WIN Magazine’s Dec. 16 NCAA Division I Rankings, presented by Cliff Keen Athletic
By Mike Finn
NEWTON, Iowa — The holidays are upon the college wrestling world and many of the top teams, listed in WIN Magazine’s Dec. 16 national rankings, will be in action one more weekend before Christmas at neutral-site dual meets.
The biggest event will be happening in Nashville, Tenn., where five teams ranked in WIN’s Dual Team Rankings — No. 1 Penn State, No. 5 Ohio State, No. 10 Iowa State, No. 13 Missouri and No. 19 Little Rock — will compete. This could include a featured meeting between the top-two ranked wrestlers and a pair of national champions at 174 pounds: Missouri’s No. 1 Keegan O’Toole and Penn State’s No. 2-ranked Levi Haines.
Meanwhile, there are also scheduled duals between No. 3 Oklahoma State hosting No. 7 Virginia Tech on Dec. 19 and No. 6 NC State traveling to No. 9 Cornell on Dec. 22.
With most schools taking semester exams last weekend, there was little action and few changes in WIN’s Dec. 16 Rankings, presented by Cliff Keen Athletic. This includes WIN’s Tournament Power Index, where the top five schools are Penn State (138 TPI points), Oklahoma State (78), Iowa (75), Minnesota (64.5) and Virginia Tech (58.5).
WIN’s TPI projects where programs would finish in the 2025 NCAA Division I Championships, which will be held March 20-22 in Philadelphia, if every wrestler finished the season where they are ranked now. The following is a breakdown of those individual TPI points per ranking: 20 for 1st, 16 for 2nd, 13.5 for 3rd, 12.5 for 4th, … more at … https://www.win-magazine.com/2024/12/16/win-magazines-dec-16-ncaa-division-i-rankings-presented-by-cliff-keen-athletic/
Christian Davis Named Conference Carolinas Wrestler of the Week
Second Bearcat Freshman to be Honored this Season
GREENVILLE, S.C. – After winning the 133-lb Midwest Classic bracket over the weekend by knocking off a pair of nationally-ranked opponents, Christian Davis has been named the Conference Carolinas Wrestler of the Week as announced by the league this afternoon. Davis is the second Lander wrestler to earn the weekly honor this season and the second freshman to earn the honor, joining Issac Sheeren who earned the award in the first week of the season.
Davis earned the honor on the back of a perfect 5-0 week at the prestigious Midwest Classic that saw him become the fourth Midwest Classic Champion in program history as well as the first freshman to win the tournament in program history. Of his five wins, three of them came by bonus point margins, one of which a 10-2 major decision over the fourth-ranked wrestler in his weight class in Peter Rolle of Central Oklahoma. Davis picked up the tournament title with a dominant 8-2 win over the second-ranked wrestler in his class, Reece Barnhardt of UMary.
Davis now sits at 20-2 on the season … more at … https://landerbearcats.com/news/2024/12/17/wrestling-christian-davis-named-conference-carolinas-wrestler-of-the-week.aspx
NECP, Tarboro wrestlers claim titles in USAF-Eagle Invitational
The North East Carolina Prep School wrestling team produced three championships while Tarboro claimed one during the USAF-Eagle Invitational at Rosewood High School on Saturday.
Holton Quincy took the 113-pound title for the Huskies while Colton Lewis won at 126 and Ryan Mann claimed the 144 crown.
Quincy had a bye through the first two rounds. He then pinned Albert Couch of Southwest Onslow (1:22) in the quarterfinals, won by pin (2:32) over Guy Wavra of Corinth Holders in the semifinals and won by major decision 8-0 over Jesse Farmsworth of Panther Creek in the finals.
Lewis received a first-round bye and pinned George Records of Southwest Onslow (0:59) in the second round. Lewis then pinned Florentino Martinez-Hernandez of North Pitt (0:43) in the quarterfinals, won by technical fall 18-4 over Isaiah Mazura of Rosewood in the semifinals and won by major decision 12-0 over Carson Corl of South Johnston in the finals.
Mann received a first-round bye and pinned Troy Parker of Garner (1:13) in the second round. He then won by technical fall 16-1 over Ethan Johnson of North Pitt in the quarterfinals, took a major decision 10-0 over Ashton Shields-Adams in the semifinals and claimed the championship by pinning Mikey Leaf of Ravenscroft (2:51) in the finals match.
