Articles: Articles

Fargo Junior Men's Freestyle Final Results

Thu, 18 Jul 2024 01:55:20 +0000

Junior Men’s Freestyle Final Results

Team Race

1. Pennsylvania

2. New Jersey

3. California

4. Minnesota

5. Illinois

6. Arizona

7. Oklahoma

8. Ohio

9. Iowa

10. Indiana

100 lbs

Championship: Michael Rundell (Illinois) over Xavier Diaz (Pennsylvania) 8-5

3rd Place: Ethan Powell (Ohio) over Kacen Jones (Utah) 10-0

5th Place: Jason Foutz (Pennsylvania) over Brock Goebel (Nebraska) 16-5

7th Place: Kaiden Belinsky (Iowa) over Chase Dubuque (New Jersey) 15-4

106 lbs

Championship: Christopher Swann (Georgia) over Antonio Quiroz (Nevada) 8-7

3rd Place: Jarrett Smith (Michigan) over Carter Chunko (Pennsylvania) 6-2

5th Place: Cason Craft (Oklahoma) over Brady Byrd (Indiana) 11-10

7th Place: Charles Esposito (New Jersey) over Daniel Alire (Arizona) 10-0

113 lbs

Championship: Dunia Sibomana (New York) over Ayden Dodd (Ohio) 8-2

3rd Place: Abdi Unle (Nebraska) over Revin Dickman (Indiana) 8-6

5th Place: Nicolas Enzminger (North Dakota) over Brayden Teunissen (Illinois) 10-0

7th Place: Caleb Noble (Illinois) over Oumar Tounkara (New York) 13-3

120 lbs

Championship: Gauge Botero (Pennsylvania) over Brock Rothermel (Pennsylvania) 11-2

3rd Place: Blake Beissel (Minnesota) over Davis Motyka (Pennsylvania) 7-6

5th Place: Nicolas Garcia (Illinois) over Dom Deputy (Pennsylvania) 4-4

7th Place: Dru Ayala (Iowa) over Antonio Mills (Georgia) 13-11

126 lbs

Championship: Aaron Seidel (Pennsylvania) over Koufax Christensen (Iowa) 10-0

3rd Place: Christian Castillo (Arizona) over Gavin Jendreas (Indiana) 10-0

5th Place: Nathan Desmond (Pennsylvania) over Edwin Sierra (California) 5-3

7th Place: Billy Townson (California) over Jace Hedeman (Iowa) 6-0

132 lbs

Championship: Jax Forrest (Pennsylvania) over Seth Mendoza (Illinois) 10-0

3rd Place: Jake Hockaday (Indiana) over Matthew Botello (Massachusetts) 8-4

5th Place: Tyler Dekraker (Pennsylvania) over Moses Mendoza (California) 9-8

7th Place: Logan Swensen (Minnesota) over Manuel Saldate (Nevada) 12-3

138 lbs

Championship: Sergio Vega (Arizona) over Drew Gorman (Georgia) 10-2

3rd Place: Alex Braun (Minnesota) over Hunter Hollingsworth (Oklahoma) 6-4

5th Place: Sam Herring (Pennsylvania) over Carter Freeman (Iowa) 10-0

7th Place: Kellen Wolbert (Wisconsin) MedFFT Blue Stiffler (Georgia)

144 lbs

Championship: Daniel Zepeda (California) over Smokey McClure (Washington) 13-4

3rd Place: Tyson Charmoli (Minnesota) over Pierson Manville (Pennsylvania) 3-2

5th Place: Zeno Moore (Florida) over Jace Roller (Oklahoma) 14-7

7th Place: Gabriel Bouyssou (Rhode Island) over Gus Cardinal (Arizona) 12-0

150 lbs

Championship: Landon Robideau (Minnesota) over Paul Kelly (California) 10-0

3rd Place: Maddox Shaw (Pennsylvania) over August Hibler (New Jersey) 6-4

5th Place: Blake Crosby (Michigan) over Daishun Powe (Alabama) 13-2

7th Place: Matthew Martino (Idaho) over Brandon Dean (Colorado) Fall 2:16

157 lbs

Championship: Melvin Miller (Pennsylvania) over Isaias Jimenez (Arizona) 8-7

3rd Place: Kody Routledge (Oklahoma) over Ishmael Guerrero (Oklahoma) 11-5

5th Place: Ben Weader (Virginia) FFT Vince Bouzakis (Pennsylvania)

7th Place: Claudio Torres (Florida) over Caleb Olson (Iowa) 10-0

165 lbs

Championship: Alessio Perentin (New Jersey) over Elliott Humphries (Massachusetts) 10-0

3rd Place: Charlie Millard (Wisconsin) over Clay Giddens (Oklahoma) 5-3

5th Place: Israel Ibarra (Arizona) over Travis Grace (California) Fall 2:54

7th Place: Gunner Holland (Florida) over Dante Hutchings (Colorado) 13-8

175 lbs

Championship: Ryan Burton (New Jersey) over Will Henckel (Connecticut) 4-2

3rd Place: Adam Waters (Pennsylvania) over Caleb Dennee (Wisconsin) 12-1

5th Place: Waylon Cressell (Indiana) over Keenan Sheridan (South Dakota) 10-0

7th Place: Mason Ontiveros (California) over Matthew Jens (Illinois) 11-1

190 lbs

Championship: Harvey Ludington (New Jersey) over Cade Ziola (Nebraska) 10-0

3rd Place: Carson Thomas (Ohio) over Gage Yackee (Ohio) 5-5

5th Place: Anders Thompson (Montana) over Elijah Diakomihalis (New York) 15-2

7th Place: Peter Snyder (Maryland) over Aidan Ysaguirre (Arizona) 2-1

215 lbs

Championship: Angelo Posada (California) over Anthony Harris (New Jersey) 5-2

3rd Place: Austin Johnson (Pennsylvania) over Melvin Whitehead (Nevada) 10-0

5th Place: Evan McGuire (Minnesota) over Mikey Calcagno (Illinois) 11-6

7th Place: Ian Smith (Wisconsin) over Antonio Palmer (Nebraska) MedFFt

285 lbs

Championship: Rocco Dellagatta (New Jersey) over Daniel Herrera (California) 8-7

3rd Place: Parker Ferrell (Virginia) over Cash Henderson (Utah) 15-4

5th Place: Rylan Kuhn (Missouri) over Dean Bechtold (Pennsylvania) 6-5

7th Place: Ricky Thomas (Oklahoma) over Jackson Barnhart (Illinois) 6-0

Fargo 16U Men's Freestyle Semifinal Results

Wed, 17 Jul 2024 18:11:49 +0000

Fargo 16U Men’s Freestyle Semifinal Results

88 lbs: Hudson Chittum (Tennessee) over Lucas Forman (Nevada) 11-2

88 lbs: Ariah Mills (Georgia) over Kooper Deputy (Pennsylvania) 11-0

94 lbs: Keegan Bassett (Pennsylvania) over Thiago Silva (California) 6-0

94 lbs: Tyler Verceles (Maryland) over Cody Clarke (Georgia) 11-2

100 lbs: Corey Brown (Maryland) over Chase Karenbauer (Pennsylvania) 2-2

100 lbs: Justin Farnsworth (Pennsylvania) over Turner Ross (Minnesota) 3-2

106 lbs: PJ Terranova (New Jersey) over Case Bell (Indiana) 4-3

106 lbs: Hayden Schwab (Iowa) over Layne Martin (Michigan) 9-4

113 lbs: Shamus Regan (Pennsylvania) over Shea Richter (South Dakota) 5-0

113 lbs: Paul Ruiz (California) over Alexander Pierce (Iowa) 2-2

120 lbs: Liston Seibert (Ohio) over Van Smith (Oklahoma) 10-0

120 lbs: Will Detar (Pennsylvania) over Paul Kenny (New Jersey) FFT

126 lbs: Bruno Cassioppi (Illinois) over Brenden Jorden Agcaoili (Nevada) 8-4

126 lbs: Stephen Myers (West Virginia) over Dale Corbin (Wisconsin) InjDef

132 lbs: Clinton Shepherd (Indiana) over Gavin Mangano (New York) 6-2

132 lbs: Ashton Besmer (California) over Jovani Solis (Florida) Fall 3:03

138 lbs: Hunter Stevens (Wisconsin) over Austin Ellis (Utah) 6-0

138 lbs: Justis Jesuroga (Iowa) over Carlos Valdiviezo (California) 2-0

144 lbs: Dominic Wilson (Texas) over Travis Cardenas (Arizona) 10-0

144 lbs: Noah Bull (Utah) over Camryn Howard (New York) 8-1

150 lbs: Maximus Dhabolt (Iowa) over Thomas Gibbs (Indiana) 19-12

150 lbs: Jayden James (New Jersey) over Eli Esguerra (Ohio) 13-3

157 lbs: Gabriel Logan (New Jersey) over Brody Sendele (Illinois) 10-0

157 lbs: Lucas Boe (Indiana) over Tyree Graham (Florida) 6-0

165 lbs: Aaron Stewart (Illinois) over Riley Johnson (Nebraska) 11-0

165 lbs: JayDen Williams (Michigan) over Salah Tsarni (Maryland) Fall 2:26

175 lbs: Cody Savage (Vermont) over Isai Fernandez (California) FFT

175 lbs: Brayden Koester (Iowa) over Xavier Smith (Indiana) 6-4

190 lbs: Elijah Brown (Pennsylvania) over David Calkins (California) 12-9

190 lbs: Maximus Konopka (Connecticut) over Tanner Hodgins (New Jersey) 11-0

215 lbs: Alex Taylor (Ohio) over Joseph Favia (Illinois) 10-0

215 lbs: Ryder Smith (Tennessee) over Cael Leisgang (Wisconsin) 11-0

285 lbs: Makhi Rodgers (Wisconsin) over Preston Wagner (Nebraska) 6-4

285 lbs: Jonathan Rulo (Illinois) over Mateo Vinciguerra (New Jersey) Fall :50

Fargo Junior Men's Freestyle Semifinal Results

Wed, 17 Jul 2024 17:23:02 +0000

Fargo Junior Men’s Freestyle Semifinal Results

100 lbs: Michael Rundell (Illinois) over Brock Goebel (Nebraska) 11-0

100 lbs: Xavier Diaz (Pennsylvania) over Ethan Powell (Ohio) 7-0

106 lbs: Christopher Swann (Georgia) over Brady Byrd (Indiana) 7-3

106 lbs: Antonio Quiroz (Nevada) over Cason Craft (Oklahoma) Fall 3:54

113 lbs: Ayden Dodd (Ohio) over Brayden Teunissen (Illinois) 14-3

113 lbs: Dunia Sibomana (New York) over Revin Dickman (Indiana) 8-1

120 lbs: Gauge Botero (Pennsylvania) over Davis Motyka (Pennsylvania) 6-0

120 lbs: Brock Rothermal (Pennsylvania) over Blake Beissel (Minnesota) 6-4

126 lbs: Koufax Christensen (Iowa) over Edwin Sierra (California) 4-3

126 lbs: Aaron Seidel (Pennsylvania) over Nathan Desmond (Pennsylvania) 7-2

132 lbs: Jax Forrest (Pennsylvania) over Matthew Botello (Massachusetts) 12-1

132 lbs: Seth Mendoza (Illinois) over Jake Hockaday (Indiana) Fall 4:58

138 lbs: Sergio Vega (Arizona) over Hunter Hollingsworth (Oklahoma) 6-0

138 lbs: Drew Gorman (Georgia) over Carter Freeman (Iowa) Fall 1:23

144 lbs: Daniel Zepeda (California) over Pierson Manville (Pennsylvania) 3-1

144 lbs: Smokey McClure (Washington) over Jace Roller (Oklahoma) 9-2

150 lbs: Landon Robideau (Minnesota) over Maddox Shaw (Pennsylvania) 5-4

150 lbs: Paul Kelly (California) over Daishun Powe (Alabama) 8-4

157 lbs: Isaias Jimenez (Arizona) over Vince Bouzakis (Pennsylvania) FFT

157 lbs: Melvin Miller (Pennsylvania) over Kody Routledge (Oklahoma) 5-3

165 lbs: Elliott Humphries (Massachusetts) over Travis Grace (California) 11-3

165 lbs: Alessio Perentin (New Jersey) over Clay Giddens (Oklahoma) 11-1

175 lbs: Ryan Burton (New Jersey) over Adam Waters (Pennsylvania) 8-2

175 lbs: Will Henckel (Connecticut) over Keenan Sheridan (South Dakota) 10-0

190 lbs: Harvey Ludington (New Jersey) over Anders Thompson (Montana) 10-0

190 lbs: Cade Ziola (Nebraska) over Carson Thomas (Ohio) 7-6

215 lbs: Angelo Posada (California) over Mikey Calcagno (Illinois) 12-9

215 lbs: Anthony Harris (New Jersey) over Evan McGuire (Minnesota) 10-0

285 lbs: Daniel Herrera (Iowa) over Parker Ferrell (Virginia) 6-1

285 lbs: Rocco Dellagatta (New Jersey) over Dean Bechtold (Pennsylvania) 14-3

Fargo Junior Men's Freestyle Quarterfinal Results/Semifinal Matchups

Wed, 17 Jul 2024 02:03:35 +0000

2024 Fargo Junior Men’s Freestyle Quarterfinal Results

100 lbs - Michael Rundell (Illinois) over Trace Rial (Iowa) 10-0

100 lbs - Brock Goebel (Nebraska) over Kristian DeClercq (Illinois) 10-0

100 lbs - Ethan Powell (Ohio) over Damian Trujillo (New Mexico) 12-2

100 lbs - Xavier Diaz (Pennsylvania) over Kacen Jones (Utah) Fall 1:20

Semifinals: Michael Rundell (Illinois) vs. Brock Goebel (Nebraska)

Semifinals: Ethan Powell (Ohio) vs. Xavier Diaz (Pennsylvania)

106 lbs - Christopher Swann (Georgia) over Carter Chunko (Pennsylvania) 16-6

106 lbs - Brady Byrd (Indiana) over Daniel Alire (Arizona) 10-0

106 lbs - Cason Craft (Oklahoma) over Charles Esposito (New Jersey) 10-0

106 lbs - Antonio Quiroz (Nevada) over Jackson Soney (Illinois) 14-3

Semifinals: Christopher Swann (Georgia) vs. Brady Byrd (Indiana)

Semifinals: Cason Craft (Oklahoma) vs. Antonio Quiroz (Nevada)

113 lbs - Brayden Teunissen (Illinois) over Alex Rozas (Louisiana) 4-3

113 lbs - Ayden Dodd (Ohio) over Roman Luttrell (New Mexico) Fall 4:07

113 lbs - Revin Dickman (Indiana) over Abdi Unle (Nebraska) Fall 5:59

113 lbs - Dunia Sibomana (New York) over Caleb Noble (Illinois) 12-2

Semifinals: Brayden Teunissen (Illinois) vs. Ayden Dodd (Ohio)

Semifinals: Revin Dickman (Indiana) vs. Dunia Sibomana (New York)

120 lbs - Davis Motyka (Pennsylvania) over Jake Knight (Iowa) 15-13

120 lbs - Gauge Botero (Pennsylvania) over Musa Tamaradze (Massachusetts) 13-12

120 lbs - Blake Beissel (Minnesota) over Gage Singleton (Oregon) 18-8

120 lbs - Brock Rothermel (Pennsylvania) over Dru Ayala (Iowa) 15-5

Semifinals: Davis Motyka (Pennsylvania) vs.Gauge Botero (Pennsylvania)

Semifinals: Blake Beissel (Minnesota) vs. Brock Rothermel (Pennsylvania)

126 lbs - Koufax Christensen (Iowa) over Christian Castillo (Arizona) 7-4

126 lbs - Edwin Sierra (California) over Billy Townson (California) 4-3

126 lbs - Nathan Desmond (Pennsylvania) over Joseph Curry (Ohio) 10-0

126 lbs - Aaron Seidel (Pennsylvania) over Gavin Jendreas (Indiana) 13-2

Semifinals: Koufax Christensen (Iowa) vs. Edwin Sierra (California)

Semifinals: Nathan Desmond (Pennsylvania) vs. Aaron Seidel (Pennsylvania)

132 lbs - Jax Forrest (Pennsylvania) over Logan Swensen (Minnesota) 10-0

132 lbs - Matthew Botello (Massachusetts) over Moses Mendoza (California) 13-2

132 lbs - Jake Hockaday (Indiana) over Adrian Meza (Arizona) Fall 5:41

132 lbs - Seth Mendoza (Illinois) over Tyler Dekraker (Pennsylvania) Fall 3:34

Semifinals: Jax Forrest (Pennsylvania) vs. Matthew Botello (Massachusetts)

Semifinals: Jake Hockaday (Indiana) vs. Seth Mendoza (Illinois)

138 lbs - Sergio Vega (Arizona) over Alex Braun (Minnesota) 12-2

138 lbs - Hunter Hollingsworth (Oklahoma) over Blue Stiffler (Georgia) 10-0

138 lbs - Drew Gorman (Georgia) over Sam Herring (Pennsylvania) 12-2

138 lbs - Carter Freeman (Iowa) over Kellen Wolbert (Wisconsin) 12-9

Semifinals: Sergio Vega (Arizona) vs. Hunter Hollingsworth (Oklahoma)

Semifinals: Drew Gorman (Georgia) vs. Carter Freeman (Iowa)

144 lbs - Pierson Manville (Pennsylvania) over Tyson Charmoli (Minnesota) 4-0

144 lbs - Daniel Zepeda (California) over Jesse Grajeda (California) 14-4

144 lbs - Smokey McClure (Washington) over Kyrel Leavell (Indiana) 13-5

144 lbs - Jace Roller (Oklahoma) over Logan Paradice (Georgia) Fall 1:58

Semifinals: Pierson Manville (Pennsylvania) vs. Daniel Zepeda (California)

Semifinals: Smokey McClure (Washington) vs. Jace Roller (Oklahoma)

150 lbs - Landon Robideau (Minnesota) over Garrett Reece (Maryland) 10-0

150 lbs - Maddox Shaw (Pennsylvania) over Dominic Serio (Illinois) 13-3

150 lbs - Paul Kelly (California) over Hunter Sturgill (Tennessee) 6-0

150 lbs - Daishun Powe (Alabama) over Jason Kwaak (New York) Injury Default

Semifinals: Landon Robideau (Minnesota) vs. Maddox Shaw (Pennsylvania)

Semifinals: Paul Kelly (California) vs.Daishun Powe (Alabama)

157 lbs - Vince Bouzakis (Pennsylvania) over Joey Canova (New Jersey) 5-0

157 lbs - Isaias Jimenez (Arizona) over Kael Voinovich (Iowa) 6-4

157 lbs - Melvin Miller (Pennsylvania) over Caleb Olson (Iowa) 10-0

157 lbs - Kody Routledge (Oklahoma) over Ayson Rice (South Dakota) 10-0

Semifinals: Vince Bouzakis (Pennsylvania) vs. Isaias Jimenez (Arizona)

Semifinals: Melvin Miller (Pennsylvania) vs. Kody Routledge (Oklahoma)

165 lbs - Travis Grace (California) over Max Norman (Tennessee) 12-10

165 lbs - Elliott Humphries (Massachusetts) over Luke Sipes (Pennsylvania) 9-1

165 lbs - Alessio Perentin (New Jersey) over Gunner Holland (Florida) 13-0

165 lbs - Clayton Giddens (Oklahoma) over Dominic Bambinelli (Georgia) 10-0

Semifinals: Travis Grace (California) vs. Elliott Humphries (Massachusetts)

Semifinals: Alessio Perentin (New Jersey) vs. Clayton Giddens (Oklahoma)

175 lbs - Adam Waters (Pennsylvania) over Caden Wilson (Washington) 12-0

175 lbs - Ryan Burton (New Jersey) over Caleb Dennee (Wisconsin) Fall :40

175 lbs - Keenan Sheridan (South Dakota) over Anthony Rinehart (Indiana) Fall 3:24

175 lbs - Will Henckel (Connecticut) over Waylon Cressell (Indiana) 11-0

Semifinals: Adam Waters (Pennsylvania) vs. Ryan Burton (New Jersey)

Semifinals: Keenan Sheridan (South Dakota) vs. Will Henckel (Connecticut)

190 lbs - Anders Thompson (Montana) over Robert Kucharczk (Florida) 11-6

190 lbs - Harvey Ludington (New Jersey) over John Murphy (Minnesota) 10-0

190 lbs - Cade Ziola (Nebraska) over Gunner Henry (Indiana) 9-0

190 lbs - Carson Thomas (Ohio) over Gage Yackee (Ohio) 4-3

Semifinals: Anders Thompson (Montana) vs. Harvey Ludington (New Jersey)

Semifinals: Cade Ziola (Nebraska) vs. Carson Thomas (Ohio)

215 lbs - Michael Calcagno (Illinois) over Melvin Whitehead (Nevada) Fall 1:41

215 lbs - Angelo Posada (California) over Antonio Palmer (Nebraska) 14-3

215 lbs - Evan McGuire (Minnesota) over Austin Johnson (Pennsylvania) 12-1

215 lbs - Anthony Harris (New Jersey) over Cason Howle (South Carolina) 12-4

Semifinals: Michael Calcagno (Illinois) vs. Angelo Posada (California)

Semifinals: Evan McGuire (Minnesota) vs. Anthony Harris (New Jersey)

285 lbs - Daniel Herrera (Iowa) over John Pardo (Pennsylvania) 10-0

285 lbs - Parker Ferrell (Virginia) over Shilo Jones (Idaho) 8-3

285 lbs - Rocco Dellagatta (New Jersey) over Rylan Kuhn (Missouri) 8-4

285 lbs - Dean Bechtold (Pennsylvania) over Jackson Barnhart (Illinois) Fall 2:09

Semifinals: Daniel Herrera (Iowa) vs. Parker Ferrell (Virginia)

Semifinals: Rocco Dellagatta (New Jersey) vs. Dean Bechtold (Pennsylvania)

New High School Rule Changes Approved by NFHS

Thu, 25 Apr 2024 16:02:22 +0000

Beginning with the 2024-25 season, high school wrestlers will be inbounds with only one point of contact of either wrestler inside or on the boundary line.

This fundamental change to high school wrestling was one of six major changes impacting almost 30 rules recommended by the NFHS Wrestling Rules Committee at its April 1-3 meeting in Indianapolis. All recommended changes were subsequently approved by the NFHS Board of Directors.

Previously, high school wrestlers were considered to be inbounds if a total of two supporting points of either wrestler were inside or on the boundary line. The two supporting points could be two supporting points of one wrestler or one supporting point of each wrestler inside or on the boundary line.

“Without increasing risk, this change eliminates the subjectivity of the out-of-bounds call,” said Elliot Hopkins, NFHS director of sports and student services and liaison to the Wrestling Rules Committee. “The change also helps officials to call ‘out of bounds’ more consistently, and it provides wrestlers, coaches and spectators a better understanding of out of bounds.”

While the One Point of Contact change will be noted under the definition of Inbounds in Rule 5-15, it also impacts a number of other sections in Rule 5 on Definitions, as well as Rule 6-4-1 on Stopping and Starting the Match.

In addition to the One Point of Contact change, points awarded for a Near-Fall have been revised in high school wrestling. Overall, the changes simplify the points awarded based on how long the wrestler is held in near-fall criteria. The change in Rule 5-11-3 is as follows:

Two points will be awarded when near-fall criteria are held for two seconds, three points for three seconds, four points for four seconds and five points if the defensive wrestler is injured, indicates an injury or bleeding occurs after the four-point near-fall has been earned. These changes will affect other rules including individual match scoring in Rule 9.

“The goal in wrestling is to pin the opponent,” Hopkins said. “Changing the near-fall points should motivate wrestlers to work for a fall.”

In another change in scoring rules, opportunities to earn more points will also be available when executing a Takedown. Beginning next season, wrestlers will be awarded three match points instead of two when securing a takedown.

The committee also approved a change regarding the Technical Fall. Rule 5-11-4a now states that “if a takedown or reversal, straight to a near-fall criteria creates a 15-point advantage, the match shall continue until the near-fall criteria is no longer met. Conclusion of the near-fall criteria is immediate.” The change clarifies when the technical fall has concluded in relation to the near-fall criteria being met. Hopkins said the offensive wrestler cannot be penalized appropriately after the technical fall has been earned.

In another change, the 10-Foot Circle at the center of wrestling mats is now optional. Wrestlers now will be encouraged to “stay in the center of the mat” instead of “within the 10-foot circle.”

“The committee determined that the starting lines of a mat indicate the center of the mat and the 10-foot circle is no longer needed,” Hopkins said. “With the new mat designs that have a large mascot or logos, it gives a refreshing look to the mats. Wrestlers and officials know where the center of the mat is located without the 10-foot circle.”

Finally, the committee approved a new Referee’s Time-Out Signal. The signal, which is used in many other sports, is both hands/fingers pointing inward to the referee’s chest.

A complete listing of the wrestling rules changes will be available on the NFHS website at www.nfhs.org. Click on “Activities & Sports” at the top of the home page and select “Wrestling.”

According to the 2022-23 NFHS High School Athletics Participation Survey, wrestling is the sixth-most popular sport for boys with 259,431 participants in 10,962 schools. It also continues to gain popularity among girls with 50,016 participants in 6,545 schools nationwide.

2023 Walsh Ironman Teams

Sat, 26 Aug 2023 17:06:19 +0000

The Walsh Ironman has long held the title of "toughest regular season tournament " at the high school level. The tournament has released its teams for the 2023 Ironman and it will undoubtedly retain that title again.

Here are the teams:

Alliance (OH)

Archbishop Moeller (OH)

Archbold (OH)

Aurora (OH)

Barnesville (OH)

Baylor School (TN)

Bethlehem Catholic (PA)

Bishop Hartley (OH)

Bishop Kelly (ID)

Bishop McCort (PA)

Bishop Lynch (TX)

Bishop Watterson (OH)

Bixby (OK)

Blackfoot (ID)

Blair Academy (NJ)

Brecksville (OH)

Broken Arrow (OK)

Brooke Point (VA)

Brownsburg (IN)

Buckeye (OH)

Canon-McMillan (PA)

Caraval Academy (DE)

Cardinal Gibbons (FL)

Center Grove (IN)

Clay (OH)

Conant (IL)

Copley (OH)

Corner Canyon (UT)

Crestview (OH)

Crown Point (IN)

Cuyahoga Valley CA (OH)

Davis (UT)

Dublin Coffman (OH)

Dublin Scioto (OH)

Edgewood (OH)

Edmond North (OK)

Elyria (OH)

Faith Christian Academy (PA)

Father Ryan (TN)

Fleming Island (FL)

Frazier (PA)

Fremont (UT)

Genoa Area (OH)

Gilman School (MD)

Gonzaga Prep (WA)

Gooding (ID)

Greens Farms Academy (CT)

Greeneville (TN)

Gunnison (CO)

Hallsville (MO)

Herriman (UT)

Highland (OH)

Hillsboro (MO)

Homewood-Flossmoor (IL)

Hononegah (IL)

IC Catholic Prep (IL)

Iona Prep (NY)

Jensen Beach (FL)

Jesuit (LA)

Joliet Catholic (IL)

Kenston (OH)

Keystone (OH)

LaSalle (OH)

Lake Catholic (OH)

Lake Gibson (FL)

Lake Highland Prep (FL)

Lake Norman (NC)

Lancaster (OH)

Layton (UT)

Legacy Christian Academy (OH)

Liberty (MO)

Liberty Center (OH)

Louisville (OH)

Loyola Academy (IL)

Marist (IL)

Marysville (OH)

Malvern Prep (PA)

Marmion Academy (IL)

Massillon Perry (OH)

Mayfield (OH)

McDonogh School (MD)

Melissa (TX)

Mentor (OH)

Meridian (ID)

Mesa Ridge (CO)

Millard West (NE)

Minisink Valley (NY)

Monroeville (OH)

Montini Catholic (IL)

Mount Carmel (IL)

Mountain View (ID)

Mullen (CO)

Nixa (MO)

Normal Community (IL)

Notre Dame-Green Pond (PA)

Olentangy Liberty (OH)

Park Vista (FL)

Parkersburg South (WV)

Perkins (OH)

Perrysburg (OH)

Pleasant Grove (UT)

Point Pleasant (WV)

Pomona (CO)

Ponaganset (RI)

Ponderosa (CO)

Poudre (CO)

Reynolds (PA)

Seckman (MO)

Skutt Catholic (NE)

South Summit (UT)

SPIRE Academy (OH)

Springboro (OH)

St. Charles East (IL)

St. Christopher's (VA)

St. Edward (OH)

St. Francis DeSales (OH)

St. Michael the Archangel (MO)

St. Paris Graham (OH)

St. Plus X (MO)

St Vincent/St. Mary's (OH)

St. Xavier (OH)

Staley (MO)

State College (PA)

Staunton River (VA)

Steubenville (OH)

Stillwater (OK)

Sussex Central (DE)

Sycamore (OH)

Syracuse (UT)

Trinity Christian (TX)

Unity (IL)

Union County (KY)

University (WA)

University (WV)

Valiant College Prep (AZ)

Viewmont (UT)

Wadsworth (OH)

Walsh Jesuit (OH)

Warren Township (IL)

Washington Community (IL)

Western Reserve (OH)

Westlake (UT)

Whitfield (MO)

Whitmer (OH)

Winter Springs (FL)

Woods Cross (UT)

Wyoming Seminary (PA)

Results for Committed Recruits at the 2022 Walsh Ironman

Mon, 12 Dec 2022 19:34:00 +0000

190 lb Ironman champion Brayden Thompson an Oklahoma State signee (photo courtesy of Sam Janicki; SJanickiPhoto.com)

This weekend the toughest in-season high school tournament, the Walsh Jesuit Ironman, took place in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio. The Ironman has long been the event for the top high school wrestlers to compete against the best in the country and this year was no exception. Plenty of wrestlers that took the mat Friday and Saturday will be racking up wins on the NCAA stage a few short years from now. Some will become All-Americans, national champions, and perhaps even world or Olympic champions. Olympic gold medalists David Taylor and Kyle Snyder are among the most notable alumni from the Ironman.

