USA Wrestling Executive Director Rich Bender receives ACES Stephen D. Ducoff Leadership Award
USA Wrestling Executive Director Rich Bender has received the respected Stephen D. Ducoff Leadership Award as presented by ACES, the Association of Chief Executives of Sport.
The Stephen D. Ducoff Leadership Award is given periodically to an ACES Member who has made significant contributions to the organization and its members over time. The award is in honor of Ducoff, the ACES co-founder, who served as CEO of ACES from 2007 until his passing in 2017.
Rich Bender has been Executive Director of USA Wrestling since 2000, leading one of the most successful National Governing Bodies of Olympic sport through six Olympic quadrenniums, with a focus on the upcoming 2028 Los Angeles Olympics . He is one of the longest serving CEOs in the history of the Olympic family, and is the longest serving Executive Director in USA Wrestling history.
From 2010-2016, Bender was elected chairman of U.S. Olympic Committee’s National Governing Body Council, representing over 13,000,000 members from all of the NGBs affiliated with the U.S. Olympic movement. Bender was also elected in 2019 to serve as a USOPC Board Member representing the NGB Council, a position he still holds.
Bender received the award during the ACES Conference in Huntsville, Alabama on October 15.
“It was my honor to present the 2024 award to Rich Bender at the ACES Conference, on behalf of the ACES Board and our members. His wide-ranging positive impact on the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Movement and the sport of … more at … https://www.themat.com/news/2024/october/30/usa-wrestling-executive-director-rich-bender-receives-aces-stephen-d-ducoff-leadership-award
Jennifer Lopez Pushes Her Son to Wrestling Glory in ‘Unstoppable’ Trailer
Film is based on the true story of Anthony Robles, who was born with one leg but still became a high school and college wrestling champ
By Jon Blistein
A wrestler with one leg embarks on a seemingly-impossible journey to be become one of the best wrestlers in the country in new trailer for Unstoppable, starring Jennifer Lopez and Jharrel Jerome.
The upcoming film is based on the true story of Anthony Robles (Jerome), who was born with one leg and became a star high school wrestler, even winning a national championship his senior year. But despite his achievements and skill, many of the best college wrestling programs overlooked Roebels for recruitment. In the new Unstoppable trailer, he’s offered a full scholarship to Drexel but turns it down, choosing instead to try to walk onto the team at highly-ranked Arizona State University.
As the clip shows, Unstoppable will chronicle Robles’ athletic endeavors and his relationship with his mother, Judy (Lopez), who ceaselessly supported her son and his dreams even as she struggled to make ends meet at home. “You make people believe in something,” Judy tells Anthony after reading him a letter sent by a young fan. “When they see you, they don’t see someone who’s missing a leg. They see someone who is unstoppable.”
Along with Lopez and Jerome, Unstoppable’s all-star cast also features Bobby Cannavale, Michael Peña, Don Cheadle, and Shawn Hatosy. The film is based on Robles’ own 2012 book of the same name, and it marks the directorial debut for Oscar-winning editor William Goldenberg (he won for Argo and also earned nominations for films like Seabiscuit, Zero Dark Thirty, and The Insider).
Unstoppable is set to open in select theaters on Dec. 6, before arriving on Prime Video on Jan. 16, 2025. … more at … https://www.rollingstone.com/tv-movies/tv-movie-news/unstoppable-trailer-jennifer-lopez-anthony-robles-biopic-1235147714/
Using The Big Lebowski Quotes to Preview the 2024-25 College Wrestling Season
I remember the first time I saw The Big Lebowski. My Dad and I rented it from a Hollywood Video and watched it on our own while my Mom was out of town. I don’t think I got it. I remember it was funny, but I remember being way more confused than I was laughing. I was maybe 13 at the time. Since then my sense of humor has become more developed, and I now regard this as one of my favorites and one of the funniest movies ever made. The timing, layering of the jokes, uniqueness of the characters, and plot. It’s one of one, and it’s funny every time. A couple of years ago I hit some storylines headed into the NCAA season by using Vision Quest quotes. This year I’m doing the same, but with the masterpiece that was at one point the vision of the Coen Brothers. Join me as we roll like tumbling tumbleweeds into some of the exciting things to look for in the NCAA 2024-2025 wrestling season.
“It’s down there somewhere, let me take another look” – The Dude as he gets his head dunked in a toilet by a goon asking for the money.
What a great way to start a movie and introduce us to an icon. With respect to this season though, this was a lot of us waiting for the wrestling schedules before they finally dropped.
