Takedown Report

Amateur Wrestling Reports

5 wrestling freshmen who could compete for national titles this season

Four freshmen won men’s DI NCAA titles last year. These are the freshmen who will be pushing to make similar history this year. The Oklahoma State Cowboys made headlines at last year’s NCAA DI men’s wrestling tournament when they became the first team in NCAA history to put three true freshmen on the top of the podium. Stanford also crowned a freshman national champ, meaning that four of the ten title winners from last season conquered their brackets in just their first seasons as varsity athletes. Three of those four freshmen also had to top former champs in their weight classes as well in order to claim their crown. 
As the focus shifts to the start of the 2026-2027 college wrestling season, these are the rookies most likely to accomplish the same feat this year, ranked by weight class:  

Anthony Knox, 125 pounds, Rutgers

Rutgers’ Anthony Knox is the only freshman on this list who will be looking to win his first title in a weight class that returns its champion from 2026, making his task one of the most difficult ones in the country. But Knox earned his spot here because of his relentlessness, his gritty style and experience taking on the best in the world, and he’s ready to take that mindset to the college landscape and become the third Rutgers wrestler in history to win a national title.  
Knox, much like the other two Rutgers wrestling champs, comes to the Banks as a four-time state champion and a history of dominance in the Garden State. He posted a 144-1 record as a high school athlete and finished his career as the top-ranked athlete in his weight class in the country. Knox also has elite freestyle experience, finishing 11th at the U20 world championships in 2025 and earning a national team spot at 57kg this summer after picking up wins over All-American Liam Cronin, Vincent Kilkeary and Brody Teske. 
The biggest barrier standing between Knox and a national title is 2026 NCAA champion Penn State’s Luke Lilledahl, who has a win over Olympic silver medalist Spencer Lee — an athlete who pinned and teched Knox — earlier this summer. Knox does have a career win over Lilledahl that dates back to 2021, so while Lilledahl has proven himself to be a steady, dependable champion and has put a gap between himself and the Scarlet Knight rookie since then, Knox has the talent to compete. Penn State and Rutgers will dual on January 9, giving fans the first look at how Knox stacks up against last year’s title winner and what he would need to do to close any gaps between January and March in order to become a freshman champ. 
The biggest name amongst this year’s class of freshmen is none other than Bo “Machine Gun Mindset” Bassett. The Pennsylvania native came to Virginia Tech as the highest ranked athlete in the Class of 2026 after a long recruiting process in which nearly every school in the country made a bid for him. Bassett has now settled into Blacksburg and immediately made a splash, earning a spot on the U20, U23 and now, most recently, senior world team at 65kg. He enters his first college season ranked No. 2 by FloWrestling and No. 5 by Intermat based on his wins in college opens against No. 9 Jaxon Joy at 149 pounds and No. 9 TK Davis at 133 pounds over his last two seasons as a high schooler. 
Bassett’s biggest competition will be No. 1 Luke Stanich of Lehigh, … more at … https://www.ncaa.com/news/wrestling-men/article/2026-10-05/5-wrestling-freshmen-who-could-compete-national-titles-season?lid=r9vbo48km6wu&primo=

October 9, 2026 Posted by | Uncategorized | , , | Leave a comment

2026-27 Boys National High School Wrestling Rankings: Preseason Update Brings Big Changes

The second preseason update moves wrestlers toward their projected starting weights as Dawson Youngblut, Austin Ellis, Mac Crosson and other national standouts find their places.
With this, the second update to the 2026-27 High School On SI Boys Preseason National High School Wrestling Rankings, we have begun moving wrestlers into the weight classes where we believe they are most likely to begin the upcoming season. We say begin for a couple of reasons. First, some wrestlers have a history of starting the season at a higher weight before working their way down. Second, some compete at a higher weight during the high school season than they do in national events.

Projecting the Right Weight Is Part of the Puzzle

A pair of wrestlers at 138 pounds are good examples of the latter: Iowa’s Dawson Youngblut and Utah’s Austin Ellis. Both spent the majority of their national competition at 138 pounds while wrestling at 144 during the high school season.

Where Does Mac Crosson Fit?