So, after all the smoke has cleared, how did your favorite school's recruits fare at the Ironman? We've combed through the brackets to find out how all of them performed. Not just the placewinners, but all of the recruits who have publicly announced commitments.

Air Force

Josh Cordio (Wyoming Seminary, PA) - 2-2: 190 lbs

Andrew Harmon (Bethlehem Catholic, PA) - 7th: 157 lbs

Talon McCollom (Edmond North, OK) - 0-2; 175 lbs; Class of 2024

Appalachian State

Jeremiah Price (Surry Central, NC) - 5th: 150 lbs

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How did Ironman Champions (2013-17) Fare in College?

Mon, 13 Dec 2021 15:18:48 +0000

Spencer Lee winning the third of his three Ironman titles (photo courtesy of Sam Janicki; SJanickiPhoto.com)

By now you've probably seen the key matches at the Walsh Ironman, perused through the brackets and checked out how your favorite school's recruits fared at the toughest in-season high school tournament in the country. If not, here's the place to track them.

Hopefully, you've also seen some of the research that our pal Jason Bryant has done at Mat-Talk Online regarding the history of the tournament. In that vein, we've gone back and tracked how the champions of the event (from 2013-17) fared in college.

Why that timeframe? Well, there was no tournament in 2020 and champions from 2018 and 2019 are still in the infancy of their collegiate careers (for the most part).

So after looking at Jason's historical data, you'll notice that many of the recent greats of our sport have found success at the Ironman. Spencer Lee, Zahid Valencia, Bo Nickal, all excelled at the early-season tournament in Akron. But is winning the Ironman the "be-all, end-all?" Not, necessarily! Just going back to 2013, there are plenty of winners that didn't see the same level of success in college, for various reasons. While, at the same time, some did.

2017 Champions

106 lbs - Jacob Decatur (CVCA, OH) Ohio State University: Redshirted; 0-1 career record, Transferred to Baldwin Wallace and currently ranked #1 in DIII.

113 lbs - Trevor Mastrogiovanni (Blair Academy, NJ) Oklahoma State University: 2021; NCAA Qualifier, 15-6 record, Big 12 fifth-place, Currently ranked #12 at 125 lbs

120 lbs - Michael Colaiocco (Blair Academy, NJ) University of Pennsylvania: 2020 NCAA Qualifier, 2020 NWCA 2nd Team All-American, 23-7 record, Currently ranked #13 at 133 lbs

126 lbs - Malik Johnson (Christian Brothers, MO) University of Missouri; Transferred to Central Methodist University; Currently at Cowley College

132 lbs - Joey Silva (Lake Highland Prep, FL) University of Michigan; Redshirted; 6-3 record in 2019-20; Not currently on a roster

138 lbs - JD Stickley (Graham, OH) Ohio State University; Redshirted; 9-5 career record; Not currently on a roster

145 lbs - Brock Hardy (Box Elder, UT) University of Nebraska; Two-year mission; 5-3 record 2021

152 lbs - David Carr (Massillon Perry, OH) Iowa State University; 2x Big 12 champion, 2021 NWCA 1st Team All-American, 2021 NCAA Champion, 45-1 career record; 2018 Junior World Champion, Currently ranked #1 at 157 lbs

160 lbs - Ryan Thomas (Graham, OH) University of Minnesota; redshirted; 11-11 career record, Not currently on a roster

170 lbs - Rocky Jordan (Graham, OH) Ohio State University; redshirted; 2x NCAA qualifier, 2021 NCAA Round of 12 finisher, 44-21 career record

182 lbs - AJ Ferrari (Allen, TX) Oklahoma State University; 2021 Big 12 Champion, 2021 NCAA Champion, 24-1 career record; Currently ranked #1 at 197 lbs

195 lbs - Michael Beard (Malvern Prep, PA) Penn State University; 2021 Big Ten sixth-place, 2021 NCAA seventh-place, 13-6 career record

220 lbs - Braxton Amos (Parkersburg South, WV) University of Wisconsin; 2021 Junior World Champion (freestyle), 2021 Junior World bronze (Greco-Roman), 7-1 career record, Currently ranked #30 at 197 lbs

285 lbs - Cohlton Schultz (Ponderosa, CO) Arizona State University; 2021 Pac-12 Champion, 2021 NCAA fourth-place, 25-2 career record, Currently ranked #3 at 285 lbs, 2017 Cadet World Champion, 2x Junior World Medalist

2016 Champions

106 lbs - Julian Tagg (Brecksville, OH) University of North Carolina; 1-1 career record

113 lbs - Gabe Tagg (Brecksville, OH) University of North Carolina; redshirted; Not currently on a roster

120 lbs - Beau Bartlett (Wyoming Seminary, PA) Penn State University; 12-4 career record; Currently ranked #23 at 149 lbs

126 lbs - Spencer Lee (Franklin Regional, PA) University of Iowa; 3x NCAA Champion, 2x Big Ten Champion, 2x Hodge Trophy Winner, 75-5 career record; Currently ranked #1 at 125 lbs

132 lbs - Zack Donathan (Mason, OH) Has been on the roster for Lincoln College, Iowa Central, and Ellsworth

138 lbs - Moises Guillen (Perrysburg, OH) Ohio University; Redshirted and went 6-7 at Ohio; Currently on the roster for Lourdes University

145 lbs - Sammy Sasso (Nazareth, PA) Ohio State University; 2021 NCAA runner-up, 2021 Big Ten Champion, 2020 NWCA 1st Team All-American, 52-5 career record; Currently ranked #2 at 149 lbs

152 lbs - Quentin Hovis (Poway, CA) United State Naval Academy; 28-19 career record

160 lbs - Georgio Poullas (Canfield, OH) Cleveland State University; 16-15 record, Rider University; 8-9 record; Not currently on a roster

170 lbs - Mike Labriola (Bethlehem Catholic, PA) University of Nebraska; 2x NCAA All-American, 2020 NWCA Second-Team All-American, 2021 Big Ten third place, 77-21 career record; Currently ranked #3 at 174 lbs

182 lbs - Michael Beard (Malvern Prep, PA) Penn State University; 2021 Big Ten sixth-place, 2021 NCAA seventh-place, 13-6 career record

195 lbs - Jacob Warner (Washington, IL) University of Iowa; 2x NCAA All-American, 2020 NWCA First-Team All-American; 3x Big Ten third-place finisher, 58-15 career record; Currently ranked #7 at 197 lbs

220 lbs - Chase Singletary (Blair Academy, NJ) Ohio State University; 2019 NCAA Qualifier, 28-10 career record; Not currently on a roster

285 lbs - Niko Camacho (Bethlehem Catholic, PA) American University; 33-29 career record

2015 Champions

106 lbs - Nate Keaton (Circleville, OH) Wheeling Jesuit University/West Liberty University

113 lbs - Real Woods (Montini Catholic, IL) Stanford University; 2020 Pac-12 Champion, 2020 NWCA First-Team All-American, 2021 NCAA Round of 12 finisher; 25-4 career record

120 lbs - Jack Mueller (Trinity Catholic, TX) University of Virginia; 2x NCAA All-American, 2020 NWCA 1st Team All-American, 2019 ACC Champion, 85-14 career record

126 lbs - Tariq Wilson (Steubenville, OH) NC State University; 2x NCAA 3rd Place finisher, 2020 NWCA Honorable Mention AA, 2021 ACC Champion, 84-22 career record, Currently ranked #3 at 149 lbs

132 lbs - Dylan Duncan (Montini Catholic, IL) University of Illinois; 2021 NCAA fifth-place finisher, 2018 Big Ten third place, 65-39 career record, Currently ranked #5 at 141 lbs

138 lbs - Hunter Ladnier (St. Edward, OH) Harvard University; 2017 NCAA Qualifier, 2017 EIWA runner-up; 83-46 career record

145 lbs - David Carr (Massillon Perry, OH) Iowa State University; 2x Big 12 champion, 2021 NWCA 1st Team All-American, 2021 NCAA Champion, 45-1 career record; 2018 Junior World Champion, Currently ranked #1 at 157 lbs

152 lbs - Mason Manville (Wyoming Seminary, PA) Penn State University; 10-11 career record; 2017 Greco-Roman World Team

160 lbs - Alex Marinelli (Graham, OH) University of Iowa; 2x NCAA All-American; 2020 NWCA First-Team All-American, 3x Big Ten champion, 3x NCAA #1 seed; 80-10 career record, Currently ranked #1 at 165 lbs

170 lbs - Austin Bell (Belle Vernon, PA) University of Pittsburgh; Lock Haven University; 52-49 career record

182 lbs - Nick Reenan (Wyoming Seminary, PA) NC State University; 3x NCAA qualifier, 54-29 career record; 2018 Final X participant

195 lbs - Chase Singletary (Blair Academy, NJ) Ohio State University; 2019 NCAA Qualifier, 28-10 career record; Not currently on a roster

220 lbs - Matt Stencel (Oregon Clay, OH) Central Michigan University; 2019 NCAA seventh-place finisher, 4x NCAA Qualifier, 4x MAC champion, 104-28 career record; Currently ranked #9 at 285 lbs

285 lbs - Kameron Teacher (Central Crossing, OH) Notre Dame College/St. Cloud State University, 2021 NCAA DII National Champion, Four-time DII All-American, Currently ranked #2 at 285 lbs in DII

2014 Champions

106 lbs - Cade Olivas (St. John Bosco, CA) Never wrestled in college

113 lbs - Mitch Moore (Graham, OH) Virginia Tech/University of Oklahoma; 2021 Big 12 runner-up, 2019 ACC runner-up, 3x NCAA qualifier, 2021 NCAA Round of 12 finisher, Currently ranked #15 at 149 lbs

120 lbs - Spencer Lee (Franklin Regional, PA) University of Iowa; 3x NCAA Champion, 2x Big Ten Champion, 2x Hodge Trophy Winner, 75-5 career record; Currently ranked #1 at 125 lbs

126 lbs - Eli Seipel (Graham, OH) University of Pittsburgh; Did not appear for Pitt

132 lbs - Cameron Kelly (Bellbrook, OH) Ohio University; 3x NCAA qualifier, 87-32 career record

138 lbs - Davion Jeffries (Broken Arrow, OK) University of Oklahoma; 4x NCAA qualifier, 2x Big 12 runner-up, 89-58 career record

145 lbs - Michael Kemerer (Franklin Regional, PA) University of Iowa; 3x NCAA All-American, 2020 NWCA First-Team All-American, 2021 Big Ten Champion, 86-8 career record, Currently ranked #2 at 174 lbs

152 lbs - Isaiah White (Oak Park-River Forest, IL) Notre Dame College/University of Nebraska; DII National Champion, 3x NCAA qualifier, 2019 NCAA fifth-place, 2020 NWCA First-Team All-American; 70-21 career record

160 lbs - Alex Marinelli (Graham, OH) University of Iowa; 2x NCAA All-American; 2020 NWCA First-Team All-American, 3x Big Ten champion, 3x NCAA #1 seed; 80-10 career record, Currently ranked #1 at 165 lbs

170 lbs - Anthony Valencia (St. John Bosco, CA) Arizona State University; 2021 NCAA eighth-place finisher, 4x Pac-12 Champion, 4x NCAA qualifier, 107-26 career record; Currently ranked #6 at 165 lbs

182 lbs - Zahid Valencia (St. John Bosco, CA) Arizona State University; 2x NCAA Champion, 3x NCAA All-American, 3x Pac-12 Champion, 121-3 career record

195 lbs - Dylan Reynolds (Saegertown, PA) Edinboro University; 76-55 career record

220 lbs - David Showunmi (Blair Academy, NJ) Stanford University; 40-28 career record

285 lbs - Kevin Vough (Elyria, OH) South Dakota State University; Redshirted in 2017-18

2013 Champions

106 lbs - Tyler Warner (Claymont, OH) Wheeling Jesuit/Pitt-Johnstown/West Liberty University; 2x NCAA DII National Champion, 3x DII All-American; 74-12 career record; Currently ranked #2 at 133 lbs in DII

113 lbs - Spencer Lee (Franklin Regional, PA) University of Iowa; 3x NCAA Champion, 2x Big Ten Champion, 2x Hodge Trophy Winner, 75-5 career record; Currently ranked #1 at 125 lbs

120 lbs - Ke-Shawn Hayes (Park Hill, MO) Ohio State University, 2x NCAA Qualifier, 20108 NCAA Round of 12 finisher, 58-21 career record

126 lbs - Matt Kolodzik (Blair Academy, NJ) Princeton University, 3x NCAA All-American, 2020 NWCA First-Team All-American, 3x EIWA Champion, 99-15 career record

132 lbs - Zahid Valencia (St. John Bosco, CA) Arizona State University; 2x NCAA Champion, 3x NCAA All-American, 3x Pac-12 Champion, 121-3 career record

138 lbs - Joey McKenna (Blair Academy, NJ) Stanford University/Ohio State University; 3x NCAA All-American; 2x Big Ten Champion, 2x Pac-12 Champion, 105-11 career record

145 lbs - Micah Jordan (Graham, OH) Ohio State University; 3x NCAA All-American, 3x Big Ten runner-up, 115-21 career record

152 lbs - Jacob Danishek (Dayton Christian, OH) Indiana University; 2017 NCAA Qualifier, 73-48 career record

160 lbs - Dylan Milonas (Blair Academy, NJ) Lehigh University; 3-0 career record

170 lbs - Anthony Valencia (St. John Bosco, CA) Arizona State University; 2021 NCAA eighth-place finisher, 4x Pac-12 Champion, 4x NCAA qualifier, 107-26 career record; Currently ranked #6 at 165 lbs

182 lbs - Bo Nickal (Allen, TX) Penn State University, 3x NCAA Champion, 4x NCAA finalist, 2019 Hodge Trophy winner, 3x Big Ten champion, 120-3 career record

195 lbs - Derek White (Edmond North, OK) University of Nebraska/Oklahoma State University, 2019 NCAA runner-up, 2x Big 12 Champion, 83-18 career record

220 lbs - Edgar Ruano (Montini Catholic, IL) Clarion University; 23-42 career record

285 lbs - Michael Johnson (Montini Catholic, IL) Yale University football/Duke University; 8-5 career record

College Choices for Walsh Ironman Placewinners

Sun, 12 Dec 2021 14:11:19 +0000

Ohio State recruit Nick Feldman (left) and Iowa recruit Kolby Franklin (photo courtesy of Sam Janicki; SJanickiPhoto.com)

Friday and Saturday the Walsh Ironman took place in Akron, Ohio. The Ironman marks the unofficial kickoff to the high school wrestling season. It has become commonly known as the toughest in-season high school tournament. Dozens of ranked wrestlers marked most of the 14 weight classes. As always, plenty of upsets occurred and stars were made. Below is a list of colleges that already have commitments from wrestlers that placed in the top-eight at the Ironman.

Army West Point

Braden Basile (Tampa Jesuit, FL) -- 3rd at 132 lbs

Bucknell

Murphy Menke (Ponderosa, CO) -- 4th at 157 lbs

Logan Shephard (Massillon Perry, OH) -- 2nd at 215 lbs

Campbell

Dom Baker (New Kent, VA) -- 3rd at 165 lbs

Clarion

Nate Burnett (Elyria, OH) -- 4th at 138 lbs

Columbia

Richard Fedalen (McDonogh, MD) -- 2nd at 150 lbs

Harvard

Dante Frinzi (Bethlehem Catholic, PA) -- 6th at 126 lbs

Illinois

Kannon Webster (Washington, IL) -- 2nd at 126 lbs (Class of 2023)

Indiana

Tyler Lillard (Aurora, OH) -- 4th at 165 lbs

Iowa

Kolby Franklin (Wyoming Seminary, PA) -- 2nd at 285 lbs

Iowa State

Connor Euton (Westerville North, OH) -- 5th at 157 lbs

Little Rock

Brendon Abdon (Lake Gibson, FL) -- 7th at 157 lbs

Kyle Dutton (Liberty, MO) -- 2nd at 144 lbs

Stephen Little (Union County, KY) -- 5th at 190 lbs

Brennan Van Hoecke (Palmetto Ridge, FL) -- 3rd at 138 lbs

Maryland

Kal Miller (Park Hill, MO) -- 4th at 144 lbs

Mercyhurst

Billy Smith (Sandusky Perkins, OH) -- 6th at 113 lbs

Michigan

Rylan Rogers (Coeur d'Alene, ID) -- 2nd at 190 lbs

Missouri

Ryan Boersma (Mt. Carmel, IL) -- 5th at 285 lbs

Navy

Nick Vafiadis (New Kent, VA) -- 6th at 157 lbs

Danny Wask (Blair Academy, NJ) -- 4th at 175 lbs

NC State

Dylan Fishback (Aurora, OH) -- 1st at 190 lbs

North Carolina

Nasir Bailey (Rich Township, IL) -- 1st at 132 lbs (Class of 2023)

Danny Nini (Lake Highland Prep, FL) -- 3rd at 144 lbs

Northern Colorado

Andrew Donahue (Olentangy Liberty, OH) -- 8th at 190 lbs

Ohio

Derek Raike (Point Pleasant, WV) -- 3rd at 150 lbs

Ohio State

Gavin Brown (Legacy Christian Academy, OH) -- 8th at 150 lbs

Nick Feldman (Malvern Prep, PA) -- 1st at 285 lbs

Luke Geog (St. Edward, OH) -- 3rd at 175 lbs

Brendan McCrone (Lake Catholic, OH) -- 7th at 120 lbs

Seth Shumate (Dublin Coffman, OH) -- 4th at 190 lbs

Rocco Welsh (Waynesburg, PA) -- 1st at 165 lbs

Oklahoma

Christian Forbes (Broken Arrow, OK) -- 6th at 106 lbs

Oregon State

Gabe Whisenhunt (Crescent Valley, OR) -- 5th at 126 lbs

Penn

Evan Bennett (St. Edward, OH) -- 6th at 165 lbs

Princeton

Christopher Martino (Bishop Kelly, ID) -- 6th at 132 lbs

Purdue

Joey Blaze (Perrysburg, OH) -- 5th Place at 144 lbs (Class of 2023)

Stanford

Daniel Cardenas (Pomona, CO) -- 1st at 150 lbs

Jack Darrah (Wyoming Seminary, PA) -- 3rd at 215 lbs

Wyatt Richter (St. Edward, OH) -- 8th at 113 lbs

Virginia:

Peyton Fenton (Elyria, OH) --6th at 120 lbs

Virginia Tech

Mac Church (Waynesburg, PA) -- 2nd at 132 lbs (Class of 2023)

Tom Crook (Tampa Jesuit, FL) -- 7th at 138 lbs

TJ Stewart (Blair Academy, NJ) -- 1st at 215 lbs

West Virginia

Brody Conley (Tiffin Columbian, OH) -- 1st at 175 lbs

Wisconsin

James Rowley (Crescent Valley, OR) -- 2nd at 175 lbs

Wyoming

Logan Ours (Beaver Local, OH) -- 2nd at 157 lbs

Cornell Robinson to be Named Head Coach at Wyoming Seminary

Mon, 30 Aug 2021 16:44:59 +0000

Cornell Robinson (right) at the 2018 Walsh Ironman (Photo Courtesy of Sam Janicki; SJanickiPhoto.com)

About three weeks after we reported that Wyoming Seminary's head coach Scott Green was leaving the program to pursue a coaching position with Army West Point, the school filled their vacancy by hiring Cornell Robinson as its next head coach.

Robinson comes to Wyoming Seminary after serving as the head coach at Christian Brothers College High School in St. Louis, Missouri. He has led the Christian Brothers program since the 2014-15 season. Along the way, Robinson's team captured Missouri state titles in the 2018 and 2019 seasons.

In addition to his high school coaching accolades, Robinson and his wrestlers have enjoyed success on the international stage. Joshua Saunders made a Cadet and Junior World Team while at CBC in 2018. Cevion Severado was a Junior World silver medalist in 2017 in Greco Roman. Severado also captured a gold medal at the Pan-American Championships the following year. Robinson has become an integral part of USA Wrestling's coaching staff. He was a coach on the 2021 Cadet World team that finished second in men's freestyle with six world medalists. One of those medalists was another of his CBC wrestlers, Luke Lilledahl. Luke was a silver medalist at 48 kg.

Robinson will take over a team that is expected to contend for a National Prep title and the number one spot in the national high school rankings. At least eight members of the 2021-22 team are currently in the national rankings, courtesy of MatScouts.

Where Does Kennedy Blades go After High School?

Fri, 27 Aug 2021 15:02:00 +0000

2021 Junior World Champion Kennedy Blades (Photo courtesy of Tony Rotundo; WrestlersAreWarriors.com)

Last Friday, Kennedy Blades showed the rest of the world what wrestling fans in the United States have known for years. Not only was she capable of winning a world title, but she's the next big thing in women's wrestling. That'll happen when you cap an incredible Junior World Tournament with a : 16-second fall in the finals. In reality, the fall probably should have been called in half that time, but you can excuse an official who is not accustomed to seeing such a performance in a gold medal match.

Blades' 16-second fall over Germany's Lilly Schneider wasn't the only dominating showing of the tournament. It was almost par for the course. None of her four opponents managed a single point and only one was able to survive past the first period.

A couple months ago, at the Olympic Team Trials, Blades made the best-of-three finals by downing 2019 Final X participant Alex Glaude, 5-0, before teching two-time world team member Forrest Molinari, 11-1. Though she fell in the Trials finals, Blades acquitted herself against eventual Olympic Gold Medalist Tamyra Stock-Mensah, better than almost anyone in the world. Past Senior world medalists and champions couldn't amass the five points she tallied on Mensah-Stock over two matches.

Not bad for a high school senior! (or junior at the time of the Trials)

So the question is, "What Next," for Blades? A possible berth on the Senior World Team in 2021 at 72 kg and the U23 World Championships are on the docket in the short term, but we're talking about after that.

If Blades were a boy growing up in America, every major DI program in the nation would have fought for her services. Similar to the warranted hype surrounding Gable Steveson coming out of high school in 2018. Chances are, with the way that recruiting works, she would have already committed to one of those DI superpowers. But, since only two "true" DI schools have women's wrestling (Presbyterian and Sacred Heart), projecting her future plans gets a little murky.

We've come up with a couple possible pathways for Blades and her long-term plans.

1) Go to the US Olympic & Paralympic Training Center

Traditionally, this has been a route for women's wrestlers with talent levels close to Blades (though there are not many). The women's national team coaches are excellent, so it would certainly be a good decision, strictly wrestling-wise, for Blades to work closely with Terry Steiner, Clarrisa Chun, Jessica Medina, and crew on a daily basis. Two Olympic finalists around Blades' weight, Mensah-Stock and Adeline Gray, also train out of Colorado Springs. You couldn't ask for better partners than those two. Other high-quality women around that range are also in the Springs.

Now looking forward to 2024, Blades would have to go through either Mensah-Stock or Gray to make the Olympic team (if both are still wrestling). That probably isn't an immediate concern, though. She won her world title at the non-Olympic weight 72 kg.

A caveat to this is that on the Baschamania podcast, released yesterday, Blades mentioned her desire to "go to the same college" as her sister, Korina. Which leads us to other avenues.

2) Take the traditional Women's Collegiate Wrestling Route

There are plenty of great options for Blades if she wants to wrestle in college at a school with an existing program. Heck, if she doesn't want to leave her home state (Illinois), she can find McKendree and North Central. Both are relatively young programs that have torn up the recruiting trail and have teams that will vie for national team titles. Outside of Illinois, King University, Simon Fraser, and Campbellsville all put wrestlers on the 2020 Olympic Team and consistently have national title threats.

There's something to be said about being part of a team and going straight to the Olympic Training Center may not be for everyone. As fans, we tend to overlook our favorite athletes' personal lives and pretend they are robots, just focused on wrestling. Would living on a campus with three other teammates, doing the everyday things that college students do, be best for her long-term development as a person? Really, only Kennedy and those closest to her know the answer.

From a strictly wrestling standpoint, does rolling through collegiate competition benefit her most? I know matches aren't wrestled on paper, but Blades has crushed domestic competition at her age group for years. We have to mention another 2021 World Champion, Emily Shilson, who has gone this route and wrestles for Augsburg. Shilson was a mega-star at the age-group level and obviously, wrestling in college hasn't hampered her development.

Maybe a rivalry with fellow Junior World Champions Amit Elor or Kylie Welker could develop if any of the three are at the same collegiate weights? That could go a long way in growing a fanbase for women's college wrestling.

3) RTC/Powerhouse Colleges

As mentioned earlier, the Penn State's and Iowa's of the world, ones that would typically be all over a recruit of Blades' stature, currently do not offer women's wrestling. But there are plenty of RTC's that have had success with women's wrestlers. Arizona State/Sunkist Kids, Penn State/NLWC, Oregon State/Dam RTC, North Carolina/Tar Heel WC, Virginia Tech/SERTC, Iowa's Hawkeye Wrestling Club previously had a large contingent.

In today's mailbag, Willie mentioned how there is plenty of traction behind the scenes for Power 5 and Ivy League schools to add women's wrestling. Could Blades attend one of these schools and train with their RTC's, hoping they will add? Or maybe she joins an RTC without going to school at the affiliated University.

At the Olympic Trials, there were whispers that a prominent DI school that is pushing for women's wrestling already had visions of Blades wrestling in their singlet. Doing that would be a combination of these options.

Don't rule out Blades doing more than one of these items. Maybe she goes to the OPTC for a year, while the college administrators are getting their ducks in a row, regarding adding women's wrestling. Then goes to school. Or goes to school and then the OPTC.

However, this plays out, it will be fascinating, as this is a scenario that we have not encountered thus far with a girl's high school wrestling prodigy of Blades' caliber. We'd be remiss not to mention her fellow world champions Elor and Welker. Like Kennedy, both are still in high school and already have gold medals at a U20 world bracket. They will both have similar options and decisions to make. Hopefully, all of these young women have the people closest to them giving them the best information to make the best decision for their respective situations.

NWHOF Announces Dave Schultz High School Excellence Award Regional Winners

Tue, 27 Jul 2021 22:12:04 +0000

The National Wrestling Hall of Fame on Tuesday announced the regional winners of the Dave Schultz High School Excellence Award (DSHSEA).

The DSHSEA was established in 1996 to honor Olympic and World champion Dave Schultz, whose career was cut short when he was murdered in January 1996. He was inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame as a Distinguished Member in 1997 and as a member of the United World Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2016.

The award recognizes and celebrates the nation's most outstanding high school senior male wrestlers for their excellence in wrestling, scholastic achievement, citizenship, and community service.

Winners are evaluated and selected on the basis of three criteria: success and standout performances and sportsmanship in wrestling; review of GPA and class rank, academic honors and distinctions; and participation in activities that demonstrate commitment to character and community.

The national winner of the DSHSEA will be announced on August 10. The regional winners of the Tricia Saunders High School Excellence Award (TSHSEA) are scheduled to be announced on Wednesday. The TSHSEA recognizes and celebrates the nation's most outstanding high school senior female wrestlers for their excellence in wrestling, scholastic achievement, citizenship, and community service. The TSHSEA national winner will be announced on August 11.

The regions and the states that they are comprised of are:

West (11) - Alaska, Arizona, California, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington and Wyoming

Midwest (10) - Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota and Wisconsin

Central (7) - Arkansas, Colorado, Kansas, Missouri, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas
Southeast (10) - Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia

Northeast (11) - Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and Vermont
2021 Dave Schultz High School Excellence Award Regional Winners

Central Region: Tate Picklo of Mustang, Oklahoma, is a two-time Oklahoma state champion and a four-time state finalist. After losing in the state finals as a freshman in 2018, he won 118 matches in a row before being forced to injury default in the state finals as a senior after re-injuring his left kneecap and being unable to continue. The son of Brian and Betty Picklo, he will continue his wrestling career at the University of Oklahoma. In 2019, he finished seventh at the Cadet Junior World Championships and was second in Greco-Roman and third in freestyle at the Cadet Nationals. Picklo won the freestyle title and finished third in Greco-Roman at the Cadet Nationals in 2018. In 2021, he was named the Jim Thorpe High School Player of the Year for wrestling and earned all-state honors. Picklo was the Class 6A Outstanding Wrestler at the 2020 Oklahoma State High School Championships and was also named All-Big City Wrestler of the Year. He ranked first in his class and was valedictorian while also serving as a leader in his youth group at Chisholm Heights Baptist Church.

Midwest Region: Alex Facundo of Davison, Michigan, is a four-time Michigan state champion who helped Davison High School capture the state team title in 2021, its first team title since 2006. The son of Pablo and Julie Facundo, he will continue his wrestling career at Penn State University. Facundo won the United World Wrestling Freestyle Championship in 2018 and 2019 and earned bronze medals at the Cadet World Championships in 2018 and 2019. He was the Freestyle Nationals champion in 2017 and won the Super 32 in 2018. He was academic all-state and selected as the Greater Flint Kiwanis Student Athlete of the Month. Facundo's invitation to train with the USA Wrestling EAP program for a full year before the Olympics was cancelled because of the pandemic. Facundo volunteers at Lighthouse Rehabilitation Center, an organization that is very important to him as his mother suffered a traumatic brain injury.

Northeast Region: Shayne Van Ness of Branchburg, New Jersey, wrestles for Blair Academy and is a two-time National Prep Open champion. The son of Rodney and Dawn Van Ness, he will continue his wrestling career at Penn State University. Van Ness was 23-0 and won the Who's #1 and the National Prep Open in 2019-20 while finishing 36-1 and winning Super 32, Beast of the East and the Ironman in 18-19. In 2017-18, he was 24-1 and won four tournaments. Van Ness volunteers as a Big Brother leader while also working as a tour guide.

Southeast Region: Caden McCrary of Cartersville, Georgia, is a four-time Georgia state champion who led Woodland High School to three dual and three traditional state championships. The son of Jason and Melanie McCrary, he will continue his wrestling career at the University of North Carolina. UNC is coached by Coleman Scott, who was the national winner of the Dave Schultz High School Excellence Award in 2004. McCrary had a career record of 182-2 while also capturing a Super 32 championship as a senior. He finished third in Greco-Roman and third in freestyle at Junior Nationals as a junior. McCrary volunteers with the United Way and his local church while also tutoring and mentoring.

