Every March, I tune in to the NCAA Division I Men’s Wrestling Championships, a ritual I associate with the arrival of spring. It also reminds me of my own athletic tenure. I grew up in rural Pennsylvania and started wrestling when I was five, and went on to compete at the Division I level in […]
Every March, I tune in to the NCAA Division I Men’s Wrestling Championships, a ritual I associate with the arrival of spring. It also reminds me of my own athletic tenure. I grew up in rural Pennsylvania and started wrestling when I was five, and went on to compete at the Division I level in college.
This year’s championships were compulsive viewing. Penn State’s Carter Starocci became the first five-time D-I national champion, and Oklahoma State’s Wyatt Hendrickson stunned Olympic champion, Gable Steveson, in the heavyweight final. Oh. And Donald Trump was there. Joining him were Elon Musk, former wrestler turned Republican Ohio congressman Jim Jordan, and other political allies.
Trump made his entrance in Philadelphia’s Wells Fargo Center to cheers and “U-S-A, U-S-A” chants. He appeared after Starocci had just claimed his historic fifth title, prompting ESPN to interrupt Starocci’s interview and cut to the president. As Trump waved to the crowd, I received a text from a former training partner – “Dude, WTF” he wrote. I knew what he meant. I felt the same sinking disappointment.
Our sentiments, however, were not shared by many of the wrestlers at the tournament. Throughout the night, athletes shook hands with the president, posed with him for pictures and let him hold their NCAA trophies, obelisk-like totems that represent years of bloody sacrifice the uninitiated would be hard-pressed to fathom. On his X account, Tom Ryan, head coach at Ohio State, posted a picture of himself and Elon Musk, whom he called one of his “favorite men”. Hendrickson celebrated his victory by firing a stout salute in Trump’s direction and draping an American flag over his massive shoulders.
Two days after the tournament, Starocci joined Fox & Friends, and, despite his name being mispronounced multiple times, seemed happy to be there. Hendrickson appeared via video chat on America’s Newsroom, where Fox anchor Bill Hemmer, like many others, called him “Captain America”. Both interviews focused on wrestling and Trump in equal measure.
What do these athletes see in Trump? He is a wrestler’s opposite in nearly every way. Though he has a weird habit of trying to dominate handshakes, he’s never been a serious athlete, despite his boasts. His privilege has shielded him from accountability throughout his life. Among high-level wrestlers, personal accountability is a deep, almost spiritual core value. Most wrestlers never reach their athletic goals, regardless of how hard they work. I can attest that such failures are crushing. And yet, when it comes to losses, most wrestlers reject any form of excuse. Two years ago, in a bout considered one of the all-time college upsets, Matt Ramos of Purdue pinned Iowa superstar, Spencer Lee. Lee, who was injured, said in a Barstoolinterview, “I saw people say I lost because I was hurt … That’s not true. I got beat. I hate when people try to make excuses for me when I got outwrestled and beat.” Trump has yet to publicly concede his loss to Joe Biden in the 2020 presidential election.
This paradox is not surprising. Many of Trump’s fans voted for policies that will not benefit their lives. Their support is based on emotion, not logic. Viewed through this lens, college wrestling’s embrace of Trump makes sense. Trump’s antagonistic relationship with higher ed matters little when, to wrestling, he and his allies say, “We love you, we’re proud of you.”
For a sport routinely shoved to the margins, this high-profile support is significant. Penn State’s Mitchell Mesenbrink said if “you put politics aside, no matter if you’re conservative or liberal … to have the president of the United States be at something we want to get people to watch … [is] really, really cool.” Wasted tax dollars notwithstanding, Mesenbrink is right. You seldom see wrestlers in a montage on Gatorade commercials. You don’t hear about them inking huge corporate sponsorship deals. Simone Biles, Caitlin Clark and Michael Phelps are household names, yet a relatively small sect outside the wrestling world knows who Jordan Burroughs is. In 2016, The New Yorker published The Faces of College Wrestlers, which featured portraits taken after wrestlers had stepped off the mat. I was delighted until I read the article’s comment section on Facebook. With articulate prose, people had reduced these young men to knuckle-dragging stereotypes. The phrase “toxic masculinity” appeared multiple times.
