UNC Wrestling Sweeps Duals, Three Collect Open Championships Saturday
ANNAPOLIS, Md. – North Carolina wrestling (2-0) began its dual portion of the 2024-25 schedule Saturday, collecting wins over Drexel (33-0) and Navy (23-16).
Against the Dragons, Carolina completed the sweep, earning seven decisions and three major decisions. Lachlan McNeil (149), Nicholas Fea (165) and Cade Lautt (197) collected bonus point victories for the Tar Heels.
With the win, Carolina began the season 1-0 for the seventh-straight season, the second-longest streak in program history (1973-74 to 1980-81).
In the nightcap, the Tar Heels collected four bonus point victories, courtesy of Spencer Moore (125), Lachlan McNeil (141), Sonny Santiago (157) and Aydin Guttridge (285).
The Tar Heels begin the home portion of the schedule on Friday, hosting No. 4 Nebraska inside Carmichael Arena.
No. 25 North Carolina 33, Drexel 0
November 9, 2024 | Alumni Hall | Annapolis, Md.
125: No. 26 Spencer Moore (UNC) over Desmond Pleasant (Drexel): 10-5 Dec
133: No. 17 Ethan Oakley (UNC) over Kyler Waterman (Drexel): 8-2 Dec
141: Jayden Scott (UNC) over Jordan Soriano (Drexel): 5-2 Dec
149: No. 6 Lachlan McNeil (UNC) over Dom Findora (Drexel): 14-4 MD … more at … https://goheels.com/news/2024/11/9/wrestling-sweeps-duals-three-collect-open-championships-saturday
Breaking down the fireworks, upsets and epic matches from first weekend of college wrestling
College wrestling season is officially back, and the first weekend of the season brought plenty of fireworks, upsets and epic matches. Here are some of the most notable results and takeaways from the opening few days of the year:
Wyoming and Campbell raise the bar for elite college duals
As mentioned in my weekend preview, one of the biggest stories heading into the first weekend of college wrestling was the Wyoming vs. Campbell dual in a rodeo venue. This match delivered.
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Not only did Wyoming and Campbell put forward an incredible evening that highlighted the ‘fun’ of college wrestling, but they also created ten stellar matches, highlighted elite sportsmanship and a vision for what the future of college wrestling could look like. These are two teams pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in the sport and making headlines doing it.
From a wrestling standpoint, Stockton O’Brien of Wyoming earned “Wrestler of the Dual” honors for his pin against Campbell’s No. 18 Domenic Zaccone, but the entire dual featured great action. … more at … https://www.ncaa.com/news/wrestling/article/2024-11-04/breaking-down-first-weekend-college-wrestling
Olympics Wrestling PA Announcer finds community, belonging as Voice of the Huskies
Jason Bryant has emerged as one of the top wrestling public address (PA) announcers in the world over the past decade.
The numbers speak for themselves: 25 collegiate wrestling national championship events, seven world championship events and three editions of the Summer Olympics.
So how did an avid wrestling fan end up as the voice of a Division I men’s hockey team?
When longtime PA announcer Chuck Clausen retired in 2022 after 32 years with St. Cloud State University Men’s Hockey, a significant role needed to be filled.
Bryant first saw the job posting on a PA announcing Facebook group. He showed it to his wife Abby, who encouraged him to give it a try. “We opened up a search not knowing where it would go, and a lot of people wanted to be the next voice of the Huskies,” said Andrew Melroe, Assistant Athletics Director for Athletic Communications. “I was surprised and happy when I saw he had applied, I hoped we could make it work … any time I can add to the Husky family, I’m happy to do so.”
Bryant didn’t feel his in-person audition went great, so he was a bit surprised when he was offered the position. Prior to SCSU’s 2022-23 season opener against St. Thomas, he’d only seen one college hockey game live in his life. Did he feel ready to call one in-person?
