Another tough loss for the wrestling community as J Robinson passed away at 79 years old over the weekend.
A competitor at Oklahoma State, Robinson qualified for the 1972 Olympic Greco team before beginning a legendary coaching career.
He was part of the powerhouse years at Iowa, coaching under Gary Kurdelmeier and Dan Gable from 1972 to 1984.
At the University of Minnesota, Robinson led the Gophers to NCAA team titles in 2001, 2002, and 2007, becoming the first program outside of Iowa or Oklahoma to win multiple DI national championships.
During his 30-year tenure from 1986 to 2016, Minnesota not only won those three national championships but six Big Ten championships (1999, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2006, 2007), and had 14 individual national champions.
RIP to an absolute legend of the sport.
I pressed play on the finals at 7:35. I skipped commericals and some fluff, no wrestling. I watched the last match live. We have a commercial load problem @NCAAWrestling@espn
MATCAST on ESPN+ is amazing. It makes watching the tournament from home feel like you're there. I would be losing my mind watching the main broadcast. Thanks @ShaneSparksBTN and @MikeMcM_ for the entertainment! Fantastic product!
3X All-American!!!
Third-seed James Day takes second place at 133 at the 2026 NCAA DIII Men's Wrestling National Tournament after an 8-1 loss to top-seeded Garrett Totten from TCNJ in the title match.
Some Little Giant!!
#WAF@wabashwrestling
All due respect to the baddest men in the toughest sport (folkstyle wrestling) on the planet, we have to have fewer 1-1 matches through most of regulation. The sport is awesome. If we watched these guys scrap in practice it would be insanely more entertaining than our rules have allowed for in direct competition. That's a problem. The challenge is fixing it.
The sport of wrestling is so blessed to have someone like @ShaneSparksBTN as our "big game" voice. The guy is incredibly passionate and knowledgeable. Elevates every event and broadcast he's on.