Category: News & Updates
Shane Lyons Names Tim Flynn WVU’s Ninth Wrestling Coach
Alvernia Announces Addition Of Wrestling For 2019-20
DAMION HAHN SELECTED AS NEW HEAD WRESTLING COACH AT SOUTH DAKOTA STATE
Another Division I head coaching position has been filled. South Dakota State has tapped Damion Hahn as its new head coach.
Hahn leaves the Cornell Big Red program after over a decade in Ithaca, NY. Hahn had been an assistant coach since 2006 and the associate head coach since the 2013-14 season, working primarily with Cornell’s middle and upper weights.
Forty-eight CU wrestlers reached All-American status under Hahn’s tutelage. Furthermore, Cornell wrestlers reached the NCAA podium 20 times at 174, 184, and 197 pounds during his tenure. Three Big Red upper weights have been crowned NCAA champ with Hahn’s help: Steve Bosak, Cam Simaz, and most recently Gabe Dean in 2015 and 2016.
While Hahn has been on the staff, Cornell as a team has won every single Ivy League championship and every EIWA championship except one when the Big Red finished as runners-up this past season.
At South Dakota State, Hahn’s job will be to keep the momentum going that former head coach Chris Bono had built in Brookings. Bono left the Jackrabbits program less than a month ago for the University of Wisconsin, taking over the reins from Barry Davis, who retired after 15 years at the helm.
South Dakota State is coming off its best season in program history. Seth Gross won the 133-pound NCAA championship and the team finished in 12th place overall.
Before establishing himself as a DI coach, Hahn was a four-time All-American and two-time national champion at the University of Minnesota. Hahn was also a three-time New Jersey state champ wrestling out of Lakewood High School.
Courtesty of Flo Wrestling
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JUDGE DROPS LAWSUIT AGAINST UIL: TRANSGENDER WRESTLER, MACK BEGG, STILL REQUIRED TO WRESTLE GIRLS
After two challenges, the UIL’s current steroid policy remained intact Tuesday.
The policy came into public light in relation to the case of Mack Beggs, the Euless Trinity transgender wrestler who went on to win a girls wrestling state championship while taking testosterone under a “safe harbor” provision in the education code.
On Tuesday, a Travis County judge dismissed a lawsuit asking the UIL to not allow Beggs to compete. Around the same time, the Senate Education Committee left pending a bill that would have changed the organization’s safe harbor provision.
The lawsuit, originally filed just before the wrestling regional championships in February, was brought by Coppell lawyer Jim Baudhuin and alleged the risk of injury to other wrestlers and an
unfair advantage to Beggs. Baudhuin amended the lawsuit several times leading up to the hearing and argued that the UIL was not following its rules related to steroid use.
The UIL filed for a “Plea of Jurisdiction,” which asked for the case to be dismissed for several reasons before it went on to a trial, leading to the hearing Tuesday.
In her explanation for dismissing the claims, the judge said Baudhuin’s case was more of a question of what the UIL did with its discretionary powers than a question of the UIL not following the law or its constitution.
Both UIL Deputy Director Jamey Harrison and the Beggs camp were pleased with the result.
“It was kind of expected,” said Damon McNew, Beggs’ stepfather. “It’s what the UIL stated a little bit after the competition.”
McNew said there was “absolutely” relief the lawsuit is over.
Baudhuin also said the ruling “wasn’t unexpected.”
“This was a very difficult, frustrating case,” Baudhuin said.
Baudhuin attempted, in part, to argue that the UIL had failed to prove Beggs fell under the “safe harbor” provision outlined in the state’s education code. The UIL cited FERPA privacy law.
Baudhuin subpoenaed Harrison to testify on UIL rules but the judge cut off the testimony, saying this hearing was not the time to fish for information.
Baudhuin said he’d talk with an appellate lawyer and discuss if they’ll choose to appeal.
