I haven't been here very long, but with each month that passes I am more and more impressed with the wrestling culture in California. The passion for the sport is intense. Because of this California has always produced great wrestlers. The history here is deep, even if the landscape has changed. Over the years, too… Continue reading Newsletter 3.6: NC State/Duke Results
Category: Chris Ayres Blog
Newsletter 3.4: ISU, Midlands, PSU/NDSU
There are certain days that feel like a marker on the road. Not because everything went perfectly, but because you can sense the program shifting underneath your feet. Sunday, January 4, 2026 was one of those days. We hosted No. 4 Iowa State at Maples Pavilion and fell 20-18 in a dual that came down… Continue reading Newsletter 3.4: ISU, Midlands, PSU/NDSU
Newsletter 3.3: CKLV and Mike Wood
Every year at the Cliff Keen Invitational I am reminded of how our sport is built. It is shaped by two kinds of people. There are the visible builders whose names become part of wrestling history. And there are the quiet builders whose influence is just as real, even if it lives behind the scenes.… Continue reading Newsletter 3.3: CKLV and Mike Wood
Newsletter 3.2 First Four Competitions 25-26
My college coach used to joke, the key to happiness in life is lowering your expectations until they are already met. I guess I was not very coachable on that one, as my expectations were sky high heading into the early part of the season. But this first month has tested us. We have had… Continue reading Newsletter 3.2 First Four Competitions 25-26
The Tipping Point (Newsletter #1 2025/2026)
Every once in a while, a season rolls around where everything feels… different. Not in a loud way. Not in a way you can fully explain on a whiteboard. There’s real excitement around the team that is coming back. We are ranked 12th in the Intermat pre-season rankings, with seven wrestlers in the top 25,… Continue reading The Tipping Point (Newsletter #1 2025/2026)
“The Vision of Stanford Wrestling”
Last week we had our last full team meeting and handed our team the first edition of “The Champions Way” manual. The manual is a 50 or so page document, which, in its simplest form, provides a guide for our wrestlers to use as they navigate how to succeed at the highest levels in Division… Continue reading “The Vision of Stanford Wrestling”
2025 NCAA Championship
“2025 NCAA Championship” Every year I walk away from the NCAA championships in astonishment of how freaking hard the tournament is. This year alone two former national champions didn’t place. An Olympic Gold Medalist lost! This got me thinking about the numbers and odds that an individual actually achieves the goal of becoming a National… Continue reading 2025 NCAA Championship
“Welp…”:Post ’25 ACCNewsletter
“Welp…” The lobby of a hotel the morning after a tournament is an interesting experience for a coach. Wrestlers, coaches, fans, and parents run into each other after the event and share small talk about the prior day's events. After a great performance, the lobby is a welcome and exciting place to be. After a… Continue reading “Welp…”:Post ’25 ACCNewsletter
ACC Championships Preview
Sign up for the newsletter sent to your email: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdyWema1uSlohoL_PU-mMU8w2-8MAfJeJo1tkgorX9NIffqwg/viewform The real March Madness is here! Before the newsletter here's what you need for the ACC tournament: When: March 9, 2025 Where: Cameron Indoor Stadium-Duke University Setup: Two Mats All Eastern Standard Time: 10:00 am: First Round Matches-Two Mats- Odd# Bouts on Mat 1, Even… Continue reading ACC Championships Preview
Wait 48 hours? UNC 2025
“Wait 48 hours?” After our dual with UNC we had a great reception in the hall of fame for the wrestling alumni of Stanford. There was a great mix of old and young, and everyone was having a good time. Certainly, there was disappointment in the result of the dual, but generally there was an… Continue reading Wait 48 hours? UNC 2025