After spending last season in an interim capacity, Matt Zwaschka has been named the permanent head wrestling coach at Whitewater. The Warhawks finished 2nd in the WIAC, 3rd in the Upper Midwest Regional, and 7th in the NCAA Championships with six qualifiers and four All-Americans. He is in his second stint at Whitewater after serving as an assistant coach from 2005-2011.
Zwaschka Named Permanent Head Wrestling Coach (uwwsports.com)
Matt Oliver has been named the next head coach at Huntingdon College replacing Craig Duncan. Duncan had held the post since April of 2015. Oliver comes to the school after four seasons as the head coach at Spartanburg Methodist, a junior college in South Carolina. He also has coaching stops as an assistant at Neosho Community College and his alma mater of Newberry College. Huntingdon won eight duals last season in their fifth season of competition.
Oliver hired to lead Huntingdon wrestling program
Jul 03, 2019
MONTGOMERY, Ala. – Huntingdon College President J. Cameron West and Director of Athletics Eric Levanda announced the hiring of Matt Oliver on Wednesday as the new head wrestling coach.
Oliver comes to Huntingdon after four seasons as the head wrestling coach at Spartanburg Methodist College in South Carolina.
“The addition of collegiate wrestling to our intercollegiate athletic program has brought to Huntingdon some exceptional student-athletes who have performed well in the classroom, on the wrestling mat and in leadership roles around campus,” West said. “I look forward to working with Coach Oliver to continue the legacy of success of our wrestling program.”
A 2012 graduate of Newberry College, Oliver has spent the past seven seasons as a collegiate coach.
“Matt came highly recommended to us. He’s an East Coast guy who has grown to love the South and has recruited our state for a few years,” Levanda said. “Our program has made gains each year of its existence and based on Matt Oliver’s experience and passion for the sport, that trend will continue. I’m looking forward to the next chapter for Huntingdon wrestling.”
Oliver takes over a Huntingdon program entering its sixth season. During this past season, the Hawks set their program record for dual-match wins with eight.
“I want to thank President West and Director of Athletics Eric Levanda for this opportunity,” Oliver said. “I am also grateful for all the people at Spartanburg Methodist College who have taken a chance on me and helped me grow, not only as a coach but as a professional as well. This is an incredible opportunity and it is a chance to take the next step in my career and in my life.
“Huntingdon has all of the support and tools it needs to be a successful wrestling program. We want to build on what has already been done for the program and continue to improve in all aspects.”
During his four seasons with Spartanburg Methodist, Oliver guided the Pioneers to their first North East District II team championship, coached four National Junior College Athletic Association All-Americans and 19 NJCAA national qualifiers. Oliver was named the 2018 North East District II Coach of the Year.
Before Spartanburg Methodist, Oliver spent two seasons as an assistant wrestling coach at Neosho Community College in Kansas. The Panthers finished fifth in the NJCAA national tournament in 2014 and eighth in 2015. Fifteen Neosho wrestlers qualified for the NJCAA national tournament and nine earned All-American honors during those two seasons.
Oliver began his coaching career at his alma mater as an assistant wrestling coach during the 2012-13 season. During that season, Newberry won its sixth straight Super Region championship and finished sixth in the Division II national tournament. The team produced four All-Americans and five Academic All-Americans.
Prior to coaching, Oliver was a four-time Division II national qualifier for Newberry. He earned All-American honors in 2009 with a third-place finish in the national tournament. He finished with a career record of 118-21 and holds the Wolves’ career record for major decisions. Oliver graduated from Newberry with a bachelor’s degree in physical education with a minor in coaching.
A native of Toms River, N.J., Oliver was a high school state champion and finished his career with a record of 132-12. As a senior, he set a state record for wins in a season.
The NCAA Championships Committee has release their report from the June meeting where wrestling regional alignment was discussed. There are two new teams this year, and some minor changes to the six regionals. Stevens Institute of Technology is joining the MAC this year and has been moved into the Southeast Region with the other MAC schools. Alvernia (Reading, PA) is a current MAC member who will begin wrestling this season, and they have also been added to the Southeast Region. To make space for these additions, Penn College of Technology and Pitt-Bradford will exit the Southeast and join the Mideast. Finally, Fontbonne (Clayton, MO) will join the Lower Midwest region for their inaugural year of competition.
Additionally, while not in the report, it is worth noting that Thomas More will be leaving the NCAA next season to join the NAIA, so there will be one fewer team in the Central Region.
Sites were also named for three of the regions with Adrian hosting the Central Region, Ithaca hosting the Mideast Region, and Messiah hosting the Southeast Region.
