lu1979

I don't think PJ Duke will be sitting - he is going to be a threat to win NCAAs 4 Xs. If he can make 157 next year I think he will start. TK still has a RS to use. Duke will RS the next year and move into the 165 slot after MM graduates. I expect both he and MM will be vying for the 74kg spot on the US team (along with other guys) throughout most of this next cycle and beyond. How that plays out in the NLWC will be interesting. I do think Barr stays at 197 next year - it will be better for him as far as his international goals go @ 86 kg (189lbs) No question PSU has more blue chip guys than they can use from 165 to 197. I expect some will move on to other schools - the Mirasola twin question is interesting. Of course it is still possible that Conner can improve enough to beat Barr but I would be a little surprised by that. It would not surprise me if Barr and Conner were the two best 197s in the country next year.

I have a question for someone in the know (Huskr Du?) - It says the Ivy Leagues will not provide the athletes with "direct NIL payments" - does this leave the athletes free to pursue NIL deals on their own and does it leave boosters free to offer NIL money without involving the schools?

I think it's a "If Mijain wants it Mijain gets it process - If I'm not mistaken the guy he beat for the Gold this past year had left Cuba to compete for Chile so he could get a shot at wrestling.

I don't have any inside info but I am guessing that Mendez moves up to 149 next year for the following reasons: 1 - It will be better for his FS goals to cut a little less during the college season and then drop to 143 for FS. This is the same strategy that Yianni, and Myles Amine used. 2 - Mendez is just so competitive I could see him wanting to go up to take out Henson - this will be espesially true if Henson wins again this year. 2 - It will be the best move for the team as it will allow both Bouzakis and Davino to get into the lineup. I may be wrong but I think that may be that shakes out.

Snyder and Uetake

Correct - all 3 military academies require that you finish school with the class you entered with.

Just love watching him wrestle - he never stops even when it looks over - his bronze medal match at U23 Worlds was wild. There are so many guys that should be on my list but its easiest to think of the ones who have won the big dance.

There may still be an option to drop Arnold to 174 and start Ferrari at 184 - that would obviously screw Nelson & PK so I don't know if that's on the table. Next year assuming PK is still there they will still have 3 guys for those 2 weights unless Ferrari can move up to 197. With Ludington coming in the best long term thing for them would be Arnold at 174, AF at 184 and Ludington or one of the Millers at 197.

Top 10 starting with the favorite. 1 - Mike Frick Lehigh 2 - Daryl Burley - Lehigh 3 - Yianni D - Cornell 4 - Vito Arujau - Cornell 5 - Travis Lee - Cornell 6 - Troy Letters - Lehigh 7 - B Hardy - Nebraska 8 - J Burroughs - Nebraska 9 - D Caldwell - NC State 10 - Gable Steveson Minn 11 - C Sanderson ISU 12 - D Taylor - PSU 13 - Kyle Dake Cornell 14 - Kendle Cross - OSU 15 - Gene Mills Syracuse

Thank you CAW - your insights to the Japanese Women's FS scene are always interesting. The JW's depth is really amazing in the lower weights.

If I was Cardenas and his coaches I would seriously consider pulling that RS and making a run for the title this year. With Teemer down to injury and Shapiro (who Cardenas was 2-1 against last year) possibly dealing with concussion issues that weight is wide open. As a Lehigh guy I am hoping Max Brignola would consider making a run at this weight if he thinks he could still make it and be effective.

Lee Kemp

Hope he recovers well - he is young and was very impressive in Paris. He was very competitive with Taz and I thought we could be seeing the beginnings of a rivalry. What did he have to have fixed?

Even if he's healthy I think he will have his hands full against Azarpira - that kid is legit.

for Minn add Nagao and Jamison