featured Archives - The Open Mat

The Open Mat Weighs In on the Ben Askren vs. Jake Paul Boxing Match

Former Missouri two-time Hodge Trophy winner and two-time National Champion wrestler Ben Askren. (A 2006 photo by Ty Russell of The Associated...

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College Wrestling News

Awarding Co-Hodge Trophy Winners in 2021 Sets a Bad Precedent

The Hodge Trophy is considered the Heisman Trophy for amateur wrestling and has been presented to the nation's best wrestler since 1995....

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College Wrestling News

Seeing What is Under the Hood Regarding the Coaching Vacancy in Champaign

This month, the college coaching world was taken aback by Jim Heffernan's retirement from the Illinois wrestling program. Coach Heffernan, who helped lead...

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College Wrestling News

Iowa Wrestling Program Honored at Kinnick Stadium

Image and release courtesy of University of Iowa Sports Information. The University of Iowa wrestling program celebrated their 2021 NCAA Championship earlier...

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College Wrestling News

Some Big Names Choose Their Transfer Destinations

Image courtesy of Greg Bulsak’s Instagram. Former Penn Stater Jarod Verkleeren, who started 19 duals at 149 pounds during his three years...

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College Wrestling News

An Update on the NCAA’s Transfer Rule Moving Forward

Graphic per the NCAA. Since 2018, when the Transfer Portal came to fruition, it has been one of the biggest storylines every...

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High School Wrestling

The Ultimate Club Duals Begin Tomorrow

Pictured: Fort Dodge’s three-time IHSAA State Champion and four-time finalist, Drake Ayala. If you’re currently going through some college wrestling withdrawals, here’s...

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College Wrestling News

NCAA Division I Set to Return to Recruiting Activities on June 1, 2021

Press release from NCAA All Division I sports will return to their regular recruiting calendars beginning June 1. The Division I Council approved the...