Vermont Wrestler Blog

How Will The COVID-19 Crisis Affect Non-Revenue Bearing Sports? Women’s Wrestling; The Key To Our Survival

April 10, 2020 By Blaine Isham 2 Comments

How will the COVID-19 Crisis affect Non-Revenue bearing Sports? Women’s Wrestling; The Key To Our Survival

With the entire world under this COVID-19 crisis, it seems that sports are really insignificant, especially to people who have been ill and/or loss loved ones. However, at some point we will have to get back to living our lives and like after 9/11 I feel sports will be a focal point to bringing people and communities together.

It is known fact that the Big Two – NCAA Football and Basketball are the revenue that allows schools to fund so many different sports. Example; CBS and Turner Broadcasting pay the NCAA $ 771 million dollars for the rights to broadcast the NCAA Division I Basketball tournament. (Per: Gio Insignares). You add the Women’s NCAA Tourney and the college football playoffs and you are talking in the billions of funds to be partially distributed to schools in support of all sports. (This procedure of distribution of funds is an article in itself. In laymen’s terms without it, non-revenue bearing sports are in jeopardy.)

The money loss in this year’s tournaments, along with football with empty stadiums and television revenue lost from the College Softball and Baseball Championships will put a legitimate strain on “ALL” college athletic budgets.

Old Dominion Drops Men’s Wrestling

We only have to look back a little over a month to see how fragile our sport is on the college level. Old Dominion University dropped wrestling, they had 4 NCAA qualifiers, a consistent coaching staff led by Steve Martin for the last 16 years and relatively good numbers. Even with their tradition they were considering dropping wrestling before the COVID-19 outbreak due to a financial strain, then with the fear of this crisis it sealed the deal. ODU will have 16 sports which is the minimum allowed by the FBS level. Old Dominion will be adding Women’s Volleyball in 2020-2021 to meet that minimum and this will give them nine women’s sports and seven men’s teams. They were the only Conference USA school with wrestling, so their wrestling team competed in the MAC.

Anonymous Donor Saves ASU Wrestling

Hopefully, ODU will take the same root that Arizona State did back in 2008. On March 23, 2008 ASU Athletic Director Lisa Love made the announcement that they will be dropping three men’s sports; Tennis, Swimming and Wrestling. However, within 10 days the wrestling program was reinstated due to private donations. An anonymous donor guaranteed an $8 million dollar endowment and the school allowed the program to continue. The result – this past season ASU was ranked in the top 10. (Note: Tennis and Swimming also received private endowments.)

Title IX Leveling The Playing Field

Also, we can learn from history. On June 23,1972, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 was enacted into law by congress, then signed by President Richard Nixon. Before Title IX there were grave differences and discrimination in women’s activities compared to men. Title IX was introduced by Birch Bayh (Senate) and Edith Green (H of R) to equal the playing field. The law did not address equal money spent, however was designed to correct imbalances and enforce equal access and quality. So, any school that receives federal money all the way from elementary schools to the University level must provide a fair and equal treatment of the sexes in all areas, including athletics.

This law was vital to equal rights to women and the results have been phenomenal. However, it did have negative effect on non-revenue bearing men’s sports. Wrestling and Men’s Gymnastics were badly hurt in direct result of this law, because the schools had to find ways to make their programs compliant. They did not have enough revenue to add so they had to eliminate. Though this was not intentional, it virtually eliminated men’s gymnastics from both High School and College. Wrestling seem to have a stronger hold even though many programs were dropped there was enough of a core of strong programs and a tight American fellowship to bear down and move forward.

Another non intentional factor was the sport of football. (Note: I am a huge football fan). Football in its nature needs a lot more scholarships, so any school with football had to come up with equal access for women. Now keep in mind the law did not say dollars had to equal, but opportunities did.

What can the wrestling community do and learn from history? First, every time a school drops wrestling, write a letter to that school telling them of your disappointment and letting them know how important the sport was to you. If you were considering ODU other schools that drop wrestling for further education, tell them the deciding factor for choosing another school was their lack of support for wrestling. One hundred letters would really wake them up. Second, support your local wrestling programs, in Vermont Castleton and Norwich University have great programs, but will need financial support. I know it is difficult to get to their home meets because of the High School schedule, but we need more wrestling “fans” in Vermont also. If the schools see packed stands, they know High Schoolers are on their campus and those High School Athletes might consider their school.

