Cancellation – 4th reports
They could have been All-Americans. Instead Huskers saw wrestling championship canceled
Taylor Venz was all set to become an All-American again, and this time he was going to do so in his backyard. The Nebraska junior wrestler grew up in Farmington, Minnesota, just south of the Twin Cities. The NCAA wrestling championships were scheduled to finish on Saturday in Minneapolis’ U.S. Bank Stadium. “It will be cool for it to be in a big arena, but also then in my home state,” Venz said earlier this month. Venz, who finished fourth at 184 pounds at nationals as a freshman, was seeded seventh for this year’s tournament. Venz was one of seven Huskers to be seeded in the top 10 in individual weight classes. But the day after the seedings were announced, the NCAA canceled the championship. “It seems like a month, but it’s only been a week,” Nebraska coach Mark Manning said on Thursday. “But in our sport, you take what life throws at you, you make adjustments and you move on.” The Huskers are doing that. Venz will be back next season, but Manning said he feels for his seniors as well as wrestlers like junior CJ Red, who was on track to become a four-time All-American. …. Story at https://www.omaha.com/sports/college/huskers/teams/wrestling/they-could-have-been-all-americans-instead-huskers-saw-wrestling/article_2397d397-112f-56e0-8cca-cc0f7f6a06c4.html?mc_cid=64d98db446&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
No ‘Moore’ NCAA title shots: OSU, Norwayne wrestling great riding out coronavirus shutdown, turns focus to Olympic Trials
COLUMBUS — Ohio State senior Kollin Moore should have been at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on Thursday afternoon, going through weigh-ins prior to competing later that night in the NCAA Wrestling Championships. Ranked No. 1 and undefeated at 197 pounds, the three-time All-American and Big Ten champion from Norwayne High School was an overwhelming favorite to win his first national title this weekend. He was one of only three grapplers ranked first in all three polls. Instead, Moore sat in his apartment located near the OSU campus and worked on a 1,000-piece Star Wars puzzle. Rather than face a gauntlet of the nation’s best 197-pounders, Moore’s biggest challenge was trying to find where to put the similar looking brown pieces that made up Chewbacca’s fur. “The puzzle has everyone from the movie in there,” Moore said. “I’ve been grinding away on it. I worked on it several hours yesterday, too. I’m just trying to keep myself busy.” The NCAA wrestling tournament was one of countless events shut down in an attempt to stop the spread of the novel coronavirus. All NCAA winter and spring tournaments were canceled, as well as the entire spring sports season for all collegiate sports. Moore has been forced to make big changes to his life like most other Americans, but it would be hard to find another local athlete who lost out on a bigger sports opportunity. “My initial reaction was just pure sadness,” said Moore, who was named on Friday as one of eight finalists for the Dan Hodge Trophy, the wrestling equivalent of the Heisman Trophy. …. story at https://www.the-daily-record.com/sports/20200321/no-moore-ncaa-title-shots-osu-norwayne-wrestling-great-riding-out-coronavirus-shutdown-turns-focus-to-olympic-trials?mc_cid=64d98db446&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
Keller feeling mixed emotions over abrupt ending
NCAA WRESTLING: COVID-19 costs NT native shot at national title.
By Jonah Bronstein scoreboard@gnnewspaper.com Mar 21, 2020
Troy Keller lives for the hunt. Mainly deer, as signified by the antlers tattooed across his back, but also turkey, duck, goose, squirrel, rabbit. And wrestling championships. In past title-hunting seasons, Keller won Most Outstanding Wrestler at the Section VI championships and was a state finalist during his senior year at North Tonawanda High School. He went on to become a two-time All-American and national champion at Niagara County Community College. Over the past two years competing for the University at Buffalo, Keller claimed consecutive Mid-American Conference championships. Keller’s pursuit of an NCAA title, however, was foiled by an opponent nobody has been able to pin down yet — the global coronavirus outbreak. The Division I national championship tournament scheduled for this weekend in Minneapolis was canceled March 12 while Keller was preparing to make a presentation in his field ecology class, sitting next to teammate Derek Spann, another national qualifier. Delivering the news, UB coach John Stutzman said, “was one of the hardest phone calls I ever had to make.” “I was fine for like 10 minutes,” Keller said. “Then it sunk in when people started texting me, telling me they were sorry and that I had a great career. “I started crying in class. It was terrible. But it was nice to be able to leave class and talk with Derek, because we were both going through the same thing.” Keller amassed a 40-12 record and back-to-back MAC titles at 165 pounds. He was twice ranked in the top 20 nationally. An environmental studies major carrying a 3.6 grade point average, Keller was the most recent MAC Scholar Athlete of the Week recipient. …. https://www.niagara-gazette.com/sports/keller-feeling-mixed-emotions-over-abrupt-ending/article_53def23a-a95b-53df-aa46-8728309f26ad.html?mc_cid=64d98db446&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
‘I’ll Always be a Loper’: Hinrichs Reflects on UNK Career and its Sudden End By TYLER ELLYSON, UNK Communications
Kearney, Neb. – Jarrod Hinrichs and his Loper teammates were preparing for their final workout of the season when the University of Nebraska at Kearney wrestling coaches called an impromptu meeting. It was around 4 p.m. March 12, less than 24 hours before the NCAA Division II Championships were scheduled to begin at the Denny Sanford Premier Center in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. “You could tell by the look on their faces they were about to give us some real bad news,” said Hinrichs, one of seven Lopers who qualified for the national tournament. “There was just a weird feeling all day.” Like most college students, the UNK wrestlers were following social media from the team hotel. They knew athletic events across the country were being impacted by the ongoing coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. …. story at https://lopers.com/news/2020/3/23/wrestling-i-ll-always-be-a-loper-hinrichs-reflects-on-unk-career-and-its-sudden-end.aspx?mc_cid=3137d16555&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
Wrestling Seniors Close Out Careers Unceremoniously
With the 2019-20 season now suddenly in the rearview mirror, it’s time to look back at our seven seniors who have closed out their careers in Maroon and Gold. With over 300 combined victories, 150 bonus point victories, and 13 NCAA Tournament qualifications, this senior class has left an indelible mark in program history. Now, we take a look at each individual Gophers senior and the accomplishments they racked up in Dinkytown. Plus, their thoughts on what wearing the Maroon and Gold singlet so special.
Mitch McKee
A St. Michael native and 2019 All-American for “The U,” Mitchell McKee has been one of the most exciting wrestlers for the university throughout his time in Maroon and Gold as a four-time NCAA Qualifier. A high-flying style boosted by his freestyle success on the international stage, McKee consistently delighted Gopher fans as he finishes his career the team’s active leader in victories and pins with 91 wins and 33 pins. …. story and other seniors at https://gophersports.com/news/2020/3/23/wrestling-seniors-close-out-careers-unceremoniously.aspx?mc_cid=3137d16555&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
Fans chime in on whether to award college team titles for NCAA/NAIA Nationals that were canceled
BY USA WRESTLING | MARCH 21,
On April 17 in his Abbott Blog, Gary Abbott suggested that college national championship team titles be selected for the divisions which cancelled the final national events, NCAA Div. I, NCAA Div. II, NCAA Div. III and NAIA women. He also proposed that if the national organization would not do so, that the coaches and media in wrestling conduct a poll and award national team titles. He did not suggest that individual titles be awarded at those divisions.
If you did not read the column, or wish to re-read it, please click below.
https://www.teamusa.org/USA-Wrestling/Features/2020/March/17/Abbott-Blog-select-college-champion-teams Fans were invited to send in their thoughts via email, and many did. Others responded on USA Wrestling’s website, or on Facebook. An informal count showed that more people were against it than for it. The tally was 42 against and 22 in favor of naming champions. Some advocated not only naming national champion teams, but also national champion individuals and All-Americans. …. story at https://www.teamusa.org/USA-Wrestling/Features/2020/March/21/Fans-respond-to-idea-of-awarding-college-national-titles?mc_cid=64d98db446&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
A career complete: Seth Gross
MADISON, Wis. — Though his Badger career was short, Seth Gross made a lasting impression on Badger fans. Ranked as the No. 1 wrestler at 133 pounds for a majority of this redshirt senior season, Gross held a 14-2 record against ranked opponents. He led the team in technical falls and major decisions. He won the Midlands Championship with a win over No. 1 Austin DeSanto and took third at the Big Ten Championship in the 133 pound weight class.
Honors and Accolades
• 2019 Midlands Champion in the 133 pound weight class; named the Dan Gable Outstanding Wrestler of the Championship
• Big Ten Wrestler of the Week (Jan.3, 2020)
• Olympic Trial Qualifier after winning the Bill Ferrell Memorial
• USA Wrestling Athlete of the Week (Nov. 20, 2019) …. Story and match history at https://uwbadgers.com/news/2020/3/23/wrestling-a-career-complete-seth-gross.aspx?mc_cid=a94878ac8d&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
Colbray tries to focus on the positive amid COVID-19
Former Hermiston state wrestling champion had qualified for the NCAA Championships
AMES, Iowa — Sam Colbray had punched his ticket to the NCAA Championships, so injury defaulting the third-place match at the Big 12 Championships seemed the smart thing to do to make sure his hip would be ready for an All-American run two weeks later. For the former four-time state champion at Hermiston High School, and junior at Iowa State University, it was his second time qualifying for the NCAAs, and he was excited. Then, in a matter of days, it was gone. The NCAA canceled all postseason tournaments, from basketball to wrestling. “They told us at practice,” Colbray said. “I was upset, but there’s nothing you can do about it. We just have to keep our spirits high and remain hungry for the next opportunity. Getting upset puts energy in the wrong place.” When news of the coronavirus first started to circulate, Colbray, his teammates, and the rest of the sporting world were prepared to compete without fans. “We went from no fans, to school getting canceled until further notice, to having our coach tell us it was over,” Colbray said. “It was shocking. Some guys were emotional. There is no way to mentally process it or make it feel better. If it was my senior year, it would have hit me harder, but there is nothing I can do about it. You have to find the humility in it.” The NCAA Championships typically are held during the college spring break. Colbray had gone to watch in the past, and competed in 2019. This year, he drove home to Oregon to see his parents, Delta and Leroy. …. story at https://www.hermistonherald.com/sports/colbray-tries-to-focus-on-the-positive-amid-covid/article_b6b57780-6dec-11ea-9b6e-2b221cbb6521.html?mc_cid=a94878ac8d&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
N.J. college wrestlers’ ultimate dream got canceled. Could NCAA grant relief?
