Robinson (Minnesota) 440 – I
- John Smith (Oklahoma State Univ.) 439 – I
- John Johnston (Princeton/Stevens Tech.) 431 – I/JuCo
- Mike Olson (UNC-Pembroke, Upper Iowa, Monmouth) 428 – II ??
- T.J. Kerr (U. Calif. Bakersfield/San Jose St.) 421– I
- Roger Crebs (Lycoming College) 418 – III
- Tom Jarman (Manchester/Northwest./Taylor) 415-III/I/NAIA
- Phil Grebinar (Worcester Poly Tech.) 414 — III
- Jim Miller (Wartburg) 413 – III
- Arthur “Bucky” Maughn (N Dak State) 408 – II
- Bob Skelton (Western New England College) – 402 III
- Wally Johnson (Minnesota Univ./S.D. State/Luther Coll.) 400 – I
Wrestling History # 3
Dynasty Duals finals: ’91 Iowa vs. ’92 Iowa
Championship — No. 10 seed ’91 Iowa vs. No. 12 ‘92 Iowa
‘91 Iowa
Coach — Dan Gable
125 — Chad Zaputil (NCAA runner-up)
133 — Terry Brands (NCAA runner-up)
141 — Tom Brands (NCAA champion)
149 — Troy Steiner (NCAA runner-up)
157 — Terry Steiner (Third)
165 — Tom Ryan (NCAA runner-up)
174 — Mark Reiland (NCAA champion)
184 — Bart Chelesvig (Third)
197 — Travis Fiser (Sixth)
285 — John Oostendorp (DNP)
Season Synopsis: Iowa followed up nine consecutive national titles by going four years without an NCAA championship. Then this squad came along and put the Hawkeyes back on top. Iowa set a program record for dual wins in a season, finishing 25-0-1 with a 19-19 tie against Penn State. Zaputil, the Brands twins, Troy Steiner and Tom Ryan …. rest of the story at https://www.trackwrestling.com/PortalPost.jsp?TIM=1587267309439&twSessionId=xqahrklffo&postId=779882135&mc_cid=c43b02d0ed&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
THE LOST GENERATION OF MINES ATHLETES
This article sucks. The fact that I even have to write about this situation that is unfolding before our eyes is a real horrible moment. Other than that this is the absolute lowest point of my Mines career. I have been the sports editor here at The Oredigger since the October break and am a sophomore here at Mines in geological engineering. I also work in the best job on campus with the athletic department, which I have done since my first day of school at Mines. Some of you may know me as Mop Guy, have had me scan your Blastercard, or seen me sprinting along the sidelines to keep up with Michael Zeman as he is running the length of the field for a touchdown. So in other words, I am very passionate about our athletes here. I love sports and Mines Athletics. Eli and I frequently argue in The Oredigger office about who the bigger Mines sports fan is. So what has transpired over the past few weeks really has hit me hard and made this article even harder to write.
It seems like something out of a horror movie that has just happened. The Sunday night before the decision was made to shutter in-person classes and most of the campus I was finishing up an article that would preview the NCAA Division II Wrestling Championships with some quotes from the wrestlers who were competing. This was in addition to a preview for the NCAA Division II Track and Field National Championships and the NCAA Division II Basketball Tournament that were about to happen (Our swimmers were also competing this week.) There was also a short health article about you know what. The articles turned out really good and I was so excited to see how the athletes performed at their respective champions from Mines. All those articles turned out to be for nothing. To give the one sentence summary about what happened just like at Mines the NCAA and RMAC restrictions went from 0 to 100 in a span of a few days. ….. rest of the story at http://oredigger.net/2020/04/the-lost-generation-of-mines-athletes/?mc_cid=8ec233ede0&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
(The Case For) Shutting up in the Corner
This is what Cael Sanderson looks like 95% of the time when he’s coaching. Go pull up a Penn State dual and watch. He is immaculately calm no matter the situation. I enjoy watching Jason Nolf highlights and paying attention to Cael. Nolf does the craziest things and Cael does not jump up and down nor does he scream-count back points for the ref. Is this because he doesn’t care? Does he not have advice for his athletes? Of course not.
So what gives? Why are the rest of the wrestling coaches of the world leaving meets with sore throats exhausted from screaming meticulous instructions while the most dominant coach of the past 10 years just claps 90% of the time?
I, like many excitable coaches, have started down the path of constant screaming. When I began coaching I got riled up and upset every single match with refs, my own wrestler, opposing coaches, and the like. But over the years I’ve realized the value of calming down. and I think I finally understand why. If you pay attention to any coach who has been in the sport for a long time you will notice that almost every single one of them calms down in the corner over time. Some may say those coaches are “getting soft” but I think what is happening is that they are getting wise.
Simple reasons why we all need to calm down in the corner:
1. They can’t hear you. Most of us coaches were athletes and most of us wore the same Cliff Keen “Signature” headgear that our athletes wear today. I think we all know that those 8 little holes don’t allow much sound to come in. …. rest of the story at https://www.pushpullwrestling.com/blog-1/the-case-for-shutting-up-in-the-corner?mc_cid=8ec233ede0&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
10 underrated and underappreciated NCAA champions
There is nothing wrong with being underrated. It just means more credit is deserved. Sometimes, much more credit is deserved. Timing can play a factor. So can likability and relevance. Some of our greatest college stars did not have international success. Some did not pursue coaching, which means their windows of stardom were limited to four years. Teammates and competitors can overshadow you, too.
Here are 10 college wrestlers who deserve way more credit.
1. Dwayne Keller, two-time NCAA champion, Oklahoma State
Dwayne Keller only lost one match during his career as a Cowboy but it came at a crucial time: during the finals of the 1971 NCAA Championships during his senior season. His first son (named Roderick after his coach Myron Roderick) was born the day of the finals and likely weighed heavily on his mind. He finished his college career with a 64-1 record with NCAA titles in 1968 and 1970, and one of the biggest upset wins in college wrestling. His victory in the 1968 finals over two-time Division I NCAA champion and returning World medalist Rick Sanders (Portland State) capped an incredible run for the Cowboy sophomore.
2. Darrell Keller, two-time NCAA champion, Oklahoma State
Like his identical twin brother, Darrell won two NCAA titles for the Cowboys. He won as a junior in 1970 at 134 pounds in the weight class immediately preceding Larry Owings’s upset over Dan Gable at 142 pounds, then defeated Owings in the finals in 1971 at 142 pounds, 16-12.
