Penn State Nittany Lion Wrestling Club Hosting Freestyle Event

13 bouts.

NLWC versus varied wonderful rivals.

Jeff Byers & David Taylor on the mic calling the motion.

Starpower galore.

All video-and-audio-streamed to you, good fan, for the price of $9.99 on the NLWC’s web page on the Rokfin platform.

Saturday night time, 7:30p pregame present, 8p wrestling begins. Let’s test it out!

What Is Rokfin / Methods to Watch

Rokfin is a content-creator platform based by Martin Floreani after an unpleasant public break up from Flowrestling, which he additionally based. I’m not going to dig very deep into the dramas associated thereto, however you may get a little bit of a way of the breadth of the break up from this Martin tweet from December of final yr, and I’ll additionally suggest the new-on-the-scene bro @stalematesshow for entertaining movies describing and summarizing the related ‘tea.’

The platform hosts content material from varied creators (here’s a link to all the creator channels) a few of which is free and a few of which is premium. To get entry to the free content material, you need to create a free login, a course of I discovered straightforward & easy. To date, on the NLWC’s Rokfin web page, all of the content material is free:

Content material accessible on the NLWC Rokfin web page.

I recognize the clearly-visible “Free” indicator on every tile. Here’s a link to the Zain video promo of this occasion, which is able to immediate you to create a free account should you haven’t already.

To get entry to the premium content material, you need to subscribe with a bank card, to a specific channel. I used the NLWC’s web page, and I discovered this half straightforward and simple as effectively. I additionally recognize that the $9.99 charge is simply charged month-to-month, an choice that conveys to me an curiosity by the corporate in assuring buyer’s have flexibility . For comparability to NLWC’s so-far-all-free content material, right here’s a hyperlink to Iowa Wrestle’s page, which reveals some free and a few premium content material, every clearly labeled.

Rokfin cancellation appears straightforward to search out (two clicks, into consideration settings) and never troublesome to execute as effectively, however I didn’t wish to likelihood testing it earlier than tomorrow night time’s occasion:

Rokfin’s cancellation web page, in account settings.

Rokfin’s About page has this to say about turning into a creator on their platform:

The advertising and marketing descriptions at https://ift.tt/3mCdMZ9

Different informational sources hosted there embrace a web page about their customized tokens, known as RAE, which I haven’t discovered sufficient about to aim an outline, however you can read about them here, and their FAQ page hosted on Medium.

The NLWC examined out its dwell stream final night time, sort of. They streamed from three places:

A really transient section of a apply at David Taylor’s M2 Coaching Middle, which was placed on loop. I didn’t thoughts, since I’ve wished I may very well be a fly on the wall at a Penn State apply for a few years now. It was solely a 5min section of light-medium drilling, however it was cool to identify all these superstuds rolling with one another. I used to be sure I noticed these pairs: Nickal & Snyder; Nolf & Casey Cunningham (who confirmed essentially the most levity), Zain & Espinal (who additionally joked round a small bit), Gilman & Jordan Conaway (Cael supplied some method steerage to Gilman, who thanked him (I’m such a fanboy dork, I do know). Jennifer Web page (extra under) & Mark McKnight (an NLWC Coach) drilled however hardly spoke. Nick Gwiazdowski, who works out with the NLWC fairly ceaselessly, it feels like, drilled with Nick Nevills, and so they did a good bit of speaking to one another. I wasn’t positive who Kerkvliet was rolling with (bald, white & huge; does anyone know if Eric Thompson suits that description?), however I’m now fairly positive David Taylor was rolling Riley Lefever (who appears a good bit like Snyder). Cenzo could have been drilling with Bekzod, however I’m least sure about that one, and I couldn’t idenitify Jane Valencia’s (extra under) drilling companion.
The Ballroom, on the Ramada. This appears set as much as be the principle occasion mat. It had a head desk and a scoreboard, and black drapes creating a pretend wall in entrance of the Four actual partitions. I noticed Darian Cruz, Ringer, Abounader and, I feel, Hemida warming up there. I noticed Salata, however it seemed like she had simply completed.
A Warmup Room, on the Ramada. The stream solely panned in right here very briefly.

I’m undecided what all they have been testing, however from the patron aspect, the NLWC’s recording appeared to play properly with Rokfin’s supply to my browser. There have been no audio or video hiccups and video high quality was excessive.

Lastly, as I all the time do when algorithms are at play, I’ve a ton of questions on how back-end issues work at Rokfin. How is subscriber cash distributed throughout the platform to totally different creators?

How does the lone subscription alternative supplied to subscribers (which channel to be on when we hit the subscribe button) influence our chosen creator’s revenue? Do they get extra of our subscriber $ than others?

