Takedown Report

Amateur Wrestling Reports

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

2025-26 Top 40 National High School Wrestling Rankings – Feb. 21, 2026

Oklahoma duals provide the only major changes to national high school wrestling team rankings.

Billy Buckheit | Feb 21, 2026

Bixby placed second in the Oklahoma state duals to No. 15 Stillwater, but the Spartans still made the biggest upward move in this week’s national rankings, going from No. 33 to No. 16. / Bixby Wrestling

Aside from what happened at the 6A Oklahoma State Dual Meet Tournament, the team ranking changes this week were minimal.

California and New Jersey Offer the Best Opportunities for Future Shakeups

We expect more of that as we come to the close of the season. Most of the teams on this list will dominate their state tournaments, with a few potentially having some epic clashes, specifically in California and New Jersey.

Lake Highland Prep and Blair Set for One More Battle at National Prep Tournament

The final word on the National Prep rivalry with Lake Highland Prep and Blair Academy will be settled this weekend, with the winner taking final position over the other. Without any new evidence, it would likely take Buchanan failing to win their Masters tournament this weekend or next week’s states for them to tumble from the top spot.

State Tournament scoring can be skewed given the nature of only the best reaching the podium, so we measure those scores realistically and balance them with all a team’s results.

Like the individuals, the teams have some clear chains then some jumbled spots. We use all results to place them, not just one.

2025-26 Top 40 National High School Wrestling Rankings – Feb. 21, 2026

1-Buchanan, CA

Previous No. 1

Competed at and won the Central Section D1 Tournament over Clovis and Clovis North.

2-Lake Highland Prep, FL

Previous No. 2

Won the Southeast National Prep Qualifier.   

3-Blair Academy, NJ

Previous No. 3

Took the team crown at the New Jersey/New York Prep Qualifier. … more at … https://www.si.com/high-school/wrestling/2025-26-top-40-national-high-school-wrestling-rankings-feb-21-2026-01kj06mpa983

February 24, 2026 Posted by | Uncategorized | , , , | Leave a comment

Bushnell to Add Men’s and Women’s Wrestling

EUGENE, Ore. – Bushnell University announced on Monday that the Beacons will add two new varsity programs with men’s and women’s wrestling officially joining the sport offerings in the fall of 2027.  
Bushnell athletics cites the recent rise in popularity in youth wrestling as a contributing factor in the decision to add both men’s and women’s programs at Bushnell. High School wrestling participation nationally is at its highest in over 50 years with nearly 375,000 boys and girls competing. Additionally, Bushnell will be the seventh four-year university in Oregon to sponsor the sports.
“We are thrilled to be adding to our athletic offerings with the addition of our wrestling program,” said Athletic Director Corey Anderson. “Girls Wrestling is the fastest growing high school sport in the country, and USA Wrestling has launched national campaigns to increase the popularity of the sport. National trends for high school and collegiate programs are on an upward trajectory.”
 Anderson added, “We have quickly learned that there is a strong passion for men’s and women’s wrestling in Eugene, Lane County, Oregon and beyond. Once we started talking to a few, key contacts in the region about the idea of us adding an NAIA collegiate wrestling program, we immediately started having knowledgeable and passionate people reach out to us to celebrate the idea but also wanting to know how they can help.  I am excited about these new relationships and partner opportunities that Bushnell Wrestling will provide us while continuing to do The Kingdom’s good work!”
 The addition of two new teams will bring Bushnell’s total number of varsity teams to 19 and are the first programs to be added since Baseball came on board in 2021. The Wrestling teams will begin play in the 2027-2028 season, joining the Cascade Conference which boasts 11 men’s and eight women’s programs.
 “What an exciting day for Bushnell University, the Cascade Conference, and wrestling in the West,” stated CCC Commissioner Robert Cashell. “The program immensely strengthens men’s and women’s wrestling for the conference and represents continued growth and evolution of Beacon Athletics. It is wonderful to see more opportunities for young men and women to compete in the sport they love at the collegiate level, … more at … https://bushnellbeacons.com/news/2026/2/16/general-bushnell-to-add-mens-and-womens-wrestling.aspx?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email