3. Jason Kelber, one-time NCAA champion, Nebraska
It’s too bad Jason Kelber wrestled in an era with two of wrestling’s biggest superstars or else he might be a household name. Kelber placed sixth at the NCAA Championships as a sophomore in 1989, second as a junior in 1990 and first as a senior in 1991. It just so happens that future World and Olympic champions Terry Brands (Iowa) and Kendall Cross were in the 126-pound weight class, too. And Kelber beat them both when it counted most. The former Husker star beat returning NCAA champion Cross in the semifinals of the 1990 NCAA Championships before falling to Brands, 3-2, in the finals — then he beat Brands, 10-5, in the 1991 finals.
4. Jeff Prescott, two-time NCAA champion, Penn State
You can make a case that Jeff Prescott was one of the best two wrestlers in Penn State history prior to Cael Sanderson’s arrival as head coach. After a fifth-place finish at the NCAA tournament as a sophomore in 1990, Prescott dropped only one match at 118 pounds during his finals two seasons. His only other loss was to Iowa’s Terry Brands when Prescott moved to 126 pounds during the early part of his senior season. Prescott’s 1991 NCAA tournament run was particularly memorable. Known for his ability from the top position, Prescott scored two falls, a 20-10 major decision in quarterfinals, a 5-0 decision in the semifinals, and a 14-0 major decision over Iowa’s Chad Zaputil in the finals.
5. T.J. Jaworksy, three-time NCAA champion, North Carolina
Can a three-time NCAA champion be underrated? Yes, if you’re T.J. Jaworsky. He won NCAA titles at 134 pounds in 1993, 1994, and 1995. He beat Cary Kolat (Penn State) during the finals of the 1993 NCAA tournament when Kolat was a freshman and Jaworsky was a sophomore. …. rest of the story at https://www.trackwrestling.com/PortalPost.jsp?TIM=1587524193266&twSessionId=dqfooslcza&postId=779903135&mc_cid=945de33a33&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
A decade in athletics: Wrestling attempts to recover from program-shaking scandal
BY ELIZABETH KARPEN | APRIL 24, 2020, 5:19 AM
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 …. 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
J’den Cox Named Mizzou Male Athlete of the Decade
Cox won three national championships at Mizzou
The date is March 18, 2017. J’den Cox has just defeated Minnesota’s Brett Pfarr, 8-2, to win his third national championship in front of 18,000 fans at the Enterprise Center in St. Louis. In his home state, he has just finished one of, if not the most magnificent collegiate career in Mizzou history, becoming the first three-time National Champion in Mizzou Athletics history. Three national titles. Four All-America honors. Four conference championships. 136 victories. The resume is lengthy. But when asked about his journey to get to where he is, Cox simplifies it. “I’m just a boy from Columbia, Missouri, named J’den Cox and I just love to wrestle,” said the homegrown talent after finishing off his spectacular collegiate career.
It’s a mindset he still carries to this day.
“Obviously there’s more that stems on to it, but that right there carries it,” said Cox. “I’m just a boy from CoMo who likes to scrap it out. That will never change. It will always be that for me and I am proud of that. I’ll carry that for a long time.” …. rest of the story at https://mutigers.com/news/2020/4/28/baseball-j-den-cox-named-mizzou-male-athlete-of-the-decade.aspx?mc_cid=b693ccac6a&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
College News – # (94)
TAKING A LOOK AT CAROLINA WRESTLING’S NEWEST SIGNING CLASS
UNC Wrestling will have six new first-year members in the program next year, including three brothers of current Carolina wrestlers.
The incoming group is boasts plenty of accomplishments across the board:
Wil Guida (Rockaway, N.J./St. Paul’s MD)
Aydin Guttridge (Rockford, Ill./Rockford East)
Gavin Kane (Milton, Ga./Cambridge)
Cade Lautt (Olathe, Kan./St. James Academy)
Sonny Santiago (Downey, Calif./St. John Bosco)
Julian Tagg (Mayfield Heights, Ohio/AIM Academy)
“When we look at this class as a staff, we see a group who will hit the ground running as Tar Heel student-athletes,” head coach Coleman Scott said. “Not only are they going to perform for us on the mat, but they’re going to be high-character representatives on campus and in the classroom. The potential for this group is remarkable, and I can’t wait to see how they help our program across the board.”
Santiago is a California state champion who comes to Chapel Hill from St. John Bosco High School in Bellflower, California. He was the top-ranked 152-pounder in the country after his win at Who’s #1 in October over No. 2 Travis Mastrogiovanni. …. rest of story at https://goheels.com/news/2020/4/22/taking-a-look-at-carolina-wrestlings-newest-signing-class.aspx?mc_cid=17ded1ad3b&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
CAROLINA HONORS ACC TOP SIX FOR SERVICE AWARD RECIPIENTS
….Wrestling Team
The wrestling team has been extremely active in the community over the past year. Team members have volunteered at UNC Hospitals and local elementary schools, and as part of programs including the Widowed Parents Support Program, Share Your Holiday, and Habitat for Humanity. Additionally, the Tar Heels partnered with Team IMPACT this year and welcomed an honorary member of the team, a young fan named Mason. …. story at https://goheels.com/news/2020/4/30/student-athlete-development-carolina-honors-acc-top-six-for-service-award-recipients.aspx
University of Iowa sets NCAA record for home attendance as annual D1 figures released
By Jason Bryant
In the previous 13 years, the University of Iowa’s wrestling program led the nation in home attendance. One thing it hadn’t done, though, was put over 10,000 fans into Carver-Hawkeye Arena for every dual in a season.
That changed in 2019-20 as the Hawkeyes averaged a record 12,568.4 with seven home dates for a total of 87,979. It’s not the largest total Iowa’s ever produced, but the 87,979 is the largest total attendance for events solely at Carver-Hawkeye Arena. The top crowd in Carver-Hawkeye was the 14,905 against Penn State.