“I’ve done the Olympics; nothing is more pressure-packed than that,” Bryant said. … more at … https://today.stcloudstate.edu/2024/10/28/olympics-wrestling-pa-announcer-finds-community-belonging-as-voice-of-the-huskies/
#7 Wolfpack Collect Four Falls Against Campbell to Start Dual Action
Bethlehem, Pa. – Seventh-ranked NC State wrestling dominated Campbell by a 44-3 score at Journeymen’s WrangleMania Saturday evening to kick off its dual-match slate for the year. In its first dual-match of the 2024-25 season, NC State wrestling showed off its new lineup Saturday evening against Campbell when four of its 10 bouts ended early from pin falls. NC State got the victory in each of the four ranked match-ups featured at the 141, 157, 174, and 197 classes.
After the first two bouts at 125 and 133, the score leveled out at three a piece, but the Pack wouldn’t give the Camels anymore points from then on. Kai Orine, Ed Scott, Matty Singleton, and Christian Knop each collected falls over their opponents to allow the Pack’s team score to completely break away from Campbell’s. In addition to that, Dylan Fishback earned a technical fall in just the second period.
Coming off of his redshirt year, 24th-ranked Singleton rejoined the lineup at the 174 pound weight class and came out in style, pinning his opponent, 25th-ranked Dom baker in just 24 seconds. The night capped off with No. 10 Isaac Trumble in his first match at heavyweight … more at … https://gopack.com/news/2024/11/9/wrestling-7-wolfpack-collect-four-falls-against-campbell-to-start-dual-action
Prendergast named Wrestler of the Week
GREENVILLE, N.C. (Nov. 5) – After claiming the individual championship at 103, University of Mount Olive freshman Lillian Prendergast was selected as the Conference Carolinas Wrestler of the Week by the league office on Tuesday afternoon.
Prendergast posted a perfect 3-0 record in the 103-weight class on Saturday in her first collegiate competition with Mount Olive in the Trojan Open. After receiving an opening-round bye, she produced a fall in just 48 seconds over Olivia Collins of Greensboro in the quarterfinals before defeating Morgan Repasky of Montreat by a 10-0 tech fall. In the championship match, Prendergast captured the individual title via forfeit over Angelina Casteneda of Cumberlands.
She becomes the first-ever recipient of the weekly conference honor in the inaugural season of women’s wrestling in South Atlantic Conference Carolinas. … more at …. https://umotrojans.com/news/2024/11/5/womens-wrestling-prendergast-named-wrestler-of-the-week.aspx
And …
Mount Olive Women’s Wrestling defeats Bluefield State, 40-10
Results
BLUEFIELD, W. Va. (Nov. 6) – In their first-ever South Atlantic Conference Carolinas dual match, the Trojans delivered a significant 40-10 victory at Bluefield State with four victories via fall on Wednesday night. With the win, the University of Mount Olive women’s wrestling team improves to 1-0 in dual competition after beginning the year last weekend at the Trojan Open. It marked the first meeting between the sides following the start of the inaugural year of women’s wrestling being sponsored as a conference sport. Meanwhile, Bluefield State drops to 0-1 this season as it begins its second year as a program.
Following three forfeits to begin the match, the Trojan held an early 15-0 advantage on Wednesday night. In the 124-weight class, sophomore Ayonna McNeill delivered a first-period pin at the 1:28 mark to stretch the lead to 20-0. Bluefield State … more at … https://umotrojans.com/news/2024/11/7/womens-wrestling-defeats-bluefield-state-40-10.aspx
And …
Prendergast finishes fourth; UMO competes at Eagle Madness
MARIETTA, Ga. (Nov. 9) – Freshman Lillian Prendergast reached the podium with a fourth-place finish in the 103-weight class on Saturday, as the Trojans competed at the Eagle Madness Open, hosted by Life University.
The University of Mount Olive women’s wrestling program featured eight wrestlers across seven different weight classes. It marked the second open competition of the season for the Trojans following a dual match victory over Bluefield State earlier this week.
