Immediate u23 overreactions and their potential implications on the collegiate season

[Dogbone]

10 hours ago, Tyler Perry said:

Idk how Merrill would be stock up. Ross teched the GEO at u 20s

A U23 World Bronze (10-0 tech in the medal match) before entering college isn't stock up?? That's just crazy.  

[Tyler Perry]

On 10/21/2026 at 9:16 AM, Dogbone said:

A U23 World Bronze (10-0 tech in the medal match) before entering college isn't stock up?? That's just crazy.  

Not fr with the draw he got. That was a weak field, and he got dominated by a guy Ross teched months prior

[Interviewed_at_Weehawken]

On 10/21/2026 at 7:44 AM, juniorvarsity said:

For Lilledahl, I want to say he usually wrestles close matches because he does in college, but he won u23s last year dominating into the finals and winning 4-0. I give a little merit to the weight cut since he doesn't usually have tough opponents early in tournaments, but he had at least 4 hours after weigh ins before his first match. Either way, he's a 57kg guy in 2028. Back to the topic, nothing has changed here for me. He could go undefeated the rest of his college career, or he could drop a match, possibly 2, in a few of his next 3 seasons because of his tight matches. He's still the favorite.

Davino wrestled to expectations for me. Nothing changes related to college season. Depending on the day, any of the 4 guys could win the tournament. 

Bo still gonna be National Champ.

Jordan Williams did what I expected. I am curious he's gonna do next year. I forgot to lay attention to who was in his corner 

James N/A

Sealey will never start. Needs to transfer. Anyways, I hope he doesn't go 157 because that just makes USAW look bad, but we don't know who else got asked before him. 

Aeoden lost to a guy who has some good wins. The field feels the same. Welsh and Ferrari can make any match a 1 takedown match or go to tiebreakers. Similar to 133, feels like anyone can win.

Maybe Shumate is the front runner for the starting spot. Unsure where Rogotzke is compared to him, but he has looked good over the summer in Freestyle.

If Rademacher doesn't place top 4 at 197 next year, he needs to go heavy. He should consider doing it now.

Has anyone seen Merrill wrestle a tough folkstyle match? I haven't. If he is good at riding and getting off bottom, that style is going to give problems to anyone in the weight. Sidenote, his headgear makes me like him less. It's definitely for headbutting, but I haven't noticed it much since US Open.

I saw Merrill ride the hell out of Michael Mocco.  He could still be on top if the ref didn't blow the whistle.  

As for the headgear, I was hoping we would get a lot of headbutts at U23, causing UWW to get pissed and ban it.

[alex1fly]

26 minutes ago, Interviewed_at_Weehawken said:

I saw Merrill ride the hell out of Michael Mocco.  He could still be on top if the ref didn't blow the whistle.  

As for the headgear, I was hoping we would get a lot of headbutts at U23, causing UWW to get pissed and ban it.

I'm sure he's been coached on how to headbutt strategically.

So the headgear he wears is legal in freestyle? Is it legal in D1 folkstyle?

[Interviewed_at_Weehawken]

4 minutes ago, alex1fly said:

I'm sure he's been coached on how to headbutt strategically.

So the headgear he wears is legal in freestyle? Is it legal in D1 folkstyle?

Yes and yes.  You used to be able to make him take it off in FS, but they got rid of that rule.

[juniorvarsity]

9 hours ago, Interviewed_at_Weehawken said:

Yes and yes.  You used to be able to make him take it off in FS, but they got rid of that rule.

I had heard that rule was still in place for seniors. Is it not?

[Interviewed_at_Weehawken]

13 hours ago, juniorvarsity said:

I had heard that rule was still in place for seniors. Is it not?

I hope it is, but I don't think so.  He wore it at US Open and people were not happy.

[juniorvarsity]

5 hours ago, Interviewed_at_Weehawken said:

I hope it is, but I don't think so.  He wore it at US Open and people were not happy.

Good point. It's the most blatant thing.

[Truzzcat]

6 hours ago, Interviewed_at_Weehawken said:

I hope it is, but I don't think so.  He wore it at US Open and people were not happy.

can you imagine if he wears that in the room to practice. I think I would have to punch him in the face.. and then run as fast as I possibly can and never return.

[Spladle]

On 10/22/2026 at 10:41 PM, Tyler Perry said:

Not fr with the draw he got. That was a weak field, and he got dominated by a guy Ross teched months prior

If only those two had wrestled before for comparisons sake.