www.WrestlingUSA.com April 15, 2021 Volume 56, No. 4 $5.00

Editor-In-Chief Lanny Bryant USA Magazine Order of Merit National Wrestling Hall of Fame Letter from the Editor AAU National Wrestling Hall of Fame Managing Editor Cody Bryant Ten Championships Later, Iowa Returns to the Top National Editor Dan Fickel By Cody Bryant, Managing Editor National Photographer G Wyatt Schultz year a$er the NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships were canceled due to the pandemic, Contributing Editor Iowa with one champion and seven All-Americans, propels Iowa back on top of the NCAA Bill Welker Wrestling Championships held at the Enterprise Center in St. Louis, Missouri. !is year’s Design Director A Championships had to have a very di%erent feel to the past with only a total attendance of Cody Bryant 19,751 watched over seven sessions, a far cry from the sellout crowds of the prior years. What didn’t Administrative Assistants change was the intensity of the 330 wrestlers "ghting for the top of the podium. !ree "nal matches Ann Bryant ended with sudden victory takedown, and the largest margin of victory was seven points when Iowa’s LanAnn Bryant Shannon Wolfe two-time defending champion, , defeated Arizona State’s Brandon Courtney 7-0 at 125 lbs. Codi Jean Bryant Iowa relied on three "nalists and seven All-Americans to power to the top as they led from start to Ginger Flowers "nish to upend four-time defending champions, Penn State, 129 to 113.5. Iowa’s other two "nalists, Advertising Eierman at 141 lbs. and Kemerer at 174 lbs. would lose to runner-up Penn State opponents. Penn State Cody Bryant had four "nalists, all winning championships, and a total of six All-Americans. Oklahoma State would Web Master "nish third with 99.5 points in the team race with one champion and a total of six All-Americans. Lanny Bryant Arizona State followed with 74 points, Michigan (69), North Carolina State (68), Minnesota and National O!ce Missouri (64), Ohio State (46.5) and Northwestern rounding out the top ten with 45 points. 101 Briar Lane A total of 34 teams "nished with at least one All-American with a total of 63 teams entered. Iowa Pass Christian, MS 39571 led all teams with seven All-Americans, with their one champion, two runner-ups, placing third were (406) 360-9421 Austin DeSanto and Tony Cassioppi, Jacob Warner (4th), and Kaleb Young (7th). Penn State and [email protected] Oklahoma State had six All-Americans, followed by Arizona State and North Carolina State with "ve Wrestling USA (ISSN) 0199-6258 All-Americans, Michigan (4), Minnesota (3), Missouri (3), Northwestern (3), Ohio State (3), Rutgers Wrestling USA Magazine is printed six times (3), Virginia Tech (3), Illinois (2), Iowa State (2), Nebraska (2), Pittsburgh (2), Stanford (2), Utah Valley yearly published by Wrestling USA Magazine, (2), Wisconsin (2), and Appalachian State, Binghamton, Bucknell, Cal Poly, Central Michigan, Fresno Inc., 101 Briar Lane, Pass Christian, MS 39571 as State, North Carolina, Northern Illinois, Northern Iowa, Oklahoma, Rider, South Dakota State, Virginia, follows: October, December, February, April, June West Virginia, and Wyoming each with one All-American. and August. With this shortened season not beginning until January, many of the top collegiate tournaments Editorial O!ce: Wrestling USA Magazine, Inc., including Cli% Keen Las Vegas Invitational, Midlands, and Southern Scu&e reduced the number of 101 Briar Lane, Pass Christian, MS 39571. All matches coming into the NCAA Wrestling Championships. Not to mention that several duals were contributions are welcome. Please enclose postage with manuscripts, Illustrations and photographs canceled because of Covid-19, including the much anticipated dual between Iowa and Penn State in submitted if they are to be returned. We