By Bill Evans | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
Ask any wrestling coach at the college or high school level about a tournament or a dual meet during the season and inevitably the phrase “It’s all practice for March” will be part of the response. For high school wrestlers, March is the state tournament. For college wrestlers, it is the NCAA Wrestling Championships. The significance of the NCAA Championships is the reason there is support in the wrestling community to award extra eligibility to the 330 national qualifiers for the Division 1 championships in Minneapolis this year but didn’t get a chance to compete because coronavirus concerns canceled the tournament. …. https://www.nj.com/sports/2020/03/nj-college-wrestlers-ultimate-dream-got-canceled-could-ncaa-grant-relief.html?mc_cid=0750227b4f&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
A Chapter Not Finished: NDSU Wrestling Coach Roger Kish Reflects on Season & Canceled NCAA Wrestling Championships
CHAMPIONSHIPS CANCELED TWO DAYS BEFORE COMPETITION
FARGO, N.D. — North Dakota State Wrestling finished both their regular season and had the opportunity to compete in the Big 12 championships. However, the Bison were two days away from their six NCAA Championship qualifiers competing for titles before the NCAA canceled the championships due to COVID-19. The emotion of a cancelled championships reached far more than just the six who were about to hit the mats. “Its never an easy conversation. Its really not just the six qualifiers that are devastated its a team out there,” head coach Roger Kish said. “Our guys who didn’t make it to the NCAA tournament or guys who aren’t in the starting lineup necessarily. These are guys, their whole goal here is to help their friends and teammates and their brothers.” Of the six qualifiers, three of them were seniors in Cam Sykora, Andrew Fogarty and Cordell Eaton, who won’t get the chance to go out on a high note, with the four years of work put it in, made it that much harder for head coach Roger Kish to deliver the message. “Not what you want to have happen,” Kish said. “You put in a lot of work and effort and watch these young men give everything they’ve got week in and week out to reach that pinnacle of wrestling. We had a lot of conversations about how are season went down. Its ultimately a marathon and not a sprint. This year was a little different.” Even though those three didn’t get a chance to complete their goals of being on the podium, coach Kish says there’s so much he’s thankful for of what they’ve accomplished. “These guys have really built a foundation that were so proud of,” Kish said. …. story at https://www.kvrr.com/2020/03/26/a-chapter-not-finished-ndsu-wrestling-coach-roger-kish-reflects-on-season-canceled-ncaa-wrestling-championships/?mc_cid=5dfdb1c828&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
High School News — # 16
WRESTLING COACH OF THE YEAR: Rockdale’s Alonzo Allen finds success in first year
Heading into his first season as the head wrestling coach at Rockdale County, Alonzo Allen had goals of reshaping and retooling the Bulldogs program in hopes of bringing a state title back to Conyers in one way or another. With several Bulldogs coming close to winning an individual state title in recent years, no one had accomplished the feat since Allen did so himself in 2014. Last month, Allen accomplished his goal of bringing a title back to his alma mater when junior Kaleb Walley won the 195-pound state title in Class AAAAAAA without losing a match all season. Allen went on to coach three other Bulldogs to state placements this season. Senior heavyweight Ed Pollard finished third, senior Jalon Bailey (170) finished fourth and senior Jovanni Butler (152) finished fifth. The Bulldogs’ four state placers were good enough for a fifth-place finish at state. All-in-all, Allen called his first season at the helm a successful one. “I came in here wanting to get us at least one state champion and several placers,” Allen said. “We got one state champ and three other placers. So for me, that’s an accomplishment. We haven’t had a state champ since 2014, so getting one in my first year is good. That just sets the bar. Next year, we’re going to try and shoot for two. We want to keep going up.” …. story at https://www.rockdalenewtoncitizen.com/sports/wrestling-coach-of-the-year-rockdale-s-alonzo-allen-finds/article_6033d244-6883-11ea-b126-33dfb1293848.html?mc_cid=9e69424014&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
Wyoming Seminary finishes season ranked No. 1 in Fab 50
Link:Final Fab 50 Team Rankings
The 2019-20 high school wrestling season was certainly one to remember. Crowning a national champion this year was pretty clear, despite the only undefeated team (Simley, Minn.) being ranked No. 18 in the country. This year’s national champion is Wyoming Seminary (Pa.). The Blue Knights were dominant champions at the nation’s best in-season tournament, Walsh Jesuit (Ohio) Ironman; dominant champions at a top-five tournament, Powerade; and champions at National Preps over four other ranked teams (two of which are in the top ten). The lone blemish on the season for Wyoming Seminary came in a 31-24 dual meet loss to Blair Academy (N.J.) on Jan. 17. However, the Blue Knights were without the services of Nic Bouzakis (126) on that evening. Five weeks earlier, the Wyoming Seminary won the Walsh Jesuit Ironman by 45.5 points over Blair Academy; then five weeks later, Wyoming Seminary won the National Prep title by 81 points. Anchoring the Blue Knights’ roster were three wrestlers who ended the season ranked No. 1 in the country: Nic Bouzakis (126), Beau Bartlett (138), and Lachlan McNeil (145). Four other wrestlers concluded the season ranked: Brennen Cernus (No. 17 at 113 pounds), Drew Munch (No. 8 at 132), Gabriel Arnold (No. 13 at 160), and Kolby Franklin (No. 9 at 220). Rounding out the top five were the following teams: …. story at https://intermatwrestle.com/articles/23430?mc_cid=a4e126b07e&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
(Penna.-Maryland-W. Virginia)
Saluting wrestling all-stars – despite Border Brawl falling to virus (WITH SLATED MATCHUPS)
By Eric Knopsnyder
This was supposed to be one of the biggest weekends in the long and storied history of amateur wrestling in this country. More than 40,000 fans – by far the most ever to watch the NCAA Wrestling Championships – were supposed to file inside U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis in an event that probably would have seen Iowa unseat Penn State as king of the college sport – at least for one season. That didn’t happen, of course. Neither will the Border Brawl Mason-Dixon Wrestling Classic, which was scheduled to take place at Pitt-Johnstown on Sunday afternoon, pitting the top high school seniors from The Tribune-Democrat’s coverage area against their counterparts from Maryland and West Virginia. It would have been the fifth edition of the all-star match and might very well have been the most competitive dual. Reaching a bit outside of the Cumberland Times-News’ coverage area, organizers were able to pluck some very talented wrestlers for the southern squad. The highlight match would have featured Bedford’s Kaden Cassidy, …. story at https://www.tribdem.com/sports/eric-knopsnyder-saluting-wrestling-all-stars-despite-border-brawl-falling/article_581fbf8c-6bda-11ea-a37a-1bfc2bc90118.html?mc_cid=64d98db446&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
(Alabama)
Arab wrestling: Legendary coach retires, at least with Knights
By ARCHIE ANDERSON, The Arab Tribune
After 25 years and 11 state championships, wrestling coach Michael Pruitt is calling it a career – at least at Arab High School. Last Thursday, the city board of education officially approved Pruitt’s retirement as a teacher and coach, effective June 1. The Knights won traditional state titles an amazing eight times and the relatively new duals state crown three times (duals matches are simply one team versus another team). Pruitt’s overall duals record at Arab is 639-141-3. During his tenure, the Knights have had 32 state champions, 132 state placers and 227 state qualifiers.
Pretty amazing.
“It’s really bittersweet,” Pruitt said. “It’s not like I want to leave Arab, but financially it just makes sense for me at this point to try to start on a second retirement either at a private school in Huntsville or maybe go to another state like Tennessee. “That’s the only reason I’m doing this.” Pruitt said his thoughts about Arab and the school district are all positive.
“I think the world of all the administrators at Arab and they have been great to me. I can’t say enough about the place,” he said. “Arab has great kids and I truly cared about all the kids in my classroom and all the kids I ever had the opportunity to coach. …. story at http://www.thearabtribune.com/sports/arab-wrestling-legendary-coach-retires-at-least-with-knights/article_a4b545b8-7384-11ea-91f3-57333685ac5e.html?mc_cid=1f2298c90d&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
(Iowa)
JOURNAL WRESTLER OF THE YEAR: West Sioux’s Adam Allard already building off latest loss
One loss doesn’t define a career. West Sioux’s Adam Allard already proved that once in his career. When Allard was a freshman, he lost his first-ever high school match at the Sergeant Bluff-Luton Invitation in December. It was the last loss for Allard that season. It was also the last loss for Allard for more than three years. During that time, Allard — the Sioux City Journal Wrestler of the Year — went on to win three individual state titles, became the 21st wrestler in IHSAA history to win 200 matches and put together the longest consecutive matches winning streak in IHSAA history.
HIGH SCHOOL
JOURNAL WRESTLING COACH OF THE YEAR: Mark Van Oort leads West Sioux to second-straight third-place state duals finish
The end of his high school career made history, too, and not the kind he wanted. In his quest to become the 28th four-time IHSAA state champion, Allard was defeated by Cascade’s Aidan Noonan after a late turn in the match for a 4-2 victory for the 126-pound Class 1A state title. ….. story at https://siouxcityjournal.com/sports/high-school/journal-wrestler-of-the-year-west-sioux-s-adam-allard/article_9b2e37bd-6f23-5ad8-8c93-5cf67f13514c.html?mc_cid=0750227b4f&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
(National)
March Trackwrestling/OPC Update
By Pat Tocci, Senior Director
Who were the stat leaders in your state? As you may have recently seen, the NCAA released its 2021 Stat leader Award winners. The NCAA recognizes each year by division, the leader for falls, technical falls, and most dominant. The most dominant award is based on ‘match’ points earned or lost throughout the season divided by the number of matches you have. It is a way to showcase a wrestler who has been winning all season with bonus points. These awards are based on data that is captured in the Trackwrestling software system. One of the things that the media likes to talk the most about is stats. Every turn on a baseball game, you will always hear announcers talk about a player’s stats. Read a basketball article, and the reporter will be talking about stats and who the leading stat winners are—historically, wrestling has struggled in recognizing these outstanding achievements. However, with the Trackwrestling software system, seeing who the stat leaders are in your state has never been easier. …. story at http://www.nwcaonline.com/march-trackwrestling-opc-update/?mc_cid=5dfdb1c828&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
(South Dakota)
Madison Wrestling Coach Finds A Way To Keep Teaching
MADISON, S.D. — Football players at Dakota State look to head coach Josh Anderson for answers during the regular season. Yet with school out, when the coaches daughter needed answers, a middle school teacher in Madison found a way to help out. Josh’s sixth grade daughter emailed her teacher Chris Waba for help with her math work, and the Madison Middle School teacher, who is also the head wrestling coach at the high school, came over to safely tutor her from outside. …. story and video at https://www.dakotanewsnow.com/content/sports/Madison-Wrestling-Coach–569206261.html?mc_cid=1270ffe756&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
(Ohio)
Season’s sudden end disappointing for wrestlers
If the OHSAA wrestling season had been scheduled to end one week earlier, right now many wrestlers across the state would be enjoying their time at home knowing they finished out the season the right way. Either by garnering a state championship, some type of state placement, or by knowing they put it all on the line versus the best wrestlers in Ohio. However, that did not happen due to the ongoing situation with COVID-19. When it was announced by OHSAA Executive Director Jerry Snodgrass that all winter tournaments were postponed indefinitely on March 12 – a day before the State Individual Wrestling Tournament was set to begin in Columbus – the competitors and their coaches had to accept reality. That being, they may not get to complete the season the way they would like. Furthermore, it is now known that the 2020 state tournament will not happen. The OHSAA announced Thursday its plans to cancel the winter sports tournaments. …. story at https://www.fcnews.org/sports/24137/seasons-sudden-end-disappointing-for-wrestlers?mc_cid=864912e0e4&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
Wrestling History
Gable the GOAT: A Dan Gable Documentary Podcast
Gable the GOAT is an original podcast documentary presented by the Wrestling Changed My Life Podcast. The documentary explores how Dan Gable – the most popular American wrestler – created a wrestling dynasty at the University of Iowa, winning 15 NCAA team titles in 21 years; he also won an incredible 21 consecutive Big 10 crowns during that same time.
