In the House (Sunday): Tons more college coaches, and many other champions from the past are here
by Gary Abbott, USA Wrestling
Columbia head coach Zach Tanelli and Lehigh Valley WC coach Jeff Buxton in the Fargodome. Photo by Joe Wedra.
It was probably the biggest day of the week-long 2021 Junior & 16U Nationals, with three different tournaments going strong, including the first finals. It was also one of the biggest day for new arrivals, including many of the wrestling celebrities we are tracking in this column.
With all the action going on this part of the week, it was no surprise that we saw many more college coaches here.
We ran into Columbia head coach Zach Tanelli and Lehigh Valley Wrestling Club coach Jeff Buxton having a lively conversation, so decided to make them our lead photo. Buxton was one of the greatest high school coaches in history at Blair Academy, and is now making a huge impact on the Olympic level in men’s freestyle, while also coaching youth wrestlers. It seemed to be the right image for today, since we saw so many coaches.
Speaking about great coaches, we ran into former USA Wrestling Assistant National Greco-Roman Coach Momir Petkovic in the house. Momir was one of the best Greco-Roman coaches on earth, and has retired from coaching. He was here because he has a grandson competing in the event. He was an Olympic champion for the former Yugoslavia. So very nice to see Momir. I should post his picture with me, but we already had a selfie in a previous story. While we are at it, let’s add another USA Wrestling National Coach, with Gary Mayabb from our current Greco-Roman staff.
We can add these college men’s head coaches to the list today: Tony Robie (Virginia Tech), Jim Moulsoff (Augsburg), Neil Erisman (Little Rock), Matt Acevedo (Drexel), John Oostendorp (Coe), Mike Denny (Marysville), Zach Tanelli (Columbia), Doug Schwab (Northern Iowa), Damion Hahn (South Dakota State), Eric Keller (Wartburg), Jon McGovern (Univ. of Dubuque) , Marcus Gordon (Bloomsburg) and Tom Hall (Trine Univ.).
College men’s assistant coaches in the Fargodome included Ryan Morningstar (Iowa), Joe Dubuque of (Princeton), Cody Brewer (Virginia Tech), Javier Maldonado (Little Rock), Muzaffar Abdurakmanov (Harvard), Miguel Baray (Univ. of Dubuque), Cam Eppert (George Mason), Derek Moore (California Baptist) and Randy Pugh (Northern Iowa).
We saw one of the Paulson twins, Travis or Trent, but could not tell which one it was. They are both assistants at Virginia. We will list them as Travis/Trent until I can get a ruling on who I saw, either TP1 or TP2. (Maybe they are both here?)
College women’s head coach Kevin Corbett (Lyon College) was in the house. We also saw women’s college assistant coaches Arelys Valles (Grand View) and Alli Ragan (Grand View).
1988 Olympic bronze medalist and three-time NCAA champion Nate Carr said hello from the stands, who is currently an RTC coach with the Cyclone Wrestling Club. We also saw other Olympians in freestylers Doug Schwab and Eric Guererro. I will add Momir Petkovic to the lists, as well as Sanshiro Abe (who was an Olympian for Japan).
Speaking of RTC coaches, in addition to Buxton and Carr, we also ran into Brian Medlin of the Illinois RTC.
We also visited with World medalist Katie Downing, who is coaching with Team Indiana. There were some new Senior World Team members in all of the styles out there, including Greco-Roman World Team members John Oostendorp and Jason Klohs, men;s freestyle World Team member Nick Simmons and women’s freestyle World Team member Deanna Betterman, Schwab and Guerrero also wrestled on World Teams.
We have made a focus of identifying past Junior Nationals champions, with today’s past champions including Amanda Hendey of California, Nick Simmons of Michigan, Desiree Zavala of Washington, Mark Reiland of Iowa, Deanna Betterman of Maine, Brock Zollinger of Idaho, Ryan Morningstar of Iowa, Cody Brewer of Missouri and Jason Klohs of Minnesota, Damion Hahn of New Jersey, Eric Guerrero of California, Russ Hughes of Pennsylvania plus Travis/Trent Paulson of Iowa.
We add to the list of past NCAA champions, including Carr, plus Mark Reiland of Iowa, Joe Dubuque of Indiana, Cody Brewer of Oklahoma, Doug Schwab of Iowa, Damion Hahn of Minnesota, Eric Guerrero of Oklahoma State, Sanshiro Abe of Penn State and Max Askren of Missouri. Chad Lamer won three Div. II national titles at South Dakota State when it was in Div. II. (He also won a University World title).
