Toledo wrestling legend Greg Wojciechowski dead at 73
TOLEDO, Ohio (WTVG) – A national champion wrestler and fixture of the sport locally, Greg Wojciechowski, has died at the age of 73, according to the Toledo Blade.
Known as “The Great Wojo” as a professional wrestler, Wojciechowski won a national championship as a heavyweight at the University of Toledo in 1971, along with two state titles while wrestling for Whitmer High School.
After his pro wrestling career, he returned to town to be a teacher at Toledo Public Schools, and coach wrestling teams at Archbold, Libbey, and Bowsher high schools.
You can read more about Wojciechowski by checking David Brigg’s column from earlier this summer about his induction into the wrestling Hall of Fame. … more a … https://www.13abc.com/2025/08/14/toledo-wrestling-legend-greg-wojciechowski-dead-73/
And …
Distinguished Member Greg Wojciechowski Passes Away
The National Wrestling Hall of Fame was saddened to learn that Greg Wojciechowski, a Distinguished Member inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2025, passed away on Tuesday, at the age of 74. He is also a member of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame Dan Gable Museum’s George Tragos and Lou Thesz Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame and he received the Lifetime Service to Wrestling award from the Ohio Chapter of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2013.
“Greg Wojciechowski was a driving force in establishing a world-class wrestling culture in the greater Toledo area during the 1960s and 1970s. His passion and dedication to the sport helped spark the creation of the Wrestling World Cup, which debuted in Toledo in 1973 and was hosted by the city an incredible 17 times over the next 19 years,” said Lee Roy Smith, Executive Director of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame.
“During his induction as a Distinguished Member of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame this past June, “Wojo” delivered a heartfelt and moving speech. In a true reflection of his character, he took the time to personally recognize individuals in attendance who had made a meaningful impact on his life. It was a powerful reminder of the deep gratitude and humility that defined him—and a testament to the way he always gave back to the community that shaped him,” he added. “On behalf of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame Board of Governors and our staff, we extend our deepest condolences to Greg’s family, friends, and the many lives he influenced. His legacy will forever live on in the sport he loved and the people he inspired.”
Wojciechowski was an NCAA Division I champion and three-time NCAA finalist, competing when freshmen were not eligible, at heavyweight for the University of Toledo.
By the age of 21 he had won an NCAA title, a freestyle national title and a Greco-Roman national title.
Standing 6-foot tall and weighing approximately 250 pounds, Wojciechowski regularly gave up height and weight to his opponents, including 1972 NCAA champion and Hall of Fame Distinguished Member Chris Taylor, who was 6-foot-5 and weighed over 400 pounds throughout much of his wrestling career.
Wojciechowski had a career college record of 55-2 with his only losses coming in the NCAA finals to Taylor and Oregon State’s Jess Lewis in 1970. … more at … https://nwhof.org/news/distinguished-member-greg-wojciechowski-passes-away
Pennsylvania wins overall team race at U.S. Marine Corps Junior Nationals, followed by California and Illinois
With the conclusion of the Junior Greco-Roman and 16U Greco-Roman competitions on Saturday night, the overall team championship at the 2025 U.S. Marine Corps Junior Nationals has been determined. Each of the six national tournaments which are part of this extravaganza were completed (16U Girls, Junior Girls, 16U Boys Freestyle, Junior Boys Freestyle, 16U Greco-Roman, Junior Greco-Roman). In fact, Pennsylvania has won the team title in all four tournaments held, sitting with a combined 816 points. Pennsylvania emerged as a dominant team champion, scoring 980 points and winning the team title in four of the national events (16U Girls, Junior Girls, 16U Boys Freestyle, Junior Boys Freestyle). Pennsylvania also had competitive showing in the two Greco-Roman tournaments, placing in a tie for fourth in Junior Greco-Roman, and in a tie for second in 16U Greco-Roman. Pennsylvania placed a full 340 points ahead of the next state association team.
