"Takedown Talk" with Bob Matthews

Bo Bassett has already won a World freestyle title, a Super 32 championship, and so many more honors, including a PIAA championship as a high school sophomore. The sky is the limit for this young man who gets the fuel for his fire from his family, teammates, and God!

Here's a young man whose career I got to follow on the elementary, high school, college, and now world levels. Darian Cruz is as great off the mat as he is on the mat. Listen to this podcast that I did a little over a year ago, and dairy and fulfilled several of his goals in his resting career. Valley Elementary wrestling league title multiple high school state championships, an NCAA championship, and possibly an Olympic championship !!!

Andi has great examples at home and in the wrestling room. That, along with her tireless work ethic, propelled Andi Bibeau to first ever PIAA sanctioned District Xl and Southeast Regional Championships. Andi is driven to continue to get to the PIAA Championship Finals in 2025, after placing 5th this year.

Savannah Witt is tough as nails, with the strength of a 190-pounder in the 118-pound weight class. Witt was 31-0 this season and 59-2 in wrestling high school girls and 23-24 against boys. She loves to lift, eat carrot cake with sprinkles, and support her teammates. Savannah gives a lot of credit to Pirates Head Coach, Nick LaFevre, for challenging her to be the best she can be...

High school wrestling phenom, Bo Bassett, is one of the best young wrestlers in the USA, and in the world. However, despite his success in the Square Circle, he doesn't let his talent go to his head. He is very well-rounded as a Young Man, filled with respect for others in a deep humility. He finds what he needs the most through God, his family, teammates, and his wrestling community. This is one of my favorite podcast interviews to date !

Three outstanding young wrestlers, Savannah Witt of Palisades, Andi Bibeau of East Stroudsburg North, and Bo Bassett of Bishop McCort, talk about their journeys to the 2024 PIAA Wrestling Championships in Hershey, along with their goals, support systems and making history !

Meet a young man who as a sophomore for Faith Christian Academy, won a Pennsylvania state championship. Following knee surgery earlier this season, he is on a quest for a second state title. Please listen to hear about the development of this young man, where he is planning to go, and where he wants to end up -- as a multiple PIAA Champ, an NCAA Champ, and ultimately, an Olympic Champion !!!

Mason Ziegler, Quakertown's 127 pounder, is an extremely talented and hardworking young man. He is pushed by his teammates, coaches and family to be the best he can be...and his efforts are paying off in a big way. I caught up with this energetic dynamo after his big semi-final win in Hershey. We'll be seeing him strive for gold next season and an NCAA Championship at the next level 👍

Nate Desmond turned on the jets at the end of the 2021-22 season to win a state championship as a Freshman. This season, Nate the Great didn't feel any pressure as he put together another stellar season, and cruised to his second State Championship in as many years. I caught up with him before he majored Trey Wagner of Northampton in the state final. Nate seems to care deeply about his teammates, which is the sign of a leader. Plus, he's a character. After his win, he was craving a Shamrock Shake and a Big Bundle Family Meal from McDonald's 😆

This young Crusader wrestler told me after last years state tournament, he had a lot of work to do...and he made sure he did it ! His goal is to repeat as a State Champ next season as well. Ayden has a quiet demeanor, but when he hits the mat, he's all business. Please give a listen to this outstanding young man's post-match podcast interview with me in Chocolate Town, USA.

Super Sophomore, Collin Gaj, of Quakertown H.S., is a PA State wrestling champion after finishing 4th as a Freshman in 2022. He is a young man who believes in his incredible ability, his coaches, teammates and community. Expect even bigger things from this young Panther in the years ahead !!

Sensational sophomore, Kollin Rath of Bethlehem Catholic High School had a stellar season, with only one tough loss at Super 32's. He put what he learned from former PIAA High School Superstar, Chance Marstellar, and a group of high school wrestling friends, (along with hard work and some challenges) and won a gold medal at Hershey, by knocking off two current PA state champions, en route to the top of the podium.

One of the most personable and talented young wrestlers to ever represent the Lehigh Valley, talks about the start of his wrestling career, his influences, his love and passion for his family and heritage, and his foray into the freestyle wrestling world. Darian has also become a role model, and he's humbled by that responsibility. Despite all his success at the high school and collegiate levels, his ultimate goals are a World Championship and Olympic Gold, and to expand his family. Oh, and the ending was quick...we ran a little long, but it was worth it 🤔🤣👍💯

Cedar Crest College becomes the first College in the Lehigh Valley to have a Women's Intercollegiate Wrestling team. Former Wilson Area HS PIAA place winner, Alex Depew, and Assistant Coach, Austin Warman, are starting from scratch, but the Falcons are making history. Listen to this entertaining and ground-breaking effort by the Allentown-based college as it builds a Wrestling program using young women from other sports backgrounds. With solid support from school administrators, alumni, and local athletes, Depew envisions big things ahead for these young Falcons as they fly into the spotlight of a growing and popular collegiate sport 👍👏💪