Report of the NCAA Division III Championships Committee, June 17-18, 2019
New Regional Alignment
| Lower Midwest | Upper Midwest |
| Augustana | Augsburg |
| Buena Vista | Concordia Wisconsin |
| Central | Concordia-Moorhead |
| Coe | Eau Claire |
| Cornell | Elmhurst |
| Fontbonne | La Crosse |
| Hungtingdon | Lakeland |
| Loras | MSOE |
| Luther | Oshkosh |
| MacMurray | Pacific |
| Millikin | Platteville |
| Nebraska Wesleyan | St. John’s |
| North Central | St. Olaf |
| Simpson | Stevens Point |
| University of Dubuque | University of Chicago |
| University of the Ozarks | Wheaton |
| Wartburg | Whitewater |
| Westminster | |
| Central | Southeast |
| Adrian | Alvernia |
| Alma | Averett |
| Baldwin Wallace | Delaware Valley |
| CWRU | Ferrum |
| Defiance | Gettysburg |
| Heidelberg | Greensboro |
| John Carroll | Johns Hopkins |
| Manchester | King’s |
| Mount St. Joseph | Lycoming |
| Mount Union | McDaniel |
| Muskingum | Messiah |
| Ohio Northern | Penn State Behrend |
| Ohio Wesleyan | Southern Virginia |
| Olivet | Stevens |
| Otterbein | Thiel |
| Trine | Washington & Jefferson |
| Wabash | Washington & Lee |
| Wilmington | Waynesburg |
| Wilkes | |
| York | |
| Mideast | Northeast |
| Alfred State | Bridgewater State |
| Brockport | Castleton |
| Centenary | Coast Guard |
| Cortland | Johnson & Wales |
| Elizabethtown | New England College |
| Hunter | Norwich |
| Ithaca | NYU |
| Keystone | Plymouth State |
| Merchant Marine | Rhode Island |
| Mount St. Vincent | Roger Williams |
| Muhlenberg | Southern Maine |
| Oneonta | Springfield |
| Oswego | Trinity |
| Penn College | Wesleyan |
| Pitt-Bradford | Western New England |
| RIT | Williams |
| Scranton | WPI |
| TCNJ | |
| Ursinus |
As we head into July, here is the status of some of the coaching vacancies in Division III Wrestling
New Programs for 2020
Carthage – Head Men’s and Women’s Coach Listing
Iowa Wesleyan – Head Men’s and Women’s Coach Listing
New Jersey City University – Job closed June 5th
Competing This Season
Alvernia – Vacant since the departure of Seth Ecker; should be announcing a new coach soon as they begin their first season.
Hunter – No official announcement of MarcAntoni Macias leaving, but there is a job listing from three weeks ago on Intermat
Simpson – The school has not announced the departure of Nate Hansen, but there is a job posting on their website.
Trinity – The school began a search for a replacement for Marques Gales (headed to Sacramento City College) in April, but they have not announced his replacement.
Ursinus – Josh Mangle was the interim coach after the passing of Bill Racich. The job listing for a full-time coach is still up, but it seems likely they are close to concluding their search.
McDaniel College, recognized nationally among “Colleges that Change Lives” and U.S. News and World Report top-tier liberal arts colleges, is a four-year private college of the liberal arts and sciences offering more than 60 undergraduate programs of study, including dual and student-designed majors, plus 20 highly regarded graduate programs.
McDaniel College invites applications for a Graduate Assistant Wrestling Coach. Compensation for this 12-month part time position includes Full time Graduate coursework, an hourly stipend, housing and a part time meal plan.
Visit College website for additional details.
Reporting to the Head Wrestling Coach, The Graduate Assistant is responsible for supporting the management of the varsity wrestling program at the college. Duties will include support the head coach in coaching, recruiting, practice and meet organization and team operations, retention and administration. In addition, graduate assistants will serve as game management staff at assigned off-season intercollegiate contests as assigned by the department. Additional duties may be assigned.
Specific Responsibilities:
To apply
For a complete job description including qualifications and to apply, please visit the college’s employment webpage. Completed applications must include a cover letter addressing position qualifications and related experience, resume, and the names and contact information of three professional references. Specific questions about the position may be directed to the head coach in the athletics department at 410-857-2585. Review of applications begins July 15, 2019.
McDaniel College, an equal opportunity employer, does not discriminate in the recruitment, admission, and employment of students, faculty, and staff in the operation of any of its educational programs and activities. McDaniel College will not tolerate any discrimination or harassment on basis of any protected status including race, religion, color, national origin, disability, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, pregnancy, military status, genetic information, marital status, veteran’s status or any other legally protected status.
Wrestlers can compete in special shorts next season (NCAA.org)
The NCAA Playing Rules Oversight Panel has approved several rule changes for the next two seasons. The changes were fairly limited in scope considering that past rule cycles have introduced major changes like neutral danger and revamped out of bounds stalling rules. Several rules were proposed earlier this spring but did not make it into the final rulebook. A change to the allowed uniform is the most notable change, but there are others that will affect the wrestling on the mat.
Major Rules Changes for 2019-2021
Other changes
Several rules were proposed in April by the Wrestling Rules Committee that were not approved by the Oversight Panel. Three are worth mentioning here. First, the proposal to penalized a failed challenge with a stalling call will not go into effect. Second, medical forfeits will not count as a loss for the forfeiting wrestler. Finally, weigh in times were not changed. There was a proposal to move all dual and tournament weigh in times to two hours before competition. The rule will remain as it was previously. The first day of a tournament has a two hour weigh in, while dual meets and subsequent days of a tournament will keep a one hour weigh in.
The hands to the face clarification is the rule that will provoke the most discussion. This past season, hands to the face was called in a way more consistent with the rule book than it had been previously. See the picture below from the 2017 rule book:
The new rule changes this from unnecessary roughness to an illegal hold. The penalty is the same, but the terminology is changed. The rationale for the change is given as follows: To provide the referees more flexibility to manage this illegal action. Rules for illegal holds indicate that “whenever possible illegal holds should be prevented rather than called.” Referees will utilize verbal cues, formal warnings, potentially dangerous, etc. to communicate and attempt to prevent hands to the face whenever possible. However, as in all illegal holds, referees may still call hands to the face without any warnings if they determine it is warranted.
