Takedown Report

Amateur Wrestling Reports

NCAA Wrestling Award Standings

NCAA women’s wrestling award standings update for the 2026 season
INDIANAPOLIS — The NCAA has released the standings for the 2026 NCAA Women’s Wrestling Awards. These will be awarded in March during the very first Women’s Wrestling Championship.
The three awards will honor the Most Dominant Wrestler as well as the student-athletes that have accumulated the most falls and the most technical falls throughout the course of the regular and postseasons.
For falls and tech falls to be counted for the awards they must come against opponents from other NCAA women’s varsity programs. Ties in the two categories are broken based on the aggregate time. 
This is the second week of standings of the Most Dominant Wrestler award, which is a 16-match minimum to qualify for the standings.
The Most Dominant Woman Wrestler standings are calculated by adding the total number of team points awarded through match results and dividing that number by the total number of matches wrestled. 
Points per match are awarded as follows:

  • Fall, forfeit, injury default or DQ = 6 points (-6 points for a loss)
  • Tech falls = 5 points (-5 points for a loss)
  • Major decision = 4 points (-4 points for a loss)
  • Decision = 3 points (-3 points for a loss)

🤼‍♀️ NEW HERE? Here’s everything you need to know about NC women’s wrestling
The leaderboard for Most Dominant Wrestler remains the same. First is Savanna Witt of Eastern with an average of 4.73. Next is Fort Hays State’s 180-pounder Isabella Renfro with a 4.68 average. Talisha Lewis rounds out the top three with an average of 4.56.
Ella Gahl of Manchester remains in the lead with 22 falls in 41:01. … more at … https://www.ncaa.com/news/wrestling-women/article/2026-02-18/ncaa-womens-wrestling-award-standings-update-2026-season
And …

NCAA men’s wrestling award standings update for the 2026 season
INDIANAPOLIS — The NCAA has released updated standings for the 2026 NCAA Men’s Wrestling Awards that will be awarded in March at the respective Division I, II and III Wrestling Championships. 
The inaugural NCAA Men’s Wrestling Awards were presented at the 2012 wrestling championships. The three awards, given in each division, honor the Most Dominant Wrestler as well as the student-athletes that have accumulated the most falls and the most technical falls throughout the course of the regular and postseasons. 
For falls and tech falls to be counted for the awards they must come against opponents in the same division (i.e. Division III vs. Division III). Ties in the two categories are broken based on the aggregate time. 
This is the second week of standings for the Most Dominant Wrestler award, which is a 16-match minimum to qualify for the standings.
The Most Dominant Wrestler standings are calculated by adding the total number of team points awarded through match results and dividing that number by the total number of matches wrestled. 

Points per match are awarded as follows:

  • Fall, forfeit, injury default or DQ = 6 points (-6 points for a loss)
  • Tech falls = 5 points (-5 points for a loss)
  • Major decision = 4 points (-4 points for a loss)
  • Decision = 3 points (-3 points for a loss)

RANKINGS: Latest DI NWCA Coaches Poll
Penn State’s Mitchell Mesenbrink continues to lead Division I with a 5.28 average and in second is Jesse Mendez of Ohio State with a 4.89 average.
Still in the lead for Division II is heavyweight Isaiah Vance with a 4.85 average. Taking second this week is Tiffin’s 165-pounder Nolan Gessler.
Division III top leaders stay the same. 157-pounder Trent Mahoney … more at … https://www.ncaa.com/news/wrestling-men/article/2026-02-18/ncaa-mens-wrestling-award-standings-update-2026-season

February 26, 2026 Posted by | Uncategorized | , | Leave a comment

West Virginia SSAC approves Girls Wrestling for 2026 season

WHEELING, W.Va. (WTRF) — The WVSSAC will introduce a new preliminary sanctioned sport for the 2026-2027 athletic season.
The West Virginia Secondary School Activities Commission Board of Directors voted on Tuesday night to approve girls wrestling as a preliminary sanctioned sport beginning next school year.
The decision officially establishes a WVSSAC girls wrestling state championship, supported by a regional qualifying format that will be conducted separately from the boys’ state wrestling tournament.
According to the WVSSAC, participation in girls’ wrestling has grown significantly. In 2023, 142 student-athletes participated in the sport, and this year, more than 300 student-athletes participated, representing 86 different schools.
WVSSAC Executive Director Wayne Ryan stated, “The WVSSAC is excited to add girls wrestling to our championship offerings. We’re proud of the growth and progress that this sport has made in recent years, and this move gives these athletes a clear pathway to compete for a state championship while allowing schools to continue strengthening and expanding their programs.”
Executive Director Ryan says the preliminary designation allows the sport to keep expanding without placing additional infrastructure demands of being a full team sanctioned sport.
Ryan says those demands require a minimum number of complete programs statewide, as well as adherence to national federation regulations that govern roster limits, … more at … https://www.wtrf.com/news/wvssac-approves-girls-wrestling-for-2026-season/