assume February. It wasn’t unusual in the past "ve decades for wrestlers to "nish with over 30 matches. !is year no responsibility for unsolicited materials. All most of the 330 wrestlers came into the Championships with less than a dozen matches to their name. rights, in letters and photos sent to Wrestling USA I pray and hope that as this year moves forward, we can overcome the struggles we all have faced Magazine, will be treated as unconditional assigned with the pandemic and move back to normalcy. I can’t even begin to imagine the challenges this year for publication and copyright purposes. !ey are for the coaches, wrestlers, families and administrators trying to put these pieces of the wrestling season subject to Wrestling USA Magazine’s unrestricted together. And not to mention the season always having a chance to being canceled, I don’t know how it right to edit and to comment editorially. Printed can be done without faith. in the USA; entire contents © 2021 Wrestling USA Ephesians 3:16, “I pray that from His glorious, unlimited resources He will empower you with inner Magazine; reprinting in whole or in part is forbidden strength through His Spirit”. except by written permission of publisher. I thank the NCAA committee for allowing the hard work of these young men to pursue their dream Subscriptions: One year (6 issues) $25 in United of wrestling for a National Championship. God Bless! States and Possessions. All other countries $50 in US currency or international money order. Send As Always, Let’s be “On !e Go Together,” to: Wrestling USA Magazine, 101 Briar Lane, Pass Cody Christian, MS 39571. Send National Record Proposals: 2021 NCAA Division I Championship Finals Wrestling USA Magazine 101 Briar Lane, Pass Christian, MS 39571 125-Spencer Lee (Iowa) dec. Brandon Courtney (Arizona St) 7-0. E-mail: [email protected] 133-Roman Bravo-Young (Penn St) dec. Daton Fix (Oklahoma St) SV-1 4-2. Send All-American nominations or correspondence on high school or college wrestling: 141-Nick Lee (Penn St) dec. Jaydin Eierman (Iowa) SV-1 4-2. Dan Fickel 149-Austin O’Connor (North Carolina) dec. Sammy Sasso (Ohio St) 3-2. 10757 Woodrun Drive, Strongsville, OH 44136 157-David Carr (Iowa St) dec. Jesse Dellavecchia (Rider) 4-0. E-mail: d"[email protected] Change of Address: Four weeks are required to 165-Shane Gri!th (Stanford) dec. Jake Wentzel (Pittsburgh) 6-2. change your mailing address. Forwarding postage 174-Carter Starocci (Penn St) dec. Michael Kemerer (Iowa) SV-1 3-1. is paid by you and lost copies can not be replaced. 184-Aaron Brooks (Penn St) dec. Trent Hidlay (North Carolina St) 3-2. To ensure delivery, send us your old and new address at least 4 weeks before moving. Change of 197-AJ Ferrari (Oklahoma St) dec. Nino Bonaccorsi (Pittsburgh) 4-2. address can by e-mail to [email protected] 285-Gable Steveson (Minnesota) dec. Mason Parris (Michigan) 8-4. Advertising: Rates available upon request. Contact Cody Bryant, Managing Editor, COVER PHOTO Phone: (406) 360-9421 or e-mail: [email protected] 2021 NCAA Division I National Wrestling Championship Finals - Postmaster: Send address changes to Wrestling USA Magazine, Inc., 101 Briar Lane, Pass Christian, 125 lbs. Spencer Lee (Iowa) working on arm bar on Brandon Courtney MS 39571. Periodical postage paid at Pass (Arizona State). Lee won by decision 7-0 to win his third national title. Christian, MS 39571 and at additional o#ces. Photo by Darren Miller/Hawkeyesport.com. PRINTED IN THE USA E-mail: [email protected] Website: http://www.wrestlingusa.com NATIONAL ACTION WRESTLING PHOTOS Instagram: @wrestlingusamagazine Send your best action wrestling photos to [email protected]. Facebook: wrestling usa magazine The best photos will be recognized each issue. All photos should be submitted digitally at 300 dpi.