Daniel Silver placed second in the 285-pound (heavyweight) division. Silver received byes through the first two rounds. He pinned Sean Banks of Rosewood (3:16) and Jayden Williams of Clayton (3;58) before falling by pin (1:31) to Nicholas Rodgers of Wilson Fike in the championship match.
Other results for the Huskies are as follows:
• 106: Alan Tebalan finished in third place with a pin over Esteban Placencia of Southwest Onslow (0:19).
• 120: Kemon Downing took fourth place after losing by medical forfeit to Connor Elliot of Millbrook.
• 132: Brayden Waneroik ended up fourth overall … more at … https://www.reflector.com/apgstate/necp-tarboro-wrestlers-claim-titles-in-usaf-eagle-invitational/article_e3496683-b2a4-52cf-8a19-097b7f70aa81.html
Taylor Tabbed Big Ten Wrestler of the Week
Nebraska’s Antrell Taylor (157) was named Big Ten Co-Wrestler of the Week, his first time claiming the honor, as the conference announced its award winners on Thursday afternoon.
The sophomore most recently ran a 5-0 Cliff Keen campaign in Las Vegas to take home the 157 title, and improve his season record to 12-0. Taylor took down four ranked opponents, two in the top-10, and had a major decision and pin at the invitational. The first-place finish helped the Huskers claim runner-up in Las Vegas among 30 teams.
Taylor, who is currently the third-ranked wrestler in the nation, is the second Husker to win the award this season, after Ridge Lovett was honored on Nov. 21.
Up next, the Big Red will host a triangular with Augustana (S.D.) and UN-Kearney on Friday, Dec. 20. The Vikings and Lopers will take the mat first, wrestling at 4 p.m., before the Huskers face Augustana (S.D.) at 6 p.m. The UN-Kearney and Nebraska matchup will start following the conclusion of the previous dual. The Huskers’ duals will have live results and be streamed on Big Ten Plus.
2024-25 Big Ten Wrestler of the Week
Nov. 7
W: Joseph Walker, Sr., MICH
F: Ben Davino, OSU … more at … https://huskers.com/news/2024/12/12/taylor-tabbed-big-ten-wrestler-of-the-week
And …
Down To Optimal Weight, Nebraska Wrestling’s Taylor is ‘Here To Stay’
After earning All-America honors last season at 165 pounds, Antrell Taylor is off to a 12-0 start after going back down to his optimal weight of 157.
Nebraska’s Antrell Taylor is back down to his more natural weight of 157 pounds, and after winning a Cliff Keen Las Vegas Invitational title, he wants everyone to know he’s here to stay after a brief hiatus up at 165. “I definitely see it as I had something to prove,” Taylor said. “I think I proved that, and like I said at the end of the match ‘I’m here to stay’. That’s the type of mentality I have going into every match from here on out.”
After redshirting at 157 pounds, Taylor spent his first season as the starter up at 165 pounds because Nebraska had All-American Peyton Robb at 157 for his senior season. Taylor went 23-10 and finished eighth at NCAAs for All-American honors as a freshman.
After a year spent competing against much bigger opponents, Taylor says he feels much stronger. The season at 165 accelerated his development because he was forced to figure out new ways to get to his offense. “It definitely helped me develop,” Taylor said of facing larger opponents. “I was shooting a single leg, then come up to the body because that’s my best position — the bodylock position — so just finding different ways to my underhooks and bodylocks and stuff like that because I couldn’t really get through guys as much as I wanted to. I didn’t really shoot as many double-legs last year, so it was just finding different ways to get through guys.”
While up at 165, Taylor amassed a pretty solid hit list, including wins over … more at … https://www.flowrestling.org/articles/13209445-down-to-optimal-weight-nebraska-wrestlings-taylor-is-here-to-stay
Wrestlers grapple with rule changes
If veteran wrestling fans were paying attention at the Tom Torres Duals at Los Lunas High School Saturday, they certainly heard a lot more whistles and saw a faster pace than usual.
That’s because high school wrestling has undergone a series of rule changes this season, more in line with college wrestling.
According to a news release from the National Federation of State High School Associations, NFHS, “six major changes impacting almost 30 rules” were adopted in April. “I like the changes,” said Steve Chavez, LLHS coach, who also admitted, “It’s going to be a big change for the kids and for the referee.”
Among the adjustments, a take down is now worth three points instead of two and a near-fall can count anywhere from two to five points, depending on how long the criteria is held. Chavez said points can now pile up faster. “Matches are going to go by quicker. Better wrestlers are going to be getting points faster.”