Add in a few more Veterans World medalists, with Greco-Roman World champion Michael Tuck and medalist Rudy James also here coaching young wrestlers.
There are more out there, we know, but with the large crowds in the house today, it may take some time to identify all the folks that have arrived here.
IN THE HOUSE SCOREBOARD (through Saturday morning)
Olympic champions: Kenny Monday, Momir Petkovic
Olympic medalists: Nate Carr, Tervel Dlagnev, Brandon Paulson,
Olympians: Nate Carr, Doug Schwab, Eric Guerrero, Sanshiro Abe, Momir Petkovic, Derek Waldroup, Ben Askren, Daniel Cormier, Kenny Monday, Tervel Dlagnev, Andy Bisek, Ike Anderson, Brandon Paulson, Shawn Sheldon,
Olympic referees: Zach Errett, Rick Tucci, Stacey Davis, Sam Julian
World champions; Logan Stieber, Kenny Monday
World medalists: Katie Downing, Daniel Cormier, Kenny Monday, Tervel Dlagnev, Andy Bisek, Alli Ragan. Brandon Paulson, Logan Stieber, Shawn Sheldon
We also visited with World medalist Katie Downing, who is coaching with Team Indiana. There were some new Senior World Team members in all of the styles out there, including Greco-Roman World Team members John Oostendorp and Jason Klohs, men;s freestyle World Team member Nick Simmons and women’s freestyle World Team member Deanna Betterman, Schwab and Guerrero also wrestled on World Teams.
Senior World Team members: John Oostendorp, Jason Klohs, Nick Simmons, Deanna Betterman, Doug Schwab, Eric Guerrero, Katie Downing, Tony Ramos, Veronica Carlson, Steve Marianetti, Daniel Cormier, Kenny Monday, Tervel Dlagnev, Andy Bisek, Logan Stieber, Brandon Paulson, Obe Blanc, Joe Betterman, Alli Ragan, Max Nowry, Ike Anderson, Alli Ragan, Shawn Sheldon
Junior National champions (boys): Brock Zollinger of Idaho, Ryan Morningstar of Iowa, Cody Brewer of Missouri, Jason Klohs of Minnesota, Damion Hahn of New Jersey, Eric Guerrero of California, Russ Hughes of Pennsylvania, Travis/Trent Paulson of Iowa, Nick Simmons of Michigan, Mark Reiland of Iowa, Brandon Paulson of Minnesota, Kenny Monday of Oklahoma, Adam Hall of Idaho, Tyrone Lewis of Oklahoma, Matt McDonough of Iowa, Derek St. John of Iowa, Ben Askren of Wisconsin, Deron Winn of Missouri
Junior National champions (girls): Deanna Betterman of Maine, Desiree Zavala of Washington, Amanda Hendey of California, Emily Webster Tew of Missouri, Alisha Howk of Wisconsin, Veronica Carlson of Illinois, Vayle Rae Baker of Pennsylvania, Emily Shilson of Minnesota, Nicole Woody Tyson of Maryland, Rachel Watters of Iowa, McKayla Campbell of Ohio, Na’Tasha Umemoto of Oregon
Junior World champions: Nicole Woody Tyson, Mark Hall, Dom Bradley
Head Men’s College Coaches: Tony Robie (Virginia Tech), Jim Moulsoff (Augsburg), Neil Erisman (Little Rock), Matt Acevedo (Drexel), John Oostendorp (Coe), Mike Denny (Marysville), Zach Tanelli (Columbia), Doug Schwab (Northern Iowa), Damion Hahn (South Dakota State), Eric Keller (Wartburg), Marcus Gordon (Bloomsburg) Jon McGovern (Univ. of Dubuque), Tom Hall (Trine Univ.).Chris Ayres (Princeton), Steve Marianetti (Elmhurst), Link Davis (Emmanuel), Roger Kish (North Dakota State)
Head Women’s Coaches: Kevin Corbett (Lyon College), Shannyn Gillespie (Lakeland), Nicole Tyson (Oklahoma City), Amy Hildebrandt (Trine), Breonna Neal (Ferrum), Brazel Marquez (Alvernia), Angelo Crinzi (Grand View), Jason Moorman (King)
Assistant Men’s College Coaches: Russ Hughes (Bloomsburg), Ryan Morningstar (Iowa), Joe Dubuque of (Princeton), Cody Brewer (Virginia Tech), Javier Maldonado (Little Rock), Muzaffar Abdurakmanov (Harvard), Miguel Baray (Univ. of Dubuque), Cam Eppert (George Mason), Derek Moore (California Baptist), Randy Pugh (Northern Iowa), Derek St. John (Iowa State), Tony Ramos (North Carolina), Tervel Dlagnev (Nebraska), Andrew Howe (Northwestern), Zach Esposito (Oklahoma State), Obe Blanc (North Dakota State), Mark Hall (Penn), Gary Wayne Harding (North Carolina), Dom Bradley (Missouri), Jordan Leen (Pitt), Drew Headlee (Pitt), Travis/Trent Paulson (Virginia)
