TDR Top 12 Preseason Girls Rankings 152-235 lbs.
Editor’s Notes; The following are potential returning wrestlers from last year’s The TakeDown Report’s Top 12 Team as best wrestlers in eastern North Carolina. We expect many changes in weight classes
This will be the 28th consecutive season of publicizing the TDR Top 12 rankings and awards. The win-loss record is from the end of last year. There will be freshmen who could and maybe even should be listed and they will once the regular season. Many wrestlers will be in different weight classes but that will be apparent once the ‘referee blows the whistle.’ We welcome input from coaches, fans and wrestlers.
We plan to recognize the top wrestlers with engraved wooden plaques the 21st year with our ‘duck under’ logo. We do have TDR T-Shirts yet we do have white print on black shirts TDR shirts for just $10!
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
| Rnk | Wght. | Name | Team | Gr. | W. | L. | Pct. |
| 1 | 152 | Noblees, Jymeia | Goldsboro | 25 | 10 | 5 | 0.667 |
| 2 | 152 | Vargus, Gabriela | Lejeune | 25 | 26 | 10 | 0.722 |
| 3 | 152 | Barrera, Taliana | Dixon | 27 | 29 | 10 | 0.744 |
| 3 | 152 | Fraser, Tori | North Pitt | 26 | 17 | 4 | 0.810 |
| 5 | 152 | Parrish, Emily | Rosewood | 25 | 7 | 2 | 0.778 |
| 6 | 152 | Escobar, Genesis | Laney | 27 | 11 | 7 | 0.611 |
| 7 | 152 | Hoover, Aubrie | Rolesville | 26 | 16 | 11 | 0.593 |
| 1 | 165 | Pollock, Elaina | Laney | 25 | 32 | 2 | 0.941 |
| 2 | 165 | Gebremichael, Rohama | Wakefield | 25 | 37 | 13 | 0.740 |
| 3 | 165 | Yopp, Emma | South Brunswick | 26 | 29 | 15 | 0.659 |
| 3 | 165 | Alasin, Evangline | Northeastern | 26 | 22 | 7 | 0.759 |
| 5 | 165 | Thalheimer, Amelia | Heidi Trask | 25 | 13 | 5 | 0.722 |
| 6 | 165 | Clark, Makayla | Jacksonville | 27 | 16 | 8 | 0.667 |
| 7 | 165 | Ferlin, Emma | Havelock | 25 | 24 | 16 | 0.600 |
| 11 | 165 | Livesay, Zoe | Currituck Co. | 26 | 19 | 13 | 0.594 |
| 15 | 165 | Escudero, Gail | Manteo | 25 | 16 | 16 | 0.500 |
| 1 | 185 | Harris, Kyndal | Havelock | 26 | 31 | 13 | 0.705 |
| 2 | 185 | Soto, Ingrid | Bunn | 26 | 21 | 6 | 0.778 |
| 3 | 185 | Brake, Cara | Northern Nash | 26 | 18 | 8 | 0.692 |
| 3 | 185 | Gillihan, Edelle | Ashley | 25 | 13 | 7 | 0.650 |
| 5 | 185 | Valerin, Laynie | Cleveland | 27 | 19 | 16 | 0.543 |
| 6 | 185 | Estrada, Annalisa | Croatan | 26 | 14 | 12 | 0.538 |
| 7 | 185 | Larson, Gabriella | Dixon | 27 | 10 | 9 | 0.526 |
| 1 | 235 | George, Nyema | Havelock | 25 | 28 | 5 | 0.848 |
| 2 | 235 | Marshall, Sophia | Rosewood | 25 | 37 | 5 | 0.881 |
| 3 | 235 | Barden, Leslie | Laney | 26 | 20 | 12 | 0.625 |
| 3 | 235 | Christiansen, Alijah | Ashley | 26 | 18 | 9 | 0.667 |
| 5 | 235 | Bowman, Linda | Dixon | 27 | 29 | 11 | 0.725 |
| 6 | 235 | Barrios-Domingo, Ami | Manteo | 25 | 22 | 12 | 0.647 |
| 7 | 235 | Stancil, Deanna | Croatan | 27 | 15 | 7 | 0.682 |
| 7 | 235 | Vinson, Malea | White Oak | 25 | 13 | 10 | 0.565 |
| 11 | 235 | Gause, LaNesha | Laney | 27 | 19 | 8 | 0.704 |
Cornhuskers Take Down Campbell, No. 25 UNC
Behind 12 bonus-point victories, the No. 4 Nebraska (3-0-0) wrestling team took on a Friday double header in North Carolina, defeating Campbell (1-3-0), 40-6, and No. 25 North Carolina (2-1-0), 34-3, earning the first road wins and ranked victory of the year. Heavyweight Harley Andrews led the Big Red in dual points, claiming a combined 11 points for the team.
