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/
Update: 2024 National Girls High School Preseason Rankings released and Pound-For-Pound Rankings also updated
USA Wrestling, FloWrestling and the National Wrestling Hall of Fame and Museum has published the Preseason Rankings for high school girls wrestlers for the 2024-25 season. This national ranking evaluates all girls enrolled in grades 8-12, and athletes from all 50 states are eligible for selection.
Last year’s high school graduates have been removed, and many new athletes have joined the rankings for the first time, including eligibility for incoming eighth graders.
The event which clearly had the most impact on these rankings was the record-setting 2024 USMC Junior and 16U Nationals in Fargo, N.D. in July. The rankings also included results from the U17 and U20 World Championships.
Please note that none of the preseason events already held in September are included in this ranking. For instance, the results from the Ultimate Club Duals will be included in the November ranking. This ranking only includes competitions through the summer of 2024.
With the new season comes eight new No. 1 wrestlers in the rankings. They include Heather Crull of Indiana (105), Epinesa Elison of California (110), Kaura Coles of Montana (115), Savannah Witt of Pennsylvania (120), Sarah Henckel of Connecticut (145), Kaili Manuel of Michigan (155), Brooke Huffman of Wisconsin (190) and Tirza Twoteeth of Montana (235). Seven wrestlers who finished last season ranked No. 1 have returned and start the new season in the No. 1 spot again: Hailey Delgado of Texas (95), Morgan Turner of Illinois (100), Everest Leydecker of Arizona (125), Aubre Krazer of Pennsylvania (130), Taina Fernandez of Maryland (135), Bella Williams of Oklahoma (140) and Piper Fowler of Tennessee (170) … more at … https://www.themat.com/news/2024/september/25/2024-national-girls-high-school-preseason-rankings-released-and-pound-for-pound-rankings-also-updated
2024 Hall of Fame: Borrelli Leaves a Legacy of Success on All Levels
Officially, Tom Borrelli walked away last spring, at the conclusion of the 2024-25 wrestling season, his 33rd in charge of the Central Michigan program.
His presence is still palpable in the Chippewas’ wrestling room which bears his name, in McGuirk Arena, and in wrestling rooms and gyms far and wide. That’s what you call a legacy.
Borrelli will be inducted into the CMU Marcy Weston Athletics Hall of Fame as part of the 2024 class in a ceremony in McGuirk Arena on Friday, Sept. 20 (6 p.m.) and then introduced at the CMU-Ball State football game at Kelly/Shorts Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 21.
He will go into the prestigious hall along with basketball/baseball player Chad Pleiness, gymnast Sarah Dame, football player Eric Fisher, volleyball player Kaitlyn (Schultz) Miller, and cross country/track & field standout Ryan Watson.
2024 MARCY WESTON CMU ATHLETICS HALL OF FAME CEREMONY
Borrelli’s success at CMU has been well documented and etched in stone.
He led the Chippewas to a first-place finish last spring at the Mid-American Conference Championships, marking the 30th time in his 33 years that his team has won the league tournament or its regular season title. He capped it off with his unprecedented 15th MAC Coach of the Year Award.
The All-American plaques – for the record, 45 times a Borrelli-coached Chippewa earned the lofty honor – the myriad trophies and awards sit on the shelfs and hang on the walls. … more at … https://cmuchippewas.com/news/2024/9/18/general-hall-of-fame-2024-borrelli-leaves-a-legacy-of-success-on-all-levels
Wrestling Season starts for Men’s Junior College Teams in California
Bakersfield Wins Dual over East LA
BAKERSFIELD, CA – The Bakersfield College Wrestling team hosted the East Los Angeles Huskies in a dual on Wednesday, September 18th. The Renegades won over the Huskies, 39-8.
