Takedown Report

Owings to be inducted into National Wrestling Hall of Fame

TDR Editor’s Note ; He made big news in one of the most famous college matches ever so the only surprise here is that he was not inducted earlier.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Woodburn assistant Larry Owings boasts more than 25 years of coaching experience, famous win over Dan Gable for 1970 NCAA championship
Woodburn assistant wrestling coach Larry Owings will join eight others being inducted May 4 into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame by the Oregon chapter. A native of Canby, Owings is the assistant coach for the Woodburn High School wrestling program. Over his 25-year career, he has coached at his alma mater and both Oregon City and Molalla high schools. Owings, one of five brothers to win an Oregon state wrestling title, started his career as a coach in Seattle. After winning “the match of the century” over previously unbeaten Dan Gable for the 1970 NCAA championship, Owings coached at a Seattle high school, as well as Clackamas Community College after his return to Oregon. In addition to being named the Outstanding Wrestler in the NCAA meet, he won both the 1969 U.S. Wrestling Federation national senior championships and was named Outstanding Wrestler in both the freestyle and Greco-Roman divisions. Owings will be joined in the Hall of Fame induction ceremony by Norm Berney, Salem; Danny Anson, Salem; Dean Dixon, Eugene; Rick Herrin, Salem; Trent Kroll, Hood River; Dan Williamson, Portland; and Chris Lucas, Eagle Point. Rest of the story and details at https://pamplinmedia.com/wbi/155-sports/422920-327331-owings-to-be-inducted-into-national-wrestling-hall-of-fame?fbclid=IwAR20jP5iX4omkA9hl7_5GznACS35cIuXt_hXzblWzcOHqGQX2UhbOmyqBws&mc_cid=804bb737cf&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

April 3, 2019 Posted by The TakeDown Report | Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Rutgers wrestling success emboldens all of U., athletic department’s future

Saturday evening in Pittsburgh, one of the most notable events in Rutgers Athletics history took place as wrestlers Nick Suriano and Anthony Ashnault both stood atop their respective weight classes as the best in the NCAA. The wins are the first in wrestling for the school but have a much larger impact on the program than just two trophies in a case.  Over the last 12 years, head coach Scott Goodale has built the Rutgers Wrestling program quite literally from the bottom up. He often recalls in interviews his first home dual meet at Rutgers back in 2008, a 42-0 win over Wagner at the College Avenue Gymnasium, attended by less than 100 people. He describes how the scene was so dismal, he had to leave to grab a portable clock from his car after the one in the gym broke down. 

Now, in a training room that hangs a banner proclaiming “Rutgers Wants NCAA Champions,” they have two. Suriano, a junior from Paramus who transferred from wrestling giant and Big Ten rival Penn State, and Ashnault, a graduate student from South Plainfield who is Rutgers’ all-time leader in wins. The two are quintessentially Jersey. Suriano is often seen in flashy clothes, or on Instagram dancing to club music. Ashnault stays taunting opposing coaches and living and dying by his “Shnaulty be mobbin'” attitude. Together they are now cemented in history as Rutgers athletic legends.  The wins are the first individual national championships won by a Rutgers athlete since a fencing gold for Alexis Jemal back in 2003. The school discontinued their fencing program in 2007. The wrestling program was almost cut before Goodale was hired. His persistence to bring the energy to New Jersey wrestling is so well known that it kept the program alive. It is what fills the seats of the Rutgers Athletic Center to capacity, it is what brought home two national champions and it is what has set up the wrestling program and athletics as a whole, allowing it to change the culture around the Scarlet Knights. Winning is no longer a pipe dream. Rest of the story http://www.dailytargum.com/article/2019/03/rutgers-wrestling-success-emboldens-all-of-u-athletic-departments-future?mc_cid=804bb737cf&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

April 3, 2019 Posted by The TakeDown Report | Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Lions defeat Otterbein in first home dual in more than five years

TDR Editor’s Note ; Glad to see a rebirth or start of a college team. Hosting home meets and publicizing them is an important part of building a tradition and the backing of fans.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
CINCINNATI, Ohio –  The Mount St. Joseph Lions led by first year Head Coach Charles Mason are in the midst of what has been dubbed a “Rebirth” of the once defunct MSJ Wrestling program. That “Rebirth” came full circle last night as the Lions took to the mats in the Harrington Center for the first time in more than five years. They did so be welcoming the Cardinals of Otterbein and a near capacity crowd to Delhi. The match opened with a pair of forfeits at 125 lbs and 133 lbs, setting up the first official match of the night at 141. For the Lions that meant the lone sophomore in the lineup, captain Nate McClanahan (Cincinnati, Ohio/Elder) trying to secure the early lead for the Lions. After a slow first period in which no points were scored, the match began to heat up in second. McClanahan scored first as he opened period number two on the bottom and managed a quick escape. DiSabato from Otterbein came back and took a 4-3 lead which he held until late in the third, when McClanahan secured a two-point takedown to clinch the victory.  Rest of the Story at http://www.msjsports.com/sports/wrest/2018-19/releases/20190213g5535r?mc_cid=a2a4187d4b&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

