Eagle26

Yeah I meant it’s pretty clear that PSU is a place that a blue chip recruit can go to to reach their long term goals whether that be freestyle, mma, or just college. Those goals may be met through NLWC or other avenues, but it’s still a reason kids attend PSU. I think that’s a big element to their recruiting

Late to respond but I agree with all these although I do wish our emphasis was on duals more. I still believe the team comes before any individual, but I agree the best way to build the team (and help with recruiting) is to do right by each individual and help them reach their goals.

Was that Nevills or Beard that said that? Lol I get what you’re saying and was just making a joke… Penn State does seem to have the philosophy of helping individuals with their own goals (freestyle, mma, etc) which helps with recruiting tremendously. But the team does still come first. As others have mentioned, this strategy is a means to help the team, and as my joke implies, no one individual is above the team at Penn State either.

Why would Gabe’s success be the primary focus? The team comes before any one individual.

Personally, I would prefer we actually require a new hold to score multiple turns. Overall, I think the current freestyle rules are great, but that’s one rule that I would go back to go. I know they want more points and that’s cool, but I think it can rob us of some great wrestling…but that’s a different topic

Taylor brought this up at the all star classic and I thought it was a good idea. With 3 point takedowns and 2,3,4 point near fall, the major decision should probably be adjusted to 10 points. I always thought that 15 for a tech fall was a little high so I’m ok with keeping that where it is but I think the MD should go up to 10. A prime example was the 125 match which was about as close as a match as you can get, but the score ended up as a major decision (Ramos was up 3-2, Noto goes for a desperation move and gives up 7). If one move can get you 7 points now, a major needs to be more than 8 points. Plus 10 and 15 would be easy numbers for the casual fan. What do you all think?

Or, why not just put Crookham at #1 now since Fix will have a chance to take it from him in December? In all honesty, I’d be fine with 1. Fix, 2. Crookham, 3. Vito. You can argue it either way though… how does Fix go above Vito, or how does Crookham go above Fix (if you put Crookham #1)? I predict that Vito will win it all in March, but rankings and predictions are different. I’d be disappointed if they keep Vito ranked ahead of Crookham. Otherwise, it’s debatable how it should be right now.

I think Crookham should be 1st. If it was just a dual and he pulled an upset over the #1, I’d say it’s not enough to put him that high. But he won a tough tournament and also beat the #6. If rankings are to reflect current results (which they are), I’d say he’s #1

I can sympathize with this! I wrestled D1 and made it to the NCAA tournament 3 times… never AA’d though. I know how hard I had to work to even just get there, so I feel bad for all the guys falling short of their goals and then having to hear crap from us fans! I’m sure it’s much worse today with social media… it’s probably hard for the athletes to avoid

Good calls on Reece and Tervel. I think those guys are both proven enough to take that next step. I also think it’s totally worth taking a chance on an unproven superstar. Burroughs, Dake, Taylor, Snyder all have the potential to attract top notch recruits. I know, I know, great wrestler does not equal great coach. But these guys would just need to surround themselves with a support staff that complements any weaknesses. The most successful coaches I’ve seen in my lifetime are Cael, Gable, and John Smith. All three on the GOAT wrestler list. Coincidence? Maybe. But I think it’s worth taking a risk on one of our current GOATs

No, we can’t say for sure that all US wrestlers are squeaky clean. But I’m pretty confident there’s no state sponsored doping program. That’s a huge distinction.

I agree that was definitely hyperbole. However, JB is undefeated in Gold medal matches, and has done really well against Iranians. He’s proven he can neutralize the under hook, so I think he’s a pretty heavy favorite in that match up… you are right though, no way it’s 99%

I wouldn’t say he’s that much more suspect than other Russians. I think all Russian athletes in that time period, earned the suspicion. However, when you look like Geduev did, it also raises some questions. JB is ripped for sure, but Geduev looked unworldly. Plus @Interviewed_at_Weehawken hit the nail on the head that he’s still on USA fans radar because of how it affected Burroughs. He’s not going to let that go because it really affected his legacy. Some other (alleged) cheaters may be forgotten, but not ones that have monumental impacts like that.

I’m not usually one for just throwing around accusations, but I think Russia has earned the suspicions. Check out pics of him from the Olympics and then pics of him later. It’s just really hard to believe a Russian wrestler looking like that is all natural especially when he seemed to begin to look a lot more natural after the doping scandals broke.

As a Burroughs fan, I’m still bitter about a Geduev. I believe there about a 99% chance he was doping, and that there’s about a 99% chance JB wins Olympic gold in 2016 if he wasn’t!

That’s a shame. The reality is though that these colleges are businesses. If a sports team doesn’t bring them enough income, what’s their incentive to add one? Obviously, they need to provide well-rounded opportunities for students to keep enrollment incentivized, but unfortunately wrestling is probably low on that list too

That’s a pretty short list of incredibly talented wrestlers! Interestingly, the only one of those three (excluding Meyer) to not win an NCAA title as a true freshman was Gable Steveson! I think it’s safe to assume Shapiro can compete for an NCAA title right away.

Personally, I would much rather see 12 weights for freestyle and scrap Greco. I imagine the majority of Americans would agree. But I also understand it’s not all about what we want. Greco has be a long time tradition of the Olympic Games. Many countries prefer Greco. It’s definitely a niche sport and the attraction for casual fans is probably never going to be good. But there’s many other Olympic sports that fall into that category too. I think we can promote freestyle and get that more mainstream without taking away from Greco.

That’s a fair point. I wouldn’t have a problem with it if sports betting was illegal period. The thing I don’t like is that for some people it’s perfectly ok and for others it’s so wrong that they take away something that means the world to them.

I personally agree we have to be very careful about how sports betting could affect the integrity of sports. However, what is the difference between an Iowa wrestler betting on Iowa football vs. a random Iowa student betting on Iowa football? The example was given that a girlfriend of an Iowa football player or someone else very close to the team could still bet on the game. I’m not sure I see the distinction in severity? If you make a bet involving your own team, they should throw the book at you. Other than that, what’s the difference? And yes, I understand he knew the rules (or should have). It’s his own fault and not a good look for his family and the program. I don’t think we should go back and change the rules for him. He needs to face the penalty as laid out. However, I do agree with others that it seems the punishment doesn’t fit the crime and it may be something to reconsider in the future

I never thought Sadulaev was a full sized 97 kg. He’s obviously not super lean at that weight. 86 is probably a tough cut for him. I’d guess 92 is about ideal, but he’s not going in a non-Olympic weight. He hasn’t had to make the cut to be successful, so why do it? Now he might need to though. It’s tough competition either way, but I honestly think 86 would be a better weight for him. That’s just by the eyeball test and no inside information though.

But Dake also beat JB multiple times who also beat Geduev and Bekzod multiple times

Equal in what way? If anyone is debating that they are equal in significance to the athletes and our culture, I think they are way off. Olympics are the pinnacle of our sport and I think just about everyone holds them in higher regard. However, you can make the debate that they are fairly equal as far as showing a wrestler’s ability. I’ve heard this argument and it has some valid points (although there’s valid points for why the Olympics are tougher too).

No. They should hire Pete Rose

No, now Sadulaev needs to make room for daddy Taz!