Part 1 (launched in November of 2019) explores Gable’s collegiate and Olympic career, and weaves the listener through the creation of the Dan Gable wrestling dynasty at the University of Iowa, culimating with the 1987 NCAA Wrestling Championships. …. Story and podcast at https://wrestlingchangedmylife.com/goat/?mc_cid=9e69424014&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
Lee Kemp documentary a riveting tale about Chardon native, world champ wrestler
A “Lee Kemp” Google search will tell anyone interested about the exploits of the Chardon High graduate — that being he’s one of the great wrestlers in the history of wrestling-rich Ohio. That alone says a lot about the two-time state champion and multiple world champion. There’s a lot more to Kemp’s story, and it’s all played out in the riveting documentary “Wrestled Away: The Lee Kemp Story,” which is streaming on Amazon Prime. As a Chardon sophomore, Kemp had an 11-8-3 mark, but by his junior season won a state title for the Hilltoppers, then repeated as a senior. In college, he was a national runner-up as a freshman at Wisconsin then won three straight NCAA titles to close out his career. The stretch included 101 straight victories. His wrestling career was far from over. As an 18-year-old, he defeated the legendary Dan Gable, then 26, in an open event when Gable came out of retirement to make another run at the Olympics. Gable was the reigning Olympic champion at the time but Kemp won, 7-6. By age 21, he became the youngest American world champion and eventually the country’s first three-time world champ in wrestling. Kemp’s ultimate dream was as an Olympic champion, and as the 1980 Summer Games in Moscow approached, he was at the top of his game. Then President Jimmy Carter boycotted the United State’s involvement in the Olympics as a sign of protest when the Soviets invaded Afghanistan. From there, Kemp’s career and life took unfortunate turns. …. story at https://www.news-herald.com/sports/lee-kemp-documentary-a-riveting-tale-about-chardon-native-world/article_2ca07a5e-6865-11ea-98ce-2f0b8125efa4.html?mc_cid=9e69424014&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
Reliving Josh Glenn’s 2007 National Championship Run
With no current sports to follow, we’ll be looking back at #AmericanHistory, starting with Josh Glenn’s national title run in March 2007.
One season after finishing in fourth place at 184 pounds and dropping a tight 8-7 match in the semifinals to the eventual national champion, Glenn’s mindset before the tournament is simple: “My thoughts are, ‘I got to win five more matches.’ Riding a 19-match winning streak and holding a record of 22-1, Glenn receives the No. 2 seed at 197 lbs. He’ll take on Andrew Anderson of Northern Iowa in the first round. Glenn scores seven takedowns en route to a convincing 14-2 win in his first match of the tournament. He advances to face Patrick Bond of Illinois in the Round of 16. After a scoreless first two periods in the Round of 16, Josh gets a quick reversal and rides out the rest of the third period for a strong 3-0 win. He advances to the quarterfinals for the second straight season. He will take on No. 7 seed Charles Brester of Nebraska for a chance to move into the semifinals. After one period in the quarterfinals, Josh has built up a 6-1 advantage thanks to two takedowns and some near fall points. Brester narrows the gap in the second and third period, but Josh breaks loose and secures the fall! He moves into the semifinal round for the second straight season.
Josh builds a 6-4 lead over Charles Brester of Nebraska before getting the fall! He moves into the semifinal round for the second straight season. #AmericanHistory pic.twitter.com/3AOgADOhHw— AU Wrestling (@AU_Wrestling) March 17, 2020
He’ll be taking on No. 11 seed, and returning All-American, Chris Weidman from Hofstra. After a scoreless first period in the semifinals, Josh scores a reversal and then slaps a cradle on Weidman to get the fall. He is AU’s first NCAA finalist. …. story at https://aueagles.com/news/2020/3/18/wrestling-reliving-josh-glenns-national-championship-run.aspx?mc_cid=a4e126b07e&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
Mark Ironside reflects on winning the Hodge Trophy, Iowa’s 2020 season
Mark Ironside won the 1998 Hodge Trophy, becoming the award’s fourth recipient. He looks back on his time at Iowa, shares his thoughts on the 2020 Hawkeyes, his career as a racecar driver, Iowa commit Drake Ayala and more. …. story and podcast at https://www.trackwrestling.com/PortalPlayer.jsp?TIM=1585449382580&twSessionId=mjzhelvyju&videoId=778945135&mc_cid=b9ab82d4d9&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
Penn Athletics Mourns Passing of Hall of Famer Dick DiBatista C’43
PHILADELPHIA – Penn Athletics was saddened to learn about the passing of Richard “Dick” DiBatista on February 29 at the age of 99. A member of the Inaugural Class inducted into the Penn Athletics Hall of Fame in 1996, DiBatista remains arguably the greatest wrestler in program history. He ended his Penn career as a two-time NCAA champion—only Matt Valenti C’07 joins him in this club among Quaker grapplers—and likely it was only World War II that kept DiBatista from becoming a three-time NCAA champion. He also won three Eastern Intercollegiate Wrestling Association (EIWA) championship in his weight class, from 1941-43. (The NCAA canceled its Championships from 1943-45.)
“Dick DiBatista was one of the greatest wrestlers of all time,” said Penn’s current head wrestling coach and fellow Penn Athletics Hall of Famer Roger Reina. “Dick was a champion, an educator, a veteran, a loyal Penn alumnus, and a revered community member. He was a stalwart of Coach Austin Bishop’s incredible, undefeated Penn teams. Dick will be missed by our community, and his legacy will always be honored at Penn.”
DiBatista posted an incredible 137-0 career record on the mat that included high school, prep school, college and amateur competition. He won a Pennsylvania state championship in 1938 while at Lower Merion High School, then a National Prep School title in 1939 while at Franklin & Marshall Academy. DiBatista also was named to the 1940 and 1944 Olympic Teams, although the Games were not held because of WWII. During the War, DiBatista served as 2nd Lieutenant in the Marines and was stationed in the South Pacific. …. story at https://pennathletics.com/news/2020/3/25/wrestling-penn-athletics-mourns-passing-of-hall-of-famer-dick-dibatista-c-43.aspx?mc_cid=0750227b4f&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
Five of the Worst March Moments for OSU Wrestling Fans
BySeth Duckworth
Normally I’m the most upbeat writer you’d ever come across. I try to look at the positive side of everything in life and really try and write from that angle as well. But with everyone already down in the dumps over the canceling of sports all over the world, COVID-19, and being quarantined at home, I’m going to try and take things down one more notch by sharing my list of some of the harder-to-choke-down things Oklahoma State fans have endured at the NCAA wrestling tournament over the years.
1. Johny Hendricks Falls to Mark Perry
This one popped up on my Twitter a few days ago and actually helped to inspire this story angle. Most OSU wrestling fans know the background on this, Johny Hendricks comes to OSU out of Edmond, Okla. and John Smith’s nephew Mark Perry, who was in the recruiting class the year after Hendricks, chooses to go to Iowa. Hendricks ends up as a two-time NCAA champion and a focal point of OSU’s run of four straight NCAA team titles from 2003-06. In Johny’s senior year and Mark’s junior year they matched up in the NCAA finals. Hendricks had beat Mark every time they met during the regular season, but fell to him 4-3 in the NCAA tournament final. …. story at https://pistolsfiringblog.com/five-of-the-worst-march-moments-for-osu-wrestling-fans/?mc_cid=5dfdb1c828&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
A Look Back at 1983
Well, we had planned on today, Sunday – March 22, to be a travel day for the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga wrestling team. Junior Fabian Gutierrez and sophomores Tanner Smith and Matthew Waddell, along with the coaches and staff, were set to make the trip home from the 2020 NCAA Championships in Minneapolis, Minn.
All three had favorable draws in the brackets that were released on March 11, so who knows what could have happened over three days in U.S. Bank Stadium. With all NCAA sports being canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, there is not much news coming out of college athletics. We thought it would be a good time to take a look back at the Mocs’ most successful showing at the NCAA Division I Championships. The Mocs had some really strong Division II squads in the 1970s, but made the jump to Division I for the 1977-78 season. UTC had some individual success early in the 1980’s, including the 1983 squad that seven qualifiers to the national tournament in Oklahoma City, Okla. The Mocs scored 20¼ points, tying for 14th overall in the team race with Arizona State. It is still the highest Division I finish in school history at UTC. That year was highlighted by junior Charlie Heard’s runner-up at 118 pounds. It was the second of three All-American honors for the LaGrange, Ga., native and 1992 inductee into the UTC Athletics Hall of Fame. …. story at https://gomocs.com/news/2020/3/22/wrestling-a-look-back-at-1983.aspx?mc_cid=e20a7e57a4&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
College Coaching Awards
Brands named InterMat Coach of the Year
Iowa head wrestling coach Tom Brands has been named 2020 InterMat Coach of the Year, the amateur wrestling website announced Friday. This award, presented each year since 2006 to the best college wrestling coach in all divisions for his/her college wrestling coaching performance during the 2019-2020 season, is based exclusively on the balloting of writers at InterMat. Each staff member is asked to select five coaches and rank them from first to fifth. Point values are assigned to each placement, ranging from one point to a wrestling coach listed fifth on a voter’s ballot, up to nine points for a first-place vote. Iowa’s Tom Brands received a total of 84 points — including eight out of ten first-place votes from the InterMat staff — to propel him to the top of the balloting for the 2019-20 season. The only other college wrestling coach to get any first-place votes was Chris Ayres, head coach of the Princeton University mat program. Two InterMat writers voted Ayres as their choice for the nation’s top collegiate coach, for a total of 39 points, placing him second in the rankings for this season. …. story at https://intermatwrestle.com/articles/23466?mc_cid=5dfdb1c828&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
St. Cloud State’s Steve Costanzo named NWCA Div. II Coach of the Year
The National Wrestling Coaches Association has selected St. Cloud State University’s Steve Costanzo as the NCAA Division II National Coach of the Year Award winner for 2019-20. Presented annually, this honor goes to a coach who has demonstrated outstanding effort in developing and elevating their program on campus and in the community. The coach of the year awards program is presented by Defense Soap, the official Hygiene partner of the NWCA. This award was scheduled to be presented at the NWCA 2020 Jim Koch Division II Hall of Fame Banquet on the eve of the NCAA Division II Wrestling Championships at the Denny Sanford Premier Center. Unfortunately, the event was canceled along with the Division II Championships due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Costanzo is in his fourteenth year as head coach and his 2020 squad captured its fourth consecutive NWCA Division II National Duals championship and his teams have won four of the past five NCAA Division II National Titles. The Huskies finished the season with a 16-0, 8-0 NSIC record and claimed its ninth consecutive NSIC championship in 2019-20. SCSU won the NCAA Division II Super Region 5 title in 2019-20 and saw seven Huskies win individual region titles and nine individuals qualify for the 2020 NCAA DII championships – the most of any team in the nation. SCSU broke its own NCAA record this season and currently has won 64 consecutive dual matches dating back to 2017. The Huskies finished the season as the nation’s number one ranked team in the Division II poll and nine SCSU wrestlers were individually ranked in the final NCAA DII poll. …. story at https://intermatwrestle.com/articles/23497?fbclid=IwAR0DJOTzmTbbc8cyY-soCVmP7xVFzAFWH9G3-XHsH00WmcHfSZ90fwJzC9k