Another Iowan, Mac Crosson, presents a more complicated case. Crosson could make some appearances at 175 pounds this season, but for now we’ve placed him at 157, where he was the Junior National runner-up at Fargo. Last fall, Crosson competed at 157 in several events and even dropped to 150 for Super 32.
Crosson spent most of the high school season around 165 pounds while making a few appearances at 175. But because he competed at 157 nationally during the spring and summer, we’re projecting him to begin there again, including a likely appearance at that weight at Super 32. These are the kinds of decisions we’ve made throughout this second edition of the preseason rankings.

How We Project Each Wrestler’s Starting Weight

We’ve taken a close look at each wrestler’s recent history to determine where he’s most likely to begin the year. Of course, no projection can account for every growth spurt or the weight a high school wrestler might add as he matures. We’re using what they’ve done in the past to make the best educated guess about where they’ll compete next.

Current No. 1 Ranked Wrestlers
285: Lukas Zalota (Malvern Prep, PA) SR
106: Kooper Deputy (Chestnut Ridge, PA) SO
113: Caleb Noble (Warren Township, IL) SR
120: Landon Sidun (Norwin, PA) SR
126: Grey Burnett (Perrysburg, OH) SR
132: Paul Kenny (Christian Brothers Academy, NJ) SR
138: Dean Anderson (Valiant Prep, AZ) SR
144: Jesse Grajeda (St. John Bosco, CA) SR
150: Michael Romero (St. John Bosco, CA) SR
157: Mac Crosson (Indianola, IA) SR\
165: Melvin Miller (Bishop McCort, PA) JR
175: Jayden O’Farrill (State College, PA) JR
190: Salah Tsarni (Blair Academy, NJ) SR
215: Michael Boyle (Bishop Watterson, OH) SR … more at … https://www.si.com/high-school/wrestling/2026-27-boys-national-high-school-wrestling-rankings-preseason-update-brings-big-changes-01m0yyn0swkc?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email

October 2, 2026 Posted by | Uncategorized | | Leave a comment

100 Seasons of Wrestling

Franklin & Marshall will become the 40th collegiate team to compete in 100 or more seasons of wrestling this winter. Columbia University has completed the most seasons of competition with 123. Almost all of the 40 teams compete in Division I. Colorado School of Mines has the most seasons of Division II schools. Springfield College is the top Division III school. 4 other Division III schools have competed for at lease 100 seasons

