The Crucible on the Mat: How the Marine Corps and USA Wrestling Forge Tomorrow’s Leaders
Aug 28, 2026, 1:12 PM EDT
by U.S. Marine Corps and USA Wrestling
Spend enough time around wrestling and certain expectations become familiar: show up prepared, embrace difficult work, and keep going when things don’t go your way. Those expectations shape success on the mat, but they can also influence how wrestlers approach challenges long after competition ends.
That mindset is closely aligned with the United States Marine Corps, making its longstanding partnership with USA Wrestling a natural fit between two organizations committed to preparing people for difficult challenges.
Anchoring a Legacy in Fargo
Since the partnership began in 2017, Marines have become a familiar presence at some of USA Wrestling’s most prominent events. Over time, the relationship has grown beyond visibility at tournaments to include opportunities for Marines to interact directly with wrestlers, coaches, families, and wrestling leaders.
That connection was on display again this summer at the 2026 U.S. Marine Corps Junior Nationals in Fargo, North Dakota. Now in its eighth year, the Marine Corps’ title sponsorship of Junior Nationals continues to anchor the partnership at one of the largest and most recognizable annual gatherings in American wrestling.
Throughout the week, Marines could be seen around the FargoDome talking with athletes and coaches, participating in championship ceremonies, and interacting with families and fans.
“This year’s U.S. Marine Corps Junior Nationals were a tremendous success and another example of the outstanding partnership between USA Wrestling and the U.S. Marine Corps,” said Bruce Baumgartner, USA Wrestling President. “Our two organizations are committed to providing opportunities for young men and women across the country to showcase strength and courage in the pursuit of excellence.” … more at … https://www.themat.com/news/2026/august/28/the-crucible-on-the-mat-how-the-marine-corps-and-usa-wrestling-forge-tomorrow-s-leaders?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email
The Top 50 Newcomers For The 2026-27 NCAA Wrestling Season
Ranking the best 50 college wrestlers new to the 2026-27 NCAA D1 season.
The 2026-27 college wrestling season is still over two months away, but it’s never too early to start getting excited for next year! To help you better prepare for the season, I’ve compiled a list of 50 wrestlers who didn’t wrestle last year and are either making their college debuts or returning back to college wrestling after an injury or redshirt.
The Top 10
I’m going to give my breakdown for each wrestler in the top 10 below, but if you want to see the entire list, just keep scrolling! It’s also probably important for me to explain my criteria before you start reading. The best way I can explain my criteria is in one word: VIBES. There’s not much of a science to this list. I put the wrestlers in the order of who I’m most excited to see wrestle and who I think could have the biggest impact on college wrestling next year. That means that your list will probably look a lot different than mine. That’s what makes these things fun!
1. Masanosuke Ono, Penn State – 133/141
How can a world champion who’s never wrestled a competitive folkstyle match not be #1? Yes, there’s still a ton of questions surrounding whether Ono will even wrestle and, if he does, what weight he will be at! However, Ono’s run at the 2024 World Championships, where he teched Vito Arujau and defeated world and Olympic champion Zavur Uguev, was historic. Combine that with Ono’s electric personality, and he has the potential to take the college wrestling world by storm this year.
2. Bo Bassett, Virginia Tech – 141
Bo Bassett is the most popular high school wrestler of all time, and for good reason. He’s a U17 World Champion, 3-time PA state champion, 4-time Super 32 champion, U20 World bronze medalist, and is currently in Final X, waiting to wrestle off Real Woods for the senior world team spot at 65 kg (oh, and he’s also on the U20 and U23 world teams this year). Bo has more hype than anyone who has ever entered college wrestling, and I can’t wait to see how he lives up to it next year at Virginia Tech.
3. Caleb Henson, Virginia Tech – 149
Staying in Blacksburg with Caleb Henson, who is returning to college wrestling after redshirting last year. Henson is a 3-time All-American who has placed 5th, 1st, and 2nd in his three years as a Hokie. As an NCAA champion, he has to be high on this list, but what makes it even better is the depth at 149 pounds this year. Henson will be battling for another NCAA title alongside Sergio Vega, Aden Valencia, Shayne Van Ness, and potentially Jesse Mendez. That’s 4 NCAA champions in one weight class – could this be the best weight of all time!?
