Champions Knox, Abas, Norman lift Stanford to first Ken Kraft Midlands Championships team title
HOFMANN ESTATES, Ill. – Stanford staged a remarkable day two effort on the strength of three individual champions and 10 top-eight finishers to emerge with the program’s first team title in the history of the Ken Kraft Midlands Championships. It’s the 60th year of the prestigious holiday event.
Collecting the Dan Gable Outstanding Wrestler Award was 133-pound champion Tyler Knox, who was the first Stanford athlete of the day to grab a win in the finals. The redshirt freshman finished with a 5-0 record for the weekend, including an impressive 10-3 decision over Rutgers All-American Dylan Shawver in the championship bout.
Knox improved to 14-2 on the season with some major bullets already on his resume. He finished in fifth place at the tough CKLV Invitational and owns a win over NCAA finalist Drake Ayala of Iowa. Now with a Midlands title in tow, he his building momentum for a deep run in March.
Also earning top prize for Stanford were All-American Jaden Abas at 149 pounds and redshirt freshman Lorenzo Norman at 174 pounds. Abas outlasted Cross Wasilewski of Penn, 10-9, in a finals battle of the top two seeds at 149. He finished with a 5-0 record on the weekend, pushing his season record to 16-4. Abas was third at the CKLV Invitational earlier this year.
Norman was presented the Jack Leese Champion of Champions Award following his decisive run at NOW Arena that culminated with an 11-5 win over No. 1 seed Nick Incontrera of Penn in the finals. Norman’s 5-0 mark at the Midlands increases his season tally to 14-1 with his only loss coming in the CKLV Invitational finals to Oklahoma State’s Dean Hamiti, 4-3. Hamiti was the Midlands champion at 165 pounds last year, as well as the Outstanding Wrestler and Champion of Champions recipient.
Stanford, led by second-year head coach Chris Ayres, was the only program to earn three individual titles, which catapulted them atop the team podium with 157 team points. Rutgers, who held the lead after day one with eight semifinalists, finished in second place with 147 team points. Penn, Indiana and Pittsburgh rounded out the top five teams.
Rutgers grabbed the first champion of the day … more at … https://www.themat.com/news/2024/december/30/champions-knox-abas-norman-lift-stanford-to-first-ken-kraft-midlands-championships-team-title
Iowa women win Soldier Salute with five champions, runner-up Life has three champions
CORALVILLE, Iowa – The Soldier Salute women’s division featured the No. 1 ranked teams in the NCAA and the NAIA, and both teams had excellent performances.
Led by five individual champions, NCAA No. 1 Iowa finished with 215.5 points. NAIA No. 1 Life was second with 199 points, led by three champions. NAIA No. 7 Indiana Tech was third with 71.5 points. Individual champions for Iowa included Brianna Gonzalez (117), Cadence Diduch (138), Macey Kilty (145), Kennedy Blades (160) and Kylie Welker (180).
Two of the finals were all-Iowa battles, both won by World-level stars. At 145 pounds, two-time Senior World medalist Macey Kilty defeated 2024 NCWWC national champion Reese Larramendy, 8-1. At 180 pounds, 2024 World bronze medalist Kylie Welker, who was also a 2024 NCWWC champion, stopped freshman Naomi Simon in a 10-0 technical fall.
The Outstanding Wrestler in the women’s division was 2024 Olympic silver medalist Blades, who scored a 13-3 technical fall over Latifah McBryde of Life, a two-time NAIA Nationals runner-up. Gonzalez, a 2024 NCWWC runner-up, defeated Life’s Salyna Shotwell in the finals, 6-0. Diduch, a freshman, stopped Texas Wesleyan’s Samantha Baragan, 8-6.
