Good News
At least one team started practice this past week, and we are currently 35 days from the opening of the 2007-2008 season.
Coombs Replaces Kenney at BSC
Derek Coombs has replaced Mike Kenney as the head coach at Bridgewater State College. Coombs has been the assistant for the past two seasons before recently taking over. See his bio HERE. It is unclear at this time why the change was made, and the Bridgewater State staff has been asked not to comment on the reason for the change. Also, there has been no official announcement of the change from Bridgewater State. If more information becomes available, I will post it here.
World Championships Video
There is actual wrestling going on these days at the World Championships in Baku, Azerbaijan. FILA posts the videos of the matches online, and here are links to some of the American wrestlers in action this week. I’ll update this post as the videos become available.
Freestyle
Cejudo vs Dadashi 55kg
Zadick vs Prizreni 60kg
Schwab vs Cordero 66kg
Schwab vs Balashi
Schwab vs Garzon
Schwab vs Tushishvili
Heskett vs Wu 74kg
Heskett vs Hatos
Heskett vs Murtazaliev
Williams vs Bucheli 84kg
Williams vs Bichinashvilli
Williams vs Gattsiev
Williams vs Yazdani
Cormier vs Wardell 96kg
Cormier vs Kodaira
Cormier vs Krupnyakov
Rowlands vs Rodriguez Valera 120kg
Rowlands vs Siddiqui
Greco-Roman
Durlacher vs Nyblom 55kg
Durlacher vs Fris
Lester vs Hiltunen 66kg
Lester vs LÕRINCZ
Dantzler vs Shatskykh 74kg
Dantzler vs Guenot
Vering vs Knezevic 84kg
Vering vs Abdullayev
Vering vs Fischer
Vering vs Tahmasebi
Vering vs Kim
Vering vs Mishin
Ruiz vs Tarkong 96kg
Ruiz vs Svec
Byers vs Petkovic 120kg
Byers vs Ivanov
Byers vs Papadopoulos
Byers vs Baroev
Freestyle Gold Medal Matches
55kg Besik Kudokhov vs Bayaraa Naranbaatar
60kg Mavlet Batirov vs Anatolie Guidea
66kg Ramazan Shahin vs Geandry Garzon
74kg Mahach Murtazaliev vs Ibragim Aldatov
84kg Georgy Ketoev vs Jousop Abdusalomov
96kg Khadzhimurat Gatsalov vs Saeid Abrahimi
120kg Bilyal Makhov vs Alexis Rodriguez Valera
Miller named AWN Man of the Year
Wartburg Head Coach Jim Miller was named Amateur Wrestling News Man of the Year. Miller’s Knights have won 115 straight conference matches, 15 straight IIAC titles, and five national championships. See the Wartburg release by clicking here. Congratulations to Coach Miller.
By the way, most teams start practice in less than two weeks, meaning we’re inching ever closer to opening weekend.
LeVesseur in a different kind of combat
Four time DIII champ Marcus LeVesseur is now full time into mixed martial arts (see this poster, he’s on the left) as he works to finish his degree at Augsburg. He fought this past weekend in Minneapolis at the “Downtown Throwdown.” You can see some introductory information in this article. However, it sounds like there was some unexpected drama in the form of a gunshot fired in the stands just before LeVesseur was set to begin his fight. After a delay, they restarted the event, and according to this page, LeVesseur won, running his record to 8-0, though details on the actual results have been tough to come by so far.
Back to actual wrestling: congratulations to my high school teammate, fellow Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy Royal Harry Lester, on his second straight bronze medal in greco roman at the World Championships.
UPDATE:
I received the following email this morning with some more details. Also, see the link below for event results.
The gun shot happened before Marcus was supposed to fight. The lights in the arena went on and fans watched as police searched the seats. There was speculation that the police were looking for a gun because the men they arrested did not have a gun on them. Some said the show would not go on if a gun was not found. The show went on and Marcus was very calm and in control. The night before at weigh-in, Marcus’s original opponent did not show.