Belen wrestler Tommy Freeman gives a thumbs up. “I like the rule changes. The three-point take down is changing (wrestling) a lot,” Freeman said. Josh Jaramillo, a BHS wrestler, who has competed at the national level, also approves. “All I do is watch college wrestling, study the stuff,” said Jaramillo. “I knew it was happening, so my mindset was used to it.”
Valencia freshman Cole Houck is excited about the rules, too. “I think it’s cool because the match goes faster,” Houck said. “One point makes a big difference.” Another adjustment fans may notice is that wrestlers “will be inbounds with only one point of contact of either wrestler inside or on the boundary line,” which could cut down on stoppages. More mundane rule changes include a new official’s timeout signal, “both hands/fingers pointing inward to the referee’s chest,” and the 10-foot circle in the … more at … https://www.news-bulletin.com/sports/wrestlers-grapple-with-rule-changes/article_4e448a5a-b7fd-11ef-a958-db1663a8b51b.html
No. 6 Ohio State Rallies for 20-17 Win at Pitt
Buckeyes win five of the final six matches of the dual to erase a 14-0 deficit
COLUMBUS, Ohio – The sixth-ranked Ohio State wrestling team roared back from a 14-0 deficit on Friday night against Pittsburgh and won five of the final six bouts to earn a 20-17 victory against the Panthers at Fitzgerald Fieldhouse in Pittsburgh. Trailing 14-0 after fourth matches, the Buckeyes got three major decisions, one decision and one technical fall in the second half of the dual to styme the Panthers. Each of the five wins came from wrestlers ranked in the top 12 of their respective weight classes.
Friday night’s dual began at 174 pounds and for the Buckeyes, it almost started with a significant upset. Unranked freshman e’Than Birden, a Dublin native, battled 17th-ranked Luca Augustine all the way to a second overtime period before eventually falling, 2-1. Neither wrestler was able to score a takedown in the match, as Birden carried a 1-0 lead into the third period.
In the next bout, at 184 pounds, Ohio State once again lost a tight decision. This time it was Seth Shumate who went down the wire in a 6-5 loss to No. 11-ranked Reece Heller. Shumate built a 3-1 lead at the end of the first period was ahead 4-3 entering the third period but a Heller takedown proved to be the difference. The win for the Panthers gave them an early 6-0 lead in the team score.
The Panthers would increase their lead to 9-0 following an 8-2 decision for No. 16 Mac Stout at 197 pounds over Ryder Rogotzke in the first ranked match of the night. Stout got going late in the bout, scoring a late second-period takedown to pull ahead 3-1 and then scoring four points in the third period. A 16-1 technical fall at 285 lbs. – the first bonus points of the night – gave the Panthers a 14-0 cushion after four matches. But Brendan McCone swung some momentum back in Ohio State’s favor … more at … https://ohiostatebuckeyes.com/news/2024/12/13/wrestling-no-6-ohio-state-rallies-for-20-17-win-at-pitt
Minnesota Wrestling Surging After Return Of Gable Steveson
Olympic champion Gable Steveson’s return to the Minnesota roster has turbocharged the Gophers, who are 38-2 in dual matches this season.
Aside from Gable Steveson announcing his return to college wrestling, Minnesota hasn’t been in the headlines all that much this season.
But let’s look at the numbers. The Gophers have won four dual meets this season, losing just two times in those 40 bouts and posting back-to-back shutouts — against North Dakota State and Campbell — for the first time since 1997 when head coach Brandon Eggum was one of the Gophers’ stars. Put those four wins on last year’s closing six-match streak and that’s 10 in a row for Minnesota.
And with each of its 10 wrestlers ranked among the top 25, including seven in the top 10 and a team ranking of #4, Minnesota is ever-so-subtly saying, ‘Hey, why not us?’ as far as discussions and projections for postseason conference and NCAA hardware.
The Gophers won eight titles in the recent Cougar Clash at Southern Illinois without Isaiah Salazar at 197 and Steveson at 285 and came close to going 10-for-10 overall. “The thing that I love about this team, just in general, and especially even last weekend, they just kind of have a killer mindset,” Eggum said. “You see them go out and they’re picking up good wins. They’ve been really consistent, and they’re scoring a lot of bonus points.”
The Gophers have bookends in #6 Cooper Flynn, a transfer from Virginia Tech at 125, … more at … https://www.flowrestling.org/articles/13207048-minnesota-wrestling-surging-after-return-of-gable-steveson
Wrestling Takes Seven of 10 at Davidson for Fourth Straight Dual Win
DAVIDSON, N.C. – The opening three bouts and the final four bouts all went to American University wrestling as the Eagles picked up their fourth straight win with a 25-9 road victory at Davidson College on Sunday afternoon. AU scored two bonus-point wins including a 16-second fall by Raymond Lopez at 133 pounds.