Former Liberty High School wrestling standout, Anthony Marino, is taking charge of the Freedom High School Wrestling Program. Marino is working with a really good nucleus, and says his wrestlers' hard work and dedication will pay dividends. Coach Marino is grateful for the opportunity after several years learning the ropes as a solid Assistant Coach 💪👍💯

Tom Elling has given, and continues to give so much to the great sport of wrestling, not only in Pennsylvania, but throughout the country. The former English teacher is the epitome of what a "wrestler is, and can become". Tom gives back to the sport in so many ways as he brings together coaches, youth wrestlers, accomplished wrestlers, officials, wrestling pundits and lovers of the sport. He's a big reason why the sport continues to thrive on so many levels, and will continue to expand as female wrestling becomes the next great frontier 💪👏👏👍 We changed Tom's title to the "Governor of Pennsylvania Wrestling" 😁👍😉

A round table podcast with AA State champions, Brandan Chletsos and Holden Garcia of NDGP, and their teammates, who joined them on the podium at Hershey this past season. The Crusaders won their the PIAA Individual Team Championship 🏆🏆🏆

Learn more about the man behind the wrestling headlines here in Northeast, Pennsylvania. Hear why Tom loves the sport, and goes above and beyond to deliver the coverage and stories the region has come to appreciate. Get the matside insight and inner circle perspective from one of the region's very best sports writers, and why Tom loves the wrestling experience !!!

Honored to sit down and talk wrestling, coaching, volunteering, a Covid year, and a near death experience with former Easton Area High School Head Coach, Steve Powell.

Blue Eagle, Sean Kinney, was just getting started and took the Pennsylvania Wrestling World by storm, and blew through the post season competition to take a PIAA Silver Medal as a freshman, and then this year one of PIAA championship. Sean loves contact sports and his mom's kitchen skills.

Notre Dame Green Pond State Champ, Brett Ungar, travels a tough road on his way to winning his first PA Title 🥇, and ending his 2020/21 season as the top ranked 120 pound high school wrestler in the country. Training hard and learning from a tough loss, fueled Brett's fire to do great things on and off the mat !!!

Lehigh's 125 lb A-A, and former Phillipsburg star, Brandon Paetzell shares some wrestling insight, career history, and what's behind his quest for a National title run.

Nazareth Head Coach Dave Crowell sat down with me for several hours and shared his thoughts on life, and what makes him tick. Also, hear about his journey with his son David, as he navigated through some challenging high school wrestling seasons, and how he became somewhat of a Cinderella story (if she had wrestled of course ;-) Take a look inside the man as he pulled back the curtain to share many of his coaching philosophies, stories and beliefs, and his concept of TEAM ! Oh, and his life as a wrestler, and his love for motorcycles. We had to do two parts (both nearly an hour long) because there was so much to cover like accountability, personal responsibility, what makes a great wrestler, and most importantly, what makes a great person. I know these episodes are longer than usual, but worth the listen ! Thank you for taking the time.

Jagger gives me a half-hour during this quarantine to talk about wrestling, family, folkstyle vs. freestyle, and his stellar youth and high school career. One of the Lehigh Valley's best young stars.

This delightful and entertaining 2-time PA State Champ spends some of her quarantine time to chat with me about her wrestling journey, her influences, Covid-19, and her life

Easton Area High School's Dominic Falcone, Isaiah Reinert and Braxton Fries-Appello share their thoughts and feelings about wrestling, each other and the world we live in...

Learn more about NDGP Senior, Andrew Cerniglia, who tucked away State Championship #2, ate Steak before his big moment in Hershey, and will wrestle #1 ranked Keegan O'Toole at the Pittsburgh Classic.

Learn a little more about Senior, Patrick Noonan (who has a keen interest in learning the electric guitar) and teammate, 11th grader Lenny Pinto (who hates needles), in this 3rd Episode of Takedown Talk. These young men are not only outstanding wrestlers, but great leaders in and out of the room, and best friends. I had fun talking with these characters who LOVE THE SPORT ! Such great people. (The audio is a little muffled for the first 8 minutes or so...)

Blaine comes from a wrestling family, and is a solid all-around athlete and great student. He's also one of several heroes who helped lift the Blue Eagles to a 2019/2020 PIAA Team Championship !!!

A very enjoyable interview with former Blair Academy National Prep Champ, and Lehigh University All-American, Jordan Kutler. He and I have fun digging deeper into what motivates him, and we talk about his loves, culinary weaknesses and his plans for the future !