February 19, 2026 Posted by | Uncategorized | , , , | Leave a comment

NC State Announces 2026 Induction Class for NC State Athletic Hall of Fame

Individuals from seven different sports, a team that won back-to-back national titles, a pioneer for women’s athletics, and a legendary coach comprise the 2026 induction class of the NC State Athletic Hall of Fame, McMurray Family Director of Athletics Boo Corrigan announced today.
The 10-member class is the eighth overall since the establishment of the Hall of Fame in 2012 and will be inducted at a gala in Reynolds Coliseum on Saturday, April 25, 2026.
The 1979 and 1980 NC State cross country teams that repeated as AIAW national champions will be inducted, alongside 1973 ACC Football Player of the Year Willie Burden, Olympic gold medalist Kenny Carr from men’s basketball, and 19-time All-American swimmer Beth Emery. Joining them will be National Champions Matt Hill (men’s golf), Tyrell Taitt (men’s track & field) and Scott Turner (wrestling), along with a national award winner, Marc Primanti (football). 
Longtime NC State and ACC administrator Nora Lynn Finch will be honored for her contributions, alongside legendary wrestling coach Bob Guzzo, who led the Wolfpack to 13 ACC titles. “I’m very excited about this induction class because it represents many sports, many decades, and so very many accomplishments,” Corrigan said. “We look forward to recognizing their legacy and their achievements in April and congratulate them on this great honor.” 
Ticket sales information for the Hall of Fame induction ceremony will be shared at a later date.
NC STATE ATHLETIC HALL OF FAME
Class of 2026
Scott Turner, Wrestling (1984-1988)
During his highly successful Wolfpack career, Scott Turner helped lay the foundation for the success that NC State Wrestling still enjoys today. The third national champion in program history, Turner allowed only one point scored on him in the NCAA Tournament, cementing him as the 1988 NCAA Tournament Most Outstanding Wrestler, an award that only one other from NC State has claimed. At the conference level, he won the individual ACC Championship crown three times, as well as the 1984 ACC Tournament Most Outstanding Wrestler award as a freshman. He is just one of 13 in program history to earn an individual ACC Championship at least three times. At the national level, Turner was a two-time All-American, earning the honors in 1986 and 1988.

Bob Guzzo, Special Contributor/Wrestling (1974-2004)
A pillar of the NC State wrestling program, Bob Guzzo was named the eighth head coach in program history in 1974 and led the team for the next 30 seasons. A six-time ACC Coach of the Year  (’88, ’89, ’91, ’96, ’01, ’02), he led NC State to 13 league titles, a mark that still ranks second for a head coach in ACC history. Four of his athletes were national champions in three different weight classes and those under his direction earned 24 All-America honors. In his three decades at NC State, he amassed an impressive team record of 356-183-7 with a 117-53 mark in ACC competition, mentoring 86 individual ACC Champions and his athletes won ACC Wrestler of the Year honors three times. … more at … https://gopack.com/news/2025/12/15/football-nc-state-announces-2026-induction-class-for-nc-state-athletic-hall-of-fame

December 18, 2025 Posted by | Uncategorized | , , | Leave a comment

USA Wrestling leader Al Bevilacqua, 85, passed away Sunday.

