Takedown Report

Gophers Tie for Fifth at NCAA Championships

PHILADELPHIA – Minnesota’s Gable Steveson finished as the national runner-up at heavyweight as the 2025 NCAA Wrestling Championships concluded Saturday night at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia. In the team standings, Minnesota finished tied for fifth place with 51.5 points. It’s the team’s best placement under head coach Brandon Eggum and is the best since a runner-up finish in 2014. Overall, it’s the 19th top-five finish in program history. 
Penn State won the team title with 177.0 points, followed by Nebraska (117.0), Oklahoma State (102.5) and Iowa (81.0).
Facing the second-seeded Wyatt Hendrickson of Oklahoma State, Steveson recorded the first takedown of the match and led 3-1 after one period. An escape from Hendrickson in the second period made it a 3-2 match going to the third. Starting on bottom, Steveson escaped to lead 4-2 but Hendrickson became the first opponent to take Steveson down all season when he did so with 18 seconds left for a 5-4 victory. It was Steveson’s first loss since the semifinals of the 2019 NCAA Championships, a streak of 70 consecutive matches that was the second longest in program history.
In his three other trips to the NCAA Championships Steveson won national titles in 2021 and 2022 and placed third in 2019 making him the only Gopher in program history to tally four top-three finishes. Steveson ends his career with just about every accolade one can accumulate. In addition to being one of six multi-time national champions in Minnesota history, he’s also a two-time winner of the Hodge Trophy, the first five-time All-American for the Golden Gophers and the first heavyweight at any school to win four Big Ten titles. 
He boasts the best winning percentage in Gophers history with an 103-3 career record (.972), including a perfect 59-0 mark in dual competition and a 44-0 tally in Big Ten matches. Of his 104 career wins, the Apple Valley, Minn., native recorded 16 pins, 32 tech falls and 28 major decisions. … more at … https://gophersports.com/news/2025/3/22/wrestling-gophers-tie-for-fifth-at-ncaa-championships

March 27, 2025 Posted by The TakeDown Report | Uncategorized | ncaa, sports, wrestling | Leave a comment

2025 NCAA Division I Men’s Wrestling Championships – 4 (Before)

TDR Editor’s Notes ; We have several links to interesting stories of the events leading to the sart of the championships last weekend. Some links may require a subscription to the media outlet. There are several fine articles aabout the preparations for the championships on the Philadelphia Inquirer. The following presents an opportunity to compare what said before and the actual results.
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The Complete And Total 2025 NCAA Wrestling Championship Preview
A full preview, with predictions, for all 10 weight classes at the 2025 NCAA Wrestling Championships.
It’s the most wonderful time of the year! NCAA D1 Championship weekend! It’s all going down in Philadelphia, and we’re previewing every weight class for you!
NCAA Championship BRACKETS
NCAA Rankings
Championship Team Scores Based on Seeds
Individual weight class previews: 125 | 133 | 141 | 149 | 157 | 165 | 174 | 184 | 197 | 285
Every article about the 2025 NCAA Wrestling Championships
125 Pounds
While 125 hasn’t been quite as crazy at it was last year, conference weekend flipped it on its head a bit and shook up the rankings going in NCAAs.
2024 All-Americans
1st Place – Richard Figueroa of Arizona State
2nd Place – Drake Ayala of Iowa
3rd Place – Anthony Noto of Lock Haven
4th Place – Eric Barnett of Wisconsin
5th Place – Luke Stanich of Lehigh
6th Place – Caleb Smith of Nebraska … more at … https://www.flowrestling.org/articles/13956955-the-complete-and-total-2025-ncaa-wrestling-championship-preview
And …

The Best Seniors At The 2025 NCAAs Who Have Yet To Become All-Americans
Highlighting the competitors at the 2025 NCAA Wrestling Championships who are in their last year of eligibility but have yet to earn All-American honors.
The NCAA Wrestling Championships produce a never-ending fountain of dramatic storylines of personal triumph and anguish. One thread of the complicated tapestry of sports and emotion we call the NCAA Tournament that I like to unravel involves following the progress of competitors who have qualified for their final tournament but have yet to earn All-American honors. These wrestlers are the conduits for our vicarious thrills from witnessing an athlete achieve a lifelong goal at the last possible opportunity. 
They’re fun guys to follow in the bracket is what I’m saying. 
Below you will find at least one wrestler per weight who is going for his first All-American honor in his last year of college eligibility. It’s fun to root for these guys and I encourage you to do so this weekend! 
NCAA seed is listed before each wrestler. Also, quick note that determining eligibility has never been more difficult than it is now so please holler if you notice anything amiss or missing!
125 Pounds
#24 Nick Babin, Pittsburgh
Babin wrestled the first four years of his career at Columbia and is using his final year of eligibility at Pitt as a grad transfer. A native of Emerson, NJ, Babin reached the round of 16 at the 2023 NCAAs but fell just shy of qualifying at the 2024 tourney. … more at … https://www.flowrestling.org/articles/13956610-the-best-seniors-at-the-2025-ncaas-who-have-yet-to-become-all-americans
And …