Champions for Life were Anaya Falcon (110), Sarah Savidge (131) and Savannah Isaac (207). Savidge was a 2024 NAIA runner-up, while Falcon and Isaac are freshmen. Falcon defeated 2024 NCWWC nationals champion Ava Bayless of Iowa in the finals, scoring a stunning 16-5 technical fall. Savidge was equally dominant in her finals, blitzing Iowa’s Emily Frost in a 10-0 technical fall. Isaac stopped 2024 NCWWC runner-up Jaycee Foeller of Iowa, 2-1.
The other two champions were not affiliated with a college program. Unattached Jaclyn Bouzakis, a high school star who attends Wyoming Seminary, scored a 10-0 technical fall over Katherine Hernandez of Life at 103 pounds. Mateah Roehl, who competes for the Askren Wrestling Academy and was an All-American at North Central, won the 124-pound title … more at … https://www.themat.com/news/2024/december/30/iowa-women-win-soldier-salute-with-five-champions-runner-up-life-has-three-champions
Keegan O’Toole Earns Big 12 Wrestler of the Week Honors
COLUMBIA, Mo. – University of Missouri wrestler Keegan O’Toole earned Big 12 Wrestler of the Week, the league announced Friday, Dec. 27. The senior has collected the honor four times since Mizzou rejoined the Big 12 and marks the Tiger’s second weekly honor this season.
At Journeymen Collegiate Duals, Dec. 22, O’Toole was a perfect 3-0, taking on three ranked opponents in a row at 174 pounds. The senior started with a technical fall of No. 33 Tyler Brennan of Little Rock, before earning a 28-8 major decision over No. 12 Brevin Cassella of Binghamton. The two-time National Champion and No. 1 ranked wrestler at 174 pounds finished the day against No. 2 Levi Haines of Penn State, taking the match to sudden victory. O’Toole earned the match’s only takedown to secure the overtime win, 4-1.
O’Toole is 11-0 this season and boasts a 91 percent bonus rate since moving up to 174 pounds. The Hartland, Wisconsin native has totaled 98 career wins, just two shy of joining the decorated 100-Wins Club.
UP NEXT
The Tigers will come home to host Cornell at the Beauty and the Beast event along with Gymnastics on Jan. 3, 2025. The event will occur at Mizzou Arena, with action starting … more at … https://mutigers.com/news/2024/12/27/wrestling-keegan-o-toole-earns-big-12-wrestler-of-the-week-honors.aspx
No. 16 Rutgers Finishes Second at Midlands behind Peterson’s Individual Title
HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. – Behind an individual title from No. 18 Dean Peterson (125) and a program-record nine placewinners, No. 16 Rutgers wrestling finished second at the 2024 Ken Kraft Midlands Championships on Monday in Hoffman Estates, Illinois.
Peterson was one of four individual finalists at Midlands, along with No. 16 Dylan Shawver (133), No. 20 Joseph Olivieri (141) and No. 29 Shane Cartagena-Walsh (184). No. 5 Yaraslau Slavikouski (HWT) wrestled back to a bronze medal, while No. 33 Andrew Clark (149) and Brian Soldano (184) both finished fourth. No. 22 Jackson Turley (174) placed fifth, and No. 14 John Poznanski (197) finished sixth.
With their nine placewinners and 147 team points, the Scarlet Knights finished only behind Stanford, who claimed the team trophy with 157 points. Penn finished third with 131. It marked the most team points scored at the championships in school history and matched its best team result recorded in 2017.
2024 Midlands Championships Placewinners
1st: No. 18 Dean Peterson (125)
2nd: No. 16 Dylan Shawver (133)
2nd: No. 20 Joseph Olivieri (141)
2nd: No. 29 Shane Cartagena-Walsh (184)
4th: No. 33 Andrew Clark (149) … more at … https://scarletknights.com/news/2024/12/30/no-16-wrestling-finishes-second-at-midlands-behind-petersons-individual-title.aspx
Cuyler Captures Fourth Championship of Freshman Year at Midlands
HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. – Freshman phenom May Cuyler of the seventh-ranked Presbyterian College women’s wrestling team continued an immaculate start to her Blue Hose career on Monday night, winning a first-place crown at the famed Midlands Championships just outside of Chicago.
