Byrd Wins National Title at 133 Pounds
Press Conference // Final Brackets
PHILADELPHIA – Lucas Byrd won his first national title at 133 pounds on Saturday (March 22) at the NCAA Championships in the Wells Fargo Center. He became the 21st Fighting Illini wrestler to win a national championship and earned the program’s 25th individual national title. He’s also the program’s first NCAA Champion since now assistant coach Isaiah Martinez in 2016 and the first ever in the weight class of 133 pounds.
“I couldn’t be happier for Lucas Byrd,” said head coach Mike Poeta. “If anybody deserved to be the NCAA Champion this year, it’s him. The amount of work and sacrifice he put into this was amazing. This was not easy; it was a long journey for him, but he wrestled fantastic this weekend. He wanted to be the national champion and he went and got it, he took it. I couldn’t be prouder of him. It was pretty cool seeing him after he won in the tunnel. He had his face in his hands thinking ‘I can’t believe I’m the NCAA Champion’ because it’s that big of a deal and it hits you differently. He did an amazing job and we’re excited to add him to the storied list of national champions that we have at Illinois.”
“I’ll say the same thing I did after I won the semifinals I just have to stay where my toes are at,” said Lucas Byrd. “Me and coach Jeremy Hunter have been striking on a different level; we can speak telepathically almost and anything he tells me I have to trust. In overtime they threw the brick, I looked at Jeremy and he said we’re good we have to go neutral. I step on the line, choose neutral and I look over and see my brother yelling ‘go down, go down’. I shook my head no because I trust my coaches and they put me in the right position.’
‘It has been one hell of a journey. It has been the most exciting journeys that I’ve ever been on. … more at … https://fightingillini.com/news/2025/3/22/wrestling-byrd-wins-national-title-at-133-pounds.aspx
Doug Schwab Named NCAA Division I Men’s National Coach of the Year
Manheim, PA – On Saturday, during the NWCA National Social held at the NCAA Division I Men’s Championships in Philadelphia, PA, the National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA) honored Doug Schwab, head coach of the University of Northern Iowa, as the NCAA Division I Men’s National Coach of the Year.
This prestigious award—presented by Defense Soap, the official hygiene partner of the NWCA—is selected by coaching peers and recognizes exceptional leadership, competitive excellence, and contributions to the campus community.
Coach Schwab guided UNI to an impressive 14-1 dual meet record and the NWCA National Duals title, hosted in the Panthers’ own UNI-Dome. He also led his team to a runner-up finish at the Big 12 Championships.
2025 National Finalists
In addition to Coach Schwab, the NWCA recognized seven other outstanding finalists for the NCAA Division I Men’s National Coach of the Year award:
ACC – Tony Robie, Virginia Tech
SoCon – Ryan LeBlanc, The Citadel … more at … https://nwcaonline.com/news/2025/3/22/national-wrestling-coaches-association-doug-schwab-named-ncaa-division-i-mens-national-coach-of-the-year.aspx
TDR Award News
Editor’s Notes ; The Plaques for individuals on the First and Second TDR Top 12 Teams and Honorable Mention have arrived and will be mailed or delivered to the schools. The head coach can notify us and direct the delivery to a different address if so desired. The Olivia Neal, Roy Heverly, Lee Carroll, Michael Stokes and the James Johnson Memorial Awards will be announced and updated here this week.
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March 31st; Plaques sent by mail to Currituck Co., Louisburg, Fike, Pasquotank Co., South Central, South Johnston, South Lenoir, and Swansboro.
April 1st; Plaques sent by mail to Cleveland, Corinth-Holders, Croatan, Hoggard, Laney, North Brunswick, Topsail, Wake Forest, West Carteret and West Craven.
April 2nd; Plaques sent by mail to Ayden-Grifton, Franklinton, Goldsboro, Havelock, J. F. Webb, Lejeune, New Bern, Northeastern, and Pamlico County.
April 3rd; Plaques delivered to North Pitt.
April 7th; Plaques sent to Dixon, First Flight. Rosewood and White Oak expect delivering by April 10th.
April 8th; Plaques sent to Heidi Trask, Jacksonville, Southwest Onslow, Wakefield and Washington.
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Anna Ockerman of Corinth-Holders and Sophia Marshall of Rosewood named Olivia Neal Award winners for outstanding wrestling.
Stephen Ribustello of Tarboro High named the Lee Carroll Award winner as outstanding underclassman wrestler.
Tobin McNair of Wakefield named the Roy Heverly winner as most outstanding wrestler in eastern North Carolina.
