Anthony Cassar

Last updated

Anthony Cassar
Personal information
Born (1996-03-09) March 9, 1996 (age 28)
Rocky Hill, New Jersey, U.S.
Weight237 lb (108 kg)
Martial arts career
Division Heavyweight
Style Wrestling
Team American Top Team (2020–present) [1]
Wrestling NCAA Division I Wrestling
Mixed martial arts record
Total2
Wins2
By submission1
By decision1
Losses0
Other information
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog
Sport
CountryUnited States
Sport Wrestling
Event Folkstyle
College team Penn State
Club Nittany Lion Wrestling Club
Coached by Cael Sanderson
Medal record
Collegiate Wrestling
Representing the Penn State Nittany Lions
NCAA Division I Championships
Gold medal icon (G initial).svg 2019 Pittsburgh 285 lb
Big Ten Championships
Gold medal icon (G initial).svg2019 Minneapolis285 lb

Anthony Cassar (born March 9, 1996) is an American freestyle wrestler and graduated folkstyle wrestler. He was a NCAA Division I champion and a Big Ten Conference champion at Penn State University, and a NJSIAA title holder as a high schooler.

Contents

Folkstyle career

High school

Raised in Rocky Hill, New Jersey, [2] Cassar started wrestling at around age 7 or 8. [3] He attended Montgomery High School in New Jersey. During his freshman, sophomore and junior years, he never qualified for state and compiled a record of 73 wins and 30 losses. In his senior year, he finally qualified for state and became the fourth person in the history of the state to win the tournament after never qualifying before. He compiled an undefeated record of 43 wins and no losses in his final season and an 116–30 record overall. [4] [5]

College

After his performance as a high school senior, he committed to Penn State University. [6] He redshirted 2014-15 and compiled a record of 15-8 while wrestling unattached. [7] He originally missed his freshman and sophomore seasons due to an injury but was granted one more year of eligibility by the NCAA, so he only lost his freshman year but would compete as a sophomore in 2017–18. As a sophomore, he compiled a record of 16-2 during the regular season, with a Keystone Classic title [8] and a third-place finish at the Southern Scuffle after being defeated by his teammate Shakur Rasheed. Despite his success, he was left on the bench for the postseason, with Rasheed as the starter. [9] [10]

His next season, he moved up to heavyweight (285 pounds) and saw immediate success, posting a record of 21-1 during regular season with lone loss to Derek White at the Southern Scuffle's finals. [11] In the postseason, he made his way to the first-place finish at the Big Ten Championships with wins over the #6 and #7-ranked wrestlers and top-ranked Gable Steveson at the finale. [12] At the 2019 NCAA championships, he got the victory over multiple ranked wrestlers including Steveson in the semifinals to make his way to the finale. In the finals, he avenged his regular season's loss on a dominant major decision win over Derek White to claim the championship on his first trip to the NCAA championships. [13] In his final season, he had posted a record of three wins and no losses but was affected by a shoulder injury while competing at a freestyle event and subsequently announced his career as a collegiate wrestler was over. [14]

Cassar graduated with a record of 49 wins and three losses during his time as a Nittany Lion. [15]

Freestyle career

As a junior-level freestyle wrestler, Cassar was the 2015 World Team Member at 96 kilograms [16] and represented the USA at that year's World Championships, where he placed eighth. [17]

2019

Cassar made his senior level debut on December 22 at the US nationals, in an attempt to earn a shot at the Olympic Trials. [18] He dominantly won his first two bouts to reach the semifinals, [19] where he was forced to abandon the match due to a shoulder injury and forfeited his next contests too. This injury also ended his senior season at Penn State. [20]

2020

Cassar was scheduled to compete at the Last Chance Olympic Trials qualifier on March 27 at Millersville, Pennsylvania. [21] However, the event was postponed along with the Olympic Games and Trials due to the COVID-19 pandemic. [22]

