Pleasantville’s Adriana Palumbo is first female New York wrestler to win Super 32 title
It’s nice to surprise others, and sometimes, it feels even better to surprise yourself. Wrap both feelings inside a highly-esteemed championship belt, and you might come close to how Pleasantville junior Adriana Palumbo felt after capturing the Super 32 title at Greensboro, North Carolina this past weekend.
“My anniversary for when I started wrestling is on Thanksgiving, actually, so it’ll be the two-year mark then,” Palumbo said. “If you’d ask me two years ago, what I would be doing in two years, I definitely would not say winning a national title. I’d probably tell you playing volleyball or something like that. I’ve definitely grown a lot in that aspect as a wrestler, but I’ve also grown as a person and learning how to take losses and use them to my advantage and motivate me to work harder. I’m just excited for what comes next.”
Palumbo became the first female wrestler from New York to ever capture a Super 32 championship, as she emerged on top in the 160-pound division.
She defeated Colorado native Matilda Hruby by tech fall midway through the second period in the championship match.
“She’s just been working really hard and improving every week,” Pleasantville wrestling coach Bob Bernarducci said. “Last year, she went to that tournament and she didn’t place, so I think she was very disappointed last year and she went down there with a certain goal in mind to win a tournament.”
The Super 32 is one of the biggest wrestling tournaments in the country. Each weight class is stacked with some of the best wrestlers in the nation. The Super 32 girls tournament was first added in 2017 to complement the boys.
Palumbo is an acclaimed grappler, entering the tournament as the No. 8 nationally-ranked 155-pound wrestler according to FloWrestling. There were eight other wrestlers nationally-ranked in the top 30 also competing in her weight class. The Pleasantville native was not going to be denied. She made her run to the title as the No. 4 seed and only gave up one point throughout the entire tournament.
Palumbo pinned Alabama’s Teegan Robinson to start her journey, and followed up with a tech fall of Missouri native Jayci Shelton in the quarterfinals.
Her semifinal bout with Ohio’s Erie Prep Academy top-seeded Alexandria Alli, a former Wyoming Seminary standout and No. 4 nationally-ranked wrestler at 170, was her biggest of the tournament. … rest of story at … Lohud.com/story/sports/high-school/wrestling/2023/10/25/pleasantville-adriana-palumbo-new-york-wins-super-32-national-wrestling-title
Greensboro College Will Host Ukraine Women’s National Wrestling Team
GREENSBORO, NC (10/25/2023) Greensboro College will host the Ukraine Women’s National Wrestling Team November 16-20. Winners of the 2022 United World Women’s Freestyle Wrestling World Cup, the team is currently spending two months in the United States promoting the sport and sharing the struggles the country is facing at home.
Founded in 1838 as a college for women, Greensboro College is also the first institution in North Carolina to offer women’s NCAA wrestling at the intercollegiate level. The Ukrainian athletes will visit the University of Iowa, the University of Dubuque, Cornell College, Avila University, and the USA Wrestling Training Center in Colorado Springs before arriving at Greensboro College next month.
Greensboro College President Dr. Lawrence Czarda sees the team’s visit as a community event to broaden connections and foster a deeper understanding of our world. “Hosting the Ukraine Women’s National Team is a wonderful opportunity, not only for the students and staff on campus, but also for the City of Greensboro and all of North Carolina to show our support for women in athletics and the people of Ukraine.”
Greensboro College athletes will train side-by-side with the world champions, and the greater college community will have opportunities to better understand the world through the eyes of these inspiring young women. The college will host a community clinic, a college panel discussion with the athletes, and the team will spend time learning about Greensboro’s connection to the U.S. Civil Rights movement. Young athletes interested in meeting and training with the Ukraine National Team are invited to a free clinic and exhibition on Saturday, November 18 8:30 a.m.-12 p.m at the Reynolds Athletic Center on the Greensboro College campus. Elementary, middle, and high school athletes can register by emailing gcwrestlingclinic@gmail.com.
A pride of lions symbolizes the strength and unity of Greensboro College Athletics. “We believe that we are one world and one pride, no matter from where you come,” says Dr. Czarda. “We are all One Pride.”
Greensboro College provides a contemporary liberal arts education grounded in the traditions of the United Methodist Church and fosters the intellectual, social, and spiritual development of all students while supporting their individual needs.
