Unique Dual Venues for the 2024-25 Season
With the collegiate wrestling season ready to kick off fans are once again excited to fill up the iconic arenas throughout the country such as Carver Hawkeye Arena, Hilton Coliseum, Rec Hall, or Gallagher-Iba Arena. However, it is becoming more and more common for high-level duals and other competitions to take place in other non-traditional venues. Could it be possible that these events outside of traditional campuses allow matches to air on more and more streaming services? The answer is likely yes. It also can create a different environment and hopefully stir up interest around the competition. Whatever the reason, it has led to matches taking place in some interesting spots. In the end, you only really need to roll out a mat and set up a scoring table for a collegiate wrestling match. The following looks at some of the unique venues that will host NCAA Division I wrestling this season.
October 31st – The “Dual at the Daddy” Wyoming vs. Campbell
Campbell has been at the forefront of avant-garde venues in the collegiate wrestling world. During the 2022-2023 season, the Fighting Camels wrestled Michigan and North Carolina in an airplane hangar at the military base formerly known as Fort Bragg. At one point it rained, and a match had to be delayed while they repositioned an aircraft and closed the hangar doors.
Last year, they faced off against Wyoming in the aptly named “Battle in the Barn,” which, you guessed it, took place in a barn. Of course, it was a very nice barn at the Deerwood Ranch in Laramie, Wyoming. Per the website, the wedding venue features “rehearsal, ceremony and … more at … https://intermatwrestle.com/articles.html/college/unique-dual-venues-for-the-2024-25-season-r99680/
Campbell picked No. 1 in preseason SoCon wrestling poll
App State, Chattanooga selected second and third, respectively
SPARTANBURG, S.C. – The Campbell Camels have been selected as the preseason frontrunner for the third straight season for the upcoming 2024-25 wrestling campaign by the league’s nine head coaches, who also selected a 10-member preseason all-conference team.
Coaches were not allowed to vote for their own teams or student-athletes. Five wrestlers maxed out with the number of points possible to be selected to the pre-season all-conference team, and five of the wrestlers on the preseason all-conference team were individual title winners at the 2024 SoCon Championship. Two wrestlers selected to the preseason all-conference team received additional NCAA allocations last season.
Campbell, who finished second to App State with 97.5 points in last year’s SoCon tournament, earned 64 points in the preseason poll and garnered eight first-place votes. The Camels went 8-0 in conference matchups last season and held a 14-3 record overall, fueled by a pair of victories over Big Ten opponents, topping then ninth-ranked Nebraska on Nov. 10, and then 19th-ranked Stanford on Dec. 19.
The Camels, the 2024 SoCon regular season champion, had five wrestlers selected to the preseason All-SoCon team with Anthony Molton (125), Domenic Zaccone (133), Dom Baker (174), Levi Hopkins (197), and Taye Ghadiali (HWT) making the squad. Hopkins and Ghadiali, both were individual champions at the 2024 SoCon Championship, and Zaccone and Baker received allocations to the NCAA Tournament. Molton, Hopkins, and Ghadiali maxed out on the on the first-place votes in their respective weight class in preseason voting. Ghadiali will be looking for his fourth straight individual title at heavyweight, while Hopkins will be looking for a third consecutive individual conference crown.
App State, the 2024 SoCon tournament champion, came in second with 55 points and a first-place vote in the preseason poll. The Mountaineers enter their 15th season under the direction of the three-time defending Southern Conference Coach of the Year JohnMark Bentley. Two App State wrestlers, Will Miller (165) and Tomas Brooker (184), were selected to the preseason all-conference team. Miller, who won the 165-pound title in 2024, went 25-8 overall with a perfect 8-0 mark in SoCon matches … more at …. https://soconsports.com/wrest/article/bltfcff580a80b946f1/
Lindland Inducted to National Wrestling Hall of Fame
Former Nebraska wrestler and coach Matt Lindland is to be inducted to the National Wrestling Hall of Fame as a Distinguished Member, announced Thursday, Oct. 31. Lindland is the fifth Husker to receive the honor.
