Cast of Champions

Kole DavidHeiser is a wrestler at Faith Christian Academy in Quakertown, Pennsylvania. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/crankmat/support

Beau Mantanona is a senior in Palm Desert high school in California. He's a 2021 world team member, Super 32 Champion, and winner of Flo's. Who's number one. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/crankmat/support

Dominic Munaretto won a best of three match series versus Haakon Peterson to earn a spot on the cadet world team. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/crankmat/support

Biglerville High School grad...Three year letter winner team captain as a junior...Went 40-1 as a freshman, taking state runner-up honors...30-4 as a sophomore, repeating as state runner-up...Perfect 30-0 mark as a junior, winning state championship...Did not compete as a senior, trained instead and competed in collegiate level opens, won the Edinboro Open and Franklin & Marshall Open in what would have been senior year of high school...Honors student at Biglerville HS...Member of 2021 Cadet World Team. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/crankmat/support

Jax Forrest won a best-of-three finals match versus Nate Jesuroga to win the Cadet world trials, and earn a spot on the world team. Forrest is an eighth grader at Bishop McCort Catholic high school in Johnstown, Pennsylvania --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/crankmat/support

Frank Lodeserto is a former wrestler for the University of Michigan. He was a team captain and an NCAA qualifier. Lodeserto runs a successful youth wrestling club in Pennsylvania. Lodeserto recently accepted a position in Fayetteville, North Carolina as an ICU Physician. He is set to move his family to the state in early May. On this episode we talked about wrestling in Pennsylvania as it compares to North Carolina and some ideas that could help elevate the level of North Carolina. Thanks for tuning in and we really hope you enjoy. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/crankmat/support

2x PA State Finalists/ 2x Super 32 Finalists /Flo WNO competitor/ Flo Ranked 2nd. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/crankmat/support

Dominic Bambinelli is a 2x 2021 Fargo All American in Greco-Roman and Freestyle. Bambinelli also won the 2021 Tulsa Kick Off. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/crankmat/support

Jackson Heslin is a student at Xavier high school in Connecticut. Heslin traveled to Mexico to compete in the PanAm world championships. He also spent some time in California training at Poway elite. Heslin talks about those experiences in this candid podcast. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/crankmat/support

This podcast takes an in-depth look at the sanctions brought against Bishop McCort Catholic school. All of Bishop McCort‘s athletic programs have been placed on suspension for three years with the suspension of the school's head wrestling coach Bill Bassett as the team is facing recruiting allegations. There has been a hearing scheduled by the PIAA to which the sanctions could be upheld are overturned. We at CrankMat Wrestling Media believe that these kids should be able to wrestle. #letMcCortwrestle --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/crankmat/support

Reese Larramendy he's a senior at Wyoming Seminary in Kingston, Pennsylvania. She's a member of the Wrestling team and a 2021 Super 32 Champion. Larramendy talks about the growth of girls wrestling as it should be along side boys wrestling when showcased on a national level. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/crankmat/support

Ryan Hayes goes in depth as to the reasons of why we don't have wrestlers from North Carolina to compete and win on a national level. What's holding us back? I'll tell you. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/crankmat/support

Cornell Robinson talks about taking over the nationally ranked Wyoming Seminary Blue Knight wrestling program after a successful ten-year span under coach Scott Green who excepted a coaching position at the Army at West Point. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/crankmat/support

Cooper Hilton is a member of the Wyoming Seminary wrestling team in Kingston Pennsylvania and the Boom Ranch wrestling club in Tennessee. Hilton will into the season as one of the top ranked wrestlers in the country in his weight class. He was a Super 32 Champion, Tulsa National Champion, and he won the 15U USA Wrestling World Trials. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/crankmat/support

Shapiro talks Cadet World Championships and preparation for Super 32…etc --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/crankmat/support

Landon talks being open for recruitment after recently being released from his NLI. He'll also talk about winning his 4th state title given the situation he's dealt with throughout the year with injuries. lol --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/crankmat/support

A full recap of the state tournament and the events that unfolded at Glenn high school. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/crankmat/support

Regardless of whether you are predicted to win it or not good luck in the wrestle hard. Leave nothing to chance and win your last match. Have no regrets. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/crankmat/support

2020 Super 32 Runner Up, 2021 Pennsylvania State Champion, 2021 Cadet World Trials Champion. Penn State Commit. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/crankmat/support