The Huskers started in Buies Creek, N.C., at Jim Perry Stadium, for the program’s first ever outdoor dual, at Campbell’s baseball field. The “Dual on the Diamond” started at 125 lbs. Redshirt freshman Alan Koehler took on Campbell’s No. 29 Anthony Molton. Molton defeated the Husker with an 8-0 decision powered by two takedowns, an escape and the riding time point. At 133, No. 23 Domenic Zaccone pulled off an overtime upset over No. 11 Jacob Van Dee after wrapping three periods tied at 1-1. Zaccone got the takedown to claim the 4-1 decision and push the Camels’ lead to 6-0.
No. 4 Brock Hardy got the Big Red on the board with a tech. fall over Michael Trujillo in 6:37 time. Hardy’s 17-0 victory at 141 put the Huskers within one of Campbell after three matches. Due to conditions on the mat, the dual was moved indoors to the Carter Gym, between the 141 and 149 bouts.
After relocating, No. 5 Ridge Lovett went 2-2 in wins by fall to open his senior season, pinning Oliver Fairchild in just 2:16. At 157, No. 4 Antrell Taylor made quick work of Seth Larson pinning the Camel in just 10 seconds. Taylor’s win pushed the Husker lead to 17-6. In the sixth match of the afternoon, No. 18 Bubba Wilson at 165 notched his first dual win of the season with a statement major decision, 16-3, over Kendrick Hodge.
At 174, No. 6 Lenny Pinto put up a 19-4, 4:18 tech. fall against Brant Cracraft before No. 6 Silas Allred pushed the Big Red to the 31-6 lead with another 19-4 tech. fall, in 2:43 time at 184. At 197, freshman No. 28 Camden McDanel claimed his first collegiate major decision, 17-5, defeating Mike Slade. To wrap up the … more at … https://huskers.com/news/2024/11/16/huskers-take-down-campbell-no-25-unc
TDR Top 12 Preseason Rankings 106-113 lbs.
Editor’s Notes; The following are potential returning wrestlers from last year’s The TakeDown Report’s Top 12 Team as best wrestlers in eastern North Carolina. We expect many changes in weight classes
This will be the 28th consecutive season of publicizing the TDR Top 12 rankings and awards. The win-loss record is from the end of last year. There will be freshmen who could and maybe even should be listed and they will once the regular season. Many wrestlers will be in different weight classes but that will be apparent once the ‘referee blows the whistle.’ We welcome input from coaches, fans and wrestlers.
We plan to recognize the top wrestlers with engraved wooden plaques the 21st year with our ‘duck under’ logo. We do have TDR T-Shirts yet we do have white print on black shirts TDR shirts for just $10!