Penn State, which has sold out 55 straight duals in Rec Hall and 61 of the last 63 duals including its action in the Bryce Jordan Center, comes in second for the 10th straight season. With the 15,995 at the Bryce Jordan Center against Ohio State, Penn State’s average came in at 7,604.1, approximately 1,200 more than what the capacity is at Rec Hall. Iowa State checked in third with an average of 4,794.6, which jumped the Cyclones to its highest attendance ranking since 2010 when they Cyclones averaged just north of 4,500 a dual. The 2019-20 home schedule was anchored by the CyHawk dual with Iowa, which drew 11,238, the 10th largest dual in Hilton Coliseum history.
Rutgers set a school record for the number of wrestling season tickets sold this season and their home attendance showed through. The Scarlet Knights finished fourth, with an average of 4,155.9 fans in seven home dates.
The opening of the Covelli Center gave Ohio State an engaging and intimate home mat experience. The Buckeyes averaged 4,117.5 fans in eight home dates. It’s the sixth straight year Tom Ryan’s squad has been ranked in the top five. Oklahoma State, Minnesota, Arizona State, Fresno State and Lehigh rounded out the Top 10.
The 2019-20 numbers tied a record for most schools reporting an average of 1,000 fans per match, tying last year’s mark of 24. There were 14 more schools that exceeded averages of 700 per dual, where last year, there were just seven. Of the Top 25 teams, 15 saw increases in average attendance from last season. The largest average increase was Iowa, which jumped 4,042.1, while Iowa State improved by 1,224.9 and Arizona State, which grew 1,161.5. Princeton and North Carolina also tracked attendance for the first time this year.
Notes: The NCAA Division I wrestling attendance figures have been tracked by several members of the media since 2002. Denny Diehl of Roby Publishing started the process, while Alex Steen of The Open Mat and Jason Bryant of Mat Talk Online have also taken hold of the project. The numbers are collected in various ways, including official ticket counts. Some schools have less home dates reported as they held events that were not ticketed. Of the 79 Division I institutions in 2019-20, 59 reported numbers. …. rest of the story at http://www.nationalwrestlingmedia.com/2020/04/university-of-iowa-sets-ncaa-record-for-home-attendance-as-annual-d1-figures-released/?mc_cid=52d81661de&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
Getting II Know a DII Program: Lander University
One of the newest teams to the NCAA Division II landscape, the Lander Bearcats opened their first season of competition in 2019-20. Lander features a D2 standby in its head coach, with RC LaHaye getting the nod to lead the new program after stints at Newberry and Grand Canyon. Lander is a state-sponsored NCAA Division II institution located on the South Carolina/Georgia border. LaHaye said, “We have tremendous support from the university and are in the middle of a $1 million-plus wrestling complex build. We have extremely low tuition and have a proven staff that is motivated to recruit the best student-athletes in America.” At this year’s NCAA Super Region 2 tournament, Lander came away with a fourth-place finisher in Darius Parker at 197, and three additional fifth-place finishers in Elijah Gray at 141, Brice Harkness at 174 and Cameron Coffman at 285. Parker worked his way into the NWCA Division II Coaches rankings in the second half of the season, climbing into the top-eight at 197. All four Regional placers return to the lineup for the Bearcats, who will also see a former D2 National Qualifier come into their lineup next season. Juaquin Olivas, a 2016 National Qualifier for Colorado Mesa, will make his return to D2 as a Bearcat, filling the 133 spot vacated by his brother, who finished up as a graduate student at Lander last season. The Bearcats will look to improve on a 4-8 dual record from their first season, and will add 25 new recruits to next year’s roster. …. rest of the story at https://news.theopenmat.com/college-wrestling-news/getting-ii-know-a-dii-program-lander-university/77622?mc_cid=17ded1ad3b&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
Michalak tabbed Campbell’s associate head wrestling coach
BUIES CREEK, N.C. – Former Central Michigan All-American and U.S. Senior Nationals Champion Wynn Michalak has been named associate head wrestling coach by first-year Campbell head coach Scotti Sentes.
“Wynn Michalak fits into the Campbell Wrestling culture and embodies what the program is all about,” said Sentes. “He is driven by his faith, family, and relentless will to win. He enters the program as a decorated competitor with 10 plus years of coaching experience and has left a lasting impression on every program he has been a part of. I expect Wynn to have an immediate impact on the team, particularly with the upper weights.” “I’m excited to join the Campbell family,” said Michalak. “We are in a great position to make waves and be force to be reckoned with immediately. I can’t wait to get started and contribute to developing our current team and continue to build for the future.” Michalak comes to Campbell from Michigan State, where he has served as an assistant coach since 2016, coaching 14 NCAA qualifiers, including 2020 All-American Cameron Caffey and 2019 All-American Rayvon Foley. The Spartans qualified seven for the NCAA Championships in 2020 after placing 33rd in the 2019 team standings. During the 2019-20 campaign, Michigan State also registered dual wins over No. 4 Wisconsin and No. 20 Oklahoma. His coaching experience also includes four seasons as a volunteer assistant at Illinois (2012-16), where he helped train two-time NCAA Champion Isaiah Martinez, and two seasons (2009-10) as a graduate assistant at CMU. One of the most successful wrestlers in Central Michigan history, Michalak …. rest of story at https://gocamels.com/news/2020/4/22/michalak-tabbed-associate-head-wrestling-coach.aspx?mc_cid=547ad9bd30&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
CAROLINA WRESTLING ANNOUNCES 2020 BANQUET AWARDS
Posted On: April 27, 2020CHAPEL HILL — Redshirt sophomore Jaime Hernandez won the Thomas A. Gorry Most Dedicated Wrestler Award, highlighting UNC Wrestling’s year-end team awards.
The award is named after Thomas A. Gorry, a U.S. Marine Corps Brigadier General and former UNC wrestler. The award is given to the student-athlete who the coaching staff believes embodies “Tar Heel hard work”. Last year, the award was presented to Nick Lirette.
The full list of team awards:
T.J. Jaworsky Most Valuable Wrestler: Austin O’Connor
Highest GPA: A.J. Rechenmacher (4.0)
Most Falls: Austin O’Connor (7)
Most Improved: Clay Lautt
Co-Utility Man: Josh McClure
Co-Utility Man: Sawyer Davidson
Weight Room Newcomer Award: Timothy Decatur …. story and rest of list at https://goheels.com/news/2020/4/27/carolina-wrestling-announces-2020-banquet-awards.aspx?mc_cid=9b182d31f3&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
Wolfpack Wrestling Announces Top-10 Signing Class
Wolfpack inks nine in 2020 class, third straight class ranked in top-20
RALEIGH, N.C. – Coming off a second straight ACC Championship and a No. 3 final ranking in the NWCA Coaches Poll after an undefeated dual season, the NC State wrestling team has inked a top-10 signing class to join the squad for the 2020-21 season.
