Diabe Named SoCon Wrestler of the Week
BOONE, N.C. — Appalachian State’s Randall Diabe has been named the Southern Conference Wrestler of the Week following his win by major decision against No. 15 North Carolina on Sunday.
A senior from Greensboro, N.C., Diabe recorded four takedowns en route to a 10-2 victory against UNC’s Hunter Queen. The win pushed his record this season to 10-3 overall and 3-1 in dual matches, as he also claimed a victory against then-No. 15 Rutgers.
Rest of the story and video at https://appstatesports.com/news/2018/11/28/wrestling-diabe-named-socon-wrestler-of-the-week.aspx?mc_cid=e57c04f2df&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
Handful of duals lead to minimal changes in Theraworx NWCA Division I Coaches Poll
Manheim, Pennsylvania – With only five Division I duals taking place over the Thanksgiving holiday, there were only slight changes in the Theraworx NWCA Division I Wrestling Coaches Poll released on Tuesday.
Penn State was a unanimous No. 1 for the fourth straight week. The only shifts in the rankings came as No. 14 North Carolina (3-0) moved up a spot, swapping positions from last week with No. 15 Purdue (2-1) and Lock Haven and Wyoming switched positions, with the Bald Eagles moving up to No. 20 from No. 21. No. 3 Iowa (4-0) rested half of the team’s expected starters in its 26-9 Big Ten win over visiting Purdue. Fourth-ranked Oklahoma State improved to 3-0 after beating then-No. 20 Wyoming 27-6 in Stillwater, Oklahoma. No. 10 Minnesota (2-1) topped visiting South Dakota State 35-6, while North Carolina offset a rowdy Appalachian State crowd to defeat the host Mountaineers 38-7 to improve to 3-0. The only other action in Division I featured Stanford topping Fresno State 22-15 in San Diego, California on the Battle of the Midway, a dual meet taking place on the deck of the USS Midway. Check out the rest of the story at http://www.nwcaonline.com/handful-duals-lead-minimal-changes-theraworx-nwca-division-coaches-poll/?mc_cid=2ec2375b46&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
Stanley Henson: A champion in all aspects of life
Stanley Henson was a giant in amateur wrestling … and in life beyond the sport. No, he wasn’t a bulky, towering heavyweight. Henson started wrestling in junior high at 75 pounds, and completed his collegiate career at 155, standing 5’10”. But his accomplishments on the mat — and long after he hung up the trunks — made him a larger-than-life figure of great achievements in his century of life.
Stanley Willard Henson, Jr., M.D. died Wednesday, Jan. 30, at age 101 in Colorado, where he had resided for more than 60 years. Born on November 30 — Thanksgiving Day — in 1916 in Jackson, Mich., Henson became forever known as “Junior” to his family. The youngster who excelled at yo-yo and kitemaking turned his sights on the oldest and greatest sport. Henson was a two-time Oklahoma high school state wrestling champ, who then became a three-time NCAA champ for Oklahoma State in the late 1930s, widely heralded as one of the greats of that era … and of all time. But Henson’s life was much more than wrestling. He served his country with honor in World War II … was a renowned surgeon … an outdoorsman … a husband and a father.
