Penn State Wrestling Gets a Home Game at the U.S. Olympic Wrestling Trials
Sixteen current, former or future Nittany Lions will compete at the Bryce Jordan Center for a trip to the Olympics.
Penn State wrestling gets a home game at the U.S. Olympic Wrestling Trials, where 16 current, former and future Nittany Lions are scheduled to compete for a trip to the 2024 Summer Olympics. The group includes an astonishing six wrestlers from Penn State’s 2024 roster that recently set a scoring record to win its third consecutive team title at the NCAA Wrestling Championships.
Here’s a look at the wrestlers from Penn State’s past, present and future who will compete at the U.S. Olympic Trials:
Nittany Lions legacies
Three-time world champ, and returning Olympic champion, David Taylor leads the way, as he seeks to defend his 86 kg freestyle title in Paris. Taylor has a bye into the best-of-three championship series finals Saturday night at the Bryce Jordan Center. The loaded 86 kg field features five other current, former or future Penn State wrestlers, including NCAA champs Mark Hall (2017) and Max Dean (2022).
Three-time NCAA champ Zain Retherford is among the favorites at 65 kg and has a bye into the challenge tournament semifinals. … more at … SI.com/Penn-state-wrestling-2024-usa-wrestling-olympic-trialy-bryce-jordan-center
And …
How to watch live U.S. Olympic Team Trials – Wrestling live on Peacock and USA Network
Wrestling Olympic Trials from Penn State University in State College, Pa., Begin This Friday at 10 a.m. ET on Peacock
Commentators: Jason Knapp, Jim Scherr, and Zora Stephenson
Wrestling Coverage Continues NBC Sports’ Record Coverage of U.S. Olympic Team Trials Ahead of Paris Olympics
All Events Stream Live on Peacock
STAMFORD, Conn. – April 17, 2024 – NBC Sports presents live coverage of the U.S. Olympic Team Trials – Wrestling with over 60 hours of live coverage across Peacock and USA Network over two days from the Bryce Jordan Center at Penn State University in State College, Pa., beginning on Peacock this Friday, April 19, with all four mats from Session 1 at 10 a.m. ET. Live coverage of the Wrestling Trials concludes on Saturday, April 20, with the finals at 6:30 p.m. ET on USA Network and Peacock.
Throughout Friday and Saturday, Peacock will individually stream all four mats for both morning sessions, as well as a quad box option for each. Additionally, the Challenge Tournament will be presented on USA Network and Peacock on Friday at 6:30 p.m. ET, with the Finals on Saturday also on USA Network and Peacock on 6:30 p.m. ET. All Olympic Trials coverage this weekend will also stream via NBCOlympics.com and the NBC Sports app. … more at … Themat.com/How-to-watch-live-u-s-olympic-team-trials-wrestling-live-on-peacock-and-usa-network
And …
SIX HUSKERS TO COMPETE AT U.S. OLYMPIC TEAM TRIALS
Six Nebraska wrestlers will compete in the U.S. Olympic Team Trials this weekend at the Bryce Jordan Center in University Park, Pa. The two-day event on Friday, April 19 and Saturday April 20, will determine the United States’ representatives at the Paris 2024 Summer Olympic Games.
Six former Huskers have qualified for the event, as Liam Cronin (57 kg), James Green (65 kg), Jordan Burroughs (74 kg), Tyler Berger (74 kg), Eric Schultz (97) and Christian Lance (125 kg) will all compete.
This group is led by the most decorated champion in U.S. wrestling history and top-seeded Burroughs who will wrestle the winner of Levi Haines and Alex Facundo first. No. 3 seed Green also received a bye in the opening round and will face the winner of Jesse Mendez and Joey McKenna in the quarterfinals. Lance was awarded the sixth seed and will wrestle Greg Kerkvliet in the finals, while Cronin and Schultz both received a seventh seed with Cronin wrestling Jax Forrest and Schultz facing Isaac Trumble. Rounding out the group is Berger who is a 10th seed and will meet Alex Marinelli in the opening round. The event begins on Friday with sessions at 9 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. (CT). … more at … Huskers.com/Six-huskers-to-compete-at-us-olympic-team-trials
TDR Top 12 Team includes 4 Tarboro wrestlers – TDR # 31 – 85
Pictured above are (L-R) the old TDR Editor Fleming, Tarboro High catcher Stephen Rubistello, N.E.C.P. wrestlers Holton Quincy, Ryan Mann and Colton Lewis.
