Lindland Inducted to National Wrestling Hall of Fame
Former Nebraska wrestler and coach Matt Lindland is to be inducted to the National Wrestling Hall of Fame as a Distinguished Member, announced Thursday, Oct. 31. Lindland is the fifth Husker to receive the honor.
The 1993 Big Eight champion was a volunteer assistant coach at Nebraska under Tim Neumann for four seasons from 1996-2000. Lindland assisted in coaching 10 All-Americans for the Huskers, including a standout 1999-2000 season that saw Nebraska crown four All-Americans and finish eighth as a team. Nebraska was 52-25 in his four seasons in Lincoln.
The National Wrestling Hall of Fame honors distinguished members as “a wrestler who has achieved extraordinary success in national and/or international competition; a coach who has demonstrated great leadership in the profession and who has compiled an outstanding record; or a contributor whose long-term activities have substantially enhanced the development and advancement of the sport.”
Lindland also had a storied career wrestling for the Huskers. He helped NU to its best finish ever in 1992-93, compiling a 36-1 record, with an 11-0 dual mark at 158 pounds. His victory total put him in the top 10 in single-season wins, and his .973 winning percentage tied him for No. 1 on NU’s all-time list with Bill Scherr. Lindland’s only loss came at the NCAA Championships, which prevented him from All-America honors.
His season was the driving force behind Nebraska’s No. 2 final dual ranking and third-place NCAA finish. He won the Big Eight title at 158 pounds and helped NU to the 1993 Big Eight team title.
Lindland continued his wrestling career on the international level, earning a silver medal at the 2000 Sydney Olympics, and competing at four World Championships. He was also named the 1999 USA Wrestling Athlete of the Year. … more at … https://huskers.com/news/2024/10/31/lindland-inducted-to-national-wrestling-hall-of-fame
2024-25 Campbell Preview
Hi besties, long time no see. Leaves are falling, the wind is a little chillier, and wrestling mats have been rolled out. It’s time to talk about our SoCon season.
The Camels added TJ Dudley to their coaching staff this summer. Dudley, a three-time All-American at 184 lbs (Nebraska), comes to the Creek following three seasons of coaching at Brown University. Speaking of Nebraska, the Camels will host the #3 Cornhuskers on November 15, on the infield at the historic Jim Perry Stadium. Intermission will feature a star-studded exhibition presented by CLAW Wrestling between Jordan Oliver and Bryce Andonian. The match that will surely bring the heat on that chilly Friday in November. Also, it’s looking like a 125lb rematch of (former) SoCon rivals #25 Anthony Molton and #4 Caleb Smith (NEB).
But before I get ahead of myself with the schedule, Campbell, continuing to wow fans with fun venues to experience wrestling – from aircraft hangars to battling at barns, the Camels know how to make wrestling fun. Dual at the Daddy will take place on the spookiest night of the year – Halloween. At Frontier Park in Cheyenne, Wyoming, the Camels and the (#25 Wyoming) Cowboys are set to face off for a special dual. So special, it required a waiver from the NCAA to begin the season on October 31. The scary-good matchup of the evening will be at 197 lbs – #17 Joey Novak (WYO) vs #20 Levi Hopkins. Hopkins, the returning Southern Conference Champion, would be defending his 2-0 streak against Novak.
Jake Patacsil is another addition to the Campbell Wrestling staff. Patacsil boasts a rich coaching resume – having held assistant coaching positions at NAIA and NCAA DI and DII programs, Coach Patacsil was also the head coach for the inaugural season of Mount Olive’s wrestling program (2018). An All-American at 149 for Purdue, Patacsil is likely working with the middleweights. Campbell is slated to host five duals this season and will be on the road for WrangleMania, the Knockout Collegiate Classic, the Southern Scuffle, the Chippewa Challenge, … more at … https://intermatwrestle.com/articles.html/college/socon/2024-25-campbell-preview-r99667/
Presbyterian College Men’s Wrestling Reveals 2024-25 Schedule
CLINTON, S.C. – Turning the page to their sixth season in program history, the Presbyterian College men’s wrestling squad has announced their full 14-match schedule for the upcoming campaign.
The Blue Hose are set to begin the 2024-25 journey next Sunday inside Templeton Gymnasium, starting off a season at home for the first time since starting the program in 2019.
Interestingly, PC’s layout underneath head coach Mark Cody is devoid of any tournaments, favoring duals from start to finish. Presby hopes to build on a three-win trek last spring, kicking off the season on Sunday against one of their victims from a year ago when Sacred Heart visits Clinton.
