Takedown Report

Amateur Wrestling Reports

Jones, McBryde sisters secure pins in women’s division at NWCA All-Star Classic

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. – The women’s division at the 2024 NWCA All-Star Classic got the marquee college event off to an explosive start with three pins across the five NCAA versus NAIA themed matchups. Top ranked NCAA wrestler and returning NCWWC champion Amani Jones of North Central struck fast with an inside trip to the back in the opening seconds of her 124-pound bout against Grand View’s Maya Davis. Jones pounced with a claw-ride finish for a pin in 1:20 over the two-time NAIA All American.
Jones is a two-time age-group World medalist for Team USA with bronze medal wins at the 2023 U20 World championships and the 2024 U23 World Championships. The Life duo of Jamilah and Latifah McBryde, both ranked No. 1 in the NAIA ranks, joined Jones with pinning combinations on Saturday evening at Penn State’s famed Rec Hall. It only took 48 seconds for Jamilah McBryde to end things against NCAA No. 2 Aine Drury of King at 145 pounds. Drury went for an over-under body lock toss, and nearly landed it, but McBryde was able float her hips over and wind up on top for the pin.
Latifah McBryde was pushed a little harder by top-ranked NCAA athlete Cheyenne Bowman of King. Bowman took a 4-0 lead just over one minute into the 160-pound contest with a takedown-to-turn sequence. McBryde took the momentum in the back half of period one with a step out and takedown heading into the break. Early in the second period, McBryde went high-flyer off a Bowman single leg to get the pin in 3:40. Earning decision wins were athletes representing the NCAA division … more at … https://www.themat.com/news/2024/november/16/jones-mcbryde-sisters-secure-pins-in-women-s-division-at-nwca-all-star-classic?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email

November 20, 2024 Posted by | Uncategorized | , , , | Leave a comment

Starocci stakes claim to 184 with sudden victory win over Keckeisen to cap eventful NWCA All-Star Classic

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. – Round one to Carter Starocci. The four-time NCAA champion for Penn State defeated returning NCAA champion Parker Keckeisen of Northern Iowa in sudden victory overtime to punctuate an eventful night of wrestling at the 2024 NWCA All-Star Classic.
The 184-pound showdown at Rec Hall was a match of positioning and patience. Starocci and Keckeisen dueled to a 1-1 stalemate at the end of regulation, both men earning an escape point. The only difference in the match to that point was negligible, Starocci escaping in seven seconds compared to Keckeisen’s 35-second escape time.
In the two-minute sudden victory period, it was Starocci who controlled the center of the mat, doing well with his underhook tie. Starocci fought through a lengthy finish from an outside single leg attempt to end the match, 4-1, with 27 seconds left in overtime and send the Penn State faithful home on a positive note. Starocci bumped up from 174 pounds where he has won the last four NCAA tournaments and came into the season ranked No. 1 at 184 pounds. Keckeisen is the reigning 184-pound national champion and has finished in the top three of the weight class the past four years.
Another Nittany Lion made the decision to bump up in weight and declared themselves a top contender with an impressive win on Saturday night. Levi Haines, last year’s NCAA champion at 157 pounds, took out No. 3 Cade Devos of South Dakota State, 7-0, to solidify his No. 2 ranking at 174 pounds. Haines looked every bit his normal self up two weight classes.
Also picking up wins for the top-ranked Nittany Lions were No. 2 Shayne Van Ness at 149 pounds and No. 4 Tyler Kasak at 157 pounds, both of whom are past third-place finishers at the NCAAs. Van Ness put it on No. 3 Ty Watters of West Virginia with a 16-4 major decision win. Kasak emerged with a controlled, 4-2, win against No. 5 Peyten Kellar of Ohio. The 141-pound NCAA finals rematch between Ohio State’s Jesse Mendez and Penn State’s Beau Bartlett had a similar tenor to their previous matches. … more at … https://www.themat.com/news/2024/november/16/starocci-stakes-claim-to-184-with-sudden-victory-win-over-keckeisen-to-cap-eventful-nwca-all-star-classic?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email

November 20, 2024 Posted by | Uncategorized | , | Leave a comment

Women’s College Opens this past weekend: Albion, Blue Hose, Millersville, Mike Clock and Mile High Opens held

Each week as appropriate, USA Wrestling will post the results from women’s college open tournaments from the weekend. There were five more tournaments held across the nation during the third weekend of the season. This past weekend’s tournaments were the Albion Open in Michigan, the Blue Hose Challenge in South Carolina, the Millersville Open in Pennsylvania, the Mike Clock Open in Oregon and the Mile High Open in Arizona.

