Pennsylvania wins overall team race at U.S. Marine Corps Junior Nationals, followed by California and Illinois
With the conclusion of the Junior Greco-Roman and 16U Greco-Roman competitions on Saturday night, the overall team championship at the 2025 U.S. Marine Corps Junior Nationals has been determined. Each of the six national tournaments which are part of this extravaganza were completed (16U Girls, Junior Girls, 16U Boys Freestyle, Junior Boys Freestyle, 16U Greco-Roman, Junior Greco-Roman). In fact, Pennsylvania has won the team title in all four tournaments held, sitting with a combined 816 points. Pennsylvania emerged as a dominant team champion, scoring 980 points and winning the team title in four of the national events (16U Girls, Junior Girls, 16U Boys Freestyle, Junior Boys Freestyle). Pennsylvania also had competitive showing in the two Greco-Roman tournaments, placing in a tie for fourth in Junior Greco-Roman, and in a tie for second in 16U Greco-Roman. Pennsylvania placed a full 340 points ahead of the next state association team.
California finished in second with the overall team race with 640 points. Although California did not win any of the six tournaments, the team was a consistent contender in each of them, placing in the top six each time. California was second in Junior Boys Freestyle, third in Junior Girls, fourth in 16U Girls, fourth in 16U Boys Freestyle, Sixth in 16U Greco-Roman and sixth in Junior Greco-Roman.
Illinois made a big jump during the two Greco-Roman tournaments, climbing from fifth in the overall standings after the first four national events up to third in the final overall team standings. Illinois made the biggest jump by winning the Junior Greco-Roman national event with 190 points, a full 101 points ahead of the next team. Illinois had four Junior Greco-Roman champions, Vincent DeMarco (106), Kaleb Pratt (113), Wyatt Medlin (157) and Josh Hoffer (215) and 12 total All-Americans. Their tie for sixth in 16U Greco-Roman featured a champion, Robert Ruscitti (126) and nine All-Americans.
Iowa held on to its fourth place in the final standings with a strong Greco-Roman effort, including winning the 16U Greco-Roman tournament and placing eighth in the Junior Greco-Roman. In the 16U Greco-Roman Nationals, Iowa finished with 138 points, including three individual champions Ty Martin (88), Diego Robertty (106) and Lucas Feuerbach (285) and nine All-Americans.
Ohio claimed fifth place in the overall standings, … more at … https://www.themat.com/news/2025/july/21/pennsylvania-wins-overall-team-race-at-u-s-marine-corps-junior-nationals-followed-by-california-and-illinois
Future NCAA Division III Wrestling Championships sites
UW-La Crosse Selected to Host 2027 NCAA Division III Wrestling Championships
La Crosse, Wis. – The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) announced today the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse has been awarded the bid to host the 2027 NCAA Division III Wrestling Championships.
The wrestling championships, to be held at the La Crosse Center in downtown La Crosse, will occur on March 12-13, 2027. It will mark the sixth time UW-La Crosse has hosted the NCAA III Wrestling Championships (2011, 2012, 2017, 2021, 2024, 2027).
“We’re so excited to host the NCAA Championships again in 2027,” said UWL Head Wrestling Coach Dave Malecek. “There is no better place to have the championships than downtown La Crosse. The La Crosse Center is an amazing facility that is so convenient not only for the wrestlers and coaches but all of the fans. We appreciate the continued support from our amazing downtown businesses and local hotels that help make this championship possible.”
UW-La Crosse placed third at the 2011 and 2024 NCAA Division III Championships at the La Crosse Center, fourth in 2012 and tied for 11th in 2017. The 2021 championships were canceled due to the COVID-19 public health threat. … more at … https://uwlathletics.com/news/2025/7/17/uw-la-crosse-selected-to-host-2027-ncaa-division-iii-wrestling-championships.aspx
Quad Cities selected to host 2028 Division III Men’s Wrestling Championships
Augustana, in partnership with Visit Quad Cities, will host the 2028 national meet
MOLINE, Ill. — Augustana College, in partnership with Visit Quad Cities, has been selected as the host for the 2028 NCAA Division III Men’s Wrestling Championships.