West Region: Richard Figueroa II of Sanger, California, is a three-time California state champion for Selma High School. The son of Richard Figueroa and Frances Santillan, he will continue his wrestling career at Arizona State University. Figueroa did not compete in the state tournament in 2021 because the California Interscholastic Federation did not host events because of the pandemic, but did capture the Junior National Championship. He won a silver medal at the World Cadet Championships in 2018 and returned to compete in 2019. He volunteers at Panda preschool and was a member of the honor roll throughout his high school career. Figueroa has received an academic and athletic scholarship and plans to get his bachelor's degree in criminology and his master's degree in education-counseling.

The Hall of Fame accepts nominations for its high school excellence awards from state chapters and coaches. The nominations are reviewed by a committee, which selects state and regional winners. The committee then determines the national winners from the regional winners.

National winners of the DSHSEA award have combined to win 20 NCAA Division I individual titles led by four-time champion Logan Stieber (2010), three-time winner Zain Retherford (2013) and two-time winners Steven Mocco (2001), David Taylor (2009) and Teyon Ware (2002). The 2018 winner David Carr won a title in 2021 while 2016 winner Mark Hall II won an NCAA title as a freshman in 2017 and 2015 winner Zahid Valencia won back-to-back championships in 2018 and 2019.

2021 Dave Schultz High School Excellence Award State Winners

State - Name, High School, Hometown, College Attending
Alabama - Mason Blackwell, Wetumpka High School, Wetumpka
Alaska - Jared Hopkins, Colony High School, Palmer, Campbell University
Arizona - Ramon Ramos, Casteel High School, Gilbert, Arizona State
Arkansas - Caleb Winston, Greenbrier High School, Greenbrier
California - Richard Figueroa II, Selma High School, Sanger, Arizona State
Colorado - Vince Cornella, Monarch High School, Lafayette, Cornell
Connecticut - Nico Provo, Greens Farms Academy, Stutford, Cornell
Delaware - Kevin Hudson, Caesar Rodney High School, Dover
Florida - Jaekus Hines, Osceola High School, Kissimmee, Appalachian State
Georgia - Caden McCrary, Woodland High School, Dalton, University of North Carolina
Hawaii - Branden Pagurayan, Kapolei High School, Kapolei, Wyoming
Idaho - Drew Roberts, Coeur d'Alene High School, Coeur d'Alene, Minnesota
Illinois - Dean Hamiti, Joilet Catholic Academy, Joliet, University of Wisconsin
Indiana - Alex Cottey, Perry Meridian High School, Indianapolis, University of Tennessee-Chattanooga
Iowa - Drake Ayala, Fort Dodge High School, Fort Dodge, University of Iowa
Kansas â€“ Jared Simma, St. Thomas Aquinas High School, Shawnee, University of Northern Iowa
Kentucky - Spencer Moore, Walton-Verona High School, Crittenden, University of North Carolina
Louisiana - Peyton Ward, Saint Paul's School, Covington
Maine - Joshua Cote, Noble High School, Lesanon, University of Southern Maine
Maryland - Cooper Flynn, McDonogh School, Seymour, Virginia Tech
Massachusetts - Max Leete, Danvers High School, Danvers, American University
Michigan - Alex Facundo, Davison High School, Davison, Penn State
Minnesota - Derrick Cardinal, Forest Lake High School, Forest Lake, South Dakota State
Missouri - Nathan Pulliman, Rolla High School, Rolla, University of Missouri
Montana - Cooper Birdwell, Fergus High School, Lewistown, Oklahoma State
Nebraska - Evan Canoyer, Waverly High School, Walton, Cornell University
Nevada - Devin Griffen, Spanish Springs High School, Sparks, Reinhardt University
New Hampshire - Conor Maslanek, Pelham High School, Pelham, Campbell University
New Jersey - Shayne Van Ness, Blair Academy, Branchburg, Penn State
New Mexico - Alex Holguin, Cobre High School, Bayard, Colorado Mesa University
New York - Stevo Poulin, Shenendehowa High School, Shenendehowa, North Carolina State
North Carolina - Richard Treanor, William Amos Hough High School, Cornelius, U.S. Military Academy
North Dakota - Reece Barnhardt, St. Mary's Central High School, Bismark, University of Mary
Ohio - Padraic Gallagher, Lakewood St. Edward High School, Chesterland, Ohio State
Oklahoma - Tate Picklo, Mustang High School, Mustang, University of Oklahoma
Oregon - Chance Lamer, Crescent Valley High School, Corvallis, University of Michigan
Pennsylvania - Alejandro Herrera-Rondon, Seneca Valley High School, Zelienople, University of Oklahoma
Rhode Island - Nicholas Fine, Bishop Hendricken High School, Cumberland, Columbia University
South Carolina - Chris Compton, James F. Byrnes High School, Wellford
South Dakota - Sam Kruger, Winner High School, Kimball, South Dakota State
Tennessee - Alex Whitworth, McCallie School, Dalton, Harvard
Texas - Braxton Brown, Allen High School, Allen, University of Maryland
Utah - Lucas Cochran, Box Elder High School, Perry, Penn State
Vermont - Sam Worthing, Fair Haven Union High School, Poultney
Virginia - Erik Roggie, St. Christopher's School, Smithfield, University of Virginia
Washington - Steele Starren, Tahoma High School, Maple Valley
West Virginia - Gavin Quiocho, Parkersburg South High School, Glenville State College
Wisconsin - Matty Bianchi, Two Rivers High School, Two Rivers, University of Arkansas â€“ Little Rock
Wyoming - Analu Benabise, Kelly Walsh High School, Casper, University of Wyoming

All-Time National Winners of Dave Schultz High School Excellence Award

2020 - Braxton Amos, Parkersburg South High School, Mineral Wells, West Virginia
2019 - Cohlton Schultz, Ponderosa High School, Parker, Colorado (Greco-Roman Cadet World Champion)
2018 - David Carr, Perry High School, Massillon, Ohio (NCAA Champion and Junior World Champion)
2017 - Daton Fix, Charles Page High School, Sand Springs, Oklahoma (Junior World Champion)
2016 - Mark Hall II, Apple Valley High School, Apple Valley, Minnesota (NCAA Champion and 2X Junior World Champion)
2015 - Zahid Valencia, St. John Bosco High School, Bellflower, California (2X NCAA Champion and Junior World Silver Medalist)
2014 - Chance Marsteller, Kennard-Dale High School, Fawn Grove, Pennsylvania
2013 - Zain Retherford, Benton Area High School, Benton, Pennsylvania (3X NCAA Champion)
2012 - Taylor Massa, St. Johns High School, St. Johns, Michigan
2011 - Morgan McIntosh, Calvary Chapel High School, Santa Ana, California
2010 - Logan Stieber, Monroeville High School, Monroeville, Ohio (World Champion and 4X NCAA Champion)
2009 - David Taylor, Graham High School, St. Paris, Ohio (World Champion and 2X NCAA Champion)
2008 - Jason Chamberlain, Springville High School, Springville, Utah
2007 - Zachary Sanders, Wabasha-Kellogg High School, Wabasha, Minnesota
2006 - David Craig, Brandon High School, Brandon, Florida
2005 - Troy Nickerson, Chenango Forks High School, Chenango Forks, New York (NCAA Champion)
2004 - Coleman Scott, Waynesburg High School, Waynesburg, Pennsylvania (NCAA Champion and Olympic bronze medalist)
2003 - C.P. Schlatter, St. Paul Graham High School, Urbana, Ohio
2002 - Teyon Ware, Edmond North High School, Edmond, Oklahoma (2X NCAA Champion)
2001 - Steven Mocco, Blair Academy, Blairstown, New Jersey (2X NCAA Champion and Olympian)
2000 - Ben Connell, Lugoff-Elgin High School, Lugoff, South Carolina
1999 - Zach Roberson, Blue Valley North West High School, Overland Park, Kansas (NCAA Champion)
1998 - Garrett Lowney, Freedom High School, Appleton, Wisconsin (2X Olympian)
Justin Ruiz, Taylorsville High School, Salt Lake City, Utah (Olympian)
1997 - Jeff Knupp, Walsh Jesuit High School, Akron, Ohio
1996 - David Kjeldgaard, Lewis Central High School, Council Bluffs, Iowa

VA HOF Coach Swink to Lead Connellsville (PA) High School

Thu, 24 Jun 2021 12:37:05 +0000

Bill Swink (right) with Patrick Grayson who later wrestled at Nebraska

InterMat has learned that Virginia Hall of Fame wrestling coach Bill Swink has been named the head coach at Connellsville Area High School in Connellsville, Pennsylvania. Connellsville has a long history of success as they have qualified for every WPIAL (Western Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic League) team tournament since its inception in 1979.

For more on Swink...

Bill Swink began his coaching career in 1985 at Connellsville Junior High West. He coached there until 1991 when he moved to Virginia with his wife Andrea. While in Virginia, he continued to coach for 25 years, six of those as an assistant high school coach and 19 years as a head high school coach.

Swink spent most of his years as the head coach at Colonial Forge High School. He went to the school in the fall of 1999, when it opened, and spent 17 years at the helm of the Eagles wrestling program. While at Colonial Forge his teams won 16 District/Conference championships, 15 Region championships and 6 State championships. His high school head coaching record stands at 427 wins, 86 losses and 2 ties. Swink's wrestlers have won 23 individual state championships and earned All State honors 130 times.

He is currently the State Chairman of VAWA (Virginia Wrestling Association) and Activities Director at Spotsylvania High School. He has been involved with USA Wrestling for many years having served on the Board of Directors and the Junior Olympic Wrestling Committee. He has been the Athletic Director of Spotsylvania High School since 2016. During his five-year stint with the Knights, Spotsylvania captured the Class 3 state baseball championship in 2018, reached the girls soccer state semifinals that same year and they rebuilt their football and wrestling programs into Battlefield District contenders. Bill is closing in on his retirement at the end of June.

He was inducted into the Virginia Chapter of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2016. In 2015 he was named USA Wrestling's State Chairperson of the Year and in 2017 received the President's Award from USA Wrestling. He was named Virginia Coach of the Year by the National Wrestling Coaches Association in 2004, 2007, 2012, and 2016.

Bill currently lives in Spotsylvania, Virginia with his wife Andrea and their daughter Natalie.

Did Mississippi Sanction High School Wrestling?

Wed, 16 Jun 2021 20:05:33 +0000

Yesterday, news made the rounds of social media stating that Mississippi had finally sanctioned wrestling at the high school level. For boys, that would make it all 50 US states that currently sanction the sport. It sounds like a reason for celebration; however, it's not entirely accurate.

Earlier today, I spoke with Lonnie Tillman, an Associate Director with the MHSAA (Mississippi High School Activities Association), Mississippi's governing body. He was accommodating in answering my questions surrounding this news regarding high school wrestling in the state.

The MHSAA has already sanctioned wrestling, but to this date, they haven't sponsored a state tournament or a postseason. Tillman says wrestling "has always been sanctioned by the MHSAA." He was unable to estimate what "always" entails, but adds the program at Ocean Springs had been in operation for over a decade. The city sits on the Gulf and is located about 60 miles west of Mobile, Alabama and an equal distance east of the Louisiana border. The school will travel to both states to wrestle. The only other known program in Mississippi is the Mississippi School for the Blind, which is located in Jackson.

If you were to check out the MHSAA website, there is a tab for wrestling, along with other sanctioned sports; however, there's no additional information.

After a meeting in early June, the organization has agreed to sponsor a statewide "Invitational" tournament. Tillman stressed that this is not a "true" state tournament and no state titles will be awarded by his organization. It's unclear exactly how the tournament will run. Tillman estimates that it could have some form of a North vs. South theme. The invitational will take place during the 2021-22 school year.

Some other good news is that a girls state tournament will be offered, with the same caveats as above. Girls wrestling has not been sanctioned in Mississippi as per the information provided by Wrestle Like a Girl.

The Mississippi wrestling community has been told that they will need a third of the member schools to participate in wrestling for a true state championship to be held and awarded. Tillman has been told that at least 14 or 15 additional schools plan on fielding teams in the 2021-22 season. Currently, the state has about 240 high schools. That would require a total of 80 schools to pledge to offer the sport.

Multiple members of the MHSAA confided that facilities seem to be a considerable issue with starting the sport on a statewide basis. A significant percentage of schools in the state were built 30-40 years ago and with only one gymnasium. Aside from basketball; cheerleading, dance, and volleyball also fight for those spaces. While many high school wrestling teams face hurdles like these, these spatial issues are significant concerns for athletic directors and school board members who must approve funding for a new wrestling team.

They also stated that the lack of a wrestling culture in-state has hindered its growth. There are very few Mississippi residents that hail from other states, so it's difficult to garner interest in a sport that has never existed in-state and even more of a task to find able coaches. One of the organizations at the center of this push, the Mississippi Wrestling Foundation, is working to change this and help the sport grow in-state. Tillman has noticed interest in wrestling increasing in the Tupelo and Oxford areas.

Overall, this is good news for the Mississippi wrestling community. There are more high school teams on the horizon and an opportunity to compete in a postseason, even if not "official" in the eyes of the administrators. Seeing the possibilities of a postseason will make adding the sport more of a chance for all schools without a team.

NFHS Releases Weight Class Options for Boys and Girls

Tue, 20 Apr 2021 16:29:43 +0000

INDIANAPOLIS, IN (April 20, 2021) States will have a choice of 12, 13 or 14 weight classes for both boys and girls competition in high school wrestling, effective with the 2023-24 season.

This will be the first separate weight classes established for girls in high school wrestling, and it marks the first time that state associations will have a choice in the number of weight classes.

The landmark change in weight classes was one of several significant revisions recommended by the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) Wrestling Rules Committee at its April 7-9 meeting held virtually this year. All recommendations were subsequently approved by the NFHS Board of Directors.

States must select one of the three sets (12, 13 or 14) of weight classes for girls and one of the three sets (12, 13 or 14) for boys. States cannot adopt all three sets and cannot switch back and forth during the season.

The following weight classes (in pounds) were established for girls competition (girls wrestling girls), effective July 1, 2023:

12 Weight Classes - 100, 107, 114, 120, 126, 132, 138, 145, 152, 165, 185, 235.
13 Weight Classes - 100, 106, 112, 118, 124, 130, 136, 142, 148, 155, 170, 190, 235.
14 Weight Classes - 100, 105, 110, 115, 120, 125, 130, 135, 140, 145, 155, 170, 190, 235

The following weight classes (in pounds) were established for boys competition (boys wrestling boys or girls wrestling boys), effective July 1, 2023:

12 Weight Classes - 108, 116, 124, 131, 138, 145, 152, 160, 170, 190, 215, 285
13 Weight Classes - 107, 114, 121, 127, 133, 139, 145, 152, 160, 172, 189, 215, 285
14 Weight Classes - 106, 113, 120, 126, 132, 138, 144, 150, 157, 165, 175, 190, 215, 285

"Previous surveys have indicated a varying number of weight classes that states wanted, so the committee attempted to meet the needs of as many people as possible," said Elliot Hopkins, NFHS director of sports and student services and liaison to the Wrestling Rules Committee. "We have more and more state associations sponsoring girls wrestling and holding state championships for girls, so the committee believed it was time to establish uniform weight classifications for girls.

"The recommended weights were established based upon more than 215,000 assessments from the National Wrestling Coaches Association. We are excited about these changes to weight classes in high school wrestling as we believe it will provide more opportunities for male and female student-athletes to be involved in this great sport."

In another major change affecting risk minimization, a separate 5-minute time-out has been established for the onsite health-care professional to evaluate potential head and neck injuries involving the cervical column (HNC) and/or nervous system.
"There was a desire to establish a separate injury time-out that concerns the head and neck involving the cervical column and/or nervous system and not connect it with the existing 1Â½-minute injury time-outs or any other stoppage of the match," Hopkins said. "This separate time-out is supported and covered in existing rules that give the referee the authority to observe the signs, symptoms and behaviors of a concussion and respond appropriately."

As a result of the separate HNC time-out, which takes effect next year, a number of other rules in the 2021-22 NFHS Wrestling Rules Book will be altered.

The other significant change in high school wrestling rules for 2021-22 addresses the number of matches allowed in one day of competition. Currently, no wrestler shall represent the school in more than one weight class in any meet or wrestle in more than five matches, excluding forfeits, in any one day of competition.

A change provides an exception to Rule 1-4-3 as follows: "No wrestler shall wrestle in more than six matches (championship or consolation), excluding forfeits, in any one day of a tournament conducted by the state high school association for qualification to the state high school championships or the specific state championships."

This change was enacted as a result of a successful experiment by the Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association. Hopkins said that increasing the number of matches from five to six would allow postseason tournaments with more than eight competitors in a weight class to complete the tournament in one day. He said, in many cases, this change would eliminate the need for schools to stay overnight to participate in respective state qualifying tournaments and state championship events.

"Since this exception would only allow six matches per day to be wrestled in the postseason qualifying tournament or state championship event, the impact on the total number of matches that an individual wrestles in an entire season would be minimal," Hopkins said. "We do not want to extend this change to the regular season, and this exception would not come into play for the majority of participants."

Two other minor changes were made in the rules for next year. Rule 4-5-7 no longer will require low-cut socks to be worn as a part of the weigh-in procedure, and one change was made in Rule 5-1-1 dealing with choice of position during bad time.
A complete listing of the wrestling rules changes will be available on the NFHS website at www.nfhs.org. Click on "Activities & Sports" at the top of the home page and select "Wrestling."

According to the most recent NFHS High School Athletics Participation Survey, wrestling is the seventh-most popular sport for boys with 247,441 participants in 10,843 schools. In addition, a total of 21,124 girls are involved in the sport in 2,890 schools.

About the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS)
The NFHS, based in Indianapolis, Indiana, is the national leadership organization for high school sports and performing arts activities. Since 1920, the NFHS has led the development of education-based interscholastic sports and performing arts activities that help students succeed in their lives. The NFHS sets direction for the future by building awareness and support, improving the participation experience, establishing consistent standards and rules for competition, and helping those who oversee high school sports and activities. The NFHS writes playing rules for 17 sports for boys and girls at the high school level. Through its 50 member state associations and the District of Columbia, the NFHS reaches more than 19,500 high schools and 12 million participants in high school activity programs, including almost eight million in high school sports. As the recognized national authority on interscholastic activity programs, the NFHS conducts national meetings; sanctions interstate events; offers online publications and services for high school coaches and officials; sponsors professional organizations for high school coaches, officials, speech and debate coaches, and music adjudicators; serves as the national source for interscholastic coach training; and serves as a national information resource of interscholastic athletics and activities. For more information, visit the NFHS website at www.nfhs.org.

North Dakota adds girls high school wrestling as sanctioned sport

Wed, 31 Mar 2021 14:39:56 +0000

Another state is adding girls high school wrestling as a sanctioned sport.

The North Dakota High School Activities Association Board of Directors met Tuesday and voted to approve the sanctioning of girls wrestling as a NDHSAA-sponsored sport starting in the 2021-22 school year. North Dakota becomes the 30th state high school association to sanction girls wrestling.

North Dakota has held non-sanctioned girls high school state wrestling championships for the past five years. Over 50 female wrestlers competed in the most recent non-sanctioned girls high school state wrestling championships held last month at the Fargodome.

Last season, North Dakota had about 80 girls participating in wrestling, which was up from about 20 in 2015-16.

High School National Recruiting Showcase, USA Wrestling Girls Folkstyle Nationals set for Coralville, Iowa, March 25-28

Thu, 04 Feb 2021 17:36:49 +0000

Xtream Arena has been the home to several wrestling events (Photo/Iowa City Area Sports Commission)

USA Wrestling is proud to announce that two major national events will be held at the Xtream Arena & GreenState Family Fieldhouse in Coralville, Iowa, March 25-28.

The new USA Wrestling High School National Recruiting Showcase will be held there March 25-27, alongside the annual USA Wrestling Girls Folkstyle Nationals, set for March 27-28.

Competition will be held March 26-28, with March 25 as a weigh-in day for high school boys competing in the High School National Recruiting Showcase.

The USA Wrestling High School National Recruiting Showcase is the culmination of a nine-event series for high school boys and girls. Current and past state champions and National Prep champions (any year) in grades 9-12 automatically qualify for the High School National Recruiting Showcase, but they must pre-register by March 1. The rest of the field will be set through eight qualifiers held earlier in March. Boys will compete in folkstyle, and girls will wrestle freestyle in this event.

The USA Wrestling Girls Folkstyle Nationals will feature national competition in six age divisions: USA Junior, 16U, 14U, 12U, 10U, 8U. Each year, the Girls Folkstyle Nationals is one of the largest tournaments for girls in the nation.

Numerous high school girls will have an amazing opportunity to compete in two national events during the weekend. Girls who qualify for the National Recruiting Showcase in freestyle will have the opportunity to also compete on the next day in the USA Wrestling Girls Folkstyle Nationals, which has no pre-qualification.

Registration for both events open February 4. Both of these tournaments offer a stay-to-play option, where wrestlers will earn an entry fee discount by booking a room with the host hotels first. Please be sure to book your room first, then wait 48 hours after booking your room to register. The hotels will be sending booking confirmation numbers daily which will be used to provide a discount on registration.

The Iowa City/Coralville region is considered one of the world's hotbeds for wrestling, and has hosted numerous major USA Wrestling competitions in the past. The Iowa City Area Sports Commission and Think Iowa City, the convention and visitors bureau for the Iowa City/Coralville region, is are serving as the local organizing committee. Most recently, USA Wrestling hosted its Senior Nationals in the same facility, October 9-11, 2020.

Families will want to register as soon as possible once registration opens, because there will be registration caps set for both tournaments.

Coralville's Xtream Arena is a brand new arena, officially opened in September with seating capacity of 5,100. USA Wrestling will place competition mats in both the Xtream Arena and the GreenState Family Fieldhouse in order to accommodate the large number of participants expected to compete in Coralville.

The High School National Recruiting Showcase, will be broadcast by Trackwrestling, while the USA Wrestling Girls Folkstyle Nationals will be broadcast by FloWrestling.

Tickets will be available through XtremeArena.com starting on Feb. 12. Watch for more details.

These events will be conducted following the requirements of the state and local health authorities, as well as using the safety provisions of the USA Wrestling Return to Events Guidelines. The local organizing committee is in regular communication with its partners at Johnson County public health and University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. USA Wrestling and the local organizers will monitor data and local trends closely leading up to the event.

Vermont high school wrestling season canceled

Tue, 03 Nov 2020 20:48:14 +0000

There will be no high school wrestling in Vermont in 2020-21.

The Vermont Principals' Association announced Tuesday that there will be no wrestling or indoor track seasons due to the unique challenges each sport poses.

As of now, basketball, ice hockey, alpine skiing, Nordic skiing, snowboarding, bowling, gymnastics dance and cheerleading can start practice on Nov. 30 and competition can begin on Jan. 11.

"Should data emerge that indicates COVID-19 transmission as a result of sports-related activities, this could result in further delaying or suspending games, practices, meets and competitions," secretary of the Agency of Natural Resources Julie Moore said.

Illinois high school wrestling season moved to summer season

Wed, 28 Oct 2020 20:34:50 +0000

A day after Illinois governor J.B. Pritzker Illinois Department of Public Health put Illinois high school wrestling on hold, the Illinois High School Association (IHSA) announced that the wrestling season will be moved to the summer season.

The IHSA Board of Directors held a board meeting Wednesday and announced plans for winter sports in Illinois. The wrestling season will be held from April 19 to June 26, 2021. Basketball and other winter athletics will be held during the winter months.

Illinois has reported 389,095 total COVID-19 cases with 9,619 deaths. New cases of spiked by over 6,000 on Wednesday.

The #IHSA Board of Directors held a special meeting today to provide direction on winter sports.

ðŸ¤¼ Wrestling was moved to the summer season

ðŸ€ðŸŠâ€â™‚ï¸ï¿½"ï¿½ï¿½'ï¿½ðŸŽ³ðŸ¤¸â€â™€ï¸ All other winter sports will proceed as scheduled

ï¿½"ï¿½More Infoâž¡ï¸https://t.co/FxJbZfaDkr pic.twitter.com/Xh0KR2ang7
ï¿½" IHSA #IHSA (@IHSA_IL) October 28, 2020

Matside Recap: Super 32 Challenge

Tue, 27 Oct 2020 00:11:23 +0000

Richard Mann (@richardamann) and Clay Sauertieg (@ByCSauertieg) are back to break down the finals of the Super 32 Challenge. The finals featured some of the top high school wrestlers in the country who will soon be contending for national titles on the collegiate level.

0:00 - Open
1:06 - 106: Vincent Kilkeary (PA) dec over Braeden Davis (MI) 5-2
3:28 - 113: Caden Horwath (MI) dec over PJ Duke (NY) 4-3
6:15 - 120: Cooper Flynn (TN) dec over Mason Gibson (PA) 6-1
10:07 - 126: Drake Ayala (IA) dec over Troy Spratley (NY) 3-2
14:07 - 132: Nic Bouzakis (PA) major dec over Chance Lamer (OR) 13-4
17:53 - 138: Caden McCrary (GA) dec over Levi Haines (PA) 8-2
20:26 - 145: Alek Martin (OH) dec over Rocco Welsh (PA) 6-4
23:45 - 152: Caleb Henson (GA) dec over Anthony Perrari (OK) 4-3
27:24 - 160: Dean Hamiti (IL) fall over Matthew Singleton (GA) (Performance of the Night)
21:33 - 170: Manuel Rojas (MI) dec over James Rowley (OR) 3-2
33:41 - 182: Brian Soldano (NJ) fall over Bennett Berge (MN)
36:53 - 195: Christian Carroll (IN) dec over Gavin Nelson (MN) 3-1
38:52 - 220: Bennett Tabor (MN) dec over Noah Pettigrew (GA) 3-0
41:14 - 285: Hayden Copass (IL) dec over Chase Horne (GA) 3-1
45:00 - Plugs and closing

Storylines to watch at Super 32 Challenge

Tue, 20 Oct 2020 12:43:33 +0000

Mason Gibson gets his hand raised after winning the Super 32 Challenge (Photo/Sam Janicki, SJanickiPhoto.com)

Here in the year 2020, the fact that Defense Soap Super 32 Challenge is even happening has to be considered in and of itself a victory. The event has moved from its traditional location in Greensboro, N.C. to Myrtle Beach, S.C. due to COVID-19 restrictions imposed by the governor's office in the state of North Carolina.

While a lot has changed in 2020, some things about the Super 32 Challenge remain constant. First and foremost, the field is extremely deep. Out of the top-100 overall Class of 2021 wrestlers, 39 are registered as part of the Super 32 field as of this weekend; 29 of the top 50 in the Class of 2022 are entered; 28 of the top 50 in the Class of 2023 are slated to participate; as are 15 of the top 25 in the incoming freshman group, the Class of 2024. There are also six of the top 15 rated junior high wrestlers (Class of 2025 and beyond) slated to compete in the high school division.

Also mostly unchanged is the structure of the two-day event. The high school boys' tournament will start Saturday with preliminary rounds that knock the field down to the quarterfinals of the championship bracket, with eight additional wrestlers remaining in consolation wrestling at the end of the day. It should be noted that the tournament is scheduled to be run in split session on Saturday, which is a COVID-related change. The traditional Sunday format for high school boys is expected to remain unchanged. Wrestling on both days is scheduled for an 8 a.m. ET start with coverage available through FloWrestling, and brackets on FloArena.

Below are seven themes and/or storylines to keep a look for during the competition this weekend.

P.J. Duke is the nation's No. 1 junior high wrestler (Photo/Josh Conklin)

1. Top of the Class

Three of the five wrestlers ranked No. 1 for their respective grade level are registered to compete in the tournament. Top overall junior high wrestler P.J. Duke (Minisink Valley, N.Y.) is registered in the 113-pound weight class; top overall freshman Mason Gibson (Forest Hills, Pa.) is entered at 120; while top overall junior Nic Bouzakis (Wyoming Seminary, Pa.) is in the field at 132.

Duke was champion of the 95-pound weight class in the junior high division last year as a seventh grader, before going on to win a New York State high school varsity title at 99 pounds during the scholastic season. Gibson joined Ryan Crookham in 2017 as the only wrestlers to win high school division titles as eighth graders, when he was champion at 106 pounds last October. Bouzakis earned Super 32 gold at 126 pounds last year as a sophomore, having finished third at 120 as a freshman and fifth at 106 in eighth grade.

Nic Bouzakis celebrates after winning in the finals of the Super 32 Challenge (Photo/Sam Janicki, SJanickiPhoto.com)

2. Duo of returning champions

Gibson and Bouzakis are the only wrestlers in the high school Super 32 field to have won a previous title in the high school division. Eight other wrestlers still in high school have previously won high school Super 32 titles but are not entered in this year's field. They include 2019 champions Jordan Williams (Collinsville, Okla.), Joel Vandervere (Warren Township, Ill.), and Cael Valencia (St. John Bosco, Calif.); 2018 champions Stevo Poulin (Shenendehowa, N.Y.), Richrd Figueroa (Selma, Calif.), Shayne Van Ness (Blair Academy, N.J.), and Alex Facundo (Davison, Mich.); along with 2017 champion Ryan Crookham (Bethlehem Catholic, Pa.).

Gibson moves up two weight classes from last year at this tournament, as he is entered in the 120-pound bracket. Eleven other wrestlers ranked in their respective grade level are expected in the field. Said group is led by a pair of top 50 seniors in National Prep champion Cooper Flynn (McDonogh, Md.) and two-time state champion Gary Steen (Reynolds, Pa.), along with No. 33 overall junior Nicolar Rivera (Stoughton, Wis.).

Seven top-50 sophomores also feature in the field: Sergio Lemley (Chesterton, Ind.), Tyler Vazquez (Delbarton, N.J.), Beau Mantanona (Palm Desert, Calif.), Tyler Kasak (Bethlehem Catholic, Pa.), Santino Robinson (Christian Brothers College, Mo.), Carter McCallister (Rock Bridge, Mo.), and Mac Church (Waynesburg, Pa.). Joining Gibson as a nationally ranked freshman in this field is No. 6 overall in the Class of 2024 Chris Coates (Liberty, Mo.).

