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Boris Novachkov Preparing for First Olympics
Former Cal Poly Wrestler Boris Novachkov Preparing for First Olympics
SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. — The XXXI Olympiad opens Friday night.
Cal Poly’s lone representative in the 2016 Summer Olympic Games at Rio de Janeiro, however, will have to wait until the final day of competition to go for the gold.
Three-time NCAA All-American wrestler Boris Novachkov is scheduled to compete for the gold medal in the 65-kilogram (143-pound) weight class of freestyle wrestling on Sunday, August 21, the day closing ceremonies for the 17-day Summer Olympics will be held.
“My goal is to medal at the Olympics,” said Novachkov, the second Mustang in Cal Poly’s seven-decade wrestling program history to qualify for the Summer Games. “The key to my success will be letting go of everything and just having some fun out there. The less I think, the better I compete.”
Pat Lovell qualified for the 1964 Olympics in Tokyo in the light heavyweight division of Greco-Roman wrestling. A Mustang wrestler in the late 1950s, Lovell has been inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame, the California Wrestling Hall of Fame and, in 1989, the Cal Poly Athletics Hall of Fame.
Former Cal Poly wrestling coach John Azevedo, a graduate of CSU Bakersfield, qualified for the 1980 Summer Olympics in Moscow. The United States boycotted those Games and Azevedo did not get a chance to compete.
Novachkov, competing in the Olympics for the first time, earned a spot in the Olympics by capturing the gold medal in May at the Last Chance Olympic Qualifier at the Bagcilar Sports Complex in Istanbul, Turkey.
Novachkov, who will represent his native country, Bulgaria, in the Summer Olympics, earned 6-0, 6-2, 5-2 and 8-4 wins in the Last Chance Olympic Qualifier before claiming the gold medal by injury default.
His 5-2 win in the quarterfinals was against 2012 NCAA national champion and four-time NCAA All-American Frank Molinaro of Penn State.
“My initial reaction was relief,” Novachkov said of qualifying for the Olympics. “I thought the qualifying process would be a lot easier than it was. It was actually the hardest month of my life, having to cut 15 pounds every week, travel around the world, and fight for the spot.”
Weeks after the Last Chance Olympic Qualifier, wrestlers who tested positive for traces of meldonium at the Asian and European Olympic Games qualifying events were dropped from the world governing body’s rankings.
Novachkov, bronze medallist at the 2014 European Championships, made the biggest jump in the freestyle rankings, going from unranked to No. 11 at 65kg with his victory at Istanbul.
Novachkov, who holds dual citizenship in Bulgaria and the United States, trained with two-time NCAA champion Isaiah Martinez at the University of Illinois for three years under former Cal Poly assistant coach Mark Perry.
Novachkov currently trains at Stanford with his brother, Filip Novachkov, along with Joey McKenna, a Stanford sophomore who placed third in the 2016 NCAAs at 141 pounds.
Novachkov is currently coached by former Mustang assistant coach Jamill Kelly. He also has spent a lot of time overseas training with Team Bulgaria and, over the last two months, has been to Dagestan, Bulgaria, and Poland for his final preparation.
Novachkov plans to arrive in Rio de Janeiro on August 12.
“The days before I wrestle are the most important because I have to get my weight down and recover my body from training at the same time,” said Novachkov. “It’s really not going to be that fun, but I am not there to have fun, except on the 21st.”
Novachkov will be joined in Brazil by his parents Stepah and Zhivka Novachkov, his brother Filip, his girlfriend Janet, his high school coaches Eric Duus and Bobby Soto, and former Cal Poly teammates Joel Shaw and Kelan Bragg.
Filip Novachkov was a two-time NCAA qualifier while wrestling at Cal Poly from 2006-11.
“My brother has played a big role in my wrestling career,” Boris said of Filip. “We have been competing against each other since Day 1.”
Novachkov became Cal Poly’s first three-time NCAA Division I All-American with his third-place finish in the 2012 NCAA national championships at 141 pounds. He was runner-up in 2011 and placed seventh at 133 pounds as a sophomore in 2010.
During his four years as a Mustang (2007-12), Novachkov posted a 121-33 record and was a two-time Pac-12 champion in 2010 and 2011. He was also named Cal Poly’s Male Athlete of the Year for the 2011-12 school year and shared the Mustangs’ Most Outstanding Wrestler Award.
