Recapping the SoCon (11/19/2025)
The past few weeks have been full of SoCon action – tournaments, dual meets, and our first conference matchup on a battleship. Most of the conference found themselves at the Southeast Open, with top placements including Thomas Snipes (165, CIT) and Beau Lewis (174, VMI) earning gold in the Open and Freshman/Sophomore divisions, and Jeremiah Price (157, ASU) placing second in the Open division. At the Michigan State Open, Cody Kirk (184, DAV) also placed second in the Freshman/Sophomore division. This past weekend the Throwdown on the Yorktown II took place. Campbell dropped a 32-6 dual to #2-ranked DII Lander, with Logan Heil (133) and Pablo Macias (157) winning by decision. Anthony Ferrari (165) and Conor Maslanek (197) earned ranked wins over Penn’s #32 Sean Seefeldt and #27 Martin Cosgrove. The Camels faced off against the Presbyterian Blue Hose for their first conference duals of the season. The dual came down to the heavyweight bout – Presbyterian’s Morvens Saint Jean defeated Campbell’s Brycen Arthur, concluding the dual at 21-19. *Presbyterian deducted one team point due to unsportsmanlike conduct.
The Citadel faced off against #30 Maryland and the Air Force Academy. Jacob Silka (157) and Thomas Snipes (165) were key contributors in both duals, winning both matches by decision. Ultimately, Bulldogs lost both duals – 23-12 against Air Force, and 24-9 against Maryland.
Gardner-Webb split their duals between #30 Maryland and Air Force. The Runnin’ Bulldogs bested the Falcons 20-18, with Joseph Giordano (157) and Josh McCutchen (197) putting bonus points on the board with major decision victories. The ‘Dawgs lost the dual against Maryland, … more at … https://intermatwrestle.com/articles.html/college/socon/recapping-the-socon-11192025-r100652/
Top Ten Win Helps Nationally Ranked Davis Land SoCon Wrestler of The Week Award
SPARTANBURG, S.C. – After a strong individual performance at Throwdown on The Yorktown, redshirt sophomore T.K. Davis has been named Southern Conference Wreslter of The Week.
Over the weekend at Throwdown on The Yorktown, Davis helped Gardner-Webb to a huge team win over Air Force, while also recording perhaps his biggest individual win yet. At 133 in pounds, the Rockmart, Ga. native defeated No. 10 ranked Braxton Brown of Maryland by 6-3 decision, Davis then scored a win by 7-3 decision over Gavin Caprella of Air Force as the Runnin’ Bulldogs won 20-18 as a team.
For Davis, he now catapults up the NCAA Division I rankings at 133 pounds, up seven spots this week to hold a national rank of No. 12 for his class via The Open Mat. Davis is the second highest ranked athlete in his class from a non-Power Conference school, and the only one from the Southern Conference inside the top 20. The defending Southern Conference champion at 133 pounds is now 4-0 this season and is also ranked No. 11 nationally in his weight class by Intermat Wrestling … more at … https://gwusports.com/news/2025/11/19/wrestling-top-ten-win-helps-davis-land-socon-wrestler-of-the-week-award.aspx
McClammy Named Conference Carolinas Wrestler of the Week After Strong Finish at Blue Hose Challenge
MOUNT OLIVE – Andrea McClammy earned Conference Carolinas Women’s Wrestler of the Week after placing fourth at 207 pounds at the Blue Hose Challenge, finishing 4-2.
McClammy recorded three pins and a decision on her way to fourth place. She pinned Allen’s Lianna Davis in 2:24, Emory & Henry’s Allison Gabarette in 1:50, and Emory & Henry’s Emma Lozada in 1:11.
She added a 7-4 decision over Life’s Anetra Witherspoon to reach the third-place match before dropping the bout and finishing fourth.
Mount Olive returns to action on Dec. 3 … more at … https://umotrojans.com/news/2025/11/18/womens-wrestling-mcclammy-named-conference-carolinas-wrestler-of-the-week-after-strong-finish-at-blue-hose-challenge.aspx
NCAA DI Rankings Updated (11/18/2025)
So we made it through the National Duals Invitational! It was an early-season meat grinder that provided plenty of talking points for fans and data for rankings. Speaking of making it through, there were three number one ranked wrestlers who did not make it from last week to this week.
This week’s rankings have new number one’s at 125, 157, and 184 lbs.