Site Update
The photo gallery has been totally redesigned. See it at the link to the left. It now will better display large numbers of pictures and it has added functionality. Now, send me pictures from this past season, and they will be posted.
If you have video from the season, I would appreciate that as well.
Delaware Valley Photos
Below you’ll find some photos of Delaware Valley from last season. They will make their way into the photo gallery shortly. If you have photos from this past season, please send them to me to be posted. If there are enough, I may start creating individual team gallery pages, but it’s up to you to get me the photos.
Flowrestling Match Page
The link below will take you to the Flowrestling matches page where you can see wrestling matches organized by event. Just go there and click around to see the large number of matches (both from YouTube and Flowrestling’s own archive) that are organized and very easy to find.
8 New Photos
There are 8 new photos in the gallery (7 from TCNJ at the NCAA Tournament) under “Other NCAA Division III Photos.” They are also below.
Trinity hires Stephen Makein as new head coach
This one caught me a little off guard, as the announcement from Trinity that Coach Poloskey resigned came in the same announcement saying they hired Coach Makein. It will be added to the list of changes, bringing the total up to 12 new head coaches since the NCAA tournament.
Hartford, Conn., Sept. 4, 2007 – Trinity College has hired Stephen Makein (Meriden, Conn.) as head coach of the Bantam wrestling team. The Trinity wrestling squad finished with a 1-24-1 dual match record and finished 14th in the NECCWA Championship Team Standings this season. Makein replaces Keith Poloskey, who resigned this summer after one season to pursue other opportunities.
Makein was an assistant coach at Trinity last season, after serving as head wrestling coach at Francis T. Maloney High School from 2002 to 2006. Makein earned his bachelor’s degree in psychology from Central Connecticut State University, where he was a varsity wrestler, in 1999 and added a master’s degree in counseling from his alma mater in 2001. A gold level certified coach by USA Wrestling, Makein serves as a Connecticut National Team coach and as the coaches’ director for USA Wrestling CT.
“Coach Makein was an integral member of our coaching staff last season and has a proven commitment to the sport of wrestling over his fine career at the high school level,†says Trinity Athletic Director Richard Hazelton.. He has dedicated himself to the recruitment of top student-athletes to our program and I am confident that Trinity wrestling is headed in the right direction. We are fortunate to have Steve Makein take over the Trinity wrestling program.â€
Trinity hires Stephen Makein as new head coach
Thanks to InterMat for the heads up
Gettysburg College Assistant Coach Position
Gettysburg College, an NCAA Division III school located in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, is searching for a part time assistant wrestling coach. The position includes recruiting, on the mat coaching, administrative, and travel responsibilities. Pay is $3,000 for the season. Please contact head coach Andy Vogel at 717-337-6415 with questions, and email a letter of interest and resume to avogel@gettysburg.edu. Applications will be accepted until September 14th, 2007.
D3 In the News
A look back at 2006-07’s successes – article from NYU student paper highlighting Nick Coleman’s 6th place finish at the 2007 NCAA tournament
Central names new assistants – Jason Zastrow, formerly of Wartburg, joins first year coach Eric Van Kley’s staff
Tigers take part in Luther camp – article with some info about this summer’s Luther Camps, attended by over 900
Plymouth State 2007 HOF class announced – 2x All-American Kevin Sheehan honored
Iowan named head wrestling coach at D-III school – Des Moines Register article about Mike Clayton’s hiring at Stevens Institute of Technology
d3wrestle Preseason Rankings: 285
This does it for the d3wrestle.com preseason rankings. They can be found permanently by clicking “Rankings” to the left, and will be done again as the season gets underway.