USA Wrestling received word from his family that long-time USA Wrestling leader Al Bevilacqua, 85, passed away on Sunday, August 10.
Bevilacqua gave a lifetime of service, commitment and love to the sport of wrestling, impacting the lives of thousands of people along the way. He was a staff member and a volunteer leader with USA Wrestling for decades, going back to its roots as the U.S. Wrestling Federation. A respected coach on the high school, college and international levels, his work extended to leadership in many other areas, including his ground-breaking work in the creation of Beat the Streets in New York. He was named USA Wrestling Man of the Year in 2005. He received the Order of Merit from the National Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2012. Services: There are two viewings at the Massapequa Funeral Home located at 4980 Merrick Road, Massapequa, NY on Wednesday, August 13th … more at … Themat.com/news/2025/august/11/usa-wrestling-leader-al-bevilacqua-85-passed-away
And …

Legendary Long Island wrestling coach immortalized by ‘Seinfeld’ dies at 85
The legendary Long Island wrestling coach immortalized in an iconic “Seinfeld” scene has died — and everyone from celebrity former students to athletes recalled Tuesday how he went to the mat for them.
“They’re telling me I only have 2 to 3 minutes to give a eulogy,” said Christopher Bevilacqua, the son of beloved late 85-year-old coach and mentor Al Bevilacqua, to The Post.
“I don’t know how you can describe his life in 2 or 3 minutes.”
Al Bevilacqua, who passed away Sunday, got his 15 minutes of TV fame when superstar funnyman Jerry Seinfeld famously name-dropped his former teacher in an episode of his wildly popular series — even though Al never really watched the “show about nothing,” his family said.
“He would go, ‘”Seinfeld”? What is that? A comedy?’ ” said the former coach’s son, Michael. … more at … https://nypost.com/2025/08/12/us-news/legendary-long-island-wrestling-coach-al-bevilacqua-dies/

August 17, 2025 Posted by | Uncategorized | , | Leave a comment

Wrestling with the American Dream

Afghan refugees find a home on a San Antonio high school athletics team
by Brant deBoer
Elham Jalak and Mustafa Pashtoon met for the first time on a flight from Kabul in February 2016. Jalak was 6 years old, Pashtoon just 8. Their fathers had known each other in the Afghan Army, and their families came to the United States through the Special Immigrant Visa program, which has helped resettle Afghan citizens who worked with the United States during the war. In America, their dads hoped to find better jobs and education for their children. 
It was a big plane, an Emirates double-decker, and the two boys sat next to each other. They didn’t know what to expect once they landed, aside from what they had seen in the movies, and neither spoke English. “Not even one word,” Pashtoon later told the Texas Observer. “I didn’t even know how to write my name.” After the 16-hour flight to Houston, they flew to San Antonio, their new home, where they settled in a northwest neighborhood known for its diverse immigrant communities. A couple years later, their families relocated to San Antonio’s West Side.
The pair started playing sports. “I played soccer, cross-country, track, golf, tennis, soccer, and then I did football and basketball,” Jalak proudly recounted. “We played together.” They sometimes speak about their experiences unemotionally, as if every teenager were forced to flee a war-torn country. Occasionally, they break into Pashto with each other, then switch back to English. 
When I first met them at an away junior varsity tournament at Legacy of Educational Excellence (LEE) High School, they were wrestling. In the gym bleachers, Jalak and Pashtoon, now 15 and 17, were waiting for their next matches along with Saifullah Gul, another Afghan immigrant. Altogether, they were among five Afghan wrestlers on Sidney Lanier High School’s team at that point in the season, about a quarter of the entire team. 
Traditional Afghan wrestling—known as Pehlwani—is a popular pastime for boys in the south-central Asian nation, so many Afghan refugees find a natural home on high school wrestling teams in America. This phenomenon is prevalent in California and Virginia, the states with the largest populations of Afghan immigrants. In Texas, the state with the third-largest concentration, it’s pretty much happening in one place: San Antonio’s West Side, and thanks to one person: Faridullah “Ferrari” Samsor. … more at … https://www.texasobserver.org/afghan-refugees-san-antonio-high-school-wrestling/