Here are the results:
125- Devin Gutierrez (BC) wins by forfeit
133-David Govea (ELAC) Wins via Major decision 19-5 vs Miguel Barreto Gonzales (BC)
141- Double Forfeit
149- Brendon Ko (BC) Wins via Fall first period 2:53 vs Manuel Sandoval (ELAC)
157-Angel Alcantar (ELAC) Wins via Major Decision 17-6 vs Michael Rogers (BC)
165-Isaia Tumiavave Wins via Decision 14-12 vs Leonard Martinez (ELAC) … more at … https://www.gogades.com/sports/wrest/2024-25/releases/20240921x8htc6
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Taking the Mat: Mt. SAC Men’s Wrestling Team is Ready for Battle
As the Mt. SAC Men’s Wrestling team prepares for the upcoming year, head coach David Rivera shares his enthusiasm for the challenges and opportunities ahead. Coming off an exciting 2023 season, during which they clinched the 3C2A Men’s Wrestling State Championship title, the team is eager to compete again. With their first match set for Saturday, September 21st, as part of the Mt. SAC Dual Tournament, Rivera emphasizes the importance of moving forward and developing a new group of athletes.
The transition from high school to collegiate wrestling can be demanding, and Rivera is dedicated to helping his wrestlers adapt to the competitive environment at Mt. SAC. “A lot of the guys coming from high school have a different view of what wrestling is,” he explains. “We need to introduce them to how we do things at Mt. SAC, which is all about being competitive from practice to warm-ups to the final match.”
Acknowledging the heightened expectations that come with last season’s success, … more at … https://www.mtsacathletics.com/sports/wrest/2024-25/releases/20240920jcabet
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SRJC men’s wrestling opens 2024 season with wins over San Joaquin Delta, Skyline and East Los Angeles colleges
he Santa Rosa Junior College men’s wrestling team dominated in a quad meet with San Joaquin Delta, Skyline and East Los Angeles colleges Sept.14 at Haehl Pavilion, going 3-0 to begin the 2024 season. SRJC opened the day with a resounding defeat over the San Joaquin Delta Mustangs, winning 46-8, before defeating the Skyline College Trojans 44-6 and finally defeating the East Los Angeles College Huskies 48-12.
The Bear Cubs were led by Derek Ruffin, Ali Hamzia, Vicente Rodarte, Zack Morgan and Rayhan Jaleel, all of whom went 3-0 in their matches. Additionally Joe Ellis, who went 2-0, pulled off a 5-second pin in his match against the Huskies, to set an SRJC record. … more at … https://www.theoakleafnews.com/sports/2024/09/17/srjc-mens-wrestling-opens-2024-season-with-wins-over-san-joaquin-delta-skyline-and-east-los-angeles-colleges/
Wrestling Excited to Battle Campbell in the ‘Dual at the Daddy’ Oct. 31 to Kick Off the 2024-25 Season
LARAMIE, Wyoming (9/18/24) – The University of Wyoming wrestling team and Campbell University are set to commence the 2024-25 NCAA wrestling season. The two schools received permission from the NCAA to host the “Dual at the Daddy,” before the official start date of Nov. 1. It will be the first NCAA wrestling competition in the nation.
The event isn’t only the first one of the season, but it also has all the clippings of being a one-of-a-kind dual. It’ll take place on Frontier Park, the home of Cheyenne Frontier Days, the Daddy of ’em All. “I don’t think many wrestling fans thought we could eclipse the atmosphere and excitement that the Battle in the Barn created last season, but coach Sentes and I said, “Hold our Cowboy hats,” Wyoming head coach Mark Branch said. “The Dual at the Daddy, is going to be bigger and badder, and we are excited to bring such a unique event to college wrestling. It’s going to be phenomenal.”