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On Tuesday April 16th, before the Tarboro baseball game with North East Carolina Prep, The TakeDown Report presented the TDR Top 12 team plaques to four outstanding wrestlers in the town of Tarboro. TDR Editor Martin Fleming presented the award plaques to State Champion Ryan Mann, State Champion Holton Quincy, State Placer Colton Lewis and State Placer Stephen Rubistello (who is also a pretty good baseball player).
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Iowa State’s David Carr claims Amateur Wrestling News’ 9th annual Hammer Award
Iowa State’s David Carr claims Amateur Wrestling News’ 9th annual Hammer Award for winning most competitive weight at NCAAs
Amateur Wrestling News will present The Hammer, its annual award, to Iowa State’s David Carr.
The award is presented to the wrestler who wins the national title at what the writers at AWN determine to be the most competitive weight class during the NCAA Tournament.
Carr won the 165-pound title in Kansas City, defeating Penn State’s Mitchell Mesenbrink in the finals and two-time NCAA champ Keegan O’Toole in the semifinals. Carr won his first NCAA title in 2022, but at 157 pounds. There were eight returning All Americans at 165 pounds. Carr finished the season 17-2.
Past Hammer recipients include Logan Stieber, Alex Dieringer, Spencer Lee, Zahid Valencia, Bo Nickal, Nick Lee, Keegan O’Toole, and Vito Arujau. … more at … Themat.com/Iowa-state-s-david-carr-claims-amateur-wrestling-news-9th-annual-hammer-award
Active College Coaches – Top 25 part 3- NCAA Division I & All Colleges – TDR # 31-84
Top 25 Active College Coaches’ Lists as of March 2024
Recent retirees are included and noted in the lists. The following are active head coaches now or in a recent year. We welcome input and corrections. Contact us at martinkfleming@gmail.com
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2024 ACTIVE Coaches – Top 30 w/at least 245 wins Wins &-Level
- Pat Pecora (Pitt-Johnstown) 661 – II (15)
- John Smith (Oklahoma State Univ.) 490– I (14) to retire in 2024
- Roger Crebs (Lycoming College) 450 – III (11)
- Lonnie Morris (Johnson & Wales) 446 – III (24)
- Tom Borelli (Central Michigan, Lake Superior St.) – 414 – I, II (8) to retire 2024
- Bruce Haberli (New York Univ./Manhattan Coll.) 394 – III (10) up 1
- Ron Beaschler (Ohio Northern Univ.) 391 – III (17) up 1
- Mike Denney (Maryville Univ./Nebr.-Omaha) 389 – II — retired in 2023
- Rob Koll (Cornell Univ.) 345 – I (11)
- Brian Smith (Missouri/Syracuse) 336—I (10)
- Steve Costanzo (St. Cloud St. Univ./Dana College) 333 II (14) up 1
- Dave Mitchell (Luther (IA) 327 – III (12) up 1
- Jim Makovsky (Minn. St.-Mankato/Valley City St.) 326 – II (2) down 2
- Tom Ryan (Ohio State/Hofstra) 322 – I (15)
- Tim Fader (Wisc.-Eau Claire, Whitewater, La Crosse) 319 – III (19) up 1
- Mark Manning (Nebraska/Northern Iowa) 315 – I (12) down 1
- Martin Nichols (Ithaca College) 313 – III (14)
- Jim Zalesky (Jamestown/Oregon State/Iowa) 297 – I/NAIA (6)
- Tom Brands (Iowa, Va. Tech) – 294 – I (12) up 1
- Jon Laudenslager (Wilkes University) – 290 – III (8)
- Paul Keysaw (Fresno City/Moorpark College) 287 – Cal. Jr.Coll. (9)
- John Oostendorp (Coe College) 278 – III (12)
- Jay Jones (Rhode Island College) – 274 – III (13)
- Bryan Brunk (Messiah College) – 266 – III (11)
