Mr. Blue Sky Strikes Again: Derek Blubaugh Repeats as National Champion!
INDIANAPOLIS – Derek Blubaugh. National Champion. Again.
The reigning national champion at 197 repeated on the top stage Saturday night, defeating Fort Hays State’s Tereus Henry by a 5-1 decision. Blubaugh is now the first Greyhound to win multiple national titles, as well as earning four-time finalist distinction.
This year’s event is part of the 2025 NCAA Division II National Championships Festival, with competition taking place at Corteva Coliseum at the Indiana State Fairgrounds.
Blubaugh snagged three points in the first period from a takedown, upping his total in the final frame with an escape. At the conclusion of the bout, the redshirt-senior was awarded one more point thanks to his commanding riding time advantage.
With his shutout win in the semifinal, Blubaugh became the first athlete in the UIndy record book to reach the finals in his weight class four times. The Bloomington, Ind., native fended off a last-second reversal by Glenville State’s Nicholas Johnson, surviving with a 2-0 victory late Saturday morning.
Blubaugh finishes his career with 128 wins … more at … https://athletics.uindy.edu/news/2025/3/15/wrestling-mr-blue-sky-strikes-again-derek-blubaugh-repeats-as-national-champion.aspx
As Hodge Trophy race takes shape, a reminder to fans of the award’s criteria, process
By Bryan Van Kley
With fans gearing up for another epic month of national championships, expect one of the closest races ever for the WIN Magazine/Culture House Dan Hodge Trophy. As usual, there has been a lot of discussion over the off-season and during the season on who should win the 2025 Hodge. This is a great chance to explain how the process works.
Wrestling’s equivalent to the Heisman Trophy is awarded annually by the Dan Hodge Trophy Voting Committee to the most dominant wrestler. The committee, made up of all past Hodge winners, select national media, a retired college coach from each region, and a representative of each national wrestling organization will each vote based on four criteria: record, dominance/bonus-point percentage, quality of competition and sportsmanship. Taking them one at a time, here’s how the ASICS Race for the Hodge Trophy sets up going into the conference qualifiers.
It’s likely going to take an undefeated record and a bonus-point percentage of above 90% or near that to win the Hodge. Five guys are front-runners going into the NCAA qualifiers: Penn State’s Mitchell Mesenbrink (22-0, 95.3% bonus-point percentage), Missouri’s Keegan O’Toole (16-0, 87.5%), Penn State’s Carter Starocci (21-0, 90.5%), UNI’s Parker Keckeisen (24-0, 87.5%) and Minnesota’s Gable Steveson (14-0, 92.9%).
One interesting and important variable in the Hodge voting process is that each committee member gets one vote and they’re reminded of the four criteria each year (with the exception of multiple-time Hodge winners, who get one vote for each year they won the award.) The committee members submit their votes to WIN. In addition to those, the winner of the Fan Vote gets five first-place votes. Then, similar to the Heisman, whoever has the most votes from that process wins; it’s pretty simple and the first-place votes are released in the article each year stating who won the Hodge.
In 2024, Aaron Brooks got 48 out of 59 first-place votes. From my perspective in casting my own ballot, I look at record first since the more times you wrestle, the more opportunities there are to get beat, and the more chances for opponents to keep the top guys from scoring bonus points, decreasing their final bonus-point percentage.
There are likely a couple guys from this group of five, probably Mesenbrink and the likely winner of the Starocci-Keckeisen NCAA finals bout, who will be 26 or 27-0 and have bonus points in potentially all or all but one or two of their matches. … more at … https://www.win-magazine.com/2025/03/06/as-hodge-trophy-race-takes-shape-a-reminder-to-fans-of-the-awards-criteria-process/
‘There’s Not Coincidences’: Taylor Leading His First Cowboy Team into the Building He Wrestled His First NCAA Championships
‘I think it’s gonna be an exciting tournament. It’s gonna be a great environment. Ready to go.’
STILLWATER — In 2011, David Taylor competed in his first NCAA Wrestling Championships at Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia; next week, he’ll coach at the event for the first time — in the same arena.
The parallels are made a little more eerie by the fact that Taylor’s first opponent in that 2011 tournament was Oklahoma State’s Neil Erisman (now the head coach at Little Rock), who Taylor beat 13-2. “I think timing in life, there’s not coincidences,” Taylor said Thursday. “But at the same time, it rotates, and that’s where it’s hosted this year. Pennsylvania’s wrestling, it’s rich in tradition. I think it’s gonna be an exciting tournament. It’s gonna be a great environment. Ready to go.”
Taylor was undefeated in that redshirt freshman season at Penn State up until the NCAA final, where Arizona State’s Bubba Jenkins pinned him. In Taylor’s first round match with Erisman, a commentator described the young Taylor as “all offense.” Some things never change. Up to that final, Taylor had outscored his first four opponents 46-9. Flash forward to 2025, and he’s constantly stressing scoring as many points as possible.