Developing Women’s Wrestling

However, our greatest ability to help our sport is continue to develop women’s wrestling. We as a state we should make it a goal that within the next three years, that we have a designated Women’s State Wrestling Tournament. We could start with six weight classes and if you averaged six competitors in each weight then we would only need 36-40 female competitors. I really believe it is doable and would really help not only our state but young girls could utilize the scholarships and financial support offered on the college level.

With the history that we know, we need to be proactive and not reactive. Get to those summer wrestling Camps, show your support to USA Wrestling by being a USA Wrestling Club. Hire College coaches to do local clinics and the best way for our graduating athletes to contribute is competing on the next level. I would travel miles to see Vermonters compete.

So, as we try to bring back our normal daily routines, we can reflect on those opportunities given to us and the values they lead us to.

How Will The COVID-19 Crises Affect Non-Revenue Bearing Sports? Women’s Wrestling; The Key To Our Survival

Vermont Wrestler April 2020

Williamstown’s Griswold Moves to Next Level! Head Women’s Wrestling Coach At Elmira.

April 1, 2020 By Blaine Isham Leave a Comment

Williamstown’s Griswold Moves to Next Level!
Head Women’s Wrestling Coach At Elmira.

Coach Griswold on Senior night with Senior Venessa Chaquette and her parents.

Elmira, NY – Elmira College Athletic Department’s Associate Vice President Renee Carlineo announced on March 24^th, that the College had Selected Cody Griswold to head their first Women’s Wrestling Team. Elmira College is joining many other colleges in getting involved with the fastest growing sport in America.

Coach Griswold started his wrestling career at New Milford High School in Connecticut, where he achieved a record of 144-38 and a State Title @ 171 lbs. Cody showed his leadership skills early as he was named team captain three times. From the Nutmeg State he traveled to the Green Mountains of Vermont to pursue a Degree in Education from Norwich University. While at Norwich not only did, he continue his wrestling career, he was also involved with the ROTC. This multitasking lead to his ability to focus and lead, as evident by his building of the Williamstown program.

Cody Graduated from Norwich in 2014 with a Bachelor’s of Science in Physical Education with a concentration in Coaching.

Coach Griswold with 2019 Seniors

Vermont Wrestler caught up with Elmira’s Head Women’s Wrestling Coach recently by email and asked him a few questions;

VW: I believe you took over the Williamstown program from Dan Green, what were the initial challenges of a new coach in virtually a new program?

Coach Griswold: In 2013 I did my student teaching at Williamstown high School and talked to the then Athletic Director Derek Howard about how awesome wrestling is. The AD loved the sport and started putting together a team. The next year I was an assistant for the Norwich program, when I got a phone call from Mr. Howard telling me they were looking for coaches. I went down and talked with him about helping out and the next year Dan Green and I started coaching the team together. We both learned a lot that year. Being a kid from Connecticut, I knew nothing about Vermont wrestling. That year with Dan was monumental in giving me an understanding of how Vermont wrestling operated.

VW: What is one your basic philosophies on building and maintaining a competitive program?

Coach Griswold: My philosophy has always been the same when it comes to coaching or in life. It’s short and simple, and it’s “do the right the thing.” I want my student athletes to do the right thing when no one is looking. Do the right thing for their team, coaches, families and themselves. I want them to live a life that they can look back on and be proud of.

Live a life their parents would be proud of. This is something I preach in the practice room every day. Do the right thing. Drill the move the right way, compete the right way..ect.ect. If the student athletes come together and do the right things together then the winning and success will work its self out. But the most important thing is creating better adults, that live good lives long after their wrestling career is over.

VW: I think most people would agree that Josh Hanlon was your most accomplished wrestler, would you agree and your thoughts on Josh?

Coach Griswold: Josh Hanlon was the most accomplice wrestler that I coached at Williamstown. Josh was a hard worker and great team leader. He was a determined student athlete that worked hard both in the classroom and on the wrestling mats.

VW: How proud were you of Marcus Fleury for receiving the 2019-20 VWOA sportsmanship Award?

Coach Griswold: I couldn’t be prouder or happier. I can’t think of anyone I have met in my life that would be more deserving. Marcus is the hardest working, most respectful young man in the state of Vermont. He is going to go on to make the Green Mountain state very proud of him as he pursues a career as a lawyer. Currently he is training to, and certainly will break the world record for fastest marathon time with multiple sclerosis ever.