Is that sort of intel already publicly documented someplace? Can we customers actually have a proper to ask?

I feel there’s lots of fascinating dialogue available round such issues, however not on this present day.

Let’s get on to the hearth matchups!

Hearth Matchups

Full card bouts, so as, and weights for the September 19, 2020 NLWC Wrestling Occasion. It’s acknowledged that this picture isn’t almost as stunning because the one on the NLWC Twitter, however should you’re in any respect like me, you *want each kilograms & kilos beside one another.

(Warning notes: okay, these matchups are far more fireplace than my previews of them shall be, however I’m making an attempt to knock the writing rust off, so let’s bear with one another fairly please. Extra caveat: I’m extraordinarily inexperienced with running a blog about Freestyle—and even with discovering and finding Freestyle outcomes. We’ll see how that seems).

1. Rick Durso vs Malik Amine; 74kg / 163.2lbs

When final I heard or learn Durso’s identify, he was going by Richard.

In 2014, he grew to become Franklin & Marshall’s first All-American since 1981, when he positioned eighth in Oklahoma Metropolis. He redshirted in 2015, and completed R16 in 2016. Durso was 3-Zero in his school profession in opposition to Penn Staters, with choice wins over Luke Frey and Gary Dinmore, and a Medical Forfeit win over Jimmy Gulibon.

Malik went 1-2 in each his journeys to Nationals, in 2018 & 2019. WrestleStat lists his profession document (together with TRFR redshirting season) at 64-46. He’s 2-1 profession in Folkstyle in opposition to Penn Staters, with wins over Luke Gardner and Jarrod Verkleeren, and a loss to Zain.

Malik additionally co-hosts a comparatively new podcast, The Cave Talk, along with his brother Jordan. My podcast consumption has fallen off drastically with the disappearance of my beltway commute, so any opinions you fantastic folks would possibly have the ability to present shall be appreciated.

2. Nick Nevills vs. Jordan Wooden, 125kg / 275.6lbs

Nevills was a 2x All-American at Penn State, ending fifth in 2017 and seventh in 2018. He famously was overwhelmed out in 2019 by teammate Anthony Cassar, who went on to win the Nationwide Championship. In Freestyle motion, most not too long ago, he completed 4th within the 2019 U.S Senior Nationals. See USA Wrestling’s youtube for an inventory of Nevills’ Freestyle movies.

Wooden is a 1x All-American at Lehigh, who completed 4th in 2019 and has one yr of faculty eligibility remaining. Wood’s USA Wrestling youtube is a deep catalog as a result of he made the U.S. World Workforce as each a Cadet (a Silver World Medalist in 2014) and a Junior.

3. Jennifer Web page vs. Desiree Zavala; 62kg / 136.7lbs

2016. 63 KG Rd 5 Champ Semi Finals Semifinal – Jennifer Web page (Titan Mercury Wrestling Membership) gained by choice over Erin Clodgo (Sunkist Youngsters Wrestling Membership) Dec 4-0

I’m so excited to see the Nittany Lion Wrestling Membership now with ladies on its official roster. Ladies’s Wrestling has the potential to make the largest contribution ever to the expansion of this nice sport, and illustration and publicity are the cornerstones to that development. Many, many longtime wrestling followers are like me in that we now have so much to study in regards to the athletes, their types and their tales, and occasions like this that embrace ladies’s bouts actually assist. I can’t wait to see how the 2 ladies’s bouts on this card, and their placements at bout orders Three and 10, contribute to one in every of wrestling’s most inclusive core truths: that every one totally different physique sorts can compete.

Web page is a longtime Nationwide Workforce member, and gained Bronze on the 2013 Junior Worlds. Most not too long ago, she completed fifth within the 2019 Senior Nationals. You possibly can try video of lots of her matches here.

Zavala continues to be in school, a current switch to powerhouse Wayland Baptist College. Her most recent finish was a runner-up second to Kayla Miracle on the 2019 U.S. Open, and her full USA Wrestling catalog is here.

4. Jaimie Espinal vs. Domenic Abounader; 88.9kg / 196lbs

Jaime Espinal within the 2015 Pan American Video games

Abounader gave Bo Nickal a very good struggle within the 2018 Semifinals, earlier than dropping a 6-Three choice. Right here he prepares to face Emory Parker within the consi semis, which resulted in a troublesome 6-5 loss.

As Taylor Miller noted in USA Wrestling’s preview of this event, each of those athletes wrestle for different nations.

