Articles: Articleshttps://intermatwrestle.com/articles.html/mailbag/page/7/?d=1Articles: ArticlesenFoley's Friday Mailbag: February 16, 2018https://intermatwrestle.com/articles.html/mailbag/foleys-friday-mailbag-february-16-2018-r84151/
Much was posted about the match and what the falling of Snyder meant for the NCAA team race, the abilities of Coon and the future of weight distribution at the NCAA level. There is no doubt that after their first encounter this season it'll be Coon who is the favorite heading into Big Tens, and a win there would make him the runaway favorite in Cleveland. Snyder, for better or worse, is now the underdog.

But what does Snyder's loss mean to NCAA wrestling? Overall, not that much. Fans know that giving up 65 pounds is less than ideal, but most also recognize that adding another weight class is a nonsense response to a single wrestler's two-point loss. That said, there could be some discussion about moving 197 pounds up to something like 205 pounds, which would be more in line with international freestyle weight (213 pounds) and allow some more power in the penultimate division. Either way, the only weighty issue here is Snyder ceding the tonnage in protection of his international weight.

Congrats to Coon, it'll be a difficult task to best Snyder twice and an even loftier achievement to beat him three times.

To your questions …

Q: Almost every year there seems to be a surprise wrestler who makes the finals at NCAAs? What's your out-on-a-limb prediction for such a wrestler at the NCAA finals?
-- Ryan P.

Ryan Deakin battling Zain Retherford at the Keystone Classic (Photo/Juan Garcia)

Foley: Ryan Deakin.

Q: How can you want so much importance placed on dual meets when no team has any depth? Penn State and Iowa don't even have decent backups when someone is hurt. There are only about ten teams that actually budget for wrestling in the country. Most don't care or if they do, don't have the finances. Look at Edinboro.
-- Steve M.

Foley: I'm not sure how you are qualifying "decent" backups? There are plenty of wrestlers on rosters who don't get the opportunity to compete because the starter takes all the action. That doesn't mean they're incapable or non-existent. Explain to me why it would it be detrimental to have a back-up wrestle? If Nick Foles can win a Super Bowl and Jesse Whitmer an NCAA title, I feel good about the backup 157-pound wrestler from N.C. State being a gap solider for The Skip during some parallel universe where duals matter to the NCAA title.

The future is duals. Tournament formats are confusing for casual fans, and even diehards struggle with tight scheduling, which also hinders promotion. Those opposed should compare the recent gates (and levels of promotion) of recent Big Ten duals against that of Midlands and Southern Scuffle.

No contest.

Q: Missouri will likely finish the regular season with a dual meet record of 19-0. Do you think there is any chance the Tigers would beat Penn State in a dual meet?
-- Mike C.

Foley: No, I don't think that they match up well. But I also think your question illustrates the larger point, which is people are interested in meaningful team competitions, not just tournament scoring.

Q: One of the criticisms of NCAA wrestling is that the dual meets don't really count. In fact, other than qualifying your spot, nothing really matters. The Ohio State-Penn State dual is exciting to many of us, but it's hard to draw in new fans when the narrative is "win or lose, so what until March?"

I'm not sure how to fix this, but do know that the Freestyle World Cup will be in Iowa City in a couple of months, and having followed that the past few years, this format is exciting. I realize we're not long from wrestling fighting for its life in the Olympics, but what are your thoughts on the idea of an Olympic team competition?

The Olympics are two weeks long, with the wrestling competition taking place near the end of the second week. My proposal would be to move the individual competition up close to the start of the Olympics, with a team tournament in week two. Take the top 8 ranked teams going in, so three duals on successive nights. Each team's alternates are eligible to compete, giving different wrestlers rests and chances, giving coaches a chance to play around with the lineup. You could combine the men's and women's teams into one dual squad.

It may never happen, but I think it would be great to tell stories and create drama, and to sell the sport to new viewers. Your thoughts?
-- Brennan B.

Foley: Yes.

The International Olympic Committee bids out the Games with a fixed number of entries. This helps organizers budget, and the IOC then has the ability to shift that number around as they see fit. Just yesterday it was announced that some established sports were going to be asked to cut the number of qualifiers in their events to help with the addition of more events. That doesn't impact your model directly, except to say that qualification spots are tight.

Assuming you could get past that hurdle the obvious fix would be to have a mixed-gender team for the Olympics. Judo is already experimenting with the format at their World Championships and finding it to be wildly successful. Wrestling may want to do the same, but has more work to do in promoting women's wrestling in more countries. As of now freestyle teams would be limited to a select number of countries competitive in both styles: USA, Japan, Russia, Turkey, India, Canada, Mongolia, China, Nigeria, Belarus and even that list is thin.

The World Cup is an incredible event and one that attracts a disproportionate number of casual fans. I'm guessing that the interest comes from the easy-to-sell storylines ripped from current events and longstanding geo-political strife, which helps propel the sport into the modern narrative. I also think that it's much easier to sell the nouns Iran and Russia than it is to sell Yazdanicharati and Gazimagomedov. Simple, but it plays a role.

Overall, I'm hopeful for a team format in the coming years and would lobby hard to make it happen at the World Championships or elsewhere. But keep in mind that travel is also a big consideration when calculating the feasibility of any new plan. It's inexpensive to fly a team around the country, especially when compared to flying teams around the world (and acquiring passports, etc.).

Q: NCAA RPI and Coaches rankings were released (Friday Feb. 9) and there were a lot of big names missing on the RPI list (no Vincenzo Joseph, Isaiah Martinez, Alex Marinelli, Logan Massa or Richie Lewis at 165 in the RPI). I understand that in order to be on the RPI list you must have wrestled 17 matches, but if a wrestler does not get 17 matches by the Feb. 22 list (that is the basis for allocations) does the conference/weight class miss out on an automatic qualification spot for the NCAA Championships? Example: Kyle Snyder will not reach 17 matches by Feb. 22. Will the Big Ten lose out on an allocation for heavyweight? I am sure this does not happen often, but with what seems to be a trend of guys getting less matches in a season due to international competition, unforeseen injuries and resting matches during conference duals, will it play a factor in where allocations go?
-- Hylnder133

Foley: The automatic bid will be missing, though in the case of Big Ten wrestlers you might assume -- with some rationale -- the spot is being absorbed by another Big Ten wrestler otherwise nestled between 34-40 in the RPI.

I don't think an adjustment should be made for the international competitors, or those missing out due to injury or sitting out. The system isn't asking too much with 17 matches and those who do miss the auto-qualification should find it very easy to qualify in the allotment of their conference.

Certainly, a risk should they get injured in the tournament, but of no greater significance than the risk being taken by the wrestler who competed 17-plus times in a season.

Q: Do you think we will ever see an NCAA Women's Wrestling Championships?
-- Gregg Y.

Foley: Yes. Because progress is human nature and female wrestlers are total bad asses. The only thing holding back the NCAA is conservative thought about the role of women. With that "skirt bias" disappearing women are finally getting their chance to show wrestling fans their sport.

MULTIMEDIA HALFTIME

Directed and produced this short film on Cuban wrestling. Be sure to give it a watch!

Q: After Kyle Snyder's loss to Adam Coon I have seen a lot of people commenting that there should be another weight added between 197 and heavyweight. I understand that Snyder is giving up weight, but he gave up weight the last two years. Nick Gwiazdowski, David Zabriskie and Tony Nelson all gave up weight. Light heavyweights have been winning. The only recent full heavyweight to win was Zack Rey. Guys that wrestle at 230-250 are quicker than the big boys and that's part of the excitement. Why do we need a change?
-- Ryan R.

Foley: We don't.

Q: Does UWW, USA wrestling or the NCAA release when they do drug testing? Seems after Yarygin a certain wrestler has not looked very good and I'm sorry to say in this day and age with Lance and MLB everyone is suspect.
-- Steve M.

Foley: I don't know which wrestler you are referring to, but all those bodies do some sort of drug testing both at tournaments and in-home. USA Wrestling tends to catch drug infractions before they happen at the international stage, much like universities screen athletes before the NCAA Championships.

You should always be a little skeptical, but I think that in wake of the recent scandals we've seen -- at least in the short term -- a cleaning out of international sport.

Q: Have you ever seen this before? What happened that the dual needed to be canceled?

Old Dominion 13, Ohio 6
125: Michale Mcgee (ODU) maj. dec. Trevor Giallombardo (Ohio), 16-4
133: Caleb Richardson (ODU) dec. Cameron Kelly (Ohio), 5-2
141: Alex Madrigal (ODU) dec. Mario Guillen (Ohio), 6-2
149: Kade Kowalski (Ohio) dec. Kenan Carter (ODU), 5-1
157: Larry Early (ODU) dec. Cullen Cummings (Ohio), 4-1
165: Joe Terry (Ohio) dec. over Luke Drugac (ODU), 7-6

*The dual was canceled after an injury during the 174-pound match.
-- Frank S.

Foley: The 174-pound wrestler went unconscious during the match and had to be resuscitated by paramedics on the mat. Officials chose to cancel the rest of the dual.

Q: What are the odds Jason Nolf is done for the season due to his knee injury? Last season Cael said Nick Suriano would be competing at Big Tens and NCAAs after his ankle injury and we saw that was not the case. We seem to be getting a similar message from Cael this time around with Nolf.
-- Sammy T.

Foley: I couldn't make odds, but I think you are on to something. While watching Penn State's post-dual celebration following their win over Ohio State I noticed that Nolf was on crutches. He is much younger than I am and a better athlete, but at no time in my life have I gone from crutches to mat-ready in a month. Limp to 50 percent? Maybe. But in seeing his crutches I lost some hope that we will have the full, if any, of the Jason Nolf experience.

Q: Hope you had less of a miserable time traveling back from Africa than I have had in the past. Got a question for you. This weekend I coached a high school team in our section tournament and was consistently frustrated by the lack of consistency in calls (stalling, out of bounds, what is control, etc.). I'm not too far removed from college wrestling, so I may be biased towards more of the black/white rules the NCAA uses. While I agree the rules aren't perfect, I do think that regardless there should be some alignment between what is considered control/out of bounds.

Do you think there should be alignment with high school and college rules? Just some I think contribute to better wrestling:
  • College out of bounds
  • No reaction time for takedowns
    **Both of these just make the refs job easier.
  • When one wrestler goes out of bounds, it's a mandatory stalling call. I understand this inserts some subjectivity, but I really had some thought about this. As a wrestler if I got called for stalling I always blamed myself and couldn't rationalize getting worked up about it. However, if I felt I was doing all the work in the match and didn't get a stalling call, I'd be frustrated. For that reason, I think stalling calls should be more prevalent.
  • Riding time I agree can be left out.

    Any others you think? (4-point nearfall, dropping to leg 5 counts?)
    -- CP

    Foley: I don't get to watch a lot of high school wrestling, but it's always surprised me that the same style of wrestling would have different rule interpretations. I get that a shorter period might be in effect, but what is the point in having variable rule sets?

    The fact that you don't earn riding time until college stands out as one of the oddest rule changes. The reason probably stems from quality control, and the inability for many schools to provide the right equipment to track riding time. But really, that's only a guess.

    One suggestion to make it easier for everyone … switch to freestyle!

    Q: Much will be written about Adam Coon upsetting Kyle Snyder, but I want to ask your thoughts on the most important and under-reported aspect:

    Coon unbuckles his headgear, spins it around sideways resting on his forehead and walks around the mat to get his hand raised.

    I have seen guys do that for years and think it looks totally ridiculous. Not illegal, not unsportsmanlike, just a cheesy habit that bugs me. It ruined the glory of the moment.

    What wrestling habit like that bugs you or readers of the mailbag?
    -- Dave B.

    Foley: If I'm being honest, I have to say that these exact words came out of my mouth. Not sure why I don't like the headgear turn -- and Coon has always done it -- but I've always found it off putting.

    I don't "care" per se, and I don't find it unsportsmanlike, I just don't find it aesthetically pleasing.

    Q: In a previous mailbag, you replied, "Lord, no" when asked if Adam Coon could beat Kyle Snyder. Now that it has happened, what are your thoughts? Do you see Coon beating Snyder in March?
    -- Mike C.

    Foley: Heckle me for a wrong call and then ask me to make two more … c'mon, man!

    Yes, I see Snyder winning any/both rematches.

    SIDENOTE OF THE WEEK

    It was reported this week that Martin Floreani has been asked to step aside from his role as CEO of FloSports. While no details were made public, it'll be interesting to see what, if any, impact the move will have on FloWrestling.]]>84151Fri, 16 Feb 2018 07:18:08 +0000Foley's Friday Mailbag: February 9, 2018https://intermatwrestle.com/articles.html/mailbag/foleys-friday-mailbag-february-9-2018-r84086/
    The Games have been marred by a variety of controversies surrounding the doping of Russian athletes, but also producing quality reinforcement for what sport can do to create better dialogue among nations.

    Last month Korea and North Korea (DPRK) agreed to field the first-ever joint national team at the Winter Games. The deal, struck in part by members of the IOC, brings the two nations together in the most significant way since the Sunshine policy was halted in 2010.

    There is plenty (PLENTY) of reason to stay skeptical of international sports, and even reasons to stay skeptical of the work put into establishing a joint team. But it's not always documentary-worthy deception plots. Like any organization there are bad actors, but the vast majority of the people involved in the Olympic movement believe in the righteous mission of the Games and its ability to deliver change.

    Large scale actions like the unification of the Koreas for a sporting event will be bookmarked in history; other generations will learn about this moment and study its short and long-term effect on world peace. A negotiation between two in-conflict nations for the reasons of goodwill through sport inspires all types of influential forces on both North and South Korea.

    The goodwill of the Olympic movement dries up in eras of scandal, but it's important to understand that it has a role in so much more than helping to host and brand a pair of quadrennial games.

    I traveled to Port Harcourt, Nigeria, this week to help deliver media content from the 2018 African Championships. My staff arrived several days before the event and we set up interviews, shooting locations and just managed to get our sorts before the madness of this week's events. Additionally, there were at least another half dozen staff there to run the tournament, manage the IT, weigh-in athletes, etc. Running any continental championship is difficult, but doing it in Africa provides a spectacular array of additional issues (not the least of which was safety).

    My team, the rest of the crew and some 45 referees were on hand. More than 30 nations participated, and many brought female competitors and female coaches. A number of wrestlers are staying after the camp to learn from some of the top former athletes and coaches in the world, including world champion Alexi Rodriguez of Cuba, and later Azerbaijan.

    All of that travel cost, overhead, instructional know how and conceptualization of the event came from the monetary funding and root inspiration of the Olympic movement.

    Like any large institution, the Olympic movement requires oversight and healthy skepticism, but it's important to never lose sight of what it delivers daily to people around the world. We are a better world with the Olympic Games as a means for dialogue and the recent actions in Korea prove that sport can overcome any political obstacle.

    On a related but separate note, the Olympic gathering also saw the confirmation of United World Wrestling president Nenad Lalovic to the Executive Board of the IOC. Already the first IOC member, Lalovic is the first wrestling president to hold the position. The EB is the determining group for a large majority of Olympic decisions and though Lalovic is on the IOC to serve all of sport (and the EB to attend to the interests of the summer sports) his presence provides a political voice for the sport of wrestling at the most important table in all of sport.

    As noted above, I've been in Nigeria this week and writing this in the course of traveling back over 28 hours! As such, I only grabbed a few questions and added a missive on the thinking behind Penn State's decision to stay at Rec Hall for last week's Penn State vs. Ohio State match.

    To your questions ..

    Q: Any thoughts on the Kanen Storr saga?
    -- Mike C.

    Foley: My loyalties would tempt me to shy away from the drama between the Paulsons and Iowa State, but one point jumped out to me: How in the sh*t was Kanen legally able to rent a former coach's place?! They once suspended basketball coach Rick Majerus for buying one of his athletes a bagel.

    The other thought on it … of course kids are going to contact former assistant coaches. They are role models and just because they take new jobs shouldn't mean they are dead to each other.

    That said, I have no other details.

    Q: Penn State vs. Ohio State highlighted a huge flaw in the rules/safety system which can be fixed. Twice, Ohio State wrestlers were situated against the scorers table (and one of them broke it) but still "in bounds." The rules state that the mat must extend five feet from the boundaries, right?

    Given that it takes one toe to stay in bounds, and wrestlers are probably 5 feet 8 inches tall on average (just a guess), don't we need ten feet of extra mat space? I regularly see guys end up on the hardwood in Iowa, Oklahoma State, and probably others as well.

    It's more for safety and seems like an easy fix. I would hate for the action to end up hurting a kid because we didn't make mats slightly bigger.
    -- Anil C.

    Foley: One-hundred percent. And though I love to say you can fix things with a firm out of bounds, I think that even Greco-Roman and freestyle see some throws that extend boundaries a bit. However, with a firmer out of bounds we would never see that type of extended contact past the boundary circle.

    Good query. The wrestling on the hardwood has always bothered me.

    6,699 fans packed Rec Hall to witness Penn State defeat Ohio State (Photo/Richard Immel)

    HALFTIME MISSIVE: Penn State vs. Ohio State

    Most of the college wrestling world was abuzz last weekend after Penn State upended Ohio State in State College, 19-18. The matchup of two top-ranked programs could have drawn near 16,000 fans, but the Nittany Lion administration eschewed convention and chose instead to feature the bout in Rec Hall, which was bursting at the seams with the attending 6,699 fans.

    The Nittany Lions made a smart calculation. By keeping their ordinary dual meet location, Penn State saw increased prices as generated by higher demand. Because Penn State could guarantee a sellout while also controlling distribution, Penn State was further able to box out Ohio State fans from attending -- the ultimate in at-home mat advantages.

    The match was entertaining for fans watching online, and it seemed, those in person. While the wrestling action was highlighted by the upset of top-ranked Kollin Moore (Ohio State) at 197 pounds, the choice of seating, and the discussion of the economic motivation also generated heated debate.

    College wrestling exists in a sports economy modeled after the success of football and basketball. Those revenue generating sports create income for their institutions by selling 20,000 person capacity arenas 20 times a season, and 70,000-plus capacity football stadiums 6 times a season. Those massive ticket sale numbers (and donor incentives) have recently inspired programs like Rutgers, Ohio State and Iowa to create buzz around one-off mega-showcases with attendance bonanzas.

    What Penn State did was turn that model on its head and ask if they could get as much revenue and attention from a more intimate showcase. The gamble was that the limited tickets sales would drive up price (while not ticking off Nittany Lion diehards), create intimacy with fans, and generate an appealing image for fans watching at home.

    The smaller-is-better crowd model is often used at the international level. Bundesliga, the German professional wrestling league, caps their crowds at roughly 2,000 people -- though often times less since the size of the gymnasiums in small German towns sets obvious parameters. Beer is sold, crowds are within feet of the action and regional rivalries flourish with returns going right back into the club's coffers.

    The Indian Professional Wrestling League (PWL), which completed its third season last month, overfills small venues in hopes of adding to the same sense of Bedlam accomplished in State College last week. For Sony and the online carriers of the league the bargain is to make the other 1.2 billion Indians not in attendance feel like they are part of the production. Remember that India's media giants revitalized cricket by both shortening matches and adding a slew of fan shots to their coverage. Watching a three-hour cricket contest now means observing the real life iteration of the fun you see people having in a beer commercial (though some of them are actors, which is next-level product placement).

    In terms of visibility and positive reinforcement of the wrestling product, a packed stadium of 3,000 to 6,000 people creates a sense of atmosphere that brands want to support. There isn't much sense in booking a venue for 12,000 or more when wrestling can only draw 5,000 passionate, engaged fans. Smaller stadiums, invested sponsors and creative production should be our sport's new norm.

    Reducing the size of the arena is not the only way to increase revenue, or provide a positive back drop for an event, but with shrinking budgets and a focus on creating income and a brand-friendly venue, it's one that should be considered more often by administrators and coaches around the county, and the world.

    Q: A few things I noticed about the Penn State-Ohio State dual:

    1. Penn State's conditioning was the deciding factor (especially in the upper weights).

    2. Ohio State looked flat and overwhelmed in several matches.

    3. The hands to the face and stalling calls were inconsistent.

    4. Why would you not have a second official in such a huge match?
    -- Steve H.

    Foley:
    1. I agree.

    2. Meh. I think the tide turned a bit in the middle, but the overwhelmed part was only noticeable/concerning at 184 pounds.

    3. I agree.

    4. I HAVE NO IDEA. Except that it's possible they don't have a protocol for adding more referees for conference dual meets.

    Q: If you're the Penn State staff, do you ride with the hot hand Anthony Cassar? Or how do you settle it? Sounds like Shakur Rasheed won the wrestle-off, but suffered a minor injury.
    -- Mike C.

    Foley: Whoever Cael chooses you can be certain that State College will disagree with the choice come March if the individual and team don't win the team title.

    At this point I think another wrestle-off might be the only fair option.

    THOUGHT OF THE WEEK
    By Jared W.

    Competition vs Participation? I live in a state, that in recent years, expanded to 5 divisions from 3. I have noticed that kids are qualifying for states with extremely mediocre records and in some cases losing records. I've seen qualifying tournaments with byes, incomplete weights, and kids with 5-21 records in state qualifying tournaments. What I have noticed is the state is pumping out two-time, three-time, and four-time state champs at a much more frequent pace, yet failing to have kids who challenge the best kids across the nation. When we were a 2-division state, we had Dapper Dan participants, Fargo champs and All-Americans, Senior Nationals champs, and collegiate Division I conference champs and All-Americans. When it was a one-division state we had Division I champs and finalists. We haven't had any of those since the state expanded.

    The argument I hear for the 5 divisions is that it allows more kids to compete. While I don't dispute that, I do contend that it doesn't promote the best wrestling possible. I'm all for 3-4 classifications if your state holds a dual state tournament, but I will always be a fan of a 1-division individual state tournament. At the very most, I don't think that states aside from maybe Texas and California need more than 2 classifications for individuals.]]>    84086Fri, 09 Feb 2018 06:27:29 +0000    Foley's Friday Mailbag: February 2, 2018https://intermatwrestle.com/articles.html/mailbag/foleys-friday-mailbag-february-2-2018-r83999/David Taylor (Photo/Tony Rotundo, WrestlersAreWarriors.com)
    David Taylor and Kyle Snyder walked away from last week's Ivan Yarygin Grand Prix with gold medals and world No. 1 rankings. While Snyder's victory felt pre-ordained, many in the worldwide wrestling community were less wise to Taylor. After this week that'll all change.

    What struck me about Taylor's performance at the Yarygin wasn't that he dominated all his opponents (the Cuban gave him a run), but that he never showed weakness of spirit, self-doubt, nerves or hesitation. Not that he'd shown these before, but his composure and preparedness were obvious to all watching. From the time he landed in Siberia he was the man to beat.

    David Taylor is going to run the 86-kilogram weight class in 2018, but he also may take up residence as the weight classes' top performer going into Tokyo in 2020.

    Not to be overlooked, Tamyra Mensah continued to show technical improvements and mat maturity en route to winning her second Yarygin title. Like Taylor she was the best wrestler on the mats and showed nothing but strength when competing. Expect her to be waving a large flag in Tokyo as well. She's very special and (as a bonus) is a charming personality!

    To your questions …

    Q: Am I the only one who finds it ludicrous that wrestlers are occasionally disqualified for stalling, but almost never for dirty illegal moves? Yes, Deluca-Retherford. How many times can you hit a guy well beyond the respected bounds of aggressive wrestling, and not get DQ'd? In many senses, this offers a distinct advantage to the foul-filled wrestler. If you can't match him skill-for-skill, why not throw some pseudo-punches and throat chops to try to get him off his game, or in the very least avoid the tech? Particularly if there is no threat of DQ, there's an intimidation factor. Who wants to set up a shot if it results in a near-punch to the face or slap of the cauliflower ear that doesn't get called? Do you think more wrestlers should be DQ'd for such deplorable tactics?
    -- Rick J.

    Foley: Collegiate and high school wrestling in America has always tolerated more than a modicum of brutality. The line for what is, and what is not, considered outside the rules has tended to get tighter over the years. I'd expect the rules to continue in that direction.

    However, there are still matches in which athletes push the boundaries of this accepted brutality. Like you mentioned, it often doesn't reveal the more technical wrestler, but benefits the offender who would have discouraged the attacks of his opponent. In that view there is something almost sad about referees allowing those types of outbursts, since it only encourages more athletes to act the same way and thus reduces the quantity of more compelling techniques.

    American wrestlers take a lot of pride in toughness and often it comes in these extra-curricular post-match slaps, face mushes and out-of-bounds shoves. The agro-behavior is below the sport and should be called out for the shame it brings on the overall product that is our wrestling style.

    The solution is to immediately DQ these behaviors, dock team points and issue suspensions. I'm not saying you shouldn't throw someone, or crank a cross face cradle (sans wind-up), but I am saying that the boxing should be left off the wrestling mats.

    Q: Help me understand how Richie Lewis can win a U23 world title in freestyle but fall outside the top ten rankings in college? Is freestyle that favorable to him? Are U23 Worlds not as competitive as one might think?
    -- Dustin K.

    Foley: I think there is an element of truth to both your questions. The U23 is a tournament in its infancy and while the level of competition is very high, it's not quite to the level of the Senior World Championships, or even Junior Worlds. One note here is that the tournament had fewer attending nations because it was announced after the new year and many national federations had already created and passed their budgets.

    As for collegiate wrestling not being favorable to Richie, I don't know if that's one-hundred percent the cause, but there are obvious stylistic differences in the two. For starters, wrestling on the mat in the NCAA is basically jiu-jitsu, while overseas there are only a few seconds per takedown allotted to top work. Richie could also have benefited from an out of bounds in freestyle which gave more benefit to his mat control. He also would have faced a narrower variety of defenses since self-exposing your back Is frowned upon overseas.

    Richie will be an All-American, which I think rounds out a pretty spectacular year on the mats!

    Q: So, I saw this here from the NCAA and noticed that wrestling has the lowest percentage of male high school participants continuing to compete in NCAA. (Less than three percent of high school wrestlers compete in NCAA at any level.) The U.S. wrestling community has certainly been concerned about the decreasing number of college teams over time. But is this a problem, in your view?

    Maybe it's OK, there are still a quarter-million kids each year learning about wrestling (and thus, getting the great life lessons that wrestling can teach) on a high school team, what does it matter in the big picture if they compete in college or not? Only 18 percent of Division 1 wrestlers are first-generation college students anyway, and those individuals are certainly not all receiving full scholarships, so it's not like wrestling is providing college access to a large number of young men who would otherwise not be able to receive a college education. Perhaps we'd be better off to focus our efforts on increasing participation opportunities for young boys and girls, and not worry so much about the number of college teams? Just wondering what are your (and the readers') thoughts on this.
    -- Irv O.

    Foley: The mantra has always been that "more is better," and to an extent that is true. If wrestling can prolong the careers of its wrestlers there is a positive outcome: fan creation, wrestler retention, and improvement of our overall athletic communities through a diversity of experiences.

    You have a point that in a resource-limited sport its always important to revisit where you spend money, time and energy. Will more Division I wrestling programs create a cultural shift significant enough to generate more revenue, fan interaction and awareness of the sport? What resources would be necessary to generate enough lift to even start a brand-new program at a marquee school.

    I've always been an advocate for women's wrestling and the smart investment seems to be the creation of opportunities for female athletes at the high school and college level. For too long the wrestling community has all but ignored half of the U.S. population. Women are also responsible for 80 percent of all household purchases. So from a business standpoint it would make more sense to target a new market which would drive organic coverage of the sport, while also creating the potential for real monetary gains.

    The expansion of opportunities for women's wrestling is underway, but more can be done. We need to expel the notion that for every women's spot granted a man loses theirs -- in fact, the opposite might well be true. Even if you or your wrestling friends can't be compelled to support women because it's morally right to allow women to choose their outcome, certainly you could see that it's a cultural and financial positive for the sport overall.

    MULTIMEDIA HALFTIME

    Yarygin gold-medal matches ...

    David Taylor

    Kyle Snyder

    Tamyra Mensah

    Q: A lot of big-time MMA stars came up through the JUCO ranks but never went further. How do you think guys like Anthony Rumble Johnson, Cung Le, Vladi Matyushenko, Jon Jones, and others would have fared in Division I? Most guys I can think of who actually went from JUCO to DI did well. Guys like Chris Weidman, Colby Covington, Daniel Cormier, Cain Velasquez, and others. Who is the best/most successful wrestler to come from a JUCO start? Jamil Kelly? Daniel Cormier? Matt Lindland?
    -- M5

    Foley: When you add together collegiate success, international titles and success in MMA, the bet JUCO product has to be Daniel Cormier.

    There are certainly guys who didn't make it out of JUCO who would have won matches at the NCAA level and maybe even become All-Americans, but Division I tends to be as much about the off-the-mat requirements as the on-the-mat techniques. Whether a JUCO guy who didn't make it DI or a DI guy who couldn't stay focused enough to complete four years on the team, the simple act of staying eligible and in the good graces of a coaching staff is hard work in and of itself.

    Q: What is so special about the Yarygin tournament? If this is the toughest open tournament in the world, why do we only get a handful of U.S. competitors entering every year?
    -- Dustin K.

    Foley: You know how people complain about jet lag after a trip from New York to California? And then you know people who really moan when they travel to/from Tokyo? The Ivan Yarygin is in just about the toughest place to fly to with most itineraries from the states requiring two stopovers and accumulating 30 hours.

    So, in short, distance and what I can confirm is just about the worst jet lag I've ever experienced.

    Other factors: The tournament is actually TOO good to bring the whole team, since there is a higher likelihood of one-and-done. Also, the costs of the flight and possibly the fact it was -40 degrees!

    As for what's special, basically the cold, the distance and the fact there are so many Russians competing! Cuts both ways type situation.

    Q: Seth Gross bumped up a weight class to take on Bryce Meredith in a battle of top-ranked wrestlers. Gross lost a close match. Does that take him out of Hodge Trophy contention? Should it?
    -- Mike C.

    Foley: I don't know that it would be a major ding to his chances, but unless your name rhymes with PAIN, you aren't winning the Hodge.

    Q: It seems like every week someone is writing in to complain about the negative way that riding time affects the potential for high scoring and viewer-friendly matches in college wrestling. In general, I think they are right. Do you see any way that the powers-that-be in the NCAA, the rules committee and the head coaches, would ever even consider changing such a fundamental rule in their current version of the sport? Or is this the "third rail" of college wrestling?
    -- Ed B.

    Foley: Sure. I don't think it's a third rail topic in the sport and with the gamesmanship of that point increasing year-over-year we are seeing a larger chorus of voices speaking out against the point. We are nearing a place in the discussion where a change is just too logical. No matter what we want to believe, or want to protect, the riding time point is very obviously leading to less exciting action on the mat.

    I think the rules committee will revisit riding time at some point in the next three years. And I expect it to be removed before 2022.

    Q: What was your biggest takeaway from Tulsa Nationals? Were you surprised by the 12 and under, 80-pound results?
    -- Mike C.

    Foley: Ha! You kid, but I'll take this moment to once again remind parents, friends and anyone else reading that you should not allow your child to compete in these tournaments! There is no upside to winning a "national title" at 8 years old. Taking gymnastics classes would provide multiple times more return on investment come time for high school and college.]]>    83999Fri, 02 Feb 2018 06:55:17 +0000    Foley's Friday Mailbag: January 26, 2018https://intermatwrestle.com/articles.html/mailbag/foleys-friday-mailbag-january-26-2018-r83922/
    The United States flew out an all-star lineup, highlighted by world champions Logan Stieber (65 kilograms) and Kyle Snyder (97 kilograms). World bronze medalist Nick Gwizdowski (125 kilograms), as well as standouts Kyle Dake (79 kilograms) and David Taylor (86 kilograms) will be in action over the course of the three-day event. Standing in their way will be a Russian side filled with Olympic, world and European champions.

    While still early in the season the event should give fans of Team USA some insight into how much of an advantage (if any) the new same day weigh-in rules may provide an American side well-versed in that event program.

    You can read more about the Ivan Yarygin entries and watch the event live and for free on the UWW website.

    To your questions …

    Spencer Lee (Photo/Mark Lundy, Lutte-Lens.com)

    Q: Like many other wrestling fans, I was excited to watch Spencer Lee face off against Nathan Tomasello. I didn't know what to expect, but I was surprised that Lee won despite the fact he didn't score an offensive point. What is your take on this match?
    -- Patrick A.

    Foley: Spencer Lee is a monster on top and has an unreal level of maturity for a freshman. To beat Tomasello showed that he is the type of program-shifting presence that Tom Brands figured he would become.

    Lee didn't score an offensive point, but he wrestled under the same rule set as Tomasello and found the W despite giving up a takedown. Plenty of lightweights (Matt Valenti comes to mind) have won NCAA championships with few takedowns, but that lack of scoring action is less an indictment of the wrestler, and more shows a flaw in the scoring system utilized by NCAA wrestling.

    I continue to believe that encouraging neutral wrestling through the elimination of riding time and the enforcement of out of bounds rules will create more action. Until then it's BRAVO to Lee for finding a way to win!

    Q: Kyle Snyder is the best heavyweight college wrestler in the county. He's the best 97-kilogram wrestler in the world. I sometimes forget that he's not really a heavyweight despite his collegiate heavyweight success. In your opinion, how does Snyder compare to some of the best heavyweights in NCAA history? Stephen Neal, who proved himself as the best heavyweight in the world at one time, really jumps out in my mind. How would the smaller Snyder do at heavyweight with the likes of an NCAA age Neal or Kerry McCoy?
    -- Dustin K.

    Foley: Should Snyder win his third NCAA title in 2018, it will be his third title at heavyweight and his fourth overall trip to the finals. Snyder will also own a win over two-time champion, three-time finalist and 2017 world bronze medalist Nick Gwiazdowski.

    While Stephen Neal and Kerry McCoy were dominant heavyweights with a notable size advantage over Snyder, it would be difficult to see Snyder losing any cross-generational matchup. Even against a tough-minded competitor like Steve Mocco, the skill set and mental toughness of Snyder are without comparison. How would you beat someone with his level of self-belief?

    Time and again Snyder has shown that he's willing to face any obstacle (Jake Varner, Abdulrashid Sadulaev, et. al) and come away victorious. There is no evidence that some extra weight would "tip the scales" in favor of these past champions.

    Q: I watched the Seth Gross-Bryce Meredith match on replay, and I know I'm beating the proverbial dead horse, but the far ankle defense needs to go away. If the wrestler in on the legs doesn't struggle to try and finish, it is a stalemate. The effectiveness of the far ankle is only effective if the man on the legs works to finish … it's got to stop. It kills me to watch this style. Austin DeSanto is what the sport needs. 12-10 battles, not 2-1 snorefests with points being two escapes and riding time. Blah!
    -- Keith F.

    Foley: We are saying the same thing: college wrestling has devolved into gamesmanship and horseback riding, which is frustrating because it could be an engaging wrestling style with the potential to attract new fans.

    The far ankle defense will be in play so long as there is no significant or immediate penalty for exposing your back from the neutral position.

    Q: I have heard America's top wrestlers can command a lot of money at camps and clinics, but don't know specifics. What do wrestlers like Jordan Burroughs, Logan Stieber, Kyle Dake, J'den Cox, David Taylor make for clinics/camps?
    -- Mike C.

    Foley: The rates for any star is dependent on several factors, namely their relationship to the institution hosting the clinic, time it takes for the talent to travel to the location, how many days they work in total, and how many students are expected. Add that to the quality of the name and you start getting some general numbers

    Depending on the variety of factors laid out above, the top wrestlers are charging between $300-$1,000 per hour of instruction, with some significantly higher and some a touch lower. To put that in perspective, I know more than a few jiu-jitsu instructors who charge $5,000-plus per day of a seminar, but I also know guys who will work for $500 per day. It all just depends on name ID.

    Q: In Cleveland there could be four three-time NCAA champs crowned: Dean Heil, Zain Retherford, Isaiah Martinez and Kyle Snyder. I remember years recently where even a single wrestler going for their third title was outrageous, but four?! According to d1collegewrestling.net, 1983 was a similar year where Nate Carr, Mark Schultz and Ed Banach all capped their careers off as three-time champs, but that was 35 years ago. Seems like there was a drought between Jake Rosholt (2006) and Kyle Dake (third title in 2012), but since then there's been a three-timer every season. Between Jason Nolf, Vincenzo Joseph, Mark Hall, Bo Nickal and Myles Martin, we will have at least one in 2019 as well. What elements do you think are attributing to this uptick in three-time (or more) national champions?
    -- Vik C.

    Foley: Penn State? Cael Sanderson?

    The overall wrestling intelligence of the college freshman wrestler is much higher than it was even ten years ago. With access to more technique videos and live matches there has been a significant increase in the ability of young wrestlers to win against older and more experienced competition.

    Q: This year's class of freshmen is just crazy. Yianni Diakomihalis, Spencer Lee, Nick Lee, Daton Fix, Mikey Labriola, etc. My question to you is, out of this crop of phenom freshmen, which wrestler do you think finishes his career with the best results? My money is on Yianni or Fix, but you obviously can't go wrong with any of the aforementioned wrestlers. When all is said and done, do you think this could possibly go down as the greatest class of all time?
    -- Todd S.

    Foley: Tough to judge the classes against each other, especially without this class having competed in an NCAA championship. Let us see how they do in Cleveland before too closely comparing them to the classes of the past.

    As for who will have the best career, I stand by my previous statement that it'll be neck-and-neck between Fix and Lee. But man, Yianni is looking tough!

    Q: Who do you see as the next four-time NCAA wrestling champ?
    -- Gregg Y.

    Foley: With one under his belt and Penn State at his back you'd have to think Vincenzo Joseph is the most likely to be the next four-time NCAA champion. Mark Hall has Zahid in his path, but would be another top choice.

    Q: If Daniel Cormier moved up to fight Stipe Miocic, how do you see that fight going?
    -- Mike C.

    Foley: One of the most intriguing inter-weight matchups in a while. Though I doubt the UFC wants to risk another multiple weight class champion a la Conor McGregor, there would be a built-in mega-audience for this type of heavy-hitting matchup.

    What happens in the cage? The wrestling would seem to cancel each other out, but I don't know if that would hold. Cormier would have to respect Stipe's size and power and while his wrestling advantage is relatively marginal to other matchups, he still would see a significant return on each high-level attack -- and from the ground Stipe's power is all-but-neutralized.

    I'd take Cormier by smother-and-pound.

    WRESTLING STORY OF THE WEEK
    By The Doc

    The son of a colleague had wrestled in the Lehigh Valley since midgets, not particularly successfully, but with dedication and affection for the sport and his teammates. He sat on the bench until his senior year, when his high school team ended up with his weight-class empty -- so the spot was his.

    He lost every match he wrestled that year. Every match saw him warming up, practicing hard and toeing the line to begin his bout. Every match he gave his best, keeping most of them close, and avoiding giving up '6'… And after every match, his smile was infectious, no matter the score.

    Late in the season, with a district dual team slot on the line, he faced a seriously-tough, ranked opponent, and with the team score close, he HAD to avoid a pin for his team to win.

    What a bout! Constant action as he kept off his back, eventually losing the major, but avoiding the fall -- and his team WON the match, proceeding to D11 team duals.

    His entire team crowded around him, screaming his name and the entire auditorium went crazy!

    Later in the year, I happened upon my colleague, who was very sheepish regarding his son's performance, "0-25!" But I noted that his son had become my hero. He put in years of effort, never in the limelight, supporting his team always -- and when he had the chance, his son had done his very best -- and it mattered.

    I love this sport!]]>    83922Fri, 26 Jan 2018 07:55:18 +0000    Foley's Friday Mailbag: January 19, 2018https://intermatwrestle.com/articles.html/mailbag/foleys-friday-mailbag-january-19-2018-r83838/
    To your questions …

    Mark Hall vs. Bo Jordan is an anticipated matchup when PSU battles Ohio State (Photo/Tony Rotundo, WrestlersAreWarriors.com)

    Q: Can you think of any other dual meet in the past 50 years that rivals the upcoming Ohio State at Penn State dual?

    Out of the 20 wrestlers expected to compete:

  • 8 have won NCAA titles
  • 5 have won age group World medals
  • 15 are ranked in the top ten, with 2 more ranked in the top fifteen
  • 12 have already achieved All-American status
  • 184 pounds features two NCAA champions competing against each other
  • One wrestler is the reigning Olympic champ
  • The past seven NCAA Championships have been one by one of these two teams.
  • Both teams are heavy favorites to finish in the top 2 at NCAAs this season, with the runner-up most likely shattering the record for the most points for an NCAA second-place team

    The fact that the match is in Rec Hall, thereby assuring a hostile environment of 6,150 Penn State fans compared to about 50 Ohio State fans only adds to the epic nature of the battle. As a fan of wrestling, I'm so happy that both teams feature an entertaining style with wrestlers who emphasize offense and putting points on the board throughout the match. What a showcase for our great sport!

    Can you think of a better, more entertaining two hours of wrestling than the potential that this dual features?
    -- DD

    Foley: I'm not sure we need to test history to scale the most anticipated and (quasi) consequential wrestling matches of the season. Penn State and Ohio State are teeming with technical, aggressive wrestlers with absolute belief in their ability to dominate opponents.

    So what does happen when an unstoppable force meets an immovable object?

    While dramatic, the dual would benefit from increased stakes. As media-friendly a matchup as this is within the wrestling community, there is no impact on the NCAA team race whatsoever. No team seeds to be determined, or jockeying to be had. This is an up-and-down contest, that'll be remembered as exceptional, but otherwise of no lasting consequence.

    The wrestling community talks a lot about breaking into the mainstream in a meaningful way. For many, the stated goal is to make the dual season matter more and in doing so hook in larger media forces and drive college sports fans (with overarching tribal commitments) to watch their beloved institutions. Arguments against the system in part pivot on the idea that the individual tournament is too valuable, dual meets can be decided by irregularities, and a general apathy towards serious change.

    Now the No. 1 and No. 2 teams in the country are set to face each other and the larger sports audience can't be convinced to care because the match has zero impact on the team race.

    The individual championships are a wonderful weekend of wrestling, but why should the sport have only one weekend of competition to lure in fans from around the nation? Why can't we see the race build up in a team-oriented construct? The NCAA basketball bracket is popular in part because it takes four weeks to execute and has clearly defined teams and paths. The football series means that most games matter.

    The NCAA wrestling tournament has almost no build-up and its only real tradition is that it happens to fall near St. Patrick's Day.

    When you watch the match, try to think about what viewership number might be if the NCAA team title was somehow being influenced by the outcome of the match.

    Q: This past week I got a chance to watch the Oklahoma State vs. Iowa match, which was fairly entertaining, if nothing else, due to the amount of ranked wrestlers. Admittedly, I don't get a chance to watch much of Oklahoma State prior to the NCAAs. I'm a PSU fan so I mainly see Big Ten wrestling, but wow there are a lot of Oklahoma State guys who are kind of painful to watch due to inaction and complacency when leading. I get that other schools do this, but Oklahoma State? They're supposed to be premiere. Anyway, the match Dean Heil won was just the epitome of it. He could be a three-time national champ and seems to never win by more than a few points. Just compare his action and points scored to any other three-time champ and I'm sure it's just terrible. How can this be fixed? More stall calls? A shot clock?
    -- Ryan P.

    Foley: Coach Smith has said his Oklahoma State squad was less than impressive in their dual meet loss against Iowa. Like you witnessed, the team was sluggish, wrestling on their heels and only edging out victories. The Oklahoma State model has never been to run up points on opponents, but I agree with you that the match showcased little of the zing and punch we are used to seeing from Cowboy wrestlers.

    College wrestling features a complicated rule set that heavily favors CONTROL over TECHNIQUE with action further being suffocated by and out-of-bounds rule with almost no mooring in logic and with no equivalency in sport (wrestling or ball-based). Where else in sport is the out-of-bounds controlled by the pinky toe of one athlete. That rule is asinine.

    Out of bounds and control-based rules are what causes nights like you witnessed, where a sluggish team hangs around and edges out some wins but otherwise phones in their effort. The rules don't force action.

    Some of the boredom you witnessed also stems from the riding time point, which was instituted in an effort to reward top wrestling in the hopes of seeing more falls. Well, NCAA wrestling and freestyle wrestling have similar rates of falls and there is very little done to encourage top wrestling outside of making wrestlers return to their feet after 10-12 seconds of inaction on the mat.

    In my opinion, wrestling would see a dramatic increase in meaningful scoring if they made out of bounds actually out of bounds, took away riding time, and returned wrestlers to neutral if there was no threat of back points in 20 seconds. (Call it 'riding time' except you are given a standard amount of time to work before being brought back to your feet and there is no incentive to stay on top.)

    So, simple question with a long answer, but I think that the college wrestling rules are broken at a fundamental level. Too much gamesmanship, not enough action.

    Q: Why do you think so many American fans think taking shots and failing to score is a reason to award that wrestler?
    -- Matt C.

    Foley: Because they grew up watching Iowa Public Television dual meets where 10,000 fans screamed "STALLING!" the moment a wrestler in a black singlet took a drop step.

    It's true. That's the reason. It's burned in our collective psyche that pressure, position and half shots are signs of aggressive wrestling.

    But by the way, much the same can be said of Greco-Roman fans in European countries who love yelling "PASSIVE" just because their wrestler is pushing and blocking off. Different cause, but same result.

    Q: What are your thoughts on Final X?
    -- Scott M.

    Foley: Well, if you haven't seen the back-and-forth between Xander Schultz and the Flo Bros then you're really missing out! Lots of heat.

    There is no question that Final X was born out of PROWL. Is it better than what PROWL had planned? Worse? I think that you'll find a multitude of opinions from wrestlers and those who had insight on PROWL.

    Overall, I think that the idea to create a team selection broken into three events was bold and will prove to generate much more interest in the sport, both in the locations where they are being hosted and in the national press. The local ties will bring out many more fans than we are used to seeing in Las Vegas or other neutral locations.

    As for pay, I'm not a professional wrestler, but overall the American wrestlers have it pretty OK in terms of payments to participate in a non-headlining sport. I meet with international wrestlers all year long and the large majority of them have absolutely zero support. Zero.

    Remember Turtogtokh of The Citadel? He returned to Mongolia to try out for their national team. Last week he won a spot at 92 kilograms and will compete at the Asian Championships in Bishkek. Know how much he has been paid to train over the last four years? Zero.

    Olympic silver medalist and world champion Zhan Beleniuk has made less than $50,000 for his titles and lives with his mom in an 800-square foot apartment in Kiev.

    Team USA is very, very fortunate to have the national team funding, support of patrons, sponsoring clubs, clinic schedules and college coaching opportunities to make a living. Of course, I would like to see all of our wrestlers making more money, but it's important to keep some perspective on their relative wealth as compared to other nations around the world. America is doing more than alright.

    I think Final X is a start in terms of promoting the sport and providing an increase in winnings to some of the winners. All the rest of the drama you can read about on Twitter.

    Q: I heard some speculation that Seth Gross may bump up and wrestle Bryce Meredith this week. I think this is a great idea. I never believed in protecting an undefeated record, and bumping up to face a top guy can really help. If Gross loses, the pressure of being undefeated is off at NCAAs and I think it helps his chances of winning an national title. If he wins and goes undefeated, more evidence he could win the Hodge. Thoughts?
    -- Dave, NY

    Foley: I was looking at the statistics for the wrestler being considered for a Hodge trophy; did you know that Zain Train is 16-0 with 13 pins, 2 techs and 1 major decision? Should he keep up that pace I'm not sure we need much more of a discussion regarding the winner of the Hodge.

