Cowboy Wrestling to Host Seven Duals In 2024-25 Season
STILLWATER – Head coach David Taylor and the Oklahoma State wrestling program revealed the home schedule for the 2024-25 season Thursday, which features seven duals inside Gallagher-Iba Arena.
The Cowboys again play host to one of the most exciting home slates in the country, as six of their seven visitors held a spot in the top 25 of InterMat’s preseason rankings. That group also includes four top 11 finishers from the 2024 NCAA Championships and is made up of five Big 12 opponents and a pair from the ACC.
Last season, Gallagher-Iba Arena saw Oklahoma State win eight of its nine contests inside the venue, highlighted by a 21-12 victory over fourth-ranked Iowa State and a 24th straight home win in the Bedlam Rivalry Series.
Taylor will make his Gallagher-Iba Arena debut against Wyoming on November 22. A familiar opponent, OSU has wrestled Wyoming in 15 of the past 16 seasons and is undefeated in the all-time series at 27-0-1. In addition, the Cowboys will be looking to extend their winning streak in home openers to 25.
Just two days later, Big 12 newcomer Arizona State will make its way to Stillwater for the second year in a row. Oklahoma State owns wins in 40 of the 44 all-time matchups, while Troy Spratley’s major decision over 2024 NCAA champion Richard Figueroa sparked the team’s victory last season.
Throughout late December and early January, the Cowboys can get comfortable in Gallagher-Iba Arena as they host four more duals within a month.
The first of that stretch comes on December 19 against Virginia Tech, the highest-ranked team on OSU’s home schedule at No. 6. The 2011 Hokies downed Oklahoma State in the programs’ only meeting, but a win by the Cowboys this time around would give them a .500 record or better against every opponent they’ve faced since the program’s inaugural season in 1915.
Shortly after the turn of the calendar, OSU will open 2025 against Air Force on January 3, … more at … https://okstate.com/news/2024/10/3/cowboy-wrestling-to-host-seven-duals-in-2024-25-season
Why Does Iowa Wrestling Have So Many Fans?
Here are six reasons the University of Iowa wrestling program has a fan base like no other.
The University of Iowa continues to be the standard-bearer for college wrestling attendance. For the past three seasons, the Hawkeyes averaged over 14,000 fans for home duals. A record 42,287 attended the Grapple on the Gridiron on November 14, 2015 — a home dual between Oklahoma State and Iowa at Kinnick Stadium before the Minnesota football game.
Here are six reasons Iowa has the country’s largest wrestling fan base. Watch the below interview with former Hawkeye coach Dan Gable for his insights.
1. Winning Program
Iowa hired Gary Kurdelmeier during the 1972-73 season. Kurdelmeier’s first order of business was to hire Dan Gable as his assistant. Gable was fresh off a win at the 1972 Munich Olympics when he arrived in Iowa City.
Hiring Gable marked a turning point. Iowa finished seventh at the 1973 NCAA Championships, fifth in 1974, and first in 1975 and 1976. Gable took over as head coach during the 1977 season and his teams won 15 of 21 championships and 21 consecutive Big Ten titles.
The Hawkeyes have never finished lower than eighth at nationals for 51 straight seasons. No other program compares during that span. “Iowa fans are used to excitement,” Gable said. “Iowa fans are used to winning. A lot of it has to do with how the kid wrestles. Iowa wrestling has done it for so long with such good performances that they’re consistent.”
Iowa Wrestling NCAA Championships Results: 1973-2025
| Year | NCAA Finish | Coach |
| 1973 | 7th | Gary Kurdelmeier |
| 1974 | 5th | Gary Kurdelmeier |
| 1975 | 1st | Gary Kurdelmeier |
| 1976 | 1st | Gary Kurdelmeier |
| 1977 | 3rd | Dan Gable |
| 1978 | 1st | Dan Gable |
| 1979 | 1st | Dan Gable |
… more at … https://www.flowrestling.org/articles/12872714-why-does-iowa-wrestling-have-so-many-fans
UNC-Pembroke Wrestling Announces Schedule For 60th Season
PEMBROKE – Eight home dates, including hosting the NCAA Super Region 2 tournament, as well as road trips to Pennsylvania and Indiana, highlight the 2024-25 UNC Pembroke wrestling schedule that was released Tuesday by head coach Othello “O.T.” Johnson. “I’m super grateful for the chance to compete and lead our program in its 60th year,” said head coach OT Johnson. “We have a great group of guys returning, as well as a solid crop of new wrestlers we brought in, to go along with a good group of seniors who have been and will continue to provide leadership.”