Espinal not too long ago returned to competitors and to the NLWC. From his NLWC Bio:

Jaime was a member of the NLWC Resident Athlete Program and had educated on the Membership’s RTC on his method to the Silver medal on the 2012 Olympics. He determined to return to competitors and rejoined the NLWC in 2019. Jaime is an outstanding athlete and an impressive competitor and coaching companion.

Abounader, who completed at Michigan after inserting fifth in 2018 (his lone All-American end), wrestles for Lebanon. From Miller:

Born and raised within the USA, Abounader has been competing for Lebanon since 2018. In his debut for Lebanon, Abounader completed with a silver medal on the 2018 Asian Video games. He then went on to wrestle within the 2018 World Championships as effectively.

Abounader was all the time one in every of my favourite Michigan wrestlers. It is going to be good to see him go dwell once more.

5. Zain Retherford vs. Alec Pantaleo; 71.2kg / 157lbs

These two met 3 times in 2016 once they have been each Sophomores, and each bout ended the identical approach: with Zain pinning Pantaleo. Within the twin, Pantaleo lasted the longest, getting decked on the 6:35 mark. Within the Large Ten Tourney Semis, issues ended extra rapidly, in 2:46 (Pantaleo fought again for third). Then within the Nationwide Semifinals, it resulted in 4:49. Worse, every of Pantaleo’s subsequent two bouts additionally resulted in him getting pinned (2:49 & 3:40). His remaining placement was sixth, his first AA.

After that disappointing end to the tourney, and maybe contemplating a way forward for a potential Three conferences a yr in opposition to the powerhouse Nittany Lion, Pantaleo redshirted in 2017. Then when he returned in 2018, he competed at 157, the place he prevented the Retherford juggernaut at 149, and went on to earn All-American twice extra, ending seventh in 2018 & 4th in 2019. WrestleStat lists his profession document at 95-32, and he completed his Wolverine profession as a 3x AA.

Zain in fact completed as a 3x Champ, a 2x Hodge winner and a 4x AA. In Freestyle, Zain was the U.S. World Workforce consultant in 2017 and 2019, however he has but to duplicate the World Gold he gained in Cadet in 2012.

Pantaleo has represented the U.S. in 2016 Junior Worlds and 2019 U23 Worlds.

6. Jason Nolf vs David McFadden; 79kg / 174.2

Nolf was a 3x Champ, 4x Finalist and, shockingly, a 0x Hodge winner, given his profession 117-Three document (from PSWC), with an 82% bonus price (from WrestleStat, which incorporates redshirting TRFR yr). Wrote Miller:

Nolf made his worldwide debut in November with a silver medal on the Invoice Farrell Worldwide. He improved on that, profitable a gold medal on the 2020 Pan American Championships earlier this yr.

McFadden was a 2x AA at Virginia Tech, inserting sixth in 2016 & eighth in 2018. He not too long ago begain coaching on the Penn RTC, and, extra not too long ago, competed within the Wrestling Underground occasion, the place he defeated Tommy Gantt 8-4.

7. Vincenzo Joseph vs. Dan Vallimont; 77kg / 169.8

Caption Contest, within the Feedback, please?

Within the 2010 NCAA Finals at 165,-#1 Andrew Howe (Wisconsin) Dec #6 Dan Vallimont (Penn State) 9-3

Dan Vallimont was Cael Sanderson’s first Penn State Finalist. This bout is kind of a time-hop for Penn State followers: Vallimont’s remaining Nationals was in 2010 and Vincenzo’s first Nationals weren’t till 2016.

Vallimont was a 2x AA, inserting third in 2008, earlier than his run to the Finals in 2010. He trains in Philly with the Penn RTC.

Cenzo was a 2x Champ, 3x Finalist who was denied by COVID an opportunity to turn into Penn State’s fifth 3x Champ. He’s comparatively new to Senior Freestyle competitors.

8. Greg Kerkvliet vs. Youssif Hemida; 125kg / 275.6lbs

Kerkvliet hasn’t but competed connected for Penn State, however he went 9-0 and won two tournaments unattached this previous yr. His Freestyle creds are substantial: 2017 Cadet World Champ (in his Worldwide debut), 2018 Cadet World Silver, and 2019 U23 fifth.

Hemida’s a 2x AA for Maryland, who completed eighth in 2018 and sixth in 2019. He additionally positioned in his Worldwide debut, profitable Silver in 2018 U23s.

9. Bekzod Abdurakhmonov vs Logan Massa; 77kg / 169.8

Within the 2017 World Championships, 74KG Ali SHABANOV (BLR, in Pink) df. Bekzod ABDURAKHMANOV (UZB, Blue), 8-Four for Bronze.