Albion Open (at Albion)
Sunday, November 17
Notes: NCAA No. 4 Grand Valley State had a strong performance at the Albion Open, with four individual champions: Ana Malovich (117), Hannah Palise (131), Elleni Johnson (145) and Aaliyah Grandberry (207). Johnson defeated teammate Skylar Little Soldier in the finals. NAIA No. 10 Indana Tech had three champions. Makayla Young (103), Tehani Soares (110) and Rose Kaplan (124). Bo Geibe, an Indiana Tech wrestler competing unattached, won the 160-pound title. The other champions were Madison Small of NCAA Trine (138) and Abbie Miles of NCAA Albion (180)

103
1st Place Match – Makayla Young (Indiana Tech) won by tech fall over Kirsten Cortez (Carthage College) (TF 10-0)
3rd Place Match – Kyleigh Honaker (Manchester University) won by fall over Gabby Motz (Albion) (Fall 1:56)
5th Place Match – Abigail Alvarado (Manchester University) won by fall over Lexi Doerflinger (Hiram) (Fall 2:19)

110
1st Place Match – Tehani Soares (Indiana Tech) won by fall over Kylee Bentley (Hiram) (Fall 0:40)
3rd Place Match – Allison Hancher (Indiana Tech) won by decision over Julia Snyder (Rochester Christian University) (Dec 7-4)
5th Place Match – Caroline Farris (Alma) won by decision over Lynsey Light (Albion) (Dec 6-2)

117
1st Place Match – Ana Malovich (Grand Valley State) … more at … https://www.themat.com/news/2024/november/18/women-s-college-opens-this-past-weekend-albion-blue-hose-millersville-mike-clock-and-mile-high-opens-held

November 20, 2024 Posted by | Uncategorized | , , | Leave a comment

College wrestling notebook: Virginia Tech bests Missouri in top ten matchup, stars shine at NWCA All-Star Classic, Sasso wins in return to action

The third week of the college wrestling season is complete. Fans enjoyed the annual NWCA All-Star Classic that captivated the crowd at the Rec Hall on Penn State’s campus, top-10 dual matchups, and much more. Check out full recaps of the men’s and women’s cards at the All-Star Classic.
Here are a few things to note week three of the college wrestling season.
Dual of the Week
No. 7 Virginia Tech hosted No. 8 Missouri and picked up its first ranked win of the season. The Hokies secured seven victories en route to a 23-10 win over the Tigers at the Cassell Coliseum on Friday night, moving to 2-0 on the season.
No. 7 Virginia Tech – 23, No. 8 Missouri – 10
125 – No. 13 Eddie Ventresca (VT) dec. Gage Walker (Mizzou), 6-5
133 – No. 10 Connor McGonagle (VT) dec. No. 29 Kade Moore (Mizzou), 3-0
141 – No. 18 Sam Latona (VT) dec. No. 13 Josh Edmond (Mizzou), 4-2
149 – No. 1 Caleb Henson (VT) maj. dec. No. 24 Logan Gioffre (Mizzou), 9-0 … more at … https://www.themat.com/news/2024/november/18/college-wrestling-notebook-virginia-tech-bests-missouri-in-top-ten-matchup-stars-shine-at-nwca-all-star-classic-sasso-wins-in-return-to-action

November 20, 2024 Posted by | Uncategorized | , | Leave a comment

More Carolinas’ Colleges Results

#14 Lander Earns Second Shutout of Season; Dispatches Coker 47-0
HARTSVILLE, S.C. – The 14th-ranked Lander Wrestling team went a perfect ten for ten in matches as they shut out the Coker Cobras, 47-0, on Thursday evening at the DeLoach Center.
Lander improved to a perfect 3-0 in duals and has the same record in conference action. Coker drops to 0-2 overall with the same record in Conference Carolinas.
Six of Lander’s ten wins came from bonus point margins, including pins from Sammy GerardDavid HunsbergerNathan BuckovichHunter Jones, and the reigning Conference Carolinas Wrestler of the Week, Issac Sheeren.
Oren Decker started the match with an 11-10 win, using a third-period takedown to secure the three points. Christian Davis then got a sudden victory at 133 over seventh-ranked     
Stephen Spitko to make it 6-0, Bearcats, after two matches.
After another decision from Isham Peace and a dominant 21-4 technical fall by Reid Noble, Gerard pinned Noah Korenoski who was ranked higher than the Fairfax, Va. native in the last regional poll and that sparked a run of four straight pins for the Bearcats that made it 38-0, Lander, after eight matches. Marvelous Rutledge picked up a 10-4 decision at 197 before Sheeren closed out the match with a bang with a first-period pin.
The Bearcats will have a well-deserved week away from competition before they compete next in split-squad action on November 23rd with a group traveling to Marietta, Georgia to take part … more at … https://landerbearcats.com/news/2024/11/14/wrestling-14-lander-earns-second-shutout-of-season-dispatches-coker-47-0.aspx
And …