Eight PC grapplers represented head coach Brian Vutianitis at the NOW Arena for the 60th edition of the Midlands bracket, where Cuyler (160) boosted her outstanding personal record to 16-1. Fellow newbie Carina Giangeruso earned a bronze trinket on Monday by winning back-to-back consolation-round matches, allowing Presbyterian to tally 18 individual W’s in all.
Cuyler’s first three victories came by either technical fall or pin, snatching the gold prize in a highly-competitive decision over North Central’s Tiera Jimerson (10-7). In fact, there were 13 matches between PC and a North Central opponent in the Windy City. Both programs have become a mainstay in the NWCA national top ten. … more at … https://gobluehose.com/news/2024/12/30/womens-wrestling-cuyler-captures-fourth-championship-of-freshman-year-at-midlands.aspx
JWU remains unbeaten with wins over Wabash, Baldwin Wallace
PROVIDENCE, R.I. – The JWU (Providence) wrestling team moved to 9-0 with wins over Wabash (31-8) and Baldwin Wallace (37-8) Saturday afternoon at the Wildcat Center.
Freshman and No. 3 ranked Peyton Ellis (133 lbs.) improved to 14-1 with two wins on the day, highlighted by an 8-4 decision over last year’s national runner-up and current No. 5 in Jayden Hinton of Baldwin Wallace. He also took down No. 7 James Day with an 18-6 major decision.
Sophomore and No. 15 ranked Jack Richardson (165 lbs.) secured two wins on the afternoon, including an 8-1 decision over No. 5 Andrew Supers (BW). Classmate Michael Schliem (174 lbs.) picked up wins No. 16 and 17 on the season, one of which was a pin in 2:48 against No. 13 Carter Lloyd (BW).
Senior and No. 1 Joziah Fry (125 lbs.) is now 25-0 following a pin against the Yellow Jackets and a 20-3 major decision against the Little Giants. Senior and No. 4 Hayden Brown (149 lbs.) defeated No. 12 Daniel Uribe (Wabash) and moved to 16-1 on the day with a 23-6 tech fall win against Baldwin Wallace.
Junior and No. 9 Adolfo Betancur (285 lbs.) is now 15-3 following a 5-0 decision against the Little Giants and a pin in 3:40 against BW. Classmate Ky’ell Roper upped his win total to 16 with a 2-0 day at 184 lbs.
JWU (Providence) def. Wabash, 31-8
149 Hayden Brown (JWU) def. Daniel Uribe (WAB) (decision 6-0)
157 Tim Smith (WAB) def. Vincent Faldetta (JWU) (major dec. 9-1)
165 Jack Richardson (JWU) def. Ayden Lutes (WAB) (decision 7-2)
174 Michael Schliem (JWU) def. Jaylen Young (WAB) (major dec. 14-6)
184 Ky’ell Roper (JWU) def. Sammy Saunders (WAB) (major dec. 12-2) … more at … https://providence.jwuathletics.com/news/2024/12/21/wrestling-jwu-remains-unbeaten-with-wins-over-wabash-baldwin-wallace.aspx
And …
No. 15 Men’s Wrestling Wins Two Matches at East Coast Duals
PROVIDENCE, R.I. – The No. 15 nationally ranked Baldwin Wallace University men’s wrestling team won two of three matches at the East Coast Duals hosted by No. 4 nationally ranked Johnson and Wales University inside the Wildcat Center.
BW (5-1) opened the day as it defeated No. 16 nationally ranked Wabash (Ind.) College by a final score of 17-16. The Yellow Jackets then defeated No. 7 nationally ranked Castleton (Vt.) University by a final score of 23-18. BW closed out the duals as it fell to Johnson and Wales by a final score of 37-8.