The 1993 Big Eight champion was a volunteer assistant coach at Nebraska under Tim Neumann for four seasons from 1996-2000. Lindland assisted in coaching 10 All-Americans for the Huskers, including a standout 1999-2000 season that saw Nebraska crown four All-Americans and finish eighth as a team. Nebraska was 52-25 in his four seasons in Lincoln.
The National Wrestling Hall of Fame honors distinguished members as “a wrestler who has achieved extraordinary success in national and/or international competition; a coach who has demonstrated great leadership in the profession and who has compiled an outstanding record; or a contributor whose long-term activities have substantially enhanced the development and advancement of the sport.”
Lindland also had a storied career wrestling for the Huskers. He helped NU to its best finish ever in 1992-93, compiling a 36-1 record, with an 11-0 dual mark at 158 pounds. His victory total put him in the top 10 in single-season wins, and his .973 winning percentage tied him for No. 1 on NU’s all-time list with Bill Scherr. Lindland’s only loss came at the NCAA Championships, which prevented him from All-America honors.
His season was the driving force behind Nebraska’s No. 2 final dual ranking and third-place NCAA finish. He won the Big Eight title at 158 pounds and helped NU to the 1993 Big Eight team title.
Lindland continued his wrestling career on the international level, earning a silver medal at the 2000 Sydney Olympics, and competing at four World Championships. He was also named the 1999 USA Wrestling Athlete of the Year. … more at … https://huskers.com/news/2024/10/31/lindland-inducted-to-national-wrestling-hall-of-fame
2024-25 Campbell Preview
Hi besties, long time no see. Leaves are falling, the wind is a little chillier, and wrestling mats have been rolled out. It’s time to talk about our SoCon season.
The Camels added TJ Dudley to their coaching staff this summer. Dudley, a three-time All-American at 184 lbs (Nebraska), comes to the Creek following three seasons of coaching at Brown University. Speaking of Nebraska, the Camels will host the #3 Cornhuskers on November 15, on the infield at the historic Jim Perry Stadium. Intermission will feature a star-studded exhibition presented by CLAW Wrestling between Jordan Oliver and Bryce Andonian. The match that will surely bring the heat on that chilly Friday in November. Also, it’s looking like a 125lb rematch of (former) SoCon rivals #25 Anthony Molton and #4 Caleb Smith (NEB).
But before I get ahead of myself with the schedule, Campbell, continuing to wow fans with fun venues to experience wrestling – from aircraft hangars to battling at barns, the Camels know how to make wrestling fun. Dual at the Daddy will take place on the spookiest night of the year – Halloween. At Frontier Park in Cheyenne, Wyoming, the Camels and the (#25 Wyoming) Cowboys are set to face off for a special dual. So special, it required a waiver from the NCAA to begin the season on October 31. The scary-good matchup of the evening will be at 197 lbs – #17 Joey Novak (WYO) vs #20 Levi Hopkins. Hopkins, the returning Southern Conference Champion, would be defending his 2-0 streak against Novak.
Jake Patacsil is another addition to the Campbell Wrestling staff. Patacsil boasts a rich coaching resume – having held assistant coaching positions at NAIA and NCAA DI and DII programs, Coach Patacsil was also the head coach for the inaugural season of Mount Olive’s wrestling program (2018). An All-American at 149 for Purdue, Patacsil is likely working with the middleweights. Campbell is slated to host five duals this season and will be on the road for WrangleMania, the Knockout Collegiate Classic, the Southern Scuffle, the Chippewa Challenge, … more at … https://intermatwrestle.com/articles.html/college/socon/2024-25-campbell-preview-r99667/
UNC-Pembroke Wrestling Renames Tournament In Honor Of Former Head Coach PJ Smith
PEMBROKE – UNCP wrestling’s long-standing preseason tournament, the Pembroke Classic, has been renamed the PJ Smith Pembroke Classic, athletic department officials announced Monday.
“This is a fitting tribute to Coach Smith and his legacy at UNCP and in our community,” said UNC Pembroke Director of Athletics, Dick Christy. “The Pembroke Classic provides a wide spectrum of mat opportunities for student-athletes to compete, something that really aligns with Coach Smith’s efforts to grow the sport of wrestling in our community, region, and state.”