125 lb national champion Vince Robinson fell, once again, to ACC nemesis Eddie Ventresca of Virginia Tech. Ventresca also defeated him last season in their dual and in the ACC finals. That was just a portion of the mess at 125 lbs. Ventresca suffered two losses on the weekend to Minnesota’s Jore Volk. New 125 lber, Nic Bouzakis, beat Volk and pinned Dean Peterson in the NDI finals. Of course, Peterson knocked off returning finalist Troy Spratley in the semifinals. It was Spratley’s second loss of the event. He also fell to Robinson in an NCAA finals rematch.
With so much going on at 125 lbs and no one from the NDI’s coming out unscathed at the weight, we felt comfortable moving Luke Lilledahl up to the #1 slot. Although he only has one match under his belt this year, Lilledahl is a returning NCAA third place finisher and a Big Ten champ.
At 157 lbs, the returning champion, Antrell Taylor, suffered a pair of losses. One to Logan Rozynski in the opening round and a lopsided major decision to Brandon Cannon in the NDI semis. With Meyer Shapiro temporarily out of the picture, the two choices were Ty Watters and Landon Robideau. Watters is a past third place finisher and has a win over Daniel Cardenas at the All-Star Classic. Robideau burst onto the scene with a major decision over Cardenas and an impressive NDI. At this point, I don’t want the true freshman to jump the #2 guy from last week based on a greater margin of victory over a common opponent.
184 lbs saw number one Max McEnelly go down in sudden victory to redshirt freshman Aeoden Sinclair. Sinclair had a battle with Angelo Ferrari in the opening round of the NDI’s and suffered his only loss of the event and season. Not only did Ferrari defeat Sinclair, but also … more at … https://intermatwrestle.com/articles.html/college/ncaa-di-rankings-updated-11182025-r100649/
Iowa City leads the charge as women’s wrestling enters NCAA era
Coralville’s Xtream Arena will host the first-ever NCAA Women’s Wrestling Championships in March.
When Clarissa Chun took over as head coach of the University of Iowa women’s wrestling program, she wasn’t just building a roster — she was constructing a movement.
This March, that movement will reach its most significant milestone yet as Coralville’s Xtream Arena hosts the first NCAA Women’s Wrestling Championships. “I didn’t even realize when I started wrestling that other girls were doing it across the country,” Chun said. “To see women’s wrestling finally reach the NCAA level is truly special.”
A world champion and Olympian, Chun has spent her life breaking barriers in a sport long dominated by men. For her, the word that defines this moment is opportunity — for athletes, universities, and future generations. “It validates everything they’ve worked toward,” Chun said. “But more than that, it gives these women the platform they deserve — to get an education and compete at the highest level.”
When Iowa launched its women’s program in 2021, it became the first Power Five school to offer the sport, a decision that changed collegiate wrestling. “It’s Iowa,” Chun said. “When people think of wrestling, they think of Iowa. Being the first Power Five to add women’s wrestling showed the world it could be done — and done the right way.” … more at … https://dailyiowan.com/2025/11/18/iowa-city-leads-the-charge-as-womens-wrestling-enters-ncaa-era/
No. 4 Ohio State Starts Strong, Beats No. 3 Iowa to Win National Duals
Buckeyes claim $200,000 title prize with 4-0 record on the weekend
Order 2025-26 Tickets | Final Bracket
COLUMBUS, Ohio – No. 4 Ohio State (5-0) dominated No. 2 Nebraska (3-1) and No. 3 Iowa (4-1) at the 2025 National Duals Invitational sponsored by Paycom Sunday to earn the $200,000 first place prize money.
The Buckeyes cruised in the morning dual against the Huskers, 33-3, before taking on No. 3 Iowa (4-0) in the event championship. The Buckeyes won nine of 10 matches against Nebraska to advance to the finals against the Hawkeyes. Ohio State did not let up in the title bout in downing Iowa, 27-12.
The Buckeyes received $200,000 for winning the championship while the second-place Hawkeyes claimed $150,000. In the final vs. the Hawkeyes, Nic Bouzakis got things started with an early pin over Iowa’s No. 10 Dean Peterson for a quick 6-0 lead for the Buckeyes.