Vs. Wabash
184-pounds: Junior Academic All-OAC and No. 20 nationally ranked Remington Bauer (Norwalk/Edison) won a 10-1 major decision
125-pounds: Freshman Dorian Hoffman (Luzerne, Pa./Wyoming Valley) won a 7-1 decision
133-pounds: Senior All-American and No. 2 nationally ranked Jaden Hinton (Glassboro, N.J.) won a 7-5 decision over No. 3 nationally ranked James Day
141-pounds: Sophomore Keegan McMahon (Ashburn, Va./Paul VI Catholic) loss a 15-4 major decision
149-pounds: Junior Manny Scordos (Brecksville/Brecksville-Broadview Heights) loss a 5-2 decision
157-pounds: Senior All-American Michael Petrella (Reynoldsburg/Bishop Hartley), who is this week’s Ohio Athletic Conference Wrestler of the Week, won a 15-2 major decision over No. 13 nationally ranked Tim Smith
165-pounds: Sophomore All-OAC and No. 6 nationally ranked Andrew Supers (Medina) won a 5-0 decision
174-pounds: Senior All-OAC and No. 14 nationally ranked Carter Lloyd (Brecksville/Brecksville-Broadview Heights) loss 5-3 decision … more at … https://bwyellowjackets.com/news/2024/12/21/east-coast-duals.aspx
Raúl Castro honors Mijaín López as a Hero of the Republic of Cuba
Gladys Bejerano Portela and Omara Durand were also honored as Heroes of Labor
Army General Raúl Castro Ruz once again appeared before the public to bestow the honorary title of Hero of the Republic of Cuba on Mijaín López, a five-time Olympic champion in Greco-Roman wrestling. During the event, attended by high-ranking officials of the Havana regime, including President Miguel Díaz-Canel, Gladys Bejerano Portela and Omara Durand were also honored as Heroines of Labor, according to the official site Cubadebate.
Undoubtedly, the recognition awarded to López highlights not only his exceptional sports career but also his deep commitment to revolutionary values and his people.
Salvador Valdés Mesa, Vice President of the Republic, emphasized that Mijaín’s achievements rank him among the greatest athletes of all time. Beyond his impressive victories at the Olympic Games, Valdés Mesa highlighted the athlete’s loyalty to the legacy of Fidel and Raúl, as well as to the Revolution that shaped him. “Just reviewing his impressive record is enough to recognize Mijaín as one of the greatest athletes of all time,” stated Valdés Mesa, recalling the countless victories that have made Mijaín a symbol of perseverance and greatness for Cuba and the world.
Mijaín, considered by many to be the greatest Greco-Roman wrestler in history, has always supported the communist government, to the extent of having struck a young compatriot at the 2023 Pan American Games in Chile, … more at … https://en.cibercuba.com/noticias/2024-12-18-u1-e197721-s27061-nid294069-raul-castro-condecora-mijain-lopez-heroe-republica
Penn State wrestlers sweep 3 matches in Nashville, scoring 137 points while upping win streak to 62
By Jim Carlson | Special to PennLive
Records fell and so did three opponents as the top-ranked Penn State wrestling team easily swept through the Collegiate Duals near Nashville on Sunday with wins over Binghamton, Little Rock and Missouri.
The Nittany Lions shutout Binghamton, 52-0, and Little Rock, 44-0, and took nine of 10 bouts against Missouri in a 41-3 rout featured by a 1 vs. 2 match at 174 that Missouri’s top-ranked Keegan O’Toole captured over Penn State’s Levi Haines by securing a takedown in sudden victory for a 4-1 win.
The two shutouts gave the Nittany Lions (6-0) three straight wins without giving up a point, something that’s not been done before. And, the Sunday trifecta broke the school-record consecutive win streak of 60, increasing that mark to 62 straight victories.
Additionally, the Lions scored 137 total points on Sunday alone and have 246 total points this season as the team’s 10 starters have just two losses among them through six dual meets. The Lions are off until a Jan. 10 home dual against Michigan State.