Davidson College Cruises to Pair of Wins in Home Opener
DAVIDSON, N.C. – The Davidson College wrestling team began their dual slate with a pair of wins over Belmont Abbey and Saint Andrews. The Wildcats won 26-16 over the Crusaders and 51-0 over the Knights in the team’s home opener.

Belmont Abbey Match
Enis Ljikovic started things off with a 4-0 shutout over Brett Balzan at 125 pounds. The Crusaders got six team points with a forfeit win at 133 then, won the 141-pound bout in a tight one-point decision to go up 9-3.
Davidson’s middle weights took over and put the ‘Cats back in firm control. Tyler-Xavier McKnight turned in a 10-1 major decision victory, captain Tanner Peake cruised to a 22-3 tech fall, Ian McGehee got a quick pin on a massive body slam in under a minute, and Marc Koch also got a tech fall on 17 points.
The Crusaders won the 184 and 197-pound matches to make it 23-16 heading into the heavyweight match. In that match, DJ Spring II won in the second overtime period on riding time to seal the deal on a 26-16 victory.

Saint Andrews Match
Davidson led wire-to-wire and didn’t not surrender a point in the night cap. … more at … https://davidsonwildcats.com/news/2024/11/14/wrestling-cruises-to-pair-of-wins-in-home-opener

November 19, 2024 Posted by | Uncategorized | , , | Leave a comment

From great to greatest: How returning NCAA wrestling champions prepare to be even more dominant in 2025

Penn State’s Carter Starocci is unquestionably one of the best college wrestlers of all time. With four NCAA titles and two Big Ten titles to his name at 174 pounds, he’s already solidified himself in the history books with the chance to win an unprecedented fifth Division I NCAA title this year, now up at 184 pounds.
🤼 MORE COLLEGE WRESTLING 🤼
🚨 Alerts and updates on Bleacher Report
🎥 Wrestling on YouTube
🍎 Follow on Apple News
But Starocci’s main focus this year is less on his last title and more on how he can improve. “I really find peace in training and getting better,” Starocci said. “My dad used to always tell me, ‘every day, you have the option: either get better or get worse. If you stay the same, everyone else around you is getting better, and that means you’re getting worse’…so every single second of the day I really try to utilize ‘is this going to help me, or is it not?” 
Starocci is one of seven returning champions from 2024 looking to add to his resume this season, and he’s the only champ from last year with more than one title. Ohio State’s Jesse Mendez, Virginia Tech’s Caleb Henson and Penn State’s Levi Haines all earned All-American honors as true freshman, finishing sixth, fifth and second respectively at 141, 149 and 157 pounds before winning their first titles as true sophomores last season.
THROWBACK: Here’s how Mendez and Henson earned All-American honors as true freshmen
UNI’s Parker Keckeisen won his first title in 2024 at 184 pounds after finishing third twice and second in 2023, while Penn State’s Greg Kerkvliet  … more at … https://www.ncaa.com/news/wrestling/article/2024-11-15/great-greatest-how-returning-ncaa-wrestling-champions-prepare-be-even-more-dominant