Ben Davino followed with decision victory over No. 3 Drake Ayala, 10-4 … more at … https://ohiostatebuckeyes.com/news/2025/11/16/wrestling-no-4-ohio-state-starts-strong-beats-no-3-iowa-to-win-national-duals
And …
Ohio State leaves no doubt, claims National Duals Invitational title with 27-12 win over Iowa
TULSA, Oklahoma – Statement made by fourth ranked Ohio State; The Buckeyes dominated all comers on its way to first place and the $200k grand prize at the 2025 National Duals Invitational held this weekend in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
Ohio State cemented its place atop the standings with a decisive 27-12 win over No. 3 Iowa on Sunday evening at the BOK Center, which aired nationally on ESPN2. The Buckeyes won the first five bouts of the dual, sparked by a pin at 125 pounds from Nick Bouzakis. Freshman Ben Davino took it to two-time NCAA finalist Drake Ayala at 133 pounds, 10-4. Two-time NCAA champion Jesse Mendez earned a punishing 17-1 technical fall over Nasir Bailey at 141 pounds. Wins by Ethan Stiles at 149 pounds and Brandon Cannon at 157 practically put the dual out of reach. Nick Feldman was given a forfeit at heavyweight to add to the Buckeyes total at night’s end.
Iowa had a nice, four-match strech with decision wins from Michael Caliendo at 165 pounds, Patrick Kennedy at 174 pounds, Angelo Ferrari at 184 pounds and Massoma Endene at 197 pounds. Caliendo, Kennedy and Ferrari all won in sudden victory. The Hawkeyes bagged $150k in prize money for the runner-up finish. No. 5 Oklahoma State rebounded from a two-point loss to Iowa to finish in third place, and also earn $150k in prize money. The Cowboys …more at … https://www.themat.com/news/2025/november/15/2025-national-duals-invitational-results
And …
Ohio State Buckeyes wrestling is a championship contender once again
It’s been a relatively rough few years for the Ohio State wrestling program. For a team that won a National Championship in 2015 and came one match away from another in 2017, the years since 2020 have not been fun. Sure, the Buckeyes have had great wrestlers, and the tragic career-ending shooting of Sammy Sasso set the program back, but this team went from being a perennial contender to being barely a top ten tournament team.
If the start of the 2025 season is any indication, though, that won’t be a problem this year.
Ohio State took home the inaugural National Duals Invitational in Tulsa, Oklahoma this year––complete with a $200,000 winner’s prize for the wrestling program (plus another $20,000 for takedown incentives). Penn State wasn’t one of the teams invited, so don’t declare the Buckeyes the best in the country just yet, but the manner in which Ohio State blew threw this competition … more at … https://buckeyeswire.usatoday.com/story/sports/college/buckeyes/2025/11/17/ohio-state-buckeyes-wrestling-is-a-championship-contender-once-again/87313059007/
Crusaders Open Dual Schedule with Conference Carolinas Sweep
BLUEFIELD STATE Box Score
EMORY & HENRY Box Score
BELMONT, N.C. — Belmont Abbey Wrestling opened its home and Conference Carolinas schedules Thursday evening, sweeping Bluefield State and Emory & Henry at the Wheeler Center. The Crusaders defeated the Big Blue 42-11, then topped the Wasps by a 38-13 count.
In the opener, the Crusaders won eight of the 10 bouts, including a fall by freshman Luca Giagunto at 149 and tech falls by Dylan Drinkard (133) and Will Cline (141). The second match followed a similar script, with The Abbey taking seven bouts. Kyle Simpson (125) and Brady Ross (174) earned falls.
Belmont Abbey (2-0, 2-0) returns to action on Saturday … more at … https://abbeyathletics.com/news/2025/11/13/wrestling-crusaders-open-dual-schedule-with-conference-carolinas-sweep.aspx
UMO Win Against Lincoln Memorial and King at Ferrum Duals
Ferrum, VA – The Trojans put together an impressive day of competition, rolling past Lincoln Memorial before grinding out a tight win over King. Despite a couple matchup losses, Mount Olive’s men’s wrestling was able to keep their cool and win the day in some competitive matchups.
Mount Olive 40, Lincoln Memorial 8
UMO opened up strong against Lincoln Memorial with three decisions and two falls, taking the mat by storm. Following close were three forfeits, which allowed the Trojans to pull ahead in dominant fashion.