- Tim Flynn (West Virginia Un./Edinboro Univ.) – 264- I (10)
- Joel Greenlee (Ohio University) – 251 – I (7)
- Franky James (Campbellsville/U. Tenn.-Chattanooga) – 251 – NAIA/I (16) up 4
- Roger Reina (Pennsylvania, Univ. of) 248 – I (6) down 1
- Cael Sanderson (Penn State, Iowa State) – 247 – I (12) up 1
- Pat Popolizio (North Carolina State, SUNY-Binghampton) – 245 – I (14) up 3
Top 25 Division I ACTIVE Coaches with at least 135 Wins
- John Smith (Oklahoma State Univ.) 490 — retiring in 2024
- Tom Borelli (Central Michigan) 368 — retiring in 2024
- Rob Koll (U.N.C./Stanford/Cornell U.) 345
- Brian Smith (Missouri/Syracuse) 336
- Tom Ryan (Ohio State/Hofstra) 322
- Mark Manning (Nebraska/Northern Iowa) 315
- Tom Brands (Iowa & Virginia Tech) 294
- Jim Zalesky (Oregon State/Iowa) 278 now at NAIA school
- Tim Flynn (W.V.U./Edinboro St.) 264
- Joel Greenlee (Ohio Univ.) 251
- Roger Reina (Pennsylvania, Un. Of) 248
- Cael Sanderson (Penn State, Iowa State) – 247
- Pat Popolizio (North Carolina St., SUNY-Binghampton) – 245
- Kevin Dresser (Iowa State/Virginia Tech Univ.) 241
- Pat Santoro (Lehigh University, Maryland) 232
- Scott Goodale (Rutgers University) – 221
- Jim Andrassy (Kent State Univ.) 203
- Steve Garland (Virginia University) 188
- John Stutzman (Buffalo SUNY, Bloomsburg) – 186
- Dan Wirnsberger (Bucknell, Bloomsburg) 178
- Chris Bono (Wisconsin/South Dakota/U.Tenn.Chatt.) 153 up 1 spot
- Jay Weiss (Harvard Univ.) – 151
- John Mark Bentley (Appalachian State) – 144
- Jason Borelli (American/Stanford Univ.) – 139
- Mark Branch (Wyoming Univ.) – 137
Oklahoma State Legend John Smith Announces Retirement
STILLWATER – Oklahoma State legend John Smith announced his retirement Thursday, ending a 33-year run as head coach of the Cowboy wrestling program. The legacy of his career is astounding.
Under his watch, OSU produced five NCAA team championships, 33 NCAA individual championships, 490 dual wins, 153 All-America honors, 23 team conference championships, 132 individual conference championships and two Hodge Trophy winners. His accomplishments place him among the top coaches in the history of the sport.
Smith, 58, is the longest tenured wrestling coach in Oklahoma State history and trails only James Wadley (men’s tennis) and Henry Iba (men’s basketball) as the longest tenured head coaches at OSU, regardless of sport.
His 490-73-6 career dual record gives him the most wins in school history and the third-most wins in the history of Division I wrestling. His numbers for All-Americans, conference championships and individual conference champions are the most at OSU by a wide margin and are believed to be the most in NCAA wrestling history.
He also coached his teams to eight perfect dual season records, an all-time conference record of 171-24-5 and 21 top-five finishes at the NCAA Championships. His wrestlers won better than 70 percent of more than 16,000 bouts during his time as head coach and went on to claim double-digit spots on Team USA at the world level. “It has been an honor to coach for more than 32 years at the same institution,” Smith said. “I can’t even begin to tell you what Oklahoma State has done for me, my wife, my immediate family and brothers and sisters who all graduated from OSU. My journey started at age 17 here at Oklahoma State and it has allowed me to accomplish everything I ever wanted.”
