60th Midlands Tournament

[1032004]

2 minutes ago, BruceyB said:

I defer the match summaries to you, good sir.

Ha we said pretty much the same thing!

[BruceyB]

3 minutes ago, 1032004 said:

Ha we said pretty much the same thing!

Very very close haha.

[1032004]

Composto/Olivieri far less exciting than 133.  1-1 into SV and Composto gets the quick TD

[1032004]

Abas/Wasilewski 9-9 into the 3rd

[1032004]

Abas starts down, escapes then runs for the rest of the period to win 10-9

[1032004]

Lovett over McGee in TB on RT

[1032004]

Lillard over Mayfield 7-3

[WrestlingRash]

On 12/29/2024 at 4:46 AM, 1032004 said:

These brackets don’t seem bad.  I’d agree with FRL that the potential match of the tournament might be Incontrera vs Norman.  This could be Incontrera’s toughest test to entering NCAA’a undefeated and potentially getting seeded above Haines, O’Toole and/or Hamiti depending on how their seasons play out 

Incontrera seems to be way over ranked. He is getting smoked in the finals. 

[Bulldog]

Hoping Indiana has three champs, all upsetting top-15 or better-ranked opponents in the finals.    

Edited December 30, 2024 by Bulldog

[1032004]

4 minutes ago, WrestlingRash said:

Incontrera seems to be way over ranked. He is getting smoked in the finals. 

Norman wins 11-5.  Fans nervous Incontrera would get seeded in the top 3 all breathe a collective sigh of relief 

[BruceyB]

Just now, WrestlingRash said:

Incontrera seems to be way over ranked. He is getting smoked in the finals. 

I agree Incontrera was handled in that match, but I really think Norman is just a problem in neutral. He outwrestled Hamiti in neutral in the CKLV finals as well. That misdirect that he hit in the second was so fast and smooth. His bottom wrestling is a big concern when it comes to KOT, Haines, and Hamiti.. but he looks like he could be the clear #4 in the country after seeing what Hamiti did to Wolak, and what he just did against Incontrera. I'd pick Norman over anyone not in the top 3 at 174.

[ionel]

7 minutes ago, BruceyB said:

I agree Incontrera was handled in that match, but I really think Norman is just a problem in neutral. He outwrestled Hamiti in neutral in the CKLV finals as well. 

Norman looks like the real deal.  He did get a takedown on Hamiti, then Hamiti changed the game plan and wrestled a conservative controlled match for the win.

[1032004]

Heller over Cartegena-Walsh.  Rutgers put a bunch of guys in the finals but they haven’t looked particularly great and several lost after leading well into the match 

[Bulldog]

35 minutes ago, Bulldog said:

Hoping Indiana has three champs, all upsetting top-15 or better-ranked opponents in the finals.    

Oh well. With one champ, two other finalists, and a couple of other placers, it was a solid day for the Hoosiers.

[Truzzcat]

Do we put Lorenzo Norman in the contender convo at 174? he gave Hamiti a very difficult match and just dismantled Incontrera who is not historically a world beater but has been very good this year.

[Quaker118]

Swisher beat Logan in the 3rd place match

[ionel]

2 hours ago, Truzzcat said:

Do we put Lorenzo Norman in the contender convo at 174? he gave Hamiti a very difficult match and just dismantled Incontrera who is not historically a world beater but has been very good this year.

He is contending for 4th.  

[BruceyB]

4 hours ago, Truzzcat said:

Do we put Lorenzo Norman in the contender convo at 174? he gave Hamiti a very difficult match and just dismantled Incontrera who is not historically a world beater but has been very good this year.

After watching him get ridden out by Hamiti at CKLV, I don't think he's in the conversation yet. After watching him get ridden out by Hamiti at CKLV, where IIRC he was never close to an escape, that is a concern with those top three guys. But his trajectory looks really promising moving forward.

[juniorvarsity]

It's sad that Midlands fell off and will never be the prestigious tournament it once was. Northwestern's administration "canceled out of an abundance of caution" only 1 week before it was set to start. The array of tough teams that once showed up will never return.

"The tradition of the Midlands is a major part of the wrestling community, however ensuring the health and safety of all participants, coaches, staff members, and fans is our top priority"

[1032004]

1 hour ago, juniorvarsity said:

It's sad that Midlands fell off and will never be the prestigious tournament it once was. Northwestern's administration "canceled out of an abundance of caution" only 1 week before it was set to start. The array of tough teams that once showed up will never return.

"The tradition of the Midlands is a major part of the wrestling community, however ensuring the health and safety of all participants, coaches, staff members, and fans is our top priority"

IIRC it was going downhill even before that.  But it could have been the reason Iowa started the Soldier Salute which further watered it down. 

[Truzzcat]

9 hours ago, ionel said:

He is contending for 4th.  

feels a bit like this to me

tier 1: KOT/Levi
tier2: Hamiti
tier 3: Norman
tier 4: everyone else

I think you could definitely argue Norman and Hamiti in the same tier though I'd like to see Norman against Sax and maybe wolak before I jump there though but the top 4 seems pretty ahead of the field to me at this point. 

[ionel]

1 hour ago, Truzzcat said:

feels a bit like this to me

tier 1: KOT/Levi
tier2: Hamiti
tier 3: Norman
tier 4: everyone else

I think you could definitely argue Norman and Hamiti in the same tier though I'd like to see Norman against Sax and maybe wolak before I jump there though but the top 4 seems pretty ahead of the field to me at this point. 

I think this year you can argue:

tier 1: KOT/Briefs/Hamiti   ...   we'll find out on Feb 2

tier 2: ?  Norman/Wolak/...

tier 3: others

Norman is contending for tier 2 and 4th but once folks realize he can be ridden we may see some different looking matches.  Of course it may be that only the tier 1 guys can ride him.  If Hamiti wrestles him again I'd expect the match will look different and a wider margin.