The championship, hosted by Visit Quad Cities in partnership with Augustana College, will take place March 10-11, 2028, at Vibrant Arena at The MARK in Moline, Ill. Early projections show the championship is expected to generate nearly $1 million in direct economic impact for the Quad Cities region. This marks the fourth time Augustana College has served as host institution of the NCAA Division III Men’s Wrestling Championship, with previous host years including 1985, 1991, and 1995 at the Carver Center.
“Hosting the Division III National Championships has been a goal of mine for years,” said head coach Tony Willaert. “This tournament is one of the most electric events in all of wrestling, and it’s incredibly exciting to bring it back to the Quad Cities for the first time since 1995. Since arriving at Augustana, I’ve driven past Vibrant Arena countless times, always imagining what it would be like to bring thousands of fans downtown for a championship weekend. In 2028, we’re not just looking to host, but want to put on a show and make Moline a staple location for this event for years to come.”
Bidding for 87 of 90 NCAA championships began in September 2023, and more than 1,200 bid applications were submitted. Each sport committee, per division, selected the host sites it believed would provide the ultimate experience for the respective student-athletes, resulting in more than 240 total championship event sites being awarded. During the 2025 national championship, over 200 of the best wrestlers in the country competed in ten weight classes. More than 54,000 student-athletes compete in NCAA championships each year.
“On behalf of the Visit Quad Cities Board of Directors and professional team, we are thrilled about the opportunity to host the 2028 NCAA Division III Wrestling Championships,” said Dave Herrell, President and CEO, Visit Quad Cities. “We are grateful for the confidence of the NCAA and look forward … more at … https://athletics.augustana.edu/news/2025/7/22/quad-cities-selected-to-host-2028-division-iii-mens-wrestling-championships.aspx
Virginia Colleges Coaching changes
Averett promotes Braswell to men’s wrestling head coach as Roulo announces departure
DANVILLE, Va. — Averett University announced the promotion of Sam Braswell to head coach of the men’s wrestling program on Wednesday as Blake Roulo departs for another coaching opportunity. Braswell served as an assistant coach for the past three seasons on Roulo’s staff following a storied career as an All-American with the Cougars. Braswell, who has been affiliated with Averett wrestling since it began in 2018, becomes the Cougars’ third head coach for the storied program which has produced 10 All-America selections, 20 NCAA national qualifiers and five region champions in only eight seasons of existence.
“Sam Braswell has been an integral part of our wrestling program, first as a student-athlete and then as an assistant coach,” Director of Athletics Danny Miller said. “His passion, knowledge and experience not only provides continuity within our program, but also a vision for the continued success and growth of Averett wrestling.”
Braswell had an illustrious collegiate wrestling career at Averett from 2018-2022. A three-time NCAA Division III national qualifier and three-time NWCA All-American, Braswell finished his career at Averett as the program’s leader in wins after going 150-28, including a program single-season record for 42 wins in 2021-22. During his final campaign, Braswell won 39 consecutive matches to start the season and finished fourth nationally while winning the NCAA Southeast Region title at 125 pounds … more at … https://averettcougars.com/news/2025/7/16/mens-wrestling-averett-promotes-braswell-to-mens-wrestling-head-coach-as-roulo-announces-departure.aspx
Roulo Named Wrestling Coach, Assistant Athletic Director at Ferrum
FERRUM, Virginia — Director of Athletics Cleive Adams has announced the hiring of Blake Roulo as Head Wrestling Coach and Assistant Athletic Director at Ferrum College. Roulo comes to Ferrum from Averett University, where he served the past six years as Head Wrestling Coach.
Roulo posted five consecutive winning seasons at the helm of Averett’s mat program. He racked up 96 career dual meet wins, including 21 over NCAA Division II schools and two over Division I schools. He led the Cougars to an impressive 23-6 overall record in 2021-22, while his 2023-24 team went 20-7.
Roulo’s accomplishments include having coached 20 NCAA qualifiers, 10 All-Americans, 12 National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA) Scholar All-Americans, 38 regional placewinners, 14 conference champions, 38 wrestlers nationally ranked by the NWCA and/or d3wrestle.com, and one wrestler ranked #1 in the nation two years in a row.