NC State’s recruiting class was ranked eighth nationally by FloWrestling. It marked the third time in the last five years the Wolfpack has been ranked in the top-10 nationally, and this is the third straight class ranked in the top-20 by FloWrestling. The class was also ranked sixth nationally by TheOpenMat and eighth by InterMat.
“It might be one of the best ever, as far as the mentality, work ethic, the quality, total package of kid that you want,” said head coach Pat Popolizio. “It’s very low-risk bringing these guys in, both academically and lifestyle. …. rest of the story and list at https://gopack.com/news/2020/4/27/wrestling-packwrestle-announces-top-10-signing-class.aspx?mc_cid=9b182d31f3&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
Chad Walsh: My Wrestling Hero
This is the third installment of a multi-part series that shines a light on the idols who influenced prominent wrestlers and coaches. The series continues with the perspective of Chad Walsh, a two-time All-American at Rider. Walsh, now an assistant at Davidson, shares his thoughts on his wrestling hero, 2009 NCAA champion Darrion Caldwell.
These are Walsh’s words on his wrestling hero:
“I’ve got one guy — Darrion Caldwell. It started before the Metcalf match. It started at New Jersey High School states. I’m pretty sure he ended up being a three-time state champ, but I think it may have been his junior year. I remember sitting in Boardwalk Hall. I think he was already up by a couple points with some sweet takedowns, but the guy he was wrestling was coming at him real hard and took a really nice post high-crotch and Caldwell did a cartwheel out of it and danced out of it. I was like, ‘That’s the coolest wrestling I’ve ever seen. Ever since then and seeing him win a couple Jersey titles when I was a kid and New Jersey states being a pretty awesome venue to wrestle in and watch when I was younger, that started it off. Then watching him wrestle Ryan Lang (in the 2007 NCAA Championships) and almost having him beat and then coming back and winning it his last year, he definitely was the guy that I was always like, man, that’s a Jersey guy and he wins it with some funky stuff, so we always liked watching him wrestle.’
“My redshirt year, I was doing OK at some opens and things like that, but I didn’t expect to do too much at Midlands. (Caldwell) came back and entered the 149 bracket and he ended up getting caught and pinned, I think, in the pre-quarterfinals and I …. rest of the story at https://www.trackwrestling.com/PortalPost.jsp?TIM=1588011080962&twSessionId=hddvaxrqld&postId=780031135&mc_cid=9b182d31f3&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
CLAY LAUTT DISCUSSES WINNING ACC TITLE, TEAM CULTURE
Posted On: April 28, 2020In his redshirt sophomore season as the Carolina starter at 174 pounds, Clay Lautt emerged as one of the anchors of the UNC lineup over the course of 2019-2020. He capped off his year with a 21-7 record and an ACC title at 174 pounds, forever putting his name in the record books for posting one of the best “breakthrough years” in recent memory.
This week, we talked with Lautt about his season and the UNC Wrestling program.
GoHeels: You made a massive jump last year, what was the key to your success in making that leap to be so successful?
Clay Lautt: “After being exposed to some weaknesses early on in college, I knew I needed to ask more from myself. I think that staying focused throughout the entire year is a big reason I’ve seen improvements in all areas of my wrestling. I have started to find an identity in my shots, and I’ve been wrestling with confidence” …. rest of the interview at https://goheels.com/news/2020/4/28/wrestling-clay-lautt-discusses-winning-acc-title-team-culture.aspx?mc_cid=b693ccac6a&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
Concerns to Consider
Five FBS conferences, including AAC and C-USA, ask NCAA to relax Division I requirements
Five major football conference commissioners have asked the NCAA to relax requirements to compete in Division I for four years, including the minimum number of sports a school must sponsor. A letter from the commissioners of the American Athletic Conference, Mountain West Conference, Mid-American Conference, Sun Belt Conference and Conference USA to NCAA president Mark Emmert asked for temporary relief from financial aid requirements, along with average football attendance. The request was made on behalf of all 350 Division I schools. The commissioners also asked that a moratorium be placed on schools moving into Division I for the length of the waiver. The email, dated April 10, was first reported by Yahoo Sports and obtained Tuesday by ESPN. “As you are aware, the COVID-19 pandemic and resultant economic turmoil has resulted in the direst financial crisis for higher education since at least the Great Depression,” the commissioners wrote. MAC commissioner Jon Steinbrecher said the request was to “build flexibility into the decision-making process” schools will be facing.
The letter came to light the same day as the University of Cincinnati of the AAC announced it was dropping its men’s soccer program to cut costs. Earlier this month, Old Dominion, of C-USA, cut its wrestling program. NCAA rules require Division I schools to sponsor at least 16 varsity sports. The commissioners also requested …. Story at https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/29037022/five-fbs-conferences-including-aac-c-usa-ask-ncaa-relax-division-requirements
Survey: Athletic directors bracing for financial crisis
Athletic directors at the nation’s biggest sports schools are bracing for a potential financial crisis related to the coronavirus pandemic. According to a survey released Thursday by LEAD1, an association of athletic directors from 130 major college football schools, 63% forecast a worst-case scenario in which their revenues decrease by at least 20% during the 2020-21 school year. Even an abbreviated football season could cause schools to lose that much. LEAD1 and Teamworks, a company that created an app designed to help keep teams and athletic departments connected, conducted the survey of more than 100 ADs from schools in Division I’s Football Bowl Subdivision. “The State of Athletics in the Face of the Coronavirus” provides a sobering glimpse of the top concerns for the wealthiest athletic departments in the country. …. story at https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ncaaf/2020/04/02/survey-athletic-directors-bracing-for-financial-crisis/111516566/?mc_cid=c504aeb86a&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
With budgets tightening due to coronavirus fallout, will more college sports be cut?