“As I’m standing here 15 minutes after the hearing is done, I don’t think we’re going to pursue it any further,” Baudhuin said.
Part of the UIL’s argument was the law could change in the coming months. That chance got smaller Tuesday as Senate Bill 2095 was left pending.
Leo Barnes, the UIL’s directory of policy and compliance, told the committee that as of now, the organization can only conduct randomized drug testing, and that program is not currently funded.
It also would require any person seeking protection under the safe harbor provision to release medical records to the UIL and allow communication between the organization and the student’s healthcare professionals.
The UIL could also declare the student ineligible despite the safe harbor provision if it determines the safety of other students or fairness of competition would be affected by the student’s steroid use.
With the bill pending, it could be voted out of committee, but the chances of that are small. Thus, the UIL’s current steroid policy remains.
At least until June, when the UIL legislative council meets.
Courtesy of Sports Day
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TRANSGENDER WRESTLER, MACK BEGGS, WINS STATE FOR SECOND TIME!
Courtesy of US Today HSS
Euless Trinity (Texas) transgender wrestler Mack Beggs won his second straight state title Saturday evening to a chorus of boos.
Beggs (36-0), who won last year’s Class 6A girls championship in the 110-pound division, won by decision 15-3 against Chelsea Sanchez of Katy Morton Ranch.
Last year, the 18-year-old beat Sanchez for the championship.
Texas transgender teen Mack Beggs wins regional wrestling title amid firestorm of opposition
Beggs was the center of both praise and criticism in 2017 when a parent filed a lawsuit to try to keep him from wrestling in the female division.
A few years ago, Beggs began transitioning from female to male. The lawsuit’s argument centered around Beggs’ use of testosterone to help with that transition.
But, according to the UIL, it’s not a banned substance since it comes from a physician.
A UIL policy also says that student-athletes in high school must compete as the gender that’s on their birth certificate.
Beggs wants to wrestle boys and said he would if that law didn’t exist. Though the UIL has said publicly that it has never received an official request from Beggs or his school asking to wrestle boys.
Marco Karem, Beggs’ father, said that his son’s story should bring encouragement to others.
“He inspires a lot of people, and if he can help just one person—then it’s worth it to Mack,” Karem said.
WFAA spoke with a number of parents, and all seem to support Beggs’ choice to be transgender. However, many voiced that he should be wrestling boys or not wrestling at all.
Beggs shrugged off the jeers and told WFAA, “I don’t care, I gave my all in that match.”
“You put me in front of anybody and I’ll wrestle them,” he said. “Each time I read comments, they all say the same thing about steroids. It all comes down to technique and who has the most heart.”
Beggs wants to wrestle in the NCAA and is entertaining a scholarship offer from an out-of-state school.
He also wants to train for the Olympics.
Both the NCAA and the Olympics have rules in place that allow athletes to compete as the gender they identify with.
Beggs is also working towards a gender reassignment surgery.
At the end of the day, the teen said he’s glad to close this chapter of his life–and hopes the state reconsiders many of the rules that brought him to the center of controversy.
“I wanted to come out on top, and in my heart–I feel like a champion,” Beggs said.
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MMA Fighter, Conor McGregor, Arrested For Assault!
Courtesty of CBS Sports:
Update: Conor McGregor turned himself in to police late Thursday night following the incident that took place in Brooklyn. According to MMA Fighting, an NYPD spokesperson has confirmed the current lightweight champion has been charged with three counts of assault and one count of criminal mischief.
Conor McGregor may soon be a wanted man in the state of New York. After McGregor caused an incident at the Barclays Center on Thursday afternoon by throwing a guardrail at a bus and injuring at least one person, UFC president Dana White said McGregor now has a warrant out for his arrest, one that prevents him from leaving the state.
“They are looking for him right now. His plane cannot take off; he cannot leave the state of New York,” White said. “I’m assuming, eventually, if they don’t catch him, he’ll turn himself in. You can imagine he’s going to be sued beyond belief, and this was a real bad career move for him.