Fans can get an early look at the team on Tuesday, October 22 at 6 p.m. when the Braves hit the mat for their annual Black & Gold intra-squad event. Admission to that event, as well as all home dual meets, is free. All home dual meets are scheduled to begin at 7 p.m.
The Braves will officially kick off the new season on November 3 when they host the 43rd Annual Pembroke Classic. Wrestling action is slated to begin at 9 a.m. Admission to the Pembroke Classic is $10 for the day. Students with a valid student ID are free.
The Black & Gold will be in action for their first home dual meet on November 6, as they host Montevallo for Pep Rally & Schools Night, before hosting King on November 13 for Military Appreciation Night.
The Braves will hit the road in mid-December for Indianapolis, Ind. for the 45th Annual Midwest Classic. The two-day event will take place December 14 and 15 at Nicoson Hall. “Excited to get back to this event. A tournament we’ve been to every year for the duration of our staff’s time here, and one that gives us a unique perspective as we will be going back for Nationals as part of the D2 Winter Sports Festival, so hopefully will get to cheer on our swimming and indoor track & field Braves.” said Johnson.
The Black & Gold will return home January 2, as they host Limestone for WWE Night. The Braves will then trek north to Johnstown, Pa. for the Mountain Cat Duals on January 4. “Obviously, we have a lot of guys on our roster from the western Pennsylvania area, so we’re excited to give them a chance to wrestle in front of their family and friends at a super-competitive event,” said Johnson.
UNCP will host Newberry on January 21 for Braves Unity Challenge Night, and then close out the home dual meet portion on January 24, as they host Mount Olive for Senior Night and Alumni Weekend, with Alumni Weekend continuing on January 25, as the Black & Gold hosts the BraveTough Open.
The region’s best wrestlers will then flock to Pembroke as the Braves host the NCAA Super Region 2 Tournament … more at … https://uncpbraves.com/news/2024/10/1/wrestling-announces-schedule-for-60th-season.aspx
Davidson Wrestling Adds Local Standout Byers to Staff
DAVIDSON – Head coach Nate Carr Jr. has announced the hiring of Ike Byers to the Davidson College wrestling staff. Byers joins the Wildcats after five seasons as a member of the App State wrestling program. “I am excited to be joining the Davidson College staff and this community,” said Byers. “I’m looking forward to a strong season alongside Coach Carr and Coach Clothier and being able to learn from two great men.”
A local product of Mooresville, Byers joins the ‘Cats from the back-to-back SoCon Champions, App State. Most recently, Byers went 27-17 and finished fourth in the 141-pound division at the SoCon Championships for the Mountaineers. His 27 wins was the second-most on the team highlighted by a 6-1 mark in SoCon duals. He also picked up a dual win to help App State defeat then-No. 21 UNC, 24-14. Byers was also selected as a team captain in 2023-24. “We are extremely excited to add Ike to our staff,” said Carr. “Coach Byers’ positivity and enthusiasm for people and the sport of wrestling is evident, and his presence in our room will allow us to continue to improve as a program.”
Prior to college, Byers was a local standout at Mooresville High School … more at … https://davidsonwildcats.com/news/2024/9/26/wrestling-adds-local-standout-byers-to-staff
The 3 biggest questions heading into the 2024-2025 college wrestling season
There’s no shortage of intrigue heading into this year’s college wrestling season, from new coaches to reloaded lineups to weight class changes. Here are the three biggest questions on our minds as the season nears:
What will it take for Carter Starocci to be the first five-time NCAA champion?
Last year, Penn State’s 174-pounder Carter Starocci and his 197-pound teammate Aaron Brooks made history when they became the sixth and seventh four-time NCAA champions, respectively. They joined their coach, Cael Sanderson, as well as Pat Smith, Kyle Dake, Logan Stieber, and Yianni Diakomihalis in that elite club.
PENN STATE LEGENDS: How Carter Starocci and Aaron Brooks won their fourth national titles
Brooks wrapped up his college career in 2024 and continued wrestling on the senior level, winning a bronze medal at the 2024 Olympics. Starocci, however, is back for one more year. He looks to become the first (and only) wrestler to ever win five national championships.
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Starocci’s ability to chase five titles stems from his success in 2021, the “free” COVID year. During that season, Starocci’s redshirt freshman year, he finished the regular season 7-1, his lone loss coming against Indiana’s DJ Washington in his varsity debut. He then took second at the Big Ten tournament following a 7-2 loss to Michael Kemerer but reversed that result at the NCAA tournament when he tore through the bracket, notching wins over Victor Marcelli, Hayden Hastings, Andrew McNally, Demetrius Romero and Kemerer to claim his first national championship. ,,, more a … https://www.ncaa.com/news/wrestling/article/2024-09-25/3-biggest-questions-heading-2024-2025-college-wrestling-season
Way-too-early 2025 NCAA wrestling championship predictions at all 10 weight classes
With the college wrestling season a few weeks away, it’s the perfect time to make some bold yet fun 2025 championship predictions. So, here are some way-too-early expectations for what could happen in each weight class at the national tournament this March.
