Husker Wrestling Team recognized by governor, legislature for performance in NCAA Championship
LINCOLN, Neb. (KOLN) – Governor Jim Pillen proclaimed Thursday, April 17 as Husker Wrestling Day in Nebraska in honor of the Husker Wrestling Team’s historic performance in the NCAA Championships. During a press conference at the Nebraska State Capitol on Thursday, Sen. Dan Lonowski also presented the team with a resolution from the 109th Legislative Session.
Sen. Lonowski commented on the competition saying the team scored more points than several teams who had won a Division I title. “A lot of people don’t want to agree with me but we’re a wrestling state,” Sen. Lonowski said.
Sen. Terrell McKinney of Omaha and Sen. Dan McKeon of Amherst presented wrestlers Ridge Lovett and Antrell Taylor with individual resolutions. Lovett and Taylor are the first NCAA Individual Wrestling National Champions for Nebraska since Jordan Burroughs in 2011. At 149 pounds, Lovett defeated Caleb Henson of Virginia Tech in a 1-0 decision. At 157 pounds, Taylor defeated Joey Blaze from Purdue in a 4-2 decision.
This is the first time Nebraska has had multiple individual NCAA champions in the same season since 1984. Lovett was the 2-seed in the 149 pound bracket while Taylor was the 3-seed at 157 pounds. Wrestling Coach Mark Manning said Nebraska is the fourth school in 34 years to have eight All-Americans. Lovett is a native of Post Falls, Idaho and was an All-American in 2022 and 2024. Taylor is a product of Millard South and finished in 8th place at the 2024 National Championships. … more at … https://www.1011now.com/2025/04/17/husker-wrestling-team-recognized-by-governor-legislature-performance-ncaa-championship/
NCAA Makes Recommendations For Inaugural Women’s Wrestling Championships
The NCAA made its initial suggestions for the inaugural 2026 women’s wrestling championships.
The NCAA has released recommendations for the inaugural NCAA Women’s Wrestling Championships. The report is from a March 24, 2025, videoconference.
Although this is not final, the committee suggested that the 2026 NCAA Women’s Wrestling Championships include 21 qualifiers per weight (210 total) with a maximum of one qualifier per school. Click here for the full NCAA report.
This starkly contrasts the 2025 National Collegiate Women’s Wrestling Championships, which included 32 wrestlers per weight (320 total) and a maximum of 15 qualifiers per team.
The committee recommends seven regional tournaments, allowing three wrestlers per region to qualify for the NCAA Championships.
All three Divisions (I, II, and III) currently compete at the NCAA Women’s Wrestling Championships. Here is the current breakdown of teams per division.
D1: 5
D2: 34
D3: 68
Teams that qualified … more at … https://www.flowrestling.org/articles/14185493-ncaa-makes-recommendations-for-inaugural-womens-wrestling-championships
2026 NWCA/USMC Multi-Division National Duals to return to the UNI-Dome, Jan. 9-10
Manheim, PA – The National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA) announced today that the 2026 NWCA/USMC Multi-Division National Dual Meet Championships, presented by A Better Way Athletics, Capitol Construction, and Defense Soap, will return to the UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls, Iowa, for the third consecutive year. The event will take place Friday and Saturday, January 9-10, 2026.
The 2026 edition will feature a record 120 teams across seven divisions of collegiate wrestling. New this year is the addition of an NCAA Division III Women’s bracket. Programs competing in NCAA Division III will now have the option to participate either in the new DIII women’s bracket or the combined NCAA Division I/II women’s division.
“We are pleased to welcome the NWCA back to Cedar Falls for another impactful and exciting event,” said UNI Director of Athletics Megan Franklin. “Wrestling is part of the fabric of Iowa, and the Multi-Division National Duals only adds to the legacy of memories made in the UNI-Dome.”