Founded in 1838 and located in downtown Greensboro, … rest of story … Yesweekly.com/education/greensboro-college-will-host-ukraine-womens-national-wrestling-team
UNC WRESTLING CONCLUDES PRESEASON WITH BLUE/WHITE WRESTLE-OFFS FRIDAY
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – The North Carolina wrestling program finishes off its preseason for the 2023-24 campaign Friday, while giving fans the first opportunity to see the Tar Heels this season, hosting the annual Blue and White Wrestle-Offs.
Free and open to the public, the action with begin at 7 PM inside Carmichael Arena.
Entering year one under former Carolina national champion Rob Koll, the program welcomes seven new faces to the mat.
Blue/White Wrestle-Offs Lineup:
174: Nolan O’Boyle vs. Omaury Alvarez
125: Spencer Moore vs. Marco Tocci
133: Jace Palmer vs. Caden McCrary
141: Lachlan McNeil vs. Derek Guanajuato
149: Connor Alexander vs. Jayden Scott
157: Danny Nini vs. Cullen Kane
165: Isaias Estrada vs. Marcus Murabito
174: Sabino Portella vs. Winner
184: Wilson Major vs. Chris Salazar
285: Adam Honis vs. Alberto Hernandez … GOheels.com/news/2023/10/26/wrestling-concludes-preseason-with-blue-white-wrestle-offs-friday
Isaac Trumble wins Gold Medal at U23 World Championships
RALEIGH, NC – NC State’s Isaac Trumble will have a little something extra in his luggage when he returns to US soil.
Wednesday afternoon Trumble earned a technical fall victory, 12-2, over Radu Lefter (Moldova), earning a gold medal (97 kg) at the U23 World Championships in Tirana, Albania.
He’s the first gold medal winner for NC State in any age division.
Trumble is a part of the first freestyle championship for the United States. Team USA earned first place with 148 points, followed by Turkey (113) and Azerbaijan (87).
Trumble blazed through the opening day, outscoring his opponents 35-4.
He jumped out to a commanding 8-0 lead at the break in the gold medal match and never looked back. Lefter scored a two-pointer and Trumble bounced back with a counter to go up 10-2.
Last season the Springfield, Nebraska native finished 21-6 as a 197-pounder. … rest of story at … GOpack.com/news/2023/10/25/wrestling-isaac-trumble-wins-gold-medal-at-u23-world-championships
U.S. Men’s freestyle wins team title, Trumble gets gold, Hardy earns Bronze, Jimenez, Blades to finals
OCT. 25, 2023, 04:13 P.M. (ET)
BY SAVANNAH ASMANN, USA WRESTLING
The United States locked up the team title in men’s freestyle Wednesday night at the 2023 U23 World Championships in Tirana, Albania. Team USA had six medalists for men’s freestyle, a new record for the U23 age group. Women’s freestyle began competition on Wednesday and saw Audrey Jimenez (50 kg) and Kennedy Blades (76 kg) reach the finals.
The United States men’s freestyle team has its fourth World champion of the tournament. Isaac Trumble (97 kg) bested Radu Lefter of Moldova in a 12-2 dominating technical fall. Trumble led early, taking Lefter down twice, forcing him out of bounds, and adding a takedown to lead 8-0 through the first three minutes. Lefter responded with a takedown, but it wasn’t enough as Trumble locked in the victory with two more takedowns. The Nebraska native, who wrestles for NC State, captured gold in his first international competition.
Cooper Flynn’s tournament came to an end in the repechage match at 57 kg. Flynn led early on a passivity call after Germany’s Niklas Stechele was put on the shot clock. In period two, Stechele scored on a step out, then added a point after Flynn was put on the clock. The match was back-and-forth, with Stechele getting the 3-2 win on a late step out point.
At 65 kg, Brock Hardy won his repechage match 7-4 over Moldova’s Pavel Grauer, advancing to the bronze medal match. Hardy, who wrestles for Nebraska, is heading home with a World bronze medal as he defeated Georgia’s Goga Otinashvili in a rough 8-5 decision. The Georgian was first on the board with a throw that scored four. Hardy fired back with a takedown but there was debate about Otinashvili’s knee to the mat, so the United States challenged the call. The officials ruled in favor of Georgia, and it was a 5-2 match. Hardy responded with three gritty takedowns to capture the bronze.