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
| Rnk | Wght. | Name | Team | Gr. | W. | L. | Pct. | Dist. |
| 1 | 106 | Quincy, Holton | North East Carolina Prep | 27 | 52 | 1 | 0.981 | 1A-E |
| 2 | 106 | Monks, Alex | Bunn | 25 | 44 | 6 | 0.880 | 2A-ME |
| 3 | 106 | Verhow, Abrey | White Oak | 26 | 31 | 4 | 0.886 | 3A-E |
| 4 | 106 | Boltes, Sam | Washington | 27 | 49 | 11 | 0.817 | 2A-E |
| 5 | 106 | Salazar, Jose | Southern Nash | 25 | 41 | 10 | 0.804 | 3A-E |
| 6 | 106 | Trujillo, Brian | New Hanover | 25 | 46 | 8 | 0.852 | 4A-E |
| 7 | 106 | Maples, Joseph | South Lenoir | 25 | 36 | 8 | 0.818 | 2A-E |
| 8 | 106 | Arrington, Ayden | Laney | 25 | 41 | 12 | 0.774 | 4A-E |
| 9 | 106 | Winburn, Tristan | West Brunswick | 27 | 28 | 9 | 0.757 | 3A-E |
| 10 | 106 | Mundell, Tyler | North Pitt | 27 | 39 | 16 | 0.709 | 2A-E |
| 11 | 106 | Angstadt, Lucas | Ashley | 26 | 29 | 8 | 0.784 | 4A-E |
| 12 | 106 | Fountain, Weseley | SouthWest Edgecombe | 26 | 27 | 8 | 0.771 | 2A-E |
| 13 | 106 | Hernandez-Aragon, Jonathan | New Hanover | 25 | 20 | 4 | 0.833 | 4A-E |
| 13 | 106 | Fox, Landon | New Bern | 27 | 40 | 12 | 0.769 | 4A-E |
| 13 | 106 | Raines, Michael | Lejeune | 26 | 28 | 9 | 0.757 | 1A-E |
| 13 | 106 | Barton, Corban | Hoggard | 25 | 27 | 10 | 0.730 | 4A-E |
| 13 | 106 | Smith, Quinton | Topsail | 26 | 33 | 15 | 0.688 | 4A-E |
| 13 | 106 | Rhodes, Jayden | Currituck County | 27 | 24 | 11 | 0.686 | 3A-E |
| 13 | 106 | Tran, Sander | South Central | 26 | 37 | 19 | 0.661 | 3A-E |
| 1 | 113 | Perry, Bryce | Washington | 27 | 52 | 2 | 0.963 | 2A-E |
| 2 | 113 | Lewis, Colton | North East Carolina Prep | 25 | 49 | 6 | 0.891 | 1A-E |
| 3 | 113 | Hunt, Cole | Jacksonville | 25 | 37 | 7 | 0.841 | 3A-E |
| 4 | 113 | Barnett, Alexander | New Bern | 25 | 48 | 6 | 0.889 | 4A-E |
| 5 | 113 | Brownlee, Ethan | South Johnston | 25 | 47 | 6 | 0.887 | 3A-E |
| 6 | 113 | Hunter, Kolton | Rosewood | 25 | 37 | 13 | 0.740 | 1A-E |
| 7 | 113 | Guthrie, Keller | Ayden-Grifton | 26 | 46 | 7 | 0.868 | 2A-E |
| 8 | 113 | Mann, Brandon | South Granville | 26 | 46 | 15 | 0.754 | 2A-ME |
| 9 | 113 | Bullard, Andrew | D.H. Conley | 26 | 31 | 13 | 0.705 | 4A-E |
| 10 | 113 | Crespo, Angel | South Lenoir | 25 | 23 | 16 | 0.590 | 2A-E |
| 11 | 113 | Goodman, Aaron | Swansboro | 27 | 24 | 10 | 0.706 | 3A-E |
| 12 | 113 | Gibson, Brayden | South Central | 26 | 36 | 19 | 0.655 | 3A-E |
| 13 | 113 | Baker, Trevon | Southern Nash | 25 | 35 | 6 | 0.854 | 3A-E |
| 13 | 113 | Wright, Finley | Heritage | 26 | 24 | 9 | 0.727 | 4A-E |
| 13 | 113 | Bullock, Jeremy | North Pitt | 26 | 24 | 10 | 0.706 | 2A-E |
| 13 | 113 | Hizer, Michael | West Johnston | 27 | 21 | 9 | 0.700 | 3A-E |
| 13 | 113 | Lieberman, Mark | Currituck County | 27 | 25 | 11 | 0.694 | 3A-E |
| 13 | 113 | Smiling, Chayton | St. Pauls | 25 | 23 | 11 | 0.676 | 2A-ME |
| 13 | 113 | Brothers, Brian | Pamlico County | 26 | 26 | 15 | 0.634 | 1A-E |
| 13 | 113 | Gallagher, Rory | Hoggard | 26 | 29 | 17 | 0.630 | 4A-E |
TDR Top 12 Preseason Rankings 138-150 lbs.