NWCA Executive Director Mike Moyer echoed the excitement, stating, “We are thrilled to bring the nation’s largest dual meet championship back to the UNI-Dome. The National Duals are a true celebration of our sport, with many of these programs having been added over just the past 15 to 20 years.” … more at … https://www.themat.com/news/2025/april/29/2026-nwca-usmc-multi-division-national-duals-to-return-to-the-uni-dome-jan-9-10
Key Change in High School Wrestling Rules Focuses on Reducing Injury Risk
In an effort to minimize risk of injury in high school wrestling, a revision in the leg block or cut-back maneuver was recommended by the NFHS Wrestling Rules Committee at its April 6-8 meeting in Indianapolis.
This revision to Rule 7-1-5n of the NFHS Wrestling Rules Book was one of eight changes recommended by the committee – all of which were subsequently approved by the NFHS Board of Directors.
Although the leg block/cut-back maneuver already was an illegal move, the committee added “when leaving the feet and using the foot or leg to ‘cut out’ an opponent’s leg, to include from the rear-standing position.”
Elliot Hopkins, director of sports and student services and editor of the NFHS wrestling rules, said the committee added language about leaving the feet to help ensure that this move is not attempted because of the significant risk of injury.
In other rules changes, near-fall criteria language was added to the Technical Fall section in Rule 5-11. In Rules 5-11-2c and 5-11-4b, the following statement was approved: “If the near fall creates a 15-point advantage, the match shall continue until the near-fall criteria is no longer met. Conclusion of the near-fall criteria is immediate.” … more at … https://www.nfhs.org/articles/key-change-in-high-school-wrestling-rules-focuses-on-reducing-injury-risk/
USA Wrestling Beach Nationals brings top talent to Carolina Beach, N.C., on May 10
The 2025 U.S. Beach National Championships returns to Carolina Beach, N.C. on May 10. This is the annual national championships for Beach Wrestling in 17 divisions, from 8U through Masters. There will be competition for both men and women, with national titles and All-American honors awarded.
There are a trio of age-group World medalists registered for this event in the U20 Women’s division: Jayden Keller of Missouri, Ciara Riner of West Virginia, and Sadie Evans of Washington.
Keller secured a U17 World silver medal in 2024, while Riner brought home U17 bronze in 2022, and Evans claimed U17 bronze in 2024. Riner and Evans are registered for both the U20 and Senior level tournaments for Saturday. A pair of past Senior Beach World Series team members are slated to compete in Carolina Beach, Erin Kremer of Washington and Isabeau Shalack of Illinois.
The Senior Men’s division is currently leading with 35 entries, followed by the U20 Women’s division and 16U Boys division with 22 entries each. There is still time to register for this event!
This will be the 20th anniversary of the first U.S. Beach Nationals, which was created in 2006 in Riviera Beach, Florida. It will also be the 10th time the U.S. Beach Nationals has been held in Carolina Beach, N.C., … more at … https://www.themat.com/news/2025/may/07/usa-wrestling-beach-nationals-brings-top-talent-to-carolina-beach-n-c-on-may-10
From the Mat to the Mind: How a Career-Ending Injury Transformed a Duke Wrestler’s Future
DURHAM, N.C.– Upon recruitment to Duke, many Division I student-athletes dream of their first game, breaking collegiate records and even becoming an All-American. However, for junior Cameron Morgan the day of his first match changed the course of his athletic career.
During Morgan’s freshman year while warming up for his debut match with the Duke wrestling team at The Citadel, an impact on his head aggravated a familiar spinal cord pain – a pain that had started during his senior year of high school.
In a high school wrestling practice, Morgan landed hard on his head, triggering a wave of pain that spread to his arms. After the incident, he visited a doctor, who couldn’t identify the exact cause of the pain. The injury was classified as a “stinger,” a condition where nerves in the neck and shoulder compressed upon impact. Despite this injury, Morgan persevered, underwent physical therapy and was recruited by Duke.