Taylor was undefeated in that redshirt freshman season at Penn State up until the NCAA final, where Arizona State’s Bubba Jenkins pinned him. In Taylor’s first round match with Erisman, a commentator described the young Taylor as “all offense.” Some things never change. Up to that final, Taylor had outscored his first four opponents 46-9. Flash forward to 2025, and he’s constantly stressing scoring as many points as possible. “I remember just being excited to compete,” said Taylor thinking back to that 2011 tournament. “What was unique about my freshman year was I just was wrestling with my hair on fire. I was looking to score the entire time. I think in the tournament, I went out with the same mentality. It cost me a little bit in the finals, but that just is what it is. I think I was excited to complete. I think that’s what our guys are — they’re excited to go out and compete.”
In his first season leading a college wrestling program, Taylor has led the Cowboys to their first outright Big 12 tournament title since 2020. … more at … https://pistolsfiringblog.com/theres-not-coincidences-taylor-leading-his-first-cowboy-team-into-the-building-he-wrestled-his-first-ncaa-championships/
NWCA Names Costanzo NCAA Division II Men’s National Coach of the Year
Manheim, PA – On Thursday night, during the coaches championship meeting at the NCAA Division II Men’s Championships in Indianapolis, IN, the National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA) honored Steve Costanzo of St. Cloud State University as the NCAA Division II 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 success, and contributions to the campus community.
Coach Costanzo led St. Cloud State to an NWCA National Duals title and a flawless 14-0 dual meet record while managing a roster of more than 40 athletes.
National Finalists
In addition to Coach Costanzo, the NWCA recognized six other outstanding finalists for the NCAA Division II Men’s National Coach of the Year award: … more at … https://nwcaonline.com/news/2025/3/13/national-wrestling-coaches-association-nwca-names-costanzo-ncaa-division-ii-mens-national-coach-of-the-year.aspx
Hunsberger Wins Second National Title as #8 Lander Takes Fourth at NCAA Championships
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – David Hunsberger got a takedown at the end of his 165-lb National Championship match to make it 10-2, and while those points didn’t mean much in the match as Hunsberger had all but secured his second consecutive national title, the eight-point major decision meant another point toward Lander’s team total, going along with his first-place points, putting them at 57.5 points and in sole possession of fourth place—half a point ahead of #3 Central Oklahoma for the final team trophy.
This marks the third straight season where the Bearcats have brought a team trophy back to Greenwood, finishing second in 2022 and 2023.
With his decisive 10-2 major decision, Hunsberger became the first Lander wrestler to become a two-time national champion. In his four matches, he outscored his opponents 39-11 and picked up three bonus-point wins.
His first match of the day was a little closer, however, as he entered the third period trailing to Nick Novak of St. Cloud State. But Hunsberger was able to secure a quick escape and then a takedown a few seconds later to take a 4-1 lead. Despite a late stalling penalty point against him, Hunsberger secured his spot in the finals with a 4-2 decision. The win marked the fourth straight season that Lander has had a wrestler in the final session wrestling for a national title.
In the national title match against second-seeded Jack Haskin of Lake Erie, Hunsberger got a takedown right before the first-period horn to close the first three minutes with a 3-0 lead. After a quick escape from Haskin, Hunsberger attacked quickly and earned another takedown, which made it 6-2 after another escape from Haskin going into the third period. Hunsberger chose down to start the third, but Haskin elected to go neutral, giving Hunsberger an escape point to make it 7-2. After several deep shots, Hunsberger was able to get the crucial takedown with 11 seconds on the clock to secure the major decision and a team trophy for the Bearcats.
Isham Peace and Christian Davis both fell in overtime heartbreakers in their semifinal matches. … more at … https://landerbearcats.com/news/2025/3/15/wrestling-hunsberger-wins-second-national-title-as-8-lander-takes-fourth-at-ncaa-championships.aspx
UNC-Pembroke Wraps Up Season At NCAA Championships
By: Alex Pearce, Assistant Athletic Communications Director
INDIANAPOLIS –Oggie Atwood picked up two wins in the heavyweight division, but was eliminated in the Wrestleback bracket during Day 1 action at the NCAA Championships on Friday.
Atwood defeated Glenville State’s Isaiha Casto by way of a 10-3 decision, before dropping a 4-2 decision to sixth-seeded Jake Swirple of Minot State. Atwood then stayed alive with a sudden victory over McKendree’s Tyler Haynes, before falling to fourth-seeded Dorian Crosby of Gannon.
Despite the setbacks, the Black & Gold has now logged team points at 22-straight NCAA Championships events dating back to the 2002-03 campaign. Friday’s action marked the 43rd year that UNCP has been represented on the sport’s biggest stage, and the ninth-straight year that the Braves have qualified multiple wrestlers for the event. … more at … https://uncpbraves.com/news/2025/3/14/wrestling-wraps-up-season-at-ncaa-championships.aspx
Mount Olive Men’s Wrestling concludes season at NCAA Championships
INDIANAPOLIS (March 14) – The University of Mount Olive men’s wrestling program concluded the 2024-25 campaign after featuring three individuals at the NCAA Division II National Championships on Friday at the Corteva Coliseum.