February 26, 2026 Posted by | Uncategorized | Leave a comment

University of Buffalo Mourns Passing of Legendary Wrestling Coach Ed Michael

BUFFALO, NY – Ed Michael, the winningest coach in University at Buffalo wrestling history, passed away on Wednesday at the age of 83. Michael spent 21 seasons as the Bulls head coach and after leaving his mark on the wrestling program, went on to serve the UB Division of Athletics for 18 years as an administrator and the Director of Recreation and Intramurals.  
As head coach from 1970-91, Michael guided the Bulls to a program-record 215 dual wins, highlighted by winning the 1978 Division III National Championship. He led UB to the New York State Collegiate Wrestling Championship seven times, as well as reaching top 20 NCAA rankings an impressive 13 occasions.
Michael coached 39 All-Americans, 27 New York Collegiate Individual Champions and 96 Tournament Champions. Eight of his wrestlers have been inducted into the Dr. and Mrs. Edmond J. Gecewicz UB Athletics Hall of Fame.   
A member of seven halls of fame, Michael, was an associate professor at UB and taught physical education classes for 21 years. He authored several sports journal publications and co-authored a wrestling book.  
In 1995, Michael and the 1978 national championship team were inducted into the UB Athletics Hall of Fame.  He was inducted again in 1997 as an individual. 
In 2011, UB honored him by naming their newly renovated wrestling facility the Ed Michael Wrestling Complex.
In 2016, he was inducted into the Greater Buffalo Sports Hall of Fame. … more at … https://ubbulls.com/news/2026/2/1/general-ub-mourns-passing-of-legendary-wrestling-coach-ed-michael

February 26, 2026 Posted by | Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Pair of Montreat College freshmen qualify for nationals

KANSAS CITY, Mo.— The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) officially announced the qualifiers for the 2026 NAIA Men’s Wrestling Championships on Tuesday evening, and according to the release, a pair of Montreat College freshmen will represent the Cavaliers in Park City, Kan., next week. Kane Bryson seized an at-large bid in the 125-lb weight class, while Boedi Kirkland did the same at 149.  
For Bryson and Kirkland, these selections marked the first of their collegiate careers. Meanwhile, it also marked the second time in program history in which the Cavs sent a pair of wrestlers to the national championships.  
A native of Canton, N.C., Bryson registered a 19-12 record in his debut season. The freshman placed fourth at the Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) Men’s Wrestling Championships last week, and he currently stands as the NAIA’s 23rd-rated wrestler at 125.  
Kirkland’s freshman campaign featured 31 victories, the most in a single season in program history. Overall, the nation’s No. 17-ranked wrestler at 149 owns a 31-10 record. Kirkland is coming off a sixth-place finish at the AAC Championships, where his only losses occurred due to injury. … more at .. https://montreatcavaliers.com/news/2026/2/24/mens-wrestling-pair-of-montreat-college-freshmen-qualify-for-nationals.aspx

February 26, 2026 Posted by | Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Appalachian State Leans On Sustained Culture Of Winning As Postseason Nears

Appalachian State’s track record of SoCon success is something coach JohnMark Bentley points to in an effort to get the Mountainers climbing toward March.
With roughly 50 days left in the NCAA men’s wrestling season, athletes around the country can feel a heightened sense of urgency with each passing moment. The season will be over before you know it — and for some, their college careers.
But amidst that ticking clock (and mounting pressure), Appalachian State head coach JohnMark Bentley wants his wrestlers to know they’re at a place perfectly suited to ready them for what’s ahead. That place — nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Boone, North Carolina — has been under Bentley’s stewardship for 17 years now.
During that tenure, the four-time national coach of the year finalist has amassed nearly half (13/28) of the program’s regular season/tournament titles as a member of the Southern Conference. He’s also helped produce 64 individual NCAA qualifiers, including four of the eight wrestlers in App State history to earn NCAA All-American honors. “We can point to the ratings and stuff that we’ve won over the last several years, (the) last decade, and you can talk about those and say, ‘Hey guys, this is evidence that we know how to prepare you for the postseason, and you can have confidence that you’re in a program that has a culture of sustained winning,” Bentley said. “I think just having our guys take confidence in that, like hey, you’re going to be the best version of yourself in March. “That’s how this program’s always been built. And yeah, there’s been some ups and downs throughout the season and competition, but that’s going to help prepare you for March. And you can take confidence in that because there’s results to back it up.”
Staying In The Fight
Sporting a 6-5 dual record to date (3-0 in the SoCon), the Mountaineers, like most teams, have had their highs and lows this season. Coach Bentley has regularly tested his guys against the best programs in the region, and this year is no different.
Of App State’s five dual losses, three have come against ranked power conference foes, including #9 NC State, #11 Virginia Tech and #17 West Virginia. … more at … https://www.flowrestling.org/articles/15319073-appalachian-state-leans-on-sustained-culture-of-winning-as-postseason-nears