What people wanted to see on Sunday was the Haines-O’Toole bout and it didn’t disappoint. A 1-1 bout that goes into sudden victory can be boring depending on the pace of the match, but this one was anything but. The hand-fighting and blocking was superb between two outstanding wrestlers, and each had a couple of strong takedown attempts that were either countered or stalemated. … more at … https://www.pennlive.com/penn-state-wrestling/2024/12/penn-state-wrestlers-sweep-3-matches-in-nashville-scoring-137-points-while-upping-win-streak-to-62.html
And …
Penn State Wrestling Dominates No. 8 Missouri 41-3 at Journeymen Duals
Penn State wraps up action in Nashville, Tenn.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The Penn State Nittany Lion wrestling team (6-0, 0-0 B1G) dominated Missouri (2-5) 41-3 in its third and final dual meet of the day at the 2024 Journeymen Collegiate Duals in Nashville, Tenn. The Nittany Lions won nine of ten bouts to sweep the three duals at the event. All rankings listed are InterMat/InterMat Tournament Power Index (TPI).
The dual began at 125. Penn State true freshman Luke Lilledahl, ranked No. 12 at 125, opened up Penn State’s final dual of the day with a 5-4 win over Gage Walker. Sophomore Braeden Davis, ranked No. 10 at 133, built up over 4:00 in riding time during a convincing 14-3 major over Missouri’s Kade Moore to give the Nittany Lions and early 7-0 lead. Senior+ Beau Bartlett, ranked No. 3 at 141, had to use extra time to beat No. 16 Josh Edmond. Bartlett scored early in the extra period to post the 4-1 (sv) win. Sophomore Shayne Van Ness, ranked No. 2 at 149, continued Penn State’s hot streak. Van Ness turned a first period takedown into a pin at the 1:57 mark, it was Van Ness’ third pin of the day and gave the Lions a 16-0 lead. Sophomore Tyler Kasak, ranked No. 4 at 157, controlled James Conway for three periods and rolled to an 11-3 major decision to give Penn State a 20-0 lead at the midway point of the dual. Sophomore Mitchell Mesenbrink, ranked No. 1 at 165, won by forfeit (his second of the day) and Penn State led 26-0. Junior Levi Haines, ranked No. 2 at 174, took on No. 1 Keegan O’Toole in a much-anticipated match-up. The duo battled through regulation even. A wild scramble in sudden victory ended with an O’Toole takedown, with Haines dropping the thrilling 4-1 (sv) decision.
Graduate Carter Starocci, ranked No. 1 at 184, dominated No. 10 Colton Hawks in another top ten match-up. Starocci used a six-point third period to roll to a 10-1 major with over 2:00 in riding time to put Penn State up 30-3. Redshirt freshman Josh Barr, ranked No. 7 at 197, blitzed Tiger Jesse Cassatt. Barr opened up an 11-0 lead before pinning Cassatt at the 1:45 mark. … more at … https://gopsusports.com/news/2024/12/23/penn-state-wrestling-dominates-no-8-missouri-41-3-at-journeymen-duals
And …
Keegan O’Toole Defeats Levi Haines In Battle Of NCAA Champions
Keegan O’Toole defeated Levi Haines in an overtime match at the Collegiate Duals.
In a battle of NCAA Champions, Keegan O’Toole came out on top in a 4-1 overtime victory over Levi Haines. O’Toole and Haines met in the dual between Penn State and Missouri at the Collegiate Duals in a match that lived up to the hype.
In the first period, both Haines nor O’Toole were limited in their attacks. Haines was closest to scoring and got his hands locked around O’Toole’s leg but didn’t get close to finishing. The two traded escapes in the second and third periods to tie the match at 1. Late in the third, Haines was in deep on a single leg but O’Toole displayed incredible defense to fend off the takedown and send the match to overtime.
