Best to never stand on top of the NCAA podium

[MPhillips]

9 hours ago, PortaJohn said:

Laestrygonian

A mythical tribe of giant cannibals in Greek mythology who nearly destroyed Odysseus and his crew during their journey home in Homer's The Odyssey.

For the dummies in the back...

[bnwtwg]

Gilman's "world title" came weeks after he didn't win the Olympics and no one was in his bracket.

[BigRedFan]

6 hours ago, BruceyB said:

Seabass will always be the first person that comes to mind when I think of this topic. Wins over..

Spencer Lee 2x

Pat Glory

Vito Arujau

Seth Gross

Roman Bravo-Young

Arujau 2x:  once in the quarterfinals and again for third place in 2019 NCAA tournament.

Interestingly, Arujau and Rivera are scheduled to face each other in RAF 14 on 10/23...

[11986]

11 hours ago, kschlosser said:

John Fisher should be in the Michigan discussion. Last American to beat Tom Brands and John Smith

he's in my top few for best to never make a final discussions

[11986]

for consideration - Mike Mann Iowa State. 4x AA. 2x finalist. Lost by 3-3, 2-2 criteria as a junior in finals and 4-3 in finals as a senior. His senior loss was to Ed Banach who was winning his 3rd title. Mann beat Banach 3 times that year prior to the NCAA tournament. 

 

[Interviewed_at_Weehawken]

10 hours ago, Husker said:

Jacob Newby - OSU/OU 

1994 - freshman - 150lbs - AA 4th (OSU) 

1995 - sophomore - 158lbs - (OU) ranked #1 - walks away from the sport

In his defense, he had a sick band! I believe they were called "Navel Orange."  Rock and Roll was way cooler than wrestling!

[gimpeltf]

3 minutes ago, Interviewed_at_Weehawken said:

In his defense, he had a sick band! I believe they were called "Navel Orange."  Rock and Roll was way cooler than wrestling!

I wouldn't fret over him!

[Interviewed_at_Weehawken]

6 minutes ago, gimpeltf said:

I wouldn't fret over him!

[ionel]

2 hours ago, MPhillips said:

A mythical tribe  in Greek mythology 

For the dummies ...

[MoveCountermove]

2 hours ago, MPhillips said:

A mythical tribe of giant cannibals in Greek mythology who nearly destroyed Odysseus and his crew during their journey home in Homer's The Odyssey.

For the dummies in the back...

C’mon now we all saw the movie

[BruceyB]

2 hours ago, bnwtwg said:

Gilman's "world title" came weeks after he didn't win the Olympics and no one was in his bracket.

I'm not here to discredit peoples resumes based on what I view as a "legitimate" World Title or not. BUT if I was going to go down that route I would say Trent could have maybe half a world title since he won what is undoubtedly the weakest weight class in international wrestling. Similarly you could argue that JB and KD were able to stat pad their resumes with beating weak fields at 79kg so strike those from their resumes. I don't ever want to hear you refer to Sarah Hildebrandt as an Olympic Champion unless it's "Olympic Champion" since she absolutely benefited from maybe the most fortunate turn of events in Olympic wrestling this century.

It seems a little bit silly to start picking and choosing which titles count when, in fact, they all count. I love Trent. I don't know how anyone could not. But at this point, Gilman absolutely has a more impressive international resume.

[OMW]

Gerry Abas

Penn Staters - Greg Elinsky, Dan Mayo, Troy Sutherland

Post NCAA - Greg Gibson

[Ricketycricket]

Not saying he is the best to never be on the top of the podium, but to me Michael Kemerer was NCAA champion caliber. 

[PAFAN01]

On 9/11/2026 at 6:09 PM, gimpeltf said:

For Lehigh- Trenge mentioned earlier. His best year to win might have been his freshman year when he had the retinal injury and he had beaten both finalists.

Colin Kilrain- 3x 3rd. Seeded 3rd/1st/1st. Lost 12-11 to Ed Banach in semis soph year.

Joe Peritore- 2nd/2nd/3rd. Both 2nds were to 2x Olympic Gold and 3x NCAA 1st Yojiro Uetake.

Some of you know this story (mostly the Lehigh people). His junior year final had Uetake winning but he was taking it easy (they knew each other). The ref called Uetake for stalling. Uetake says- "Sorry Joe" and pinned him.  As Peritore walked off the mat and passed the ref- he told him- "Next time mind you own f$%^in' business!"

Trenge for sure!  Unfortunately he was #159!

[Ragu]

One that always comes to mind is Mike McMullan. He was always salty. But my real answer is Trent Hidlay. Aaron Brooks is an all-timer unfortunately for him and stopped him all 4 trips to the tournament 

[MoveCountermove]

3 hours ago, Ricketycricket said:

Not saying he is the best to never be on the top of the podium, but to me Michael Kemerer was NCAA champion caliber. 

Almost added him!!

[Elevator]

14 hours ago, Ragu said:

One that always comes to mind is Mike McMullan. He was always salty. But my real answer is Trent Hidlay. Aaron Brooks is an all-timer unfortunately for him and stopped him all 4 trips to the tournament 

He is an outstanding announcer!

[Interviewed_at_Weehawken]

37 minutes ago, Elevator said:

He is an outstanding announcer!

Agreed! But for some reason didn't do NCAA last year!

[alex1fly]

Not as acclaimed as some listed here, but Daniel Cormier comes to mind.

[Interviewed_at_Weehawken]

Just now, alex1fly said:

Not as acclaimed as some listed here, but Daniel Cormier comes to mind.

was so close to making it 158-1

[alex1fly]

3 minutes ago, Interviewed_at_Weehawken said:

was so close to making it 158-1

Carl!! *shakes fist*

[Interviewed_at_Weehawken]

53 minutes ago, alex1fly said:

Carl!! *shakes fist*

Edited September 15 by Interviewed_at_Weehawken

[jdw21]

Zach Sanders - 4 time AA and always fun to watch

Edited September 15 by jdw21

[jdw21]

Maybe already mentioned (I didn't look back very closely) - Dylan Ness, Bo Jordan, James Green

Edited September 15 by jdw21

[PortaJohn]

Since Trenge comes up in this topic every time any chance either @Husker_Du or @Jon_Kozak can get the rights to Veritas so we can watch the best wrestling docu of all time on Intermat or Flo.  Can't find it anywhere