Beyond the numbers, Smith is recognized widely for his contributions to the sport. He is a Distinguished Member of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame, a two-time selection as the National Wrestling Coaches Association coach of the year and a 15-time selection as conference coach of the year. He was also the first wrestler to be inducted into the Oklahoma Hall of Fame and is a member of the Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame. “Coach Smith is a hero and truly the greatest of all time,” … rest at … OKstate.com/Cowboy-wrestling-oklahoma-state-legend-john-smith-announces-retirement
Active College Coaches – Top 25 part 2- NCAA Divisions II & III – TDR # 31-83
Top 25 Active College Coaches’ Lists as of March 2024
Recent retirees are included and noted in the lists. The following are active head coaches now or in a recent year. We welcome input and corrections. Contact us at martinkfleming@gmail.com
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Top 25 Division II ACTIVE Coaches with at least 79 wins
- Pat Pecora (Pitt-Johnstown) 661
- Mike Denney (Maryville Univ./Nebr.-Omaha) 389 – retired in 2023
- Steve Costanzo (St. Cloud Univ.&Dana College) 333
- Jim Makovsky (Minn. St.-Mankato/Valley City St.) 326
- Robert Fisher (Kutztown Univ.) 241
- Doug Henry (Gannon Univ.) 234
- Heath Grimm (Upper Iowa Univ.) 229
- Jason Reitmeier (Augustana College-S.D.) 225
- Mike Wehler (Mercyhurst, West Liberty State) 215
- James Kisgen (McKendree) 173 {II} since 2010
- R.C. LaHaye (Lander/Grand Canyon) 135
- Othello ‘O.T.’ Johnson (U. N.C.-Pembroke) 133
- Jason Warthan (Indianapolis Univ.) 132
- Jason Ramstetter (Adams State College) 131
- Chuck Piper (Colorado Mesa) 129– retired in 2022
- Kenn Caudell (Belmont-Abbey College) 127 – retired in 2023
- Dalton Jensen (Nebraska-Kearney) 112
- Shawn Nelson (Findlay Univ.) 107 inc.
- Seth Bloomquist (Shippensburg State) 105
- Todd Steidley (Central Oklahoma) 101
- Dax Charles (Colorado State-Pueblo) 94
- Dock Kelly (Anderson) 93 now at NAIA school
- Brett Hunter (Chadron State) 88
- Brian Tucker (Seton Hill) 87
- Joey Simcoe (Grand Valley/Tiffin) 79
- Danny Irwin (Wheeling Jesuit/West Liberty) 79
ACTIVE Coaches(D-III)– Top 25 (or so) with at least 150 wins
- Roger Crebs (Lycoming College) 450
- Lonnie Morris (Johnson & Wales) 446
- Ron Beaschler (Ohio Northern Univ.) 391
- Bruce Haberli (New York University) 345
- Dave Mitchell (Luther College) 327
- Tim Fader (Wisc.-Eau Claire/Whitewater/La Crosse) 319
- Martin Nichols (Ithaca College) 313
- Jon Laudenslager (Wilkes University) 290
- John Oostendorp (Coe College) 278
- Jay Jones (Rhode Island College) 274
- Bryan Brunk (Messiah College) 266
- Brad Bruhn (SUNY-Cortland) 236 – retired in 2022
- Dave Malecek (Wisconsin-LaCrosse State) 232
- Sebastian Amato (Trinity College) 228
- Drew Black (Wesleyan Univ.) 227
- Duane Ritter (SUNY Oneonta State) 207
- Jon Egan (Roger Williams) – 193
- Mike Howard (SUNY-Oswego State) 189
- Eric Keller (Wartburg College) – 183
- Jon McGovern (Dubuque University) – 178
- Craig Thurber (Thiel College) – 171
- Jamie Gibbs (Baldwin-Wallace) – 169
- Brian Anderson (Wabash College) – 167
- Joe Galente (College of New Jersey) 158
- Leo Kocher (University of Chicago) 154 – inc. retiring in 2024
Active College Coaches – Top 25 part 1- NAIA, Women’s & Junior College – TDR # 31-82
Top 25 Active College Coaches’ Lists as of March 2024
Recent retirees are included and noted in the lists. The following are active head coaches now or in a recent year. We welcome input and corrections. Contact us at martinkfleming@gmail.com
ACTIVE NAIA Coaches – Top 25 with at least 54 wins
- Franky James (Campbellsville) 251
- Mike Machholz (Missouri Valley) 232 – retired in 2022
- Nick Mitchell (Grand View College) 182
- Corey Ruff (Cumberlands/Lindsey-Wilson) 135
- Tyson Thivierge (Montana State Northern) 121
- Omi Acosta (Life University) 109
- Jake Stevenson (Morningside College) 104
- Dana Vote (Doane, Midland, Concordia) 101
- Jeff Bedard (Reinhardt Univ.) 101
- K.C. Rock (Embry-Riddle College) 98
- Thomas Pompei (Indiana Institute of Technology) 96
- Rik Dahl (Northwestern College) — 90
- Joey Martinez (Menlo) — 88
- James Hicks (Cumberland Univ./Darton — 77
- Todd Allen (Williams Baptist Coll., Cumberlands) – 69 – retired in 2022
- Colby Crank (Ottawa College) 68
- Steven Bradley (Marian Univ.) — 66
- Brian Jackson (Missouri Baptist) — 66 inc.