College Wrestling Teams-Competition Years as of Sept. 2026
SchoolLev.Yrs. WinsLossesTiesPct.Most Wins CoachYearsWins
Columbia UniversityI1231903-1904587689200.461Russo, Ron1973-1991126
PennsylvaniaI1221904-1905667620320.518Reina, Roger1986-’05,’17-’25258
PrincetonI1221904-1905743728300.505Johnston, John1959-1994382
Cornell UniversityI1181907-1908888426200.673Koll, Rob1993-2020316
Penn State UniversityI1181908-1909###305360.765Sanderson, Cael2009-2026233
U.S. Naval AcademyI1181908-1909943339260.731Peery, Ed1961-1987311
Indiana UniversityI1171909-1914789641290.551Goldman, Duane1992-2018297
Illinois, University ofI1161910-1911772542280.586Johnson, Mark1992-2010211
Iowa University ofI1161910-1911###243290.812Gable, Dan1976-1997355
Lehigh UniversityI1161910-1911987468230.676Sheridan, Billy1912-1952222
Wisconsin UniversityI1141910-1911807560370.588Davis, Barry1993-2018234
Harvard UniversityI1091913-17,18-43,’46-599618170.492Lee, John1968-1986168
Iowa State UniversityI1091915-1943,’45-###451190.718Nichols, Harold J., Dr.1948-1985456
Stanford UniversityI1091915-1916430486150.470Borrelli, Jason2008-2021127
Michigan State UniversityI1081903-05,1921-’22659595270.525Peninger, Grady1963-1986213
Springfield College MAIII1081914-1915###519260.679Parker, Doug1955-1990485
Minnesota, University ofI1071919-1922###498270.676Robinson, J1986-2016440
Nebraska UniversityI1071910-1911786582290.573Manning, Mark2000-2026318
Oklahoma State (A & M)I1071914-1915###141220.889Smith, John1991-2024490
Purdue UniversityI1071913-’18,’19-33,’37-668745360.473Reyes, Jessie1992-2007179
Ohio State UniversityI1061920-1921876544280.615Hellickson, Russ1981-2006272
Michigan, University ofI1051921-1922885387260.692Keen, Clifford P.1925-42, 45-70274
Oregon State UniversityI1051908-1909###389280.731Thomas, Dale1957-1990616
U.S. Army (West Point)I1051921-1922743498370.596Alitz, LeRoy1954-1977144
North Carolina UniversityI1041922-1923750559190.572Lam, Bill1974-2003378
Northwestern UniversityI103 1923-1924542604190.473Cysewski, Tim1990-2010155
Rochester Inst. Of Tech.III1031927-1942,’47427630160.405Fuller, Earl1948-1994197
Cornell CollegeIII1021922-1923679514110.569Duroe, Mike2005-2018145
Northern Iowa Univ. (IA St. Teachers, St. Coll. Of Iowa)I1021922-1923835458290.643Patten, Chuck1965-1983217
Ohio UniversityI1021919-’23,’24-’43,’46-’48, ’49-644474220.575Greenlee, Joel1997-2026266
Oklahoma UniversityI1021919-1920947446330.676Abel, Stan1973-1993279
Virginia Military InstituteI1021920-’43, ’46-603527150.533Trudgeon, John1985-2013161
Williams CollegeIII1021924-1925577603180.489Honecker, Scott2012-2026119
Northern Colorado/Col. St. Coll.I/II1011925-1926532497120.517Hancock, John W.1925-1966152
Virginia TechI1011920-1921704536190.567Cheynet, Jerry1974-1996194
West Virginia UniversityI1011920-1921671522170.562Turnbull, Craig1978-2014287
Wyoming UniversityI1011921-1922635467170.575Lantz, Everett1936-43,46-52,53-65142
Davidson CollegeI1001920-1921355798180.311Parker, Charlie1940-42,’46-’75,’77-’7999
Washington & LeeIII1001921-43, ’47-547492150.526Franke, Gary1973-2008184
Franklin & MarshallI991923-1924709626190.531Mayser, Charles W.1923-1944145
Colorado School of MinesII981919-28,34-43,’4630363670.324Hancock, John (Jack)1955-1992112
Duke UniversityI981926-42,43-46,47476611100.438Harvey, Bill1966-1997220
North Carolina StateI981924-’31, 1932-808492220.620Guzzo, Bob1975-2004356
Ursinus College (PA)III971929-1930782387210.666Racich, Bill1980-2018540
Citadel, TheI961930-1931425404140.512Hjerling, Rob1999-2020144
Kent State UniversityI961927-1928833432120.657Begala, Joe1930-42, ’45-’71282
Case Western Reserve (OH)III951928-1929576561120.507Del Rosa, Bob1966-’77,’82-’09308
Gettysburg CollegeIII951930-1931557715220.439Sauve, James1969-197778
Northern IllinoisI951931-’43, 1945623552320.529Flavin, Don1968-1986160
Waynesburg College (PA)III941928-’42, ’46-485392130.552Ketterling, Clayton P.1963-1977144
East Stroudsburg State Univ.II921930-’42, -’46-656626210.512Whitman, Clyde H. (Red?)1961-71,’72-79180
Rutgers UniversityI911930-1931755477240.611Goodale, Scott2007-2026259
Wesleyan UniversityIII911934-43, ’44-582533160.522Black, Drew1998-2026230
Virginia, University ofI901920-1930, ’46-60049390.549Edwards, George1969-1992158
Buffalo Univ. (SUNY)I891933-’42, ’46-650574150.531Michael, Ed 1970-1991258
John Hopkins Univ.III891934-193527235540.434Norris, Keith2005-2025110
Appalachian StateI881927-’41,’46-53, 55-877476240.646Mance, Paul1976-2009348
Wisconsin-WhitewaterIII881934-1941,’45-55127980.662Myers, Willie1968-2004301
Findlay Univ.II871939-194026028270.480Nelson, Shawn1997-2026116
Chicago, University ofIII861926-192726229850.468Kocher, Leo1981-2024154
Ithaca CollegeIII861930-1936, ’46-662365180.642Nichols, Martin1996-2026\342
Muhlenberg College (PA)III861923-’25,’42-493621160.443Schleicher, Tom1996-2009108
Brown Univ.I851933-’34, ’42-500587130.460Amato, Dave1975-81, ’84-’11319
New York Univ. in ManhattanIII851941-194251437460.578Haberli, Bruce1995-2025359
Washington & JeffersonIII851932-1933-49, ’58-27625390.521White, James A.1964-1992132
Yale UniversityI851903-1991266258190.507Waterman, Bert1967-1991130
Pittsburgh, University ofI841914-15, 1950-635458190.580Stottlemyer, Randy1979-2013304
Wheaton College ILIII841942-194333537170.475Olson, George A.1945-’57, ’58-’74192
Calf. State San Francisco (SFSU)II831939-’42, ’46-472591140.445Abraham, Allenhttps://www.nbcwashington.com/paris-2024-summer-olympics/maryland-wrestler-aims-to-be-the-greatest-of-all-time/3675270/177
Lock Haven UniversityI831939-42,’46-807414130.659Poff, Carl1990-2002167
Maryland, University ofI831939-42, 1946-663488210.575McHugh, John1963-’69, ’78-’03257
McDaniel Coll.(West. Mary.)III831940-1941531620120.462Case, Sam1963-’64,’65-’70,’71-’89185
U.S. Coast Guard AcademyIII831943-1944540405120.571Eldridge, Steve1966-2014317
U.S. Merchant Marine AcademyIII821944-194539632470.550Stralka, Clem Lt.1950-1969107
Edinboro UniversityI811940-’41,’46-578395140.593Flynn, Tim1998-2018223
Missouri University ofI811923-37, ’59-666430140.606Smith, Brian1998-2026351
St. John’s UniversityIII811941-’42, ’46659385130.630Elton, John1981-2004273
Drexel University I801946-1947649547150.542Childs, Jack1976-2011423
Dubuque University IAIII801938-’44, 1949–367467130.441McGovern, Jon2002-2026200
Millersville Univ. of Penn. AtII801946-1947605524170.535Hitchcock, Floyd “Shorty”1984-2002180
SUNY Cortland III801946-19476943780.142Bruhn, Brad2002-2022236
Wilkes UniversityIII801946-1947940464140.668Reese, John G.1953-1995514