4. Dreshaun Ross, Oklahoma State – 285
Now this is where my opinion really starts to affect the order of wrestlers on this list. I think Dreshaun Ross has the potential to be an NCAA Champion at heavyweight this year. When was the last time that was done by a true freshman at heavyweight? Now, I did make this list before David Taylor announced that All-American Konner Doucet has another year of eligibility. I’m going to stick to my guns though here and keep Ross at #4. I think he’s that good, and if he’s in the lineup over Doucet, he has the potential to win a wide-open heavyweight field that won’t have 6 of last year’s 8 All-Americans (only Ben Kueter and Christian Carroll return). … more at … https://www.flowrestling.org/articles/16122994-top-50-college-newcomers-for-the-2026-27-ncaa-wrestling-season?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email
2026-27 Girls Preseason National High School Wrestling Rankings: Version 1
Graduating seniors exit the rankings and incoming freshmen join the national Top 30 in our first look at the 2026-27 girls high school wrestling season.
Consider this the first draft of the High School On SI 2026-27 Girls National High School Wrestling Rankings.
The primary purpose of this update is to remove graduating seniors and add incoming freshmen and other wrestlers who have earned their way into the rankings. We’re also expanding every weight class to a Top 30 ahead of the Super 32 early-entry process.
Super 32 is using our Top 30 as part of its early-entry criteria, but that did not influence where wrestlers are ranked. We did not manipulate the rankings for that purpose. The only changes from our final 2025-26 rankings were removing graduating seniors and adding new wrestlers.
Why Wrestlers Remain at Their Fargo Weights
For this update, wrestlers remain at the weights where they competed at Fargo, including those who may ultimately compete at different weights during the high school season. This allowed us to produce an initial update without projecting where every wrestler will compete in 2026-27.
Our next update, scheduled for later in August, will begin moving wrestlers into their expected high school weight classes.
Next Woman Up
Removing the graduating seniors also provides an early look at how each weight class is shaping up for 2026-27. It opened spots for wrestlers who had been on the edge of the rankings, as well as those who emerged during the spring and summer.
Some weight classes already had enough ranked and honorable mention wrestlers to fill the Top 30 once the seniors were removed, particularly at the lighter weights. As with the boys rankings, the heavier weight classes required additional research to fill out. Current No. 1 Ranked Wrestlers … more at … https://www.si.com/high-school/wrestling/2026-27-girls-preseason-national-high-school-wrestling-rankings-version-1-01kzy76chekf?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email
From Gori, Georgia to Durham: Ross Returns Ready for the Next Step
By: Emily Carter, Duke Creative Services Summer Intern
DURHAM, N.C.– After hours of travel, Dylan Ross had barely any time to recover before stepping onto the wrestling mat.
Ross landed in Georgia at 4 a.m., after a long international journey and was back in wrestling gear by 7 a.m. “We had no sleep,” Ross said.
He would begin the first of three daily sessions that would define his next 10 days. After earning the starting spot at 149 pounds as a Duke redshirt freshman, Ross finished last season with a 16-12 overall record and went 5-4 in ACC competition. The season gave him his first real opportunity to test himself at the collegiate level.
But Ross knew he could improve, and he spent part of his summer in Gori, Georgia, training under his longtime coach Valentin Kalika at a camp in one of the world’s most legendary wrestling cultures.
The schedule was demanding. Every morning began at 7 a.m., with conditioning at a local park before mat practices at 11 a.m., and 5 p.m. Between sessions, there was just enough time to eat, recover and prepare to do it all again, leaving very little room for anything besides wrestling.
For Ross, that was exactly what made the experience so valuable. He was exposed to a place where wrestling is deeply integrated into the culture. “[We were] outside the city, so it’s an underdeveloped area,” Ross said. “I feel like all the kids there, all they know and live is wrestling. They wrestle two or three times a day every single day their whole lives.”
This trip was not just about training abroad — it was a chance to reunite with the coach who played a major role in shaping Ross’s wrestling career. “My coach has been inviting me for a while, but it never worked out because it was kind of a big commitment,” Ross said. “This summer I found the time and one of my training partners back home wanted to go with me. It was hard to say no to an opportunity like that.”
Ross, who grew up in Edgewater, N.J., first began training with Kalika in the seventh grade and continued to train under him privately throughout high school before Kalika moved to California. Looking back, he admits that Kalika’s training style is unlike anything he had ever experienced. “He brought a style of wrestling that I had never seen before,” Ross said. … more at … https://goduke.com/news/2026/8/11/wrestling-from-gori-georgia-to-durham-ross-returns-ready-for-the-next-step?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email
Idaho Has Earned a Women’s Collegiate Wrestling Program: The Data No Longer Supports Waiting…
A Data-Driven Case for Expanding Athletic Opportunity in the Gem State
For years, the conversation surrounding women’s collegiate wrestling in Idaho centered on one question:
Is there enough talent to support a program?