Novachkov’s top memories of his days at Cal Poly? “Surfing, skating, athlete of the year. Oh, and partying a little bit.”
Anthony Valencia – St. John Bosco HS
When Nick Feldman signed in 2021, he became the fifth #1 overall recruit to ink with the Ohio State Buckeyes during the Tom Ryan-era (2006-present). Here is a look back at the top wrestlers from each class going back to 2005. Rankings are from several media outlets:
The Open Mat: 2018 – present
D1CW: 2011-2017
Intermat: 2005-2010
| Year | Name | High School | Home State | Weight | College |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Nick Feldman | Malvern Prep | Pennsylvania | 285 |  |
| 2021 | Shayne Van Ness | Blair Academy | New Jersey | 141/149 |  |
| 2020 | Keegan O’Toole | Arrowhead | Wisconsin | 165 |  |
| 2019 | Carson Kharchla | Olentangy Liberty | Ohio | 165 | |
| 2018 | Gable Steveson | Apple Valley | Minnesota | 285 |  |
| 2017 | Daton Fix | Sand Springs | Oklahoma | 125 |  |
| 2016 | Mark Hall | Apple Valley | Minnesota | 174 | |
| 2015 | Anthony Valencia | St. John Bosco | California | 165 |  |
| 2014 | Kyle Snyder | Good Counsel | Maryland | 197 | |
| 2013 | Bo Jordan | Graham | Ohio | 174 | |
| 2012 | Jason Tsirtsis | Crown Point | Indiana | 149 |  |
| 2011 | Morgan McIntosh | Calvary Chapel | California | 197 | |
| 2010 | Logan Stieber | Monroeville | Ohio | 133 | |
| 2009 | David Taylor | Graham | Ohio | 157 | |
| 2008 | Jason Welch | Las Lomas | California | 157 | |
| 2007 | Cody Gardner | Christiansburg | Virginia | 285 |  |
| 2006 | David Craig | Brandon | Florida | 184 |  |
| 2005 | Dustin Schlatter | Massillon Perry | Ohio | 149 | |
The 2021 USA Wrestling Junior and 16U National Championships will be held at the FargoDome in Fargo, N.D., July 17-23, with competition in men’s freestyle, Greco-Roman and women’s freestyle. This summer will mark the 50th USA Wrestling Junior National Championships, a major national high-school competition which has had a tremendous impact on the sport in our nation for a half-century.
Location & Dates
FargoDome – July 17-23, 2021
1800 University Drive North
Fargo, North Dakota
Full Schedule
Saturday, July 17
16U Women Freestyle: Preliminaries and Consolations
8:00 AM – 1:30 PM
16U Freestyle: Preliminaries and Consolations
8:00 AM – 1:30 PM
16U Freestyle: Preliminaries, Quarterfinals, and Consolations
3:00 PM – 7:30 PM
16U Women Freestyle: Quarterfinals, Semifinals, Consolations, and Consolation Semifinals
3:00 PM – 7:30 PM
Sunday, July 18
Junior Men’s Freestyle: Preliminaries and Consolations
8:00 AM – 1:30 PM
16U Women Freestyle: Finals, Medal Matches & Awards
1:30 PM – 4:00 PM
16U Freestyle: Consolations and Semifinals
4:30 PM – 9:00 PM
Junior Men’s Freestyle: Preliminaries and Consolations
4:30 PM – 9:00 PM
Monday, July 19
16U Freestyle: Consolations and Consolation Semifinals
9:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Junior Men’s Freestyle:1/8 Championships, Quarterfinals & Consolations
9:00 AM – 1:00 PM
16U Freestyle: Finals, Medal Matches & Awards
1:30 PM – 4:00 PM
Junior Men’s Freestyle: Semifinals, Consolations and Consolation Semifinals
5:00 PM – 8:30 PM
Tuesday. July 20
Junior Freestyle: Consolation Semifinals (IF NEEDED)
9:00 AM – 10:00 AM
Junior Women: Preliminaries and Consolations
9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Junior reestyle: Finals, Medal Matches & Awards