October 2, 2026 Posted by | Uncategorized | , , | Leave a comment

Three Returning NCAA Champions Highlight 149 Pounds

Who will emerge from the stacked 149-pound field, featuring three NCAA champions and a returning national finalist?
What’s better than one returning NCAA champion? How about three?
That’s what wrestling fans get at 149 pounds, with Stanford’s Aden Valencia as the returning 2026 champion at 149, Oklahoma State’s Sergio Vega as the returning 2026 champion at 141, and Virginia Tech’s Caleb Henson as the returning 2024 champion at 149. 
Valencia entered nationals as the 10-seed with seven losses, but had a magical run capped by an 8-5 sudden victory win over Penn State’s Shayne Van Ness. Most of Valencia’s losses were close, taking a couple of lopsided setbacks before finding his stride late.  Regarding Van Ness, he may be the best current wrestler across all weights who has yet to win a title. He finished third in 2023 and 2025, before reaching the finals in 2026. He was seeded first and finished the season 26-1. 
Vega moves up from 141, where he won the NCAA Championships as a true freshman without surrendering a takedown. He had close wins during the season, but his stingy defense and his ever-evolving takedown game make him a title threat at a new weight. 
Henson missed last season due to redshirt, but he’s sure to add intrigue to this weight. He can win whatever type of match you want, from a 1-0 war of attrition (2024 NCAA semis against Ridge Lovett) to a 15-7 shootout (2024 NCAA finals against Austin Gomez). Tony Robie, his coach, calls him one of the most mentally tough wrestlers in the game, and he’ll need every bit of it against this field. 
It doesn’t stop there. 
Anthony Echemendia transferred from Iowa State to Nebraska,  … more at … https://www.flowrestling.org/articles/16184090-three-returning-ncaa-champions-highlight-149-pounds?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email

October 2, 2026 Posted by | Uncategorized | , | Leave a comment

How NCAA Athlete Eligibility Limbo Has Sown ‘Actual Chaos’

