Abbott Blog: Why voting now and often for Adeline Gray for USOPC Athlete of the Year is so important
BY GARY ABBOTT, USA WRESTLING | OCT. 24, 2019
There are only four days left for fans to vote for the USOPC Athletes of the Year. Five-time World champion Adeline Gray is a finalist for the Female Olympic Athlete of the Year.
USA Wrestling always reaches out to the wrestling community whenever one of our athletes is a finalist for the USOPC awards, whether it be for the Athlete of the Month or the Athlete of the Year. There is an important part of the selection process for this which includes a fan vote. With the USOPC awards, you can vote as many times as you want, over and over again.
Vote for Adeline Gray for USOPC Athlete of Year
There are many reasons why I think it is vitally important that the wrestling community rally behind Adeline and vote for her over the last four days of this campaign.
1. She deserves it. Becoming the first five-time World champion wrestler (in a sport in which an athlete can only win one gold medal a year) is a huge achievement. Adeline Gray keeps making history, and should be recognized beyond the wrestling community for her achievements. She is one of the biggest stars in the Olympic family.
2. Fan voting accounts for 50% of the selection for this award. The bigger sports with active social media and communication have an advantage in these situations. Wrestling is large enough and active enough online to do well in this format. We just need to get motivated and stay motivated.
3. It seems they pick the same athletes, over and over again. In a lot of cases, these athletes are in sports where an athlete can enter multiple events and winning many medals, not a sport where you can only win one medal. Swimmer Michael Phelps won this four times, swimmer Katie Ledecky won this three times, speedskater Eric Heiden won this three times and track star Michael Johnson won this three times. It is time to put in an athlete who can only win one World or Olympic gold medal a year. There is no margin for error in our sport.
4. No USA women’s wrestler has ever won this award. Men’s freestyle wrestlers who have won include John Smith, Rulon Gardner, Jordan Burroughs and Kyle Snyder. It is time one of our superstar women to get this award. It is Adeline’s turn. Rest of Gary’s story at https://www.teamusa.org/USA-Wrestling/Features/2019/October/24/Abbott-blog-Vote-for-Adeline-Gray?mc_cid=5efd70627f&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
Newberry the Favorite in 2019-20 South Atlantic Conference Carolinas Preseason Poll
GREENVILLE, S.C. – Newberry is the favorite in the 2019-20 South Atlantic Conference Carolinas Men’s Wrestling Preseason Poll. The preseason poll was unveiled on Thursday, Oct. 24, 2019. Newberry (56) received all seven first-place votes that it had available since you could not vote for own team. Limestone (50) claimed the other first-place vote to sit second.
King (38) was tabbed third followed closely by Emmanuel (36). Belmont Abbey (33) was chosen fifth, while Coker (32) was picked sixth. Queens (21) was selected seventh and first-year program Mount Olive (14) was tabbed eighth. Rest of the story and individual rankings at https://www.conferencecarolinas.com/sports/mwrest/2019-20/poll1024?mc_cid=5efd70627f&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
Writing Time: Why college wrestling is healthier than it’s been in decades
Mike Moyer was rattling off facts and figures about college wrestling’s two-decade reversal when a fill-in-the-blank question made him stop for a second to reflect.
College wrestling is as healthy as it’s been since ___?
“I’d say probably 1975,” the executive director of the National Wrestling Coaches Association said. “That’s when we really started getting clobbered.”
Wrestling statistics from that era are difficult to find and it’s hard to pin down the exact number of Division I programs that existed then. But college wrestling programs started dying off during the late-1970s and there were 136 Division I programs left in 1985. Now there’s 79, though the figure has been creeping upward in recent years and appears on the verge of a bigger hike.
Six programs — Augustana, Bellarmine, Cal Baptist, Little Rock, Long Island and Presbyterian — are in various stages of joining the Division I ranks, which will push the total north of 80. Moyer said there’s ongoing talks with five other schools about joining the Division I fray. There might not be a name brand like Alabama, Florida State, Texas or UCLA on the way in the immediate future, but there’s tangible proof of wrestling’s growth and there’s across-the-board momentum without the Crimson Tide, Seminoles, Longhorns and Bruins.
According to data compiled by Jason Bryant, there are currently 479 college wrestling programs in some stage of operation. Almost half — 236 to be exact — have been launched since 2000. Of those programs born in the last 19 years, nearly 75 percent have been started since 2011.
Moyer points to a few primary factors for the surge in program numbers. The biggest is this: College enrollment in the United States has declined for the past eight years, spurring administrators to take action in an effort to fill classrooms. They’ve turned to athletics as a way to help attract new students, and the low costs associated with operating a wrestling program have helped the sport grow, particularly at small, private schools. “The big benefit we have now is we have momentum behind us,” Moyer said. “When we go to meet with a college president or do a presentation to a board of trustees, there’s 230 examples we can give them of success. “The second thing that makes things easier than (two decades ago): We have a much more established donor network than we did 20 years ago, so when we’re trying to get startup funds, not that that’s ever easy, but it’s easier than it was 20 years ago when we were trying to get our foot in the door. That proverbial flywheel is moving, so these (school) presidents and athletic directors, they talk to each other and there’s so much goodwill that’s generated in the way we support them. We’re involved in almost every program in some capacity. It might be helping them find the right coach, it might be startup funds, it might be helping them get into a conference.” NAIA wrestling has been one of the top beneficiaries from the recent movement. There are 69 NAIA schools that sponsor wrestling. That doesn’t include several of which have reclassified to various NCAA divisions. All but 14 of the current NAIA programs have been launched since 2001, including three in Arkansas, a state where college wrestling didn’t exist until 2010.