Editor’s Notes; The following are potential returning wrestlers from last year’s The TakeDown Report’s Top 12 Team as best wrestlers in eastern North Carolina. We expect many changes in weight classes
This will be the 28th consecutive season of publicizing the TDR Top 12 rankings and awards. The win-loss record is from the end of last year. There will be freshmen who could and maybe even should be listed and they will once the regular season. Many wrestlers will be in different weight classes but that will be apparent once the ‘referee blows the whistle.’ We welcome input from coaches, fans and wrestlers.
We plan to recognize the top wrestlers with engraved wooden plaques the 21st year with our ‘duck under’ logo. We do have TDR T-Shirts yet we do have white print on black shirts TDR shirts for just $10!
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
| Rnk | Wght. | Name | Team | Gr. | W. | L. | Pct. | Dist. |
| 1 | 138 | Mann, Ryan | North East Carolina Prep | 25 | 56 | 0 | 1.000 | 1A-E |
| 2 | 138 | Shirley, Dylan | West Carteret | 25 | 48 | 8 | 0.857 | 3A-E |
| 3 | 138 | B-Meza, David | Washington | 26 | 36 | 15 | 0.706 | 2A-E |
| 4 | 138 | Klemmer, Tyler | New Bern | 25 | 42 | 16 | 0.724 | 4A-E |
| 5 | 138 | Edwards, Jaden | Southern Nash | 25 | 36 | 9 | 0.800 | 3A-E |
| 6 | 138 | Paul, Ryan | Northside (Pinetown) | 25 | 31 | 12 | 0.721 | 1A-E |
| 7 | 138 | Gunn, Donovan | Topsail | 26 | 14 | 5 | 0.737 | 4A-E |
| 8 | 138 | Barcliff, Jeremy | Northeastern | 26 | 32 | 19 | 0.627 | 2A-E |
| 9 | 138 | Herron, Camden | Northside (Jacksonville) | 27 | 32 | 13 | 0.711 | 3A-E |
| 10 | 138 | Catalan-Escamilla, Eliu | Bunn | 25 | 25 | 7 | 0.781 | 2A-ME |
| 11 | 138 | McMullen, Mason | Jacksonville | 25 | 31 | 17 | 0.646 | 3A-E |
| 12 | 138 | Cooper, Mason | Swansboro | 25 | 30 | 12 | 0.714 | 3A-E |
| 13 | 138 | Dougherty, Ryan | Pasquotank Co. | 26 | 30 | 20 | 0.600 | 2A-E |
| 13 | 138 | Avvisato, Dominic | Dixon | 26 | 21 | 17 | 0.553 | 3A-E |
| 1 | 144 | Rubistello, Stephen | Tarboro | 26 | 41 | 2 | 0.953 | 1A-E |
| 2 | 144 | Foreman, Gabe | Washington | 26 | 43 | 15 | 0.741 | 2A-E |
| 3 | 144 | Cohen, Gavin | Croatan | 25 | 42 | 6 | 0.875 | 3A-E |
| 4 | 144 | Alston, Jayden | Bunn | 25 | 29 | 5 | 0.853 | 2A-ME |
| 5 | 144 | Shields-Adams, Ashton | Southwest Onslow | 25 | 40 | 13 | 0.755 | 2A-E |
| 6 | 144 | Root, Justin | Dixon | 25 | 43 | 8 | 0.843 | 3A-E |
| 7 | 144 | Anderson, Cole | North East Carolina Prep | 26 | 40 | 7 | 0.851 | 1A-E |
| 8 | 144 | Callon, Michael | Pasquotank Co. | 25 | 40 | 15 | 0.727 | 2A-E |
| 9 | 144 | Loftin, Connor | Ayden-Grifton | 25 | 35 | 13 | 0.729 | 2A-E |
| 10 | 144 | Turner , James | North Johnston | 25 | 34 | 12 | 0.739 | 2A-E |
| 11 | 144 | Allen, Colton | Topsail | 25 | 29 | 12 | 0.707 | 4A-E |
| 12 | 144 | Bock, Kyle | Hoggard | 25 | 29 | 17 | 0.630 | 4A-E |