Wrestling USA Magazine - April 15, 2021 Page 3 Wrestling USA Magazine Table of Contents

April 15, 2021 Volume 56, No. 4

"e National Voice of High School Wrestling Since 1965

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR COLLEGE ACTION 3 Ten Championships Later, Iowa Returns to the Top 19 "e Best to Never Win a NCAA Division I Title By Cody Bryant, Managing Editor By Dan Fickel, National Editor

HIGH SCHOOL SENIOR RANKINGS OFFICIAL’S CORNER 6 Nation’s Best 2020-2021 High School Senior Class 30 Principles for Successful O!ciating in Wrestling By Dan Fickel, National Editor By Bill Welker, EdD

NATIONAL WRESTLING HALL OF FAME 11 2021 Spring Journal

2021 NCAA Division III National Wrestling Championship Finals - 2021 NAIA National Wrestling Championship Finals - 141 lbs. Baterden 184 lbs. Paul Detwiler (US Coast Guard) trying to come out the back Boldmaa (Doane) with a high single leg on Ryan Moore (!omas More). door on Shane Liegel (Loras College). Liegel won by decision 4-1. Boldmaa won by decision 7-4. Photo by G Wyatt Schultz. Photo by Johnny Johnson. Page 4 Wrestling USA Magazine - April 15, 2021

HIGH SCHOOL Senior Rankings

NATION’S BEST 2020-2021 HIGH SCHOOL SENIOR CLASS By Dan Fickel, National Editor

Editor’s Note: Here are updated rankings of the Nation’s Best 2020-21 High School Seniors as of 3-14-21. Seven factors, which considered the overall accomplishments of the wrestlers, were used in determining these rankings. !ey include: (1) Performances at the state high school championships (folkstyle); (2) National Junior Freestyle and Greco-Roman Championships; 3) Achievements at prestigious regular season high school tournaments and club dual/tournament events; (4) Super 32 Challenge Tournament; (5) Cadet National Championships; (6) Grappler Fall Classic; (7) FloWrestling Who’s #1. Weights are projected and subject to change. Please e-mail updated credentials of listed or deserving wrestlers to: d"[email protected]

106 lbs. 113 lbs. 120 lbs. TOP RANKED TOP RANKED TOP RANKED Eli Lanham Blake West Richard Figueroa Plainview, Nebraska Shakopee, Minnesota Selma, California

2. Caden Svoboda (Aurora, NE) 2. Raymond Lopez (Buchanan, CA) 2. Cooper Flynn (McDonogh, MD) 3. Parker Henderson (Point Pleasant, WV) 3. Christian Tanefeu (Bismarck, ND) 3. Brett Ungar (Notre Dame GP, PA) 4. Landen Stewart (Frenchtown, MT) 4. Alex Cottey (Perry Meridian, IN) 4. Braxton Brown (Allen, TX) 5. Kade Hartline (Baylor, TN) 5. Charlie Farmer (Moline, IL) 5. Gary Steen (Reynolds, PA) 6. Frankie Sanchez (Grandview, CO) 6. Nick Gonzalez (Montini Catholic, IL) 6. Diego Sotelo (Marmion Academy, IL) 7. Peter Henderson (McAdory, AL) 7. Ben Aranda (DeKalb, IL) 7. Spencer Moore (Walton-Verona, KY) 8. Anthony Romero (GMLOS, MN) 8. Marlon Yarbrough (Copley, OH) 8. Wilfried Tanefeu (Bismarck, ND) 9. Dom Flatt (Solanco, PA) 9. Kenneth Crosby (St. Vincent-St. Mary, OH) 9. Jett Strickenberger (Ponderosa, CO) 10. Mason Hennessey (Delavan-Darien, WI) 10. Kenny Sailas (Brighton, CO) 10. Caleb Coyle (Millard South, NE) 11. Cody Woods (Derby, KS) 11. Jace Schafer (Palmyra-Macedon, NY) 11. Dierre Clayton (St. Vincent-St. Mary, OH) 12. Chris Gandolfo (Salesianum, DE) 12. Trevon Gray (Oscar Smith, VA) 12. Sean Seefeldt (St. Edward, OH) 13. Carter Brandt (Redwood Valley, MN) 13. Josh Brault (Joel Barlow, CT) 13. Cameron Soda (Burlington, MA) 14. Jaxon Bussa (Camanche, IA) 14. Trenton Ward (Bear River, UT) 14. Tristan Sta%ord (Bentonville, AR) 15. Reyna Rogers (Arkadelphia, AR) 15. Jason Liau (Wooten, MD) 15. Gabe Grice (Bellevue East, NE) 16. Daniel Bar"eld (Andrew Jackson, SC) 16. Zachary Soda (Burlington, MA) 16. Bishop Murray (Washburn Rural, KS) 17. Trenton Arlt (Oakland-Craig, NE) 17. Hunter Bennett (Elkhorn Valley, NE) 17. Tucker Owens (Mustang, OK) 18. Joshua Jasionowicz (Stroudsburg, PA) 18. Elijah Barajas (Sunnyside, WA) 18. Andrew Lucinski (Newfane, NY) 19. Seth Tolman (Chapman, SC) 19. Tyler Perrow (Palm Bay, FL) 19. Jorden Schlossman (North Lincoln, NC) 20. Layne Sturek (Pender, NE) 20. Aidan Fincher (Flowery Branch, GA) 20. Alec Hunter (Oshkosh West, WI) 21. Nate Balderas (Powell, WY) 21. Nolan McKittrick (Royall, WI) 21. Quade Smith (Layton, UT) 22. Joshua Chester (Bentonville, AR) 22. Dragr Monson (Groton, SD) 22. Kade Orr (Buhl, ID)) 23. Jason Cruz (Middletown, DE) 23. Tyler Klein (Hartford, WI) 23. Ty Bisek (New London-Spicer, MN) 24. JW Fuller (Byrd, LA) 24. Connor Parkinson (Ririe, ID) 24. Reid Nelson (Simley, MN) 25. Adam Franklin (Haughton, LA) 25. Gavin Hayes (Ola, GA) 25. Mason Gehlo% (Waseca, MN) 26. Kaden Crane (Palmyra, MO) 26. Josh Noble (Mt. Pisgah Christian, GA) 26. Ashton Grounds (Tuttle, OK 27. Jared Van Hee (Gunnison, CO) 27. James Levy (Hilton Head, SC) 27. Trent Clements (Chanute, KS) 28. Andrew Joedeman (Dassel-Cokato, MN) 28. Kaleb Horn (Grundy, VA) 28. Chad Bellis (Dubuque Hempstead, IA) 29. Kael Bu#ngton (Montezuma-Cortez, CO) 29. Tom Ross (Powdersville, SC) 29. Chris Compton (Byrnes, SC) 30. Nico Gonzalez (Northglenn, CO) 30. Dan Adams (Louisville, OH) 30. Colton King (DeSmet, MO)