Other notable contenders in the 120-pound weight class include multi-time state and Ironman placer Jacob Moon (Perrysburg, Ohio), 2018 Super 32 placer Diego Sotelo (Marmion Catholic, Ill.), state champion Joshua Koderhandt (Belleville West, Ill.), multi-time state champion Yusief Lillie (Post Falls, Idaho), and former Cadet World team member Cole Skinner (Cincinnati LaSalle, Ohio).

Bouzakis moves up one weight class from last year's title win, and leading the group of challengers is a pair of returning Super 32 runners-up in Maximo Renteria (Buchanan, Calif.) and Nico Nardone (Delbarton, N.J.); they are ranked No. 5 and No. 34 overall in the Class of 2021. Three other top-100 seniors are also expected to join the bracket: Chance Lamer (Crescent Valley, Ore.), Vince Cornella (Monarch, Colo.), and Derrick Cardinal (Forest Lake, Minn.).

Seven additional grade-ranked wrestlers are expected to compete at 132. Casey Swiderski (Dundee, Mich.) from the Class of 2022; Ethan Mojena (Tampa Prep, Fla.), Colin Dupill (Liberty, Va.), and Weston Dalton (Pueblo East, Colo.) from the Class of 2023; along with Pierson Manville (State College, Pa.), Joseph Sealey (High Point, N.C.), and Miguel Estrada, Jr. (Frontier, Calif.) from the Class of 2024.

Other notable entrants in the field include multi-time state champions Aidan Noonan (Cascade, Iowa), Jacob Mann (Ladue Horton Watkins, Mo.), and Blaine Brenner (Stanley-Boyd, Wis.); along with Richard Fedalen (McDonogh, Md.) and multi-time state placer Casey Wiles (Cincinnati LaSalle, Ohio).

No. 4 junior high wrestler Landon Robideau was a state finalist as a seventh-grader (Photo/Mark Beshey, The Guillotine)

3. Youth movement

As already noted, in two of the previous three years an eighth grader has won a weight class title in the high school division of the Super 32 Challenge. Will it happen for a third time in four years this weekend? The three highest-ranked junior high wrestlers in the field are both entered at 113 pounds: P.J. Duke (Minisink Valley, N.Y.), No. 4 overall Landon Robideau (St. Michael-Albertville, Minn.), and No. 8 Vince Bouzakis (Wyoming Seminary, Pa.); Robideau placed second in a very tough Class AAA state bracket at 106 pounds this past winter.

Four additional grade-level ranked wrestlers populate this weight class, led by returning Super 32 runner-up Cory Land (Moody, Ala.), who is No. 34 overall in the Class of 2022. Caden Horwath (Davison, Mich.) and Kael Lauridsen (Bennington, Neb.) are ranked in the top 50 from the Class of 2023; while Kollin Rath (Bethlehem Catholic, Pa.) is ranked No. 15 overall among junior high wrestlers.

Spencer Moore (Walton-Verona, Ky.) and Charlie Farmer (Moline, Ill.) join Land as returning placers from last year's tournament, as they placed sixth and fifth respectively in the 106-pound weight class that Land finished as runner-up. Other contenders include state champions Jore Volk (Lakeville North, Minn.), Alex Cottey (Perry Meridian, Ind.), and Joseph Fernau (Montini Catholic, Ill.); 2019 state champion Peyton Fenton (Elyria, Ohio); and two-time state placer Reid Nelson (Simley, Minn.).

4. Fabulous freshmen

The top six overall Class of 2024 wrestlers are entered in this field, with Gibson already mentioned a returning champion competing at 120 pounds. Ranked No. 2 overall in this class is Pierson Manville, who has been mentioned in the discussion at 126; while No. 3 overall is Zach Ryder (Minisink Valley, N.Y.), who is at 145, which is three weight classes above where he won a high school state title last year in New York State at 126 pounds.

The best opportunity for the highest placement, outside of Gibson, in this group is for Aden Valencia (Ann Sobrato, Calif.). Ranked No. 4 overall in the Class of 2024, he is entered in the 106-pound weight class. Last year, four freshmen and an eighth grader were among the eight podium positions at the opening weight; while in 2018 it was six sophomores, a freshman, and an eighth grader; and in 2017 the placement group had five sophomores, two freshmen, and an eighth grader.

In terms of the grade rankings, two other top-25 freshmen join Valencia in the 106-pound field, No. 13 Dillon Campbell (Legacy Christian Academy, Ohio) and No. 19 Anthony Knox (Bergen Catholic, N.J.); while No. 14 overall junior high wrestler Nathan Desmond (Bethlehem Catholic, Pa.) is also expected to compete. Other highly notable contenders include state champions Vincent Kilkeary (Greater Latrobe, Pa.), Braeden Davis (Dundee, Mich.), Ethan Rivera (Lake Highland Prep, Fla.), and Nolan Wertanen (St. Joseph, Mich.); state medalists Nathan Jesuroga (Southeast Polk, Iowa), Drew Heethius (Detroit Catholic, Mich.), and Zan Fugitt (Nixa, Mo.); along with past Fargo All-Americans such as Grigor Cholakyan (St. John Bosco, Calif.) and Alan Koehler (Prior Lake, Minn.).

Rounding out the top six freshmen in this field are No. 5 overall Angelo Ferrari (Stillwater, Okla.) at 138 and No. 6 Chris Coates (Liberty, Mo.) at 120.

5. Who's Number One redemption

Four wrestlers in the field lost their matches at the Who's Number One showcase put on by FloWrestling in Austin, Texas at the beginning of this month. Each seeks redemption this weekend in Myrtle Beach.

Four-time state finalist and two-time state champion Jordan Titus (Center Moriches, N.Y.) placed fourth last year at the Super 32 in the 120-pound weight class, and is registered to compete at 126. He is ranked No. 14 overall in the Class of 2021, and is looking at a potential championship match with No. 12 overall senior Drake Ayala (Fort Dodge, Iowa) should each be successful in navigating a congested weight class.

Primary challengers include two-time Super 32 placer Jordan Spratley (Collinsville, Okla.), who is ranked No. 13 overall in the Class of 2022; state champion Zeke Seltzer (Indianapolis Cathedral, Ind.), ranked No. 16 in the Class of 2022; and 2019 state champion Dustin Norris (Cincinnati LaSalle, Ohio), No. 65 in the Class of 2021. Five additional grade-ranked wrestlers populate the field: No. 48 overall junior Chase DeBlaere (Simley, Minn.); top-50 sophomores in returning Super 32 placers Maxximus Martinez (St. John Bosco, Calif.) and Dylan Gilcher (Detroit Catholic Central, Mich.) along with Vincent Robinson (Homewood-Flossmoor, Ill.); and No. 12 overall freshman August Hibler (Bergen Catholic, N.J.).

Others to note at 126 include Kyren Butler (Copley, Ohio), who was one match from placing at the Super 32 last year; two-time state placers Jack Gioffre (Buchanan, Calif.), Joseph Cangro (Bergen Catholic, N.J.) and Dylan Chappell (Seneca Valley, Pa.); along with state champions Braden Basile (Tampa Jesuit, Fla.) and Danny Nini (Lake Highland Prep, Fla.).

Rylan Rogers (Blair Academy, N.J.) was champion last season at the Ironman and National Prep championships, and is registered to compete in the 182-pound weight class, which has extraordinary depth for being an upper-weight at this tournament. Ranked No. 8 overall in the Class of 2022, he is joined by Bennett Berge (Kasson-Mantorville, Minn.) Brian Soldano (High Point, N.J.) as a top 25 junior; each was a state champion and Super 32 placer last year.

In addition, there is a staggering six top-100 seniors in the field: No. 39 Rocco Contino (Buchanan, Calif.), No. 42 Jake Evans (Elyria, Ohio), No. 48 Jaxon Smith (Woodland, Ga.), No. 64 Tylynn Lukens (Manatee, Fla.), No. 84 Quayin Short (Simley, Minn.), and No. 98 Jared Simma (St. Thomas Aquinas, Kansas). Evans, Smith, and Short placed in this tournament last year, so did fellow Class of 2021 wrestlers Joey Milano (Spring-Ford, Pa.).

Among other notables in this field are grade-level ranked wrestlers in sophomore Hayden Walters (Crescent Valley, Ore.) along with freshmen Sawyer Bartelt (South Dade, Fla.) and Carter Neves (St. Paris Graham, Ohio). Additional seniors to watch include state champions Mason Diel (Arrowhead, Wis.), Roman Rogotzke (Stillwater, Minn.), and Eli Sheeren (Klein, Texas); along with state medalists Hudson Hightower (St. Edward, Ohio) and Cole Hivnor (Lake Catholic, Ohio).

Seth Shumate (Dublin Coffman, Ohio) is ranked No. 3 overall in the Class of 2022, and was undefeated in his sophomore season prior to the state tournament being cancelled due to COVID. Shumate was champion at the Walsh Ironman, North Canton, and Brecksville tournaments during the season. However, he failed to place at the same 195-pound weight class he is entered at this weekend in last year's Super 32 after being a double champ in Fargo.

Four additional grade-ranked wrestlers join Shumate in the 195 field, including returning Super 32 placer Evan Bates (Chesterton, Ind.), who is ranked No. 100 overall in the Class of 2021 after winning a state championship this past winter. Also grade ranked are No. 6 overall sophomore Gavin Nelson (Simley, Minn.), who lost to Berge in the state final last season; No. 50 overall junior Jack Darrah (Christian Brothers College, Mo.); and No. 60 overall senior Franklin Cruz (Pomona, Colo.).

Additional contenders include state champions Martin Cosgrove (Camden Catholic, N.J.), Isaiah Anderson (Chiawana, Wash.), and Dorian Walters (Lathrop, Mo.); state medalists Jon List (Wadsworth, Ohio) and Aidan Warren (Perry Meridian, Ind.); two-time New England placer Conor Maslanek (Pelham, N.H.); and sophomore Christian Carroll (Penn, Ind.), who has had a superlative fall after failing to place at state last season.

Kyonte Hamilton fell to Chase Horne at Who's Number One (Photo/Sam Janicki, SJanickiPhoto.com)

6. Heavy packs a punch

The fourth participant to lose at Who's Number One earlier in the month is Kyonte Hamilton (Georgetown Prep, Md.), and he is registered to compete at 285 pounds. Hamilton was champion at the Beast of the East and National Preps as a junior, and ended the 2019-20 season as the highest ranked underclassman at 220 pounds, and is ranked No. 7 overall in the Class of 2021.

Knocking off Hamilton in Austin, Texas, by a 10-6 decision was Chase Horne (West Laurens, Ga.). Horne is a two-time placer at the Super 32, including finishing second to Braxton Amos last year as a sophomore, and is ranked No. 14 overall in the Class of 2022. The third of the stars in this Super 32 weight class is another returning Super 32 runner-up in Hayden Copass (Georgetown Ridgefarm, Ill.), who ended last season as the top underclassman at 285 pounds, and is No. 35 overall in the Class of 2021.

Positioned behind these three are a quartet of credible challengers, who could make cases for higher ranking at 285 with excellent performances this weekend. Apollo Gothard (Lemont, Ill.) was a state champion last season, and is a three-time state placer; Keith Miley (Whitfield, Mo.) has twice finished as state runner-up, and is a returning Super 32 placer; Ryan Boersma (Providence Catholic, Ill.) placed at state last year as a sophomore; while Jalen Stephens (Meyersdale, Pa.) is a two-time state placer.

7. Quickly through the rest of the field

Showing the depth of this tournament is that a 138-pound field featuring five top-100 seniors gets buried this deep in the preview article. They include returning Super 32 placers in Nick Moore (St. Paris Graham, Ohio) and Caden McCrary (Woodland, Ga.), Ramon Ramos (Casteel, Ariz.), Teague Travis (Stillwater, Okla.), and Ben Alanis (Valiant Prep, Ariz.).

Six additional grade-ranked wrestlers feature in this weight class: Alex Almeyda (St. Joseph Regional, N.J.), who has placed third in this event twice, and Jake Niffenegger (Cincinnati LaSalle, Ohio) from the Class of 2022; returning Super 32 placer Nasir Bailey (Thornton Fractional North, Ill.), Nicco Ruiz (St. John Bosco, Calif.), and Joey Blaze (Perrysburg, Ohio) in the Class of 2023; and Angelo Ferrari (Stillwater, Okla.) among the freshmen.

The 145-pound weight class features four top-100 seniors and three top-50 juniors. Those from the Class of 2021 include Alex Ramirez (Rowland, Calif.), returning Super 32 placer Alek Martin (St. Paris Graham, Ohio), Nathaniel Pulliam (Rolla, Mo.), and Henry Porter (Gilroy, Calif.); while from the Class of 2022 it is Gavin Brown (Legacy Christian Academy, Ohio), Garrison Dendy (Baylor School, Tenn.), and Michael Kilic (Woodward Academy, Ga.).

The 152-pound weight class features 14 grade-ranked wrestlers. Four from the Class of 2021: Paniro Johnson (Erie Cathedral Prep, Pa.), Robert Weston (Lassiter, Ga.), Vincent Zerban (Civic Memorial, Ill.), and Connor Gaynor (Chicago Mt. Carmel, Ill.); five from the Class of 2022: Anthony Ferrari (Stillwater, Okla.), Caleb Henson (Woodland, Ga.), Daniel Cardenas (Pomona, Colo.), Mitchell Mesenbrink (Arrowhead, Wis.), and Nicholas Vafiadis (New Kent, Va.); ranked in the Class of 2023 it is Joshua Barr (Davison, Mich.), Braden Scoles (Kewaskum, Wis.), Brayden Thompson (Liberty, Ill.), and Grant Mackay (Laurel, Pa.); while Bas Diaz (Somerset Academy, Fla.) is ranked No. 9 among junior high wrestlers. Ferrari, Henson, and Cardenas are all ranked inside the top 12 for the junior class nationally.

Nine grade ranked wrestlers are present at 160 pounds. Leading the way are four top 50-ish seniors in D.J. Hamiti (Joliet Catholic, Ill.), Derek Fields (Brunswick, Ohio), Carson Manville (State College, Pa.), and Enrique Munguia (Elyria, Ohio). The trio of nationally ranked juniors are Matthew Singleton (Woodward Academy, Ga.), Erik Gibson (Forest Hills, Pa.), and Hunter Lyden (Stillwater, Minn.); while Tate Naaktgeboren (Linn-Mar, Iowa) and Michael Dellagata (St. Joseph Regional, N.J.) are top 50 in the Class of 2023.

The 170-pound weight class, based on present composition, could arguably be the tournament's weakest with just three grade-ranked wrestlers led by a pair from the Class of 2022 in returning Super 32 placer Joseph Martin (Buchanan, Calif.) and Manuel Rojas (Detroit Catholic Central, Mich.). Other juniors to watch in this weight class are state champions Clayton Whiting (Oconto Falls, Wis.), James Rowley (Cresent Valley, Ore.), and Mickey Griffith (Des Moines Lincoln, Iowa); Whiting and Rowley are two-time state champions. Ryder Rogotzke (Stillwater, Minn.) is No. 43 overall in the Class of 2023. There should be opportunity for some lesser known wrestlers to make a name for themselves in this weight class.

The 220-pound weight class rounds out the field, and along with 170 is probably the field's least robust. Just three grade-level ranked wrestlers in the field. A group led by No. 28 overall junior Noah Pettigrew (Blair Academy, N.J.), who is looking for a bounce back event after some recent drops in production. Two top-100 seniors look to earn the belt in this weight class, No. 59 Bennett Tabor (Simley, Minn.) and No. 88 Xavier Doolin (North Kansas City, Mo.); Tabor was a state champion last year, and placed fourth in the Super 32 at 195, while Doolin was a state runner-up during his junior season and has had a surge of form during this off-season. Additional contenders include state champions Cole Gripka (Marysville, Mo.) and Gage Cook (Granger, Wash.), along with IHPO champion Logan Shepherd (Massillon Perry), who upset Bates to earn that title.

Legendary Minnesota high school wrestling coach Jackson retires

Mon, 19 Oct 2020 20:29:40 +0000

Jim Jackson (far right) retired as head wrestling coach at Shakopee High School in Minnesota

After five seasons leading the Sabers, Jim Jackson has chosen to retire from the head wrestling coaching position for Shakopee High School. Jackson's long career is well-known in Minnesota wrestling with numerous conference and state wrestling championships on his resume. (He guided Apple Valley High School to 14 state championships.) In Shakopee, he led the Sabers to four conference championships, three section championships, one runner-up state finish and two state championships.

Legendary wrestling coach Jim Jackson retiring from Shakopee post. He leaves an incredible championship legacy. Marcus Levesseur to be named Sabers head coach. #mshsl
â€” MSHSL (@MSHSL) October 19, 2020

In September (2020), Jackson started a new career in the private sector and since then has been splitting time between coaching and his new job. "Trying to juggle both is not fair to our student athletes or our entire program, nor is it fair to the company I work for," said Jackson. "With this change in my life, I feel like it is the right time to focus on my next chapter."

Taking over the wrestling program in an interim position for this season is assistant coach Marcus LeVesseur. LeVesseur has also been with the Sabers for five years and has been an integral supporter and mentor of the team. His dedication will allow him to seamlessly lead the present program.

"We are thankful for the time, talent and energy Jackson gave to our wrestling program," said Matt Hanson, Shakopee Athletic Director. "We are confident that LeVesseur will step into this position and do a great job."

"I have been very fortunate to have had the opportunity to work with so many tremendous athletes, coaches, administrators, parents, managers, custodians, teachers, numerous alumni and fans," said Jackson. "Thank you for your support over the years. It's been an incredible ride!"

Walsh Jesuit Ironman canceled, 2021 date set

Thu, 10 Sep 2020 18:02:13 +0000

The Walsh Ironman is held at Walsh Jesuit High School (Photo/Sam Janicki, SJanickiPhoto.com)

One of high school wrestling's premier events has been canceled for the 2020-21 season. The Walsh Jesuit Ironman, slated for Dec. 11-12 at Walsh Jesuit High School in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, has been canceled. The 2021 edition of the event is scheduled for Dec. 10-11, 2021. Event director Corey Haddad sent the following letter Thursday.

On behalf of the Walsh Jesuit Ironman Tournament Committee, we want to inform you of our decision to cancel this year's annual tournament, which would have been held on December 11th and 12th at Walsh Jesuit High School in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio.

The current state of affairs with regard to the coronavirus, COVID-19 pandemic has presented many health and safety hardships that in consultation with the Summit County (Ohio) Health Department make it inadvisable to hold the event without the risk of potential harm for our wrestlers, coaches, fans, and staff.

We will have the 2021 Ironman on Friday and Saturday, December 10th and 11th.

We are deeply sorry about not being able to execute our event and any unfulfilled expectations that this may cause. We trust that all involved understand our position and therefore hope to see you next year.

In the interim we offer our prayers and best wishes to all who have been affected by this pandemic.

Sincerely,
Corey Haddad

New York State cuts two weight classes from high school wrestling

Thu, 30 Jul 2020 15:42:13 +0000

New York state high school wrestling teams will have a leaner look for the next two seasons.

The New York State Public High School Athletic Association's central committee on Wednesday approved a two-year trial run of the reduction of NYSPHSAA scholastic weight classes from 15 to 13. The 15-weight-class structure has been in use since 2012.

The just-approved 13-weight-class plan, passed on a 28-13 vote, had already been given a thumbs up by the state's wrestling committee, would be implemented for the 2020-21 school year, and would be similar to one approved earlier this summer by the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association (PIAA), reducing the number of weight classes for men from 14 down to 13.)

The new NYS plan, by the numbers

With the just-approved NYSPHSAA weight-class structure, "the committee lopped off the previous lowest weight class -- 99 pounds -- and reshaped a few others," the Syracuse Post-Standard reported Wednesday. "Previously, the classifications were 99, 106, 113, 120, 126, 132, 138, 145, 152, 160, 170, 182, 195, 220, 285.

"The new ones are 102, 110, 118,126, 132, 138, 145, 152, 160, 172, 189, 215, 285."

The previous weight-class structure had been in place for over a decade. The just-approved 13-weight-class structure will now be in effect for two seasons: 2020-21, and 2021-22.
What's the thinking behind the new plan?

In a nutshell, with the previous weight-class structure, some smaller schools found it challenging to be able to field an entire team of at least one wrestler per weight classâ€¦ especially at the lower weights. Those squads were forced to start meets already down six points per forfeited weight class.

The issue was sparked by the difficulty some smaller schools were having fielding full teams, especially at the lower weights. Those squads were forced to start meets already down six points per forfeited weight class.

Here's a specific example cited in a number of newspaper articles this week as the new weight-class plan as been discussed throughout New York State.

Phoenix coach Gene Mills said his team had regularly forfeited at least two weight classes per dual meet last season, putting his team in a 12-point deficit right from the start.

"If there 10 weight classes, almost every single one of those schools could fill a roster," Mills said.

"Now, you have to find 15 kids who have a work ethic, pride. It (stinks) for the big schools that really have those numbers, but for a lot of the other schools it's tough (to field a complete lineup)."

Nevada high school wrestling season to start in January, state tournament scrapped in 2021

Fri, 24 Jul 2020 14:46:22 +0000

The start of the Nevada high school wrestling season has been moved from November to January due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Nevada Interscholastic Activities Association announced Thursday.

The official start of wrestling practice was originally scheduled for Nov. 14 and is now set for Jan. 2. Competitions can begin Jan. 15. The season will consist of six weeks of competition and no state tournament.

Fall sports in Nevada will begin in March.

Bart Thompson, the executive director of the Nevada Interscholastic Activities Association, wrote:

"The decision to delay the start of the athletic calendar was based, among many factors, on some the following:

"That the master planner be student-centered and serve as the most optimal model for potential success in returning to play based on current COVID-19 circumstances;

"That the health, safety and welfare of student-athletes, coaches, athletic department leaders, contest officials and event staff be first and foremost;

"That the sport seasons be preserved by keeping traditional sports in their same groups;

"That the calendar be aligned as such (winter first, followed by fall and then concluded with spring) to give the best opportunity for each sport to be conducted as effectively and efficiently as possible while considering a variety of potential outside factors;

"That each season's start and end dates be created so as to overlap as minimally as possible, preserving the philosophy that student-athletes should have the opportunity to participate in multiple sports seasons."

California high school wrestling season moved to spring

Tue, 21 Jul 2020 01:32:35 +0000

The California high school wrestling season has been moved to the spring due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the California Interscholastic Federation announced Monday.

The CIF's fall sports, like football, have been moved to the winter, while winter sports, which includes wrestling, will have their seasons pushed back to spring, with the state championships set for June.

"We are continuously monitoring the directives and guidelines released from the Governor's Office, the California Department of Education, the California Department of Public Health, and local county health departments and agencies as these directives and guidelines are followed by our member schools/school districts with student health and safety at the forefront,â€ the organization said in a statement.

COVID-19 cases continue to rise in California. On Monday, Gavin Newsom ordered all counties in the state to close bars and the indoor operations of businesses.

Milford High School hires Marine pilot, Naval Academy alum Clayton as wrestling coach

Mon, 13 Jul 2020 20:08:12 +0000

Josh Clayton is hoping to take the Eagles wrestling program at Milford High School in suburban Cincinnati to new heights.

Josh Clayton

The Milford High School Department of Athletics has announced that Clayton will take the controls of the Eagles high school mat program for the 2020-21 season as interim varsity head coach, bringing a unique skill set as a retired Marine pilot, U.S. Naval Academy alum (including two years as wrestler at Annapolis) and, most recently, serving as a coach with Milford's junior high wrestling program.

"I am ecstatic to announce Josh Clayton as our next leader of the Milford Eagles wrestling program," Athletic Director Aaron Zupka told the Cincinnati Enquirer. "He exemplifies everything we want our student-athletes to be and how we want our program to be represented. Coach Clayton has a tremendous amount of energy, passion and enthusiasm for growing the sport of wrestling at Milford. I know he will work tirelessly to further the development of our student-athletes on and off the mat."

Clayton is a graduate of Milford High School where he was a four-year member of the Eagle wrestling program, qualifying for the OHSAA State Tournament as a senior. After Milford, Coach Clayton attended the U.S. Naval Academy, spending two years as a member of the wrestling program at Annapolis. Following graduation, Clayton deployed several times to Iraq and Afghanistan, finishing his career with 16 years flying AH-1W SuperCobra attack helicopters for the Marines.

Coach Clayton launched his coaching career during his time in the Marines as a youth team coach. Upon returning to Milford, he started helping with the Milford youth program, before moving on to working with the junior high and high school wrestlers the following year later.

In addition to the honors and accomplishments listed above, Josh Clayton was welcomed into the Milford Athletics Hall of Fame in 2018.

Earned four varsity letters in wrestling

Career wrestling record of 95-38

Tournament record: five -- 1st place, six -- 2nd place, seven -- 3rd place, two -- 4th place

Most career wins in school history at the time of his graduation

Milford Wrestling Hall of Fame member (1993)

Graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy (1997)

Awarded Naval Aviator "Wings of Gold" (1999)

Greater Miami Conference (GMC) wrestling champion (1993)

Four-time Milford Invitational Tournament wrestling champion (1991, 1992, 1993)

Three-time District wrestling Qualifier (1991, 1992, 1993)

State wrestling qualifier (1993)

"I am honored to continue our tradition of hard work and discipline to help our wrestlers continue to grow," Clayton told the Enquirer. "The skills they learn on the mat will help them be better wrestlers, citizens, and leaders."

Easton High School names new head boys, girls wrestling coaches

Wed, 01 Jul 2020 20:43:53 +0000

A lot has happened to the legendary high school wrestling program at Easton Area High School in Pennsylvania ... starting with the firing of JaMarr Billman, wrestling-alma mater-turned-head-coach-of-the-boys-program at the end of May this year ... and now ending the announced hiring of new head coaches for the legendary boys program ... and launch of a brand-new girls varsity program.

Early this week, Jody Karam was announced to take the helm of the boys mat program ... while Jordan Kutler was named to be the head coach of the Easton girls wrestling program. (Easton had announced the intended launch of a new girls program but a coach had yet to be hired for that position until this week.)

Karam is a 1983 Easton grad who had after moving Liberty's all-time leader in coaching victories. He was 362-150-1 in 26 seasons before stepping down in 2019. He is 409-161-3 overall including three years at Delaware Valley Regional (N.J.).

Meet Jody Karam, Easton boys wrestling coach

Jody Karam replaces JaMarr Billman, who had been head boys coach at Easton High School, compiling an overall won-loss record of 42-26 in his four seasons of the boys program.

Northampton graduate Steve Mytych and Easton product Robbie Rizzolino were the other finalists for boys coaching position at Easton once was Billman had been let go.

Karam is a 1983 Easton grad and Liberty's all-time leader in coaching victories. He was 362-150-1 in 26 seasons before stepping down in 2019. He is 409-161-3 overall including three years at Delaware Valley Regional (N.J.).

The Hurricanes won their only EPC championship and were third in the District 11 Class 3A team duals in Karam's final season.

Jordan Kutler wrestling against Mark Hall (Photo/Lehigh Athletics)

Meet Jordan Kutler, Easton girls' coach

Jordan Kutler, varsity wrestling graduate at Lehigh University, will be the first girls wrestling head coach in Easton Area High School history.

Sources indicated at the start of this week that Kutler was the top choice to head up the new girls' program. Kutler went 87-13 at Lehigh on his career and was a three-time NCAA All-American. He was ranked No. 3 in the nation at 174 pounds in March after winning his third EIWA (Eastern Intercollegiate Wrestling Association) before the collegiate wrestling season was ended by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Kutler, a Sparta native, holds a degree from Lehigh in behavioral neuroscience. He is a graduate of Blair Academy, where he was a two-time National Prep champion.

This new girls program at Easton is only the fourth girls program in the state of Pennsylvania: J.P. McCaskey in Lancaster, North Allegheny in suburban Pittsburgh and Executive Education Academy, according to the Morning Call.

A legendary mat program

Easton has one of the strongest wrestling programs in the country. The Red Rovers wrestling program was launched in 1947 by assistant football coach Gust Zamnas, a former All-American offensive lineman at Ohio State and a member of the College Football Hall of Fame. Dick Rutt was Easton's first state champion, winning the 105-pound weight class in 1949. From 1948 to 2015, Easton crowned at least one champion at the District 11 Tournament in every season, setting a Pennsylvania record known as The Streak Former Easton coaches John Maitland, Dave Crowell, and Steve Powell are all members of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame.

Easton is second in Pennsylvania history with 35 state champions, including 1984 Olympic gold medalist Bobby Weaver (1975, 1976, 1977), two-time NCAA champions Jack Cuvo (1983, 1984, 1985) and Jordan Oliver (2006, 2007, 2008), two-time NCAA Finalist and University of Nebraska associate head coach Bryan Snyder (1997), NCAA All-Americans Jamarr Billman (1996, 1997) and Mitchell Minotti (2011), and former NC State football coach Chuck Amato (1965). Easton has produced 185 District 11 champions, 116 Northeast Regional Champions, 127 PIAA state medalists, 55 PIAA state finalists and 35 PIAA state champions. At the collegiate level, Easton wrestlers have earned 21 NCAA Division I All-Americans honors, eight NCAA Finals appearances, and four NCAA Championships.

The program was started in 1947 by assistant football coach Gust Zarnas, a former All-American offensive lineman at Ohio State and a member of the College Football Hall of Fame. Dick Rutt was Easton's first state champion, winning the 105-pound weight class in 1949. From 1948 to 2015, Easton crowned at least one champion at the District 11 Tournament in every season, setting a Pennsylvania record known as The Streak. Former Easton coaches John Maitland, Dave Crowell, and Steve Powell are all members of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame. Powell retired in 2016 after 32 years as the head coach with a career record of 532-126-3, four state championships, and four state duals championships. He coached 19 individual state champions, third most of any coach in Pennsylvania history. His eight combined state titles are the most of any coach in Pennsylvania history.