A seasoned recruiter, Roulo brought in large recruiting classes at Averett: 46 wrestlers in 2019-20, 54 in 2020-21, 63 in 2021-22, 65 in 2022-23, and 60-plus in 2023-24 and 2024-25. He also excels as a fundraiser, out-pacing all Averett sports programs during Annual Day of Giving events the past three years. “We’re thrilled to welcome Blake Roulo to Ferrum as our new Head Wrestling Coach and Assistant Athletic Director,” said Adams. “We’re fortunate to have attracted a proven, high-quality coach who can continue to elevate our wrestling program and uphold the elite standards that have been established. In his role as Assistant Athletic Director, Blake will also focus on enhancing game day management as we continue to prioritize the student-athlete and fan experience at Ferrum College.” … more at … https://ferrumpanthers.com/news/2025/7/17/ruolo-named-wrestling-coach-assistant-ad-at-ferrum.aspx
12 Senior National Team berths determined at True-Third Place Matches prior to Final X
The final 12 members of the 2025-26 Senior National Team berths in men’s and women’s freestyle were determined in True Third-Place matches, held prior to Final X at the Prudential Center.
There were five men’s freestyle matches and four women’s freestyle matches contested, with three women’s freestyle berths determined by forfeit. These matches determined the No. 3 spot on the national team, which provides financial support in terms of a stipend, plus training and competition opportunities.
Men’s Freestyle summaries
At 57 kg, former Nebraska star Liam Cronin secured a 10-3 victory over Stanford’s Nico Provo, 10-3. Cronin led 1-0 at the break on a step out, then hit a four-point takedown in the second period to take a lead that he never relinquished.
At 65 kg, high school star Marcus Blaze defeated Brock Hardy, a star at Nebraska, 8-2 for the victory. Blaze led 4-0 at the break on three step outs and a shot clock point, then scored two second-period takedowns.
Ian Parker hit a big four-point move and followed with another takedown for a 6-0 lead at the break over Bryce Andonian at 70 kg. In the second period, Andonian rallied for two takedowns and gave up a step out, giving the bout to Parker, 7-4. Parker was a star at Iowa State, with Andonian at Virginia Tech.
Jarrett Jacques earned the National Team berth at 74 kg with a tight 6-3 win over Joey Blaze. With Blaze up 2-1 leading into the closing moments, Jacquez was able score four points in the final 16 seconds, and added one point on a failed challenge.
At 86 kg, in a rematch of the 2025 NCAA finals, five-time NCAA champion Carter Starocci from Penn State defeated 2024 NCAA champion and 2025 runner-up Parker Keckeisen, 4-3. Starocci scored his four points in the first period on a takedown, a step out and a shot clock point. Keckeisen scored three second-period step outs but could not close the gap.
Women’s Freestyle summaries
At 59 kg, Aurora University star Alexis Janiak scored a 4-4 criteria decision over Xochitl Mota-Pettis. Both wrestlers scored two takedowns, but Janiak’s takedown with 58 seconds left was the final score, giving her the criteria. In a dominant effort, Alara Boyd scored three takedowns … more at … https://www.themat.com/news/2025/june/14/12-senior-national-team-berths-determined-at-true-third-place-matches-prior-to-final-x
DI Board of Directors formally adopts changes to roster limits
The Division I Board of Directors on Monday adopted additional changes to NCAA rules to implement the court-approved House settlement. The changes — which codify roster limits, including legislated exceptions for current student-athletes whose roster spots would have been impacted by those limits — are effective July 1.
“With the court’s approval of the House settlement, college sports are entering a new era of increased benefits for college athletes,” said Tim Sands, chair of the board and president at Virginia Tech. “Today’s vote to codify the roster provisions of the settlement formally removes limits on scholarships for schools that opt in, dramatically increasing the potential available scholarships for student-athletes across all sports in Division I.”
Moving forward, NCAA rules for Division I programs will no longer include sport-specific scholarship limits. Instead, schools in the defendant conferences and others that opt in to the settlement rules and associated benefits to student-athletes will have roster limits, and schools will have the option to offer scholarships to any and all of those student-athletes. This change will dramatically increase the number of scholarships potentially available to Division I student-athletes, including more than doubling the possible number of scholarships that can be offered to women. NCAA schools have a deadline of June 30 to indicate whether they intend to opt into the settlement for the 2025-26 academic year.