Mixed martial arts career

On May 30, 2020, it was announced that Cassar had signed an MMA management deal with First Round Management and is expected to make the transition after the 20' (21') Summer Olympics. [23] [24] He has been training at American Top Team in the meantime, training with UFC's welterweight contender Jorge Masvidal and Nittany Lion teammate and three-time NCAA champion Bo Nickal, [25] [26] who is also expected to transition to mixed martial arts and train full-time at ATT after the Olympics. [27] Anthony was set to make his pro MMA debut on November 19, 2022, against Idrees Wasi. [28] Cassar would go on to win the bout via first round arm triangle choke. [29] Anthony was next scheduled to fight John Gianatasio on October 22. 2023, he won the bout via unanimous decision (30–27, 30–27, 30–27). [30]

Mixed martial arts record

Professional record breakdown
2 matches2 wins0 losses
By submission10
By decision10
Res.RecordOpponentMethodEventDateRoundTimeLocationNotes
Win2–0John Gianatasio IIDecision (unanimous)Fury FC - Challenger Series 8October 22, 202335:00 Houston, Texas, United States
Win1–0Idrees WasiSubmission (arm-triangle choke)iKON FC 6December 2, 202213:11 Kissimmee, Florida, United States

[31]

Freestyle record

Senior Freestyle Matches
Res.RecordOpponentScoreDateEventLocation
2019 US Nationals 6th at 125 kg
Win2-0 Flag of the United States.svg Ceron Francisco10-2December 22, 20192019 Senior Nationals - US Olympic Trials Qualifier

Flag of the United States.svg Fort Worth, Texas

Win1-0 Flag of the United States.svg Jeremy BentonTF 10-0

NCAA record

NCAA Division I Record
Res.RecordOpponentScoreDateEvent
End of 2019-2020 Season (senior year)
Win49-3Jordan Wood9-4December 6, 2019Penn State - Lehigh Dual
Win48-3Tanner Hall9-5November 22, 2019Penn State - Arizona State Dual
Win47-3John BirchmeierFallNovember 10, 2019Navy - Penn State Dual
Start of 2019-2020 Season (senior year)
End of 2018-2019 Season (junior year)
2019 NCAA championships Gold medal icon.svg at 285 lbs
Win46-3Derek WhiteMD 10-1March 21, 2019 2019 NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships
Win45-3 Gable Steveson 4-3
Win44-3Trent Hillger4-0
Win43-3Tate OrndorffMD 10-2
Win42-3Antonio PelusiFall
2019 Big Ten Conference Gold medal icon.svg at 285 lbs
Win41-3 Gable Steveson 4-3Mar 9, 20192019 Big Ten Championships
Win40-3Conan JenningsMD 10-2
Win39-3David Jensen8-4
Win38-3Jacob AvenMD 12-4
Win37-3Sam SchuylerMD 16-5February 24, 2019Buffalo - Penn State Dual