Page 6 Wrestling USA Magazine - April 15, 2021 HIGH SCHOOL Senior Rankings

COLLEGE Action The Best to Never Win a NCAA Division I Title

By Dan Fickel, National Editor Editor’s Note: On the pages that follow is an update of one man’s list of !e Best to Never Win an NCAA D1 Title that was previously run in our Volume 51, #9, March 15, 2017 issue. A Top-40 list is followed by 40 Honorable Mention wrestlers. Each of the 40 Honorable Mention wrestlers received serious consideration for a Top-40 spot. In determining the list, the following factors were considered: (1) Wrestlers had to compete at the NCAA Division I level and earn at least two All-American awards; (2) NCAA title bout appearances and multiple placements; (3) Quality wins/losses in NCAA tournament action; (4) High school accolades were evaluated, in particular, overall career records, Cadet and Junior National freestyle success, Wrestling USA Magazine “Dream Team” members and All-Americans, and Amateur Wrestling News High School First Team All-Americans; (5) Post-collegiate success, in particular medal performances at the Olympic Games and World Championships; (6) Most selections were eye-witnessed by this writer, who started following the high school and scene in 1970. Few wrestlers prior to 1970 are included; (7) Wrestlers with current collegiate eligibility are excluded, including all wrestlers from the 2000-21 academic year. !e NCAA voted to give eligibility relief to all winter-sports athletes due to circumstances presented by the novel coronavirus pandemic. For any corrections, E-mail: d"[email protected] Top 40:

1. MIKE DEANNA - A 1976 Wrestling 3. DON BEHM - While competing for USA Magazine “Dream Team” All-American the Spartans of Michigan State University, and Amateur Wrestling News (!e Young Behm was a two-time Big Ten Champion and Wrestler) First Team High School All- two-time All-American, including a runner- American at 167-pounds, DeAnna enjoyed up "nish at the 1967 NCAA Championships a proli"c prep career at Bay Village High at 130-pounds to David McGuire of School, winning three Ohio state titles, two Oklahoma. A Silver Medalist at the 1968 Junior National Freestyle Championships Summer Olympics, Behm was a consistent crowns, and he recorded an overall record of force on the national and international levels. 105-7-1. He continued his wrestling career He earned a pair of silver medals at the at the University of Iowa, where he was a Mike Deanna Don Behm Iowa World Championships (1969 and 1971) and Michigan State four-time All-American, two-time national won a gold medal at the prestigious "nalist, and a four-time champion. NCAA Tournament in 1970. As a prep at New Trier High School in Illinois, "nals losses were to Mark Churella (Michigan) and Behm was a two-time state champion. (Oklahoma). DeAnna was a methodical wrestler with an aggressive style that was absolutely captivating to watch. 4. TYRONE LEWIS - A 1999 Wrestling USA Magazine “Dream Team” All- 2. KEVIN JACKSON - A two-time American and Amateur Wrestling News Michigan state champion at Eastern High First Team High School All-American at School with an overall record of 95-5, Jackson 160-pounds, Lewis had an exceptional was victorious at the 1982 Junior National high school career at El Reno High School Greco-Roman Championships. He earned in Oklahoma, claiming two Oklahoma three All-American honors at Louisiana State state titles, a National High School University before the school dropped the Championships crown, a Junior National sport. He transferred to Freestyle Championships title, and he Tyrone Lewis for his senior year and placed second at the amassed an overall win-loss record of 130- Oklahoma State 1987 NCAA Championships at 167-pounds to 5. He went on to compete at Oklahoma Royce Alger of Iowa. Jackson won gold medals Kevin Jackson Iowa State State University where he secured All-American status four-times, at the 1992 Olympic Games and the 1991 including a runner-up "nish at the 2004 NCAA Championships World Championships. He was a courageous performer with a at 165-pounds to Troy Letters of Lehigh. Unbelievably quick and variety of o%ensive weapons and an amazing skill set. athletic, Lewis showcased a myriad of explosive techniques.

Wrestling USA Magazine - April 15, 2021 Page 19 OFFICIAL’S Corner Principles for Successful Officiating in Wrestling By Bill Welker, EdD hroughout the decades, I gradually began to understand the assist in allaying injuries. Likewise, he is also constantly prepared for the personal characteristics that all great wrestling o#cials possess unexpected. Be safety conscious! T which coaches want to see. I have developed eight principles for success as an athletic arbitrator: Composure, Openness, Mechanics, Rule As a state rules interpreter for nearly three decades, I incorporated Knowledge, Appearance, Decisiveness, Enthusiasm, and Safety. these principles to evaluate 100s of wrestling referees (evaluation form to the right). I found the procedure to be very bene"cial for developing Composure competent and compassionate o#cials. !e wrestling o#cial’s professional demeanor under stressful and/or unusual athletic occurrences can be the calming element that alleviates Editor’s Note: If you are not a wrestling o!cial, feel free to copy this article potential unsportsmanlike, irrational responses from coaches, wrestlers, and COMRADES Evaluation Form and share it with area leaders in the and fans. Be calm under pressure. o!ciating ranks. Wrestling USA Magazine would like to thank the editors of Openness Referee Magazine for their permission to reprint this article. !e wrestling o#cial’s communications with all coaches, wrestlers, scorekeepers, and team personnel should be respectful and formal in nature. Be approachable. Mechanics Of course, it is imperative that wrestling o#cials use the correct signals as speci"cally illustrated in the rulebook. And just as important, strive to be in the proper position at all times. By doing so, the coach is unlikely to question the wrestling o#cial who is on top of a di#cult call. Be a man of position. Rule Knowledge It is a must to review the rules of the sport on a weekly basis during the wrestling season. !e competent wrestling o#cial must be an expert in the interpretation of the rules during the rigors of athletic competition. Be a student of the game! Appearance Just as the wrestler physically prepares himself during the preseason for the competitive season, the wrestling o#cial must also do the same. His attire must be neat and clean. Look professional! Decisiveness Be demonstrative when making each and every call – be it routine or quite di#cult, exhibiting complete con"dence in your decision. Be resolute! Consistency is also a facet of decisiveness. Coaches respect a wrestling o#cial who is consistent, even if they disagree with the o#cial’s call, especially in the area of stalling. At least, they know what to expect. Be consistent! Enthusiasm !e wrestling o#cial should emanate a demeanor of excitement in performing his trade, no matter the level of competition to which he is assigned. Be enthusiastic; it’s contagious! 2021 Bob Lueders Invitational Finals - 220 lbs. Cole Clark (Lisbon) "nishing Safety a takedown on Luke Ga%ney (Linn-Mar). Clark won by decision 6-2. Photo by First and foremost, the adept wrestling o#cial checks that G Wyatt Schultz. the wrestlers are properly equipped prior to the match to Page 30 Wrestling USA Magazine - April 15, 2021