April 3, 2019 Posted by The TakeDown Report | Uncategorized | Leave a comment

At 169-0, four-time state champ earns spot among Idaho’s all-time great wrestlers

Any debate is over. Post Falls senior Ridge Lovett will go down as one of the greatest high school wrestlers in Idaho history. The Nebraska signee capped his undefeated career with a 2-1 victory over Centennial’s Ryan Wilson on Saturday at Pocatello’s Holt Arena. The 5A 145-pound championship gave Lovett his fourth consecutive state title and boosted his career record to 169-0, making him just the fourth Idaho wrestler to finish his career in Idaho’s highest classification undefeated. “It’s just amazing to be in there with those guys,” Lovett said. “It’s just a dream come true.” Lovett moved up in weight classes to 145 pounds to chase Wilson, whom he traveled with to the Fargo national championships last year. The Centennial senior gave Lovett one of his toughest matches to date, holding a 1-0 lead entering the third round. Rest of the story at https://www.idahostatesman.com/sports/high-school/article226594699.html?mc_cid=bdda3d5a37&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b#storylink=cpy

April 2, 2019 Posted by The TakeDown Report | Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Valley’s Angel Rios and Skyview’s Jaslynn Gallegos become first girls to place at Colorado state wrestling

DENVER — Pepsi Center in mid- to late-February never disappoints when it comes to making history. The 2019 state wrestling tournament proved to be no different. Usually on Saturday all eyes are geared toward the championship matches which take place later in the day. But in the morning session, the third round of consolation matches, there was vested interest across the arena bowl. Valley’s Angel Rios and Skyview’s Jaslynn Gallegos needed one win to make history. They both got that win. Rios won her match via forfeit from The Classical Academy’s Brendan Johnston and Gallegos pinned Moffat County’s Hunter Fredrickson in 59 seconds. She advanced to the third round of consolation matches with a 9-5 decision win over Eaton’s Alex Castaneda. Rest of the story at https://chsaanow.com/2019-02-23/valleys-angel-rios-and-skyviews-jaslynn-gallegos-become-first-girls-to-place-at-state-wrestling/?mc_cid=bdda3d5a37&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

April 2, 2019 Posted by The TakeDown Report | Uncategorized | Leave a comment

ECU will host its last Open Workout of the year

This Sunday April 7th, East Carolina University will host its last Open Workout of the year at the Student Rec Center on campus at 7th & Cotanche Streets near downtown.  Free parking is available in the college lot at 9th & Cotanche across from McDonald’s.  Learn some technique, wrestle live some, meet ECU coaches & wrestlers, and see the campus.
We will cover the following:
Standing:  shot-reshot on off. & def.
live TD situations
3 set-ups
Bottom:  2 escapes without standing up
live mat situations
Top:  Follow drill for leg riders
            cradling from legs
            barring from legs
            ​live situation wr.
Questions? Contact Milt Sherman, ECU Wrestling
shermanm@ecu.edu  252-341-8980
member:  ECU Athletics HOF
            Nat. Wr. HOF – NC Chapter
               Arlington (VA) Sports HOF

April 2, 2019 Posted by The TakeDown Report | Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Maryville repeats as Division II All-Academic Team Champion; 212 total student-athletes earn All-Academic honors

Manheim, PA .- The Maryville Saints reigned atop the academic world of NCAA Division II Wrestling, repeating as team champions and leading with 15 honored individuals in the 2019 National Wrestling Coaches Association Division II All-Academic team and individual rankings, released Tuesday. The Saints topped the team rankings for the second year running with a GPA of 3.5558, with LIU-Post taking runner up honors with a 3.4283. Colorado School of Mines (3.4280), Indianapolis (3.3414) and Newman (3.2931) rounded out the top five.
“It is really important that we honor those in our sport who are truly being student-athletes,” Maryville Head Coach Mike Denney said. “I am really appreciative that we can honor that, and we are proud of our guys who are doing well academically. We try to honor our All-Academic on the same levels as our All-Americans, that’s how important the student-athlete is to our program.” Those ranked individually included 212 student-athletes from 41 institutions. Rest of the story and details at https://portal.nwcaonline.com/articles/NWCA_News/Maryville-repeats-as-Division-II-2-4-2019

April 2, 2019 Posted by The TakeDown Report | Uncategorized | Leave a comment

TDR Top 12 – 2019 preliminary 220 & 285 lbs.