How this situation will be called is still up in the air, but it should be sorted out in the rules video released shortly before the season begins. It is hard to imagine how an official can “prevent” a hand to the face, but the wording here suggests that officials will be given some discretion to issue warnings before penalties. However, the rule book says that “When an illegal hold cannot be prevented, it must be penalized.” Therefore, the hands to the face call may exist in its own interpretive bubble where a warning can be issued for that illegal hold but no others. Again, the rules video will be instructive, and it may take a few weeks for college officials to settle on how this will be called.
Carthage College in Kenosha, Wisconsin, announced the return of wrestling yesterday after a 26 year absence. The school is located between Milwaukee and Chicago on the shore of Lake Michigan and competes in the CCIW. Carthage will be the sixth full CCIW member with wrestling joining Augustana, Elmhurst, Millikin, North Central, and Wheaton. Concordia Wisconsin and MSOE are associate members in wrestling.
Carthage previously had wrestling from 1961-1994, and Ron Zalokar was the coach for all 33 seasons of their previous incarnation. Bob Bentz finished 7th at the 1988 NCAA Division III Championships to give Carthage its only NCAA All-American. Tom Adams was 3rd in 1972 and 1st in 1973 at the NAIA Championships.
The school was founded in 1847 and currently enrolls around 2,600 undergraduates. In addition to reviving the wrestling team, Carthage will be adding women’s wrestling and women’s bowling
Carthage College to Revive Men’s Wrestling, Add Women’s Wrestling and Women’s Bowling
6/10/2019 1:58:00 PM
By: By David Nelson, Interim Assistant Director of Athletics For Communications
KENOSHA, WIS.— Carthage College will broaden its sports offerings in 2020-21 with the revival of men’s wrestling, and the addition of women’s wrestling and women’s bowling. These additions will expand the Carthage athletics department to 27 varsity programs.
“I’m thrilled that Carthage is expanding our sport offerings, as it continues our history of offering emerging sports that meet our prospective student’s needs. Adding men’s and women’s wrestling, along with women’s bowling, and increasing our focus on club and recreational sports will enrich our campus community,” says Michelle Manning, director of athletics at Carthage College.
Men’s wrestling will return to the Carthage lineup after a 26-year hiatus. The Red Men wrestling program, which began in 1961-62, will begin its new season with a 204-242-8 all-time record in dual meets. Carthage College Athletic Hall of Fame member Ron Zalokar ’95 was the head coach for all 33 seasons of the Red Men wrestling program. As of the 2018-19 academic year, 108 NCAA Division III institutions across six regions sponsor men’s wrestling.
Carthage College will contribute to the national expansion of women’s wrestling and women’s bowling.
Women’s wrestling was recently recommended as an emerging sport by the NCAA committee on women’s athletics. If approved, women’s wrestling will be added to the NCAA emerging sports lineup on August 1, 2020, a huge step toward evolving into an NCAA Championship-Level sport in the future. The 2018-19 academic year saw 23 NCAA institutions sponsor women’s wrestling.
Eighty-four NCAA campuses participate in women’s bowling, and Carthage will add its name to that list. Women’s bowling competes as one division known as the National Collegiate Bowling.
A national search for head coaches will begin in the coming weeks.
Carthage will also hire a club sport coordinator to provide structure for club sport athletes and to grow programs to meet our campus recreational needs. This position will focus efforts on men’s water polo, men’s and women’s ice hockey, and men’s bowling.
Joe Rau won a pair of matches at Final X to secure a spot in the 2019 World Championships at 87kg in Greco-Roman. The former three time All-American and 2013 NCAA Division III champion for Elmhurst made his second senior world team by defeating two time Olympian Ben Provisor in two straight matches.
Rau trailed on criteria late in match one before driving through Provisor to earn a step out with just four seconds left to win 2-1. In match two, Rau scored on a pair of gut wrenches in the forced par terre position to take the final match 5-1.
Rau will make his second appearance in the world championships. His first appearance came in 2014 at 80kg in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. He also was the 2016 Olympic Trials champion at 98kg, but the Unite States did not qualify that weight for the Rio Olympics.
Video Links (Flo subscription required)
Match 1 | Match 2
Pre-Match Interview | Post Match Interview
Justin Signorelli has been named head wrestling coach at Alfred State, taking over for Robert Hirsch. Signorelli was the graduate assistant at Western New England and had previously been the head coach at NJCAA SUNY-Ulster. He wrestled at Cortland, graduating in 2013.
Signorelli Named New Wrestling Coach
Justin Signorelli has been named the new wrestling coach at Alfred State. Signorelli has already jumped into his duties as the Pioneers prepare for the 2019-20 season.
Signorelli is excited to take over the program. “I am grateful for the confidence being shown in my abilities and my vision for the program by Athletic Director Jason Doviak in affording me the opportunity to lead the Pioneers NCAA DIII Wrestling program.”
“Justin emerged from a strong pool of candidates as the obvious choice,” stated Director of Athletics Jason Doviak. “He has a versatile background and is certainly going to strengthen our wrestling program. His vision and enthusiasm is a perfect fit for Alfred State.”
Alfred State President Dr. Skip Sullivan echoed Doviak’s thought’s. “I like the enthusiasm that is being brought to our teams and potential impact that will have for our student-athletes. I appreciate the “student-athlete” approach that the Justin is bringing to the wrestling program.”