The rules changes include legislated exceptions for current student-athletes with remaining eligibility whose roster spots would have been impacted by immediate implementation of the roster limits. Those designated student-athletes will be identified by their current or former schools, and regardless of the school for which they participate, they will not count toward that school’s roster limits for the duration of their eligibility.
The division’s core guarantees — which include scholarship protections — are not impacted by the rules changes. If a student-athlete receiving athletics aid loses a roster spot for roster management, … more at … https://www.ncaa.org/news/2025/6/23/media-center-di-board-of-directors-formally-adopts-changes-to-roster-limits.aspx
Akron’s Ken Dies receives honor from National Wrestling Hall of Fame
By Nate Ulrich, Akron Beacon Journal
When Ken Dies opened a letter at his Highland Square home on June 25, the message caused his wife, Carol, to shed tears of joy.
Dies learned he will have a place in the National Wrestling Hall of Fame and Museum in Stillwater, Oklahoma. The letter from the Hall of Fame’s executive director, Lee Roy Smith, states the hall’s Ohio chapter nominated Dies to receive the Lifetime Service to Wrestling Award, and the national HOF’s board selected him for the honor. “It’s just overwhelming,” Dies told the Beacon Journal by phone. “I did not expect this.” More on the Dies family: Akron Public Schools gives wrestling enthusiasts proper recognition
An Akron native, Dies is the face of a wrestling royal family Northeast Ohio has known for decades.
The Dies family started running high school and youth tournaments in the late 1970s. After Bill Dies died in 1987, Ken Dies inherited his father’s role as tournament director. His involvement with Ohio Youth Wrestling, the Walsh Jesuit Ironman tournament and the Bill Dies Memorial Wrestling Tournament held at Firestone CLC made him a popular figure in the sport throughout the state.
Now Dies, 81, is being honored at the national level. “My one brother, Steve, he’s a nut,” Dies said with a laugh. “He’s putting me in the same category as Dan Gable. He said, ‘You’re in the same hall of fame as Dan Gable.'” … more at … https://www.newsbreak.com/share/4075349339325-akron-s-ken-dies-receives-honor-from-national-wrestling-hall-of-fame?_f=app_share&pd=0IMTzHkC&lang=en_US&send_time=1750951613&s=i16&trans_data=%7B%22platform%22%3A0%2C%22cv%22%3A%2225.25.0.37%22%2C%22languages%22%3A%22en%22%7D&sep=ns_foryou_rank_exp_25q2-v7%2Cns_foryou_blend_exp_25q2-v7%2Cns_foryou_recall_exp_25q3-v4%2Cns_foryou_model_exp_25q2_v2-v8
Dominance on the mat: NHSCA Nationals cown 55 high school wrestling champions in Virginia Beach showdown
With nearly 6,000 competitors, Pennsylvania leads the pack with seven titles across freshman and junior divisions as top-ranked wrestlers battle for national glory; Florida and Georgia also shine.
Last weekend’s NHSCA Wrestling Nationals in Virginia Beach was a tournament of epic proportions with nearly 6,000 wrestlers competing in a girls, middle school, and four high school divisions. There were 14 weights contested in three of the four high school divisions with the seniors not having a 106lb weight class.
A total 55 champions were crowned amongst the high schoolers. We will not be discussing all of them, just the happenings of interest for the national rankings and other intriguing trends or outcomes.
One of the more intriguing of those being Pennsylvania’s tournament high seven champions coming in just two divisions, Freshman and Junior.
Leading the way was Montgomery’s Brandt Harer, whose 138lb title in the junior division made him a three-time NHSCA Champion. Harer, who is ranked 8th in the nation and won his second consecutive state title this year, used a 16-1 technical fall of Kentucky’s two-time state champion, George Dennis (Harrison County), to lock it down. Dennis picked off California’s Joseph Toscano of Buchanan, who is ranked 3rd at 144, 14-12, in the quarters.
At the next junior weight class, 145lbs, West Scranton’s No. 21 Michael Turi, a three-time state placer, defeated North Carolina’s three-time champ Lorenzo Alston, 6-4. Turi won a NHSCA title as a freshman but did not appear last year.