With the specter of the financial fallout from the coronavirus pandemic looming over the collegiate landscape, tangible signs are beginning to appear of how the fiscal tightening will manifest itself. The most stinging blow yet came Tuesday when the University of Cincinnati cut the men’s soccer program. It’s the second major college program to be cut since the start of the pandemic, as Old Dominion cut its wrestling program earlier this month. The foreboding feeling around the college sports industry is that the cuts have just begun. One athletic director summed up the financial options for schools as ranging “from a haircut to decapitation” amid an environment where athletic department pay cuts and furloughs have become common. “I think now that Cincinnati just did it, watch the next month,” said another athletic director from an FBS school. “They cleared the way for other people to do it. Cincinnati puts it on a different level. Unfortunately, you’re going to start to see it. When you have to right-size everything, that’s going to become a way out for a lot of these programs.” Schools desperate for financial relief
A letter to NCAA president Mark Emmert from the Group of Five commissioners obtained by Yahoo Sports on Tuesday offers searing insight into the financial constraints felt at that level and the potential for a landscape that could look much different when sports return to campus. The fallout being discussed by those commissioners includes the potential elimination of postseason conference tournaments and shortened seasons in non-revenue sports.
The letter from the commissioners of the AAC, Mountain West, MAC, Sun Belt and Conference USA asked for alterations of NCAA bylaws in the wake of COVID-19 in order to save money. The letter asks for “temporary relief from several regulatory requirements for a period of up to four years” in order to provide “short-term relief.” The letter hopes that this relief will provide “opportunity for institutions to retrench and rebuild the financial structures of the institution.” …. story at https://sports.yahoo.com/with-budgets-tightening-will-more-college-sports-be-cut-204423901.html?mc_cid=48a895b9a1&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
Q&A: 10 questions with Old Dominion A.D. Dr. Wood Selig
Jason,
As you know, you are the only member of the media given the opportunity to ask follow-up questions. They have been answered honestly. Although we don’t have control on what you do with the answers, we hope you will treat your university fairly and give your followers the chance to see both sides of the issue.
- A review of the study Old Dominion paid consultant Dr. Richard Sander, a former Athletic Director at VCU from ODU’s former conference, the CAA, shows there was a 12-question survey submitted to members of the department, coaches, staff, donors and athletic constituents. What are/were those 12 questions and when were they distributed?
(Answer only if the 12-question survey is not provided)
As it relates to the 12-question survey, how many of those coaches, staff, donors and athletic constituents were actually representative of wrestling, men’s soccer and baseball programs and was the idea their program was SPECIFICALLY in danger ever outlined in any of those questions? - WS: The survey was an initial tool utilized by Dr. Sander to get a sense of the department on several issues and did not play a major role in the ultimate decision-making process. Rather, it was a first step to get to know the department better and gain staff insight. Every athletics staff member was invited to participate. The survey focused more on strengths and weaknesses and did not include questions about sport sponsorship.
- The only time the word “academic” was found in the consultant’s study came with the term “academic year” and as a condition of wrestlers maintaining their financial aid. Why would Old Dominion even consider a study’s findings if …. story at http://www.mattalkonline.com/blog/news-blog/qa-10-questions-with-old-dominion-a-d-dr-wood-selig/?mc_cid=48a895b9a1&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
Responding to the Q&A with ODU AD Wood Selig
The original Q&A was posted at mattalkonline.com. The following is my editorial commentary and rebuttal regarding these Q&A answers. …. story at https://rokfin.com/article/1110?mc_cid=48a895b9a1&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
Schools ask NCAA to relax member requirements
The remaining 22 Division I conferences outside of the Power 5 have joined the Group of 5 conferences in requesting that the NCAA relax its requirements for membership, including the minimum number of sports a school must sponsor and the number of games teams must play. But not all coaches were on board with the initiative. Northeast Conference commissioner Noreen Morris, chair of the Collegiate Commissioners’ Association Group (CCA22), told ESPN in an email Wednesday that CCA22 commissioners, who oversee FCS conferences and other non-football Division I leagues, submitted an addendum to the NCAA to include in its potential blanket waiver bylaws that were specific to the FCS and overall Division I membership. “When submitting the blanket waiver addendum, the CCA22 requested that the NCAA staff assist in coordinating a comprehensive review of potential NCAA bylaws that impact all three subdivisions — FBS, FCS and DI — for COVID-19 blanket waiver consideration,” Morris said. …. story at https://www.espn.com/college-sports/story/_/id/29083340/schools-ask-ncaa-relax-member-requirements?mc_cid=17ded1ad3b&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
RUDIS Wrestling Podcast #148: Coach Bolyard on Program Cuts
On this episode of the RUDIS Wrestling Podcast, Matt Dernlan and Jason Bryant are joined by former Eastern Michigan head wrestling coach and current volunteer assistant coach at the University of Michigan, David Bolyard. Bolyard held the reigns on one of the most successful EMU wrestling programs in recent history before the program was cut in April of 2018. That season, EMU boasted its first All-American in wrestling since 1999, with Sa’Derian Perry placing eighth at 141 pounds, after qualifying a program-high five wrestlers for the NCAA Wrestling Championships. Weeks after the culmination of the season, Athletic Director Scott Wetherbee alerted Bolyard that his program would be cut, along with a few other Olympic sports. In light of Old Dominion University cutting its wrestling program earlier this month, the three discuss what it’s like for a head coach when their program is cut by the university, the steps taken after the fact, and how to move forward. …. story at https://therudis.com/rudis-wrestling-podcast-148-coach-bolyard-on-program-cuts/?mc_cid=845f982bf2&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
“I thought it was an April Fool’s joke”: Hampton Roads coaches stunned that Old Dominion cut wrestling
Ocean Lakes wrestling coach Chris Barnhart thought the news was a cruel April Fool’s joke. Great Bridge coach Matt Small called fellow Old Dominion alumni for confirmation. Disbelief and hurt rang through the high school wrestling community as ODU announced it had cut its wrestling program this month, citing financial challenges following a six-month study of the athletics program. “I was upset and destroyed,” said Barnhart, a 1999 graduate of ODU who has coached Ocean Lakes for 10 years. “I know (ODU coach) Steve (Martin) really well and know how hard he works with those boys and the program. I go to all the matches and we take (our team) to two matches a year. I felt terrible for him. I thought it was an April Fool’s joke.” Martin previously coached at Great Bridge for 14 years and lives down the street from Small. “It was just complete disbelief,” Small said. “ODU wrestling had evolved into a pillar in the community. What the program had done as far as the club nights, bringing in youth matches during social functions, reaching out to alumni, the annual golf tournament ― ….. rest of the stunning story at https://www.pilotonline.com/sports/vp-sp-odu-wrestling-cut-reactions-20200415-6qgug4swareovhvedlkygt2awe-story.html?mc_cid=eb28f2fdb6&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