Notable
- The pin for Lopez was his fifth of the young season, and he stands at 7-1 overall with five wins by fall. The only loss so far for Lopez was a medical forfeit on Dec. 8. His 11 career pins are now tied for 16th all-time in program history.
- Starting off the dual was redshirt freshman Coen Bainey with an 11-2 major-decision victory over Luke Passarelli at 125 pounds. Bainey scored three takedowns including two in the third period to earn the bonus-point win for the Eagles.
- After Lopez’s 16-second pin of Enis Ljikovic at 133, the Eagles got a third straight win at 141 pounds from sophomore Cael McIntyre. He led 7-0 after the opening period and held on for an 8-3 win to put AU up 13-0.
- The Wildcats won three straight bouts to come within four team points at 13-9, but the Eagles closed out with four straight wins by decision.
- With a second-period escape and a riding time point, Caleb Campos won 2-0 at 174.
- Senior Breon Phifer used a late, third-period takedown to help secure his first dual win of the season, 5-4 over Ian McGehee at 184 pounds. … more at … https://aueagles.com/news/2024/12/15/wrestling-takes-seven-of-10-at-davidson-for-fourth-straight-dual-win.aspx
Appalachian State Opens SoCon Schedule with Decisive Win at VMI
LEXINGTON, Va. — App State Wrestling started its SoCon schedule in strong fashion, claiming bonus points in seven of its eight victories during a 40-6 dual win at VMI on Thursday night.
The night included the first App State dual victories for three freshmen, with two of those occurring via pins for the Mountaineers, who improved to 1-2 overall after beginning the season with losses to a pair of top-20 opponents in No. 6 NC State and No. 18 West Virginia.
True freshman heavyweight Stephan Monchery won by fall in the third period against fourth-year starter Josh Evans, while redshirt freshman Jeremiah Price needed just 2:33 to record a pin against Eric Doran at 157 pounds. Monchery held a 3-2 lead in the third period when he recorded a takedown and then ended the match with 40 seconds remaining.
Redshirt freshman Bryson Terrell (125 pounds) and redshirt junior Dalton Battle (184 pounds) made their first career dual starts for App State, with Terrell winning via tech fall by a 17-2 count against Cody Tanner.
Riley Edwards opened the dual with a 12-6 decision over Phoenix Alyea at 141 pounds in just his second career dual victory for App State, and the Mountaineers’ remaining wins all involved bonus points.
Luke Uliano won by fall in the first period at 174 pounds, Carson Floyd pitched a shutout in a 16-0 tech fall at 197 pounds, Kaden Keiser had a tech fall by a 20-3 score at 149 pounds and ninth-ranked Will Miller won by a 12-4 major decision … more at … https://appstatesports.com/news/2024/12/12/wrestling-opens-socon-schedule-with-decisive-win-at-vmi.aspx
ACC Friday Night Duals return to ACC Network, ACC wrestling streaming schedule also set
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (TheACC.com) – ESPN and the Atlantic Coast Conference have announced that ACC Friday Night Duals will return this season to ACC Network with five straight weeks of conference matchups, beginning on January 24 when No. 7 Virginia Tech travels to Durham, North Carolina, to take on Duke. Veteran play-by-play announcer Shawn Kenney and analyst Rock Harrison will be on the call for the sixth-straight year.
The Friday night series will also feature the conference’s other ranked teams – No. 6 NC State, No. 15 Stanford, No. 19 Pitt and No. 24 North Carolina, among other top ACC programs.
An additional 20 ACC wrestling events will also stream this season on ACCNX.
ESPN platforms will feature nearly 150 collegiate wrestling events from some of the top conferences in the country throughout the 2024-25 NCAA season, including more than 110 events exclusively on ESPN+, the leading sports streaming service.
Notable ACC dual wrestling meets on ESPN+ in 2024-25 include:
No. 5 Ohio State at No. 19 Pitt (Dec. 13, 7 p.m. ET)
No. 7 Virginia Tech at No. 3 Oklahoma State (Dec. 19, 8 p.m. ET)
No. 6 NC State at No. 12 Cornell (Dec. 22, 4 p.m. ET) … more at … https://www.themat.com/news/2024/december/13/acc-friday-night-duals-return-to-acc-network-acc-wrestling-streaming-schedule-also-set
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
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