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125 pounds: Matt Ramos, Purdue
The 125-pound weight class was the most volatile weight last year with Arizona State’s Richard Figueroa ultimately taking the crown after a 7-2 battle against Drake Ayala of Iowa. Figueroa is back, making him an obvious choice for a championship pick, but I’m predicting that Purdue’s Matt Ramos finds a way to jump levels and top the rest of the field.
THE MATT RAMOS MOMENT: How the Boilermaker beat Spencer Lee
In 2023, Ramos put himself in the national spotlight when he pinned three-time NCAA champion Spencer Lee in the national semifinals. He ultimately went on to drop his finals match to Princeton’s Patrick Glory, but the Ramos that wrestling fans saw on that shocking Friday night in March is still there. He’s still as funky and strong as ever. He’s capable of winning a national title, … more at … https://www.ncaa.com/news/wrestling/article/2024-09-27/college-wrestling-way-too-early-2025-ncaa-championship-picks
Greco-Roman National Team member Alan Vera, 33, has passed away
USA Wrestling was devastated to receive information that one of its current Greco-Roman National Team members, Alan Vera of Guttenburg, N.J., 33, passed away last night.
Vera suffered a sudden cardiac arrest while playing soccer this past summer and had been hospitalized since then in recovery from his serious health challenges.
We ask people to keep Alan’s family and his friends around the world in their thoughts and prayers at this most difficult time. Alan’s wife is Elena Pirozkhova, a two-time U.S. Olympian and World champion in women’s freestyle wrestling, along with their infant daughter Alina. “Our hearts have been broken. Our sincere thoughts and prayers go out to Elena, Alina and all of Alan’s family, as well as those who have known Alan. The wrestling community mourns the loss of a great champion, whose incredible life impacted so many within USA Wrestling and around the world,” said USA Wrestling Executive Director Rich Bender. “Ever since he came into my life in 2016, he has been a true leader, always ready to do anything for anyone in need. … more at … https://www.themat.com/news/2024/september/24/greco-roman-national-team-member-alan-vera-33-has-passed-away
Wrestling Season starts for Men’s Junior College Teams in California
Bakersfield Wins Dual over East LA
BAKERSFIELD, CA – The Bakersfield College Wrestling team hosted the East Los Angeles Huskies in a dual on Wednesday, September 18th. The Renegades won over the Huskies, 39-8.
Here are the results:
125- Devin Gutierrez (BC) wins by forfeit
133-David Govea (ELAC) Wins via Major decision 19-5 vs Miguel Barreto Gonzales (BC)
141- Double Forfeit
149- Brendon Ko (BC) Wins via Fall first period 2:53 vs Manuel Sandoval (ELAC)
157-Angel Alcantar (ELAC) Wins via Major Decision 17-6 vs Michael Rogers (BC)
165-Isaia Tumiavave Wins via Decision 14-12 vs Leonard Martinez (ELAC) … more at … https://www.gogades.com/sports/wrest/2024-25/releases/20240921x8htc6
and
Taking the Mat: Mt. SAC Men’s Wrestling Team is Ready for Battle
As the Mt. SAC Men’s Wrestling team prepares for the upcoming year, head coach David Rivera shares his enthusiasm for the challenges and opportunities ahead. Coming off an exciting 2023 season, during which they clinched the 3C2A Men’s Wrestling State Championship title, the team is eager to compete again. With their first match set for Saturday, September 21st, as part of the Mt. SAC Dual Tournament, Rivera emphasizes the importance of moving forward and developing a new group of athletes.
The transition from high school to collegiate wrestling can be demanding, and Rivera is dedicated to helping his wrestlers adapt to the competitive environment at Mt. SAC. “A lot of the guys coming from high school have a different view of what wrestling is,” he explains. “We need to introduce them to how we do things at Mt. SAC, which is all about being competitive from practice to warm-ups to the final match.”
Acknowledging the heightened expectations that come with last season’s success, … more at … https://www.mtsacathletics.com/sports/wrest/2024-25/releases/20240920jcabet
and
SRJC men’s wrestling opens 2024 season with wins over San Joaquin Delta, Skyline and East Los Angeles colleges
he Santa Rosa Junior College men’s wrestling team dominated in a quad meet with San Joaquin Delta, Skyline and East Los Angeles colleges Sept.14 at Haehl Pavilion, going 3-0 to begin the 2024 season. SRJC opened the day with a resounding defeat over the San Joaquin Delta Mustangs, winning 46-8, before defeating the Skyline College Trojans 44-6 and finally defeating the East Los Angeles College Huskies 48-12.