| 13 | 144 | Heppner, Christopher | Ashley | 25 | 23 | 7 | 0.767 | 4A-E |
| 13 | 144 | Prapuolenis, Kaz | West Carteret | 26 | 17 | 8 | 0.680 | 3A-E |
| 13 | 144 | Waterfield, Waylon | Currituck County | 26 | 29 | 14 | 0.674 | 3A-E |
| 13 | 144 | Meadows, Micaiden | White Oak | 25 | 19 | 13 | 0.594 | 3A-E |
| 1 | 150 | Fritz, Ian | Topsail | 25 | 47 | 3 | 0.940 | 4A-E |
| 2 | 150 | Johnson, Gerald “JJ” | West Craven | 25 | 45 | 8 | 0.849 | 2A-E |
| 3 | 150 | Sabillion, Fabian | Rosewood | 25 | 47 | 9 | 0.839 | 1A-E |
| 4 | 150 | Toliver, Jordyn | Currituck County | 25 | 29 | 5 | 0.853 | 3A-E |
| 5 | 150 | Powell, Ethan | South Granville | 25 | 31 | 7 | 0.816 | 2A-ME |
| 6 | 150 | Hill, Jamari | Fike | 25 | 38 | 13 | 0.745 | 3A-E |
| 7 | 150 | Schulz, John | West Carteret | 25 | 43 | 12 | 0.782 | 3A-E |
| 8 | 150 | Nguyen, Jonathan | Northeastern | 26 | 24 | 14 | 0.632 | 2A-E |
| 9 | 150 | Gurkin, Krick | North Brunswick | 26 | 30 | 14 | 0.682 | 3A-E |
| 10 | 150 | Mewborn, Isiah | Pamlico County | 26 | 27 | 12 | 0.692 | 1A-E |
| 11 | 150 | Benitez, Alexi | Southern Nash | 25 | 41 | 7 | 0.854 | 3A-E |
| 12 | 150 | Browning, Landon | Tarboro | 26 | 36 | 8 | 0.818 | 1A-E |
| 13 | 150 | Tucker, Tate | Washington | 26 | 33 | 11 | 0.750 | 2A-E |
| 13 | 150 | Smith, Brock | Jacksonville | 26 | 35 | 13 | 0.729 | 3A-E |
| 13 | 150 | Vanacore, Dominic | First Flight | 25 | 34 | 14 | 0.708 | 3A-E |
| 13 | 150 | Norville, Sawyer | Ayden-Grifton | 25 | 30 | 13 | 0.698 | 2A-E |
| 13 | 150 | Guenduer, Nicholas | Hoggard | 25 | 32 | 17 | 0.653 | 4A-E |
| 13 | 150 | Bolden, Trenstin | Southwest Onslow | 27 | 20 | 12 | 0.625 | 2A-E |
NCAA D1 Wrestling Week 2 Roundup: Journeymenmania
The world’s finest collection of noteworthy happenings from the 1st week of the 2023-24 NCAA D1 wrestling season.
This week’s D1 schedule featured a mix of tournaments, both of the bracketed and round robin variety, and out-of-conference dual meets, as is common this early in the season as teams get their match counts up and continue to figure out their lineup questions and roster battles.
We’ll start the week as we did last week, with the Dual of the Century of the Week, because this is a pro-dual space. Duals are the lifeblood of the college season. No duals, no season. No season, no fans. No fans, fewer new wrestlers, and then the sport is forever diminished.
The Dual of the Week, of the Century
Last week we celebrated Wyoming starting the season on Halloween with the Dual at the Daddy. This week we celebrate the Citadel for locking down a dang aircraft carrier as setting for their double dual meet. UVA won seven matches to spoil the party for the hometown Bulldogs, winning 24-11, while the Runnin Dawgs of Gardner-Webb were stopped in their tracks by a stout Army squad that put a 35-6 thumping G-WU.