Ryan Mann of North East Carolina Prep named the Michael Stokes winner as outstanding senior wrestler.
Gerald “J.J.” Johnson of West Craven named the James Johnson Memorial winner as outstanding senior wrestler in eastern North Carolina.
36th Annual High School Nationals
The NHSCA is proud to welcome you to the largest individual wrestling event in the country, featuring athletes from all 50 states and United States military bases around the world.
March 28-30, 2025
Virginia Beach Sports Center
Virginia Beach, VA
High School Nationals is the premier wrestling tournament in the country.
Wrestlers from across the country compete to become All-Americans. … more at … https://nhsca-events.com/high-school-nationals/
National Champion Penn State Crowns Two Individual Titlists to Close out 2025 NCAA Wrestling Championships in Philadelphia
Carter Starocci and Mitchell Mesenbrink claim individual titles, Josh Barr national runner-up
PHILADELPHIA, Pa. – The Penn State Nittany Lion wrestling team followed up clinching the NCAA team title earlier in the day by crowning two individual champions in the national finals at the 2025 NCAA Wrestling Championships. Carter Starocci and Mitchell Mesenbrink both won in the national finals while freshman Josh Barr finished as NCAA runner-up.
With the titles won by Starocci and Mesenbrink, the Nittany Lions now have 61 NCAA Champions, 40 since Sanderson’s arrival as head coach (this is his 16th season at Penn State). Starocci became the first ever five-time national champion with his win. Carter Starocci was named the 2025 NCAA Wrestling Championship Outstanding Wrestler at the tournament’s end and Mitchell Mesenbrink was presented with the NCAA’s season-long Most Technical Falls Award.
The Nittany Lions won the team race, clinching it early Saturday morning, with 177.0 points. Penn State finished a full 60.0 points ahead of second place Nebraska’s 117.0 The team point total of 177.0 is a new NCAA record, breaking the mark of 172.5, set by Penn State last year in Kansas City.
Penn State has now won 12 of the last 15 contest NCAA Championships (no event in 2020) and its fourth straight for the third time since Sanderson became head coach in April of 2009. Sanderson is now second in all-time NCAA history with 12 head coaching titles to his credit. The NCAA record is 15. The Nittany Lions have won the NCAA Championship in 2025, 2024, 2023, 2022, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011 and 1953. Early in the tournament on Friday night, Penn State secured 10 All-Americans for the first time in school history, becoming only the second team in NCAA history to do so (Minnesota, 2001). All of Penn State’s 10 All-Americans placed in the top six. The Nittany Lions now have 264 All-Americans, 101 under Sanderson in just 16 seasons.
Graduate Carter Starocci, the No. 1 seed at 184, took on No. 2 Parker Keckeisen of Northern Iowa in the first match of the championship finals. The duo worked through the first minute-plus on their feet in the center circle. Starocci gained control of Keckeisen’s foot on the edge of the mat with :50 on the clock but Keckeisen was able to counter and force a stalemate at :32. … more at … https://gopsusports.com/news/2025/03/22/national-champion-penn-state-crowns-two-individual-titlists-to-close-out-2025-ncaa-wrestling-championships-in-philadelphia
Lovett, Taylor Earn National Titles in NU’s Historic Runner-Up Finish
PHILADELPHIA – Ridge Lovett (149) and Antrell Taylor (157) won NCAA titles on Saturday night, helping Nebraska wrestling to its best performance and finish ever at the 2025 NCAA Wrestling Championships. The Huskers finished as NCAA team runner-up, with 117.0 points.
NU garnered eight All-America honorees at the tournament, with three semifinalists and two champions. Nebraska’s title winners bring home the first individual championship since 2011 (Jordan Borroughs) and the first two in a year since 1984 (Jim Scherr and Bill Scherr).
The Big Red wrestlers put together 17 bonus-point wins for the fifth-highest point total by a runner-up in NCAA history. Prior to this season, the team’s best finish in standings and points was in 1993, finishing third with 79.5 points. The tournament run earned Head Coach Mark Manning the 2025 NCAA Tournament Coach of the Year award.
In the 149 championship match, No. 2 Lovett took on familiar foe and top-seed Caleb Henson (VT). The pair went scoreless through periods one and two, despite a last-second takedown ruling for Henson, which was reversed after further review. Lovett got on the board with an escape in the third period, which he protected for the final stretch to secure the NCAA title. The Husker became the first national champion since Burroughs in 2011 for NU, in what was his final collegiate bout and 101st victory. Lovett avenged his 1-2 record against Henson, and will bring the 149 title back to Lincoln as a four-time All-American.