NWCA ANNOUNCES NCAA WOMEN’S NATIONAL COACH OF THE YEAR WINNER
Manheim, PA – The National Wrestling Coaches Association has announced the 2020 NCAA Women’s Wrestling Coach of the Year Award winner. The award was given following the conclusion of the inaugural Cliff Keen WCWC National Collegiate Women’s Wrestling Championships hosted by Arian College. The award, which is presented to a coach that has demonstrated outstanding effort throughout the season in developing and elevating their program on campus and in the community, is presented by Defense Soap, the official Hygiene partner of the NWCA. “In continuing our mission, Defense Soap is proud to partner with the NWCA to keep wrestlers on the mat with our products and education in hygiene.” Guy Sako, Founder, and CEO of Defense Soap
The recipient of this year’s NCAA Women’s National Coach of the Year is Sam Schmitz of McKendree University. Coach Schmitz has served as the head coach since the announcement of the program in 2013. …. story at http://www.nwcaonline.com/nwca-announces-ncaa-womens-national-coach-of-the-year-winner/
NWCA ANNOUNCES NAIA WOMEN’S NATIONAL COACH OF THE YEAR
Manheim, PA – On Thursday, the National Wrestling Coaches Association announced the NAIA Women’s National Coach of the Year Award winner. This award was scheduled to be presented on the eve of the NAIA Women’s Wrestling Championships at the University of Jamestown. Unfortunately, the championships were canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Presented annually, this honor goes to a coach who has demonstrated outstanding effort in developing and elevating their program on campus and in the community. The coach of the year awards program is presented by Defense Soap, the official Hygiene partner of the NWCA. he recipient of this year’s NAIA Women’s National Coach of the Year is Lee Miracle of Campbellsville University. Coach Miracle is in his seventh year as head coach and his squad took home a Runners-up trophy from the NWCA National Dual Championships while capturing their second WCWA National Championship. …. story at https://portal.nwcaonline.com/articles/NWCA_News/NWCA-ANNOUNCES-NAIA-WOMEN-S-NATIONAL-2-4-2020
Zeke Jones Named Pac-12 Coach of the Year
SAN FRANCISCO – As announced by the Pac-12 Conference on Thursday, Arizona State wrestling head coach Zeke Jones has been named Pac-12 Coach of the Year. Jones becomes the first ASU wrestling head coach to win the conference award three times since Thom Ortiz did so in 2003, 2005 and 2006. The sixth-year head coach was also selected for the Pac-12 honor in 2017 and 2018 after winning the Pac-12 Championship in back-to-back seasons. The Sun Devils made their run at the program’s 21st all-time conference championship and 19th in the Pac-10/12 era in early March at Stanford. With a well-rounded team performance, ASU posted its highest conference tournament point total (141.5) since 1993, with the help of five weight classes taking home a title. ASU recorded an incredible 15-2 dual meet record this season with seven top-25 wins and four top-15 wins. It was the largest win total for an ASU wrestling team since 1989-90. …. story at https://thesundevils.com/news/2020/3/26/wrestling-zeke-jones-named-pac-12-coach-of-the-year.aspx?mc_cid=97441c20ca&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
Foley Named NEWA Assistant Coach of the Year
NEW LONDON, Conn. – Dylan Foley, assistant wrestling coach at the Coast Guard Academy, has been named the New England Wrestling Association (NEWA) Assistant Coach of the Year for the second straight season. Foley is in just his second year as the assistant wrestling coach at the Academy under head coach Kevin Bratland, who is in his sixth season. “Dylan has made a tremendous impact in raising the level of Coast Guard wrestling,” said Bratland. ” It is exciting to see his efforts rewarded.” Coast Guard finished the season ranked seventh nationally. …. story at https://uscgasports.com/sports/wrest/2019-20/releases/20200327jvp1jg?mc_cid=5dfdb1c828&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
Cancellation – 3rd Reports
Ohio State wrestlers Kollin Moore, Luke Pletcher moving on to next challenge
They believe with all their hearts that they would be NCAA champions right now, their collegiate wrestling careers capped off with hands raised in glory. Instead, as with so many other athletes in this coronavirus-stricken world, Kollin Moore and Luke Pletcher’s dreams were stopped without the resolution they wanted — or any resolution at all. The Ohio State senior wrestlers were seeded No. 1 in their weight classes for the NCAA championships scheduled for Minneapolis two weeks ago. With a 27-0 record, Moore was a strong favorite in the 191-pound division. “I was wrestling the best I’ve ever been wrestling up to that point,” he said. “I feel like I was the mentally toughest I’ve ever been. I was just really calm and very prepared for nationals. “I’m very confident that me and Pletcher and (third-seeded redshirt freshman Sammy) Sasso would have won. The whole team, I just think we were ready to make a splash at nationals.” At 141 pounds, Pletcher had lost only once, and he avenged that dual-meet loss to Penn State’s Nick Lee by beating him in the Big Ten finals. “Going into the (NCAA) tournament, I was as confident as I could have been,” he said. “There was no doubt in my mind that that Saturday night my hand was going to get raised.” Instead, Moore and Pletcher have to cope with the knowledge that their dreams of a national title are over. The NCAA Division I Council granted spring-sport athletes an extra year of eligibility but did not extend that to winter-sport athletes. The pain of not being able to compete for a national title is particularly acute for Moore and Pletcher because they had come up short in their previous NCAAs. Moore, a native of Burbank, Ohio, was runner-up in 2019 and fourth a year earlier. Pletcher, who’s from Latrobe, Pennsylvania, finished fourth each of the past two years. Ohio State coach Tom Ryan used the word “devastation” to describe his emotions about his seniors being denied their final chance. …. story at https://www.buckeyextra.com/sports/20200403/ohio-state-wrestlers-kollin-moore-luke-pletcher-moving-on-to-next-challenge
Tecumseh graduates Marten, Pelham reflect on qualifying for wrestling nationals
Thursday was supposed to be a dream come true for Tecumseh graduates and current Central Michigan University wrestlers Drew Marten and Landon Pelham. Both had qualified for the NCAA Division I national championships in Minneapolis for the first time, but instead of competing U.S. Bank Stadium, their seasons are over. “It’s a dream to go to nationals,” Pelham said. “I had gone a few teams to watch and I told myself I was done buying a ticket to this thing. It’s like a wasted year.” The Tecumseh graduates and MHSAA state champions punched their tickets to nationals at the Mid-American Conference championships back on March 8. Marten qualified by getting hot late in the season after dropping to the 133 pound weight class after starting at 141. He entered the MAC tournament with a 17-12 record and dropped an 9-3 decision to top-ranked and eventual champion Tim Rooney of Kent State. …. story at https://www.lenconnect.com/sports/20200320/tecumseh-graduates-marten-pelham-reflect-on-qualifying-for-wrestling-nationals?mc_cid=db245e6947&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
NCAA Wrestling Championships: A look at what would have happened with no coronavirus
This is the weekend all wrestling fans would have been glued to what was happening at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis and the NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships. However, the NCAA has canceled all its tournaments through the spring because of the coronavirus pandemic. We are left to wonder what might have been when it comes to who would have been crowned a national champion. Would New Jersey, which had four national champions last year in Rutgers’ Nick Suriano (133 and Bergen Catholic)) and Anthony Ashnault (149 and South Plainfield), Virginia Tech’s Mekhi Lewis (165, Bound Brook) and Penn State’s Anthony Cassar (heavyweight and Montgomery), have had another banner year?
College wrestling: Canceled NCAA Tournament hits Rutgers coach Scott Goodale hard
New Jersey had three top three seeds in Northwestern’s Sebastian Rivera (No. 1 at 133 and Christian Brothers Academy); Princeton’s Pat Glory (No. 2 at 125 and Delbarton) and Stanford’s Shane Griffith (No. 3 at 165 and Bergen Catholic). There were others among the 33 wrestlers with New Jersey ties who would have had a chance to win either a national championship. The most notable among them was Princeton’s three-time All-American Matthew Kolodzik (No. 6 seed at 149 and Blair Academy). …. story at https://www.app.com/story/sports/college/rutgers/2020/03/20/ncaa-wrestling-championships-look-what-would-have-happened-no-coronavirus/2876703001/?mc_cid=db245e6947&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
Instead of wrestling at nationals, former Becahi wrestler Mikey Labriola home and in desperate need of a jump rope
Mikey Labriola was home less than a week, when he pleaded with his mother, Barbara, to buy him a jump rope so he could work out in the garage. Labriola’s mother, a nurse, still leaves their Easton home to go to work while he waits to return to the University of Nebraska wrestling room to learn from the setbacks he endured during his sophomore season. “There are lessons to learn from every loss,” the Bethlehem Catholic graduate said. “I had a decent amount of losses, so I’ve got a lot of lessons to learn.” Labriola, an All-American last season as a redshirt freshman, was 20-10 in 2019-20 and prepared to make amends for the setbacks as the 10th seed at 174 pounds for the NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships. But like every other national qualifier, Labriola never got the chance after the coronavirus pandemic forced the cancellation of the NCAA event that was set for this weekend in Minneapolis. …. story at https://www.mcall.com/sports/varsity/wrestling/mc-spt-mikey-labriola-nebraska-wrestling-20200320-kzoxqvb5b5bydgrwxvisrm7f6e-story.html?mc_cid=db245e6947&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
Havre’s Parker Filius ready to ‘gain some ground’ after canceled trip to NCAA Championships
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Purdue’s Parker Filius, the former Havre High four-time state wrestling champion, was excited for the opportunity to compete in his first NCAA Championships — college wrestling’s biggest stage. But following the cancellation of the tournament, Filius is already at work for next season. The redshirt sophomore saw one of the greatest turnarounds from the year before, flipping a 9-20 campaign as a freshman in 2018-19 to a 19-10 record this winter, qualifying for the NCAA Championships in the 141-pound division. Filius was set to compete in the pigtail match — a wrestle-in contest where the winner advances to the first round, while the loser drops to the consolation bracket. …. story at https://www.montanasports.com/college-sports/ncaa/havres-parker-filius-ready-to-gain-some-ground-after-canceled-trip-to-ncaa-championships?mc_cid=64d98db446&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
Bad script: Until pandemic hit, Lex grad looked like NCAA champ
MANSFIELD – Someday, if he has a future in the theatrical world of professional wrestling, Drew Kasper will look back on the global health crisis of 2020 as the first time he didn’t have a say on whether he won or lost. He can blame a lousy script. Kasper, a 2015 Lexington High School grad, was 30-0 and the No. 1 ranked heavyweight in the country for Otterbein University when the NCAA Division III Wrestling Nationals were canceled one day before he was to embark on what likely would have been a historic weekend in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. The odds strongly favored Kasper becoming the first national champion in wrestling in school history and the first in any sport at Otterbein since pole vaulter Chris Swanson in 2005. The achievement also would have mirrored the way his high school career ended. “If I could have just wrestled one more week and shown everyone … I could have gone my whole life saying I was an NCAA champ and a state champ,” Kasper said. “It’s just a shame it didn’t end the way we wanted to or go out on our own terms. …. story at https://www.mansfieldnewsjournal.com/story/sports/2020/03/21/coronavirus-covid-19-sports-ncaa-wrestling-otterbien-drew-kasper/2882399001/?mc_cid=64d98db446&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