Signorelli comes to Alfred State after spending last season as a graduate assistant coach at Western New England University. This year at WNE he coached three NWCA Academic All-Americans and two NCAA National Qualifiers including NCAA DIII 184 lb Champion John Boyle.
Prior to his time at Western New England, Signorelli spent two years as the head wrestling coach at SUNY Ulster Community College. While at Ulster, Signorelli was tasked with resurrecting and building the wrestling program that had not been active since 1979. During his two seasons Signorelli coached an Academic All-American, led 14 wrestlers to All-District honors including a North East District individual champion, and he qualified seven wrestlers to compete at the NJCAA National Championship Tournament. Along with his coaching duties at Ulster he also served as Assistant Athletic Director within the Ulster Athletic Department and was an Adjunct Professor working in the Physical Education Department.
Signorelli previously was an assistant coach at Highland High School for three years, leading Highland to its first team sectional title during his tenure.
Collegiately he was a four-year letter winner at NCAA DIII SUNY Cortland, serving two of those seasons as team captain. In 2013, he helped lead his team to a 4th place finish at the NWCA DIII National Duals. His Red Dragon teams were consistently ranked in the top 10 in the country and he placed in many tournaments including winning the Jamestown Open. He graduated from SUNY Cortland earning his Bachelors of Arts degree in Communications.
At Highland High School he competed in football, wrestling, and lacrosse. On the mat he was a four-year varsity team captain and was a three-time Section 9 D2 Champion, three-time MHAL Champion and he won over 85% of his varsity matches in his four seasons en route to becoming the first member of Highland’s 100-win club. He was a captain on Highland’s varsity football Section 9 Class B Championship team in 2008 and graduated with honors in 2009.
“I plan to lead a program full of student athletes who are committed to living a championship lifestyle academically, socially and athletically. By recruiting and leading student athletes committed to this philosophy in conjunction with our programs goals we will become competitive not only on the regional level but on the national level as well.”
Edited to add Jaime Miranda, a former Central College wrestler competing in Greco.
Five current or former DIII wrestlers were in the field at the World Team Trials Challenge Tournament in Raleigh this past weekend. Riley Lefever, former 4x DIII champ from Wabash, finished third at 92kg Freestyle and Eric Twohey, former All-American for La Crosse, finished third at 97kg Greco-Roman. Nazar Kulchytskyy, 3x DIII champ from Oshkosh, Eddie Smith, current Loras wrestler and a 2019 All-American, and Jaime Miranda, a former Central College wrestler, also competed.
Lefever opened with an 11-0 loss to 2019 NCAA DI finalist Kollin Moore of Ohio State. In the consolation round he defeated 3x DI All-American and 2016 finalist TJ Dudley 10-0 to set up a rematch with Moore in the 3rd place match. Lefever turned the tables on the Buckeye wrestler, rolling to a 10-0 tech fall in just under 90 seconds.
Twohey won his first match on the Greco side with an 8-0 tech fall before dropping his semifinal by the same score. On the back side, he won 3-1 in the consolation semifinals before going on to win 7-0 in the 3rd place match.
Kulchytskyy dropped both of his matches at 70kg Freestyle, losing both by 5-1 scores. In the first round, he fell to former 4x DI All-American Brandon Sorensen and in the consolation round lost to Mario Mason. Smith won by fall in his first match before he was pinned in his second and lost 8-0 in his final bout at 77kg Greco. Miranda entered at 87kg Greco where he won his opening match before dropping bouts to the 1st and 4th place finishers.
Video: Lefever 10-0 over Moore (Flo subscription required)
Google Cloud Academic All-District® Men’s At-Large Team Released
CoSIDA has announced the 2018-2019 Academic All-District teams. Wrestling falls under the At-Large grouping along with several other sports. The nation is divided up into eight districts. Those honored here are eligible to be selected later this summer as Academic All-America.
District 2 – CT, DC, DE, KY, MD, NJ, RI, WV
Yoseph Borai, Stevens, Senior, 3.9 GPA in Software Engineering – 6th NCAA
Brett Kaliner, Stevens, Sophomore, 3.89 GPA in Business & Technology – 3rd NCAA
Zach Murillo, Wesleyan, Senior, 3.9 GPA in Economics/Mathematics – NCAA Qualifier
District 3 – NY
Jake Ashcraft, Ithaca, Senior, 3.85 GPA in Accounting – 2nd NCAA
Jake O’Brien, Ithaca, Senior, 3.86 GPA in Physics – 4th NCAA
District 4 – PA
Dan D’Agostini, Scranton, Senior, 3.74 GPA in Electrical Engineering – NCAA Qualifier
District 7 – IL, IN, OH
Dante Ginnetti, Baldwin Wallace, Junior, 3.97 GPA in Accounting/MBA – NCAA Qualifier
District 8 – AK, AZ, CA, CO, HI, IA, ID, KS, LA, MT, ND, NE, NM, NV, OK, OR, SD, TX, UT, WA, WY, Canada
Taylor Mehmen, Coe, Junior, 3.77 GPA in Physics/Computer Science/Math – 5th NCAA
Western New England University in Springfield, Massachusetts, is seeking applicants for a graduate assistant position.
Western New England University
Assistant Wrestling Coach Graduate Assistant
Summary: Western New England University, located in Springfield, Mass., is currently seeking applicants for an Assistant Wrestling Coach Graduate Assistant position.
