Burroughs, Taylor, Arujau, Green make U.S. Senior World Team in men’s freestyle
OMAHA, Neb. – The United States will send an experienced team of men’s freestyle athletes to the 2024 World Championships. The four-man team, which earned their berths at this weekend’s World Team Trials, includes two Olympic champions, three World champions and all four who have won World medals. Combined, these four athletes have won a combined two Olympic gold medals, 10 World gold medals and 16 total World medals. All four athletes swept their best-of-three Championship Series in two straight matches. 2012 Olympic champion and six-time World champion Jordan Burroughs swept his two-match series at 79 kg over 2023 World Team member Chance Marsteller. Burroughs sealed the win in the second match with a 6-3 victory. The key exchange late in the second period had Burroughs score four points on a double leg shot, with Marsteller getting a two-point counter exposure. On Sunday morning, Burroughs shut out Marsteller in the first match.
It was the third time these warriors battled in the finals of a World Team qualifier. Burroughs and Marsteller also wrestled in Final X twice, with Burroughs making the World Team in 2022 and Marsteller earning the spot in 2023. It will be Burroughs 10th Senior World Team. 2020 Olympic champion and three-time World champion David Taylor came through the Challenge Tournament on Saturday, then swept the Championship Series at 92 kg over 2023 World bronze medalist Zahid Valencia. Taylor clinched the win in the second match pin over Valencia at 2:34. After Taylor scored the first two takedowns, he cradled Valencia for a takedown, then turned him again and secured the fall. In the first match, Taylor scored a second period takedown to claim criteria in a 3-3 match.
It was Taylor’s first competition since dropping … more at … https://www.themat.com/news/2024/september/15/burroughs-taylor-arujau-green-make-u-s-senior-world-team-in-men-s-freestyle
Davidson Wrestling Adds Local Standout Byers to Staff
DAVIDSON – Head coach Nate Carr Jr. has announced the hiring of Ike Byers to the Davidson College wrestling staff. Byers joins the Wildcats after five seasons as a member of the App State wrestling program. “I am excited to be joining the Davidson College staff and this community,” said Byers. “I’m looking forward to a strong season alongside Coach Carr and Coach Clothier and being able to learn from two great men.”
A local product of Mooresville, Byers joins the ‘Cats from the back-to-back SoCon Champions, App State. Most recently, Byers went 27-17 and finished fourth in the 141-pound division at the SoCon Championships for the Mountaineers. His 27 wins was the second-most on the team highlighted by a 6-1 mark in SoCon duals. He also picked up a dual win to help App State defeat then-No. 21 UNC, 24-14. Byers was also selected as a team captain in 2023-24. “We are extremely excited to add Ike to our staff,” said Carr. “Coach Byers’ positivity and enthusiasm for people and the sport of wrestling is evident, and his presence in our room will allow us to continue to improve as a program.”
Prior to college, Byers was a local standout at Mooresville High School … more at … https://davidsonwildcats.com/news/2024/9/26/wrestling-adds-local-standout-byers-to-staff
The 3 biggest questions heading into the 2024-2025 college wrestling season
There’s no shortage of intrigue heading into this year’s college wrestling season, from new coaches to reloaded lineups to weight class changes. Here are the three biggest questions on our minds as the season nears:
What will it take for Carter Starocci to be the first five-time NCAA champion?
Last year, Penn State’s 174-pounder Carter Starocci and his 197-pound teammate Aaron Brooks made history when they became the sixth and seventh four-time NCAA champions, respectively. They joined their coach, Cael Sanderson, as well as Pat Smith, Kyle Dake, Logan Stieber, and Yianni Diakomihalis in that elite club.
PENN STATE LEGENDS: How Carter Starocci and Aaron Brooks won their fourth national titles
Brooks wrapped up his college career in 2024 and continued wrestling on the senior level, winning a bronze medal at the 2024 Olympics. Starocci, however, is back for one more year. He looks to become the first (and only) wrestler to ever win five national championships.