As NCAA eligibility remains a moving target, college coaches, GMs, and industry lawyers told Front Office Sports they’re all still trying to sift through the upheaval.
As a college sports coach, it’s almost always reasonable to assume a Friday night in late July will be an off-night. No one is in season since football training camps don’t start until August, rosters and revenue-sharing budgets are set, and there’s no transfer portal window to obsessively track. 
But on Friday, July 31 at about 7 p.m. ET, Colorado district court judge Charlotte Sweeney granted a preliminary injunction in the case Wisne v. NCAA, which upended college sports. The ruling essentially forced the NCAA to immediately allow all players who entered college in 2022, but who had exhausted four years of eligibility, a fifth year to compete. 
Thousands of players immediately became eligible to join an NCAA team in every sport. “I think I found out how everyone else found out—social media. Someone texting me a Twitter link,” one SEC football GM told Front Office Sports, who added that not only were they off duty, but their compliance directors were away on vacation. Another source in the athlete-compensation space told FOS they were “hanging out with coaches” Friday night when “things were afoot.”  
Their once-quiet evenings now turned upside down, coaches in virtually every sport scrambled to determine how the late-night ruling could give them an unprecedented roster opportunity. Agents raced to market players they thought wouldn’t have another shot at NCAA sports. NIL operators sprang into action, brainstorming how to fund extra players. 
The NCAA is using every possible avenue to reverse the ruling. “We are working to restore the status quo as soon as possible, because the status quo represented the considered judgement of the membership about what was best for all student-athletes, including the many thousands already on campus  … more at … https://frontofficesports.com/article/how-ncaa-athlete-eligibility-limbo-has-sown-absolute-chaos/?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email