At 157, No. 3 Taylor faced No. 8 Joey Blaze (PUR) for the fourth time in the past month, this one for the NCAA championship. Taylor took a late first period lead with a takedown and an escape in the second to head to the final two minutes up 4-0. Blaze got on the board with an escape and a penalty point. The Boilermaker could not get a takedown, and Taylor closed the seven minute stretch with a 4-2 victory. The sophomore’s title win marked the first time since 1984 (Jim Scherr and Bill Scherr) that the Huskers had two NCAA champions. Taylor claimed his second All-American honor, and his 50th career win in Philadelphia, and finished his sophomore season 27-4.
The first Husker on the finals mat, No. 1 Brock Hardy (141) met No. 3 Jesse Mendez (OHST) for the championship bout. Hardy got an early 5-0 lead with a takedown and two nearfall points, … more at … https://huskers.com/news/2025/03/23/lovett-taylor-earn-national-titles-in-nus-historic-runner-up-finish
Hendrickson, Hamiti Win NCAA Titles in Thrilling Upsets
PHILADELPHIA – Oklahoma State’s Wyatt Hendrickson and Dean Hamiti Jr. claimed individual titles at the 2025 NCAA Wrestling Championships Saturday night as Hendrickson delivered a one of the most shocking upsets in the history of the NCAA tournament with a win over Olympic gold medalist Gable Steveson to win the heavyweight title and Hamiti delivered an upset of his own by defeating two-time national champion Keegan O’Toole to take home the crown at 174 pounds.
The Cowboys finished in third place in the team standings with 102.5 points to mark its best finish since 2021 and highest point total since 2017. OSU’s two individual champions mark its most since 2016. “Finishing in third place, that’s pretty special because it’s not an individual thing,” coach David Taylor said. “It’s everybody. Individually, obviously those guys help you win, but you need everybody.”
As the most heavily favored wrestler in the finals, Minnesota’s Steveson entered the title bout already holding an Olympic gold medal, two Hodge Trophies, multiple NCAA titles, needing one more win complete a fourth consecutive undefeated collegiate season and with a cemented record as one of the best collegiate wrestlers ever.
Hendrickson entered with an undefeated record of his own this season, but it was his first time reaching an NCAA final.
In a thrilling match that came down to wire, Steveson scored a takedown in the first and Hendrickson followed with a quick escape and another to start the second to make it, 3-2, Steveson, entering the final period. Steveson escaped to start the third and held a 4-2 lead for a majority of the last frame. With time expiring, however, Hendrickson got to Steveson’s leg and finished a takedown with less than 20 seconds remaining to the most thunderous roar from the crowd in recent memory of the NCAA Championships. He held on in the final second to prevent a match-tying escape and came away with a 5-4 win and the most memorable moment of the 2025 wrestling season.
“I was looking at the clock and I’m squeezing him,” Hendrickson said about riding out the final 18 seconds. “I made up my mind. If he did stand up, I didn’t want to lock my hands. I don’t want to get a locked hands call, but I was squeezing. If he stands up, I’m just going to lock and pick him up and just hold him in the air for the last couple seconds, because I’m, like, ‘I have made it this far,’ and I knew I was going to win this match. I don’t care if I had to rip my arms off squeezing him. I was, like, ‘I’m holding this man down and winning this match.'”
Hamiti also produced some fireworks, upsetting Missouri’s top-seeded, undefeated, five-time All-American and two-time NCAA champion in sudden victory. The wrestlers traded escapes in the final two periods to take a 1-1 tie into overtime. … more at … https://okstate.com/news/2025/3/22/cowboy-wrestling-hendrickson-hamiti-win-ncaa-titles-in-thrilling-upsets
And … https://www.flickr.com/photos/osuathletics/54404269429/in/album-72177720324605018
Stephen Buchanan II Wins NCAA Championship
University of Iowa graduate student Stephen Buchanan II won the 197-pound NCAA Championship on Saturday night, defeating Penn State’s Josh Barr, 5-2.
PHILADELPHIA – University of Iowa graduate student Stephen Buchanan II won the 197-pound NCAA Championship on Saturday night, defeating Penn State’s Josh Barr, 5-2.
Buchanan, the No. 2 seed, used a second-period takedown and a third-period escape, along with a riding time point, to end up on top of the podium.