California finished in second with the overall team race with 640 points. Although California did not win any of the six tournaments, the team was a consistent contender in each of them, placing in the top six each time. California was second in Junior Boys Freestyle, third in Junior Girls, fourth in 16U Girls, fourth in 16U Boys Freestyle, Sixth in 16U Greco-Roman and sixth in Junior Greco-Roman.
Illinois made a big jump during the two Greco-Roman tournaments, climbing from fifth in the overall standings after the first four national events up to third in the final overall team standings. Illinois made the biggest jump by winning the Junior Greco-Roman national event with 190 points, a full 101 points ahead of the next team. Illinois had four Junior Greco-Roman champions, Vincent DeMarco (106), Kaleb Pratt (113), Wyatt Medlin (157) and Josh Hoffer (215) and 12 total All-Americans. Their tie for sixth in 16U Greco-Roman featured a champion, Robert Ruscitti (126) and nine All-Americans.
Iowa held on to its fourth place in the final standings with a strong Greco-Roman effort, including winning the 16U Greco-Roman tournament and placing eighth in the Junior Greco-Roman. In the 16U Greco-Roman Nationals, Iowa finished with 138 points, including three individual champions Ty Martin (88), Diego Robertty (106) and Lucas Feuerbach (285) and nine All-Americans.
Ohio claimed fifth place in the overall standings, … more at … https://www.themat.com/news/2025/july/21/pennsylvania-wins-overall-team-race-at-u-s-marine-corps-junior-nationals-followed-by-california-and-illinois
TJ Dudley named Campbell wrestling head coach
BUIES CREEK, N.C. – Campbell has elevated assistant coach and former three-time All-American TJ Dudley to head wrestling coach for the Fighting Camels, announced today by University President Dr. William Downs and Director of Athletics Hannah Bazemore.
“TJ Dudley embodies all the qualities that I was looking for as we set out to hire the next head coach of Campbell’s storied wrestling program,” affirmed President Downs. “He is a proven winner. He is a fierce competitor driven by the desire to exceed—not just match—previous heights of excellence. He knows and appreciates our mission at Campbell, where the job is to turn student-athletes into champions on and off the mat. Perhaps most importantly, TJ commands a room with his authenticity…no drama, just a will to succeed. There’s a ton of fight in this Camel…I’m eager to see his impact!”
“I am excited to welcome TJ Dudley as our next head wrestling coach,” said Bazemore. “Through this process, Coach Dudley separated himself through his dedication to our student-athletes and Campbell University. As one of the greatest wrestlers in the history of the region, Coach Dudley also knows this area as well as anyone, and will continue to recruit and develop championship caliber student-athletes at Campbell. He knows Campbell, is a connector, and is a great fit to lead our program.”
“I’m extremely excited and beyond grateful to step into this opportunity as head coach at Campbell University,” said Dudley. “This journey has taken a lot of hard work, faith, and perseverance, and I couldn’t have gotten here without my Lord and Savior, my family and friends, and support from incredible people I’ve met in my time here at Campbell. A special thank you to the President of Campbell University, … more at … https://gocamels.com/news/2025/7/26/wrestling-tj-dudley-named-wrestling-head-coach.aspx
Future NCAA Division III Wrestling Championships sites
UW-La Crosse Selected to Host 2027 NCAA Division III Wrestling Championships
La Crosse, Wis. – The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) announced today the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse has been awarded the bid to host the 2027 NCAA Division III Wrestling Championships.
The wrestling championships, to be held at the La Crosse Center in downtown La Crosse, will occur on March 12-13, 2027. It will mark the sixth time UW-La Crosse has hosted the NCAA III Wrestling Championships (2011, 2012, 2017, 2021, 2024, 2027).
“We’re so excited to host the NCAA Championships again in 2027,” said UWL Head Wrestling Coach Dave Malecek. “There is no better place to have the championships than downtown La Crosse. The La Crosse Center is an amazing facility that is so convenient not only for the wrestlers and coaches but all of the fans. We appreciate the continued support from our amazing downtown businesses and local hotels that help make this championship possible.”