Finally, though, they are out and we can begin planning the excitement we are about to watch. I was picturing myself sitting on a couch with some snacks and a tasty beverage as I watch some of our favorite wrestlers go to work. Whether it’s Michigan and Minnesota, Ohio State against Iowa, or Penn State against Nebraska, we are ready to go! It’s set and we are ready to rock!
“The rug really tied the room together” – The Dude, Walter, and Donnie at various points.
Sadly the rug is gone, and so are some of the greats we had from last season. Vito Arujau, Aaron … more at … https://intermatwrestle.com/articles.html/college/using-the-big-lebowski-quotes-to-preview-the-2024-25-college-wrestling-season-r99681/
Unique Dual Venues for the 2024-25 Season
With the collegiate wrestling season ready to kick off fans are once again excited to fill up the iconic arenas throughout the country such as Carver Hawkeye Arena, Hilton Coliseum, Rec Hall, or Gallagher-Iba Arena. However, it is becoming more and more common for high-level duals and other competitions to take place in other non-traditional venues. Could it be possible that these events outside of traditional campuses allow matches to air on more and more streaming services? The answer is likely yes. It also can create a different environment and hopefully stir up interest around the competition. Whatever the reason, it has led to matches taking place in some interesting spots. In the end, you only really need to roll out a mat and set up a scoring table for a collegiate wrestling match. The following looks at some of the unique venues that will host NCAA Division I wrestling this season.
October 31st – The “Dual at the Daddy” Wyoming vs. Campbell
Campbell has been at the forefront of avant-garde venues in the collegiate wrestling world. During the 2022-2023 season, the Fighting Camels wrestled Michigan and North Carolina in an airplane hangar at the military base formerly known as Fort Bragg. At one point it rained, and a match had to be delayed while they repositioned an aircraft and closed the hangar doors.
Last year, they faced off against Wyoming in the aptly named “Battle in the Barn,” which, you guessed it, took place in a barn. Of course, it was a very nice barn at the Deerwood Ranch in Laramie, Wyoming. Per the website, the wedding venue features “rehearsal, ceremony and … more at … https://intermatwrestle.com/articles.html/college/unique-dual-venues-for-the-2024-25-season-r99680/
Campbell picked No. 1 in preseason SoCon wrestling poll
App State, Chattanooga selected second and third, respectively
SPARTANBURG, S.C. – The Campbell Camels have been selected as the preseason frontrunner for the third straight season for the upcoming 2024-25 wrestling campaign by the league’s nine head coaches, who also selected a 10-member preseason all-conference team.
Coaches were not allowed to vote for their own teams or student-athletes. Five wrestlers maxed out with the number of points possible to be selected to the pre-season all-conference team, and five of the wrestlers on the preseason all-conference team were individual title winners at the 2024 SoCon Championship. Two wrestlers selected to the preseason all-conference team received additional NCAA allocations last season.
Campbell, who finished second to App State with 97.5 points in last year’s SoCon tournament, earned 64 points in the preseason poll and garnered eight first-place votes. The Camels went 8-0 in conference matchups last season and held a 14-3 record overall, fueled by a pair of victories over Big Ten opponents, topping then ninth-ranked Nebraska on Nov. 10, and then 19th-ranked Stanford on Dec. 19.
The Camels, the 2024 SoCon regular season champion, had five wrestlers selected to the preseason All-SoCon team with Anthony Molton (125), Domenic Zaccone (133), Dom Baker (174), Levi Hopkins (197), and Taye Ghadiali (HWT) making the squad. Hopkins and Ghadiali, both were individual champions at the 2024 SoCon Championship, and Zaccone and Baker received allocations to the NCAA Tournament. Molton, Hopkins, and Ghadiali maxed out on the on the first-place votes in their respective weight class in preseason voting. Ghadiali will be looking for his fourth straight individual title at heavyweight, while Hopkins will be looking for a third consecutive individual conference crown.
App State, the 2024 SoCon tournament champion, came in second with 55 points and a first-place vote in the preseason poll. The Mountaineers enter their 15th season under the direction of the three-time defending Southern Conference Coach of the Year JohnMark Bentley. Two App State wrestlers, Will Miller (165) and Tomas Brooker (184), were selected to the preseason all-conference team. Miller, who won the 165-pound title in 2024, went 25-8 overall with a perfect 8-0 mark in SoCon matches … more at …. https://soconsports.com/wrest/article/bltfcff580a80b946f1/
Lindland Inducted to National Wrestling Hall of Fame
Former Nebraska wrestler and coach Matt Lindland is to be inducted to the National Wrestling Hall of Fame as a Distinguished Member, announced Thursday, Oct. 31. Lindland is the fifth Husker to receive the honor.