Stanley Henson, wrestler extraordinaire
Stanley Henson launched his legendary wrestling career during the Great Depression in Tulsa, Oklahoma. “I started wrestling as a 75-pounder in junior high school,” Henson told wrestling journalist Jason Bryant in a Mat Talk Online Podcast interview conducted when the legendary Cowboy was 98 years old. “I took a year off wrestling. Went out for tumbling. Wasn’t good at that.” Rest of the story at https://intermatwrestle.com/articles/19665?fbclid=IwAR0OdTwCQlkL92qkYctgwBFUhyRtZYxTj7HHKvifcCatxlGOtnnJTKPYUKw
App State Favored To Claim Another SoCon Title
BOONE, N.C. — With six preseason all-conference selections in the 10 weight classes, Appalachian State Wrestling has been voted the favorite to win another Southern Conference championship. Seeking its fourth consecutive SoCon regular-season title, App State received a first-place vote from all six of the other head coaches — a coach could not vote for his own team or student-athletes. The Mountaineers return eight wrestlers who were primary starters for a 2017-18 team that went unbeaten against its SoCon schedule and secured a title sweep by winning the league tournament, which will be held at the Holmes Center in Boone this March. App State has two more wrestlers returning who have started in multiple dual team matches for head coach JohnMark Bentley during the last two seasons. Appalachian’s preseason all-conference selections are senior Randall Diabe (197 pounds), senior Irvin Enriquez (141 pounds), junior Cary Miller (heavyweight), junior Matt Zovistoski (149 pounds), sophomore Alan Clothier (184 pounds) and sophomore Codi Russell (133 pounds). Rest of the story at https://appstatesports.com/news/2018/10/23/app-state-favored-to-claim-another-socon-wrestling-title.aspx?mc_cid=e182b7fb32&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
Davis & Elkins Athletics Announces Wrestling as 24th Varsity Sport, Boland as Head Coach
TDR Editor’s Notes; Great to see a new wrestling program starting at D. & E. In the summers of 1991-1992 The TDR helped sponsor and direct wrestling camps at D. & E. We had Charlie Heard, Nate Carr, Dean Morrison, Clint Musser and Sonny Marchette as our instructional coaches. The one day we had Olympian Nate Carr join we were unable to get much Media coverage since it was the same day that the Governor came into town. Nate did a great job and he enjoyed the tours of historic buildings on campus. He and Charlie Heard showed great class and sportsmanship.
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ELKINS – Director of Athletics Jamie Joss has announced the addition of wrestling as the 24th varsity sport offering at Davis & Elkins College on Monday, as well as the hiring of Jerry Boland as the program’s first head coach. The Senators will receive support for some of the startup costs from the National Wrestling Coaches Association and allied partners beginning competition in the 2019-20 academic year.
“We are thrilled to add men’s wrestling to our athletic program and elated to have Coach Boland lead our program,” Joss said. “The addition of wrestling will provide opportunities for wrestlers throughout the region to compete at the collegiate level and an additional pathway for our student-athletes to compete for Mountain East Conference and NCAA Championships.” Boland, a member of the South Jersey Wrestling Hall of Fame, will be coming to Elkins after 14 years as a high school wrestling coach and five years as an administrator in the Evesham Township School District in New Jersey.
“We are pleased to welcome Coach Jerry Boland to lead the first wrestling program at D&E,” said D&E President Chris A. Wood. “The 2019-20 academic year promises to be an exciting one as we begin play in the Mountain East Conference and, now, with the addition of our 24th varsity sport.” Overall, Boland has 20 years of coaching wrestling at various levels and also has served as an official for eight years.
“I am truly honored and excited to become the first head wrestling coach at Davis & Elkins College,” said Boland. “I want to thank President Wood, Director of Athletics Jamie Joss, and the rest of the selection committee for having the faith in me to build this program.
“I also want to thank my wife, Michelle, my family, and all of those who supported me along this journey. I am looking forward to being a part of Senator Nation and leading young men to successful careers both on and off the mat.”
During his time in high school wrestling, Boland has coached three New Jersey State Championship teams at Camden Catholic High School. He has also led the Camden Catholic and Cinnaminson High School programs to six more conference championships.
Boland has coached several individual district and regional champions at both schools, as well as three individual state champions at Camden Catholic. He has a career coaching record of 146-34.
A two-year team captain and four-year starter in college, Boland was an NCAA Division III All-American at Lycoming College in the mid-90s and was a two-time NCAA Tournament qualifier.
“Jerry’s experience as an All-American and Hall of Fame high school and college wrestler, and successful high school coaching career at his alma mater will be critical in building the foundation of a successful program on and off the mat, “Joss added. “Coach Boland embodies our four pillars of Education-Engagement-Character-Competition. We look forward to welcoming Jerry and his family to the Elkins community.”
Boland recently completed the 2018 National Wrestling Coaches Association Leadership Academy, where he worked closely with mentor Jack Spates, former head coach of the University of Oklahoma wrestling program.