On campus, he continued preventative rehab as a freshman. However, at practice early in the season, another wrestler caught Morgan in a throw called the “fireman’s carry” move. The move slipped and Morgan landed sharply on his head. Following the impact, Morgan experienced immediate tightness in his back and lost sensation in his arm … more at … https://goduke.com/news/2025/5/7/wrestling-from-the-mat-to-the-mind-how-a-career-ending-injury-transformed-a-duke-wrestlers-future
Fishback to Transfer to Ohio State
On Sunday evening, Ohio State received word that one of their home state’s best recent products was coming home to wrestle for the Buckeyes. Two-time NCAA qualifier Dylan Fishback announced yesterday that he intends to transfer from NC State to Ohio State.
Fishback redshirted during his initial campaign in Raleigh and then jumped right into the NC State starting lineup at 184 lbs. He has finished as an ACC runner-up in both years of competition. Fishback also has been a match shy of All-American honors in both seasons, as well. His 2024-25 campaign came to an end with a 4-0 loss to Nebraska’s Silas Allred in the bloodround.
For the year, Fishback went 16-8 with wins over past All-Americans and conference rivals – Gavin Kane (North Carolina) and TJ Stewart (Virginia Tech). His two-year mark for NC State was 36-17. … more at … https://intermatwrestle.com/articles.html/college/big-10/fishback-to-transfer-to-ohio-state-r100236/
Three-Time All-American McNeil Transfers to Michigan
Three-time All-American Lachlan McNeil has announced his transfer destination. McNeil will get a bit closer to home and finish his career with the University of Michigan.
McNeil earned All-American honors every year he competed for the University of North Carolina – finishing fourth as a freshman, sixth as a sophomore, and fifth as a junior. In each of the last two seasons, McNeil has earned the #6 seed at the NCAA Championships. The ACC has typically been loaded in McNeil’s weight class, so he was third in his first two tries and a runner-up to returning national champion Caleb Henson (Virginia Tech) in 2025.
With two of the top-four finishers at NCAA’s at 149 lbs out of eligibility, McNeil will be the third-highest returning placewinner at the weight. He’ll give Michigan an immediate spark at the weight. In 2025, Michigan saw redshirt freshman Dylan Gilcher make the national tournament after finishing eighth in the Big Ten; however, he went 0-2 in Philadelphia.
Michigan is one of the programs that has benefited the most from seniors in the transfer portal. They had two All-Americans of that variety in 2025 and three in 2024. In 2022, Nick Suriano came aboard for his last year of eligibility and won a national title at 125 lbs.
One would think that McNeil is not only thinking about his final year of collegiate eligibility with this move, but also his Senior level freestyle career. McNeil represents Canada internationally and Michigan’s Cliff Keen Wrestling Club is vast and features an excellent staff. … more at … https://intermatwrestle.com/articles.html/college/big-10/three-time-all-american-mcneil-transfers-to-michigan-r100201/
U.S. Beach Nationals return to Carolina Beach, N.C., May 10 with berths on U.S. World Teams up for grabs
The 2025 Beach Wrestling season has begun!!! Wrestlers of all ages are beginning their preparation for the 2025 U.S. Beach National Championships, which returns to Carolina Beach, N.C. on May 10.
This is the annual national championships for Beach Wrestling in 17 divisions, from 8U through Masters. There will be competition for both men and women, with national titles and All-American honors awarded.
This will be the 20th anniversary of the first U.S. Beach Nationals, which was created in 2006 in Riviera Beach, Florida. It will also be the 10th time the U.S. Beach Nationals has been held in Carolina Beach, N.C., the most of any city.
Register for the 2025 U.S. Beach Nationals
The 2025 U.S. Nationals in Carolina Beach is the qualifier for the 2025 U17 and U20 U.S. Beach World Teams, and part of the qualifying process for the U.S. Senior Beach World Series teams.