“Coach Smith started this tournament back in the ’80s when he took over as head coach at UNCP, and is the longest-standing preseason tournament in the southeast, as well as one of the longest-standing in the country,” said UNC Pembroke head wrestling coach OT Johnson. “As we all know, PJ was an instrumental part of wrestling in the southeast region, and this tournament is indicative of that. I had a chance to wrestle in this tournament as a collegiate athlete, and it is surreal to be honoring the man that made that possible with the renaming of this event.”
The event is still the longest-standing annual athletics event for UNC Pembroke. … more at … https://uncpbraves.com/news/2024/10/28/wrestling-renames-tournament-in-honor-of-former-head-coach-pj-smith.aspx
Wyoming Wrestling Dominates Campbell, 28-12, in the Dual at the Daddy
CHEYENNE, Wyoming (10/31/24) – The University of Wyoming wrestling team and Campbell opened up the 2024-25 NCAA wrestling season Thursday night in the Dual at the Daddy. And with the entire collegiate wrestling world watching, the Pokes didn’t disappoint.
In fact, they dominated. Wyoming, at Frontier Park on the grounds of Cheyenne Frontier Days, toppled the Fighting Camels, 28-12. “It’s awesome. I love doing these things,” Wyoming’s Jore Volk said. “It was fun too. The crowd was awesome. They’re right on top of you. It was an awesome experience, and I hope we do something with UFC Fight Pass every year.”
These same two teams met last year at the Battle in the Barn. That event was put on by UFC Fight Pass, as well, and Campbell came out on top, 23-12. The revenge exacted by Wyoming on Thursday was quick and loud. The Cowboys sprung two upsets in the first three bouts and rode that to winning seven of 10.
No. 2 Volk (125) got things started with a methodical 2-0 win over No. 13 Anthony Molton. An escape point and a ride-time point accounted for the only scores.
Stockton O’Brien (133) had the match of the night. He pinned No. 15 Domenic Zaccone in the second period and was named Wrestle of the Night for his upset. He was gifted a WWE-style belt following the dual.
Cole Brooks (141) followed suit. He upset No. 29 Shannon Hanna with a takedown in overtime for a 5-2 sudden victory.
No. 25 Jared Hill (157) also won in overtime. He defeated Seth Larson, 8-5.
Cooper Voorhees (165) grinded out a 4-2 decision win over Kendrick Hodge. … more at … https://gowyo.com/news/2024/10/31/wrestling-dominates-campbell-28-12-in-the-dual-at-the-daddy.aspx
Prendergast wins at 103; UMO competes at home event
MOUNT OLIVE (Nov. 4) – In the opening event of the 2024-25 season, freshman Lillian Prendergast captured individual medalist honors in the 103-weight class on Saturday, as the Trojans featured a trio of wrestlers on the podium at the Trojan Open in Kornegay Arena.
The University of Mount Olive women’s wrestling program had eight wrestlers in the event, including four newcomers to the roster. The Trojans featured at least one wrestler in seven of the 10 weight classes. Prendergast posted a perfect 3-0 record at 103 on Saturday in her first collegiate competition with Mount Olive. 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.
Freshman O’marzria Wright delivered a stellar performance in the 110-weight class after finishing as the runner-up behind a 3-1 mark. She won by fall in the opening two rounds after defeating Chloe Carver of Montreat and Ashley Courtney of Cumberlands. In the semifinals, Wright posted a victory via a 12-2 tech fall versus Payton Agnell of Lindsey Wilson but fell the title match to Reagan Thomas of Lindsey Wilson by an 18-7 tech fall.
In the 207 weight class, sophomore Andrea Smith produced a fourth-place finish … more at … https://umotrojans.com/news/2024/11/2/womens-wrestling-prendergast-wins-at-103-umo-competes-at-home-event.aspx
The National Wrestling Hall of Fame on Thursday announced that its Class of 2025 is Distinguished Members
Darryl Burley, Matt Lindland, Terry Steiner and Greg Wojciechowski, Meritorious Official honoree Ken Mara, Order of Merit Recipient Van Stokes, Medal of Courage recipient Mark Coleman and Outstanding American honoree Terry Davis.