JaMarr Billman was head wrestling coach at Easton until the end of May. He had been the first African-American assistant coach at the high school level. Before assuming the helm, Billman was a two-time Pennsylvania state champ who then became a three-time NCAA All-American at Penn State and Lock Haven.

Prior to the recent changeover regarding the Easton head wrestling coach JaMarr Billman, a two-time state champion for the Red Rovers and a three-time NCAA All-American at Penn State and Lock Haven. Billman will debut in the 2016-2017 season. Billman has been an assistant coach at Cornell University, Easton, and Wilson High School. Billman is also the first African-American head coach in Easton history in any boys sport.

Since the PIAA began crowning a team champion at the state tournament 1976, Easton has won six state championships (1981, 1983, 1996, 1997, 2001, 2002) and finished in the top five eighteen times. Pennsylvania added a State Dual tournament in 1999, which Easton won four years in a row from 2001 to 2004. Easton has been to the State Dual Finals eight times, a Pennsylvania record, and their four championships are tied for the most in the state. Since the advent of national rankings by publications such as Amateur Wrestling News and Wrestling USA, Easton has been a consistent presence in the national rankings. In 1996, 1997, 2001, and 2002, Easton was ranked the No. 1 public school wrestling team in the nation.

GoFundMe for Minnesota high school wrestler who fell off cliff

Thu, 11 Jun 2020 18:33:58 +0000

Garrett Berg

A GoFundMe page has been set up for Garrett Berg, 17, a junior-class student/wrestler at Farmington High School who died Monday, June 8 while up on a cliff overlooking Lake Byllesby in Goodhue County in Minnesota.

The GoFundMe page started by Austin Patterson and Owen Zahn was created June 9 to raise money for Berg's funeral costs. On the first day, over $17,000 was raised.

According to multiple news reports, the Goodhoe County Sheriff's Office got a call at 5:25 p.m. that a teen had jumped off the cliffs at Lake Byllesby and hadn't surfaced. A second juvenile reportedly jumped immediately after Berg, landing on the wrestler. Berg never surfaced, the sheriff's office reported.

The district said school counselors have made themselves available to the entire community though school is not in session.

"He will be greatly missed by his teachers, classmates, teammates, and friends at Farmington High," the district said in a statement.

"We encourage our families to reach out to school staff if they have a specific concern regarding their child or would like additional assistance in dealing with this tragic loss," the district said. "Our sincere and deep sympathies are with Garrett's family and friends during this very difficult time."

Garrett Berg was an active, athletic young man. In addition to participating on the Farmington High School wrestling team, he was also a member of the school's baseball and football teams. He was also active in 4H for the past 11 years, including as a camp counselor for younger 4Hers. What's more, Garrett was a member of Messiah Lutheran Church LCMS his entire life, where he was baptised as an infant and completed confirmation as a true believer.

Garrett Berg is survived by his parents Lori and Steve, his sister Hailey, grandmothers Florence Schafer and Ella Berg, and many aunts, uncles, and cousins. He was preceded in death by his cousin Joshua Schafer, and his grandfathers, Elmer Schafer and Dick Berg.

A visitation is scheduled for 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Friday, June 12, at Messiah Lutheran Church in Lakeville, Minn. Funeral service details for Saturday, June 13 are pending. In lieu of flowers, memorials in honor of Garrett accepted.

Amos named Dave Schultz High School Excellence Award winner

Thu, 28 May 2020 19:00:15 +0000

Braxton Amos wrestling in the finals of the Super 32 Challenge (Photo/Sam Janicki, SJanickiPhoto.com)

STILLWATER, Okla. -- The National Wrestling Hall of Fame on Thursday announced that Braxton Amos of Mineral Wells, West Virginia, is the 2020 national winner of the Dave Schultz High School Excellence Award (DSHSEA).

"Being named the 2020 Dave Schultz High School Excellence Award winner is an awesome ending to my high school wrestling career. My club coach, Miron Kharchilava, trained with Dave on several occasions. Hearing his stories about Dave and their training is inspiring," said Amos, who is the first national winner from West Virginia. "One of the posters that still hangs in Miron's room is Dave with a quote about the Japanese Samurai Musashi Miyamoto. I have walked by that poster thousands of times, it makes me appreciate the amount of time Dave put into chasing perfection and reminds me that people who didn't see the discipline will never understand his sacrifice.

"It's an honor to join the list of past DSHSE winners," he added. "I'm proud to represent the University of Wisconsin, the State of West Virginia, and Parkersburg South High School."

The DSHSEA was established in 1996 to honor Olympic and World champion Dave Schultz, whose career was cut short when he was murdered in January 1996. He was inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame as a Distinguished Member in 1997 and as a member of the United World Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2016.

The DSHSEA recognizes and celebrates the nation's most outstanding high school senior male wrestlers for their excellence in wrestling, scholastic achievement, citizenship, and community service. The Hall of Fame also presents the Tricia Saunders High School Excellence Award, which recognizes and celebrates the nation's most outstanding high school senior female wrestlers.

"We are excited to honor Braxton Amos as the national winner of the 2020 Dave Schultz High School Excellence Award," said Executive Director Lee Roy Smith. "This award and honor represents the National Wrestling Hall of Fame's pride in a young man who has demonstrated a commitment to balancing his pursuit of excellence in the fields of academics, athletics and community service."

The son of Tim and Anika Amos, he is a three-time West Virginia state champion, who did not surrender a takedown, near fall or reversal during his career for Parkersburg South High School. The top-ranked wrestler in the country at 220 pounds and the top-ranked wrestler pound-for-pound, Amos has signed a letter of intent to wrestle for the University of Wisconsin.

Amos, who did not wrestle because of injury as a freshman, set school records for wins in an undefeated season, recording 48 victories twice; most wins in three seasons with 142; highest winning percentage with 100 percent; and most consecutive wins with 142. He was named Outstanding Wrestler at the state tournament twice and is a two-time recipient of the Dutton Award, presented to West Virginia's Outstanding Wrestler for all classes. He also received the Hercules Award, presented for the most pins in the least amount of time.

He won the USA Wrestling Freestyle Junior Nationals in 2019 after capturing both the freestyle and Greco-Roman titles at the USA Wrestling Cadet Nationals in 2016 and 2017. Competing with sprained ligaments in his knee, Amos reached the finals in Greco-Roman in 2019 before defaulting because of his injury. He did not compete in Fargo in 2018. Amos also has three Super 32 titles, three Ironman crowns and three Powerade championships. He was named Outstanding Wrestler in Greco-Roman at Fargo while also earning Outstanding Wrestler at Super 32 and the Most Pins award at Powerade.

Amos, who was first team All-State in football, was president of the United Way Student Board and student council vice president while also organizing an annual community clean-up day. He was Academic All-State all three years that he competed and a member of the National Honor Society with a 4.05 GPA.

Ohio has had the most national winners with five followed by Pennsylvania with three and California, Minnesota and Oklahoma with two winners each. Colorado, Florida, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, South Carolina, Utah, West Virginia and Wisconsin have each had one winner.

Regional winners are selected from state winners, and the national winner is chosen from the regional winners. The state winners are evaluated and selected on the basis of three criteria: success and standout performances and sportsmanship in wrestling; review of GPA and class rank, academic honors and distinctions; and participation in activities that demonstrate commitment to character and community.

The Hall of Fame accepts nominations for its high school excellence awards from state chapters and coaches. The nominations are reviewed by a committee, which selects state and regional winners. The committee then determines the national winners from the regional winners.

National winners of the DSHSEA award have combined to win 19 NCAA Division I individual titles led by four-time champion Logan Stieber (2010), three-time winner Zain Retherford (2013) and two-time winners Steven Mocco (2001), David Taylor (2009) and Teyon Ware (2002). The 2016 winner of the DSHSEA Mark Hall won an NCAA title as a freshman in 2017 while 2015 winner Zahid Valencia won back-to-back championships in 2018 and 2019.

All-Time National Winners of Dave Schultz High School Excellence Award
2020 - Braxton Amos, Parkersburg South High School, Mineral Wells, West Virginia
2019 - Cohlton Schultz, Ponderosa High School, Parker, Colorado (Greco-Roman Cadet World Champion)
2018 - David Carr, Perry High School, Massillon, Ohio (Junior World Champion)
2017 - Daton Fix, Charles Page High School, Sand Springs, Oklahoma (Junior World Champion)
2016 - Mark Hall II, Apple Valley High School, Apple Valley, Minnesota (NCAA Champion and 2X Junior World Champion)
2015 - Zahid Valencia, St. John Bosco High School, Bellflower, California (2X NCAA Champion and Junior World Silver Medalist)
2014 - Chance Marsteller, Kennard-Dale High School, Fawn Grove, Pennsylvania
2013 - Zain Retherford, Benton Area High School, Benton, Pennsylvania (3X NCAA Champion)
2012 - Taylor Massa, St. Johns High School, St. Johns, Michigan
2011 - Morgan McIntosh, Calvary Chapel High School, Santa Ana, California
2010 - Logan Stieber, Monroeville High School, Monroeville, Ohio (World Champion and 4X NCAA Champion)
2009 - David Taylor, Graham High School, St. Paris, Ohio (World Champion and 2X NCAA Champion)
2008 - Jason Chamberlain, Springville High School, Springville, Utah
2007 - Zachary Sanders, Wabasha-Kellogg High School, Wabasha, Minnesota
2006 - David Craig, Brandon High School, Brandon, Florida
2005 - Troy Nickerson, Chenango Forks High School, Chenango Forks, New York (NCAA Champion)
2004 - Coleman Scott, Waynesburg High School, Waynesburg, Pennsylvania (NCAA Champion and Olympic bronze medalist)
2003 - C.P. Schlatter, St. Paul Graham High School, Urbana, Ohio
2002 - Teyon Ware, Edmond North High School, Edmond, Oklahoma (2X NCAA Champion)
2001 - Steven Mocco, Blair Academy, Blairstown, New Jersey (2X NCAA Champion and Olympian)
2000 - Ben Connell, Lugoff-Elgin High School, Lugoff, South Carolina
1999 - Zach Roberson, Blue Valley North West High School, Overland Park, Kansas (NCAA Champion)
1998 - Garrett Lowney, Freedom High School, Appleton, Wisconsin (2X Olympian) and Justin Ruiz, Taylorsville High School, Salt Lake City, Utah (Olympian)
1997 - Jeff Knupp, Walsh Jesuit High School, Akron, Ohio
1996 - David Kjeldgaard, Lewis Central High School, Council Bluffs, Iowa

National Wrestling Hall of Fame & Museum
America's shrine to the sport of wrestling, the National Wrestling Hall of Fame & Museum was founded as a nonprofit organization in 1976 to honor the sport of wrestling, preserve its history, recognize extraordinary individual achievements, and inspire future generations. The National Wrestling Hall of Fame has museums in Stillwater, Oklahoma, and Waterloo, Iowa. The Stillwater, Oklahoma, location reopened in June 2016 following a $3.8 million renovation while the Waterloo, Iowa, location reopened in March 2019 after undergoing a $1.4 million renovation. Both museums now feature interactive exhibits and electronic kiosks, as well as the opportunity to watch NCAA Championship matches from the 1930s to present day. Stillwater also has the John T. Vaughan Hall of Honors where the greatest names in wrestling are recognized, including iconic granite plaques presented to Distinguished Members since the Hall of Fame opened in 1976. The museum has the largest collection of wrestling artifacts and memorabilia in the world, including the most collegiate and Olympic wrestling uniforms. Wrestling truly is for everyone and the diversity and accessibility of the sport continues to be highlighted through exhibits featuring females, African-Americans, Asian Americans, Native Americans, and Latino Americans. There is also a library featuring historical documents, including NCAA guides and results, as well as books on the sport.

For more information about the Hall of Fame, please visit www.NWHOF.org.

Estrella wins Tricia Saunders High School Excellence Award

Tue, 26 May 2020 20:24:46 +0000

Nanea Estrella

STILLWATER, Okla. -- The National Wrestling Hall of Fame on Tuesday announced that Nanea Estrella of Makawao, Hawaii, is the 2020 national winner of the Tricia Saunders High School Excellence Award (TSHSEA).

"I am so excited to receive this award. There were so many amazing female wrestlers up for this award and I am blessed to be a part of this group," said Estrealla. "Tricia Saunders was a leader for female athletes and is a true role model for people like me, who are just starting their career and hope to be the best one day. I hope to one day inspire female wrestlers like she has inspired me. Thank you to all who helped me achieve this honor and I want to thank the National Wrestling Hall of Fame for this tremendous award."

First presented in 2014, the TSHSEA is named for Tricia Saunders, a four-time World Champion and women's wrestling pioneer. Saunders was the first woman to be inducted as a Distinguished Member of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2006 and was inducted into the United World Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2011.

The TSHSEA recognizes and celebrates the nation's most outstanding high school senior female wrestlers for their excellence in wrestling, scholastic achievement, citizenship, and community service.

"We are excited to honor Nanea Estrella as the national winner of the 2020 Tricia Saunders High School Excellence Award," said Executive Director Lee Roy Smith. "This award and honor represents the Hall of Fame's pride in a young woman who has demonstrated a commitment to balancing her pursuit of excellence on the wrestling mat with academics and community service."

The national winner of the Dave Schultz High School Excellence Award will be announced on Thursday.

The daughter of Isaac and Johanna Estrella, she was a four-time state champion for Lahainaluna High School. Ranked second at 132 pounds in the National Girls High School Rankings, she has signed a letter of intent to wrestle at Menlo College. Estrella was team captain for three years and has been ranked in the Top 10 nationally since her sophomore year.

Estrella had runner-up finishes at the Cadet Nationals in 2018 and the Junior Nationals in 2019, and won both freestyle and Greco-Roman at the 2019 Western Regionals. She earned a triple crown and was named Outstanding Wrestler in Greco-Roman at the Turf Wars in Pocatello, Idaho, and placed third at the 2019 Cadet World Team trials.

She also lettered in track and field and was a two-time Hawaii state qualifier in the 4x100-meter relay, 4x400-meter relay, 400-meter dash, 200-meter dash and long jump.

Estrella tutored fourth-grade students and is also a member of Lahainaluna High School's Aloha Club, which performs community outreach activities including beach cleanups, food drives and preparing and serving meals to the homeless.

She is also a finalist for the 2020 Pele Award, which honors creative excellence in the art of advertising and design. Estrella submitted a PSA video called "Don't Be A Drip" about water conservation. She has received the A&B scholar athlete award and is a CTE pathway completer in broadcast media.

For the third consecutive year, the Hall of Fame recognized a record number of state winners for the TSHSEA with 46, up from 35 winners in 2019 and 32 winners in 2018.

Winners are evaluated and selected on the basis of three criteria: success and standout performances and sportsmanship in wrestling; review of GPA and class rank, academic honors and distinctions; and participation in activities that demonstrate commitment to character and community.

Women's wrestling is one of the fastest growing high school sports and there are more than 27,000 female high school wrestlers competing across the nation.

From 1998-2015 there were six states with a sanctioned girls state wrestling championship: Alaska, California, Hawaii, Tennessee, Texas and Washington. Since 2015, 16 additional states have created an official girls wrestling state championships, or have started the path leading to official sanction: Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Georgia, Kansas, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Missouri, Montana, New Jersey, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Oregon and Utah.

Georgia, Oregon, Maine, Massachusetts, Missouri and New Jersey held their first official state championship in 2018-19 while Arkansas, Kansas, Maryland and New Mexico held an official state championship for 2019-20. Colorado voted for a two-year pilot program for 2018-19 with an official state championship for 2020-21. Arizona voted girls wrestling as an emerging sport for 2018-19 and will host an official state championship in 2020-21. Connecticut held a girls wrestling invitational tournament in 2019-20.

Sixteen states have held unofficial girls state championships, organized and run by coaches, state wrestling associations or officials associations. The 16 states with unofficial girls state championships are: Florida, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, Nevada, North Carolina, Ohio, South Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia and Wisconsin.

There are 81 intercollegiate women's wrestling teams. The NCAA has approved "Emerging Sport Status" for women's wrestling at the Division II and Division III levels, and women's wrestling supporters are hopeful that it will approve it for Division I this summer. The NAIA also recognizes women's wrestling as an emerging sport.

The Hall of Fame accepts nominations for its high school excellence awards from state chapters and coaches. The nominations are reviewed by a committee, which selects state and regional winners. The committee then determines the national winners from the regional winners.

All-Time National Winners of Tricia Saunders High School Excellence Award
2020 - Nanea Estrella, Lahainaluna High School, Makawao, Hawaii
2019 - Emily Shilson, Mounds View High School, North Oaks, Minnesota
2018 - Alleida Martinez, Selma High School, Selma, California
2017 - Cierra Foster, Post Falls High School, Post Falls, Idaho
2016 - Katie Brock, Sequatchie County High School, Whitwell, Tennessee
2015 - Marizza Birrueta, Grandview High School, Grandview, Washington
2014 - Marina Doi, Kingsburg High School, Kingsburg, California

National Wrestling Hall of Fame & Museum
America's shrine to the sport of wrestling, the National Wrestling Hall of Fame & Museum was founded as a nonprofit organization in 1976 to honor the sport of wrestling, preserve its history, recognize extraordinary individual achievements, and inspire future generations. The National Wrestling Hall of Fame has museums in Stillwater, Oklahoma, and Waterloo, Iowa. The Stillwater, Oklahoma, location reopened in June 2016 following a $3.8 million renovation while the Waterloo, Iowa, location reopened in March 2019 after undergoing a $1.4 million renovation. Both museums now feature interactive exhibits and electronic kiosks, as well as the opportunity to watch NCAA Championship matches from the 1930s to present day. Stillwater also has the John T. Vaughan Hall of Honors where the greatest names in wrestling are recognized, including iconic granite plaques presented to Distinguished Members since the Hall of Fame opened in 1976. The museum has the largest collection of wrestling artifacts and memorabilia in the world, including the most collegiate and Olympic wrestling uniforms. Wrestling truly is for everyone and the diversity and accessibility of the sport continues to be highlighted through exhibits featuring females, African-Americans, Asian Americans, Native Americans, and Latino Americans. There is also a library featuring historical documents, including NCAA guides and results, as well as books on the sport.

For more information about the Hall of Fame, please visit www.NWHOF.org.

Dave Schultz High School Excellence Award regional winners announced

Thu, 21 May 2020 19:23:58 +0000

STILLWATER, Okla. -- The National Wrestling Hall of Fame on Thursday announced the regional winners of the Dave Schultz High School Excellence Award (DSHSEA).

The DSHSEA was established in 1996 to honor Olympic and World champion Dave Schultz, whose career was cut short when he was murdered in January 1996. He was inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame as a Distinguished Member in 1997 and as a member of the United World Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2016.

The award recognizes and celebrates the nation's most outstanding high school senior male wrestlers for their excellence in wrestling, scholastic achievement, citizenship, and community service.

Winners are evaluated and selected on the basis of three criteria: success and standout performances and sportsmanship in wrestling; review of GPA and class rank, academic honors and distinctions; and participation in activities that demonstrate commitment to character and community.

The national winner of the DSHSEA will be announced on May 28. The regional winners of the Tricia Saunders High School Excellence Award (TSHSEA) were announced on Tuesday. The TSHSEA recognizes and celebrates the nation's most outstanding high school senior female wrestlers for their excellence in wrestling, scholastic achievement, citizenship, and community service. The TSHSEA national winner will be announced on May 26.

The regions and the states that they are comprised of are:

West (11) - Alaska, Arizona, California, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington and Wyoming

Midwest (10) - Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota and Wisconsin

Central (7) - Arkansas, Colorado, Kansas, Missouri, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas

Southeast (10) - Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia

Northeast (11) - Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and Vermont

2020 Dave Schultz High School Excellence Award Regional Winners

Central Region: Rocky Elam of Kansas City, Missouri, is a two-time Missouri state champion and four-time state qualifier, finishing third in 2018, for Staley High School. The top-ranked wrestler in the country at 195 pounds, Elam has signed a letter of intent to wrestle at the University of Missouri. The son of Bryant and Cherise Elam, he won United World Wrestling's Junior Austria Flatz Open in 2020 and captured USA Wrestling's Preseason Nationals and Junior Folkstyle Nationals in 2019. Elam was USA Wrestling's Cadet Freestyle Nationals champion in 2018 and Preseason Cadet Folkstyle Nationals champion in 2017. He also trains at the Olympic Training Center as a member of USA Wrestling's Elite Accelerator Program. Elam was a member of the Missouri State High School Activities Association All-Academic team three times after placing in the Top Six in the state tournament and having over a 3.5 GPA. His older brother, Zach, wrestles heavyweight at Missouri and was the Missouri state winner of the DSHSEA in 2018.

Midwest Region: Patrick Kennedy of West Concord, Minnesota, is a four-time Minnesota state champion and six-time state qualifier, finishing sixth as a seventh grader and third as an eighth grader, for Kasson-Mantorville High School. The top-ranked wrestler in the country at 182 pounds, he has signed a letter of intent to wrestle for the University of Iowa. The son of Matt and Tammy Kennedy, he is a two-time Post Bulletin Wrestler of the Year winner and was named the Rochester Area Male Athlete of the Year in 2020. Kennedy won USA Wrestling's Junior National Freestyle championships and the Who's #1 tournament in 2019. He was a member of the Minnesota Wrestling Coaches Association All-Academic team in 2019 and 2020 and had a cumulative GPA of 3.64. Kennedy won his last 112 matches to finish with 223 career victories, trailing only Brady Berge's 287 for the most victories in Kasson-Mantorville history. Berge was also a four-time state champion and was the Minnesota and Central Region winner of the DSHSEA award in 2017.

Northeast Region: Anthony Clark of East Hanover, New Jersey, is a three-time New Jersey state champion and four-time state finalist for Delbarton School, compiling a 140-10 career record. The son of Bobby and Deana Clark, he will continue his career at Princeton University. He was named NJ.com's New Jersey Athletic Conference Wrestler of the Year and was instrumental in Delbarton School having its best season in school history. After missing the first month of the season with an injury, Clark returned to help the Green Wave take over the top spot in the NJ.com Top 20 after a resounding win over Bergen Catholic, ending the perennial powerhouse's 96-match winning streak against New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association opponents. Delbarton also captured the Non-Public A championship, its second state championship and first since 2011. He had a cumulative GPA of 3.25 and was a member of the I.T. Club, the Stock Exchange Club and the E.P.O.C.H. club. Clark volunteers at the Oasis Center and for the Autism Awareness Organization while also assisting at Belleville Fire Department functions.

Southeast Region: Braxton Amos of Mineral Wells, West Virginia, is a three-time West Virginia state champion, who did not surrender a takedown, near fall or reversal during his career for Parkersburg South High School. The son of Tim and Anika Amos, he has signed a letter of intent to wrestle for the University of Wisconsin. He is the top-ranked wrestler in the country at 220 pounds and the top-ranked wrestler pound-for-pound. Amos, who did not wrestle because of injury as a freshman, set school records for wins in an undefeated season, recording 48 victories twice; most wins in three seasons with 142; highest winning percentage with 100 percent; and most consecutive wins with 142. He was named Outstanding Wrestler at the state tournament twice and is a two-time recipient of the Dutton Award, presented to West Virginia's Outstanding Wrestler for all classes. He also received the Hercules Award, presented for the most pins in the least amount of time. He won the USA Wrestling Freestyle Junior Nationals in 2019 after capturing both the freestyle and Greco-Roman titles at the USA Wrestling Cadet Nationals in 2016 and 2017. Competing with sprained ligaments in his knee, Amos reached the finals in Greco-Roman in 2019 before defaulting because of his injury. He did not compete in Fargo in 2018. Amos also has three Super 32 titles, three Ironman crowns and three Powerade championships. He was named Outstanding Wrestler in Greco-Roman at Fargo while also earning Outstanding Wrestler at Super 32 and the Most Pins award at Powerade. Amos, who was first team All-State in football, was president of the United Way Student Board and student council vice president while also organizing an annual community clean-up day. He was Academic All-State all three years that he competed and a member of the National Honor Society with a 4.05 GPA.

West Region: Haiden Drury of Toppenish, Washington, is a four-time finalist and three-time Washington state champion. The son of Micah and Sabina Drury, he has signed a letter of intent to wrestle at Fresno State University. Drury had a career record of 168-8, breaking the year-old Toppenish High School record of 155 wins set by three-time state champion Andres Aguilera. Drury won the USA Wrestling Greco-Roman Junior Nationals in 2019 after capturing the USA Wrestling Greco-Roman Cadet Nationals title in 2018. He won the silver medal at the Junior Pan American Championships in 2019 and also won a bronze at the Austrian Open. Drury also qualified for state in cross country all four years. He is a member of the National Honor Society with a 3.77 GPA while also being a member of MEChA, a Mexican American student group.

The Hall of Fame accepts nominations for its high school excellence awards from state chapters and coaches. The nominations are reviewed by a committee, which selects state and regional winners. The committee then determines the national winners from the regional winners.

National winners of the DSHSEA award have combined to win 19 NCAA Division I individual titles led by four-time champion Logan Stieber (2010), three-time winner Zain Retherford (2013) and two-time winners Steven Mocco (2001), David Taylor (2009) and Teyon Ware (2002). The 2016 winner of the DSHSEA Mark Hall won an NCAA title as a freshman in 2017 while 2015 winner Zahid Valencia won back-to-back championships in 2018 and 2019.

2020 Dave Schultz High School Excellence Award State Winners

State - Name, High School, Hometown, College Attending
Alabama - Dylan Pearson, Auburn High School, Auburn
Alaska - Hayden Lieb, Bethel Regional High School, Bethel, University of Wyoming
Arizona - Jesse Ybarra, Sunnyside High School, Tucson, University of Iowa
Arkansas - Landon Valdez, Searcy High School, McRae
California - Jesse Vasquez, Excelsior Charter High School, Corona, Arizona State University
Colorado - Isaiah Salazar, Windsor High School, Greeley, University Of Minnesota
Connecticut - Ryan Jack, Danbury High School, Danbury, North Carolina State University
Delaware - Jackson Dean, Caesar Rodney High School, Hartly, University of Pennsylvania
Florida - Bretli Reyna, South Dade Senior High School, Homestead, University of Iowa
Georgia - Andrew Eller, Evans High School, Evans, Lander University
Hawaii - Kysen Terukina, Kamehameha Schools - Kapalama, Ewa Beach
Idaho - Sawyer Hobbs, South Fremont High School, Saint Anthony, Utah Valley University
Illinois - David Ferrante, Huntley High School, Huntley, Northwestern University
Indiana - Silas Allred, Shenandoah High School, Anderson, University of Nebraska
Iowa - Cael Happel, Lisbon High School, Lisbon, University of Northern Iowa
Kansas - Cade Lautt, Saint James Academy, Olathe, University of North Carolina
Kentucky - Thomas Deck, Madison Central High School, Richmond, United States Military Academy
Louisiana - Alexander Yokubaitis, St. Louis Catholic High School, Lake Charles, Oklahoma State University
Maine - Sam Martel, Noble High School, Lebanon
Maryland - Dominic Solis, McDonogh School, Odenton, University of Maryland
Massachusetts - Hunter Adrian, Melrose High School, Melrose, Brown University
Michigan - Austin Boone, Lowell Senior High School, Ada, Penn State University
Minnesota - Patrick Kennedy, Kasson-Mantorville High School, West Concord, University of Iowa
Missouri - Rocky Elam, Staley High School, Kansas City, University of Missouri
Montana - Leif Schroeder, Bozeman High School, Bozeman, University of Iowa
Nebraska - Maxx Mayfield, Lincoln East High School, Lincoln, Northwestern University
Nevada - Tommy McCormick, Churchill County High School, Fallon, University of Idaho (football)
New Hampshire - Beau Dillon, Salem High School, Derry, Edinboro University
New Jersey - Anthony Clark, Delbarton School, East Hanover, Princeton University
New Mexico - Andrew Trujillo, Robertson High School, Las Vegas, New Mexico Highlands University
New York - Greg Diakomihalis, Hilton High School, Rochester, Cornell University
North Carolina - Kobe Early, Cary High School, Cary, Appalachian State University
North Dakota - Garrett Jangula, Napoleon Public School, Napoleon
Ohio - Mick Burnett, Elyria High School, Elyria, University of Pittsburgh
Oklahoma - Konner Doucet, Comanche High School, Comanche, Oklahoma State University
Oregon - Santos Cantu III, Crescent Valley High School, Salem, Indiana University
Pennsylvania - Ed Scott, DuBois Area High School, DuBois, North Carolina State
Rhode Island - Mason Clarke, Coventry High School, Coventry, Columbia University
South Carolina - Walker Stephenson, Hillcrest High School, Simpsonville, United States Military Academy
South Dakota - Nash Hutmacher, Chamberlain High School, Oacoma, Nebraska (football)
Tennessee - Noah Horst, Baylor School, Gallatin, University of Tennessee at Chattanooga
Texas - Parker Decker, Keller High School, Keller, Duke University
Utah - Stockton O'Brien, Wasatch High School, Kamas, Utah Valley University
Vermont - Sam Wilkins, Mount Anthony Union High School, Bennington, Castleton University
Virginia - Samuel Fisher, Fauquier High School, Jeffersonton, Virginia Tech University
Washington - Haiden Drury, Toppenish High School, Toppenish, Fresno State University
West Virginia - Braxton Amos, Parkersburg South High School, Mineral Wells, University of Wisconsin
Wisconsin - Keegan O'Toole, Arrowhead High School, Hartland, University of Missouri
Wyoming - Jace Palmer, Kelly Walsh High School, Casper

All-Time National Winners of Dave Schultz High School Excellence Award
2019 - Cohlton Schultz, Ponderosa High School, Parker, Colorado (Greco-Roman Cadet World Champion)
2018 - David Carr, Perry High School, Massillon, Ohio (Junior World Champion)
2017 - Daton Fix, Charles Page High School, Sand Springs, Oklahoma (Junior World Champion)
2016 - Mark Hall II, Apple Valley High School, Apple Valley, Minnesota (NCAA Champion and 2X Junior World Champion)
2015 - Zahid Valencia, St. John Bosco High School, Bellflower, California (2X NCAA Champion and Junior World Silver Medalist)
2014 - Chance Marsteller, Kennard-Dale High School, Fawn Grove, Pennsylvania
2013 - Zain Retherford, Benton Area High School, Benton, Pennsylvania (3X NCAA Champion)
2012 - Taylor Massa, St. Johns High School, St. Johns, Michigan
2011 - Morgan McIntosh, Calvary Chapel High School, Santa Ana, California
2010 - Logan Stieber, Monroeville High School, Monroeville, Ohio (World Champion and 4X NCAA Champion)
2009 - David Taylor, Graham High School, St. Paris, Ohio (World Champion and 2X NCAA Champion)
2008 - Jason Chamberlain, Springville High School, Springville, Utah
2007 - Zachary Sanders, Wabasha-Kellogg High School, Wabasha, Minnesota
2006 - David Craig, Brandon High School, Brandon, Florida
2005 - Troy Nickerson, Chenango Forks High School, Chenango Forks, New York (NCAA Champion)
2004 - Coleman Scott, Waynesburg High School, Waynesburg, Pennsylvania (NCAA Champion and Olympic bronze medalist)
2003 - C.P. Schlatter, St. Paul Graham High School, Urbana, Ohio
2002 - Teyon Ware, Edmond North High School, Edmond, Oklahoma (2X NCAA Champion)
2001 - Steven Mocco, Blair Academy, Blairstown, New Jersey (2X NCAA Champion and Olympian)
2000 - Ben Connell, Lugoff-Elgin High School, Lugoff, South Carolina
1999 - Zach Roberson, Blue Valley North West High School, Overland Park, Kansas (NCAA Champion)
1998 - Garrett Lowney, Freedom High School, Appleton, Wisconsin (2X Olympian) and Justin Ruiz, Taylorsville High School, Salt Lake City, Utah (Olympian)
1997 - Jeff Knupp, Walsh Jesuit High School, Akron, Ohio
1996 - David Kjeldgaard, Lewis Central High School, Council Bluffs, Iowa

National Wrestling Hall of Fame & Museum
America's shrine to the sport of wrestling, the National Wrestling Hall of Fame & Museum was founded as a nonprofit organization in 1976 to honor the sport of wrestling, preserve its history, recognize extraordinary individual achievements, and inspire future generations. The National Wrestling Hall of Fame has museums in Stillwater, Oklahoma, and Waterloo, Iowa. The Stillwater, Oklahoma, location reopened in June 2016 following a $3.8 million renovation while the Waterloo, Iowa, location reopened in March 2019 after undergoing a $1.4 million renovation. Both museums now feature interactive exhibits and electronic kiosks, as well as the opportunity to watch NCAA Championship matches from the 1930s to present day. Stillwater also has the John T. Vaughan Hall of Honors where the greatest names in wrestling are recognized, including iconic granite plaques presented to Distinguished Members since the Hall of Fame opened in 1976. The museum has the largest collection of wrestling artifacts and memorabilia in the world, including the most collegiate and Olympic wrestling uniforms. Wrestling truly is for everyone and the diversity and accessibility of the sport continues to be highlighted through exhibits featuring females, African-Americans, Asian Americans, Native Americans, and Latino Americans. There is also a library featuring historical documents, including NCAA guides and results, as well as books on the sport.