“After this disgusting, despicable move, I think everyone’s relationship with Conor is going to be not so great,” White continued. “Even the police officer who came to me was like ‘God, I was a fan of his, too. Not anymore.’ This is the type of bad move you make that turns a lot of people off.”
However, contrary to White’s statement, ABC News reports that the NYPD is still investigating the incident involving McGregor with no formal arrest warrant out for the UFC champion at this time.
In addition to McGregor’s legal situation, one of his teammates, Artem Lobov, has been pulled from the UFC 223 card. Lobov was set to fight Alex Caceres.
McGregor and his team showed up after the UFC 223 media day festivities wrapped up at Barclays Center and appeared to be looking for a fighter. When they were unable to get access to the bus, McGregor picked up a guardrail and hurled it at the vehicle, shattering the glass and cutting UFC 223 fighter Michael Chiesa on the face. Chiesa was transported to the hospital to be treated for the cuts, and it is unknown whether he will be able to on Saturday night.
“He’s got some beef with Khabib because of the Artem [Lobov] thing that went down. You don’t come into Barclays Center [and] attack people on a bus who are fighting the next day,” White said. “And the worst part is the women that were on the bus. They’re fighters. Rose [Namajunas] is a fighter. Karolina [Kowalkiewicz] is a fighter. But these goons are throwing bike racks and chairs like that through the windows of the bus and didn’t care who they hit or who they hurt.”
Video quickly surfaced of the fracas, showing McGregor and his team rushing the venue before hurling the guardrail and leaving in a bus that was waiting for them outside.
It is unclear at this time what sparked the seemingly planned attack.
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Staying in Shape Over the Holidays
This is a wonderful, comprehensive article originally written by Matt Krumrie for USA Wrestling in 2013. It’s an informative and applicable read with Christmas coming up in a few days, followed by another week off before New Year’s. It’s not easy to be a dedicated wrestler during this time of year, Krumrie offers some insight for those who are trying to be good.
“The holiday season is here and what can be a joyous time of year for many Americans can also be a tough time for the wrestler in the family. Just when they may be hitting their stride on the mat they must now deal with the temptation of an overabundance of food at family gatherings and disruption in their training routine.
It doesn’t mean wrestlers can’t enjoy this time of year, they just need to be smart about it, says Nick Spatola, a former wrestler at Indiana University who now runs Spatola Wrestling at a Fort Thomas, KY gym that provides individual and group training, wrestling camps, and clinics in the Cincinnati metro area.
“I always held a chip on my shoulder and felt special at holiday gatherings,” recalls Spatola. “While everyone else was indulging, I was still in training mode which meant eating healthy and still working out. My whole family knew what was going on and I could feel the respect. This gave me mental confidence and made me feel like I was a warrior in training.”
This is the time of the year for coaches to discuss with the team the goals set forth at the start of the year, says Ian Assael, director of the Bison Legend Wrestling Club and Bison System Wrestling Camps in Lewisburg, PA. It’s also a time of year for parents to provide support for the wrestler and for wrestling teammates to come together to keep one another motivated.
One way to do that is to write out a holiday meal plan and to schedule added workouts outside regularly scheduled practices. “Stay in a training routine,” says Assael. “Scheduling some sort of activity for first thing in the morning will make you wake up and get your day going. This could be wrestling, lifting, or running/cardio. If there are clubs in your area where you can get some extra workouts in, that is also beneficial.”
Mike DeRoehn, head coach at Lakeland College in Sheboygan, WI, and the head wrestling coach of World Class Wrestling School in Fond du Lac, WI, says the best athletes he’s coached buy into the concept that wrestling is about more than just participating in a sport and that mindset can help guide wrestlers through this time of year.