Assistant Women’s College Coaches: Arelys Valles (Grand View), Alli Ragan (Grand View), Rachel Watters (William Penn), Jessica Rottier (UW-Stevens Point), Julia Salata (King), Dominic Adams (Lourdes),
RTC coaches: Nate Carr of the Cyclone Wrestling Club, Jeff Buxton of Lehigh Valley WC, Brian Medlin of Illinois RTC, Emma Randall of NYC RTC,
USA Wrestling National Coaches: Momir Petkovic, Gary Mayabb
NCAA champions: Nate Carr (Iowa State), Mark Reiland (Iowa), Joe Dubuque (Indiana), Cody Brewer (Oklahoma), Doug Schwab (Iowa), Damion Hahn (Minnesota), Eric Guerrero (Oklahoma State), Sanshiro Abe (Penn State), Max Askren (Missouri). Chad Lamer (South Dakota), Tony Ramos (Iowa), Matt McDonough (Iowa), Derek St. John (Iowa), Ben Askren (Missouri), ,Kenny Monday (Oklahoma State), Tervel Dlagnev (UN-Kearney), Logan Stieber (Ohio State), Andrew Howe (Wisconsin), Mark Hall (Penn State), Jordan Leen (Cornell), Zach Esposito (Oklahoma State)
WCWA champions: Emily Webster Tew (Oklahoma City), Emily Shilson (Augsburg), Nicole Woody Tyson (Oklahoma City), Rachel Watters (Oklahoma City), Breonna Neal (King), Julia Salata (King), Alli Ragan (King)
NCWWC champions: Emily Shilson (Augsburg)
NAIA women’s champions McKayla Campbell (Campbellsville), Rachel Watters (Oklahoma City)
Veterans World medalists: Michael Tuck, Rudy James, Chris Brown, Jordin Humphrey, James Medieros, Bruce Moe
It was probably the biggest day of the week-long 2021 Junior & 16U Nationals, with three different tournaments going strong, including the first finals. It was also one of the biggest day for new arrivals, including many of the wrestling celebrities we are tracking in this column.
With all the action going on this part of the week, it was no surprise that we saw many more college coaches here.
We ran into Columbia head coach Zach Tanelli and Lehigh Valley Wrestling Club coach Jeff Buxton having a lively conversation, so decided to make them our lead photo. Buxton was one of the greatest high school coaches in history at Blair Academy, and is now making a huge impact on the Olympic level in men’s freestyle, while also coaching youth wrestlers. It seemed to be the right image for today, since we saw so many coaches.
Speaking about great coaches, we ran into former USA Wrestling Assistant National Greco-Roman Coach Momir Petkovic in the house. Momir was one of the best Greco-Roman coaches on earth, and has retired from coaching. He was here because he has a grandson competing in the event. He was an Olympic champion for the former Yugoslavia. So very nice to see Momir. I should post his picture with me, but we already had a selfie in a previous story. While we are at it, let’s add another USA Wrestling National Coach, with Gary Mayabb from our current Greco-Roman staff.
We can add these college men’s head coaches to the list today: Tony Robie (Virginia Tech), Jim Moulsoff (Augsburg), Neil Erisman (Little Rock), Matt Acevedo (Drexel), John Oostendorp (Coe), Mike Denny (Marysville), Zach Tanelli (Columbia), Doug Schwab (Northern Iowa), Damion Hahn (South Dakota State), Eric Keller (Wartburg), Jon McGovern (Univ. of Dubuque) , Marcus Gordon (Bloomsburg) and Tom Hall (Trine Univ.).
College men’s assistant coaches in the Fargodome included Ryan Morningstar (Iowa), Joe Dubuque of (Princeton), Cody Brewer (Virginia Tech), Javier Maldonado (Little Rock), Muzaffar Abdurakmanov (Harvard), Miguel Baray (Univ. of Dubuque), Cam Eppert (George Mason), Derek Moore (California Baptist) and Randy Pugh (Northern Iowa).