Following an opening-round loss, Prendergast rebounded with three consecutive wins in the consolation bracket. She produced a first-round pin over D. Tejada before earning a 14-2 tech fall versus Alyssa Archer of Lindsey Wilson. In the consolation semifinals, Prendergast won via fall over Conference Carolinas foe Lynnlie Rountree of Emmanuel. She ultimately claimed fourth place at 103 following a loss to Kira Mitchell in the third-place match.
In the 117-weight class, sophomore Ayonna McNeill posted a 2-2 record while competing in Georgia on Saturday. She registered an opening-round fall over Ruby Guerrero of Hastings before suffering a loss via pin to Salyna Shotwell of Life. In the consolation bracket, McNeill recorded a fall in 57 seconds against Madison Addcock of Marymount, but fell to Shahreen Gulacha of Life in the next round.
Freshman Alfa Dominguez delivered a 2-2 record in her second collegiate open with the program. Competing at 131, she dropped her first bout before responding with a pair of victories in the consolation bracket. Dominguez defeated Jayla Mackell and Ingird Penn of Marymount, but fell in the third round to Olivia Mottley of Life.
In the 138-weight class, sophomore Angelica Steffy produced a 2-2 mark while competing … more at … https://umotrojans.com/news/2024/11/9/womens-wrestling-prendergast-finishes-fourth-umo-competes-at-eagle-madness.aspx
North Carolina’s Spencer Moore Tabbed ACC Wrestler of the Week
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (theACC.com) – North Carolina’s Spencer Moore was named the Atlantic Coast Conference Wrestler of the Week following his 3-0 performance over the first weekend of the season, November 1-3.
Wrestling at 125 pounds, Moore won the championship for his weight class in the Open Division at the Southeast Open in Salem, Virginia, the first of his collegiate career.
Ranked No. 27 in the InterMat Individual Rankings at 125 pounds entering the season, Moore went 3-0 in dominant fashion, outscoring his opponents 37-6 for the tournament.
In his first match, Moore controlled the bout from start to finish in a 21-4 technical fall win over Jace Schafer of West Virginia. The redshirt junior then shut out Jeff Jacome of Gardner-Webb with a 5-0 decision to advance to the finals where he scored an 11-2 major decision win over No. 14 Jett Strickenberger of West Virginia.
Moore was one of seven Tar Heels to finish atop the podium … more at … https://theacc.com/news/2024/11/6/wrestling-north-carolinas-spencer-moore-tabbed-acc-wrestler-of-the-week.aspx
This Week in Women’s Collegiate Wrestling (11/5/2024)
Top 4 Takeaways
1. Open Tournaments create exciting multi-division matchups
The collegiate women’s wrestling season started off with a slew of open tournaments where these athletes got some immediate competition both inside and outside their own conferences. Some tournaments included were the Luther Hill Open, Pointer Open, Maverick Open, Trojan Open, Tiffin Open, and SFU Open on Saturday, followed by the East Stroudsburg Open, Princeton Open, Menlo Open, and McMaster Open on Sunday. With so many tournaments for schools to choose from, we did not see some of the matchups we will see at later tournaments in the season where they almost act as a post-season preview, but there was still some awesome action nonetheless.
#6 Campbellsville showed out at the Tiffin Open with 4 first-place finishes and 5 finishing in second. The competition included wrestlers from host school Tiffin University, (#7) Indiana Tech, and Adrian College among others.
Fans saw former King wrestler and 2x All-American (#5) Tiffani Baublitz make her East Stroudsburg debut by dominating the competition at her new school’s Open. After two pins in under 2 minutes in her first matchups, she won a close 4-1 decision against Olivia Pizano of Lehigh and a 12-1 tech fall in her semis match against (#6) Skylah Chakouian of Elmira. In the finals, Baublitz put a stamp on the day with a pin just past the 2-minute mark against Emily Sindoni also from Elmira.
