Three-time Junior Champion Novachkov Just Going With the Flow
July 26, 2007 by Oliver Salud | Category: News, Wrestlers, High SchoolFEATURE: Three-time Junior champion Novachkov just going with the flow
Matt Russell Special to TheMat.com
07/25/2007
When getting ready for a match, many wrestlers prepare by hopping around, shaking out their arms and slapping their legs. Then there’s California’s Boris Novachkov.
The 2007 Junior Greco-Roman champion nonchalantly walks up to the official’s table, gets to the center of the mat and shakes his opponent’s hand. His preparation seems to be working just fine.
“I just go out there and wrestle,” said the Sunnyvale, Calif., native after a first-period pin over James Clark of Wisconsin in Session II of the ASICS/Vaughan Junior National Championships.
It sounds simple, and he makes it look that way. Novachkov has yet to drop a period through two sessions.
Moving from Bulgaria when he was 13, Novachkov found immediate success in the United States, winning the 2004 Cadet freestyle national championship, three California state freestyle crowns, and possibly his most impressive accomplishment to date, a Junior National double championship at 98 pounds in 2005.
After taking third in both Greco-Roman and freestyle in 2006, he’s motivated to repeat the feat from two years ago.
But he’s not changing his style or the way he does business and it is apparent Novachkov isn’t satisfied. After winning the Junior Greco-Roman title on Monday, which included an impressive backflip after the finals, he’s looking to double up again.
“I would be real excited to double up again,” said Novachkov. “It would probably be better than when I did it in ‘05 because 125 pounds is such a tough weight.”
He has a point. In order to achieve his goal, he’ll have to get past some tough competition to just make it to the finals. Greco-Roman All-Americans Ian Paddock and Tyler Malmberg of New York are on Novachkov’s half of the bracket, as is Matt McDonough of Iowa and T.J. Wunnicke of Wisconsin, who were Freestyle All-Americans last year.
Is Novachkov worried? It doesn’t sound like it. “These kids are stronger than ones I’ve wrestled in the past because it’s a heavier weight, but I’m stronger and bigger too,” said Novachkov. “And I’m feeling it this year.”
With momentum on his side, it sounds like bad news for his opponents.
Novachkov will take his talents to Cal Poly next year and wrestle for the Mustangs with his brother, Filip.
“My brother played some factor into my decision,” said Novachkov. “But I also like the coaching staff, and plus, the campus is right next to the beach.”
The Pacific Ocean will be there for Boris if he ever needs to cool off. But it doesn’t sound like he needs it.
NCWA TO CREATE A WOMENS COLLEGIATE STYLE WRESTLING DIVISION
July 26, 2007 by Oliver Salud | Category: NewsDallas, Texas, July 19, 2007 — The National Collegiate Wrestling Association has officially announced the addition of a Women’s Collegiate Division for the upcoming 2007-2008 season. This monumental addition will provide the only post high school collegiate style venue for women, thus catering to a deeply underserved wrestling population.
“We are excited to lead the way and act as pioneers for women’s wrestling” said NCWA Executive Director, Jim Giunta. “Women’s wrestling is rapidly growing across the nation on the youth and high school level, but there are very few options for them on the college level.”
Currently there are just under 5,000 girls wrestling in high school nationwide. Only a total of six colleges offer women’s freestyle teams and until this announcement, absolutely zero post high school opportunities to wrestle women’s collegiate style wrestling.
Going into its 11th year, the NCWA currently has nearly 150 colleges and universities across the nation with successful men’s wrestling programs. With a strong core structure already in place, adding a women’s division to run along side the men’s should allow for a seamless and well received inaugural first year.
The NCWA is committed to providing and expanding athletic leadership opportunities through involvement in collegiate style wrestling.
With a strong commitment to providing and expanding collegiate style wrestling opportunities, the NCWA’s Goal is to have over 300 Universities actively competing intercollegiately by 2012. That’s more teams than the NCAA DI, DII and DIII currently have combined. With a bold Goal, so comes a bold Vision. The Vision of having a team at every college…every private, every public, every junior, every community college, every trade school, every secondary institution that wants to grow leaders.
Although the men’s and women’s wrestling divisions will be conducted separately, they will operate under almost identical rules and regulations as set forth by the National Collegiate Wrestling Association and the team’s respective institutions.
Since 1997, NCWA events have provided over 100,000 additional college matches to over 9,000 student athletes. These graduates would not have been afforded college competition without the expanded opportunities provided by NCWA member institutions’ coaches and volunteers.
