Anthony Cassar
Personal information
NationalityAmerican
Born (1996-03-09) March 9, 1996 (age 27)
Rocky Hill, New Jersey, U.S.
Weight237 lb (108 kg)
Martial arts career
DivisionHeavyweight
StyleWrestling
TeamAmerican Top Team (2020–present)[1]
WrestlingNCAA 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
SportWrestling
EventFolkstyle
College teamPenn State Nittany Lions
ClubNittany Lion Wrestling Club
Coached byCael Sanderson
Medal record
Collegiate Wrestling
Representing the Penn State Nittany Lions
NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships
Gold medal – first place 2019 Pittsburgh 285 lb
Big Ten Championships
Gold medal – first place 2019 Minneapolis 285 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.

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 matches 2 wins 0 losses
By submission 1 0
By decision 1 0
Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Win 2–0 John Gianatasio II Decision (unanimous) Fury FC - Challenger Series 8 October 22, 2023 3 5:00 Houston, Texas, United States
Win 1–0 Idrees Wasi Submission (arm-triangle choke) iKON FC 6 December 2, 2022 1 3:11 Kissimmee, Florida, United States

[31]

Freestyle record

Senior Freestyle Matches Res. Record Opponent Score Date Event Location 2019 US Nationals 6th at 125 kg Win 2-0 Ceron Francisco 10-2 December 22, 2019 2019 Senior Nationals - US Olympic Trials Qualifier Fort Worth, Texas Win 1-0 Jeremy Benton TF 10-0

NCAA record

NCAA Division I Record Res. Record Opponent Score Date Event End of 2019-2020 Season (senior year) Win 49-3 Jordan Wood 9-4 December 6, 2019 Penn State - Lehigh Dual Win 48-3 Tanner Hall 9-5 November 22, 2019 Penn State - Arizona State Dual Win 47-3 John Birchmeier Fall November 10, 2019 Navy - Penn State Dual Start of 2019-2020 Season (senior year) End of 2018-2019 Season (junior year) 2019 NCAA championships at 285 lbs Win 46-3 Derek White MD 10-1 March 21, 2019 2019 NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships Win 45-3 Gable Steveson 4-3 Win 44-3 Trent Hillger 4-0 Win 43-3 Tate Orndorff MD 10-2 Win 42-3 Antonio Pelusi Fall 2019 Big Ten Conference at 285 lbs Win 41-3 Gable Steveson 4-3 Mar 9, 2019 2019 Big Ten Championships Win 40-3 Conan Jennings MD 10-2 Win 39-3 David Jensen 8-4 Win 38-3 Jacob Aven MD 12-4 Win 37-3 Sam Schuyler MD 16-5 February 24, 2019 Buffalo - Penn State Dual Win 36-3 Deuce Rachal Fall February 17, 2019 Penn State - Illinois Dual Win 35-3 Chase Beard TF 21-6 February 15, 2019 Michigan State - Penn State Dual Win 34-3 Chase Singletary MD 18-8 February 8, 2019 Penn State - Ohio State Dual Win 33-3 Mason Parris MD 19-8 February 1, 2019 Michigan - Penn State Dual Win 32-3 Fletcher Miller 11-5 January 27, 2019 Penn State - Indiana Dual Win 31-3 Jacob Aven MD 14-4 January 25, 2019 Penn State - Purdue Dual Win 30-3 David Jensen 10-4 January 20, 2019 Nebraska - Penn State Dual Win 29-3 Trent Hillger 11-5 January 13, 2019 Wisconsin - Penn State Dual Win 28-3 Conan Jennings MD 12-2 January 11, 2019 Penn State - Northwestern Dual 2019 Southern Scuffle at 285 lbs Loss 27-3 Derek White 2-3 January 1, 2019 2019 Southern Scuffle Win 27-2 Matt Voss MD 14-6 Win 26-2 Gannon Gremmel MD 16-5 Win 25-2 Ryan Cloud MD 16-4 Win 24-2 Jordan Earnest MD 18-4 Win 23-2 Brady Gilliland-Daniel Fall December 14, 2018 Arizona State - Penn State Dual Win 22-2 Jordan Wood MD 12-3 December 2, 2018 Lehigh - Penn State Dual Win 21-2 Brandon Stokes Fall November 30, 2018 Penn State - Bucknell Dual 2018 Keystone Classic at 285 lbs Win 20-2 Joseph Goodhart MD 11-3 November 18, 2018 2018 Keystone Classic Win 19-2 Nick Nevills 7-2 Win 18-2 Ben Goldin Fall Win 17-2 Billy Bolia TF 17-2 November 11, 2018 Kent State - Penn State Dual Start of 2018-2019 Season (junior year) End of 2017-2018 Season (sophomore year) Win 16-2 Kollin Moore 6-3 February 3, 2018 Ohio State - Penn State Dual Win 15-2 Anthony Messner MD 16-5 January 28, 2018 Penn State - Rutgers Dual Win 14-2 David-Brian Whisler MD 14-5 January 21, 2018 Penn State - Maryland Dual Win 13-2 Nick May MD 16-2 January 14, 2018 Penn State - Michigan State Dual 2018 Southern Scuffle at 197 lbs Win 12-2 Stephen Loiseau 4-1 January 1, 2018 2018 Southern Scuffle Win 11-2 Scottie Boykin 9-7 Loss 10-2 Shakur Rasheed 4-6 Win 10-1 Stephen Loiseau 4-1 Win 9-1 Tristan Sponseller 13-10 Win 8-1 Spencer Irick MD 16-5 December 17, 2017 Indiana - Penn State Dual Win 7-1 Jake Jakobsen 8-3 December 3, 2017 Penn State - Lehigh Dual 2017 Keystone Classic at 197 lbs Win 6-1 Frank Mattiace 7-4 November 18, 2017 2017 Keystone Classic Win 5-1 Matt McCutcheon 5-6 Win 4-1 Alec Schenk 12-5 Win 3-1 Robert Ng MD 12-4 Win 2-1 Mark Tracy 10-4 November 17, 2017 Penn State - Binghamton Dual Loss 1-1 Garrett Hoffman 8-11 November 12, 2017 Bucknell - Penn State Dual Win 1-0 Rocco Caywood 10-3 November 9, 2017 Army - Penn State Dual Start of 2017-2018 Season (sophomore year)

Stats

Season Year School Rank Weigh Class Record Win Bonus 2020 Senior Penn State University #2 (DNQ) 285 3-0 100.00% 33.33% 2019 Junior #2 (1st) 30-1 96.77% 70.97% 2018 Sophomore #7 (DNQ) 197 16-2 88.89% 27.78% Career 49-3 94.23% 53.85%

Collegiate awards & records

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. "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. "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". bigten.org. 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. "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. 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. "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. ^ https://www.tapology.com/fightcenter/events/104835-fury-challenger-series-8
  31. ^ Sherdog.com. "Anthony Cassar". Sherdog.

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