Details/Compensation: The successful candidate will receive a $6,000 stipend in addition to tuition for graduate program. This is a two-year graduate assistant position. Candidates are encouraged to enroll in Western New England’s Master of Science in Sport Leadership and Coaching program.
Interested applicants please send resume to head wrestling coach, Mike Sugermeyer. michael.sugermeyer@wne.edu.
Iowa Wesleyan University in Mount Pleasant, Iowa, announced plans to begin men’s and women’s wrestling earlier this week. The school of just over 600 students has been rapidly adding sports. The wrestling teams will be the 5th and 6th teams added in a three year period. The women’s team will be the first at a Division III school in Iowa. Iowa Wesleyan competes in the St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference. Fontbonne, MacMurray, and Westminster are the other schools in the conference with men’s wrestling teams.
Iowa Wesleyan to Add Men’s and Women’s Wrestling
Mount Pleasant, Iowa – May 8, 2019 – Iowa Wesleyan University Athletic Director Derek Zander is pleased to announce that men’s and women’s wrestling will be added to the slate of athletic programs offered at Iowa Wesleyan University during the 2020-21 academic year. The search for a head coach will begin immediately.
Within the Tiger Athletics strategic plan, “Committing to Excellence,” a significant focus is the growth and expansion of the athletic department. The athletic department has expanded from 10 NCAA Division III intercollegiate programs to 14 over the past two years – with men’s and women’s wrestling being the 5th and 6th programs added in three years. IW will be the first NCAA Division III University in the State of Iowa to sponsor women’s wrestling.
“This is a historic development for IW intercollegiate athletics department during a significant time in the life of the University,” said IW President Steve Titus. “IW is relentless in its pursuit to create the best and most dynamic student experience possible. The addition of women’s and men’s wrestling provides exceptional opportunities for students and responds to a growing demand. IW is committed to leading the movement to provide female student-athletes the opportunity to compete in wrestling at the collegiate level.”
“We are excited to announce the addition of men’s and women’s wrestling at Iowa Wesleyan,” said Athletic Director Derek Zander. “Men’s wrestling is very popular in our region, and it could not be a better time to add women’s wrestling as it is one of the fastest growing high school programs across the country. In the winter of 2019, the State of Iowa hosted its first women’s high school state championship. The addition of these programs is a continuation of IW’s commitment to providing diverse co-curricular opportunities for our students and our dedication to the student experience at Iowa Wesleyan.”
“This is an important time for Tiger Athletics. We are thrilled about offering two programs that the State of Iowa and Midwest region are passionate about,” stated Zander. “We look forward to filling Ruble Arena with fans and supporters with a new and exciting experience.”
Concordia College – Moorhead is searching for a full time assistant coach.
Click to see full posting and apply
| Position Title | Assistant Wrestling Coach |
|---|---|
| Benefits Eligible? | Yes |
| Job Summary/Basic Function | The Assistant Wrestling Coach assists the Head Wrestling Coach in the administration of an intercollegiate wrestling program including, but not limited to, coaching, recruiting, mentoring student-athletes, and participating in summer camps. All work is done in accordance with institutional, NCAA, and MIAC rules and regulations.Additional responsibilities may be assigned in teaching, game/event management, and/or other administrative duties. |
| Minimum Qualifications | Bachelor’s Degree and 1-2 years of coaching experience or by equivalent education/experience. |
| Preferred Qualifications | Experience coaching and recruiting at the collegiate level. |
| Open Until Filled | Yes |
| Screening Begins | 05/15/2019 |
New Jersey City University in Jersey City, New Jersey, has announced plans to begin varsity competition in wrestling for the 2020-2021 school year. The school of roughly 6,500 undergraduates will add men’s and women’s wrestling after competing as club teams in 2019-2020.
#GothicGrappling: NJCU To Introduce Men’s and Women’s Wrestling as Varsity Sports
Gothic Knights Will Sponsor State of New Jersey’s First Collegiate Women’s Wrestling Program
May 01, 2019
By: Ira Thor
JERSEY CITY, N.J. (NJCUGothicKnights.com) | In a historic expansion of its athletic offerings New Jersey City University will add men’s and women’s wrestling as the latest sports in its lineup of intercollegiate athletic programs, Shawn Tucker, Director of Athletics and Associate Vice President, has announced. NJCU will become the first university in the state of New Jersey to sponsor an NCAA women’s wrestling program.
Each program will have its own full-time head coach. An extensive national search to fill each head coaching position will be conducted during the months of May and June.
The men’s and women’s wrestling programs will be club programs during the introductory 2019-20 academic year before being elevated to full varsity status in Fall 2020. Potential future conference affiliations will be determined during the 2019-20 year. Both programs will practice and compete at the John J. Moore Athletics and Fitness Center on campus.
“The addition of men’s and women’s wrestling to our intercollegiate athletics program is a significant moment in the history of our athletics department,” said NJCU President Dr. Sue Henderson, the current chair of the NCAA Division III President’s Council and Vice-Chair of the NCAA Board of Governors. “While assessing areas for potential growth within our athletics program over the last 12 months it became clear to our leadership that there were enormous opportunities within this popular sport. Men’s wrestling is currently well established, both in New Jersey’s high schools and within the NCAA championship structure. Meanwhile, wrestling is one of the fastest growing women’s sports in the United States and the world. With the introduction of the sport at our institution, we will be positioned well to capitalize on the movement and be at the forefront as leaders in another women’s sport, giving new opportunities to female student-athletes.”