We saw one of the Paulson twins, Travis or Trent, but could not tell which one it was. They are both assistants at Virginia. We will list them as Travis/Trent until I can get a ruling on who I saw, either TP1 or TP2. (Maybe they are both here?)
College women’s head coach Kevin Corbett (Lyon College) was in the house. We also saw women’s college assistant coaches Arelys Valles (Grand View) and Alli Ragan (Grand View).
1988 Olympic bronze medalist and three-time NCAA champion Nate Carr said hello from the stands, who is currently an RTC coach with the Cyclone Wrestling Club. We also saw other Olympians in freestylers Doug Schwab and Eric Guererro. I will add Momir Petkovic to the lists, as well as Sanshiro Abe (who was an Olympian for Japan).
Speaking of RTC coaches, in addition to Buxton and Carr, we also ran into Brian Medlin of the Illinois RTC.
We also visited with World medalist Katie Downing, who is coaching with Team Indiana. There were some new Senior World Team members in all of the styles out there, including Greco-Roman World Team members John Oostendorp and Jason Klohs, men;s freestyle World Team member Nick Simmons and women’s freestyle World Team member Deanna Betterman, Schwab and Guerrero also wrestled on World Teams.
We have made a focus of identifying past Junior Nationals champions, with today’s past champions including Amanda Hendey of California, Nick Simmons of Michigan, Desiree Zavala of Washington, Mark Reiland of Iowa, Deanna Betterman of Maine, Brock Zollinger of Idaho, Ryan Morningstar of Iowa, Cody Brewer of Missouri and Jason Klohs of Minnesota, Damion Hahn of New Jersey, Eric Guerrero of California, Russ Hughes of Pennsylvania plus Travis/Trent Paulson of Iowa.
We add to the list of past NCAA champions, including Carr, plus Mark Reiland of Iowa, Joe Dubuque of Indiana, Cody Brewer of Oklahoma, Doug Schwab of Iowa, Damion Hahn of Minnesota, Eric Guerrero of Oklahoma State, Sanshiro Abe of Penn State and Max Askren of Missouri. Chad Lamer won three Div. II national titles at South Dakota State when it was in Div. II. (He also won a University World title).
Add in a few more Veterans World medalists, with Greco-Roman World champion Michael Tuck and medalist Rudy James also here coaching young wrestlers.
There are more out there, we know, but with the large crowds in the house today, it may take some time to identify all the folks that have arrived here.
IN THE HOUSE SCOREBOARD (through Saturday morning)
Olympic champions: Kenny Monday, Momir Petkovic
Olympic medalists: Nate Carr, Tervel Dlagnev, Brandon Paulson,
Olympians: Nate Carr, Doug Schwab, Eric Guerrero, Sanshiro Abe, Momir Petkovic, Derek Waldroup, Ben Askren, Daniel Cormier, Kenny Monday, Tervel Dlagnev, Andy Bisek, Ike Anderson, Brandon Paulson, Shawn Sheldon,
Olympic referees: Zach Errett, Rick Tucci, Stacey Davis, Sam Julian
World champions; Logan Stieber, Kenny Monday
World medalists: Katie Downing, Daniel Cormier, Kenny Monday, Tervel Dlagnev, Andy Bisek, Alli Ragan. Brandon Paulson, Logan Stieber, Shawn Sheldon
We also visited with World medalist Katie Downing, who is coaching with Team Indiana. There were some new Senior World Team members in all of the styles out there, including Greco-Roman World Team members John Oostendorp and Jason Klohs, men;s freestyle World Team member Nick Simmons and women’s freestyle World Team member Deanna Betterman, Schwab and Guerrero also wrestled on World Teams.