Missing the NCAAs? Jason Bryant’s preview guide is available as a de facto tourney program and yearbook
For the past six NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships, longtime wrestling writer and broadcaster Jason Bryant has produced a digital preview guide for the wrestling fans and media. Despite there the 2020 NCAA Division I Championship being canceled, Bryant continued to produce the 217-page guide, which now serves as a de facto tournament program and yearbook. Included annually are the individual results of all 330 wrestlers, dual meet polls and standings, comparative media rankings and historical breakout stats published only in Bryant’s guide. Mike Couzens, ESPN’s lead broadcaster for the last several Division I Championships, is one of many media members who use the guide for their live coverage and prep work. “Jason’s guide is the most comprehensive source of information I’ve ever used on any sport – period.” Bryant has made his guide available for fans who still crave the history and information about the 330 athletes. Some of the other exclusive content within is a historical capsule on each Division I program, the home state of every Division I All-American dating back to the start of the NCAA wrestling tournament as well as breakouts from the 2020 qualifiers. …. story at https://www.teamusa.org/USA-Wrestling/Features/2020/March/20/2020-Guide-available-for-home-reading?mc_cid=db245e6947&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
N.J. native was NCAA Wrestling Championship’s Cinderella story who didn’t get a chance to dance
By Bill Evans | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
In some ways, Antonio Mininno was the biggest long shot of the 330 wrestlers to qualify for the 2020 NCAA Wrestling Championships. The Drexel University sophomore took a 14-34 career record – including 6-12 this year – into the EIWA Tournament at Lehigh two weeks ago, where he was the No. 14 seed in a 16-man bracket at 125 pounds. Mininno stunned third-seeded and nationally-ranked Michael Colaiocco of Penn with a pin in the opening round, then after an overtime loss in the quarterfinal that would have punched his ticket to nationals, rallied to win two of his next three matches and clinch the seventh and final automatic qualification spot for this week’s championships in Minneapolis. …. story at https://www.nj.com/sports/2020/03/nj-native-was-ncaa-wrestling-championships-cinderella-story-who-didnt-get-a-chance-to-dance.html?mc_cid=db245e6947&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
Popolizio: ‘At Some Point a Life Lesson Will Be Learned’
Fresh off a perfect 15-0 dual meet season and a second straight ACC tournament championship, the NC State wrestling team was poised to bring home even more honors — along with a national title or two — from the NCAA Championships in Minneapolis this weekend. But the Wolfpack never got the chance to put the anticipated exclamation point at the end of its season. Despite having gone unbeaten on the mat, coach Pat Popolizio and his team were left with the ultimate feeling defeat when the national tournament, along with all other NCAA championship events, was canceled because of the ongoing coronavirus crisis. “This sport teaches you a lot about life and then when you have to deal with these kind of situations, it’s like taking a really bad loss,” Popolizio said on his #PackMentality — Pop-Ins Podcast on GoPack.com “Your guys compete, you take a loss and it hurts, it burns. Everybody’s been through it at some point in their career and this one’s probably the worst one yet because it was out of your control.” The third-ranked Wolfpack was heading into the national meet on a high after winning the ACC crown , then learning last Wednesday that four of its wrestlers had received top-10 seeds for Minneapolis. …. story at https://www.si.com/college/ncstate/sports/popolizio-addresses-wrestling-cancellation?mc_cid=db245e6947&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
International Wrestling News
Now Olympics-eligible, former Wolfpack wrestler Gwiazdowski plays waiting game
By Jared Fialko, WRAL Sports anchor/reporter
RALEIGH, N.C. — “Social distancing” is not exactly a plausible concept in Nick Gwiazdowski’s line of work. “Instead of shaking the ref’s hands, we’re giving him knuckles, but then again you grab a hold of your opponent and you wrestle him,” said former Wolfpack wrestler Nick Gwiazdowski, with a laugh after recollecting his previous weekend’s tournament in Ottawa. The two-time NCAA champ from NC State pinned another major accomplishment to the mat recently. Gwiz claimed Gold at the Pan-Am Olympic Qualifier, becoming eligible for Tokyo. All he’s gotta to do now is make the U.S. Squad in the 125 kg weight class. Those trials were set to be held in two weeks in State College, Pennsylvania. Obviously, that’s been put on-hold. However, Nick’s prep work? …. https://www.wralsportsfan.com/now-olympics-eligible-former-wolfpack-wrestler-gwiazdowski-plays-waiting-game/19022549/?mc_cid=64d98db446&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
‘We’re not in control’: U.S. wrestlers finish Olympic qualifier amid uncertainty
In one of the rare sporting events not canceled this past weekend, U.S. wrestlers competed Friday through Sunday at a Pan American Olympic qualifier in Ottawa, without spectators and with an uncertain future. Canada’s wrestling federation, after consulting with local health authorities, said Friday that the tournament would go on with essential personnel and limited family members. “It’s been a hard week for everyone, I think, in the wrestling world and the whole world,” U.S. women’s national team coach Terry Steiner said after all four American women qualified a quota spot for the nation on Saturday. “To be able to just keep your eye on and stay focused on the task at hand was very important. They had to be really mentally resilient.” …. story at https://olympics.nbcsports.com/2020/03/16/wrestling-pan-american-olympic-qualifying-tournament-coronavirus/?mc_cid=9e69424014&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
Wrestler from Puyallup on a mission to compete at the Olympics
Whitney Conder, one of state’s the most decorated wrestlers, hopes to represent the USA at the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games. Fifteen years ago, Puyallup’s Whitney Conder made history at the state high school wrestling championship when she became the first girl to medal. Now she’s trying to make history again, and become the first female wrestler from the state to compete at an Olympic games. Conder, 32, already is one of the most decorated wrestlers in Washington state history. “When I’m on the mat, I’m out there on a mission. I’m out there to win and like my coaches say, you don’t step out on that mat, unless you think that you’re going to win,” Conder said. And she has won a lot. She’s a junior world champ, a six-time U.S. Open champ and a two-time gold medalist at the Pan-American Games. But in 2016, with a trip to the Olympics on the line, Conder took second place. The U.S. only sends one wrestler per weight class to the Olympics. …. story at https://www.king5.com/article/sports/olympics/olympic-dreams-whitney-conder/281-dfecb173-e69a-493d-b69e-8f7394d06d36?mc_cid=9e69424014&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
Team Canada will not send athletes to Games in summer 2020 due to COVID-19 risks
TORONTO (March 22, 2020) – The Canadian Olympic Committee (COC) and Canadian Paralympic Committee (CPC), backed by their Athletes’ Commissions, National Sports Organizations and the Government of Canada, have made the difficult decision to not send Canadian teams to the Olympic and Paralympic Games in the summer of 2020. The COC and CPC urgently call on the International Olympic Committee (IOC), and the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) and the World Health Organization (WHO) to postpone the Games for one year and we offer them our full support in helping navigate all the complexities that rescheduling the Games will bring. While we recognize the inherent complexities around a postponement, nothing is more important than the health and safety of our athletes and the world community. …. story at https://olympic.ca/press/team-canada-will-not-send-athletes-to-games-in-summer-2020-due-to-covid-19-risks/?fbclid=IwAR1j3x193xNwulTrKLVGqWzqU4dnMLkCvBYDlJR-YxZVJ0wWMqzShGs7v6g&mc_cid=e20a7e57a4&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
WCL statement on Team Canada decision
Wrestling Canada Lutte supports the decision made by the Canadian Olympic Committee to not send athletes to the Olympic Games in summer 2020 due to COVID-19 risks. The safety of our athletes and wrestling community is our top priority. …. story at https://wrestling.ca/wcl-statement-on-team-canada-decision/?mc_cid=e20a7e57a4&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
Coach Lindland’s Weekly Report: Post-Ottawa Tour 2020
Fresh off of returning from Ottawa, Canada where four United States Greco-Roman athletes qualified their weight categories for the 2020 Olympic Games, National Team head coach Matt Lindland is here with a pronounced assessment of what transpired. Each of the four wrestlers who achieved their objective — Ildar Hafizov (60 kg), Alex Sancho (67 kg), Joe Rau (87 kg), and G’Angelo Hancock (97 kg, Sunkist) — is highlighted individually, as are the training plan, the previous week’s Pan-Am Championships, and the environment in which the athletes operated. …. story at http://www.fivepointmove.com/usa-greco/lindland-post-ottawa-qualifier/?mc_cid=a4e126b07e&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
President Statement on Tokyo 2020 and Next Steps
Dear Athletes and Members of the Wrestling Community,
Coming from the Joint Statement of the International Olympic Committee and the Tokyo 2020 Organising Committee, I would like to inform you that the Tokyo2020 Games will be postponed to no later than Summer 2021. This decision was made after accounting for the health of the athletes, those involved in the Olympic Games, and the international community at-large. The decision to delay will have a significant impact on our athletes and the remaining qualification process. Like other federations and stakeholders, we are waiting to receive more detailed guidelines from the IOC Sports Department concerning the qualification process and will provide an update as soon as possible. I understand that this delay impacts your preparations, and there are many uncertainties at this moment, but I assure your health and safety remain our top priority. As things change, I promise to keep you up to date. …. full story at https://unitedworldwrestling.org/article/president-statement-tokyo-2020-and-next-steps?mc_cid=a94878ac8d&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
Sarah Hildebrandt and Clarissa Chun to be featured on Friday’s Moments Off the Mat at 5 p.m. ET
BY USA WRESTLING | MARCH 23,
WATCH Sarah Hildebrandt and Clarissa Chun LIVE AT 5 P.M. ET ON THEMAT.TV
Earlier this week, USA Wrestling announced its newly designed video platform, TheMat.tv, where wrestling fans can find thousands of wrestling videos in one location. TheMat.tv also launched a new web series called Moments Off the Mat, presented by USA Wrestling. Moments Off the Mat is a daily 30-minute live segment which features interviews with coaches, athletes and as well as several other notable figures within the wrestling community. So far, Moments Off the Mat has featured USA Wrestling Executive Director Rich Bender, High Performance Manager Cody Bickley and National Team head coaches Bill Zadick, Matt Lindland and Terry Steiner, and Olympic and World champion Jordan Burroughs.