ESPN presents the NCAA Div. I Championships from Philadelphia, March 20-22; 3 nights of primetime wrestling & 19 hours of live coverage
Three straight nights of primetime wrestling on ESPN platforms; 19 hours of live coverage overall ESPN+ to present every match and every mat through the Medal Round on MatCast, plus simulcasts of all televised windows
Lead ESPN commentating team to feature former UFC Heavyweight Champion and NCAA Wrestling All-American Daniel Cormier and two-time NCAA champion, six-time world champion and Olympic gold medalist Jordan Burroughs
ESPN’s original content series, Game On: Journey to the NCAA Championship, is streaming now on ESPN+ with wrestling episode. Television debut set for ESPN2 at 2 p.m. ET on March 19
The NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships return to ESPN platforms with 19 hours of live action featuring all 640 matches from the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia this weekend, March 20-22. Every mat and every single match will once again be covered from start to finish, including three nights of primetime wrestling action on ESPN (Thursday, Saturday) and ESPN2 (Friday). ESPN+ coverage will feature a live MatCast viewing option, as well as simulcasts of all televised windows.
ESPN has presented the NCAA Wrestling Championships since 1980, making it one of the company’s longest-running events. … more at … https://www.themat.com/news/2025/march/18/espn-presents-the-ncaa-div-i-championships-from-philadelphia-march-20-22-3-nights-of-primetime-wrestling-19-hours-of-live-coverage
And …

To cap his coaching career, Penn’s Roger Reina is helping play host to the NCAA wrestling championships – Philadelphia Inquirer
The Quakers are hosting the event at the Wells Fargo Center along with Drexel and PHL Sports. Reina will become “head coach emeritus” at Penn next season.
This week, Philly is home to the biggest event in college wrestling. Here’s how it all works. – Philadelphia Inquirer
From a takedown to the different ways to earn a fall to how points are scored, this Inquirer guide takes you through the motions and what you need to know before the NCAA championships begin.
Step inside as the Wells Fargo Center prepares for the ‘demand’ of the NCAA wrestling championships – Philadelphia Inquirer
With tickets for every day of the three-day event sold out, arena officials say its the highest-demand ticket in the history of the Wells Fargo Center dating back to 1996.
President Trump will attend the NCAA wrestling championships in Philadelphia this weekend – Philadelphia Inquirer
It will be Trump’s first visit to Pennsylvania as president since starting his second term.
The Complete And Total 2025 NCAA Wrestling Championship Preview – FloWrestling
A full preview, with predictions, for all 10 weight classes at the 2025 NCAA Wrestling Championships.
The Best Seniors At The 2025 NCAAs Who Have Yet To Become All-Americans – FloWrestling
Highlighting the competitors at the 2025 NCAA Wrestling Championships who are in their last year of eligibility but have yet to earn All-American honors.
ESPN presents the NCAA Div. I Championships from Philadelphia, March 20-22; 3 nights of primetime wrestling & 19 hours of live coverage – TheMat.com
The NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships return to ESPN platforms with 19 hours of live action featuring all 640 matches from the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia this weekend,

March 25, 2025 Posted by The TakeDown Report | Uncategorized | ncaa, sports, wrestling | Leave a comment

‘There’s Not Coincidences’: Taylor Leading His First Cowboy Team into the Building He Wrestled His First NCAA Championships

‘I think it’s gonna be an exciting tournament. It’s gonna be a great environment. Ready to go.’