“The National Wrestling Hall of Fame is pleased to announce our Class of 2025, a deserving group of individuals are being recognized because of the sustainable values they have contributed to wrestling,” said Lee Roy Smith, Executive Director of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame. “Each of these leaders set the tone and modeled the rituals, skills and work ethic necessary to advance the culture of our great sport’s heritage, both on and off the mat.”
The Hall of Fame’s Board of Governors approved the selections at their annual fall meeting on October 29. The Class of 2025 will be honored and officially inducted during the 48th Honors Weekend on June 6 and 7, 2025 in Stillwater, Oklahoma. For more information on Honors Weekend, please telephone (405) 377-5243. Lindland and Steiner were chosen as Distinguished Members for the Modern Era while Burley and Wojciechowski were selected by the Veterans Committee. The newest honorees will bring the number of Distinguished Members to 216, since the Hall of Fame began in 1976. Steiner becomes the 18th Distinguished Member from the University of Iowa while Burley is the sixth from Lehigh University, Lindland is the fifth from the University of Nebraska and Wojciechowski is the second from the University of Toledo. Oklahoma State University has the most Distinguished Members with 38 while Iowa’s 18 is second followed by Iowa State University and the University of Oklahoma tied for third with 14 each. Distinguished Members can be a wrestler who has achieved extraordinary success in national and/or international competition; a coach who has demonstrated great leadership in the profession and who has compiled an outstanding record; or a contributor whose long-term activities have substantially enhanced the development and advancement of the sport. Wrestlers must have been retired from active competition for a period of five years to be eligible for consideration as a Distinguished Member. Darryl Burley was a two-time NCAA Division I national champion and a four-time NCAA finalist with a career record of 94-5-1 for Lehigh University. He won his titles at 134 pounds in 1979 and at 142 pounds in 1983 while finishing second in 1980 and 1981 at 134 pounds. Burley was a four-time Eastern Intercollegiate Wrestling Association champion, and a two-time champion, six-time finalist and Outstanding Wrestler at the Midlands Tournament. He won a bronze medal at the prestigious Tbilisi tournament … more at … https://nwhof.org/news
Lander picked to repeat as Conference Carolinas men’s wrestling champions
GREENVILLE, S.C. – Lander University has been picked atop the 2024-25 Conference Carolinas Men’s Wrestling Preseason Poll the league announced on Thursday, October 24. The Bearcats won the final two South Atlantic Conference Carolinas crowns before taking the Conference Carolinas West Division and tournament titles last year in the first year Conference Carolinas soley sponsored sport.
The Bearcats received 12-of-14 first-place votes (teams can’t vote for themselves) and 194 total points to claim the top spot while Newberry was a close second with 186 points and the remaining two first-place votes. UNC Pembroke wasn’t far behind, picked third with 180 points before King (142) and Mount Olive (131) rounded out the top five. Belmont Abbey (126) was sixth in the preseason poll followed by Emmanuel (112), Limestone (102), Coker (101), Montevallo (97), Allen (60), Lincoln Memorial (59), Emory & Henry (33), Bluefield State (27) and Shorter (25).
The preseason poll was voted on by the league’s head coaches. … more at … https://conferencecarolinas.com/news/2024/10/18/mens-wrestling-preseason-poll.aspx
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.
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. “I am extremely grateful for King University and my 18 years there. … more at … https://www.flowrestling.org/articles/12919987-jason-moorman-out-as-king-university-womens-wrestling-coach
TDR blog
After 20 seasons of publicizing wrestling The TakeDown Report’s (TDR) focus has changed to the collecting of college coaching records from North America since 1903. We will continue to recognize and reward successful wrestlers in eastern North Carolina (east of Raleigh & Fayetteville), assist with schools in starting or re-starting a team and this blog. Join us on our FaceBook Page – “The TakeDown Report” for photos and news. Please send results, stories, links and news to pass along. E-mail us at takedownreport@gmail.com
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