The 2025 U17 and U20 Beach World Championships will be held September 25-26, at a site to be determined by United World Wrestling. The official weight classes and eligibility for the U17 and U20 Beach World Championships are below. … more at … https://www.themat.com/news/2025/april/14/u-s-beach-nationals-return-to-carolina-beach-n-c-may-10-with-berths-on-u-s-world-teams-up-for-grabs
2025 ACTIVE Coaches – Top 110 w/at least 110 wins
- Roger Crebs (Lycoming College) 465 – III
- Lonnie Morris (Johnson & Wales) 464 – III
- Bruce Haberli (New York Univ./Manhattan Coll.) 408 – III/I
- Ron Beaschler (Ohio Northern Univ.) 407 – III
- Rob Koll (UNC/Stanford/Cornell Univ.) 348 – I
- Steve Costanzo (St. Cloud St. Univ./Dana College) 347- II
- Brian Smith (Missouri/Syracuse) 341– I
- Dave Mitchell (Luther (IA) 340 – III
- Tim Fader (Wisc.-Eau Claire, Whitewater, La Crosse) 336 – III
- Tom Ryan (Ohio State/Hofstra) 335 – I
- Jim Makovsky (Minn. St.-Mankato/Valley City St.) 334 – II
- Martin Nichols (Ithaca College) 329 – III
- Mark Manning (Nebraska/Northern Iowa) 328 – I
- Tom Brands (Iowa, Va. Tech) – 308 – I
- Jon Laudenslager (Wilkes University) – 303 – III
- Jim Zalesky (/Oregon State/Iowa) 293 – NAIA/I
- Paul Keysaw (Fresno City/Moorpark College) 292 – Cal. Jr.Coll.
- Jay Jones (Rhode Island College) – 289 – III
- John Oostendorp (Coe College) 288 – III
- Bryan Brunk (Messiah College) – 279 – III
- Tim Flynn (West Virginia Un./Edinboro Univ.) – 274- I
- Cael Sanderson (Penn State, Iowa State) – 262 – I
- Joel Greenlee (Ohio University) – 260 – I
- Roger Reina (Pennsylvania, Univ. of) 258 – I
- Pat Popolizio (North Carolina State, SUNY-Binghampton) – 256 – I
- Kevin Dresser (Iowa State, Virginia Tech Univ.) 253 – I
- Joe Renfro (Northeastern Oklahoma, Labette Jr. Coll.) 253 – JuCo
- Robert Fisher (Kutztown University) – 252 – II
- Franky James (Georgetown/Campbellsville/Tenn.-Chattanooga) – 251 – NAIA,I
- Dave Malecek (Wisconsin-LaCrosse State) – 243 – III
- Pat Santoro (Lehigh University, Maryland) – 239 – I
- Heath Grimm (Upper Iowa Univ.) – 239 – II
- Drew Black (Wesleyan Univ., Phoenix Coll.) – 236 – III
- Scott Goodale (Rutgers University) – 235 – I
- Sebastian Amato (Trinity College) 235 – III
- Jason Reitmeier (Augustana College, S.D.) – 235 – II
- James Kisgen (McKendree College) – 234 – II/ NAIA
- Jamie Gibbs (Baldwin-Wallace, U.N.C.-Pembroke) – 233 – III/II
- Johnny Johnson (Wisc.-Stevens Point) 224 – III
- Duane Ritter (SUNY Oneonta State) – 223 – III
- Luke Moffitt (Iowa Central Community College) – 216 – JuCo
- Mike Wehler (Mercyhurst, West Liberty State) – 214 – II
- Jon Egan (Roger Williams) 209 – III
- Jim Andrassy (Kent State Univ.) – 204 – I
- Nick Mitchell (Grand View Univ.) 197 – NAIA
- Eric Keller (Wartburg/North Central) 197 – III
- Steve Garland (Virginia University) – 194 – I
- John Stutzman (Buffalo SUNY, Bloomsburg) – 190 – I
- Mike Howard (SUNY-Oswego State) – 192 – III
- Eric Van Kley (Central College, Great Falls Univ.) 188 – III, NAIA
- Jon McGovern (Dubuque University) – 186 – III
- Dan Wirnsberger (Bucknell, Bloomsburg) – 183 – I
- Dan Garriott (Cerritos College) – 183 – Calif. Jr. Coll.