- James Kisgen (McKendree College) — 66 school now in Div. II
- Joe Privitere (Briar Cliff) — 62
- Brandon Jorge (Southeastern) 60
- Lennie Zalesky (Calif. Baptist Univ.) — 55 – now a D-I school
- Beau Vest (Dana-Midland) — 55 – coaching now at another level
- Dustyn Azure (Eastern Oregon) — 54
- Cody Garcia (Baker College) — 54 —coaching now at another level
ACTIVE Women’s Coaches across all divisions – Top 25 with 25 or more wins
- Jason Moorman (King Univ.) 172
- Lee Miracle (Campbellsville) 112
- Donnie Stephens (Univ. of the Cumberlands) 89
- Sam Schmitz (McKendree Univ.) 77 – retired in 2022
- Ashley Sword-Buster (Life University) 73
- Paul Rademacher (Indiana Institute of Tech./South. Oregon) 65
- Brian Jackson (Missouri Baptist) 56 – inc. – retired in 2022
- Aaron Meister (Friends/Wayland Baptist) 55
- Carl Murphree (Missouri Valley College) 52 — inc
- Joe Norton (North Central College) 48
- Nick Goebel (Tiffin Univ.) 44
- Travis Mercado (Colorado Mesa Univ.) 43
- Pauline Biega (Sacred Heart University) 40
- Tony DeAnda (Presbyterian Jamestown) 39 – inc.
- Mahdi Bigdely (Ottawa Univ.) 36
- Joel Gibson (Southern Oregon) 35
- Joey Bareng (Menlo College) 33 – inc. retired in 2022
- Angelo Crinzi (Grand View Univ.) 31
- Devane Dodgens (Brewton-Parker) 30
- Annabel Nieves (East Stroudsburg Univ.) 30
- Cliff Cushard (Adrian College) 29
- Matt Stevens (Oklahoma City Univ.) 29
- Shaunna Isbell Kent (Jamestown) 29
- Bryce Killian (Emmanuel College) 28
- Cole Spree (Indian Hills C.C.-Ceentreeville) 26
- Cody Griswold (Elmira College) 25
ACTIVE Coaches– Top 25 JUCO with at least 22 wins
- Joe Renfro (NE Okla. A&M/Labette, Kan.) 244
- Luke Moffitt (Iowa Central Comm. Coll.) 205
- Josh Rhoden (Clackamas Comm. Coll.) 169 – retired in 2022
- Keith Maute (Niagara County C.C.) 100
- Jim Zeigler (Northwest Wyoming) 100 inc.
- Josh Watts (Iowa Western Comm. Coll.) 90 inc.
- Art Castillo (Western Wyoming) 84 inc.
- Cole Spree (Indian Hills C.C./Ellsworth) 79
- Cody Alesch (Iowa Lakes Comm. Coll) 67
- Dan Loprieno (Harper College) 62 — inc
- Ken Krepley (Pratt Comm. Coll.) 61
- Adam Whitlach (S.Wern Oregon C.C.) 56 inc.
- Greg Papa (Camden County Comm. Coll.) 55 inc.
- Philip Pine (Grays Harbor College) 55 – retired in 2022
- Steve Kelly (North Iowa C.C.) 54
- Justin Signorelli (SUNY-Alfred/SUNY-Ulster) 41
- Beau Vest (Cowley Comm. Coll.) 41
- Paul Schmidt (Nassau Comm. Coll.) 39 inc.
- Chris Leese (Penn State Mont Alto) 38 inc.
