meZYNbrink

Forums are for opinions my friend!

Maybe I'm misunderstanding your point, but folkstyle (at least NCAA) has the neutral danger takedown. I feel that has really improved the product as far as limiting the amount of Delgado rolls across the back from neutral. And without delving too deep into the 3pt vs 2pt takedown argument, I think it does incentivize takedowns more than ever before. Wrestlers are better than ever and the sport evolves constantly, I don't think we will ever go back to looking exactly like the 80's and 90's, and I don't think we should want to. I've wrestled freestyle since I was a kid. Was never that great at either free or folk but everything is relative. I'm definitely a fan of both and like I've said before, for the last decade+ I've been as locked in to the international scene (seniors, juniors, some cadet events) as I have been to domestic folkstyle competitions. I think I'm familiar with both. Obviously bias plays a role here, but I find it hard to argue that leg laces and gut wrenches are as much a demonstration of control as a 4 second tilt (both exposure points without really attacking for the fall). I like freestyle. I just think it's an inferior product. When you watch a FS match, it feels like you're watching the 100m sprint. Folkstyle feels more like the 1500m (a race most prefer to watch).

Exactly, never said FS was easier than folk, just that it looks less like wrestling.

Also, I've watched and been an international fan for over a decade. Freestyle is fun. That said, folkstyle is to me a much truer representation of wrestling. Control is control. Action shouldn't stop after 10 seconds of a slowed pace. A 65-35% advantage in folkstyle would be allowed to play out. In FS it's blown dead. Exposure is broken. Leg laces and gut wrenches aren't it. The world won't change for us, but we can imagine a better world where it does. My 2 cents. I'm biased. Everyone else in the world has an accent.

1. Snyder's wife got in to med school at PSU, which is why he left. Some things in life are bigger than wrestling, and sometimes you have to support the people you love in their careers and pursuits - much like I'm sure Snyder's wife has done for him throughout his career. Life is about compromise and competition is inherently selfish. Snyder is still in a great room, arguably the best room for heavyweights. 2. It's important to understand the distinction between underperformance and a disappointing performance. Could the US have medaled at 6 weights? Absolutely. Our wrestlers lost to the best in the world. I think the farther away you get from competing, the easier it is to forget how tough winning is. This is the Olympics - sure Russia wasn't there, but this is THE toughest tournament in the world for a reason. Our guys have had near unprecedented success the last few years and have made winning look easy. It's not. That's why we celebrate our Olympians; qualifiers, medalists, and champions. 3. I think Mason losing first round was the biggest shocker, but for those who have paid attention to the scene for a while, these things happen every year, and it's only recently that we've been spoiled with a relatively low amount of upsets. A few years ago and this would've been par for the course for us. The relevant thing is that crazy things happen every year, especially in the Olympics. 4. Zain's concussions are so disappointing for us as fans of American wrestling. He's on the short list for greatest college wrestlers ever. Dake too. Sometimes things don't go your way, and you don't get tougher than those two. Maybe Spencer Lee. All I can say is I hope that for the guys that continue, they are able to find the motivation, health, and timing to make their dreams a reality. I'm dismayed that our community has put so much blame on their shoulders. Bottom line - this sh!t is tough for a reason. Our guys were the best of our best. We are overly familiar with their success and under familiar with the world. Armchair quarterbacking is especially hilarious in our sport, where our B-team is getting teched in the finals of OLY trials and Final X. Let alone the guys that made varsity maybe once or twice in high school and never sniffed D1. Anyone with experience/perspective knows we put our best foot out there and just lost a couple close ones but had success nonetheless. USA Wrestling is still in a great place. LA 28. Postscript - How about those freaking BADA$$ women?? Also, can we scrap Greco and give those weights back to WFS and MFS?

I placed a line on DK with Spencer at +500 but when they changed the lines they canceled my bet. SMH

I don't have the receipts but I'm certain that if you interviewed the 2004 US team about their support for US invasions in Afghanistan and Iraq they would wholeheartedly support it... And I'm also sure that they would not hesitate to appear in public with George Bush.

Whether you support Israel, Russia, or any other invading force (the US has done its fair share of extraterritorial operations), who could say that it is fair for the IOC to play god and decide that athletes can't compete for supporting their country? Especially in situations where they have less access to freedom of speech than in the countries the IOC chairpeople live in (Germany, Singapore, Australia, etc)? Surely German citizens and Russian citizens play in different realms of public life.

Aaaaand Carroll committed to ISU. It'll be interesting to watch Taylor's play for his first season - all in and win to attract recruits? Or redshirt his guys and develop under his new-to-you system?

If OK State does lose Carroll and redshirts a few heavy hitters in a punt for next year, they fall a good deal in the standings. But if they put all the chips in, they can absolutely contend for 2nd. I'd err towards Iowa for now though.

So you're saying Yazdani is unstoppabull?

Any word on Barraclaugh's status or list?

I know there are some redshirts to go around for the 165-174 range, but is there any truth to Amine going 57 this year?

What was the philosophy?

Not surprised to see he still has the itch, but am surprised to see him in an assistant role. And responsible for recruiting nonetheless. But very exciting for Navy!

Previous administration left a really disengaged culture. Esco has an uphill battle for sure to get investment from the athletic department and chase the B10 giants. The Hoosiers have gotten some decent recruits and stretched some good dual seasons together. Obviously this isn't proportional to the level of talent in the state at the high school level relative to the national conversation, but I think he's on the way there. Athletes certainly respect him. I'd say if they had the opportunity to get a bigger name it would help, but his staff has shown they have the ability to develop talent that can compete. Just not with the PSUs.

I was beginning to think so too, and can't slam the guy. But the way he spoke about Yianni after the Pan Ams wrestle off with Lee left a sour taste in my mouth for sure. No doubt he will fight for his guys as a coach though.

Escobedo is doing great things for IU wrestling currently, but for Indiana to get to the point where we are keeping top talent, it seems that we have a pretty big uphill battle. Indiana produces really elite wrestlers who will likely continue to leave for blue blood programs until IU is at the point where they are perennially top 10. Kind of a chicken and egg situation and even then, it's tough to convince a Mendez, Lee, or Parris to stay instead of going to a PSU or the like. Purdue has some great things going but IU will always be the program that needs to get to contender level for in state kids to stay close to home.

I don't love the idea of Gilman in the room, seems like DT and Kennedy would be great for culture. Obviously Gilman is a great addition from the wrestling and technical side of things, but to set a tone for the new attitude of the program, guess we'll have to see TG's added value. Can't help but laugh at his history with OK State and his choice of walkout songs...