Thing is though, an outdoor match next to the South Carolina shore in early November sometimes has a humidity problem. And so the two duals that were scheduled to take place later in the evening (Army vs the Citadel and UVA vs GWU) did not happen. But ya know, that’s life and that won’t stop me from celebrating that we still got do dual meets on the deck of an aircraft carrier.
There was also a collegiate women’s dual between Presbyterian and Campbellsville, and it was a thriller. Campbellsville led by two points heading into the final match, but Ella Beam secured the 10-0 tech to score 4 team points for the Blue Hose (and no points for the Tigers) which put Presbyterian on top 23-21 (freestyle dual meet scoring is a little different but we don’t have time for that now). Additionally, Division II power Lander triumphed over Newberry, 31-6. … more at … https://www.flowrestling.org/articles/12985683-ncaa-d1-wrestling-week-2-roundup-journeymenmania
Gable Steveson Returning to Gopher Wrestling Team
MINNEAPOLIS – He’s back.
Olympic gold medalist, two-time NCAA champion and two-time Hodge Trophy winner Gable Steveson is returning to the University of Minnesota wrestling team for a fifth season of competition in the 2024-25 campaign, head coach Brandon Eggum announced Tuesday. “First I would like to thank the University of Minnesota for their time, their effort and their persistence with me to push me to the man I am today,” Steveson said in his comeback video. “Minnesota has given me everything, and now it’s my turn to give it right back to them: to put my feet back on the wrestling mat, to be the champ, one more time.”
Steveson has the opportunity to return by utilizing NCAA waivers due to an Olympic redshirt and the extra year of eligibility that was granted in 2020 due to the circumstances surrounding COVID-19. He is expected to make his season debut on Nov. 24 against Campbell. “Gable has the burning desire to compete for the Maroon and Gold one last time,” Eggum said. “We are thankful he has chosen the opportunity to add to his historic legacy with our program. He is one of the best to ever compete in the sport of wrestling, and we are grateful for the impact has had at our program.”
Steveson, who last competed during the 2021-22 campaign, is one of the most decorated wrestlers in Minnesota wrestling history. The heavyweight is one of six in program history to win multiple NCAA championships (2021-22), one of eight to win three Big Ten titles (2020-22) and one of 11 to be a four-time All-American (2019-22). He boasts the best winning percentage in Gophers history with an 85-2 career record (.977), including a perfect 48-0 mark in dual competition and a 36-0 tally against Big Ten opponents. … more at … https://gophersports.com/news/2024/11/12/gable-steveson-returning-to-gopher-wrestling-team
Carolinas Colleges News & Results
Wolves Dominate in Season Home Opener 44-10 Against Bluefield State University
Newberry, SC: The Wolves dominate in season home opener 44-10 against Bluefield State University.
The first win of the night goes to Sophomore Ethan McCullough who went up against Luke Roberts at 133 pounds. Roberts couldn’t keep up with McCullough as the match ended with a technical fall 21-4.
Caelen Alderman, 149 pounds, was up next against Enrique Sanchez where he brought the pressure. Alderman was the first and only Newberry pin of the night with a time of 4:06. … more at … https://newberrywolves.com/news/2024/11/13/general-wolves-dominate-in-season-home-opener-44-10-against-bluefield-state-university.aspx
And …
Crusaders Move to 2-0 in Conference With Victory at LMU
HARROGATE, Tenn. — The Belmont Abbey wrestling team earned its second straight Conference Carolinas victory thanks to a 35-16 victory over Lincoln Memorial Wednesday evening at Mary Mars Gymansium.
The Crusaders won three of the six bouts contested Wednesday while winning the other four via forfeit. Freshman Stone Busler (149) led the way for the Crusaders with a win via tech fall over LMU’s Graham Rocha.
Additionally, Alex Ropski (165) and Palmer Smith (174) won their respective bouts by decision to help clinch the match for the Abbey.