Page Two
About the National Collegiate Wrestling Association:
The National Collegiate Wrestling Association is committed to providing and expanding Athletic Leadership Opportunities through involvement in Collegiate Style Wrestling.
The NCWA is designed to be a spawning ground for America’s Leaders. NCWA Students not only excel athletically and compete well with their NCAA counterparts, but NCWA Wrestlers take athletics to another level. NCWA Student Athletes learn more than just how to wrestle, they Learn Leadership skills. Through a wrestling team model students not only learn, but get practical applied leadership skills. Some of which include: group organizational management, business budgeting, proposal and presentation planning, fund raising, motivational speaking, winning attitude, transportation coordination, and many other leadership skills necessary to make their team a success both on and off the mat.
NCWA Administration is 100% Volunteer. From the Executive Director and Board to the Conference Chairmen and Committees, the NCWA is the only National Wrestling Association that is 100 % Volunteer. That means 100% of any money earned goes to work providing serious opportunities for today’s young people.
Contact:
Jim Giunta, Executive Director – National Collegiate Wrestling Association
Phone: 214-378-8700 extension 107
Email: jim@ncwa.net
Address: 13111 North Central Expressway, Fifth Floor, Dallas, Texas 75243
Web: www.ncwa.net
Press Release written by:
Tabitha Wilson, Promotions Director – National Collegiate Wrestling Association
Phone: 412-309-0116
Email: Tabitha@wilsoncreativegroup.com
Novachkov wins Greco Roman Jr Nationals, Rodenbaugh All-Americans in Cadets!
July 23, 2007 by Coach Jeff | Category: NewsWrestler Nation produced two All-Americans in the Greco-Roman portion of the Cadet/Jr National Championships taking place in Fargo, North Dakota. Boris Novachkov won his 2nd Jr National title in Greco-Roman with a 5-2, 1-1 win over John Trumbetti of New Jersey. In the first period Novachkov was down 2-0 when he hit a spectacular 5 point throw to end the period. In the second period he fought off a furious gut wench attempt by Trumbetti to secure his national championship. Boris went 9-0 over the 2 days of competition. He will have a day of rest before competing in the Freestyle portion of the championships. Boris was a double winner at 98lbs in 2005.
Cody Rodenbaugh had a solid performance at the Cadet Nationals. Rodenbaugh won the 5th place match over Florida’s Chase Gordon 6-0, 4-4, 2-1. This is the first time Cody has achieved All-American status. Cody, who was a Cadet state triple crown winner this year, was 8-2 over the 2 days of competition. Cody will start Freestyle tomorrow and will attempt to become a double All-American.
Congratulations to both!
Wrestling Opening Doors to New Adventures For Young Athletes
July 19, 2007 by Oliver Salud | Category: News, Wrestlers, High SchoolWhy wrestling? Wrestling is not only known for teaching confidence, discipline, humility, and team work but it also has the potential to expose young athletes to worlds beyond the training room. Recently, Wrestler Nation members LaQuinton Cathey and Mark Scandalis were given the opportunity to participate in a wrestlers’ exchange program to Japan. The experience has been profound for both high school wrestlers as summarized by LaQuinton:
This summer I, along with my teammate Mark Scandalis, traveled to Japan on an International Wrestling Exchange trip. Representing California, and USA Wrestling, we were chosen to attend this year’s exchange trip in Japan, the first in over 5 years. Upon entering Japan, we were welcomed with an overwhelming amount of gratitude and hospitality. While there, we wrestled, toured, and exchanged cultural gifts with those we stayed with. Although there to wrestle, our primary goal was to learn more about the Japanese culture, and become acquainted with their values and traditions. Visiting Japan has broadened my horizons, and opened my eyes to the differences that make each culture different, but yet the same. The experience and knowledge gained from this visit will remain with me for the rest of my life. Given the chance to travel there again, I would definitely do it again, and I would like to say thank you to Coach Bobby and Coach Duus for allowing me the opportunity to take part in such a wonderful experience.
by LaQuinton Cathey
Scandalis and Cathey showcase their wrestling in a duel against Japan
Team USA in front of a beautiful Japanese pagoda
WWW.SaveOregonWrestling.com
July 17, 2007 by Coach Jeff | Category: NewsSaveOregonWrestling .com launched
www.saveoregonwrestling.com
DATE: 7/15/2007 4:38:00 PM
Supporters looking to change Friday’s announcement on the status of the University of Oregon wrestling program have set up a web site to help coordinate the effort.
