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  • The Most Consistent Recruiting Programs (2021-25)

    Over the last few weeks, we’ve done a lot with recruiting. Our Class of 2025 recruiting rankings dropped as did our honorable mentions. With another year’s worth of recruiting data, it’s a good time to add it to the recent past, in order to see who have been the consistent forces on the recruiting trail. 
    We’ve taken recruiting data from 2021-25 (since Willie Saylor took over InterMat) and compiled it in such a manner to hopefully answer questions about who has been the most consistent in the recruiting game. During this span, we have mentioned the top 25 teams in our rankings, plus listed five honorable mentions. A team that was ranked #1 for a particular year has received 30 points. #2 was worth 29 points…an so on. Once we got a point total, it was divided by five for the five years observed - giving us a particular average. 
    Teams below have been sorted in order of their average - largest to smallest. 
    The teams listed below have appeared at least once in our recruiting rankings (2021-25) or honorable mentions. 
     
    1. Oklahoma State: 124 points - 24.8 average
    2. Penn State: 118 points - 23.6 average
    3. Iowa: 113 points - 22.6 average
    4. NC State: 111 points - 22.2 average
    5. Ohio State: 104 points - 20.8 average
    6. Virginia Tech: 103 points - 20.6 average
    7. Nebraska: 101 points - 20.2 average
    8. Cornell: 96 points - 19.2 average
    9. Stanford: 95 points - 19 points
    10. Iowa State: 93 points - 18.6 points
    11. Rutgers: 81 points - 16.2 average
    12. Missouri: 77 points - 15.4 average
    13. Michigan: 71 points - 14.2 average
    14(t). Minnesota: 68 points - 13.6 average
    14(t). North Carolina: 68 points - 13.6 average
    16. Arizona State: 58 points - 11.6 average
    17. Oklahoma: 48 points - 9.6 average
    18. Wyoming: 46 points - 9.2 average
    19(t). Pittsburgh: 43 points - 8.6 average
    19(t). Oregon State: 43 points - 8.6 average
    21(t). Army West Point: 42 points - 8.4 average
    21(t). Penn: 42 points - 8.4 average
    23. Wisconsin: 40 points - 8.0 average
    24. Purdue: 38 points - 7.6 average
    25. Virginia: 37 points - 7.4 average
    26. Illinois: 36 points - 7.2 average
    27. Indiana: 34 points - 6.8 average
    28(t). Lehigh: 33 points - 6.6 average
    28(t). Navy: 33 points - 6.6 average
    30. South Dakota State: 33 points - 6.6 average
    31. Princeton: 32 points - 6.4 average
    32. North Dakota State: 31 points - 6.2 average
    33. Maryland: 27 points - 5.4 average
    34. Northwestern: 24 points - 4.8 average
    35(t). Air Force: 23 points - 4.6 average
    35(t). Bucknell: 23 points - 4.6 average
    37. Northern Iowa: 20 points - 4.0 average
    38. Little Rock: 17 points - 3.4 average
    39. West Virginia: 15 points - 3.0 average
    40(t). Campbell: 12 points - 2.4 average
    40(t). Northern Colorado: 12 points - 2.4 average
    42(t). Brown: 11 points - 2.2 average
    42(t). Lock Haven: 11 points - 2.2 average
    44. Columbia: 10 points - 2.0 average
    45. California Baptist: 8 points - 1.6 average
    46. Drexel: 6 points - 1.2 average
    47. Cal Poly: 5 points - 1.0 average
    48. SIU Edwardsville: 4 points - 0.8 average
     
    Of course, recruiting is only part of the game when it comes to success at the collegiate level. There is also retention and development. Schools that have poor retention might have a higher recruiting score, while programs known for their development might end up with better results than this study would indicate. 
     

    Earl Smith -

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    Can Arujau Beat the Odds? Wrestling’s Past Spells Trouble in Fargo!

