Takedown Report

Scholar Stories: Consuelos Using Lessons Learned from Wrestling to Thrive on Stage

Continuing the series that began in 2016-17, each week MGoBlue.com will highlight a Michigan student-athlete and their academic pursuits. These are our Scholar-Athlete Stories, presented by Absopure.
By Sam Gold
Senior Joaquin Consuelos‘ experience at the University of Michigan could be considered unconventional as both a Wolverine wrestler and a student in its prestigious School of Music, Theatre and Dance. However, they are more similar than they might appear as his wrestling background has given him a distinct advantage as he hones his theatrical skills, helping him grow in both fields.
Preparation is critical for any great performance, whether on stage or the wrestling mat. Both require discipline, focus and an understanding of movement — all skills that Consuelos has leveraged through his daily balance of wrestling and acting. He recognizes the strides he has made over the last four years. “I actually understand the rules of the game a little bit better,” Consuelos said. “I think my preparation has gotten better, that’s one of the bigger differences.”
But Consuelos did not initially seriously consider pursuing theater, instead he wanted to focus first on his wrestling career. “As far as studying theater, I think it started with wrestling, and then the theater side was second.” he said. “My wrestling coach in middle school, Jeff Marsh, also went to Michigan. So, I was automatically pushed in that direction a little bit.”
Before his junior year, Consuelos’ high school did not have a wrestling team, yet this helped him grow as a wrestler. He traveled after school and on the weekends to train and compete at Edge Wrestling, a well-known club in Hoboken, N.J. When his high school introduced a wrestling team, Consuelos was more than prepared. “When I started wrestling New York-level competition, … more at … https://mgoblue.com/news/2025/1/29/scholar-stories-consuelos-using-lessons-learned-from-wrestling-to-thrive-on-stage

February 4, 2025 Posted by The TakeDown Report | Uncategorized | sports, wrestling | Leave a comment

Cleveland State News Update

Stipe Miocic on Cleveland State cutting wrestling: ‘Let’s save the program’
Former UFC heavyweight champion Stipe Miocic broke his silence on Cleveland State’s announcement to cut the wrestling program and other sports.
CSU announced the removal of wrestling, women’s golf and softball amid a reduction of the athletics budget. Safe to say, the news wasn’t met with a positive reaction.
Especially those in the wrestling community, many were shocked and angry over wrestling’s elimination. Miocic, a former Cleveland State record, took to social media.
“I’m sick to my stomach and heartbroken for these young men and coaches,” Miocic wrote on Twitter. “One of the oldest sports at Cleveland State University—wrestling—is being cut. As a former wrestler at CSU, this program was a huge chapter of my life and shaped me into the person I am today. I’ll always cherish what it gave me. My heart goes out to everyone affected by this decision. I hope there’s still time to make a difference and save this incredible program. Let’s save the program!” … more at … https://www.on3.com/college/cleveland-state-vikings/news/stipe-miocic-on-cleveland-state-cutting-wrestling-lets-save-the-program/
And …

CSU wrestlers look to repeat history in saving their program as wrestling alum Stipe Miocic lends his support
CLEVELAND — The situation the Cleveland State Wrestling team finds itself in following the school’s decision to eliminate the program following this academic year is not unfamiliar.
RELATED: Cleveland State University discontinues 3 NCAA sports programs after Board of Trustees approval

A decade ago, the 2015 squad suffered the same blow when the school axed the program. The move sent shockwaves through the team and the school. Students rallied behind the team, voting in a referendum that they’d be willing to raise credit hour prices to save the sport. A move that a decade ago led the university to reverse its decision and reinstate the sport. It’s a formula some members of the current squad hope to replicate ten years later. An investment in wrestling now is an investment in Cleveland’s future. “I firmly believe that we have 30 guys on our roster that are from Ohio, and most of them are from the greater Cleveland area,” said wrestler Joey Lyons.
That’s why he launched a GoFundMe account to raise money to mount the case for keeping the team.
A push received attention when CSU wrestling’s most famous alum, Stipe Miocic, told his followers on X he was sick to his stomach and heartbroken for these young men and coaches. He said the program shaped him into the person he is. Closing with, “I hope there’s still time to make a difference and save this incredible program.” Words that were music to the team’s ears. “It’s awesome. I mean, to have a guy of that caliber, with that kind of platform and to use that platform for us, it’s astounding,” Lyons said.
If Cleveland State gets rid of wrestling, it’s a move that would come as the city of Cleveland prepares to host the sport’s ultimate showcase next spring, the 2026 NCAA Men’s Division 1 National Championships. The wrestling championships last hosted by Cleveland in 2018 are one of the biggest gets in college sports. … more at … https://www.news5cleveland.com/news/local-news/csu-wrestlers-look-to-repeat-history-in-saving-their-program-as-wrestling-alum-stipe-miocic-lends-his-support

February 2, 2025 Posted by The TakeDown Report | Uncategorized | sports, wrestling | Leave a comment