Austin O’Connor won the NCAA D1 national wrestling championship for the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill. O’Connor was the first national champion for UNC since 1995. He joins the lights of Rob Koll, CD Mock, and TJ Jaworski who were also national champions for the Tar Heels. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/cast_of_champions/support

Drew Gorman is a Junior High Wrestler out of Buford Georgia and is currently ranked second in the country. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/cast_of_champions/support

Sam Herring is a member of The Compound, Ranger Pride, and Young Guns club wrestling programs. Originally from Tennessee; Sam moved to Johnstown Pennsylvania where he’ll attend Bishop McCort Catholic school. Sam has a podcast titled Home Mat Advantage and he is also commentator for Flo Wrestling. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/cast_of_champions/support

Bo Bassett is a 7th grader from the Johnstown, Pennsylvania area. He competes and trains out of The Compound and Young Guns; two of the toughest wrestling club programs in Pennsylvania. Bo is the number one ranked middle Schooler in the country. He was a 2020 Super 32 middle school champion. The Super 32 is highly regarded as one of the toughest tournaments in the country. Bo has taken the time out of his busy schedule to join me on this podcast just ahead of his duel meet this weekend where he’ll be representing the Pennsylvania All-Star team against the New Jersey All-Stars in a dual meet that is set to stream live on Flo Wrestling. Bo will wrestle the number 6th ranked high school wrestler in the country, Dan Jones. Bo brings to this podcast his insight and knowledge of the sport. He’s a highly intelligent kid that is self-motivated. This is a podcast that you do not want to miss. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/cast_of_champions/support

Jax Forrest and Noah Ninninger won the 2020 super 32 middle school championship. They will discuss on this podcast the hard work that it took to get there as well as the dedication and drive to be the best wrestlers that they can be. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/cast_of_champions/support

Will Varner is an eighth grader from the Kings Mountain area of North Carolina. He originally started wrestling about six years ago for Mat Masters in Gastonia. He is now wrestling for the powerhouse club team Darkhorse in Charlotte North Carolina where he’s been able to workout with a number of partners that are pushing him every day in the practice room. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/cast_of_champions/support

Kyle Montaperto is a two time North Carolina High School State Wrestling Champion. He’s coming off of a fifth place finish at the Super 32 Championships. Montaperto agreed to join me on this podcast to talk about that finish and what has led him to become the wrestler that he is today. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/cast_of_champions/support

NCAA D1 Runner Up- Oklahoma State University --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/cast_of_champions/support

Stevo Poulin is 3x NY State Wrestling and 2x Super Champion. Pouln is one of the top ranked recruits in the country. After visiting multiple universities; he made a decision to commit to the Wolfpack of North Carolina state where he’ll continue his wrestling and academic career. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/cast_of_champions/support

Denzel was a wrestler at RJ Reynolds high school and placed second in the state tournament. He went on to wrestle for Appalachian State University for four years and became an NCAA Division I All American his senior year. While wrestling in a tournament, Denzel was approached by WWE talent scout Jerry Briscoe, Briscoe offered Denzel a WWE tryout. After the tryout he was offered a training contract with the WWE. Denzel has already competed on Raw and SmackDown; wrestling Seth Rollins and Shamus. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/cast_of_champions/support

Bentley talks about the effects of the coronavirus on his wrestling program, the rumor of wrestling program being cut, how he awards wrestling scholarships, what kind of wrestlers he recruits etc. This is another podcast episode that you will not want to miss. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/cast_of_champions/support

Joe Sealey is 14 years old and a student at Ferndale middle school and High Point North Carolina. Joe also is a member of the school of hard knocks wrestling club. He is one of the top rising talents in high school in North Carolina. It will be an exciting podcast so please take a listen. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/cast_of_champions/support

Jaxon Maroney is a three-time state champion from Cardinal Gibbons high school in Raleigh North Carolina. Out of those three state titles, one of them he won while wrestling at Holly Springs high school. He transferred his junior year to Cardinal Gibbons high school. Jaxon spoke briefly on this podcast episode about quitting wrestling as a ninth grader due to outside pressure and loss of desire to participate in the sport. His motivation to return to the sport came after having a private conversation with Nick Kee another NC state champion and former Appalachian State and UNC Pembrook Wrestler. He’s never discussed this publicly before until this podcast. What he has to say on this episode will be truly inspiring. Maroney is also a Drexel commit. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/cast_of_champions/support