February 25, 2026 Posted by | Uncategorized | | Leave a comment

Koy Buesgens Named ACC Wrestler of the Week

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Wolfpack wrestling’s 149 pounder, Koy Buesgens, has been named the ACC Wrestler of the Week, as announced by the conference Tuesday, February 24.
Continuing to shock the league, Koy Buesgens added his fifth ranked win to his resume for the season after defeating Cornell’s No. 2 Jaxon Joy on Friday. The 6-3 win in sudden victory for Buesgens marked the first loss for Joy this season (now 21-1). 
The Minnesota native now carries four top-10 wins this year heading into the postseason with a 20-2 record, with both of his losses being to top-10 opponents. Buesgens is now ranked No. 8 at 149 … more at … https://gopack.com/news/2026/2/24/wrestling-koy-buesgens-named-acc-wrestler-of-the-week

February 25, 2026 Posted by | Uncategorized | Leave a comment

This Week in ACC Wrestling

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (theACC.com) – The 2026 ACC Wrestling Regular-Season Dual Meet Championship will be decided Friday night as conference competition concludes with a pivotal slate of matchups across the league.  
No. 6 Virginia Tech controls its own destiny and can claim the title outright with a home victory over Duke on February 20. The Hokies enter the final weekend unbeaten in ACC action, and a win would secure a perfect 6-0 conference record and the outright regular-season championship.  
The title picture, however, could shift depending on the outcome in Blacksburg. No. 8 NC State will be watching closely, as a Duke victory over Virginia Tech would create a tie atop the standings. In that scenario, the Wolfpack and Hokies would each finish 5-1 in conference duals and share the 2026 ACC Wrestling Regular-Season Dual Meet Championship.  
Friday’s action features three ACC duals and a key non-conference matchup, all beginning at 7 p.m. ET. Cornell visits No. 8 NC State as the finale for the ACC Friday Night Duals airing on ACC Network, while No. 20 Stanford travels to No. 12 North Carolina and Virginia competes at No. 15 Pitt on ACCNX. Duke closes its conference schedule at No. 6 Virginia Tech on ACCNX.
The weekend continues Sunday as Cornell faces Duke at noon ET on ACCNX and No. 6 Virginia Tech competes at the Patriot Last Chance Open.
Tickets are on sale now for the 2026 ACC Wrestling Championship, scheduled for Sunday, March 8, at Cassell Coliseum in Blacksburg, Virginia. … more at … https://theacc.com/news/2026/2/19/this-week-in-acc-wrestling.aspx

February 25, 2026 Posted by | Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Olympian, World Medalist, Hall Of Fame Wrestler And Coach Bobby Douglas Passed Away At Age 83

Bobby Douglas, 83, a two-time Olympian, two-time World medalist, six-time U.S. World Team member, and National Wrestling Hall of Fame Distinguished Member for his lifetime accomplishments as a wrestler and coach, passed away from natural causes on Monday in Iowa.
Douglas was a trailblazer who left his mark on USA Wrestling history in numerous ways. He was a dedicated husband to his wife, Jackie. The couple had one son, Bobby Jr. No plans for a memorial service for Douglas will be made available. The family is appreciative of the love and support for Bobby and asks for privacy during this time.
Douglas represented the U.S. at the 1964 Olympic Games in Tokyo, Japan, and the 1968 Olympic Games in Mexico City, Mexico. He was the first black American to wrestle in the Olympic Games, and was captain of the 1968 Olympic Team, which was also a first. He competed at six Senior World Championships from 1963 to 1970, with appearances in both Greco-Roman and men’s freestyle. He collected two men’s freestyle World medals—silver in 1966 in Toledo, Ohio, and bronze in 1970 in Edmonton, Canada.
Prior to his Senior level run of success, Douglas was a 1962 NAIA champion and 1963 NCAA runner-up at West Liberty State. He transferred to Oklahoma State for the 1964-65 season, where he won the Big 8 Championships. As a prep, Douglas was a two-time Ohio state champion for Bridgeport High School.
Douglas transitioned to coaching in 1973, leading UC Santa Barbara, before moving to Arizona State the following year. He led the Sun Devils to new heights over 18 years as head coach, earning the program’s only NCAA title in 1988, nine conference titles and nine top-10 NCAA finishes, plus coaching two individual NCAA champions—Eddie Urbano (1985) and Dan St. John (1989, 1990)—37 conference champions and 58 All-Americans. Douglas added 14 seasons as head coach at Iowa State from 1992-2006, coaching individuals to 10 NCAA titles, 31 conference titles and 52 NCAA All-America honors.
Douglas coached many notable athletes, … more at … https://www.themat.com/news/2026/february/24/two-time-olympian-hall-of-fame-wrestler-and-coach-bobby-douglas-passes-away-at-age-83