Doug Zapf fell in a close bronze medal match at 70 kg. Kanan Heybatov … rest of story at … Themat.com/U-S-men-s-freestyle-wins-team-title-trumble-gets-gold-hardy-earns-bronze-jimenez-blades-to-finals
Coalition leaders react to NCAA announcement that women’s wrestling is “on track for championship consideration”
A major milestone for women’s wrestling was achieved this past week, with the announcement from the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) that women’s wrestling is “on track for championship consideration.”
Women’s wrestling is currently one of six sports in the NCAA Emerging Sports for Women program, along with acrobatics and tumbling, equestrian, rugby, stunt and triathlon. From this group, wrestling became the most recent to meet the requirements to be considered for an NCAA Championship.
In a press release update about the Emerging Sports for Women program, the NCAA announced that “women’s wrestling is on track to become the NCAA’s 91st NCAA championship, based on the latest sports sponsorship data released this month.”
Women’s wrestling reached a major milestone when “more than 40 schools sponsored women’s wrestling at the varsity level and met the sport’s minimum competition and participant requirements in the 2022-23 academic year,” according to the NCAA release.
In 2017, a coalition of wrestling organizations made its initial application to the NCAA’s Committee on Women’s Athletics for Emerging Sport Status. The coalition updated its application in 2018, which then moved forward through the NCAA process. In 2020, all three divisions of the NCAA (Div. I, Div. II and Div. III) approved women’s wrestling as an NCAA Emerging Sport for Women.
Leaders from the wrestling organization in the women’s wrestling coalition that made the application and guided the sport through the NCAA process, have provided their comments about the sport now moving forward toward an official NCAA Championships.
Rich Bender, Executive Director, USA Wrestling
“This is wonderful news for women’s wrestling in America, the culmination of years of tireless efforts by many to provide the platform for women to wrestle on college’s highest stage. The best is yet to come for women’s wrestling in the United States.”
Sally Roberts, Founder and CEO, Wrestle Like A Girl
“This NCAA announcement is a landmark for women’s wrestling, signaling a transformative era for the sport. Through the combined advocacy by numerous partners at the high school and collegiate level, we’ve seen transformative growth in the number of girls and women participating in wrestling. This isn’t just about wrestling; it’s about creating expanded opportunities for young women, especially from first-generation college families, to pursue higher education and leadership roles. As we celebrate this milestone, our sights are set on the boundless potential and future of these emerging leaders in the sport.”
Mike Moyer, Executive Director, National Wrestling Coaches Association
“On behalf of the NWCA Board of Directors and our President, Coach Tony Ersland, we want to extend a heartfelt thanks … Read the complete NCAA announcement below:
Emerging Sports for Women update: Women’s wrestling on track for championship consideration
https://www.ncaa.org/news/2023/10/17/media-center-emerging-sports-for-women-update-womens-wrestling-on-track-for-championship-consideration.aspx
In its update on the six Emerging Sports, the NCAA reported the status of women’s wrestling for the 2022-23 academic year:
Women’s wrestling
2022-23: 51 teams reported sponsoring women’s wrestling, a 12-school uptick from 2021-22. Division III accounted for 30 schools in the 2022-23 sponsorship data, followed by 19 in Division II and two in Division I.
Average roster size: 15.
Season of competition Winter.
The women’s wrestling coalition is proud to announce that women’s wrestling continues its amazing growth at the NCAA level. There are 96 NCAA athletic departments which currently have a women’s wrestling varsity program or have announced that they are in the process of creating a women’s wrestling varsity team that will begin competition in the near future.
Wrestling for girls and women continues to grow rapidly across the nation and around the world. … rest of story at … NWCAonline.com/national-wrestling-coaches-association-coalition-leaders-react-to-ncaa-announcement-that-womens-wrestling-is-on-track-for-championship-consideration
Seven to be inducted into Jim Koch Division II Hall of Fame
MANHEIM, Pa.- The Division II Coaches Association is proud to announce the addition of seven members to the Jim Koch Division II Hall of Fame as a part of its class of 2024.
John Davis, Donovan McMahill, Matt Meuleners, Mario Morgan, Josh Shields, Roger Singleton and William Smith will all be inducted into the Jim Koch Hall of Fame July 26 at the Sawgrass Marriott as a part of the 2024 NWCA Convention festivities. Between the seven inductees for 2024 there are 10 Division II National Championships, 17 trips to the NCAA Division II National Finals, and 24 total NCAA Division II All-American finishes.