VW: What was the process of being named Head Coach @ Elmira?

Coach Griswold: The hiring process for being tabbed Head Coach at Elmira college was pretty long. There were 2 or 3 different phone interviews spread out between a month or so. Each time they widdled down the list. They then invited me to stay a night on their beautiful campus. I spent the next day doing multiple interviews with their great administrators, coaches, and athletic staff. About a month after that I was named head coach.

2019 Vergennes Tournament

VW: How important will Vermont be in recruiting athletes for your team?

Coach Griswold: Vermont will be critical in my recruiting process. As women’s wrestling continues to grow, so does Vermont.

I know all of us at Vermont Wrestler, along with entire Wrestling community in Vermont wish you much success. We will be watching and keeping everyone up to date as your program grows.

Williamstown’s Griswold Moves to Next Level! Head Women’s Wrestling Coach At Elmira.

Vermont Wrestler 4/1/2020

Vermont Wrestler Hall Of Fame Inducts Three

March 21, 2020 By Blaine Isham Leave a Comment

Vermont Wrestler Hall Of Fame Inducts Three

2020 Hall of Fame Inductees Frank Trebilcock, Jim Burns and Erin Clodgo

Bennington February 29^th – The Vermont Wrestler Website inducted it’s second class into the Hall of Fame. The induction ceremony was held during the State Wrestling Tournament awards ceremony prior to the finals.

Vermont Wrestler proprietor Steve Cerrone was unable to make the ceremony due to the fact his son was competing in his last college tournament. However, Melissa Brown stood in and did a fabulous job of describing the intent of the Hall and the family nature of Vermont wrestling.

In its inaugural year, the Vermont Wrestler inducted fifteen individuals, all who were in the New England Wrestling Hall of Fame. Starting this year, the class will be a maximum of three inductees. Nine nominations were submitted to the selection committee this year and they voted on the three inductees.

All three inductees had one thing in common, they all were the first to obtain a goal no one previously had done.

Our first inductee: Erin Clodgo

Erin is from Richmond, VT however, she went to High School in Marquette, Michigan to pursue the sport of wrestling at a higher level. Following High School Erin attended Northern Michigan University, where she was a member of the U.S. Olympic Education Center women’s wrestling program, coached by Shannyn Gillespie and Tony DeAnda. She was a member of the Sunkist Kids coached by Terry Steiner and Erin Tomeo. Erin, is the first Vermonter male or female to compete at this level.

Amongst Erin’s many Competitive Accomplishments – she was

2015 U.S. World Team member
2016 Pan American Olympic Games Qualifier Champion
2015 – 3^rd in the Pan American Games
Three Time U.S. Open Champion (2010,2015,2017)
Ranked No. 2 @ 63 Kg for Team USA 2016-17

Erin has gone from a competitor to a Coach and making her mark there also, Erin and one of her Athletes, Alyssa Lampe were feature in the February 2020 USA Wrestler magazine. Congratulations Erin!!

Erin with her first Coach Harley Brown

Our Second inductee: Jim Burns

Jim is from Essex and wrestled for Michael Baker and the Essex Hornets. He went on to compete in both National and International Competitions for the U.S. Marine Corps in Greco-Roman Style @ 48 Kg. He was also involved with the Marine Corps recruiting program called “Skip over Drugs, Jump into Fitness” Jim travel the country to local High Schools to promote fitness over drugs.

In 1996 he was invited he was invited to the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs for several months to train for the Olympic Sports Festival in Boulder, Colorado. He ended up the Bronze medalist in Greco-Roman.

Jim was Vermont’s 1^st 4-time State Champion
A two-time New England Champion
In his Senior year he Beat HOF Wrestler Rafael Vega in both the State and New England Finals.
Only had 8 losses in his High School Career
Presently is a Junior High Coach for the Essex Warriors

Congratulations Jim

Frank Trebilcock and St. Johnsbury Coach Michael Verge

Our third and final inductee: Frank Trebilcock

Frank attended St. Johnsbury Academy and wrestled for HOF Coach Sandy Murray. Frank was a member of the Academy team which became the 1^st official State Tournament Champions his Sophomore year. Frank was one of three individuals Champions St. Johnsbury had that year. Frank went on and wrestled for SUNY Alfred in college. After college, Frank returned to the Northeast Kingdom and had a huge presence in coaching young athletes.

