PSU is awesome … but ….

[1032004]

Just watched Askren’s recap video.  He reminded me that Kharchla did take an injury time against Kennedy after seemingly doing something to his knee, so maybe could be from that 

[1032004]

3 minutes ago, Coastal said:

I think Kilkeary could be an all-american with the right draw.  I don't think Bouzakis is going to place any higher than he has in the past.

His best finish is R12.   As long as he makes weight I’d be shocked if he didn’t AA

[ScottishSteel]

18 hours ago, PortaJohn said:

I care more about NCAA's tournament location parity.  Can we get Tempe/Phoenix and anywhere Florida on the rotation?   

I agree w/ this; do we know if an LOC has tried to put in a bid and not gotten it or if it's going to the same places because those are the only ones vying to host and bidding for NCAAs?

[ScottishSteel]

9 hours ago, Coastal said:

I know he was R16 then R12.  I'm saying that he's not going to win a match on Friday.

I think if he can win his quarterfinal than he's going to win the whole thing because he can get kinda big for the semifinal Friday night and then get real big for Saturday night.  But first thing Friday against a quality opponent second day on the scale is going to be hard

[GV4444]

I too use to believe parity is good for the sport, any sport, but it just isn't true.   A dominant star or team actually elevates the sport.  Tiger Woods increased the value of the PGA tour while winning 33% of tournaments entered.  

Just look at wrestling attendance at away venues for Penn State.  People who don't go to matches show up to see the dynastic team.  Iowa vs. Penn State will always fill the house, but PSU at Lehigh or Oregon State fills a house that is never full.  When I was at PSU four decades ago, the biggest Rec Hall crowd ever was PSU vs. UCLA.  It was #1 against #2 in Women's Gymnastics.  Basketball was at Rec Hall and never filled the stands.

[One8alpha]

On 2/14/2026 at 5:49 AM, scorenomore said:

In all likelihood, this is the end of the era of complete dominance by PSU.  Although PSU has a great eye for figuring out how to win, they have enjoyed having the best recruits year in and year out.

With DT, they will have to share and I just don't see their coaching as that superior that they will be able to be as dominate going forward.

Ohio State's stellar recruiting class a few years ago had Bouzakis, Mendez and Feldman.  Bouzakis is finally dialed in and wrestling above expectations, Mendez has exceeded expectations and Feldman has arguably disappointed.  However, Feldman literally broke his neck and has never been the same.  Feldman wrestles scared because he is and that's a lot more than most of us would do which would have been to retire from the sport.

He broke his neck?  Damn.  When did that happen?  When they wrestled NCState, the announcers mentioned that Feldman aspired to be a Navy SeAL after college.  The surgery obviously worked. 

Edited February 15 by One8alpha

[MPhillips]

8 minutes ago, One8alpha said:

When did that happen?

2023. He missed an entire season because of it...

[One8alpha]

Did he literally break Vertebrae or blow disks? 

[MPhillips]

4 minutes ago, One8alpha said:

Did he literally break Vertebrae or blow disks? 

Don't have details. They went through the front of his neck.

[ScottishSteel]

4 minutes ago, Coastal said:

I look at Zahid Valencia and Mark Hall.  Hall beat him in duals and Friday night but Saturday night on a full feed Valencia won twice.

Bouzakis' issue now is that he's going to need some luck to get the right draw.  Winning BIGs is his best hope to not get someone like Robinson in the quarters.

Agreed, that QF on Friday morning is going to be a challenge for him but if he makes it to Saturday night Bouzakis gonna be 150 lbs by the time he toes the line