Southern Oregon’s top competitors showed their impact at the Menlo Open with returning 3x NAIA champion (#1) Carolina Moreno secured first place at 131 pounds with 3 tech falls. Teammate (#3) Emma Baerlein also won in dominant fashion with 2 pins followed by a 9-4 decision against returning All-American Kayla McKinley-Johnson.
Iowa started their second season off with a bang at the Luther Hill Open with 6 title wins, including 3 weights with Iowa vs Iowa finals. Both Naomi Simon at 180 lbs and Kennedy Blades at 160 pounds made their Iowa wrestling debut at this tournament and both walked away with championship titles. Simon racked up 3 consecutive pins followed by a tech fall in the finals over LIndenwood’s Alana Duggan. Kennedy Blades had a predictably dominant showing as well with a 40-second pin and two tech falls to get her to the finals where she took down teammate Rose Cassipoppi with a 10-0 tech fall victory.
The Luther Hill Open also saw one of the most exciting matchups between NAIA #1 Kelani Corbett of Missouri Valley vs NCAA #1 Jaycee Foeller of Iowa. Corbett had a narrow lead of 2-1 heading into the second period, but a 4-point move with just under a minute left secured her the 6-3 victory. It is always awesome to see top competition from NAIA and NCAA come together at tournaments to demonstrate the top talent in both conferences at programs across the country.
2. College stars shine at Senior Worlds
Iowa wrestlers Macey Kilty and Kylie Welker both left Senior World Championships in Albania with some hardware after Bronze medal finishes at 65kg and 72kg respectively. Kilty’s bronze match was an electrifying come-from-behind win where Kilty scored 16 uncontested points after being down 5-0 early for the tech fall win. Welker’s 5-2 bronze win is a bit deceptive … more at … https://intermatwrestle.com/articles.html/women/this-week-in-womens-collegiate-wrestling-1152024-r99697/
Legendary Wrestling Head Coach Grady Peninger Passes Away at 97
EAST LANSING, Mich. – Legendary Michigan State head wrestling coach Grady Peninger passed away on Thursday, October 31 at 97 years old (1927-2024).
Peninger’s name will forever be linked with greatness, becoming the first coach in Big Ten history to win seven consecutive conference titles in any sport (1966-72) and the first Big Ten wrestling program to win a national title in 1967. His 1967 Spartans were the only team outside the states of Oklahoma or Iowa to win a national championship in wrestling over a 33-year span from 1954 to 1987. Additionally, Peninger was the first coach to take a team to Oklahoma, wrestle both the Oklahoma State Cowboys and the Oklahoma Sooners, and go home undefeated. “Grady Peninger is one of the all-time great coaches in our sport,” said Michigan State head wrestling coach Roger Chandler. “The impact he had on Michigan State and Michigan State wrestling is second to none and he will forever be etched in our history books.”
MSU won the 1967 National Championship with 74 team points, 11 ahead of runner-up Michigan.
“Before this year no team except one of the big three ever dreamed of winning the National Championship, but now it doesn’t look as impossible as it used to,” said Peninger to SI.
During his tenure from 1963-1986, Michigan State was a mainstay on the national scene placing in the top five at the NCAA Championships on six occasions. As head coach, his wrestlers earned 10 NCAA titles, 40 Big Ten titles and All-America honors 54 times. Peninger was inducted in the U.S. Wrestling Hall of Fame in 1987, the State of Michigan Wrestling Hall of Fame in 1991 and the Michigan State Athletics Hall of Fame in 2007. He also served as President of the National Wrestling Coaches Association and while a member of the NCAA rules committee, was instrumental in expanding the tournament consolation format in 1986 to include more wrestlers.
Peninger coached a slew of Michigan State wrestlers … more at … https://msuspartans.com/news/2024/11/1/legendary-wrestling-head-coach-grady-peninger-passes-away-at-97.aspx and …
Peninger and the 1967 Spartans were the subjects of an article published in the April 3, 1967 issue of Sports Illustrated.
