World Team Trials

[Interviewed_at_Weehawken]

On 5/15/2025 at 10:15 AM, Doublehalf said:

Yeah but you seemed to be taking the same stance that there are all these problems aside from having something like 9 surgeries in the past 7-8 years... weight cuts are difficult on everyone but I wouldn't pin any of Yianni's losses on a weight cut so again, I'm just curious other than injuries and weight cut issues that haven't seemed to be an issue what all these problems are that you mention? I genuinely don't know what you're referring too so just seeking to understand what else the issue has been that has only netted him 4 national titles US Open titles and a world silver medal at 65kg that hadn't been done in over a decade?

Interesting interview with Yianni just came out, where he talks about his difficult weight cut!  Says 149 was tough for him to make as a senior, so 65 kg was a bit much.  Says weight cut affected him at OTT.  Who would've thought?

[Cornell Kevin]

On 5/19/2025 at 12:37 PM, Truzzcat said:

Joey may have 2-3 years of u23 eligibility left I think he was an 18 year old freshman and never used a RS. I am really interested if after levi graduates this year if we see MM go up and perhaps Joey joins his brother to wrestle 165 at PSU. If Duke can hold 157 its a pretty seemless fit because James can red shirt and then go 165.

MM is a lifer at 165/74kg  He is on the smaller side of the weight class. Its been said by both him and Askren that if he had to, he could have been a 157 pounder. Wpuld have been a cut, but do able.  You will see him finish out his college career at 165. 

[Le duke]

3 minutes ago, Cornell Kevin said:

MM is a lifer at 165/74kg  He is on the smaller side of the weight class. Its been said by both him and Askren that if he had to, he could have been a 157 pounder. Wpuld have been a cut, but do able.  You will see him finish out his college career at 165. 

I wouldn't be surprised if they bumped him up to 174 for his senior year. Actually, I'd be surprised if they didn't do that.

Get big(ger) for international 74kg wrestling, even if he's a small-ish 174lb wrestler for NCAA competition. That will allow Kasak and Duke to go 157/165. 

[Truzzcat]

1 hour ago, Cornell Kevin said:

MM is a lifer at 165/74kg  He is on the smaller side of the weight class. Its been said by both him and Askren that if he had to, he could have been a 157 pounder. Wpuld have been a cut, but do able.  You will see him finish out his college career at 165. 

I completely agree that he is by no means going to grow out of weekly weigh ins at 165. I think he will need to go up at some point though for roster synergy. I think its a pretty big pull for PJ to make 70kg and thats like once a month at most I am not sure he has two years of 157 in him.

[wrestlingfan22]

1 hour ago, Cornell Kevin said:

MM is a lifer at 165/74kg  He is on the smaller side of the weight class. Its been said by both him and Askren that if he had to, he could have been a 157 pounder. Wpuld have been a cut, but do able.  You will see him finish out his college career at 165. 

MM is good enough to win 174 weighing 170, he needs to get bigger to compete internationally at 74kg, Dake was clearly cutting from 180+ to make 74kg and he is not even the biggest 74kg guy. MM going 174 for his last year would let Kasak or Duke go 165. 

26:

57: Kasak (Duke RS)

65:MM

74:Haines

 

27:

57: Duke/Kasak

65:Kasak/Duke

74:Messenbrink

 

Gives Messenbrink a year to grow more towards being a more full-sized 74kg

Then Kasak and MM would graduate, letting Duke pick his weight and their other recruits in that range find a spot. 

 

Other option requires both Kasak and Duke to take a RS to let MM clear out.