UW-La Crosse placed third at the 2011 and 2024 NCAA Division III Championships at the La Crosse Center, fourth in 2012 and tied for 11th in 2017. The 2021 championships were canceled due to the COVID-19 public health threat. … more at … https://uwlathletics.com/news/2025/7/17/uw-la-crosse-selected-to-host-2027-ncaa-division-iii-wrestling-championships.aspx
Quad Cities selected to host 2028 Division III Men’s Wrestling Championships
Augustana, in partnership with Visit Quad Cities, will host the 2028 national meet
MOLINE, Ill. — Augustana College, in partnership with Visit Quad Cities, has been selected as the host for the 2028 NCAA Division III Men’s Wrestling Championships.
The championship, hosted by Visit Quad Cities in partnership with Augustana College, will take place March 10-11, 2028, at Vibrant Arena at The MARK in Moline, Ill. Early projections show the championship is expected to generate nearly $1 million in direct economic impact for the Quad Cities region. This marks the fourth time Augustana College has served as host institution of the NCAA Division III Men’s Wrestling Championship, with previous host years including 1985, 1991, and 1995 at the Carver Center.
“Hosting the Division III National Championships has been a goal of mine for years,” said head coach Tony Willaert. “This tournament is one of the most electric events in all of wrestling, and it’s incredibly exciting to bring it back to the Quad Cities for the first time since 1995. Since arriving at Augustana, I’ve driven past Vibrant Arena countless times, always imagining what it would be like to bring thousands of fans downtown for a championship weekend. In 2028, we’re not just looking to host, but want to put on a show and make Moline a staple location for this event for years to come.”
Bidding for 87 of 90 NCAA championships began in September 2023, and more than 1,200 bid applications were submitted. Each sport committee, per division, selected the host sites it believed would provide the ultimate experience for the respective student-athletes, resulting in more than 240 total championship event sites being awarded. During the 2025 national championship, over 200 of the best wrestlers in the country competed in ten weight classes. More than 54,000 student-athletes compete in NCAA championships each year.
“On behalf of the Visit Quad Cities Board of Directors and professional team, we are thrilled about the opportunity to host the 2028 NCAA Division III Wrestling Championships,” said Dave Herrell, President and CEO, Visit Quad Cities. “We are grateful for the confidence of the NCAA and look forward … more at … https://athletics.augustana.edu/news/2025/7/22/quad-cities-selected-to-host-2028-division-iii-mens-wrestling-championships.aspx
Tony Dungy: An uncommon bond with Minnesota Gophers Wrestling
By Brian Jerzak
Since 1977, the Gopher Wrestling Club has been supporting the Minnesota Gophers’ wrestling program. The year before, the football program graduated, at the time, their career leader in pass attempts, completions, passing yards, and touchdown passes. Many years later, the Gophers’ wrestling program and its NFL Hall of Fame inductee alumni – former Pittsburg Steelers player and former head coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Indianapolis Colts – Tony Dungy will continue their long-time relationship with each other with Dungy as the featured speaker at the Minnesota Gophers’ wrestling gala next month. Dungy grew up in Big Ten country, cheering for the maize and blue of Michigan and the green and white of Michigan State.
