This wrestling season presents a number of emerging rivalries for a couple of reasons.
1. There's a fairly large group of talented freshmen making their varsity debuts.
2. More than any other time since the one-hour weigh-in rule was adopted -- a great number of wrestlers are going down a weight class from where they wrestled last year.
How will these touted frosh deliver? How will these veterans handle weight management all season long? We'll just have to see.
Also, while it's difficult not to look ahead to certain match-ups, one has to remember that it's quite possible that they might not happen. Last season, it seemed like the best high school rivalry in the country, Brent Metcalf vs. Dustin Schlatter, was going to continue in college. The rubber match had two potential venues as both Virginia Tech and Minnesota had the Kaufman-Brand Open and the Southern Scuffle on their respective schedules.
But the Minnesota coaching staff elected to have Schlatter wrestle in the 20 & Under bracket in Omaha … and Metcalf was disqualified in the second round at Greensboro.
Moreover, exciting rivalries sometimes emerge out of nowhere. Unheralded wrestlers step up their game and others are unexpectedly taken off redshirt. But while there is no certainty as to what rivalries will be reflected back upon as the best of 2006-2007, there are definitely plenty that are intriguing on paper before the season begins.
10. Mark Moos (Michigan) vs. Nick Simmons (Michigan State) -- 125
Why it's intriguing: Moos hasn't met Simmons since 2002. Since then, Moos made big strides at 125, winning the Cliff Keen Las Vegas Invitational in 2004. But just after that, he went up to 133 where he stayed for a season and a half. He now returns to the lower weight class where he could be a part of the best in-state rivalry this season. Moos will certainly have his hands full with three-time All-American Simmons, but fans of either wrestler better not blink since both have amazing, unorthodox funk.
Where they could meet before the postseason: Both schools' schedules include the Eastern Michigan Open (Nov. 4), Michigan State Open (Nov. 12), and the Midlands (Dec. 29-30) … before their Jan. 28 dual meet.
9. C.P. Schlatter (Minnesota) vs. Matt Kocher (Pittsburgh) -- 157
C.P. SchlatterWhere they could meet before the postseason: Southern Scuffle (Dec. 29-30).
8. Max Askren (Missouri) vs. Joel Flaggert (Oklahoma) -- 197
Why it's intriguing: One of the biggest wins for Askren during his redshirt year was an 8-3 victory of All American Flaggert at the Central Missouri Open. Flaggert got revenge at the Oklahoma Open, but that only makes the rubber match even more exciting.
Where they could meet before the postseason: Missouri Open (Nov. 19).
7. Wynn Michalak (Central Michigan) vs. Josh Glenn (American) -- 197
Why it's intriguing: At last year's NCAA's, Glenn was the No. 1 seed at 184 and Michalak was the No. 1 seed at 197. Neither was crowned champ and both are looking to refocus this year.
Where they could meet before the postseason: Northeast Duals (Nov. 25).
6. Derek Moore (Cal Davis) vs. J. Jaggers (Ohio State) -- 141
Derek Moore (Photo/John Sachs)Where they could meet before the postseason: Cliff Keen Las Vegas Invitational (Dec. 1-2).
5. Roger Kish (Minnesota) VS. Jake Herbert (Northwestern) -- 184
Why it's intriguing: Both were NCAA runners-up last season, Kish to Shane Webster of Oregon at 184, and Herbert to Rev Wrestler of the Year Ben Askren at 174. Although he is moving up a weight, it's quite certain that the specimen Herbert won't be out-muscled by anyone in the class. Herbert beat Kish at the University Nationals, 4-1, 5-0, and probably should be considered a slight favorite in folkstyle. Both are highly motivated wrestlers with a style that's easy to root for.
Where they could meet before the postseason: NWCA All-Star Classic (Nov. 20).
5. Matt Valenti (Penn) vs. Darrell Vasquez (Cal Poly) --133
Why it's intriguing: There is no doubt that Valenti had an amazing NCAA tourney last March. He went through Tom Clum of Wisconsin, Nathan Morgan of Oklahoma State and Chris Fleeger of Purdue to get the title. The question is if he's really that good or was just "on" and peaked at the right time. A recent 1-2 performance at the Sunkist Open doesn't answer the question. Vasquez was almost the opposite last year. He opened the season winning the NWCA All Star Classic against Mack Reiter and then failed to repeat as an All American (he took fourth in 2004). Stylistically, both Valenti and Vasquez are very fast and slick. If the match materializes, it better be caught on tape, because some of the moves are certain to be visible only in slow motion.
Where they could meet before the postseason: Cliff Keen Las Vegas Invitational (Dec. 1-2).
4. J.D. Bergman (Ohio State) vs. Phil Davis (Penn State) -- 197
Why it's intriguing: Davis is a returning NCAA finalist, but Bergman beat Davis in their dual meet two seasons ago before redshirting last year. This looks to be a very exciting Big Ten rivalry.
Where they could meet before the postseason: The two are not scheduled to meet until their dual meet on Feb. 26.
3. Cyler Sanderson (Iowa State) vs. Brent Metcalf (Iowa) -- 149
Why it's intriguing: Realistically, all of Cyler Sanderson's early matches will be watched closely. There is endless speculation as to how the younger brother of the only undefeated, four-time NCAA champ will do, especially now that his brother is coaching him. Cyler redshirted last year, but hasn't competed since winning a Junior. Nationals title in freestyle during the summer of 2005, where he suffered an injury ... but won the tourney anyway. At this point, Metcalf is more of a known commodity, having competed unattached for a season already. Even if he's not able to suit up for the Hawkeyes officially, he still should see some serious competition unattached. With new coaching staffs at both schools, it's interesting to note that if this match does happen, there will be no less than three Olympic champs coaching in the corners.
Where they could meet before the postseason: Kaufman-Brand Open (Nov. 18). Possibly the winner takes on Dustin Schlatter.
2. Mike Patrovich (Hofstra) vs. Ryan Patrovich (Ohio State) -- 165
Why it's intriguing: With Mike Patrovich coming down a weight class, it appears that it's possible he might have a match against his true-frosh brother. Brothers have been known to forfeit when facing each other, but fans can still hope for a meeting between these two talents.
Where they could meet before the postseason: Even if Ryan Patrovich redshirts, it's possible he'll be at the East Stroudsburg Open. It's the only event on Ohio State's schedule for that day, but they do have the Missouri Open scheduled for Nov. 19, so who knows? If Ryan does not redshirt, he could also face his brother at the Cliff Keen Las Vegas Invitational (Dec. 1-2).
1. Johny Hendricks (Oklahoma State) vs. Mark Perry (Iowa) -- 165
Mark Perry (Photo/Johnnie Johnson)Where they could meet before the postseason: Both schools have the Kaufman-Brand Open on their schedules for Nov. 18 and Hendricks and Perry have also been invited to the NWCA All Star Classic (Nov. 20) two days later. It's also possible that they could meet at the National Duals on Jan. 13 and 14 before the Iowa vs. Oklahoma State dual meet on Jan. 19.
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