Where Episode 1 recapped Kolat's upbringing, high school career and college career, Episode 2 focused on Kolat's international career and the controversies that seemed to follow him to three consecutive World Championships.
The episode tapped into Kolat's raw emotions after taking losses at the World Championships which were mired in poor refereeing and perceptions of corruption among the top brass of the international federation, then known as FILA. Kolat's losses weren't just dramatic failures on the mat, they were off-the-mat sagas, which added depth to a story that might otherwise have been scripted in the normal humdrum of wrestling community speak.
The piece didn't focus as much on high crotches and top technique as it did Kolat's humanity, something the wrestling community had never seen up close. Fans across the country identified with Kolat's struggle to understand his losses since they too, in their own career, had felt some injustice, or the proper recognition of their ability or contribution.
The producers, led by Mark Bader, did an excellent job to let the story speak for itself, a testament to their experience as storytellers. There is extraordinary skill in allowing the subject's voice to be heard and the Flo crew did that with precision, allowing Kolat's grieving occupy the episode's emotional space.
This was exceptional and brilliant work.
I'm happy that we no longer live in the era of re-wrestling matches and have the benefit of immediate challenges. An independent refereeing body and improved internal governance have allowed the new governing body to focus on the wrestlers. Still, shining light on these episodes of the past can be important in ensuring the sanitation of the sport for generations to come.
Fifteen years ago Kolat was failed by a system, but this week he seems to have recovered the respect and admiration he was always meant to receive. From here, anything is possible for Kolat -- for the first time in a generation he's the talk of the town, and for all the right reasons.
To your questions …
Q: So far I'm loving the matchups scheduled for the NWCA All-Star Classic. However, I find it strange that it's being held at a university with no wrestling program in a state (Georgia) with a fairly weak wrestling history and background. I kind of felt the same way with the World Championships being held in Las Vegas. I was pumped it was in the U.S., but how many people in Nevada tend to care that much about wrestling compared to some other states? Anyway, any reason U.S. wrestling organizations tend to pick such questionable locations for these types of events from time-to-time? Am I missing something?
-- Ryan P.
Foley: A few years ago I attempted to skewer USA Wrestling for holding the World Team Trials in Stillwater, Oklahoma. I believe I said something of tumbleweed and six shooters, but I couldn't be certain.
Anyway, to learn more I flew to Oklahoma to see Stillwater up close, and since then have learned a lot about the financials of running an event. Though I'm far from an expert, I can tell you that there a myriad reasons for selecting a World Championship and USA Wrestling location.
The NWCA All-Star Classic is a bit of a different beast. For years they've looked to hold the match in areas looking to either SAVE or GROW wrestling. There was an event in Fresno a few years ago, which was poorly attended, but with the recent reinstatement of Fresno State wrestling, may have been a huge political success. This year's matchups focus on Georgia, a state that's enjoying more success in recent years and with a growing fan base. It might be the aim of the NWCA to create some local publicity and give a further push to the idea of wrestling in the south -- an area whose culture and socio-economic status isn't that removed from the culture and SES of almost every other successful wrestling region in the country, nay WORLD.
As for Las Vegas, the city itself is a loss leader, meaning they ensure cheap transportation into and out of the city, as well as cheap hotel rooms for guests. There was no chance that fans would be bored at the event, the arena size was perfect for a wrestling audience, and teams had easy access to the airport. As World Championships go the feedback from international wrestling lifers was that the 2015 iteration was the best of all-time. Subjectivity aside it was certainly the highest-grossing, most-watched, and (maybe) the best participated event in wrestling history.
I'll agree that the event locations are a tricky calculus, but I will also give you a touch of breaking news. Next week the process for bidding on international events will be officially overhauled. The changes, which you can read about on Monday, could mean much more visible and profitable sport.