Win36-3Deuce RachalFallFebruary 17, 2019Penn State - Illinois Dual
Win35-3Chase BeardTF 21-6February 15, 2019Michigan State - Penn State Dual
Win34-3Chase SingletaryMD 18-8February 8, 2019Penn State - Ohio State Dual
Win33-3 Mason Parris MD 19-8February 1, 2019Michigan - Penn State Dual
Win32-3Fletcher Miller11-5January 27, 2019Penn State - Indiana Dual
Win31-3Jacob AvenMD 14-4January 25, 2019Penn State - Purdue Dual
Win30-3David Jensen10-4January 20, 2019Nebraska - Penn State Dual
Win29-3Trent Hillger11-5January 13, 2019Wisconsin - Penn State Dual
Win28-3Conan JenningsMD 12-2January 11, 2019Penn State - Northwestern Dual
2019 Southern Scuffle Silver medal icon.svg at 285 lbs
Loss27-3Derek White2-3January 1, 20192019 Southern Scuffle
Win27-2Matt VossMD 14-6
Win26-2Gannon GremmelMD 16-5
Win25-2Ryan CloudMD 16-4
Win24-2Jordan EarnestMD 18-4
Win23-2Brady Gilliland-DanielFallDecember 14, 2018Arizona State - Penn State Dual
Win22-2Jordan WoodMD 12-3December 2, 2018Lehigh - Penn State Dual
Win21-2Brandon StokesFallNovember 30, 2018Penn State - Bucknell Dual
2018 Keystone Classic Gold medal icon.svg at 285 lbs
Win20-2Joseph GoodhartMD 11-3November 18, 20182018 Keystone Classic
Win19-2Nick Nevills7-2
Win18-2Ben GoldinFall
Win17-2Billy BoliaTF 17-2November 11, 2018Kent State - Penn State Dual
Start of 2018-2019 Season (junior year)
End of 2017-2018 Season (sophomore year)
Win16-2 Kollin Moore 6-3February 3, 2018Ohio State - Penn State Dual
Win15-2Anthony MessnerMD 16-5January 28, 2018Penn State - Rutgers Dual
Win14-2David-Brian WhislerMD 14-5January 21, 2018Penn State - Maryland Dual
Win13-2Nick MayMD 16-2January 14, 2018Penn State - Michigan State Dual
2018 Southern Scuffle Bronze medal icon.svg at 197 lbs
Win12-2Stephen Loiseau4-1January 1, 20182018 Southern Scuffle
Win11-2Scottie Boykin9-7
Loss10-2Shakur Rasheed4-6
Win10-1Stephen Loiseau4-1
Win9-1Tristan Sponseller13-10
Win8-1Spencer IrickMD 16-5December 17, 2017Indiana - Penn State Dual
Win7-1Jake Jakobsen8-3December 3, 2017Penn State - Lehigh Dual
2017 Keystone Classic Gold medal icon.svg at 197 lbs
Win6-1Frank Mattiace7-4November 18, 20172017 Keystone Classic
Win5-1Matt McCutcheon5-6
Win4-1Alec Schenk12-5
Win3-1Robert NgMD 12-4
Win2-1Mark Tracy10-4November 17, 2017Penn State - Binghamton Dual
Loss1-1Garrett Hoffman8-11November 12, 2017Bucknell - Penn State Dual
Win1-0Rocco Caywood10-3November 9, 2017Army - Penn State Dual
Start of 2017-2018 Season (sophomore year)