The garnet and blue remain in the Southern Conference along with eight other schools, wasting little time in wrestling their first league opponent (November 17). Coach Cody’s gang is comprised of 25 student-athletes, 18 of which are returners. Presbyterian figures to sport six grapplers who competed in regular SoCon matches last year, including 184-pounder Caleb Roe who finished in 4th place at the league tourney.
NOVEMBER
– A 1:00 PM date with Sacred Heart will officially unscrew the lid off the regular season in six days, as the Blue Hose look to repeat a 29-21 win against the Pioneers at a neutral venue in their last encounter.
– PC will stay in Templeton two weeks after the season-opener for an ultra-early SoCon meeting, welcoming Davidson for a 3:00 beginning.
– On Saturday, November 23, the Scotsmen will hit the road for the first time when traveling to Duke University for a tri-dual in Durham. … more at … https://gobluehose.com/news/2024/10/28/mens-wrestling-pc-mens-wrestling-reveals-2024-25-schedule.aspx
UNC-Pembroke Wrestling Renames Tournament In Honor Of Former Head Coach PJ Smith
PEMBROKE – UNCP wrestling’s long-standing preseason tournament, the Pembroke Classic, has been renamed the PJ Smith Pembroke Classic, athletic department officials announced Monday.
“This is a fitting tribute to Coach Smith and his legacy at UNCP and in our community,” said UNC Pembroke Director of Athletics, Dick Christy. “The Pembroke Classic provides a wide spectrum of mat opportunities for student-athletes to compete, something that really aligns with Coach Smith’s efforts to grow the sport of wrestling in our community, region, and state.”
“Coach Smith started this tournament back in the ’80s when he took over as head coach at UNCP, and is the longest-standing preseason tournament in the southeast, as well as one of the longest-standing in the country,” said UNC Pembroke head wrestling coach OT Johnson. “As we all know, PJ was an instrumental part of wrestling in the southeast region, and this tournament is indicative of that. I had a chance to wrestle in this tournament as a collegiate athlete, and it is surreal to be honoring the man that made that possible with the renaming of this event.”
The event is still the longest-standing annual athletics event for UNC Pembroke. … more at … https://uncpbraves.com/news/2024/10/28/wrestling-renames-tournament-in-honor-of-former-head-coach-pj-smith.aspx
Wyoming Wrestling Dominates Campbell, 28-12, in the Dual at the Daddy
CHEYENNE, Wyoming (10/31/24) – The University of Wyoming wrestling team and Campbell opened up the 2024-25 NCAA wrestling season Thursday night in the Dual at the Daddy. And with the entire collegiate wrestling world watching, the Pokes didn’t disappoint.
In fact, they dominated. Wyoming, at Frontier Park on the grounds of Cheyenne Frontier Days, toppled the Fighting Camels, 28-12. “It’s awesome. I love doing these things,” Wyoming’s Jore Volk said. “It was fun too. The crowd was awesome. They’re right on top of you. It was an awesome experience, and I hope we do something with UFC Fight Pass every year.”
These same two teams met last year at the Battle in the Barn. That event was put on by UFC Fight Pass, as well, and Campbell came out on top, 23-12. The revenge exacted by Wyoming on Thursday was quick and loud. The Cowboys sprung two upsets in the first three bouts and rode that to winning seven of 10.
No. 2 Volk (125) got things started with a methodical 2-0 win over No. 13 Anthony Molton. An escape point and a ride-time point accounted for the only scores.
Stockton O’Brien (133) had the match of the night. He pinned No. 15 Domenic Zaccone in the second period and was named Wrestle of the Night for his upset. He was gifted a WWE-style belt following the dual.
Cole Brooks (141) followed suit. He upset No. 29 Shannon Hanna with a takedown in overtime for a 5-2 sudden victory.
No. 25 Jared Hill (157) also won in overtime. He defeated Seth Larson, 8-5.
Cooper Voorhees (165) grinded out a 4-2 decision win over Kendrick Hodge. … more at … https://gowyo.com/news/2024/10/31/wrestling-dominates-campbell-28-12-in-the-dual-at-the-daddy.aspx
Prendergast wins at 103; UMO competes at home event
MOUNT OLIVE (Nov. 4) – In the opening event of the 2024-25 season, freshman Lillian Prendergast captured individual medalist honors in the 103-weight class on Saturday, as the Trojans featured a trio of wrestlers on the podium at the Trojan Open in Kornegay Arena.
The University of Mount Olive women’s wrestling program had eight wrestlers in the event, including four newcomers to the roster. The Trojans featured at least one wrestler in seven of the 10 weight classes. Prendergast posted a perfect 3-0 record at 103 on Saturday in her first collegiate competition with Mount Olive. After receiving an opening-round bye, she produced a fall in just 48 seconds over Olivia Collins of Greensboro in the quarterfinals before defeating Morgan Repasky of Montreat by a 10-0 tech fall. In the championship match, Prendergast captured the individual title via forfeit over Angelina Casteneda of Cumberlands.