Friday’s Moments Off the Mat guests are 2018 World silver medalist Sarah Hildebrandt and Women’s Freestyle National Team assistant coach Clarissa Chun. TheMat.tv features tons of content such as coach and athlete interviews, matches, technique and workout videos, Silver Coaches College presentations, Coaches Core Curriculum, National Wrestling Hall of Fame Legends Series and so much more. …. https://www.teamusa.org/USA-Wrestling/Features/2020/March/23/The-Mat-tv-launch-and-Moments-Off-the-Mat?mc_cid=3137d16555&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
College News — # 88
Two-time NCAA qualifier Orndorff transferring to Ohio State
Tate Orndorff, a two-time NCAA qualifier, is transferring from Utah Valley to Ohio State. The Washington native recently entered the NCAA transfer portal. He made the announcement of his transfer to Ohio State Friday on Instagram. Orndorff compiled a record of 18-4 this past season. He was ranked No. 11 at heavyweight in InterMat’s final rankings of the 2019-20 season. …. story at https://intermatwrestle.com/articles/23499?fbclid=IwAR2guDXGdxK5lhHX_Dy52CbMDbghQgl5Hk8c_utTRBTu21LBly0wVeeiqIs
NCAA Decision Formally Concludes Cheeks Career
CLEVELAND, Ohio – Redshirt senior Evan Cheek of the Cleveland State University wrestling team saw his collegiate career officially come to a close earlier this week when the NCAA Division I Council declined to extend eligibility for those that compete in winter sports. Cheek, in his fifth year at CSU, had qualified for the NCAA Championships but was unable to compete at the event for the final time to the COVID-19 pandemic. Cheek had been slated as the No. 16 seed at 141 pounds in the 33-man field for NCAA’s. He finished 14th in the final RPI produced by the NCAA, which was the top spot held by a MAC wrestler and the second-highest of any athlete that did not hail from a Power Five school. …. story at https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/?tab=wm&ogbl#label/INBOX%2FaaResponseNeeded/FMfcgxwHMZSBbdXGLDgjCnVgzDZvhDPB
Grand View head coach Nick Mitchell – OTM604
Grand View tied a college wrestling record by winning its ninth consecutive national championship in Wichita, Kansas a couple of weeks ago. This week, head coach Nick Mitchell goes On The Mat as he talks about the Vikings’ championship and tying Iowa as the only other college wrestling program with nine straight national championships. Join Andy Hamilton and Kyle Klingman as they talk to our guest and topics related to the recent happenings in and around wrestling. …. http://www.mattalkonline.com/podcast/trackwrestling/on-the-mat/grand-view-head-coach-nick-mitchell-otm604/?mc_cid=db245e6947&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
National wrestling tournament bucked cancellation trend, but Apprentice School wrestlers were pulled before semifinals
Two wins away from a national championship, six Apprentice School wrestlers were suddenly pulled from the tournament as a precaution. While the sporting world’s house of cards collapsed into postponements and cancellations, the National Collegiate Wrestling Association, separate from the NCAA, kept its tournament going last weekend in Allen, Texas, and eventually completed it. But two-thirds of the way through the tournament, Apprentice School wrestlers ― six in the semifinals and six in the consolation round ― were kept from continuing as a precaution against the spread of the coronavirus. A request to interview Apprentice School athletic director Michael Allen was declined through media relations manager Duane Bourne. Tournament officials did have some recommendations in place, including referees not raising the arms of winners and having hand sanitizers readily available. However, the show went on. …. story at https://www.dailypress.com/sports/college/vp-sp-apprentice-school-wrestling-canceled-20200319-g2ap4cc6rfhz7elpjlxb3kx37q-story.html?fbclid=IwAR1zKeYsfMb04EwjJrbo-EqceOTYekM-L7NoeN_lh8t0vOLCGMR8S5RGSII&mc_cid=3137d16555&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
For Rider wrestling, a breakthrough season but ending ‘feels a little empty’
By Bill Evans | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com For coach John Hangey and the Rider University wrestling team, it was a memorable and historic season for most of the right reasons. But it was memorable and historic at the end for reasons nobody could have imagined. The Broncs knocked off No. 6 Minnesota, a Big Ten team, on the road to start the season. They won the Virginia Duals, beating a ranked Virginia team in the process, and captured the Mid-Atlantic Conference East Division championship while spending multiple stints in the national rankings. But the 12-3 season that started so promisingly and had many encouraging moments was robbed of a satisfying ending when the NCAA Wrestling Championships in Minneapolis were canceled because of coronavirus concerns. “I’m heart-broken for the seniors,” said Hangey. “We understand why it was canceled and that it was the right thing to do. I know the (National Wrestling Coaches Association) was over the moon about having the tournament in a football stadium this year and excited for all of us to get there. …. https://www.nj.com/sports/2020/03/for-rider-wrestling-a-breakthrough-season-but-ending-feels-a-little-empty.html?mc_cid=97441c20ca&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
Becahi graduate Dunn named PSAC Wrestler of the Year
By Brad Wilson | For lehighvalleylive.com
Andrew Dunn Jr. may not have had a chance to defend his Division II national championship, but the Bethlehem Catholic graduate did bring home a major prize Thursday. Dunn Jr., a Kutztown junior was voted the 2019-20 Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Wrestling Athlete of the Year in a vote of the league’s coaches. The PSAC announced the award Thursday afternoon in conjunction with the release of the all-conference wrestling teams. Dunn Jr. is the second Golden Bear to accomplish the feat after Ziad Haddad, another Becahi graduate, did so in 2014. Dunn Jr. is one of four Kutztown wrestlers to register an unbeaten season in school history after finishing the 2019-20 campaign with a 20-0 record. The junior is the defending national champion at heavyweight and has posted a 46-2 record in two years with Kutztown, including 46-0 against NCAA DII wrestlers. …. https://www.lehighvalleylive.com/sports/2020/03/becahi-graduate-dunn-named-psac-wrestler-of-the-year.html?mc_cid=97441c20ca&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
Clemsen Adds Six to 2020 Recruiting Class
COLLEGE PARK, Md. – Maryland head wrestling coach Alex Clemsen announced the addition of six wrestlers to the 2020-21 recruiting class. Dainon Kappes (Bowie, Md./Bowie HS), Will Berkowitz (Shelby, N.C./Shelby HS), Adam Pfeiffer (Olney, Md./Sherwood HS), Cole McCormick (Poquoson, Va./Poquoson HS), Dominic Solis (Laurel, Md./McDonogh School), and Maximus Bentley (Easton, Md./Easton HS) all signed their National Letters of Intent to attend Maryland and wrestle for the Terps. “I’m pumped to add theses six guys to our staff’s first recruiting class,” Clemsen said. “Incredible talent and depth late in the process! Each one of these guys are true student-athletes and will continue to help us build Turtle Power the right way. I know all 10 of our incoming freshmen will push our and elevate our room over the next few months and years. I can’t wait to get everyone back under one roof so we can get to work!” …. story at https://umterps.com/news/2020/3/23/wrestling-clemsen-adds-six-to-2020-recruiting-class.aspx?mc_cid=3137d16555&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
Wrestling Announces Travel Partners Changes
The Big 12 Conference has announced its updated wrestling travel partners for nine of the league’s 12 schools through the 2023-24 season. Updated travel partners were requested and formed by the league’s 12 head coaches. The changes in travel partners was made to maximize the schools in a given area and cut down on multiple trips to the same region. The schedules were constructed so that each team will have at least one “travel partner,” while also ensuring that every affiliate has at least one home match annually against a Big 12 legacy member and that the four legacy members will face each other each year. …. story at https://big12sports.com/news/2020/3/23/wrestling-announces-travel-partners-changes.aspx?mc_cid=3137d16555&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
Rutgers-bound Kyonte Hamilton already a model of success
It is not every day that a high school athlete is offered scholarships for more than one sport. It is even rarer when a high school athlete commits to play two sports at one college. That is precisely what has happened for junior Kyonte Hamilton of Georgetown Prep (Rockville, Md.). Hamilton committed to Rutgers Wrestling this past August and is currently the No.2-ranked 220-pound high school wrestler in the nation, according to Intermat rankings. Earlier in March, Hamilton also committed to play football at Rutgers as a three-star athlete with multiple Division 1 offers and the ability to play multiple positions. Before the spotlight shined so brightly, Hamilton was just a big kid trying to find his way on the wrestling mat. His father introduced him to wrestling at the age of five and it was not instant stardom. “Up until my seventh or eighth-grade year, I always got beat up on by the older kids,” Hamilton said. “I was big, so I had to wrestle in the unlimited age division. So I was in the sixth grade wrestling kids in the eighth grade because of how big I was. I lost a lot.” By the time Hamilton reached the eighth grade, losses were a rare occurrence. …. https://247sports.com/college/rutgers/Article/Rutgers-Football-Rutgers-Wrestling-Kyonte-Hamilton-model-of-success–145337773/?mc_cid=0750227b4f&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
McGuire facing new challenges while building SU’s wrestling program
Tasked with building a first-year program from scratch, Shenandoah University wrestling coach Tim McGuire has seen that challenge evolve in the wake of the response to COVID-19. In response to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, which has prompted a nationwide halt to sports across all levels, SU announced on Friday that it was canceling the rest of its spring sports season. Peripheral athletic activities, like in-person recruiting trips and on-campus visits by recruits, have also been put on hold by school officials. That means McGuire has had to adjust as he works to build the Hornets’ first roster, which will begin official competition when school reconvenes later this year. He’s approaching the current state of affairs, he said on Monday, as a chance to turn a negative situation into a positive one. …. story at https://www.nvdaily.com/nvdaily/mcguire-facing-new-challenges-while-building-su-s-wrestling-program/article_e9be83ca-0448-5588-88cb-f7ee13427f0c.html?mc_cid=0750227b4f&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
More College Coaching Changes
WOMEN’S WRESTLING WILL BECOME AUGUSTANA’S 26TH SPORT IN 2021-22
ROCK ISLAND, Ill. – Augustana will add women’s wrestling to its varsity athletic lineup beginning with the 2021-22 school year, it was announced today by director of athletics Mike Zapolski. The addition of women is wrestling pushes to 26 the number of intercollegiate varsity sports offered by Augustana. This will give the Vikings 13 women’s sports and 13 men’s sports. “Wrestling is becoming an increasingly popular sport for girls nationwide, and our goal is that Augustana will become the small college destination for young women who want to excel at a high level academically and continue to compete,” said Zapolski. “We are perfectly situated geographically to attract quality women’s wrestlers from Illinois, neighboring Midwest states plus other locations such as California and Texas.” This will be the seventh varsity sport added since Zapolski became the director of athletics in June of 2008. Women’s lacrosse and men’s lacrosse were announced in 2010 and added in 2012 while men’s volleyball and women’s bowling started competition in 2018 after the decision was made in 2016 to add them. In February of 2019, Augustana unveiled plans to add women’s water polo and then men’s water polo, both of which will begin play in 2021-22. Tony Willaert, who recently completed his third season as the head coach of the men’s program, has been tabbed to start the women’s program. …. story at https://portal.nwcaonline.com/articles/NWCA_News/WOMEN-S-WRESTLING-WILL-BECOME-2-4-2020
SCHWEER TO LEAD NEW RIO WRESTLING PROGRAM
Rio Grande Sports Information
RIO GRANDE, Ohio – Jason Schweer has been tabbed as the head coach of the University of Rio Grande’s new men’s wrestling program. Athletic director Jeff Lanham made the announcement Friday afternoon. The 31-year-old native of Waverly, Iowa comes to the RedStorm after spending the past season as the associate head coach at the University of the Ozarks, an NCAA Division III school in Clarksville, Arkansas.