“I grew up in Jackson, Michigan, and it is midway between the University of Michigan and Michigan State,” Dungy said. “My dad got his undergrad degree from Michigan, and my mom was a Spartan. They both did graduate work at Michigan State, so I grew up on the Michigan State campus. When I was in middle school and high school, my dad would take me to Michigan games. I felt like I was going to go to one of those places. I fell in love with Michigan State. In the middle of my senior year of high school, [Michigan State head football coach] Duffy Daugherty announced his retirement. His number one assistant, Cal Stoll, got the head coaching job at Minnesota. Coach Stoll talked to me about why he was at Minnesota, how wonderful it was, and how I could set my own legacy. I decided I wanted to get away from those campuses. I visited Minnesota, and it was amazing. I decided this was the place I had to be.” Early in his time at Minnesota, Dungy, who had never wrestled a day in his life, struck up a friendship with Gopher wrestler Pat Neu, starting a nearly fifty-year relationship for Dungy with the wrestling program. “At the University of Minnesota, all of the athletes were kind of together in study hall and in the same dorm, and I got to become friends with Pat,” Dungy said. “He was a dynamic wrestler and a good guy. We hung out together on campus and in study halls. I would see how hard the wrestlers worked. They were not only good guys, but they were also so disciplined. That is what caught me. … more at … https://theguillotine.com/2025/04/tony-dungy-an-uncommon-bond-with-minnesota-gophers-wrestling/?doing_wp_cron=1750739698.2963581085205078125000
It’s Not About You
It’s not about you. That’s right, this might be a hard pill to swallow, but wrestling is not about you. There will always be someone better or someone who has simply accomplished more. There will always be “phenoms” on the rise, other wrestlers who obtain the focus and attention of spectators around the country (or world). However, the fact that it’s not about you is not a suggestion to forgo wrestling glory. It’s not meant to stifle your passion and drive for greatness. If anything, it’s meant to release you. Your mind is freed from the belief that wrestling is about you, that it’s merely a resource for your own grandeur and self-fulfillment. In fact, only then can you really appreciate what is you are engaging.
After obtaining the pinnacles of our sport, so many of our wrestling legends have discovered that the fulfillment is fleeting. Rather than experiencing lasting contentment, they desire more. And this is different from the desire to compete, or even a growing passion for the sport. It’s instead more in tune with initiating another campaign of self-fulfillment, a mission to feed their self-worth.
Well, if wrestling is not about you, then who is it about? Or better yet, what is it? The answer is simple: Wrestling is a “gift”. It’s something to grow in. It’s something that provides the opportunity to experience real, tangible struggle, to test your body and push it to the limits – and not just physically, but mentally, emotionally, and spiritually as well. It encourages goal-setting and dedication to the task. It offers the ability to grasp what it feels like to succeed as well as fail – both of which are important in developing as a person of integrity, wisdom, and character. But most of all, wrestling is something to enjoy! Wrestling is something to embrace with delight and passion. It was never meant to serve as a measuring-stick of self-worth or a resource to obtain lifelong pleasure. Have many people gained considerable pleasure from what they’ve accomplished on the mat? Absolutely! But wrestling is bigger than them and their accomplishments. It doesn’t begin and end with Dan Gable, John Smith, Jordan Burroughs or Kyle Snyder. Wrestling is a gift that offers an unparalleled journey. Quite frankly, to wrestle is to be human. Struggle is a part of the human predicament in all its varying degrees and faces. And in the midst of struggle, we can experience overcoming it and enjoy moments of triumph. … more at … https://faithandwrestling.wordpress.com/2023/09/05/its-not-about-you/
Friday From the Archives: Your memories go beyond just ‘Fargo’
By Sandy Stevens
Oh, the memories!
From swatting mosquitoes after the Fargo Flood to Fred Feeney explaining to Willie Nelson that the white-clad referees were not selling ice cream, recollections of the Junior Nationals over nearly 50 years surfaced when I recently posed this question on Facebook:
“If you’ve ever wrestled, coached, officiated, paired, volunteered, photographed, covered or cheered at the National Junior Freestyle Championships in the past 50 years, what was your most memorable experience?”
Recollections traversed the five decades and five sites of the Junior Nationals, as the tournament took place in Iowa City (1971-82), Cedar Falls (1983-90), Warrensburg (1991) and St. Paul (1992) before moving to Fargo in 1993.
Here’s a sampling of those memories, beginning with Morrie Adams, who cited the earliest: “Help recruit volunteers and set up the first Junior Nationals Tournament in Iowa City.”
Ed Kane: “Officiating the first Junior Nationals. Vince Zuaro said, ‘Good job kid,’ but he was sitting me down because I wasn’t quite ready to officiate the finals!”