Freshman O’marzria Wright delivered a stellar performance in the 110-weight class after finishing as the runner-up behind a 3-1 mark. She won by fall in the opening two rounds after defeating Chloe Carver of Montreat and Ashley Courtney of Cumberlands. In the semifinals, Wright posted a victory via a 12-2 tech fall versus Payton Agnell of Lindsey Wilson but fell the title match to Reagan Thomas of Lindsey Wilson by an 18-7 tech fall.
In the 207 weight class, sophomore Andrea Smith produced a fourth-place finish … more at … https://umotrojans.com/news/2024/11/2/womens-wrestling-prendergast-wins-at-103-umo-competes-at-home-event.aspx
Hatcher Nominated for Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame
The man who is responsible for bringing a Division I wrestling program to the University of Arkansas at Little Rock has been nominated to the Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame.
Greg Hatcher is a nominee for the 67th class in the regular (under 65) voting category for wrestling. Inductees are selected based on the lasting impact and contributions they’ve made to their respective sports. Voting will continue until Oct. 31. Those who would like to vote may join the Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame. “It’s nice to be nominated for my work with wrestling, but it’s never seemed like work,” Hatcher said. “It’s just been fun helping grow wrestling in the state and across the country. Of all the things I have been involved in, nothing has been more satisfying than watching kids turn into confident, strong men through wrestling competition. Once you’ve wrestled, everything else is easy.”
When Hatcher graduated from Michigan’s Alma College in 1983, he was captain of the wrestling team and named All-Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association in wrestling. He was also a member of three hall-of-fame wrestling teams, two hall-of-fame baseball teams, and six MIAA championship teams. Following graduation, he coached baseball at Notre Dame University for one year. Hatcher was named the Distinguished Alumnus by Alma College and was inducted into the Alma College Sports Hall of Fame in soccer, wrestling, and baseball. In 2008, he became a member of the Alma College Board of Trustees. Hatcher’s greatest work has come from his efforts in getting wrestling started in Arkansas. Hatcher founded The Arkansas Wrestling Association and has purchased the mats for 65 high schools and 13 colleges to help get new programs started at these schools. For his efforts, he has been honored with the Dan Gable America Needs Wrestling Award, named WIN Magazine’s Man of the Year, and awarded the Certificate of Merit by the Arkansas Activities Association. Hatcher has been inducted into the Arkansas Wrestling Hall of Fame as well as the National Wrestling Hall of Fame.
In February 2009, the Jack Stephens Center at UA Little Rock hosted the first sanctioned high school state wrestling tournament, featuring 460 athletes from 40 teams. This early connection between UA Little Rock and the high school wrestling community helped pave the way for the university to establish the first NCAA Division I wrestling program in Arkansas.
In 2018, Hatcher donated $1.4 million for Division I wrestling to be added to Little Rock Athletics. The Greg Hatcher Wrestling Center is named in his honor. In 2019, UA Little Rock honored Greg and Lee Hatcher as the honorees of SpectacuaLR, Little Rock Athletics’ biggest annual fundraising event in support of student-athletes.
Neil Erisman, a Kansas high-school state champion and Big 12 champion at Oklahoma State, came to UA Little Rock to serve as head coach. The Trojans are coming off a historic season this year. The Trojans captured the Pac-12 regular season, … more at … https://lrtrojans.com/news/2024/10/21/wrestling-hatcher-nominated-for-arkansas-sports-hall-of-fame.aspx?utm_medium=sidearm-email&utm_source=lrtrojans.com&utm_campaign=Hatcher%20Nominated%20for%20Arkansas%20Sports%20Hall%20of%20Fame&utm_content=1d0699f2-f646-41da-adfe-5ba03cafba7d
The National Wrestling Hall of Fame on Thursday announced that its Class of 2025 is Distinguished Members
Darryl Burley, Matt Lindland, Terry Steiner and Greg Wojciechowski, Meritorious Official honoree Ken Mara, Order of Merit Recipient Van Stokes, Medal of Courage recipient Mark Coleman and Outstanding American honoree Terry Davis.
“The National Wrestling Hall of Fame is pleased to announce our Class of 2025, a deserving group of individuals are being recognized because of the sustainable values they have contributed to wrestling,” said Lee Roy Smith, Executive Director of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame. “Each of these leaders set the tone and modeled the rituals, skills and work ethic necessary to advance the culture of our great sport’s heritage, both on and off the mat.”