The 1993 Big Eight champion was a volunteer assistant coach at Nebraska under Tim Neumann for four seasons from 1996-2000. Lindland assisted in coaching 10 All-Americans for the Huskers, including a standout 1999-2000 season that saw Nebraska crown four All-Americans and finish eighth as a team. Nebraska was 52-25 in his four seasons in Lincoln.
The National Wrestling Hall of Fame honors distinguished members as “a wrestler who has achieved extraordinary success in national and/or international competition; a coach who has demonstrated great leadership in the profession and who has compiled an outstanding record; or a contributor whose long-term activities have substantially enhanced the development and advancement of the sport.”
Lindland also had a storied career wrestling for the Huskers. He helped NU to its best finish ever in 1992-93, compiling a 36-1 record, with an 11-0 dual mark at 158 pounds. His victory total put him in the top 10 in single-season wins, and his .973 winning percentage tied him for No. 1 on NU’s all-time list with Bill Scherr. Lindland’s only loss came at the NCAA Championships, which prevented him from All-America honors.
His season was the driving force behind Nebraska’s No. 2 final dual ranking and third-place NCAA finish. He won the Big Eight title at 158 pounds and helped NU to the 1993 Big Eight team title.
Lindland continued his wrestling career on the international level, earning a silver medal at the 2000 Sydney Olympics, and competing at four World Championships. He was also named the 1999 USA Wrestling Athlete of the Year. … more at … https://huskers.com/news/2024/10/31/lindland-inducted-to-national-wrestling-hall-of-fame
2024-25 Campbell Preview
Hi besties, long time no see. Leaves are falling, the wind is a little chillier, and wrestling mats have been rolled out. It’s time to talk about our SoCon season.
The Camels added TJ Dudley to their coaching staff this summer. Dudley, a three-time All-American at 184 lbs (Nebraska), comes to the Creek following three seasons of coaching at Brown University. Speaking of Nebraska, the Camels will host the #3 Cornhuskers on November 15, on the infield at the historic Jim Perry Stadium. Intermission will feature a star-studded exhibition presented by CLAW Wrestling between Jordan Oliver and Bryce Andonian. The match that will surely bring the heat on that chilly Friday in November. Also, it’s looking like a 125lb rematch of (former) SoCon rivals #25 Anthony Molton and #4 Caleb Smith (NEB).
But before I get ahead of myself with the schedule, Campbell, continuing to wow fans with fun venues to experience wrestling – from aircraft hangars to battling at barns, the Camels know how to make wrestling fun. Dual at the Daddy will take place on the spookiest night of the year – Halloween. At Frontier Park in Cheyenne, Wyoming, the Camels and the (#25 Wyoming) Cowboys are set to face off for a special dual. So special, it required a waiver from the NCAA to begin the season on October 31. The scary-good matchup of the evening will be at 197 lbs – #17 Joey Novak (WYO) vs #20 Levi Hopkins. Hopkins, the returning Southern Conference Champion, would be defending his 2-0 streak against Novak.
Jake Patacsil is another addition to the Campbell Wrestling staff. Patacsil boasts a rich coaching resume – having held assistant coaching positions at NAIA and NCAA DI and DII programs, Coach Patacsil was also the head coach for the inaugural season of Mount Olive’s wrestling program (2018). An All-American at 149 for Purdue, Patacsil is likely working with the middleweights. Campbell is slated to host five duals this season and will be on the road for WrangleMania, the Knockout Collegiate Classic, the Southern Scuffle, the Chippewa Challenge, … more at … https://intermatwrestle.com/articles.html/college/socon/2024-25-campbell-preview-r99667/
UNC Wrestling: Season Preview
The Tar Heels will look to build on last year’s 3rd place ACC finish
The Carolina wrestling team opens their season this week with a Blue and White Showcase on October 26. Their first tourney will be November 2 at the Southeast Open. With the first matches only a few days away, let’s see what the team will look like this year.