    Seth Gross bumping up is good theater and a smart decision by the coaching staff to stretch their wrestler's toughness before arriving in Cleveland. I know that the comparison isn't one-to-one due to the threat of submissions, but jiu-jitsu fighters are constantly rolling with athletes many times heavier, and winning with some regularity. Eight pounds may seem significant, but I don't think it should always be the first item mentioned when discussing the overall outcome of the match.

    Helen Maroulis (Photo/Tony Rotundo, WrestlersAreWarriors.com)

    Q: How surprised were you that Helen Maroulis took a loss in India's pro wrestling league?
    -- Mike C.

    Foley: Very surprised. Pooja hasn't been in competition since 2014 and from the articles I read today had been more or less sidelined since a knee injury in 2015. The match is below, but Pooja scored from a funky position early, impressing with her mat and body awareness. The clincher came at the start of the second when Pooja hit a beautiful high-level double leg for four points.

    India is tricky. While no loss is good, I'm not shocked, if only because the level of competition inside India is world-class and the country can be a big adjustment for Americans in terms of diet, time zone and general culture shock.

    MULTIMEDIA HALFTIME

    Sally Roberts and "Wrestle Like a Girl"



    Helen Maroulis loses in India

    Q: Longtime lover of your Friday mailbag. Love how you often blast double (to the great chagrin of many readers) issues of injustice and bigotry. As a wrestler this presidency has brought to light the hateful views of many of my long time "friends." Thoughts on handling this?
    -- @terpteets

    Foley: I recently read an apology post from a well-known colleague in the Olympic movement who expressed regret airing his opinions about Trump and recent racist remarks. The apology post essentially said that he'd failed to keep a promise to himself to keep his keyboard silent and that the original post had cost him a friendship of 30-plus years.

    For the most part, we know who amongst our friends and colleagues are in support of which politicians. Ninety-nine percent of the time confronting the vocal crowd is pointless unless you try real engagement ("explain to me what you mean by x,y,z") since that has been shown to be the effective in triggering self-reflection in others. Most of us are just caught in an echo chamber, clamoring to be heard by others of our ideology and tribe. It's a want to belong and feel OK about your position, which is understandable.

    Listening to a friend defend the ideals of white supremacy doesn't make you a white supremacist, but it will provide the clarity you need to decide whether or not to listen to their advice in your time of need, or to allow them to watch your children.

    And that's where I am on the matter. The only place I think we need to be more cautions with our handling of colleagues who lack core traits we want to see in our own children. For example, there are youth coaches who use their platform to support racist ideologies, promote conspiracy theories, or parrot the close-minded attitudes should be outed and banned from ever coaching again. There is absolutely no amount of proper wrestling technique, no trophy big enough to put you child in the temporary care of an individual who harbors dangerous ideas about the world. That's not saying we can't allow our kids to be coached by a Republican or a Democrat, but instead by someone who holds racists or otherwise outlandish and dangerous beliefs.

    A few years ago I called out a well-known youth wrestling coach for his vocal denial of the tragedy of Sandy Hook. (He claimed it was a false flag attempt by the Obama administration to take away guns … no, seriously.) That coach has since blocked me from his accounts, but under no circumstances would I ever allow a child I know to be in his care or under his tutelage. Our sport is FILLED with talented and compassionate men and women who will teach our next generation to be fair and honest. We don't need that type of sick thinking near our youth.

    There are other youth coaches with similarly bizarre and hateful outlooks. The conspiracy theorists, the drug abusers, and the simply unhinged. With the absolute depravity being exposed in the trail of the doctor for USA Gymnastics, now is the appropriate time for our community to ponder who we exalt, and why. Because if sick men remain dominant influences in the lives of our youth wrestlers then we risk our values of community, mutual respect and fair treatment of others for the possibility of more medals.

    Q: Is Cory Clark done competing?
    -- Scott M.

    Foley: No. He will be competing next week at the Ivan Yarygin in Krasnoyarsk!

    Q: Jason Nolf of Penn State vs. Jake Tucker of Michigan State. Nolf stands to his feet, Tucker locks his hands, Nolf puts his hand down on the mat. Ref calls locked hands, commentators even said that should be an unsportsmanlike conduct point according to the rules against Nolf. Nolf eacapes, takes him down, and pins him. If the MSU coach had challenged that call, the call could have (would have) been overturned, would that mean pin is waved off and match restarts at the point of the penalty? They are applying in takedowns that are called too early. Wondering if same applies here. Thanks!
    -- Frank C.

    Foley: I suppose you could challenge a bad call, but locked hands doesn't stop a match unless the offender improves his position. Because this could have only been an unsportsmanlike and no advantage was gained by the offending locked hands, I don't think the outcome would be affected.

    Any referees care to build on the scenarios and provide additional clarity?

    Q: I love dual meets, but HATE the scoring. Here is a tweak I propose. What do you think? Team points are simply the accumulation of a matches individual score, with pins worth 22 points (how I got there in a second). So, a big problem right now, is guys who are up 10 points with 45 seconds left don't chase the tech. They secure the major. What if a 12-point lead mattered?

    A technical fall brings the balance of the scoring to +15 for the winning wrestler … in theory. You can tech someone by as many as 21 points (If you are up 14, have riding time secured, and hit a 6-point move, you win by 21). Since the theoretical max for a tech is 21, then a pin should be worth 22 (no other points scored by either wrestler in a pin get added).

    This would make every match more exciting, would make sense to a viewer, and would help casual fans.

    What do you think?
    -- Anil C.

    Foley: I'm not sure about the separation between technical fall and pin being so large, since I've literally never seen someone get teched by 21 points. However, you also want to incentivize the fall so an additional five or six points seems about right.

    Would this actually encourage more active wrestling? And wouldn't a single match with a large differential make an otherwise competitive match less-so? Would it maybe be better to simply increase the points and number of winnable categories?

    +1-4pts = 1-4 team points
    +5-9 = 7 team points
    +10-15 = 11 team points
    Fall = 14 team points

    In my scoring scenario 15 points is just to signal the end of competitive match. There is no need to award more team points for an additional tilt, when capping it creates a more competitive team race.

    I'm liking your logic! Good stuff.

    Q: I agree with getting rid of riding time. I also would suggest that the wrestler on top should be allowed to cut the bottom man and return the action to the neutral without giving up and "escape" point. My one caveat would be that this can only be done after a break in the action like going out of bounds, blood time, or the start of a period where it is clear that the bottom wrestler didn't "earn" anything and shouldn't be awarded an escape point. If there is a takedown and the top man desires to cut the bottom man loose while the action is still going then there is an escape point willfully given by the top man in exchange to return to neutral and that is his strategic decision.

    So now we have removed the incentive to just simply ride for time and we have mostly removed the penalty for wanting the action to return to neutral. What do you think?

    This would also cut back on this situation: Wrestler 1 is dominant and gets four takedowns in the first period followed by cutting Wrestler 2 four times. Wrestler 2 begins the second period on bottom and is cut loose. It's 8-5 in a totally one-sided match! This doesn't make sense and this match will go on longer than it needs to.
    -- Dustin K.

    Foley: Agreed that it might be a better scenario, but if the offensive wrestler is also allowed to ride on top for limitless amount of time it's pretty likely that 8-point leads will be sat on, or more appropriate, LAID on.

    STORY OF THE WEEK
    By Sean M.

    I am a fan of wrestling, a coach and still a student of the sport. I love wrestling, what it is and what it can be for people. Every now and then, not that I need them, I get little reminders of just how special the sport is.

    I was working the clock at our local high school's senior night dual last night. It was interesting because while boasting a very large roster, we only had three seniors, and only one is regularly in the starting lineup. Despite that, all three seniors had a chance to compete.

    The regular starter got a solid win over a good opponent who was favored over him, another, who has been in and out of the lineup due to injury throughout his career, also notched a win.

    The third senior, who has been in the club/high school program for seven years, was making his varsity debut, and it was under the spotlight. Despite never cracking the lineup, this kid goes to every practice, always has a positive attitude, goes to every meet and is the first to volunteer to work the clock or book when we host tournaments for the middle school and club (and we host quite a few). He has become infamous in his ability to fundraise and was the anchor when the wrestling team defeated the girl's soccer team at this year's "Battle of the Bones" (a fundraiser where the kids sell pork steak dinners then have a chicken wing eating contest).

    He walks out for the first time in a varsity singlet and I'm not going to lie, it didn't look great starting out. The other kid was just a bit bigger, a bit stronger and a bit more athletic, but he kept battling, and his opponent started to fade. He showed the tenacity and stick-to-it-iveness that you may come to expect from someone who will hang around for four years without cracking the lineup. As his opponent started to tire, he began to climb back, taking him down then hooking an ankle and cranking a three-quarter nelson for the fall.

    I have been around wrestling for a long time and have been a part of and witness to some very big wins. I do not believe I have ever heard a bench erupt with cheers of this magnitude. As the clock worker, I am supposed to act unbiased, but knowing the back story, I couldn't contain myself. The crowd shared the same sentiment, while there was a full house, not a seat was taken at that moment.

    This kid will likely never set foot on a mat again as a competitor, but this moment will remain with him forever. The attitude, grit, and dedication he has shown over the past four years will last a lifetime and allow him to be successful no matter what path he chooses to take.

    I sat on the couch later that night thinking about how special this sport really is. Few other activities could allow him that opportunity. To go out there and earn a victory in front of his home crowd in that environment, on that night, is truly special. It all goes to show that you do not have to be an all-star for this sport to mean something. You do not have to become a state champ in order to learn what hard work and dedication are. And you do not have to be a world champion to touch the lives of others. I think everyone who was a witness to what happened last night in Edwardsville, Illinois, will remember it forever. I know I will.]]>83838Fri, 19 Jan 2018 08:09:02 +0000Foley's Friday Mailbag: January 12, 2018https://intermatwrestle.com/articles.html/mailbag/foleys-friday-mailbag-january-12-2018-r83740/
    There are plenty of reasons why football coaches and administrators would want redshirt athletes on the field: increased learning experience, preservation of eligibility and increased competitiveness. For many of these reasons (and a few more) wrestling would also significantly benefit from redshirt rules which allow some varsity competition.

    Over the past few years there has been an increase in the number of forfeits at the collegiate level. Backups are willing to wrestle, but coaches don't want to risk a year of eligibility plugging a freshman redshirt in for a single match. In fact, that all-or-nothing attitude is the crux of the redshirt issue for football, wrestling and many other sports. The NCAA needs to allow for more leniency around redshirting, since giving kids a wider berth on using eligibility allows for a better environment for college athletes to mature, while also giving college sports fan the very best product available.

    The college football coaches were unanimous in their support of the rule change, and it's likely that if adopted by the Gods of the Gridiron, wrestling could soon adopt a similar rule change.

    Here's to hoping.

    To your questions …

    Jason Tsirtsis wrestling Iowa's Brandon Sorensen in the Midlands semifinals (Photo/Mark Lundy, Lutte-Lens.com)

    Q: Is there any chance Jason Tsirtsis will win the NCAA title? At the Midlands, Tsirtsis was still wrestling in reactive mode. Too willing to win by a point or two. Don't you think he needs to be more aggressive?
    -- @German663

    Foley: It's arguably every American wrestler's dream to win an NCAA title, and Tsirtsis has accomplished that goal. Although Tsirtsis' early performance would indicate that he's a perennial threat, his career trajectory was adversely affected by well-documented adversity off the mat. In my opinion, Tsirtsis' perseverance in continuing his wrestling career and the competitiveness he's shown after having major time off is impressive. I'm hopeful that we will see Tsirtsis in Cleveland and with any luck holding some hardware.

    Q: In 2017 the last chance qualifier for World Team Trials was May 18. This year Jordan Oliver is suspended until April 29, and notably there is no last chance qualifier scheduled. A few thoughts on this:

    Was this just a clickbait article from Flo? They word it "As of now, there is no last chance qualifier in place for the 2018 WTT." Does this just mean that they did not schedule the last chance qualifier yet? Or does this mean they do not plan on holding one? If they do not plan on holding one I have no choice but to cry CORRUPTION! COLLUSION! CAEL IS BEHIND THIS! BIG CAEL IS BAD FOR WRESTLING!!!

    OK, my Big Cael conspiracy theory could be a bit of a reach. However, not allowing JO to compete for a spot on the World Team after serving his one-year suspension would be a gross injustice. #FreeJO
    -- Jake O.

    Foley: Sorry, but none of the changes to the qualification procedures were led by Cael. (Could you imagine if something similar happened between international federations? Wrestling Twitter would FREAK.)

    USA Wrestling is looking to overhaul their qualification procedures to help increase the visibility of the nation's top freestyle wrestlers during team selection for 2018. Though one of the top wrestlers in the nation at any weight between 61 kilograms and 70 kilograms, USA Wrestling did not intentionally accommodate Oliver.

    This is a good thing. USA Wrestling is making a decision based on many factors, but the date by which an athlete has cleared suspension was not one of them. That might leave Oliver out in 2018, but it is some proof that there is little or no internal manipulations being made in order to accommodate the personal schedules of the athletes looking to make a world team (outside the accepted norms).

    USA Wrestling didn't take Cael or JO into account when deciding to create this series. The larger aim seems to increase the visibility of the events and give more individual attention to the wrestlers in the finals.

    Oh, and I like the new system. I think it's much fairer to athletes who have to wrestle in a qualification tournament.

    Q: Any predictions on Oklahoma State-Iowa on Sunday? I'm especially looking forward to the Nick Piccininni-Spencer Lee match.
    -- Mike C.

    Foley: Nick Piccininni is coming off a tough loss to Sean Fausz of NC State at last week's dual in Italy. I'm not sure where Spencer Lee's fitness is at right now, but it bodes well for the freshman that his first major test is in Carver-Hawkeye against a top-five opponent with a recent loss. Lots of fur flying that night, too, as the Hawkeyes look to rebound from their bad 24-11 loss in January of 2017.

    MULTIMEDIA HALFTIME

    Mom Week in Amateur Wrestling




    Q: After watching some of the Midlands and Scuffle, I agree with those who think that we need to do more to encourage action and discourage stalling. However, as a former referee, I can tell you that this is easier said than done (but it still needs to be done). It probably requires that the secondary referee have responsibility for calling stalling, to let the primary referee focus on his job of calling the match.

    But here's a simple change that is easily enforced that would make NCAA matches more interesting: every time action goes out of bounds, you restart in the neutral position (with no escape awarded if one wrestler was on bottom when they went out of bounds). This prevents a wrestler from earning riding time by taking his opponent out of bounds five times. You'd still need to call fleeing the mat (so the top wrestler doesn't just take his opponent out of bounds to avoid giving up one point on the escape), but I think it's worth the risk to try this out and see how much "gaming" of the system ensues.
    -- Irv O.

    Foley: I like where you are heading with this logic, but I wonder if just getting rid of the riding time point would solve most of these problems. Why is it considered so dominant to lay atop your opponent? If being there provides you no more incentive I think you'd see a dramatic shift in the sport to something with more action on the feet, where coincidentally referees have shown increased consistency in controlling penalties for traipsing out of bounds.

    The problem in college wrestling is there is way too much time spent with general inaction. While I understand the sport's roots as a control-focused form of wrestling, the data overwhelming shows that fans lose significant interest in grappling sports once the action hits the ground. Sports that are forced to be on the ground often (jiu-jitsu, judo, sambo) all have submissions which help encourage defensive actions.

    College wrestling needs to realize that while control on the ground is important, that fans will continue turning off their TVs and logging off their computers if the sport looks like a modified version of human rodeo.

    Q: With the best high school kids seemingly becoming even more elite every year, and more than holding their own on the freestyle/Greco scene, do you think we will ever see a return to letting high schoolers compete against college kids at open style tournaments?
    -- Jared W.

    Foley: The most successful high school wrestler on the college scene was Cary Kolat, who famously finished third at the Midlands while still in high school. However, we do still see some high school wrestlers competing at the college level with some consistency. You might remember that Gable Steveson competed and won an open tournament earlier in the season. Patrick McKee (Minnesota signee) and Alex Lloyd (SDSU signee) have also competed this year while still only in high school.

    As for being invited to Midlands … that has yet to be determined. There might be some insurance circumstances precluding their invitation. The last wrestler I know to have entered was Jason Welch.

    Adam Coon at the Cliff Keen Las Vegas Invitational (Photo/Tony Rotundo, WrestlersAreWarriors.com)

    Q: Kyle Snyder is arguably the best wrestler in the world. Many think he's surpassed Jordan Burroughs and is the face of American wrestling. However, he's giving up size to a very talented Adam Coon. Sure, Snyder is the favorite, but don't you think Coon has a good chance to upset the Olympic and world champ?
    -- Tim R.

    Foley: Lord, no. While Coon is arguably the second-best heavyweight in the nation, I don't think there is much opportunity for him to upset Snyder. The difference in skill level is significant, but where many legends fail is in mental preparation, or taking their task seriously enough and eventually falling behind in the match. I don't see that as an issue for Snyder. Also, I assume that with Ohio State locked in a point battle with Penn State, Snyder's Cleveland performance will be his best ever behind Paris in 2017.

    Q: I know Cleveland hosted the NCAAs in 1998, but how do you think Cleveland will do as a host city for the NCAAs this year? What are you hearing?
    -- Mike C.

    Foley: Host cities do take on a pretty major responsibility when hosting events, but their efforts typically only impact the coaches and wrestlers. The fan experience tends to be controlled by the NCAA, who ensures flow of the program and that all their major bullet points are being realized. That's to say that the organizers have a large, detailed book from which to pull guidance on all aspects of the championship.

    One place where Cleveland will be challenged is in local hospitality. I've been to the area a few times and each experience has been acceptable. The (sober) people are as friendly as you'd want, while the (not sober) bar patrons tend to be a little, let's say, standoffish.

    Overall, I think that it'll be an enjoyable weekend for the sport to celebrate its championship and provide a backdrop for catching up with old friends.]]>    83740Fri, 12 Jan 2018 08:08:18 +0000    Foley's Friday Mailbag: January 5, 2018https://intermatwrestle.com/articles.html/mailbag/foleys-friday-mailbag-january-5-2018-r83676/
    Lee, who is coming off an ACL repair last spring, lost a controversial semifinal match against Ronnie Bresser (Oregon State) last weekend at the Midlands Championships.

    Though a surprising loss, Coach Brands saw something that gave him confidence that Lee could compete in the Big Ten right away. No question Lee is a top-eight finisher at the Big Ten Championships, but can he get the better of Nick Suriano or Nathan Tomasello? How about two or three times in the first three months wearing the black singlet?

    Those are some big questions for the little guy to answer, but Coach Brands (who doesn't get these decisions wrong very often) and much of Hawkeye nation think that Lee can both be the guy at the weight and help their team compete for an NCAA team title with Penn State and Ohio State.

    I'm not certain on either of those points, but Lee's character and now-legendary toughness demands that he be given the chance to make both those things a reality. Lee is a tough SOB and it doesn't benefit Iowa to keep that type of momentum-creating talent locked on the sidelines when he could be center stage leading your program to the podium in Cleveland.

    I like the call.

    To your questions …

    Shakur Rasheed gets his hand raised after winning a Southern Scuffle title (Photo/Sam Janicki, SJanickiPhoto.com)

    Q: Penn State has a good problem at 197 pounds. Coming into the season it seemed like Matt McCutcheon's spot. Then Anthony Cassar emerged as the man. Then Shakur Rasheed ran through Southern Scuffle in dominant fashion. How will Cael and staff handle this situation? When do you think it should be finalized? Who do you see getting the spot?
    -- Mike C.

    Foley: I'm not Cael Sanderson, but you absolutely play the hot hand.

    That said … it's important to consider that Shakur was hitting the same move again and again, something that is concerning when it comes to taking on opponents next week and the week after, and the week after that. Coaches scout, and a cross face cradle, while exceedingly dangerous, is something that most will prepare their athletes to defend.

    Also, I have to assume that Cassar has already figured out the crossface cradle, making it difficult (or at least less certain) that Shakur would squeeze by another wrestle-off, or two.

    No matter what happens, Shakur's performance was legendary and the way it mixes up 197 for the Nittany Lions will force fans to keep a watchful eye on the team's social media accounts.

    Q: Do you worry about the future of the sport that it's turning into a super niche sport? Even in PA it has really taken a nose dive. In the AA class very few teams can now even field a full dual meet team. A common comment being made around the coaching circle is that the kids are either super good or super bad. There is not much in between. It seems like the sport is no longer the lower-middle class sport it was. It is now a middle-upper class sport. Looking at the InterMat high school team rankings and there are not many public schools. It is kind of like basketball with the AAU/catholic schools taking over. The top kids now go to all these club teams like Young Guns in the same way basketball kids have AAU. I see the future of the sport like swimming. A few super great kids. Instead of Michael Phelps and Ryan Lochte, it will be kids like Mark Hall and Spencer Lee. It's only getting worse.
    -- Steve M.

    Foley: Are there definitive rates for forfeits? Are they shown to be increasing? Is there any data on the shift of top talent from public to private school?

    I ask because there is often a visualization of nationwide problems built off a mixture of anecdotes, nostalgia and access to social media.

    Let's assume that there are more forfeits in dual meets, participation is down and that the top athletes are following the top coaches, who are all coaching in expensive clubs and private schools. What is the solution?

    First, we need to promote the two-piece uniform. Next, we need to continue supporting coaches who focus on creating all-around athletes and an enjoyable experience rather than winning a "national championship" for third graders.

    The other component might be to embrace some contraction. Sloughing off 2-4 weight classes would help smaller schools fill out a whole team, and possibly push talented athletes to stay in the public school rather than go chase a starting role on a dynastic program. There are positives and negatives to contraction, but with the correct guidance from our national leadership we could create a culture of competition, rather than one of avoidance or forfeiting.

    Q: Nathan Tomasello is returning to Ohio State's lineup this week. He's expected to wrestle against Maryland on Friday, but sit out on Sunday against Rutgers (Nick Suriano). Does it bother you that Tom Ryan is holding him out against Suriano? Or do you think that is the right move?
    -- Mike C.

    Foley: I have full faith and confidence in Tom Ryan's coaching ability. While I disagree that any wrestler should be held out purely for seeding purposes, it is arguable that an injured wrestler looking to get his mat conditioning back may want ease back into the lineup.

    As an athlete, I was never concerned with seeding (not an issue for a 4-loss wrestler), but I do remember taking matches off after I returned to competition following a knee injury.

    Also, though I sympathize with the contention that athletes should always compete, we do need to recognize that there are simply too many matches in a season. If you go full throttle for five months and rack up 40-plus matches heading into the postseason there is not much chance that you'll be in peak physical or emotional shape come conference and NCAA's.

    Fewer matches and a shorter season would guarantee that more top-level wrestlers are competing in a high percentage of their team's dual meets.

    Cue the NCAA's new single-semester format for the collegiate season …

    Q: The Midlands and Southern Scuffle seemed much more watered down this year, probably in large part because of new events like the South Beach Duals and Oklahoma State vs. NC State in Italy. Do you think all these new events are good for the sport? Or do you think having Midlands /Scuffle stronger is better for the sport?
    -- Mike C.

    Foley: Building on the above post I think that there isn't much chance these tournaments continue as mid-season festivals. With a new single-semester format these midseason tournaments could be re-imagined as an opening weekend for the season. The idea works well if only because it splits the nation well while also allowing to-be-familiar opponents to avoid each other and travel to opposite regions.

    Q: What is the reasoning for all the teams sending backups then scheduling other competitions? For example, South Beach Duals. These tournaments are obviously still incredibly tough, but could definitely have more depth. I mean, I understand taking the holiday season low key and letting the team rest, but it seems these tournaments have lost some prowess. Just an observation. Curious about your insight.
    -- Alex C.

    Foley: Again, college coaches have shifted their thinking about midseason competitions in order to favor periodization for success in March. Top guys can't always maintain the grind for five months, so it falls on the backups to get reps at these winter tournaments. As you mentioned they are often as tough as starters, but it does leave the fan wanting to see the top guys.

    MULTIMEDIA HALFTIME

    Comeback Wrestler of the Year: Jordan Burroughs

    Outstanding Performance of the Year: Helen Maroulis

    Q: Now that we're well into the season, and redshirts are being pulled, who are your predicted finals match and champ at each weight?
    -- Jared W.

    Foley: I'm going to take a pass on answering this question until I see a few more Big Ten dual meets and see just how many redshirts get pulled.

    Q: What are the differences between NAIA, Division I, Division II, and Division III wrestling? Are they able to offer scholarships at all three levels?
    -- Gregg Y.

    Foley: Division I athletes tend to receive full athletic scholarships. Division II athletes can receive full athletic scholarships, but mostly see partial athletic scholarships. Division III athletes cannot receive athletic scholarships. Also, Division I schools must sponsor seven men's sports and seven women's sports, while Division II must sponsor five men's sports and five women's sports.

    The NAIA is a wholly different association of colleges and universities with the ability to grant partial scholarships.

    There is much more to the distinction (and ways to receive a fully paid education) at each level, but in broad terms the amount of athletic scholarship and spending is the biggest distinguisher.

    Q: Maybe I don't understand the rules, but aren't unattached wrestlers supposed to pay their own way to tournaments and have to get coached by a non-staff member? If so, why do they all travel together? Daton Fix would have been better suited going to Midlands and checking out where he is against his two biggest rivals (Spencer Lee and Nick Suriano) than going to Scuffle. Barring injury to Nick Piccininni, Coach Smith isn't pulling Daton's redshirt. Why would he burn a redshirt on maybe getting 3 more team points at NCAAs when his team is at best a third-place finisher this year? It just strikes me as odd that redshirts wouldn't go to the best scenario for them personally. What am I missing?
    -- Anil C.

    Foley: The NCAA changed the rules a few years ago and allows redshirt wrestlers to travel with their team to tournaments. I don't think that the coaching rule has changed. Though, the dumbest rule to have ever existed is regarding redshirts and coaching in that they are not allowed to challenge calls in tournaments.

    That one makes absolutely no sense and was the reason that Spencer Lee was not afforded a challenge against Ronnie Bresser at the Midlands.

    As for Fix wrestling at the Southern Scuffle, I have to think that Coach Smith wanted Fix to get wins under his belt rather than grinding it out for what could have been a fifth-place finish. As you saw, Fix didn't compete and it's unlikely they will pull his redshirt, so the point is mostly moot.

    Q: Any chance that InterMat would put in redshirt athletes into the college rankings? A few thoughts. First, this would separate the InterMat rankings from other rankings. Second, InterMat takes into account NWCA All-Star Classic results, which are not official. Third, wrestlers that are not redshirting their freshman year will be dropped from the rankings for a year and only the die-hard fans go back to look at previous year's results/rankings. Finally, someone who has yet to wrestle a match come January 1 should not be ranked No. 1, while someone who is redshirting but beating ranked wrestlers is not. It might be hard to do preseason/early season. Maybe make some criteria as in a redshirt athlete must beat at least one ranked wrestler prior to Jan. 1, etc. Or even a one-off redshirt rankings. Also, this would only lead to more fan speculation, which in turn results in more fans reading articles
    -- K.K.

    When it comes to criteria for rankings I think that InterMat has been consistent for several years. I'm not on the rankings committee, but having heard the process I think it tends to favor established wrestlers and only takes into account those who are currently in competition.

    Though, I do like your point about creating a discussion for fans and making the redshirt qualification well known.

    Q: Seth Gross is 12-0 with five pins and five technical falls. He often times gets left out of Hodge talk because of Zain Retherford, Bo Nickal, Jason Nolf, Isaiah Martinez and others. What would it take for Gross to steal the Hodge?
    -- Mike C.

    Foley: Is he out of the Hodge discussion? When you put away that many opponents and have a flawless season you are certain to be mentioned.

    From what I've seen Gross is the type of fearless competitor we often see favored for awards like the Hodge. Also, that Gross is the leader of small school making moves and dominating opponents with headline-snatching ferocity gives him the type of emotional edge that's always been with wrestlers like Zain Retherford and Jason Nolf.

    COMMENT OF THE WEEK
    By Keith F.

    First time writing in, and I don't get much time to watch wrestling anymore, but I tuned in so I could watch Spencer Lee. Point blank, college wrestling, and in many respects wrestling in general has got real issues with stalling and using scrambling as a form of stalling. There has to be a discussion to speed up stalling calls and force the offense in collegiate wrestling. Watching Ronnie Bresser wrestle is akin to watching paint dry. There is zero effective offense being initiated over a 6-minute match and it really is painful to watch. If there was a 10 to 20-second mental clock for refs to give a warning for stalling, whether it being attempting to turn on top, improving your position on bottom (and working for a reversal or escape), as well as initiated offense from neutral, action would follow. I also would put an end to exposing your back while technically being in control. I would propose the following:

    1. Takedowns that result from a scramble or counter to someone else's initiated offense are worth a point. It should not be given the same point value.

    (Foley: I strongly disagree on this point. They tried this with freestyle and it was a disaster. The shot clock ended up being the better solution.)

    2. If you are in a scramble situation, whether neutral or in the top position, and you are in an exposed back situation (not one where you have the opponent on his back, like a tilt or cradle) and their back is not, and cannot get off your back in a two count, an escape and restart or back points result. (PREACH!)

    3. If that garbage far ankle defense is continually used with little or no attempt to improve the position, I believe a stall warning should be given.

    It is awful to watch, and the sport is becoming less and less about executions of techniques and more about latching, grabbing and rolling about. Cael Sanderson's wrestlers, much like the man himself, have the right mindset about offensive wrestling and scoring points.]]>    83676Fri, 05 Jan 2018 08:03:49 +0000    Foley's Friday Mailbag: December 29, 2017https://intermatwrestle.com/articles.html/mailbag/foleys-friday-mailbag-december-29-2017-r83635/
    Among the team entries will also be a slew of individual athletes in redshirt, including Spencer Lee of Iowa (headed to the Midlands) and Daton Fix of Oklahoma State (headed to Southern Scufle). Should both wrestlers enter their respective 125-pound brackets the question will be whether their performances will impact the decision to pull their redshirt or keep them in redshirt.

    For Lee, the Midlands bracket is filled with potential challenges, including Ryan Millhof (Arizona State), Sean Russell (Edinboro), Luke Welch (Purdue) and undefeated local upstart Sebastian Rivera (Northwestern). However, no matchup would be more compelling to fans (and Tom Brands) than a potential scrap with No. 2 Nick Suriano of Rutgers. If Lee can scrap past that field, and put a decisive win up against Suriano, it could be the motivation Coach Brands needs to put Lee into the lineup for the Big Ten season. Should Lee fall short, or otherwise underperform, it could give Coach Brands the confidence to keep Lee sidelined until next November.

    Fix, who is coming off a Reno TOC title, will face a field at the Southern Scuffle that includes defending NCAA champion Darian Cruz of Lehigh. Fix won a tight match over NC State's Sean Fausz in the Reno finals. A matchup with Cruz would give Coach Smith and the Oklahoma State staff a much clearer picture on where Fix stands in the 2018 field.

    No matter the immediate outcome, it will be a treat for fans to see how these rising stars fair against the establishment at 125 pounds.

    To your questions …

    Q: I've heard from both Coach Gable and J Robinson who each say that Joe Russell was the best high school wrestler they ever saw. You mention Smith. Joe's brother Dan defeated Smith and was himself a four-time Division II champ and multiple-time Division I All-American. Joe teched him as a high school junior. It's funny, in Gables exchange with me, he says, "I think I know as I've seen them all."
    -- John L.

    Foley: Interesting anecdote! So maybe this is a settled topic?!

    Whenever cross-generational battles are offered up by fans, I'm reminded of something Coach Koll told me a few years ago during a similar discussion. No matter the progression of moves, or the perceived lack of athleticism of one generation versus the next, winners find a way to win. In Koll's theory a winner from one generation would do just as well in any other time period, because the real intangible is attitude, not a specific move or style.

    I'm not sure that's a fool proof theory, but mental toughness and ability to win in adverse situations are certainly factors to consider.

    Q: Like Mark Hall, Pat Smith won the first of his four titles as a true freshman. I believe that Pat would have given a match to Hall in high school, simply because he was training with the great Ronnie James his senior year. Coach James was a four-time NAIA All-American and three-time NAIA champion. He could have been the first four-timer in any division but placed third as a senior. He is the brother of David James and graduated from Del City where he placed third in high school once. He was also my coach and still one of the toughest people I know. But from what I've heard Mark was the best out of all of the Smiths in high school. I always look forward to Friday since I work the night shift and your article comes out. Thank you!
    -- Orlando R.

    Foley: Another cool anecdote! Thanks for reading!

    Q: While watching the dual between Oklahoma State and Wyoming it was hard not to notice how out of shape the Oklahoma State wrestlers looked, when compared to many of the Wyoming wrestlers. This is only a simple observation, so I can be greatly mistaken. However, during an interview, Bryce Meredith stated that he has been on the grind and Dean Heil has been missing in action and that was a contributing factor to Dean not being able to fight until the end and was one of the reasons Bryce was able to break Heil as he put it.

    Many of the Oklahoma State wrestlers have not been competing in tournaments. From what I've read Oklahoma State will not be taking its starters to the Southern Scuffle. Do you believe this will affect their performance come Big 12s and NCAAs?
    -- Uriel C.

    John Smith talks to 125-pounder Nick Piccininni (Photo/Mark Lundy, Lutte-Lens.com)

    Foley: I covered this a bit last week, but I really think that the elevation played a major role in the perception that the Cowboys were in poor shape. I was in Ecuador last week (9,000 to 13,000 feet) and was so oxygen deprived I had trouble sleeping the first few nights. Wrestling -- arguably the most difficult aerobic/anaerobic combo workout in sports -- is certain to drain even the top athletes when put at an elevation with significantly less oxygen.

    I think that every team has their own periodization scheme and Oklahoma State follows one that has always prioritized March and learning early. Coach Smith once said that they spend a majority of the first semester on techniques and drills rather than conditioning and live go's. I'm sure they do a mixture, but focusing on the technical side of the sport has always been a wining method for Coach Smith.

    All the more reason to see how Fix and the backups do at the Scuffle!

    Q: Will InterMat be posting information on options for viewing live or taped Midlands matches? I assume Flo and perhaps Trackwrestling will offer that service.
    -- Russ T.

    Foley: Midlands will be on Flo and BTN Plus.

    Q: I am a huge wrestling fan. I read columns and articles and websites every day. But I am having a hard time understanding this animosity I see in many comments here and elsewhere. Where is it coming from? Obviously, I missed something somewhere, but as a loyal follower and in several cases, paid subscriber, I find this RIDICULOUS. As adult journalists and commentators and website operators -- and followers -- this is coming off like spiteful teenagers harassing each other. I notice that you seem to bear the brunt of this, and I don't know why, but to ALL of you out there -- knock it off. Don't bring this noble sport down by such pettiness.
    -- Nancy W.

    Foley: I agree that the comments section for this article can sometimes be a breeding ground for trollish behavior and comments. As bad as the comments get they haven't quite reached the level of YouTube where even a video of German Shepard puppies can elicit a terrible response.

    The anonymity of the internet and the space between one person and another is so dependable and far reaching that it emboldens the crass amongst our community. For all the talk of faith and goodness in the wrestling community there sometimes feels like an outsized amount of bigotry, hatred and sexism. My hope has always been that it only feels that way because those who harbor these feelings tend to comment more, but sometimes I worry that our community has taken a hard turn toward the hateful and shortsighted.

    If so, there isn't much that you and I can do to directly change their beliefs. The goal, as always, is to inform and entertain, and I will continue to do it without personal attacks or hateful language, and appreciate all the readers who do the same.]]>    83635Fri, 29 Dec 2017 08:13:34 +0000    Foley's Friday Mailbag: December 22, 2017https://intermatwrestle.com/articles.html/mailbag/foleys-friday-mailbag-december-22-2017-r83573/
    Beyond Wyoming's continued progress on the mats one note made by many observers was that elevation in Cheyenne might have played a significant role in the match. While that shouldn't detract from Wyoming's gains, a lack of conditioning did seem to imperil many Cowboy starters, including Dean Heil.

    Nothing can, or should, be done about that advantage, but it is worth baking the elevation factor into any assessments of how Heil will perform in a rematch against Meredith in Cleveland -- a sea-level city.

    To your questions …

    Myles Martin won the Cliff Keen Las Vegas Invitational title at 184 pounds (Photo/Tony Rotundo, WrestlersAreWarriors.com)

    Q: Some wrestling fans seem to be surprised in the jump made by Myles Martin of Ohio State, but not me. The kid wrestled as true freshman and won it, placed fifth as a sophomore in what many thought was the toughest weight class in the country. Not having the benefit of a redshirt and then moving up a class is not the easiest route to take. So what are your thoughts on what you see from Myles this season?
    -- Coach J.

    Foley: You make an excellent point. Moving up a weight class in your sophomore season as a defending NCAA champion is rarely a formula for success. Reading too much into Myles' fifth-place performance as a sophomore would detract from his incredible freshman campaign and a junior season that puts him in the discussion for another NCAA title.

    From what I've seen from Myles there is a noticeable size increase, improved composure and better technical wrestling on the edge of the mat. I think that he's scoring more in difficult spots whereas before too many of his attacks or funky exchanges were going without points.

    I also think that you can't discount the impact of being a vital member of an Ohio State squad that seems determined to win their second NCAA team title.

    Q: A few high school dream matches (below) and your winners?
    -- Jared W.

    Foley: Gable Steveson vs. Steve Mocco: Wow. Initially I wrote that Mocco could control Steveson with little issue, but then I remembered that I was thinking of college Mocco. While I still think that weight might be an issue for Steveson, I think that his savviness and match control would ultimately give him the advantage against the heavier Mocco.

    Daton Fix vs. Cary Kolat: Cary Kolat may be the greatest high school wrestler ever. No matter how incredible Fix is, or will be, I gotta give the edge to Kolat.

    Spencer Lee vs. Eric Guerrero: I don't know that I've seen a lot of Guerrero in high school, but from what I've gathered his speed and agility were something never really seen from high schoolers of the time. I'm a true believer in Spencer Lee and think his mental toughness is second to none. I'd give Lee the nod, but in the tightest match from this whole list.

    Joe Williams vs. Chance Marsteller: Joe Williams is a monster. Nobody beats Joe Williams.

    Mark Hall vs. Pat Smith: Again, I didn't see a lot of Pat Smith in high school, but I think that Mark Hall's positioning and ability to launch effective counters with minimal risk is the best in the country. Too strong, too smart and too tough. Hall has an easy time of it.

    David Taylor vs. Zack Esposito: While Taylor continues to grow as a wrestler (in both the physical and technical sense), I think Zack Esposito was too technically sound in high school. Many of the positions that made Taylor dominant in high school, college and even internationally (defending low singles and crack downs) are where Esposito excels. I'd take Esposito in one match, but Taylor in a best-of-three series since he does seem to learn from his mistakes and make the technical improvements necessary to win.

    MULTIMEDIA HALFTIME

    Snyder's Technique Tuesday


    Q: Any guesses on who Mark Cody might hire on his coaching staff at Presbyterian College? Obviously, he has a lot of connections in wrestling.
    -- Mike C.

    Foley: The first three names that came to mind (not knowing their personal circumstances) were Muzaffar Abdurakhmanov, Steve Fittery and Ganbayar Sanjaa. All three have incredible loyalty to Coach Cody and all three can still get on the mats and improve the technique of incoming wrestlers.

    I think Cody will also need a strong deputy, someone who is willing to dive into a lot of work for little initial return. A leader with a track record of creating a fan base, recruiting wrestlers and overseeing budgets are all going to play a huge part in Presbyterian's success in 5-10 years.

    Q: What do you think about the boy who forfeited to a girl at the high school tournament in Tennessee?
    -- Bill M.

    Foley: I have absolutely zero patience with this kind of patronizing act by a wrestling coach or his school. While I don't know if his glib response was handed to him by a school administrator, or was of his own concoction, but we are well past the point where we dictate to women and girls what they can and cannot do. Kailiena Allen knows the risks of wrestling and has chosen our sport as her life's passion. How dare someone else attempt to make her feel less-than because she was born a woman.

    And for those of you out there who were repulsed by Iran's decision to not wrestle an Israeli wrestler at the U23 World Championships last month, this is the exact same thing. A crappy policy handed down by people who want us all to live in a backwards pastime. It's unacceptable there and it's definitely unacceptable at home.

    Delaware Christian and its coaching staff should be ashamed of themselves to not have challenged whoever, or whatever, helped hand down this decision. That they allowed this forfeit to proceed is disgraceful and tarnishes the reputation of our sport.

    But hey, maybe the real reason they forfeited was because they DID see the larger picture, the one that showed their wrestler getting his ass kicked by a girl.]]>    83573Fri, 22 Dec 2017 07:50:34 +0000    Foley's Friday Mailbag: December 15, 2017https://intermatwrestle.com/articles.html/mailbag/foleys-friday-mailbag-december-15-2017-r83566/
    While the Titan Mercury squad wasn't made up entirely of Team USA's first-string freestyle squad, the guys who made the trip impressed.

    Outside of Kyle Snyder, the biggest eye-opening performance belonged to Kyle Dake who took home a 5-0 record and a total combined score of 53-0 at 79 kilograms. That's a positive sign for Team USA, the defending team champions.

    To repeat as team champions in Budapest next October they are going to need top-level performances from the new weights of 79 kilograms and 90 kilograms. With the new team scoring system there is renewed incentive to get wrestlers into the placing rounds to ensure they stay on pace with the likes of Russia, Georgia and Azerbaijan.

    Dake's path to freestyle success has been checkered with injuries and dotted with disappointing losses to Jordan Burroughs. His chance to grab 79 kilograms and make it his own is well-deserved. He's offensive, punishing and level-headed -- the exact type of wrestler that can (and will) win a world title in 2018.

    To your questions ...

    Gabe Dean coaching at the Cliff Keen Las Vegas Invitational (Photo/Tony Rotundo, WrestlersAreWarriors.com)

    Q: I know Gabe Dean is coaching at Cornell. Is he done competing? I thought I heard he might be, but haven't been able to confirm it. I know he has dabbled in Greco, but he also has a junior world medal in freestyle.
    -- Mike C.

    Foley: I know that he's into crypto currency! From all indications he is taking time to focus on coaching, but I do hope he still competes. I think that he could slot in nicely at 90 kilograms for Team USA in Budapest.

    Q: Why were you so upset about Shoe Gate?
    -- Ryan O.

    Foley: Any behavior by coaches or athletes, which attempts to move the attention away from wrestling and towards telenovela-inspired subplots lacks discipline by both actor and promoter.

    There have been incidents of Russian wrestling parents doing far worse than what we saw last weekend. Here or there coaches and athletes lashing out in a non-wrestling manor, or posturing for what looks to be a physical altercation is intolerable behavior.

    At its root wrestling's purpose is to provide a positive, healthy, and non-violent outlet for young men and women of different races, tribes, teams, ethnicities, SES, etc. to engage in non-striking combat competition. Moving away from that inspiration is never OK, and those who engage in that behavior should be reprimanded, not celebrated.

    MULTIMEDIA HALFTIME

    Two undefeated Iowa wrestlers put it on the line ...

    Link: Video

    Q: "If" Gable Steveson entered the Midlands at heavyweight later this month, how do you think he would do against the field below? Note: I don't think he will enter.

    No. 4 Tanner Hall (Arizona State)
    No. 6 Sam Stoll (Iowa)
    No. 9 Billy Miller (Edinboro)
    No. 10 Youssif Hemida (Maryland)
    No. 14 Shawn Streck (Purdue)
    No. 18 Gage Hutchison (Eastern Michigan)
    No. No. 19 Conan Jennings (Northwestern)
    -- Mike C.

    Foley: I could go match-by-match, but I don't see Gable losing to any of the aforementioned wrestlers, save Tanner Hall who might be able to outwit the young gun.

    Gable has to be granted the benefit of the doubt. He's a multiple-time world champion, undefeated against college competition and only seems to be growing more powerful every week.

    And yes, I agree, I don't think he's entering.

    Q: A potential Nick Suriano-Spencer Lee match could happen at the Midlands. If that happens, how do you see it playing out?
    -- Mike C.

    Foley: Nick Suriano and Spencer Lee matching up at Midlands would absolutely bring some fire back to the winter classic. I remember heading out to the Midlands for the first time as a junior and thinking that I'd never been that cold in my life. Fast forward five years I was living there, but I can honestly say that the Midlands was always a fun, fan-friendly event I loved attending no matter the temperature.

    As for Suriano and Lee on the mats I have to think that Suriano's mat work will give Lee fits. I know that the Iowa redshirt has said his knee is one-hundred percent, but it'll be tested against Suriano who will aim to hold Lee down for as long as possible.

    Working in Lee's favor is the fact he's more wood chipper than teenager. One of my favorite anecdotes about toughness and not showing weakness was Lee's comeback during the finals of the 2016 Junior World finals in Macon. He was absolutely without power and yet kept charging forward. His knees wobbled. His elbows flung inward during head ties. Yet, his face was stoic. Loved to watch every minute of the match.

    I'm still not sure you can get up on wrestling from bottom as a freshman, so I'll take Suriano in a close slug match. However, I think that Lee will one day be considered an all-time great lightweight wrestlers. He's just special.]]>    83566Fri, 15 Dec 2017 07:53:54 +0000    Foley's Friday Mailbag: December 8, 2017https://intermatwrestle.com/articles.html/mailbag/foleys-friday-mailbag-december-8-2017-r83513/
    My friend and former teammate Will Durkee introduced me to the sport in 2010. By 2011 I was attending classes in Chicago, sometimes as often as twice a day. I had missed on-the-mat lessons and the awkward comradery of a wrestling room (wrestlers are odd, but jiu-jitsu guys are next level). Like wrestling, the physical nature of the sport helped break up the day's writing, cleared my head for socializing at night, and gave me the workshop necessary to stay in touch with the physical side of the sports I covered at the time, wrestling and MMA.

    Where jiu-jitsu diverged was that it didn't often reward brute strength over technique, superior timing or micro and macro problem solving. Yes, you could be a goon and slam some 40-year-old banker into the ground, but that only works a few times before you're the one being choked unconscious from a guillotine. The thinking in jiu-jitsu is that of chess, where checkmates aren't dreamed up one move prior to execution, but 5, 6, or even 10 moves in advance. Stringing together a catalog in real time, with errors facing severe and immediate consequence, helped me focus more on finding techniques and philosophies that were most beneficial.

    That's not to say I was not, or am not, a goon. I'm just not as big of a goon as I was six years ago. I still find myself in wrestling positions more than scooting on my butt, but that's a style choice necessary for survival. A tiger is cunning, but it never plays dead.

    I joined Marcelo's as a brown belt two and a half years ago and have made some important improvements, but every training is intense and almost every day some 220-pound Brazilian gorilla is ripping off my lower leg, or some never-tire 140-pound spider monkey spends six minutes on my back. The sport is humbling and has re-instilled in me a respect for executing anything you do with purpose, and focusing on education rather than being distracted by the odd submission, or sweep.

    The more brittle my bones become the more I'm realizing that being in that room is as necessary for my wrestling work as watching YouTube videos of obscure Russian freestyle tournaments. Understanding the mentality of high level jiu-jitsu competitors has given me a new pathway into examining the motivation behind some of the world's top wrestlers and their approach to competition.