As Branch alluded to, the Battle in the Barn took place last season at Deerwood Ranch in Centennial, Wyoming. It was a competitive dual in a quintessential Wyoming location, and that gave momentum to an idea like the Dual at the Daddy. … more at … https://gowyo.com/news/2024/9/18/wrestling-excited-to-battle-campbell-in-the-dual-at-the-daddy-oct-31-to-kick-off-the-2024-25-season.aspx?utm_source=Wrestling+News&utm_campaign=b9b5ed600d-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2022_09_28_09_07_COPY_01&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_44607e8210-b9b5ed600d-245314521&mc_cid=b9b5ed600d
Morgan State Men’s Wrestling Joins the EIWA
BALTIMORE, Md. (September 19, 2024) — The Eastern Intercollegiate Wrestling Association has approved the addition of Morgan State as its newest member institution. Morgan State will become the 12th member of the EIWA, the oldest wrestling conference in the nation.
EIWA Executive Director, Gene Nighman is welcoming the Bears with open arms: “I’m pleased to welcome Morgan State University as the newest member in the long and storied history of the EIWA. Starting back in 1904, the EIWA member institutions have been committed to advancing the sport of wrestling and providing all participants with an elite Championship experience. As we approach the start of the 121st season, the EIWA is proud to have the only HBCU program as one of our members and looks forward to all twelve EIWA schools gathering at Lehigh University on March 7 for the 2025 EIWA Championship Tournament.”
Dena Freeman-Patton, Morgan State’s Director of Athletics and Vice President, states with great enthusiasm, “This is an exciting time for Morgan State. The EIWA is a great fit for our wrestling program competitively, academically and regionally. Our student-athletes are looking forward to competing for championships.”
Located in Baltimore, MD, Morgan State announced in October of 2021 that it would revive the wrestling program after a 24-year hiatus. A $2.7 million gift towards the program is the largest single donation in the school’s history. This gift was spearheaded by Mike Novogratz and the HBCU Wrestling (HCUW) Initiative, whose sole mission is to restore wrestling at HBCUs. Wrestling programs of all shapes and sizes have disappeared due to Title IX and lack of funding over the decades. Morgan State was no different. At this moment, MSU is the lone HBCU (Historically Black College or University) in Division 1 wrestling.
The Bears first competed in the sport in the early 1950s. They were dominant well into the 60s, winning multiple conference titles. Morgan State’s most recent success began in 1975 when James Phillips took over as the head coach. Of his 20 seasons at the helm, the Bears won 13 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) titles while earning Coach of the Year 12 times. He coached 4 national champions, and 75 All-Americans during his tenure. The wrestling program came to a halt at the end of the 1996-97 season. The reason provided was a lack of resources. … more at … https://morganstatebears.com/news/2024/9/18/morgan-state-mens-wrestling-to-begin-eiwa-competition-in-2024-25.aspx
Wrestling community mourns death of legendary coach Pat Pecora
Sep. 8—The day Larry Hohman was headed to college when he was 18, his dad died. He walked into the office of Pitt-Johnstown wrestling coach Pat Pecora for guidance. Pecora instructed him to go home for a week to be with family, and he would take care of things. “On that day, coach became my father,” said Hohman, the Penn-Trafford wrestling coach. “He counseled me and made me the man, the father and the teacher I am today.”
Pecora, 70, died late Saturday night after a courageous battle with cancer. The legendary coach built Pitt-Johnstown into a national power and led them to more victories than any wrestling coach in history. The Mountain Cats won NCAA Division II national titles in 1996 and 1999. “What didn’t coach teach me?” Hohman said. “He was a father figure to all of us. Everyone who wrestled for him was family. He made us all better men.”