The Hall of Fame’s Board of Governors approved the selections at their annual fall meeting on October 29. The Class of 2025 will be honored and officially inducted during the 48th Honors Weekend on June 6 and 7, 2025 in Stillwater, Oklahoma. For more information on Honors Weekend, please telephone (405) 377-5243. Lindland and Steiner were chosen as Distinguished Members for the Modern Era while Burley and Wojciechowski were selected by the Veterans Committee. The newest honorees will bring the number of Distinguished Members to 216, since the Hall of Fame began in 1976. Steiner becomes the 18th Distinguished Member from the University of Iowa while Burley is the sixth from Lehigh University, Lindland is the fifth from the University of Nebraska and Wojciechowski is the second from the University of Toledo. Oklahoma State University has the most Distinguished Members with 38 while Iowa’s 18 is second followed by Iowa State University and the University of Oklahoma tied for third with 14 each. Distinguished Members can be a wrestler who has achieved extraordinary success in national and/or international competition; a coach who has demonstrated great leadership in the profession and who has compiled an outstanding record; or a contributor whose long-term activities have substantially enhanced the development and advancement of the sport. Wrestlers must have been retired from active competition for a period of five years to be eligible for consideration as a Distinguished Member. Darryl Burley was a two-time NCAA Division I national champion and a four-time NCAA finalist with a career record of 94-5-1 for Lehigh University. He won his titles at 134 pounds in 1979 and at 142 pounds in 1983 while finishing second in 1980 and 1981 at 134 pounds. Burley was a four-time Eastern Intercollegiate Wrestling Association champion, and a two-time champion, six-time finalist and Outstanding Wrestler at the Midlands Tournament. He won a bronze medal at the prestigious Tbilisi tournament … more at … https://nwhof.org/news
Presbyterian Women’s Wrestling Announces 2024-25 Schedule with Championship Aspirations
CLINTON, S.C. – A national top-ten finisher in each of the past two seasons, the Presbyterian College women’s wrestling team has announced their full slate for the 2024-25 campaign.
Unveiled by head coach Brian Vutianitis as he enters his second full season with the first-ever Division I university to sponsor a women’s wrestling program, PC brings an obvious sense of expectation into the new year thanks to a boatload of success in recent times.
Since November of 2022, the Blue Hose have achieved 58 individual medals (otherwise known as a top-three finish) when wrestling in a tournament. A PC grappler has won gold 22 times in the past two seasons, along with 14 silvers and 22 bronze nods.
Presbyterian came in 8th-place at the national tournament in the team rankings last spring, boasting three All-Americans (who were all freshmen at the time) and will return to the mat next month (Madeline Kubicki, Cassia Zammit, and Henlee Haynes).
PC has witnessed six All-Americans (or top-ten placers at nationals) under Vutianitis’ watch, setting up a new roster for success that is a little bit older and a lot larger in numbers.
The Blue Hose now have 29 wrestlers on the official roster, its biggest since starting the program in 2019. Fifteen of those 29 are at least sophomores, hoping to follow in the footsteps of last season’s squad which won over 250 matches … more at … https://gobluehose.com/news/2024/10/22/womens-wrestling-womens-wrestling-announces-2024-25-schedule-with-championship-aspirations.aspx
Jason Moorman Out As King University Women’s Wrestling Coach
Jason Moorman is no longer the King University Women’s Wrestling coach as of October 18, 2024.
Jason Moorman is no longer the head women’s wrestling coach at King. Moorman is arguably the country’s most successful women’s college wrestling coach after serving in the role since the 2009-10 season.
He led the team to a 1-9 record during its inaugural season before building a national powerhouse. The Tornado won four WCWA Championships (2014-17) and has placed in the top three at the National Collegiate Women’s Wrestling Championships since the tournament began in 2020.
King University, an NCAA Division II school in Bristol, Tennessee, stated about his departure: “As of Friday, Oct. 18, 2024, Jason Moorman is no longer employed with King University. We are grateful for his service and wish him well going forward. “The future remains bright for the Tornado, and we will now begin a formal search process to identify the next proven and qualified candidate to guide our highly respected women’s wrestling program.”
The 2014 King University women’s team was inducted into the Athletics Hall of Fame on Oct 6, 2024. Moorman and several team members, including 2024 Olympic gold medalist Sarah Hildebrandt, attended the weekend festivities. “I know when abrupt changes like this happen in a sport with men coaching female athletes, first assumptions can go straight to some inappropriate incidents causing harm or mistreating student-athletes, and that is not the case whatsoever,” Moorman said. “I am extremely grateful for King University and my 18 years there. … more at … https://www.flowrestling.org/articles/12919987-jason-moorman-out-as-king-university-womens-wrestling-coach
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
Takedown Report 