February 25, 2026 Posted by | Uncategorized | , , , | Leave a comment

Preliminary Final Girl’s TDR Top 12 – 2026 — (100 – 120 lbs.)

Editor’s Notes; The Preliminary Final TDR Top 12 List of Girl’s Eastern North Carolina. These are the 4 lightest weight classes.
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RnkWght.NameTeamGr.W.L.Pct.Reg.Dists.State
1100Johnson, IzabellaCroatan28430###5A1st1st
2100Huang, YesanLaney263960.8678A1st2nd
3100Vee, AlainaSwansboro283890.8096A2nd4th
4100Ayala-Garcia, AngelicaManteo26482###1A-4A1stw1
5100Yeatts, PerryCurrituck Co.2929140.6745A2ndw1
6100Van Pelt, CharlotteJacksonville283260.8426A3rdw1
7100Ostlund, TeresaFirst Flight2925130.6581A-4A3rdL2
8100Knight, ZanyahFranklinton273880.8266Aw2 ——-
9100Raygoza, IsabellaSouth Brunswick2723140.6225A3rdL2
10100Cardenas, FrancecaPasquotank County2730150.6671A-4Aw2 ——-
12100Hernandez-Ruiz, MadisonFarmville Central282070.7411A-4Aw1 ——-
1107Austin, AlissaFirst Flight284550.9001A-4A1st3rd
2107Smith, PeytonJacksonville273540.8976A1st3rd
3107Cline, RyleighSwansboro274060.8706A3rd2nd
4107Aremia, KadanceEast Wake2738110.7767A3rd3rd
5107Lee, AngelNorth Lenoir273570.8331A-4A2ndw1
6107Flores, RosaSpring Creek2641200.6721A-4A3rdL2
7107Hunt, CheyenneCroatan2837130.7405A4thL2
8107Roberts, AbigailTopsail271580.6527A4thL2
9107Rivers, KayleeEastern Wayne272140.8401A-4Aw2 ——-
10107Maddalena, SarahDixon2725180.5815A3rdw1
12107Kennedy, BrooklynRosewood2838200.6551A-4A4thL2
12107Moore, MadelineWake Forest2627120.6927Aw2 ——-
1114Hijawi, ZainabSouth Central26410###7A1st1st
2114Foy, MorganOnslow Early College263370.8251A-4A4th1st
3114Lovett, NyimaJ.H. Rose263580.8146A1st2nd
4114Bilbrey, MackynzieNorthside (Jax)291430.8245A1st3rd
5114Vindigni, JulianneCleveland272480.7507A3rd3rd
6114Lanni, BellaSouth Brunswick2824140.6325A3rd4th
7114Lee, SavannahRosewood264480.8461A-4A2ndw1
8114Ramirez-Padilla, MiaSwansboro293380.8056A3rdw1
9114Durham, HelenWakefield2844150.7468A3rdw1
10114Holton, MyrezzaManteo265090.8471A-4A3rdL2
12114Huff, ElizabethJ.F. Webb271880.6925A4thL2
12114Sano, ZoeyFranklinton292080.7146Aw3 ——-
12114Sanders, MajestyWake Forest263490.7917Aw3 ——-
1120Reese, KhiryRosewood27582###1A-4A1st1st
2120Miller, AdrianaWhite Oak27384###6A1st1st
3120Simpson, SkylaFirst Flight272340.8521A-4A2nd2nd
4120Garcia, AbbyHavelock284390.8275A1st3rd
5120Garcia, LaraFranklinton283870.8446A3rd3rd
6120Lissoni, AnaDixon2922100.6885A2ndw1
7120Sanchez, AdelaideLejeune2819100.6551A-4A3rdw1
8120Barrett, JordynTopsail2722130.6297A4thL2
9120Smith, KensiCroatan2931190.6205A4thL2
10120Yopp, GracieSouth Brunswick282060.7695Adnw ——-
12120Romero, ZuanyNorthern Nash2724120.6676Aw2 ——-

February 25, 2026 Posted by | Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Preliminary Final Girl’s TDR Top 12 – 2026 — (126-145 lbs.)

