SocraTease

It's still strange for me to see Dake warming up with Penn State coaches. If you can't beat 'em, ask them to join you.

Didn't he lose a few toes or something like that in cold weather? Or was he just on Dancing with the Stars? I

Wow, interesting little factoid about Cohlton Schutz being born the very day Rulon Gardner upset Russia's Karelin. I don't think Jesus deserves credit for this coincidence, however. Some wrestlers might disagree, however.

Upcoming Matches Upcoming matches ... in case you need to run to the bathroom ... or refrigerator: Finals GR 130 - Round 2 Adam Coon (CKWC / NYAC) Cohlton Schultz (SKWC) Finals MFS 74 - Round 2 Jason Nolf (NLWC / TMWC) Kyle Dake (NLWC / TMWC) Finals WM 57 - Round 2 Jacarra Winchester (TMWC) Helen Maroulis (SKWC) Finals WM 68 - Round 2 Forrest Molinari (SKWC) Amit Elor (NYCRTC / TMW) Finals MFS 86 - Round 2 Aaron Brooks (NLWC / TMWC) David Taylor (NLWC / TMWC)

Jimenez is discovering there are levels to this sport. She is being big mother-ed by Hildebrandt.

Hildebrandt just had too much length for Jiminez in the first match. When they stand next to each other, it looks like mother and daughter. Not sure how Jiminez is going to make adjustments. She may have to hope for scramble situations. And very quick finishes.

Snyder was risking losing on a four there. He was fortunate Trumble didn't finish it.

Trumble is good practice for the big and tall guy (Russian transfer to Bahrain) who won worlds last year and took out both Snyder and Sadulaev.

A few legends and World Champs have fallen these past two days: Borroughs, Cox, Adeline, Gilman ... I don't think Captain America is ready to join this list

I think one of the stranger things for fair weather fans (and even some hard core ones) to fathom is that the bottom guy isn't really permitted to fight hands in par terre in freestyle and Greco. It seems counter-intuitive to make the bottom guy just to lie there and take it. Makes me think there is something of S and M dynamic at work.

Blades would be the taller of the two. But the kids would be very athletic.

Blades has put some muscle on since last year's trials and grown more fully into the weight. She was much better prepared for Gray's tie ups and mom's strength. She also didn't let Gray get to her leg lace in either match.

Blades is ... um ... very sharp. She cuts up and out a ten time medalist and legend of the sport. Gray is a great representative of the sport and seems like a fine person, but I think there has been a changing of the guard

I think Parris is destined for Paris. Nomen est omen (a name is an omen). I wonder how his French is. And doesn't Spencer Lee have some French heritage?

Blades vs. Gray up next. Then Greco and then Snyder/Trumble. Looks like they are probably saving Dake/Nolf and DT/Brooks to last. More commercial opportunities that way to keep viewers hooked.

Zain wasn't going to compete in Olympic trials. He had taken a job in NYC and then in January got the itch to return. Here's the interview if you can access it: https://www.flowrestling.org/events/12161177-2024-olympic-trials-watch-party/videos?playing=12461840

Mirasola took down Brooks (twice I think). Deiringer took down Brooks with 4-pointer. Zahid took down Brooks (twice?) Shouldn't Olympic and World Champion Taylor be able to do so a few times? I guess we will find out soon.

Dake has such a defensive and counter-offensive approach to wrestling. Penn State is extremely offense-oriented. Dake has been able to stop moving objects. Give Mesenbrink a year or so and he might be the guy to beat Dake. Except for his loss to Borroughs, he tore everybody else up in the bracket.

Yes, I've teaching as a full time faculty member at a university for years and one often gets extremely tired after a "performance" (long class), thinking on one's feet, responding to questions, and trying to provide some "edu-tainment" at times. I go back into my office, pull the shades down, and sometimes don't answer the door afterwards. Having an interlocutor helps.

I wonder if more (verbal) excitement could be generated for these extremely important Olympic trial bouts by having two commentators: one play by play and the other more color commentary. One voice has no one to bounce off of or reply to or banter with or question, etc.

Taylor looked sluggish and even almost winded at times. When have we ever seen that before? Usually, he comes out in the second period absolutely focused and on a tear.

I think we see a different DT tonight. One who isn't asleep and has recovered from the cut. I think he gets up to 215 or more when he's not competing.

Perhaps Brooks had divine intervention with the singlet pull. Like Maradona's "Hand of God" in the World Cup except just one finger. Otherwise, he would be on the backside and DT would be up 1-0 over Zahid. Oh ... the small contingencies and tiny inches that can make generate such a big difference in life .

It's possible we see a whole slew of elite guys go out this cycle: JB Cox DT? Adeline Gray? Who else? Jacarra W? Coon? Don't count them out however before the fat referee sings (whistles)