October 1, 2026 Posted by | Uncategorized | , | Leave a comment

Most Collegiate Teams’ Historic Wins

Last season Oklahoma State became the first, and so far only, college team to win over 1,200 dual meets. Only six other schools have over 1,000 wins. Springfield College is the only non-division I school in this exclusive group as they surpassed 1,100 wins. The following schools are listed in descending order by the number of wins.
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All Time College Wrestling Teams – Years of CompetitionPer
   Sept. 2026Yearwinningest coach at that team
#SchoolLev.WLTPct. LatestYrs.Avg.Most Wins CoachYears
1Oklahoma State (A & M)I1202141220.8891914-1915202610711.23Smith, John1991-2024
2Iowa State UniversityI1162451190.7181915-1943,’45-202610910.66Nichols, Harold J., Dr.1948-1985
3Springfield College MAIII1110519260.6791914-1915202610810.28Parker, Doug1955-1990
4Iowa University ofI1098243290.8121910-191120261169.47Gable, Dan1976-1997
5Oregon State UniversityI1080389280.7311908-1909202610510.29Thomas, Dale1957-1990
6Minnesota, University ofI1052498270.6761919-192220261079.83Robinson, J1986-2016
7Penn State UniversityI1032305360.7651908-190920261188.75Sanderson, Cael2009-2026
8Lehigh UniversityI987468230.6761910-191120261168.51Sheridan, Billy1912-1952
9Oklahoma UniversityI947446330.6761919-192020261029.28Abel, Stan1973-1993
10U.S. Naval AcademyI943339260.7311908-190920261187.99Peery, Ed1961-1987
11Wilkes UniversityIII940464140.6681946-194720268011.75Reese, John G.1953-1995
12Wartburg CollegeIII906269140.7681947-194820267911.47Miller, Jim1991-2013
13Cornell UniversityI888426200.6731907-190820261187.53Koll, Rob1993-2020
14Michigan, University ofI885387260.6921921-192220261058.43Keen, Clifford P.1925-42, 45-70
15Appalachian StateI877476240.6461927-’41,’46-53, 55-2026889.97Mance, Paul1976-2009
16Ohio State UniversityI876544280.6151920-192120261068.26Hellickson, Russ1981-2006
17Lycoming CollegeIII87234970.7131956-195720267012.46Crebs, Roger1993-2026
18Olivet College (Mich)III85930280.7381964-196520266213.85Klein, Jare1968-2001
19Northern Iowa Univ. (IA St. Teachers) I835458290.6431922-192320261028.19Patten, Chuck1965-1983
20Kent State UniversityI833432120.6571927-19282026968.68Begala, Joe1930-42, ’45-’71
21College of New Jersey, The III82719770.8061966-196720266013.78Icenhower, David1976-2011
22North Carolina StateI808492220.6201924-’31, 1932-2026988.24Guzzo, Bob1975-2004
23Lock Haven UniversityI807414130.6591939-42,’46-2026839.72Poff, Carl1990-2002
24Wisconsin UniversityI807560370.5881910-191120261147.08Davis, Barry1993-2018
25Indiana UniversityI789641290.5511909-191420261176.74Goldman, Duane1992-2018
26Nebraska UniversityI786582290.5731910-191120261077.35Manning, Mark2000-2026
27North Idaho Jr. Coll.JUCO78314840.8401969-197020265713.74Owen, John1977-1997
28Ursinus College (PA)III782387210.6661929-19302026978.06Racich, Bill1980-2018
29Illinois, University ofI772542280.5861910-191120261166.66Johnson, Mark1992-2010
30Rutgers UniversityI755477240.6111930-19312026918.30Goodale, Scott2007-2026
31North Carolina UniversityI750559190.5721922-192320261047.21Lam, Bill1974-2003
32U.S. Army (West Point)I743498370.5961921-192220261057.08Alitz, LeRoy1954-1977
33PrincetonI743728300.5051904-190520261226.09Johnston, John1959-1994
34Augsburg CollegeIII73816530.8161948-19492026789.46Swenson, Jeff1980-’84,’86-’07
35Ohio Northern UniversityIII728368110.6631966-196720266012.13Beaschler, Ron1988-2026
36St. Cloud State Univ.II727351170.6721949-19502026779.44Costanzo, Steve2006-2026
37Calf. State POLY SLOI709486180.5921948-19492026789.09Hitchcock, Vaughn1963-1985
38Franklin & MarshallI709626190.5311923-19242026997.16Mayser, Charles W.1923-1944
39Virginia TechI704536190.5671920-192120261016.97Cheynet, Jerry1974-1996
40Wabash CollegeIII70325090.7351955-19562026719.90Servies, Max1960-2000
41Pittsburgh-JohnstownII69717050.8021974-197520265213.40Pecora, Pat1976-2024
42Cornell CollegeIII679514110.5691922-192320261026.66Duroe, Mike2005-2018
43Tenn.-Chattanooga, Univ. ofI674400120.6261951-19522026758.99Morgan, Jim1969-1984
44Delaware Valley UniversityIII67326780.7141962-196320266410.52Marshall, Robert (Floyd?)1974-2002
45York College (PA)III67335840.6521968-196920265811.60Kessler, Tom1992-2013
46Minnesota State-Mankato II671410190.6191950-19512026768.83Macias, Robert1950-’80,’81-’88
47West Virginia UniversityI671522170.5621920-192120261016.64Turnbull, Craig1978-2014
48Purdue UniversityI668745360.4731913-’18,’19-33,’37-20261076.24Reyes, Jessie1992-2007
49PennsylvaniaI667620320.5181904-190520261225.47Reina, Roger1986-’05,’17-’25
50Missouri University ofI666430140.6061923-37, ’59-2026818.22Smith, Brian1998-2026
51Maryland, University ofI663488210.5751939-42, 1946-2026837.99McHugh, John1963-’69, ’78-’03
52Ithaca CollegeIII662365180.6421930-1936, ’46-2026867.70Nichols, Martin1996-2026\
53St. John’s UniversityIII659385130.6301941-’42, ’462026818.14Elton, John1981-2004
54Michigan State UniversityI659595270.5251903-05,1921-’2220261086.10Peninger, Grady1963-1986
55Central Michigan Univ.I658371170.6371955-19562026719.27Borrelli, Tom1991-2024
56East Stroudsburg State Univ.II656626210.5121930-’42, -’46-2026927.13Whitman, Clyde H. (Red?)1961-71,’72-79
57Buffalo Univ. (SUNY)I650574150.5311933-’42, ’46-2026897.30Michael, Ed 1970-1991


September 30, 2026 Posted by | Uncategorized | , | Leave a comment

Elizabeth City State Vikings inaugural NCWA season has ambitious vision for growth of wrestling at historic HBCU

– – ELIZABETH CITY, N.C. — Wrestling is returning to Elizabeth City State University as the Vikings prepare for their inaugural season as members of the National Collegiate Wrestling Association (NCWA) and its Mid-Atlantic Conference. The new program grew from a conversation between a group of ECSU aviation students — Kevin Jones, Shawn Fields, Stephen Norwood and Michael Johnson — and Dr. Tim Goodale, an Endowed Professor at ECSU and former NCAA Division I wrestler at Old Dominion University. Seeing Goodale wearing a USA Wrestling jacket in the university’s newly renovated dining hall sparked a conversation that ultimately developed into a plan to bring collegiate wrestling back to the ECSU campus.