Boise State furloughs football coaching staff to help ease financial burden caused by coronavirus
The Broncos are addressing budget concerns with some significant personnel moves
Several collegiate coaches across the country have volunteered to take pay cuts as a result of budget concerns created by the coronavirus pandemic. Boise State, however, is taking its personnel changes to a new level to ease the financial burden. The school announced Monday that all employees who make more than $40,000 per year will be furloughed between four and 10 days depending on specific salary. The Idaho Statesman confirmed on Tuesday that the move applies football coaches, including Broncos head coach Bryan Harsin. “I hope our swift action now can help us avoid what could be more grave action later and provide for the long-term well-being of both our community and the institution,” school president Marlene Tromp wrote in the email obtained by the Idaho Statesman. It’s unknown whether these furloughs will take place at the same time or if they will be staggered to allow the football program to function as certain staff members are away at designated times. …. story at https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/news/boise-state-furloughs-football-coaching-staff-to-help-ease-financial-burden-caused-by-coronavirus/?mc_cid=945de33a33&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
Wrestling? Soccer? Tennis? Olympic sports face concerns as colleges grapple with economic fallout of COVID-19
SALT LAKE CITY — The potential postponement or cancellation of the college football season — and it is still only potential, far from a certainty — could wreak havoc on college athletic departments nationwide. Strictly in terms of budget, there’s cause to be concerned. And with only football and men’s basketball regularly operating in the black at most schools, that leaves a lot of student-athletes, coaches and administrators in a lurch if college sports’ crown jewel can’t be played this fall. The NCAA has already paid out $225 million to its member institutions for the men’s basketball tournament, down from an estimated $600 million in revenue. An analysis by USA Today estimates that schools also stand to lose $900,000 in the Power Five ranks without playing spring competition. Additional costs will be incurred as seniors return to campus for another year, and are thus forced to pay tuition for additional coursework — or even graduate studies — to continue to play the game they love. While he said his school would cover the cost of any senior who chose to return for another year, Utah State athletic director John Hartwell told the Deseret News that the Aggies could face an additional budget charge of close to $400,000 to accomplish the task. …. story at https://www.ksl.com/article/46742079/wrestling-soccer-tennis-olympic-sports-face-concerns-as-colleges-grapple-with-economic-fallout-of-covid-19?mc_cid=0abef116e3&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
College Wrestlers Awards & Honors
Iowa, Iowa State, Northern Iowa wrestlers named All-Americans by NWCA
There were no NCAA Wrestling Championships to decide All-Americans and national champions, but the National Wrestling Coaches Association offered something in the way of recognition last week. The NWCA announced Division I All-American teams for the 2019-20 season. First-, second- and honorable mention teams were selected based off the seeds for the 2020 NCAA Championships, which were canceled due to the novel coronavirus pandemic. “I’m proud of the action that the NWCA Division I Leadership Group in providing direction for honoring the 2020 Division I All-American team,” NWCA executive director Mike Moyer said in a statement.
“It’s important that these athletes’ efforts and successes during the season are recognized. Congratulations to each of this year’s honorees and national qualifiers.” Iowa’s three Division I programs combined 21 total selections, including 14 first-team picks. Of the 21 picks, all but four are expected to return for the 2020-21 season. Iowa led all teams with 10 total selections, including nine on the first-team: Spencer Lee (125), Austin DeSanto (133), Max Murin (141), Pat Lugo (149), Kaleb Young (157), Alex Marinelli (165), Michael Kemerer (174), Jacob Warner (197) and Tony Cassioppi (285). Abe Assad was a second-team pick at 184. Lee, the 2020 Hodge Trophy winner, as well as Lugo and Marinelli were all 1-seeds at the 2020 NCAA Championships. DeSanto, Murin, Young, Kemerer, Warner and Cassioppi were all seeded eighth or better. Assad was the 11-seed. All 10 wrestlers’ names will be added to the wall honoring the program’s All-Americans inside the Dan Gable Wrestling Complex. The Hawkeyes were the favorites to win the national team title after going 13-0 in duals and winning the Big Ten Championships. …. rest of the story at https://www.hawkcentral.com/story/sports/college/northern-iowa/uni-panthers/2020/04/20/wrestling-iowa-iowa-state-northern-iowa-wrestlers-named-all-americans-nwca-hawkeyes-cyclones-panther/5163834002/
Recapping App State’s Historic Wrestling Season
BOONE, N.C. — There were no shortages of team and individual accomplishments during a record-breaking wrestling season for App State.
The season ended earlier than scheduled, before the start of the NCAA Championships because of the coronavirus pandemic, but the Mountaineers had a school-record six NCAA qualifiers, including all four NCAA qualifiers who were products of North Carolina high schools.
To conclude a 2019-20 season in which App State led the country with four dual meet shutouts en route to a 9-3 team record and second-place finish in the Southern Conference, four wrestlers won SoCon titles: Cary Miller (heavyweight), Matt Zovistoski (157 pounds), Demazio Samuel (197 pounds) and Jonathan Millner (149 pounds). Thomas Flitz followed an unbeaten SoCon regular season at 174 pounds by earning the league’s second automatic NCAA berth, and Codi Russell received an at-large berth at 133 pounds. “I thought we would be a lot better than most people expected,” said head coach JohnMark Bentley, whose coaching staff this past season included Josh Roosa, Ryan LeBlanc and Randall Diabe. “I think a lot of our competition and a lot of wrestling fans thought this might be a down year because we lost six starters from the 2018-19 team, but we knew we had a lot of good, young guys that were going to be coming into our lineup.
“I think our team and our staff knew we could be very competitive and probably surprise a lot of people.” App State was one of only three Division I teams nationally with at least four conference champions, and it was one of only six teams that had all 10 starters finish the season with a winning record. That hadn’t happened in Boone since the 1983-84 season. …. rest of the story at https://appstatesports.com/news/2020/5/1/-27-wrestling-recapping-app-states-historic-wrestling-season.aspx?fbclid=IwAR17PW_6CZwN7iW6m-UnoY825qtVYiE7sKyEdZLu7Et24Z9ybkNplx8uz0I
Despite NCAA cancellation, 10 N.J. wrestlers 1st-team All-American; 2 are 4-timers
By Bill Evans | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
David McFadden and Matt Kolodzik have become their program’s first four-time Wrestling All-Americans after all.