Belmont Abbey is now 2-0 overall in dual matches with the same record in Conference Carolinas competition. Lincoln Memorial is now 0-2 overall and in conference play. … more at … https://abbeyathletics.com/news/2024/11/13/wrestling-crusaders-move-to-2-0-in-conference-with-victory-at-lmu.aspx
And …
Issac Sheeren Named Conference Carolinas Wrestler of the Week
GREENVILLE, S.C. – Freshman Issac Sheeren has been named the Conference Carolinas Wrestler of the Week, the league annouced on Tuesday afternoon. This is the first award for Sheeren this season and the first Bearcat to earn a weekly honor from the conference since the 2022-23 season.
Sheeren also earned Wrestler of the Week honors from Wrestle Report
A freshman from Houston, Texas, Sheeren opened his career with a dominant 18-2 tech fall over Ruban Izzard Jr. of Allen. He then raised eyebrows on Friday as he took down a former Junior College national champion in Kale Schrader of Newberry with a takedown in the last ten seconds to secure a 6-5 win.
Issac then wrapped his week by winning the Georgia Open on Sunday which included him taking down the #3 ranked heavyweight in NAIA, 8-2, in the finals. … more at … https://landerbearcats.com/news/2024/11/12/wrestling-issac-sheeren-named-conference-carolinas-wrestler-of-the-week.aspx
And …
A wrestler’s journey from Afghanistan to Newberry College
NEWBERRY COUNTY – The start of a new season for the Newberry College wrestling team means a crop of new wrestlers with unique backgrounds and stories. One of those unique stories is that of Bashir Rostami, an Afghanistan refugee who, after wrestling for his high school in Florida for one year, found his way to Newberry.
Rostami was born in Kabul (the capital city of Afghanistan), and grew up in the Parwan Province before once again living in Kabul. His sister, Malalai, had a high-level position at the Kabul International Airport and according to Bryant Blanton, associate head wrestling coach at Newberry college, she bravely risked her own life helping to get American soldiers out of Afghanistan.
This heroic act led to the troops offering to get her and her family out of Afghanistan, to which they took advantage. The family then came to the United States, specifically Tampa, Florida. Rostami attended Freedom High School for two years. While he was unable to wrestle his junior year, he did participate during his senior year.
And wrestled he did as Rostami said he won over 20 matches with just one loss. This was not Rastami’s first experience with wrestling, or contact sports in general. He said he wrestled for about six or seven years in Afghanistan, as well as practicing kung fu, muay thai, mixed martial arts and soccer.
Rastami said he has a goal of being a UFC world champion and that his family is his motivation to succeed, especially that of his father who passed away two years ago. … more at … https://www.newberryobserver.com/sports/72714/a-wrestlers-journey-from-afghanistan-to-newberry-college
Jason Moorman Out As King University Women’s Wrestling Coach
Jason Moorman is no longer the King University Women’s Wrestling coach as of October 18, 2024
TDR Editor’s Notes; Moorman is the top Women’s Coach in Career Dual Meet Wins!
Jason Moorman is no longer the head women’s wrestling coach at King. Moorman is arguably the country’s most successful women’s college wrestling coach after serving in the role since the 2009-10 season.
He led the team to a 1-9 record during its inaugural season before building a national powerhouse. The Tornado won four WCWA Championships (2014-17) and has placed in the top three at the National Collegiate Women’s Wrestling Championships since the tournament began in 2020.
King University, an NCAA Division II school in Bristol, Tennessee, stated about his departure: “As of Friday, Oct. 18, 2024, Jason Moorman is no longer employed with King University. We are grateful for his service and wish him well going forward. “The future remains bright for the Tornado, and we will now begin a formal search process to identify the next proven and qualified candidate to guide our highly respected women’s wrestling program.”
The 2014 King University women’s team was inducted into the Athletics Hall of Fame on Oct 6, 2024. Moorman and several team members, including 2024 Olympic gold medalist Sarah Hildebrandt, attended the weekend festivities. “I know when abrupt changes like this happen in a sport with men coaching female athletes, first assumptions can go straight to some inappropriate incidents causing harm or mistreating student-athletes, and that is not the case whatsoever,” Moorman said. … more at … https://www.flowrestling.org/articles/12919987-jason-moorman-out-as-king-university-womens-wrestling-coach
NWCA Announces Return of National Dual Meet Championships to UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls, IA, January 10-11, 2025
102 Teams to Compete Across Six Divisions, Including NCAA Division I Men’s Teams for the First Time Since 2017
MANHEIM, PA – The National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA) is excited to announce the return of the NWCA/USMC Multi-Division National Dual Meet Championships, presented by A Better Way Athletics, Capitol Construction, and Defense Soap, set to take place on January 10-11, 2025, at the UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls, IA. This marks the first time since 2017 that NCAA Division I Men’s teams will compete in this prestigious event.