    Predicting the Arujau vs. Forrest Wrestle-Off: A Historical Analysis
    On July 14, 2025, in Fargo, North Dakota, world champion Vito Arujau faces high school phenom Jax Forrest in a special wrestle-off for the 61 kg U.S. World Team spot, delayed from June 14 due to Arujau’s injury. To predict the outcome, we analyze six historical special wrestle-offs involving delays, examining who delayed, the results, and their implications for this high-stakes matchup.
    Historical Precedents
    2000: Gutches vs. Burton
    Les Gutches, the 2000 U.S. Nationals champion at 85 kg, delayed his Olympic Team Trials wrestle-off against Charles Burton due to injury. In Fargo, Burton won 2-1 (4-1, 3-4, 5-0). Burton’s first-match gut wrench and final-match three takedowns exploited Gutches’ rustiness, securing the Olympic berth. The injury-related delay hindered Gutches’ sharpness, favoring the healthier Burton.
    2002: Zadick vs. Bono
    Bill Zadick, the 2002 U.S. Nationals champion at 66 kg, postponed his World Team Trials wrestle-off against Chris Bono due to injury. In Fargo, Bono won 2-1 (2-3, 3-1, 3-2 in overtime). Bono’s consistency in close bouts leveraged his Trials momentum. Zadick’s injury-related delay disrupted his rhythm, allowing Bono to claim the World Team spot.
    2003: Cormier vs. Morrison
    Daniel Cormier delayed his 2003 World Team Trials wrestle-off at 96 kg against Dean Morrison due to the tragic loss of his infant daughter, not injury. In Fargo, Cormier won 2-1 (0-3, pin at 2:58, overtime takedown). His resilience and prior 3-0 win over Morrison at Nationals overcame the delay, making him one of two delaying wrestlers to prevail.
    2006: Gallick vs. Zadick
    Nate Gallick, the 2006 U.S. Nationals champion at 60 kg, delayed his World Team Trials wrestle-off against Mike Zadick due to a foot injury. In Colorado Springs, Zadick swept 2-0 (0-1, 1-0, 4-2; 1-0, 0-1, 3-0). In match one, Zadick’s late double-leg takedown for three points clinched the win. In match two, Zadick’s chest wrap for exposure after a ball draw secured victory. Gallick’s injury-related delay and rustiness handed Zadick, a 2006 World silver medalist, the World Team spot.
    2015: Marable vs. Green
    Nick Marable, the 2015 U.S. Open champion at 70 kg, made a request to delay his World Team Trials wrestle-off due to a reported head injury while he was at the World Team Trials and just about to weigh in! The appeal for delay was initially denied and then after an arbitrator got involved it was granted. The two were set to wrestle in Fargo in 2015. James Green swept the Fargo series 2-0 (4-0, 2-1). Green’s pushout, passivity point, and double-leg takedown in match one, plus a counter-takedown from a quad pod in match two, outshone Marable’s rustiness, earning him the World Team spot and a 2015 World bronze.
    2019: Dake vs. Dieringer
    Kyle Dake, the 2018 World Champion at 79 kg, delayed his Final X wrestle-off against Alex Dieringer due to injury, rescheduling to August 17 in Round Rock, Texas. Dake swept 2-0 (3-2, 4-1), overcoming an early passivity point with step-outs and tactical acumen. His experience made him the only wrestler to win a special wrestle-off after an injury-related delay.
    Arujau vs. Forrest: The Matchup
    Vito Arujau, a 2023 World Champion and 2024 bronze medalist, brings incredible speed and a win in the 2024 World Team Trials Challenge tournament of which Forrest was in the field. His injury-related delay, however, mirrors the struggles of Gutches, Zadick, Gallick, and Marable. Jax Forrest, a high school senior and 2025 U.S. Open champion, dominated with a 19-8 technical fall over Seth Gross. His aggressive style aligns with the momentum of Burton, Bono, Zadick, and Green.
    Why Delays Often Fail
    Injury-related delays often lead to losses due to disrupted training and rustiness, as seen with Gutches’ shutout, Zadick’s close defeat, Gallick’s late-match collapses, and Marable’s tactical errors. Cormier’s 2003 non-injury win and Dake’s 2019 injury-related success, driven by elite experience, are exceptions. Dake’s ability to overcome injury suggests a rare path for success.
    The Prediction
    Four of six special wrestle-offs favored the non-delaying wrestler, with injury-related delays (2000, 2002, 2006, 2015) consistently leading to losses due to lost momentum. Cormier’s 2003 non-injury win and Dake’s 2019 injury-related victory show that exceptional resilience or experience can prevail, but injury delays tilt heavily against the delaying wrestler. Arujau’s pedigree gives him a chance to emulate Dake, but Forrest’s health, youth, and aggressive style mirror the profiles of Burton, Bono, Zadick, and Green. History predicts a Forrest victory, likely 2-1 in a tactical series, unless Arujau’s recovery and technical mastery prove decisive.

    Mike Malinconico -

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    2025 U23 World Team Set in All Three Styles

    The 2025 U23 World Team is set! On Wednesday afternoon, USA Wrestling announced the rosters for each of the three styles and they are star-studded to say the least. The U23 team is different from others as the national tournament doesn’t necessarily determine the representatives at each weight. If a wrestler makes the Senior National Team and qualifies via the age requirement, then they have the right of first refusal for the spot. The men’s freestyle team, for example, has six wrestlers that participated in the main event at Final X. 
    The U23 World Championships will take place October 20-26th in Novi Sad, Serbia. 
     
    Men’s Freestyle
    57 kg - Luke Lilledahl
    61 kg - Jax Forrest
    65 kg - Marcus Blaze
    70 kg - PJ Duke
    74 kg - Mitchell Mesenbrink
    79 kg - Levi Haines
    86 kg - Rocco Welsh
    92 kg - Josh Barr
    97 kg - Garavous Kouekabakilaho
    125 kg - Daniel Herrera
     
    Women’s Freestyle
    50 kg - Audrey Jimenez
    53 kg - Brianna Gonzalez
    55 kg - Cristelle Rodriguez
    57 kg - Cecilia Williams
    59 kg - Alexis Janiak
    62 kg - Adaugo Nwachukwu
    65 kg - Isabella Mir
    68 kg - Kennedy Blades
    72 kg - Jasmine Robinson
    76 kg - Kylie Welker
     
    Greco-Roman
    55 kg - Jayden Raney
    60 kg - Max Black
    63 kg - Kaden Ercanbrack
    67 kg - Otto Black
    72 kg - Aliasandr Kikiniou
    77 kg - Aydin Rix McElhinney
    82 kg - Beka Melelashvili
    87 kg - Payton Jacobson
    97 kg - Max Ramberg
    130 kg - Aden Attao

    Earl Smith -

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    • The Most Consistent Recruiting Programs (2021-25)

      The Most Consistent Recruiting Programs (2021-25)

    • Can Arujau Beat the Odds? Wrestling’s Past Spells Trouble in Fargo!

      Can Arujau Beat the Odds? Wrestling’s Past Spells Trouble in Fargo!

    • 2025 U23 World Team Set in All Three Styles

      2025 U23 World Team Set in All Three Styles

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