Last year recap:
The Heels finished third in the ACC in duel standings (out of six teams) and tied for 30th in the 2024 NCAA Tournament. They somewhat overachieved as they had been picked fourth in the ACC in most preseason rankings. They finished with an 11-7 duels record, including wins over solid Oregon State and Navy clubs. The Heels had seven national qualifiers compete in the 2024 NCAA tournament. They also had one wrestler earn All-American honors, Lachlan McNeil (149lbs).
Notable losses:
The Heels will lose two key contributors from last year’s team. Tyler Eischens qualified for the national tournament four times (once at 157 lbs, the last three at 174 lbs); Max Shaw was a three-time national qualifier at 197 lbs as well as the ACC Tournament runner-up. Both graduated in the spring. Eischens was on the U23 World Team and is the U23 Nationals 82kg Greco-Roman champion.
Key Additions:
The Heels picked up a pair of transfers that should contribute immediately. Ethan Oakley (133 lbs) is an Appalachian State transfer who won the SoCon championship and qualified for the 2024 NCAA tournament. He went 2-2 in the tournament, pulling an upset win over Virginia Tech’s Sam Latona along the way. He holds a 67-35 career record, including a sparkling 21-1 record in duels. Joshua Ogunsanya (174 lbs) transferred from Columbia University, … more at … https://www.tarheelblog.com/2024/10/24/24277994/unc-north-carolina-tar-heels-wrestling-season-preview?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email
Presbyterian College Men’s Wrestling Reveals 2024-25 Schedule
CLINTON, S.C. – Turning the page to their sixth season in program history, the Presbyterian College men’s wrestling squad has announced their full 14-match schedule for the upcoming campaign.
The Blue Hose are set to begin the 2024-25 journey next Sunday inside Templeton Gymnasium, starting off a season at home for the first time since starting the program in 2019.
Interestingly, PC’s layout underneath head coach Mark Cody is devoid of any tournaments, favoring duals from start to finish. Presby hopes to build on a three-win trek last spring, kicking off the season on Sunday against one of their victims from a year ago when Sacred Heart visits Clinton.
The garnet and blue remain in the Southern Conference along with eight other schools, wasting little time in wrestling their first league opponent (November 17). Coach Cody’s gang is comprised of 25 student-athletes, 18 of which are returners. Presbyterian figures to sport six grapplers who competed in regular SoCon matches last year, including 184-pounder Caleb Roe who finished in 4th place at the league tourney.
NOVEMBER
– A 1:00 PM date with Sacred Heart will officially unscrew the lid off the regular season in six days, as the Blue Hose look to repeat a 29-21 win against the Pioneers at a neutral venue in their last encounter.
– PC will stay in Templeton two weeks after the season-opener for an ultra-early SoCon meeting, welcoming Davidson for a 3:00 beginning.
– On Saturday, November 23, the Scotsmen will hit the road for the first time when traveling to Duke University for a tri-dual in Durham. … more at … https://gobluehose.com/news/2024/10/28/mens-wrestling-pc-mens-wrestling-reveals-2024-25-schedule.aspx
This Week in ACC Wrestling
Five Teams Ranked in the first NWCA Division I Coaches Poll
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (theACC.com) – The Atlantic Coast Conference kicks off the 2024-25 wrestling season with a new look, as long-time Pac-12 member Stanford joins the mix, giving the league seven schools that sponsor wrestling.
The ACC begins the season with five schools ranked in the top 25. Rivals Virginia Tech and NC State are ranked No. 7 and No. 8, respectively. Newcomer Stanford enters the conference at No. 21, while North Carolina and Pitt are ranked No. 24 and No. 25, respectively.
All seven ACC teams will be in action this weekend, beginning on Friday, November 1, with Virginia hosting North Dakota State at 4 p.m. ET and No. 7 Virginia Tech taking on Chattanooga in Salem, Virginia, at 6 p.m. ET. Stanford will hit the mat for the first time as a member of the ACC with a pair of dual matches versus Utah Valley (8 p.m. ET) and CSU Bakersfield (10 p.m. ET) with both matches airing on ACCNX.
On Saturday, November 2, No. 25 Pitt will host Navy at 2 p.m. ET on ACCNX, while the Hokies, No. 24 North Carolina and Virginia will have individuals compete at the 2024 Southeast Open. On Sunday, November 3, No. 8 NC State and Duke will open up their seasons at the Battle at The Citadel in Charleston, South Carolina, while Pitt will return to the mat to compete at the Clarion Open in Clarion, Pennsylvania. … more at … https://theacc.com/news/2024/10/31/this-week-in-acc-wrestling.aspx
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 