Speaking of not appearing, Turi’s teammate Jake Benyo (106) did not wrestle an official match during the season. In the freshman finals, Benyo faced another wrestler that was mostly inactive during the campaign, New Jersey’s Anthony Curlo (Blair Academy), and slid by on a 1-0 decision. … more at … https://www.si.com/high-school/wrestling/dominance-on-the-mat-nhsca-nationals-cown-55-high-school-wrestling-champions-in-virginia-beach-showdown-01jqrw289sbj
And …
NHSCA Wrestling Nationals Recap: Part II
Massachusetts crowns three champions, including one from nationally ranked Musa Tamaradze
We are picking up part two of our NHSCA Wrestling Nationals recap with a state not known for their wrestling prowess, Massachusetts. They had three exit the Senior Division with wall charts in hand, Musa Tamaradze (126), No. 18 Elliott Humphries (Northfield Mount Hermon), and Saint John Prep’s Alexander Bajoras (285).
Tamaradze was third at the National Prep Tournament and earned a No. 22 national ranking at 132lbs for the New York Military Academy. Tamaradze won the 126lb bracket over Maryland’s two-time state champ, Tanner Halling (Boonsboro), 9-3, for his second straight NHSCA title. Halling defeated three-time California state placer No. 29 Paulo Valdez (Hespria), 11-0, to reach the finals.
Humphries came on strong last summer with a second-place finish at Fargo in Junior Freestyle after failing to place at National Preps and NHSCAs. This year, Humphries was third at preps and collected his first NHSCA hardware with a 4-1 sudden victory win over Pennsylvania state placer (4th twice), … more at … https://www.si.com/high-school/wrestling/nhsca-wrestling-nationals-recap-part-ii-01jqshh21xc0
Top 40 Division I ACTIVE Coaches
The following is a listing of the Top 40 Active (including rece3ntly retired) Division I Head coaches by dual meet wins. We welcome input, questions and corrections.
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1. John Smith (Oklahoma State Univ.) 490 retired 2024
2. Tom Borelli (Central Michigan) 368 retired 2024
3. Rob Koll (North Carolina/Stanford/Cornell) 348
4. Brian Smith (Missouri/Syracuse) 341
5. Tom Ryan (Ohio State/Hofstra) 335
6. Mark Manning (Nebraska/Northern Iowa) 328
7. Tom Brands (Iowa & Virginia Tech) 308
8. Jim Zalesky (Oregon State/Iowa) 278 now at D-II school
9. Tim Flynn (West Virginia/Edinboro St.) 274
10. Cael Sanderson (Penn State, Iowa State) 262
11. Joel Greenlee (Ohio Univ.) 260
12. Roger Reina (Pennsylvania, Un. Of) 258
13. Pat Popolizio (North Carolina St., SUNY-Binghampton) 256
14. Kevin Dresser (Iowa State/Virginia Tech Univ.) 253
15. Pat Santoro (Lehigh University, Maryland) 239
16. Scott Goodale (Rutgers University) – 235
17. Jim Andrassy (Kent State Univ.) 204
18. Steve Garland (Virginia University) 194
19. John Stutzman (Buffalo SUNY, Bloomsburg) – 190
20. Dan Wirnsberger (Bucknell, Bloomsburg) 183
21. Chris Bono (Wisconsin/South Dakota/U.Tenn.Chatt.) 158
22. John Mark Bentley (Appalachian State) 152
23. Jay Weiss (Harvard Univ.) – 151
24. Jason Borelli (American/Stanford Univ.) – 150
25. Mark Branch (Wyoming Univ.) – 149
26. Zeke Jones (Ariz. St., Univ. Of Penn.) 127
26. Doug Schwab (Northern Iowa) 127
28. Mark Cody (Presbyterian, Oklahoma U., American U.) 124
29. Roger Kish (Oklahoma/N. D. St.) – 122
30. Ryan Ludwig (Northern Illinois) – 113
30. Matt Azevedo (Drexel Un.) 113
32. Greg Williams (Utah Valley State) 110 — Inactive
33. Chris Ayres (Princeton) 105
34. Scott Moore (Lock Haven) 95
35. Tony Ersland (Purdue) 90
36. Brandom Eggum (Minnesota) 84
37. John Hangey (Rider Un.) 83
38. Tony Robie (Virginia Tech/SUNY-Bing.) 80
39. Kevin Ward (U.S. Army Acad.) 78
40. Daniel Elliott (Gardner-Webb) 77
Cornell Wrestling Earns Three Fifth Place Finishes at the 2025 NCAA Championships
PHILIDELPHIA, Pa. – Cornell wrestling ends the 2025 NCAA Championships with three fifth place finishes and three All-American in Meyer Shapiro, Simon Ruiz and Chris Foca.