🤼 MORE COLLEGE WRESTLING 🤼
🚨 Alerts and updates on Bleacher Report
🎥 Wrestling on YouTube
🍎 Follow on Apple News
Starocci’s ability to chase five titles stems from his success in 2021, the “free” COVID year. During that season, Starocci’s redshirt freshman year, he finished the regular season 7-1, his lone loss coming against Indiana’s DJ Washington in his varsity debut. He then took second at the Big Ten tournament following a 7-2 loss to Michael Kemerer but reversed that result at the NCAA tournament when he tore through the bracket, notching wins over Victor Marcelli, Hayden Hastings, Andrew McNally, Demetrius Romero and Kemerer to claim his first national championship. ,,, more a … https://www.ncaa.com/news/wrestling/article/2024-09-25/3-biggest-questions-heading-2024-2025-college-wrestling-season
TDR Mat Challenge
The TakeDown Report seeks to increase wrestling opportunities for high school and middle school students eastern North Carolina. We have given publicity, support and recognition to wrestlers and teams for over 25 seasons. New teams at schools need a coach, a wrestling mat and eventually uniforms for competition. Once a school provides teams on which students can wrestle then more students will learn the unique skills and lessons that the sport can provide.
Now we can offer financial support for new teams and programs starting at high schools and middle schools. Letters have been sent to school districts that do not currently have wrestling programs. We invite wrestling fans and enthusiasts to encourage administrators to accept the Mat Challenge and to start a new team. Contact us at martinkfleming@gmail.com in order to follow up on our offer.
The Citadel Wrestling Announces 2024-25 Slate
CHARLESTON, S.C. – The Citadel wrestling program officially released the upcoming 2024-25 schedule Friday afternoon, tabbing the season opener for Sunday, Nov. 3 via the annual Battle for The Citadel individual tournament with Southern Conference competition launching on Sunday, Jan. 12 and the SoCon Championships slated for early March.
Following the Battle at The Citadel to open the 2024-25 campaign in early November, the Bulldogs are set to serve as quasi-hosts for the inaugural Throwdown on the Yorktown on Friday, Nov. 8, squaring off against both Virginia and Army in back-to-back duals on the flight deck of the USS Yorktown CV-10, a retired U.S. Navy aircraft carrier anchored in the Charleston Harbor just off the coast of Mount Pleasant, S.C. The Citadel hits the road for an extended period from Saturday, Nov. 16 at the Hofstra Quad to early January at the Southern Scuffle, notably attending both the Navy Classic on Saturday, Nov. 23 and battling Duke on the road on Sunday, Dec. 22 with a quick return home during that stretch on Thursday, Dec. 19 for a clash with Limestone.
The Bulldogs embark on SoCon play against Appalachian State on Sunday, Jan. 12 … more at … https://citadelsports.com/news/2024/9/27/the-citadel-wrestling-announces-2024-25-slate.aspx
Way-too-early 2025 NCAA wrestling championship predictions at all 10 weight classes
With the college wrestling season a few weeks away, it’s the perfect time to make some bold yet fun 2025 championship predictions. So, here are some way-too-early expectations for what could happen in each weight class at the national tournament this March.
🤼 MORE COLLEGE WRESTLING 🤼
🚨 Alerts and updates on Bleacher Report
🎥 Wrestling on YouTube
🍎 Follow on Apple News
125 pounds: Matt Ramos, Purdue
The 125-pound weight class was the most volatile weight last year with Arizona State’s Richard Figueroa ultimately taking the crown after a 7-2 battle against Drake Ayala of Iowa. Figueroa is back, making him an obvious choice for a championship pick, but I’m predicting that Purdue’s Matt Ramos finds a way to jump levels and top the rest of the field.