Mike Pickford: “In Iowa City at the (un-air-conditioned) recreation center, when it was so hot and we were still going after 10 p.m.”
Pamela Jean Gibbons: “(Being told that) I was going to run the UNI Dome scoreboard for freestyle finals.”
Randall Balch: “Many years ago, starting the finals before you introduced the wrestlers. The match was over in like 20 seconds, and you said, ‘And the wrestlers for this match were….’ I’ll never start a match early again!”
Colleen Holst Flathers: “So many fun memories as a student trainer in the UNI Dome, including an orthopedic surgeon from New York who didn’t realize that corn grew on a plant. We took him to a cornfield before his flight back home.”
Ken Chertow: “Sandy Stevens asking me how to pronounce my name at Junior Nationals. Then days later, announcing that I was the first Junior National champion ever from West Virginia. A few days later, I won freestyle and OW, too. Memories of a lifetime!”
Nate Spieth: “Having to take cover in the tunnels because there was a tornado outside.”
TJ Bramblec: “A pen fell off my shirt collar while (officiating). Circling the mat, I nonchalantly changed levels and flipped it off the mat, not realizing that the direction of ‘the flying object’ was on a dead line with (referee) Belinda Brown’s forehead. … more at … https://www.win-magazine.com/2025/07/03/friday-from-the-archives-your-memories-go-beyond-just-fargo/
Gable on kids trying international styles, other sports
Editor’s Note: WIN Publisher Bryan Van Kley sat down with wrestling legend Dan Gable for an exclusive interview about current topics in the sport. This article appeared in WIN’s Volume 31 Issue 9, which was printed on June 5, 2025. For more practical advice from Gable for wrestlers, coaches and parents, buy a WIN Digital or Combo Subscription here. Archived Q&As with Gable are in every issue in the Archives Section.
WIN: Why do you think it’s important that wrestlers continue from folkstyle into the Olympic styles?
GABLE: There’s really no difference between them (the styles); they’re all wrestling. Wrestling’s wrestling. If you put an opponent on their back and pin them, you win. If you’re good on your feet and good on the bottom, that carries over for both freestyle and scholastic wrestling.
Terry Steiner (head U.S. women’s freestyle coach who wrestled for Gable in college) doesn’t agree with me on this. And I don’t know where Bill Zadick (U.S.’s head men’s freestyle coach who also wrestled for Gable) is on it, but that doesn’t matter. They can have their own beliefs. I believe if you know how to “escape in reverse”, then you’re going to be better because you’re going to get taken down less by knowing how to scramble. You do things to escape in situations like when somebody shoots on you. You stop them, and you escape from them, so they don’t get you. In fact, even better, as they shoot, you score and go around them or snap them down or whip them over. You’re learning defensive moves that work too.
So, I really believe scholastic wrestling is a very important part of our Olympic success. And you’re going to say, well, these kids have been doing this all their life, and they’re really better on defense. Well, yeah, so the first thing I learned in wrestling is just to get off your back, because that’s (getting pinned) a match-ending move. The second thing I would teach in freestyle and Greco-Roman is how to keep from getting ankle-laced and gut wrenched, because those are match-ending moves.
WIN: What are your thoughts on sports specialization vs. being a multi-sport athlete?
GABLE: It depends on whether you can handle one sport, so you don’t get burnt out, and it depends on your size. For me in high school, one of the reasons I didn’t do anything but wrestle was because I was 95 pounds, then 103 and 112. And then when I had started having success a lot, and I learned, it helped me from a motivational point of view. For most people, I think you need to be involved in more activities.
However, if you’re going to be a three-sport person, and let’s say you love wrestling, football and baseball but you’re going to move forward with wrestling after high school, I would add freestyle and Greco-Roman wrestling. Those come in at a different time, mostly in the summer when you’re out of school. … more at … https://www.win-magazine.com/2025/06/26/gable-on-kids-trying-international-styles-other-sports/
New wrestling books out for fans, history buffs
There are several books that have recently come out that many fans will find intriguing, and for a variety of reasons. What I like most is that all have strong historical impact.