November 19, 2024 Posted by | Uncategorized | , , | Leave a comment

Blugolds mourn loss of longtime coach and friend Don Parker

EAU CLAIRE, Wis. — The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire athletics program mourns the passing of longtime wrestling coach and friend Don Parker. Parker passed away November 13 at the age of 79. Parker was an instrumental figure for the UW-Eau Claire wrestling program. He served as head coach of the Blugolds for 32 years in a career spanning from 1977 to 2009. He coached countless wrestlers over the course of his time with UW-Eau Claire and had an immeasurable impact on the campus community. Parker’s teams produced one national champion, 12 All-Americans and 15 conference champions. He became the school’s first recipient of the WIAC Wrestling Coach of the Year award when he received the honor in the 1999-00 season.
Parker was also an assistant Blugold football coach for 12 seasons and an instructor in the Department of Kinesiology. A native of Hawkeye, Iowa and a four-sport letterman at North Fayette County Community School, Parker was a state wrestling champion in high school and then went on to win two NCAA Division II titles at State College of Iowa, now known as the University of Northern Iowa. As a Division II national champion, he qualified for the NCAA Division I tournament where he placed sixth at 191 pounds in 1967. A three-time North Central Conference champion and conference MVP in 1966, he wrestled in the first NCAA All-Star meet.
Before arriving in Eau Claire, Parker spent four years as the head coach at Upper Iowa University following stints at Zion-Benton High School in Illinois, Vernonia High School in Oregon and Hillsboro High School in Oregon. Parker served as president of the NAIA national wrestling coaches association in 1986-87. He was named NAIA District 14 Coach of the Year in 1987. He was inducted into the Northern Iowa Hall of Fame in 1986, the NCAA Division II Hall of Fame in 2000, the Iowa Glen Brand Hall of Fame in 2007 and the National Wrestling Hall of Fame-Wisconsin … more at … https://blugolds.com/news/2024/11/14/wrestling-blugolds-mourn-loss-of-longtime-coach-and-friend-don-parker.aspx

November 19, 2024 Posted by | Uncategorized | , , | Leave a comment

‘All American’ Is A Must-See Women’s Wrestling Documentary

Learn more about ‘All American’ — a new women’s wrestling documentary everyone should watch.
Women’s wrestling is more than a sport. It’s a movement.
That’s the tagline for Mark Altschul’s soon-to-be-released must-watch women’s wrestling documentary.  The film’s synopsis is this: “In this modern, coming-of-age documentary, Naomi, Jojo, and Arham grapple with economic divides, gender roles, and family dynamics while competing in the fastest-growing high school sport in the country: women’s wrestling.”
All of the above is true, but that’s a surface-level description of a documentary that captures wrestling’s essence. Filmed over five years from 2017 to 2022, ‘All American’ provides an in-depth look into women’s wrestling, our sense of belonging, and a universal need for acceptance. And wrestling plays a fundamental role in developing lasting and authentic relationships.
Some of the best moments are interviews with women’s wrestling trailblazers. Afsoon Johnston is front and center when she shares her story of fleeing war-torn Iran to become America’s first female to medal at the World Championships.  There are universally significant quotes that unlock the power of a singularly unique sport.
“I can’t live without wrestling.”
“I’d do anything for wrestling.”
“Wrestling introduced me to my potential.” 
“Being a coach is building people up.”
The film’s peak moment is a match between New Yorkers Mia Macaluso and Naomi Henry in the 2018 Cadet National final in Fargo, North Dakota. Mia’s mom, Nikki, messages Naomi after the match—a transcendent interaction that illustrates the lasting bonds within a combat sport.  “I was blown away by these young women when I saw women’s wrestling for the first time,” Altschul said. “I’ve never seen women wrestling like that and these women were incredible. This was a passion project. … more at … https://www.flowrestling.org/articles/13019252-all-american-is-a-must-see-womens-wrestling-documentary

November 19, 2024 Posted by | Uncategorized | , , | Leave a comment

TDR Top 12 Preseason Girls Rankings 100-120 lbs.

Editor’s Notes; The following are potential returning wrestlers from last year’s The TakeDown Report’s Top 12 Team as best wrestlers in eastern North Carolina. We expect many changes in weight classes
This will be the 28th consecutive season of publicizing the TDR Top 12 rankings and awards. The win-loss record is from the end of last year. There will be freshmen who could and maybe even should be listed and they will once the regular season. Many wrestlers will be in different weight classes but that will be apparent once the ‘referee blows the whistle.’ We welcome input from coaches, fans and wrestlers.
We plan to recognize the top wrestlers with engraved wooden plaques the 21st year with our ‘duck under’ logo. We do have TDR T-Shirts yet we do have white print on black shirts TDR shirts for just $10!
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