Q: Bruce Burnett recently said in an interview at the World Championships that 2016 is his last year as the national freestyle coach. He also mentioned that he would like to have the new incoming coach on board during his last year to help with the transition. Who do you think are the likely suspects for this position, and can we expect to see this announcement anytime soon?
-- Scott M.
Bruce Burnett speaks at a press conference prior to the start of the 2015 World Wrestling Championships in Las Vegas (Photo/John Sachs, Tech-Fall.com)Honestly for what he's done on such short notice, Burnett deserves to have the wrestling center named in his honor. Incredible career and leadership.
There will be no announcement before the Olympics. Afterward I think the process will open up to several big-name coaches to include Cael Sanderson and John Smith. Both have other obligations, but there is at least a chance they bite after the 2016 Games. Brandon Slay and Bill Zadick will also throw their names in the ring along with a Brands or two?
Oh, and …
Q: I like the idea of Cary Kolat becoming the national freestyle coach after 2016. Leading young men to World and Olympic medals could help heal some of the wounds, I would think. Could you see Kolat leading Team USA?
-- Mike C.
Foley: I don't know that he would LEAD Team USA right off the bat, but I think that they would love to have him involved in the program. Maybe as a national team coach? There are already some talented coaches on staff and there is only so much room, but I think everyone would enjoy having his knowledge on the mats in Colorado Springs.
MULTIMEDIA HALFTIME
Babies are CUTE.
Too cute for wordsDad tries to cut daughter's nails. She pranks him by pretending to cry each time.
Posted by The Daily Star on Wednesday, September 16, 2015
Kolat backflip (5:50)
Q: Is Lee Kemp the best U.S. wrestler to never win an Olympic gold medal?
-- Mike C.
Foley: Unsure that we could ever answer that question with clarity. Cary Kolat sure seems like another solid candidate. Remember that Lee Kemp faced stiff competition throughout his international career. Certainly the boycott in 1980 hurt his chances, but he still needed to get past Dave Schultz in 1984, which didn't happen. He lost to the future Olympic champion at the Trials at Grand Valley State.
Kemp is in the discussion.
Q: Can Dustin Schlatter make 65 kilos in the Olympic year? Or will we see him at 74 kilos?
-- Mike C.
Foley: Bah! I think he'll go 65 kilos, but only because that is his best chance for making the team. He is a longshot to beat Brent Metcalf, Jordan Oliver and Logan Stieber, but an even longer shot to do anything to Burroughs at 74 kilos.
Q: A persistent question in the wrestling community is how tournament scoring should be done, to try and give the most accurate display of the "best" team was at a given tournament. In the NCAA, we have seen second-place guys score more than the man who beat them in the finals (David Taylor-Kyle Dake in 2013 comes to mind) and A.J. Schopp this year scored 21 points, tying a few champs. UWW uses a very simple 10-1 sliding scale, ensuring no silver medalist can outscore the champ. I like that model, but is there any possibility UWW would move to a model similar to that used by Formula 1? They use 25-18-15-12-10-8-6-4-2-1 as their model. This would ensure more World champs at the World Cup, as using this year's men's freestyle results Italy would've placed 10th on the back of Chamizo's title.
-- The Wrestler
Foley: The scoring is under discussion and President Lalovic said at a press conference in Las Vegas that he is desperate to change it for the better. That said, any scoring changes would also need to lead back to a possible season-long ranking system.
No matter how much people complain, I've seen several proposals and can tell you that the right mixture isn't out there. I also know that everyone is hoping to open an email and find an attachment that solves all these riddles.
Recognition of the Week
John C.
On October 10, six Division III NCAA champions will be inducted into the St. Lawrence University Athletics Hall of Fame. The inductees are Phil Lanzatella, Tod Northrup, Leland Rogers, Mark Shortsleeves, Patrick Conners, and Jason Bovenzi. Let me know if you are interested in more information. The SLU wrestling program won a D3 title in 1988. Unfortunately, the program was discontinued in 1995.
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