The National Duals will feature a highly competitive field, with teams from six divisions: NAIA Men, NAIA Women, NCAA D1 Men, NCAA D2 Men, NCAA D3 Men, and NCAA Women. In total, 102 teams will battle over two days of action, culminating in the championship finals on Saturday afternoon, January 11. 54% of the programs participating, were established since the year 2000.
“This year’s National Dual Meet Championships promises to be an exciting and intense competition with some of the best wrestlers in the country going head-to-head,” said NWCA Executive Director Mike Moyer. “We are thrilled to return to the UNI-Dome, a venue with a rich wrestling history, and bring the National Duals back to fans … more at … https://nwcaonline.com/news/2024/11/8/national-wrestling-coaches-association-nwca-announces-return-of-national-dual-meet-championships-to-uni-dome-in-cedar-falls-ia-january-10-11-2025.aspx?utm_source=social&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=national_duals&utm_content=NWCA&utm_id=banner
HBCU Wrestling and Delaware State Announce the First Ever Division I Women’s Wrestling Program
DOVER — HBCU Wrestling and Delaware State University (DSU) are proud to announce the historic launch of the first-ever Division I women’s wrestling program at an HBCU, a major milestone made possible by a generous $1.25 million gift from HBCU Wrestling. This initiative represents more than just an expansion in athletics; it is a commitment to equitable opportunities, reflecting both institutions’ dedication to creating pathways where student-athletes can thrive.
“The partnership with HBCU Wrestling gives our women student-athletes a platform to compete, grow, and inspire others. We are excited for this new chapter and the impact it will have for years to come,” said Dr. Alecia Shields-Gadson, Director of Athletics.
The Delaware State University athletics department will immediately begin the search for a head coach. The first season for the women’s wrestling program is set to begin in the 2025-26 season.
Founded in 2021, HBCU Wrestling has made it its mission to bring wrestling back to HBCUs, giving young athletes the chance to excel in sports while being empowered as leaders. This movement began with a $2.7 million gift to Morgan State University, leading to the revitalization of its wrestling program. With the launch of DSU’s women’s team, HBCU Wrestling continues its mission to increase representation and opportunity in collegiate sports.
Restoring Tradition, Advancing Equity
Delaware State University’s history in wrestling spans decades, and it was the last HBCU to offer a Division I wrestling program before it was discontinued in 2009 due to financial and compliance challenges. The closure of DSU’s program mirrored a broader trend, as many universities—both HBCUs and others—faced similar pressures that led to the elimination of wrestling programs nationwide. Now, with HBCU Wrestling’s strategic support, DSU is not only reviving its program but doing so in a way that aligns with Title IX standards and promotes gender equity. This new program opens the doors for DSU to develop a sustainable, competitive team where young women athletes can reach their full potential.
“This announcement is not only about wrestling; it’s about expanding access to life-changing opportunities,” said Jahi Jones, Executive Director of HBCU Wrestling. “At HBCU Wrestling, we’ve built a foundation that now allows young women to succeed, thrive, and lead while still being in an environment where they feel seen, valued, and loved. This program aligns with the incredible growth of women’s wrestling nationwide, and I look forward to a strong, lasting partnership with Delaware State University that will inspire and empower future generations.”
A New Era for HBCU Athletics
DSU President Tony Allen highlighted the significance of this partnership.
“Delaware State University is proud to take this historic step in advancing opportunities for women in sports,” said Tony Allen, President of DSU. “We’re also thankful for our partnership with HBCU Wrestling, which … more at … https://dsuhornets.com/news/2024/11/7/general-hbcu-wrestling-and-delaware-state-announce-the-first-ever-division-i-womens-wrestling-program.aspx