“I’m fired up. It’s not every day that you get the opportunity to build something from the ground up,” Schweer said. “Coming from Arkansas where, in many ways, wrestling is still pretty new to southeastern Ohio – where you’re right in the heart of wrestling country – is a tremendous opportunity to grow our sport. I’m looking forward to getting started.” A graduate of North Iowa Area Community College and Grand View (Iowa) University, Schweer was a two-time NJCAA Academic All-American, as well as an NAIA Scholar-Athlete and Grand View’s 2012 Champion of Character honoree. He began his coaching career as an assistant at Grand View in the fall of 2013 before moving on to the University of Ozarks in the fall of 2015, where he was an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator. Schweer also spent one season as the head coach at Kansas Wesleyan University before the school scrapped the program. He returned to the University of the Ozarks in June 2019 and spent the past season there. …. story at http://www.rioredstorm.com/article/4410.php?mc_cid=db245e6947&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
Delaware Valley University Head Coach of Men’s Wrestling
Our Athletics Department is growing! We are looking for a Head Coach of Men’s Wrestling to join our Athletics Department at Delaware Valley University in Doylestown, PA! Position will organize and manage all aspects related to the men’s wrestling program including but not limited to: practice planning and game preparation; coaching and scouting; recruitment of student-athletes; player development and support; academic monitoring; campus and community engagement efforts; fundraising and alumni development; scheduling; travel planning; budget management; and coaching personnel management. …. story at https://workforcenow.adp.com/mascsr/default/mdf/recruitment/recruitment.html?cid=997c6fde-f713-4be9-b6cf-f4bdbc02cbbb&ccId=19000101_000001&jobId=348648&lang=en_US&source=TW
New England College Head Coach – Wrestling
Story at https://nec.peopleadmin.com/postings/1591
Navy hires wrestling legend Cary Kolat to be head coach
It did not take Naval Academy athletic director Chet Gladchuk long to find a new wrestling coach. Just one week after firing Joel Sharratt, Gladchuk has hired Cary Kolat, one of the most recognizable names in the sport, as the eighth head coach in program history. The announcement came Friday night. “The Navy community is very pleased to welcome one of the most accomplished competitors and finest coaches in the sport of wrestling to Annapolis,” Gladchuk said in a press release. ”The influence with which coach Kolat’s resume has had on so many speaks volumes to his commitment to success at every level of competition. I am extremely impressed with his professionalism, technical knowledge, ambition and confidence, along with the manner in which he exudes an enthusiastic will to win. Today is a big day for our midshipmen and our program as we turn the head coaching responsibilities over to a coach with great anticipation and widespread enthusiasm.” Kolat is a legendary figure in wrestling circles, a two-time NCAA champion while at Lock Haven University and longtime member of the United States national team. The 46-year-old Pennsylvania native comes to Navy after spending the past six years as head coach at Campbell University in North Carolina. …. story at https://www.capitalgazette.com/sports/navy/ac-cs-navy-wrestling-hires-cary-kolat-0320-20200320-aihcut6vfvhvjmd7bscrloqyiy-story.html?mc_cid=db245e6947&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
Yetzer Steps Down as Ferrum College Men’s Wrestling Coach
FERRUM, Va. – Director of Athletics John Sutyak has announced the resignation of Nate Yetzer as the head men’s wrestling coach at Ferrum College. Yetzer is leaving to accept the same position at Roanoke College, which recently announced that it would be starting a new mat program. Yetzer has served as the head coach at Ferrum since the inception of the program in July of 2012. The Panthers competed as a club program during the 2012-13 season, then began varsity competition the following season. …. story at https://www.ferrumpanthers.com/sports/wrest/2019-20/releases/20200324ux8zu5?mc_cid=a94878ac8d&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
Cody Griswold Tabbed Elmira College’s First Women’s Wrestling Coach
ELMIRA, N.Y. — Elmira College Associate Vice President of Athletics Renee Carlineo is pleased to introduce Cody Griswold as the first head coach of the new EC women’s wrestling team. Griswold will be tasked with building the women’s wrestling program from the ground up, as the Soaring Eagles prepare for their inaugural season in 2020-21. “I am thrilled to add Cody Griswold to our staff as the inaugural head women’s wrestling coach at Elmira College,” Carlineo said. “Cody has hit the ground running by recruiting the first women’s wrestling student-athletes in EC history. Cody’s work ethic, style, and personality will be a fantastic fit for our team.” …. story at https://athletics.elmira.edu/news/2020/3/24/cody-griswold-tabbed-elmira-colleges-first-womens-wrestling-coach.aspx?mc_cid=a94878ac8d&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
Vogel Ends Tenure with Bullets Wrestling
GETTYSBURG, Pa. – After 13 years leading the Gettysburg College wrestling program, Head Coach Andy Vogel will be leaving the Bullets to become head men’s wrestling coach and director of wrestling operations at Hiram College in Ohio. Vogel will be the first head men’s wrestling coach at Hiram since the institution disbanded the sport in 1987. The first season for the Terriers will be 2020-21. “Leaving Gettysburg is an extremely difficult decision, and I am proud to have been part of the team for the past 13 seasons,” said Vogel. “The relationships I have had with the wrestlers, assistant coaches, and athletic staff will continue to influence me for the rest of my coaching career. I am grateful to former Director of Athletics Dave Wright for giving me my first opportunity to become a head coach and to Mike Mattia and Susan Fumagalli Mahoney for their current leadership.” …. story at https://gettysburgsports.com/news/2020/3/23/vogel-ends-tenure-with-bullets-wrestling.aspx?mc_cid=3137d16555&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
Glenville State College : Cottrell heading up new Pioneer mat program
GLENVILLE, W. Va. (WCHS-TV/WVAH) — The beautiful Waco Center will serve as the home to the first Pioneer wrestling team since 1974. And the man in charge will be one-time Roane County and WVU star Dylan Cottrell, whose looking forward to not only coaching but the challenge of building a program from scratch. …. story at https://wchstv.com/sports/top-sports/glenville-state-college-wrestling-cottrell-heading-up-new-pioneer-mat-program?mc_cid=64d98db446&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
Glenville State Announces Dylan Cottrell as Head Wrestling Coach
Glenville, W.Va. – The Glenville State College Athletic Department is pleased to announce the addition of wrestling to the list of Pioneer athletic teams, as well as the hiring of Dylan Cottrell as the head coach for the new team.
Cottrell comes to GSC after serving as an assistant coach at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island from 2017 – 2018. He also served as head coach of the Brown Wrestling Club. He was the first Big 12 Champion at West Virginia University in wrestling, an Academic All-Big 12 team member in 2016 – 17, a two-time Dean’s List honoree, a two-time wrestling team captain, and a three-time NCAA qualifier. …. https://gscpioneers.com/news/2020/2/21/glenville-state-announces-dylan-cottrell-as-head-wrestling-coach.aspx?mc_cid=64d98db446&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
High School — # 15
(Ohio)
With no wrestling tournament, a game of rock paper scissors broke out
There may not be a state wrestling tournament this year. There will, however, at least be one 106-pound champion. When the Ohio High School Athletic Association decided last week to postpone the winter state sports tournaments for at least three weeks, a few of the Division III 106-pounders got an idea to still compete.
Not on the mat, but on the internet. And grappling in a different way.
“Everybody can play rock paper scissors,” Lima Central Catholic’s Gavin Caprella. Carey coach Ryan Pratt, who is also Caprella’s barber, said the sophomore and friends freshman Cooper Shore of Casstown Miami East and senior Caleb Schroer of Troy Christian got the idea to do “something” with the others in their weight class bracket when the state tournament was postponed. “They’re making light of the situation,” Pratt said. “That’s a wrestler who thought, ‘You know, I’m going to get ahold of some of these guys.’ “They literally set a 16-man bracket up just like state and whoever comes up the champion has bragging rights. I just thought that was funny,” he said. “I’m glad to see some kids having fun and knowing it’s not the end of the world, big things are coming.” The first thought was a Madden tournament, but after using social media to contact everyone in the bracket, Caprella said they realized they all didn’t have the same game system so they moved on to something a bit more universal — the age-old game of rock paper scissors. …. story at https://www.advertiser-tribune.com/sports/local-sports/2020/03/with-no-wrestling-tournament-a-game-of-rock-paper-scissors-broke-out/?mc_cid=aa0e6118fc&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
Rob Oller | Area wrestlers grapple with emotions after tournament postponement
If they repeat it over and over ― “this is a life lesson” ― maybe eventually they will believe it. For now, however, high school athletes, and especially seniors, don’t want to hear about turning lemons into lemonade and making the best of a bad situation. It hurts too much to listen quietly and nod. “People are trying to say it’s going to be OK, but a lot of them don’t wrestle, so they don’t understand the pain of not being able to compete at states,” said Dublin Scioto senior heavyweight Donnie Hardin, who like so many of his peers remains stunned and upset that the Ohio High School Athletic Association postponed the state tournament indefinitely as a health measure against the spread of the coronavirus. Who can blame them? For many, COVID-19 either canceled their season prematurely or threatens to yet. Basketball, wrestling and ice hockey state tournaments have been forfeited. Spring sports could be next.
Coaches are confused and hurting, too. “Somebody just said to me, ‘You have to make this a teaching moment.’ I walked away, which was probably not the nicest thing, but there’s too much pain for me,” Scioto wrestling coach Adam Huddle said. “The anger isn’t directed at anyone; it’s at the situation.” At least Huddle gets to coach again, probably even under the bright lights of Value City Arena, where the state tournament was to be held Friday through Sunday. For Hardin and senior teammates Daniel Segura and Deron Pulliam, their high school careers ended Thursday. The OHSAA made the proper call. Safety comes first ― and with professional and college sports already having pulled the plug on their seasons the OHSAA really had no choice but join them ― but that does not make it hurt less. “Right now, I’m numb. You can train for anything else, but you can’t train for this,” said Segura, a three-time state placer who was projected to challenge for the Division I title at 152 pounds. He placed fourth each of the past two seasons. Segura’s wrestling career will continue on college scholarship at George Mason in Fairfax, Virginia. Pulliam’s wrestling future is less certain. The 182-pounder and two-time state placer was hoping to impress college coaches with a high finish Sunday. ….. story at https://www.dispatch.com/sports/20200314/rob-oller–area-wrestlers-grapple-with-emotions-after-tournament-postponement?mc_cid=143786004c&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
OHSAA cancels tournaments for basketball, hockey and wrestling amid coronavirus
Spring sports remain postponed until it becomes clearer how long schools will remain shuttered. Even before the Ohio High School Athletic Association reluctantly canceled winter sports tournaments Thursday, coaches and athletes were prepared for the verdict. State championships in wrestling, girls basketball and hockey all having been postponed from March 12-15 were wiped out by the coronavirus pandemic, which has shut down virtually the entire sports world. Boys basketball teams were playing in regional tournaments when their seasons were affected. Except for a few events during World War II, these four tournaments mark the only cancellations in the 113-year history of the OHSAA. …. story at https://www.dispatch.com/sports/20200326/ohsaa-cancels-tournaments-for-basketball-hockey-and-wrestling-amid-coronavirus
‘It was kind of a letdown’: Senior wrestlers deal with uncertainty of postponement
Senior wrestlers like Perry’s Max Millin and Tuslaw’s Brier Marthey have been juggling the emotions of hope they may still have a chance to wrestle for a state title with understanding the potential realities of the situation. PERRY TWP. Max Millin could see the finish line. Then, as if out of an old Looney Tunes cartoon, he suddenly ran into a brick wall. The Perry senior heavyweight had just arrived in Columbus on Thursday with the rest of his teammates, focused on the next day’s beginning of the state wrestling tournament. Millin, in particular, had eyes on a potential run to a state championship as the top-ranked heavyweight in Division I. Then, almost as soon as they arrived, everything changed. No sooner had Millin and his teammates reached their hotel, they were notified the Ohio High School Athletic Association had postponed all winter sports tournament indefinitely as a precaution over the coronavirus pandemic. “I was really excited to go down to state this year,” Millin said Monday. “I felt this was my year to win it. It’s been a goal of mine to win it forever. As soon as we got to the hotel on Thursday, we were there for like 20 minutes and we got the announcement that the tournament was obviously not going to be going down that weekend. It was really sad, it was kind of a letdown.” …. story at https://www.indeonline.com/sports/20200316/it-was-kind-of-letdownrsquo-senior-wrestlers-deal-with-uncertainty-of-postponement?mc_cid=f6e5f3ba8d&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
(New Mexico)
Mayfield wrestling champ pins down suspected kidnapper at convenience store
LAS CRUCES – A Mayfield student is being lauded as a hero after helping to stop an alleged kidnapping and assault by pinning a man to the ground until authorities arrived. Daniel Beltran Arroyo, 22, of Phoenix, was arrested by Doña Ana County Sheriff’s deputies Wednesday after witnesses say he tried to kidnap three children at Chucky’s Gas Station in Doña Ana. He’s also accused of assaulting several patrons and employees who tried to intervene.