Match Results vs. Lincoln Memorial
- 125: Christian Luker (UMO) def. Andrae Aguilera — Fall (0:15)
- 133: Eli Pendergrass (UMO) def. LMU — Forfeit …more at … https://umotrojans.com/news/2025/11/13/wrestling-umo-win-against-lincoln-memorial-and-king-at-ferrum-duals.aspx
Lander Takes Down Coker and UNC Pembroke to Open Conference Slate
HARTSVILLE, S.C. – The second-ranked Lander Wrestling team opened the 2025–26 dual slate with a pair of Conference Carolinas wins on Thursday afternoon, shutting out Coker 40–0 before defeating UNC Pembroke 27–12. With the sweep, the Bearcats extend their Conference Carolinas winning streak to 31 straight duals, a run that dates back to the 2022–23 season.
Seven Bearcats went 2–0 on the day, including #11 Elijah Lusk (141), #5 Isham Peace (149), #1 David Hunsberger (165), #15 Maxwell Kiel (174), #15 Dylan Kohn (184), #5 Marvelous Rutledge (197), and #7 Issac Sheeren (285). Lander collected bonus points in 11 of its 17 individual wins across both duals.
Match 1: #2 Lander 40, Coker 0
Lander opened the season with a dominant shutout, beginning with decision wins from Oren Decker and #4 James Joplin (133) to take a 6–0 lead. From there, the Bearcats rolled to six straight bonus-point victories.
Lusk and Peace each earned major decisions in their first duals at 141 and 149, respectively, while Noah Roulo added an 8–0 major at 157. Hunsberger recorded the team’s first tech fall of the season, a 23–4 win in just three minutes, and newcomers Kiel and Kohn followed with tech falls of their own.
Rutledge controlled a 7–1 decision at 197 before Sheeren closed the match with a 16–4 major at heavyweight.
Match 2: #2 Lander 27, UNC Pembroke 12
Lander fell behind early as UNCP opened with a tech fall at 125 and a decision at 133 to lead 8–0. Lusk responded with an 11–3 major decision, and Peace followed with a 7–3 win to cut the deficit to one.
A UNCP major at 157 pushed the Braves back ahead 12–7, but the Bearcats closed the door from that point forward, winning the final five bouts.
Hunsberger started the run with an 18–8 major before Kiel and Kohn delivered tech falls … more at … https://landerbearcats.com/news/2025/11/13/wrestling-lander-takes-down-coker-and-unc-pembroke-to-open-conference-slate.aspx
Montreat wins all six duals in Lynchburg
LYNCHBURG, Va.— Montreat College’s women’s wrestling team visited the campus of Liberty University to compete in The Strong & Courageous Duals on Saturday. The Cavaliers wrestled six opposing schools during the event and finished with a record of 6-0 on the day. Montreat wrestled all four opponents they faced in last season’s rendition of the Duals hosted by Liberty, plus two new additions to the slate. The fresh faces were The Apprentice School Builders and the Randolph College Wildcats.
The Cavaliers started in dominant fashion, beating Brewton-Parker Christian University 36-12. Montreat dropped points on only two of the ten total bouts in the dual. Dinayah Vazquez, Sheyla Ochoa Salgado and Annastasia Skoda all notched pins in the opening dual for the Cavs. They cruised to victory, 36-12, with the help of two forfeits from the Barons.
Against The Apprentice School Builders, the Cavaliers continued to control the pace. The Builders forfeited five bouts, which accounted for 25 of Montreat’s 33 total points. Additionally, Vazquez secured another victory via a pin. At 180, Shay Potter was the only other Cavalier to win her match that was not a forfeit. She won her bout 10-2 in a decision, keeping the Cavs in front 33-15.
Montreat was rolling after its first two wins in a row and kept it going by beating Randolph College 32-15. Ochoa Salgado collected her second pin victory of the day. Nicole Lewis pinned her opponent in 3:19, and at 207, Daniella Jenkins finished the dual with a pin in 1:40 to give the Cavaliers the 32-15 triumph.
After the Cavs received a bye, they faced the Greensboro College Pride in their fourth match of the day. They remained undefeated and came out victorious again, this time with a 40-8 win. The Pride forfeited five bouts to Montreat, giving the Cavaliers 25 team points. Both Lewis and Jenkins earned pins as … more at … https://montreatcavaliers.com/news/2025/11/15/womens-wrestling-montreat-wins-all-six-duals-in-lynchburg.aspx
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
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