The National Wrestling Coaches Association announced first- and second-team All-Americans as well as honorable mention late Friday. All-American honors are typically awarded to wrestlers based on their finish at the NCAA Wrestling Championships with the top eight earning spots on the podium and All-American honors. But this year’s event was canceled because of coronavirus precautions. The All-American selections were based on regular season and conference tournament performances. The NCAA Championships were seeded prior to the cancellation, so the seeds were able to guide the All-American selections. “During difficult times there are always people who rise to the occasion and I’m proud of the action that the NWCA Division I Leadership Group in providing direction for honoring the 2020 Division I All-American team,” said NWCA Executive Director Mike Moyer in a statement. “It’s important that these athletes’ efforts and successes during the season are recognized.” …. rest of story at https://www.nj.com/south/2020/04/despite-ncaa-cancellation-10-nj-wrestlers-1st-team-all-american-2-are-4-timers.html?mc_cid=c43b02d0ed&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
Aaron Brooks named 1st-team All-American
Although the wrestling season didn’t end the way he hoped, Hagerstown’s Aaron Brooks still received the honors he deserved. Brooks, a Penn State freshman, was named a Division I First Team All-American in the 184-pound weight class by the National Wrestling Coaches Association. Usually All-American status is earned at the NCAA championships, but this year’s national tournament, scheduled for March 19-21 in Minneapolis, was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The NWCA decided the honors still needed to be awarded, and based them on each wrestler’s overall body of work through the conference tournaments. …. story at https://www.heraldmailmedia.com/sports/aaron-brooks-named-1st-team-ncaa-all-american/article_bf119ff2-81b6-11ea-a7a6-9f7bb07d341b.html?mc_cid=c43b02d0ed&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
Cardinale and Early Named NWCA Honorable Mention All-Americans
MANHEIM, Pa. – The National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA) announced the 2020 Division I All-American teams and two members of the Old Dominion wrestling team, Killian Cardinale and Larry Early, were named Honorable Mention All-Americans.
Each year the NWCA recognizes the outstanding work of Division I student-athletes by naming the All-Americans based on their achievements in the national championships, however, this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic the championships were canceled. All-American honors were based on each wrestler’s overall body of work through the conference tournaments and up to the national championships.
Cardinale, who ended the season ranked in the top-15 in four national polls and was a first-time NCAA Qualifier in 2020, earned a team-high 25 wins this season while wrestling at 125 pounds. The Bristow, Virginia native earned a runner-up finish at the Mid-American Conference (MAC) Wrestling Championships, winning three of his four bouts at the tournament.
Six of Cardinale’s 25 wins came against ranked opponents, including a 2-1 win by decision over No. 8 Brock Hudkins of Indiana at the Journeymen Classic. He was named the MAC Wrestler of the week twice and the redshirt sophomore was successful off the mat as well, as he was named to the 2020 MAC All-Academic Team for the second consecutive year. …. story at https://odusports.com/news/2020/4/22/wrestling-cardinale-and-early-named-nwca-honorable-mention-all-americans.aspx?mc_cid=547ad9bd30&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
Stanich Named D3Wrestle’s Wrestler of the Year
Senior 141-pounder becomes first Wrestler of the Year in program history
GETTYSBURG, Pa. (April 23, 2020) – Senior Troy Stanich of the Stevens Institute of Technology wrestling team was named Wrestler of the Year, D3Wrestle.com announced Thursday. Stanich is the first student-athlete in program history to earn a national Wrestler of the Year honor and the first wrestler from a program based in the eastern portion of the United States to be recognized with D3Wrestle.com’s highest individual honor. Each of the organization’s previous honorees came from either Indiana, Iowa, Wisconsin or Minnesota. The organization began recognizing a Wrestler of the Year in 2010.
“For four seasons, we have aimed to not just win a national championship, but to be the tournament’s Most Outstanding Wrestler; the best of the best,” said head coach Joe Favia. “In the last six weeks, Troy has been named a Scholar All-American, the number one seed at his weight, a First Team All-American, the nation’s Most Dominant Wrestler and now the D3Wrestle Wrestler of the Year. Without the national championships being wrestled, this is the closest you can get to achieving those goals. Troy’s goal might not have come to fruition the way he planned it to, but make no mistake, he achieved his goals.”
Stanich posted a 26-2 record in his final season of collegiate competition and totaled 152 wins over his remarkable four-year career. A four-time NCAA qualifier, Stanich concluded his career on Castle Point as a three-time All-American and a three-time regional champion. The Succasunna, New Jersey native captured three Centennial Conference titles and one in the Middle Atlantic Conference and was named the MAC’s Wrestler of the Year. Division III’s Most Dominant Wrestler, Stanich also topped the field at 141 pounds at the season-opening Washington & Jefferson Invitational, as well as the New Standard Invitational, and was ranked No. 1 in the country in his weight class from January 29 through the end of the regular season. He was previously recognized by D3Wrestle as its Rookie of the Year in 2017. …. story at https://stevensducks.com/news/2020/4/23/wrestling-stanich-named-d3wrestles-wrestler-of-the-year.aspx?mc_cid=17ded1ad3b&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
Millersville wrestling honors 2019-2020 award winners
MILLERSVILLE, Pa. – The Millersville wrestling team has announced its team award winners for the 2019-2020 season. Five total wrestlers were honored with awards that were voted on by fellow members of the team. The list of awards includes the Dr. Ted Rupp Award, which was awarded annually to the most valuable Millersville wrestler from 1946 to 2013. The award was brought back in 2018 to honor the history of the program as well as the modern evolution of the roster.
“I’ve always been told that Dr. Rupp loved wrestling and had grit and tenacity,” said Marauders head coach Kerry Regner. “The word grit kept coming back, so we used it as an acronym (Greater than, Results, Integrity, and Tenacity.) Those things are considered when deciding who the award goes to. I wanted to make it more than just an outstanding wrestling award and have it match our values and our current program right now.”