For more information about the Hall of Fame, please visit www.NWHOF.org.

High school wrestling career of pro wrestler Cody Runnels

Thu, 21 May 2020 14:00:24 +0000

Cody Runnels was a successful high school wrestler before becoming a pro wrestler

It might be an understatement to say that wrestling is in the blood for Cody Runnels. However, it might not be the type of wrestling that takes place in high school gyms and wrestling rooms across the country. Before Runnels was ever born, his father made a name for himself by winning multiple professional wrestling world titles as Dusty Rhodes. Eventually the youngest son of the internationally famous "son of a plumber" would follow his father into the so-called squared circle, but his own extensive wrestling career began on the amateur mats.

Runnels began wrestling at the youth level, and his family name quickly attracted attention. By the time he was in middle school, he had become accustomed to opponents and parents realizing he had a famous father.

"In middle school, I remember seeing this father grab his kid and give him a pep talk, almost shaking him, 'You've got to wrestle Dusty Rhodes' son. If you win, you beat Dusty Rhodes," Runnels to The Tennessean newspaper. "I guess they assume that if they beat me, they've crushed some legacy. Southern kids, their parents are such big fans."

Runnels played football and wrestled during his first two years at Lassiter High School. The school, which opened in 1981, sits about 35 minutes outside of downtown Atlanta and hosts around two thousand students a year.

In his first year on the mats, he spent most of the year on the junior varsity squad, but he got the nod at 160 pounds for the Cobb County tournament. Runnels showed signs of a bright future as he knocked off the No. 1 seed Daniel Cornett of South Cobb. He dropped his next two matches and failed to place, but the potential was evident.

As a sophomore in 2002, he finished second at both the county tournament as well as the Region 6AAAAA tournament, losing both finals against Mike Hudson of Sprayberry. Runnels then rebounded and finished sixth at the Georgia High School Association (GHSA) AAAAA state tournament. Following the season, he was awarded honorable mention status for the All Cobb County wrestling team at 171 pounds.

After placing at the state tournament, Runnels decided to focus solely on wrestling for his final two seasons and leave football behind. That decision seemed to start paying off right away in his junior season. Runnels moved up to 189 pounds, and by the time the Cobb County tournament rolled around in mid-January, he held an undefeated 18-0 record.

He won his first Cobb County title at 189 pounds with a 3-1 victory over Gerald McRath of McEachern in the finals. He followed that up with a championship performance in the regional tournament, where he knocked off defending state champion Shane Gearing of Cherokee via a 5-4 score. At this point, Runnels found himself totally immersed in the sport.

"Until I got into high school, I'd never found anything that could make me feel so good or make me feel so bad as wrestling," he told the Atlanta Journal Constitution. "It's the one-on-one part and the emotional roller-coaster. If you win, you take credit; if you lose, it's your fault. It's kind of taken over my life."

Runnels' father echoed his sentiments in the same article.

"This is the purest form of one-one-one competition and character building I've ever seen," he said. "I've enjoyed watching Cody as much as anything I've done and that includes being in Madison Square Garden or the main event anywhere else."

When it came time for the state tournament, Runnels had improved his record to 42-0. He ran through the field on his way to his first state title. In the finals, he scored a 6-2 victory over Matty Ory of Chattahoochee. After the tournament, he spoke once again with the Atlanta Journal Constitution.

"I didn't think anyone out there could beat me. I wanted to go out there and do what I said I was going to do. I could just do 100 laps around this place, I'm so excited."

At the end of the season, Runnels was named first team All Cobb County as well as the Marietta Daily Journal Cobb County Wrestler of the Year. He entered his senior season as the clear favorite to win yet another title at 189 pounds.

Somewhere along the way during his junior season, Runnels faced off against Austin Watson of Sprayberry. Watson would eventually follow Runnels into professional wrestling and currently performs as Xavier Woods for World Wrestling Entertainment.

The two discussed the match at length during an appearance on the Talk Is Jericho podcast. Watson apparently bumped up from 160 to 189 pounds hoping to impress Runnels' famous father. He then facetiously claimed that he allowed his opponent to win to avoid disappointment. Regardless of how it happened, they both agree that it was a one-point match in favor of Runnels.

Despite his status as the clear favorite during his senior season, he was forced to deal with adversity early in the season. After finishing the previous year undefeated, Runnels had built an extensive winning streak. However, on Dec. 6, 2003, he dropped a 3-1 match against Wade Hudson of Parkview in the finals of the Knoxville Catholic Invitational. Per the Marietta Daily Journal, the bout was voted "Match of the Tournament" by the coaches.

As Runnels described, wrestling is an emotional roller coaster. He was able to correct himself following that loss. He went on to win another Cobb County championship and headed to the state tournament on a new winning streak. Runnels spoke with the Marietta Daily Journal on the eve of the state tournament.

"It was almost like Hudson took a piece of what I have in that match," he said. "The feeling of being undefeated didn't go right away. It took awhile before I realized what had happened."

Once again he ran through the tournament and made his way to the finals. In the final match at 189 pounds, Runnels faced off against Hudson once again. This time he got the better of the match and finished his high school career with a 7-1 victory and a second state championship. Following his last match, Runnels once again spoke with his hometown paper.

"This is the way I wanted to do it; I'm so happy right now," he said. "It feels good to get a piece of your life back."

The elder Rhodes reflected on his son's high school wrestling career in his book "Dusty: Reflections of Wrestling's American Dream."

"When he walked into a high school gym, in his junior and senior years, you knew who he was. He was like a rock star and he owned it, he owned that place. He would walk around for two to three hours before his match, with headsets on, just walking around the gym, while everybody else was laughing and joking and training, and of course the guy he was going to wrestle never took his eyes off Cody, and so he was already beat. The guy was so intimidated because Cody was the most menacing wrestling I think I've ever seen on an amateur scale, ever. So to beat him, you had to beat him. He wasn't going to beat himself."

Rhodes also mentions in the book that a Penn State coach contacted him about recruiting Runnels, but at the time he was focused on starting an acting career after high school.

That thespian career never materialized, and Runnels eventually followed his father and older brother into the professional wrestling ring. He had his first match a little bit over two years after the end of his high school wrestling career on June 16, 2006. He worked his way up the WWE developmental system and eventually wrestled 1,451 matches for the company before leaving in 2016.

Runnels now performs for All Elite Wrestling under simply the name Cody since the "Cody Rhodes" moniker is technically still the intellectual property of WWE. In addition to his wrestling duties, he is also an executive vice president for the promotion, which hosts their Double or Nothing pay-per-view event this Saturday.

In 2013 longtime Lassiter wrestling coach Steve Day announced his retirement. Runnels was one of Day's 13 state champions, and he spoke with the Marietta Daily Journal about what his coach and the sport of wrestling meant to him growing up.

"He was the catalyst as to why I grew up," he said. "He was with me every step of the way. Wrestling wasn't my strong suit -- it was football. I had no real background in the sport, even though I was around it all the time because of my father. Coach Day made me into a wrestler. He didn't treat guys like kids. He was perfect because he made it your match. He taught guys how to be men and talked to us like we were men. He was someone you could talk to and knew your family and was dead-honest with you."

Match and tournament results as well as biographical information sourced from the Marietta Daily Journal and Atlanta Journal Constitution unless otherwise noted.

Most notable high school wrestling events

Wed, 20 May 2020 14:48:12 +0000

Thirteen Fab 50 teams competed at the Doc Buchanan Invitational in Clovis, Calif. (Photo/Tony Rotundo, WrestlersAreWarriors.com)

The 2019-20 scholastic wrestling season saw a plethora of excellent multi-team, i.e. not straight-on dual meet) wrestling events, be them of the dual meet or individual bracket format. Below is a listing of 16 such events that would be ranked among the better ones in the country. Please note that events which would be considered part of a state tournament series were not considered, even if they were coaches' association sponsored events, i.e. the "state duals" in California or Indiana).

The list sought to include events from a cross-section of the country, while capturing those that had the highest levels of quality in their field. This article does not rank the events, as there are many criteria to consider when ranking events, and opinions differ as to which criterion should be weighted more heavily.

The nationally ranked teams reflect the final Fab 50 rankings that were published on March 18, 2020. The listing of ranked individuals is from the final rankings published on March 18, 2020. It counts any individual from a school that was in the field for the event, whether or not they participated in the event itself.

Beast of the East

Dates/Location: 12/21/2019 & 12/22/2019, Newark, Del.
Teams: Top 10: 5, Top 25: 8, Fab 50: 14
Individuals: No. 1: 1, Top 3: 11, Ranked: 56 from 14 weight classes

Beat the Streets Duals

Date/Location: 1/18/2020, Oak Park River Forest, Ill.
Teams: Top 10: 2, Top 25: 5, Fab 50: 6
Format: eight team event, four rounds, two pools of four with a crossover match
Individuals: No. 1: 0, Top 3: 2, Ranked: 18 from 10 weight classes

Brecksville Invitational Holiday Tournament

Dates/Location: 12/29/2019 & 12/30/2019, Brecksville, Ohio
Teams: Top 10: 2, Top 25: 2, Fab 50: 5
Individuals: No. 1: 1, Top 3: 5, Ranked: 22 from 13 weight classes

Cheesehead Invitational

Dates/Location:1/3/2020 & 1/4/2020, Kaukauna, Wis.
Teams: Top 10: 0, Top 25: 3, Fab 50: 3
Individuals: No. 1: 2, Top 3: 3, Ranked: 14 from 11 weight classes

Detroit Catholic Central Super Duals

Date/Location: 1/11/2020, Novi, Mich.
Teams: Top 10: 3, Top 25: 5, Fab 50: 6
Format: seven team event, four rounds, teams have 3 or 4 selected matches
Individuals: No. 1: 1, Top 3: 3, Ranked: 11 from 8 weight classes

Doc Buchanan Invitational

Date/Location: 1/3/2020 & 1/4/2020, Clovis, Calif.
Teams: Top 10: 5, Top 25: 8, Fab 50: 13
Individuals: No. 1: 2, Top 3: 6, Ranked: 56 from 14 weight classes

Escape the Rock Wrestling Tournament

Dates/Location: 1/18/2020 & 1/19/2020, Council Rock South, Pa.
Teams: Top 10: 1, Top 25: 1, Fab 50: 4
Individuals: No. 1: 0, Top 3: 4, Ranked: 21 from 12 weight classes

Gardner-Edgerton High School Invitational

Date/Location: 12/7/2019, Gardner-Edgerton, Kansas
Teams: Top 10: 0, top 2) 2, Fab 50: 4
Individuals: No. 1: 1, Top 3: 1, Ranked: 6 from 5 weight classes
Notable: One-day event with only 16 teams, 4 x 4, semifinal and final)

Garlic City Rumble

Date/Location: 12/31/2019, Gilroy, Calif.
Teams: Top 10: 4, Top 25: 5, Fab 50: 8
Format: eight-team event, four from California and four from out of state, two matches per team, California teams vs. out of state teams)
Individuals: No. 1: 1, Top 3: 2, Ranked: 22 from 12 weight classes

Geary Invitational

Dates/Location:1/10/2020 & 1/11/2020, Geary, Okla.
Teams: Top 10: 0, Top 25: 1, Fab 50: 3
Individuals: No. 1: 0, Top 3: 0, Ranked: 9 from 7 weight classes

Kansas City Stampede

Dates/Location: 12/20/2019 & 12/21/2019, Kansas City, Mo.
Teams: Top 10: 0, Top 25: 1, Fab 50: 4
Individuals: No. 1: 0, Top 3: 0, Ranked: 13 from 8 weight classes

Knockout Christmas Classic

Dates/Location: 12/27/2019 & 12/28/2019, Osceola, Fla.
Teams: none were ranked
Individuals: No. 1: 0, Top 3: 0, Ranked: 10 from 7 weight classes

Minnesota Christmas Tournament

Dates/Location:12/20/2019 & 12/21/2019, Rochester, Minn.
Teams: Top 10: 0, Top 25: 2, Fab 50: 4
Individuals: No. 1: 1, Top 3: 1, Ranked: 9 from 8 weight classes

Powerade Wrestling Tournament

Dates/Location:12/27/2019 & 12/28/2019, Canon-McMillan, Pa.
Teams: Top 10: 2, Top 25: 2, Fab 50: 4
Individuals: No. 1: 4, Top 3: 8, Ranked: 40 from 14 weight classes

Reno Tournament of Champions

Dates/Location: 12/13/2019 & 12/14/2019, Reno, Nev.
Teams: Top 10: 0, Top 25: 2, Fab 50: 6
Individuals: No. 1: 2, Top 3: 3, Ranked: 18 from 11 weight classes

Walsh Jesuit Ironman

Dates/Location: 12/13/2019 & 12/14/2019, Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio
Teams: Top 10: 7, Top 25: 10, Fab 50: 16
Individuals: No. 1: 4, Top 3: 13, Ranked: 74 from 14 weight classes

Tricia Saunders High School Excellence Award regional winners announced

Tue, 19 May 2020 20:20:17 +0000

STILLWATER, Okla. -- The National Wrestling Hall of Fame on Tuesday announced the regional winners of the Tricia Saunders High School Excellence Award (TSHSEA).

First presented in 2014, the TSHSEA is named for Tricia Saunders, a four-time World Champion and women's wrestling pioneer. Saunders was the first woman to be inducted as a Distinguished Member of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2006 and was inducted into the United World Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2011.
The TSHSEA recognizes and celebrates the nation's most outstanding high school senior female wrestlers for their excellence in wrestling, scholastic achievement, citizenship, and community service.

The national winner of the TSHSEA will be announced on May 26. Regional winners of the Dave Schultz High School Excellence Award will be announced on Thursday and the national winner on May 28.

For the third consecutive year, the Hall of Fame recognized a record number of state winners with 46, up from 35 winners in 2019 and 32 winners in 2018.
Winners are evaluated and selected on the basis of three criteria: success and standout performances and sportsmanship in wrestling; review of GPA and class rank, academic honors and distinctions; and participation in activities that demonstrate commitment to character and community.

The regions and the states that they are comprised of are:

West (11) - Alaska, Arizona, California, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington and Wyoming

Midwest (10) - Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota and Wisconsin

Central (7) - Arkansas, Colorado, Kansas, Missouri, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas

Southeast (10) - Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia

Northeast (8) - Connecticut, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania and Rhode Island

2020 Tricia Saunders High School Excellence Award Regional Winners

Central Region: Camille Fournier of Weatherford, Texas, is a three-time Texas girls state folkstyle champion and a four-time finalist. Ranked third at 117 pounds in the National Girls High School Rankings, she has signed a letter of intent to wrestle at Texas Wesleyan University. The daughter of Mervin and Alicia Fournier, she was the Weatherford High School Wrestler of the Year all four years and served as team captain as a junior and senior. She was named Most Outstanding Wrestler for the University Interscholastic League 6A Regional and the 6A Girls State in 2019-20. Fournier was also named High School Spotlight Athlete of the Year by Fox Sports Southwest and is a nominee for USA Today's Dallas Wrestler of the Year. She finished fifth in the senior division at the 2020 Lady Klippan Open. Fournier finished third at Fargo and at the UWW Freestyle Cadet Nationals in 2019. She was the 2018 USA Wrestling Cadet Folkstyle Nationals champion and USMC Folkstyle champion while finishing second at Fargo, fourth at the Junior Folkstyle Nationals and eighth at the 2018 UWW Cadet Nationals. Fournier won a bronze medal at the 2016 Schoolgirl Pan American Championships. A member of the National Honor Society, she volunteers at Northside Baptist Church and is a leader assistant for Revive Class, which helps children with special needs.

Midwest Region: Leilah Castro of New Lexington, Ohio, won the 121-pound state title at the inaugural Ohio girls wrestling state tournament in 2020 and was named Outstanding Wrestler after pinning every opponent. The daughter of Josh and Angie Castro, she was selected to be the inaugural recipient of the Toccara Montgomery Most Outstanding Wrestler Award from the Ohio High School Wrestling Coaches Association. Castro finished second in the boys league conference tournament in 2019 and qualified for the boys district tournament in 2018. Ranked third at 122 pounds in the National Girls High School Rankings, Castro has verbally committed to Campbellsville University. She won the USA Folkstyle Nationals in 2019 and finished fifth at the 2018 Cadet World Championships. Castro was a two-time Super 32 champion and also lettered in soccer for New Lexington High School, where she was team captain and named Most Valuable Player. A member of the National Honor Society, she received a Perry County proclamation from Mayor Trent Thompson and was honored by the General Assembly of the State of Ohio.

Northeast Region: Mia Macaluso of Otisville, New York is a two-time girls New York Public Schools Athletic League state champion and a three-time New York State freestyle state champion. Ranked second at 127 pounds in the National Girls High School Rankings, she has signed a letter of intent to wrestle at East Stroudsburg University. The daughter of Heath and Nikki Macaluso, she finished fourth at the boys 2020 Section IX, becoming the first girl in the section to make the semifinals. She won the Woodlands Varsity boys tournament, earning Most Outstanding Wrestler honors, and the Gene Brigham tournament, becoming the first girl in Section IX to win a varsity tournament. Macaluso was the first girl in history to make the Minisink Valley High School varsity team, lettering five years, and helping the team win the 2020 NYS Championship D1 boys dual team title and the Section IX D1 boys dual team title in 2018, 2019 and 2020. She received the Robert Feldmeier Award from the Upstate New York Chapter of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame for being the outstanding female wrestler in NYS. Macaluso won a gold medal and the Golden Boot, awarded to the Outstanding Wrestler, at the 2019 Pan American Cadet Championships and a bronze medal at the 2019 Pan American Junior Championships. Macaluso won a silver medal at the 2019 Austrian Flatz Open and also competed in the German Open and the Russian Open. She won the Cadet title at Fargo and the USA Folkstyle Nationals in 2018 and finished second at USA Folkstyle Nationals and fourth at Fargo in 2019. Macaluso won the NYS-USA freestyle state championship three times and was the 2019 National High School Coaches Association national champion. She also started four years on the varsity lacrosse team and played on the varsity soccer team since eighth grade. Macaluso is a member of Future Business Leaders of America and "Study Buddies," an after-school club where high school students assist middle, intermediate and elementary school teachers in the classroom.

Southeast Region: Jessica Corredor of Orlando, Florida, was a two-time state champion and a four-time state finalist for Dr. Phillips High School. Ranked seventh at 100 pounds in the National Girls High School Rankings, she has signed a letter of intent to wrestle at Missouri Baptist University. The daughter of Carlos and Dianna Robles, Corredor finished seventh at the 2017 UWW Cadet Nationals and sixth at the 2018 UWW Cadet Nationals while finishing second at the 2019 Wyoming Seminary International. She won the 2018 Gotham Open and finished fourth in 2019 while finishing second at the Super 32 in 2019 after a sixth-place finish in 2017. Corredor was team captain for two years and received the Dr. Phillips High School Female Sportsmanship award. She also lettered four years in weightlifting, setting the school bench press record for 101-pound and 110-pound weight classes while capturing district and regional titles and qualifying for state twice. Corredor assisted and tutored special needs students while also working on school sock and school supply drives.

West Region: Nanea Estrella of Makawao, Hawaii, was a four-time state champion for Lahainaluna High School. Ranked second at 132 pounds in the National Girls High School Rankings, she has signed a letter of intent to wrestle at Menlo College. The daughter of Isaac and Johanna Estrella, she had runner-up finishes at the Cadet Nationals in 2018 and the Junior Nationals in 2019, and won both freestyle and Greco-Roman at the 2019 Western Regionals. She earned a triple crown and was named Outstanding Wrestler in Greco-Roman at the Turf Wars in Pocatello, Idaho, and placed third at the 2019 Cadet World Team trials. Estrella was team captain for three years and has been ranked in the Top 10 nationally since her sophomore year. She also lettered in track and field and was a two-time Hawaii state qualifier in the 4x100-meter relay, 4x400-meter relay, 400-meter dash, 200-meter dash and long jump. Estrella tutored fourth-grade students and is also a member of Lahainaluna High School's Aloha Club, which performs community outreach activities including beach cleanups, food drives and preparing and serving meals to the homeless. She is also a finalist for the 2020 Pele Award, which honors creative excellence in the art of advertising and design. Estrella submitted a PSA video called "Don't Be A Drip" about water conservation. She has received the A&B scholar athlete award and is a CTE pathway completer in broadcast media.

Women's wrestling is one of the fastest growing high school sports and there are more than 27,000 female high school wrestlers competing across the nation.
From 1998-2015 there were six states with a sanctioned girls state wrestling championship: Alaska, California, Hawaii, Tennessee, Texas and Washington. Since 2015, 16 additional states have created an official girls wrestling state championships, or have started the path leading to official sanction: Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Georgia, Kansas, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Missouri, Montana, New Jersey, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Oregon and Utah.

Georgia, Oregon, Maine, Massachusetts, Missouri and New Jersey held their first official state championship in 2018-19 while Arkansas, Kansas, Maryland and New Mexico held an official state championship for 2019-20. Colorado voted for a two-year pilot program for 2018-19 with an official state championship for 2020-21. Arizona voted girls wrestling as an emerging sport for 2018-19 and will host an official state championship in 2020-21. Connecticut held a girls wrestling invitational tournament in 2019-20.

Sixteen states have held unofficial girls state championships, organized and run by coaches, state wrestling associations or officials associations. The 16 states with unofficial girls state championships are: Florida, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, Nevada, North Carolina, Ohio, South Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia and Wisconsin.

There are 81 intercollegiate women's wrestling teams. The NCAA has approved "Emerging Sport Status" for women's wrestling at the Division II and Division III levels, and women's wrestling supporters are hopeful that it will approve it for Division I this summer. The NAIA also recognizes women's wrestling as an emerging sport.

The Hall of Fame accepts nominations for its high school excellence awards from state chapters and coaches. The nominations are reviewed by a committee, which selects state and regional winners. The committee then determines the national winners from the regional winners.

2020 Tricia Saunders High School Excellence Award State Winners

State - Name, High School, Hometown, College Attending
Alabama - Shelby Fugate, Russell County High School, Fort Mitchell, Central Methodist University
Alaska - Rayana Vigil, Homer High School, Fritz Creek, Southern Oregon University
Arizona - Stefana Jelacic, Chandler High School, Fountain Hills, Lourdes University
Arkansas - Riley Holman, Pulaski Academy College Preparatory School, Little Rock
California - Francesca LoPresti, Albany High School, Richmond
Colorado - Tristan Kelly, Springs Studio for Academic Excellence, Erie, Colorado Mesa
Connecticut - Lilly Schwartz, Northwestern Regional School District No. 7, Salisbury
Florida - Jessica Corredor, Dr. Phillips High School, Orlando, Missouri Baptist University
Georgia - Tiyhana Askew, Collins Hill High School, Lawrenceville, Emmanuel College
Hawaii - Nanea Estrella, Lahainaluna High School, Makawao, Menlo College
Idaho - Payton Lanningham, Columbia High School, Nampa
Illinois - Louisa Schwab, Joliet West High School, Plainfield, Menlo College
Indiana - Larresha Bryant-Coleman, New Haven Jr./Sr. High School, Ft. Wayne
Iowa - Tateum Park, Davenport North High School, Davenport
Kansas - Elisa Robinson, Junction City High School, Junction City
Kentucky - Savanna Bacon, Union County High School, Sturgis, University of the Cumberlands
Louisiana - Anya Broussard, University View Academy, Baton Rouge, Wayne State University
Maryland - Maggie Palmore, Northwest High School, Germantown
Massachusetts - Marisol Nugent, Phillips Academy Andover, Boxford, Lehigh University
Michigan - Rayana Sahagun, Sparta High School, Rockford, University of Jamestown
Minnesota - Kya Rybacheck, Hibbing High School, Mountain Iron, Augsburg University
Missouri - Autumn Flanigan, Troy Buchanan High School, Troy, Augsburg University
Montana - Brooke Cicierski, Billings West High School, Billings, University of Providence
Nebraska - Jerzie Menke, Bridgeport High School, Bridgeport
Nevada - Tehani Soares, Shadow Ridge High School, Las Vegas, Indiana Tech
New Hampshire - Shandria Waters, Keene High School, Surry, East Stroudsburg University
New Jersey - Jewel Gonzalez, Phillipsburg High School, Phillipsburg, Gannon University
New Mexico - Selvi Gallegos, Sandia High School, Albuquerque, Oklahoma City University
New York - Mia Macaluso, Minisink Valley High School, Otisville, East Stroudsburg University
North Carolina - Brooklyn Hermel, Havelock High School, Havelock, Oklahoma City University
North Dakota - Sierra Ramberg, West Fargo High School, Fargo
Ohio - Leilah Castro, New Lexington High School, New Lexington, Campbellsville University
Oklahoma - Janene Perry, Stilwell High School, Welling
Oregon - Olivia Robinson, Glencoe High School, Hillsboro, Eastern Oregon University
Pennsylvania - Caitlyn Walker, Wyoming Seminary Prep School, Hatboro, Columbia University
Rhode Island - Amber Aguilar, Central Falls High School, Central Falls
South Carolina - Elisha Thaxton, West-Oak High School, Westminster
South Dakota - Alisha Van Scoy, Stevens High School, Rapid City, University of Saint Mary
Tennessee - Emma Walker, Rossview High School, Clarksville, Campbellsville University
Texas - Camille Fournier, Weatherford High School, Weatherford, Texas Wesleyan University
Utah - Kathleen Janis, Layton High School, Layton, King University
Virginia - Elizabeth Dosado, Caroline High School, Ruther Glen, University of the Cumberlands
Washington - Molly Williams, Redmond High School, Redmond
West Virginia - Samantha Miller, Parkersburg South High School, Parkersburg, Presbyterian College
Wisconsin - Marta Jasperson, Hudson Senior High School, Hudson
Wyoming - Charmayne DeLong, Moorcroft High School, Weston, Indiana Tech University

All-Time National Winners of Tricia Saunders High School Excellence Award
2019 - Emily Shilson, Mounds View High School, North Oaks, Minnesota
2018 - Alleida Martinez, Selma High School, Selma, California
2017 - Cierra Foster, Post Falls High School, Post Falls, Idaho
2016 - Katie Brock, Sequatchie County High School, Whitwell, Tennessee
2015 - Marizza Birrueta, Grandview High School, Grandview, Washington
2014 - Marina Doi, Kingsburg High School, Kingsburg, California

National Wrestling Hall of Fame & Museum
America's shrine to the sport of wrestling, the National Wrestling Hall of Fame & Museum was founded as a nonprofit organization in 1976 to honor the sport of wrestling, preserve its history, recognize extraordinary individual achievements, and inspire future generations. The National Wrestling Hall of Fame has museums in Stillwater, Oklahoma, and Waterloo, Iowa. The Stillwater, Oklahoma, location reopened in June 2016 following a $3.8 million renovation while the Waterloo, Iowa, location reopened in March 2019 after undergoing a $1.4 million renovation. Both museums now feature interactive exhibits and electronic kiosks, as well as the opportunity to watch NCAA Championship matches from the 1930s to present day. Stillwater also has the John T. Vaughan Hall of Honors where the greatest names in wrestling are recognized, including iconic granite plaques presented to Distinguished Members since the Hall of Fame opened in 1976. The museum has the largest collection of wrestling artifacts and memorabilia in the world, including the most collegiate and Olympic wrestling uniforms. Wrestling truly is for everyone and the diversity and accessibility of the sport continues to be highlighted through exhibits featuring females, African-Americans, Asian Americans, Native Americans, and Latino Americans. There is also a library featuring historical documents, including NCAA guides and results, as well as books on the sport.