The first inductee, John Davis, is one of two honorees from Morgan State to be added to the Hall of Fame. Davis excelled in the early 1980s as a member of the Morgan State Bears, where the 158-pounder was a four-time All-American. Davis won DII national titles in 1983 and 1984, after finishing sixth and third in 1981 and ’82, respectively. He was also named the 1984 DII National Championships Most Outstanding Wrestler after winning his title, after a pair of pins en route to his second NCAA championship.
Donovan McMahill was a four-time National Qualifier, three-time All-American, a three-time national finalist, a two-time national champion, and completed his career on a 51-match winning streak for the Mountaineers of Western Colorado. The 2011 Most Outstanding Wrestler of the DII National Championships and DII Wrestler of the Year after winning his second-straight 197 pound National Championship, McMahill posted a 137-20 career record from 2007-11 for Western Colorado. He was also a three-time NCAA Regional Champion, the 2011 Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Wrestler of the Year and the 2008 RMAC Freshman of the Year. The 197-pounder is currently an assistant coach for his alma mater, and was inducted into the Mountaineer Sports Hall of Fame in 2021.
Matt Mueleners was the first 4-time All-American and second 2-time National Champion in Northern State wrestling program history. He is the only Northern State wrestler to win back-to-back national championships in the same weight class, taking the 285-pound championships in 2011 and 2012. A three-time National Finalist, Meuleners was runner up in 2013 and placed eighth at 197 in 2010, in addition to being the first National Champion for the Wolves with his 2011 title. He still holds the NSU record with 145 career wins, and was a four-time NSIC All-Conference performer and named the league’s Wrestler of the Year in the spring of 2012 following both a Super Region Championship and National Championship. Currently the head coach at the University of Sioux Falls, Mueleners was inducted into the Northern State Hall of Fame in 2023.
Mario Morgan was a four-time National Qualifier, three-time All-American and two-time National Finalist for Nebraska-Omaha. The NCAA DII National Champion at 141 pounds as a senior in 2011, Morgan was runner-up at the weight in 2010 as a junior. He was a three-time Regional Champion, and also took third at 141 at the 2009 NCAA Division II National Championships. Morgan sits 12th all-time in career wins for the storied Maverick program with a career record of 130-38, … rest of story at … NWCAonline.com/news/2023/10/24/ncaa-division-2-men-seven-to-be-inducted-into-jim-koch-division-ii-hall-of-fame
Talented U.S. World Team in women’s freestyle receives draw at U23 World Championships
TIRANA, Albania – The talented U.S. U23 World Team in women’s freestyle has received its draw for the U23 World Championships. The U.S. women freestylers will compete in Tirana, October 25-27.
Two-time Senior World champion and returning U23 World champion Amit Elor opens her 72 kg competition against 2020 Olympian and 2020 African Senior champion Zaneb Sghaier of Tunisia. In the top half-bracket, she could again face Wiktoria Choluj of Poland, who she beat in the 2022 U23 World finals.
At 65 kg, 2023 Senior World silver medalist and five-time age-group World medalist Macey Kilty draws Gilbery Garcia Franco of Venezuela, who was ninth in 2021 Pan American U23 Championships, in a pig-tail match. Kilty is in the top half-bracket. A win would put her against 2023 U20 World bronze medalist Ksenia Tsiarena (AIN-Belarus). Also in her half bracket is 2021 Senior World champion and three-time Senior World medalist Irina Ringaci of Moldova.
Overall, there are eight athletes on the U.S. U23 World Team who are on the Senior National Team for the United States, earning a ranking in the top three in the nation at their weight class. Seven of these athletes have won at least one age-group World medal in the past. Joining Elor and Kilty from the Senior National Team are Audrey Jimenez (50 kg), Katie Gomez (53 kg), Alisha Howk (55 kg), Xochitl Mota-Pettis (57 kg), Adaugo Nwachukwu (62 kg) and Kennedy Blades (76 kg).
Jimenez, who boasts three age-group World medals, opens against Ana Maria Torres Rubio of Spain, who was fifth in the 2016 and 2017 U17 World Championships. Jimenez is in the bottom bracket, and faces athletes from Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, AIN-Russia, UWW-India and Moldova in her half-bracket.