Josh Walls: Winner of the 2019-2020 Dr. Ted Rupp Award
Sophomore Josh Walls served as the team’s captain in 2019-2020, was the starter at 285 pounds in 12 dual meets, and led the Marauders in four statistical categories. He led the team in total wins (17), falls (five), bonus wins (nine), and was tied for the team-high in Division II wins (eight).
Walls finished as runner-up at the season-opening Washington & Jefferson Invitational, third place at the Wilkes Open, and fifth place at the NCAA Division II Super Region 1 Championships. …. story at https://millersvilleathletics.com/news/2020/4/28/millersville-wrestling-honors-2019-2020-award-winners.aspx?mc_cid=b693ccac6a&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
New Hartford’s King named RIT’s top male athlete
When he was a Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) freshman, Dempsey King (New Hartford) wanted to help the Tigers’ wrestling program rise again to national prominence. Four years later, it’s obvious that mat mission was accomplished, and so much more – enough to make King the RIT athletic department’s choice as the 2019-20 Male Athlete of the Year. The recipient of that honor, given to a senior “student-athlete in the final year of eligibility based on career athletic performance, leadership and academic performance,” was released on Sunday afternoon – the last of several athletic award-winners announced this past week on the RIT athletics website. The 165-pound King, a two-time All-American, was a three-time NCAA Division III tournament qualifier whose last shot at becoming a national champion – he was runner-up as a junior and seeded sixth this year – was denied when the COVID-19 pandemic ended his final season just days before the NCAAs. King, RIT’s captain the last three seasons, helped this year’s Tigers go 8-3 in dual meets and rank No. 20 in the Division III rankings. He finished 30-1 overall and was named the Empire Collegiate Wrestling Conference (ECWC) Wrestler of the Year earlier this month.
“As a freshman, I kind of envisioned us building the program and getting it to where it is now,” King said by telephone Monday. “I take pride in where we are and I take pride in my accomplishments. … It does feel good to know that hard work didn’t go unnoticed. “I definitely feel like I did play a part in where the program is right now, but it’s really more of a team accomplishment and I’m really proud to be a part of that.” King finished his RIT career with a 108-24 record. His 108 wins ties him for the fourth-highest total in program history and he also ranks fourth with 35 career pins. “In my time at RIT, no wrestler has meant more to our program than Dempsey King,” RIT wrestling coach Jason Bovenzi said in Sunday’s online announcement. “A three-year captain, his fingerprints are on every aspect of our transition into one of the top teams in NCAA Division III.” …. story at https://www.uticaod.com/sports/20200428/college-notebook-new-hartfordrsquos-king-named-rits-top-male-athlete?mc_cid=b693ccac6a&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
TDR Top 12 Plaques
You may need to tilt your head to the left to read it but this is a sample of one of this year’s plaques. Will Mail his out first because… well he was first to send in a mailing address. Lol
Davidson Coach Lausier Announces the Incoming Class of 2024
DAVIDSON, N.C. – Head wrestling coach Andy Lausier officially announced the nine-man Class of 2024 Monday.
“This class is a tremendous addition to Davidson wrestling. These scholar-athletes will make an immediate impact by adding impressive talent and needed depth to our roster,” said Lausier. “In addition, they are all a great fit for the culture of Davidson wrestling and they share this team’s aggressive vision and ambition.”
Sam Congleton | 125 | Woodbridge, Va.
Congleton was a High School All-American and Virginia 6A State finalist his senior year at Woodbridge Senior High School. He was a two-time Virginia State placer in his career.
Gavin Damasco | 141 | Commack, N.Y.
Damasco had no trouble in his league, earning four straight championships at Commack High School. He placed as high as fourth at New York State’s and sixth at Eastern State’s, both in his senior season. Damasco won 199 career bouts and travels to Davidson’s wrestling room after a 49-5 year.
Garrett Stewart | 141/149 | Sparta, N.J.
Stewart heads south from New Jersey after a stellar career at Sparta High School. A three-time NJ state qualifier, Stewart finished in the top-12 in the state and was a Reno Worlds All-American. He won three district titles and was a NJ Freestyle State runner-up. Both his career wins (147) and single-season victories (42) are Sparta High records.
Dan Yetsick | 149/157 | Ambridge, Pa.
Yetsick saw his hand raised a record 125 times at Ambridge Area High School, breaking the previous record by seven. He was a two-time Outstanding Wrestler Award recipient and helped lead his team to a Southwest Regional title.
Bryce Sanderlin | 157 | Chesapeake, Va.
Sanderlin was a staple in the final day of the Virginia State Championship, twice earning State Champ laurels (2018, 2020) and was a two-time runner-up (2017, 2019). He won a school record 158 bouts to just 15 losses over his career at Landstown High School. Sanderlin comes to Davidson on the heels of a 43-1 senior campaign that included ending on a high note as Virginia State Champion.
Jaden Hardrick | 165 | Dayton, Ohio
Hardrick was a two-time state qualifier in Ohio, representing Wayne High School. He placed three times as a member of the Ohio Freestyle and Greco National Team. Hardrick earned All-Ohio Academic Team recognition his final two years and was also named to the All-Area first team. He finished strong at Wayne, going 40-6 his final campaign for a career mark of 100-25. Hardrick leaves with the school record fastest technical fall of 1:06.
Anthony Spera | 165/174 | Budd Lake, N.J.
Spera, a product of Mount Olive High School, is the second member of the Class of 2024 from the Garden State. A two-time NJAC All-Conference grappler, Spera finished his final season 35-6 and 88-27 overall. He also helped lead his team to a 2020 NJSIAA State Sectional title. …. rest of story and list at https://davidsonwildcats.com/news/2020/4/27/wrestling-coach-lausier-announces-the-incoming-class-of-2024.aspx?mc_cid=9b182d31f3&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
Podcast Interview with Pat Popolizio
HMA Interview #35: Pat Popolizio
After Mason Beckman’s hit article on the success of the NC State Wolfpack, he brought the man responsible for it all on the show. Coach Popolizio went in deep detail on how he took to the program to where it is now.
Listen on iTunes, Spotify, Anchor, and many more platforms! …. Listen in on the podcast at http://www.hmawrestling.com/podcast/hma-interview-35-pat-popolizio/?mc_cid=78e39ca524&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