In the sudden victory frame, Haines came out firing and almost immediately shot a high crotch. O’Toole defended and then hit a reattack single to get his hands locked around Haines’ right leg. Haines came close to getting a takedown of his own with O’Toole bellied out on the mat. However, O’Toole scrambled through the position and secured the match-winning takedown after a wild flurry. During the scramble, Haines briefly had both legs in but the takedown was never awarded and O’Toole was able to work through the position to secure the takedown. Because of that, the Penn State coaches challenged but the call was upheld, giving O’Toole the match by a final score of 4-1. … more at … https://www.flowrestling.org/articles/13323146-keegan-otoole-defeats-levi-haines-in-battle-of-ncaa-champions
Little Rock Claims Two Wins at Collegiate Duals in Nashville
Trojans open and end the day with victories
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The Little Rock Trojans secured victories in two of their three duals at the Collegiate Duals, opening and closing the day with impressive performances.
RESULTS
#20 Little Rock 24, #16 Missouri 19
Little Rock kicked off the day with a thrilling upset over #16 Missouri, earning their first ranked win of the 2024-25 season. The Trojans split matches 5-5, earning points through a pin, an injury forfeit, a technical fall, a major decision, and a decision victory.
Highlights included:
- Nasir Bailey sparked momentum with a major decision.
- Jordan Williams reclaimed the lead at 149 with a dominant tech fall.
- Matty Bianchi followed with a 5-2 decision for back-to-back victories.
- Joey Bianchi capitalized on an injury forfeit, adding 6 points to the scoreboard.
Missouri fought back with wins at 174 and 184, cutting Little Rock’s lead to just 2 points. However, Stephen Little sealed the upset with a pin in under 90 seconds, securing the Trojans’ first ranked victory of the year.
#20 Little Rock 0, #1 Penn State 44
Facing the nation’s top-ranked Penn State, Little Rock showed resilience but fell short in their toughest matchup of the season. Despite the loss, the Trojans fought hard in each bout.
#20 Little Rock 27, Binghamton 16
The Trojans bounced back with a convincing win over Binghamton to close out the event.
Key performances included:
Jordan Williams followed with a tech fall at 149.
Nasir Bailey opened with a statement pin. … more at … https://lrtrojans.com/news/2024/12/22/wrestling-posts-strong-outting-at-collegiate-duals.aspx
Badgers finish 2-1 at the Knockout Christmas Classic
Wisconsin defeats Campbell and NDSU, falls to No. 22 West Virginia
KISSIMMEE, Fla. – The Wisconsin wrestling team traveled to Kissimmee, Florida for a holiday event and came away with a pair of wins, beating Campbell and NDSU, but falling to No. 22 West Virginia at the Knockout Christmas Classic.
The Classic consisted of three rounds and took place at Silver Spurs Arena on Saturday.
The Badgers finished the day with a 2-1 record, bringing them to an even 4-4 mark heading into the new year. The young team saw a lot success for their freshmen and redshirt freshmen in Florida.
True freshman Wyatt Ingham (197) competed in his first three college matches and achieved his first college victory. His initial win was an upset against Campbell’s No. 21 Levi Hopkins, winning by a score of 3-2. Ingham’s second win of the day came via pin against NDSU’s Tayshaun Glover at 6:46.
Redshirt freshman Dylan Russo (184) also secured his first college victory against Mike Slade (Campbell) by major decision, 15-6, and added his second win of the day against NDSU’s Aidan Brenot by decision, 12-9.
Redshirt freshman Brock Bobzien achieved an upset over No. 15 Jordan Titus (West Virginia) by decision, 8-5. Finally, redshirt freshman Nicolar Rivera continued his impressive season with a perfect 3-0 day.
Campbell Results:
Wisconsin 25, Campbell 13
125 – No. 20 Nicolar Rivera over No. 28 Anthony Molton (Campbell) Tech. Fall 17-0 5:08
133 – No. 28 Zan Fugitt over Logan Heil (Campbell) Major Dec. 15-6
141 – No. 28 Shannon Hanna (Campbell) over Brock Bobzien Dec. 7-3 … more at … https://uwbadgers.com/news/2024/12/21/wrestling-badgers-finish-2-1-at-the-knockout-christmas-classic.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
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Takedown Report
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