1:00 PM – 3:30 PM
Junior Women Freestyle: 1/8 Championship, Quarterfinals and Consolations
4:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Wednesday. July 21
Junior Women Freestyle: Session III Semifinals and Consolation
9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
16U Greco-Roman: Session I – Preliminaries and Consolations
9:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Junior Women Freestyle: Session IV Finals, Medal Matches & Awards
1:30 PM – 4:30 PM
Junior Greco-Roman Medical Check and Weigh-in
4:00 PM
16U Greco-Roman: Session II – 1/8 Championship, Quarterfinals and Consolations
5:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Thursday, July 22
16U Greco-Roman: Session III Semifinals and Consolations
9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Junior Greco-Roman: Session I – Preliminaries and Consolations
9:00 AM – 1:00 PM
16U Greco-Roman: Session IV Finals, Medal Matches & Awards
2:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Junior Greco-Roman: Session II – 1/8 Championship and Consolations
4:30 PM – 8:30 PM
Friday, July 23
Junior Greco-Roman: Session III – Quarterfinals, Semifinals and Consolations
9:00 AM – 12:30 PM
Junior Greco-Roman: Session IV Finals, Medal Matches & Awards
2:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Finals Schedule for 2021 Championships
Sunday, July 18 – 16U Women’s Freestyle Finals at 1:30 p.m. CT
Monday, July 19 – 16U Men’s Freestyle Finals at 1:00 p.m. CT
Tuesday, July 20 – Junior Men’s Freestyle Finals at 1:00 p.m. CT
Wednesday, July 21 – Junior Women’s Freestyle Finals at 1:30 p.m. CT
Thursday, July 22 – 16U Greco-Roman Finals at 2:00 p.m. CT
Friday, July 23 – Junior Greco-Roman Finals at 2:00 p.m. CT
All FloWrestling Ranked Registered Wrestlers per Fargo Division
| Division | Style | Fargo Weight | Rank | Name | Team |
| 16U | GR | 106 | 7 | Isaiah Quintero | California |
| 16U | MFS | 106 | 7 | Isaiah Quintero | California |
| 16U | MFS | 120 | 2 | Aden Valencia | California |
| JR | GR | 106 | 11 | Ray Ray Harris | California |
| JR | GR | 132 | 15 | Maxximus Martinez | California |
| JR | GR | 145 | 18 | Nicco Ruiz | California |
| JR | MFS | 132 | 15 | Maxximus Martinez | California |
| JR | MFS | 138 | 20 | Kimo Leia | California |
| JR | MFS | 145 | 16 | Henry Porter | California |
| JR | MFS | 145 | 18 | Nicco Ruiz | California |
| JR | MFS | 152 | 8 | Luka Wick | California |
| JR | MFS | 152 | 15 | Gabriel Schumm | California |
| JR | MFS | 160 | 14 | Manuel (M.J.) Gaitan | California |
Nationally Ranked Girls
Brianna Gonzalez (No. 3 at 100)
Emelie Gonzalez (No. 11 at 100)
Madison Avila (No. 19 at 100)
Paige Morales (No. 4 at 106)
Nyla Valencia (No. 7 at 106)
Kiely Tabaldo (No. 11 at 106)
Marisol Rodriguez (No. 21 at 106)
Presley Anderson (No. 20 at 112)
Carissa Qureshi (No. 6 at 117)
Elena Ivaldi (No. 9 at 117)
Arieana Arias (No. 11 at 117)
Gianna DiBenedetto (No. 20 at 122)
Jennifer Soto (No. 5 at 127)
Adrienna Turner (No. 9 at 127)
Janida Garcia (No. 4 at 132)
Taydem Khamjoi (No. 6 at 132)
Samantha Barragan (No. 8 at 132)
Hailey Chapman (No. 14 at 132)
Savannah Gomez (No. 6 at 138)
Leah Brown (No. 22 at 138)
Avangeline Turner (No. 10 at 144)
Lily El-Masri (No. 11 at 164)
Maliya Castillo (No. 16 at 180)
Sam Calkins (No. 4 at 200)
Annika Miles (No. 12 at 225)
Jasmine Guerrero (No. 13 at 225)