TDR Editor’s Notes ; The following are the preliminary final top 12 list for the last two weight classes. We welcome input and corrections. We have posted two weight classes daily and will re-evaluate the rankings before the final list. The Big 4 Award winners will be announced this week. Please e-mail martinkfleming@gmail.com to share your insights and views.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

April 2, 2019 Posted by The TakeDown Report | Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Wrestlers are well represented on the NFL rosters of the Super Bowl teams

It’s no secret that wrestlers make good football players. So, it will come as a surprise to few people that several former wrestlers will be playing in Super Bowl LIII on Sunday when the New England Patriots take on the Los Angeles Rams. Expected to take the field at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Ga. are at least five former wrestlers that we have identified: John Sullivan of the Rams, Brian Allen of the Rams, Austin Blythe of the Rams, James Ferentz of the Patriots, and Danny Shelton of the Patriots.

Austin Blythe
Right guard, Los Angeles Rams
Austin Blythe is the starting right guard for the Rams. He was drafted by the Indianapolis Colts in the seventh round of the 2016 NFL Draft before and then traded to the Rams in 2017. Before his time in the NFL, Blythe was a four-year starter on the offensive line for the University of Iowa. In his senior year he was a finalist for the Rimington Award, which is given annually to the nation’s top center. Blythe is among the best wrestlers to play in the NFL. Rest of the story at https://www.teamusa.org/USA-Wrestling/Features/2019/February/01/Wrestlers-in-the-Super-Bowl?mc_cid=5793c002d7&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

April 1, 2019 Posted by The TakeDown Report | Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Where’s the right place to draw the line on post-match decorum?

TDR Editor’s Notes ; Spontaneous jubilation and emotions after a match is understandable and reasonable yet planned and practiced gestures especially that show disrespect to an opponent are crass acts of disrespect to a wrestler’s own, team, his coach and himself. As I learned from my high school coaches in several sports that when one scores a touchdown or another act of success “act like you been there before”. As Penn State coach Cael Sanderson said during a gathering with reporters in State College: “This is wrestling. It’s supposed to bring out the best in people, not the worst.”
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Ohio State coach Tom Ryan looks across the college wrestling landscape and sees post-match behavior becoming a fine line on a slippery mat-covered slope. Penn State’s Cael Sanderson shakes his head at some of the things taking place at the end of bouts. And Jordan Burroughs says he’s not a fan of what he’s witnessed in recent weeks, either. College wrestling’s reach is greater than ever with its increasing attendance figures on campuses across the country, its burgeoning social media following and its omnipresent access to matches with a few mouse clicks and keyboard taps. But while more eyes are on the sport these days, some prominent wrestling figures are concerned about what viewers are seeing after the final whistle blows and the message it sends to the next generation of wrestlers. Post-match celebrations and shenanigans are generating retweets, likes and shares on social media. Some are also sparking team-point deductions and fueling discussions about what’s good for wrestling.

“I think people blur the line, like, ‘Oh, wrestling needs more entertainment, we need more character, we need more attractions, we need to transcend our small, niche fan base and get out to the premier market, but we don’t just have the product so we have to have the antics,’” said Burroughs, a five-time World and Olympic champion. “And I don’t agree with that. And anytime someone does something that humiliates an opponent, whether it’s blowing a kiss or holding a thumbs up or doing a throat slash, pushing a guy down, stuffing their head out of bounds, making a gesture at another coach, I don’t agree with it. It may be funny, it may be entertaining, but I don’t think there’s a place for it in this sport.” Burroughs said he’s all for celebrations and feels wrestlers “should be able to celebrate their excitement and their journey and their hard work” as long as the jubilation doesn’t get thrown in the opposition’s face. “What is entertaining,” he said, “isn’t necessary.” Rest of the story at https://www.trackwrestling.com/PortalPost.jsp?TIM=1550182720305&twSessionId=ajaiqxmhrp&postId=1277793132&mc_cid=a2a4187d4b&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b

April 1, 2019 Posted by The TakeDown Report | Uncategorized | Leave a comment