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Arroyo is charged with four counts of battery, two counts of assault, two counts of child abuse and one count of kidnapping. The seemingly random attack didn’t end until Canaan Bower entered the affray and was able to control Arroyo, within seconds, according to witness statements. Bower, 16, won the District 3-5A championship in the heavyweight division (285 pounds) on Feb. 16, and later competed at the state tournament.
Chaotic scene
Chucky’s Gas Station is a Greyhound bus drop-off point and about 9 a.m. Wednesday, a woman told authorities she just got off the bus along with her three children, ages 9, 2 and 1, and was waiting for her Uber to arrive when she noticed Arroyo staring at her family. The mother told authorities the man eventually approached and grabbed a hold of the 2-year-old’s arm and demanded the woman give him her children. …. story at https://www.lcsun-news.com/story/news/2020/03/26/mayfield-wrestling-champ-pins-down-suspected-kidnapper-chuckys-store/5082784002/?mc_cid=97441c20ca&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
State individual wrestling tournament canceled
At the beginning of the wrestling season, Grand Valley coach Ross Tice had his wrestlers sit down and write down their goal for the season. It did not take long for Mason Shreve to complete the task. “I wrote down that I wanted to go to state,” the senior said of the individual state tournament which was scheduled for the weekend of March 13-15. Shreve met his goal this season — he just will not get the opportunity to live it out. The Ohio High School Athletic Association announced Thursday the wrestling state tournament, along with the remainder of the winter sports tournaments, had been canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The tournament was postponed on March 12. Shreve, along with the other five state qualifiers from Ashtabula County, were holding onto a glimpse of hope the tournament might go on. That hope, however, was dashed with the announcement. Shreve said the news was something he expected, but it still wasn’t easy to take. “I woke up and got the text from coach Tice,” said Shreve, who qualified to state in Division III 195 pounds. “It didn’t come as a surprise because … I knew it might happen. It does suck. I made it, but I’m not going to get to go down. It was taken away.” Shreve, a senior, and Pymatuning Valley senior William Campbell, were making their first state tournament appearances. Campbell qualified at Division III 132. Telling the official bad news was something Lakers coach Dave Miller had not been looking forward to. “It’s hard to put together I guess,” Miller said. “I guess it still hasn’t sunk in. On the other hand, I knew it was coming.” Miller, who has been a regular at the Schottenstein Center for the last several years, was getting two wrestlers ready for the tournament — Campbell and Jake Edelman. Edelman, a senior, advanced to state the previous three years, but never placed. Miller thought this could have been his year at Division III 120. …. story at https://www.starbeacon.com/sports/local_sports/state-individual-wrestling-tournament-canceled/article_fd6c9704-09c2-5891-b29b-90b9e3277164.html?mc_cid=97441c20ca&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
Portage wrestling coaches dealing with unprecedented state tournament suspension
Since 1938, the Ohio High School Athletic Association has always hosted a state wrestling tournament.
As of Thursday, however, the tournament has been thrown into limbo. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, Ohio High School Athletic Association Executive Director Jerry Snodgrass announced the state wrestling tournament, along with all other winter sports tournaments, were suspended. That decision was followed Friday a no-contact period from March 17 to April 5 was announced for all coaches, along with ban on any events in high school facilities
For the 19 Portage County wrestlers who qualified for states, this was the mother of all curveballs. Rootstown coach Craig Wise was set to lead four Rovers down to Columbus. He acknowledged this is an unprecedented situation. “Honestly, this is something for which is there is no playbook,” Wise said. “We talk about how wrestling gives life lessons. This is lesson within itself.” Unlike many coaches who also are educators, Wise runs a mortgage company and therefore has not had his workplace shut down, as school have been till April 5. However, he is aware how much the pandemic is disrupting school and life. “It’s a shock to everybody for sure,” Wise said. “Everybody is hanging in there. We’re down to the simple things in life.” Aurora had the largest contingent from Portage County heading south, as coach Johnny Papesh and the Greenmen had designs on another run at the Division II state title. “We found out about an hour before we were set to head down,” Papesh said. “You let them know you love them and that you’re there for them. “They’re hurting and, as a coach, I can’t even say I know what it feels like,” Papesh added. “We were trying to take home the championship. I was hoping to have six kids in the semis, and who knows what can happen from there. I know what I demand from them. Not to have that payday out of their control kind of sucks.”
For seniors like Crestwood two-time All-Ohioan Brett Szuhay, the suspension was particularly heartbreaking, as this was their last opportunity to wrestle at states. “We were planning on having a workout Thursday before we left for Columbus,” said Crestwood coach Dave Wrobel. As expected, he was quite emotional and quite upset. He would never have that opportunity to get on top of the podium. “Being a senior, your heart goes out to him. Here’s a kid that did everything the right way. He rehabbed his knee to get back to where he was at. He won the sectional and district titles for the third straight year and felt really good about Columbus. To have that pulled out from underneath him, he wasn’t happy at all that first day.” Garfield coach Dan Andel was set to lead three G-Men to the Division III tournament, which is the most state qualifiers Garfield has had in years. “I know we as a team celebrated the bad news by going out to Texas Roadhouse together,” Andel said. “It’s tough because Connor [Hrubik] and Noah [Hoffmann] are both seniors and this was the first time Connor got down there. It’s tough news to swallow.” Mogadore coach Duane Funk was already on his way to Columbus with his two wrestlers when word came down, as he planned to have his boys practice at New Lexington High School the day before the tournament. “I was in Zanesville when we found out and we had to turn around,” Funk said. “You’ve just got to take it day by day at this point. Hopefully this season is not over. I do feel very sad for all seniors in all sports.” …. story at https://www.record-courier.com/news/20200317/portage-wrestling-coaches-dealing-with-unprecedented-state-tournament-suspension?mc_cid=9e69424014&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
Amos named InterMat High School Wrestler of the Year
Link:Final High School Individual Rankings
If one has been paying any attention to the news, the novel coronavirus has put global society at a total stalemate for the last week and will do so for the foreseeable future. Prior to this stalemate, all but one of the state championships were conducted for 2019-20. Ohio was the exception. Normally at this point, postseason national tournaments (i.e. NHSCA grade-level and USA Wrestling folkstyle) would be upcoming; however, those events have been postponed until the COVID-19 stalemate comes to an end. Since that is the case, InterMat has decided to conclude the 2019-20 scholastic wrestling season from a national rankings perspective. The below article will acknowledge the Wrestler of the Year along with the other wrestlers ranked No. 1 in the country at their respective weight classes.
Wrestler of the Year: Braxton Amos, Parkersburg South (W.Va.), 220 pounds
Already a Cadet (now 16U) double national champion before stepping into high school, the University of Wisconsin signee packed more than a full four years’ worth of accomplishments into a three-year scholastic wrestling career. Amos missed his freshman season due to injury sustained during September 2016. However, in the next three seasons he amassed an in-season record of 132-0 with many of those matches being first-period pins. …. story at https://intermatwrestle.com/articles/23431?mc_cid=a4e126b07e&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
Officiating courses available for free through July 1 on the NFHS Learning Center
Note: USA Wrestling encourages its members to take advantage of this tremendous free resource. Not only will officials and coaches benefit, but athletes also could learn the rules of folkstyle wrestling better through the NFHS course on wrestling officiating. Those with interest in multiple sport can also participate. Remember, American needs sports officials!! INDIANAPOLIS, IN (March 25, 2020) — Current high school sports officials, as well as individuals interested in joining the officiating ranks, will be able to access online education courses on the NFHS Learning Center for free through July 1. Since many individuals are at home for an indefinite period of time due to the current worldwide health crisis, the NFHS has decided to make its 11 sports officiating courses available for free on the Learning Center at www.NFHSLearn.com. “Everyone is looking for positive things to do at home during this difficult period of time, so we thought it would be a good opportunity for officials to take courses on the Learning Center to brush up on their skills,” said Dr. Karissa Niehoff, NFHS executive director. “As a means of encouraging more people to take advantage of this time at home, the NFHS is offering officiating courses for free until July 1. …. story at https://www.teamusa.org/USA-Wrestling/Features/2020/March/25/NFHS-offers-free-officials-education-through-July?mc_cid=0750227b4f&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
REVIEW OF 2019-20 UNC WRESTLING SEASON
In 2019-20, Carolina Wrestling posted one of its top seasons in program history. Below, read through the 2020 year “by the numbers”.
0 – The Tar Heels had zero losses in ACC duals from both Austin O’Connor and Kennedy Monday. The two combined for a 9-0 record in the Atlantic Coast Conference, leading the way for UNC to finish 4-1 in the ACC for the second-consecutive season.
1 – Austin O’Connor was ranked the preseason No. 1 at 149 pounds – the first preseason top-ranked honor for Carolina in the Coleman Scott era. The Tar Heel redshirt freshman finished the year ranked No. 2 at the weight.
2 – Kennedy Monday had two ACC tech fall victories in the span of a week to end the month of January. He posted a tech fall win over Virginia Tech’s No. 3 David McFadden on Jan. 24 before returning to Carmichael and posting a 24-5 tech fall over Duke’s Ben Anderson on Jan. 31.
3 – Carolina had three ACC champions at the 2020 ACC Wrestling Championships – Zach Sherman (141), Austin O’Connor (149) and Clay Lautt (174).
BONUS: Brandon Whitman (197) knocked off No. 3 Ben Darmstadt of Cornell, 6-2, in the team’s win in Ithaca.
4 – North Carolina had four wrestlers place at the 2019 Midlands Championships in December (Austin O’Connor, 2nd; Zach Sherman, 3rd; Kennedy Monday, 7th; Joe Heilmann, 8th)
5 – Josh McClure and Sawyer Davidson combined to win five open tournament championships this season. Both also received dual meet starts for Carolina this year.
6 – The Tar Heels knocked off six ranked dual meet teams over the course of the 2019-20 season (No. 19 Michigan, No. 21 Army, No. 12 Princeton, No. 3 Virginia Tech, No. 9 Pittsburgh, No. 17 Cornell)
7 – Carolina was ranked No. 7 in the final NWCA coaches poll this year. Four ACC teams were ranked within the top-10. …. rest of story and numbers athttps://goheels.com/news/2020/3/25/by-the-numbers-a-review-of-the-2019-20-unc-wrestling-season.aspx?mc_cid=0750227b4f&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