RnkWght.NameTeamGr.W.L.Pct.
1100Ockerman, AnnaCorinth-Holders253630.923
2100Reese, KhiryRosewood2744160.733
3100Hijawi, ZainabSouth Central2633120.733
4100Cline, RyleighSwansboro272880.778
5100Ayala-Garcia, LauraManteo263870.844
6100Morrow, BrookeBunn2536130.735
7100Villarreal, CarolinaHavelock2523180.561
11100Miniglio, CallistaPasquatank County2624160.600
11100Raygoza, IsabellaSouth Brunswick2716120.571
1107Simmons, KatieLaney253130.912
2107Wallace, MakaylaAyden-Grifton2519130.594
3107Miller, AdriannaSouthwest Onslow272360.793
4107Rivera, KayleeEastern Wayne2716110.593
5107Vindigni, JulianneCleveland2724190.558
6107Romero, ZuanyNorthern Nash2716100.615
7107Moore, MadelineWake Forest2616160.500
1114Frank, KaitlynnLejeune252950.853
2114Simpson, KateBunn251950.792
3114Phillips, AbigailCroatan2724120.667
4114McKethan, ColbyPasquatank County2629160.644
5114Brewer, AbigailCleveland2721140.600
6114Belangia, KoriCurrituck Co.2722130.629
7114O’Neal, LeilaniJacksonville271550.750
11114Aguirre-Gomez, GabriellaManteo2733130.717
11114Heitman, PeytonDixon272190.700
11114Butler, PeytonHavelock2520130.606
11114Lee, AngelNorth Lenoir271590.625
11114Flores, AdelinaSwansboro2716140.533
1120Simpson, SkylaFirst Flight272290.710
2120Scales, AhriannaPasquatank County254350.896
3120Vindigni, AddisonCleveland255060.893
4120Odom, TriniteeHeidi Trask2522130.629
5120Lopez, LucyBunn252360.793
6120Ballard, ClaireNew Bern271390.591
7120Kiser, MiaLaney2623100.697
11120Ajinga, ReeceHavelock2621140.600
11120Reynolds, SkylarDixon2718140.563
11120Chavez, FernandaWest Craven2716130.552

November 18, 2024 Posted by | Uncategorized | , , | Leave a comment

TDR Top 12 Preseason Girls Rankings 126-145 lbs.

Editor’s Notes; The following are potential returning wrestlers from last year’s The TakeDown Report’s Top 12 Team as best wrestlers in eastern North Carolina. We expect many changes in weight classes
This will be the 28th consecutive season of publicizing the TDR Top 12 rankings and awards. The win-loss record is from the end of last year. There will be freshmen who could and maybe even should be listed and they will once the regular season. Many wrestlers will be in different weight classes but that will be apparent once the ‘referee blows the whistle.’ We welcome input from coaches, fans and wrestlers.
We plan to recognize the top wrestlers with engraved wooden plaques the 21st year with our ‘duck under’ logo. We do have TDR T-Shirts yet we do have white print on black shirts TDR shirts for just $10!
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

RnkWght.NameTeamGr.W.L.Pct.
1126Sommer, CharliWest Carteret272970.806
2126Ready, OliviaHavelock253780.822
3126Hirkala, MariellaSwansboro2532110.744
4126Mercer, JoBunn2515130.536
5126Murray, ReaganFranklinton2714110.560
6126Rodriquez, AnabelDixon251320.867
7126Beaver, MirellHeritage2624130.649
15126Williams, JordynSwansboro271670.696
15126Holton, MyrezzaManteo2621200.512
1132Hall, LaurenHeidi Trask262120.913
2132Murillo, BellaFike253180.795
3132Snow, KennedleHavelock253630.923
4132Ross, CeliaDixon2532130.711
5132Friedman, EllaMillbrook26930.750
6132Orellana, CynthiaLaney251870.720
7132Hogan, SoraSwansboro2522120.647
11132Hough, XanaleeLouisburg2523110.676
11132Guzman, LeahCleveland2522180.550
1138Campbell, IsabellaHavelock2536110.766
2138Mitchell, ZedyaSouth Central261870.720
3138Disbennett, GiovannaDixon2529130.690
4138Hankins, Ma’LayshaNorth Pitt261150.688
5138Busby, EllaEast Carteret251690.640
6138Lavigni, MiaWhite Oak2723130.639
7138Hernandez, LincyKnightdale25880.500
1145Bane, FaithNew Bern263420.944
2145Ross, Ay’SeanteLaney253450.872
3145Milbery, MaggieSwansboro2537110.771
3145Gouveia, AllysonMillbrook25501.000
5145McCarthy, KellyCroatan2723150.605
6145Stonebraker, ClaireCleveland2518120.600
7145Seal, MadisonCurrituck Co.272680.765
7145Morales, AlmaBunn252380.742

November 18, 2024 Posted by | Uncategorized | , , | Leave a comment