    Take for example Kyle Snyder. He has a mentality resembling more jiu-jitsu than the traditional American wrestler outlooks of strength-on-strength and sprint-to-the-hallway in victory and defeat. While Snyder is an absolute savage and physical specimen winning matches in part because of his superior conditioning, the Olympic champion's edge really comes from a mentality that values his own ideas of perfection, more than it does wins and losses. Snyder has been beat, but each time he falters he only gets stronger. Nobody has beaten him twice. Keeping off tilt after a loss is difficult, doing that while also facing down a crowded field of Eastern Europeans is mind-bending. And yet despite the pressure Snyder has told me in interview after interview that he's unaffected by losing because that's not the best barometer of his gains. Losing a match but wrestling really well could mean more to him than winning but being off his timing.

    Jiu-jitsu has lifelong practitioners enjoy a similar mindset. Losing is so commonplace that pride becomes nothing but a dead weight. I'm just a hobbyist, but in sharing space with some of the top names in the sport I have the unique opportunity to converse about these topics with both wrestlers and jiu-jitsu fighters. That, along with the mental exercise it takes to advance in the sport has made this journey to black belt one of the most fulfilling of my life.

    If you've been thinking about joining a jiu-jitsu gym you really just need to do it. Find the gym that suits your needs (location, cost, coaching), research their culture, and then jump in. It's OK to get submitted, it's common to get swept, held down, and beat up a bit. You'll get in better shape, you'll learn more about yourself every day and if you're lucky you'll catch the bug and spend sleepless nights on YouTube researching new moves of watching highlight films of guys like Marcelo.

    So, good luck to anyone who's just starting out and I hope that those guys already in the middle belts stick with the sport. Working towards a black belt has been fulfilling, but I'm excited to begin the next part of my journey on the mats and see what else I can learn about grappling techniques, my ability to stay involved on the mats, and what combat sports means to men and women around the world. Ossssss.

    To your questions …

    Austin DeSanto has a 12-3 record and is ranked No. 6 at 133 pounds (Photo/Juan Garcia)

    Q: Have you watched any of Austin DeSanto's matches this season? If so, thoughts? He hammered Stevan Micic of Michigan in Las Vegas. I could see him really helping to elevate the Drexel wrestling program. Props to Matt Azevedo and staff for landing him.
    -- Mike C.

    Foley: Coach Azevedo did a wonderful job recruiting Austin DeSanto. I met Austin at the BTS New York event earlier this year and found him well-composed, fiery and anxious to compete. The success he is having on the mat right now will only become more common and as he elevates the notoriety of the Drexel program they will attract even more local talent.

    Q: With the recent news of the Russian Federation being banned from the 2018 Winter Olympics, what are the odds that Russian wrestlers will be banned in 2020?
    -- Rocco L.

    Foley: As far as I know there is no reason to think this scandal -- as it sits now -- affects the Russian wrestling team. More information may become available, which could change that approach, but their wrestlers are no longer being tested in Russian labs (none are certified) and they have a combination of in and out of competition testing to face this year and next.

    Again, I don't know what is true and what isn't, but I can plainly see that it looks bad for Russia to have their NOC suspended from the Winter Olympics. The fallout could be anything. We'll just have to see what happens these next six months.

    Q: Love reading your support for the U.S. national teams (freestyle, Greco-Roman, and women's wrestling) but don't you think there should be more coverage on the Women's World Cup from U.S. wrestling sites like InterMat?

    Also, if you're on Instagram and not following @vickivortex (your recommendation), you're missing out. Best USA Wrestling personality on Instagram, by far.
    -- Dylan M.

    Foley: Coverage of the Women's Wrestling World Cup is important, and I'm sure that everyone will take your note into consideration. I was live for the event and it was really difficult to follow if only because of the time difference. Sometimes just waking up is the most brutal part of international wrestling!

    Totally correct about Victoria Anthony and her Instagram! I asked her to take over the UWW account during Beat the Streets LA and people thought she was hysterical and informative.

    Yianni Diakomihalis won the Cliff Keen Las Vegas Invitational at 141 pounds (Photo/Tony Rotundo, WrestlersAreWarriors.com)

    Q: Who wins: Yianni Diakomihalis as a true freshman or Kyle Dake as a true freshman?
    -- Mike C.

    Foley: Yikes! Yianni reminds me so much of Dake that it would be shadow boxing. My gut tells me that Dake is just too savvy on the mats and does a phenomenal job shutting down his opposition's attacks. However, some of that was picked up later in his career. It's possible that Yianni's elevated scrambling could help him finish at least one attack against Dake.

    Still, Dake has always just seemed so strong. Man, I really don't have a confident prediction, but I'm going with Dake 4-2, which includes a riding time point.

    MULTIMEDIA HALFTIME

    Quick highlight film on Marcelo Garcia and his approach to the sport. Fantastic. (Also if you look closely you can catch me wearing a Brazilian backpack)

    One more. Grappling Jesus.

    We talk a lot about the 97-kilogram finals from 2017, but who remembers this … OMG

    Q: Michigan seems to be underperforming a bit this season. Is the ceiling a third-place trophy? Or could they contend with Ohio State and Penn State for the title in March?
    -- Mike C.

    Foley: I'm not sure they are underperforming as much as they had a subpar performance at the Cliff Keen Las Vegas Invitational. Injuries and some early season performance inconsistencies have them on their heels, but this is a season spanning two calendar years. The wrestlers you see today will be wholly different come March in Cleveland.

    That said, I don't see them as a legitimate NCAA title contender. Ohio State and Penn State are too powerful through the lineup and also far too likely to add a heap of bonus points.

    Michigan is certainly in the running for a team trophy, but there are plenty of schools who are ready to compete for hardware: Lehigh, Iowa, Oklahoma State, Missouri and Arizona State.

    Q: Good morning, Mr. Foley. My friend and I have been going to the NCAAs almost continually for the last 15 years (we did miss Madison Square Garden). This is the first year that we have not been able to purchase tickets as they sold out very quickly. We tried about a month or so after St. Louis this year, and found out that they were already sold out. We are beside ourselves, as we think this has the potential to be a great team race this year. I've reached out to my Ohio friends, and they say they are dealing with the same dilemma.

    Do you have any recommendations or ideas about how to procure tickets to this year's NCAAs? We have made all the arrangements, and have hotel, rental car etc., but no tickets. Any ideas you have would be greatly appreciated.
    -- Dave D.

    Foley: Commenters: NCAA tickets to Cleveland. GO!

    Q: Presbyterian College just announced its adding a Division I wrestling program. With Mark Cody leading the program, how quickly do you think he can make them a top SoCon team? And do you think he can do what he did at American?
    -- Mike C.

    Foley: As I think I read on Twitter just now: Where can I buy a T-shirt?

    This is the absolute best man for the job! I don't know what his approach will be, but I know that Coach Cody's discipline tends to find results. While the Oklahoma tenure was less successful, that was a big-time program inherited from a big-time coach. I think that given the opportunity to construct a program exactly as he sees fit will ultimately equate to success. How much success is unclear, but don't be surprised if there are a few junior college transfers to help that lineup get started in 2019.

    Top SoCon team is tougher than ever with Campbell sprinting towards relevancy and Chattanooga always a force. Will be interesting to see what type of success the conference will have in 2020 and beyond.

    COMMENT OF THE WEEK
    By Russ T.

    The Cliff Keen Las Vegas Invitational got some people writing!

    1. Too much tolerance of passivity. I watched many (10-12) tight matches where one wrestler was the clear aggressor and dominated shots and takedown attempts. Despite clear stalling and counter-wrestling by the passive opponent, the officials allowed the passive wrestlers to continue without even a warning until late in the match, typically not until late in the third period. The passive wrestler was allowed to back up, stay on edge of mat, and not take shots. For the good of our sport, we need more assertive officials who will not tolerate passivity. Passive wrestlers need to be warned early and points awarded if the passivity continues.

    2. Coaches abuse and overuse of challenges (notably ASU). A challenge was especially egregious in the Zahid Valencia vs. Bo Jordan finals match. Let me state up front that I admire Valencia's skill and drive. He has also represented the U.S. well in international competition. I also understand why Coach Jones took advantage of the challenge to benefit his wrestlers. Despite all that, this challenge was an embarrassment to fair competition. Valencia led until Jordan began a comeback. At one point as they went off the mat, Valencia literally laid on the mat and did not rise. Jordan was the clear aggressor and Valencia seemed to be gassed. Jordan seemed to have him on the ropes until Jones challenged while Valencia still laid on the mat. I could see absolutely no basis for the challenge. The challenge allowed Valencia a much-needed breather and after a long break he held on for the win.

    Ironically, in the Tanner Hall-Adam Coon finals match, the reverse outcome was repeated for ASU and Hall was harmed by the challenge. Coon led and Hall was staging a strong comeback after taking Coon down. Jones again challenged meaningless action and this time, the break ironically hurt Hall who looked strong and fresh and allowed a gassed Coon to recover. Coon ended up countering a Hall shot to take him down and seal the win.

    Perhaps we need a rule that limits the number of challenges to discourage this kind of misuse and theatrics?]]>    83513Fri, 08 Dec 2017 08:22:34 +0000    Foley's Friday Mailbag: December 1, 2017https://intermatwrestle.com/articles.html/mailbag/foleys-friday-mailbag-december-1-2017-r83133/
    A few interesting points about the World Cup, Team USA and some of the competition:

  • The 48-kilogram weight class features three former world champions in Yui Susaki (Japan), Mariya Stadnik (Azerbaijan) and Sun Yanan (China). Stadnyk has placed at the last three Olympics, while Sun picked up a bronze in 2016.

  • On that note, Victoria Anthony has the most popular video ever on the United World Wrestling YouTube page. Her match against Vinesh of India at the World Championships in Paris has more than 340,000 views.

  • Team Japan is without most of their major stars. The only senior world champions to make the trip are Susaki (48 kilograms) and Mayu Mukaida (53 kilograms).

  • Team Russia is still without 2012 Olympic champion Natalia Vorobieva.

  • Team China is bringing their best team since the Olympics. Many of their national team members missed the 2107 World Championships because it was the same weekend as the annual national tournament. With 1.4 billion people and local pride at stake the heavy hitters stayed back to compete for their local team.

  • Olympic bronze medalist Sofia Mattsson had her first child a few months ago and will be missing this World Cup.

  • Team USA's Adeline Gray is making her official return to the mats. Gray won an exhibition at Beat the Streets LA last month and will look to build on that momentum to help carry her into the 2018 season.

    Group stages are Friday, with the finals starting Saturday morning. You can watch online at Unitedworldwrestling.org.

    To your questions …

    Richie Lewis (Photo/Ben Solomon)

    Q: How surprised were you that Richie Lewis won gold at the U23 World Championships?
    -- Mike C.

    Foley: I honestly didn't know much about him and dismissed his chances when I read the draws. So in that respect I was stunned. However, I think that our college athletes tend to be very aggressive from their feet when they head overseas and if they are fortunate to get a nice win and a head of steam they are tough to slow down.

    Also, while many of the performances were underwhelming, I don't think that U.S. fans should be too concerned. This is a very difficult age category where most of the eastern European countries still have stockpiles of eligible athletes. The team we sent was certainly very talented, but I wouldn't see their failure as anything more than a couple of close calls and tough draws.

    Q: What has been the response to the newly approved high school uniforms (compression top, fight shorts)? Will we see it on the mats this season en force?
    -- Brad A.

    Foley: I hear a lot of complaints about a lot of things, but I have yet to field one about the new high school uniforms. We'll have to wait to see if the NWCA collected any hard data on uniforms in 2017-2018 to make any solid conclusions, but in my experience this will be the wave of the future. There are simply too many benefits to a two-piece uniform and the opposition will start to convert when they see programs with larger, better dressed rosters.

    MULTIMEDIA HALFTIME

    Victoria Anthony's YouTube Match

    Cool highlights from the U23 Championships

    And more ...

    Q: Is Logan Storley as good an MMA fighter as Ben Askren? In your opinion, will he also have an undefeated career?
    -- Gregg Y.

    Foley: When looking at physicality, versatility and pure aggression, Logan Storley is a more compelling MMA fighter than Ben Askren. Also, given his bloodthirsty desire to finish fights he's a marketable star that could make a huge impact in the sport. I'm happy for Askren in retirement.

    I'm as pumped to see Storley develop over the nest 18-24 months as I am Aaron Pico.

    Q: If you could subscribe to one wrestling print publication what would it be? WIN Magazine, Wrestling USA, Amateur Wrestling News or another publication not mentioned?
    -- Frank S.

    Foley: They're all superb! They have lot of content at-hand that many fans would enjoy reading. A bunch of great options. For online content, I'd also check out Five Point Move for the very best information about the Greco-Roman wrestling scene in the United States.

    Q: I'm all on board for the #duals movement that is going on in the high school wrestling world, can you articulate the argument for duals vs. 8 weekends of individual/team tournaments for those that are hesitant to take a "less is more" approach?
    -- Brad A.

    Foley: From a fan perspective it's much easier to follow team results at a dual team event than it would be to follow that of a tournament. Also, if you assume that tournaments only allow for one starter to enter, there is a higher likelihood of your wrestler receiving a full slate of bouts. For the less experienced wrestlers this access to a larger number of matches could prove beneficial.

    Like with the singlets and all changes in wrestling there is a period of time where fans, coaches and athletes don't all agree on the best course of action. However, given enough time to consider any successes of the #duals movement they will gradually change their thinking.]]>83133Fri, 01 Dec 2017 07:47:34 +0000Foley's Friday Mailbag: November 17, 2017https://intermatwrestle.com/articles.html/mailbag/foleys-friday-mailbag-november-17-2017-r83373/
    Enter: The Pin Chain.

    The Ohio State wrestling team first passed around a large Ohio State "O" to 2016 NCAA champion Myles Martin during the match, but it was Olympic champion Snyder's image which went viral, leading to many outsiders, and wrestling diehards, to weigh in on the idea of the Pin Chain in wrestling.

    Of course, the Pin Chain wasn't without inspiration. The undefeated University of Miami football program's "Turnover Chain" has captivated much of college sports. The large, golden (and gaudy) "U" logo is worn proudly around the neck of a player who recovers a turnover. The chain, much like "The U" in general, was met with a range of responses, most commonly a branding of "thugs," or interstellar levels of hype and delight. The former a dog whistle for all those "traditionalists" dolts who linger on the fringes of sport commentary to come down with judgement of player's values and work ethic.

    Normally the crossover between football and wrestling is limited to weekly articles about how our sport can help support the development of their athletes, but with the Turnover Chain and the Pin Chain we saw a brackish mix of culture, race and reflection normally reserved for only football. The Pin Chain and connection to "The U" is a confluence of events that would typically send Wrestling Twitter into a hate-spewing cannibalistic gorge.

    However, for the most part backlash against the Pin Chain was somewhat subdued, nearly underwhelming. There were fans (there are always "fans") who took issue with the originality of the chain, or the need to celebrate winning with anything other than a dead sprint into the locker room. But mostly it was approval. Kind, enthusiastic, positive approval.

    As for Miami? Well, this isn't a column about football, but I'm hoping to see those guys keep celebrating their talents and hard work. Bravo, men.

    To your questions …

    Q: Why do people put too much on the All-Star Classic and the month of November?
    -- @chunkofweave

    Foley: Anytime two of the best wrestlers in the nation wrestle fans will buzz about the consequences. The wrestlers put in a lot of work this summer and I think that in this first match there is at least a little bit of insight into how they developed in the past seven months. The emphasis on the match is really just the celebration of the season returning. The All-Star Classic is a kickoff event that builds chatter and gets us wrestling folk firing off late night tweets!

    Q: This may prove too difficult due to changing of weight classes over the years, but I thought it would be fun. Adding the old 118-pound class to the current weight classes, what would be your all-time NCAA lineup? Mine is below.

    118: Sammie Henson
    125: Stephen Abas
    133: Tom Brands
    141: Logan Stieber
    149: Zain Retherford
    157: Pat Smith
    165: Kyle Dake
    174: Ed Banach
    184: Cael Sanderson
    197: J'den Cox
    285: Kyle Snyder
    -- Jared W.

    Foley: Tough to not have a significant bias for the wrestlers of recent years, but I think that you have a really nice collection of the top wrestlers from a few significant eras. Most of your chosen wrestlers are those with the most titles in the weight category, which is a perfectly reasonable manner by which to weigh them against predecessors.

    As you mentioned, there is some issue with weight classes and the shifting over the years. J'den Cox at 197 and Ed Banach at 174 pounds both have credible cases, but then maybe you should also have Cael at 197 pounds? Not an easy task.

    What are your thoughts on Ben Askren? John Smith? Jake Rosholt? And is Zain really the best-ever 149-pounder?!

    Also, I would put Joe Williams on my list. All-time great.

    San Francisco State coach Jason Welch coaching against Fresno State (Photo/Tony Rotundo, WrestlersAreWarriors.com)

    Q: I always enjoyed Jason Welch's approach to the sport, so it's great to see him as a head coach at the Division II level at San Francisco State. Thoughts on him as a coach? Also, do you think he has aspirations of becoming a Division I head wrestling coach?
    -- Mike C.

    Foley: I'm sure Jason would love to be a Division I head coach, but the San Francisco job was the perfect opportunity to ramp up his CEO skills in addition to refining his mat coaching. Many assistant coaches at the Division I program want to be a head coach someday, but it is very difficult to land one of the jobs, and even more difficult to get one where you can learn all the complexities that go into managing student-athletes, staff and alumni. Going smaller is one of the most effective methods in learning about programmatic leadership.

    Q: Is negative recruiting rampant in Division I? Should Tom Brands/Iowa name names of who is negatively recruiting against them?
    -- @dunkej01

    Foley: The top programs are making the differences in their programs known to recruits. While some schools try to not talk about other schools in a negative light there is always a coach, athlete, alum or stakeholder who spells out exactly what is wrong with another place. What I don't think happens is that someone takes the time to travel to school X and only hears about how terrible school Y is to attend. The negative recruiting is deployed with fewer words -- slight comments meant to show the relative strength of your program to someone else's. This subtle burn is the most effective technique I've seen deployed by top coaches -- enough of the gossip to make you second guess, but not enough to where you think poorly of the messenger.

    They absolutely should name names and tell the stories. I think that wrestling is ripe for some serious accusations of ethical misconduct. The only concern of course is that whoever fires those first shots be ready to absorb a deluge of criticism about that decision and potentially face the wrath of those they've outed.

    Would Tom Brands want to risk damaging his name and that of Iowa wrestling? Likely not. He's a smart guy and he's making adjustments based on new information, but for now he's keeping that three-ring binder close to chest and letting the wrestling community sort out the rest.

    Q: Minnesota is bringing in a strong recruiting class that includes top recruit Gabe Steveson. The Gophers signed five top 100-recruits. It seems like Brandon Eggum is really doing a nice job since J Robinson was fired. Are you surprised the drug scandal didn't set the program back further?
    -- Mike C.

    Foley: I'm not that surprised. Brandon Eggum was always considered a top coach and since what J Rob taught was a system it was repeatable by whoever followed. Would Minnesota have gone outside of the program there was likely to be some shift in their success, and likely downward.

    The drug scandal itself really didn't hurt Minnesota's wrestling image anywhere except on forums and some national media. The wrestling community recognized the issue for what it was and seemed to support J Rob. Maybe the circumstances should have been handled with something closer to bureaucratic perfection, but few seemed to doubt the spirit with which J Rob led and disciplined his team. With his reputation much intact it was easy to see a transition to Eggum being easy. I am surprised that they almost seem to be to performing better since J Rob's firing.

    MULTIMEDIA HALFTIME

    When college signing announcements go slightly wrong (HT Kyle Simmons) ...



    Q: How does someone who hasn't yet wrestled at a weight class this year … or last … end up ranked No. 1 at the weight class to start the new year? Speaking of Nathan Tomasello of Ohio State at 125 pounds. He's certainly likely to end up in this spot in March, but to start the season?
    -- The Doc

    Foley: Rankings are an incredibly difficult job with a lot of moving parts. Most ranking bodies have guidelines they use to make the decision, but there are times when a wrestler moves weight classes that some ranking bodies force them into the rankings to ensure there is some type of human element correcting their previously made objective guidelines.

    Q: I know that technically the All-Star Classic is considered an exhibition match. Some rankings, such as InterMat, considered the matches in their updated rankings this week, dropping Darian Cruz and Mark Hall and upgrading Nick Piccininni and Nick Nevills. One set of rankings ignored the results. What would happen if both Zahid Valencia and Mark Hall run the table this season and go into March Madness undefeated? Who's the No. 1 seed? Will the coaches/seeding committee pretend that the All-Star Classic didn't happen, or will they reward the winner of that match, Valencia, with the No. 1 seed? And this would be pretty important decision with Bo Jordan at No. 3. Speaking of BoJo, he has a lot to say about this. BoJo lost to Valencia last weekend and they could meet again at the Cliff Keen Las Vegas Invitational. BoJo likely faces Hall in both the dual and the Big Ten finals. So maybe things will be clear. But is there any precedent or NCAA guidance for seeding when it comes to All-Star Classic results? And for the record, I think Bo makes it closer with Valencia if they do meet at CKLV, but likely loses again. I think Bo and Mark Hall will again wrestle close matches.
    -- Bob D.

    Foley: The NCAA does not consider the All-Star Classic for NCAA tournament seeding, nor do they consult the polls of any website. The NCAA has their own reliable (objective?) system. You're right that many rankings consider the All-Star Classic. I'm on the side of considering the results in the media rankings, but not in the NCAA rankings, since it might keep some wrestlers from competing.

    Q: Bellator is doing a year-long grand prix heavyweight tournament in 2018. The participants are Quinton "Rampage" Jackson, Roy Nelson, Chael Sonnen, Frank Mir, "King Mo" Lawal, Fedor Emelianenko, Matt Mitrione and Ryan Bader. Who do you see coming out on top?
    -- Mike C.

    Foley: Ryan Bader! He's been a monster of late and has only improved since hitting the Bellator circuit. But don't get too excited. The last time Scott Coker made a Heavyweight Grand Prix it didn't finish because the UFC bought Strikeforce.]]>    83373Fri, 17 Nov 2017 08:25:32 +0000    Foley's Friday Mailbag: Nov. 10, 2017https://intermatwrestle.com/articles.html/mailbag/foleys-friday-mailbag-nov-10-2017-r83313/
    There were plenty of upsets (Zahid!) and weekend heroics (Louie Hayes!) for media to generate and for fans to consume, which made for a nice departure from the humdrum navel-gazing and rabble rousing of Wrestling Twitter. Instead of being a depository for antics and sub-tweets, dormant school accounts emerged from hibernation to provide scoring updates, graphics and yes … GIFs.

    Though I've pulled back from social media in recent months -- the time it took away from daily life hardly seemed worth the minor jolt it gave me to read another personal attack -- this weekend made the service feel valuable. Pertinent, timely information on our favorite schools and individuals made the scrolling feel useful. With all the drivel social media generates and the ghastly personalities it can exalt, it was refreshing to read results and watch match clips.

    Here's hoping (against hope and 280 characters) that the rest of the 2018 is as fun-loving, competitive and informative!

    To your questions ...

    Yianni Diakomihalis wrestlingRyan Deakin at UWW Junior Nationals (Photo/Tony Rotundo, WrestlersAreWarriors.com)

    Q: The 141-pound weight class is deep. Chad Red over Tommy Thorn was interesting. How do you think "The Greek Flash" Yianni Diakomihalis will do this season at 141 pounds? He makes his college debut this weekend at the Jonathan Kaloust Open held at Binghamton!
    -- Mike C.

    Foley: Wait, is that his real nickname? Or are you trying to start something?

    I've seen Yianni compete at a few international tournaments where he controlled the pace against physically stronger opponents from Georgia, Russia and Turkey. He's won world titles and dominated throughout his last two years in high school. Given his training environment at Cornell and his proven track record of success I'm thinking it's likely that Yianni comes away from the Kaloust Open with a title, or high placing finish.

    As for Chad Red beating Tommy Thorn, I'd only suggest that the season is young and that we don't really know if this is an upset, or what we will assume to be an expected result come March.

    Q: Where the hell did Patrick Kennedy come from? Is he a future top five recruit?
    -- @TimmySelenski

    Foley: Kennedy knocked off three nationally ranked wrestlers at the Super 32 Challenge, including two senior prospects well within the top 100 overall recruits, Trent Hidlay and Emil Soehnlen. It's safe to say that if the sophomore wins his second Minnesota state title next March he will be the top junior prospect in the nation.

    Would he stay in state and team up with Gable Steveson at the University of Minnesota? One can only guess until verbals start getting announced … and letters get signed.

    MULTIMEDIA HALFTIME

    Check out the highlight from the BTS-LA event!

    Link: Clarissa Chun names Athlete Role Model for Youth Olympic Games!

    Q: Oklahoma State received two verbal commitments this week from wrestlers who had previously committed to other programs. What do you make of this? Do college coaches continue recruiting even after a student-athlete has verbally committed to a school? Is there anything unethical about that?
    -- Mike C.

    Foley: The landscape of college sports, and the increased lack of reliability of verbal commitments, dictates that college coaches maintain (as they can) continued conversations with verbally committed wrestlers. The coach isn't the one being held to the ethical standard, as he's only offering a better solution.

    College coaches are approaching recruiting like that antiquated, worn-down story of single guys at a bar. There is the "sucker" left talking to a woman without a boyfriend and needing to prove himself better than every other single guy at the bar; and the other guy who chooses to talk up the woman with a boyfriend knowing he only has to compete against that one guy. More or less, this is the new college recruiting … single until you're signed.

    Ethical or not, that's the situation. The realpolitik is that wrestlers either change their minds, see the development of a program's stars on teams they were meant to join, or simply grow and mature into wanting different things. In a hypothetical situation a top 100 recruit commits to a solid Big Ten school, but later finds out that his test scores and grades make him academically eligible (and desirable) to wrestle in the Ivy League. If that wrestler's parents and stakeholders value education they'd probably re-examine what they want out of their collegiate and post-collegiate experience.

    A 16-year-old might not think much about those things, really, until that moment that they do. They are at the age where new inputs come into their orbit and they begin encountering new people and new ideas which may change that original decision matrix. So, whether it's for grades, culture, or wrestling experience there does seem to be substantial reasoning for a high schooler to change their decision without fear of reprisal.

    Q: I thought they passed the rule that allowed college wrestlers the choice not to wear headgear and to have limited facial hair this season? I saw some beards, but see everyone still wearing headgear.
    -- Michael Ca.

    Foley: Big Headgear lobbied hard to keep ear protectors on the heads of 18-22-year-old college athletes. In the end it was an easier political decision to keep them than it was to make them optional. Too bad, since their removal would mean way fewer head slaps, head butts and erratic attacks.

    The facial hair rule was adopted and we should see a reduction in some skin diseases commonly transmitted through face-to-face contact.

    Q: How about all the exposure for college wrestling at last week's Bellator event? That was awesome! Cael commentating ringside for Ed Ruth's fight. How cool would it be for UFC to do the same thing at Ohio State to counter that?
    -- Willy D.

    Foley: The UFC is hosting a Fight Night Saturday night in Norfolk. My guess is that Oklahoma City (though not necessarily Stillwater) could host a decent night of fights. The distance might take away from some of the action. I could've seen a Johny Hendricks, Shane Roller, Daniel Cormier, and Jake Rosholt card earlier in their careers, but that time is well past. Forgiving Roller's retirement and Rosholt not being in the UFC, Hendricks is a former champion and Cormier can sell out major arenas.

    I wouldn't be surprised if Bellator did the same thing again, but this time in Minnesota. Logan Storley is an absolute monster and could help draw a lot of fans who remember him from the mats not too long ago.

    Q: Ohio State wrestles Arizona State on Sunday. I hope we see Bo Jordan vs. Zahid Valencia. It seems like often times coaches rest wrestlers in big matches, which is frustrating as a fan. If the match goes down, how do you see it playing out?
    -- Mike C.

    Foley: Oy. I'd be very frustrated to not see that match, too. It's only November and seeding is so far off that I'd hope coaches could see the benefit of being able to compete against their wrestler's top opponents. The mindset should always be to provide more opportunity for athletes to engage with the best competition. Or simply put, "What would Kyle Snyder do?"]]>    83313Fri, 10 Nov 2017 07:30:30 +0000    Foley's Friday Mailbag: November 3, 2017https://intermatwrestle.com/articles.html/mailbag/foleys-friday-mailbag-november-3-2017-r83280/
    In addition to the men, there will be a women's dual meet taking place simultaneously on an adjacent mat featuring former junior world team members Marina Doi, Kayla Miracle and Mallory Velte.

    For many wrestling fans, the All-Star Classic marks the opening of the collegiate wrestling season. Like the Daytona 500, it's an annual event that draws out some of the top talent in a focused, one-night event and gives fans an initial place to start their discussion about the top rivalries and teams for the 2017-18 season.

    The recent announcement by the Blue Ribbon Task Force that the wrestling season should be contained within one semester aligns with the idea of having a kickoff event. The wrestling season now drags into March both for the athletes and the fans. A well-defined singular semester -- with the NWCA Kickoff event -- would provide fans of all passion levels with a clear season that is easy to follow.

    Wrestling needs dependable calendar events like the NWCA All-Star Classic. We need to know that every year at such-and-such a date we can look forward to a certain type of event, in the case of the All-Star Classic, a dual meet of the top wrestlers in college. But there should be more.

    Wrestling can use the shift in the calendar year to create new events, marketed with the fan and the single-semester season in mind. That growth, along with a continued increase in coverage, should equate to bigger returns for college programs and conferences of all sizes.

    To your questions …

    Q: What are your predictions for the NWCA All-Star Classic?
    -- Fred M.

    Foley: To be honest, I don't know how the new rules will end up affecting the scoring. I'm being conservative and thinking that the "danger" call won't be utilized too often, which should keep scores somewhat consistent with last year. However, if we still get a lot of funk rolls and leg passes then these scores could get much bigger.

    125: Darian Cruz (Lehigh) dec. Nick Piccininni (Oklahoma State), 4-1
    133: Seth Gross (South Dakota State) maj. dec. Stevan Micic (Michigan), 10-2
    141: Kevin Jack (NC State) dec. Bryce Meredith (Wyoming), 7-6
    149: Max Thomsen (Northern Iowa) dec. Matt Kolodzik (Princeton), 5-3
    157: Alec Pantaleo (Michigan) maj. dec. B.J. Clagon (Rider), 11-1
    165: Chad Walsh (Rider) dec. Jonathan Schleifer (Princeton), 6-2
    174: Zahid Valencia (Arizona State) dec. Mark Hall (Penn State), 4-3
    184: Pete Renda (NC State) dec. Drew Foster (Northern Iowa), 9-4
    197: Jared Haught (Virginia Tech) dec. Frank Mattiace (Penn), 9-3
    285: Nick Nevills (Penn State) dec. Tanner Hall (Arizona State), 2-1

    Gable Steveson (Photo/Tony Rotundo, WrestlersAreWarriors.com)

    Q: I saw Gable Steveson is competing at the Daktronics Open against college competition on Sunday. It looks like Minnesota, Nebraska, South Dakota State and others are bringing wrestlers. Any prediction on how he will do?
    -- Mike C.

    Foley: Gable Steveson has proven to be a growing talent. His international successes in freestyle and domination at home in folkstyle make it difficult to conceive of a less-than-stellar performance at any tournament at any level. I don't know what he's weighing in at this week, but assuming that he's headed to compete at heavyweight the biggest obstacle Steveson faces is the extra tonnage of his collegiate opponents, and lack of wrestling from the bottom position.

    The latter may end up being the deciding factor. In freestyle it's moot and in folkstyle there is almost nobody at the high school level talented enough to hold Steveson down. At the NCAA level there is much more talent and experience on the mat.

    Ultimately, Steveson should be able to compete with little issue, but one area he could face difficulty would be taking bottom against a much larger, stronger and experienced opponent.

    Q: I watched some of the Beat the Streets women's event in LA online. What were your takeaways from that event.
    -- Mike C.

    Foley: I was there! The media team from United World Wrestling came out and was a sponsor of the event. We put on the livestream as a way to help them promote to more wrestling fans who otherwise might have missed the action, and even placed it live on Facebook. There was really solid viewership, too.

    Overall, the event was a massive success. Unlike BTS-NY who has put on this type of annual event for several years, this was the first go-round for executive director Yero Washington and president Andy Barth. And it didn't disappoint.

    Having a women's-only event was really special. The growth of the sport has been remarkable, and these women are becoming massive stars in and out of the sport. BTS-LA held the event in Little Tokyo and held all the galas and associated events nearby, which meant lots of interactions between the fans and the wrestlers.

    BTS-LA was perfect and I hope to see them keep a similar format for years to come. Honestly, it was one of the most convenient and convivial matches I've ever attended. Loved it.

    MULTIMEDIA HALFTIME

    The Gilman debacle (1:28 mark)

    Q: Is the new media arrangement between the BTN and FloSports (including Flowrestling) a good deal for wrestling fans? A quick look at videocast schedules for BTN2Go and Flowrestling shows that meets covered by one media outlet are not covered by another. Is the wrestling fan getting worked over here by needing to buy separate subscriptions to see Big Ten wrestling events? BTN and FloSports are presenting this new deal as a positive, but I'm not so sure that's true for Big Ten wrestling fans. It seems like there are fewer scheduled wrestling events in BTN2Go this upcoming season.
    -- Terry O.

    Foley: I can see that you might think there is less service, but I think that wrestling fans will see a much larger ROI when buying subscriptions. In addition to the live coverage they will certainly provide a more robust look at the conference and support systems that might make it easier to follow some of the action.

    Look, I get it that paying for wrestling media is sometimes a bother, but whether Trackwrestling, InterMat or Flowrestling I think that if the wrestling is among your top five watched sports, you are getting great value for the money.

    Q: Any prediction on Michael Bisping vs. GSP this Saturday?
    Mike C.

    Foley: GSP by cuddle.

    Thomas Gilman (Photo/Tony Rotundo, WrestlersAreWarriors.com)

    Q: I'm a lifelong Hawkeye fan, but Thomas Gilman was over the top at the annual Iowa wrestling coaches "Fight Night" on Wednesday. He is making a mockery of wrestling and it gives all of our great state a bad name. I'm not sure why Tom Brands sent him there to represent him. I think Iowa could be the third best team in the state in a couple years. I just want the rivalry to be a classy one. If they add Patrick Downey in January who knows what's next. Your thoughts?
    -- Michael S.


    Foley: I don't know Thomas Gilman's values, but I did hear his words. For the second time since June he's shown himself to be a hateful and immature representative of Iowa and USA Wrestling. His chest-thumping, profanity-laced rant against Doug Schwab, Kevin Dresser, and his own fans was disrespectful to those he attacked and those in attendance. For a member of the national team to act in this way is disgraceful.

    But Gilman got it from somewhere. What's important to recognize is that we, as a nation, are seeing an increase in the validity of hateful rhetoric like Gilman's -- the rejection of "others" as anything other than a mortal enemy. He is surrounded by a culture that increasingly seeks to normalize these voices of rage-filled anxiety. A fear of "otherness" is growing.

    And yet responsibility for Gilman's actions are his own to bear. He seems to suffer from a tribe-centric type of personality disorder, emboldening him to not see the hatefulness in calling a Japanese opponent by a racial slur. It's the same mentality witnessed on Wednesday night in which he flailed and stammered his way through a demeaning assault on honorable men based solely on the fact they to no longer wear the colors of his community. The loyalty to the black and gold being greater than his respect for fellow combatants.

    Gilman won't move past this most recent public disgrace, because he's displayed no signs of humbleness, or a path to growth. He'll wear this behavior around his neck for as long as he's a member of the community; another tragic tale of self-obsession and immaturity. The boy who won some medals, but a man who lost all respect.

    Thought of the Week
    By Chris G.

    Can we have a philosophical discussion about why the NCAA awards team trophies at the individual tournament at the end of the year? Under the current format, a team with 3-4 bonus-point scoring studs could contend for a trophy when the other 6-7 members of their team fail to qualify or make noise at the big dance. The 2014-15 Edinboro team comes to mind, as they had some absolute hammers, but a spotty lineup that yielded some questionable dual meet losses. In my opinion, a "good" team that is balanced is mutually exclusive from a "good" team with lopsided talent, but the current individual tournament struggles to differentiate the two.

    Why can't the individual tournament focus solely on the athletes? I wrestled in New Jersey, and the high school state tournament had (and still does) no team scoring, but still made for some amazing storylines. I bring this up because I support the dual meet tournament idea Blue Ribbon has put forward. The best "team" should include the efforts of the starting 10, not only the efforts of the studs. This format seems to better determine which team is the best. I'm curious about your thoughts and the thoughts of others.]]>    83280Fri, 03 Nov 2017 07:07:59 +0000    Foley's Friday Mailbag: October 27, 2017https://intermatwrestle.com/articles.html/mailbag/foleys-friday-mailbag-october-27-2017-r83230/





    While I'm not much for high school wrestling, I know of these announcements because in addition to signing ceremonies and baseball caps set out, the 2018 class has taken to announcing their college choice with slick social media-ready graphic designs (usually made with the winning school).

    What a world.

    I don't know if I'm creeping into the "get off my lawn" phase of my life, or my subconscious is signaling me to create a new career in conservative talk radio, but the pomp of these announcements and the effort to make them news, looks and feels, well, ill-conceived?

    This is not just sour grapes. When I was recruited to wrestle in college in 1999 the main form of social communication was a cordless telephone and AOL Instant Messenger (RIP). This lack of social promotion meant that my acceptance to U.Va. and invitation to walk-on were not celebrated much beyond a pre-dinner acknowledgment from my father. I was late to commit. I'd gotten into Duke, but preferred U.Va. and was sitting on a deferred admissions list. The news finally came in mid-May, so late that when I went to go tell my classmates most either didn't believe me, or were so checked out that they simply didn't care. I'd missed the explosion of recognition being sent about the schoolyard.

    Today, I am getting Twitter notifications that some 17-year-old will be giving on-air interviews about why he chose his school. I know that I don't care about that, but I also feel pretty certain that when I made my choice my parents wouldn't have listened to my list of reasons.

    On a development side, I think that promotional obscurity helped me to develop in my first year. There was no undue stress of living up to an image (literally!), or fulfilling some on-air prediction of future greatness. I could toil in obscurity .

    Later, in my years as a coach, I found that many first-year wrestlers were similar to me. They needed time to gain confidence, and though I imagine a well-produced image of success could motivate the visual dreamer, it could just as quickly distract a teen in need of less-intense analysis.

    Curmudgeon though I am, I do understand the motivations. These broadcast announcements and social media assets are a fun celebration of a high school kid and the hard work of their formative years. It's also a validation of the time and monetary investment put in by well-intentioned parents. Bragging on your kid is natural.

    Still, maybe it's OK if some parents start to step back and ask if over-glorifying collegiate acceptance is the best message to our young wrestlers. Signing a letter, or making a verbal commitment, is a minor step in a life journey that should include becoming a college graduate, an All-American competitor and solid member of society. There are hard lessons to be learned in college and not all will make it through.

    Let's not celebrate too early. The real work is yet to be done.

    To your questions ...

    Jason Tsirtsis at University Nationals (Photo/Richard Immel)

    Q: Jason Tsirtsis at ASU. Any update on his status?
    -- @Spinks_Mustache

    Foley: It looks like we could learn a lot more this weekend as ASU hosts their intrasquad meet. Tsirtsis is expected to compete at either 149 pounds or 157 pounds. If he stays down he'll have teammates Christian Pagdilao and Josh Maruca to battle, while at 157 Tsirtsis would have to best Josh Shields and Oliver Pierce.

    I'm pulling for Tsirtsis to get back on to the mats and make an impact at the national level. He's an incredible talent and though he's suffered greatly in his personal life -- losing a sister and best friend in the past year -- I think he has the resolve to succeed on (and off) the mats.

    Q: Where can everyone watch the BTS-LA event on Sunday?
    -- @Calusawrestling

    Foley: Right now, the idea is to broadcast it via Facebook and through the normal Livestream channel for United World Wrestling. However, this being an outdoor event and with a major piece of equipment being replaced last minute, I'm nervous about delivering on a dual stream. We're working on the problem all weekend and hoping that it's the first thing you see when you pull up Facebook on Sunday!

    MULTIMEDIA HALFTIME

    Team Japan v. Team USA Women's All-Star Dual Meet!

    Beach wrestling is kinda incredible.

    Q: Have you heard any news on PROWL? When will the first event take place?
    -- Mike C.

    Foley: PROWL is entering a space with plenty of existing competition. As such, they've had a few hiccups in pursuing their original vision and are readjusting their platform to provide more opportunities and visibility. Though that will come at a cost to the athletes they originally sought to support.

    Overall, companies are about the people behind them and the leadership at PROWL is determined to create a successful venture and make a positive impact in the sport of wrestling. That, from where I sit, hasn't changed.

    Q: Did you see the craziness with the ACLU video about the female wrestler?
    -- John F.

    Foley: The ACLU is out of bounds on the manner and nature in which they are describing the issue of women's equality in college wrestling. The video, which made its rounds on social media on Thursday, made it seem as though no female wrestling opportunities were present at all. That's not true, as the NCWA has a women's wrestling league with several affiliated members. There are a multitude of opportunities for women and the ACLU is painting with too broad a brush to make it seem as though women's rights to wrestle are being restricted nationwide.

    However, the particular issue being raised is actually one that deserves some discussion. Can an adult woman choose to compete against boys on a wrestling mat? Should they be allowed to practice? I'm with the ACLU that they should be allowed to wrestle whomever they want, wherever they want and whenever they want. They are allowed to lead combat infantry platoons into war and so it seems they should be able to grapple with men in a controlled athletic environment, full stop.

    If the NCWA feels concern that their insurance premiums are going up then they are welcome to shop for other solutions in order to allow the student to wrestle. They are already in the business of providing opportunities for women to wrestle, so it would seem that this relatively minor adjustment won't be much more than some additional paperwork and a discussion with their insurance provider.

    Women's wrestlers sound off on ACLU claims of discrimination against women by NCWA on Jason Bryant's Mat Talk Online Short Time podcast ...



    Q: Who do you see as college wrestling's villain this season?
    -- Mike C.

    Foley: Pat Downey has such a head start that it would be tough to imagine someone outpacing him for the title of "Lead Villain." Downey is arguably the biggest heel since Johny Hendricks, but I'm not sure he can produce the same results on the mat.

    It's a long season and each of Downey's blustery comments will keep his opponents angry and focused on besting the Twitter-happy rabble-rouser.]]>    83230Fri, 27 Oct 2017 07:27:49 +0000    Foley's Friday Mailbag: October 20, 2017https://intermatwrestle.com/articles.html/mailbag/foleys-friday-mailbag-october-20-2017-r83219/
    As most wrestling fans recognize, Beat the Streets has been the single most successful wrestling charity in the history of the United States. They have helped thousands of young boys and girls pursue wrestling, and not only as means of escaping circumstances, but as a way to cultivate self-confidence and encourage them to pursue their academic and athletic goals.

    The 2017 event in Los Angeles is also important as it is yet another signal into the power of women's wrestling to attract fans and create buzz. There is increasing name identification among wrestling fans worldwide, which means that this event has significance based on their achievements. For a program that started stateside in 1994 the recent growth has been nothing short of inspiring.

    The BTS-LA all-star meet is a powerful moment in the sport's history. I encourage you to watch on Facebook, Livestream and Twitter, but also consider donating to BTS-LA in the ramp up to their gala. These are incredible women helping to represent one of the best wrestling charities on the planet. If you can find $10 or more, please consider donating to this year's gala. You can find the link here.

    Wrestling is the world's oldest and toughest sport. Help our community recognize and celebrate its power to promote positive lifestyle choices and upward social mobility.

    To your questions …

    Q: Iowa State got a commitment from top recruit David Carr on Wednesday. Do they have a shot at the NCAA title by 2022?
    -- Harold T.

    Foley: Kevin Dresser needed seven years to get Virginia Tech onto the team podium. He had little national name ID, was rebuilding a program which saw many of its top stars transfer and operating in a conference that not many high school wrestlers considered a top contender.

    Today, he leads a program which has won a team title and is based in a state which considers wrestling a top-tier sport. Dresser has hired three of the best coaches in the nation, has a building base of support among alumni, and is adored by fans and the media.

    On top of this he is natural leader and an extraordinary coach.

    Can they win it in all in 2022? Yes. Will they? I couldn't bet against the current powerhouses, but make no mistake that Dresser's hiring will signal a significant change to the power structure within NCAA wrestling.

    Win or lose in 2022, Iowa State being a college wrestling powerhouse again is in the works.

    Rob Koll with assistant Mike Grey coaching at the NCAAs (Photo/Tony Rotundo, WrestlersAreWarriors.com)

    Q: I saw InterMat's Division I rankings came out this week. I noticed Cornell is not ranked in the top 25 in the tournament rankings. Crazy to think about considering Cornell was a national championship contender a few years ago. I know they have some very talented wrestlers like true freshman Yianni Diakomihalis (ranked 12th at 141). Cornell has finished in the top 12 every year at the NCAAs since 2002. Where do you see the Big Red finishing in March?
    -- Mike C.

    Foley: The fact that Cornell won't have a top 25 team to start the season, or may not make top 12 as they have for 15 straight seasons, is certainly surprising but it also offers the opportunity to sit back and admire what they have accomplished.

    Before Cornell's success in the early 2000's there wasn't much to indicate that an Ivy League school could compete at the national level year-in, year-out. They did. There wasn't a lot of recent history indicating that an Ivy League school could produce a single national champion, much less multiple-time national champions and All-Americans.

    Cornell made both these ideas commonplace.

    Rob Koll, who has been at Cornell for almost 30 years, coached Kyle Dake to four NCAA titles while simultaneously finding the energy to endow each of the coaching positions on his staff. Oh, and he was the first to have a stand-alone wrestling facility on campus!

    Koll and Cornell have innovated and succeeded for decades. I suspect that despite a slow start to the season, we will be seeing Cornell well within the national top 25 by the end of the season.

    Q: In your opinion, who will be the next four-time NCAA champion?
    -- Gregg Y.

    Foley: Mark Hall is the top pick for wrestler most likely to win four NCAA titles next. He's won his first NCAA title and is heading into the most difficult season as a favorite to repeat. While his opponents are certainly on the mat, Hall's Junior world championship is the type of offseason credential that indicates his considerable offseason improvement. It's tough to discount Zahid Valencia or Bo Jordan, but I like Hall's chances of making it through the difficult year.

    By comparison, I think that Vincenzo Joseph will have a much tougher time converting in his second year on campus with a revenge-focused Imar in the wings.

    Q: Will we see another matchup between Kyle Snyder and Abdulrashid Sadulaev anytime soon?
    -- Don D.

    Foley: As of now Sadualev is scheduled to compete at the 2018 Ivan Yarygin in Krasnoyarsk, Russia. From his Twitter comments it would also seem that Snyder will be in attendance. What will actually happen on the mats is anyone's guess, but Snyderlaev II is something that may actually occur.

    Let us just hope that we can get the stream out of Siberia!

    MULTIMEDIA HALFTIME

    Old USA Wrestler magazines up for the taking!


    Q: What percentage chance do you give each of the top-ranked wrestlers to win the NCAA title in March?
    -- Mike C.