Negative attention is nothing new for wrestling. Fifty years ago, there were more than 150 D-I wrestling programs; as of 2025, there are 79. My alma mater, Boston University, cut its program in 2014 to make space for men’s lacrosse. To me, an elite urban school rejecting wrestling for a sport associated with affluence felt like a rejection of my home state, and, more broadly, of rural America.
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Herein lies the other thread that tethers wrestling to Trump: while wrestling programs of all levels exist in various parts of the country, wrestling is largely associated with rural America. The urban-rural divide has continued to widen since Trump first entered the political arena. Many rural voters have voiced feelings of being unseen – or, if seen, of being scorned – by the political elite. Trump’s policies do not improve life for most of his rural constituents – quite the opposite. Nonetheless, to these voters, Trump routinely says, I see you.
Democrats have struggled to find a language that engages rural America (a trend Bernie Sanders and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez are trying to change). Similarly, many on the left have faltered when it comes to locating a productive language to discuss masculinity. Trump fills that void, hollow as his platitudes may be.
It took me three application cycles to gain admission to a fully funded MFA program. As rejections rolled in, I leaned on the persistence wrestling had instilled in me. My eventual acceptance letter filled me with as much joy as any win on the mat ever had. My first night on campus, an MFA colleague, referring to my identity as a straight white male, asked, “How does it feel to be part of the problem?” The question portended a number of similar experiences. Phrases like “toxic masculinity” and “lit bro” were swung in my direction like a judge banging a gavel. In those moments, I wanted to turn translucent – to hold out my arms like a Da Vinci sketch and show the scar tissue and nerve damage and old surgeries and say, see?
In a guest essay for the New York Times, David J Morris laments the dearth of young men involved in the reading and writing of literature. He notes that this reality is reflected in our national politics. “Young men who still exhibit curiosity about the world,” he writes, “Too often seek intellectual stimulation through figures of the ‘manosphere’ such as Andrew Tate and Joe Rogan.”
Morris points out a number of discouraging trends. Suicide rates among young men have skyrocketed while educational statistics continue to plummet. Young men who exhibit “traditional” masculine qualities, such as physical strength and self-reliance, are labeled “toxic” by a culture that will just as quickly make male vulnerability the punchline of a joke. Last year, a study conducted at Dublin City University by Dr Catherine Baker, professor Debbie Ging, and Dr Maja Brandt Andreasen uncovered the alarming extent to which algorithms used by social media platforms recommend misogynistic content to young men. A 2023 study conducted by the Pew Research Center found that young men are reaching financial milestones at a slower rate than men of previous generations, while numbers among women swing in the opposite direction.
Leading up to the election, Trump took pains to forge an associative link between young men’s economic woes and progressive politics; his racist and misogynistic attacks on Kamala Harris fed into a prevailing sense of anger and dissatisfaction. The irony, of course, is that Trump has a long history of relying on immigrant labor and stiffing the working class. On 13 July 2024, the attempt on Trump’s life at a rally in Pennsylvania further solidified his tough-guy image. AP photographer Evan Vucci captured a photo of Trump pumping his fist like a victorious athlete as blood dripped from his ear. (Celebrations of Trump’s temerity tended to ignore the fact that audience member Corey Comperatore was killed.) The president also has a strong relationship with the UFC. Last Saturday, he attended UFC 314 in Miami. For fight fans, chaos-inducing trade policies are trivial when Trump – like a Roman emperor at the Colosseum – sits among the people for a dose of cathartic violence. Is it thus surprising that Trump made significant gains among young men of all backgrounds in last year’s presidential election?