A 2016 inductee of the South Jersey Wrestling Hall of Fame, Boland is a USA Wrestling certified club coach and a New Jersey state certified high school wrestling official. He is also a member of the South Jersey Wrestling Coaches and Officials Association, where he has served as an executive member. Boland graduated from Lycoming College with a bachelor’s degree in Psychology in 1998. He also earned his master’s degree in Educational Leadership from Grand Canyon University in 2010. Rest of the story at https://senatornation.com/news/2018/11/26/d-e-athletics-announces-wrestling-as-24th-varsity-sport-boland-as-head-coach.aspx?mc_cid=52a1ca96c2&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
Tar Heel Wrestling Launches Children’s Hospital Partnership
Posted On: November 2, 2018 The Carolina wrestling program will raise funds for the UNC Children’s Hospital throughout the 2018-19 schedule, with a goal to raise $8,000 by the end of the regular season. With the contributions gathered through the year, the team will present a check to UNC Children’s at the last home dual of the season against Cornell on February 16.
In addition to the fundraiser, the Tar Heels will have an honorary kids captain from UNC Children’s Hospital at every home dual. Each captain will have a full Carolina Wrestling experience and will be announced with the team and join the team captains for the opening coin flip.
“This fundraiser is going to provide our wrestling community with a great opportunity to give back,” assistant coach Tony Ramos said. “Our guys love helping the community and we couldn’t think of a better way to use our platform to raise money and create great experiences.”
Fans can donate using the following link: https://give.classy.org/uncwrestling
Rest of the story at https://goheels.com/news/2018/11/2/tar-heel-wrestling-launches-childrens-hospital-partnership.aspx?mc_cid=efead3840e&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
Arizona Christian Adds Wrestling To Athletic Lineup
TDR Editor’s Notes; Another NAIA school is adding wrestling opportunities! The number of NAIA schools sponsoring a wrestling team have more than tripled in the past 18 years.
Phoenix, AZ- Arizona Christian University Athletic Director Jeff Rutter has announced the addition of wrestling for ACU Athletics. The newest group of Firestorm will hit the mat in fall 2019. Firestorm wrestling will compete in the NAIA. The NAIA wrestling national championship are held in Des Moines, Iowa in March. There are 62 schools in the NAIA that have wrestling as a varsity sport and two in the Golden State Athletic Conference. Arizona Christian is in the process of hiring a coach. If interested in coaching the Firestorm wrestling program, please visit https://arizonachristian.isolvedhire.com/jobs/42976.html
Dr. Peter Dryer, Associate Athletic Director, stated, “We are excited to bring wrestling to Arizona Christian University. Starting a collegiate wrestling program provides interested student-athletes an opportunity to continue developing in their sport while earning a college degree. We will recruit wrestlers who are interested in Christian higher education and have what it takes to compete at the college level. We will offer a wrestling program that excels on the mat, in the classroom, and in the community!” Rest of the story at http://www.acufirestorm.com/article/1484.php?mc_cid=52a1ca96c2&mc_eid=2ef7cbca4b
NO. 15 CAROLINA BEATS APP STATE, 28-7
Posted On: November 25, 2018
BOONE, N.C. — Freshman Joe Heilmann’s first dual win as a Tar Heel helped lead No. 15 North Carolina to a 28-7 win over Appalachian State. The win gives UNC a 3-0 record to start the year for the first time since the 2005-06 season.
The dual started at 149 pounds, giving No. 9 Austin O’Connor the opportunity to start the afternoon strong. He stormed out of the gate and picked up bonus points in his win, a major decision that would start a run of five straight victories for the Tar Heels. Josh McClure (165) and No. 8 Chip Ness (184) both won with major decisions before the intermission, while No. 6 Kennedy Monday(157) and Devin Kane (174) grinded out wins to give UNC an 18-0 lead at the break.
The second half of the dual was capped by standout performances from Heilmann and No. 13 Cory Daniel. Heilmann broke out early with a 6-point first period and never looked back. He held strong the rest of the way, rolling to a 14-5 win. Daniel was tied with App State’s Cary Miller late in the third period, but was able to find a way to win late. With under ten seconds to go, he scored on a quick takedown and held on as the buzzer sounded.