Registered Wrestlers
Men’s – USA Junior Freestyle
106 Brandon Baldonado, Ethan Grimminger, Keith Moreno, Jeremy Oani
113 Dominic DeAltonaga, Austin Fredrickson, Paul Kelly, Isaiah Kainoa Medina, Dominic Mendez, Tyler Riley
120 Anthony Anderson, Christopher Calderon, Grigor Cholakyan, Dylan McDonald, Ethan Perryman, Isaiah Rubio, Logan Valledor, Zeth Romney
126 Tallon Chambers, Bobby Cuevas Jr., Tyson Escobedo, Benjamin Hernandez, Edvin Sanchez
132 Devin Avedissian, Anthony Bernardo, Raul Jimenez, Nathan Aguilar, Johnny Lopez, Maxximus Martinez, Justin Rodriguez
138 Eric Almarinez, Michael Folch Jr., Kimo Leia, Michael McGruder, Zachary Parker, Alexander Ramos, Koa Ruiz, Sean Solis
145 Jasper Centeno, Anthony Ching, Ethan Grubach, Cade Lucio, Henry Porter, Nicco Ruiz, Dakota Stephens, Noah Tolentino, Justin Wells
152 Oscar Aranda, Ethan Birch, Devyn Che, Luke Gayer, Victor Jacinto, Gavin Kaminski, Gabriel Schumm, Luka Wick
160 Timothy Cowan, Angelo Esposito, Manuel (M.J.) Gaitan, Abraham Galicia, Richard Garcia, Evan Gilbert, Paul Ortiz
170 Airamis Mendoza, Gabriel Taylor, Brian Thorpe, Tye Monteiro, Taythan Silva
182 Stefan Bakiev, Jacob Campos, Cade Creighton, Seth Miller, Wesley Wilson
195 Ryan Arrington, Jack Clarke, Logan Kuehl, Braden Pease, Max Voelkel, Hunter Weimer
220 Jai Guerra, Caleb Madrid, Bradley Moore II, Nathan Northrop
285 Jamikael Lytle, Aidan Roe
Men’s – USA Junior Greco-Roman
106 Keith Moreno, Brandon Baldonado, Ethan Grimminger, Ray Ray Harris, Jeremy Oani
113 Tyler Riley, Dominic DeAltonaga, Austin Fredrickson, James Gauntlett, Dylan McDonald, Isaiah Kainoa Medina, Dominic Mendez
120 Zeth Romney, Logan Valledor, Isaiah Rubio, Anthony Anderson, Christopher Calderon, Grigor Cholakyan, Paul Kelly, Ethan Perryman
126 Edvin Sanchez, Bobby Cuevas Jr., Tyson Escobedo, Benjamin Hernandez
132 Nathan Aguilar, Justin Rodriguez, Devin Avedissian, Aaron Ibarra, Raul Jimenez, Johnny Lopez, Maxximus Martinez
138 Koa Ruiz, Sean Solis, Eric Almarinez, Alexander Ramos, Michael McGruder, Alec Peralta
145 Dakota Stephens, Noah Tolentino, Nicco Ruiz, Justin Wells, Jasper Centeno, Anthony Ching, Ethan Grubach, Cade Lucio
152 Oscar Aranda, Ethan Birch, Devyn Che, Victor Jacinto, Gavin Kaminski
160 Arian Khosravy, Mark Takara, Manuel (M.J.) Gaitan, Abraham Galicia, Richard Garcia, Desi Lobos, Paul Ortiz
170 Gabriel Taylor, Taythan Silva, Brian Thorpe
182 Wesley Wilson, Stefan Bakiev, Jacob Campos, Seth Miller
195 Max Voelkel, Ryan Arrington, Jack Clarke, Tyler Garone, Logan Kuehl, Braden Pease
220 Jai Guerra, Caleb Madrid, Bradley Moore II, Nathan Northrop
285 Aidan Roe, Jamikael Lytle
Women’s – USA Junior Freestyle
100 Brianna Gonzalez, Emilie Gonzalez, Kaili Oshiro, Alexis Garza, Megan Valdez, Mikayla Garcia, Madison Avila, Jalen Bets
106 Saryna Garcia, Paige Morales, Kiely Tabaldo, Greta Gustafson, Marisol Rodriguez, Carmen Perez
112 Presley Anderson, Mia Sanchez, Briseis Serrano, Valeria Ahumada, Nyla Valencia
117 Karen Salais, Elena Ivaldi, Eden Hernandez, Carissa Qureshi, Arieana Arias
122 Leilani Lazaro, Adrienna Turner, Baylee Carrillo, Gianna DiBenedetto, Carmella Foley, Ysabella Hinojosa, Alejandra Valdiviezo, Jennifer Soto, Sara Sterner, Ariah Barragan
127 Janida Garcia, Kayla Edwards, Taydem Khamjoi, Sophia Gomez, Savannah Lewis, Destiny Campbell, Isabelle Hawley, Vienna Garcia, Makynna Loepp, Samanatha Barragan