For more information about the Hall of Fame, please visit www.NWHOF.org.

Dave Schultz High School Excellence Award state winners announced

Thu, 14 May 2020 19:18:34 +0000

STILLWATER, Okla. -- The National Wrestling Hall of Fame on Thursday announced the state winners of the Dave Schultz High School Excellence Award (DSHSEA).

The DSHSEA was established in 1996 to honor Olympic and World champion Dave Schultz, whose career was cut short when he was murdered in January 1996. He was inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame as a Distinguished Member in 1997 and as a member of the United World Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2016.

The award recognizes and celebrates the nation's most outstanding high school senior male wrestlers for their excellence in wrestling, scholastic achievement, citizenship, and community service.

Winners are evaluated and selected on the basis of three criteria: success and standout performances and sportsmanship in wrestling; review of GPA and class rank, academic honors and distinctions; and participation in activities that demonstrate commitment to character and community.

"This is the 25th year that we have presented our Dave Schultz High School Excellence Award and we're excited to recognize another group of young men, who have excelled not only on the wrestling mat, but also in the classroom and in their communities," said Hall of Fame Executive Director Lee Roy Smith. "I want to thank our selection committee for the thorough work they have done in determining this year's winners. We look forward to following these young men as they chart new goals for themselves on the mat and in their lives."

DSHSEA regional winners will be announced on May 21 and the national winner will be announced on May 28. The state winners of the Tricia Saunders High School Excellence Award (TSHSEA) were announced on Tuesday. The TSHSEA recognizes and celebrates the nation's most outstanding high school senior female wrestlers for their excellence in wrestling, scholastic achievement, citizenship, and community service. The TSHSEA regional winners will be announced on May 19 and the national winner will be announced on May 26.

The Hall of Fame accepts nominations for its high school excellence awards from state chapters and coaches. The nominations are reviewed by a committee, which selects state and regional winners. The committee then determines the national winners from the regional winners.

National winners of the DSHSEA award have combined to win 19 NCAA Division I individual titles led by four-time champion Logan Stieber (2010), three-time winner Zain Retherford (2013) and two-time winners Steven Mocco (2001), David Taylor (2009) and Teyon Ware (2002). The 2016 winner of the DSHSEA Mark Hall won an NCAA title as a freshman in 2017 while 2015 winner Zahid Valencia won back-to-back championships in 2018 and 2019.

2020 Dave Schultz High School Excellence Award State Winners

State - Name, High School, Hometown, College Attending
Alabama - Dylan Pearson, Auburn High School, Auburn
Alaska - Hayden Lieb, Bethel Regional High School, Bethel, University of Wyoming
Arizona - Jesse Ybarra, Sunnyside High School, Tucson, University of Iowa
Arkansas - Landon Valdez, Searcy High School, McRae
California - Jesse Vasquez, Excelsior Charter High School, Corona, Arizona State University
Colorado - Isaiah Salazar, Windsor High School, Greeley, University Of Minnesota
Connecticut - Ryan Jack, Danbury High School, Danbury, North Carolina State University
Delaware - Jackson Dean, Caesar Rodney High School, Hartly, University of Pennsylvania
Florida - Bretli Reyna, South Dade Senior High School, Homestead, University of Iowa
Georgia - Andrew Eller, Evans High School, Evans, Lander University
Hawaii - Kysen Terukina, Kamehameha Schools - Kapalama, Ewa Beach
Idaho - Sawyer Hobbs, South Fremont High School, Saint Anthony, Utah Valley University
Illinois - David Ferrante, Huntley High School, Huntley, Northwestern University
Indiana - Silas Allred, Shenandoah High School, Anderson, University of Nebraska
Iowa - Cael Happel, Lisbon High School, Lisbon, University of Northern Iowa
Kansas - Cade Lautt, Saint James Academy, Olathe, University of North Carolina
Kentucky - Thomas Deck, Madison Central High School, Richmond, United States Military Academy
Louisiana - Alexander Yokubaitis, St. Louis Catholic High School, Lake Charles, Oklahoma State University
Maine - Sam Martel, Noble High School, Lebanon
Maryland - Dominic Solis, McDonogh School, Odenton, University of Maryland
Massachusetts - Hunter Adrian, Melrose High School, Melrose, Brown University
Michigan - Austin Boone, Lowell Senior High School, Ada, Penn State University
Minnesota - Patrick Kennedy, Kasson-Mantorville High School, West Concord, University of Iowa
Missouri - Rocky Elam, Staley High School, Kansas City, University of Missouri
Montana - Leif Schroeder, Bozeman High School, Bozeman, University of Iowa
Nebraska - Maxx Mayfield, Lincoln East High School, Lincoln, Northwestern University
Nevada - Tommy McCormick, Churchill County High School, Fallon, University of Idaho (football)
New Hampshire - Beau Dillon, Salem High School, Derry, Edinboro University
New Jersey - Anthony Clark, Delbarton School, East Hanover, Princeton University
New Mexico - Andrew Trujillo, Robertson High School, Las Vegas, New Mexico Highlands University
New York - Greg Diakomihalis, Hilton High School, Rochester, Cornell University
North Carolina - Kobe Early, Cary High School, Cary, Appalachian State University
North Dakota - Garrett Jangula, Napoleon Public School, Napoleon
Ohio - Mick Burnett, Elyria High School, Elyria, University of Pittsburgh
Oklahoma - Konner Doucet, Comanche High School, Comanche, Oklahoma State University
Oregon - Santos Cantu III, Crescent Valley High School, Salem, Indiana University
Pennsylvania - Ed Scott, DuBois Area High School, DuBois, North Carolina State
Rhode Island - Mason Clarke, Coventry High School, Coventry, Columbia University
South Carolina - Walker Stephenson, Hillcrest High School, Simpsonville, United States Military Academy
South Dakota - Nash Hutmacher, Chamberlain High School, Oacoma, Nebraska (football)
Tennessee - Noah Horst, Baylor School, Gallatin, University of Tennessee at Chattanooga
Texas - Parker Decker, Keller High School, Keller, Duke University
Utah - Stockton O'Brien, Wasatch High School, Kamas, Utah Valley University
Vermont - Sam Wilkins, Mount Anthony Union High School, Bennington, Castleton University
Virginia - Samuel Fisher, Fauquier High School, Jeffersonton, Virginia Tech University
Washington - Haiden Drury, Toppenish High School, Toppenish, Fresno State University
West Virginia - Braxton Amos, Parkersburg South High School, Mineral Wells, University of Wisconsin
Wisconsin - Keegan O'Toole, Arrowhead High School, Hartland, University of Missouri
Wyoming - Jace Palmer, Kelly Walsh High School, Casper

All-Time National Winners of Dave Schultz High School Excellence Award
2019 - Cohlton Schultz, Ponderosa High School, Parker, Colorado (Greco-Roman Cadet World Champion)
2018 - David Carr, Perry High School, Massillon, Ohio (Junior World Champion)
2017 - Daton Fix, Charles Page High School, Sand Springs, Oklahoma (Junior World Champion)
2016 - Mark Hall II, Apple Valley High School, Apple Valley, Minnesota (NCAA Champion and 2X Junior World Champion)
2015 - Zahid Valencia, St. John Bosco High School, Bellflower, California (2X NCAA Champion and Junior World Silver Medalist)
2014 - Chance Marsteller, Kennard-Dale High School, Fawn Grove, Pennsylvania
2013 - Zain Retherford, Benton Area High School, Benton, Pennsylvania (3X NCAA Champion)
2012 - Taylor Massa, St. Johns High School, St. Johns, Michigan
2011 - Morgan McIntosh, Calvary Chapel High School, Santa Ana, California
2010 - Logan Stieber, Monroeville High School, Monroeville, Ohio (World Champion and 4X NCAA Champion)
2009 - David Taylor, Graham High School, St. Paris, Ohio (World Champion and 2X NCAA Champion)
2008 - Jason Chamberlain, Springville High School, Springville, Utah
2007 - Zachary Sanders, Wabasha-Kellogg High School, Wabasha, Minnesota
2006 - David Craig, Brandon High School, Brandon, Florida
2005 - Troy Nickerson, Chenango Forks High School, Chenango Forks, New York (NCAA Champion)
2004 - Coleman Scott, Waynesburg High School, Waynesburg, Pennsylvania (NCAA Champion and Olympic bronze medalist)
2003 - C.P. Schlatter, St. Paul Graham High School, Urbana, Ohio
2002 - Teyon Ware, Edmond North High School, Edmond, Oklahoma (2X NCAA Champion)
2001 - Steven Mocco, Blair Academy, Blairstown, New Jersey (2X NCAA Champion and Olympian)
2000 - Ben Connell, Lugoff-Elgin High School, Lugoff, South Carolina
1999 - Zach Roberson, Blue Valley North West High School, Overland Park, Kansas (NCAA Champion)
1998 - Garrett Lowney, Freedom High School, Appleton, Wisconsin (2X Olympian) and Justin Ruiz, Taylorsville High School, Salt Lake City, Utah (Olympian)
1997 - Jeff Knupp, Walsh Jesuit High School, Akron, Ohio
1996 - David Kjeldgaard, Lewis Central High School, Council Bluffs, Iowa

National Wrestling Hall of Fame & Museum
America's shrine to the sport of wrestling, the National Wrestling Hall of Fame & Museum was founded as a nonprofit organization in 1976 to honor the sport of wrestling, preserve its history, recognize extraordinary individual achievements, and inspire future generations. The National Wrestling Hall of Fame has museums in Stillwater, Oklahoma, and Waterloo, Iowa. The Stillwater, Oklahoma, location reopened in June 2016 following a $3.8 million renovation while the Waterloo, Iowa, location reopened in March 2019 after undergoing a $1.4 million renovation. Both museums now feature interactive exhibits and electronic kiosks, as well as the opportunity to watch NCAA Championship matches from the 1930s to present day. Stillwater also has the John T. Vaughan Hall of Honors where the greatest names in wrestling are recognized, including iconic granite plaques presented to Distinguished Members since the Hall of Fame opened in 1976. The museum has the largest collection of wrestling artifacts and memorabilia in the world, including the most collegiate and Olympic wrestling uniforms. Wrestling truly is for everyone and the diversity and accessibility of the sport continues to be highlighted through exhibits featuring females, African-Americans, Asian Americans, Native Americans, and Latino Americans. There is also a library featuring historical documents, including NCAA guides and results, as well as books on the sport.

For more information about the Hall of Fame, please visit www.NWHOF.org.

Tricia Saunders High School Excellence Award state winners announced

Tue, 12 May 2020 19:03:10 +0000

STILLWATER, Okla. -- The National Wrestling Hall of Fame on Tuesday announced the state winners of the Tricia Saunders High School Excellence Award (TSHSEA).

First presented in 2014, the TSHSEA is named for Tricia Saunders, a four-time world champion and women's wrestling pioneer. Saunders was the first woman to be inducted as a Distinguished Member of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2006 and was inducted into the United World Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2011.

The award recognizes and celebrates the nation's most outstanding high school senior female wrestlers for their excellence in wrestling, scholastic achievement, citizenship, and community service.

For the third consecutive year, the Hall of Fame is recognizing a record number of state winners with 46, up from 35 winners in 2019 and 32 winners in 2018.

Winners are evaluated and selected on the basis of three criteria: success and standout performances and sportsmanship in wrestling; review of GPA and class rank, academic honors and distinctions; and participation in activities that demonstrate commitment to character and community.

"It brings us great joy to recognize these outstanding female wrestlers, who have excelled not only on the wrestling mat, but also in the classroom and in their communities. I want to thank our selection committee for the thorough work they have done in determining this year's winners," said Lee Roy Smith, Executive Director of the Hall of Fame. "The growth of girls wrestling is exciting and we're recognizing a record number of state winners this year. We look forward to following these young women as they chart new goals for themselves on the mat and in their lives."

TSHSEA regional winners will be announced on May 19 and the national winner will be announced on May 26. State winners of the Dave Schultz High School Excellence Award will be announced on Thursday with the regional winners announced on May 21 and the national winner on May 28.

Women's wrestling is one of the fastest growing high school sports and there are more than 27,000 female high school wrestlers competing across the nation.

From 1998-2015 there were six states with a sanctioned girls state wrestling championship: Alaska, California, Hawaii, Tennessee, Texas and Washington. Since 2015, 16 additional states have created an official girls wrestling state championships, or have started the path leading to official sanction: Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Georgia, Kansas, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Missouri, Montana, New Jersey, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Oregon and Utah.

Georgia, Oregon, Maine, Massachusetts, Missouri and New Jersey held their first official state championship in 2018-19 while Arkansas, Kansas, Maryland and New Mexico held an official state championship for 2019-20. Colorado voted for a two-year pilot program for 2018-19 with an official state championship for 2020-21. Arizona voted girls wrestling as an emerging sport for 2018-19 and will host an official state championship in 2020-21. Connecticut held a girls wrestling invitational tournament in 2019-20.

Sixteen states have held unofficial girls state championships, organized and run by coaches, state wrestling associations or officials associations. The 16 states with unofficial girls state championships are: Florida, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, Nevada, North Carolina, Ohio, South Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia and Wisconsin.

There are 81 intercollegiate women's wrestling teams. The NCAA has approved "Emerging Sport Status" for women's wrestling at the Division II and Division III levels, and women's wrestling supporters are hopeful that it will approve it for Division I this summer. The NAIA also recognizes women's wrestling as an emerging sport.

The Hall of Fame accepts nominations for its high school excellence awards from state chapters and coaches. The nominations are reviewed by a committee, which selects state and regional winners. The committee then determines the national winners from the regional winners.

2020 Tricia Saunders High School Excellence Award State Winners

State - Name, High School, Hometown, College Attending
Alabama - Shelby Fugate, Russell County High School, Fort Mitchell, Central Methodist University
Alaska - Rayana Vigil, Homer High School, Fritz Creek, Southern Oregon University
Arizona - Stefana Jelacic, Chandler High School, Fountain Hills, Lourdes University
Arkansas - Riley Holman, Pulaski Academy College Preparatory School, Little Rock
California - Francesca LoPresti, Albany High School, Richmond
Colorado - Tristan Kelly, Springs Studio for Academic Excellence, Erie, Colorado Mesa
Connecticut - Lilly Schwartz, Northwestern Regional School District No. 7, Salisbury
Florida - Jessica Corredor, Dr. Phillips High School, Orlando, Missouri Baptist University
Georgia - Tiyhana Askew, Collins Hill High School, Lawrenceville, Emmanuel College
Hawaii - Nanea Estrella, Lahainaluna High School, Makawao, Menlo College
Idaho - Payton Lanningham, Columbia High School, Nampa
Illinois - Louisa Schwab, Joliet West High School, Plainfield, Menlo College
Indiana - Larresha Bryant-Coleman, New Haven Jr./Sr. High School, Ft. Wayne
Iowa - Tateum Park, Davenport North High School, Davenport
Kansas - Elisa Robinson, Junction City High School, Junction City
Kentucky - Savanna Bacon, Union County High School, Sturgis, University of the Cumberlands
Louisiana - Anya Broussard, University View Academy, Baton Rouge, Wayne State University
Maryland - Maggie Palmore, Northwest High School, Germantown
Massachusetts - Marisol Nugent, Phillips Academy Andover, Boxford, Lehigh University
Michigan - Rayana Sahagun, Sparta High School, Rockford, University of Jamestown
Minnesota - Kya Rybacheck, Hibbing High School, Mountain Iron, Augsburg University
Missouri - Autumn Flanigan, Troy Buchanan High School, Troy, Augsburg University
Montana - Brooke Cicierski, Billings West High School, Billings, University of Providence
Nebraska - Jerzie Menke, Bridgeport High School, Bridgeport
Nevada - Tehani Soares, Shadow Ridge High School, Las Vegas, Indiana Tech
New Hampshire - Shandria Waters, Keene High School, Surry, East Stroudsburg University
New Jersey - Jewel Gonzalez, Phillipsburg High School, Phillipsburg, Gannon University
New Mexico - Selvi Gallegos, Sandia High School, Albuquerque, Oklahoma City University
New York - Mia Macaluso, Minisink Valley High School, Otisville, East Stroudsburg University
North Carolina - Brooklyn Hermel, Havelock High School, Havelock, Oklahoma City University
North Dakota - Sierra Ramberg, West Fargo High School, Fargo
Ohio - Leilah Castro, New Lexington High School, New Lexington, Campbellsville University
Oklahoma - Janene Perry, Stilwell High School, Welling
Oregon - Olivia Robinson, Glencoe High School, Hillsboro, Eastern Oregon University
Pennsylvania - Caitlyn Walker, Wyoming Seminary Prep School, Hatboro, Columbia University
Rhode Island - Amber Aguilar, Central Falls High School, Central Falls
South Carolina - Elisha Thaxton, West-Oak High School, Westminster
South Dakota - Alisha Van Scoy, Stevens High School, Rapid City, University of Saint Mary
Tennessee - Emma Walker, Rossview High School, Clarksville, Campbellsville University
Texas - Camille Fournier, Weatherford High School, Weatherford, Texas Wesleyan University
Utah - Kathleen Janis, Layton High School, Layton, King University
Virginia - Elizabeth Dosado, Caroline High School, Ruther Glen, University of the Cumberlands
Washington - Molly Williams, Redmond High School, Redmond
West Virginia - Samantha Miller, Parkersburg South High School, Parkersburg, Presbyterian College
Wisconsin - Marta Jasperson, Hudson Senior High School, Hudson
Wyoming - Charmayne DeLong, Moorcroft High School, Weston, Indiana Tech University

All-Time National Winners of Tricia Saunders High School Excellence Award
2019 - Emily Shilson, Mounds View High School, North Oaks, Minnesota
2018 - Alleida Martinez, Selma High School, Selma, California
2017 - Cierra Foster, Post Falls High School, Post Falls, Idaho
2016 - Katie Brock, Sequatchie County High School, Whitwell, Tennessee
2015 - Marizza Birrueta, Grandview High School, Grandview, Washington
2014 - Marina Doi, Kingsburg High School, Kingsburg, California

National Wrestling Hall of Fame & Museum
America's shrine to the sport of wrestling, the National Wrestling Hall of Fame & Museum was founded as a nonprofit organization in 1976 to honor the sport of wrestling, preserve its history, recognize extraordinary individual achievements, and inspire future generations. The National Wrestling Hall of Fame has museums in Stillwater, Oklahoma, and Waterloo, Iowa. The Stillwater, Oklahoma, location reopened in June 2016 following a $3.8 million renovation while the Waterloo, Iowa, location reopened in March 2019 after undergoing a $1.4 million renovation. Both museums now feature interactive exhibits and electronic kiosks, as well as the opportunity to watch NCAA Championship matches from the 1930s to present day. Stillwater also has the John T. Vaughan Hall of Honors where the greatest names in wrestling are recognized, including iconic granite plaques presented to Distinguished Members since the Hall of Fame opened in 1976. The museum has the largest collection of wrestling artifacts and memorabilia in the world, including the most collegiate and Olympic wrestling uniforms. Wrestling truly is for everyone and the diversity and accessibility of the sport continues to be highlighted through exhibits featuring females, African-Americans, Asian Americans, Native Americans, and Latino Americans. There is also a library featuring historical documents, including NCAA guides and results, as well as books on the sport.

For more information about the Hall of Fame, please visit www.NWHOF.org.

All-American Millhof returns to high school alma mater as coach

Sat, 09 May 2020 13:19:37 +0000

Ryan Millhof after a win at the 2019 Pac-12 Championships (Photo/Tony Rotundo, WrestlersAreWarriors.com)

The saying is ... you can never go home again. That said, it appears that NCAA All-American wrestler Ryan Millhof has found his way home to become a head wrestling coach ... at his high school alma, Collins Hill High School, just outside Atlanta.

Millhof, set to turn 25 this August, is the youngest head wrestling coach ever in Gwinnett County ... and the first coach to have earned NCAA Division I All-American mat honors, at his first college home, at Oklahoma University when he placed seventh in the 125-pound bracket at the 2016 NCAAs. Millhof later transferred to Arizona State, where he qualified for the 2018 NCAAs, and was finalist at the 2018 Pac-12 conference championships.

Before heading west for college, Millhof made a name for himself in wrestling at prep powerhouse Collins Hill High. He was a four-time Georgia state championships finalist, winning three state titles, and compiling an overall record of 119-4.

When asked about his new head coaching job, Millhof told Gwinnett Prep Sports, "I'm excited. I know it's going to be an enormous challenge. Obviously with my age, that's what everyone will look at first. But I've been wrestling for 18, 19 years now. I feel like I have a good grasp on wrestling. I'm just here to do my best."

"I know it's a lot of responsibility and I think it's got a lot of potential," Millhof said. "I think I'll be able to relate to the guys well and with the struggles you go through being a high school kid because, frankly, I was a high school kid not long ago."

Millhoff takes the helm of a Collins Hill wrestling program with a successful legacy over the years ... having tallied 12 Georgia state titles, the last taking place in 2012. However, the young head coach is optimistic that his credentials will help guide his new team to a return to past glories.

"I think if I just have the same mentality I've had my whole life it will transition well into coaching," Millhof said. "Just working hard, living the right lifestyle and holding yourself to the highest expectations. I'm going to hold myself to high expectations and hold everybody else to high expectations. This community, this school has got the potential to do that. That's the exciting part."

Pennsylvania sees 'issues' with keeping 14 weight classes in high school

Thu, 30 Apr 2020 19:30:55 +0000

Earlier this week, the NFHS Wrestling Rules Committee announced nearly a dozen new rules with an impact on high school wrestling -- eliminating restrictions on hair length, and clarification of weigh-in requirements to eliminate potential issues with having male and female wrestlers stepping onto the scales in the same locker room, to name two of some of the most-discussed -- but some in the wrestling community are focusing on what was NOT in the new NFHS rules for 2020-21.

No changes to the long-standing 14-weight class structure.

In recent years, however, a number of high school wrestling coaches have expressed concern that 14 weight classes cause problems of their own. For starters, that many weight classes can make it more difficult for many smaller schools to have a minimum of one wrestler for each weight class ... or risk costly forfeits. From another perspective, an even number of weight classes can more readily result in a team-score tie that requires some sort of tiebreaker that would be avoided if there's an odd number of wrestlers on each team in a dual meet.

It's an issue that folks in at least one "wrestling hotbed" state have been grappling with for a number of years ... and now even more willing to share some ideas to eliminate perceived problems with an even-number of individual weight classes.

However, the organization that governs school wrestling programs in Pennsylvania -- the PIAA (Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association) -- is now proposing changes to upper weight classes for the upcoming season. Among those changes: reducing the number of weight classes down to 13.

The PIAA wrestling steering committee crafted a proposal Wednesday to reduce the number of weight classes from 14 to 13 while leaving all of the weights from 106-160 pounds intact, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported.

The Pittsburgh paper went on to report, "In the new set of weight classes outlined in the proposal, the 170-pound weight class would be bumped up to 172 pounds, the 182-pound weight class would be increased to 189 pounds and the 220-pound weight class would be lowered to 215 pounds, while the 195-pound weight class would be scrapped altogether."

From the other end of Pennsylvania, LehighValleyLive.com explained the committee's following rationales: "minimal changes to the current 14-class structure (nothing changes at 160 and below); ties easier to break in dual meets; and for facing out-of-state competition, whether it be in Pennsylvania under this proposal or out of the state under the current NFHS classes (170, 182, 195, 220, 285), only three weight classes would have to adjust weight descent plans."

This proposed new weight-class structure of 13 classes wasn't cooked up in the days after this week's announced wrestling rules from the NFHS, but, in fact were a year in the making, according to Canon-McMillan athletic director Frank Vulcano, who also serves as the chairman of the WPIAL (Western Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic League) wrestling committee and represented the WPIAL at Wednesday's annual committee meeting.

"It all started last year at our committee meeting when we proposed going to 12 [weight classes] and hoping the [National Federation of State High Schools] would do something this year," Vulcano told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. "The federation came out with their new rules changes for next year yesterday, and there was no movement in the weight-class changes."

This proposed restructuring of Pennsylvania high school wrestling classes will be considered by the PIAA board of directors for final approval on May 20.

2020-21 high school wrestling rules changes address weigh-in procedures, hair length restrictions

Tue, 28 Apr 2020 19:20:33 +0000

As the result of a concerted effort to accommodate the growing number of female wrestlers, the 2020-21 high school wrestling rules changes are headlined by significant adjustments to weigh-in protocol and appropriate hair length requirements.

The National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) Wrestling Rules Committee met April 5-6 and recommended 11 rules changes to take effect next school year. In accordance with current health safety guidelines, the rules meeting was held in an online format. All rules revisions recommended by the Wrestling Rules Committee were approved by the NFHS Board of Directors.

"These rule changes are some of the most prolific modifications in the history of high school wrestling," said Elliot Hopkins, NFHS director of sports and student services and liaison to the Wrestling Rules Committee. "The rules committee made necessary, drastic changes to attract more young people to our sport without sacrificing the health and safety of the participants."

The weigh-in procedure was altered through a combination of changes to Rule 4, Section 5 (Weighing-In) of the Wrestling Rule Book. Following an amendment to the legal uniform laid out in Rule 4-1-1c, which now permits female wrestlers to wear a form-fitted compression shirt that completely covers their breasts in addition to a one-piece singlet and a suitable undergarment, Rule 4-5-7 was rewritten to require that a legal uniform be worn during weigh-in and that no additional weight allowance be granted. An additional clause prohibiting shoes and ear guards during weigh-in was also written into 4-5-7.

Weighing-in with a legal uniform allowed the Committee to break down more gender barriers with subsequent changes to Rules 4-5-1, 4-5-2 and 4-5-4. Previously, weigh-ins consisted of shoulder-to-shoulder lineups of each contestant that: were separated by gender (4-5-2), took place a maximum of one hour prior to competition (4-5-1) and required supervision by a referee of each respective gender (4-5-4).

With the institution of the legal uniform (one-piece singlet or two-piece), male and female wrestlers are now able to weigh-in together in the same lineup, allowing gender-specific language to be removed from all three rules. Additionally, the form-fitted compression shirt offers females a more suitable uniform for post-weigh-in skin checks, which are typically done by male officials.

"The change to the weighing-in process is remarkably timely, as schools have struggled in the past to identify adult females to weigh-in the female wrestlers," Hopkins said. "This action accommodates transgender children as well; it respects their rights and dignity and addresses any modesty concerns for any affected children. We anticipate that the entire weigh-in process will be expedited and more efficient."

Significant changes to the hair length rule (Rule 4-2-1) were also linked to the committee's focus on inclusion. Previously, a wrestler's hair could not "extend below the top of an ordinary shirt collar" in the back, below earlobe level on the sides or below the eyebrows in the front. Those confinements, along with the requirement that a hair cover be used for hair that exceeded said limitations, were deleted. Considerable support for this rule change from coaches and officials was generated by an initiative of the Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association, which successfully experimented with relaxed hair restrictions this past winter.

"Removing the hair-length rule is a monumental change," Hopkins said. "It is important to embrace the current culture of young boys and girls who are expressing themselves through their appearance, making this the perfect opportunity to extend wrestling to young people who otherwise would not be attracted to our sport. While the hair-length restriction has been removed, the requirement that hair control devices/treatment items cannot be hard, abrasive or sharp remains. If a hair cover is used, it shall be attached to the ear guards. Additionally, the barring of oils, or greasy substances on or in the hair is still in effect."

Another modification to the wrestling uniform came through Rule 4-1-3. In order to curtail participants from intentionally lacing their shoes too loosely to cause a stoppage in the action and potentially thwart an opponent's scoring opportunity, a technical violation will be assessed in any instance where a shoe comes off, and the injury clock will be started to correct the situation. This change is made under the assumption that a wrestler is, in fact, properly equipped to wrestle when the match begins, as a wrestling shoe that is properly laced and secured will not typically come off.

Technical violations were the subject of change in Rule 7-3-1 as well. To avoid penalizing a participant twice for the same sequence of events, wording was added to 7-3-1 declaring that points will not be awarded to a wrestler whose opponent has fled the mat if that wrestler has already scored for a near-fall or takedown.

Under Rule 8-1-4, a match will now automatically be stopped and restarted in the event a wrestler commits a fourth stalling violation. Previously, if the offender was called for a fourth stall of the match while in the defensive or neutral position, there was no guarantee his or her opponent would be awarded choice of position through a restart if the violation occurred during the third period.

"This rule remedies that if the fourth stall occurs in the third period there might not be an opportunity to restart before the end of the match," Hopkins said. "This rule change assures that the offending wrestler is held accountable and subsequent points are awarded to the opponent."

Based on the hair-length changes, Rule 5-29-1, which addresses unnecessary roughness, was edited to include "pulling an opponent's hair" as an additional example of the offense.

Finally, a new article was added to Rule 8-2 dealing with participant injuries. Rule 8-2-9 has been designed to discourage wrestlers from requesting injury time from the official as an attempt to stop an opponent from scoring. If the referee determines a wrestler would have scored had the injury time-out not taken place, the injured contestant will be charged an injury time-out and applicable points will be awarded to the non-injured party.

According to the 2018-19 NFHS High School Athletics Participation Survey, wrestling is the seventh-most popular sport for boys with 247,441 participants in 10,843 schools. In addition, the number of female wrestlers increased by almost 5,000 participants in 2018-19, as 21,124 girls competed in 2,890 schools.