Stats

SeasonYearSchoolRankWeigh ClassRecordWinBonus
2020Senior Penn State University #2 (DNQ)2853-0100.00%33.33%
2019Junior#2 (1st)30-196.77%70.97%
2018Sophomore#7 (DNQ)19716-288.89%27.78%
Career49-394.23%53.85%

Collegiate awards & records

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References

  1. ↑ Justin Basch (June 3, 2020). Anthony Cassar & Bo Nickal on Current Training in Miami | BASCHAMANIA Ep. 66 – via YouTube.
  2. ↑ Galli, Gianna. "Anthony Cassar's journey through hardship inspires those around him", Daily Collegian , April 26, 2020. Accessed March 10, 2022. "The moment Cael Sanderson randomly assigned three-time NCAA Champion Bo Nickal and NCAA Champion Anthony Cassar to room together freshman year, Nickal knew Cassar was going to make history.... But that's what makes the Rocky Hill, New Jersey, native's story so intriguing."
  3. ↑ UCAN (April 29, 2021). Nutrition Q&A With Elite Wrestler Anthony Cassar – via YouTube.
  4. ↑ "CONGRATULATIONS: Members of Our Diocesan Family!". nynjoca.org. Retrieved June 3, 2020.
  5. ↑ "Anthony Cassar - Wrestling". Penn State University Athletics. Retrieved June 3, 2020.
  6. ↑ "2014 Recruiting Class Rankings". www.flowrestling.org. Retrieved June 3, 2020.
  7. ↑ Hayes, Elton (January 7, 2020). "Penn State wrestling | National champ Cassar out for season". The Tribune-Democrat. Retrieved June 3, 2020.
  8. ↑ Sauertieg, Clay (November 19, 2017). "Penn State Crowns Seven Champions at Keystone Classic". Black Shoe Diaries. Retrieved June 3, 2020.
  9. ↑ "Penn State Wrestling's Anthony Cassar Reportedly Granted Two More Years Of Eligibility". Onward State. May 31, 2019. Retrieved June 3, 2020.
  10. ↑ Collegian, Ben Jenkins | The Daily (December 30, 2018). "One year ago: How the 2018 Southern Scuffle changed Shakur Rasheed's Penn State wrestling career". The Daily Collegian. Retrieved June 3, 2020.
  11. ↑ "Nittany Lions Win 2019 Southern Scuffle". Penn State University Athletics. Retrieved June 3, 2020.
  12. ↑ "2019 Big Ten Wrestling Championships". Big Ten Conference . Archived from the original on March 6, 2019. Retrieved June 3, 2020.
  13. ↑ "Anthony Cassar Wins 2019 NCAA Heavyweight Title". Roar Lions Roar. March 23, 2019. Retrieved June 3, 2020.
  14. ↑ Collegian, Jake Aferiat | The Daily (January 14, 2020). "Penn State wrestling's Anthony Cassar announces the end of his college wrestling career". The Daily Collegian. Retrieved June 3, 2020.
  15. ↑ LLC, ACS. "Anthony Cassar (Unknown) Profile". www.wrestlestat.com. Retrieved June 3, 2020.
  16. ↑ Guillotine1 (June 12, 2015). "2015 UWW Junior World Team Trials". The Guillotine. Retrieved June 3, 2020.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  17. ↑ emmanuel. "Junior World Championships". United World Wrestling. Retrieved June 3, 2020.
  18. ↑ "Senior Nationals men's freestyle preview: Exciting battles expected for coveted Olympic Team Trials bids". Team USA. December 18, 2019. Archived from the original on June 4, 2020.
  19. ↑ "Senior Nationals Finals Are Set For Sunday". www.flograppling.com. December 21, 2019. Retrieved June 4, 2020.
  20. ↑ PennLive, Jim Carlson | Special to (January 7, 2020). "Shoulder injuries end seasons for Penn State wrestlers Anthony Cassar, Kyle Conel". pennlive. Retrieved June 4, 2020.
  21. ↑ "Millersville to host 2020 Last Chance Olympic Trials Qualifier". Millersville. Retrieved June 4, 2020.
  22. ↑ "POSTPONED – Last Chance Olympic Trials Qualifier will be moved to new date and site to be determined". Team USA. March 13, 2020. Archived from the original on June 4, 2020.
  23. ↑ "Penn State wrestling champion Anthony Cassar signs MMA deal". 247Sports. Retrieved June 4, 2020.
  24. ↑ Collegian, Jake Aferiat | The Daily (May 30, 2020). "Former Penn State wrestler Anthony Cassar signs MMA management deal". The Daily Collegian. Retrieved June 4, 2020.
  25. ↑ "Jorge Masvidal on Instagram: "Working on my striking with @nobickal1 @ant_thechamp_cassar #andnew #frm #americantopteam #theresurrection"". Instagram. Archived from the original on December 26, 2021. Retrieved June 4, 2020.
  26. ↑ "Bo Nickal on Instagram: "Caged Animals."". Instagram. Retrieved June 4, 2020.
  27. ↑ "UFC contender Jorge Masvidal says Bo Nickal is next MMA star". 247Sports. Retrieved June 4, 2020.
  28. ↑ "Prospect Anthony Caesar announces Pro MMA debut date". Instagram. Retrieved September 22, 2022.
  29. ↑ "iKON FC 6: Gooden vs Rodrigues Results". MMA Sucka. December 3, 2022. Retrieved December 9, 2022.
  30. ↑ "Fury Challenger Series 8 | MMA Event".
  31. ↑ Sherdog.com. "Anthony Cassar". Sherdog.
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