The answer is now clear.
Idaho has developed into one of the nation’s fastest-growing producers of elite female wrestlers. Participation has surged, nationally ranked athletes are emerging from communities throughout the state, Fargo National All-Americans are becoming increasingly common, college commitments are growing, and Idaho-born wrestlers are earning All-American honors across multiple levels of collegiate competition.
Yet despite this success, Idaho remains one of the few wrestling-rich states without an in-state women’s collegiate wrestling opportunity. The issue is no longer whether Idaho has enough athletes to support a program.
The evidence demonstrates that Idaho has reached the point where establishing women’s collegiate wrestling represents a logical and strategic expansion of athletic opportunity.
Breaking the Barrier: Idaho’s Last Untapped Varsity Opportunity
Among Idaho’s eight colleges sponsoring intercollegiate athletics, nearly every traditional men’s sport has developed a corresponding women’s varsity opportunity. Across NCAA, NAIA, and junior college athletics, women compete in basketball, cross country, track and field, golf, soccer, tennis, swimming and diving, skiing, rodeo, volleyball, softball, and numerous other sports.
Wrestling remains the notable exception.
It is the only traditional collegiate sport currently offered in Idaho where a men’s varsity program exists without an equivalent women’s opportunity.
This disparity is particularly significant at North Idaho College (NIC), which has established one of the most successful men’s wrestling programs in junior college history. While NIC wrestling has built a national reputation through decades of championship success, Idaho’s female wrestlers continue to leave the state to pursue collegiate opportunities elsewhere. … more at … https://simplemanwrestling.com/2026/07/14/idaho-has-earned-a-womens-collegiate-wrestling-program-the-data-no-longer-supports-waiting/?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email
The High School On SI Boys Postseason National Wrestling Rankings Set the Stage for Fargo
The final rankings before USA Wrestling’s 16U and Junior Nationals feature weight-class shakeups, a new No. 1 at 157 pounds and the usual Fargo surprises.
We have reached the end of the line. The 2026 Boys Postseason National Wrestling Rankings period will come to a close over the next week at the Fargodome in North Dakota at USA Wrestling’s 16U and Junior Nationals, aka “Fargo.” Boys Freestyle begins on Friday and concludes on Sunday with both divisions competing on all three days. Greco Roman follows that and then the ladies will close out the action.
State rosters were released over the last few weeks, and while there can still be changes at the scale – this is what it looks like heading into Fargo.
Weight Changes Shake Up the Rankings
We moved folks around based on their listed weight on the rosters. Last year we recall scrambling on the first day of boys’ competition to make last-minute changes that were presented at the scales. Weight changes are permitted at weigh in and every year there are at least a handful or more who do so.
A New No. 1 at 157 Pounds
The results of the weight class shuffle due to roster construction gives us a new number one at 157 pounds in Lake Highland Prep, Florida’s Charlie DeSena, who moved up from 150 pounds, where he was ranked second. The previous number one at 157, Melvin Miller (Bishop McCort, Pennsylvania) has migrated up to 165 pounds. Miller is ranked second behind Delbarton, New Jersey’s Jayden James, who defeated him at Ironman.
We will not be getting a rematch at Fargo, though, as James is sitting it out as he prepares for what he hopes will be another gold medal run at the World Championships later this summer. In fact, most of the wrestlers who qualified for the World Team are skipping Fargo.
No Penalty for Sitting Out
There are a lot of stars missing from the Fargo field. Between the World Team members, graduating seniors just taking the summer off, and others choosing different events to attend, a lot of the top ten guys are not registered for Fargo.
One thing we’ve never done and will not start now, is penalizing wrestlers for not competing. If you’ve made your way into our rankings, you will stay there unless you are forced out by your own actions or those of others. While inactivity doesn’t necessarily hurt you, it can lead to a tumble down the ranks as others emerge. … more at … https://www.si.com/high-school/wrestling/the-high-school-on-si-boys-postseason-national-wrestling-rankings-set-the-stage-for-fargo-01kx1n587n0n?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email
Pat Santoro to Step Away From Men’s Wrestling Head Coaching Position; Brad Dillon ’04 Named Head Coach
BETHLEHEM, Pa. – After more than a quarter-century of service to Lehigh wrestling as a coach, including the last 18 seasons as head coach, Pat Santoro is announcing his retirement from his position as the Lawrence White Head Coach of Men’s Wrestling. Former Lehigh All-American and current Associate Head Coach Brad Dillon ’04 will lead the Mountain Hawks into the 2026-27 season.