Rest of the story and more god news at https://www.trackwrestling.com/PortalPost.jsp?TIM=1571888025599&twSessionId=dmvxtaorbs&postId=1691858132&mc_cid=d1ff3e5870&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
Loras Chases First Wrestling Title in Program History; Coaches Pick as Preseason Favorite
Loras, who finished second at the 2019 NCAA DIII Championships, was picked first in the preseason coaches’ poll. The Duhawks garnered 61 points and five first-place votes. Loras is not only pursing their first conference title in program history but looks to dethrone Wartburg, winners of 27-straight conference championships. The Knights finished second in the poll with 59 points and four first-place votes. Wartburg will fight to keep their perch atop the conference in addition to their streak of 213 straight conference dual wins. A streak that began on February 1, 1994 against Luther. Loras’ last win over the Knights came on January 23, 1992. Capsules on all nine teams — follow here: Rest of the story and list at https://rollrivers.com/news/2019/10/22/american-rivers-conference-loras-chases-first-wrestling-title-in-program-history-coaches-pick-as-preseason-favorite.aspx?mc_cid=d1ff3e5870&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
Three-time NCAA qualifiers looking to end their careers with their first All-American honors
BY MIKE WILLIS, USA WRESTLING | OCT. 23, 2019
Qualifying for the NCAA championships is an impressive feat. However, placing in the top eight and earning All-American honors is an even more grueling challenge. While many come close in their careers, comparatively few reach the podium. Only 80 wrestlers per year do at the Div. 1 level. Listed below, are wrestlers entering their final year of eligibility as three-time NCAA qualifiers. This season is their last opportunity to earn the elusive All-American status.
125
Korbin Myers (Virginia Tech)
Myers has wrestled his entire college career, including his redshirt season, at 133 pounds. However, he decided to make the drop to 125 for his senior season. After qualifying for the NCAA Tournament twice for Edinboro, Myers transferred to Virginia Tech last season. He made it to the round of 16, which is his best finish to date.
Christian Moody (Oklahoma)
Moody has held down the Sooner’s lightweight spot since his redshirt freshman season. Despite qualifying for the NCAA championships all three years, he has yet to win a match at the tournament.
Travis Piotrowski (Illinois)
Piotrowski wrestled right away as a true freshman for Illinois, and it looks like he will end his career without ever taking a redshirt. His best NCAA finish came during his sophomore year, where he made the round of 16.
Gabriel Townsell (Stanford)
Townsell is another wrestler that competed as a true freshman and has not taken a redshirt. In addition to wrestling in college this season, Townsell is a member of the U23 Men’s Freestyle World Team and will be competing at the World Championships next week in Budapest, Hungary.
133
Cameron Sykora (North Dakota State)
Sykora redshirted at South Dakota State before transferring to NDSU for his redshirt freshman season. He has gone 1-2 in all three of his trips to the NCAA tournament
149
Brock Zacherl (Clarion)
Zacherl missed most of last season with an injury and was granted an additional year by the NCAA. Zacherl was one match away from becoming an All-American in 2018, where he finished in the round of 12. All three of his NCAA trips have come at 141 pounds. Rest of the list and story at https://www.teamusa.org/USA-Wrestling/Features/2019/October/23/Three-time-qualifiers-looking-to-become-All-Americans?mc_cid=d1ff3e5870&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
“Border to Border – Colorado College Wrestling” – Colorado Mesa Men & Women
Episode #5 of “Border to Border – Colorado College Wrestling we have the head coaches for Colorado Mesa Men & Women programs in Grand Junction. Head Men Coach Chuck Pipher and Head Women Coach Travis Mercado. Mesa is the only college that has a women program in the state of Colorado. Rest of story and video at http://insidecoloradowrestling.com/index.php/15-college/1695-border-to-border-colorado-college-wrestling-colorado-mesa-men-women?mc_cid=d1ff3e5870&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
UNC-Pembroke Opens Season With National Ranking
FAYETTE, Iowa – Already boasting 20 returning veterans across nine weight classes, the UNC Pembroke wrestling team will head into the 2019-20 season with a little more swagger after being ranked No. 21 in the NCAA Division II Coaches Top 25 preseason poll that was released on Wednesday.
The Braves are one of two Mountain East Conference (MEC) squads included in the organization’s initial Tournament Power Index (TPI) rankings of the season, and joined fifth-ranked Notre Dame on the distinguished listing. The Black & Gold is one of just three region teams in the poll along with eighth-ranked Newberry and No. 17 Limestone.