Won the NCHSAA Class 3-A title at 138 pounds with a pin. • Finished 64-0 in his senior year with the Nighthawks and 179-9 overall, setting school records for single-season and career victories. • Helped lead Northern to its first NCHSAA Class 3-A duals team regional and state championships, earning MVP honors in both events. Also won the Sportsmanship Award at state duals. • Placed fourth as a freshman and second as a sophomore and junior at states. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/cast_of_champions/support

Garrett Chandler is a senior centerfielder for the Davie high school baseball team. His season was cut short due to COVID-19. He talked about all that and more on this podcast episode. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/cast_of_champions/support

James Joplin is a student athlete at Northwest Guilford high school in Greensboro North Carolina. He’s been wrestling basically his whole Life and this year he captured the North Carolina high school athletic association 4A state championship wrestling title at 120 pounds. James is a longtime member of Combat Athletics in Mocksville North Carolina a team that is Coached by current Lake Norman High School Coach Josh Stanley and assisted by Shelton Sales. On this episode James will give good insight into his career as a wrestler as well as his future goals and expectations. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/cast_of_champions/support

Mr. Craddock talks about what happened behind the scenes that led to the cancellation of the state basketball tournament as well as postponing spring sports due to COVID-19. He also gives us history on how he became president of the athletic Association Board of Directors. He has a special message for the seniors that are at risk of not being able to play spring sports at all. You can catch everything on this episode so tune in. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/cast_of_champions/support

Brad Bullard is the head baseball coach at west Forsyth high school Clemmons North Carolina. Brad unfortunately had to inform his team of the cancellation of more than half of the baseball season due to the coronavirus. He will talk about that as well as how it’s impacted his seniors in regards to college recruiting. Brad will talk about his coaching philosophy as well as how he’ll utilize upcoming talent from the youth programs to build his team. He touched a little bit on the positive impact of his school administration and athletic department. This is an exciting episode that you don’t want to miss. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/cast_of_champions/support

Evan Pryor is a rising senior at Hough high school class of 2021 in Cornelius North Carolina. As one of the top ranked running back’s in the nation and highly sought out; Evan decided to take his talents to Ohio State university where he will continue his education. In making that decision, Evan had to sift through numerous offers from major NCAA division one schools. Evan took time out of his busy schedule to talk to me about that decision and more on this episode. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/cast_of_champions/support

Davis is a freshman at Mooresville high school in Mooresville North Carolina. He was the west for a regional runner up and state 4A runner up both at 113 pounds. On this episode he talks about the COVID-19 virus pandemic and it’s impact on his off-season wrestling schedule as well as his insight on the rules of wrestling. You’ll hear that and much more. Please check it out. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/cast_of_champions/support

All-American (157 pounds): 2018 and 2019 ACC Champion (157 pounds): 2018 and 2019 U23 World Team Member (70 kg): 2018 Career • Became only the third wrestler in school history to All-American as both a freshman and sophomore. • Enters his junior season second in school history in career win/loss percentage (.909 - 50-5), only behind Nick Gwiazdowski (.973). • Entering his junior season, is a perfect 16-0 all-time vs. ACC opponents in all competitions, 10-0 in duals and 9-0 vs. ranked conference foes.- Credit Wolfpack Athletics website. Hayden talks about not being able to compete in the NCAA wrestling tournament due to the coronavirus as well as what he is doing with the free time that he has. He talks about the rules and officiating as well as his match versus Penn State’s Jason Nolf in the 2019 NCAA semi finals. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/cast_of_champions/support

Nick Daggett is a three-time state champion from Chatham Central high school in NC. Nick went on to wrestle for the university of North Carolina at Pembroke where he was a three-time NCAA qualifier and All-American. Nick will talk about the coronavirus and how it impacted the national tournament to which was canceled due to Covid- 19. He’ll touch on that as well as his future in wrestling. Will he take an extra year of eligibility if given into his first year of PA school or just chalk it up as a this season up as a loss. You’ll hear about that and much much more on this episode. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/cast_of_champions/support

Christian Decatur is a 2x North Carolina high school athletic association state champion. He is looking to win his third straight state title in the North Carolina state wrestling tournament this weekend. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/cast_of_champions/support