With wrestling mats secured and practice space available in historic Williams Hall Gym, that idea has quickly grown into a program with as many as 30 student members. Jones and Fields have played key leadership roles in recruiting students and helping manage the program’s day-to-day development. ECSU previously sponsored NCAA Division II wrestling through 1998, and the return of the sport has also generated enthusiasm among alumni and members of the surrounding wrestling community.

Leading the Vikings will be Dr. Goodale, who competed at Old Dominion University from 1999–2003 under legendary coach Gray Simons and has more than 25 years of coaching experience at the youth and high school levels. He currently oversees Bull Island Grappling, a nonprofit youth wrestling organization in Hampton Roads, Virginia. Local high school coaches Jen Smith and Lorenzo King have also supported the developing ECSU program by opening their wrestling rooms to the team during the offseason and assisting with coaching.

The Vikings enter the NCWA with both immediate competitive goals and a much larger vision. ECSU’s strong aviation program has already attracted several members of the wrestling team, and the program expects academics to become one of its early strengths. With exceptionally affordable tuition and degree opportunities in aviation and other high-demand fields, ECSU Wrestling hopes to become an attractive destination for student-athletes seeking both a quality education and the opportunity to compete at the collegiate level. The long-term objective is to demonstrate how wrestling can positively impact enrollment, retention, academic performance, graduation rates and alumni involvement, creating a pathway for the program to continue growing.

Competition will begin immediately. ECSU plans to wrestle at events hosted by programs including East Carolina University and The Apprentice School, compete in the NCWA Mid-Atlantic postseason and host an invitational on its own campus. Among the wrestlers expected to … more at … https://ncwa.net/news/2026/elizabeth-city-state-university-wrestling-joins-ncwa?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email

September 28, 2026 Posted by | Uncategorized | , , | Leave a comment

Tampering, impermissible recruiting violations occurred in Iowa State men’s wrestling program

Impermissible contact violations occurred in the Iowa State men’s wrestling program when local regional training center assistant coach Chris Perry had contact with two transfer student-athletes and one of those student-athletes was not yet in the Transfer Portal, according to an agreement released by a Division I Committee on Infractions panel. 
The school and enforcement staff agreed that the violations in this case occurred after the then-head men’s wrestling coach communicated with an exiting men’s wrestling head coach at another university and expressed interest in recruiting two of that coach’s student-athletes. After that exchange, Perry, who worked as an assistant coach at the Cyclone Regional Training Center (where the then-Iowa State head men’s coach also served as head coach of the training center team) contacted the prospective transfers. Perry called one prospect, who was not in the Transfer Portal, on two separate occasions and texted him 14 times, including requesting that individual’s transcripts, providing information about potential revenue-share payments and cost of attendance, and explaining that the prospect should request a “do not contact” tag when his name was entered into the Transfer Portal. Perry also provided a “commitment” graphic to the second prospect to share on social media when he committed to Iowa State. 
Both student-athletes ― who committed to Iowa State on the same day they entered the Transfer Portal ―indicated during interviews with enforcement that Perry was their first point of contact and primary recruiter to the school.
Although Perry was not employed by Iowa State, his work to recruit the student-athletes to Iowa State triggered “booster” status because he was working in an individual capacity to represent the school’s interests in recruiting conversations. As a result, his contact with those prospects constitutes impermissible contact violations,  … more at … https://www.ncaa.org/news/tampering-impermissible-recruiting-violations-occurred-in-iowa-state-mens-wrestling-program/