132 Hailey Chapman, Slate Delsman
138 Savannah Gomez, Ellisa Jimenez, Leah Brown, Michelle Fierro
144 Avangeline Turner, Celeste Cubillo, Reyna Montenegro, Kelli Johnston
152 Kendall Branchaud, Abby Siecienski
164 Lily El-Masri
180 Mia Delgado, Maliya Castillo, Kiley McClain
200 Sam Calkins
225 Annika Miles, Jasmine Guerrero
Men’s – 16U Freestyle
94 Devin Bobzien, Moses Mendoza
100 Anthony Ayon, Abram Cline, Elijah Poe, Edwin Sierra
106 Manuel Martir, Jason McDonald, Elias Navida, Isaiah Quintero, Caleb Tatad
113 Jagger French, Jackson Heslin, Brock Mantanona, Billy Townson, Carlos Vazquez
120 Moses Mirabal, Aden Valencia, Daniel Zepeda, Timothy Murabito
126 Travis Grace, Collin Guffey, Caleb Park, Joshua Perez, Eziequel Vela, Andrew Barbosa, Mario Sandoval
132 Atridad Feizi, Ruben Le, Logan Lopez, EJ Parco, Jaydon Rodriguez, Yazir Tellez, Laird Root
138 Miguel Acuna, Jack Estevez, Coby Merrill, Dylan Pile, Thomas Thongseng, Wanderlei Whittington, Angelo Posada
145 TJ Arvizu, Eric Cortez, Christian Diaz, Ammar Khan, Gor Vardanyan, Ray Waller, Jayson Suetos, Ray Gulmatico
152 Franklin Enkhmandakh, Ryan Badgett, Ryan Clink, Gavin Fernandez
160 Ryder Dearborn, Arjun Nagra
170 Cody Merrill
182 Ryland Whitworth, Mark Ayala, Ricky Campos
195 Diego Costa, Adam Farha
220 Nolan Frank, Makoa McCreadie, Nicholas Sahakian, Mills Sweany
Men’s – 16U Greco-Roman
94 Devin Bobzien, Moses Mendoza
100 Anthony Ayon, Abram Cline, Elijah Poe, Edwin Sierra
106 Manuel Martir, Jason McDonald, Elias Navida, Isaiah Quintero, Caleb Tatad
113 Jackson Heslin, Carlos Vazquez, Billy Townson
120 Moses Mirabal, Daniel Zepeda, Timothy Murabito
126 Travis Grace, Collin Guffey, Joshua Perez, Andrew Barbosa
132 Atridad Feizi, Ruben Le, Logan Lopez, EJ Parco, Laird Root, Yazir Tellez
138 Coby Merrill, Dylan Pile, Angelo Posada, Miguel Acuna, Wanderlei Whittington
145 TJ Arvizu, Eric Cortez, Christian Diaz, Ammar Khan, Gor Vardanyan, Ray Waller, Jayson Suetos
152 Ryan Badgett, Ryan Clink, Franklin Enkhmandakh, Gavin Fernandez, Arvin Khosravy
160 Arjun Nagra, Ryder Dearborn
170 Cody Merrill
182 Mark Ayala, Ricky Campos, Ryland Whitworth
195 Diego Costa, Adam Farha
220 Nolan Frank, Nicholas Sahakian, Mills Sweany
Women’s – 16U Freestyle
94 Megan Valdez
100 Mikayla Garcia, Alexis Garza
106 Paige Morales, Kiely Tabaldo
112 Mia Sanchez, Presley Anderson, Briseis Serrano
117 Eden Hernandez, Elena Ivaldi, Carissa Qureshi
122 Alejandra Valdiviezo, Leilani Lazaro, Gianna DiBenedetto, Baylee Carrillo, Ysabella Hinojosa, Carmella Foley
127 Makynna Loepp, Sophia Gomez, Taydem Khamjoi, Kayla Edwards
138 Avangeline Turner
180 Kiley McClain
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State Rankings2 weeks agoCalGrappler California High School Wrestling Team Rankings
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State Rankings2 weeks agoCalGrappler California High School Wrestling Rankings – 106 lbs.
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State Rankings2 weeks agoCalGrappler California High School Wrestling Rankings – 126 lbs.
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State Rankings2 weeks agoCalGrappler California High School Wrestling Rankings – 120 lbs.
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State Rankings2 weeks agoCalGrappler California High School Wrestling Rankings – 113 lbs.
