Who is your state's Ben Askren?

[BruceyB]

With the success of AWA and the rapid growth of quality D1 wrestlers that are coming out of Wisconsin.. for those of you in a non-powerhouse wrestling state, who would be your ideal candidate (whether currently in residing in your state/coaching or not) to set up a series of clubs in your state to elevate your in state talent to competitive D1 athletes?

As someone from Washington, I'd probably lean towards Michael Mangrum (Oregon State AA). His dad led a local club that developed a number of D1 athletes in Western Washington during the late 00's and he was a real talent. 

Candidates must be from your home state. 

Yes, this is a doldrum of the off-season question, but I am interested to hear everyone's thoughts.

For those of you from wrestling rich states, you can still answer despite having several powerhouse clubs within your respective states.

[mad_rascal]

Michigan here. Prob be Casey Cunningham for me, bring that PSU magic. His brother was a stud also, so they could easily have multiple locations like the Askren bros. 

Nick Simmons already has a club, we'll see how they do. David Morgan also has one now, he's not from Michigan originally though, I don't think.

[Tripnsweep]

Eric Larkin probably. 

[Truzzcat]

PA kid but right now its chance since I have been alive its been Jody strittmater but what chance is doing with stellar right now is pretty special.

[Jimmy Cinnabon]

13 minutes ago, Truzzcat said:

PA kid but right now its chance since I have been alive its been Jody strittmater but what chance is doing with stellar right now is pretty special.

Um, Spencer Lee?

[Idaho]

100% Chris Owens in Idaho. 

He has already been doing this... led Idaho to a national greco title a few years ago. We have had a lot of D1 guys in the last 5 years. 

Edited Friday at 01:48 PM by Idaho

[Ragu]

I think once Yianni and Vito are done competing they would be really good at coaching the yourh

[BarSeries]

Verne Gagne

[Gus]

In South Dakota the answer is probably either Logan Storely (4xAA, 6x SD state champ, Belator interim champ) or Seth Gross (only national champion for South Dakota State). Gross is currently in ND running the Matpac wrestling program and I would love to see him move down into SD! Storely is still fighting and living in FL so that seems like a pipe dream at this point. 

[BarSeries]

4 minutes ago, Gus said:

In South Dakota the answer is probably either Logan Storely (4xAA, 6x SD state champ, Belator interim champ) or Seth Gross (only national champion for South Dakota State). Gross is currently in ND running the Matpac wrestling program and I would love to see him move down into SD! Storely is still fighting and living in FL so that seems like a pipe dream at this point. 

Isn't Seth Gross from Minnesota?

[GimJustafan]

38 minutes ago, Ragu said:

I think once Yianni and Vito are done competing they would be really good at coaching the yourh

wonder if Vito will go back to Long Island and take over dads club (VHW)

 

 

[Gene Mills Fan]

7 minutes ago, GimJustafan said:

wonder if Vito will go back to Long Island and take over dads club (VHW)

 

 

Seams like NYS is an underachiever for its population. 

[Gus]

26 minutes ago, BarSeries said:

Isn't Seth Gross from Minnesota?

Yes Gross is from Minnesota. The question was not who do you think that grew up in your state would elevate the youth wrestling scene in the state though but rather who would be the ideal candidate. Since Gross was the only national champion that SDSU has had I think he would be a great candidate to grow the youth wrestling scene in SD. On top of that, his wife is a very accomplished wrestler herself and grew up in SD. 

[BarSeries]

1 minute ago, Gus said:

Yes Gross is from Minnesota. The question was not who do you think that grew up in your state would elevate the youth wrestling scene in the state though but rather who would be the ideal candidate. Since Gross was the only national champion that SDSU has had I think he would be a great candidate to grow the youth wrestling scene in SD. On top of that, his wife is a very accomplished wrestler herself and grew up in SD. 

"Candidates must be from your home state."

[Gus]

1 minute ago, BarSeries said:

"Candidates must be from your home state."

And here you see my reading comprehension skills lacking LOL. I will now divert to say that Rhonna Gross is an ideal candidate because she brings Seth with her!

[Konquest]

Illinois: Quintroy Harrell

[neweruser69]

10 hours ago, mad_rascal said:

Nick Simmons already has a club, we'll see how they do. David Morgan also has one now, he's not from Michigan originally though, I don't think.

The strangle rates are about to skyrocket then. 

[boconnell]

12 hours ago, BruceyB said:

With the success of AWA and the rapid growth of quality D1 wrestlers that are coming out of Wisconsin.. for those of you in a non-powerhouse wrestling state, who would be your ideal candidate (whether currently in residing in your state/coaching or not) to set up a series of clubs in your state to elevate your in state talent to competitive D1 athletes?

As someone from Washington, I'd probably lean towards Michael Mangrum (Oregon State AA). His dad led a local club that developed a number of D1 athletes in Western Washington during the late 00's and he was a real talent. 

Candidates must be from your home state. 

Yes, this is a doldrum of the off-season question, but I am interested to hear everyone's thoughts.

For those of you from wrestling rich states, you can still answer despite having several powerhouse clubs within your respective states.

I've only been in Washington 3 years but I wonder about Chandler Rogers.  I know he left midway through HS, but his style is so attractive to kids.  Nobody was more fun to watch.  What he did with a russian lends itself to a teachable system (and to opponents landing on their heads often).  Mead where he and his brother Jordan went is still a bit of a power so that matters for connections and influence.

[BloodRound]

Jersey, and I am pretty sure Burroughs is already opening clubs near his hometown of Winslow.

While there is a wealth of talent from here, the runner-ups for this category would be Ashnault or Suriano, but I honestly could not see either going that route.

[Ragu]

3 hours ago, GimJustafan said:

wonder if Vito will go back to Long Island and take over dads club (VHW)

 

 

He will probably help at least

[mad_rascal]

3 hours ago, neweruser69 said:

The strangle rates are about to skyrocket then. 

Haha. I know right!

[BruceyB]

5 hours ago, Idaho said:

100% Chris Owens in Idaho. 

He has already been doing this... led Idaho to a national greco title a few years ago. We have had a lot of D1 guys in the last 5 years. 

Is Chris Owens not a Spokane Owens?

[HokieDave87]

6 hours ago, Truzzcat said:

PA kid but right now its chance since I have been alive its been Jody strittmater but what chance is doing with stellar right now is pretty special.

I opt for Steller Trained kids to keep coming to Blacksburg.

 

For VA the realistic answer is Hunter Bolen getting Christiansburg HS and VA Elite back up and running, just took the job at CBurg recently.

[Johnyt9]

TJ Sebolt

[Idaho]

3 hours ago, BruceyB said:

Is Chris Owens not a Spokane Owens?

You are thinking of the Owen - Not Owens - family.  John Owen was a longtime coach at North Idaho. Don Owen was a longtime coach at University. Curt was at Polson I believe..then there are all the sons - like Tommy Owen.   Chris Owens of Idaho is from Idaho Falls and wrestled at Oklahoma State.