September 23, 2026 Posted by | Uncategorized | , | Leave a comment

UNC Wrestling Announces 2026-27 Schedule

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – Entering year four under the direction of head coach Rob Koll, the North Carolina wrestling program has announced its schedule for the upcoming 2026-27 campaign.
The slate, which features six matchups inside Carmichael Arena, is also highlighted by the 2026 National Duals Invitational on Dec. 12-13 and a neutral-site meeting versus South Dakota State at the Sanford Pentagon on Dec. 18.
Carolina will open the season on Nov. 1 traveling to the Southeast Open, followed by the program’s Blue and White Showcase the following Friday (Nov. 6). To close the opening month of the season, the Tar Heels will compete in the Mountaineer Invitational (Nov. 15) and host Northern Iowa on Nov. 21.
In December, UNC will take part in the two-day National Duals Invitational, a groundbreaking $1 million collegiate wrestling event, sponsored by Paycom. Carolina, one of 16 teams announced for the event, will compete in the two-day event taking place Dec. 12-13 at the BOK Center in Tulsa, Okla.
Defending National Duals Invitational champion Ohio State will be joined in the field by Arizona State, Arkansas-Little Rock, Iowa State, Minnesota, Missouri, NC State, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Maryland, Pittsburgh, Rutgers, Stanford, Virginia Tech and Wyoming. Together, the 16 programs represent some of the most storied traditions in collegiate wrestling, combining for 54 NCAA team titles and over 400 individual titles.
Carolina’s return to the BOK Center will be the first for the program since the 2023 NCAA Championships, when 157-pounder Austin O’Connor claimed his second national championship. With the win, O’Connor joined T.J. Jaworsky as the second Tar Heel to win multiple national championships in their career.
To end 2026, the Tar Heels will face South Dakota State at the Sanford Pentagon in Sioux Falls, S.D., on Dec. 18, followed by a matchup versus App State on Dec. 20, held at Chapel Hill High School.
Opening the new calendar year, UNC will travel to Coralville, Iowa, for Soldier Salute (Jan. 2-3), a tournament where the Tar Heels finished runner-up a season ago. Carolina will begin the Atlantic Coast Conference portion of the slate on Jan. 8 at Pitt, with a non-conference matchup on the road at West Virginia less than 48 hours later (Jan. 10).
The Tar Heels conclude January with two home duals against Virginia (Jan. 15) and NC State (Jan. 29), with a road dual out west at Stanford in between (Jan. 22).
In the final month of the regular season, Carolina will stay within the Tar Heel State, hosting Virginia Tech (Feb. 5), a road dual at Duke (Feb. 12) and the regular-season finale against Campbell (Feb. 20).
The 2027 ACC Championships is slated for March 6-7 at Victory Heights Arena, hosted by Pitt. The 2027 NCAA Wrestling Championships are set for March 18-20 at the Enterprise Center in St. Louis, Mo.
The Tar Heels enter the upcoming season with four returning NCAA qualifiers from a season ago, including the program welcoming nine newcomers in the offseason, seven freshmen and two transfers. … more at … https://goheels.com/news/2026/9/15/wrestling-announces-2026-27-schedule?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email

September 19, 2026 Posted by | Uncategorized | , | Leave a comment

Presbyterian Women Bring A Balanced, Deep Team Into Season

Presbyterian has eight returning All-Americans and 10 national qualifiers on a team capable of winning a trophy at the 2027 NCAA Championships.
Presbyterian will always have the distinction of being the first school to add a Division I Women’s Wrestling program. That’s an important piece of history, but head coach Brian Vutianitis has built a team that is relevant at the highest level.
The Blue Hose finished fifth at the 2026 NCAA Championships, with 10 national qualifiers and six All-Americans. 
The team was 27 points behind Grand Valley State for fourth at nationals (the final trophy spot), and 29 points ahead of Lehigh for fifth. They also finished fifth at the NWCA National Duals, including a 26-19 win over Lehigh on January 30. 
Translation: Presbyterian was on its own island last season. They were way ahead of the pack, but out of contention for a trophy. The Blue Hose had a consistent top-to-bottom line-up with an All-American caliber wrestler at every weight, but they needed a finalist or two for a trophy run. 
Vutianitis should feel optimistic about this season’s team. He has 10 returning NCAA qualifiers and eight returning All-Americans on a deep team that will require tough roster decisions at multiple weights. This team is good, and anyone who overlooks the Blue Hose will do so at their own peril. 
The lightest two weights are the most interesting. Chloe Dearwester, a sixth-place finisher at nationals, is the obvious frontrunner for the 110-pound spot, but everything else is wide open. The absence of Sloane Kruger leaves a battle for 103, including newcomer Daylee Watson, who will vie for the spot. 
Jenna Anderson (117) has a unique skill set and can give anyone she wrestles problems. Her memorable match against U23 World champion Sage Mortimer at the National Duals showed what she can do before a second-period injury default. She took time off, regrouped, and rebounded for a sixth-place finish at nationals, including tight consolation matches against Brianna Gonzalez (Iowa) and Carleigh Czerneski (Adrian). 
The next three weights are where Presbyterian can gain ground. Alyssa Mahan finished eighth at 124, and Kassey Daugherty (131) and … more at … https://www.flowrestling.org/articles/16151483-presbyterian-women-bring-a-balanced-deep-team-into-season?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email

September 14, 2026 Posted by | Uncategorized | , , | Leave a comment

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