- Craig Thurber (Thiel College) – 173 – III
- Joe Galante (New Jersey, The College of) 172 — III
- Jason Moorman (Georgetown/King University) 172 – Women’s
- Kevin Bratland (U.S. Coast Guard Acad./Nor. Central) 169 — III
- Brian Anderson (Wabash College) – 167 – III
- Corey Ruff (Lindsey-Wilson/Cumberlands) 161 — NAIA
- Chris Bono (Wisconsin/South Dakota/U.Tenn.Chatt.) 158
- Steve Marianetti (Elmhurst College) – 157 – III
- Jason Holder (Springfield College) 157 — III
- John Mark Bentley (Appalachian State) 152
- Brandon Brisette (Olivet College) 151 — III
- R.C. LaHaye (Lander U./Grand Canyon U.) 151 – II
- Jay Weiss (Harvard Univ., Moravian College) – 151 – I/III inc.
- Jason Borelli (American/Stanford Univ.) 150
- Mark Branch (Wyoming Univ.) – 149
- Vince Silva (Santa Ana College) – 146 – Calif. Jr. Coll.
- Othello (O.T.) Johnson (Univ. of N.C.-Pembroke) 142 – II
- Jason Wathan (Indianapolis Univ.) 139 – II
- John Garriques (Centenary College) 137 — III
- Greg Ilaria (U.S. Merchant Marine) 136 — III
- Jason Ramstetter (Adams State College) 134 — II
- Scott Legacy (U. Vermont-Castleton) 134 – III
- Lennie Zalesky (Calif. Baptist Univ., U.C. Davis) – 133 – NAIA/I
- Dock Kelly (Lourdes Un./Anderson Coll.) 132 — II
- Mark Hawald (John Carroll/Casee Western/Mt. Union) 131 – III
- Lee Miracle (Campbellsville University) 129 – W-NAIA
- Zeke Jones (Ariz. St., Univ. Of Penn.) 127
- Doug Schwab (Northern Iowa) – 127
- Al Russomano (Scranton Univ.) 127 – III
- Chuck Kearney (St. Mary U./Oregon U.) 127 – NAIA/I
- Mark Cody (Presbyterian, Oklahoma Univ., American Univ.) – 124
- Tyson Thivierge (Montana State Northern) 124 – NAIA
- Art Castillo (Western Wyoming) 124 inc. – JuCo
- Joe Dansby (Cuesta College) – 123 – Calif. Jr. Coll.
- Joe Favia (Stevens Inst. Of Tech.) 123 – III
- Roger Kish (North Dakota State) – 122
- Dalton Jensen (Kearney State Univ.) 122 — II
- Omi Acosta (Life University) — 120 – NAIA
- Eric Walker (Elizabethtown College) 119 — III
- Nathan Shearer (Washington & Lee/Heideelberg) 118 — III
- Duane Bastress (York College, Pa.) 116 – III
- Todd Steidley (Central Oklahoma) 114 – II
- Dana Vote (Doane Coll./Midland/Concordia) 113 — NAIA/III
- Ryan Ludwig (Northern Illinois) 113
- Matt Azevedo (Drexel Un.) 113
- Chris Ayres (Princeton/Stanford) 113
- Seth Bloomquist (Shippensburg State) 112 – II
- Jake Stevenson (Morningside College) 111 — NAIA
- Jeff Bedard (Reinhardt Univ.) – 111 – NAIA
- Shawn Nelson (Univ. Of Findlay) 111 – II inc.
- Keith Norris (John Hopkins Univ.) 110 – III
- Bill Schindel (Adrian/Mount Union) 109 — III
- Scott Honacker (Williams Coll.) 109 – III
- Scott Moore (Lock Haven) 109
- K.C. Rock (Embry-Riddle College) 108 — NAIA
- Steve Kelly (North Iowa C.C./Waldorf Coll.) 108 – JuCo/III
- Jim Zeigler (Northwest Wyoming C.C.) 108 — JuCo
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 