“We are excited to make these historic additions to our intercollegiate athletics program,” said Tucker. “As our institution continues to grow and our athletic department continues to expand, wrestling is the ideal program to carry the banner for this new era in NJCU athletics. We firmly believe men’s and women’s wrestling are sports that naturally fit our campus. We believe the addition of both programs will generate excitement on campus and our entire university community will rally around both sports.”
Tucker continued: “New Jersey produces some of the best wrestling talent in the country and the addition of both men’s and women’s wrestling will give high school student-athletes in this state a viable option to continue competing in the sport they love on the next level right here in their home state at one of the fastest growing institutions in the state. NJCU will boost the profile of a sport long synonymous with the Garden State. While schools around the country have cut men’s wrestling in recent years, we are going in the other direction, adding men’s wrestling. Furthermore, by adding NCAA women’s wrestling, we are giving high school girls wrestlers, who are now recognized as an official sport by the NJSIAA, the historic opportunity to be pioneers in the sport on the collegiate level right here in their home state.”
The addition of men’s and women’s wrestling will be the 19th and 20th sports in NJCU’s growing athletic program and the seventh and eighth to be added since Tucker’s hiring in May, 2018. Men’s and women’s indoor and outdoor track and field were reintroduced in June, 2018 and men’s and women’s tennis will be relaunched in Fall, 2019, it was announced on April 11.
However, unlike tennis and track and field, men’s and women’s wrestling have never been sponsored by NJCU in its athletics history which dates back to 1931-32.
With 20 sports, NJCU will sponsor the most sports of any school in the New Jersey Athletic Conference, equaling Ramapo and TCNJ, who each offer 20 sports. NJCU will become the 15th collegiate program in history at either the NCAA or NAIA levels to introduce both men’s and women’s wrestling in the same year and just the fifth in Division III history (Adrian, 2014; MacMurray, 2016; Westminster, 2016; Fontbonne, 2019).
Rutgers University men’s wrestling head coach Scott Goodale said: “The sport continues to grow at the college level and this is just a tremendous step to continue that growth. Women’s wrestling is thriving at the high school level and it’s great to have it move to the college level in this sport. Any time we add a program, both men’s and women’s, it’s a great day for our sport. Today is a great day.”
Women’s wrestling advocate Kyra Tirana Barry, the Team Leader for USA Wrestling Women’s Freestyle at the 2016 Rio Olympics noted: “The addition of New Jersey’s first collegiate women’s program at NJCU couldn’t be better timed coming so quickly on the heels of the establishment of girls high schools wrestling in New Jersey.”
Barry, who serves as the Chair of Beat the Streets National and as a Beat the Streets NYC Board Member, added: “Every girl deserves the opportunity to wrestle in college. This is a needed and well-deserved opportunity to ensure that tri-state girls can continue to build upon New Jersey’s strong wrestling tradition. Beat the Streets welcomes the additional opportunity for our New York City wrestling student-athletes to continue their careers close to home.”
NJCU will become the 109th Division III men’s wrestling program and the fourth in the state of New Jersey, joining Centenary, Stevens, and TCNJ. NJCU will also be the seventh collegiate men’s wrestling program in the state of New Jersey at either the Division I, II or III levels. Princeton, Rider and Rutgers also sponsor the sport on the Division I level. As of the 2018-19 year, 246 total men’s wrestling programs are sponsored throughout all NCAA Divisions (75 in Division I, 63 in Division II and 108 Division III).
NJCU is the first new men’s program to be launched in New Jersey since Centenary introduced the sport in 1997; Stevens brought the sport back in 2004 after discontinuing it in the early 1990s.
Meanwhile, NJCU will continue its tradition of being a pioneer in women’s athletics when it adds women’s wrestling. In 2000, NJCU became the first NCAA Division III women’s bowling program in the United States.
Mike Moyer, the executive director of the National Wrestling Coaches Association said: “This is a great day for wrestling! The NJCU administration has displayed exemplary leadership in their pioneering efforts to be the first college in New Jersey to add both a men’s and women’s intercollegiate wrestling team. In particular, the addition of the women’s team will undoubtedly inspire many other colleges and universities in the region to add varsity women’s wrestling as well. The timing of this could not have been better being that this announcement comes immediately following the first ever and very successful NJSIAA sanctioned state wrestling championship for high school girls.”
Currently, 48 colleges and universities in the United States sponsor women’s wrestling on the varsity level, with another 14 planning to add the sport within the next two years. Most are members of the Women’s Collegiate Wrestling Association, which administers the sport while it awaits official status by national collegiate organizations. Teams compete in freestyle formats in 10 weight classes, ranging from 101 to 191 pounds.
Seven NCAA Division III schools—Adrian (Mich.), Ferrum (Va.), Lakeland (Wis.), MacMurray (Ill.), Pacific (Ore.), Schreiner (Texas) and Westminster (Mo.)—currently offer women’s wrestling on the varsity level, with Augsburg (Minn.), Delaware Valley (Pa.), Fontbonne (Mo.), North Central (Ill.), and Wisconsin-Stevens Point adding the sport in 2019.