SESSION FIVE ACTION
With only three wrestlers remaining, Cornell charged into the consolation semifinals with determination and earned three fifth place finishes.
No. 6 Chris Foca went a round with No. 4 Dustin Plott of Oklahoma State and was held without score till the third period. Plott earned a reversal at the end of the second period to take a 2-0 lead. Foca threw in an escape early in the third but could not put up another point falling 2-1. The senior was able to move on to win one last bout in the Big Red singlet as he took fifth over No. 8 Jaxson Smith of Maryland. Foca wrestled with nothing to lose and racked up two takedowns and an escape in his 7-4 victory over Smith. The New Jersey wrestler ended his senior career 18-2 and 95-20 all time for the Big Red.
No.2 Meyer Shapiro met the 157 first place seed Tyler Kasak of Penn State first thing. The top seeds made a match out of it as they pursued the third-place match. Kasak earned the first points of the match with a takedown in the first period. Shapiro was in control of the second period scramble ultimately letting Kasak escape and add another point the board. The sophomore would add an escape of his own and be rewarded with a penalty point falling 4-2 to the number one seed and moving on to the fifth-place match. Shapiro added one more bonus bout to his records earning a 11-0 major decision win over No. Vinny Zerban of Northern Colorado. With a takedown in each period as well as an escape and riding time the two-time All-American walks away from the championship in fifth place.
Freshman No. 5 Simon Ruiz held No. 2 Levi Haines scoreless through the first two periods … more at … https://cornellbigred.com/news/2025/3/22/cornell-wrestling-earns-three-fifth-place-finishes-at-the-2025-ncaa-championships.aspx
Lovett, Taylor Earn National Titles in NU’s Historic Runner-Up Finish
PHILADELPHIA – Ridge Lovett (149) and Antrell Taylor (157) won NCAA titles on Saturday night, helping Nebraska wrestling to its best performance and finish ever at the 2025 NCAA Wrestling Championships. The Huskers finished as NCAA team runner-up, with 117.0 points.
NU garnered eight All-America honorees at the tournament, with three semifinalists and two champions. Nebraska’s title winners bring home the first individual championship since 2011 (Jordan Borroughs) and the first two in a year since 1984 (Jim Scherr and Bill Scherr).
The Big Red wrestlers put together 17 bonus-point wins for the fifth-highest point total by a runner-up in NCAA history. Prior to this season, the team’s best finish in standings and points was in 1993, finishing third with 79.5 points. The tournament run earned Head Coach Mark Manning the 2025 NCAA Tournament Coach of the Year award.
In the 149 championship match, No. 2 Lovett took on familiar foe and top-seed Caleb Henson (VT). The pair went scoreless through periods one and two, despite a last-second takedown ruling for Henson, which was reversed after further review. Lovett got on the board with an escape in the third period, which he protected for the final stretch to secure the NCAA title. The Husker became the first national champion since Burroughs in 2011 for NU, in what was his final collegiate bout and 101st victory. Lovett avenged his 1-2 record against Henson, and will bring the 149 title back to Lincoln as a four-time All-American.
At 157, No. 3 Taylor faced No. 8 Joey Blaze (PUR) for the fourth time in the past month, this one for the NCAA championship. Taylor took a late first period lead with a takedown and an escape in the second to head to the final two minutes up 4-0. Blaze got on the board with an escape and a penalty point. The Boilermaker could not get a takedown, and Taylor closed the seven minute stretch with a 4-2 victory. The sophomore’s title win marked the first time since 1984 (Jim Scherr and Bill Scherr) that the Huskers had two NCAA champions. Taylor claimed his second All-American honor, and his 50th career win in Philadelphia, and finished his sophomore season 27-4.
The first Husker on the finals mat, No. 1 Brock Hardy (141) met No. 3 Jesse Mendez (OHST) for the championship bout. Hardy got an early 5-0 lead with a takedown and two nearfall points, … more at … https://huskers.com/news/2025/03/23/lovett-taylor-earn-national-titles-in-nus-historic-runner-up-finish