“Pat Santoro represents the very best of Lehigh University and college wrestling,” said Lehigh’s Murray H. Goodman ’48 Dean of Athletics Jeremy Gibson. “For more than a quarter century—first as an elite assistant and then for 18 exceptional seasons as our head coach—Pat has led this program with unmatched integrity, passion, and competitive excellence. His legacy is not just measured by the six EIWA team titles or the dozens of All-Americans he mentored, but by the profound, lifelong impact he has made on generations of student-athletes. We are deeply grateful for his tireless service, his leadership, and his unwavering commitment to the Brown and White, and we wish him and his family the absolute best in this next chapter.”
“After much prayer, reflection, and many conversations with my family, I’ve made the difficult decision to step away from Lehigh wrestling,” Santoro said. “This program has been such a huge part of my life and a great blessing to me and my family. It’s hard to put into words what Lehigh wrestling has meant to me. When I look back, what stands out most are the people and the relationships. I’m incredibly grateful for the student-athletes who trusted us, the coaches and staff who gave so much, and the alumni, parents, and supporters who have poured into this program over the years. Lehigh wrestling has given me far more than I could ever give back, and I will always carry those memories and relationships with me.”
After playing an integral role to Lehigh wrestling’s renaissance in the late 1990s under Greg Strobel, … more at … https://nwcaonline.com/news/2026/6/25/national-wrestling-coaches-association-pat-santoro-to-step-away-from-mens-wrestling-head-coaching-position-brad-dillon-04-named-head-coach.aspx
Induction for The National Wrestling Hall of Fame and Museum – Wrestlers of the Year Presentation
(above: Faith Bane & Sara Koenig)
(above: Sly Bentley & Martin Fleming)
2026 Tricia Saunders Award: Faith Bane – New Bern High School
Competing at 145 pounds, Bane has been ranked in the top five nationally by USA Wrestling and FloWrestling. She is a three-time regional champion and three-time state qualifier in North Carolina. Bane captured the 2024 state championship and finished runner-up in 2025. In 2026, she advanced to the state semifinals before being forced to withdraw due to an injury.
Bane has achieved success on the national level in freestyle and folkstyle. She is a two-time North Carolina freestyle state champion and a three-time National High School Coaches Association All-American. She was runner-up at NHSCA championships 2024 and champion in 2025. She earned All-American honors at the USA Wrestling US Open High School Showcase, finishing 3rd. In 2025, she placed fifth at the Fargo Junior Nationals and earned All-American honors with a sixth-place finish at Super 32 Challenge. She also finished third at the prestigious Beast of the East tournament in Delaware this past season.
In addition to her high school accomplishments, Bane has competed in four college open tournaments, reaching the finals twice against collegiate competition. She also earned varsity letters in track and field during her freshman and sophomore years. A member of the National Technical Honor Society, Bane carries a 3.2 GPA while balancing a demanding schedule. Bane will continue wrestling at Life University and will study Sport Health Science
2026 Dave Schultz Award: Bentley Sly – Stuart Cramer High School
Sly wrapped up a stellar high school career by becoming just the 15th wrestler in NCHSAA history to win four state titles. His 2026 title run was a dominant 3-0 performance at the state tournament with two pins and a technical fall without surrendering a single point. His career record in high school is 210–6. Sly was named Big South Wrestler of the Year four times, earned team MVP honors from 2023 to 2026, was named Stuart Cramer’s male underclassman athlete of the year, and served as a four-year team captain.
On the national stage, Sly is a three-time NHSCA All-American, highlighted by a runner-up finish this past April. He also finished 3rd at NHSCA Nationals in 2025 and 6th in 2024. In 2025, Sly boasted a 4th-place finish at Super 32, 4th place at the Walsh Ironman, and a 6–2 performance at Fargo Junior Nationals. Sly reached the blood round at Fargo Junior Nationals in 2024.
Off the mat Sly maintains a 3.9 GPA and is a member of the National Technical Honor Society and Beta Club. He volunteers as a coach at youth clinics and tournaments, giving back to the wrestling community. He will continue his wrestling career at Appalachian State University and will major in Risk Management & Insurance.
Induction for The National Wrestling Hall of Fame and Museum – Harold Smith
May 17, 2026 · W.C. Friday Center in Chapel Hill, NC.