“Is your daily lifestyle — training, nutrition, hydration, sleep habits, friends you hang out with — more conducive to success than your opponents? Remember, there are two pains in life. The pain of discipline and the pain of regret,” says DeRoehn. Sometimes getting out of the wrestling room for a day or two while training over a holiday break can also be mentally refreshing, he adds: “Coaches, your athletes will thank you for breaking it up.”
Brandon Paulson, a 1996 Greco-Roman Olympic Silver Medalist and co-director of PINnacle Wrestling in Shoreview, MN, agrees. If a break from the sport is needed, try incorporating other activities into your routine. “This is a great time of year to get a little cross-training in. An hour-long soccer, football, or even dodge ball game will keep you active and rest your mind as well,” explains Paulson.
Mike Krause, Director of the NXT LVL Wrestling Academy and the Team Shamrock School of Wrestling in Hartland, MI, says this a great time of year for wrestlers to continue to challenge themselves. Want to eat a little more? Run three extra miles in the morning. Want to take the day off? Put in a two-a-day workout the next day.
“Do the extra things and eat sensibly,” says Krause, a former wrestler at Michigan State University. “If your break is long and you have no practices scheduled, make one up yourself.”
That’s what Spatola did over holiday breaks when he was competing, going for runs outside and focusing on the physical and mental aspect of the sport. “I used to visualize my opponents and see myself getting my hand raised in the big match,” says Spatola.
Spatola’s gym features a quote on the wall that says “it’s the hard days that really count.” And this time of year, when it seems like everyone around you is taking it easy, definitely fall into that category.”If you can manage to drag yourself to practice and make it through it, you just got better,” he says. “Everyone can train when they feel good, it’s training on those hard days that create results.”
No matter how dedicated one is to the sport, Spatola says this is still a time of year to remember who and what is important. Train hard, remain focused, but rest the mind and body when you can and enjoy family time at every opportunity.
“No matter how hard you are training, you can always make time for these special people during the holiday season,” explains Spatola. “Although you are a warrior in training, it’s important for your mind and body to relax and just spend time with the people you care most about.”
Holiday Training Tips:
Coaches and parents, provide knowledge: Don’t assume all kids know how getting out of their routine can affect them on and off the mat. Don’t be overbearing, but if you see them slip, gently nudge them in the right direction or try to get them to refocus.
Moderation is key: If one does indulge some holiday cookies or a larger than usual meal, schedule an extra workout, practice a little longer or add an extra running/cardio or weightlifting session.
Mental edge: This is the time of year one can work on honing the mental aspect of the sport. By keeping motivated while others may be taking time off, you can gain an important psychological edge knowing you did the right things and made the right choices.
Get the whole family on board: Inform all family members so they understand what the wrestler is going through. If no practices are available, schedule a fun activity that keeps kids active, like sledding, ice skating, or a family walk. It will create memories and help maintain the wrestler’s fitness level.
Rest: Eating right is important, but so is rest and sleep. This is also a time to heal up and get focused for the home stretch of the season. Don’t feel bad if you occasionally miss a workout or overindulge a little.
Holiday Cross-Training Exercises:
Lakeland College wrestling coach Mike DeRoehn recommends incorporating these winter cross-training opportunities into your holiday routine:
- Run outside in deep snow where you need to really get those knees up and high step while lifting your boots.
- Grab a teammate and push/pull each other in a sled to work on your leg drive
- Find a hill to sled down and then get a workout in going back up, doing these exercises in intervals of three:
- Sled down/bear crawl up
- Sled down/bear crawl up
- Sled down/bear crawl backwards up
- Sled down/carry a partner upNote: This archived feature first appeared in USA Wrestling’s newsletter in December 2013.“
Collegiate Wrestling Watch Guide
Unfortunately Wrestling is a tough sport to nail down on TV. But we’ve provided a guide to make things easier this wrestling season. Originally posted by United World Wrestling, this comprehensive guide will help you plan your activities around your favorite college wrestling matches so that you don’t miss out.
