Elevator

Wolak will be tough - how many years does he have left? Will be fun to see what Sonny can do! Overall looks very good!

Meh - do not see the allure. Some guys grow more during their careers than others - but winning title does not get progressively tougher as the weigh class goes up. Dake was never particularly small for the weight as I recall - to the contrary he almost always was among the strongest and full sized for the weights. But my memory may not be perfect on this.

At least honorable mention: Mark Hall - probably belongs on the list but covid-robbed of his last year to get another title and NCAA finals appearance. Kerry McCoy - 2x NCAA Champ and won 131 of his last 132 matches w an 88-match winning streak.

Not disputed this at all, just hard to sort out those that spout their preposterous opinions honestly and those that are doing so with full knowledge that they are lying.

With the extra covid year still out there, I think the depth this year is at an all time high at most weights. A little tougher to get to AA and its is almost always very tough at every weight even without that factor.

This is a hard thing to measure with certainty, but he definitely lacks self-awareness. I guess it is an MMA celebrity thing for attention?

Yes - for 4 years he was the NCAA champ and it was his bracket.

I loved Bo as an NCAA wrestler - but he is about as sharp as a bowling ball. Bo lecturing about "class" is off the charts lunacy.

I have probably never rooted for Fix in NCAA matches, but he is a warrior that deserves some love and appreciation from the wrestling world. He is dedicated and highly skilled and successful, even if he did not quite get the brass NCAA ring. I tip my hat to his outstanding career and many records set.

It is such a small community that it is probably close to impossible to police this effectively. Plus, the teams with high level of success, NIL funs, and program assets are magnet programs. Does not necessarily take recruiting to get interest the wrestlers are interested in the opportunity. Also have examples of guys who graduate and are looking for a good graduate school opportunity - including Ivy guys (e.g. Cardenas and there have been others) who can no longer compete for their team as graduates. It will be interesting to see if there is much portal activity with AA level wrestlers this year - will not surprise me.

I do not love this thread - between injuries (known and unknown) and poor draws/style matchups, there will be guys who do not place. Its unlucky is all. Shake it off and move forward. All of the guys listed are outstanding competitors and warriors. I give them full credit for the effort.

As Starocci made clear, he was the champ already and it was his bracket. Might still be next year!

until that run to 3rd it seemed pretty clear, but I agree it could be a close battle by next year. But I think SVN is a little bigger and perhaps Kasak can be at 141 and SVN 149 one year and they each move up a weight for the next year? How much will Haines and MM grow?

He was really bad, but got better for the finals. His problem is he says whatever he thinks (much of which is idiotic) and babbles on endlessly about topics other than the match or matches going on.

sure - even putting aside academics, Ivies cannot take a grad transfer. Only undergrads can compete.

I think he does. So does Jacob Cardenas and he cannot compete for Cornell because he graduates and no grads for Ivy teams. Cardenas is looking . . . . hm. Not an easy call between Keck and Cardenas - does Keck have the frame for 197?

I thought Caleb Henson and Carter after the semis worked out well - despite the questions. Loved Carter’s reaction to the softball Q that he had beaten 2 NCAA champs. Carter was not having it and said I’m the NCAA champ and this is my bracket. As bad as Carter is on twitter, he was very good in person and very likeable. He needs someone else to edit his twitter before posting.

Plenty of guys like Fix who have been top competitors but just did not get the breaks to finish on top. Only thing worse than 4x NCAA finalist w no crown is Never making an NCAA finals. That’s a long list of very good wrestlers as well. as to Smith, it is a little sad. Doesn’t Fix have the right to withdraw the brick? He did not as he knew he was not going to beat Vito by mixing it up w him. Probably true of almost every wrestler in the world when Vito is healthy.

What is the word w Nebraska and a succession plan? Many schools find room for wrestling coaches who have served in the athletic administration.

Seems like they have a shot at knocking off PSU. Particularly if Kerk and Starroci move on. Buckeyes could have 3 or 4 champs next year! of course the portal can change the equation but seems like this is the battle next year

My son told me Cormier and one of the other espn commentator have a podcast or show on ESPN. Those guys are the worst - rambling nonesense and a distraction to the actual action on the mat.

I am a fan or Robles and his story and I would rather hear him more. Sparks has grown on me - I will admit. I think he has gotten better.

missed locked hands in Davis match - not sure it was egregious but suprised no brick was deployed! I think the officiating has been pretty solid!

I will say Fix tonight as Bouz is that good and not because Fix is not a beast and worthy #1. 5-10% chance i would guess