2026 honorees for “Lifetime Service to Wrestling”:
(above David Rothwell & Harold Smith)
Harold Smith – Born in Baltimore, Maryland, Smith moved to Winston-Salem at a young age and attended R.J. Reynolds High School. There, he excelled in basketball, football, and track and was a starter on the school’s 1964 state championship football team. He then attended Hargrave Military Academy for one year, earning letters in three sports before transferring to Wake Forest University to play football. He later transferred to Elon University, where he finished his career as a three-year starter in football and graduated in 1971 with a degree in Health and Physical Education.
Smith began his 47-year career as an educator at Graham High School from 1971 to 1973, where he served as head wrestling coach while also coachingfootball and tennis. Though he had never wrestled himself, he quickly developed a reputation as a driven, successful, and innovative coach. A skilled promoter of wrestling, Smith created an exciting atmosphere by organizing wrestling cheerleaders, bringing in the school band, and securing live local radio broadcasts for home matches. His events attracted crowds of up to 1,000 spectators, elevating wrestling’s visibility in the community.
In 1973, Smith founded the wrestling program at Trinity High School, building what would become one of the state’s top programs. While also coaching football, track, and golf, Smith turned Trinity wrestling into a powerhouse. In 1976, Trinity won its first conference championship in just its third season. The following year, Trinity captured the 1977 WNCHSAA dual team championship with a perfect 18-0 record. That same year, Smith established the Trinity Invitational tournament, an event that continues to this day. His 1980 Trinity team captured sectional, regional, and state championships, earning Smith NC Mat News Coach of the Year honors. Trinity followed its state championship season with a fifth-place state finish in 1981.
Smith also served as head wrestling coach at High Point Central High School from 1983 to 1985 and at R.J. Reynolds High School from 1986 to 1988. His 1984 High Point Central team completed an undefeated regular season, won sectional and regional championships, and finished third in the state wrestling tournament.
After earning a master’s degree in educational leadership and administration from North Carolina A&T, Smith moved into administration in 1987, serving in administrative positions in Forsyth County while continuing to coach wrestling until 2018. In addition to the National Wrestling Hall of Fame, Smith is a member of the Mount Tabor Athletic Hall of Fame (2022). He has also been inducted three times into the Trinity Athletic Hall of Fame (2023, 2024, and 2025), along with his 1977 and 1980 wrestling teams.
National Wrestling Hall of Fame website. https://nwhof.org/hall_of_fame
Induction for The National Wrestling Hall of Fame and Museum – Charlie Jenkins
May 17, 2026 · W.C. Friday Center in Chapel Hill, NC.
2026 honorees for “Lifetime Service to Wrestling”:
(Cecil Mock & Charlie Jenkins)
Charlie Jenkins – Jenkins began wrestling in elementary school while growing up in Washington, New Jersey. He attended Warren Hills High School, where he played baseball and was a four-year letter winner in wrestling. After graduating high school in 1980, he joined the workforce and moved to Pennsylvania. While his sons were competing in youth wrestling, Jenkins recognized a need for quality officials and acted by becoming a wrestling official in 1986. He worked his way through the system in Pennsylvania’s highly competitive District 11, arguably the strongest wrestling area in the country. While officiating in District 11, Jenkins worked matches involving nationally ranked programs such as Easton High School, Nazareth High School, Parkland High School, and Blair Academy. While in Pennsylvania, Jenkins officiated two National Prep tournaments, multiple dual team championships, sectional tournaments, and six regional championships.
In 2001, Jenkins married his wife Rhonda and moved to North Carolina where he quickly became a key figure in high school and collegiate officiating. He has worked numerous NCHSAA state tournaments and dual team finals, served as co-head official for the state tournament since 2012, and officiated at the collegiate level from 2002 to 2025. He has called two Southern Conference and ACC tournaments, along with multiple NCAA Division II regional championships.
In 2015, Jenkins became a regional supervisor for the Southeastern Wrestling Officials Association, a role he continues to hold. He played a key role working with the NCHSAA on the transition to a three-day state tournament format and the consolidation of dual team finals into a single central location. He has been a consistent and influential voice for wrestling in North Carolina, working to improve championship events and officiating standards. His philosophy is that officials should be open to corrective criticism along with a consistent focus on improvement. Jenkins received the Dick Knox Distinguished Service Award in 2007.
Jenkins retired from Scotland County Schools in 2022 after serving as Safe Schools Coordinator for 21 years. Despite overcoming significant health challenges, including cancer and open-heart surgery in recent years, Jenkins has continued to perform his duties at the highest level as a regional supervisor and co-head official of the NCHSAA state tournament.
National Wrestling Hall of Fame website. https://nwhof.org/hall_of_fame
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