“You know, you get to the semifinals twice and you get denied by it, and you have to make the journey back the next morning,” Buchanan said. “And you don’t want to wrestle those two matches, but you do, and you pull through. You’re still left with this bittersweet feeling in your stomach, in your mind. You come back the next year and the same thing happens to you.
And you finally get on a new team. And you’re placed around people who will pour into you, who teach you the little things that make the biggest differences. And you get on that stage, and you use the things that they taught you to win, it means the world. I mean, the work that I put in, just the amount of time that people put into me, it means the world.”
The Loyal, Wisconsin, native is the first national champion at 197 pounds in program history since the NCAA implemented the current weight class configuration in 1999. Buchanan’s individual national title is the 86th in program history and the 14th under head coach Tom Brands. “Awesome, love it, can’t say enough,” head coach Tom Brands said. “He’s a grateful guy, so I think he has the right perspective about it for sure. The way it was done is a tribute to a champion. The way that he did it, the way he goes about his daily business is a tribute.” … more at … https://hawkeyesports.com/news/2025/03/23/stephen-buchanan-ii-wins-ncaa-championship
Gophers Tie for Fifth at NCAA Championships
PHILADELPHIA – Minnesota’s Gable Steveson finished as the national runner-up at heavyweight as the 2025 NCAA Wrestling Championships concluded Saturday night at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia. In the team standings, Minnesota finished tied for fifth place with 51.5 points. It’s the team’s best placement under head coach Brandon Eggum and is the best since a runner-up finish in 2014. Overall, it’s the 19th top-five finish in program history.
Penn State won the team title with 177.0 points, followed by Nebraska (117.0), Oklahoma State (102.5) and Iowa (81.0).
Facing the second-seeded Wyatt Hendrickson of Oklahoma State, Steveson recorded the first takedown of the match and led 3-1 after one period. An escape from Hendrickson in the second period made it a 3-2 match going to the third. Starting on bottom, Steveson escaped to lead 4-2 but Hendrickson became the first opponent to take Steveson down all season when he did so with 18 seconds left for a 5-4 victory. It was Steveson’s first loss since the semifinals of the 2019 NCAA Championships, a streak of 70 consecutive matches that was the second longest in program history.
In his three other trips to the NCAA Championships Steveson won national titles in 2021 and 2022 and placed third in 2019 making him the only Gopher in program history to tally four top-three finishes. Steveson ends his career with just about every accolade one can accumulate. In addition to being one of six multi-time national champions in Minnesota history, he’s also a two-time winner of the Hodge Trophy, the first five-time All-American for the Golden Gophers and the first heavyweight at any school to win four Big Ten titles.
He boasts the best winning percentage in Gophers history with an 103-3 career record (.972), including a perfect 59-0 mark in dual competition and a 44-0 tally in Big Ten matches. Of his 104 career wins, the Apple Valley, Minn., native recorded 16 pins, 32 tech falls and 28 major decisions. … more at … https://gophersports.com/news/2025/3/22/wrestling-gophers-tie-for-fifth-at-ncaa-championships
Mendez Wins 2025 NCAA Title
Junior has won consecutive national titles at 141
COLUMBUS, Ohio – Junior Jesse Mendez won his second-consecutive NCAA Championship at 141 pounds with a 12-9 win over Brock Hardy of Nebraska Saturday at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia.
Mendez defended his 2024 National Title after reaching the 2025 title match with a win over No. 2-seed Beau Bartlett in the semifinals Friday. Mendez, the No. 3 seed in 2025, defeated Bartlett for the 2024 title.
Ohio State has 25 individual national champions in the history of the program.
In the medal round earlier in the day, graduate Dylan D’Emilio finished fourth overall in the 149-pound bracket after beating Lachlan McNeil of North Carolina in the consolation semifinals and falling in the third-place match to Shayne Van Ness of Penn State. It was the highest finish at the national tournament for D’Emilio, who took eighth at the 2023 event.
Tom Ryan, head coach of the Buckeyes, has coached 75 All-Americans over his 19 seasons in Columbus. He has coached 14 All-Americans at the 141-pound weight class.
Mendez is the 14th individual national champion coached by Ryan at Ohio State.
The last Buckeye to win consecutive national championships was Kyle Snyder at heavyweight in 2016-17-18. Four wrestlers have won multiple national championships during Ryan’s tenure (Stieber-4, Snyder -3, Jaggers-2, Mendez-2).
Ohio State finished tied for the No. 5 spot in the team standings with 51.5 points. … more at … https://ohiostatebuckeyes.com/news/2025/3/22/wrestling-mendez-wins-2025-ncaa-title
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
Takedown Report 