    Foley: See percentages below.

    125: Nathan Tomasello (30 percent). With Darian Cruz and Nick Suriano lingering it's a three-man race for the title. If Daton Fix decides to wrestle that percentage could drop.

    133: Seth Gross (70 percent): Tough, capable and in a relatively open weight, Gross should find Bono's first NCAA champion at South Dakota State.

    141: Dean Heil (85 percent): No reason to think he can't better the competition he's been topping for two seasons.

    149: Zain Retherford (99 percent): Barring injury he's your NCAA champion.

    157: Jason Nolf (99 percent): Repeat.

    165: Vincenzo Joseph (40 percent): Imar is still here and after a disappointing finals performance I'm guessing the Illini star will be coming with new attacks and renewed sense of urgency in 2018. Also, Logan Massa is out there biding his time and could make this a tight three-man race.

    174: Mark Hall (60 percent): Zahid Valencia. Bo Jordan. Tough road and it's still a bit better than a 50/50 chance he repeats.

    184: Bo Nickal (65 percent): 2016 NCAA champion Myles Martin will look to regain his crown and that is a big hurdle.

    197: Kollin Moore (80 percent): Jared Haught and Willie Miklus will have a certain amount of pushback, but Moore has the best training partner on the planet.

    285: Kyle Snyder (100 percent): Only a nuclear winter could prevent a third title for Snyder.

    Q: Is it is better to redshirt your freshman year or wrestle right away?
    -- Gregg Y.

    Foley: There are all types of 18-year-old wrestlers entering their first year on a college campus. Some are primed for the big time, with wide eyes and bad-ass intentions. Others are overwhelmed by the classes, the independence and the rigor of the mat and professorial demands. No matter where a first-year wrestler finds himself the solution for a productive career may be different. The stud may need to sit and the scared, young one may need to start. The options and reasoning are as varied as anything.

    The one wrestler who definitely needs to redshirt is the one with subpar technical skills. The one who can't quite wrestle at that level, but nonetheless finds themselves in a room filled with stellar collegiate talents. I was absolutely one of these kids and while my redshirt journey isn't straightforward I know that the first year on the mats lead to a lot of development on and off the mat.

    Give those less talented the opportunity to grow and those that have the talent the option to face their college career as the coach, parents and student see fit.

    Q: All the national championship talk has centered around Penn State and Ohio State. Does Michigan have a real shot to win the title? The Wolverines have tons of talent!
    -- Mike C.

    Foley: No. I don't see a path to the NCAA title for the Wolverines, but I think that with six-plus All-Americans they have every chance to be third place, or potentially a spoiler for the runner-up spot.

    The biggest issue the Wolverines face in accumulating enough points is sure-fire finalists and bonus points. While their AA total could rival that of Ohio State and Penn State, there doesn't seem to be a guy on the roster who will be a certain finalist, or a certain bonus-point machine. However, if third place seems like a downgrade, it's not. Penn State and Ohio State are loaded. Oklahoma State and Iowa have competitive teams with national finalists on the roster.

    Michigan is in the conversation and that seems like the type of progress programs can use to recruit that next batch of top-level talent.]]>    83219Fri, 20 Oct 2017 06:23:22 +0000    Foley's Friday Mailbag: October 13, 2017https://intermatwrestle.com/articles.html/mailbag/foleys-friday-mailbag-october-13-2017-r83195/
    The day is always exciting for fans, as the talk of potential individual and team national champions kicks in to hyper drive. That is good for the sport -- a conversation about what will come and who will make it occur.

    My favorite part of the first week is sitting back and remembering my journey. Where I started and how I finished seem like worlds apart, but if I inspect my journey it was full of good (and bad) decision making that led to certain outcomes. That review and the nostalgia for friendships and interactions on the mat is potent. I miss the daily workouts, but I probably miss the relationships most often. Collegiate wrestling builds special bonds and I'm grateful for each lifelong friend earned during my five years competing at Virginia.

    I hope that other wrestlers are having that same moment, while also taking a moment to be grateful for everything the sport can offer. Yes, there are things to fix in the sport and inevitably there will be controversy, but I like to choose this first day/week of official practice as a celebration of sorts. A time to remember our friends and everything there is to love about the sport.

    Note: I'm in Switzerland right now finishing up a week of meetings about event coverage and documentaries for the 2018 international season. Though there are some items to still be decided, I think the next 14 months should be the best yet for the sport of wrestling. As I'm traveling, the mailbag will be a bit shorter than normal. Hope you enjoy!

    To your questions …

    Jack Mueller celebrates after beating Joey Dance in the NCAA quarterfinals (Photo/Tony Rotundo, WrestlersAreWarriors.com)

    Q: Jack Mueller of Virginia was fun to watch last season as a true freshman at 125 pounds. How do you think he will handle the move up to 133 pounds?
    -- Mike C.

    Foley: Jack Mueller will go down as the first NCAA champion for U.Va. wrestling and I have some confidence he can pull it off more than once. He has to develop aspects of his game, but his mental toughness is obvious to anyone who watches him wrestle. He has it and won't be denied an NCAA championship. This year? I think he's better-than-average betting odds.

    Q: Who would you consider to be the face of USA Greco right now?
    -- Mike C.

    Foley: Kamal Bey. He's young, dynamic and out for points. He's also quickly becoming the face of where leaders within the sport want to see the sport head. He wrestles a pure style of Greco-Roman with a bit of personality and innovation.

    MULTIMEDIA HALFTIME

    Yui Susaki and Eri Tosaka in practice. Saori Yoshida in the back wiping sweat off the mats!


    Q: Organizationally and institutionally, what led to this 20-plus year U.S. resurgence? Rules, technique, coaching changes? Athlete recruitment/retention?
    -- @nhoughsnee

    Foley: Rich Bender and the increase in capital contributions from major donors. There is an organizational magic at work that is tough to deny. From creating a program that pays for winners, to monetizing events and increasing participation, USA Wrestling has done a phenomenal job of creating an environment where individuals can win Olympic and world medals.

    Daton Fix gets his hand raised after a victory at Beat the Streets in New York (Photo/Tony Rotundo, WrestlersAreWarriors.com)

    Q: You called Daton Fix over Nathan Tomasello at the U23 World Team Trials. I imagine Oklahoma State will redshirt Fix since they have a returning All-American in Nick Piccininni. I realize from a lineup standpoint it might make sense to redshirt Fix, but don't you think it's kind of pointless to sit a potential national champ and keep him in college wrestling for five or more years?
    -- Mike C.

    Also …

    Q: Would you redshirt Daton Fix? I think he should redshirt, bump Kaid Brock to 141 pounds next year. That would be a salty lineup for 2018-19.
    -- @jferg24

    Foley: You don't sit a national champion. I may be proven wrong, but there are plenty of other years (2020) where Daton doesn't have to wrestle in the collegiate season. Let's see him attack the U23's and then the collegiate season. There is little reason to believe he has to take a back seat to someone that it seems he can objectively beat.

    You can't play for the 2018-2019 season when you have someone like Daton Fix. There is something to be said for building teams over a certain number of years, but Fix is starting to look generational and a guy like that -- when put in the spotlight -- can pull in some other big-name wrestlers to join him at Oklahoma State.

    Q: Of the four All-Star matchups announced so far, Darian Cruz (Lehigh) vs. Nick Piccininni (Oklahoma State), Seth Gross (South Dakota State) vs. Stevan Micic (Michigan), Mark Hall (Penn State) vs. Zahid Valencia (Arizona State) and Kollin Moore (Ohio State) vs. Jared Haught (Virginia Tech), which matchup intrigues you the most?
    -- Mike C.

    Foley: Mark Hall vs. Zahid Valencia will give us some particularly powerful insight into Hall's sophomore campaign. There doesn't seem to be any science behind the sophomore slump, but it does seem to be a real thing in college wrestling (Greg Jones). Will Hall avoid a second season letdown? Will Valencia keep showing the improvement that we've seen from him each of the last two offseasons? A very exciting matchup that I won't miss.]]>    83195Fri, 13 Oct 2017 06:17:05 +0000    Foley's Friday Mailbag: October 6, 2017https://intermatwrestle.com/articles.html/mailbag/foleys-friday-mailbag-october-6-2017-r83171/
    Stories sell. Not just for cash, but in views and in cultural significance. While the day-to-day highlight reels that United World Wrestling, Track and Flo put out generate plenty of shares on social media, the media that makes an impact is typically defined by those that connect with something larger than the sport.

    The themes may seem to vary, but tend towards the only seven stories ever told: Overcoming the Monster, Rags to Riches, The Quest, Voyage and Return, Comedy, Tragedy and Rebirth. When a wrestling story can tap into one of these storylines through its characters and not just the action on the mat, there is sure to be significant penetration into mainstream culture.

    The challenge, of course, is to find these stories and to make them into something readable or watchable. Foxcatcher has managed to do that and for that it should be celebrated whether or not it wins on Thursday night, as it was an incredible feat of storytelling that through tragedy detailed the humanity of a person and showed what it takes to be the best at the oldest and greatest sport in the world.

    To your questions ...

    Daton Fix and Nathan Tomasello could meet at the U23 World Team Trials (Photos/Tony Rotundo, WrestlersAreWarriors.com)

    Q: Daton Fix and Nathan Tomasello are both registered at 57 kilograms for the U23 World Team Trials this weekend. If the two meet, who do you predict wins and why?
    -- Mike C.

    Foley: I DON'T KNOW AND IT'S AMAZING.

    Several international coaches have discussed the respect they have for Daton Fix's wrestling style and ability. Ask most and they'll tell you that they expected to see him win the starting job in the USA. Why? Probably the fluidity with which he transitions through positions, but also the incredible speed with which he converts takedowns into multiple points on the mat. Fix is a special, special wrestler and one that could be a winner for the USA at 57 kilograms (along with Thomas Gilman).

    NATO is more straightforward. His strength is his strength, but he also has very crisp, low-risk techniques. You won't find him making many mistakes in a six-minute match, and given a high likelihood that he's in shape there won't be any technical slipups due to conditioning.

    If I have to choose, I very begrudgingly go with Fix, if only because he's a touch more dynamic and might be a better match against the Georgian and Russian wrestlers at the weight class.

    Q: Why would JB compete for an Iranian club against Titan Mercury Wrestling Club?
    -- Ben S.

    Foley: Let's start with a few clarifications since the World Clubs Cup is a bit different than the nation-based World Championships. First, Jordan Burroughs is a member of the Sunkist Kids Wrestling Club and the Titan Mercury Wrestling Club is the only USA club participating in the event. Second, the deal isn't done. Third, the World Clubs Cup often sees many late pickups with wrestlers from around the world being added to rosters with a predominant nationality. Vladimer Khinchegashvili was added to the TMWC roster last year.

    Overall, the idea is for the Iranian club to pay Burroughs some amount of money to compete for them during the World Clubs Cup. The national allegiances are loose (as they are in EPL, La Liga, Bundesliga) and are more about the club and whatever attachment they've created among fans. Titan Mercury has been exceptional in that respect, creating a nice fan base and some major success at the international stage.

    Keep an eye on the story and let's see if it goes through. Should it happen it would be quite the news story.

    Q: I see the Blue Ribbon Task Force came out with recommendations for the college Division I season. I think most of those are worthwhile. Wrestling would benefit from a Blue Ribbon Task Force seeing what realistic changes can be made to increase youth level participation. I have mentioned USA Wrestling in the past as the spearhead for many of wrestling's initiatives. They are the leaders by default in our country. What ideas do you have, Mr. Foley? I would love to see other readers chime in. I love this sport and clearly anyone reading your column does as well. You reach a large audience. Let's get the discussion going. I fear that doing nothing will mean the virtual end of the NCAA tournament, etc. in 20 years. A positive, constructive conversation and realistic recommendations could catch fire. Thank you. Grow wrestling!
    -- Mike S.

    Foley: A Blue Ribbon Task Force for youth wrestling is a fantastic idea!

    In short here are the 8 things I would want to discuss and see if we could implement them into sports programs around the country.

    1. Coed wrestling teams. It's being tested in NYC and has so far proven to be VERY appealing.

    2. Limitation on number of competitive matches before the age of 14. USA Wrestling oversees the large majority of licenses and could implement the appropriate oversight.

    3. Introduction of strict no-head touching until 14. Clubbing, batting, hands in the face.

    4. Creation of a recreational style of the sport that would bring back older wrestlers looking to reconnect, who would then also become technical teachers to younger generations.

    5. The total and complete eradication of the singlet.

    6. Move to put programs in Indian reservations. Not technically just for youth, but I think it is a powerful tool to rebuild tribalism, honor and teach youth the discipline necessary to succeed (and fight for what is rightfully theirs).

    7. Adoption of technique-only training philosophy for wrestlers under the age of 10 years old. Coaching education would need to be broadened and the incentives for coaches changes from winning to something more educational.

    8. Stricter academic requirements for high school wrestlers looking to compete.

    MULTIMEDIA HALFTIME

    Shippensburg youth wrestling coach Bill Wolfe was among those killed during this week's shooting in Las Vegas. Thoughts are with his family and friends. Link

    Helen Maroulis: On the Move

    Ty Walz's biggest fan

    Q: With Chris Skretkowicz resigning as VMI's head wrestling coach, it made me curious to know what the challenges might be with succeeding as a wrestling coach at VMI. Any ideas?
    -- Mike C.

    Foley: In the current Division I coaching climate the biggest separation between programs tends to present itself in funding. Whereas 15 years ago VMI could compete with a handful of All-American candidates, those opportunities are being absorbed by regional powerhouses like Appalachian State and Chattanooga.

    VMI also has an issue of being a military academy, which certainly limits the recruiting process to far fewer candidates. Still, there should be enough talent available for even VMI to pull out some top-level talent from the region.

    Coach Skretkowicz left to pursue a career in another field, and I have nothing but respect for making that transition, even as late as October. We've seen lots of top-level coaching talent move on to different professions -- guys who weren't pushed out, but rather chose to capitalize on their talents in new, more profitable ways.

    Good luck to coach and to the Keydets.

    Q: Do you see youth club wrestling in the U.S. going the way of other youth sports like baseball, soccer, AAU basketball, football, etc.? And do you see the unintended consequences mirroring the other sports where kids will eventually only have access to high-level coaching and competition if their families are willing to pay the cost?
    -- Marcus R.

    Foley: I once believed that the professionalization of youth sports would be wrestling's fate, but as I've seen the next generation of coaches move into positions of power and influence I think the future might contain a better balance.

    The broader sports community has seen the detriment that overtraining and hyper focus can do to the development of a child. There are real consequences seen in their ability to learn a healthy lifestyle outside of the sport, and with too much professionalization many turn away from activity and sport.

    Finally, wrestling is, was and always be a sport with a high percentage of low to middle income participants. The trend in the other sports you mentioned was able to grow because the athletes tended to come from middle and upper-class families -- those who can absorb the financial strain of full-time professional coaching. Though wrestling will continue to see the sport flourish in local clubs, I don't foresee the financial costs exceeding what is payable by the sport's participants.

    Q: Darrion Caldwell headlines the Bellator card on Friday night. Do you think he will beat Eduardo Dantas? Both fighters have been fighting well. Caldwell has one loss in his career, which he avenged. Dantas has won five straight fights, which includes a win over Joe Warren.
    -- Mike C.

    Foley: At some point everybody beats Joe Warren.

    Caldwell needs to stay out of scrambles and force Dantas into half guard when they end up on the mat. Strikes that lead to cage-assisted takedowns are his best option to control Dantas and score significant strikes for damage. Dantas is also lethal from a distance, so when standing Caldwell needs to stay inside or completely out of range -- any middling distance is where Dantas find head kicks, superman punches, flying knees and extended jabs.

    Caldwell can win, but will need to stay disciplined. Will be worth the price of admission.]]>    83171Fri, 06 Oct 2017 06:39:15 +0000    Foley's Friday Mailbag: September 29, 2017https://intermatwrestle.com/articles.html/mailbag/foleys-friday-mailbag-september-29-2017-r83162/
    The changes, as outlined below by Andy Hamilton of Trackwrestling.com, are being presented to the NCAA in the coming weeks, and could be in place as early as the 2019 season.

  • Official practices would begin on or around Nov. 10.
  • Competition would kick off during the semester break.
  • The first half of the season would feature a mixture of duals and individual tournaments leading up to March's conference tournaments and the NCAA Championships.
  • The post-NCAA Championships portion of the season would only consist of duals.
  • The season would culminate with a two-weekend, 16-team dual tournament held on college campuses.
  • The bracket would be filled by conference dual champions and at-large selections.
  • The top eight seeds would each host dual meets on the dual tournament's first weekend.
  • The top remaining seed after the first weekend would play host to an eight-team championship bracket the following weekend.

    In a nutshell, the BRTF hopes to make NCAA Division I wrestling a single-semester sport, while also creating a revamped championship structure focused on end-of-the-year dual meets and separating some from the NCAA Division I basketball tournament.

    The ideas are not altogether new, but this is the first-time recommendations will be presented to the NCAA for implementation. According to Hamilton's article there continues to be spirited debate by the BRTF and plenty of hoops to jump through, but the members seem to all agree that these steps could help student-athletes better assimilate to the academic rigors of college life and create additional revenue for top-tier programs who qualify for the end-of-year dual meet championships.

    Dual meets provide a clear picture of competition for fans who currently sit outside the day-to-day of the sport. The meets are easier to televise, discuss and promote. I'm in favor of the steps taken and think that with more details will come even more support from coaches, athletes and fans.

    Concentrating the season into one semester and creating new ways for fans to watch the sport is a positive for our sport.

    To your questions …

    Rutgers coach Scott Goodale coaching at the Big Ten Championships (Photo/Mark Lundy, Lutte-Lens.com)

    Q: Rutgers has a quality team, but lots of seniors. How many classes away do you think they (or any rising program) are from sustained top-10 finishes?
    -- Anil C.

    Foley: Rutgers is well within reach of a top-10 finish by 2020. With Nick Suriano on their squad and big-name Jersey talent staying in-state they will continue to grab points at the NCAA tournament. In the right year a top-10 finish could be as few as three All-Americans with bonus points. That's very doable for Coach Goodale and Coach Pritzlaff.

    Q: Does wrestling have a race problem? The best U.S. wrestler alive is either Kyle Snyder or Jordan Burroughs, who is black. Yet almost every Division I roster is exclusively white (or at least 85 percent white). As a minority in Carver-Hawkeye it was made very clear that I wasn't welcome by fellow fans. (Although I am Indian, I was asked repeatedly if I was here to blow something up. Security actually asked me to leave when I made it clear to the hick next to me he was one comment away from a trip to the hospital.)

    I can list off five locker rooms right now I know no minority wrestler would feel comfortable in based solely on the public comments of his prospective teammates. Do coaches even care? And if not, how can the sport grow when the highest levels of wrestling aren't exactly welcoming?
    -- Anil C.

    Foley: The United States is going through a challenging time, a nation caught between opposing forces seemingly incapable of agreement on the manner in which we should treat each other. As your question illustrates, the discussions about race and class division is at the forefront of our national discourse. For better or worse, wrestling will also need to address its own deficiencies.

    I'm married to the daughter of Chinese immigrants, but otherwise have little personal insight into the struggle of those in minority communities. I'm a white, middle class American male living and working in New York City. I don't have to worry about being profiled by police or falling into troubling times if I lose my job. My position is one of observer, not experiential.

    For minorities in America there is an emerging "otherness" in the political discourse that has transformed their lives into an ongoing discussion of equality and recognition. For lovers of the American dream it's terrifying to consider that the fabric of the country is being torn apart on racial lines, and some of those affected by this turmoil are wrestlers.

    Listen to Jordan Burroughs on Richard Immell's Bonus Points podcast.

    Wrestling culture is predominantly white, middle class and rural. To your point, there does seem to be members of the community who lack sensitivity to the struggles of minorities, and there is far too much racism on the surface (as you experienced). There is never one match igniting a national controversy, but politicians and the media culture framing and enflaming disputes on everything from flags to crime to immigration are certain to share blame.

    We can all learn from the current discussions around race and equality, but to do so will require an open mind, and more importantly, coming in with the expectation for compassion. Compassion for those that have less, who face difficult circumstances, who have different life experiences. How much of what is bantered about on CNN and Fox News would be eliminated if the commentators gave credibility to the experience and insights of those who aren't white and middle class? Compassion is apolitical, free and helps build communities and help individuals. It can also help the wrestling community to continue its growth.

    We should each aim to protect everything that is American, not just the portions that make us feel nostalgic or safe. America is based on ideals of fairness and freedom. Equality is recognizing that actions protected by the constitution aren't to be discarded for political expediency, or unease.

    I hope that wrestling can see that its role should be to protect those who are less fortunate, not be a symbol of ideals better left in the 20th century.

    Q: What's up with all the decommits at Northwestern? This past week Ryan Karoly announced that he was decommitting, and this was after other top recruits like Michael Beard and Anthony Cassioppi decommitted. Is something going on with Northwestern? Or are the decommits releated to Northwestern's academic standards?
    -- Mike C.

    Foley: Ryan Karoly was unable to maintain grades necessary to get into Northwestern. These offers, especially verbal, are always contingent on meeting certain criteria -- almost like a closing in real estate. There is a time after purchase for everyone to make sure this was the correct decision. Overall, academic issues are not uncommon, especially at school with rigorous academics and admission standards. Karoly will find a new home soon.

    The verbal period can sometimes open recruits up to more intense focus from competing schools. I once heard a coach describe it in terms of picking up girls when he was younger. He said he'd always focus on girls with boyfriends because it reduced his competition from "every other dude in the bar to just her boyfriend." It's a somewhat crass analogy, but that thinking is what guides some coaches, especially those who are desperate to fill holes in their recruiting needs.

    Northwestern is doing just fine with recruiting and even more so with hiring top level coaches to develop their young athletes. Things are looking up for the gang in Evanston.

    MULTIMEDIA HALFTIME

    Link: When athletes share infections

    Nicole Chung penned an essay about speaking to her parents about race in the time of Trump. It's a powerful insight into the fear that many Americans have that their fellow countrymen see white as American and non-whites -- especially Latinos and Asian-Americans -- as others.

    Q: 2006 NCAAs at 174 pounds:
    1. Ben Askren (two-time champ four-time finalist)
    2. Jake Herbert (two-time champ, four-time All-American)
    3. Mark Perry (two-time champ, four-time All-American)

    Perry and Herbert were both three-time finalists, along with third-place finishes.

    Can you think of a better 1, 2, 3 finish?
    -- Smeadium

    Foley: Better? Hmm. Probably not as stacked, but I'd offer up 149 pounds in 2008 for some comparison.

    1. Brent Metcalf (two-time champ, three-time All-American)
    2. Bubba Jenkins (one-time champ, two-time All-American)
    3. Jordan Burroughs (two-time champ, four-time All-American)

    Q: Do you think PSU or Ohio State shuts Iowa out this year?
    -- @Bpaynecpa727

    Foley: You're obviously trying to get me banned from the Freestyle World Cup in Iowa City. It won't work.

    No. Neither of these teams will shut out the Hawkeyes. I don't see much hope of Iowa beating Ohio State or Penn State, but a Brands-led team will never roll over. Iowa should find wins between top-level talent like Brandon Sorensen, Michael Kemerer, Alex Marinelli, and potentially a non-redshirted Spencer Lee. Also, Iowa will always have a Jesse Whitmer on their squad, a guy who with an ass pat and go get 'em could upset any wrestler not named Kyle Snyder.

    Q: Based on the early entry list for U23 World Team Trials, what matchup are you most looking forward to seeing?
    -- Mike C.

    Foley: I'm most interested in seeing NATO! He is a little stiff at times, but I want to see how he handles the international crowd. Also, Imar could do a lot of work for Team USA once he makes it to the world stage. Getting there will be fun to watch.

    I'm also interested in watching some of the Greco-Roman weight classes where I don't know as many of the athletes. Same with the women. It's actually the reason I love the U23 concept -- that we as fans get more access to the next tier of talents who would otherwise do most of their toiling in regional tournaments and in their respective wrestling rooms.

    Q: Do you ever see freestyle replacing folkstyle at the high school and college level?
    -- @Jagger712

    Foley: Never say never, but I'd find it a heavy lift to convince American wrestling fans, coaches and wrestlers to switch from folkstyle to freestyle. One of the many issues a transition would face is the reluctance of the American wrestling community to have rules written by a governing body based in Switzerland. To be beholden to that rule set with no input is simply a non-starter.

    The other major issue would be figuring out when to start that process. Imagine if the years stated was 2020 and a wrestler on the team you support won the 2019 NCAA championship in folkstyle. Seems that nobody would want to see that change.

    Besides, the USA is world champions. Don't change a thing!

    Q: I continue to enjoy your columns. However, I am disturbed by the increasing number of angry and irrational dunces spouting hatred and taking cheap shots at you each week. I oppose censorship but wonder if it would it be possible for InterMat to block inappropriate comments. There have been many since November 2016.
    -- Russ T.

    Foley: Thanks for the kind words. I mostly ignore the hatred of the comments section. I like the dialogue, but you're right that it gets hijacked by a few commenters.

    In that same vein I recently decided to tune out much of Twitter. There was a time when straightening out rules changes, or giving an opinion on some event seemed to do good, but nowadays those instances are becoming rarer. I still read what's being said, but my motivation to fight for truths online has been trampled by another motivation -- the motivation to not deal with trolls.]]>83162Fri, 29 Sep 2017 08:52:55 +0000Foley's Friday Mailbag: September 22, 2017https://intermatwrestle.com/articles.html/mailbag/foleys-friday-mailbag-september-22-2017-r83135/
    Opinions are as numerous as the physical activities that qualify athletes for consideration. This week, Sports Illustrated attempted to tackle the question by rating their top 50 fittest athletes. Overall the sporting news stalwart fared well, including a few outlandish and dubious selections, but mostly choosing the greats within sports to be their poster men and poster women.

    The most laudable of their decisions was to include five-time world (or Olympic) titlist Jordan Burroughs among their top ten athletes. The consideration was decent mainstream publicity for a sport that often gets overlooked during print listicles, but they did the world a favor and chose Jordan Burroughs to be included in their top 50 fittest men.

    While the WWE "Charlotte" did make the list, USA Wrestling's three-time defending title holder Helen Maroulis was left off. The UFC saw a few of its fighters creep on, as did water polo and a half dozen track and field athletes.

    When breaking into the mainstream, wrestling -- especially women's wrestling -- faces a number of biases. For starters, despite the increased media coverage of our athletes and their athletic prowess, disengaged sports fans mostly associate wrestling success with extreme mental toughness and hay-bailing strength. To the commoner, wrestling is still a collection of rapid weight loss techniques, pre-dawn sprint workouts and singlets. The overall athleticism of the sport is minimized by the myopic, tough-guy façade promoted over the last several decades.

    Helen and women wrestlers of her success are still being punished for that failure to properly promote the athletic and healthy nature of the sport. The Skirt Bias, which implies that male administrators (like those in the NCAA) are unwilling to promote women in combat sports, is limiting the sport's sphere of influence in the mainstream. While Helen's Olympic accomplishment was one of the most-watched moments of the Olympic Games, not enough of the story focused on her incredible strength-to-flexibility ratios and technical acumen.

    Wrestling fans and former wrestlers can do something about this stereotype. When peers ask about the sport, or start in with the antiquated assertion about the sport, point them to something positive. Tell them about the techniques required to be successful, or forward them a video of wrestlers like Frank Chamizo performing acrobatics on the mat that are usually reserved for Cirque du Soleil. Go to the United World Wrestling Instagram page and find any number of photos or highlight videos that show our athletes performing stunts in real time that most other athletes would need weeks to rehearse.

    We are the best press agents for our sport and we are the ones who can reverse the biases that have kept us from the mainstream for generations. Show the sport.

    To your questions …

    Jordan Burroughs (Photo/Tony Rotundo, WrestlersAreWarriors.com) and Buvaisar Saitiev

    Q: Jordan Burroughs vs. Buvaisar Saitiev in his prime, who would you pick? Does Saitiev make your list of the five greatest freestyle wrestlers of all time? Does JB make the list?
    -- Andrew F.

    Foley: Burroughs. Saitiev wouldn't be able to handle the level change to a double and would find difficulty in the new rules set keeping his scrambles in bounds. JB's second shot ankle pick and the angles he creates in snatching ankles would give Saitiev absolute fits.

    My top five freestyle wrestlers of all-time: Buvaisar Saitiev, John Smith, Aleksandr Medved, Sergei Beloglazov, Jordan Burroughs.

    Q: It's pretty obvious to me that Jon Jones has been cheating/using steroids for much/most of his MMA career. UFC cracked down on performance-enhancing drugs when USADA was implemented in 2015. Because of that, I consider Daniel Cormier to be undefeated in his career, since his only losses have come to the cheater Jones. Do you look at DC as one of the best MMA fighters ever?
    -- Mike C.

    Foley: Jon Jones deserves to be told the truth. So far it seems few have delivered the message.

    He is not the greatest fighter to have ever lived. He is not special. He is not a hero or a villain.

    Jon Jones is nothing. He has accomplished nothing in his career and any honor he had in risking himself to the cage was so obviously mitigated by his consumption of steroids that it proves almost non-existent.

    Steroids are moving out of MMA and for those that fight clean it means a sport that rewards intelligent training and mental toughness. Jones was doing neither. He only knew how to press harder on the gas, to undermine his future by indulging at full throttle in the temptations of the present. That's not the discipline of a champion, or a hero. That's sociopathic behavior best reserved for outside the octagon.

    Jon Jones is nobody. He's no longer a fighter and he was never a true champion. Jones now has a chance to become someone else, someone new. But Jones has yet to fulfill the idea of success through hard work or satisfaction through delayed gratification. Jones is the hustler playing Three-card Monte on the corner, in search of a quick dollar even as it costs him a lifetime.

    Q: Do you think the United States will have any world champions in U23 this year? If so, who could you see winning a world title?
    -- Mike C.

    Foley: We will have to wait and see who comes out of the World Team Trials next month in Rochester, Minnesota. It would seem likely that some of our college talent may contend for the team, but given the time of the year I don't know which wrestlers will be entering, or who might come out in the end.

    MULTIMEDIA HALFTIME

    The family of Aaron Hernandez announced their intention to sue the NFL for damages after it was shown that the former tight end suffered from severe CTE. He only played 38 games in the NFL.

    Link: 110 NFL Brains

    Q: What percent chance do you give the Gophers of winning the NCAA team title? They seem pretty strong in the lower weight classes.
    -- @tommyselenski

    Foley: 0.1 percent chance.

    Penn State and Ohio State are running way too hot for a third team to be considered. Ohio State has seven All-Americans and three national champions. Penn State has five national champions returning and the ability to put up buckets of bonus points. While Minnesota will be in good shape to potentially finish with a trophy, they would need help and for their lightweights to outperform expectations.

    Joey McKenna (Photo/Tony Rotundo, WrestlersAreWarriors.com)

    Q: Gun to your head, which transfer do you see having the highest 2018 NCAA finish of these three, Nick Suriano (Rutgers), Joey McKenna (Ohio State) or Pat Downey (Iowa)?
    -- Mike C.

    Foley: Joey McKenna has had the least amount of publicity and is entering a team filled with winning wrestlers and a coach who knows how to motivate his athletes. McKenna has always been uniquely talented and if his training situation and personal happiness have been improved by transferring into Tom Ryan's room, I see little reason to think he won't finish in the top three.

    Downey has the potential, but seems he spends a lot of time on the Internet, which can be a massive distraction come the stress of the season. I wish him the best balancing the online world and the heavy hitters of the Big Ten.

    Suriano should place. I just think it might not be as high as McKenna.

    Q: Do you think Iran will be at the 2018 World Cup in Iowa City?
    -- @Stealy_Phil

    Foley: No. The only way that they will be in attendance is if Cuba can't afford to make the trip, but they almost always have made the commitment to attend. I would like to see Iran in the mix, but without them does allow for a year of new nation vs. nation storylines, which can be a positive thing for the sport.

    Q: Aaron Pico has his second pro MMA fight this weekend at Bellator 183. There is significantly less hype now than he had in his debut. He fights Justin Linn (7-3). Do you expect Pico to dominate Linn? Or could we see a competitive fight?
    -- Mike C.

    Foley: I thought we'd see Pico dominate in his first fight and was proven (very) wrong. Pico's standup is something he'll need in the ring, but to win this fight it would be best for him to settle down and try to find an identity as a fighter. With about a minute of in-cage experience the worst thing Pico can do is rush his game plan like he did at MSG.

    The key for Pico will be to soften up his opponent from a distance, cut off the cage, find a clinch against the cage and take the fight to the ground. If he can cycle through that series and feel the various aspects of a live fight I think that he will not only beat Linn, but create the momentum necessary to build a solid career as a fighter.

    Kevin Dresser (Photo/Cyclones.com)

    Q: Of the new coaching hires, which one do you find the most interesting?
    -- @Half Again

    Foley: Kevin Dresser to Iowa State feels like a lifetime ago, but I think his successes and failures will be the most documented and commented on this season. I'm interested to see how the mixture of assistants and young guys come together for big matches. Given his track record, I'm sure that Dresser and his crew will manage the disappointments and encourage the youngsters to stay the course.

    Jason Welch at San Francisco State is also an interesting development. We won't hear much from him or his team for a few years, but if he's able to create a winning formula I think that his personality will be a nice fit should he move up to the Division I level.

    The Paulson brothers at Virginia should also be very interesting to see how they help develop my alma mater!

    Q: Why is everyone under the Titan Mercury banner, along with their own clubs?
    -- @Jagger712

    Foley: They are only wrestling for the Titan Mercury Wrestling Club. However, they may also be repping their Regional Training Center.]]>    83135Fri, 22 Sep 2017 06:44:37 +0000    Foley's Friday Mailbag: September 15, 2017https://intermatwrestle.com/articles.html/mailbag/foleys-friday-mailbag-september-15-2017-r83077/
    The announcement is positive news for the U.S. Olympic Committee and its national governing bodies, including USA Wrestling. Host nations see a considerable increase in the number of medals won when hosting the Games, to go along with expected increases in viewership and ad revenue.

    The IOC also announced that former UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon would lead the IOC Ethics Commission, which would be responsible for instituting ethical controls over a variety of IOC departments as well as interactions with International Federations. The role could even lead to a fundamental restructuring of how IF's are mandated to run their organizations -- a move that FIFA has already committed to achieving.

    Overall, the IOC session (held in Lima) taught the sports community that the antiquated ways of the IOC are being challenged internally and changed through external pressures. There were still disappointments, but overall the organization seems more responsive to the needs of its constituents and willing to tackle issues of impropriety.

    This doesn't mean they are without fault, but it is worth taking this as a marker for future progress. How much leeway will Ban Ki-Moon be given to not only suggest, but implement his ideas? Will a relaxation of the bidding process mean lower costs and better management from the overworked staff at the IOC? Will there be continued enforcement of penalties against members proven to be corrupt?

    I'd like to think we will see this top-down level of responsibility take hold at the IOC and trickle into member IF's. Everyone, including wrestling, could use fresh ideas and goals to achieve in order to ensure that the world's sports are enjoyed by young and old all around the world.

    To your questions …

    Kaori Icho after winning gold in Rio (Photo/Tony Rotundo, WrestlersAreWarriors.com)

    Q: Is Kaori Icho going to wrestle Helen Maroulis at the Beat the Streets Benefit? Say yes … please!
    -- @davidcelias

    Foley: Are you sitting down? I have some news that might upset you. As of now it looks like Kaori Icho is going to stay retired. Helen will be back on the mats, but just when is still uncertain.

    Icho, you may have seen, is in Iran and from the looks of it she's loving her life. The Iranian Wrestling Federation asked her to help teach wrestlers (and coaches) in Iran on how best to lead a women's wrestling program. The two-week experience is a great cross-cultural experience for Icho and a platform for her to learn more about coaching.

    She is looking to travel more often, so maybe she will come to Los Angeles and do a clinic. I've also heard that she's looking for the chance to coach in an English-speaking country.

    Q: Which team has the most fickle fan base (one minute they love you, the next they hate you)?
    -- @jammenjammez

    Foley: Though you might mean "me" as Tim Foley, I'll go ahead and take this towards a more productive, less self-reflective place.

    The team(s) with the ficklest fan bases tend to be those that pop into, and then out of, the top 25. Programs like Penn State and Ohio State have more-or-less cemented their following by producing team and individual national championships. Yes, their fans get upset, but they generally don't lose touch with the program in part because they enjoy the winning.

    Programs in and out of the top 25 tend to see a loss of fans if they aren't creating "first-ever" outcomes. I know that at Virginia there was a time when the fans were very excited and times when they fell off. Currently the attitude is positive and trending upwards with more programs and meet-and-greets for alumni and fans. Still, it's not impossible that a school like Virginia, but one that is currently down on their luck, faces lackluster support from those friends of the program.

    Luckily, wrestling has a tight-knit community that continues to grow and connect online. Programs that are willing to put in the work to "friendraise" can ensure themselves an increase in gift giving through cash, in-kind and even simply time.

    MULTIMEDIA HALFTIME

    Video on the pre-World Championship training camp last month in Finland

    Beauty is a Beast

    One of the best highlight videos you'll ever see …

    Q: With Ohio State getting Joey McKenna and Penn State losing Nick Suriano, can the Buckeyes win the team title in 2018? Do you still consider Penn State the favorite?
    -- Mike C.

    Foley: Yes. Ohio State has the ability to win five weight classes. Penn State has the ability to win five weight classes. Both programs are well coached and trending towards even better 2017-2018 campaigns.

    That I think Ohio State CAN win an NCAA title does not mean that they will. However, Tom Ryan is as good a leader as any in the nation and whoever he puts on the mat will perform. You'd have to give them a 40 percent chance at the title, especially with Iowa buffed up and making the national title a three-way race.

    Ohio State NCAA title contenders: Nathan Tomasello, Joey McKenna, Bo Jordan, Myles Martin, Kyle Snyder

    Penn State NCAA title contenders: Zain Retherford, Jason Nolf, Vincenzo Joseph, Mark Hall, Bo Nickal

    If you add in Kollin Moore as a title contender at 197 pounds then you may even give Ohio State the advantage.]]>    83077Fri, 15 Sep 2017 06:10:41 +0000    Foley's Friday Mailbag: September 8, 2017https://intermatwrestle.com/articles.html/mailbag/foleys-friday-mailbag-september-8-2017-r83078/
    The Suriano saga has many layers, but most of them seem to be built around the idea that investment by the school (Penn State) should preclude Suriano (or like-minded) athletes from transferring and wrestling right away. Justifications for following that logic vacillate between good ol' fashion loyalty to the possibility of coaches forming insta-dynasties and all ideas in between.

    Most of these are scare tactics to keep forced labor in-place despite not answering to their needs.

    For me the answer is simple: An 18 or 19-year-old who is not being paid money for labor should have equal standard of mobility (if not greater) to that of the coach who is being compensated, and independently represented by a lawyer and agent. No athlete given a scholarship for one year of "work" should be forced to take another year off. That's a restrictive and unnecessary term from any real-world employer, much less one that doesn't give you cash.

    I don't think that Penn State is to blame for this situation, nor do I think that they are especially concerned about Suriano moving within the Big Ten. Penn State is going to win more than most other schools because they have a world class coach and a ton of support. What I do think is that Suriano's struggle brought a lot of negative attention to the Big Ten and in the end, they didn't want to see a protracted labor battle fought out in the courts.

    They wanted to move on to football season and making the real money off free labor.

    To your questions …

    Chance Marsteller defeated Anthony Valencia at the World Team Trials (Photo/John Sachs, Tech-Fall.com)

    Q: I see that Chance Marsteller is eligible to compete immediately for Lock Haven. Where do you see him fitting in at 165 pounds with Isaiah Martinez, Vincenzo Joseph, Logan Massa and others returning?
    -- Mike C.

    Foley: Outside chance at an All-American in his first full year back on the mats. Like I've said before with Chance and head wrestling coach Scott Moore, this was a hard-fought decision to return. They are both invested and both looking to capitalize on their success and I see a bright future for coach, athlete and team.

    Q: In your opinion, is Ben Askren the best wrestler turned MMA fighter?
    -- Gregg Y.

    Foley: Ben Askren has had a very successful career in Bellator and now as a champion in the ONE Championship. While I don't think he's a better fighter than a number of wrestlers, I do think that he has been very intelligent about where he fights and who he fights.

    Askren announced this week that the will be taking his last fight later this year against Japan's Shinya Aoki. The retirement should mean that he will end his career 18-0 with a much larger wallet and a lot of questions about how good he was and just how dominant his wrestling-only style could have been against better fighters.

    Read this article by Ben Fowlkes for a better peak into the complicated nature of Ben Askren and his MMA career. Very good read.

    Q: What's the status of Adeline Gray? Do you expect a big return in 2018? Or is she moving on?
    -- Mike C.

    Foley: She's absolutely coming back. I don't know if it's 2018 or later, but I think she's state publicly that she plans to continue to wrestle.

    MULTIMEDIA HALFTIME

    Launching a new pre-finals video for the two-day format. The finals matchups will now have more than 24 hours to get into the mainstream.

    Q: Any word on what Jordan Oliver popped for at the U.S. Open? I still haven't heard.
    -- Mike C.

    Foley: That hasn't been released, but I do know that he has appealed the case and is seeking a reduced (or nullification) of the findings. That doesn't mean that he didn't pop for a banned substance as much as it indicates that there might be circumstances contributing to the test, like a tainted supplement.

    Remember that if he was to be caught at an international tournament the ban would almost certainly have been for four years. This too might extend that long, but could come back at two years depending on the circumstances.

    Q: What are your thoughts on Russia's false claim that McLaren dropped the charges of state sponsored doping?
    -- @jbasehawk

    Foley: God loves a trier?

    This type of misinformation has been center to the Russian propaganda machine for decades and weaponized in the digital age. Not surprising, nor is it especially concerning in terms of international sport. However, in terms of national leaders saying demonstrably false things to justify poor and illegal behavior, Russia is now the JV squad.

    Q: Has the U.S. ever held both the Junior and Senior world titles in freestyle at the same time, or for that matter, held both Junior and Senior world titles in any style at the same time? Also, how exciting will this NCAA season be? I doubt there has ever been more Junior and Senior world medalists in the NCAA at one time. Can you shed light on that as well? Has there ever been more world medalists at one time competing in the NCAA?
    -- Rich W.

    Foley: The USA team won the Senior World Championships in 1993 and 1995, which according to the database were also years that the Junior World Championships didn't occur. The last time they won both would have been 1984, but that must include a massive asterisk in that the Olympics doesn't keep a team score and the USSR and affiliated countries were not at the event.

    As for the NCAA season, I think the excitement is in some part due to the recent uptick in international wrestling attention by the U.S. fanbase. Knowing that the wrestler who wins the Junior world title is the same guy that wrestled your athlete to a 4-3 shootout provides an important marker in the advancement of USA Wrestling. The fact that the USA has so many of these markers and these higher-level results will certainly only to continue to add to the story of these athletes. It's an amazing time to be a wrestling fan, especially one in the United States.]]>    83078Fri, 08 Sep 2017 06:58:59 +0000    Foley's Friday Mailbag: September 1, 2017https://intermatwrestle.com/articles.html/mailbag/foleys-friday-mailbag-september-1-2017-r83081/
    I came away with a lot of impressions, but I thought the following five were the most salient and telling of the team's direction and reason for success.

    1. Thomas Gilman proved he's a legit USA 57-kilogram wrestler for Tokyo 2020.

    While the weight class at the 2017 World Championships lacked some of the depth from previous years, little can detract from the composure and gamesmanship Gilman showed while on the mat. Though he will have plenty of domestic challenges, his knack for finding a way to win in Paris required the type of focus and preparation his opponents seemed to lack. Gilman has some technical deficiencies (finishing single legs), but chugging into the challenging international calendar I think he has capability to keep turning heads.

    2. Logan Stieber (61 kilograms) and Zain Retherford (65 kilograms) will be just fine.

    Stieber and Retherford didn't make the podium, they tended to wrestle well. A better draw for Stieber and a little more clock management by Zain and the duo could have made medal runs at the World Championships. Stieber has proven he has the ability to win overseas, should he have made it past Adam Batirov, Zain was likely to crush opponents in the quarterfinals and semifinals.

    Jordan Burroughs celebrates after winning a world title at 74 kilograms (Photo/Tony Rotundo, WrestlersAreWarriors.com)

    3. Jordan Burroughs never left.

    Just like it was difficult to comprehend the stress Burroughs felt heading into Rio, or the disappointment he endured afterward, it's equally difficult to understand the feeling of accomplishment he enjoyed in coming back to win a fifth world title. Burroughs is not that young, and he's not as quick or mobile as in year's past, but it was evident throughout Paris 2017 that Burroughs could arguably be named the most mentally tough wrestler in the history of USA Wrestling.

    I know that I was inspired, but I can also tell you that my 23-year-old British videographer was ecstatic to see every match in which Burroughs wrestled. Without knowing much about the sport, he migrated to Burroughs' mental toughness and, frankly, badassery, from the first match through the last. The day after the tournament he was looking online to find and buy an All I See is Gold shirt. What separates Burroughs isn't just inherent star power that comes with winning five titles, it's the horsepower he employs in each match and that incredible one-of-a-kind will to win he seems to tap into year after year.

    4. Helen Maroulis is the gnarliest woman on the planet.

    I have to think watching her dominate (and foot sweep) her way to the world title gave the men's freestyle team a boost in their competition.

    All hail the queen.

    5. USA Wrestling is a vibrant, cohesive organization.

    From the president to the executive director to media staff and beyond, every member of the USA Wrestling staff has bought into the idea that they can win at this level. I'm fortunate enough to see a lot of international federations and national teams operate and I can think of none that is as inclusive, willing to accept new ideas and implement game-winning formulas as much as USA Wrestling. The potential of the team at the development level is only made stronger when considering the overall financial and emotional health of the organization. USA Wrestling is absolutely a leading national federation.

    To your questions …

    Q: Which current Junior is most likely to make the Senior men's team next year: Spencer Lee, Daton Fix, Mark Hall, Zahid Valencia, or Gable Steveson?
    -- Irv O.

    Foley: Zahid or Gable since the two new weight classes are in the upper weights (79 kilograms and 92 kilograms) and either give them a direct opportunity to compete, or could draw some competition away.

    While I think that Thomas Gilman is the man for a few years, I think that Daton Fix could be a game changer. After seeing his domination at the Junior World Championships it's tough to remember that he's only entering college.

    Q: How the hell can wrestling build a solid fan base if there is no consistent way to watch It? I have a Flo Pro account, which is stupid expensive and I couldn't watch Worlds on that. Watch all the matches for 10 bucks on Track … No thanks. Available on NBCSN from 3-5:30, oh wait, not available for you. All the matches on YouTube, not available in your country. Seems like I need to buy a different subscription for every major wrestling event.

    I just have to read play-by-play updates, but I hate reading.
    -- Will H.

    Foley: I would have given you a video response, but alas I don't have those resources.

    Look, if you can't spend $10 for 20-plus days of World Championships coverage (180-plus hours), or make your way to a TV with NBCSN or the Olympic Channel, then there isn't much that anyone can do for you. I'd also tell you that United World Wrestling put out a nightly video recap for free and that more than 250 accredited media were on site to share their perspective on the events. Also, add in the 18-plus highlight videos made the SAME DAY by United World Wrestling and the interviews conducted by Track, Flo and USA Wrestling, and there is no excuse for not spending the $10 to watch your favorite sport live.