The Nicolosi tandem made deep runs in their respective weight classes on the national stages and ultimately fell in the blood round, which left each a spot short of All-Amercian status. As a team, Mount Olive recorded 4.0 points in the team standings, which tied for 35th overall in a field of 50 programs.
In the 157-weight class, Jake Nicolosi suffered an 11-9 loss following a late comeback in the third period by Owen Cline of Colorado Mesa. In the consolation bracket, he secured a 4-2 win via decision versus Natham Conley of UIndy courtesy of a third-period takedown. Nicolosi fell in his next match by a 13-5 major decision to Caleb Meunier of Minnesota State in the blood round.
Brent Nicolosi captured two victories in the morning session on Friday, with a dominant 20-2 win in the preliminaries over Nicholas Coreno of Gannon before defeating Trenton Munoz of Nebraska-Kearney via an 8-7 decision. In the quarterfinals, he fell by a 19-1 tech fall to Jack Haskin of Lake Erie before dropping an 8-5 decision to Cory Peterson of McKendree in the blood round.
In the 184-weight class, Staub was pinned in the opening round … more at … https://umotrojans.com/news/2025/3/15/mens-wrestling-concludes-season-at-ncaa-championships.aspx
Kunath Finishes Eighth at NCAA Championship
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — Junior Luke Kunath finished eighth at the NCAA Division II Wrestling Championship Saturday, dropping both of his matches during the morning consolation rounds. With his national finish, Belmont Abbey has now had a wrestler earn All-America honors in four of the last five seasons.
Kunath dropped his consolation round 3 match by fall, then suffered a 12-0 major decision in the match for seventh. He joins John Carayiannis and Mitch Dean as the latest Crusader wrestlers to earn All-American status. This is the first All-American honor of Kunath’s career. … more at … https://abbeyathletics.com/news/2025/3/15/wrestling-kunath-finished-seventh-eighth-at-ncaa-championship.aspx
Drexel Mourns the Loss of Jack Childs
PHILADELPHIA – Drexel Athletics is mourning the loss of Hall of Famer Jack Childs. Drexel’s wrestling coach for 35 years, Childs passed away on March 11, 2025.
Childs guided the wrestling program at Drexel from 1976 until his retirement in 2011. He retired as the active Division I leader in career coaching wins (421). While on the bench in University City, Childs posted 25 seasons in which his teams won 10 or more matches and he led the Dragons to the 1985 ECWA championship.
“Jack’s accomplishments and longevity as a coach at Drexel were unmatched,” said Drexel Vice President, Director of Athletics & Recreation Maisha Kelly. “He impacted countless lives during his time leading the wrestling program and was a fixture within the greater Drexel community. It is with heavy hearts that we mourn his loss. Drexel extends its condolences to his wife Anne, their three children and the entire Childs’ family.”
A four-time recipient of the East Coast Wrestling Association Coach of the Year award, Childs was also named Colonial Athletic Association Co-Coach of the Year in 2002, the first season in which the Dragons competed in the conference. He served as president of the National Wrestling Coaches Association and on the NWCA Executive Board. Over the course of his career, Childs amassed more than 500 wins at all levels of NCAA competition while coaching at both Stevens Tech and Drexel.
“Jack meant so much to the Drexel Wrestling program,” said Mert ’67 and Joanne ’69 Hill Head Coach of Wrestling Matt Azevedo. “He created a strong family culture that still exists to this day. Having him back on campus to celebrate the 1985 championship team meant a lot to our entire program and me. He has been a huge resource with his knowledge and expertise. Jack will be greatly missed among our Drexel community.”
Childs was inducted into the Janet E. and Barry C. Burkholder Athletics Hall of Fame in 2017. … more at … https://drexeldragons.com/news/2025/3/13/wrestling-drexel-mourns-the-loss-of-jack-childs
Nebraska-Kearney wins NCAA Div. II team title; four wrestlers repeat as individual champions
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – Led by eight All-Americans, including three runners-up, Nebraska-Kearney handily claimed the team title at the 2025 NCAA Div. II National Championships.
The Lopers finished with 115 points, a full 52 points ahead of runner-up Augustana (S.D.) with 63 points. St. Cloud State was third with 57.5 points, Lander in fourth with 56 points and Central Oklahoma, which had won the last two NCAA Div. II titles were firth with 55.5 points.
UNK led 26.5 points on Friday, and after pushing three into the finals on Saturday morning, it was basically a battle for second place. It was Nebraska-Kearney’s fifth NCAA Div. II national title in history. The finals were highlighted by the achievements of four athletes who repeated as Div. II national champions, Gabe Johnson of Central Oklahoma (157), David Hunsberger of Lander (165), Ty McGeary of West Liberty (184) and Derek Blubaugh of Indianapolis (197).
McGeary became a three-time national champion, with a dominant technical fall in the finals over Keegan Gehlhausen of Chadron St., 20-4.
Blubaugh became a four-time finalist with his victory in the semifinals, then finished off his second straight national title with a 5-1 victory over Tereus Henry of Fort Hays State. … more at … https://www.themat.com/news/2025/march/15/nebraska-kearney-wins-ncaa-div-ii-team-title-four-wrestlers-repeat-as-individual-champions
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
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