July 11, 2025 Posted by | Uncategorized | , , | Leave a comment

Wrestling with the American Dream

lham Jalak and Mustafa Pashtoon met for the first time on a flight from Kabul in February 2016. Jalak was 6 years old, Pashtoon just 8. Their fathers had known each other in the Afghan Army, and their families came to the United States through the Special Immigrant Visa program, which has helped resettle Afghan citizens who worked with the United States during the war. In America, their dads hoped to find better jobs and education for their children. 
It was a big plane, an Emirates double-decker, and the two boys sat next to each other. They didn’t know what to expect once they landed, aside from what they had seen in the movies, and neither spoke English. “Not even one word,” Pashtoon later told the Texas Observer. “I didn’t even know how to write my name.” After the 16-hour flight to Houston, they flew to San Antonio, their new home, where they settled in a northwest neighborhood known for its diverse immigrant communities. A couple years later, their families relocated to San Antonio’s West Side.
The pair started playing sports. “I played soccer, cross-country, track, golf, tennis, soccer, and then I did football and basketball,” Jalak proudly recounted. “We played together.” They sometimes speak about their experiences unemotionally, as if every teenager were forced to flee a war-torn country. Occasionally, they break into Pashto with each other, then switch back to English. 
When I first met them at an away junior varsity tournament at Legacy of Educational Excellence (LEE) High School, they were wrestling. In the gym bleachers, Jalak and Pashtoon, now 15 and 17, were waiting for their next matches along with Saifullah Gul, another Afghan immigrant. Altogether, they were among five Afghan wrestlers on Sidney Lanier High School’s team at that point in the season, about a quarter of the entire team. 
Traditional Afghan wrestling—known as Pehlwani—is a popular pastime for boys in the south-central Asian nation, so many Afghan refugees find a natural home on high school wrestling teams in America. This phenomenon is prevalent in California and Virginia, the states with the largest populations of Afghan immigrants. … more at … https://www.texasobserver.org/afghan-refugees-san-antonio-high-school-wrestling/

June 28, 2025 Posted by | Uncategorized | , | Leave a comment

Akron’s Ken Dies receives honor from National Wrestling Hall of Fame

By Nate Ulrich, Akron Beacon Journal
When Ken Dies opened a letter at his Highland Square home on June 25, the message caused his wife, Carol, to shed tears of joy.
Dies learned he will have a place in the National Wrestling Hall of Fame and Museum in Stillwater, Oklahoma. The letter from the Hall of Fame’s executive director, Lee Roy Smith, states the hall’s Ohio chapter nominated Dies to receive the Lifetime Service to Wrestling Award, and the national HOF’s board selected him for the honor. “It’s just overwhelming,” Dies told the Beacon Journal by phone. “I did not expect this.” More on the Dies family: Akron Public Schools gives wrestling enthusiasts proper recognition
An Akron native, Dies is the face of a wrestling royal family Northeast Ohio has known for decades.
The Dies family started running high school and youth tournaments in the late 1970s. After Bill Dies died in 1987, Ken Dies inherited his father’s role as tournament director. His involvement with Ohio Youth Wrestling, the Walsh Jesuit Ironman tournament and the Bill Dies Memorial Wrestling Tournament held at Firestone CLC made him a popular figure in the sport throughout the state.
Now Dies, 81, is being honored at the national level. “My one brother, Steve, he’s a nut,” Dies said with a laugh. “He’s putting me in the same category as Dan Gable. He said, ‘You’re in the same hall of fame as Dan Gable.'” … more at … https://www.newsbreak.com/share/4075349339325-akron-s-ken-dies-receives-honor-from-national-wrestling-hall-of-fame?_f=app_share&pd=0IMTzHkC&lang=en_US&send_time=1750951613&s=i16&trans_data=%7B%22platform%22%3A0%2C%22cv%22%3A%2225.25.0.37%22%2C%22languages%22%3A%22en%22%7D&sep=ns_foryou_rank_exp_25q2-v7%2Cns_foryou_blend_exp_25q2-v7%2Cns_foryou_recall_exp_25q3-v4%2Cns_foryou_model_exp_25q2_v2-v8