The Bear Cubs were led by Derek Ruffin, Ali Hamzia, Vicente Rodarte, Zack Morgan and Rayhan Jaleel, all of whom went 3-0 in their matches. Additionally Joe Ellis, who went 2-0, pulled off a 5-second pin in his match against the Huskies, to set an SRJC record. … more at … https://www.theoakleafnews.com/sports/2024/09/17/srjc-mens-wrestling-opens-2024-season-with-wins-over-san-joaquin-delta-skyline-and-east-los-angeles-colleges/
Wrestling Excited to Battle Campbell in the ‘Dual at the Daddy’ Oct. 31 to Kick Off the 2024-25 Season
LARAMIE, Wyoming (9/18/24) – The University of Wyoming wrestling team and Campbell University are set to commence the 2024-25 NCAA wrestling season. The two schools received permission from the NCAA to host the “Dual at the Daddy,” before the official start date of Nov. 1. It will be the first NCAA wrestling competition in the nation.
The event isn’t only the first one of the season, but it also has all the clippings of being a one-of-a-kind dual. It’ll take place on Frontier Park, the home of Cheyenne Frontier Days, the Daddy of ’em All. “I don’t think many wrestling fans thought we could eclipse the atmosphere and excitement that the Battle in the Barn created last season, but coach Sentes and I said, “Hold our Cowboy hats,” Wyoming head coach Mark Branch said. “The Dual at the Daddy, is going to be bigger and badder, and we are excited to bring such a unique event to college wrestling. It’s going to be phenomenal.”
As Branch alluded to, the Battle in the Barn took place last season at Deerwood Ranch in Centennial, Wyoming. It was a competitive dual in a quintessential Wyoming location, and that gave momentum to an idea like the Dual at the Daddy. … more at … https://gowyo.com/news/2024/9/18/wrestling-excited-to-battle-campbell-in-the-dual-at-the-daddy-oct-31-to-kick-off-the-2024-25-season.aspx?utm_source=Wrestling+News&utm_campaign=b9b5ed600d-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2022_09_28_09_07_COPY_01&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_44607e8210-b9b5ed600d-245314521&mc_cid=b9b5ed600d
Morgan State Men’s Wrestling Joins the EIWA
BALTIMORE, Md. (September 19, 2024) — The Eastern Intercollegiate Wrestling Association has approved the addition of Morgan State as its newest member institution. Morgan State will become the 12th member of the EIWA, the oldest wrestling conference in the nation.
EIWA Executive Director, Gene Nighman is welcoming the Bears with open arms: “I’m pleased to welcome Morgan State University as the newest member in the long and storied history of the EIWA. Starting back in 1904, the EIWA member institutions have been committed to advancing the sport of wrestling and providing all participants with an elite Championship experience. As we approach the start of the 121st season, the EIWA is proud to have the only HBCU program as one of our members and looks forward to all twelve EIWA schools gathering at Lehigh University on March 7 for the 2025 EIWA Championship Tournament.”
Dena Freeman-Patton, Morgan State’s Director of Athletics and Vice President, states with great enthusiasm, “This is an exciting time for Morgan State. The EIWA is a great fit for our wrestling program competitively, academically and regionally. Our student-athletes are looking forward to competing for championships.”
Located in Baltimore, MD, Morgan State announced in October of 2021 that it would revive the wrestling program after a 24-year hiatus. A $2.7 million gift towards the program is the largest single donation in the school’s history. This gift was spearheaded by Mike Novogratz and the HBCU Wrestling (HCUW) Initiative, whose sole mission is to restore wrestling at HBCUs. Wrestling programs of all shapes and sizes have disappeared due to Title IX and lack of funding over the decades. Morgan State was no different. At this moment, MSU is the lone HBCU (Historically Black College or University) in Division 1 wrestling.
The Bears first competed in the sport in the early 1950s. They were dominant well into the 60s, winning multiple conference titles. Morgan State’s most recent success began in 1975 when James Phillips took over as the head coach. Of his 20 seasons at the helm, the Bears won 13 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) titles while earning Coach of the Year 12 times. He coached 4 national champions, and 75 All-Americans during his tenure. The wrestling program came to a halt at the end of the 1996-97 season. The reason provided was a lack of resources. … more at … https://morganstatebears.com/news/2024/9/18/morgan-state-mens-wrestling-to-begin-eiwa-competition-in-2024-25.aspx
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 