Vito delaying Final X match against Jax

[Gantry]

Vito just doesn't look right, as I suspected.  Just isn't healthy, that exchange in the first where Jax got two he didn't fight it much.  Plus no tank, it's not happening.

[Doublehalf]

Regardless of Vito's condition, I do worry what this means for Cornell RTC and Grey's ability to recruit some top tier guys... I've always been a big fan with what Cornell has been able to achieve when you take into account their limitations compared to the non-ivy but having two guys go down to high school kids is not the greatest look right now... I could be jumping the gun obviously because Vito has two chances left but I don't see him getting stronger today...

[Dark Energy]

Vito seems to be like ‘Do I really need to be here?’ 
 

Had enough to spring once or twice.  But just looks like he isn’t isn’t enjoying himself at all.  Seems resigned. 
 

Oh well, Jax will be fun to watch at worlds!!!

[Mr. PeanutButter]

2 minutes ago, Gantry said:

Vito just doesn't look right, as I suspected.  Just isn't healthy, that exchange in the first where Jax got two he didn't fight it much.  Plus no tank, it's not happening.

Yeah, really surprised by how much ground he was willing to cede and the, relatively, low effort he put into the scrambles. Hope he can rally for matches 2 and 3 but if not, this will be a really great experience for Jax

[WrestleFan12]

2 minutes ago, BruceyB said:

Vito looked tired half way into the first period. Spent a good 15 seconds adjusting his socks during a break. I can't remember the last time I saw Vito look so lethargic on the mat. Probably back when he was wrestling 125. Kudos to Jax though. 

I suspected Vito's gas tank may be an issue, but I didn't expect it to manifest itself this early. Vito's in trouble.

[Doublehalf]

Does anyone know what his injury was/is that he's been dealing with?

[Gantry]

6 minutes ago, Doublehalf said:

Does anyone know what his injury was/is that he's been dealing with?

I'll repost what I said in the Final X predictions thread, sadly match #1 makes me fear I was right about his health:

"I don't know of any specifics, but he talked recently about having nerve and stinger issues.  Plus he had surgery late last year for his hand/fingers I believe.  Now maybe he's fully healed and I sure hope so, but it just seems like he hasn't been right since he won Worlds.  Couple all that with the time off and I just don't feel like we'll see peak Vito at Final X. "

[wrestlingfan22]

Jax just outworked Vito in the last 30 seconds. Vito wanted to shoot in and just hold on, his positioning was so good, I think he could have won if he just controlled center

[BruceyB]

19 minutes ago, Doublehalf said:

Regardless of Vito's condition, I do worry what this means for Cornell RTC and Grey's ability to recruit some top tier guys... I've always been a big fan with what Cornell has been able to achieve when you take into account their limitations compared to the non-ivy but having two guys go down to high school kids is not the greatest look right now... I could be jumping the gun obviously because Vito has two chances left but I don't see him getting stronger today...

I don't think it's a negative on Cornell that they have a 2x NCAA and world Champion, and 4x NCAA champion and World Finalist losing in Final X. And the "high school" kids also beat how many NCAA champions on their route to the finals? It would have to be a knock on recruiting for every other college program who can't beat these high schoolers as well.

[Doublehalf]

8 minutes ago, BruceyB said:

I don't think it's a negative on Cornell that they have a 2x NCAA and world Champion, and 4x NCAA champion and World Finalist losing in Final X. And the "high school" kids also beat how many NCAA champions on their route to the finals? It would have to be a knock on recruiting for every other college program who can't beat these high schoolers as well.

I agree 100% but unfortunately the world isn't always as fair minded as that and we live in a "what have you done for me lately society" I very much hope that's not the case but it may be naive to think that doesn't occupy the space of some recruits minds... I'm sure Grey can navigate those conversations effectively tho.

[BruceyB]

1 minute ago, Doublehalf said:

I agree 100% but unfortunately the world isn't always as fair minded as that and we live in a "what have you done for me lately society" I very much hope that's not the case but it may be naive to think that doesn't occupy the space of some recruits minds... I'm sure Grey can navigate those conversations effectively tho.

Yes, luckily they have 2 incredible classes coming in this fall and the next. 

[D3 for LU]

8 minutes to the 2nd bout...

Will Vito be up for the challenge?

D3

[BAC]

23 minutes ago, BruceyB said:

I don't think it's a negative on Cornell that they have a 2x NCAA and world Champion, and 4x NCAA champion and World Finalist losing in Final X. And the "high school" kids also beat how many NCAA champions on their route to the finals? It would have to be a knock on recruiting for every other college program who can't beat these high schoolers as well.

Agree with this.  If anything, it's a feather in Cornell's cap that they had 3 guys in Final X (including Dake), which is outstanding.  Second only to PSU (with 4), right?  What's more, each of these Cornell Final X'ers have world medals to their credit.  Any recruit worth having is going to know full well how credentialed Vito, Yianni and Dake are, and that Cornell produced them.  There's zero shame in losing to a high schooler when they beat everyone else too.

Edited Monday at 09:55 PM by BAC

[Gantry]

2 minutes ago, D3 for LU said:

Will Vito be up for the challenge?

I think Vito is more likely to get teched or injury default out than win the next match.  Would love to be wrong though as I'm a real negative Nancy in this here thread.  

[BAC]

I've shuffled the rankings in my head of "who's the best P4P high schooler?" about 3-4 times the past 6 months, between Blaze, Jax and PJ.  I wonder if I'll need to do it again after today.  

One thing's for sure -- the US has never had 3 current high schoolers who were as good as those three.  And I doubt it ever will again.

Edited Monday at 10:01 PM by BAC

[D3 for LU]

WE

ARE

UP!

D3

[D3 for LU]

1 minute ago, BAC said:

I've shuffled the rankings of "who's the best P4P high schooler?" about 3-4 times the past 6 months, between Blaze, Jax and PJ.  I wonder if I'll need to do it again after today.  

One thing's for sure -- the US has never had 3 current high schoolers who were as good as those three.  And I doubt it ever will again.

D3

[D3 for LU]

12 secs in and Jax is UP 4-0!!!

D3

[D3 for LU]

4-0 at the break... Forrest ahead.

D3

[D3 for LU]

Vito needs to pick it up!

D3

[D3 for LU]

NOW 5-0... step out to Jax.

D3

[Mr. PeanutButter]

Vito's body language is crap. This camera angle is crap

[D3 for LU]

No sprint by Vito...

D3

[D3 for LU]

Stick a fork in it.

D3

[Mr. PeanutButter]

That was tough to watch