Pat Kelly, a WIN contributor for several years, has produced a terrific book entitled “K-State’s Wrestling Legacy,” with the subtitle “Stories, Stats and Personalities That Shaped the Sport in Kansas and Beyond.” Pat brings an extensive pedigree to his work, having been a two-time Iowa high school state champion, a two-time Division II All-American at Nebraska-Omaha, and built a long high school coaching career in Kansas.
WIN contributor Pat Kelly
The book is loaded with fascinating stories from an important area of wrestling’s past that has been largely forgotten. “For over 50 years, Kansas State University offered a wrestling program that became the state’s flagship at the collegiate level,” reads the back cover. “However, K-State wrestling has now been dormant for half a century. ‘K-State’s Wrestling Legacy’ gives readers a comprehensive look at the program’s history and connects it to the sport’s growth in the Sunflower State and its national influence.” Many important figures from the past parade through the pages, in particular Ed Gallagher, Myron Roderick and Fred Fozzard, all who became legends at Oklahoma State. Gallagher was born in Perth, Kansas, and graduated from high school there before moving on to Oklahoma State and leading the Aggies to 11 NCAA team championships in the 1920s-1930s era.
Roderick is a native of Wellington, Kansas, who won three NCAA titles as a wrestler at OSU and coached the team to seven NCAA team titles in the 1950s and ‘60s.
I saw Fred Fozzard wrestle during his glory years at Oklahoma State and had great respect for his aggressive style on the mat. He was NCAA champion at 177 pounds in 1967 and placed second and third, as well. In 1969, he and fellow Oregonian Rick Sanders became America’s first world champions ever. Fozzard was K-State’s last head wrestling coach, … more at … https://www.win-magazine.com/2025/06/24/several-must-read-books-for-wrestling-fans-history-buffs/
Kent State Names Josh Moore as Wrestling Program’s Seventh Head Coach
KENT, Ohio – Kent State Vice President and Director of Athletics Randale L. Richmond announced today the hiring of Josh Moore as the seventh head coach in Golden Flashes wrestling history. Moore, who previously served as head coach at Cleveland State University for seven years, returns to Kent State, where he began his coaching career as an assistant coach from 2004-2015.
“We are very excited to welcome Josh and his family back to Kent State,” said Richmond. “His deep connection to our program and his proven track record of developing championship caliber wrestlers on the mat, in the classroom, and throughout the community makes him the ideal leader for the next era of Golden Flashes wrestling.”
Moore brings 21 years of Division I coaching experience to the position, including impressive achievements at Kent State and Cleveland State. During his tenure as head coach at Cleveland State, he guided the program to national recognition, helping the Vikings achieve one of the top team GPAs in the nation over the past five years while leading the MAC in Individual Academic All-Americans.
His coaching accomplishments include mentoring 10 All-Americans and 69 NCAA Division I qualifiers throughout his career. At Kent State, Moore was instrumental in developing the program’s first-ever NCAA champion, Dustin Kilgore, and helped guide the Golden Flashes to four top-25 team finishes at the NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships. “Coming back to Kent State as the Head Coach is truly a dream come true for my family and me,” said Moore. “I’m incredibly grateful for this opportunity and fired up to bring the energy, passion, and purpose every single day. Ohio wrestling family, Let’s build something special-together!”
Beyond his coaching success, Moore has demonstrated exceptional leadership in academic achievement and community engagement. He helped Cleveland State Wrestling earn a perfect 1000 Academic Progress Rate (APR) in 2023-2024 and has been instrumental in maintaining team GPAs above 3.25 throughout his career. His fundraising efforts have generated significant support for wrestling programs, including leading Cleveland State as the top Giving Day Ambassador and securing over $200,000. … more at … https://kentstatesports.com/news/2025/6/13/kent-state-names-josh-moore-as-wrestling-programs-seventh-head-coach.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 