STILLWATER — In 2011, David Taylor competed in his first NCAA Wrestling Championships at Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia; next week, he’ll coach at the event for the first time — in the same arena.
The parallels are made a little more eerie by the fact that Taylor’s first opponent in that 2011 tournament was Oklahoma State’s Neil Erisman (now the head coach at Little Rock), who Taylor beat 13-2. “I think timing in life, there’s not coincidences,” Taylor said Thursday. “But at the same time, it rotates, and that’s where it’s hosted this year. Pennsylvania’s wrestling, it’s rich in tradition. I think it’s gonna be an exciting tournament. It’s gonna be a great environment. Ready to go.”
Taylor was undefeated in that redshirt freshman season at Penn State up until the NCAA final, where Arizona State’s Bubba Jenkins pinned him. In Taylor’s first round match with Erisman, a commentator described the young Taylor as “all offense.” Some things never change. Up to that final, Taylor had outscored his first four opponents 46-9. Flash forward to 2025, and he’s constantly stressing scoring as many points as possible.
Taylor was undefeated in that redshirt freshman season at Penn State up until the NCAA final, where Arizona State’s Bubba Jenkins pinned him. In Taylor’s first round match with Erisman, a commentator described the young Taylor as “all offense.” Some things never change. Up to that final, Taylor had outscored his first four opponents 46-9. Flash forward to 2025, and he’s constantly stressing scoring as many points as possible. “I remember just being excited to compete,” said Taylor thinking back to that 2011 tournament. “What was unique about my freshman year was I just was wrestling with my hair on fire. I was looking to score the entire time. I think in the tournament, I went out with the same mentality. It cost me a little bit in the finals, but that just is what it is. I think I was excited to complete. I think that’s what our guys are — they’re excited to go out and compete.”
In his first season leading a college wrestling program, Taylor has led the Cowboys to their first outright Big 12 tournament title since 2020. … more at … https://pistolsfiringblog.com/theres-not-coincidences-taylor-leading-his-first-cowboy-team-into-the-building-he-wrestled-his-first-ncaa-championships/

March 18, 2025 Posted by The TakeDown Report | Uncategorized | ncaa, sports, wrestling | Leave a comment

Hunsberger Wins Second National Title as #8 Lander Takes Fourth at NCAA Championships

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – David Hunsberger got a takedown at the end of his 165-lb National Championship match to make it 10-2, and while those points didn’t mean much in the match as Hunsberger had all but secured his second consecutive national title, the eight-point major decision meant another point toward Lander’s team total, going along with his first-place points, putting them at 57.5 points and in sole possession of fourth place—half a point ahead of #3 Central Oklahoma for the final team trophy.
This marks the third straight season where the Bearcats have brought a team trophy back to Greenwood, finishing second in 2022 and 2023.
With his decisive 10-2 major decision, Hunsberger became the first Lander wrestler to become a two-time national champion. In his four matches, he outscored his opponents 39-11 and picked up three bonus-point wins.
His first match of the day was a little closer, however, as he entered the third period trailing to Nick Novak of St. Cloud State. But Hunsberger was able to secure a quick escape and then a takedown a few seconds later to take a 4-1 lead. Despite a late stalling penalty point against him, Hunsberger secured his spot in the finals with a 4-2 decision. The win marked the fourth straight season that Lander has had a wrestler in the final session wrestling for a national title.
In the national title match against second-seeded Jack Haskin of Lake Erie, Hunsberger got a takedown right before the first-period horn to close the first three minutes with a 3-0 lead. After a quick escape from Haskin, Hunsberger attacked quickly and earned another takedown, which made it 6-2 after another escape from Haskin going into the third period. Hunsberger chose down to start the third, but Haskin elected to go neutral, giving Hunsberger an escape point to make it 7-2. After several deep shots, Hunsberger was able to get the crucial takedown with 11 seconds on the clock to secure the major decision and a team trophy for the Bearcats.
Isham Peace and Christian Davis both fell in overtime heartbreakers in their semifinal matches. … more at … https://landerbearcats.com/news/2025/3/15/wrestling-hunsberger-wins-second-national-title-as-8-lander-takes-fourth-at-ncaa-championships.aspx

March 17, 2025 Posted by The TakeDown Report | Uncategorized | ncaa, sports, wrestling | Leave a comment

Led by three champions, Iowa repeats as NCWWC champions; women’s wrestling now moves on to NCAA status