    Q: What did you make of David Taylor's tweet about J'den Cox? I read it as sour grapes. I don't think it reflects well on Taylor. I have always kind of liked Taylor, but after his behavior at the Trials and this tweet, it feels like he has some growing up to do.
    -- Mike C.

    Foley: I can only imagine Taylor's frustration at seeing Cox's semifinal match. He believes that he was wronged at the Trials, and perceived a lack of urgency in Cox after he was fireman carried in the semifinals. While I don't know if his response was perfect, I can definitely see his motivation and understand his frustration.

    I don't think it's maturity thing, I think this is the result of having two of the world's best 86-kilogram wrestlers competing within the same nation. If I could recommend anything it would be to allow DT a little leniency. He was professionally frustrated and absolutely not a bad person, or immature.

    MULTIMEDIA HALFTIME

    Snyderlaev and Team USA

    Q: What is the reasoning for the weight classes being different between freestyle and Greco-Roman? I never understood why they became different in 2013. Although there aren't that many senior level wrestlers competing in both styles, there are many Junior and U23 wrestlers doing both styles, and it would make more sense to align the weight classes. The new freestyle weights are good. The only improvement I would suggest is changing 74 and 79 to be 75 and 80, and changing 97 to be at least 98. That way the gaps get progressively larger. Lastly, why will there be no 2-kilogram weight allowance on the second day of competition starting in 2019? Why not have just 1 kilogram on Day 2?
    -- Jeff S.

    Foley: I don't have the full rationale of the Technical Commission's choice to alter the Greco-Roman weights, but I don't see any reason that they needed to be the same. There are very few wrestlers competing in both styles and the weight options are pretty close to each other.

    The Junior, U23 and Senior weights are now all the same, too.

    The weight classes look to add more opportunities to the big men. The scientific, technical, referee and other expert committees all weighed in on the categories and found these to be amenable to the most number of countries. This particular plan is a mixture of ideas presented by Japan, Iran and Russia with the support of the United States.

    The idea is to eliminate all wiggle room for cutting weight at the Olympic Games. The athletes competing on the second day will also have several hours to rehydrate and recover before the night's finals.

    Q: Crazy that Russia didn't win a single gold medal at the Worlds in any style. When was the last time that happened? What do you think contributed to that? I have my theories, but wanted to know what you thought.
    -- Mike C.

    Foley: 1951 ... maybe? As I don't think they competed.

    My guess is that they are coming off an Olympic year a little banged up and Team USA is in top form. The gap had been closing for some time at the Junior level and the USA is seeing the results now at the Senior level.

    Q: With the new weight classes, do you think we will see Abdulrashid Sadulaev move down to 92 kilograms?
    -- Mike C.

    Foley: No. Sadulaev is competing for Olympic titles and it makes no sense for him to buffer 10 pounds for three years as others get acclimated to the weight class. He will be just fine at 97 kilograms next year.

    Q: In a recent mailbag you made a comment about Kevin Jackson being the best hire-to-task as developmental coach. I hope you are right. I hope he has found his niche. I'm fearful that you are wrong, because as supreme an athlete and competitor as he was, and as outstanding a man he is, his track record as a program leader is spotty at best. His tenure as national team coach had our lowest output of world & Olympic medals in 40-plus years. He ran Iowa State from legit title threat to laughing stock. I understand there may be more factors contributing to those bad experiences than simply KJ's presence. Maybe he simply has bad timing. I don't know. I hope I'm wrong, but I'm fearful we're seeing the high-water mark in developmental performance in these next couple years.
    -- Sam G.

    Foley: KJ is the man and is absolutely going to thrive in this role. I understand your viewpoint, but his enthusiasm, knowledge of the sport and compatibility with members of the organization and young wrestlers will equate into an enormous amount of developmental improvement.

    I'm a big believer in his impact on the lives of his wrestlers and think USA Wrestling is blessed to have him in that room.

    NCAA ANALYSIS OF THE WEEK
    By Bob D.

    Many pundits on other sites are dismissing Ohio State's chances to challenge Penn State next year with or without Nick Suriano (still in limbo as of 8/24/17). I see it as very close with Nathan Tomasello at 125, Luke Pletcher at 133, transfer Joey McKenna and Ke-Shawn Hayes at 141/149 (both listed at 141/149), Micah Jordan at 157, transfer Te'Shawn Campbell at 165, then Bo Jordan, Myles Martin, Kollin Moore and Kyle Snyder at 174-285.

    Remember, PSU came out of the Big Ten with only two champs before they crushed the field at NCAAs. But even if they win five titles, get a couple of 5s from Cutch and Nevills, and 8 or so from Cortez at 141, that might not be enough to win it. Ohio State could get three titles at 125, 197 and 285, a couple of 2s at 174 and 184, mid-level AAs from McKenna (who's actually a title threat at 141) and Micah Jordan, a low-level AA from Hayes, mid to low level AA for Pletcher, and maybe even a podium spot from Campbell.

    PSU's bonus advantage (returning bonus points) is 8 with McKenna and Campbell on Ohio State's roster, which is not insurmountable. I crunched the numbers and it looks pretty close from my perspective. I see PSU as a slight favorite with Suraino and Ohio State as a slight favorite with Suriano elsewhere. And to muddy the waters, Bo Jordan had two close matches with Mark Hall, each winning one, while wrestling on one foot, Martin is 2-4 vs. Nickal but has beaten him two of the last three (2016 NCAAs and 2017 Big Tens), and Vincenzo Joseph has to navigate Imar and Logan Massa to win again.]]>    83081Fri, 01 Sep 2017 07:29:09 +0000    Foley's Friday Mailbag: August 18, 2017https://intermatwrestle.com/articles.html/mailbag/foleys-friday-mailbag-august-18-2017-r83033/
    A tournament of this size is not about one person (me or you), but it is a closing out of the international season and that should prompt a moment of pre-hangover consideration. The wrestling community rejoices in our service to the sport, but what does that mean in real terms? We are certainly working hard, but for what ends?

    For some the motivation and the desired outcomes seem clear. For Sally Roberts it's creating more opportunities for women to wrestle. For Jordan Burroughs it's winning an Olympic gold medal. For the rest of us? It can often be unclear.

    What is my motivation for the media work I do within the sport? To be sincere, I've felt a disconnect between the amount of work I put into these projects (200 days a year on the road, 115,000 air miles already in 2017) and how it eventually converts to what I want to see in the wrestling community. The growth of United World Wrestling's media operation can be measured by a variety of metrics and analytics, but am I then only caring about the numbers? Do numbers mean a better sport or a more informed fan base?

    On its face, today's media ecosystem is as much about the analytics as it is the content. A GIF of naked Mongolian wrestling coaches would certainly gather a lot of traction or potential "virility," but it doesn't do much to advance the sport, or grow it in the minds of young wrestlers. So then what is the purpose of that post? What motivations allow us to eschew these types of headline-grabbing moments in favor of more complex, but certainly more fulfilling content?

    Inform and inspire. That is my goal for the rest of 2017 and the 2018 season. The analytics will always matter, but unless the content aims to inform or inspire it won't have met the criteria to share.

    Value-driven content and educational tools can make a difference and I think that the World Championships are the right place to start a journey. Fewer of the quick, unfulfilling bits and more focus on the stories, people, and ideas that can improve our sport for future generations.

    To your questions …

    Q: What are reasonable expectations for the U.S. Greco-Roman team in Paris?
    -- Mike C.

    Foley: Though it's tough to measure in the year after the Olympics, I think that the United States' Greco-Roman team has improved in recent years and will also benefit from the recent rules changes.

    No, they can't yet compete for the team title, but it's a reasonable expectation for the team to bring home two medals. I'm hopeful for more, but the reality remains that the number of wrestlers in the United States and the youth-level commitment to the style has yet to catch up to what this team and coaching staff can achieve.

    Victoria Anthony after winning the U.S. Open title (Photo/Tony Rotundo, WrestlersAreWarriors.com)

    Q: I'm a fan of Victoria Anthony and hope she does well in Paris. I have heard so much about Yui Susaki of Japan, so I'm thinking a silver for Anthony might be best-case scenario. Thoughts?
    -- Mike C.

    Foley: First of all, she's the best-ever follow on Instagram. Charming, witty and joyful she is exactly what you want to see in an athlete dedicated to their craft.

    Anthony is incredible on the mat and has about a 75 percent chance to medal should she get in the groove early in the tournament. One issue that has dogged Anthony in the past is giving up position or points late in a match that you'd think she has hemmed up. Maybe that comes from a momentary lack of focus of self-belief, but if corrected she could beat anyone on the planet.

    Head-to-head she matches up well against Susaki, who is still young and doesn't have the strength of Anthony. That said, Susaki is a total killer and the heavy favorite to win the world title.

    I like Anthony's chances better than most of the field, but would have to give an edge to Susaki.

    Q: Is there a reason UWW can't release World draws ahead of time to promote story lines?
    -- Eric C.

    Foley: The main difficulty in creating matchups too far in advance of major tournaments is the shuffling of athletes often done by nations looking to wrestle. A national federation can change their athlete for any reason up to two weeks before the start of a competition. However, after that point they can replace their athletes for medical reasons up until the weigh-in.

    With more information available to NF's there has been a considerable decline in the number of last-second switches made by nations at these tournaments, but it does still happen. I think that the methodology has been to see who shows up and then draw the brackets once they've weighed-in because it means less chance for corruption of the bracket or having to reassign athletes anyway because of no-shows or roster changes.

    The two-day format will actually draw the names the night before the first weigh-in for exactly the reason you state. The athletes will need to check-in first, but from there we should have brackets the night before the first day weigh-ins and then be able to promote for almost three days.

    Missed weights will be treated as a scratch and brackets will not be redrawn.

    Q: Why did the Junior World Championships in Finland start with freestyle, while the World Championships in Paris conclude with freestyle? How is this determined?
    -- Mike C.

    Foley: The local organizer decided the flow of matches and suits it to where they think they can sell the highest number of tickets. I might be mistaken but I'm pretty sure that you aren't allowed to start with women. They have to be the middle portion, or the last portion.

    Though the recent Olympic and World champions from France are in Greco-Roman, there is a lot of attention being paid to the country's freestyle team, which might have prompted the French Federation to have them wrap up the event.

    Finland is crazy for Greco-Roman, hence the scheduling for Junior Worlds.

    Q: If Kyle Snyder and Abdulrashid Sadulaev meet in the first round, will the Internet explode?
    -- Mike C.

    Foley: Yes! I would NOT be happy. I want this to be primetime for all the fans around the world to enjoy. However, if they wrestle first and we know the night before wouldn't that be advantageous to fans who want to be sure to see it live?!

    As bad as an early round matchup might seem it would at least guarantee the matchup goes down. Also, remember that the World Championships aren't only a live event on a limited broadcast. Fans can get the archive on Trackwrestling within moments of the match ending.

    A proper point-based ranking will take a year to build and utilize. It will also require athletes to be in a single weight class for the whole season, but the system -- along with the two-day weigh-in -- should help with promotion of tournaments, athletes and storylines.

    MULTIMEDIA HALFTIME

    Teaser for the 2017 Wrestling World Championships

    These highlight videos will be available every day right after the end of the first session!

    Q: Any thoughts on Bennett Omalu adding wrestling to the "Big 6" sports that kids shouldn't play for concussion related reasons?
    -- Brantley H.

    Foley: Omalu's groundbreaking research in the area has likely undoubtedly saved the brains of many youth football players in America. He's been an advocate for safe play and for nudging those with doubts into sports where head-to-head contact is limited.

    I don't know the way Omalu conducted his study, but likely any concussion numbers used were aggregated from previous studies. I've contended before that there is a bias in those numbers since wrestlers are always in close visual proximity to coaches, referees and doctors while other sports have helmets and distance to shield observation.

    As for wrestling, any observation of wrestling conducted by Omalu would almost certainly be limited to the United States. So "wrestling" isn't the conclusively "no-go" sport as much as the specific American folkstyle wrestling.

    This is an important distinction to create since freestyle and women's wrestling tends to allow much less head slapping of opponents and in general rewards technique over aggression and control.

    As a brief aside, remember that the differences in the styles is meaningful and packed with history. In an earlier mailbag I outlined in detail the growth of wrestling in America from a barnstorming Vermont-based sport more recognizable today as Catch-as-Catch-Can into a submission-free, but control and pain-based style. That history is seen today in such simple things as a collar and elbow tie which derives its name and techniques from the classical style that was brought to Vermont from Ireland, Collar and Elbow.

    American wrestling inherited brutality along with favorite tie-ups, and that brutality has been mythologized and promoted for more than a century as a means of winning in the sport. Think of the sport's most famous images and personas -- hell, even the nomenclature -- and you see a style of wrestling that has been much less about technique and more about legal pain and immobilization.

    With that, you can't expect that many parents presented with knowledge about concussions will be anxious to get their child into the wrestling. The smart parent may put their child into jiu-jitsu where the head-to-head contact is nil and their child learns movements and athleticism which would help them wrestle once they hit puberty.

    In Mongolia, Vietnam, India, South Sudan and the other nations I've visited there is youth wrestling, but their styles aren't demanding of the youth. They're fun, limited and purely for enjoyment of the kids. The adult styles also require very limited head-to-head contact, which is why they might be better suited as a youth sport in those countries.

    The new thinking around wrestling is all the same: less is more. We can teach the kids athleticism, grit and technique without the aggression and they will almost certainly come out just fine as wrestlers and people. The concussions don't need to be part of our sport if we eliminate the idea of brutality and point-scoring aggression.

    There is hope! The next generation of coaches like Andy Hrovat and Reece Humphrey are promoting a type of training in wrestling that is likely to limit these types of head-to-head instances. If I'm fortunate enough to have children and if they want to wrestle at a young age, I'd only allow them if the coaching style was play-based and building athleticism and discipline and NOT learning how to open up a single leg with a head snap.

    Q: Seems like there is traction on women's wrestling becoming an NCAA sport. If this happens, what kind of impact will this have on wrestling in America?
    -- Mike C.

    Foley: Women's wrestling will absolutely explode at the high school level. The numbers of female wrestlers in America are growing now, but with the promise of scholarships and a chance to win an NCAA Division I title as inspiration the women of America will attack these opportunities with the same gusto they did soccer, basketball and hockey. Look at what Olympic status did for women's wrestling worldwide. A total and complete success story, which is helping to prompt this push for emerging status.

    Love this first step and can't overstate my excitement at these girls and women being given the opportunity to enjoy our wonderful sport.

    One step further: What about a split NCAA Division I Championships finals? Half women, half men.]]>    83033Fri, 18 Aug 2017 08:46:13 +0000    Foley's Friday Mailbag: August 11, 2017https://intermatwrestle.com/articles.html/mailbag/foleys-friday-mailbag-august-11-2017-r83005/wild 16-11 match.

    On the penultimate day, Bey (an anonymous name to most casual fans of the sport) put on the single most electrifying Greco-Roman performance since Elmurat Tasmuradov's run to gold at the 2015 Asian Championships in Doha. Like Tasmuradov, Bey competed with an offensive mindset, optimizing his performance by creating angles, pressure opponents and taking chances from over-under tie-ups.

    If Greco-Roman wrestling wanted to create a better, more actionable product it seems that Bey is their spokesperson for the aggressive style of wrestling they are trying to promote.

    Cheers to Kamal Bey and to the USA's success at the Junior level. One can only hope that the senior-level wrestlers bring Bey's score-first attitude with them to Paris next week.

    To your questions …

    Nick Suriano battles Lehigh's Darian Cruz (Photo/Juan Garcia)

    Q: What's your take on the Nick Suriano saga?
    -- Mike C.

    Foley: Assuming everyone involved is telling the truth about their involvement and decisions, then the saga is derived from two questions: Why did Suriano choose to leave? And, why does the Big Ten block the transfer of non-revenue athletes?

    According to what has been stated in the press, Penn State released Suriano to compete elsewhere. Suriano chose Rutgers and the Big Ten (following procedure) withheld his eligibility for one season.

    Why did Suriano leave? No idea and I doubt that anyone who wasn't in that room, or in his head can really tell you why he chose to transfer. One rub is that the idea of transferring is somehow getting a negative wrap. While I'm all for making a commitment to a school, we adults must also realize that when kids make big decisions before their 18th birthday there is a likelihood that they might change their mind. Kids do that. They change their mind.

    One influence -- and I promise you this is a real input for guys like Suriano -- is the draw of New Jersey. Maybe it's the beaches or maybe the pork rolls, but being a wrestler from New Jersey means that you are at a higher risk of transferring back to school in New Jersey, or simply quitting the sport. That is NOT a mathematical fact, but it is an impression I've had since half the University of Virginia roster was from New Jersey and a good quarter of them transferred out after their first season.

    Why does the Big Ten block in-conference transfers? Simple, because that is the policy driven by football and basketball and is thus inherited by the non-revenue sports. The NCAA (and conferences) tend to now distinguish between the sports when making large bureaucratic decisions like setting limits on in-conference transfers. If they started to make those minor determinations it would mean that they are recognizing their financial model and subsequently opening themselves up to possible litigation. Also, passing individual rules for 30-plus sports would be a monster headache.

    Q: Aside from Kyle Snyder vs. Abdulrashid Sadulaev, what is your most anticipated potential matchup in Paris?
    -- MC

    Foley: My most anticipated potential matchup featuring an American, aside from Snyder vs. Sadulaev, is Hassan Yazdani Charati vs. J'den Cox at 86 kilograms. I'd give the early tip of the cap to the more experienced Yazdani. He's been on the international scene for a long time and is coached to game plan for every match. Cox tends to not follow a game plan and is much more likely to be picked off for positional points early in the match.

    In Greco-Roman, Yun Won Chol of North Korea vs. Kenichiro Fumita of Japan. Lights, camera, CRAZINESS for six minutes. This will be Greco-Roman at its finest.

    MULTIMEDIA HALFTIME

    Official teaser for the 2017 Wrestling World Championships

    Yui Susaki is just the best.

    Q: Who do you predict has more college success, Spencer Lee (Iowa) or Daton Fix (Oklahoma State)? More international success?
    -- Mike C.

    Foley: I give Fix the early nod because we have yet to see how Lee will change his on-the-mat tactics post-surgery.

    That said, I think Spencer Lee might be the most mentally sturdy kid I've seen on the mats in the past ten years. He is an absolute superstar of resilience and I can't conceive of him taking many losses, whether at the NCAA level or when mixing it up with the international community.

    Q: Is Cade Olivas still wrestling?
    -- Joe F.

    Foley: Word is that Cade has been retired for the foreseeable future after battling issues caused by concussions. He would have been a gem for Arizona State. Really is too bad.]]>    83005Fri, 11 Aug 2017 11:17:51 +0000    Foley's Friday Mailbag: August 4, 2017https://intermatwrestle.com/articles.html/mailbag/foleys-friday-mailbag-august-4-2017-r82978/
    Sometimes there isn't much to say except, "Wow." The United States has been on the cusp of a breakthrough for several years and it seems the Junior team -- outfitted with some of the biggest names in high school and college wrestling -- was able to prove the USA's system a potent weapon on the world scale.

    There is plenty of credit to be doled out for the freestyle team's recent successes. From individual wrestlers, to personal coaches, to the positive impact of the RTC and even the advent of more international wrestling on computers everyone can grab a share of the spotlight. But when you balance the performance of the senior team at the 2016 World Championships with the full senior team's performance in Spain and their technical acumen at the World Team Trials you need give significant credit to Bill Zadick. He knows the wrestlers, understands peaking for major tournaments and has so far proven to have a positive influence on the athletes.

    Team USA will face tough competition in Paris, but when analyzing their support system and entrenched leadership they have proven to have a distinct advantage over the rest of the world. I for one am looking forward to seeing how it all shakes out in the City of Lights.

    To your questions …

    Junior world champs Mark Hall, Daton Fix and Gable Steveson (Photo/Richard Immel)

    Q: Do you see Mark Hall, Daton Fix or Gable Steveson challenging for a spot on the U.S. World Team as early as next year?
    -- Mike C.

    Foley: Mark Hall, Daton Fix and Gable Steveson each wrestled well this week in Finland, beating competitors who were former age-level world medalists. Winning a Junior world title is a massive accomplishment and their technical skills showed little difference with that of the nation's top athletes.

    I think all three will challenge for spots on the U.S. World Team, partly because there will be 10 weights and partly because they've shown the capacity to win big matches.

    The future of the USA freestyle team looks very bright.

    Q: What has been your biggest takeaway from the Junior World Championships?
    -- Mike C.

    Foley: After three days I think it's as obvious now as it has been the last few years that our developmental program has favored freestyle wrestlers. The women's team probably performed to expectations yesterday, but I'd like to see some improvements in their quality of wrestling.

    The next few years could be big for the women's program. My hope is that as the top-level women retire that they move into a combination of roles, mostly as coaches and ambassadors. Second, I think that an increase in visibility will bring more young athletes into the mix and allow for better youth development through skills training and access to adequate competition.

    As for the men, we are seeing what happens with the input of RTC and the addition of a world-calls developmental coach in Kevin Jackson (arguably one of the best hires-to-task I can remember).

    Q: There has been a lot of emphasis on the U.S. Junior world team title being the first since 1984. Who was on the 1984 team and how did they fare at the senior level?
    -- Ryan R.

    Foley: There should be a slight asterisk by the 1984 team title for the United States … the USSR did not attend the tournament (held in Washington) as did no other communist country.

    That out of the way, the team was tough and headlined most notably by Ken Chertow and John Fisher who each won individual gold. Also taking gold was my college coach Lenny Bernstein, who later went on to be an All-American for North Carolina before a 13-year career as head wrestling coach at the University of Virginia.

    Q: What do you think of Kyle Crutchmer and his move to California to start an MMA career? Do you think he will be successful as other wrestlers have in MMA?
    -- Gregg Y.

    Foley: Kyle will be very successful in MMA. He seems to have the right mentality, has surrounded himself with a winning program and is a natural athlete. If he picks up jiu-jitsu and works on striking (as he will) then there is no reason to think he won't make his way into a marquee promotion within the next 24 months. Very bright future.

    MULTIMEDIA HALFTIME

    Mark Hall -- RISING

    Behind the Scenes with Team USA at Junior Worlds

    Highlights from Day 2 at Junior World Championships

    Q: It's interesting that Grace Bullen is coming to America and wrestling in college. How do you think she will develop over the next few years in the United States?
    -- Mike C.

    Foley: Wrestling in the United States will give Grace access to a lot more top-level wrestling than she is currently enjoying in Norway. Grace is a mat rat who chases down tournaments around the world. Just yesterday she finished third at the Junior World Championships and will also be wrestling in three weeks at the Senior World Championships. One thing she's lacking is a diversity of training partners and good, technical coaching. Competition aside, her ability to train with college teammates and have constant access to technical advice will convert to huge gains for the Norwegian youngster.

    Q: Any news on where any of the Boise State wrestlers have gone? I think the only one I know of is Fred Green going to Virginia.
    -- Spencer S.

    Foley: Fred Green seems to be the only transfer noted, though I was recently told a few of the wrestlers may look to join up with Fresno State.

    Q: What's next for Daniel Cormier after losing to Jon Jones for the second time?
    -- Mike C.

    Foley: My hope is that Cormier retires. There is a lot that can be said about his career and that ending on a loss is less-than-desirable, but in my eyes I see no reason to take the punishment. He's edging towards 40, has a beautiful family and is one of the most popular studio analysts in the sport -- I don't think he has anything left to prove to fans.

    I'd recommend this article by Greg Howard, which I think best captured Cormier's choices for the future …

    Q: There has been talk of a potential Jon Jones vs. Brock Lesnar fight. How do you think that would play out?
    -- Mike C.

    Foley: WME-IMG is looking to make back some of their investment and wisely put it in Jones' ear that a fight with Brock Lesnar would have a chance to crack into the mainstream and pull down more than a million PPV buys. Jones, being a new-found company man, knew that this would be a money maker and for all intents and purposes an easy day of fighting.

    How it plays out? Depending on Brock's level of aggression and desire to quickly close the distance, Jones either peppers Brock with leg kicks and jabs, or else fights off a raging bull takedown defense and scores a quick submission from an arm-in choke or guillotine.]]>    82978Fri, 04 Aug 2017 10:19:55 +0000    Foley's Friday Mailbag: July 28, 2017https://intermatwrestle.com/articles.html/mailbag/foleys-friday-mailbag-july-28-2017-r82959/
    While it's too early to make definitive conclusions about the format the initial response from athletes and fans has been positive.

    The two-day format has been common in the USA since 1998 when three wrestlers died during weight-cutting. A special commission was formed to investigate the issues and it was decided that same-day weigh-ins (along with weight management programs) would prevent young athletes from making drastic cuts. The results seem to be a healthier group of youth and collegiate wrestlers.

    The international wrestling community has embraced the idea because it both keeps wrestlers from cutting too much weight (a concern of President Lalovic) and helps the sport promote weight class finals on social media and in the press. That will be a big deal for wrestling fans in 2018, but it should also mean significant viewership increased during the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo. Wrestling has some of the most marketable stars, but the press has often found the deadline for story creation too tight.

    The Cadet Wrestling World Championships will be the next test event, and should that succeed then all tournaments will run on the two-day format starting January 1, 2018.

    To your questions …

    Daniel Cormier

    Q: Daniel Cormier vs. Jon Jones on Saturday night. Do you have a prediction? I'll be betting DC at 2-1 not only because I dislike Bones and like DC, but because I really think he gets payback and silences his critics.
    -- Mike C.

    Foley: I love everything about Daniel Cormier. A few years ago I was sent to his house to write a cover story about his then-upstart MMA career. We hung out for a few days and what struck me most wasn't his incredible athletic talents, but his commitment to family, friends and the sport of wrestling.

    This guy was a pee-wee wrestling coach until Muhammed Lawal gave him a call and asked him to start fighting! That by itself is a heartwarming origination story, but DC is STILL teaching youth wrestling. He still cares about Team USA and is an active member of the community. Nobody is perfect, but in a sport filled with sleaze this is the role model for the next generation.

    As for your bet, I think getting 2-1 on your emotional favorite is not a bad line. He'll be frustrated by Jones' length, but I think the wrestling will be a major factor in the match and it will benefit Cormier.

    Good luck to both you and DC!

    Q: Do you know how sites are selected for the World Championships? Is it similar to the Olympics where cities make bids and the IOC chooses based on these? Does UWW have their own selection methods?
    -- Chris P.

    Foley: United World Wrestling accepts bids from member nations, reviews their proposals and votes in committee on who they will select. That selection is then contingent on the host committee meeting a range of organizational goals, which are administered and overseen by members of the bureau.

    As the UWW sport presentation has become stabilized with common logos, themes and colors the bid cities are forced to distinguish themselves with services for the wrestlers. The aim now is to provide a professional standard that optimizes the convenience and performance of the athletes.

    The remainder of the 2018 calendar will be decided at the 2017 World Championships in Paris.

    Q: What excites you most about the upcoming Junior World Championships?
    -- Mike C.

    Foley: I tend to work all the World Championships, but with our media and video team in place and humming along I decided instead to prepare for Worlds at home. My wife misses me.

    MULTIMEDIA HALFTIME

    Q: If you were a college wrestling coach today, what is the most important thing you would look for in a recruit? I realize every school is different and has different requirements and recruits different types of kids, so just generally speaking.
    -- Mike C.

    Foley: Generally … character, athleticism and grit. A program with a clear vision requires athletes who are willing to make the right choices, but also the athleticism to apply the techniques and principals of their program in competition. The final part, grit, is tougher to distinguish, but you want kids who enjoy long odds and have the confidence to fight through periods of frustration and who make gains.

    Oh, and kids with a clean social media feed. Don't need that distraction.

    Q: Why does USA Wrestling's Junior & Cadet Nationals event in Fargo have to be so damn big? So many competitors, matches and mats make it hard to follow. Seems pointless to have it so big. Do other countries have Cadet and Junior national tournaments this big?
    -- MC

    Foley: I think Fargo is the single largest annual gathering of wrestlers in one location over the course of one week. There are wrestling tournaments around the world (traditional and Olympic) which have larger weight class tournaments, but none I've heard of include 10,000 matches over eight days.

    The size of the tournament has some real positives. The travel costs for state chapters is reduced by ensuring that they can fill buses, chaperone, coach and pay for meals in one fell swoop. Splitting among Cadet and Junior -- and Greco-Roman, women's wrestling and freestyle -- would be a logistical nightmare. I also think that there would be a significant cost increase to USA Wrestling who makes good revenue off the event, largely by keeping their costs in check.

    Yes, too much to follow, but as long as they want to keep providing an annual tournament it seems to be the best option.

    Q: Are the social media/message board rumblings that Gable Steveson was competitive with Kyle Snyder and Nick Gwiazdowski at the OTC true?
    -- Mike C.

    Foley: I wasn't there, but one can imagine Gable provided excellent training and will make a big impact at the Junior World Championships in Finland! Everything I hear about him says he'll be a great addition to Team USA.]]>    82959Fri, 28 Jul 2017 12:43:31 +0000    Foley's Friday Mailbag: July 21, 2017https://intermatwrestle.com/articles.html/mailbag/foleys-friday-mailbag-july-21-2017-r82939/Nash Hutmacher of South Dakota and Louden Haga of Ohio battle in the Cadet freestyle finals at 285 (Photo/Jim Thrall)
    The Junior & Cadet Nationals event in Fargo concludes this weekend and after a jam-packed week of competition there was once again a familiar chorus being chirped by Twitter: "Wrestling NEEDS Stars!"

    Wrestling does need stars, and in fact has them: Kyle Snyder, Hassan Yazdani, Abdulrashid Sadulaev, Helen Maroulis, Risako Kawai, Jordan Burroughs, Mijain Lopez and others. These are professional athletes who have achieved stardom on the world stage, signed promotional contracts with companies and have large/loyal social media following.

    By most measures they are stars.

    The wrestlers in Fargo? Not stars. These are student-athletes -- who like their classmates on the baseball diamond, tennis courts and football fields -- stand little chance of making a living in their sport. What they do stand a chance to do is acquire life skills through sport. These are kids that still need to learn the values of hard work, modesty, an enjoyment of craft -- not how to placate a for-profit company's far-off appeal of "stardom."

    Marketing of wrestling is important, but it should not be done on the backs of 16-year-old kids, but for the benefit of all kids. The most irritating incident from Fargo was the inane and totally harmless Mutombo finger wag by an athlete during the Cadet freestyle finals in Fargo. Half think it's great because it builds interest and gives something for non-wrestlers to attach themselves to, while the other half -- the get-off-my-lawn types -- find it unnecessary. I'm in the latter half, but not because I think kids today are more disrespectful than the last generation, but because there is no growing wrestling through promoting types of adversarial moments, especially at the youth level. We, the media and the fans (an indistinguishable grouping of Twitter faces), shouldn't be in the work of leveraging the behavior of some athletes for the benefit of "stardom?" Viewership? The profit of a few business owners?

    Take a minute to think about who is driving viewership and why? At the international level the goal of the media team is to create a greater interest in the sport so that more individuals around the world can engage in the product. There is a premium on that content in the USA, but the organization runs as a non-profit -- any money made is reinvested into new programs, training facilities, mats for developing nations, scholarships, expansion of opportunities and more. Of course the system isn't perfect and as with any organization there are areas for improvement, but the main goal is to promote the sport through showing the qualities it has instilled in the athletes. Even with the older athletes there is no cause to make the sport about something it's not. Wrestling is beautiful because it doesn't require the excess to be enjoyed, and changing that dynamic won't fatten participation roles, only the pockets of a few.

    I see the value in promoting events with youth wrestlers, but it makes me feel uncomfortable to ask the individuals to work at becoming marketable stars through questionable behavior. Scholastic wrestling should be first and foremost a learning opportunity about values and the core principles that contribute to good citizens. Getting caught up in the finger-wagging is a boost of sugar for those addicted to the rush, but like any sweet there are side effects.

    Let's not lose sight of why we want our kids to wrestle.

    To your questions …

    Eric Guerrero coaching at the Freestyle World Team Trials (Photo/Tony Rotundo, WrestlersAreWarriors.com)

    Q: Thoughts on Eric Guerrero leaving Oklahoma State to coach the Oklahoma RTC? He had been in Stillwater forever. Did something happen at Oklahoma State for him to move? Or any idea why he left?
    -- Mike C.

    Foley: The rumbling was that he didn't see a way to the head coaching position and wanted to advance his career. This move keeps him local, gives him a new career opportunity and brings attention to his coaching ability. Regardless of whether it works, I think 25 years at the same place hints to most that some change could help accelerate a stalled career.

    Q: I was wondering what you thought about this. An Eastern Oregon school, Hermiston High School, has no other schools its size close by. It would have to travel five hours each way for competition. Somehow the Portland area schools have said they will not travel east. So Hermiston would have to go west for every event. They said they wouldn't do that, and petitioned to join up with WIAA, where there are schools about 45 minutes away just over the Columbia River. WIAA has allowed them to join, with OSAA permission. I'm on a message board for Washington wrestling. Many people are upset that someone from out of state can win a state championship. And possibly the whole team. Hermiston has had a strong tradition of strong athletes, specifically in wresting. So there is a valid concern. I feel this is what's best for the students, which ultimately should be the concern. But some people are worried their child will be left off the podium. What are your thoughts on this, and other out-of-state schools being allowed to compete with closer schools and conferences?
    -- Spokris

    Foley: State boundaries tend to be lines of demarcation established by the federal government to distinguish tax bases and afford more local control. In this case the Columbia River was the (mostly) arbitrary line set out by these 19th Century bureaucrats. Today, the population base and HSA travel restrictions (local decision) have forced an Oregonian school to apply for and receive membership in Washington. While unorthodox, it might be one of the most reasonable responses to a bureaucratic mixup I've read about in years!

    The parents only have a valid concern if their entire identity is really wrapped into the idea of being a Washingtonian. The truth is that a single exemption for practical purposes serves only as a precedent for rational governance, not taking away opportunities from the hardworking kids of Washington state.

    Q: Are these Hassan Yazdani to WWE rumors true? If he does go to pro wrestling, when would it happen?
    -- Mike C.

    Foley: No. Just someone trolling after the Iranian WWE wrestler gave him a shout out after a match. Yazdani is shy -- almost painfully shy. Nothing about our interactions has even hinted that he'd go out into the world of acting.

    Q: During the 2016 Olympics, the IOC fielded ten athletes that are refugees. Six in track & field, two in judo, and two in swimming. These athletes were able to compete under the Olympic flag. Is there a chance the UWW will host a refugee team or a team comprised of stateless wrestlers this summer at the World Championships?
    -- Broccoli Ears

    Foley: No. The 2017 World Championships will not feature a refugee team. The idea to include them in the 2016 Games was timely and relevant given that many of the athletes had been displaced and were looking for new homes. The most memorable might have even been the Iranian Taekwondo fighter from Iran who fought without her hijab and was forced to move to Belgium, a very serious move with serious consequences.

    Wrestling does currently enjoy one of the most active Olympic Solidarity programs in international sports, reaching out to wrestlers from disadvantaged backgrounds and providing them the opportunity to train and compete via financial funding from the Olympic Games. Additionally, United World Wrestling hosts camps and clinics for underserved communities around the world which helps instill wrestling technique and Olympic values. I'm in Asia now preparing for the program (More than Medals) which will start Sunday after the Asian Cadet Championships in Thailand and run for one week. The access to great wrestlers and workshops on learning things we might take for granted will certainly leave a positive impact on these young athletes.

    Q: USA Wrestling has a partnership with Nike that prohibits companies like Rudis from selling merchandise inside the Fargodome. What did you make of Rudis setting up a large tent/booth at the Burger King parking lot near the Fargodome? I thought it was clever.
    -- Mike C.

    Foley: Of course it was clever! Though I understand Nike's frustration and USA Wrestling's support, the fact remains they didn't do anything illegal. It was an objectively business savvy move. What I want to see is how all parties respond in the coming weeks and months. Will Fargo actually try to lock down competing sponsors around the city? I can't imagine that would happen.]]>    82939Fri, 21 Jul 2017 06:33:23 +0000    Foley's Friday Mailbag: July 14, 2017https://intermatwrestle.com/articles.html/mailbag/foleys-friday-mailbag-july-14-2017-r82915/
  • Challenge brick replaces the challenge flag
  • Scrambles are now scrutinized for control

    The first part is obvious. The challenge flag was hokey and after the 2014 Junior World Championships the challenge blocks dressed as Angry Birds were too popular to be suppressed.

    As for the new scrambling rules?


    This is common sense! In the world of traditional wrestling, martial arts, and combat sports this makes total sense. You do not "expose your belly to the Gods." Wrestling is about control, not about who can lie on their back and game some odd system.

    Maybe it was United World Wrestling's direction, maybe it was the fans, but finally the NCAA Rules Committee has moved the sport forward.

    To your questions …

    Q: What is going on with Oklahoma State recruiting? Usually by now they have a couple of highly regarded recruits committed.
    -- @Jferg24

    Foley: Only two weeks have passed since coaches can contact recruits, but I see your point. Most schools have their top recruits lined up for July 1 and you'd expect a few Oklahoma State commits in this first blitz. While odd, I don't think it's a symptom of any larger problem, but more of waiting for the right athlete.

    John Smith isn't rushed for much, and certainly not holding himself accountable to the whims of a 17-year-old wrestler.

    Jesse Jantzen looks for near fall points against Hofstra's James Strouse (Photo/TheMatSlap.com)

    Q: Who is the most underappreciated American wrestler of this generation?
    -- Mike C.

    Foley: I'm not sure which generation we are in, or where to draw the line, but over the past 20 years I think it's probably Jesse Jantzen.

    Jantzen was a four-time New York state champion who could've gone anywhere to wrestle in college, but chose Harvard, where he also wrestled. Remember that in the early 2000s, guys were still lining up three and four deep across the Big Ten thinking that was their best way to win an NCAA championship. Jantzen was one of the first that viewed wrestling as the opportunity for more than on-the-mat and trusted himself to win regardless of the location.

    Technically speaking, his half ride series is still in use today. Though variations always existed his techniques have filtered down to today's athletes and have made the sport more exciting to watch.

    Q: There are a lot of rumors of Nick Suriano potentially leaving Penn State. Do these rumors have any legs?
    -- Mike C.

    Foley: I don't think he'd leave, but he definitely wants to go 133 pounds, so maybe that is causing some friction.

    Q: I saw some American wrestling fans bitching on social media about UWW's seeding process for the World Championships. It seems like an improvement from what we had before. What has the feedback been around the world?
    -- Mike C.

    Foley: First, there is some distance between how American wrestling fans define/view seeding and how the rest of the world defines/views seeding.

    Here in the states seeding is by committee. There are pre-seeds and the meetings are controlled by some sort of leadership, but overall an objective analysis is performed, some coloring-in occurs as needed and voila there are seeds.

    At the international level seeding is an objective, point-based system. That's for judo, taekwando, tennis, table tennis -- sports seeds are an objective system of numbers based on outcomes from a system whose rules are defined before the season. There is no cajoling, and I doubt that anyone would ask for that to ever be the case.

    Wrestling is adopting a seeding process and that takes time. The sport needed to have the system ready for the 2017 season because it was the first year of the 2020 cycle and we needed to inform the IOC of our intention to make the improvement. However, because it was the first year of the seeding system and wasn't adopted until the week after the Olympic Games, there was a limited amount that the Technical Commission could pass.

    For example, this year's seeds are comprised of points coming out of only three tournaments: 2016 Olympic Games, 2016 World Championships and the 2017 Continental Championships. As you know, many wrestlers have changed weight classes for the 2020 cycle and left the weight class where they earned points at the Olympic Games. That's their prerogative, but the rules clearly stated that points don't travel with a wrestler to a new weight class. Why? Because they don't want wrestlers earning points up a weight class and then moving into a new weight at the World Championships. The sport needs stars and it needs them to compete at an identifiable weight class. To make the season feel more like a season will be something like 7 point-scoring tournaments in 2018, allowing for larger separations in points and criteria for tied wrestlers.

    This year, with only two inputs, there was resistance to digging down to find wrestlers to place in the top four of a weight class. Argument being the ninth-place Olympic finisher who didn't compete at the continental championships shouldn't be rewarded with a seed by default.

    The system is young and the IT department and sport department are taking notes on how best to adapt moving forward. The Technical Commission will also evaluate the success of the system and give recommendations on improvements.

    Yes, there are some that will never be happy, but this is solid progress for the sport and an important first step to getting worldwide buy-in for wrestling's first-ever seeded Olympic Games in 2020.

    Q: If Paris gets the Olympics in 2024, would the wrestling venue be the same one used for this year's World Championships?
    -- Mike C.

    Foley: Yes and no.

    Yes, it will be at AccorHotels Arena, but it will be in Arena 2, which holds roughly 8,000 compared with 16,000 for Arena 1.

    Q: What benefits do wrestlers get from signing with clubs like Sunkist Kids or Titan Mercury Wrestling Club? The club members train in different cities across the country, often with wrestlers and coaches from other clubs. For example, Helen Maroulis is with Sunkist Kids when her coach is TMWC and so is her training partner Elena Pirozhkova. Jordan Burroughs and James Green are in separate clubs as well, yet both train in Lincoln. Is the club relatively meaningless?
    -- Aaron P.

    Foley: While they are not teams in the traditional sporting sense, clubs are vital to American wrestling. The clubs are financed by wealthy individuals who provide top wrestlers the money necessary for training, travel and other incidentals. In return the athlete wears the club gear and promotes their brand in competitions around the world.

    Q: When wrestling was readmitted to the Olympics, it wasn't permanent. It was only for Rio (2016) and Tokyo (2020). What is the status of wrestling at the Olympics beyond that? Will we have to fight to stay in the games again? Wrestling is not on the list of core sports last I checked.
    -- Aaron P.

    Foley: Wrestling will always be part of the Olympic Games. There might be changes, but sport removal is not something the sport will face. However, there is always work to be done and the sport is looking to make sure it's fan friendly and captures the new and younger audience so desired by the IOC.

    Q: A few years back, I was an assistant wrestling coach at my old high school. One day, a kid approached me and asked me if he should try out for wrestling. He said he was asking because he was gay. I told him, "Sure." A few days later, the head coach pulled me aside and asked me if I had told that kid to try out. I said, "Yeah." And he told me not to encourage kids like that to try out. And he didn't let the kid join the team.

    So, my question is this: how difficult is it for a gay kid to get on a wrestling team in high school or college? Is it really a big deal? Would a division I coach turn down a talented prospect just because he's gay? Do you have any feel for how that might work out?
    -- John G.

    Foley: How difficult? Unimaginable. Kids are mean, but high school kids can be evil when it comes to treating those who think and act differently.

    I think Mike Pucillo's journey helped curb some of the stereotypes in our community, and I've been thrilled to see the support he's received from our community. We can never do enough to welcome young people to our sport, no matter their religion, gender, race or sexual orientation. Wrestling is an egalitarian sport and should keep its doors open to all who want to test their mettle.

    Tell the head coach that the wrestling community has plenty of gay wrestlers. Not all of them are out, but there are MANY more than Mike Pucillo, and that's a wonderful thing.

    Q: Do the presenters and/or camps receive royalties from Flowrestling for technique videos?
    -- Robert G.

    Foley: Was once a flat fee. Not sure if they still compensate

    Q: Big 12 wrestling certainly improved with the addition of Northern Iowa and Fresno State to their conference tournament, but with the Oklahoma's head coaching carousel, Iowa State recovering slowly, and South Dakota State showing some promise, in your opinion, who will be the first to dethrone Oklahoma State for the conference title? How long till that happens?
    -- Sean M.

    Foley: I have to think Northern Iowa is in the best position. Doug Schwab has been an incredible leader for the program and the moment that Oklahoma State slips up in recruiting, or underperforms at the conference tournament, you can be certain that Coach Schwab's team will be there to capitalize.]]>82915Fri, 14 Jul 2017 06:30:14 +0000Foley's Friday Mailbag: July 7, 2017https://intermatwrestle.com/articles.html/mailbag/foleys-friday-mailbag-july-7-2017-r82857/
    The obvious question is, "Why?" Why does wrestling so often see these international exchanges? It would seem counterintuitive. Iowa and Cornell don't pair up for a training camp in February.

    The answer tells us a lot about the sport in the states and other well-supported nations. When American women get to the highest levels of international wrestling there is a deficiency of training partners due to a smaller pool of eligible partners. While there are high-level partners, the numbers tend to be low, so to compensate the team travels overseas more consistently. Add in the advantage of exposure to new techniques and the simple task of wrestling while traveling and the American women are benefiting from these exchanges.

    For me, the interchange of wrestlers is a nice gesture to see nations cooperating and looking to better their individual athletes rather than closely guard their team's training secrets. The best nations are those that expose themselves to the most wrestling possible while still retaining discipline and their individual approach to success. Cooperation only leads to more opportunity and improved results.

    To your questions …

    Yoel Romero and Robert Whittaker shake hands

    Q: Why the hell is Yoel Romero a betting underdog vs. Robert Whittaker this weekend? Admittedly, I haven't seen much of Whittaker, but Romero has never lost in the UFC, and his only career loss came in 2011 in Strikeforce.
    -- Mike C.

    Foley: I'm guessing there is concern that Yoel is 40 years old and that there is only so much magic left in his career. Whittaker doesn't have a big name, but can stand and trade with a flurry of kicks. Legs tend to give wrestlers problems and it seems the betting public thinks that Whittaker is better equipped to land a head kick than Yoel is to move it to the ground and finish.

    I'm on your side, though. It's very rare that a wrestler is kept at a distance forever. Eventually the cage moves in on the opponent there is an opportunity to transition to the ground. I see very little reason to believe that once there Whittaker will have an opportunity to submit, or recover to his feet.

    But again, take caution while betting, as Whittaker is one of the UFC's new favorite toys.

    Ryan Mango after winning a Junior National Greco-Roman title in 2009 (Photo/David Jedlicka, jedicheetah.com)

    Q: To your knowledge, which individuals have won the most titles in Fargo? I know that Ryan Mango from Missouri won five during his career.
    -- Ethan S.

    Foley: Your guys are Sean Hage and David Kjeldgaard with eight titles (regardless of location). Our friends over at the Open Mat put together a nice list that you can access for more information.

    MULTIMEDIA HALFTIME

    You win some, you lose some

    Yoel

    More Yoel

    Q: There was a tweet that Iowa is the only school to inquire about Pat Downey since the full release from Kevin Dresser. Are you surprised by that?
    -- Mike C.

    Foley: Opposition research? Doubt it was a serious inquiry beyond getting to know exactly what type of grades he had. Better to know than not to know. Most people won't buy a redemption story if it's sans humility. Least of all Tom Brands.

    Q: What do you know about PROWL? Seems like a professional wrestling league. I have seen some tweets from Xander Schultz, Dave Schultz's son.
    -- Mike C.

    Foley: Professional wrestling is back. I think that you'll be surprised with the product, but also the concept. Could be a major development for the sport and is being led by Xander, who is an organized, well-intentioned professional.]]>    82857Fri, 07 Jul 2017 06:55:46 +0000    Foley's Friday Mailbag: June 30, 2017https://intermatwrestle.com/articles.html/mailbag/foleys-friday-mailbag-june-30-2017-r82859/
    Pico, a Bellator-signed fighter with massive hype behind his potential, had never actually competed in MMA until Saturday night when he was handed his loss by 8-2 veteran Zach Freeman.