Gomez, a 2021 U17 World champion and two-time age-group World medalist, will compete first against Beatrice Ferent of Romania, … rest of story at … Themat.com/Talented-u-s-world-team-in-women-s-freestyle-receives-draw-at-u23-world-championships
Penn State Wrestler Aaron Brooks Rolls to U23 World Championship
Nittany Lion standout goes 5-0 in Albania to win U23 86kg title
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – Penn State Nittany Lion wrestler Aaron Brooks represented Penn State and Team USA at the United World Wrestling U23 World Championships in Tirana, Albania, on Tuesday and Wednesday. Brooks went 5-0 at 86 kg to win the U23 crown and become World Champion.
Brooks began the tournament with three impressive wins on Tuesday to advance to the semifinals. He posted a win over Turkey’s Ismail Kucuksolak and then rolled to a 10-0 technical fall over Owen James Martin of Canada. He then notched a quarterfinal victory over Moldova’s Ivan Ichizli to advance to the semifinals, going 4-0 on day one.
Brooks took on Arslan Bagaev of the Individual Neutral Athletes in the semis and worked his way to a 5-4 win. He met Tatsuya Shirai of Japan in the title bout on Wednesday. In Wednesday’s final against Shirai, Brooks opened up a 2-0 lead one minute into the first period. He dominated the opening period, notching a total of three takedowns, one four-pointer and a leg lace to end the bout, posting the 10-0 tech fall to win his world title.
Brooks is a four-time All-American and three-time NCAA Champion at 184 pounds. He returns for his final season this year when Penn State begins the new campaign.
The Nittany Lions open the 2023-24 campaign by taking part in the Journeymen Collegiate Classic on Sunday, Nov. 12. The round-robin individual event will take place at Freedom High School in Bethlehem, Pa. Penn State is coming off a season that saw it win its 10th NCAA National Championship under head coach Cael Sanderson (and the 11th in school history). The Nittany Lions also won the Big Ten Championship, the Big Ten Regular Season Championship and finished the year with a 16-0 dual meet record, 8-0 in the Big Ten. … rest of story at … GOpsusports.com/wrestling-penn-state-wrestler-aaron-brooks-rolls-to-u23-world-championship
O’Toole, Brooks, Hendrickson win gold, Cardenas captures bronze, Trumble in finals
BY SAVANNAH ASMANN, USA WRESTLING
The United States has more than one U23 World Champion in men’s freestyle for the first time in history. Keegan O’Toole, Aaron Brooks and Wyatt Hendrickson are 2023 U23 World Champions. Jacob Cardenas won a bronze medal, and the men’s freestyle team has the opportunity to capture eight World medals in Tirana, Albania.
The second group of men’s freestyle athletes saw Isaac Trumble advance to the finals, Doug Zapf earn a spot in the bronze medal match, and Cooper Flynn and Brock Hardy are in repechage.
Keegan O’Toole is a two-time age-group World Champion. In his finals match, O’Toole snagged two first period takedowns to lead 4-1 at the break. He added a takedown in the second period to defeat Imam Ganishov of (Individual Neutral Athlete) in the finals at 74 kg.
At 86 kg, Aaron Brooks was commanding in his finals match, dominating his opponent and winning by 10-0 technical fall. Brooks used three takedowns, one four-point move and tied up a leg lace to end it early. He returns to the top of the podium at an age-group World Championships, a place he knows all too well.
Wyatt Hendrickson became a U23 World Champion after besting Adil Misirci of Turkey in the finals at 125 kg. Hendrickson took a quick lead in the first period before unleashing an explosion on offense in the second period that led to a 13-3 technical fall. Hendrickson medals in just his second trip to an age-group World Championships.
It was a bronze medal for Jacob Cardenas as the United States went four-for-four in medal matches today. Cardenas scored the go-ahead takedown with just 33 seconds left in the contest. He is the second two-time U23 medalist in men’s freestyle for the United States.
Julian Chlebove’s tournament run came to an end in the morning session. Chlebove faced Mezhlum Mezhlumyan of Armenia in his repechage match, falling 11-0. Mezhlumyan is a 2023 U23 European Championships silver medalist.
In group two, Isaac Trumble secured a spot in the finals at 97 kg. Trumble navigated his way through a tough bracket, picking up wins over 2023 European Championships silver medalist Otkay Ciftci of Turkey and six time age-group World Team member Sergey Sargsyan of Armenia. Trumble will face Radu Lefter of Moldova in the finals tomorrow.
Doug Zapf guaranteed himself a spot in the bronze medal match, … rest of story at … Themat.com/news/2023/october/24/o-toole-brooks-hendrickson-win-gold-cardenas-captures-bronze-trumble-in-finals
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 