CORALVILLE, Iowa – Led by three international wrestling stars who won titles tonight, the University of Iowa repeated as champions at the National Collegiate Women’s Wrestling Championships at Xtream Arena.
This was the sixth annual championships for NCAA varsity women’s wrestlers. In January, the NCAA approved women’s wrestling as its 91^st national championships, making this the last year that the coalition of wrestling organizations has run this competition. The first NCAA Women’s Wrestling Championships will be held at a date and location to be announced in the winter of 2026.
Iowa, ranked No. 1 all season, finished with 201.5 points, ahead of North Central College with 181 points. McKendree finished in third with 158.5 points, first-year program Grand Valley State in fourth with 129.5 points and King University in fifth with 92.5 points.
All of the champions and runners-up have been active with USA Wrestling, making numerous age-group World Teams and winning national titles and All-American honors at a variety of age-group levels.
Iowa’s three individual champions were all No. 1 seeds, Macey Kilty (145), Kennedy Blades (160) and Kylie Welker (180). Welker won her second straight NCWWC title, while Kilty and Blades won titles in their first year in college wrestling.
Blades, a 2024 Olympic silver medalist who is a junior, scored a 10-0 technical fall over No. 2 seed Kaylynn Albrecht of McKendree in the finals. Blades was dominant on her feet in a match against a highly respected opponent. Albrecht, a graduate student, was a 2023 NAIA champion for Baker University before transferring to McKendree. Blades was named Outstanding Wrestler for the tournament.
Kilty, a two-time Senior World medalist and a graduate student, won a rugged 7-2 decision over No. 3 seed Bella Mir of North Central College. … more at … https://www.themat.com/news/2025/march/08/led-by-three-champions-iowa-repeats-as-ncwwc-champions-women-s-wrestling-now-moves-on-to-ncaa-status
And …

Petzinger and Jones Win Titles, Cardinals Take Second
Results Team Scores 
CORALVILLE, ILL. (Mar. 8, 2025) – After two long days in Xtream Arena, the North Central College women’s wrestling team finished the 2025 NCWWC National Championships as the national runner-up. Sydney Petzinger (117) and Amani Jones (124) earned national champion status in their respective weight classes. North Central had 12 wrestlers earn All-American honors.
The University of Iowa won its second consecutive national title with 201.5 points. The Cardinals finished in second with 181 points, followed by McKendree University (158.5), Grand Valley State University (158.5), and King University (92.5).
Second-ranked Petzinger opened her day with a 10-1 decision win over fourth-ranked Karissa Tunrwall from Emmanuel University in the semifinals of the 117-weight class. Petzinger met third-ranked Clare Boone (King University) in the finals. Petzinger brought the energy from the very beginning and fed off the North Central fans. Petzinger conquered Booe with a 10-6 decision. Petzinger took her first national championship and earned All-American honors for the fourth time in her career.
“My moms have done everything for me since I started wrestling when I was seven. I owe it all to them,” said Petzinger.
In the 124-weight class, top-ranked Jones sent herself to her second consecutive NCWWC finals by defeating fifth-ranked Aspen Blasko from Grand Valley State University in the semifinals. Jones took on third-ranked Shelby Moore (McKendree University) in the finals. Jones held her head high, kept her pace, and wrestled her shots in the finals. Jones shut down Moore with a 5-0 decision. Jones is a back-to-back national champion and has earned All-American honors every season of her career.
“I am really excited I got to end my final season with a win in front of my teammates after all the support they’ve given me,” said Jones.
Top-ranked Sara Sterner (131) stood her ground in the semifinals against second-ranked Alexandra Szkotnicki (McKendree), … more at … https://northcentralcardinals.com/news/2025/3/8/womens-wrestling-petzinger-and-jones-win-titles-cardinals-take-second.aspx
And …

A Fourth Place Finish And Two National Champs After Day 2 Of The NCWWC
CORALVILLE, IOWA. – The Grand Valley State Lakers ended their 2024-2025 season with two National Champions and Runner-Up in their respective weight classes. The Lakers finished fourth out of 64 teams in the Championship with a score of 129.5. They were behind McKendree University that had 158.5. They brought 12 girls for the first day of competition and had nine girls compete in the second day. 
“I am extremely excited about the way our women went out and competed. The national tournament is filled with so many ups and downs. One of the most important things to be able to do is have a short memory.  Whether you have a great win, or a hard loss.  You move forward and start focusing on the next mat.” stated Head Coach Jake Short about the National Championship.  “I could not be more proud of the attitude and effort this team brought to this tournament.  … more at … https://gvsulakers.com/news/2025/3/9/womens-wrestling-a-fourth-place-finish-and-two-national-champs-after-day-2-of-the-ncwwc.aspx
And …

Presbyterian College Places Higher Than Ever at National Championships; Six All-Americans
CORALVILLE, Iowa – The Presbyterian College women’s wrestling team finished off a marvelous 2025 season on Saturday night with eight of their 14 qualifiers advancing to the top 12 of the NCWWC National Championships. When the dust cleared, PC garnered a school-record six All-Americans and a sixth-place team ranking (the program’s highest in history).
After claiming the Southeast Region title for the first time two weeks ago, the Blue Hose sent three wrestlers to the National Semifinals in Iowa and found their highest-ranking placer in true freshman Carina Giangeruso who nabbed 4^th.
Regional Coach of the Year Brian Vutianitis has directed his squad to a school record in three consecutive seasons at this tournament (which encompassed 61 other institutions), … more at … https://gobluehose.com/news/2025/3/8/womens-wrestling-pc-places-higher-than-ever-at-national-championships-six-all-americans.aspx