Frank was:

Vermont’s 1^st three-time State Champion
A two-time New England Finalist
Was instrumental in starting youth wrestling in St. Johnsbury, known now as the Prospector’s
President, Friends of St. Johnsbury Wrestling for many years.
Tournament Director of the St. J. Early Bird Tourney for many years
State Tournament Clerk when held @ the Academy.

Congratulations Frank.

The Hall Committee will be meeting this summer to continue it’s vision of honoring Vermont Wrestlers, Coaches, Officials, Administrators and Contributors from all eras of Vermont wrestling.

Submitted by,

Blaine Isham

Vermont Wrestler Hall Of Fame Inducts Three
Vermont Wrestler 3/21/20

Vermont State Wrestling Tournament; By The Numbers

March 15, 2020 By Blaine Isham 1 Comment

2020 Vermont State Wrestling Tournament – By the Numbers

2020 Individual State Champions

Bennington – The 52^nd (51^st Official) State Wrestling Tournament was contested February 28^th & 29^th at Mt. Anthony Union High School. The event was professionally run and everyone was welcome by Coach Brian Coon, his team, Athletic Director Ashley Hoyt and her Administration. Everyone knew Kates gym would be packed to the ceiling and very loud. One coach mentioned to his team – “you have never heard the level of noise until you compete in this gym.” It truly was a weekend made of memories.

Heading into the State’s this February weekend, the run for the title was thought to be a lot closer than in recent memory. Would Spaulding’s dominant light weights, Essex’s experience in the upper weights or St. Johnsbury’s balance (only other school to fill all fourteen weight classes) be enough to stop “The Streak”. Or would those three teams hurt each other due to their different make-ups. Toss in a young CVU, Vergennes and Colchester and it would be difficult. The seeding numbers showed MAU with a fairly comfortable lead (place points for your seed). Mt. Anthony had 172 pts., Essex 137 pts., Spaulding 92 pts., and St. Johnsbury 61.

2020 Michael J. Baker

Coach of the year

Eugene Stearns – Vergennes

Spaulding started the tournament out on fire getting 23 points in the first round, as compared to Mt. Anthony’s 12 and Essex’s 71/2. However, Essex and Mt. Anthony redeemed themselves the next round with the Patriots sending 13 wrestlers to the semi’s and the Hornet’s had 11to move into 1^st and 2^nd respectfully. Spaulding was able to advance 7 competitors and stay close to Essex. As they closed the gym that night most people thought it was a battle for second and we would have to wait another year.

Saturday morning started with the “Blood” round (meaning if you win this match, you will be an All State Wrestler.) This was a tough round for the Tide and Essex only had one competitor so neither team could close the gap. On to the semi’s and what a set of matches they were. Some great battles and upsets, dotted the round. Spaulding started with their young but talented light weights, gaining finalist in the first three weight classes, then they pulled an upset at 138 lbs. with Glassford beating Leo on the buzzer.

However, the Hornets would recover and send seven to the finals with an upset of their own @ 195 lbs. with Kameron Cyr beating Gabriel Payne-Vinick of Vergennes in a fall @ 5:48. Mt. Anthony continued their dominance in the semi’s with getting eight grapplers to the night’s spotlight.

Mike Baker, made his way back as a spectator. Shown here with the Tournament’s Officials. David Fournier, Mike Baker, Scott Kleinschrodt, Tim Ayer, Head Official Scott Elithorpe and James Helak. Not seen Eric Campbell

All Wrestling Coaches preach how important the wrestle-backs are. Most tight battles are won because of wrestlers fighting their way back to third place. Essex’s four semi-finals losers and their Heavyweight William Danis laced up their shoes and all five fought back for third to give the Hornets critical points and an outside shot of winning, with senior captain Calvin Leo leading the charge by controlling his next two opponents. (The Hornets and Patriots would go head to head three times in the Finals.) Essex pulled to within 8 points of the Mt. Anthony team before the finals, would it happen tonight?

The Senior Patriots led by Keegan Coon and Sam Wilkins kept their troops calm and reminded them of all the large tournaments Coach Coon had them compete in, along with the out-of-season work. Tonight, was their night! Essex had three Champs, but they couldn’t match Mt. Anthony who had six individual winners with Mt. Anthony pulling away from the Hornets. Mt. Anthony had 278 points; Essex finished with the most second place points ever with 254. Also, the first time three schools have had more than 200 points with Spaulding in third with 201 points.