Editor’s Notes; The Preliminary Final TDR Top 12 List of Girl’s Eastern North Carolina. These are the 4 middle weight classes.
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RnkWght.NameTeamGr.W.L.Pct.Reg.Dists.State
1126Ballard, ClaireNew Bern27441###7A1st1st
2126Johnson, LaNauticaVance County26241###6A1st1st
3126Wiley, TrinitySouth Brunswick27326###5A1st1st
4126Kiser, MiaLaney263640.9008A2nd1st
5126McCoy, JamesonRosewood28459###1A-4A2nd1st
6126Aguirre-Gomez, GabriellaManteo274660.8851A-4A1st2nd
7126Brewer, AbigailCleveland274270.8577A2nd2nd
8126Potter, MikaylahCorinth-Holders283650.8788A3rd2nd
9126Delgado, OriannaFranklinton2733110.7506A4th4th
10126Millbery, AbbySwansboro293790.8046A3rdw1
12126Reynolds, SkylarDixon2733170.6605A3rdL2
12126Zelayer, JessicaGoldsboro2623100.6971A-4A3rdL2
12126James, DiannaFirst Flight2732110.7441A-4A4thL2
12126Chavez, FernandaWest Craven272840.8751A-4Aw2 ——-
1132Lavigne, MiaWhite Oak274270.8576A2nd2nd
2132Hall, LaurenHeidi Trask264040.9091A-4A2nd2nd
3132Faison, KelliCroatan2740130.7555A1st4th
4132Squicciarini, ItaliaTopsail272380.7427A2nd2nd
5132Mauney, MelodyWest Craven2739100.7961A-4A3rdw1
6132McKay, KaylaSwansboro2839110.7806A3rdw1
7132Vanacore, ToriFirst Flight2635100.7781A-4A4thL2
8132Thomas, KyleeNew Bern2926120.6847A3rdw1
9132Whitley, MacynDixon2629170.6305A2ndw1
10132Walker-Bryant, JanaeJacksonville2825140.6416Aw3 ——-
12132Gebremichael, EdenWakefield2823140.6228Aw3 ——-
12132Almendarez, FerlaniNorth Pitt273680.8181A-4Aw2 ——-
1138Jenkins, BennyWake Forest283950.8867A2nd3rd
2138Jackson, MalijahSouth Brunswick272170.7505A2ndw1
3138Vann, JaelahEast Carteret2736100.7831A-4A2ndL2
4138Mitchell, ZedyaSouth Central263070.8117A3rdw1
5138Murray, ReaganFranklinton2718100.6436A3rdw1
6138Lopez, SheyleRoanoke Rapids272460.8001A-4A3rdL2
7138Walsh, LoelaiCurrituck Co.2934120.7395A3rdL2
8138Viel, AslynRichlands2925220.5325A4thL2
9138James, KyndallHeidi Trask291860.7501A-4Aw2 ——-
10138Kurtz, RileySwansboro2728120.7006Aw2 ——-
12138Brown, KeyshaylaJ.H. Rose2823130.6396Aw2 ——-
1145Simmons,  SydneyLaney263480.8108A1st2nd
2145Shepard, ZaniyahWhite Oak2635100.7786A2nd2nd
3145Watts, AmiahDixon2832190.6275A3rd2nd
4145Bane, FaithNew Bern264010.9767A1stINJ
5145Tirado, AlexisCroatan2840100.8005A1st3rd
6145Collinis, AydelynSwansboro283030.9096A3rd3rd
7145Nunley, Adalyn-KayPamlico County281540.7891A-4A1stL2
8145Beaver, MirellHeritage262890.7577A4th4th
9145Herring, EmyiahCleveland293960.8677A3rdw1
10145Ford, IsabellaNorth Pitt2945140.7631A-4A4th4th
12145Addison, Tai-LeiRolesville2825130.6588A3rdw1
12145Guthrie, KenlieAyden-Grifton261950.7921A-4Aw3 ——-
12145Fraser, ToriNorth Pitt262710.9641A-4Adnw ——-

February 25, 2026 Posted by | Uncategorized | Leave a comment