A.C. Headlee finished the afternoon with a 7-0 win at 141 pounds, capping off a 28-7 win for the Tar Heels. “This was a team win. It’s one you love to see,” head coach Coleman Scott said. “Everyone who took the mat today came to win and it showed. You have to give credit to Joe Heilmann for picking up bonus points for us, and starting the day with Austin O’Connor’s big win was huge. I’m proud of this team. They’re showing everyone who we think we can be this year.” Rest of the story at https://goheels.com/news/2018/11/25/wrestling-no-15-carolina-beats-app-state-28-7.aspx
NCAA Division I Graduation Success Rates (GSR) for top 3 programs in every conference
“More Division I student-athletes than ever are earning their degrees, according to new Graduation Success Rate data …”
That was the opening line of a press release issued by the NCAA last week. The statement went on say, “The most recent rate is 88 percent, a record high and an increase of 1 percentage point from 2017 numbers.” “Student-athletes continue to achieve academic success at record levels,” NCAA President Mark Emmert said. “When the GSR was created more than 15 years ago, the NCAA set an aspirational goal of 80 percent of student-athletes graduating. College athletes have met and exceeded that goal — as they often do with any challenge.” Last week’s announcement was general in scope, addressing stats of Division I student-athletes overall in multiple intercollegiate sports. Which got us to thinking: how well are D1 wrestlers doing in terms of Graduation Success Rates?
Luckily, the NCAA was kind enough to provide links to a mind-blowing wealth of GSR information across the years and for various sports, including men’s Division I college wrestling. Here are 2018 NCAA Graduation Success Rates for the top three NCAA Division I wrestling programs by conference.
Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC)
1. Duke 100%
2. Virginia 92%
3. Pittsburgh 88%
Rest of the conferences at https://intermatwrestle.com/articles/20816
NC State Wolfpack Adds Nine During Fall Signing Period
Pack adds four top-100 recruits
RALEIGH, N.C. – The NC State wrestling team added nine future members of the Wolfpack during November’s signing period. Four of the nine are ranked among the top-100 recruits nationally according to InterMat.com.
“After our fourth place finish last season, our staff worked extremely hard in identifying high-level talent in both folkstyle and freestyle that wanted to be part of the Wolfpack,” said NC State head coach Pat Popolizio. “This class has had success both at the prep level and internationally. We look forward to not only to continue to build upon our collegiate success, but to also continue to bring home world medals to our practice room. “This class mirrors our mentality and they all showcase strong character, which will make them successful student-athletes once they are on our campus.”
SammyAlvarez – Montvale, N.J. – 125/133
· Two-timeN.J. state finalist
· 4th at 2018 Beast of the East
· 3rd at 2018 Super 32
KaiOrine – Imperial, Mo. – 125/133
· Two-time state champion (2017, 2018)
· 1st at 2018 NHSCA Nationals
· 2nd at 2018 Flo Nationals
· 5th at 2018 Fargo Junior Freestyle
· 5th at 2018 Super 32|
HunterLewis – Stoughton Wisc. – 141
· 2018 state title in both freestyle and Greco-roman
· 1st in Greco at 2018 UWW Cadet World Team Trials
· Gold at 2018 Pan American Cadets
MikeMadara – Nazareth, Pa. – 141
· Three-time Prep All-American
· Three-time Prep state champion
· Junior Fargo All-American
SilasShaw – Troutman, N.C. – 149
· Two-time North Carolina state champion
· NHSCA All-American
KiernanShanahan – Rexford, N.Y. – 157
· Two-time NY State finalist
· 2017 Flo Nationals All-American
· 2016 Fargo All-American
Chris Garrison – Summerfield, N.C. – 197
· North Carolina state champion
ChristianKnop – Anniston, Ala. – 197
· Three-time undefeated Alabama state champion
· Four-time NHSCA All-American
· Double Junior Fargo All-American
OwenTrephan – Summerville S.C. – 285
· 2018 Prep National Champion
· 2017 South Carolina state champion
· NHSCA Freshman and Sophomore national champion
Visit www.GoPack.com
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