More Numbers:

2020 – 200 Wins Club: Sam Wilkins, Keegan Coon, James Danis and Hunter Verge.

This is the first time Vermont has had 4 Wrestlers obtain 200 wins in one year. Many up and coming teams really excelled over the two days. Colchester scored 100 team points for the first time in years and had a finalist in Noah Quigley 113 lbs. Gunner Olsen’s team really improved from December a lot of Freshman, but good leadership in 220 lb. Champion Will Murphy, Otter Valley continues it’s climb back to an elite team and returns a good core and some talented 8 graders, Randolph led by Coy Lyford and Harwood led by Sully O‘Hara had very strong years and believe they will be in the mix before long. We could mention every team, as each one had a highlight, but these are the ones that stuck in my mind.

Tracking Vermont participation Numbers:

2019-20 Participation Numbers
		JV	Varsity	Less,
	Weight Class	Entries	Entries	Wrestled Both	Net Entries

	106	10	12	5	17
	113	5	7	3	9
	120	8	10	6	12
	126	8	13	5	16
	132	3	11	0	14
	138	13	10	2	21
	145	9	16	4	21
	152	8	13	3	18
	160	5	11	2	14
	170	6	10	4	12
	182	8	14	6	16
	195	5	10	2	13
	220	4	7	1	10
	285	5	10	2	13
		97	154	45	206

	* They may have wrestled in different weight classes
	Final # s		% Increase/Decrease
	2017	186
	2018	186	0%
	2019	180	-3.30%
	2020	206	14%

We Started the season with approx. 300 participants that submitted weight certifications and we ended with 206 wrestlers participating in the post season. This number is up 14 % after being virtually flat for the last three years. We did have 41 Seniors this year which is a little larger than the past three, but that is a good sign, they are competing for four years. Our Junior High Numbers were down, but looks like 8^th grade numbers about normal. (Hard to track not all coaches put grades on their entries.)

Vermont had three New England Champs and competed to the best of their abilities. We are the smallest state for wrestling in America, but looks like we are trending in the right direction.

Sam Wilkins, Four Time State Champion, Two Time New England Champion

What does next year look like?

Returning Points: Top Ten Teams

Spaulding – 171 pts.
Essex – 155.5 pts.
Mt. Anthony – 137 pts.
Vergennes – 110 pts.
St. Johnsbury – 78 pts.
CVU – 75 pts.
Otter Valley – 75pts.
Colchester – 72 pts.
Mt, Abraham – 49 pts.
Randolph 32 points

152 lb. place winners – Many will say this was the deepest weight class this year.

Tournament Statistics:

Most Pins – least amount of time:

Oliver Orvis – Essex (4) in 8:40
Seb Jacobs – Colchester (4) in 8:53

Fastest Pin:

Elliot Powell – Essex – :12

Fastest Tech Fall:

Hunter Verge (time not posted)

Most Team Points: – 3 tied with 28 team points.

Keegan Coon – Mt. Anthony

James Danis – Essex

Sam Wilkins – Mt. Anthony

Most Individual Match Points:

Hunter Verge – St. Johnsbury – 21 pts.

Most overall Match Points:

Eric Davis – Milton – 34 pints.

Note: Some Statistics from Track Wrestling and various picture references.

Hopefully, you will enjoy as much as I have putting together for Vermont Wrestler. Remember don’t just be a guest, sign on as a member – no fees, just be a part of the Vermont Wrestling Family.

Submitted by:

Blaine Isham

The Schweitzer Memorial 2020 Rocks Springfield

March 8, 2020 By STEPHEN CERRONE Leave a Comment

The Schweitzer Memorial 2020 Rocks Springfield

350 Wrestlers from all over New England got it on today as the Schweitzer Memorial Rocks Springfield. No Brackets and all Round Robin wrestling insured that wrestlers got plenty of matches and the day went by fairly quickly. Everyone except yours truly of Vermont Wrestler was out the door by about 5. The younger group ran from 8 – 12 and the older group from
1 – 5.

An absolutely great day of wrestling, witnessed by a house chock full of spectators (I’m guessing at least 500) was accentuated by some great raffle gifts and an awesome cafeteria. The good folks in Springfield always do an unbelievable job of getting kids lots of wrestling and making spectators feel welcome. Kudos to you all and I can’t wait for tomorrow with Erin Clodgo and the All Girls Tournament!

Videos

Photos

Brackets And Team Scores