Four UNCP student-athletes are among the 10 individual weight class rankings as well. Kaleb Warner is ranked No. 7 at 157 pounds, Jonathan Miller is No. 8 in the 141-pound rankings. Tyler Makosy and Brandon Sloop are listed 11th at 149 and 184 pounds, respectively. Rest of the story and details at https://uncpbraves.com/news/2019/10/30/wrestling-to-open-season-with-national-ranking.aspx?fbclid=IwAR09j3ZTLNPxe-b15WKMay7KFcRwuerZ-e2tBliev8fRzYNZHBAukc3iK5c
Hall of Fame Announces Class of 2020
The National Wrestling Hall of Fame announced on Tuesday that the Class of 2020 inductees are Distinguished Members Bruce Burnett, Dremiel Byers, Mark Lieberman and Bill Zadick, Meritorious Official Tim Shiels, Order of Merit recipient Gary Abbott, Medal of Courage recipient Gary Chopp and Outstanding American Carl Eschenbach.
“This group has accomplished and done so much for wrestling and they continue to give back to our great sport,” said Lee Roy Smith, Executive Director of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame. “We are proud to honor these remarkable individuals as our Class of 2020.”
The Hall of Fame Board of Governors approved the selections at its meeting in Kansas City on Oct. 16. The induction ceremony will be held at the 44th Annual Honors Weekend on June 5-6, 2020 in Stillwater, Oklahoma. For more information on Honors Weekend, please telephone (405) 377-5243.
Byers and Zadick were chosen as Distinguished Members for the Modern Era while Burnett and Lieberman were selected by the Veterans Committee. The Hall of Fame has reached a milestone and will induct its 200th Distinguished Member since it began in 1976.
Distinguished Members can be a wrestler who has achieved extraordinary success in national and/or international competition; a coach who has demonstrated great leadership in the profession and who has compiled an outstanding record; or a contributor whose long-term activities have substantially enhanced the development and advancement of the sport. More complete bios and details at https://nwhof.org/blog/hall-of-fame-announces-class-of-2020/?mc_cid=7fafe1a85f&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
5 early season NCAA wrestling duals to watch — and why
College wrestling teams around the country are finalizing their lineups and preparing for the long season ahead. The fall-semester duals this year will be of particular intrigue because of the absence of Olympic redshirt athletes who could potentially return for the postseason. So these early season duals will give teams a chance to try out different lineups, experiment with their depth and find the right combination of starters heading into the winter tournaments.
LOOKING AHEAD: 7 bold predictions for the 2019-2020 wrestling season
Penn State enters the year as the favorites once again, but they’ll be challenged by Iowa, both during a spring dual and in the conference and national tournaments. Before highly anticipated conference duals start in January, however, here’s a look at five of the biggest fall semester matchups that you won’t want to miss.
1. Penn State vs. Arizona State on Nov. 22
How to watch: 9 p.m. ET on the Pac-12 Network
Let’s kick things off with the Nittany Lions, of course. Penn State starts the season against Navy on Nov. 10, but the first big challenge for Cael Sanderon’s team comes 12 days later when the squad travels to Tempe to take on the Sun Devils of Arizona State. Penn State soared past Arizona State 41-3 last year, with the only loss of the night coming at 125 pounds, but this year’s matchups at each weight will look a little different. Arizona State two-time national champion Zahid Valencia has chosen to move up to 184 pounds which means fans won’t see another Valencia-Mark Hall match-up. But this change instead means that Hall will take on Valencia’s brother, Anthony, at 174 while Hall’s teammate Shakur Rasheed will take on the champ. Anthony Valencia enters the season ninth in FloWrestling’s pre-season rankings, which means his battle with Hall will be a top-ten matchup, but Hall is still expected to battle to a comfortable victory. Zahid Valencia is also expected to produce a similar result against Rasheed, a seventh-ranked wrestler who missed All-American honors last season. Rest of the matches and story at https://www.ncaa.com/news/wrestling/article/2019-10-22/5-early-season-ncaa-wrestling-duals-watch-and-why?mc_cid=7fafe1a85f&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
East Grand Rapids’ John Shelton to pursue two sports at Central Michigan
By Steve Kaminski | Skaminsk@mlive.com
John Shelton IV is well aware of how challenging it is going to be to wrestle and play football at the Division I level. But having to pick one sport over the other would have been even tougher, he said.
“I have always played multiple sports my whole life, and I felt like I would be happier mentally to play both instead of having to make the decision to play one,” the East Grand Rapids senior said. “I thought it was an easier decision to do both.”
Shelton announced Tuesday that he will be pursuing both sports at Central Michigan University. Shelton is a standout running back for the Pioneers, and a year ago, he finished runner-up in the state in Division 2 at 189-pounds. Shelton, who was not scored upon during the regular season a year ago, was fifth at state his sophomore year. Rest of this story at https://www.mlive.com/highschoolsports/2019/10/east-grand-rapids-john-shelton-to-pursue-two-sports-at-central-michigan.html?mc_cid=7fafe1a85f&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