Bekzod was a 1x AA for Clarion, inserting third at 165 for Clarion in 2012, after getting decked by David Taylor within the Semis. From his NLWC bio:

A local of Uzbekistan, Bekzod joined the NLWC Resident Athlete Program within the fall of 2018. He was a 2014 World Bronze Medalist, a 2016 Asian Gold Medalist, and a bronze medal match finalist on the 2016 Olympic Video games in Rio. Bekzod completed the 2017-18 season by incomes one other bronze medal on the 2018 World Championships.

Massa has yet one more yr of faculty eligibility remaining. He used an NCAA redshirt his TRFR yr in 2016. In his RSFR yr, he went 32-Three and positioned third behind Vincenzo & IMar. In 2018 because the 7-seed, he was eradicated in an unfortunate first spherical of consis, after a sudden victory loss to the 8-seed Chandler Rogers. In 2019, he made it to the R12, earlier than bowing out, and final yr he used an eligible Olympic redshirt.

Proof of the Freestyle-only focus of the yr introduced itself within the type of Massa profitable the entire Senior Nationals in an unbelievable tourney efficiency! Right here he’s speaking about overcoming accidents to win:

10. Jane Valencia vs. Julia Salata; 62kg / 136.7lbs

Within the 2020 Pan Am Video games in Ottaway, Alma Jane Valencia Escoto (MEXICO) gained by choice over Betzabeth Rebeca Sarco Colmenarez (VENEZUELA) Dec 5-1

Jane Valencia celebrates turning into the primary feminine wrestler from Mexico to qualify for the Olympics.

Jane Valencia competes for Mexico, and trains with the Nittany Lion Wrestling Membership. She’s not listed as a “Resident Athlete” of the NLWC, as her husband, Espinal, is, however she is talked about on that same page, in the 2020 Achievements section:

Additionally noteworthy on the Pan American Olympic Qualifier event, Jane Valencia (spouse of NLWC R.A. Jaime Espinal) who additionally trains on the NLWC made historical past by turning into he first-ever Mexican ladies’s wrestler to qualify for the Olympic Video games.

Julia Salata is a longtime Nationwide Workforce competitor and one of many wrestling group’s strongest & clearest voices. Right here’s Miller once more, within the USA Wrestling preview, with their Salata bio:

A multiple-time Nationwide Workforce member, Julia Salata has been a risk on the Senior nationwide degree for years and has represented the US at a number of worldwide tournaments, together with the Pan American Championships in 2013, 2014 and 2019, the place she gained two bronzes and a gold, respectively. She was additionally a two-time Junior World crew member. Salata trains out of Bristol, Tennessee, at King School, the place she is an assistant coach for the ladies’s wrestling program.

Julia is a passionate advocate for all types of wrestling and an assertive and affordable proponent of girls’s wrestling in any respect ranges. She owns a flexible skillset that features competitor, coach, advocate and author. Check out this 2700 word article she wrote in Could describing how COVID has affected her Olympic aspirations. It’s a enjoyable and entertaining learn that gives attention-grabbing perception into the mindset and coaching of an elite athlete, particularly round coping with setbacks.

Salata can also be the brainchild of the @HowSheWrestles storytelling undertaking. In the event you’re newish to Ladies’s Wrestling, it’s an incredible beginning place, packed full of private tales which can be inspiring to little ladies and previous males alike.

11. Thomas Gilman vs. Darian Cruz; 59kg / 130.1lbs

At 2018 Remaining X, 57 Thomas Gilman Council Bluffs, IA (Titan Mercury Wrestling Membership) defeats Daton Repair Sand Springs, OK (Titan Mercury Wrestling Membership), 2-1, to earn the fitting to symbolize the U.S. within the World Championships.

On the 2020 Pan Am Video games, 57 kg third Place Match Darian Toi Cruz (UNITED STATES) gained by tech fall over Edwin Alexi Segura Guerra (GUATEMALA) (TF 10-0)

Gilman is the most recent member of the Nittany Lion Wrestling Membership, having simply arrived this summer season. He in fact was a 3x AA at Iowa, the place he positioned 4th, 2nd & third, and the place he was a really outspoken loyal Hawkeye, which makes the transfer to PA particularly attention-grabbing.

Justin Basch managed to interview Gilman on his Baschamania podcast 3 times this yr, and every makes for terribly good listening. Here he is in January, when he was wrestling for the Hawkeye Wrestling Membership; in April, just after announcing the move to the NLWC; and again last week, when he said he’s never felt better.

Gilman gained World Silver in 2017 and took fifth in 2018.