- Mike Bammes (Barton Comm. College) 36
- Jeff Vest (Labette Comm. Coll.) 34
- Tim Duggan (Triton C.C.) 32
- John Chillem (Camden Co. C.C.) 28
- Kimball Bastian (Snow College) 23
- Jake Lords (Carl Albert) 22
West Carteret’s Kenley Riley earns All-American
All-American Kenley Riley!
Riley took 7th at the National High School Coaches Association’s Virginia Beach Nationals last weekend. Her record there was 6-2 and becomes the 4th West Carteret wrestler to achieve All-American status. Previous All-Americans are Roy Heverly ’84, Ty Roach ’04, Wood Mancuso ’14. Kenley is the first female wrestler to gain this honor.
College Conference Honors
2023-24 InterMat’s Year-End MAC Awards
The 2023-24 season is in the record books, but before moving on, it’s time to salute the top performers in each conference. Yesterday, we started with the Big 12 conference; now, onto the MAC.
MAC Wrestler of the Year: Anthony Noto (Lock Haven)
This makes for the third consecutive year that Anthony Noto has been honored in our year-end awards. He was named the conference wrestler of the year in 2023, and in 2022, the freshman (newcomer) of the year.
Noto came into the 2023-24 season ranked second in the preseason after a fourth-place finish in 2023. At two points during this year, Noto held the number one spot in the nation. A few weeks after competing in the All-Star Classic, Noto defeated the eventual ACC champion, Jakob Camacho (NC State), who was ranked #1 in the country, at the time.
At the 2024 MAC Championships, Noto used a 13-5 major decision over Blake West to claim his third consecutive conference title. In doing so, Noto became the first Lock Haven wrestler to win three conference championships since 1997. Despite dominating the MAC, Noto was given the 12th seed … more at … Intermatwrestle.com/MAC/2023-24-intermats-year-end-mac-awards
And …
2023-24 InterMat’s Year-End Big Ten Awards
This season we saw a ton of parity. Outside of the Happy Valley dominance, we saw Iowa defeat Nebraska, Nebraska defeat Michigan, and Michigan defeat Iowa. Not to mention how 125-pound wrestlers basically all defeated each other and couldn’t hang on to the top ranking. But with all that, no team shined brighter than Penn State which is why they swept our B1G awards.
B1G Ten Wrestler of the Year: Aaron Brooks (PSU)
What a dominant year for Brooks who capped off his career with a fourth title, an undefeated record and a near 91% bonus rate. In addition to a flawless season that included 11 technical falls, six pins, and three major decisions, Brooks also had a 96.74%-win percentage with just three losses in five years – two of which he avenged during that same season.
But this season was by far his best as he increased his Bonus % by a little over 25%. His only wins that came by regular decision were against Iowa’s Zach Glazier during the dual meet – a win he then impressed up by recording a 19-3 tech fall over in the conference tournament and NC State’s Trent Hidlay in the NCAA finals. … more at … Intermatwrestle.com/BIG-10/2023-24-intermats-year-end-big-ten-awards
And …
2023-24 InterMat’s Year-End SoCon Awards
The 2023-24 season is in the record books, but before moving on, it’s time to salute the top performers in each conference. We’ve already hit on the ACC, Big Ten, Big 12 , EIWA , MAC and Pac-12. Let’s finish up with the SoCon!
SoCon Wrestler of the Year: Taye Ghadiali (Campbell)
He got his hand raised 36 times throughout the 2023-24 season, but none was bigger for Taye Ghadiali than when it happened in the NCAA bloodround after a win over #5 Nathan Taylor (Lehigh) the EiWA champion. In doing so, Ghadiali became just the second Campbell wrestler to earn NCAA All-American honors and the first under current head coach Scotti Sentes. Earlier in the tournament, Ghadiali earned wins over both ACC finalists. He would go on to finish eighth in the nation. One of the highlights of the regular season for Ghadiali was a third-place finish at the loaded Cliff Keen Las Vegas Invitational. In six matches, Ghadiali notched wins over four eventual national qualifiers.