June 26, 2025 Posted by | Uncategorized | , , | Leave a comment

Ribustello named the 2025 Lee Carroll Award winner

            Stephen Ribustell0 of Tarboro High School has been named the 2025 Lee Carroll Award winner.  He ended his junior season in sudden victory overtime in the 1-A State Championship match.  It was a successful season as he scored his 100th career win and repeated as a State Runner-Up.  In three seasons he has qualified for the State Championships each year while amassing a scholastic record of 109 wins and just 12 losses. He will receive the 27th Annual Lee Carroll Award for excellence in athletics, academics and sportsmanship in northeastern North Carolina later this year.           
            Lee Carroll started wrestling as a sophomore when Tarboro High School re-started their program in 1992.  Lee won 112 matches in 3 years with the Vikings.  Lee was state runner-up his junior year before becoming a record setting undefeated state champion in 1995 with a (50-0) record.  Lee went on to start four years at North Carolina State qualifying for the Nationals 3 times.  Lee has taught engineering graphics at N.C. State and has his own interactive design agency, Forged Media, in Raleigh.  He is a member of the Tarboro High Athletic Hall of Fame.
Previous award winners include Holton Quincy in 2024, Ryan Mann in 2023, Caleb Beaty of Corinth-Holders (2022), Logan Tortual of Rosewood (2021). Javon Armstrong of Pamlico County (2020), Aaron Bancroft of Wilson-Fike (2019), Timothy and Christian Decatur of Rosewood (2018), Jaqwuez Norman of Farmville Central (2017), Kaleb Taylor of Rosewood (2016), Wilson Smith of Rocky Mount (2015 & 2014), Angel Najar of North Pitt (2013), Alexander Knight and Jacineto Williamson of Rocky Mount in 2012, Chris Fess of Beddingfield and Tamaris Lane of Nash Central in 2011, Chandler Phillips of Rocky Mount (2010), Landon Lucas of SW Edgecombe (2009), Corey Smith (2008) and Eric Sutton (2007) of Tarboro, Zach Shearin and Paul Horner (2006) and Pat Anstead (2004) of Southern Nash, Jimmy McNamara (2005) of Wilson Hunt and Sammi Hadi (2003) of SW Edgecombe.

March 31, 2025 Posted by | Uncategorized | , | Leave a comment

Eastern Guilford’s Maurice Atwood named National Wrestling Coach of the Year

This past season, Atwood led Eastern Guilford to its first NCHSAA 3A dual-team state championship in school history. The Wildcats were a perfect 48-0 during the 2023-2024 season.
Eastern Guilford wrestling coach Maurice Atwood received a national honor from the National Federation of State High School Associations on Monday.
Atwood, who has coached wrestling for 24 years, was named the NFHS Wrestling Coach of the Year. The award is for the 2023-2024 school year.
The award winner is chosen after each state association nominates a coach of the year. Then, sectional coaches of the year are named. Atwood has now been named the national coach of the year. “Maurice Atwood focuses on the fundamentals as he leads his athletes, most of whom are socioeconomically challenged and come into the program as freshmen without prior wrestling experience. The foundation that Atwood instills has led to many of his former athletes becoming successful coaches, including eight current high school or club coaches,” the NFHS said.
This past season, Atwood led Eastern Guilford to its first NCHSAA 3A dual-team state championship in school history. The Wildcats were a perfect 48-0 during the 2023-2024 season.
Over his 24-year career, Atwood’s teams have posted 865 dual-team wins, including 12 team state titles. A total of 39 individual wrestlers have also won state titles under Atwood’s guidance. … more at … https://www.highschoolot.com/story/eastern-guilford-s-maurice-atwood-named-national-wrestling-coach-of-the-year/21806459/

January 14, 2025 Posted by | Uncategorized | , | Leave a comment

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