Senior World Team members: John Oostendorp, Jason Klohs, Nick Simmons, Deanna Betterman, Doug Schwab, Eric Guerrero, Katie Downing, Tony Ramos, Veronica Carlson, Steve Marianetti, Daniel Cormier, Kenny Monday, Tervel Dlagnev, Andy Bisek, Logan Stieber, Brandon Paulson, Obe Blanc, Joe Betterman, Alli Ragan, Max Nowry, Ike Anderson, Alli Ragan, Shawn Sheldon
Junior National champions (boys): Brock Zollinger of Idaho, Ryan Morningstar of Iowa, Cody Brewer of Missouri, Jason Klohs of Minnesota, Damion Hahn of New Jersey, Eric Guerrero of California, Russ Hughes of Pennsylvania, Travis/Trent Paulson of Iowa, Nick Simmons of Michigan, Mark Reiland of Iowa, Brandon Paulson of Minnesota, Kenny Monday of Oklahoma, Adam Hall of Idaho, Tyrone Lewis of Oklahoma, Matt McDonough of Iowa, Derek St. John of Iowa, Ben Askren of Wisconsin, Deron Winn of Missouri
Junior National champions (girls): Deanna Betterman of Maine, Desiree Zavala of Washington, Amanda Hendey of California, Emily Webster Tew of Missouri, Alisha Howk of Wisconsin, Veronica Carlson of Illinois, Vayle Rae Baker of Pennsylvania, Emily Shilson of Minnesota, Nicole Woody Tyson of Maryland, Rachel Watters of Iowa, McKayla Campbell of Ohio, Na’Tasha Umemoto of Oregon
Junior World champions: Nicole Woody Tyson, Mark Hall, Dom Bradley
Head Men’s College Coaches: Tony Robie (Virginia Tech), Jim Moulsoff (Augsburg), Neil Erisman (Little Rock), Matt Acevedo (Drexel), John Oostendorp (Coe), Mike Denny (Marysville), Zach Tanelli (Columbia), Doug Schwab (Northern Iowa), Damion Hahn (South Dakota State), Eric Keller (Wartburg), Marcus Gordon (Bloomsburg) Jon McGovern (Univ. of Dubuque), Tom Hall (Trine Univ.).Chris Ayres (Princeton), Steve Marianetti (Elmhurst), Link Davis (Emmanuel), Roger Kish (North Dakota State)
Head Women’s Coaches: Kevin Corbett (Lyon College), Shannyn Gillespie (Lakeland), Nicole Tyson (Oklahoma City), Amy Hildebrandt (Trine), Breonna Neal (Ferrum), Brazel Marquez (Alvernia), Angelo Crinzi (Grand View), Jason Moorman (King)
Assistant Men’s College Coaches: Russ Hughes (Bloomsburg), Ryan Morningstar (Iowa), Joe Dubuque of (Princeton), Cody Brewer (Virginia Tech), Javier Maldonado (Little Rock), Muzaffar Abdurakmanov (Harvard), Miguel Baray (Univ. of Dubuque), Cam Eppert (George Mason), Derek Moore (California Baptist), Randy Pugh (Northern Iowa), Derek St. John (Iowa State), Tony Ramos (North Carolina), Tervel Dlagnev (Nebraska), Andrew Howe (Northwestern), Zach Esposito (Oklahoma State), Obe Blanc (North Dakota State), Mark Hall (Penn), Gary Wayne Harding (North Carolina), Dom Bradley (Missouri), Jordan Leen (Pitt), Drew Headlee (Pitt), Travis/Trent Paulson (Virginia)
Assistant Women’s College Coaches: Arelys Valles (Grand View), Alli Ragan (Grand View), Rachel Watters (William Penn), Jessica Rottier (UW-Stevens Point), Julia Salata (King), Dominic Adams (Lourdes),
RTC coaches: Nate Carr of the Cyclone Wrestling Club, Jeff Buxton of Lehigh Valley WC, Brian Medlin of Illinois RTC, Emma Randall of NYC RTC,
USA Wrestling National Coaches: Momir Petkovic, Gary Mayabb
NCAA champions: Nate Carr (Iowa State), Mark Reiland (Iowa), Joe Dubuque (Indiana), Cody Brewer (Oklahoma), Doug Schwab (Iowa), Damion Hahn (Minnesota), Eric Guerrero (Oklahoma State), Sanshiro Abe (Penn State), Max Askren (Missouri). Chad Lamer (South Dakota), Tony Ramos (Iowa), Matt McDonough (Iowa), Derek St. John (Iowa), Ben Askren (Missouri), ,Kenny Monday (Oklahoma State), Tervel Dlagnev (UN-Kearney), Logan Stieber (Ohio State), Andrew Howe (Wisconsin), Mark Hall (Penn State), Jordan Leen (Cornell), Zach Esposito (Oklahoma State)
WCWA champions: Emily Webster Tew (Oklahoma City), Emily Shilson (Augsburg), Nicole Woody Tyson (Oklahoma City), Rachel Watters (Oklahoma City), Breonna Neal (King), Julia Salata (King), Alli Ragan (King)
NCWWC champions: Emily Shilson (Augsburg)
NAIA women’s champions McKayla Campbell (Campbellsville), Rachel Watters (Oklahoma City)
Veterans World medalists: Michael Tuck, Rudy James, Chris Brown, Jordin Humphrey, James Medieros, Bruce Moe