PATRICK GLORY: At Princeton — 2018-19 (30-7): earned All-American honors and posted best NCAA finish by a freshman (6th) in Princeton history; he became only the second freshman All-American and 12th overall in team history … helped Princeton to third-best team finish in NCAA history (15th) … all seven losses came to wrestlers who finished in the Top 5 at NCAAs, including two to eventual champion Spencer Lee and three to Oklahoma State's Nick Piccininni, who spent much of the year ranked #2 … avenged regular season loss to Cornell's Vitali Arujau with 10-8 decision to win the EIWA championship and help Princeton to a top-three finish … earned second-team All-Ivy League honors … placed third at Midlands Championships, with lone loss coming to Lee; helped Princeton to best Midlands team finish (5th) … one of a program-best three freshmen to qualify for NCAA Championships … 25 of 30 wins came by more than decision, including nine falls and five technical falls … opened career by winning the Tiger Open. NATHAN DUGAN: Before Princeton: High School: A three-time captain that secured 150 career wins … Set the single-season record for most takedowns … Placed in the top ten at the state tournament each season of his career … 4A West Regional Champion and 4A State Finalist three times … 4A State Champion in 2018 and 2019 … Super 32 All-American (Seventh place) … Ironman Place Winner (fourth) … Freestyle State Champion twice … Regional MOW in 2019 … 4A State Tournament MOW … A three-time Jason Lanning Most Dedicated Award winner … Perseverance Award winner in 2017 … Named Team's Most Outstanding Wrestler in 2018 and 2019. Academic: Dave Schultz High School Excellence Award Winner for North Carolina. Write up is from the Princeton Athletics website. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/cast_of_champions/support

Darren Kendrick is a 138 pound wrestler for Glenn high school in Kernersville North Carolina. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/cast_of_champions/support

Gunner Walters is a sophomore varsity starter for the Mount Tabor high school basketball team. He is the son of Assistant basketball Coach Rex Walters of Wake Forest University. Gunner has spent time living in Michigan, California, and Florida. He took time out of his schedule to talk us about his expectations For the rest of the basketball season as well as what it’s like being the son of a college and pro basketball coach. He has shared his experience with being able to work out with Division I college level and pro basketball players and how it’s helped him elevate his game. This turned out to be quite an interesting podcast with a great kid. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/cast_of_champions/support

5x Fargo Champ (3 Freestyle, 2 greco) (6time finalist total) Greco OW 3x Super 32, Ironman, Powerade Champ 2x state champ 2019 Junior Greco National Team Member 2019 Junior Greco PanAm Silver Medalists --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/cast_of_champions/support

Evan LaBella is a member of the West Forsyth high school Wrestling Team In Clemmons NC. He started wrestling in seventh grade for team Warrior Athletic in Midway North Carolina under Coach Heath Early. Entering the ninth grade, Evan was a varsity fill-in winning 50+ matches under Coach Maurice Atwood. During the off-season, Evan joined Combat Athletics’ Combat wrestling club where he was coached by Josh Stanley, Shelton Sales, and Isaiah Whitley. In Evan’s sophomore year, the wrestling program at West Forsyth was taken over by Coach Jason Hooker. From ninth grade up until now, Evan has continued to grow through the West Forsyth wrestling program and Combat Athletics. Evan in his junior year qualified for the North Carolina High School Athletic Association state tournament where he was a match short of placing. Evan has set high goals and expectations for himself that he’s hoping to reach by the end of his senior season. He talked about all of this on this episode. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/cast_of_champions/support

Richard Treanor is a defending NCHSAA 4A State Wrestling Champion for Hough High School in Cornelius, NC. He's also placed in some of the top ranked tournaments in the nation, Fargo, NHSCAs etc. Richard is also a member of the Dark Horse Wrestling Club in Charlotte, NC. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/cast_of_champions/support

Tyreik Leach is a member of the RJ Reynolds basketball team. He’s a shooting guard that has been playing basketball since the age of four. He sat down and talked to me about what it’s like playing athletics for RJ Reynolds as well as his goals and expectations for the future. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/cast_of_champions/support

Jack, Collin, and Adam are varsity wrestlers for the Davie County wrestling team. They were kind enough to give me a little bit of their time to talk about how they are doing this season as well as the change in the head coach which has had an impact on their program. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/cast_of_champions/support

Tony Gravely is a newly signed bantam for the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) he was a wrestler for Magna Vista high school in Martinsville Virginia and Appalachian State University. After college Tony started competing in mixed martial arts and racked up a record of 19 wins and five losses. His last fight was for Dana White’s contender series where he won and was offered a UFC contract. He will make his UFC debut on January 25th in Raleigh North Carolina vs Brett Johns. Tony will talk about this experience as well as the grind in fighting on the regional circuits that catapulted him to where he is now. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/cast_of_champions/support