March 13, 2025 Posted by The TakeDown Report | Uncategorized | ncaa, sports, wrestling | Leave a comment

‘It Was a Big Risk’: Teague Travis Qualifies for NCAA Championships with Fourth-Place Finish at Big 12s

‘I had to go out here, and I had to go place top four and get a bid.’
TULSA — Coming into the weekend, Teague Travis hadn’t had a wrestling match since mid-November, but now he is headed to the NCAA Championships.
Travis on Sunday beat South Dakota State’s Avery Allen in the consolations of the 149-pound bracket at the Big 12 Championships. That win secured Travis a top-four finish in the tournament and an automatic bid into the NCAA Championships later this month. Travis finished fourth in Tulsa after dropping the third-place match to North Dakota State’s Gavin Drexler.
Travis suffered a knee injury during his second match of the year. The plan from there was, at least momentarily, for Travis to get a medical redshirt and try again next season. Only having two matches coming into the weekend, there was an abnormal amount of pressure for Travis to get an automatic bid because he didn’t have enough matches to get an at-large bid. So, had this weekend gone wrong, Travis would’ve lost an entire season.
“It feels really good to kind of get that pressure off because it was a big risk,” Travis said. “I could lose a whole year and be like, ‘Well, that was stupid.’ Now it’s just focusing on (the NCAA Championships) because that’s the end goal. This tournament, I didn’t have really a lot of room for error, a lot of room to kind of experiment because this is the first time getting down to weight, making weight, wrestling a two-day tournament.
“There’s a lot of excuses I could’ve had, but I didn’t really have time to focus on all the things that could go wrong. I had to go out here, and I had to go place top four and get a bid.” |
Another wrinkle in Travis’ story is that 149 pounds wasn’t where he wrestled to start the year. Travis was the Cowboys’ starter at 157 coming into the season, the same weight he manned last season. After his injury, Caleb Fish burned his redshirt to jump into the Cowboys’ lineup for the Cliff Keen Las Vegas Invitational in early December and has performed well.  … more at … https://pistolsfiringblog.com/it-was-a-big-risk-teague-travis-qualifies-for-ncaa-championships-with-fourth-place-finish-at-big-12s/

March 12, 2025 Posted by The TakeDown Report | Uncategorized | ncaa, sports, wrestling | Leave a comment

Josh Wilson Wins Third NCAA Regional Championship While Earning Most Outstanding Wrestler of the Tournamen

Danville, VA – Josh Wilson became a three-time NCAA Regional Champion on Saturday as he defeated two nationally ranked wrestlers in the 141lb weight class on his way to the title. Wilson was also named the Most Outstanding Wrestler of the Regional tournament for the third time.
On day one, Wilson handily defeated Chase Kyler (Thiel) and Mauricio Reyes (Averett) to advance to the semifinals. On Saturday, Wilson wrestled long time rival Mark Samuel from Roanoke, and the two put on a classic showdown to remember. Wilson and Samuel would go all three rounds as Wilson took home the win by Decision, 13-10. The two most recently met at the ODAC Championships and at last year’s NCAA National Tournament, as Wilson won both matches.
In the championship round, Wilson took on #1 ranked Jacob Reed of Ohio Northern. Reed has been the #1 nationally ranked wrestler in the 141lb class almost all season long. Wilson last faced Reed in the NCAA Championship final round last season, as Wilson defeated Reed to win the National Title. Wilson would once again get the best of Reed on Saturday, winning by Decision, 7-3 to win his third NCAA Regional Championship.
Afterwards, Wilson said, “It was a great tournament, and I’m proud of my performance. I’m grateful for my coaching staff, athletic training staff, and teammates for their support in helping me accomplish this feat. But my ultimate goal is to be the most dominant wrestler at the NCAA tournament and win another National Title. My job is not finished.” Wilson will now go for back-to-back National Championships in the 141lb weight class in Providence, Rhode Island March 14th-15th. For more info on the 2025 National Championships, click here. Isaiah Manning, Ethan Kring, and Adrian Soto-Perez also made it to day two of the Regionals. … more at … https://greensborocollegesports.com/news/2025/3/1/mens-wrestling-josh-wilson-wins-third-ncaa-regional-championship-while-earning-most-outstanding-wrestler-of-the-tournament.aspx

March 4, 2025 Posted by The TakeDown Report | Uncategorized | ncaa, sports, wrestling | Leave a comment