    In wake of the news the wrestling community seemed fractured. There were those who (wisely) told Pico to keep his head up, but then there were those who mocked his performance and/or insisted it was karma for leaving the sport too early. Still, a third argument appeared, which was those in the community challenging the naysayers, and a fourth which claimed that there was entirely no bad blood being spewed at all.

    Wrestling in America has a predictable value set -- one leader within the sport once referring to the crowd as disciples of "Jesus, Guns and Trump." But I think that Pico's loss showed that there is a much broader cross section of individuals involved in our sport than we tend to recognize. Forgiving the political leanings, the biggest divide is between those who think wrestling is that which delivers salvation and purity to one and all, and those who believe the sport and its followers can, and are, flawed.

    The social media kerfuffle is too confusing to unwind with any certainty, but it's clear that there is a growing separation in belief systems within our sport. As more intense media is delivered to fans via sophomore class rankings, live recruiting announcements, and other forms of cotton candy entertainment the divided wrestling community is either skeptical of that direction, or wholeheartedly embracing that fanaticism as the sport's core value.

    Wrestling is wonderful. I'm dedicating my professional life to its coverage and like anyone in a role they love I hope to make a positive impact. But I'm also aware that it's just a small part of the world at-large and that the sport is not a religion, but a place for men (flawed and gnarled by the world) to test their mettle. Some leave the sport to follow their passion into a whole new career as prosecutors, professors, chefs, bankers and myriad professions. The true value of the sport is like that of a parent -- to arm young men and women with the skills necessary to succeed at their life's passions.

    Criticizing is easy. Doing is scary. Aaron Pico is a hard-working, respectful, young man who is now facing a very public disappointment. The wrestling public may also be disappointed by his choice to enter MMA, but Pico's past with the sport and his attempts to take those lessons forward should be admired, not admonished.

    To your questions …

    Tervel Dlagnev with Tom Ryan coaching Kyle Snyder in the NCAA finals (Photo/Tony Rotundo, WrestlersAreWarriors.com)

    Q: Many rave about Tervel Dlagnev as a coach. What are his coaching aspirations? Does he want to become a Division I head coach? If so, when do you think that could happen?
    -- Mike C.

    Foley: Dlagnev is an honest, good man with a wealth of wrestling knowledge and the proper temperament to lead. Kyle Snyder swears by him, so that's good enough for me, too.

    Q: If you could choose a style for women's Division I wrestling programs, would you choose folkstyle or freestyle, and why? Women's folkstyle programs could be modeled after Canadian universities where the men and women are under one roof/coach. A women's freestyle program would likely increase our success at the senior level, which would likely boost popularity/funding.
    -- Mike W.

    Foley: Freestyle as it is already the style in use for existing collegiate programs and has a direct and positive impact on the success of Team USA's chances for earning medals at the World Championships and Olympic Games.

    The larger universities are inching towards the idea. Columbia University has made big strides in supporting female athletes through the NYCRTC and the school has admitted a woman wrestler. However, as you mentioned the big gain will come with a top ten, well-funded school choosing to add a women's wrestling. That type of action could prompt others and establish the first conference.

    From there, anything is possible, including their own NCAA Division I tournament.

    Q: With Helen Maroulis becoming the first women's Olympic champion in the United States, how long until she is the first head coach of a Division I wrestling program? She already has the credentials, and what she lacks in coaching experience could easily be made up for with a well-rounded staff. Someone who cares about the growth of the sport, like J Robinson, comes to mind. What are your thoughts?
    -- Mike W.

    Foley: Helen is still young and very much in a competitive mindset. While I gather she likes doing clinics it's unlikely she's flirting with coaching jobs until after the 2020 Games in Tokyo. At that point a women's program may snatch her up as an assistant and she could make her way through the ranks. However, with a lack of training in collegiate style she might be find limited opportunities within men's programs.

    As for J Robinson, that's a very interesting concept. J is currently a free agent, has a brilliant mind for marketing and I'm certain would love to bring his experience and know-how to the leading edge of the sport. While I'd still prefer to see the majority of coaches in women's wrestling be female, it's been proven again and again that to effect a positive change in sports there is always a need for strong male advocates.

    J could be that advocate.

    Q: If Zahid Valencia moves up to 184 pounds for NCAA wrestling, do you favor him over Bo Nickal? Valencia has beaten him in freestyle.
    -- Mike C.

    Foley: I favor Bo Nickal, but I'm a little dubious on his new association with social media provocateur and jiu-jitsu celebrity Dillon Danis.

    I know Danis well from our time together at Marcelo Garcia's. He's not a bad dude, but where he is in life (self-promotion for a yet-to-begin career in MMA) and where Nickal is (college athlete from a program known for modesty) I don't see this being a fruitful union.

    MULTIMEDIA HALFTIME

    I'm biased, but once you take a scroll through these videos you'll have to agree that wrestling's best video content is now on the United World Wrestling YouTube page. Emotional, engaging, topical and timely these videos can help our sport grow in the United States.

    Win some, lose some

    New faces of freestyle wrestling

    Silver and Gold

    Day 3 news wrap from European Juniors

    Q: There are rumblings that there will not be a National Duals in 2017-18. Thoughts?
    -- Mike C.

    Foley: If true, I don't think it's surprising. Last year's lawsuit and subsequent failed Flo broadcast I'm certain left the NWCA with a sour taste in its mouth. The coaches all want something different and a clear way forward hasn't been presented.

    I hope the National Duals continue, but if they don't I couldn't blame the NWCA for saying good riddance.

    Q: Are Ben Askren and Logan Storley in your opinion the best wrestlers turned MMA fighters?
    -- Gregg Y.

    Foley: No. Daniel Cormier, Urijah Faber, Dan Henderson, T.J. Dillashaw -- there are quite a few wrestlers from California alone who have enjoyed more success in the cage. Askren has done well to stay undefeated in two young organizations: Bellator and ONE, but he's lacked serious competition. Storley could end up a legend, but he'll need to prove it in Bellator first.

    Q: What happened to Fox Baldwin? I noticed that he's no longer listed on the University of Virginia roster.
    -- Mike C.

    Foley: Baldwin and the 'Hoos parted ways and he's looking for a new school at which to wrestle.

    Q: The Saint John's University (Minnesota/DIII program) head wrestling coaching job just opened up when Saint John's coach Tony Willaert accepted the head coaching job at Augustana (Ill.), replacing Eric Juergens, who stepped down to spend more time with his family. The last time the Saint John's coaching position was open, former Apple Valley (Minn.) High School head wrestling coach, and current Shakopee High School head wrestling coach Jim Jackson indicated in an article he would have liked to apply for the Saint John's job (and the Augsburg job when that was open), but he could not because both jobs required previous collegiate coaching experience, which he does not have. It seems to me that Jackson would be a great choice for the Saint John's job based on his outstanding high school coaching success. And I have talked to Saint John's alum who would welcome giving one of the most successful high school coaches in the country an opportunity to advance a currently average Saint John's program. Sure, high school and college are vastly different, but Jackson has proven to win everywhere (recently turning Shakopee from a decent program to a state power in a few years).

    The question is, however, are college programs limiting good coaching candidates who may want to move to the collegiate ranks by requiring them to have previous collegiate coaching experience? Do you think there should be exceptions? There are surely other talented HS coaches who would welcome collegiate jobs, who may not have collegiate coaching experience. What are your thoughts?
    -- K.M.

    Foley: I recently heard an architect say that the catch-22 of designing your first building is that nobody will hire you to design a building until you've already designed a building. This feels similar.

    Wrestling is wrestling and leadership is leadership. While there are always preferences within the hiring process I think it's foolish to require prior experience at the higher level. Admittedly, I can see their point, given that being a college coach is more similar to being a CEO than it is being a teacher. Still, if the expectations are laid out and the candidate can present a plan for the program I see no reason they shouldn't be considered.]]>    82859Fri, 30 Jun 2017 07:02:04 +0000    Foley's Friday Mailbag: June 23, 2017https://intermatwrestle.com/articles.html/mailbag/foleys-friday-mailbag-june-23-2017-r82832/
    While the Olympic movement remains one of the most mocked international organizations there is more to the Games than the perceived slights, bribery scandals and politics that earns them scorn.

    Despite the negative news clips there is real charm and impact delivered by the Olympic Games. The Olympics is a platform for a world discussion that isn't purely political. Sport is an opportunity for nations and individuals of all size to showcase their value system without fear of suppression -- an equal voice is given to all.

    Wrestlers from Nigeria are brought up in an Olympic system that teaches them to have the same goals as wrestlers from Nebraska, Mongolia and Italy. That shared experience is unique. Employment and specialties vary by region, religions split, and politics cause upheaval, but everywhere in the world sport remains sport. Sprinting and swimming greatness will always be dictated by speed; wrestling significance measured by gold medals won through some unspecified combination of athleticism and grit.

    Yes, the Games are flawed, but the money they generate goes to support hundreds of thousands of athletes worldwide. That's all years. That's every year. That number balloons further when you add in that participating nations and government are motivated to excel at the Games and that equates to funding the training of their local athletes. Prize money may remain minimal, but a world in which sport and active play are the centerpiece of life is one far better than where they are suppressed.

    Olympic Day is a moment to reflect not on the International Olympic Committee, but on the millions of athletes around the world who today will go to practice in pursuit of their goal to become an Olympic gold medalist. Olympic fame might be a personal goal, but it's one that unites the world and it deserves to be celebrated.

    To your questions …

    Aaron Pico at the Bellator pre-event press conference (Photo/Juan Garcia)

    Q: Aaron Pico makes his MMA debut on Saturday night in Madison Square Garden. He's getting a lot of hype on ESPN.com and other national sports media outlets. Do you think he will live up to the hype in his MMA career?
    -- Mike C.

    Foley: If you look back at the past few years of MMA there has been a lot of hollow hype about up-and-coming fighters. Sage Northcutt and CM Punk aside, the promotions are there to promote their fighters and big cards, and that often comes at the expense of fact.

    Pico is different. If his only skill set was wrestling there may be some concern that this amount of hype is unwarranted. But the hype really comes from that impeccable wrestling pedigree and a high proficiency as a boxer. While he might have some weaknesses in jiu-jitsu and Muay Thai, Pico is well suited to keep this fight standing. Being able to control the latitude of a fight is what made Georges St. Pierre and Daniel Cormier champions of the sport. When you have the final say in where the fight goes then, saving a lucky shot or equally matches opponent, you dictate the outcome, too.

    Aaron Pico could very well get knocked out, or choked unconscious. Fighting is crazy. But the hype is real and on Saturday my guess is that they hype will only grow.

    Q: This is a fun debate that my friends and I have had over the years. If someone suddenly wanted to learn about wrestling in America, and had no previous knowledge of anything, who are the five wrestlers, you would tell the person to study? The Mt. Rushmore plus one so-to-speak?
    -- Jared W.

    Foley:
    1. John Smith. "Single" greatest wrestler in American history.

    2. Dan Gable. Seems to have been the first wrestler to be granted a legendary status. His triumphs on the mats were always only a sliver of the whole story. Also, his ability to motivate and lead programs is noteworthy.

    3. Bruce Baumgartner. The size of the wrestler matters. Baumgartner wrestled in four Olympic Games and medaled four times. For an American that's a feat that will likely never be matched.

    4. Cael Sanderson. The first to go undefeated and win four NCAA titles was a massive accomplishment. To then also win an Olympic gold medal and become one of the greatest coaches ever is certainly Mt. Rushmore-worthy.

    5. Jordan Burroughs. Has been an incredible ambassador for the sport of wrestling as it has made its way into the media age. Also, he's an incredible competitor whose talents changed the way entire nation's selected and prepared for competition.

    What do you make of Rei Higuchi losing in the Japan Nationals? Was he a one-hit wonder in Rio? Or do you see him contending for world and Olympic medals in the future?
    -- Mike C.

    Foley: As a fan of international wrestling I'm a little disappointed we don't get to see Rei in Paris. His single leg is one of the most beautiful attacks in the sport and his will to win leads to some exciting matches.

    I don't think Higuchi is a one-hit wonder. He is just evenly matched with Rinya Nakamura who were in constant contest in Japan's collegiate wrestling ranks. That familiarity left Higuichi no room for error and when the time came to perform it was Nakamura who made waves.

    While 61 kilograms will be one of the most contested weight classes in Paris, I think that we'll see Nakamura in the medal rounds.

    Q: With the death of a former MMA fighter in a boxing ring this past weekend, do you think a new light will be brought upon the upcoming Conor McGregor-Floyd Mayweather fight? Does an MMA fighter really belong in the ring with a boxer? In a boxing match?
    -- Jeremy T.

    The Marquess of Queensbury rules instituted the use of gloves in boxing matches. The choice was to ensure that boxers wouldn't break their hands hitting the hardened heads of their opponents, and thus not end fights prematurely. The result was longer fights, fewer knockouts and much, much more brain damage.

    McGregor is not a professional boxer, but he has fought in the amateur leagues and has considerable time in the cage. So did Tim Hague. While I don't think there is any concern that McGregor will die inside the ring, the question is certainly relevant: Who deserves to be licensed and who needs to be kept out of the ring?

    Most state athletic commissions essentially leave it up to the fighter, which means that accidents like Tim Hague are bound to occur. It would be a welcome change of pace if the athletic commissions would at least on occasion restrict access to the ring for the sport's older and more damaged fighters.

    MULTIMEDIA HALFTIME

    Underdog


    Joe Rogan on Conor vs. Floyd

    Link: Best Photo Essay of the Year

    Q: Any word on what drug Jordan Oliver tested positive for? I haven't seen it released in any of the reports.
    -- Mike C.

    Foley: Haven't seen anything listed. Would need to check the USADA list once it become public.

    Q: Is Franklin Gomez expected to compete at the World Championships? Is he still training with the Nittany Lion Wrestling Club?
    -- Mike C.

    Foley: Yes and yes!

    Q: Can you please tell me if Boise State wrestling has gained any traction in trying to get their program back? If they do cut it for good and with Fresno State going to the Big 12 it does not look good for the future of the Pac-12 Conference. This was a top wrestling school and it really makes me nervous for a lot of other programs who don't have the support and recent success of the Big Ten and ACC schools. What are some things the smaller programs can do to help themselves gain support and be more financially independent? I'm hoping for a miracle for the Boise State program.
    -- Mike S.

    Foley: Boise State is in miracle mode. Maybe the only way it can be saved is through a combination of fundraising for the program and political pressure from those concerned that the proposed baseball team is too much of a cost burden.

    However, you must look at the other side of what you wrote. Given the reasons you stated (support, programs headed to Big 12) wouldn't the AD have some legitimate and usable justifications for cutting the program? The bigger issue here is the popularity of the sport out west. With waning interest and a lack of population density the number of high school and college programs out west has been in freefall. That trend is sure to continue unless the fans out west can create significantly more interest and then fund that interest within their particular programs.]]>    82832Fri, 23 Jun 2017 12:40:11 +0000    Foley's Friday Mailbag: June 16, 2017https://intermatwrestle.com/articles.html/mailbag/foleys-friday-mailbag-june-16-2017-r82817/
    Back home much of the conversation around wrestling revolves around money in the sport, perceived biases of governing bodies and the personalities who comment on the mat. There is also the discussion about rankings and a myriad high-level complaint about NCAA schools and organizational structure. While those discussions have their place in the discourse around the sport, they can obscure why we love wrestling and who the sport should serve.

    Wrestling is a significant sport for many Asian countries. Despite its cultural importance only a handful of nations have the resources to support the growth of their freestyle and Greco-Roman programs. Most do not. Even nations with plenty of money (i.e Singapore, Korea) don't have the institutional support to provide more for their athletes and grow interest in the sport.

    Too often the nations with money and resources lack the ability to grow interest, and those with ability to grow interest lack the money and resources.

    The Asian Junior Championships is a glimpse into how improvements to that balance are slowly being developed. Vietnam, a small country with traditionally limited funds, has used early success to spur additional resources, mined for funding from the Olympics and United World Wrestling and today is growing in both on-the-mat success and regional growth.

    Taiwan, eager to find more Olympic medals, has used the success of women's wrestling in Japan and China to receive more funding for their program. Today they put a wrestler in the 51-kilogram bronze medal finals for women's wrestling.

    Turkmenistan, a country OBSESSED with belt wrestling, has started the process of converting some to Greco-Roman. Yesterday, they won their first-ever continental gold medal in Greco-Roman. That success is 100 percent guaranteed to spark more support and grow the sport of wrestling worldwide.

    These advancements are encouraging, but it's even more fulfilling to see how much these athletes enjoy the competition. Most have never left their country and all seem to be obsessed with the sport. To see them reaching for their goals is an inspiration for me as a professional, but also as a former wrestler.

    I still won't be able to sleep tonight. The jet lag is like an earthworm boring deep into my temples, but for what I'm seeing here I'm happy to make that trade.

    To your questions …

    Q: I've been a huge supporter of freestyle and donated a good amount when wrestling was dropped from the Olympics, but after watching the World Team Trials I am done. I am glad they dropped spots for Tokyo and hope the sport is gone by 2024. Extremely disgusted with it.
    -- Steve M.

    Foley: Yikes! To what are you owing this disgust? I enjoy sipping on the contrarian tea as much as the next man, but the World Team Trials seemed above reproach in terms of excitement and showmanship.

    What you may be referring to is the poor officiating in the J'den Cox vs. David Taylor match. That was unacceptable. From calling out-of-bounds at the wrong time, to ineffective mat chairmanship (someone to check the referee's bad call and white paddle), to the incredible non-call at the end there was plenty to make fans upset. But throwing out the sport due to their poor officiating seems overdramatic.

    There will always be bad calls and disappointment in wrestling, but the quality of the action and the general fairness of the rules should give you some reason to come back.

    David Taylor points at official Sammy Julian after losing to J'den Cox (Photo/Tony Rotundo, WrestlersAreWarriors.com)

    Q: Did David Taylor and Cael Sanderson overreact on the officials? I did not see the match. It appears from reading articles Cox was stalling without penalty points.
    -- Mike Z.

    Foley: I think that both Taylor and Cael, with the benefit of time and distance, will tell you that they overreacted. However, wrestling is an emotional sport and these were terrible calls that directly cost Taylor the chance to represent the United States. That stings long term, but in the moment that is an acute feeling -- to think that you've been intentionally hosed.

    Not to go overboard, but take this all a step further. David Taylor wrestled in (and won) the U.S. Open. He then enters the challenge tournament and wins four matches. He's also represented the United States in Iran and defeated two Olympic champions and another Olympic medalist. Then, he beats Cox handily in the first match, gets edged in the second and in the third -- after all that wrestling for that many months -- gets hosed by terrible officiating.

    Overreaction? Maybe. Justified frustration? Yes.

    Q: If 97 kilograms pans out like it should at the World Championships in Paris who do you think wins out, Kyle Snyder vs. Abdulrashid Sadulaev? Their styles collide and conditioning goes in Snyder's favor, but matchup wise it appears Saduleav has an advantage. So how do you see a potential match with these two athletes? Can this be an actual rivalry where both athletes can win at any given time or will it be "rivalry" where one athlete seems to have the best of the other?
    -- Marcus R.

    Foley: First, let me remind everyone that if Sadualev is up at 97 kilograms for the World Championships he will enter as an unseeded wrestler. Snyder will enter as the top seed. We can hope that they are separated, but there are no rules in place to secure that outcome.

    The rivalry will persist no matter who wins the first matchup, or how. Just look at Dake and Burroughs. The former has only beaten the latter once and yet it's the most hyped rivalry in American wrestling. The overall series record is 7-1 which is hardly competitive, but since Dake had success in college and keeps the matches close, fans (and the media selling the matches) pump it up.

    On the mat, I think Sadulaev has a clear speed and tactical advantage. Snyder will be in better condition, stronger and be able to thwart Sadulaev's gut wrench. The outcome is anyone's guess, but I'm assuming we see a 2-0 or 4-0 lead early by Sadualev but that Snyder makes headway with a positional battle that will make it a one point match with little time remaining.

    Though I'm often criticized for being un-American with my selections, even I'm going with the Stars and Stripes during their first meeting. Snyder just has too much horsepower, even for "The Tank" Sadualev.

    Q: Thoughts on Jordan Burroughs' medal chances in Paris?
    -- Mike C.

    Foley: 95 percent. Jordan Burroughs won gold medals when the whole world was taking aim at his throne. As the underdog, pressure-free and dropping in to the World Championships without a seed? Watch out, world.

    2017 Junior World Team (Photo/Tony Rotundo, WrestlersAreWarriors.com)

    Q: The Junior World Team is set. Extremely talented team with Mark Hall, Gable Steveson, Zahid Valencia, Daton Fix, Kollin Moore, Mitchell McKee and others. Scary to think Spencer Lee could have been on the team too. What's the over/under on medals won by the U.S. in freestyle?
    -- Mike C.

    Foley: In total, four medals with two being of the golden variety. For most fans that might seem light, but the world is a big and bad place with freestyle savvy talent tucked into every nook of the Caucus Mountains and throughout Asia.

    This is the best Junior team I've seen, but the reality is that these wrestlers will be away from home, randomly inserted into tough brackets and behind the curve in terms of on-the-mat tactics and gamesmanship due to a career focus on folkstyle.

    MULTIMEDIA HALFTIME

    Big move from Asian Junior Championships

    Q: Just wondering about the status of Aaron Pico. He was absent from the World Team Trials. Are his amateur wrestling days over in favor of MMA? Or does he still plan on competing?
    -- Jared W.

    Foley: Aaron Pico is making his MMA debut on June 24 Bellator card at Madison Square Garden. He is done wrestling.

    Q: Are Kyle Dake and David Taylor the two best and most accomplished NCAA wrestlers never to be on a World Team?
    -- MC

    Foley: With four NCAA championships, Kyle Dake and Pat Smith are the most decorated college wrestlers to not make a world or Olympic team. The other two four-time NCAA champions, Cael Sanderson and Logan Stieber, won Olympic and world gold medals.

    Taylor, while widely lauded, was a two-time NCAA champion and there are dozens of two-time NCAA champions who have never made a team.

    Q: So last week's mailbag rant was an interesting read and in an ironic sense prepared me for the two interviews that Thomas Gilman gave in which he referred to Rei Higuchi as a "Jap." While I do recognize that he did apologize, I find it to be excuse plagued and rather empty. Moments like these can be very teachable, not just in the sense of an individual learning they should not use racist words to describe their opponent. Rather this moment should be used by the perpetrator to learn more about what makes the word so hurtful. Gilman's apology shows nothing to indicate he will do so. This leaves me skeptical to believe any real change of behavior will occur.
    -- Jacob R.

    Foley: Gilman is 23-year-old who has been celebrated for his candidness in front of the camera. He was hyped, didn't know how to get the best response and reached into Pearl Harbor nomenclature to evoke a response from his audience. None of this is acceptable, but this is part of the Villain Gilman image that he was trying to cultivate and stays in-step with the recent increase in speak-your-mind philosophy prevalent in today's politics.

    The catch here is that USA Wrestling got into his ear and made sure that he gets his act together. Theirs is now a symbiotic relationship and they don't want negative press any more than Gilman wants to be needlessly dogged by the hysterics of sensitive snowflakes (sarcasm font).

    As to broader, societal issues his comments reflect a broad acceptance by many Americans to make racially insensitive comments about Asians. I'm close to that issue, but am still surprised by how many people consider these comments acceptable. But, like you said, hopefully this is a learning tool for Gilman and others in the wresting community.

    Q: Hayden Zillmer made the U.S. National Team in both freestyle and Greco-Roman this year. Very impressive. When was the last time this happened?
    -- Mike C.

    Foley: This is a great query.

    To the comments section!

    Q: I heard Dustin Kilgore is retiring. Have you heard of any other wrestlers retiring after the World Team Trials?
    -- Mike C.

    Foley: Yes, he announced it on social media. He has a lot to celebrate in his career and I'm sure he'll be as successful in his next career no matter the focus. Congrats to Dustin!

    There may have been more, but I can't seem to remember at the moment. The vast majority won't have dramatic exits, but will instead slowly start prioritizing other aspects of their life and fade away from competition.

    On a related note, I hear a lot of belly aching about "careers as a wrestler" not being an option for many Americans. Nothing is further from the truth. While wrestlers 3-10 on the depth ladder cannot make a living by traveling to 1-3 international tournaments a year, there is a substantial and lucrative support system in place for them to maintain their career while making money. Between camps, coaching and sponsorships big and small wrestlers in America are not starving.

    No, they aren't professional football players making $350,000 the first year out of college, but the number of professional football players making $350,000 or more after three years is preposterously small when compared to participation rates.

    The sport of wrestling is not a place to get rich, but there is money available. I do hope to see more direct payments being made to athletes, but first we need to understand only one organization in the sport is raking in millions of dollars of profit … and it's not United World Wrestling or USA Wrestling.

    RANT SENT BEFORE WORLD TEAM TRIALS
    By Pat H.

    Maybe this is a rant rather than a question, but I think it's borderline disrespectful to hype the Jordan Burroughs-Kyle Dake match the way most people have. Burroughs is 5-0 against Dake! I don't care how close the matches were! Burroughs had ONE bad weekend in five years and we're ready to say that someone who has accomplished very little on the senior freestyle circuit is going to beat him? Now we are having hype videos for a series that has gone 0-5! Dake obviously is the No. 1 contender and will give Burroughs a great match and is capable of beating Burroughs, but I think we need to show a little more respect to one of the greatest American wrestlers of all time. He is the king until he is dethroned.]]>    82817Fri, 16 Jun 2017 07:06:05 +0000    Foley's Friday Mailbag: June 9, 2017https://intermatwrestle.com/articles.html/mailbag/foleys-friday-mailbag-june-9-2017-r82789/Thursday night's announcement that Jordan Oliver had tested positive for a banned substance. The alleged positive test means that Frank Molinaro is the U.S. Open champion will have a bye to the finals of the World Team Trials at 65 kilograms.

    The World Team Trials still has more drama in store with plenty of extended intrigue and, yes, you got it … face mushing.

    To your questions …

    David Taylor and J'den Cox trained together leading up to the 2016 Olympics (Photo/Tony Rotundo, WrestlersAreWarriors.com)

    Q: How do you see the (potential) David Taylor vs. J'den Cox matches playing out this weekend? Competitive? Will it go three matches?
    -- Mike C.

    Foley: Before we delve into who wins and by what rationale, let us first acknowledge that David Taylor needs to wrestle past a field of opponents during the World Team Trials challenge tournament.

    (Wiping hands) Great, now that's out of the way …

    I'm taking David Taylor in three matches.

    1. David Taylor has beaten everyone he's faced in 2017 and most of those victories have been by technical fall or fall. His closest match was with Richard Perry at the Paris Invitational. He has wins over two Olympic champions.

    2. Whatever conditioning issues plagued Taylor in sizing up for last year's tournament is no longer an issue. He's physically capable of fueling his body for full matches and has shown himself to often be in better shape than his opponents.

    3. Scrambling positions tend to favor Taylor in general and he's gotten savvy at putting his opponents in those positions.

    4. Where Taylor has been exposed most is hand fighting with Yazdani. However, this is not an area where Cox has a discernible advantage.

    5. Cox's flub at the Olympic Games where he failed to see he was losing can be explained many ways, but one place it hints is that he still lacks a ton of senior level freestyle match experience. Taylor now has gobs of gamesmanship he can tap into while in the heat of battle. That'll be vital to his success.

    Q: Patrick Duggan announced that he's transferring out of Lock Haven and to Iowa. He blasted the Lock Haven coaches on his way out. What do you make of his comments?
    -- Mike C.

    Foley: Patrick Duggan was released from the Lock Haven wrestling team after failing to meet many of the coaching staff's well-reasoned and clear objectives. Duggan, who transferred into Lock Haven, proved to be unreliable in attending and finishing workouts and didn't want to be an active member of the team.

    I was teammates with Scott Moore at Virginia. He's smart and kind and all that stuff, but more importantly he's 100 percent honest, trustworthy and fair. When comparing the career of Scott Moore and the commitment he's shown to his wrestlers at Virginia and Lock Haven to that of twice transferred Patrick Duggan, it's clear that this complaint is sour grapes magnified by the megaphone of this online resource.

    Wrestling success has no shortcut and part of what makes it an incredible sport is that when you fail the first and only person you should blame is the one staring back at you in the selfie cam.

    Q: Can folkstyle youth wrestling organize nationally like soccer with uniform, age-appropriate rules for each developmental level? #progress
    -- @caroten_158

    Foley: My major frustration with the sport of wrestling is how poorly we prepare our young athletes for the next level of competition. We currently treat every age bracket as though the stakes of winning and losing are the same as though they were in the Olympics.

    I firmly believe we shouldn't organize any large scale competitions for wrestlers younger than 12 years old. Before that we should be building an athletic base, learning techniques and being introduced to competition in a non-tournament format.

    Tulsa makes me cringe.

    Q: I want David Taylor to beat J'den Cox this weekend. Will I drink because I'm happy or because I'm sad?
    -- John G.

    Foley: Happy. When you drink you should try an Old Fashioned

    Q: Why is wrestling unlike other sports where it is rare to see coaches climb levels? For example, Division II to Division I, or high school to college.
    -- Tanner G.

    Foley: Because I'm a contrarian at heart, I'd have to at least point out the cases where we've seen a jump: Kevin Dresser from Christiansburg to Virginia Tech (now Iowa State) and Steve Martin from Great Bridge to Old Dominion.

    One reason they were capable of making the jump was proximity to an existing university in need of a coach. Both lived in the same city as their future college employers. Both were also successful Division I wrestlers at the University of Iowa.

    Take those factors away and I agree it would be difficult to imagine the head wrestling coach at Buchanan High School being offered the Minnesota job. Also, I think that most hires are in some ways self-selecting. Not many non-Division I coaches would apply for these jobs since they seem to be premier. Lastly, those who do apply need to overcome any biases that might exist about their coaching level based on current school.

    Still, I'd like to think that if they apply the most talented coaches will get access to opportunities at other colleges and universities.

    Q: I saw that both Kaori Icho and Saori Yoshida won't compete at the World Championships this year. It feels like Yoshida is done competing and focusing on coaching, but about Icho? Will she go for a fifth Olympic title in Tokyo?
    -- Mike C.

    Foley: Tough to confirm Icho's retirement until she does, but I'd think it is highly unlikely we'd see Icho in her fifth Olympics. As for Yoshida, she also leaves the door open, but as you can tell in the interview below, she has all but retired and began her career as a coach and TV personality.

    MULTIMEDIA HALFTIME

    Saori Yoshida is back on the mats

    Mike Pucillo on organ and tissue donation

    Q: How about an article on added head protection in wrestling?
    -- @LDRRich

    Foley: Innovation is vital to the growth of many markets. From automotive to housing, energy to tourism, industries rely on new technologies to create sellable upgrades to previously existing items -- often with a benefit.

    In sport there is a reduced, but important place for technological innovation. Sports like golf, cycling and sailing rely on technological innovations to provide a competitive advantage to those who utilize the gains. Technological improvements for athletes (not the consumption of sports, ie live streaming) has also been introduced to many other sports, which traditionally didn't require much of a tech edge to find peak performance. Baseball bats, football helmets and running shoes have all become tech-driven products.

    Wrestling has been absent from technological change in part because it doesn't require much equipment. In most countries, where freestyle and Greco-Roman are the recognized styles, personal equipment is limited to shoes and a singlet. Shared equipment includes a mat and potentially training equipment like Bulgarian Bags and dummies.

    In the United States there has -- for the last 50 years -- been a requirement to also wear equipment to protect ears from cauliflower ears. The technology there has grown a bit over the years to allow for better hearing, air circulation and comfort but has otherwise remained consistent. Most of the headgear being worn today looks like the headgear worn 50 years ago.

    Recently there has been a push by American companies, including LDR, to create a headgear which protects wrestlers from head injuries, specifically concussions. The ear protection thus morphed from simple ear coverings into a full helmet with a look more closely associated with football and NASCAR than with wrestling.

    While technological innovation is always encouraged, the inclusion of these wrestling helmets on high school or college mats would be incredibly harmful to both the health of the individual athletes and the numbers of wrestlers encouraged to compete in the sport. There are several issues with these helmets, which need to be understood before any school, individual or association looks to approve their use.

    First, the helmet lends to a wrestler feeling a sense of invincibility. The cushion provided means that athletes will be MORE encouraged to use their head in competition and in practice. As has been proven in football (as opposed to helmetless rugby), the protection of the head turns it into a weapon in the field of play. That increase in major and minor impacts is proven to be bad for the developing brain.

    Second, the appearance of the helmet tells parents, schools, associations and the general public that wrestling is a sport where head-to-head contact is often seen and where it has become a major issue. While concussion rates for wrestling remain far too high, the focus on improving those numbers should be in setting tough penalties for the use of the head in competition, not in creating a mechanism by which those head-to-head contacts are bound to increase.

    Third, the high cost of these helmets will restrict wrestlers from joining the sport. Wrestling is low to mid income sport and requiring a $100-$150 helmet for participation will stunt the sport's growth.

    Fourth, history has shown us that less is more. Allowing the human body to function inside its original design is the most beneficial thing we can do. The problems of football stem from it being a completely non-natural format for human competition. Wrestling has been in existence since the start of human history and until the 1960's didn't even require ear covering, much less a helmet.

    Innovation is wonderful, but in wrestling simplicity is the brand, not gear. There is money to be made in creating new youth-friendly two-piece uniforms, updating the wrestling surface, or making better shoes. However, there should be no market for the creation and sale of unnecessary and harmful products. Ours is the oldest sport in the world because it's a part of who we are as people -- conflict, toil, skill sharpening, survival. That spirit requires no innovation or extraneous equipment.

    RANT OF THE WEEK
    By Nick H.

    You know why wrestling is never going to be primetime in U.S.? Because racists, sexists will never allow for broader public appeal. Unsolicited opinions from white dudes on how people of color and women should behave in society are not good recruitment/retention strategies.

    Sadly, lots of strong opinions, often unwelcoming ones, come from people associated with the sport. Everyone is entitled to their opinion, but nobody should be surprised when opinions that alienate the potential athlete/fan bases are publicly volunteered & folks avoid the sport.

    I love wrestling, but wading through hateful, old-fashioned opinions even wears out the existing fans. How about teenagers and their parents? Show me a sport with overly-opinionated pundits like wrestling. I'll show you a cult sport with limited growth/public appeal.]]>    82789Fri, 09 Jun 2017 06:58:39 +0000    Foley's Friday Mailbag: June 2, 2017https://intermatwrestle.com/articles.html/mailbag/foleys-friday-mailbag-june-2-2017-r82764/
    After 70-plus countries over four years and more than half a million miles in the air, I'm still always eager to come home, share stories and keep my eyes on the next big story.

    No matter what I've seen there are moments, usually once a year, where I have a mild awakening to the power and reach of our sport. Cuba was this year's moment. The Cuban culture, the wrestlers I met and the matters they discussed opened my eyes to how our sport connects to people and how much further we can take it.

    From Cuban National Team training sessions to a 12-hour day with the family of Mijain Lopez, our team's experience in Cuba was unique, informative and potentially can have an impact on how we all see the sport in the future. The projects will roll out over the next several months (sorry to tease), but know that we left with thousands of photos, hours of original video and reams of notes. I look forward to sharing those with wrestling fans here, at United World Wrestling and in future long form projects.

    As always, thanks for reading.

    To your questions …

    Action at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio (Photo/Tony Rotundo, WrestlersAreWarriors.com)

    Q: What's the deal with international wrestling mats? They look like a plastic tarp. Why are these used instead of the mats used in the United States? What type of cushioning is underneath? How is the covering kept in place? Are they harder to shoot on? Are they mandatory for international competition?
    -- Rob G.

    Foley: Yes, the mats are mandatory for international competitions.

    The mats are actually really nice! The tarp and padding system allows for much easier transportation than the large Resilite mats you're used to seeing in American folkstyle wrestling. Those mats only work here because they are shipped in big trucks and stored at schools with plenty of extra room. Imagine trying to fly that into Romania? But the interlocking mat system with tarp can be boxed up and shipped anywhere in the world and stored with relative ease.

    Overall the cushion and the surface in general are not much different than Resilite.

    Q: Building off your opening in your last mailbag, what do we do to attract in-season wrestlers? The club guys aren't about to quit putting in more time and effort than the casual guys. If they have goals and aspirations, they know that the clubs will help them to attain them.

    Also, it's not just kids, but coaches too. How do you get the great club coaches to coach a high school or middle school team? When they coach a club, they have a room full of dedicated kids; they don't have to deal with novices. They get less grief from parents and school boards. They basically have less of the responsibilities and can make just as much or more money doing it, especially if they don't have to rent a facility.
    -- Anton K.

    Foley: The American model for sporting success is directly tied to academics. Whether the wrestler must compete on the high school team to get noticed for college, or needs time in college to make themselves noticeable to national freestyle coaches, 99 percent of wrestlers must pass through academic institutions during their career.

    What if there was a system in place at the college level which limited the amount of wrestling a high school athlete could compete in during the calendar year? Essentially a match cap (not unlike 16 scheduled dates in the NCAA season) could be instituted, which would ensure that no wrestler was getting more than X number of matches per style.

    Additionally, non-wrestling events which have skills to help wrestlers develop could supplement athletic time. American Ninja Warrior-type races could replace Disney Duals. That's more active for more wrestlers, less head-to-head contact, less cutting weight and ... wait for it ... more fun. The wrestlers could increase their athleticism and potential while not burning out.

    Money is great. I get that parents invest a ton of income into the children's future on the mat, but if we could limit the amount that they can spend, or MUST spend to get noticed, then it might be possible to create a more productive atmosphere for wrestlers to enter the sport, and STAY in the sport.

    Q: RTC's and their impact on collegiate and international landscape. See a double-edged sword. Thoughts?
    -- @adamtirapelle

    Foley: I wrote about this a little bit in a previous mailbag, but discussed more about the dynasty effect rather than just the RTC. Overall, I think most college coaches see there is a disparity in equality of opportunity when some schools can afford and RTC and others can't. One top college coach told me that he had to adjust their expectations the past few years due to the powerhouse building that has been going on at places like Ohio State, Penn State and Michigan.

    These schools are not to blame. The system is having a positive effect on the freestyle program and the quality of wrestling across America. I do think that there should be much more relaxed rules on allowing non-college athletes to come into the room and practice with the team. If coaches around the country saw the rule relaxed they could benefit on alumni knowledge and local talent to help build their program rather than the funding and international expertise of megawatt wrestlers and coaches. Of those, there are only a few and most have been gobbled up.

    Joey McKenna wrestling at the Pac-12 Championships (Photo/Tony Rotundo, WrestlersAreWarriors.com)

    Q: There are rumors of Joey McKenna transferring out of Stanford. Are you surprised? If he does transfer out, where do you think he ends up?
    -- Mike C.

    Foley: I hadn't heard that rumor and would only be speculating on where he ends up. The only place he might go is back to the Lehigh Valley where he could be coached by Jeff Buxton, but I'm suspect that he would give up the Stanford degree for what he thought was better coaching.

    I guess we will see.

    MULTIMEDIA HALFTIME

    Jeff Marsh's role as "The Wresting Coach" is informative, entertaining and is taking our sport in the right direction!

    Link: Facebook Page

    The Road to Paris: Wrestling Action from May's Wrestling Month

    Q: I know we are still a few months out from the World Championships in Paris, but do you have an early prediction on a potential meeting between Abdulrashid Sadulaev and Kyle Snyder?
    -- Mike C.

    Foley: I'm not 100 percent certain we will see Sadualev at the World Championships. However, if we do I think Snyder wins by at least four points. Conditioning always suffers when wrestlers change weight classes. It will take another year at 97 kilograms for Sadulaev's body to properly cope with the additional muscle. For now he'll be burning lactic acid quicker and suffering through muscle failure earlier than ever before. Add in that this is a 25-pound weight increase and the strength advantage he enjoyed at 86 kilograms becomes nullified.

    I also think Snyder is just the better all-around wrestler.

    Q: With Joe Russell leaving George Mason, I saw that assistant coach Mark Weader was named interim head coach. Will George Mason do a national search for a head coach? Or will Weader have his interim tag removed? Who do you see as a nice fit for a program like George Mason?
    -- Mike C.

    Foley: I imagine that Mark Weader would once again take over the program. He knows the challenges better than anyone else and is able to navigate the community to optimize results. A national search probably wouldn't turn up any of the bigger names since Mason faces funding issues.

    Q: What about going back to allowing NAIA, D3, & D2 kids back into the March Matness? This would bring in more fans to the tournament and with programs recruiting better now than in the years past, it would create some great excitement.
    -- Nick M.

    Foley: I love the idea of these champions competing against the NCAA Division I champions, but think that the NCAA has, as an institution, moved past allowing these types of formats.

    Hey, you could always host your own tournament and invite all the champs to compete!

    Q: We hear and see about all of these enrollment-based schools adding wrestling and they are enjoying a nice addition to the enrollment numbers. Why hasn't an HBC school added wrestling? There are several of the HBCs that once had wrestling and were quite competitive as well.
    -- Nick M.

    Foley: The Historic Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) did have programs as recently as 20 years ago, but many were decimated by Title IX since their enrollments are largely female. There was simply no way to balance out a 65/35 enrollments advantage for women while also sponsoring football and basketball, which many of the schools chose to retain. Unfortunately, it wouldn't be a matter of building interest, but of increasing male enrollment at the individual HBCUs.

    Q: Thoughts on Virginia hiring both Paulson twins?
    -- Mike C.

    Foley: Can't argue with that! Wahoowa!!

    THOUGHT OF THE WEEK

    I read your comment about dynasties being good for college wrestling and I respectfully have a very different take. Dynasties are only a good thing when they aren't constant. The Yankees might be good for baseball but the reason why is that even the Yankees don't win it all every year. Other teams still have a reasonable chance at glory.

    Gable's dynasty at Iowa was interesting for a time because it was a change in the status quo. Winning nine in a row had never been done before. But once Iowa wrestling became the status quo it ceased to be news to the public at large. Just because it is easy for (lazy) journalists to follow which team is the best at college wrestling, it doesn't logically follow that it results in wider mainstream acceptance of the sport. The number of D1 programs has been shrinking for decades for various reasons and there is no evidence I'm aware of that having serial dynasties among a tiny group of schools has mitigated this trend or increased the popularity of the sport overall.

    Your assertion that a dynasty emerging challenges programs to cough up more money and resources to compete is belied by decades of evidence that it doesn't affect the outcome of the team race, at least for the title. The NCAA wrestling championships have been held 88 times and just five programs have won 79 of those national titles. Where is the "competition at the AD level" if the outcome almost never changes? To use the example you brought up, Iowa State hasn't won a NCAA wrestling team title since 1987. If it were simply a matter of support by the AD one would think they would have won more than a single team title in the last 40 years.

    Programs are pumping substantial money into amazing wrestling facilities and other parts of their programs these days but to date it has had no discernible effect on which team takes home the tallest trophy in March. It's still the same few teams at the top of the heap. A rational sports business minded AD could be excused for looking at this state of affairs and wondering why they should bother worrying about wrestling if supplying extra resources never results in titles.

    The NCAA tournament is a great event but the team title is almost always a foregone conclusion. This is a structural issue with the sport, not a lack of competitive spirit or big disparity in tangible resources. The tiny number of teams winning team titles happens because the rules of the sport are organized in such a way that such an outcome is near inevitable. I don't see any objective evidence that lack of parity is good for the sport of wrestling.

    As always I enjoy the column and keep up the good work.]]>    82764Fri, 02 Jun 2017 06:56:18 +0000    Foley's Friday Mailbag: May 19, 2017https://intermatwrestle.com/articles.html/mailbag/foleys-friday-mailbag-may-19-2017-r82722/
    For many of America's best wrestlers the summer is no longer a time to relax and attend a camp or two with friends. Instead the summer has turned into a 12-week, non-stop travel session to tournaments and high-level training sessions all around the nation. Though there are some, maybe even as many as 100, youth wrestlers who could emotionally sustain that type of vigorous summer training session, there are thousands more who simply can't take the grind.

    Wrestling has almost prided itself on the ability to push out the weak from the sport. It's a theme that's been ongoing for decades and seems unlikely to cease. Summer camps like J Robinson's 28 Day Intensive Camp were originally modeled off military training techniques, meaning that the summer was more about building mental toughness than physical toughness. That's not a terrible concept when contained to something extraordinary like four weeks. The kids can prepare and learn a lesson about gutting out a commitment. However, the ups-and-downs of a summer spent on the road in (mostly) meaningless competitions is leaving many more exhausted, frustrated and disenfranchised.

    I spoke to a college wrestling coach recently who told me that the summer camp system is essentially dead. There are fewer and fewer casual high school wrestlers. There are only the elite and they are spending that time at Disney Duals or Fargo and not on a college campus with all-you-can-eat buffets. That's too bad because the casual high school wrestler is an important barometer of our sport's health, and a vital part of the growth process.

    I was a casual high school wrestler. When we were in high school wrestling season was November to early March and a week at camp in the summer. I remember that I'd occasionally attend practices at some clubs and maybe did a second week of camp one summer, but for the most part I worked my summer job, lifted weights and prepared for football. There was no stress about the upcoming season and I think that allowed me to be more dedicated and excited when it came time to walk on at the University of Virginia. I wasn't burned out by years of travel, stress and lost friendships. I felt fresh, excited and newly challenged.

    While the coaching ranks are (rightly) filled with the very best our sport has produced, there are many more in the sport who make things tick and many of those people were casual high school wrestlers. They are the backbone of the sport when it comes to administration, fundraising, and even media.

    There are many who give back to the sport and I hope that the next few years we can correct the direction and focus on the positive aspects of the sport, rather than prioritizing dedication and brutality.

    To your questions …

    Penn State coach Cael Sanderson talks to Bo Nickal before his NCAA finals match (Photo/Tony Rotundo, WrestlersAreWarriors.com)

    Q: Penn State has received verbal commitments from five of the nation's top six wrestlers in the Class of 2018. How can they afford to sign all of them with all the talent they already have, and other guys coming in like Mason Manville?
    -- Mike C.


    Foley: I wish I could insert the shrug emoji because I have no idea how they can afford all these guys. Maybe Penn State has a lot of financial aid that they are utilizing for their wrestlers, but that typically would count against the total number of available scholarships. The only other way they can afford what looks like a massive spending spree is they've capped all incoming freshmen at a max (maybe 50-60 percent) and linked any increase in payment to performance on the mat (and in the classroom).

    On the mat the wrestlers are choosing Penn State because 2-3 years as a starter would mean 1-2 NCAA titles. That's a more secure ROI than any other and those titles (even one) is more valuable to most kids than the chance to simply wrestle at the NCAA Championships for four years.

    Though there is no way to level the factors recruits place on their college choice, ask yourself if it makes sense to take 60 percent scholarship money at Penn State over 90 percent elsewhere in the Big Ten.

    Q: Penn State continues to get commitments from top 10 prospects. Is this level of dominance on the mat and recruiting good for NCAA wrestling?
    -- Dylan R.

    Foley: Yes. Dynasties provide an easy-to-follow storyline for the media, which in turn helps create heroes within the sport. Parity at the collegiate level can lead to confusion over who is great, why they are great and if they are a fluke. With dynasties we tend to see a wider mainstream acceptance of the sport, as seen with Dan Gable's coaching career at Iowa.