Lori Ayres, the co-director of USA Women’s Wrestling in New Jersey whose work helped lead to the sponsorship of girls wrestling on the high school level, said: “I think what NJCU is doing is really exciting and it will further the opportunities we are building for our girls. It’s a new way of thinking. In the past, resources were not provided until there was more participation. But it’s the other way around. What we are learning is that to build participation, there need to be opportunities. There is so much excitement around what is going on right now; to see little girls come out and wrestle at the youth level demonstrates that. With NJCU coming on board with men’s and women’s wrestling, we can really ride the wave to promote freestyle wrestling and work together with USA Wrestling New Jersey to create training programs.”
Ayres, noting that high school girls in New Jersey currently compete in folkstyle wrestling, added: “We hope the addition of the first collegiate program like this here in New Jersey is the next step to help build freestyle wrestling for girls on the high school level.”
New Jersey has long been considered one of the elite states in the country for high school boys wrestling with the sport among the most popular spectator sports. However, in October 2018, New Jersey made history when high school girls wrestling was unanimously approved by the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA), making New Jersey the first state in the Northeast to offer the sport and the 12th state in the United States. This winter, the Garden State Classic was the first full-fledged girls high school wrestling tournament ever held in New Jersey and in February 2019, New Jersey girl wrestlers competed in high school region tournaments for the first time ever.
Several wrestling organizations, including Wrestle Like A Girl, Inc., the National Wrestling Coaches Association, USA Wrestling, the U.S. Olympic Committee and the National Wrestling Hall of Fame, have petitioned the NCAA to add wrestling to its list of “emerging sports” for women, which could significantly speed the sport’s growth at the collegiate level. In recent years, the NWCA has added a 16-team women’s wrestling dual-meet championship to its annual Multi-Divisional National Duals event each January.
According to the NWCA, the number of girls who wrestle at the high school level has grown from 804 in 1994 to 16,562 in 2018, and 15 states now sponsor high school girls wrestling championships.
Women’s wrestling has been an Olympic sport since 2004, with competition currently in six freestyle weight classes. American women’s wrestlers have earned five medals (one gold, one silver, three bronze) in Olympic competition.
OF NOTE:
States and territories that currently sponsor high school girls wrestling and a state high school championship include: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Oregon, Georgia, Guam, Hawaii, Massachusetts, Missouri, Tennessee, Texas, Hawaii, and Washington.
Collegiate programs to introduce men’s and women’s wrestling in the same year:
Adrian (Division III) – 2014
Central Methodist (NAIA) – 2019
Eastern Oregon (NAIA) – 2016
Emmanuel (Division II, started NAIA) – 2014
Fontbonne (Division III) – 2019
MacMurray (Division III) – 2016 – (men’s reinstated after being cut in 2007)
Menlo (NAIA) -2001
Ottawa (NAIA) – 2014
Presbyterian (Division I) – 2019
St. Mary (NAIA) – 2016
Texas Wesleyan (NAIA) – 2019
Umpqua CC (NJCAA) – 2017
Warner Pacific (NAIA) – 2014
Wayland Baptist (NAIA) – 2009
Westminster (Division III) – 2016
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Proposal would let wrestlers compete in shorts
The NCAA makes wrestling rule changes every other year. In non-rules years, only clarifications and interpretations can be made (e.g., hands to the face clarification this season). For 2019-2020, a new rule book will be published. Here are the proposed changes. They will only go into effect if they are approved by the NCAA Playing Rules Oversight Panel. Most rules changes get approved by the panel, but not all. For example, in 2017, the proposal to eliminate headgear as a requirement was voted down by PROP.
A few quick thoughts about these proposals:
A pair of former Division III wrestlers won Greco-Roman championships at the US Open this past weekend in Las Vegas. Leslie Fuenffinger of the Army World Class Athlete Program won the 60kg championship, while Joe Rau of Titan Mercury Wrestling Club won the 87kg title. Rau’s title was his second, as he also won the US Open in 2016.
Fuenffinger was a two time NCAA champion at 125 lbs. for Augsburg. He won the 2014 and 2015 titles and was named Outstanding Wrestler in 2015. He also finished 7th in 2013 to finish as a three time All-American. He was the runner-up in the 2018 US Open. Fuenffinger now moves on to Final X in Lincoln, Nebraska, on June 15th where he will attempt to win a best of three against the world team trials winner for the right to represent the US at the World Championships in Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan, in September.
Rau was a national champion for Elmhurst in 2013 and was also a three time All-American for the Blue Jays. In 2016, he won the US Open along with the Olympic Trials, but the US did not qualify his weight for the Rio Olympics. In 2014, he represented the US in the World Championships in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, at 80kg. He also moves on to Final X, but he will compete June 8th at Rutgers.
Former La Crosse wrestler Eric Twohey finished 4th at 97kg and former Ozarks wrestler Devon Jackson finished 7th at 60kg. Both qualified for the World Team Trials Challenge Tournament set to take place May 16-19 in Raleigh, North Carolina.
Leslie Fuenffinger, 4th seed
win 8-0, 0:54 vs. Justin Friedman, Camarillo WC
win 7-2 vs. Taylor LaMont, Sunkist Kids
win 8-0, 2:44 vs. Dalton Roberts, NYAC
win 6-4 vs. Ildar Hafizov, Army WCAP
Joe Rau, 3rd seed
win 8-0, 1:42 vs. Juan Durazo, Oxnard
win 8-0, 0:45 vs. Vaughn Monreal-Berner, Marines
win 1-1 vs Ben Provisor, NYAC/NLWC
win 3-1 vs Patrick Martinez, NYAC
The 2019 d3wrestle.com Wrestler of the Year is Darden Schurg of Wabash. Schurg capped a 26-1 season with a championship at 174 lbs. at the NCAA championships. He was the champion at the Michigan State and Concordia Opens, and he was 2nd at the Little State and Central Regional. He defeated the 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, and 7th place finishers at his weight either during the season or during the NCAA tournament and was undefeated against DIII competition. He topped the defending NCAA champion at this weight in both the opening tournament of the year and in the NCAA finals. His only loss this year came in the Little State finals to the 2019 NAIA national champion.