Coming into Vegas, Ghadiali started the year 7-0 with bonus points in each of his seven contests – including three falls over eventual NCAA qualifiers. In the SoCon, Ghadiali was head and shoulders above the competition. None of his regular season duals or conference tournament matches went the full seven minutes. That meant that Ghadiali made his fourth SoCon final and captured his third title with little resistance. Ghadiali finished the season with a 36-6 record … more at … Intermatwrestle.com/SoCon/2023-24-intermats-year-end-socon-awards
And …
2023-24 InterMat’s Year-End ACC Awards
The 2023-24 season is in the record books, but before moving on, it’s time to salute the top performers in each conference. We’ve already hit on Big Ten, Big 12 , EIWA and MAC; so now we’re onto the ACC.
ACC Wrestler of the Year: Caleb Henson (Virginia Tech)
The Virginia Tech Hokies got their second-ever NCAA individual championship as Caleb Henson prevailed over the field at 149 lbs in Kansas City. After a controversial ACC finals loss, Henson was saddled with the fourth seed, though he spent a large chunk of the 2023-24 campaign ranked second in the country. That didn’t matter to Henson as he reeled off three straight wins to earn a place in the NCAA semifinals.
In the semifinals, Henson was able to keep the dangerous, top-seeded Ridge Lovett (Nebraska) in check and pulled the slight upset, 1-0. Henson’s mat wrestling made the difference, as he was able to escape and Lovett did not choose bottom. The two had met earlier in the Cliff Keen Las Vegas Invitational finals and Lovett prevailed, 4-3. With the win over Lovett, Henson had earned victories over both of the wrestlers who had defeated him this season (He had beaten ACC finals opponent Jackson Arrington in their dual meet).
More importantly, the Lovett win ensured Henson a spot in the national finals, a feat only three wrestlers in Hokie history had accomplished before him. On the raised mat, Henson gave up an early takedown to the explosive Austin Gomez (Michigan) but never wavered. He kept his composure and put Gomez on his back in a sequence that blew open the finals contest. Henson poured it on to the tune of a 15-7 major decision. Not only did Henson make history for his school, but also for his home state. His win made him the first Georgia native to ever win a DI national title. … more at … Intermatwrestle.com/ACC/2023-24-intermats-year-end-acc-awards
And …
Bostic Named Conference Carolinas Men’s Wrestling Scholar Athlete of the Year
GREENVILLE, S.C. – Graduate JaQuez Bostic (Columbia, S.C.) of the Limestone Univeristy men’s wrestling team has been named Conference Carolinas Winter Scholar-Athelete of the Year as announced by the conference on Wednesday, April 3.
Bostic put together a solid run on his way to third place after picking up a win in the second round over Mount Olive’s Colby Teague. After falling in the third round, Bostic came back strong in the elimination bracket, taking a 2-1 decision over Dickey from UNC Pembroke. In the third-place bout, Bostic battled out a 4-2 decision over Kyler Pickard of Belmont Abbey.
The Scholar-Athlete awards Presented by Hudl are awarded annually to one individual in each Conference Carolinas sponsored sport. The Scholar-Athlete of the Year winners are chosen by the Conference Carolinas Student-Athlete Affairs and Awards Committee. To be considered, a student-athlete must have a cumulative grade-point average of 3.25 or higher. … more at … GOlimestonesaints.com/Bostic-named-conference-carolinas-mens-wrestling-scholar-athlete-of-the-year
At least eight Buffalo wrestlers enter transfer portal following head coach’s sudden exit
The list of transfers includes Nick Stampoulos and Sam Mitchell, who wrestled at the NCAA Championships
At least eight UB wrestlers have announced that they’ve entered the transfer portal in the five days since UB Athletics announced that wrestling head coach John Stutzman would not be returning for the 2024-25 season.
The list of transfers includes Nick Stampoulos and Sam Mitchell, who competed at the NCAA championships. Mitchell advanced to the second round, according to NCAA results. “Coach Stutz I will never forget all you have done for me. Hard work is not appreciated anymore, they will never understand the passion we have for the sport,” Stampoulos said in an Instagram post announcing his entrance into the transfer portal. “I am beyond grateful for all the opportunity to compete this year.”
At least three freshmen — Max Elton, Sam Ewing and Zach Evans — also announced they would be entering the portal. … more at … UBspectrum.com/Wrestlers-transfer-portal-john-stutzman
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 