Wrestling is hard, and those who excel at it deserve to be celebrated. It teaches young people how to hold themselves accountable and persevere through difficult challenges – skills that seem to be in short supply. Boys are not the lone beneficiaries. Girls’ wrestling is America’s fastest growing high school sport. While many figures of the “manosphere” champion physical fitness, the wholesale conflation of fitness and toxic masculinity is a mistake. Wrestling, like any sport, has its bad actors. Still, no one benefits when those who promote inclusiveness take it upon themselves to define masculinity with narrow parameters that shame a large number of young men. Shame drives these young men toward the praise of a hypocritical false idol, and, worse, toward “manosphere” extremism.
Perhaps the wrestling world’s embrace of Trump is a metonym for our historical moment. How to positively reengage young men is the question with which America must grapple if it is going to wrest democracy from the jaws of defeat. The whistle has already been blown; the match is underway.
Three straight 30-win seasons, and a Final 4 run for the second time in a 3-year stretch. That’s phenomenal. The Lady Warriors will look to retool the lineup and continue to be one of the top teams in North Georgia. PRESEASON INFO 2024 Record: 32-10; Region Runner-Up; Final 4Head Coach: Yarixa Oakes (4th Season)Returning Starters: […]
Three straight 30-win seasons, and a Final 4 run for the second time in a 3-year stretch. That’s phenomenal. The Lady Warriors will look to retool the lineup and continue to be one of the top teams in North Georgia.
PRESEASON INFO
2024 Record: 32-10; Region Runner-Up; Final 4 Head Coach: Yarixa Oakes (4th Season) Returning Starters: 2 Key Departures: Mya Yeh, Jenna Pratt, Emma Kerley, Sarah Jarrard, Baylee Rae Vandiver, Rylee Elrod, Brooklyn Thomason Key Players: Daylee Barrett, Kalynn Watkins, Aslyn Burkett, incoming freshmen Madi Coker & Mya Palmer; transfer Emmy Barton Strengths: “We are a young team with a lot of potential,” says Oakes. “We have multiple utility players to allow us to switch up rotations depending on opponents giving us an advantage over other teams.”
“We would love to make another long run into state, have a winning record, and finish top-2 in the region,” says Oakes of the expectations for the girls.
No. 9 Five Long Beach Teams Win CIF-SS Academic Championships – The562.org
Out of 556 total high schools in the CIF-SS, Long Beach Poly boys’ and girls’ cross country, Poly boys’ and girls’ wrestling, and Wilson girls’ water polo posted the highest cumulative unweighted team GPAs in the large school division for their respective sports. This success, both in each team’s sport and in the classroom, earn […]
Out of 556 total high schools in the CIF-SS, Long Beach Poly boys’ and girls’ cross country, Poly boys’ and girls’ wrestling, and Wilson girls’ water polo posted the highest cumulative unweighted team GPAs in the large school division for their respective sports. This success, both in each team’s sport and in the classroom, earn the No. 9 spot for our Top 10 High School Sports Moments of the Year.
The CIF Southern Section is one of the most competitive in the state. It contains more than double the amount of schools than any other section in the state, with the second largest being the Sac-Joaquin Section, which encompasses 198 schools. This makes it highly competitive both on the field, and off.
Schools with an enrollment of 1,500 or above are deemed to be large schools. For each CIF sanctioned sport, a small school and large school are commemorated as academic team champions for the school year at an Angels’ baseball game.
CIF celebrated these academic championships with a ceremony at Angel Stadium in April. Two representatives from each team held a banner with their title and waved up to the crowd from the field as each name was announced.
Long Beach Poly boys’ and girls’ cross country had unweighted GPAs of 3.950 and 3.957, respectively, Poly boys’ and girls’ wrestling posted GPAs of 3.765 and 3.821, respectively, and Wilson girls’ water polo possessed a GPA of 3.936.
Poly’s boys’ wrestling, girls’ swim and dive, boys’ water polo, and girls’ golf were also recognized at last year’s edition of the event, making it the third year in a row that four or more Long Beach teams have won the award.