A senior from Crown Point, Indiana, Schurg is a two time All-American and three time NCAA qualifier. He finished fourth at 174 lbs. in the 2018 NCAA Championships. At that event, he lost to the 2nd and 3rd place finishers while picking up a win over the returning runner-up in the consolation semifinals who had defeated Schurg in the quarterfinals in the 2017 championships. During his freshman year, he was injured after just two matches and missed the rest of the season.
Schurg’s record is now 107-16, and he is a three time NCAA qualifier, two time All-American, and a national champion. He has helped the Little Giants finish 3rd, 5th, and 9th in his three trips to the championships, and he is the second Wabash wrestler to be named Wrestler of the Year along with two time winner Riley Lefever. Congratulations to Darden Schurg.
Previous Winners
2018 – Jordan Newman, Whitewater
2017 – Riley Lefever, Wabash
2016 – Riley Lefever, Wabash
2015 – Mike Fuenffinger, Augsburg
2014 – Nazar Kulchytskyy, Oshkosh
2013 – Nazar Kulchytskyy, Oshkosh
2012 – Byron Tate, Wartburg
2011 – Minga Batsukh, St. John’s
2010 – Clayton Rush, Coe
Click Here for Full Posting and to Apply
Position Title: Assistant Wrestling Coach
Department: Athletics
FLSA: Non-Exempt
Job Summary: The Assistant Wrestling Coach is a full-time position and will assist the Millikin Wrestling program in all aspects led by the Head Wrestling Coach – recruiting, team development, home game management, day of competition coaching, fundraising and other duties common to a collegiate wrestling program.
Primary Responsibilities:
Assist in recruitment of quality wrestlers to the program. Help create a positive team culture that leads to success. Foster good relationships with the local high school coaches and the wrestling community.
Responsible for assisting Head Wrestling Coach in all facets of the team including the organization of practices, monitoring academic progress of the student-athletes, day of competition management and strategy.
Comply with all applicable Millikin University, CCIW and NCAA rules, regulations and policies.
Other Duties:
Other duties as assigned by the Director of Athletics.
A second duty may be assigned dependent upon on the candidate’s strengths and experience.
Minimum Position Qualifications:
Bachelor’s degree
Previous coaching experience
Extensive knowledge of the sport of wrestling
Excellent organization, interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to communicate effectively to various audiences
Ability and willingness to work effectively in a team atmosphere in the Athletic Department
Strong commitment to the University and NCAA Division III philosophy
Demonstrate commitment to the academic and athletic success of the student-athlete
After the departure of head coach Phil Moenkedick, Concordia-Moorhead has elevated assistant coach Quincy Osborn to fill the position. Osborn is in his second stint as a head coach, as he was head coach at Lakeland for the 2014-2015 season. He spent the past three seasons as an assistant at Concordia and also has been on staff at Ohio University and Buffalo. Osborn wrestled for Minnesota and Augsburg, and he won an NCAA title for the Auggies in 2007.
MOORHEAD, Minn. (4/24/19)—Concordia Athletic Director Rachel Bergeson announced that Quincy Osborn has been named the head coach for the Cobber wrestling program.
Osborn replaces Phil Moenkedick who resigned to take become of Dean of Students at Perham High School.
Osborn steps into the head coach position after serving as the full-time assistant for the team for three seasons.
“Quincy’s experience with college wrestling and the Cobber program made him a perfect fit for the job,” Bergeson stated. “Quincy will make this a smooth transition process and I am excited to have him lead the wrestling team as we go forward. He is an excellent leader and will carry on the tradition of Concordia wrestling.”
Prior his stint as assistant coach for the Cobbers, Osborn was the head coach at Lakeland College (Wis.) for the 2014-15 season. He has also served as an assistant coach at Division I programs Ohio University and State University of New York at Buffalo. Osborn started his college coaching career at perennial Division III national champion Augsburg.
I am thrilled to get this opportunity at Concordia,” Osborn said. “I believe in this institution, I have a great connection with the athletes on the roster and the program has excellent support. Concordia wrestling is in an awesome position and there is so much to be excited about.”
Osborn was a Division I wrestler in college and finished his career as a Division III national champion at Augsburg. He lettered three times for the Gophers and qualified twice for the NCAA national championship meet. Osborn finished fifth at 149 pounds at the Big Ten championship meet in 2005. He then transferred to Augsburg where he won the 2006-07 NCAA Division III national title at 141 pounds with a record of 44-2.
Osborn earned his bachelor’s degree in history from Augsburg in 2009 and then went on to obtain his master’s degree in coaching education from Ohio University in 2011.
“My vision for the program is clear, we will continue to emphasize lifestyle and character in order to help our wrestlers accomplish their goals and to develop into great leaders,” Osborn added. I believe by continuing to focus on our commitment to the process, and a championship lifestyle, we will be in a position to pursue team and individual success at the national level.”
Osborn will begin his head coach duties at the start of June.