Cruz was a 3x AA at Lehigh, the place he positioned seventh, 1st and fifth. That Championship he earned in 2017 by surprising Gilman within the Semifinals. Of Cruz’ Freestyle chops, Taylor writes:

Final spring, Cruz earned his approach on to his first Senior Nationwide Workforce because the No. Three wrestler within the nation, simply behind No. 2 Gilman. Since then, he has been energetic on the worldwide scene and most not too long ago gained a bronze medal on the 2020 Pan American Championships in Canada.

12. Kyle Snyder vs. Mike Macchiavello; 99kg / 218.3lbs

Kyle Snyder confirming the metallic taste of his Olympic Gold Medal, Rio, 2016

2018 Nationals,197 lbs Michael Macchiavello (NC State) DEC Jared Haught (Virginia Tech), 3-1 for his first Nationwide Championship.

Throughout and after turning into a 3x school Nationwide Champion and 4x Finalist for Ohio State, Snyder additionally completed like this within the main worldwide championships:

2015 World Championships: Gold
2016 Olympics: Gold
2017 World Championships: Gold
2018 World Championships: Silver
2019 World Championships: Bronze

These 2019 World Championships have been held in Nur-Sultan in September, and in October Snyder announced he was joining the NLWC.

Macchiavello achieved the unusual feat of turning into a Nationwide Champion the primary time he ever earned All-American honors, when he gained the title for NC State in 2018. He additionally was on Baschamania, this June.

USA Wrestling’s Miller notes that “Snyder’s final worldwide competitors was the Pan American Championships in March, the place he gained gold,” and added:

Macchiavello made his first Senior Nationwide Workforce final yr at 92 kg. He has competed internationally 5 instances since then, gathering three top-five finishes, together with a silver medal on the Invoice Farrell Worldwide and bronze medal on the Dan Kolov Worldwide. Snyder and Macchiavello final met within the Invoice Farrell finals, the place Snyder got here away with a 10-Zero victory.

13. Bo Nickal vs. Alex Dieringer; 86.2kg / 190lbs

In 2019 Remaining X 92KG Spherical 2: J’den Cox Columbia, MO (Titan Mercury) defeated Bo Nickal (Nittany Lion WC), 5-0, to earn the fitting to symbolize the U.S. on the World Championships.

Within the 2018 U.S. Open, Kyle Dake Ithaca, NY (TMWC) defeats Alex Dieringer Stillwater, OK (TMWC), 5-5

Nickal was a 3x Champ, 1x Hodge winner and 4x Finalist, who completed with solely Three profession losses.

Dieringer was a 3x Champ, 1x Hodge winner and 4x AA, who completed with solely Three profession losses. One in all which was to deceased Penn State legend, James Vollrath within the 2013 Southern Scuffle:

2013 Southern Scuffle, 157pound higher bracket.

Dieringer completed school in 2016, Nickal in 2018. Writes Miller:

The night time’s primary occasion will pit a number of the world’s finest wrestlers in opposition to one another in Bo Nickal and Alex Dieringer.

A 3-time NCAA champion for Penn State, Nickal put himself on a number of nations’ radars final fall, when he eased his method to a gold medal on the U23 World Championships in Hungary. He additionally put the USA on alert as he took World champion and Olympic medalist J’den Cox to 2 shut matches within the Remaining X collection for the 92 kg Senior World Workforce spot.

Dieringer can also be a three-time NCAA champion, competing for Oklahoma State. This summer season, he moved out to Michigan to proceed his coaching on the Cliff Eager WC. A four-time Nationwide Workforce member, Dieringer has been caught behind legends like Jordan Burroughs and Kyle Dake on the Nationwide Workforce ladder, holding him from a World Championship bid. Nevertheless, he has confirmed himself to the world, gathering a top-three end in each single worldwide event he’s competed in since 2013. He additionally owns a silver medal from the 2013 Junior World Championships.

Tomorrow would be the first time Nickal and Dieringer will wrestle.

The load class they chose is attention-grabbing, and will point out that Nickal is extra prone to compete within the Olympic Workforce Trials at 86kg / 189.6lbs (and in opposition to David Taylor!), than up at 97kg / 213.9lbs (and in opposition to Kyle Snyder and J’Den Cox!)

Thanks for studying together with us this morning, and I stay up for hanging out with you all tonight. Be happy to make use of this submit as an open-thread for tonight’s festivities.

Particular because of Tony Rotundo and Sam Janicki for permitting us the chance to showcase and amplify their stunning photographic works, and to USA Wrestling for all their wonderful written and video content material.

Within the widespread parlance of Nittany Lion wrestling, indicators appear to be pointing towards it being a really #enjoyable night time of grappling!

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Saturday, September 19, 2020