Blake Gillis spent 4 years in the finals at this weight, finally taking the title in 2007. With both finalists gone, one of the returning All-Americans at this weight will look to capture the championship. Levitin, Hiffa, and Rutledge return as All-Americans, while Miller, Bowers, Laurent, Bilquist, Taylor, Tartar, and Wilbert all qualified last season. The newcomers include at least the five state champs listed, making 285 a deep weight for 2007-2008
1. Levitin (Hunt)
2. Hiffa (One)
3. Miller (Luth)
4. Rutledge (Knox)
5. Bowers (Heid)
6. Laurent (LX)
7. Bilquist (DV)
8. Taylor (Osw)
9. Tartar (Muhl)
10. Wilbert (Ply)
Contender
Johnson (WW)
Edwards (Thiel)
Kauffman (Lor)
Misko (Oliv)
Carder (Coe)
Carbone (NJ)
Panizzi (York)
Williams (Urs)
Newcomers
Wozniak (WSP)Â Â Â 2nd WI
Gesford (Lyc)Â Â Â 6th PA
Glotfelty (McD)Â Â Â MD Champ
Fisher (ONU)Â Â Â MI Champ
Binek (LX)Â Â Â WI Champ
Laplante (Osh)Â Â Â 4th WI
Toll (WW)Â Â Â WI Champ
Christopher (Getty)Â Â Â FL Champ
d3wrestle Preseason Rankings: 197
Many of the top wrestlers from 2007 return at 197 lbs. for 2008. National Champ Miller and runner-up Strandberg return along with three other 2007 All-Americans. Weatherspoon (Olivet) and Strickland (Lax) seem to be the top newcomers, but it will of course depend on how quickly the incoming freshmen develop. There doesn’t seem to be a strong contender in the weight who can knock off Miller, but in 2006 it seemed the same way going into the tournament before Kelly from Wilkes beat Miller twice in the tournament for Miller’s only two losses of that season.
1.Miller (Wart)
2.Bonander (Luth)
3.Strandberg (BV)
4.Archer (Cort)
5.O’Connor (Aug)
6. Crespo (JWU)
7..Burger (BW)
8. Fogliano (Heid)
9. Orr (DV)
10. Schmidt (WW)
Contender
Vincent (KP)
Yurisich (Oliv)
Schmalfeldt (Osh)
Miller (Lyc)
Schmidt (JH)
D’Amico (BSC)
Roggenbuck (ConcM)
Wonderlin (Dub)
Newcomers
Nemunaitis (ONU)Â Â Â 4th OH
Weatherspoon (Oliv)Â Â Â MI Champ
Connell (KP)Â Â Â 4th MN
Strickland (LX)Â Â Â 2X 3rd WI
Griffiths (Wheat)Â Â Â VA placer
Murphy (Spri)Â Â Â 2nd New Engl.
Pioneers Announce Recruits
By Vanessa Nemitz, UWP Sports Information Student Assistant
The University of Wisconsin-Platteville wrestling recruiting class is an extremely strong group, 11th-year Pioneer Coach Chris Walter announced today.
Among the newcomers for the 2007-08 school year are six state qualifiers and two state champions. They will join a Pioneer team that placed 13th in the NCAA Division III wrestling championships last season.
Coach Walter has compiled a 80-66-3 record in his previous ten campaigns, including 37-23-1 in the tough WIAC.
Anibal Nieves named Head Coach at WNEC
By my count, this leaves no vacancies in Division III, which is good, since school has started at most colleges.
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – Anibal Nieves of Agawam has been named the new wrestling coach at Western New England College, athletics director Mike Theulen announced Tuesday (Aug. 21). He succeeds Jeff Peterson who held the position for the past three years.
A native of Aquadilla, Puerto Rico, Nieves previously served as the wrestling coach at American International College and assistant wrestling coach at Springfield Technical Community College.
He still remains the head coach and director of the New England All-Stars Wrestling Club.
Nieves placed 10th in the freestyle division at the 1992 Summer Olympic Games in Barcelona, Spain, and 12th at the 1996 Games in Atlanta. He also was a six-time Pan American Games medal winner (four silver, two bronze).