THE MATT RAMOS MOMENT: How the Boilermaker beat Spencer Lee
In 2023, Ramos put himself in the national spotlight when he pinned three-time NCAA champion Spencer Lee in the national semifinals. He ultimately went on to drop his finals match to Princeton’s Patrick Glory, but the Ramos that wrestling fans saw on that shocking Friday night in March is still there. He’s still as funky and strong as ever. He’s capable of winning a national title, … more at … https://www.ncaa.com/news/wrestling/article/2024-09-27/college-wrestling-way-too-early-2025-ncaa-championship-picks
Greco-Roman National Team member Alan Vera, 33, has passed away
USA Wrestling was devastated to receive information that one of its current Greco-Roman National Team members, Alan Vera of Guttenburg, N.J., 33, passed away last night.
Vera suffered a sudden cardiac arrest while playing soccer this past summer and had been hospitalized since then in recovery from his serious health challenges.
We ask people to keep Alan’s family and his friends around the world in their thoughts and prayers at this most difficult time. Alan’s wife is Elena Pirozkhova, a two-time U.S. Olympian and World champion in women’s freestyle wrestling, along with their infant daughter Alina. “Our hearts have been broken. Our sincere thoughts and prayers go out to Elena, Alina and all of Alan’s family, as well as those who have known Alan. The wrestling community mourns the loss of a great champion, whose incredible life impacted so many within USA Wrestling and around the world,” said USA Wrestling Executive Director Rich Bender. “Ever since he came into my life in 2016, he has been a true leader, always ready to do anything for anyone in need. … more at … https://www.themat.com/news/2024/september/24/greco-roman-national-team-member-alan-vera-33-has-passed-away
Utah Valley Wrestling set to host first annual coaches clinic
OREM, Utah—Utah Valley wrestling head coach Adam Hall has announced the first annual Utah Valley Wrestling Coaches Clinic, which will be held on Friday, Oct. 25, and Saturday, Oct. 26, in the UVU Wrestling Room.
The clinic costs $200 for the first coach and $150 for additional coaches if you register before Oct. 11. The registration fee will increase to $225 for the first coach and $175 for each additional coach after Oct.11. Registration will be capped at 75 for the event, so make sure to register today. Details on how to register can be found on the flyer.
Over the two days, the clinic will feature four technique sessions … more at … https://gouvu.com/news/2024/9/27/utah-valley-wrestling-set-to-host-first-annual-coaches-clinic.aspx
University of Pennsylvania Hosts Grapple on the Green This Friday
PHILADELPHIA – The University of Pennsylvania wrestling team is taking practice outside to Shoemaker Green on Friday, Sept. 27, for its annual Grapple on the Green.
The Quakers will hit the mats outside of The Palestra between 3 p.m. and 5 p.m.for two sessions of practice to get Penn fans excited for the start of the upcoming season.
The Red and Blue open the 2024-25 season at home on Nov. 3, when Penn hosts Wrestle-Offs at 2 p.m. Print Friendly Version … more at … https://pennathletics.com/news/2024/9/23/wrestling-hosts-grapple-on-the-green-this-friday.aspx
Two-Time All-American Izzak Olejnik to Coach Oklahoma State Girls Club Team
Some big news for the Oklahoma State Girls Club team as they continue gathering momentum in their young program. Two-time All-American Izzak Olejnik has been named their new coach.
Olejnik wrestled his senior year at Oklahoma State and finished fifth place at the NCAA tournament at 165 pounds in a bit of a resurgent year for the Cowboys. Prior to Oklahoma State, Olejnik wrestled for Northern Illinois and also finished as an All-American for them. He was a five-time NCAA Tournament qualifier and Two-time MAC Champion. He says he’s “Excited” for the opportunity. “I’m just super excited to be able to have this opportunity to coach! Coaching is one of my goals in this sport and it’s exciting to start it here at OSU!” … more at … https://owrestle.com/two-time-all-american-izzak-olejnik-to-coach-oklahoma-state-girls-club-team/
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 