In 48 years as coach, Pecora produced 170 NCAA All-Americans and 15 national champions. … more at … https://lancasteronline.com/sports/olympics/wrestling-community-mourns-death-of-legendary-coach-pat-pecora/article_2df08c53-8de5-5b6f-9ba4-a22a30372d89.html
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UPJ mourns the loss of our great Wrestling Coach and Athletics Director, Pat Pecora
FULL UNIVERSITY RELEASE
COACH PAT PECORA TRIBUTE VIDEO
For nearly half a century, UPJ athletics excellence has been virtually synonymous with Pat Pecora. Coach Pecora became head coach of the Mountain Cat wrestling program in 1976 following a stellar wrestling career at West Liberty State (WV) College and also served as UPJ’s Athletic Director since 2008. Pecora held college wrestling’s all-time wins mark with 661. Coach Pecora led Pitt-Johnstown to a pair of NCAA Division II National Championships, 25 NCAA Regional titles, and eight straight Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Championships. In 1996 and 1999, his teams captured the NCAA Division II National Championship, the first and second in school history. His teams won five consecutive NCAA Regional titles from 2003 through 2007 … more at … https://pittjohnstownathletics.com/news/2024/9/10/baseball-upj-mourns-the-loss-of-our-great-wrestling-coach-and-athletics-director-pat-pecora.aspx
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WLU Mourns Passing of Legendary Wrestling Alumnus
The West Liberty University community is mourning the loss of Pitt-Johnstown athletic director and head wrestling coach Pat Pecora, a collegiate wrestling legend who passed away peacefully Sunday morning at the age of 70 following a courageous battle with cancer. The 1975 West Liberty graduate was college wrestling’s all-time winningest coach with a staggering 661-154-5 record in 48 seasons as a head coach – all at Pitt-Johnstown. “It is with a heavy heart that we hear of the passing of Pat Pecora,” West Liberty athletic director Brad Forshey said. “Coach Pecora was the epitome of a legend in collegiate wrestling. He was a true ambassador of the sport and an amazing person. On behalf of the entire West Liberty community, we extend our deepest condolences to the Pecora family.”
A four-year starter, three-time conference champion and two-time NAIA national qualifier on West Liberty wrestling teams of the early 1970s, Pecora became the youngest wrestling coach in the country when he was hired at Pitt-Johnstown in 1976 and immediately started stacking up an impressive list of accomplishments.
Pecora led the Mountain Cats to a pair of NCAA Division II national championships (1996, 1999) and 25 NCAA D2 Regional titles to go along with 24 national Top 10 finishes and 11 Top Five finishes. His 2024 squad finished 6th at the NCAA Division II Nationals in Park City, Kan. Four Mountain Cats earned NCAA D2 All-America honors and 149-pounder Jacob Ealy became UPJ’s 15th individual national champion. Pecora was a two-time president of the National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA) and served on the NWCA Board of Directors for years. A 4-time NWCA National Coach of the Year (1995, 1999, 2019, 2022), … more at … https://hilltoppersports.com/news/2024/9/8/wlu-mourns-passing-of-legendary-wrestling-alumnus.aspx
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PSAC mourns passing of Pitt-Johnstown’s Pat Pecora
LOCK HAVEN, Pa. – The Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference mourns the loss of Pat Pecora, the longtime head wrestling coach and Athletic Director at the University of Pittsburgh-Johnstown, who passed away on Sunday morning after a long battle with cancer.
Pecora is the winningest coach in all of collegiate wrestling history, leading the Mountain Cats’ wrestling program for 48 years while also doubling as the institution’s athletic director since 2008. He accumulated a career dual meet record of 661-154-5 and was named the National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA) National Coach of the Year in 1995, 1999, 2019, and 2022.
“Pat was a great example of all that is good about Division II,” said PSAC Commissioner Steve Murray. “He was the best of us and will be sadly missed by all of the PSAC. We offer our deepest condolences to Pat’s family and the entire UPJ community.”
Pecora led Pitt-Johnstown to a pair of NCAA Division II National Championships (in 1996 and 1999) and 25 NCAA Regional titles. His teams won five consecutive NCAA Regional titles from 2003 through 2007 and 10 in a row from 1992 through 2001. Pecora was named the NCAA Regional Coach of the Year 22 times and earned induction into nine halls of fame, including the Pitt-Johnstown, Pennsylvania Wrestling Coaches, NCAA Division II Wrestling, and National Wrestling Halls of Fame. … more at … https://psacsports.org/news/2024/9/9/general-psac-mourns-passing-of-pitt-johnstowns-pat-pecora.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 