Nieves received All-America recognition in 1989 after placing sixth in the 134-lb. weight class at the NCAA Division I Championship while competing for East Stroudsburg University (Pa.).
Nieves was the Puerto Rico Wrestler-of-the-Year from 1991-93 and eight-time Puerto Rico Wrestling National Champion (136½ pounds).
While at AIC, Nieves was selected the NCAA Division II East Region Coach-of-the-Year in 1998 after the Yellow Jackets finished fourth in the team standings. He coached five All-Americans and 16 Academic All-Americans at AIC and had 12 national qualifiers.
Thanks to WNEC Sports Information
Jarman Honored by NWCA
NWCA announces four coaches as Lifetime Honorary Members: Hinkel, Jarman, Sacchi, Iasiello
d3wrestle Preseason Rankings: 184
The top three at 184 depart, leaving Djoumessi as a clear favorite, at least here in August. Only three All-Americans return at this weight, leaving room for this year’s crop of wrestlers. The (known) newcomers at this weight lack the credentials of some of the lighter weights, so it may be a year for upperclassmen to shine at 184.
1. Djoumessi (Wart)
2. Coleman (NYU)
3. Figgins (Lor)
4. Summers (JC)
5. Youel (NC)
6. Giehl (Brk)
7. Smith (Spri)
8. Lynaugh (Aug)
9. Mueller (Luth)
10. Fishel (JH)
Contender
Quinlan (BSC)
Bollig (WSP)
Lenhardt (JWU)
Casper (WW)
Stueve (BV)
Kerr (Augst)
Craft (MSJ)
Horn (Elm)
Newcomers
Nielson (Luth)Â Â Â MN Champ 3X Pl
Ley (Oliv)Â Â Â 4th MI
Cambi (RW)Â Â Â 4th MA
Holland (LX)Â Â Â 2nd, 4th MN
d3wrestle Preseason Rankings: 174
Now, for 174. Numbers 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, and 7 all return at this weight, as do several other 2007 qualifiers, making 174 one of the deeper weights in terms of returning athletes. Chelf is the odds on favorite to repeat his 2007 championship after steamrolling his way to the title last year, but a strong group of challengers will look to knock him off his perch.
1. Chelf (LX)
2. Vanderhyde (Oliv)
3. Bath (WSP)
4. Gotreau (Aug)
5. Winfield (McD)
6. LeBlanc (Cort)
7. Van Patten (Brk)
8. Plowman (ONU)
9. Osgoody (TCNJ)
10. Larson (Dub)
Contender
Miller (Euc)
Branchen (JC)
Jon Henry (Heid)
Murray (BV)
Hoover (Man)
Newcomers
Brekke (LX) WI Champ
Diesel (KP) 3rd New York
Benko (Urs) 6th Maryland
McCarthy (Will) 4th Nat. Prep
Sundwall (Spri) 3rd CT
d3wrestle Preseason Rankings: 165
With 4x champ LeVesseur gone, this weight class looks more wide open than it did last season. However, there is a lot of depth coming back at the weight. Both finalists are gone, but 3,4,6, and 7 are all back along with three wrestlers who lost in the All-America round in 2007. Notably, Cruickshank of Olivet drops to 165 afte qualifying at 184 last year.
1. Palmer (LX)
2. Bradshaw (Brk)
3. Martel (JW)
4. Russo (BW)
5. Bogardus (Cort)
6. MacWhinnie (SI)
7. Van Dyke (Luth)
8. Youel (NC)
9. Barowski (Wilk)
10. Tyler (Spri)
Contender
Rammel (Heid)
Goble (RH)
Grothus (Coe)
Daugherty (Wilm)
Doan (Elm)
Dahlheimer (Lyc)
Zempel (Mess)
Cruickshank (Oliv)
Newcomers
Zotollo (RW)Â Â Â 4th New Jersey
Twito (KP)Â Â Â 3X IA placer
Kulik (WJ)Â Â Â Nat. Prep Champ
Olson (WW)Â Â Â WI Champ