USA Wrestling Executive Director Rich Bender receives ACES Stephen D. Ducoff Leadership Award
USA Wrestling Executive Director Rich Bender has received the respected Stephen D. Ducoff Leadership Award as presented by ACES, the Association of Chief Executives of Sport.
The Stephen D. Ducoff Leadership Award is given periodically to an ACES Member who has made significant contributions to the organization and its members over time. The award is in honor of Ducoff, the ACES co-founder, who served as CEO of ACES from 2007 until his passing in 2017.
Rich Bender has been Executive Director of USA Wrestling since 2000, leading one of the most successful National Governing Bodies of Olympic sport through six Olympic quadrenniums, with a focus on the upcoming 2028 Los Angeles Olympics . He is one of the longest serving CEOs in the history of the Olympic family, and is the longest serving Executive Director in USA Wrestling history.
From 2010-2016, Bender was elected chairman of U.S. Olympic Committee’s National Governing Body Council, representing over 13,000,000 members from all of the NGBs affiliated with the U.S. Olympic movement. Bender was also elected in 2019 to serve as a USOPC Board Member representing the NGB Council, a position he still holds.
Bender received the award during the ACES Conference in Huntsville, Alabama on October 15.
“It was my honor to present the 2024 award to Rich Bender at the ACES Conference, on behalf of the ACES Board and our members. His wide-ranging positive impact on the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Movement and the sport of … more at … https://www.themat.com/news/2024/october/30/usa-wrestling-executive-director-rich-bender-receives-aces-stephen-d-ducoff-leadership-award
Jennifer Lopez Pushes Her Son to Wrestling Glory in ‘Unstoppable’ Trailer
Film is based on the true story of Anthony Robles, who was born with one leg but still became a high school and college wrestling champ
By Jon Blistein
A wrestler with one leg embarks on a seemingly-impossible journey to be become one of the best wrestlers in the country in new trailer for Unstoppable, starring Jennifer Lopez and Jharrel Jerome.
The upcoming film is based on the true story of Anthony Robles (Jerome), who was born with one leg and became a star high school wrestler, even winning a national championship his senior year. But despite his achievements and skill, many of the best college wrestling programs overlooked Roebels for recruitment. In the new Unstoppable trailer, he’s offered a full scholarship to Drexel but turns it down, choosing instead to try to walk onto the team at highly-ranked Arizona State University.
As the clip shows, Unstoppable will chronicle Robles’ athletic endeavors and his relationship with his mother, Judy (Lopez), who ceaselessly supported her son and his dreams even as she struggled to make ends meet at home. “You make people believe in something,” Judy tells Anthony after reading him a letter sent by a young fan. “When they see you, they don’t see someone who’s missing a leg. They see someone who is unstoppable.”
Along with Lopez and Jerome, Unstoppable’s all-star cast also features Bobby Cannavale, Michael Peña, Don Cheadle, and Shawn Hatosy. The film is based on Robles’ own 2012 book of the same name, and it marks the directorial debut for Oscar-winning editor William Goldenberg (he won for Argo and also earned nominations for films like Seabiscuit, Zero Dark Thirty, and The Insider).
Unstoppable is set to open in select theaters on Dec. 6, before arriving on Prime Video on Jan. 16, 2025. … more at … https://www.rollingstone.com/tv-movies/tv-movie-news/unstoppable-trailer-jennifer-lopez-anthony-robles-biopic-1235147714/
TDR blog
After 20 seasons of publicizing wrestling The TakeDown Report’s (TDR) focus has changed to the collecting of college coaching records from North America since 1903. We will continue to recognize and reward successful wrestlers in eastern North Carolina (east of Raleigh & Fayetteville), assist with schools in starting or re-starting a team and this blog. Join us on our FaceBook Page – “The TakeDown Report” for photos and news. Please send results, stories, links and news to pass along. E-mail us at takedownreport@gmail.com
Martin Fleming, Editor
Takedown Report
Takedown Report 