Elevator

Did not know there was a retirement program. Is it age or post-based? My time may be short.

Wrestling is not a sport involving the striking arts, perhaps a few clubs excluded. Wrestlers are intended to be peacemakers! What's so funny about peace, love, and understanding? I think Gable Steveson would excell at peacemaking! Kerkvliet as well!

Not sure there are many virtues to Russia under Putin, but maybe reasonable support or at least tolerance of wrestling would be one? If there is a coup, it presents some volatlity as to the Russian wrestling community. Anyone knowledgable on these risks? It is odd that two of the top programs for international wrestling rivalry with the U.S. are from totalitarian regimes that are (at the least) unfriendly to U.S. I enjoyed the stories from Jason Nolf about his tripp with Kyle Snyder to Russia and how well they were treated - nice to know that the governmental tensions do not prevent friendly appreciation from top competitors. Interesting is anyone here has real knowledge they could share - not inviting trolls to share their idiocy. I do not pretend to have the knowledge but recognize there may be some here that do.

I do not know him personally and do not generally pull for wrestlers from Iowa schools, but I will feel pretty good for him if he wins NCAA's this year. A lot of fun to watch with his pace and toughness. Hope he stays healthy.

If he has a degree, no he cannot - Ivies do not allow grad transfers to compete. Sad.

just a bad camera angle? AI deep fake? or the Lord working in mysterious ways?

I guess McHenry gives depth and increase the already sting chances of NCAA success. over under at NCAA: NC: 9.5 round 12: 9 AA: 8 NCAA Champs: 3.5

McHenry ever wrestle Howard? How good is he in collegiate style?

Not many D1 schools where Nolf would not obviously be the top collegiate wrestler in school history and probably belongs in the discussion at PSU. We may be about to see if he can translate that to freestyle.

Zain is on my list of collegiate GOAT wrestlers. Not just a champion, but a pinner!

Just a casual impression of a casual fan - not studied particulary. I assume many other posters got to see many more matches of these guys than I did.

I thought that until NCAA's but then thought it was Woods. Others may disagree. Not saying Alirez wasnt very good -he had some great matches. and obviously found a way. I would take Woods 4 out 5 matches if it could be arranged.

Agree about Woods as favorite. Just bad luck this year - he was the best. I guess with this lineup some hope of challenging for 3rd or 4th at the B1G with some good seeding?

intresting - might have an outside shot at 3rd or 4th at Easterns with this lineup?

I am not meaning to dissent from this prediction, but had not yet gotten the sense that he was a likely finalist - a lot of ass-kick for a true frosh. So I guess many knowledgable fans of the sport think Shapiro is up there with Haines and Messenbrink in terms of early expectations?

Has Shapiro ever beaten VanNess or any of the other top 8 guys in the preseason rankings?

Cornell could be a spoiler too - might be greater upset risk in a dual meet than at NCAAs.

Would be interested in posts with inside knowledge/assessment of EIWA teams, including Ivies - other than Cornell which is covered above and frigging scary. Do not see them getting knocked off the top rung of EIWA teams.

Big Red has impressive depth in addtion to their rock stars. The program has been hitting on all cylinders. Do not see them slowing down even with Yianni out of eligibility.

real question: who gives the better interview?

Griffith is very good. Agree about Yianni also very good. Brooks was hilarious. Some guys could use some training on interviewing in the NIL era.

BB seemed like he was really struggling to generate offense and perform at the highest levels during the NCAA season. But credit to him for a very strong NCAA tourney and impressive freestyle showing at the Open level. He is going to be interesting to watch.

I do not think anyone is going to convince TwoPointsTakeDown84 (who joined yesterday perhaps for purposes of making this point) to reconsider the posted critical views. I do not find them remotely persuasive. There are of coruse many alumni, family, and supporters and probably a variety of views on the state or the program and its leadership. I doubt that there are many that are deeply unsatisfied and expect most are very pleased and optimistic. Similarly, my sense without direct knowledge is that this is a model program that is thriving from the perspective of the Penn administration and AD's office. Being near the top of the Ivy and EIWA wrestling, spliting the dual 5/5 with Cornell at Cornell (a top ten team w two NCAA champs competitive for olympic spots), two record years of NCAA qualifiers (17 in two years) and a lot of returning qualifiers and exciting recruits/underclassmen, and a returning AA with three years left - this is considered proof of leadership, a valued culture, and strong program. While Princeton has had their own success (hats off to them), I do not think Penn supporters think Princeton overall is ahead of Penn. Feels like a health rivalry. Also glad that Columbia and Brown have some good recruits and signs of strength. Not sure Ivy wrestling has ever been this strong.