    Also, when a dynasty takes hold it challenges other programs ... cough Iowa State ... cough to pony up and start to support their program in a more complete manner. That grows competition at the AD level and pushes the sport to a new technical level along the way.

    There is potential downside for much smaller programs, but it's far outweighed by the advantages to having programs show how an increase in support can translate to stability and success on the mat.

    Q: What percentage of big boy commits eventually defect from Penn State?
    -- Binny B.

    Foley: Can you name any in the past five years? I can't …

    MULTIMEDIA HALFTIME

    I can't stop watching this …

    Link: CSU Bakersfield to hold "ride in style" raffle

    Link: Dangal: India's wrestling blockbuster delights China

    Q: What does Mark Perry leaving Illinois mean for Isaiah Martinez? Perry has been like a big brother to Imar.
    -- Mike C.

    Foley: I don't know the relationship between Imar and Mark Perry, but I think it's best to always look at what the coach can accomplish in his or her professional life when presented with a new opportunity rather than one relationship (Note: He'll be fine).

    Perry taking over the Hawkeye Wrestling Club gives him wide berth to do what he does best, which is coach on the mat. He can also spend more time up close as a coach of a top tier program. His progression from Cal Poly to Illinois to Iowa shows he's willing to engage in professional development and that he has incredible success with coaching up athletes. Will this move allow Iowa to keep a developmental lead on Iowa State? Maybe. But I think that it well also lead to Mark Perry being the head coach of another program by 2020.

    Q: Do you still have the tape from your answering machine with Dan Gable's voice on it?
    -- Salty Walkon

    Foley: Lost to time, but definitely a really cool moment for me to have Coach Gable wish me luck on voicemail. The man is motivational even after hearing whatever immature voicemail message was on the house phone in my apartment. Pre-cell phone days!

    Q: Any takeaways from the Beat the Streets benefit, either in presentations or on-the-mat results?
    -- Mike C.

    Foley: I was able to attend the first gala back in the early 2000's and have dropped in on a few over the past several years. This year's matchups didn't have as compelling a narrative as with Russia and Iran, which probably reduced the amount of press. However, I thought that Flo did a nice job of broadcasting the event online and the Americans wrestled very well.

    While at the gala a very, um, intoxicated guest had me believing this could be the best talent the USA men's freestyle team has ever had heading into an Olympic cycle. I don't have a complete knowledge of the prior teams and what they looked like 3-4 years out from competition, but I do like the composition of young talent and agree that their training situations are set, and beneficial.

    Toghrul Asgarov competing at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio (Photo/Tony Rotundo, WrestlersAreWarriors.com)

    Q: I read that Toghrul Asgarov tested positive for a banned substance. When did the positive test occur? What does it mean? Will any of his medals get stripped?
    -- Mike C.

    Foley: Asgarov tested positive for a substance that is often found in common products and commonly left off labeling for basic products. I don't have any specifics of the case, but you could speculate that he was able to demonstrate that the substance was not intentionally taken. He probably got dinged for the act of not being more careful, which is like what happened to Geno Petriashvili a few years ago.

    MYLES MOLNAR UPDATE
    By Frank Molnar

    While participating in a combined school wrestling practice Myles Molnar was involved in a freak accident. Myles suffered a spinal C5/C6 dislocation leaving him motionless on the mat. He is paralyzed from the nipple line down and without function in his hands.

    Myles first started his rehabilitation at Santa Clara Valley Medical Center. Then he was moved to Shepherd, in Atlanta. Now Myles is at Craig Hospital in Colorado.

    Myles has been doing an outstanding job at regaining his independence. His transfers from his wheelchair to the bed, bed to wheelchair, wheelchair to shower bench, etc.

    Myles can also transfer from his wheelchair into a car. Craig has a full-size car, inside the building (because it snows in Colorado), to practice getting in and out of a car from a wheelchair.

    We own a Toyota Corolla. Myles will have a lot of difficulty transferring from his wheelchair into our car.

    We are in need of funds to purchase either a full-size car, or our ultimate goal, would be to buy a van that can be converted to an adaptable vehicle.

    Link: GoFundMe Page]]>    82722Fri, 19 May 2017 06:35:50 +0000    Foley's Friday Mailbag: May 12, 2017https://intermatwrestle.com/articles.html/mailbag/foleys-friday-mailbag-may-12-2017-r82703/
    There is a myriad reason why nations choose to send some wrestlers and not others to a continental championship, but one fact often overlooked in the cyclical effect that the Olympics can create within national teams. From surgeries, to mental rest, to peaking for future events nations around the world have a variety of ideas as to who should train when and for what reason. This year nations were incentivized to send Olympic starters to their continentals with the promise of points which could solidify seeds at the World Championships in September.

    In other individual sports money plays a role in which tournaments and events athletes choose to attend. For soccer players it's not uncommon to stay with your club team and make millions instead of playing in national team games. It's rare to see top-level competitors in soccer and like-minded sports go into the national circuit instead of collecting paychecks. In wrestling however, there is just not a lot of choice for cash, but there is a need for rest.

    Wrestling, for all its gains, is still not a sport that pays enough money to impress all the big names to the mat early in the Olympic cycle. That could change with time and innovation, but for now that's just a reality which nobody can change overnight for all wrestlers and all nations. Some wrestlers choose to compete, while others choose to sit.

    The system is developing. The plan is to create a more competitive, profit-driven system that is careful to not devolve into spectacle (read: UFC's current issues). This will take time, but with organization-down type incentives offered to top-level tournaments the change is certain to happen in the next few years.

    To your questions …

    Mark Perry, with Jesse Delgado, coaching at the NCAAs (Photo/John Sachs, Tech-Fall.com)

    Q: Have you heard the rumor of Mark Perry leaving Illinois and possibly going to coach the Hawkeye Wrestling Club? Does that rumor have any legs? What kind of impact do you think that would have on college wrestling?
    -- Mike C.

    Foley: I've seen the rumor, but haven't heard much corroboration on an actual move. We do know that Mark Perry was one of the hottest names in coaching the past several years. Maybe he wants a marquee job and figures the best path is to join up with his alma mater and play spoiler to Penn State? Tough to put down in numbers, but if Perry were to join the staff and the Hawkeyes won an NCAA title his name would likely be first on a list of new hires in 2018.

    As for his impact, I think there is no questioning Perry's abilities as a coach. He would 100 percent have a positive technical impact on the Iowa program, which I believe would translate to more wins and more medals.

    Q: What do you expect out of Fresno State in their first year of competition? They'll obviously be young, but they have a deep recruiting class of California talent, plus some interesting transfers in Emilio Saavedra, A.J. Nevills, Josh Reyes, and Josh Hokit. Furthermore, what do you think the program will look like in three years?
    -- Alex S.

    Foley: Three years is a long time to project out for such a young program. It would be tough to think a group of young wrestlers and new coaches could find the top 20 in three years. However, if I were to make the case for how it might happen, it might look something like this.

    The Fresno State coaching staff has the benefit of reflection. In some ways they are an incredible case study on what a college wrestling program could achieve given all the right inputs. There are no corrosive hand-me-down wrestling personalities for the coaches to inherit, no ongoing legacy (physical of emotional) for them to battle, and plenty of support. With foresight the coaching staff could even supplement and change their style to ensure it matches the most successful programs in the country, namely Penn State.

    Assuming they create the type of atmosphere for athletes proven to be successful elsewhere and control the other variable I suppose it's not impossible that Fresno State could flirt with a national top-20 finish in as few as three years. Unlikely, but possible.

    Q: Any insight on why Alex Tirapelle is out as head wrestling coach at Penn? I heard he was asked to resign because he was going to be fired. What's next for the program? Hire Quaker legend Brandon Slay?
    -- MC

    Foley: All signs point to the return of Roger Reina.

    Unclear of all the internal politics, but it seems that Penn has very influential alumni who were unhappy with Tirapelle's output over the past three seasons. I imagine that he set the expectations low and was told that he met the internal markers laid out when he was hired. However, there were some who didn't like the direction, or thought there was a different direction they could take in the short term.

    Yes, his resignation was a modern firing, which is too bad because it looked to me like he was in a slow build to making Penn a legitimate player on the conference and national stage.

    MULTIMEDIA HALFTIME

    Please read-up on the story of recently injured wrestler, Myles.

    Links: GoFundMe Page | Facebook Page

    Yui Susaki: Going for Gold

    Q: I was a little surprised new Pitt coach Keith Gavin didn't retain Matt Kocher. Any idea what's next for Kocher? Will he stay in wrestling?
    -- Mike C.

    Foley: No idea on Kocher's next move, but I think that from 10,000 feet it was difficult to keep another Pittsburgh guy on staff, especially one who already shared head coaching duties with the another hired assistant coach, Drew Headlee.

    Gavin is a smart guy. The decision to hire Jordan Leen will boost the on-the-mat credentials of his staff and provide him an assistant he already had a successful working relationship with at the University of Virginia.

    I've always appreciated what Kocher has brought to the sport of wrestling and would love to see him stay. But if he goes I'm certain he'll be successful in whichever field he chooses.

    Tweet of the Month


    ]]>    82703Fri, 12 May 2017 06:17:52 +0000    Foley's Friday Mailbag: May 5, 2017https://intermatwrestle.com/articles.html/mailbag/foleys-friday-mailbag-may-5-2017-r82675/
    Guys, we did it. After five-plus years of #deathtothesinglet and #killthesinglet there has been a major action by an institution to implement fan and wrestler-friendly outfits. No more 14-year-old pre-pubescent kids forced to take center mat in a shiny piece of ill-fitting spandex, but plenty of financial opportunities for schools and wrestlers. There is finally a uniform available which wrestling fans and family members can also wear during their workouts, or around the house doing chores. This is an expansion of the wrestling brand and a massive opportunity for a new expansion of the sport.

    There is a lot that might be tied in with the change, but undoubtedly this will bolster the number of participants in youth wrestling, create additional revenue and bring our sport into the 21st century. While many programs have already transitioned, this high-level direction will give the clearance to many more whose wrestlers undoubtedly want these uniforms as an option.

    After last month's announcement by the NCAA to recommend the removal of headgear, I'm starting to think sanity has seeped into the drinking water of our sport's highest levels. Now, if we can only get rid of these new-fangled "wrestling helmets" our sport will be a safe place for our children to compete.

    To your questions …

    Pat Downey placed fifth at the U.S. Open at 86 kilograms (Photo/Tony Rotundo, WrestlersAreWarriors.com)

    Q: Pat Downey defeated Gabe Dean on his way to fifth place at 86 kilograms at the U.S. Open. Thoughts on his performance? Did he silence his critics? Do you think he will return to Division I wrestling? If so, where? Did the door close at Iowa State?
    -- Mike C.

    Foley: No. His critics were still loud.

    Kudos to Pat for winning his match against Dean. I sense it was an important moment of validation for his time spent on Twitter.

    He will not be returning to Iowa State, but there is always a market for a one-and-done face on campus. The only issue would be transfer eligibility, and likely a Twitter-based stipulation.

    Q: Word is J'den Cox is wrestling at the World Team Trials. If David Taylor beats him, don't they have to go to an overseas tournament and compete, and whoever places higher wins the spot?
    -- Frank C.

    Foley: The rules regarding the top spot in the USA have changed in recent years. I don't believe that David Taylor and J'den Cox would have to travel before the World Championships. If Taylor makes it to the finals and wins the best-of-three series he will be the World Team member.

    Q: What was your biggest takeaway from the U.S. Open?
    -- Mike C.

    Foley: That David Taylor is not to be trifled with this season. My goodness. There are almost always challenges along the way, but whatever issues Taylor faced in getting up to weight have been resolved. He's strong, fast and lean. The style he's created for himself seems to be transitioned to the freestyle rules, which is to say he's limiting over-wrestling or over-scrambling and optimizing his output.

    The real test will come against J'den Cox at the World Team Trials. Will Taylor be able manage a high stakes match against a somewhat familiar opponent? Though he's excelled in almost every respect, that is one area he's consistently fell short. I'm betting he can get the job done in June.

    Q: Why is Kyle Dake allowed to stall with constant one/two hands being put on the mat while in his "stalling neutral" stance?
    -- Mr. Juice

    Foley: I agree that there are certain matches in the United States where Dake is given incredible leeway to place his hands on the mat and not engage with his opponent. I think that the finals match of the U.S. Open was called closer-to-fair and the referee put Dake on the clock twice.

    There is a big difference between the way freestyle and folkstyle are called, and it's a difference that not many Americans can grasp right away. The freestyle model is about rewarding aggression and penalizing defensive gestures and posturing. Hold a wrist, lock tight to an elbow, pull down on a tight front headlock but don't progress and the international referee will immediately step in. Action is incentivized, which is part of the reason you see such action-packed matches. In the United States the sport is based a lot more on control, which tends to allow these defense postures. For many fans (and referees) seeing Dake on an international mat hasn't meant a change of perception. They see the stance as acceptable even as it is clearly meant to limit action.

    MULTIMEDIA HALFTIME

    New highlight films being produced by United World Wrestling which recap finals action for fans. Labor intensive, but this should help promote top-level athletes and deliver a consumable news wrap for those who like to watch, rather than read!

    Q: When are the UWW weight classes going to change? When will the announcement be coming?
    -- Mike C.

    Foley: Following the end-of-the-year meetings this September at the World Championships in Paris. Ten weight classes, but the review of the two-day system will follow the testing at the Cadet World Championships in Greece.

    Q: Mason Manville won a U.S. Open Greco-Roman title at 75 kilograms. It seems like he has a bright future in the sport. I'm a little flustered that he's still planning on wrestling in college, which will hinder his Greco-Roman development. Obviously, it's his life and it's not our place to judge his decisions. But why do Americans put so much emphasis on NCAA wrestling?
    -- Mike C.

    Foley: Greco-Roman won't pay for college and in the long run the investment he makes in his education will take him further than a career as a Greco-Roman athlete. No matter if he wins two Olympic gold medals or zeros out after a ten-year career the finances behind a college education demand that you take the free money. Think of it this way: Someone is willing to pay him $250,000 for his high school wrestling accomplishments. If he wins the Olympics he makes … wait for it … $250,000.

    Q: David Habat seems to be progressing well and won a bronze medal at the European Championships for Slovenia. Thoughts on his progression?
    -- Mike C.

    Foley: Solid wrestler who performed up to his ability. Not more, not less. His medal performance at the European Championships is a great harbinger of his potential come the 2017 World Championships in Paris.

    I will mention that a few wrestling heads here in Serbia mentioned how much they enjoyed his wrestling style. There is often some jabbering about top wrestlers, but it's rare to hear these compliments for bronze-medal finishers.

    COMMENT OF THE WEEK
    By Paul E.

    Here is where I am with Jordan Burroughs: I'm a New Jersey native and longtime JB fan and follower since his high school and college days and was all in on him until leading up to Rio I had a hunch that he was not in a good place. The morning he walked out onto the arena floor for his first match I could see it on his face -- he was not good. I told my wife I don't think he is going to win today

    The endorsements, appearances, declaring that he wanted to surpass John Smith (biggest mistake), all of it took its toll (I think) unbeknownst to most in his circle and he cracked under the pressure. He knew he had to win gold because he declared he wanted to surpass Smith. You'll never hear Snyder say this.

    It's similar to Tiger Woods (who also declared he wanted to surpass the best -- Jack Nicklaus' 18 majors). Tiger Woods' major edge for the longest time was his mindset. It's amazing how it just crumbled after his sordid 'hobby' became international news that one fateful morning in November many years ago. He hasn't and will never be the same. It's an amazing story in psychology on how he went 180 overnight. Same for JB so far. Well, being humiliated by international news (for many years now) doesn't help.

    Similar to JB, listen to him talk now. Post-match with Dake still talking about the tough road back from Rio, talks like a defeated man, 180 from the way he used to talk. There's no way he lost that much of his physical gifts in one tournament. He lost his mental toughness and needs to get it back ASAP before June. It was one match -- get over it. All the best lose a big match at some point.]]>    82675Fri, 05 May 2017 13:38:13 +0000    Foley's Friday Mailbag: April 28, 2017https://intermatwrestle.com/articles.html/mailbag/foleys-friday-mailbag-april-28-2017-r82643/
    While there is fuss about 65 kilograms in freestyle, I'm most interested to see what comes at heavyweight. Tervel Dlagnev retired and Zack Rey the heir apparent, but can any of the other dominant heavyweights from the collegiate ranks make an impact? Will Nick Gwiazdowski find his groove? Does Dom Bradley make a run? I'm not 100 percent certain of the outcome (I predict Rey will prevail) but I think that it'll be telling for the freestyle team's future on who fills out the top eight.

    Also of note is the entirety of the women's wrestling competition. The growth of the US women's program has been tremendous. With Helen Maroulis getting the USA over the Olympic gold medal hump, Team USA might be the next dynasty in women's wrestling. This U.S. Open will give us a peek at the junior-level wrestlers who are slowly graduating to the senior level.

    Like most of you I'm looking forward to the action, and likely, the drama.

    To your questions …

    Q: Who is your pick to win 65 kilograms in freestyle at the U.S. Open?
    -- Mike C.

    Zain Retherford defeated James Green at the U.S. Olympic Team Trials (Photo/Tony Rotundo, WrestlersAreWarriors.com)

    Foley: I'm on the Zain Train, but if he's in the finals with Frank Molinaro there is a familiarity there that favors the older, wiser and coach-ier Molinaro.

    Q: I hate to say it but Boise State is just a continuation of the trend. Don't you foresee there being about 25-30 programs that compete in the future? Look at it now. There are about five superpowers, some middle guys and then the bottom feeders I'd say budget wise. The bottom feeders will be dropped and the middle guys who are at universities with a lot of money will either continue to compete because they have enough money or just drop due to not caring. Money and alumni boosters seem to be what matters. Look at Bucknell. If they didn't have that big money donor it would be gone. PSU really didn't care until recently, but they've always had a lot of alumni support. It's kind of the way America is going. Everything is large corporations and college sports are no different.
    -- Steve M.

    Foley: While I agree there is a trend, I don't think that wrestling will bottom out at 30 programs. The real trend here is the hostage-taking of programs by administrators keen to earn some more money from their non-profit sports, or else rid their schools of the drama in favor of something potentially profit making (baseball).

    One possible positive outcome is Boise State wrestling's rich uncle emerges from his hidden vault of gold coins to endow the program and set them free of the administration's haggling. Another possible semi-positive outcome would see a group of alumni scrape together a filler season giving them time to put together a long-term plan for sustainability. The third, most likely and least pleasant outcome is that signatures are submitted a few tens of thousands of dollars gets raised and the issue is forgotten in six months.

    On a positive note, I think that there are roughly 40-50 financially stable programs in the United States ... programs that raise money annually, have an endowment of some size, and have a larger base of support among alumni and friends of the program.

    Q: Do you have a prediction on a potential meeting between Jordan Burroughs and Kyle Dake at the U.S. Open this weekend?
    -- Mike C.

    Foley: The sexy pick is Kyle Dake. He's been tearing up some competition and rather than being defensive as he had been for the last few years, he's been extra-offensive and crisp in his techniques. Impressive as he's been, Dake hasn't faced a Burroughs-type opponent during his most recent win streak.

    Though Dake is an attractive choice, I'm sticking with Burroughs, mostly because I'm not selling him after one bad performance, but also because I think he'll be motivated to compete with more vigor. He looked good at the World Cup (not great) but at home, and in a somewhat familiar setting, I'm expecting double the fireworks.

    Also note that Dake could have to make his way past Alex Dieringer in the semifinals. Yes, he cruised past the Oklahoma State alum in Paris, but I doubt we'd see that type of ease at the Open.

    MULTIMEDIA HALFTIME

    Check out the African Championships Cadet highlights. Not used to seeing those, I'm sure!

    Q: Has the NCWA reached out to Boise State concerning the wrestling cut? Honestly a student fee hike is something I'm confident would be apropos and I am certain a substantial amount of money could also be raised. If the program doesn't need to be cut to add baseball there has to be reasonable options to keep wrestling. If Boise State goes, won't more schools take this route to add other sports? Thank you! #keepwrestling
    -- Mike S.

    Foley: I'd love to see Boise State keep wrestling, but raising student fees should not be the solution. There is already a tremendous financial burden being placed on students to attend college and I think the existing $120 per semester fee at Boise State is more than enough for them to fund an athletics program.

    Again, I want there to be a political or financial solution, but adding extra dollars to students is not a viable solution. In that scenario the school is really just holding the students hostage and that feels equally unfair.

    Q: Is a wrestler allowed to compete in both the junior and senior level competitions, such as the World Team Trials, in the same year?
    -- Randy B.

    Foley: Yes, though I'm sure that would depend on the dates they are being hosted by USA Wrestling. From an international perspective the only qualification for wrestling at the senior level is that you are 18 years of age. The junior qualification caps at 21 and the U-23 caps at, well, 23.

    Zach Epperly before his NCAA quarterfinal match against Mark Hall (Photo/John Sachs, Tech-Fall.com)

    Q: Zach Epperly announced his will not be using his final season of eligibility at Virginia Tech. Were you surprised by this news? Has a multiple-time All-American ever walked away from the sport before his senior season?
    -- Mike C.

    Foley: I can't think of another wrestler of his caliber who has walked away. From reading his interview it sounds like he still loves the sport and will be an assistant coach at a local high school while launching a real estate business.

    Wrestling is demanding on the mind and body, but when it's your whole life it can corrupt the personal life. With Epperly engaged I'm sure he's thinking about supporting his wife and building their life together. If the man has finished his work, the man certainly has my blessing to take the next step forward in his life's journey.

    Good luck, Zach!

    COMMENT OF THE WEEK
    By S.B.

    You said in last week's mailbag that Detroit didn't work for NCAAs the last time it was in Detroit. There is a big difference this time. Last time was at The Palace in Auburn Hills which is a suburb with nothing within walking distance. Not a great place for the NCAAs. The next time the finals will be held in the brand new Little Caesars Arena in downtown Detroit which is where the Pistons and Red Wings will play.

    Whatever you've heard about Detroit, don't believe the hype. Downtown Detroit has undergone quite a renaissance. You'll be shocked if you haven't been to downtown Detroit recently. There are excellent restaurants, cool bars, and it's really nice these days. Several casinos (MGM Grand, Greektown, Motor City) very close by. Walking distance really. It's near Comerica Park and Ford Field. Trust me … Detroit will be an excellent place for the tournament.

    Furthermore, Metro Detroit is actually where most of the talent from Michigan comes from so it's a little unfair to say that it isn't a great wrestling city. Last I checked the University of Michigan was pretty good at wrestling and Ann Arbor is just 20 miles from Detroit. It might not be as quite as much of a hotbed as Cleveland or Pittsburgh, but it's every bit as much of one as St. Louis or Minneapolis.]]>    82643Fri, 28 Apr 2017 06:32:45 +0000    Foley's Friday Mailbag: April 21, 2017https://intermatwrestle.com/articles.html/mailbag/foleys-friday-mailbag-april-21-2017-r82623/
    Overall, the story is still developing and there is some reason to be hopeful about the direction the school will take in the wake of the backlash, but the message for the wrestling community is once again clear; to preserve the number of programs at the collegiate level the involvement by alumni, fans and friends of the program can't self-limit investment to successful years and successful programs. The nature of NCAA athletics and financials of schools demands our community to consider a wider and more generous distribution of funds (by a method TBD) to support programs who are not doing as well as other programs.

    (Side note: The profit-share method is why professional baseball has maintained 30-plus teams for 20-plus years.)

    For wrestling to succeed with an average of 80-plus programs for the next 20-plus years, our methods need to ensure that. What are some ways we can passively support these programs, or ways in which we can create financial incentives that no school could afford to ignore?

    One way that international wrestling supports smaller programs is to have them host events. Could some derivation of that method work for the NCAA? The NWCA All-Star Classic has tried to develop regions through their programs, but maybe something like a regional wrestling tournament held bi-annually would kick off a lot of money. Could youth tournaments help save some of these at-risk programs by providing additional financial capital and access to "friendraising" while athletes, families and friends are in attendance?

    Another consideration is the finances of distribution. Does the amount of money charged for a streaming service of matches need to be increased across the board in order to ensure that the schools are becoming more solvent? Do other lawyer-drive measures need to be taken to ensure that state-funded institutions don't change the sports provided to a student body without first having their input?

    There are a lot of ways to cut this problem and a variety of potential solutions. For now, sign the petitions and make sure to cause a social media stir, but always keep in mind the longer-term solutions to provide solvency to at-risk programs.

    To your questions …

    Clarissa Chun wrestling at the U.S. Olympic Team Trials (Photo/Tony Rotundo, WrestlersAreWarriors.com)

    Q: What do you think of Clarissa Chun as the next women's assistant coach at USA Wrestling? And who will USA Wrestling hire as a developmental coach for the men's team now that Brent Metcalf is at Iowa State?
    -- Ryan O.

    Foley: Clarissa is a fantastic choice for the women's team! There are only a handful of women with her on-the-mat success and international travel experience, but what sets Clarissa apart is her ability to relate to the current team members. It's vital that someone on any team (international, college, high school) can bridge the gap between the head coach and the athlete, and I think that Clarissa can do that with respect of the team and completing whatever needs to be done at the administration level.

    On the level of personal interaction Clarissa is also one of the friendliest people in the sport with a passion for learning and coaching. Really excited for her!

    As for the men's developmental coach I'd imagine the hiring process will be done within the next few weeks. The developmental coach is a tricky position to fill since it requires a bunch of travel, relocation to Colorado Springs and the idea that they want to be a high level international coach. I can't speak for any one coach's intention, but I think a guy like Jamill Kelly would be a fantastic choice for many of the same reasons that Clarissa is a good assistant fit for the women's side: successful, well-traveled, passionate and able to relate. Remember that the developmental coach will need to coordinate the activities for incoming high school wrestlers and help with international prep camps. It's a big job, but I think that USA Wrestling has shown a history of hiring well-regarded coaches, and this should be no different.

    Q: What are your thoughts on the host sites choices for the NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships from 2019-2022?
    -- Mike C.

    Foley: Pittsburgh is an excellent choice. Will be raucous and exciting and packed and … look, that's a great choice.

    What irks me are the selections of Detroit and St. Louis. Detroit just didn't work in 2007. Not a great wrestling city and wasn't the perfect situation for fans who wanted walking options for food and booze. Likewise, St. Louis is uninspired. We can all choose to have St. Louis be the forever site of the NCAA Championships or we can cut bait, but visiting once or twice every ten years feels desperate.

    Minneapolis? Meh. Sure. Could be cool … or freezing.

    Q: Can you educate us on the differences between an RTC (regional training center) and a college wrestling club? This question is due to the clear emphasis at ISU on forming an RTC. What did they have before? How were they limited? What do they now gain? Why doesn't everyone have an RTC?
    -- Derek N.

    Foley: The regional training center is a designation applied for by an NCAA wrestling program in conjunction with their local or collegiate club. The RTC designation was put in place to help international wrestlers get more mat time without having to be in violation of the NCAA rule set against too many coaches in the room. The rule has been very helpful in allowing all levels of wrestlers with international aspirations to develop more of their skills, but it also has assisted the collegiate programs in getting a few more coaches in the room.

    I'm not sure why there wasn't an RTC at Iowa State in the first place. Could have been from a lack of interest, or even a lack of funding which would then justify the designation. There are a lot of little administrative boxes to check in order to maintain your status, but the biggest hindrance is money. For a program to be successful there needs to be a number of wrestlers on site and those wrestlers need to have sponsor money to move forward.

    Best of luck to the Iowa State program and all their new momentum. Should be fun to see the in-state rivalry heat up once again.

    Mark Cody (Photo/SoonerSports.com)

    Q: Who is the most likely to return to college coaching: Drew Pariano, Mark Cody, Jason Peters or Troy Letters?
    -- Mike C.

    Foley: Word is Mark Cody was recently interviewing for top coaching positions, and missed on at least Davidson. How? I'm not sure, but with news that Andy Lausier has taken the head position at Davidson, I'm happy to see the job go to a good man.

    Also, I'd love to see Troy Letters back in the game!

    Q: What did you think of the new recommendations by the NCAA Wrestling Rules Committee?
    -- Mike C.

    Foley: I love the new direction in regards to scrambling. There will be a significant decrease in the number wrestlers who scramble to their backs as a form of finding a stalemate off of someone else's aggressive action. There will be some issues to hearing the referee start the verbal three count.

    Except …

    The new removal of headgear! I'm in a constant running-man of excitement over this absolutely intelligent move. Do you realize that this is the most progressive thing that wrestling has done … ever? We took the logic of the headgear, analyzed its proposed benefits (lack of cauliflower ear and reduction of concussions) and compared it to science … and then instead of rejecting it we said, "Yeah. This is a net negative!"

    Bravo. Bravo 10x. Makes me proud to be a wrestler.

    Also, beards will SIGNIFICANTLY reduce the transmission of skin diseases like impetigo and herpes, which are made worse by the micro abrasions which come with shaving.

    Q: I tend to see wrestlers from the West Coast ride their opponent more and wrestle on the mat, and wrestlers from the East Coast standing and using a hand-to-hand style of wrestling. What is the better style of wrestling in your opinion? Or is it better to be more well-rounded?
    -- Gregg Y.

    Foley: I'm not sure that I agree with the overarching premise, but I'll entertain.

    There are certainly regional styles, which are often a result of last generation's successful wrestlers becoming the next generation's successful coaches. This adds an element of history and tradition to an area, which is something I agree is persistent and visible. For example, Young Guns wrestlers in Pennsylvania all wrestle with heavy hands, which is very like the style we saw from the late 90's Iowa wrestlers. This makes sense when you consider Jody Strittmatter was on those teams and is the head guy at Young Guns.

    The West Coast has always been a little more creative and avant-garde with their approach to the sport. In the 90's it was Fresno State's approach to funk wrestling that helped change the way the sport is wrestled at the collegiate and high school level. They were risk takers with a high level of technique, speed and flash.

    I can see those elements in wrestlers from both coasts and I appreciate the history. As to what is more effective? I think that whatever works for you will always be the best style, but overall fundamentals will always deliver the most victories and best base for growth as a wrestler.

    RANT OF THE WEEK
    By Fan

    I am very distressed by Boise State's announcement to drop wrestling. It now appears they hired a lesser known coach in preparation for this move. This was a solid program that has recent history of being a consistent top-tier finisher with All Americans. Baseball is not exactly the most popular sport in that region and wrestling does pretty well there. I have been told before this is not USA Wrestling's domain. Is it too late for the NCWA and USA Wrestling to fight for this to not happen? Surely raising a million dollars prior to next season is doable. This is a bad sign for the sport and particularly the western region. Boise State is not a small school and if they are getting cut more will likely follow. I hope that there is a serious effort made to save them!]]>    82623Fri, 21 Apr 2017 06:02:22 +0000    Foley's Friday Mailbag: April 14, 2017https://intermatwrestle.com/articles.html/mailbag/foleys-friday-mailbag-april-14-2017-r82599/
    The system is the first step in a larger effort to have an ongoing point structure in place for the entire length of an international wrestling season. While those ambitions remain in place this year the system will include only the 2016 Olympic Games and the 2016 World Championships along with points scored at the 2017 Continental Championships. This simple system should ensure that the top four wrestlers from around the world are separated and fans are treated to late-round excitement.

    The newer system (likely introduced after the 2017 World Championships along with the new weight categories and testing results of two-day tournaments) will be more complex with hundreds of considerations being balanced when creating its architecture. Despite the difficulty, overall one thing is clear: Wrestling is adapting. Maybe this seeding system won't be perfect (what seeding system is?), but the sport is growing with the needs and wants of fans, athletes and national federations.

    Also, I don't know about you guys, but seeding or not, I'm looking forward to the 2017 World Championships and what could be the best USA freestyle team … ever.

    To your questions …

    Q: When I was growing up Dan Gable was the most recognizable name to young wrestlers. Who has the most recognizable name to young wrestlers now? Cael Sanderson? Jordan Burroughs? Kyle Snyder? David Taylor? Kyle Dake?
    -- Mike C.

    Jordan Burroughs at the Olympic Games (Photo/Tony Rotundo, WrestlersAreWarriors.com)

    Foley: For now it's Jordan Burroughs and that won't change much until Kyle Snyder is allowed to sign a shoe and apparel deal. Once he does that, and if continues to win big matches, I think we could see a shared throne.

    That said, David Taylor is crazy popular and his recent performance at the Freestyle World Cup only improved his credentials and admiration within the wrestling community.

    Looking forward, I think Snyder's age, dominance of his weight class within the USA and likable personality are going to drive him into superstardom sooner than maybe any of us can predict.

    Q: I read an article on InterMat about how the NCAA's competition oversight committee had demonstrated "strong support" for opening the possibility of NCAA championships in Las Vegas. The World Championships were held in Vegas in 2015. Also, USA Wrestling holds the U.S. Open there. There a few college events there. Do you think Las Vegas could be successful as a host city for the NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships?
    -- Mike C.

    Foley: Of course! Once the NCAA saw that the NFL was moving into town it gave them the moral coverage to take their events back to Sin City. Wrestling is especially attractive since they are guaranteed 18,000 fans per session and the geographic location means that western schools can have an increased presence. Vegas is a loss-leading city so hotel rooms will be cheap, flights manageable and the big money sponsors will be out in force.

    Gambling wouldn't be too big of an issue since live sportsbooks aren't likely to place risk on wrestling. If they do it would be a boom for the sport since it'll increase viewership. The online gambling action would also increase since Vegas is synonymous with gambling and those who might not typically bet could make a first pass.

    Regardless, I think we can all agree that after NYC, wrestling wants and deserves a showcase. St. Louis is wonderful for many reasons, but wrestling can thrive when there is more appropriate spotlight and coverage.

    Q: Why have 33-man brackets at the NCAAs? The extra guy seems arbitrary and I doubt the last at-large bid wins more than a match, but sadly I lack data on that as well.
    -- Tyler H.

    Foley: I think this is a holdover from the old NCAA qualification system which allocated spaces to conferences who then gave them out to wrestlers at weight classes of their choosing. In that system there were often 33-plus wrestlers in a bracket and some with fewer than 32.

    When the qualification system changes the number of qualified athletes paid for by wrestling remained stagnant with 330 allocated across ten weights. With the RPI that meant 33 per weight class, and consequently a mostly meaningless pigtail match at the NCAA tournament.

    It would be better to have 32 qualified and one on hold for an injury to one of the top guys, but with the NCAA making money off the tournament I doubt they'd do anything to derail the money train.

    Q: Do you think a technical fall should be less points than a pin? I know working for the fall is the ultimate goal in wrestling, but is it harder to pin someone or tech them? How many falls happen when a match is close or even have the wrestler losing complete the fall? Which shows more dominance? I don't think it should be worth more than a fall because wrestlers should always be working for the fall, but if you beat someone by 15 points, doesn't that show dominance? Don't we preach dominance? I bet tech falls happen less than falls, but you never "catch" someone and tech them. They are never anything less than a show of dominance. So why are they worth one less point?
    -- Justin L.

    Foley: The idea of working for the fall in wrestling should always be incentivized greater than point-scoring alone. In wrestling the ultimate form of domination is a fall. It always has been and always will be. Like Judo and the Ippon; jiu-jitsu and the submission; and boxing and the KO -- these are absolutes that inspire the sport. Were it not the need for audiences and TV a match would run on until a pin, ippon, submission or KO were accomplished. The tech fall is wonderful (and dominant), but it should always be inferior to the task of winning outright.

    As an interesting side point to this topic, the sportification of an activity like wrestling (or more recently jiu-jitsu) has incredible benefits in terms of creating a larger base of participants. When matches lasted forever there was an emphasis placed on brute toughness, whereas today technique, skill, conditioning and full-tilt action are the priority. A few years ago when the OT-Forever crew chirped about the lack of OT in international wrestling the rebuttal was that time limits not only allow for easier viewership and tournament management, but promote action over gamesmanship. After three years of increased viewership and participation that seems to be the correct angle.

    MULTIMEDIA HALFTIME

    Risako Kawai might be the new face of women's wrestling in Japan

    Link: Grace Bullen's incredible story from refugee to wrestler

    Q: More practical question. Most volunteer coaches are funded through the clubs. There are a lot of rumors of Brent Metcalf being paid well, but what are the benefits? Health insurance? Guy has a family. How do they accommodate for it? Or you just pay him enough and he pays for it himself?
    -- Frank C.

    Foley: Oof. That is a tough question.

    There is no way to know how Metcalf has his specific contract structured, but I can give you some insight since I bopped around for a while in the coaching ranks and have seen all types of packages.

    The full-time volunteer will likely not have health insurance funded by the athletic department. That's not across the board, that's just a majority. Volunteer coaches can then rely on any number of resources in order to secure health, dental and other benefits. First option is the spouse. If your wife works and has health benefits you and the children would obviously be dependents. Another option is that a wealthy local alum might be able to get you on the roll for their local business. Yet another is to go onto the open market and purchase, which is what I did for more than seven years with a lot of success. Also, any volunteer coaches younger than 26 can stay on their parents insurance.

    The packages are typically cash-only since the funds are raised outside of the athletic department. That means most coaches need to self-fund all the extras others might receive. Depending on your age and place for the future that might vary from spending all you make to saving cash in a life insurance policy. That is just up to the individual.

    Q: Wrestlers in the USA seem to be getting better at a younger age so a slight shift is expected, but do you know to what extent this is and how it compares to the 2000's or the decades before?
    -- Tyler H.

    Foley: Successful international wrestlers in the USA tended to be older in the 2000's than they have been in the most recent decade. Overall the Olympic gold medalists in freestyle wrestling were on average 24 years old, putting Kyle Snyder on the younger side. For all medalists, the number was higher meaning that Snyder and J'den Cox were well below the mean.

    As to why … the United States is peaking athletes earlier in their career. You only have so much top-level, kick-ass wrestling in your system -- as John Smith once postulated, six years. So if you take a high school wrestler and put them through 70-100 high level matches a season, you are absolutely putting them on the path to early success, but not necessarily long-term success.

    Q: Thoughts on Pitt hiring Keith Gavin as its head wrestling coach?
    -- Mike C.

    Foley: I love it. University of Virginia head wrestling coach Steve Garland always had high praise for Gavin, and when we chatted earlier in the year he said he thought he'd be a head coach somewhere within a year or two. I think Pitt is a good fit for him and they will find steady leadership with Gavin at the helm.

    Success should also be maintained. My hope is that we'd see Drew Headlee and Matt Kocher stay on for the foreseeable future since continuity is something that could benefit the young wrestlers in the program.

    Good luck to Coach Gavin and his staff!]]>    82599Fri, 14 Apr 2017 06:47:16 +0000    Foley's Friday Mailbag: April 7, 2017https://intermatwrestle.com/articles.html/mailbag/foleys-friday-mailbag-april-7-2017-r82577/ISU coaches (left to right): Kevin Dresser, Mike Zadick, Brent Metcalf, Derek St. John (Photo/Cyclones.com)
    Iowa State head wrestling coach Kevin Dresser introduced his coaching staff for the first time this week, and boy was it black and gold. Joining the Iowa native on the dais for a short press conference were three former Iowa Hawkeyes: Mike Zadick, Derek St. John and Brent Metcalf. Adding in Dresser who won a national title as a wrestler for Dan Gable and you have an all-Iowa coaching staff at Iowa State.

    Unless this is something out of "The Americans" it's safe to assume that the Iowa-forever loyalties built under Gable have seemed to fade. However, that might be more a function of the appeal of the color green than it is crimson and gold.

    The Iowa State hiring spree didn't come cheap. Brent Metcalf, who will serve as the volunteer assistant coach, is rumored to be earning $150,000. That's a fantastic amount of money, which I have no doubt Metcalf could warrant. I'm told he's a smart, engaging coach capable of motivation and technical assistance. Add in the proven compatibility of St. John and Zadick (along with their hefty salaries) and you get a lot of potential and a tractor-sized portion of expectation.

    Iowa State's moves also spun the coaching carousel at Virginia Tech, with newly-minted head wrestling coach Tony Robie hiring Oklahoma alumnus and Olympian Jared Frayer, along with 2016 Olympian Frank Molinaro. Big names with big polo shirts to fill.

    With Virginia Tech and Iowa State making decisive moves, it's the lack of movement on the Pitt job search creating the most gossip. Pitt hired Heather Lyke last month as their new AD, which means she's been short on preparation time. However, the anxiety about the job's massive potential spurred Lehigh and Edinboro to announce plans to compensate and retain Pat Santoro and Tim Flynn respectively.

    Santoro and Flynn were the most logical choices and without them as options Lyke will need to either get creative or look at current Pitt interim coaches Matt Kocher and Drew Headlee, or former wrestler and NCAA champion Keith Gavin. The creative option would be Jody Strittmatter, who coaches Top Gun Wrestling Club in the area. It's also rumored that Pitt will try to lure SDSU coach Chris Bono.

    Coaching is a tough and tiring game, but for many it's the perfect way to stay invested in the sport they love. Don't forget that while these leaders are tasked to win they are also tasked to create the next generation of coaches, administrators and key stake holders for our sport. The hiring of Dresser, and the retention of Robie, Santoro and Flynn mean that our sport will be awash is talent for another generation.

    To your questions …

    Q: Could you please explain how the 9.9 scholarships system works? Who determines the amount of a full scholarship? Let's say that it is determined that a full scholarship is worth $20,000 at Penn State. Does that mean PSU has $198,000 (9.9 x 20,000) to divide out? As an illustration, after all other financial aid is taken into account, suppose the final school bill for PSU's national champs is as follows: Retherford - $5,000, Nolf - $7,500, Joseph - $7,500, Hall - $10,000, and Nickal - $10,000. Does that mean Hall and Nickal would be able to share one full scholarship (10G + 10G) and the other 3 another full scholarship (5G + 7500 + 7500)? Or is there some other method of computation? All these questions arise as I see elite recruits headed to Happy Valley, when seemingly more scholarship money is available elsewhere.
    -- Brian S.

    Foley: There are a variety of scholarships structures in use by coaches around the country. Most programs no longer give out 100 percent scholarships to incoming freshmen, instead opting for what would look like a four-year contract with incentives. For example, let's say Vincenzo Joseph came in on 70 percent, he would have the ability to be bumped up based on performance at the NCAA tournament. So next year he might make the full 100 percent, or head to whatever cap the coaching staff has in place.

    One reason coaches have moved to this structure is that they can often come up with the rest of the money through financial aid packages, but also because there is tremendous cost savings in spreading out the money among more top athletes. Everyone needs a workout partner and getting the athletes (literal) buy-in with forgoing scholarship dollars helps get more talent into the room.

    As for what constitutes the scholarship, a school will have a cap amount they can spend on scholarships at whatever amount they have on tap, but the percentages are based on residency and amount paid. For example, Penn State's out-of-state tuition is roughly $50,000/year and in-state is $35,000. If Mark Hall gets $40,000 or his $50,000 paid for he is considered on .8 scholarship. Jason Nolf is paid $30,000 of $35,000 and he's taking up almost .9. The dollars aren't as important as the percentage, for which they only get 9.9.

    Q: How terrible is the athletic department at Pitt? They sit in the best area in the country, have a major airport for a regional training center (RTC) and have a large budget with all the ACC money. They should be able to get a slam-dunk hire.
    -- Steve M.

    Foley: As I glossed over up above, the athletic department is in turnover, which means that the incoming administration is behind on recruitment. Imagine the myriad concerns Heather Lyke has to review and where her priorities likely lie. In addition to the life changes she must undergo, she needs to meet her assistant AD's, coaching staff and athletes. From there she has to meet with the school's president and board, listening carefully to their concerns and priorities before ever making an action.

    Once she gets to wrestling I agree that she should be able to offer a new coach something enticing. However, I wouldn't assume she will hire a "slam-dunk" candidate. Who else is left and looking to move?

    My vote is Jody Strittmatter.

    Q: I saw you tweet something about big news coming about Rei Higuchi with hashtags #college #wrestling. Can you share anything?
    -- Mike C.

    Foley: Higuchi is staying at Nippon Sports Science University!

    MULTIMEDIA HALFTIME

    Rei Higuchi and Shinobu Ota

    Q: What are your thought on eliminating the stalling warning and making the first stall call a point for the other wrestling? Second stall call is another point and third stall call is two points. Maybe a fourth stall call would be another two points and if person gets five, he forfeits the match. This might make the person winning the match late stay in the circle, especially if it's a one or two-point match. Thoughts?
    -- Ed T.

    Foley: I'm a little hesitant to give referees the ability to give points for stalling. The new Greco-Roman rules allowed for this and it led to a lot of random referee fingers being pointed in the air!

    Stalling will always be an issue for wrestling officials to figure out. For the NCAA, stalling is most associated with the arcane out-of-bounds regulations and the riding time point. Correcting those should promote a more aggressive style of wrestling and prevent referees from becoming too involved in the moment-to-moment of the match.

    Q: Which do you think is more likely now that Iowa State has completed their staff and can focus on the roster, a scholarship offer to PD3 (Pat Downey) or Nelson Brands?
    -- Mark M.

    Foley: At this point, you'd much rather have Nelson Brands on your team. Great pedigree, proven winner and the coaches have probably known him for a long time. The PD3 situation is a mess and made no better by Twitter!

    Q: Daniel Cormier defends his light heavyweight title against Anthony "Rumble" Johnson Saturday night at UFC 210. Do you have a prediction on the outcome of the fight? Also, Chris Weidman is on the card, fighting Gegard Mousasi. Weidman last two of his last three fights, but to very good fighters. Now he's a betting underdog in this one. Who do you like in Weidman-Mousasi?
    -- Mike C.

    Foley: I'm sticking with DC. Assuming he can avoid the first 10 minutes of haymakers he has a much more technical ground game than Johnson, endurance and an impressive hands. But seriously, he has to make sure to stay the hell away from Johnson's homerun swings. Those things could decapitate a horse.

    Man, I love Chris Weidman and I want to see him win. To be fair, I don't see a lot of fighters come back from a knockout loss like he suffered against Yoel Romero and succeed. Hell, I don't see people come back from the beating he got from Luke Rockhold and make a serious comeback. Mousasi gives Weidman a fair chance at redemption. If he's confident in his neck and in good shape he's as good as 50/50 to pull out a win. The underdog position is not a bad place to bet him.]]>    82577Fri, 07 Apr 2017 07:24:37 +0000    Foley's Friday Mailbag: March 31, 2017https://intermatwrestle.com/articles.html/mailbag/foleys-friday-mailbag-march-31-2017-r82555/story on Wednesday which gave the coroner's details into last month's unexpected death of Nick Roberts, a 23-year-old wrestler from the University of Pittsburgh-Johnstown. The report stated that the defending NCAA Division II national champion overdosed on fentanyl, a drug tied to America's opioid crisis.

    Roberts' passing was difficult for many in the wrestling community, but how he died can serve as an education for those in the wrestling community about the dangers of opioids in their community. Like wrestling, opioids thrive in lower middle class white communities. In addition to a demographic concentration similar to that of wrestling, the geolocations of the largest problem areas tend to also be wrestling hotbeds: Pennsylvania, Ohio, Michigan and western New York have all seen dramatic increases in overdoses over the past few years, with no signs of slowing.