You can find out information on the program and how to help by clicking the link above.
West Valley 2007 Schedule Released
July 1, 2007 by Coach Jeff | Category: NewsWest Valley College Wrestling Schedule 2007 (Subject to Change)
9-14 Orange/Blue Intersquad 7pm West Valley
9-19 San Joaquin Delta 7pm Stockton
9-22 Sacramento Tourn. 9am Sacramento
9-26 West Hills* 7pm Lemoore
9-28 Bakersfield Duals 5pm Bakersfield
9-29 Bakersfield Duals 10am Bakersfield
10-3 Cuesta 7pm West Valley
10-10 Chabot* 7pm Hayward
10-13 West Valley Invt. 9am West Valley
10-17 Fresno City* 7pm West Valley
10-20 Nor Cal Dual Meet Tourn. 10am Santa Rosa
10-24 Skyline* 7pm San Bruno
10-27 North/South All-Star Meet 4pm Cuesta
11-3 Menlo Open 9am Atherton
11-7 Menlo College 7pm Atherton
11-10 San Francisco St. Tourn. 9am San Francisco
11-15 Santa Rosa 6pm West Valley
11-18 Fullerton Open 9am Fulerton
12-1 Nor. Cal. Championships 9am Sierra
12-7 J.C. State Championships 9am Fresno
12-8 J.C. State Championships 9am Fresno
*= Coast Conference Match
For more information on West Valley Wrestling, please visit http://www.westvalley.edu/wvcsports/sports.html
Help Save Oregon Wrestling!!!!
June 26, 2007 by Coach Jeff | Category: NewsThis taken from www.intermatwrestle.com
Call to Action: Support University of Oregon Wrestling
DATE: 6/26/2007 3:32:00 PM
Eugene, OR
Your help is needed to protect wrestling on the West coast. Currently a group has approached the University of Oregon to have Baseball added to the Athletic Program.
While I am sure no one is against the addition of Baseball, I am sure that those same people would not be for the elimination of wrestling. The Baseball folks are making their voices be heard which appears to be strong support for the sport to a new Athletic Director.
Wrestling is not being represented. We have a program so we do not feel the necessity to fight for what we already have. Baseball on the other hand has organized a vocal group to fight for a program. One of the options being presented is replacing wrestling with baseball.
What I am asking is for you to send an email and/or call the Athletic Director Pat Kilkinney in support of keeping wrestling alive and well at the University of Oregon. Wrestling people want their voices to be heard. Now is the opportunity. We can not wait for a decision to be made and then have to fight for what we want.
It would be devastating to the sport to lose a Pac 10 team. Wrestling would lose its affiliation with the conference and the remaining Pac 10 schools would have further reason to eliminate the sport . Arizona State, Oregon State, Stanford would also benefit by you dropping a note to their Athletic Directors in support of those programs as well.
This is not a Title IX issue, the University is in compliance and the OCR (office of Civil Rights) and NCAA is against dropping men’s sports to add womens programs. It is not a financial decision because the Oregon athletic department operates in the Black. It is all about perception. The baseball people are making contact and the wrestling people should be doing the same. Please have all of the people you know (parents of wrestlers, wrestlers, coaches, fans, family and friends) contact our athletic department at the following address: kilkenny@uoregon.edu or call 1-541-346-4481.
Nothing elaborate just a voice of support. There can not be too many calls or emails. Now is the time . Thank you for your support of the wrestling community.
Please CC any emails to Rick Stewart at rstewart@uoregon.edu
Phone 1-541-346-4481 ask for the Athletic Director Pat Kilkenny talk to him and/or leave a message.
Email: kilkenny@uoregon.edu Just a short note in support of keeping wrestling alive at the U of O.
Rick Stewart
Oregon Assistant Wrestling Coach
New Wrestler Nation Graphic Tee
June 18, 2007 by Bobby Soto | Category: News
New Wrestler Nation Design
One of our goals this year is to expand our online merchandise. Wrestler Nation is constantly trying to research new designs and items that appeal to all age groups.
Our newest addition this summer is a graphic tee. This new design wouldn’t have happened without the help of West Coast Designz located in San Jose, CA. On behalf of the Wrestler Nation staff, we would like to thank West Coast Designz for conceiving the initial design concept.
The graphic-tee features the Wrestler Nation logo along with “Wrestler Nation Trained” on the back. At this time, navy blue is the only color available.