Nebraska Volleyball Tabbed Preseason Big Ten Favorite
Nebraska volleyball is the Big Ten preseason favorite heading into Dani Busboom Kelly’s first season in charge. The conference released its preseason coaches poll and all-conference team on Thursday ahead of next week’s Big Ten Media Days in Chicago. Four Huskers made the 20-player all-conference team: setter Bergen Reilly, outside hitter Harper Murray and middle […]
Nebraska volleyball is the Big Ten preseason favorite heading into Dani Busboom Kelly’s first season in charge.
The conference released its preseason coaches poll and all-conference team on Thursday ahead of next week’s Big Ten Media Days in Chicago. Four Huskers made the 20-player all-conference team: setter Bergen Reilly, outside hitter Harper Murray and middle blockers Andi Jackson and Rebekah Allick. The first three were unanimous picks.
The Huskers went 33-3 overall last season including 19-1 in Big Ten play, falling in the national semifinals. The Huskers return most of their starters but lost legendary head coach John Cook to retirement following the season. Despite the coaching change, the program didn’t see a single player transfer out or decommit, giving Busboom Kelly a loaded roster to begin her head coaching career in Lincoln.
Penn State, who won the national championship and tied Nebraska for first in the Big Ten last season, is second. Wisconsin, Minnesota and UCLA round out the preseason top five.
Besides the three Huskers, only two others were unanimous all-conference selections and both are Nittany Lions: sophomore setter Izzy Starck and junior opposite hitter Kennedy Martin, a high-profile transfer from Florida. Nebraska four selections tied for the most with UCLA. Penn State and Wisconsin each placed three representatives on the team.
Reilly is a two-time Big Ten Setter of the Year. The 6-foot-1 junior from Sioux Falls, South Dakota, was second in the Big Ten (and 10th nationally) with 11.08 assists per set last season. She led the Huskers to their highest hitting percentage since 2016 at .284. Reilly was a second-team AVCA All-American and a first-team All-Big Ten selection, setting a record by earning Big Ten Setter of the Week five times in one season.
Murray was also a second-team All-American and first-team ALl-Big Ten performer last season after leading the Husker attack at 3.4 kills per set on .257 hitting. She averaged 2.43 digs per set and recorded nine double-doubles while leading Nebraska with 39 service aces. The 6-foot-2 junior from Ann Arbor, Michigan, will represent Nebraska in Chicago next week.
Jackson was a first-team All-America and Big Ten selection last year after one of the most efficient seasons in program history. The 6-foot-3 middle blocker from Brighton, Colorado, averaged 2.62 kills per set on a blistering .439 hitting, sixth in the country and fourth in Nebraska history. She also averaged 1.18 blocks per set.
Allick, who will join Murray and Busboom Kelly in Chicago for Big Ten Media Days, is the longest-tenured Husker alongside fellow senior Maisie Boesiger. A three-year starter, the 6-foot-4 Lincoln native has been a dominant blocker throughout her career and took a step forward offensively as well last year. She averaged 1.82 kills per set on a career-high .357 hitting to go with her team-leading 1.43 blocks per set, 14th in the nation and third in the Big Ten.
Busboom Kelly, Murray and Allick will speak at Big Ten Media Days on Monday. Fan will get a look at the Huskers during the team’s Red-White Scrimmage on Aug. 9 and Alumni Match on Aug. 16 before they open the season at the AVCA First Serve Showcase at Pinnacle Bank Arena on Aug. 22.
From court to college: Track phenom Nick Blann leaps to Union Commonwealth | Sports
After an impressive, yet brief high school track career, Nick Blann, the national champion in the long jump and state champion in the triple jump, officially signed to the next level. Joining multiple athletes from Logan County this past year, Blann adds his name to the list of athletes signed to compete at the collegiate […]
After an impressive, yet brief high school track career, Nick Blann, the national champion in the long jump and state champion in the triple jump, officially signed to the next level. Joining multiple athletes from Logan County this past year, Blann adds his name to the list of athletes signed to compete at the collegiate level. Blann signed his letter of intent to compete for the Union Commonwealth University Bulldogs as a collegiate track athlete. With offers from Morehead State and Kentucky Christian University, Blann ultimately decided to go with the Bulldogs for his future track career.