Arizona makes high school girls wrestling a team sport

Tue, 28 Apr 2020 18:05:48 +0000

The Arizona Interscholastic Association (AIA) Executive Board unanimously voted to make girls wrestling an official team sport, removing its "emerging sport" status.

The organization responsible for high school sports in the state of Arizona has further refined its state championships for girls wrestling to include team titles, not just individual champions. The AIA will award state tournament-qualifying section championship plaques for girls in each of its eight sections as well as state championship winners and second-place trophies.

With these AIA-approved changes -- to be implemented for the 2020-21 season -- girls' wrestling competition will bear a stronger resemblance to the way boys' competition works.

AIA Sports Administrator Dean Visser told the Arizona Republic that the AIA's intent for these changes is to continue combining its four boys wrestling divisions and the girls' division to occur during the same weekend and at the same location.

The boys' and girls' wrestling state tournaments are headed to Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Phoenix next season, moving from its usual venue at the Findlay Toyota Center in Prescott.

Despite these changes, some things will remain the same. Girls wrestling teams will continue to compete in one division, with ten weight classes.

"The AIA is excited to continue promoting the sport of girls wrestling and we look forward to seeing our young female athletes participate in the great sport of wrestling," Visser told the Arizona Republic.

Death of California high school mat coach Larry Nelson

Mon, 20 Apr 2020 18:31:31 +0000

Larry Nelson

Wisconsin high school state champ. Big Ten titlewinner for the University of Michigan. Founding coach of the successful Vacaville High wrestling program for a third of century. Inductee into a half-dozen Halls of Fame.

All these accomplishments describe Larry Nelson, legendary high school wrestling coach at Vacaville, who passed away at home Friday morning, April 17, of natural causes at age 90.

A major force in California wrestling, Lawrence Nelson was born in Wisconsin, where he won the 125-pound state title for Milwaukee South High School in 1947. He then headed to University of Michigan, wrestling for long-time head coach Cliff Keen as a two-year starter. During the 1949-50 season, Nelson wrestled at 128 pounds, compiling an 8-3 record. The following year, Nelson tallied a perfect 12-0 record, earning the 1951 Big Ten title at 123 pounds.

It was as a high school coach in California where Nelson really made a name for himself. In 1961, Nelson launched the wrestling program at Vacaville, located between the San Francisco Bay area and Sacramento. Here's how Joe Davidson, sportswriter for the Sacramento Bee, described the incredible growth of the program under Nelson's leadership: "Nelsom's first Vacaville team in 1961 included one athlete. By the time Nelson was done as the Bulldogs head coach in 1994, the roster filled a school bus."

Over 35 seasons as head coach, Nelson's teams compiled a 533-73 dual-meet record, second-highest in state history. With Nelson at the helm, the Bulldogs won six Sac-Joaquin Section, 15 SJS Divisional and 26 league championships.

After 1994, Nelson continued his coaching career at Vacaville, working as an assistant to the Bulldogs wrestling program up until he was 86 years old. Nelson once said, "This is what I do. I coach."

Actually, Nelson was more than a coach. He recorded sports events at Vacaville as a photographer/videographer, and taught English classes. In multiple interviews with students and instructors, more than one person mentioned that John Irving's classic wrestling novel "The World According to Garp" was Nelson's favorite book to teach.

Larry Nelson was a multi-dimensional individual with a singular focus on giving his best in all endeavors.

"He was just an iconic guy, very quiet, singled-minded," former football coach and Nelson assistant Fred Jones told the Daily Republic. "He started a great wrestling program, he developed the program. Larry brought a toughness to a whole generation of kids, his style of wrestling, what he believed in, the discipline of it all. His wrestlers all loved him. They worked extra hard for him."

Former Florida high school coach Cody Hughes passes

Wed, 15 Apr 2020 16:00:15 +0000

Cody Hughes, a three-sport athlete in high school who later served as a wrestling coach in two Florida schools, died Monday at age 32.

Cause of death was not disclosed.

Cody Hughes

Hughes served as head wrestling coach at Sarasota High School, and before that, was an assistant to Andy Gugliemini at Manatee High.

Gugliemini told the Sarasota Herald-Tribune, "That's terrible news. I'm sad. We always had a good relationship," having been Hughes' teacher at Haile Middle School. "I hired him a few years ago when he was at Manatee. He helped get a ton of kids on the mats, many of whom are still with the program now. He did a great job."

"I was sad to see him go to Sarasota."

Prior to becoming a coach, Hughes played football, was on the weightlifting team and was on the track and field team for the Lakewood Ranch High School Mustangs.

Hughes went on to play football at Western Kentucky University, where he spent time on the Hilltoppers' scout team before earning a spot as the starting center.

After graduating from the Bowling Green, Ky. school, Hughes returned to the Sarasota area, coaching football at Saint Stephen's Episcopal, Manatee High and Sarasota High.
Funeral arrangements have yet to be announced.

No. 1 vs. No. 2 debates in high school wrestling

Wed, 25 Mar 2020 14:36:11 +0000

Jesse Vasquez celebrates after winning his fourth state championship (Photo/Tony Rotundo, WrestlersAreWarriors.com)

InterMat closed its books for the 2019-20 scholastic season last week with the publication of the final national high school weight class rankings. While the decisions are final on who is the No. 1 wrestler at each of the 14 weight classes, that does not mean there wasn't debate on who should have been crowned as the No. 1 wrestler.

Below are some of the weight classes where there was debate about who should have been ranked first, and/or a hypothetical matchup between the top two individuals would have been interesting to see happen.

106: No. 1 Andre Gonzales (Poway, Calif.) and No. 2 Marc-Anthony McGowan (Blair Academy, N.J.)

McGowan entered his freshman season already a high school state champion in Florida as an eighth-grader and a Cadet world champion in freestyle at 42 kilograms. He started the season ranked first nationally and validated that position when he won the Walsh Jesuit Ironman. However, the next week at the Beast of the East, McGowan was upset 1-0 in the semifinals by Tyler Vazquez (Delbarton, N.J.).

After earning titles in both freestyle and Greco-Roman at the Junior Nationals in Fargo during the summer, Gonzales was the preseason No. 2 to McGowan at 106 pounds. He then spent the first portion of the season up at 113 pounds. Upon dropping to 106 in mid-January, he ascended to the No. 1 position. Gonzales would go on to win a state title in a season where his only blemish came up at 113 to national No. 3 Joey Cruz (Clovis North, Calif.) in the finals of the Reno Tournament of Champions.

Due to California state association bylaws, there was no way an in-season match could have happened between the two wrestlers.

120: No. 1 Greg Diakomihalis (Hilton, N.Y.) and No. 2 Drake Ayala (Fort Dodge, Iowa)

This is a matchup that probably would have happened during the offseason except for Diakomihalis having off-season surgery that kept him out until early January. A clash between the two wrestlers would have most likely occurred between the Cadet World Team Trials, Junior Nationals in Fargo, Super 32 Challenge, and one of the preseason exhibitions.

Diakomihalis capped off a career in which he won five state titles, going undefeated in his ninth through 12th grade seasons. The junior Ayala recently committed to Iowa and won a second state title this past season. He is on an 86-match win streak going back to his state final loss to Cullan Schriever (Mason City, Iowa) as a freshman. This offseason Ayala was a Junior Nationals champion in folkstyle and freestyle, along with placing fourth in the Cadet World Team Trials.

145: No. 1 Lachlan McNeil (Wyoming Seminary, Pa.) and No. 2 Jesse Vasquez (Excelsior Charter, Calif.)

McNeil had a nine-month period in which he showed clear growth as a wrestler after placing second at National Preps in the 120-pound weight class. He showed clear talent, consistency, and dominance as he transitioned from a lightweight to a middleweight. McNeil placed third in Junior freestyle at 138 pounds, then won the Super 32 Challenge in that weight class; during the high school season he went undefeated with notable titles at the Walsh Ironman, Powerade, Eastern States Classic, and National Preps.

Vasquez caps his career as just the fourth wrestler to win four California state titles. However, his last 12 months have been short of appearances in major tournaments for both the in-season and offseason. The one "major" for him outside the state tournament series came at the Who's Number One event in October when he was pinned by Victor Voinovich (Brecksville, Ohio), a wrestler who McNeil beat in the Walsh Ironman final. Nonetheless, this is a match that "wrestling nation" would have liked to see happen in some platform, though it could not happen in-season due to California state association bylaws.

195: No. 1 Rocky Elam (Staley, Mo.) and No. 2 Gaige Garcia (Southern Columbia, Pa.)

This hypothetical No. 1 vs. No. 2 showdown would represent an interesting foil between an "all wrestling all the time" type in Elam against a "multi-sport" type in Garcia. Elam, a Missouri signee, has spent significant time over the last year at the Olympic Training Center, while Garcia is going to Michigan as both a fullback in football and a wrestler.

Elam is 143-4 over the last three seasons, including an 83-1 mark on the way to winning state titles as a junior and senior; the lone loss in that stretch was at the 2018 Kansas City Stampede by a 2-1 decision to Devin Winston in the tiebreaker. He is a three-time Fargo freestyle All-American, placing fourth at 182 last summer at the Junior level after winning a Cadet title in 2018; Elam also was a Junior National folkstyle champion last spring.

Garcia is a four-time state placer, including undefeated state titles each of the last two years in this weight class; he is on a 98-match win streak going back to a 3-1 overtime loss in the state semifinal his sophomore year to Julian Gorring. On the football field, he set a Pennsylvania state record with 138 rushing touchdowns along with 159 overall touchdowns.

285: No. 1 Nash Hutmacher (Chamberlain, S.D.) and No. 2 Hunter Catka (Sun Valley, Pa.)

This is another football/wrestling foil scenario, though Hutmacher has a much more robust out-of-season wrestling track record than did Garcia. Hutmacher will be playing football in college at the University of Nebraska as a defensive lineman. While on the wrestling mat this season, Hutmacher went 42-0 with 40 first-period pins; the other two matches were a forfeit and a third-period pin. He finished his four state championship seasons with a 165-0 record, most recently losing a varsity match in the consolation semifinal round as an eighth-grader. Hutmacher is a two-time Junior National folkstyle finalist, winning last spring, and has finished top three in both styles at Fargo each of the previous three seasons (2018 and 2019 at the Junior level).

Virginia Tech signee Catka is 100-2 over the last three seasons in which he has won two state titles sandwiched around a third-place finish during an injury-disrupted junior season. This past season, Catka went 42-0 with 26 pins, including a title at the Beast of the East. This past offseason, Catka was champion at the Super 32 Challenge and qualified for the Cadet World Team in freestyle. Surprising for an upperweight, Catka never played football in high school.

Olympic champ Monday honored with high school basketball court named in his honor

Fri, 20 Mar 2020 18:15:13 +0000

Kenny Monday and Coleman Scott coaching Tony Ramos (Photo/Tony Rotundo, WrestlersAreWarriors.com)

Two-time Olympic medal-winning wrestler. Three-time NCAA All-American for Oklahoma State. Four-time Oklahoma high school state champ. National Wrestling Hall of Fame honoree.

Now Kenny Monday has added to his impressive list of honors, as his name is now gracing the gym floor of his high school alma mater in Tulsa, Okla., along with fellow Booker T. Washington alum -- and Olympic gold medalist in basketball -- Waymon Tisdale.

The floor at the Nathan E. Harris Field House at Booker T. Washington High School now bears its official new name, the Monday/Tisdale Court.

"Those two individuals had a great athletic impact at Booker T. and nationally," Tulsa Public Schools athletic director Gil Cloud said Wednesday. "It's amazing that it took eight years for this to happen, but we wanted to make sure we got this done."

As for Cloud's reference to "eight years" ... here's how the Tulsa World described the history of the effort to name the basketball court after the two Olympic gold medalist alums from Booker T. Washington High:

"The court was supposed to have been named for Monday and Tisdale when the Harris Field House officially opened in 2012. But that winter the TPS athletic department was in turmoil until Cloud became athletic director on Feb. 7 -- three days before the facility's first game. Cloud was not aware of the naming plans when he was hired."

Kenneth Dale "Kenny" Monday was born in Tulsa on November 25, 1961. Monday was a 1980 graduate of Tulsa's Booker T. Washington High, where he won four Oklahoma state mat titles in four different weight classes, while complying a near-perfect 140-0-1 prep record.

Monday then headed west to Stillwater to wrestle at Oklahoma State, where he wrestled at 150 pounds. He was a three-time NCAA All-American, twice as a runner-up, winning the title at the 1984 NCAAs. As a Cowboy, Monday compiled an impressive 121-12-2 overall record. He graduated from Oklahoma State in 1984.

In addition to his folkstyle wrestling success, Kenny Monday made a name for himself in international freestyle competition. He won the gold medal at 163 pounds at the 1988 Seoul Olympics, becoming the first African-American wrestler to earn Olympic gold. Four years later, Monday brought home a silver at the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona ... then placed sixth at the 1996 Atlanta Games. Other world-class victories included the 1988 Tblisi Tournament, the 1989 World Championships, the 1991 Pan American Games and the President's Cup in Turkey, the 1992 Roger Coulon in France and the 1996 Dan Kolov Tournament in Bulgaria.

With all these mat honors, Kenny Monday is currently one of four American wrestlers who have won the Junior Nationals, NCAA Championships, World Championships, and Olympic Games.

For these accomplishments, Monday was welcomed as a Distinguished Member of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame in Stillwater, Okla. in 2001.

Monday now coaches at the Tar Heel Wrestling Club at the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill.

McCaskey is first Pennsylvania high school to add girls wrestling program

Thu, 19 Mar 2020 21:48:41 +0000

Pennsylvania -- arguably a hotbed for amateur wrestling -- will now have at least one high school with a dedicated girls wrestling program.

McCaskey High School in Lancaster will be the first in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to have a girls mat program, thanks to a unanimous vote of the School District of Lancaster in an already-scheduled meeting to address a number of topics, conducted remotely to comply with guidelines designed to slow the spread of the coronavirus COVID-19, according to Dustin Hockensmith of PennLive.com.

"With Tuesday's vote, McCaskey becomes the first school in Pennsylvania to sponsor a girls team, fulfilling the district's commitment to equity and diversity and to leadership that ensures all students have equitable opportunities," wrote Dave Byrne, sportswriter for LancasterOnline.com.

"I'm hopeful that other (schools) will see this as a road map and follow suit," said McCaskey Director of Athletics Jon Mitchell.

To that end, the bylaws of the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association (PIAA) state that 100 member schools must sponsor a sport (such as girls wrestling) before it will consider officially sanctioning that sport and creating its own championship.

The McCaskey girls mat program will launch this fall. Current wrestling coach Isaias Rodriguez will oversee both the boys and girls teams at the school. Plans are to hire an assistant coach this summer.

Girls high school wrestling has grown exponentially in the past couple years. Currently, 21 states have officially sanctioned girls wrestling, creating separate regular-season competition and state championship events. As recently as the beginning of 2018, six states had separate state wrestling championships for girls: Alaska, California, Hawaii, Tennessee, Texas and Washington State.

McCaskey High School is located in Lancaster, between Philadelphia and Harrisburg, the Pennsylvania state capital. The public high school has a total enrollment of approximately 2,700 students.

Amos named InterMat High School Wrestler of the Year

Wed, 18 Mar 2020 15:56:55 +0000

Braxton Amos has been named InterMat High School Wrestler of the Year (Photo/Sam Janicki, SJanickiPhoto.com)

Link: Final High School Individual Rankings

If one has been paying any attention to the news, the novel coronavirus has put global society at a total stalemate for the last week and will do so for the foreseeable future. Prior to this stalemate, all but one of the state championships were conducted for 2019-20. Ohio was the exception. Normally at this point, postseason national tournaments (i.e. NHSCA grade-level and USA Wrestling folkstyle) would be upcoming; however, those events have been postponed until the COVID-19 stalemate comes to an end.

Since that is the case, InterMat has decided to conclude the 2019-20 scholastic wrestling season from a national rankings perspective. The below article will acknowledge the Wrestler of the Year along with the other wrestlers ranked No. 1 in the country at their respective weight classes.

Wrestler of the Year: Braxton Amos, Parkersburg South (W.Va.), 220 pounds

Already a Cadet (now 16U) double national champion before stepping into high school, the University of Wisconsin signee packed more than a full four years' worth of accomplishments into a three-year scholastic wrestling career. Amos missed his freshman season due to injury sustained during September 2016. However, in the next three seasons he amassed an in-season record of 132-0 with many of those matches being first-period pins.

Amos is a three-time state high school champion, three-time Super 32 Challenge champion, three-time Walsh Jesuit Ironman champion, and three-time Powerade champion. He is the No. 1-ranked wrestler at 220 pounds for the second straight season. This past summer he was a Junior National finalist in both styles at 220 pounds, winning the title in freestyle and advancing to the Greco-Roman final before having to injury default.

Previous Wrestlers of the Year

2019: Carson Kharchla (Olentangy Liberty, Ohio)
2018: Gable Steveson (Apple Valley, Minn.)
2017: Vito Arujau (Syosset, N.Y.)
2016: Mark Hall (Apple Valley, Minn.)
2015: Mark Hall (Apple Valley, Minn.)
2014: Chance Marsteller (Kennard Dale, Pa.)
2013: Kyle Snyder (Good Counsel, Md.)
2012: Jason Tsirtsis (Crown Point, Ind.)
2011: Morgan McIntosh (Calvary Chapel, Calif.)

Other top-ranked wrestlers

Andre Gonzales after winning a California state title (Photo/Tony Rotundo, WrestlersAreWarriors.com)

106 pounds: Andre Gonzales (Poway, Calif.)

After placing third at state in the 106-pond weight class last year as a sophomore, Gonzales would go on to win Junior National titles in both freestyle and Greco-Roman at 106 during the summer. His lone loss as a junior came up at 113 pounds in the Reno TOC final, 3-2 to national No. 3 Joey Cruz (Clovis North, Calif.). Gonzales earned state gold this season with a pair of wins over wrestlers ranked inside the top 15 nationally at the state tournament.

113 pounds: Richard Figueroa (Selma, Calif.)

Through three years of high school wrestling, Figueroa remains unblemished except for single loss in the final of the 2017 Walsh Jesuit Ironman. He is a three-time state champion, this year scorching his way through the bracket with two shutout technical falls, a pin, and a pair of victories over nationally ranked opposition (including a fourth win over national No. 3 Joey Cruz in the championship match). Figueroa is also a two-time Cadet World Team member in freestyle, and has finished the season ranked No. 1 nationally in this weight class each of the last two seasons.

120 pounds: Greg Diakomihalis (Hilton, N.Y.)

After his return from an offseason knee injury in early January, Diakomihalis amassed a 25-0 record on the way to his fifth state championship. The Cornell commit finished his career with a record of 219-2, including a winning streak of more than 175 straight matches going back to his eighth-grade season.

126 pounds: Nic Bouzakis (Wyoming Seminary, Pa.)

Already a high school state champion in seventh through ninth grade at Lake Highland Prep (Fla.), Bouzakis added a National Prep title during his debut season at Wyoming Seminary as a high school sophomore. Prior to the start of the high school season, Bouzakis was a 16U National freestyle champion and a Super 32 Challenge champion (it was his third placement in the high school division of the Super 32). During 2019-20, Bouzakis was a champion at the Walsh Jesuit Ironman with his lone loss coming in the Powerade final by disqualification due to an illegal slam.

132 pounds: Shayne Van Ness (Blair Academy, N.J.)

Despite missing the first month of this scholastic season, Van Ness had established his robust credential and ability level with his success last season and then a pair of wins during Who's Number One in early October against the two wrestlers that ended the season ranked directly behind him. Upon return, Van Ness dominated his way to a National Prep championship with three pins and two technical falls in five bouts, including wins over three of the other four top-five finishers.

Wyoming Seminary's Beau Bartlett (Photo/Sam Janicki, SJanickiPhoto.com)

138 pounds: Beau Bartlett (Wyoming Seminary, Pa.)

The Penn State signee won a fourth National Prep title with four pins in four bouts leading up to an 11-4 victory over nationally ranked Lucas Chittum (Blair Academy, N.J.) in the championship match. During the season, he continued to be in title contention at everything under the sun, including a runner-up finish at the Walsh Jesuit Ironman and earning a second title at the Powerade Tournament in two career attempts.

145 pounds: Lachlan McNeil (Wyoming Seminary, Pa.)

The North Carolina signee arguably made the most profound leap from the end of last season to the end of this season out of any wrestler in the country. After ending last season as runner-up at National Preps in the 120-pound weight class, McNeil finished third in Junior freestyle and was Super 32 Challenge champion at 138 pounds in the offseason; then during this season he dominated his way to titles at the Walsh Jesuit Ironman, Powerade, and National Prep tournaments during an undefeated season.

152 pounds: Chase Saldate (Gilroy, Calif.)

The Michigan State signee had a superlative senior season, going undefeated on the way to a state championship, including titles at the Reno TOC and Doc Buchanan Invitational; this included a 5-0 mark against four different nationally ranked opponents. Between last year's state runner-up at the start of this season, Saldate placed fourth in Junior freestyle and was champion in the Super 32 Challenge, with both coming at 152 pounds.

160 pounds: Keegan O'Toole (Arrowhead, Wis.)

The Missouri signee finishes his career a four-time state champion after going 49-0 during his senior season, which means that O'Toole ends scholastic wrestling on a 100-match win streak going back to the consolation semifinal round of the January 2018 Cheesehead. He is a four-time Fargo freestyle All-American, including a Junior National champion in the summer of 2018. Most notable wins during the scholastic period were beating No. 2 Padraic Gallagher (St. Edward, Ohio) at Who's Number One and beating No. 8 Luke Odom (Edwardsville, Ill.) in the Cheesehead finals.

170 pounds: Alex Facundo (Davison, Mich.)

The Penn State verbal commit ends the season ranked No. 1 for a second straight season, and is now a three-time state champion. A two-time Cadet World Team member in freestyle, Facundo won a Brecksville Holiday Tournament title during the season, and is now 109-3 in his high school career.

Patrick Kennedy after winning his fourth state championship (Photo/Mary Christen, The Guillotine)

182 pounds: Patrick Kennedy (Kasson-Mantorville, Minn.)

On the way to four state titles in ninth through 12th grade, the Iowa signee amassed a record of 158-2, including 127 consecutive wins after a 5-2 defeat against Brandon Moen (Owatonna, Minn.) on February 3, 2017. If including seasons in junior high where he finished sixth then third at the varsity state tournament, his six-year career record was 223-20. In the most recent offseason, Kennedy absolutely dominated his way to a Junior National freestyle title at 170 pounds, and upended Facundo in Who's Number One preseason showcase.

195 pounds: Rocky Elam (Staley, Mo.)

Even managing to mix in some international competition, the Missouri signee managed to amass a 32-0 record during his senior season of competition on the way to a repeat state title. Elam's four-year high school record finishes at 144-4. He also is a three-time Fargo freestyle All-American, including a Cadet National title in 2018; Elam also has a 2019 Junior Folkstyle national title on the resume, along with a title from the Preseason Nationals this past fall.

285 pounds: Nash Hutmacher (Chamberlain, S.D.)

In one last season of wrestling before moving on to play on the interior defensive line at the University of Nebraska, Hutmacher went 42-0 with all but two matches being first-period wins by fall; those other two matches were a forfeit victory in a dual meet and a win by fall in the third period. He is now a four-time state champion with a record of 165-0 during those seasons, with his last loss coming in the consolation semifinal round of the state tournament during his eighth grade year.

Ranked wrestlers by state

49: Pennsylvania (3 individuals ranked No. 1 nationally)
30: California (3)
27: New Jersey (1)
26: Ohio
21: Illinois
10: New York (1), Oklahoma
9: Florida, Minnesota (1)
8: Georgia, Michigan (1)
7: Colorado, Indiana, Iowa, Missouri (1), Nebraska
5: Texas, West Virginia (1), Wisconsin (1)
4: Kansas
3: Maryland, Oregon
2: Arizona, South Dakota (1), Virginia, Washington
1: Hawaii, Connecticut, Kentucky, Tennessee

Thirty states in all had a nationally ranked wrestler (i.e. attend a high school in that state).

Wyoming Seminary finishes season ranked No. 1 in Fab 50

Wed, 18 Mar 2020 15:56:22 +0000

Wyoming Seminary won the Walsh Jesuit Ironman title by 45.5 points (Photo/Mark Lundy, Lutte-Lens.com)

Link: Final Fab 50 Team Rankings

The 2019-20 high school wrestling season was certainly one to remember.

Crowning a national champion this year was pretty clear, despite the only undefeated team (Simley, Minn.) being ranked No. 18 in the country. This year's national champion is Wyoming Seminary (Pa.). The Blue Knights were dominant champions at the nation's best in-season tournament, Walsh Jesuit (Ohio) Ironman; dominant champions at a top-five tournament, Powerade; and champions at National Preps over four other ranked teams (two of which are in the top ten).

The lone blemish on the season for Wyoming Seminary came in a 31-24 dual meet loss to Blair Academy (N.J.) on Jan. 17. However, the Blue Knights were without the services of Nic Bouzakis (126) on that evening. Five weeks earlier, the Wyoming Seminary won the Walsh Jesuit Ironman by 45.5 points over Blair Academy; then five weeks later, Wyoming Seminary won the National Prep title by 81 points.

Anchoring the Blue Knights' roster were three wrestlers who ended the season ranked No. 1 in the country: Nic Bouzakis (126), Beau Bartlett (138), and Lachlan McNeil (145). Four other wrestlers concluded the season ranked: Brennen Cernus (No. 17 at 113 pounds), Drew Munch (No. 8 at 132), Gabriel Arnold (No. 13 at 160), and Kolby Franklin (No. 9 at 220).

Rounding out the top five were the following teams:

No. 2 Blair Academy (N.J.): Dual meet victory over Wyoming Seminary (Pa.), Walsh Jesuit Ironman runners-up, Beast of the East champions, National Prep runners-up

No. 3 Buchanan (Calif.): Doc Buchanan Invitational champions, state tournament champions, dual meet loss to Montini Catholic (Ill.), dual meet victory over No. 6 Lake Highland Prep (Fla.)

No. 4 Montini Catholic (Ill.): Dual meet victories over No. 3 Buchanan (Calif.), No. 5 Detroit Catholic Central (Mich.), and No. 6 Lake Highland Prep (Fla.); Walsh Jesuit Ironman fifth place, Doc Buchanan Invitational runners-up, dual team and (unofficial) individual state champions

No. 5 Detroit Catholic Central (Mich.): Dual meet loss to No. 4 Montini Catholic (Ill.), Brecksville (Ohio) Holiday Tournament champions, dual team and (unofficial) individual state champions

Now for some interesting trivia associated with this year's Fab 50 â€¦

Simley (Minn.) after winning the team title at the Minnesota Christmas Tournament (Photo/David Peterson, Minnesota/USA Wrestling)

Only one team within the Fab 50 national high school team rankings finished the season undefeated in dual meets and placing first in all its tournaments, that being Simley (Minn.). The Spartans end the season ranked No. 18 after winning the Cliff Keen Independence (Iowa) Invitational, Minnesota Christmas Tournament, and Cheesehead Invitational; beat No. 45 St. Michael-Albertville (Minn.) in a dual meet; and won both the dual team and (unofficial) individual state tournament titles.

Eleven teams started the season ranked, but ended the season not ranked; 11 teams started the season unranked, but ended the season ranked. Those teams are: No. 35 Waynesburg (Pa.), No. 37 Goddard (Kansas), No. 38 Indianapolis (Ind.) Cathedral, No. 39 Evansville (Ind.) Mater Dei, No. 40 Crown Point (Ind.), No. 42 McDonogh (Md.), No. 45 St. Michael-Albertville (Minn.), No. 46 Don Bosco (Iowa), No. 47 Lisbon (Iowa), No. 48 Notre Dame-Green Pond (Pa.), and No. 49 Baylor School (Tenn.).

It should be noted that information about the addition of Wyatt Henson (season-ending No. 4 at 138 pounds) to the Waynesburg lineup was not fully verified at the time of the team rankings being published.

Eight teams saw a double-digit improvement in their ranking position from the start of the season to the end of the season. The biggest improvement was Simley (Minn.) going from No. 45 in the preseason to No. 18 at the end of the season, though part of that improvement was due to the addition of Reid Nelson to the lineup at 113 pounds; once that move was confirmed and full lineup information was received, the Spartans were No. 25 in the rankings at the start of December.

Malvern Prep (Pa.) had a strong performance at the Walsh Jesuit Ironman, finishing third (Photo/Sam Janicki, SJanickiPhoto.com)

The next most significant upward moves came from Malvern Prep (Pa.) and Bethlehem Catholic (Pa.). Both teams improved 19 spots from start to finish. The Friars went from No. 26 to No. 7, while the Hawks went from No. 50 to No. 31. Next in line were the upward shifts from Nazareth (Pa.) and Crescent Valley (Pa.); the Blue Eagles went from No. 42 to No. 24, while Crescent Valley started at No. 48 and ascended to No. 30. Clovis (Calif.) went from No. 32 to No. 16, Broken Arrow (Okla.) went from No. 39 to No. 24, while Dundee (Mich.) went from No. 46 to No. 33.

Nineteen different states have a team represented in the InterMat Fab 50 team rankings, as do 19 different governing bodies. (National Prep counts as a separate governing body from any state.) California has the most ranked teams with seven; Pennsylvania has six (though only four are PIAA teams); with four each for Michigan, New Jersey (though only three are NJSIAA), Ohio, Minnesota, and Iowa. Five schools that competed at National Preps this year ended the season ranked.

Seventeen teams were ranked at the end of 2018-19 that did not end 2019-20 with a ranking position. Out of that turnover in the rankings, nine schools ended this season ranked for the first time in the now ten years of the Fab 50 being compiled by InterMat: No. 23 Millard South (Neb.), No. 28 Stillwater (Okla.), No. 30 Crescent Valley (Ore.), No. 35 Waynesburg (Pa.), No. 40 Crown Point (Ind.), No. 41 St. Joseph-Montvale (N.J.), No. 47 Lisbon (Iowa), No. 48 Notre Dame-Green Pond (Pa.), and No. 49 Baylor School (Tenn.).