Jagger's Friday Mailbag - 11/15/2024

Just like Gable Steveson, we have returned from hiatus to bring you another edition of the mailbag as the young season starts to heat up. And judging by some of the early upsets it should be an interesting season. As always, InterMat has you covered with the streaming guide and loads of other great content from contributors with whom I’m honored to share a space as I do whatever it is I do. So let’s get to whatever that is! 

Who’s the next New Jersey high school product to win a college National championship? Clay Sauertieg 

Shayne Van Ness is clearly the frontrunner with Jacob Cardenas next in line. Lorenzo Norman is a nice little dark horse pick but, as of now, 174 looks like a two-man race. And if none of these guys can do it, then you have to look to Anthony Knox who could possibly get there as soon as next season, but I do foresee a grayshirt in his future. None of it will matter when Dean Peterson shocks the world this year. 

Who would be in your NBA starting 5 for wrestling (active or retired)? 2) What NBA coach (active or retired) do you think would be the best wrestling coach? 3) What wrestler(s) would you want in your pickup game at the Y? Old Dirty Baffert 

You’re going to make me flex my basketball muscles which I assure you are not good. We’ll keep it mostly active since I can’t remember anything beyond a day or two anymore. At center, I’m putting big Greg Dan Kerkvliet from Penn State and his long limbs in there. Then I’m giving Yianni a day in court at point guard and seeing how his vision and smarts adapt to the position. Then, I’m pairing up David Carr to complete my backcourt. Next, I’m putting Shane Griffith at small forward. The man feels no pressure and is cool as a cucumber out there. This is who I want to have the ball in the last seconds of a game. Now I need some size and toughness at power forward so give me Ben Kueter and let's see what happens. If I’m picking one coach to run a wrestling program it’s Pat Riley. Nobody is better at building a team, coaching a team, and getting the most out of his guys. If I’m picking one wrestler to play a pickup game with it won’t be Kyle Snyder as he might be a bit too aggressive out there and I don’t need to be concussed. 

What’s your typical match day snack setup? Rachel Gallardo 

Been going hard on the Oreo cookies lately for maximum nutrition. We get these snack packages now so it doesn’t look as bad as opposed to crushing two full rows as soon as a new package is open.

On a scale of 1-10, how excited are you about Matt Valenti’s return to coaching in the Palestra this weekend? Kevin McGuigan 

Probably like a 12. The two-time champ and I have a lot in common as we both hail from North Jersey and love the Mets. He’s basically me with talent, intelligence, and morals. And now we both return to wrestling on the same weekend as I help you through your morning business and he coaches a wrestling team. But seriously, I think Matt will do a great job and we’ve already seen some results as (and I can’t believe I’m typing this phrase) the Quakers raised some hell at the Journeymen Collegiate Classic last weekend.