    While the general population is always at risk for addiction to prescription medication, wrestlers can be particularly vulnerable to the epidemic since they are prone to long-held injuries (back, neck, knee), which tend to be prescribed opioid pain medications like OxyContin, Percocet, and which can lead to the abuse of stronger opioids like fentanyl.

    A lot of time has passed since I was in college at the start of the century, but at that time we were readily prescribed OxyContin for care post-injury or post-surgery. For many, including me, the high from the drug not only took away or dulled the pain, but became a necessary part of recreational inebriation efforts. Considering what we know now, and having read about the explosion of this crisis, I can only be thankful that the more powerful cousins to the drugs we were prescribed had not become available for black market purchase.

    The drugs did make an impact on our team. The turning point came after a close friend and teammate served time in jail for forging a prescription of OxyContin. In the end it was a petty crime by a brilliant guy, which showed total apathy to the shortsighted nature of his con for more drugs. His ingenuity, his passion, they were stifled by the need for the drug. Thankfully no other long-term effects were suffered by our team, but to this day I refuse pain medications, even after a recent appendectomy. The risk is just too great.

    The opioid crises is more insidious than ever with profit-hungry pharmaceutical companies showing total ambivalence about the consequences of their drugs on the American people. We can hope that laws are changed and education increased, but that seems unlikely given recent cuts to programs servicing these victims.

    Let's make sure that Nick Roberts' life and the story of his addiction strikes a chord with those in the wrestling community and inspires positive change. We, as a community, should stay aware of these issues and use Roberts' story and those of the thousands of other lives to prevent our sons and brothers from falling victim to this deadly epidemic.

    To your questions …

    Sammie Henson coaching at the Cliff Keen Las Vegas Invitational (Photo/Tony Rotundo, WrestlersAreWarriors.com)

    Q: To be honest, I expected better results out of West Virginia with Sammie Henson. He has now been leading the Mountaineers for three seasons. So far the results have been underwhelming. Only one WVU wrestler competed at the NCAAs. They had one other NCAA qualifier who was injured and unable to compete. Do you see WVU ever turning the corner with Henson? Or do see them moving on if things don't turn around soon?
    -- Mike C.

    Foley: I don't know any details, but I had heard that Sammie was still managing to clean out some bad influences on campus. Also remember that Morgantown takes a lot of pride in their party culture, and that can lead to at least a few wrestlers being distracted and/or getting in trouble.

    The turnaround may take a bit of time as both Sammie and the wrestlers settle into the new expectations of their coach. I have a lot of faith that Sammie will deliver results in the next few seasons.

    Q: Let me just say that I'm a Hawkeye fan to my core, but watching what PSU did, and especially Zain Retherford, was fun. I don't remember seeing a wrestler -- aside from maybe his head coach -- be as dominant as Zain has been the last two seasons. We're to the point that we are shocked if he doesn't tech. fall or pin everyone. My question is, has there been wrestler in the past 25-30 years on as dominant a run as Zain is on right now?
    -- Jared W.

    Foley: Of course the first name that pops into my head when considering dominating performances throughout an NCAA career is that of Zain's coach, Cael Sanderson. The Zain Train is something different altogether. He's a bit more focused on total and complete domination of the person rather than just the technical fall or pin. Zain is almost never in a close match or threatened. He seems to have cracked some code that other wrestlers aspire to understand. So, I guess the answer is no. Zain's method of dominance is almost wholly unique … and that's exhilarating to watch as a fan, no matter your allegiance.

    Q: What do you think of Aaron Pico making his MMA debut in June? Was it a mistake not to have any amateur fights and go straight to pro? What will happen with his wrestling career?
    -- Gregg Y.

    Foley: It's unclear what will become of Aaron Pico's wrestling career. For most fighters, MMA is an all-consuming pursuit to become competent (and effective) from both standing and the ground. That versatility will require new fighters like Pico to spend more time in jiu-jitsu and striking class than he will perfecting his gut wrench defense.

    As for Pico's first fight … whoa. The California youngster is opening in Madison Square Garden against a legitimate opponent. He might not have any amateur fights, but I think that after getting tagged once or twice he'll be just fine. No need for amateur fights when you can get close-to-live sparring at the gym.

    Q: Where has Logan Storley been? He started out fast and furious. He has not fought in a while. What made the transition for him from wrestling to MMA seem so seamless?
    -- Gregg Y.

    Foley: It could be that he's having a tough time finding opponents. Most strikers aren't willing to fight an accomplished NCAA wrestler since being controlled on the ground in a boring fight means limited opportunities with future organizations. There's a reason that Conor McGregor hasn't fought a legitimate NCAA wrestler.

    Logan is an incredible wrestler, with serviceable jiu-jitsu and the type of punching power from ground-and-pound you'd want to see in an athlete looking to make this a full-time career.

    Q: After Issac Jordan of Wisconsin missed winning an NCAA title this year I was curious how many Big Ten champs have not won a national title in their career?
    -- Jimmie D.

    Foley: Too many to count! The Big Tens are difficult, but it's by no means a guarantee of a national title. Readers might have done this in the past … anyone?

    Jesse Delgado, with Mark Perry, coaching at the NCAAs (Photo/John Sachs, Tech-Fall.com)

    Q: Jesse Delgado is back wrestling and earned a bronze at the Cerro Pelado. He's also a coach at Illinois. Where do you see him fitting into the current landscape in the United States? Is he a contender for a spot on the U.S. World Team?
    -- Mike C.

    Foley: Contender? Maybe. Tough to not include a two-time NCAA champion in the discussion for a weight class that hasn't delivered a medal in the past few years. There is a need for something to happen at the lowest weight class for the USA to have a well-rounded team capable of competing at the World Cup with Russia and Iran.

    Delgado might be the answer, but even if he isn't he provides substantial support to the USA Wrestling program in terms of a training partner.]]>    82555Fri, 31 Mar 2017 07:09:16 +0000    Foley's Friday Mailbag: March 24, 2017https://intermatwrestle.com/articles.html/mailbag/foleys-friday-mailbag-march-24-2017-r82527/
    The Nittany Lions are in the midst of a dynasty and we are all witness to what is likely a shift in the approach to college wrestling. Gone now are the days of head-butting, chest-thumping brutality and mat-sprinting tantrums that felt synonymous with the sport. Cael Sanderson's coaching style seems to promote a fun-filled action-packed type of wrestling that fans across the country are beginning to favor.

    Congrats to Penn State for another title and thanks for Making Wrestling Fun Again.

    To your (many) questions …

    Q: What was your favorite moment from the NCAAs?
    -- Mike C.

    George DiCamillo celebrates after winning his semifinal match at the NCAAs (Photo/Tony Rotundo, WrestlersAreWarriors.com)

    Foley: As a former wrestler and alumnus of the tournament the action on the mat (and my reaction) is always strongest when I see my alma mater competing. Watching George DiCamillo make his way into the finals was the most animated I've been watching a sports event this year. Jack Mueller finding a way to beat his nemesis Joey Dance with a busted up ankle ranks second. The NCAA wrestling tournament is a fan-first experience for most, including me.

    Q: During the telecast of the NCAAs, Jordan Burroughs, Kyle Snyder and David Taylor said the NCAA tournament was the most exciting event in all of wrestling. Is that true? Have you attended or are you aware of any other wrestling events with that level of size, production value and energy?
    -- Bryan R.

    Foley: Regional wrestling competitions always have more oomph and spirit than those that are international collaborations. If you go to the Makhachkala Kids Open you're bound to see quite a bit of passion on display by fans and wrestlers. What you won't get is the production value.

    When looking on the global scale you can argue that the NCAA tournament is a localized wrestling tournament. State rivalries can extend centuries and school colors are the modern tribe affiliation, lending an impassioned backdrop to an event fans have become familiar with since they first stepped on the mat. Memories, rivalries and the sound of 18,000-plus screaming fans is enough to make even the most even-keeled 18-22 year old wrestler feel overwhelmed with emotion. Add in a massive TV production piping the feed to millions across the United States and you end up with a spectacle nearly impossible to mimic.

    Q: Who do you see as the frontrunner for the head coaching position at Pitt? Do you think Pat Santoro would leave Lehigh for it? Is Cary Kolat going to Pitt a possibility?
    -- Mike C.

    Foley: Cary Kolat recently raised money for a new wrestling facility and seems content with his job and life at Campbell. He would be an amazing fit, but those recent announcements make me think he's staying put.

    Pat Santoro is alumnus and obvious choice. I'd look for him to be the top candidate followed by Jody Strittmatter, Donny Pritzlaff and Damion Hahn (though I doubt he's ever leaving Cornell).

    Q: Did you see the fifth-place match at 285 pounds between Nick Nevills of Penn State and Jacob Kasper of Duke? In the first overtime Kasper got poked in the eye and needed to take injury time. This happened at the very beginning of the overtime period. Since Kasper took injury time, Nevills had choice when wrestling resumed. Nevills took the bottom position and he just had to escape within a minute to win, which he did. So basically because Kasper got poked in the eye, Nevills won the match. This seems like a very cheap way to win a match. I think there should be a rule that allows a wrestler reasonable amount of recovery time from an obvious accidental eye poke or groin shot without being charged for injury time and giving the opponent choice. MMA allows fighters recovery time for those two reasons, so should the NCAA. Do you agree?
    -- Dave

    Foley: I don't think Nevills intentionally poked Kasper in the eye. However, I do think that in this circumstance the rule should allow for recovery time. It's self-evident that a wrestler shouldn't be given a disadvantage after an accidental eye poke. Is there nothing else they can call that to avoid it becoming an injury time?

    Twisted ankles, knees and ribs are subjective injuries, but is there some epidemic of injury time that is more disastrous than a one-eyed kid attempting to finish a match in order to avoid injury time?

    Q: Michigan should be really tough next season. Adam Coon, Domenic Abounader and Alec Pantaleo all redshirted, and they still finished 10th with three All-Americans. It seems unrealistic that any team can challenge Penn State next year, but do you see Michigan as a potential runner-up in 2018?
    -- Mike C.

    Foley: Michigan has a massive lineup returning. A runner-up finish is a possibility, but it'll take bonus points and some intervention by a higher power to knock off Penn State in 2018 or 2019.

    Q: What did you make of Nick Suriano being a scratch 24 hours before the start of the NCAAs?
    -- Mike C.

    Foley: Nick Suriano deserved the opportunity to test his strength up until the start of the NCAA tournament. If he was even a 10 percent chance to wrestle then he and the staff were well within their right to make an attempt.

    However, when there is a late scratch, or a wrestler leaves the conference tournament on medical default, then the NCAA should accommodate the trip for a backup wrestler. No need to waste the opportunity for someone to pursue their dreams on the mat when there are plenty of wrestlers willing to make weight and travel for even a Hail Mary shot of getting on the mats.

    Q: Who wins between Jason Nolf and Zain Retherford in an imaginary 153-pound weight class? This was a hot topic of debate for my brother and me during the NCAA finals. I'm taking the Zain Train every day of the week and twice on Sunday.
    -- Jake M.

    Foley: I love the question, but lack your confidence in finding an answer. It would likely depend on when they weighed in and who was refereeing. You'd have to imagine that Nolf has figured a way out from underneath Zain, but would that be enough for Nolf to win? How to stop that lil' monster from attacking you, non-stop?

    I'm not choosing. I'm leaving this in Cael's hands. HE MUST MAKE THIS HAPPEN!

    Q: So it will be Penn State again for 2018!!!! Will anyone challenge them? Also, does it make sense to bump everyone up from 125 for Oklahoma State to make room for Daton Fix? or do you think he will redshirt?
    -- Raed K.

    Foley: Yes it will be.

    I think you redshirt Fix and give yourself a year to prepare for the outside shot of taking on Penn State in 2019. Then again, maybe the best idea is to attack when they are at their most confident.

    Q: I'm sure everyone is going to ask some version of this, but I'll ask my version anyway. Do you think PSU's "have fun and wrestle free" philosophy will spread through the sport the same way that Gable's "grind them into dust" style did? Don't you think coaches and high-end recruits will prefer that style to pushing, shoving and scrambling to one-point wins?
    -- Bryan R.

    Foley: I hope so.

    Q: Of the past Division I teams to have five national champs in one year, have any ever done it without a senior being one of those five? Is PSU the first?

    On a side note, how much does the PSU wrestlers' mentality coming off the mat during interviews help recruiting? It seems like all those guys mention having fun and staying mentally loose. That's a very different mentality than is seen from Iowa and some other top-tier schools.
    -- Ryan P.

    Foley: PSU is the first to win five without a senior.

    The on-the-mat theatrics help more, but I think that hearing the wrestlers express their physical actions certainly supports the idea that they are wrestling with a different set of motivating factors, and a training regimen that seems to create likable, well-rounded and well-spoken young men.

    If you're a parent of a top recruit how do you not want your kids in that environment?

    Q: After the Darian Cruz-Thomas Gilman match a question immediately came to my attention. What is your list of the best five wrestlers to never win a championship? I haven't been around the sport long enough, but some of the great competitors I can think of include Tyler Caldwell, Mike McMullan, Ryan Churella and Thomas Gilman. It's unfortunate we may have to add Adam Coon to this list, wrong place at the wrong time considering the Snyder era.
    -- Nick F.

    Foley: In recent years …

    Mike McMullan (Northwestern)
    Hudson Taylor (Maryland)
    Ryan Churella (Michigan)
    Muzaffar Abdurakhmanov (American)
    Josh Lambrecht (Oklahoma)

    Q: Iowa State scored one point at the NCAAs after going 1-12 in dual meets! It's incredible the program has fallen so far. What are realistic expectations for Kevin Dresser in his first season in Ames?
    -- Mike C.

    Foley: Two points?

    I expect to see immediate turnaround in conditioning, resolve and technique. There are no miracles to be had, but I think that at least a handful of his wrestlers are talented and driven enough to immediately respond to his coaching and find themselves with respectable seasons, maybe even an All-American finish.

    Q: I'd like to know your thoughts on the Spencer Lee loss, and what seems to be an excuse by 50 percent of the fan base for his loss. I'm sure he wasn't wearing that knee brace for style points, but of course no doctor in his right mind would clear a teenager to participate in a brutal sport such as wrestling with a shredded ACL. Many athletes compete with tears and walk around for years with them. I would suspect this injury wasn't as horrific as reported. Each time he loses (which is barely ever) there's some type of "reason." Daton Fix: too big, Luke Pletcher: spider bite.

    I've always seen Lee's greatest asset as his belief and mindset which resembles that of a mongoose. In the Austin DeSanto loss, I don't believe it was the injury that was the primary factor, but his mind that caved in to the relentless attack he hasn't seen in a very long time. Is this type of denial the one thing (besides injuries) that can keep him from excelling at the next level? It's not the respectful, humble, attitude of our proven champions like Kyle Snyder, Jordan Burroughs, John Smith, or Cael Sanderson.
    -- Dave J.

    Foley: Whoa! Shots fired.

    I didn't delve too far into the Sencer Lee injury controversy, but I can say that plenty of wrestlers have tried to compete with torn ACL's. There is no doctor approval needed for competition at the high school level unless elevated to that position by the coach. In college the school can retire you for the season against your will since everything is run through their athletics program. In high school it's on the parents.

    Spencer Lee is not one to make excuses and he seems to own up to the loss. I can tell you as someone who (MRI pending) recently tore his ACL that grappling is much more difficult. Sometimes I feel confident in my motion and then out of nowhere a sharp pain or instability when posting. Every injury is different, but no question that an ACL would severely impact on performance.

    But as you also wrote, kudos to Austin DeSanto. He wanted the challenge all season, kept up the pressure during the match, and ended up making history.

    Q: Cory Clark is a great wrestler, NCAA champ, three-time finalist, four-time All-American. At the end of his match, it appeared that Terry Brands was telling Cory to throw him. Cory shook his head "no" but Brands persisted and Cory gave in. After the throw, Clark's expression was one of dismissiveness. Can't say I blame him. Biggest win of his career and his coach forces him to do a contrived stunt. Contrast that with most of the other coaches who shared the spontaneous and genuine joy of their wrestlers. On the positive side though, perhaps Brands is starting to realize that acting angry does not mean you are tough or successful.
    -- Russ T.

    Foley: That last part miiiiight be a reach. You're right. The throw was inauthentic, which is kind of cringe-worthy since it implies that Terry was asking for attention to be on him rather than Cory Clark. Also, Clark's shoulder was pretty banged up. If he couldn't shoot it was certainly a reach to ask him to hit a lateral drop.

    ANNUAL BASKETBALL RANT
    By Frustrated Wrestling Fan

    The NCAA needs to change the scheduling of the wrestling season by one week. After last weekend I realized that I hate basketball. Well, I probably wouldn't mind it so much if March Madness didn't start the same weekend as my beloved NCAA wrestling tournament, but this past weekend I tried to watch at a giant sports bar in Chicago with what seemed like over 80 TVs. You would think with so many TVs the bar manager would be willing to change just ONE to wrestling, being that the national championships were on, right? Wrong. They absolutely refused. They looked at me like I was asking to watch C-SPAN reruns for 36 hours straight. I had to run down the street to literally bribe a bartender at a dive bar to change it from basketball to wrestling for five minutes … only to get booed and groans from the crowd. The bartender, clearly annoyed by the boos, switched it back to basketball (despite 8-9 other TVs already playing basketball in that bar) after only four minutes, and the crowd cheered! They freaking cheered! Honestly, the same game was on multiple other TVs already! This indicated to me that the sport was absolutely hated when people couldn't turn their heads three degrees to watch basketball on a different screen.

    It is a travesty that the marquee tournament of the sport of wrestling has to compete head-to-head with the blind loyalty of the masses to the March basketball tournament. It is ridiculously timed scheduling by the NCAA and it hurts the sport immensely. Move it back one week so that people will actually tune in and maybe gain a few fans! Competing with the bizarre monster that has become college basketball is a losing proposition.

    REF, HE'S STALLING!
    By Erik B.

    I hate to beat a dead horse but stalling continues to be an issue.

    This past weekend my father-in-law stopped by while I was watching the consolation rounds. He's not a big wrestling guy, but has seen his fair share of matches over the years. Within the first minute of watching, he pointed out, "They sure don't call stalling like they used to." At first I tried to argue that it wasn't stalling in this case, that yes they do still call stalling, and even explained the current out of bounds rules. He didn't press the issue any further, but I couldn't help but dwell on his observation. He was right, and even though I enjoyed most of the product I couldn't help but notice stalling over and over. Something has to give. Call stalling more, add in the international out of bounds rules, let the bottom man out if they go out of bounds on their feet. All of it. Some of it. Something.

    On a side note I'm pumped about the new rules and weight classes at the international level. Great news.]]>    82527Fri, 24 Mar 2017 05:45:50 +0000    Foley's Friday Mailbag: March 10, 2017https://intermatwrestle.com/articles.html/mailbag/foleys-friday-mailbag-march-10-2017-r82448/
    Mostly the process went as planned -- plenty of GIFs on Twitter and no controversy. And while we could be blissful that the NCAAs system allotted and organized a mostly correct batch of individuals for the tournament, the system itself remained a target, and for good reason.

    The NCAA system for selecting and seeding wrestlers is opaque and unnecessarily subjective.

    As we've seen with issues of amateurism and pay-to-play appeals, the NCAA (like any closed club) restricts information. Athletes, parents and fans are treated as potential sources of income, and thus, of friction. The NCAA's campaign to restrict information is probably best seen in basketball's selection process, but is mirrored well in wrestling.

    Wrestling may even be the murkier of the two sports, with a challenge and review process hidden from fans in the arena. Like the most controversial calls on the mat, the discussion of administration off the mat are hidden from the public eye.

    But why?

    Shouldn't transparency be the best avenue forward for any educational organization? The NCAA is an organization directly supported by its members, most of whom are publicly funded universities. That means your state and federal tax dollars help to, at least in part, fund the organization which will then not allow you to see how the sausage is made. Why? Is there anything to hide?

    I don't doubt the individuals on the committee have the best interest of wrestling in mind. This is not an indictment of them or recent decisions. However, we can't be left to stand by and not question why in 2017 we still have bureaucrats in a closed-door meeting making decisions that belong to more than them alone.

    We live in a time that demands more clarity, not less. I hope that the NCAA prioritizes truth and transparency in the future and either adjusts the qualification system for wrestling and makes it totally objective, or at the very least opens the selection process for total and complete public review.

    To your questions …

    Q: I'm still trying to figure out what's up with Kevin Dresser. I watched much of the ACC tournament on the computer and did not see him or hear any discussion about him. In your mailbag you speculated that Dresser would be at the ACCs. Then, during the Big 12 finals (on TV), no mention of him. Since Iowa State did not have a finalist, I never got to see who was coaching. Was Dresser there? Or is Kevin Jackson still in charge?

    The whole bad boy Pat Downey situation is puzzling also. Hadn't Jackson already retired and Dresser been hired when Jackson dismissed Downey from the team? How did that work?
    -- Mike J.

    Foley: Kevin Jackson had chosen to step aside after he stepped down, and right about the time Kevin Dresser was hired. Travis Paulson was named the interim coach for the postseason. Dresser was not the coach at Iowa State, nor was he in the corner for Virginia Tech.

    I called the ACC tournament, so admittedly I was unable to check ever crevice of the facility, but from my understanding Dresser was not at the event. Though he was rumored to be appearing, it's not difficult to imagine that the coaching staff asked that he hold off on attending. Or not … it's difficult to dig in too deep.

    The Virginia Tech wrestling team comes together as a team after winning the ACC title (Photo/HokieSports.com)

    What is obvious is that the upheaval did nothing to affect the Virginia Tech wrestling team. The athletes were in prime condition and competed better than they ever had at the ACC tournament. In a post-tournament interview, interim head coach Tony Robie resisted naming Coach Dresser by name, but did shine a light on the adversity the team faced that week. No matter how they felt as individuals the team performed.

    Smart money gives Virginia Tech four All-Americans, possibly five, at the NCAAs in St. Louis. Smarter money says Robie becomes the full-time head coach.

    As for Pat Downey … his behavior isn't worthy of thoughtful discussion.

    Q: Who are your picks for the individual NCAA champions?
    -- Gregg Y.

    NC State's Kevin Jack rides Lehigh's Randy Cruz (Photo/Juan Garcia)

    Foley: I'm betting the chalk, save 141 pounds where I think Kevin Jack of NC State will have a completely dominant NCAA tournament. Does Jack have a nickname? His build, coupled with that type of dominance, demands something.

    125: No. 1 Thomas Gilman (Iowa)
    133: No. 1 Nathan Tomasello (Ohio State)
    141: No. 2 Kevin Jack (NC State)
    149: No. 1 Zain Retherford (Penn State)
    157: No. 1 Jason Nolf (Penn State)
    165: No. 1 Isaiah Martinez (Illinois
    174: No. 1 Zahid Valencia (Arizona State)
    184: No. 1 Gabe Dean (Cornell)
    197: No. 1 J'den Cox (Missouri)
    285: No. 1 Kyle Snyder (Ohio State)

    Dylan Geick

    Q: What are your thoughts on high school wrestler and Columbia recruit Dylan Geick?
    -- Gregg Y.

    Foley: To catch readers up on Dylan Geick and his decision to publicly announce that he's gay, please read this article.

    As an athlete, Geick's a two-time state placewinner in Illinois, a state that produces a high number of NCAA Division I wrestlers and national qualifiers. He's an athletic competitor with more muscle to put on in college, but he might be a great addition at 174 pounds. Maybe 165 pounds for a season or two.

    Columbia is the perfect place for Dylan to study, wrestle and live openly gay. College can be the worst type of bubble, but Columbia can be an exceptionally welcoming place, despite the controversy from earlier this year. Dylan seems likable, talented and outgoing, which should bode well for creating friendships and insulating himself from naysayers.

    I understand that there are some in the community who'd rather not see Dylan wrestle and they have a … wait, no they don't have a point. It's 2017 and Dylan is a fully actualized human being who can chase any dream he likes: wrestling, school, career, piano and marriage.

    Rock on, Dylan.

    Insight on THAT Taleb Rahmani move
    By Larry S.

    Taleb Rahmani scores nearfall points in the ACC finals
    The move the Pitt kid did was known as a reverse double arm bar. If you look at the replay you will notice the top guy (Sal Mastriani of Virginia Tech) is not grabbing anything, just draping both arms over his opponent. That is the only way it works, if the opponent grabs a bicep or wrist you stop the move. In fact, the front headlock, used as defensive move, was taught as a counter. Any anyone who used it was deemed a cowboy in western PA in the 70s. College coaches immediately stopped you from using it, if a guy knows it is coming you literally set him up to pancake you. Remember, 40 years ago most high school wrestlers in PA wrestled 70-80 percent of the match on the mat. Only kid I ever saw let up an opponent after taking him down was Ronnie Headlee, Drew Headlee's dad -- Cary Kolat's high school coach -- and everyone talked about him as if he was a great innovator, like a Jason Nolf.

    TRIVIA TIME
    By Larry S.

    The only reason Coleman Scott was not a four-time PA state champion is that he could not beat his high school teammate Drew Headlee out for the starting spot at 103 pounds. So Coleman. who looked like he weighed about a 100 pounds, had to wrestle up at 112 pounds. He still made it to the semifinals, but would, in my opinion, have won at 103 pounds. I coached midgets at that time, at a neighboring high school, and based on head-to-head matches with our kids, Coleman was 4 or 5 points better, but when you grow up wrestling a kid on your team every day and he starts out beating you at age 5 … well, it's a mental thing.

    INTERESTING THOUGHT OF THE WEEK
    By @footestomper

    I found a report from the NCAA which indicated there were 90 challenges during the 2016 Division 1 Wrestling Championships: 20 calls were reversed, and 1 was inconclusive. Simple subtraction yields 69 were valid. Therefore 70 out of 90 resulted in no change.

    I'm a growing a little weary of coaches challenges during collegiate wrestling matches. Why? Because it seems to me that a lot of the challenges are made by the coach of the wrestler trailing in the match. And, it appears to being used more and more as a strategy by coaches to give their wrestler a rest, particularly when the losing wrestler is in a close match with a highly ranked opponent.

    It isn't difficult to for any fan to think of an example lately -- regardless of which conference championship you watched. And, it will be happening in the upcoming NCAAs. Part of the reason the highly ranked wrestler is highly ranked is superior conditioning. And, by calling for a delay in the match, this takes away one advantage of the more conditioned athlete.

    Proposed rule change: For conference tournaments, and the NCAA tournament, employ one extra assistant referee. If a question/challenge arises, then the 3 officials quickly meet. If 2 out of 3 agree, go with the decision. And, get back to wrestling! Also, limit coaches to a certain number of challenges (if not already in the rule book).

    I enjoy watching some matches where the underdog is fairly competitive for one period, maybe half way into the second, then the superior skilled and conditioned wrestler just explodes with a flurry of points. I do not enjoy watching when a coach notices that his wrestler is getting tired, and then jumps on the first opportunity to question a call, resulting in a much-needed rest for their wrestler.]]>    82448Fri, 10 Mar 2017 07:10:37 +0000    Foley's Friday Mailbag: March 3, 2017https://intermatwrestle.com/articles.html/mailbag/foleys-friday-mailbag-march-3-2017-r82403/
    The balance of NCAA Division I teams hit that mat this weekend, leaving plenty of action for fans of the sport to watch on TV and online. Wrestling has never been more accessible to the fan, which means that the more we tune in, the more positive data can be shared with decision makers at streaming providers. So … watch, it'll help the sport grow!

    March is an exciting time of year for our young wrestlers. For many their entire wrestling life will come down to this weekend and with most competing in the sport for more than 15 years, there is an incredible amount of pressure building for this weekend, and that of NCAAs.

    This pressure causes the mind of a college wrestler to exist under constant stress and leaves it incredibly delicate come championship season. From my experience most college wrestlers derive an immense amount of their self-worth from what happens on the mat. Keeping that in mind we should all be respectful of their journey and stay as positive as possible of their successes and their failures. Yes, we might be disappointed in outcomes, but this is sport and these are kids. Let us be positive … to a fault.

    To your questions …

    Stanford's Jim Wilson won three Pac-12 titles (Photo/Tony Rotundo, WrestlersAreWarriors.com)

    Q: What do you make of Stanford coach Jason Borrelli's decision to not let Jim Wilson wrestle off at 174 pounds at the Pac-12 Championships? Peter Galli qualified the spot, giving the Pac-12 two spots at 174 pounds. The allocation would have been taken away had Wilson wrestled. That would have meant Wilson would have had to beat ASU's Zahid Valencia to qualify for the NCAAs, which seems unlikely, because he was not going to receive an at-large spot.
    -- Mike C.

    Foley: This is a tricky situation. Coach Borrelli is tasked with qualifying as many wrestlers as possible for the NCAA Championships to help Stanford earn All-American plaques and national championship trophies. Jim Wilson is a senior wrestler who has won three Pac-12 titles.

    If you take away Jim Wilson's previous successes, Borrelli's thinking is rational. Wilson had suffered a somewhat major injury from which he was only just cleared and is likely not in great condition, hadn't competed in a while, and any wrestle-off is somewhat meaningless given the familiarity of the opponent.

    I tend to think this was the right call, though extremely difficulty. One note is that this wouldn't have happened in the old qualification system since that one included the subjective opinions of the conference coaches looking to boost their chances at gaining future qualifiers. In that situation I could see Borrelli allowing the wrestle-off and potentially Wilson to wrestle.

    Heartbreaking for Jim Wilson. Wish him the best in his MMA career.

    Q: How good at wrestling are the assistants at the top programs? I know that they were amazing in their day, but based on your experience are they as good as the wrestlers they work with? Can Casey Cunningham really beat Jason Nolf consistently in live goes? Would you expect that Donny Pritzlaff can beat everyone under heavyweight at Rutgers? Hard for me to imagine that Terry Brands is still going live with teenagers at 48 years old. Wouldn't these guys still be competing if they were truly good enough to beat these guys in live wrestling? Any context you can share?
    -- Bryan R.

    Foley: So much to unpack here …

    First, the assistant coaches and other mat coaches in their 30's and 40's are NOT going full practices. Most likely they teach technique, go live in situations and maybe go 2-minute go's. This isn't to say they wouldn't be able to hang for longer, but the body doesn't hold up well to that type of abuse.

    Most of the coach wrestling comes from assistant coaches who are within 5-8 years of graduation. They are either still competing, or haven't felt gravity long enough for their backs, knees, hips or necks to start giving them constant pain. Those are the workhorses in the room.

    As for Coach Cunningham vs. Nolf, it's important to remember that Coach has seen a lot more wrestling than Nolf, which allows him the privilege of eliminating most of his inefficiencies. He's also a man and man-strength is a real thing.

    I know it's not wrestling, but I was just having this same conversation a few days ago regarding jiu-jitsu and my professor Marcelo Garcia. Forget what he does to me, I've seen a 35-year-old Marcelo obliterate the top .00001 of jiu-jitsu competitors. Most in the 20's, most of them training year-round and winning tournaments. How does he overcome their multitude of advantages (often including size)? He's more technical and there are no mistakes or risks in his game. One move leads to another, which leads to another and another. Every reaction changes his next decision, but can keep moving down the list. Like a great chess player, guys like Marcelo and Casey know the moves, their opponents and have seen the board way more times than any youngster.

    Q: Cornell's Dylan Palacio hasn't shown much this season, but he's wildly entertaining on and off the mat. What do you expect from him in the postseason?
    -- Mike C.

    Foley: Off the mat? Did I miss something? Maybe I saw something on Facebook or Instagram.

    I'm not sure what qualifies as a normal expectation, but I assume he'll be in the finals of the EIWA Championships and that he'll place in St. Louis. Tough to see him falling outside of the top eight, though now I'm nervous about this off-the-mat entertainment.

    Q: Some of the recurring topics of complaint across men's and women's wrestling:

    1. 125-pound weight class seems to be too low for men and there seems to be more men between the 140-plus weight ranges in college.

    2. Women's/men's wrestling needs more coverage. Would coed wrestling teams be beneficial for wrestling in the long run? We can have anywhere from 16-20 weight classes with the "low" weight classes being more of "unofficial" women's weight classes. Put more weight classes in the middle to upper weights.

    Some glaring things are the possibility of women "losing" weight classes. Plus the fact that there are probably not enough women competing in high school wrestling to sustain participants at all NCAA divisions, let alone JC/NAIA. I am not advocating that that women's wrestling is failing, but there are opportunities. Much like men's and women's track, where everyone competes on the same date. That is the model I am coming from with the opportunity to trail blaze a truly coed sport.
    -- Dan C.

    Foley: Love this idea! The best part is that the first-ever coed dual went down last year in NYC and was such a hit they instituted for 2017, too.

    There are certain hiccups with starting this program now, but with more focus turning to women's wrestling and the growth of the sport helping push administrators to offer it in more private and public schools, there is certainly hope for coed teams throughout the nation.

    The Olympics and world championships have days with women and men mixed together and the results have always been encouraging. You tend to hear fans explain that they had no idea women's wrestling was so different in terms of technique. More than a few also flatly admit it's more entertaining than most freestyle and Greco-Roman matches.

    Kevin Dresser speaks at a press conference after being introduced as ISU's coach (Photo/Iowa State Sports Information)

    Q: Have any current Virginia Tech wrestlers announced they are following Coach Dresser to Iowa State? Or any of the coaching staff?
    -- Spencer S.

    Foley: No Virginia Tech athletes have announced plans to transfer and it's doubtful any will since Tony Robie is a big part of the program's success. Also, the geography of the VT team and recruits would lend to them staying on the East Coast.

    Q: Where do you think Kevin Dresser will be this weekend? Big 12 Championships? Or ACC Championships? Where should he be?
    -- Mike C.

    Foley: He should be at the ACC Championships. He has little domain over the Iowa State program and I'm sure that he'll want to see his guys for Virginia Tech start their postseason performance.

    Q: What will be the biggest surprise at this weekend's conference tournaments?
    -- Mike C.

    Foley: My guy Jack "The Mauler" Mueller will take out top-seeded Joey Dance of Virginia Tech to win the ACC title!

    COMMENT OF THE WEEK
    By Jacob J.

    Disappointed in your assumption here regarding Texas wrestling, especially this statement:

    " … would have shown the world our sport's most redeemable and admirable qualities, rather than our culture's most vile and basest instinct."

    Texas has done a phenomenal job of promoting girls wrestling and being ahead of the curve. We have two divisions: 5A and 6A for boys and girls. Because we offer these opportunities the transgender issue became what it did. Most other states don't even offer what Texas does.

    UIL states that an athlete must participate with the gender given at birth. That is not an unreasonable rule. If a 215-pound boy was transitioning to a female (this will eventually happen) and wanted to compete against females…would you promote Texas to let him wrestle with 215-pound girls so they wouldn't be so VILE?

    I thought the UIL was actually very progressive in making an exception for the individual because the testosterone was prescribed for medical purposes. They did not ignore her medical situation and say "tough crap, that's not a medical condition. You can't be on testosterone." They made an exception and let her compete deeming the testosterone a medical necessity.

    They also factored in the amount of testosterone and what its medical impact would be. They deemed it minimal.

    I feel for the individual and my heart goes out to her situation. I don't know what it is like to be in her shoes and wish her the best of luck. When a few boos started after she won a good bunch of the crowd cheered to drown them out. And they were drowned out. A 17-year-old kid should never be booed whether I agree or not.

    Overall, I think your opinion is obviously your own and something you are entitled to. But it ignores all the nuances of the situation and is easy to 'arm chair quarterback.' "They should have done this or that….." It was extremely complex and I think the powers that be did their best to navigate a very complicated issue. You gave no mention to Texas girls wrestling being the force that it is, and did not acknowledge the fact that at the end of the day, they did let her compete. There was nothing vile or basest about the way Texas handled the situation.]]>    82403Fri, 03 Mar 2017 06:50:24 +0000    Foley's Friday Mailbag: February 24, 2017https://intermatwrestle.com/articles.html/mailbag/foleys-friday-mailbag-february-24-2017-r82354/national headlines and sparked debate about transgender rights and the rights of athletes competing against transgender athletes.

    Though it would be easy to jump to a side, this is not a matter of simple discrimination, or religious zealotry. At the core of the forfeit (and lawsuit asking that the transgendered athlete be forbidden from competing) is that the transgendered athletes is taking testosterone to help with the gender transition, something otherwise prohibited by in Texas high school sports.

    Those opposing the transgender athlete's participation make a point about fairness: if a student who took these drugs and tried to compete would test positive for performance enhancers and be ineligible, why should an exception be made for those transitioning between sexes? The NCAA also tackled a few years ago, settling on the ruling that a female athlete may participate in female athletics during their first year of transitioning. After that point the athlete would no longer be eligible to compete on a women's team.

    But here's the real crux, the athlete in question, Mack Beggs, wanted to compete against boys but athletic administrators in Texas, and later court rulings, compelled him compete against girls.

    No doubt that transgender policy is a complicated issue that touches on a lot of hot topics, however this should have been a non-issue. A transgender athlete wanted to participate in wrestling, but due to a lack of understanding about the complex situation a handful of bureaucrats denied him that right, and possibly denied the right of fair competition to others.

    Wrestling is too often about wins and losses. Every year we see news specials in the profiles of courage by some of our sport's disabled athletes and it stirs up in us a love of our sport and the equality among people it promotes. This isn't as stark of an example, but it's one which would require even more courage and would bang the drum of our sport's equality even louder than before.

    A wrestling match is a meeting between two humans with the expectation of exchanging techniques, strength and grit. Competitors testing their work ethic and hoping for a positive outcome. Here, what could have been -- an acceptance of a match including a transgendered athlete in the gender of his identification -- would have shown the world our sport's most redeemable and admirable qualities, rather than our culture's most vile and basest instinct.

    To your questions …

    Jimmy Gulibon of Penn State nearly secured a fall against Oklahoma State's Dean Heil (Photo/Mark Lundy, Lutte-Lens.com)

    Q: I feel like Flo's issues overshadowed the one glaring rules issue that took place in the National Duals finals match between Jimmy Guilibon and Dean Heil. We had a situation where a wrestler was put onto his back by another wrestler in an inescapable situation from neutral position (much like a jones' shin whizzer tilt) and exposed in criteria for a grand total of 20 uninterrupted seconds. Following the exchange, zero points were awarded in two similar exchanges. What constitutes "control" in situations like these? Is it purely a judgment call?
    -- Bryan O.

    Foley: The situation was obnoxious. The wrestler from Oklahoma State was pinned -- plain, simple and without argument. The area of his back necessary to call the fall was on the mat and the wrestler on top was in control of the situation. When compared to the "flash takedown" the control was even more evident, lasting (as you noted) for 20 uninterrupted seconds.

    In wrestling, you are meant to stay OFF your back. This is universal and has a history that extends back more than 5,000 years. It's the heritage that binds our sport! That our wrestlers are putting themselves on their back for 20 seconds and not being called for a pin, but also WINNING the matches is simply embarrassing. I don't have a preference between the teams and think the world of both coaches, but it's an embarrassment to our sport that this match didn't end with an obvious fall call.

    My hope is that the rules committee dives into this issue and ensures that the sport returns to a more logical rule set.

    Q: What do you look to take away from the upcoming National Collegiate Open?
    -- Glenn Y.

    Foley: I'm all for this type of tournament. In international wrestling there are a number of ways for wrestlers to engage in top-level, end-of-the-season wrestling and I'm thrilled that this initiative is picking up more steam.

    Q: I think that riding (maintaining control) is a valuable part of folkstyle wrestling that we should keep. That said, I agree that it needs modifying. But, rather than make things even more complicated (and difficult to understand), how about this simple rule change (to avoid "riding" including pushing your opponent out of bounds from the rear standing position):

    If a wrestler goes out of bounds from neutral, penalty point (with disqualification after, say, 5 such penalty points). If both wrestlers go out of bounds from the top/bottom positions, restart neutral (with no escape point).
    -- Irv O.

    Foley: Sold. Think it should be like freestyle where there is a caution if more than two pushouts happen within quick succession.

    Q: How many people were signed up to watch PSU/OKIE would you guess
    -- @palhal_

    Foley: You'd need to ask Flo, but I imagine between 5,000 and 10,000 would be a wide, but conservative estimate. The Facebook feed had 15,000-plus watching, though inevitably not all those would've been paying customers.

    Q: So apparently Flo really dropped the ball with the PSU vs. OSU match. With that in mind, any chance InterMat expands into the world of streaming broadcasts? It's crazy that such a big match isn't picked up by someone bigger.
    -- Ryan P.

    Foley: I don't know of InterMat's plans for streaming, but they do a great job in the area they've concentrated their efforts -- rankings, event coverage and articles.

    The PSU/OSU streaming blackout was an unprecedented failure on the part of FloWrestling. No question Flo is experiencing some managerial hiccups in their effort to ramp up their operations across sporting platforms.

    While bad on its face, the blackout of the National Duals championships was compounded by Flo's lawsuit against Trackwrestling.com, which prevented the latter's plans to broadcast the match live on NBC -- an inconvenient side note when balanced against their ongoing criticism of NBC's lack of wrestling coverage by Flo personalities.

    Yet … media commenting on media happenings can be gross and self-serving. I've chased this into the rabbit hole before and looking back I regret not using that energy to put more focus on the people, stories and trends in the sport that matter. Flo's faceplant is a big story, so there is room here to discuss, but I'll keep it brief.

    Martin and the rest of the C-Suite are in this game to generate profit. This is not altruism, this is not love, this is money This week FloSports announced they'll be moving to a 60,000-square foot headquarters in Austin and hiring 175 additional employees over the next six months. That rapid expansion is being paid for, in part, by Flo's latest round of fundraising worth upwards of $20 million. That money creates a lot of pressure for Flo's management team and filters down to the brand's personalities whose job it is protect their company.

    Simply put, Flo is a streaming and events company that failed to deliver the stream for the National Duals championship. For some this is another reason to cancel their Flo subscription, for others it's just seen as an embarrassing, but ultimately forgivable hiccup. I wouldn't advocate for cancellation, but I would use this moment to ask our community to refigure its longstanding belief that this is some sort of non-profit doing what is best for the sport. Flo is a for-profit business doing what is best for the ownership and investors and at $20/month there is quite the premium placed on their access and delivery of events.

    Before you attack me as a socialist, I'm totally OK with this model (America!), but a focus on the bottom line means you should never mistake this endeavor as something altruistic. This is about money, your money, and if you're ticked off then the best way to make your voice heard, whether through social media or your pocketbook.

    MULTIMEDIA HALFTIME

    Working with a very gifted videographer this year to help bring more coverage of behind-the-scenes action from wrestling around the world. Check out this piece of the Klippan Ladies Open Training Camp

    Abdulrashid Sadulaev gets married!

    Olympic champion Abdulrashid Sadulaev was recently married


    NCAA allocations

    NCAA qualifier allocations


    Q: Have to discuss @magicman_psu. When last week's mailbag posted, he "looked good." Saying anything other than impressive is insulting
    -- @josephmjamison

    Foley: Please remember that David Taylor beat the 2012 Olympic champion and pinned the 2016 Olympic champion AFTER I finished the mailbag on Thursday. He was a total terror on the mats and proved that the USA could have a serious shot at contending with Abdulrashid Sadulaev at the World Championships.

    Also keep in mind that DT will still need to wrestle past J'den Cox and that are still many more up-and-coming and proven competitors at 86 kilograms which could knock down medal expectations in 2017. That's a tall task and one that can't be circumvented by these early season wins.

    Overall, I couldn't be more impressed with DT and all of Team USA. Taylor's was of the best weekend performances in recent USA Wrestling history.

    Q: I don't know about you, but I was very proud of USA Wrestling and Iran Wrestling and how Team USA was received and has always been treated in Iran. Is there anywhere else in the world that could've happened in this type of political climate? Even the Iranian immigrants who I've met here in the U.S. love wrestling. Where else in the world do they express that type of love for wrestling? Carver-Hawkeye Arena gets passionate, but can you think of anywhere else and what is like?
    -- Marcus R.

    Foley: The politics of the day helped add a layer of intensity to the event that permeated into the press and into the atmosphere in the arena and on the mats. Wrestling in Iran is a big deal and when paired up with an important event you are always guaranteed an explosive and consequential event.

    Russia certainly has a following for the sport which could produce some similar results. Dagestan, which is bidding to host the 2018 European Championships, will almost certainly be bubbling with excitement during the inevitable clash between Russian wrestlers overseas and those that wear the gold-striped singlet. The Yarygin, while missing the notes of international conflict, still can pack the house and create a raucous reaction.

    Mongolians turn out for wrestling events in record numbers, complete with rowdy fans and chanting. Uzbeksitan was a packed house for the 2014 World Championships. Finland will be mad for the Greco-Roman finals this year at the Junior World Championships.

    Q: I've been looking forward to watching the Women's Freestyle World Cup, but when I looked it up on the UWW event schedule it had competition dates listed (04-05 Mar, 2017), but no competition location. Is this a sign that the Women's World Cup isn't happening this year? It'd be a shame if it's not because I found the women's wrestling to be some of the most entertaining at the Olympics this last go around. If it is happening, any information about where we might be able to watch it would be great?
    -- Dan L.

    Foley: The Women's World Cup is one of my favorite events, too. The federation was looking for a host this year, but ran into a few hurdles with location and funding. It's not widely known, but the event organizer assumes almost all the costs for the World Cup event, including the $100,000 in prize money handed out to teams.

    There is still time to find a host in 2017, but do know that there is already a host city for 2018, Tokyo!

    Q: ISU had an awful dual meet season, going 1-12. There are certainly some talented wrestlers on the roster and some accomplished incoming recruits. What is a realistic timetable for the Cyclones contending for team trophies again?
    -- Mike C.

    Foley: The Cyclone turnaround will be contingent on a few factors.

    First, is the ability of head coach Kevin Dresser to address and correct any team culture issues. The recent expulsion of full-tine tweeter Pat Downey and the stepping down of Kevin Jackson before year's end signals that the team is having some real issues. Dresser needs to balance a heavy hand with a modicum of compassion for the upheaval experienced by the athletes.

    The next big indicator on future success is determining which athletes will honor their commitments to Jackson and which new recruits may now be added to the mix now that Dresser is the head coach.

    Finally, the dual meet success will come down to who Dresser finds to staff his program. Will he bring over some of the Virginia Tech coaching staff? Or retain some members of the Iowa State program? That's a juggling act and one that will impact the time it takes him to succeed.

    Overall, I think that ISU is a .500 dual meet team in the first year one and follow a pretty Dresser-standard five-year growth curve with a top ten finish likely by 2020 and top five by 2022.

    Q: How are the Hawkeye faithful going to feel in a couple years when Iowa's lineup is basically a PA All-Star team? Won't have many local kids to root for.
    -- Steve M.

    Foley: I think you are basically trolling the Iowa faithful … but to be honest I don't think they'll mind so long as those guys are winning NCAA titles. Based on the some of those wrestlers it's impossible to think they won't be racking up the individual honors in the years to come.

    Q: What weight class do you think will go last for the NCAA finals? Obviously, Kyle Snyder is an Olympic and world champion and that will appeal to viewers. However, I see 184 pounds, Gabe Dean vs. Bo Nickal, as the most compelling matchup and would like to see that as the grand finale. Both have been extremely dominant.
    -- Mike C.

    Foley: Absolutely Gabe Dean and Bo Nickal! Or, that's my vote -- the young startup vs. the grisly veteran is a matchup worthy of primetime.

    What do you guys think? Vote in the comments!]]>    82354Fri, 24 Feb 2017 09:37:36 +0000