Jagger's Friday Mailbag - 1/5/2024

Well, that was some ending to 2023, eh? We had all kinds of excitement, drama, Zapruder-like video breakdowns, and even some inappropriate images. And that was just the Soldier Salute finals! But now it is 2024 and we have an entire second half of the season to get worked up about. We can say goodbye to the burden of trying to floor tournaments as it’s mostly all duals for the next 

two months. But fear not, tournament fans. There are still some open tournaments this weekend, including the much-anticipated Bongo Bayly going on somewhere in the land. But before that, it’s time to get cracking on the first mailbag of the new year! I swear, I‘ll hit my hundredth mailbag this year then probably ride off into the sunset. Double birds blazing. (Just kidding I’m not going anywhere) 

In honor of 2024, pick a wrestler currently ranked 20th and a wrestler currently ranked 24th to make the podium in March. Salty Walkon 

An interesting enough question, so I’ll bite. After perusing the Intermat rankings, I found a few viable options here. Naturally, 125 has two good options in Troy Spratley and Diego Sotelo. With the way that weight is going, anyone can do anything. I also like Josh Koderhandt and Danny Fongaro at 141 but that class has a solid top six and could be hard to penetrate. But if this was a fantasy draft and we were all picking one from each rank then I’m going with Cody Chittum first overall. We know how talented he is so it’s just a question of whether he develops during the season or succumbs to the grind like many a true frosh before him. Give me Chittum as my 20 and Fongaro as my 24 and let’s do this. 

Why are there two ranks for one weight in women's wrestling? I saw a handful of weights on Iowa's team with two ranked wrestlers. JD Money 

Because of the metric system? But seriously, that is because the women’s National tournaments are allowed to have multiple team entries per weight. Thus, making anyone worthy of a ranking eligible whether they are technically a starter or not. 

Who would win in a match, Dan Gable or Jagger? Remember, Dan Gable is 75 years old and has an artificial hip so I’m only setting the line at Gable -14.5. Jkos11 

Remember, Jagger is 45 years old and on the fast track to two artificial lungs. Gable by a million. Unless I can hit him with a lefty headlock in the first 30 seconds.

My beautiful friend, it's the New Year and several of PSU's big hitters have only a handful of matches... Any concerns the workload management has gone too far? Saltier Walkon 

Not really, And I’m certainly not going to argue with the coaching methods of one Cael Sanderson. But it does feel like Penn State has been MIA this year. It’s like Phil Hellmuth walking into the World Series of Poker 45 minutes late. He’s just not worried about it. Cael has a veteran team who know how to prepare themselves throughout the season. Plus, a good handful of Nittany Lions were supposed to compete at Senior Nationals until ultimately bowing out. Don’t worry, you'll see more than enough blue and white singlets come March than you’ll know what to do with. 

What's Jagger's favorite pro wrestling moniker and with word that pork rolls may be served at Rutgers @ VT next year, would Jagger make his appearance in Blacksburg for Pork Roll night? Ethan Aguigui 

See, you think you’re trolling me by stealing another Jersey gimmick after ruining Jagger Night. But you forgot one small detail. I’m a Taylor Ham man. You can’t troll me. It’s impossible. But I do like the way you guys do wrestling nicknames. Hit me with a Hunter Hearst Catka and I’ll pop. 

Do you think “Ferrari-ing” is going to become the new “planking?” Fantasy Championship Wrestling 

We can’t have guys pulling groins out there trying to go viral. It’s not worth it. Fongaro did it already. The joke has been made. And I’m certainly not one for repeating the same joke over and over. Couldn’t be me. 

What do you think of The Replacements? Oldest and Greatest 

The movie or the band? Doesn’t matter. Not a huge fan of either.