This past spring saw Blann join the Logan County Track and Field team and make history in his lone year as a standout in both the long jump events and the triple jump events. Blann earned the state title with a mark of 45-0 in the triple jump and set his personal best in the long jump with a 22-7.75 mark for the national title.
Taking his talent and explosive leaping ability from the basketball court to the field gave him an opportunity he didn’t expect. “After basketball season, I was looking for a job and couldn’t find anything. Coming home after school so many times and not having anything to do because, before, I would just be getting ready for basketball next season, but since I was graduating this year, I decided to try something new. I also had people in my ear encouraging me and my family too, so I said why not give it a try?” Blann said. The decision proved to be an important one, as he will now continue his newfound sport into college.
Blann had talked about the quick turnaround after signing, laying out the timeline for his start at Union: “I’ll be up there Aug. 14, with practice starting later in September, and then I will be jumping in December sometime. So after two weeks from moving in, I will be getting right into it, kicking in a different gear and getting right to work.”
A collegiate opportunity to compete in a sport is a huge accomplishment, and the challenges that Blann has overcome—he was vocal in how much the opportunity means: “I am beyond thankful. This is only the first step. I have had so many people believe in me and now it’s time for me to believe in myself. There’s been a lot of ups and downs; I didn’t even know if I was going to go to college, but this opportunity means everything.”
Blann, after etching his name in the history books of the Logan County High School athletic program, looks to continue his legacy at the next level for the Bulldogs.
Not many programs lost as much talent as Union County did from its Elite 8 team a year ago. Four senior leaders that were the top statistical players are gone, though a couple starters return. Despite the youth, the Lady Panthers are eager to grow. PRESEASON INFO 2024 Record: 18-19; Elite 8Head Coach: Megan Brown […]
Not many programs lost as much talent as Union County did from its Elite 8 team a year ago. Four senior leaders that were the top statistical players are gone, though a couple starters return. Despite the youth, the Lady Panthers are eager to grow.
PRESEASON INFO
2024 Record: 18-19; Elite 8 Head Coach: Megan Brown (4th Season) Returning Starters: 2 Key Departures: Lily Brookshire, Katelyn Brown, Charlei Robinson, Mallory Rouse Key Players: Reese Jones (SR H), Sofia Foster (JR), Samantha Combs (SO), Emry Sosensky (SO); New additions Blaire Hedden (JR), Amie Sauers (JR), Austin Beal (JR), Kamryn Brown (JR S) Strengths: Defense
“We have a young group but they are eager, excited, and ready to face some tough opponents,” says coach Megan Brown. “This group plays with a lot of heart, they have great attitudes, and they have fun!”
Washington State volleyball team earns AVCA academic award for second consecutive year
PULLMAN, WA – The Washington State volleyball team earned another award for the second straight year. This award is the 2025 American Coaches Association Team Academic Award. The association’s mission is to advance volleyball with AVCA coaches at the center of professional development, leadership, and advocacy. The AVCA has more than 10,000 collegiate, professional, high […]
PULLMAN, WA – The Washington State volleyball team earned another award for the second straight year.
This award is the 2025 American Coaches Association Team Academic Award.
The association’s mission is to advance volleyball with AVCA coaches at the center of professional development, leadership, and advocacy.
The AVCA has more than 10,000 collegiate, professional, high school, club, and youth volleyball coaches.
AVCA represents not only women’s volleyball coaches but also men’s volleyball and beach volleyball.
The award began in the 1992-93 academic season. It honors the volleyball teams that maintain a GPA of 3.3 or higher on a 4.0 scale, or even a 4.1 or higher on a 5.0 scale.
The Cougar’s volleyball team dominated that grade point average by having a team average of 3.65.
This includes 10 student-athletes who have a GPA of 3.5 or higher for the entire year.
Cougars head coach Korey Schroeder knows that by being a collegiate athlete, you must take academics seriously.
“Our team has shown how much they value their education as well as being an athlete.”
The 2025 season opener for the Cougs volleyball team is on August 29th, down in Utah, taking on Lafayette.