lu1979

I am not sure how they make the decision on which students go to the prep schools - I would be surprised if athletic considerations are major factors - I would guess that some of it depends on how many slots are open for the incoming class - if anyone out there has any informed insights on this I would love to here them.

The service academies do not have redshirts - Once you start with your class as a plebe it is expected that you are going to graduate with that class. The academies do have prep schools associated with them that they have some recruits attend prior to starting in the academy. That can serve a similar purpose as a redshirt but the student has not started matriculating at the school yet.

I don't agree - Luke has grown into the weight more and is still improving - I won't say I'm picking him over JM but I think it will be a very competitive match.

The World Gold CC won in 1981 was at 82KG (180lbs) as was the 1980 Olympic team spot he won. when he returned 10 years later to compete it was at 90kg (198lbs)

tOSU means Ohio State not Oklahoma State

I know your pain - Yozzo graduated 8 years after me:)

I would guess that Ramazonov from Bulgaria has to be the favorite going into this tournament at 86Kg - it will be interesting to see if he can duplicate the inspired performance he had in Paris last year.

Sahakian will be at Michigan RS behind Ghiadelli - I would guess they are still high on him as their future heavyweight - they lost Correa over him.

Just wishful thinking on my part - we can always hope:)

I agree - also do not underestimate how Barr's FS aspirations affect this decision. He wants to be a world class 86Kg guy (189.2lbs) It will be better for him to be at 197 and then drop the 7 lbs for FS than to be cutting 5 lbs under for a whole folkstyle season - he will not go back down unless Connor Mirasola beats him out for the spot which I think is unlikely (but not impossible)

Lehigh would be a good fit - he can bring his buddy PJ Duke with him too

In the 23-24 season Bastida was weighing in between mid 230s up to 240 - I don't know if he has put on anymore weight - he was pretty jacked at that size.

I replied in another thread about how the heavyweight class seems to shedding quite a few pounds for next year - I think Cole Mirasola's future is at heavyweight wherever he goes. Next year at heavyweight most of the top contenders will be "undersized" heavyweights - this year graduated a lot of really good guys who were 250lbs and up and could really wrestle - Hendrickson, Gable, Kerk, Schulz, Trephan, Heindleman & Luffman - Next year most of the best guys seem to be in that 225 to 240 range. Trumble, Bastida, Ghiadelli, Kueter, Feldman, Pitzer are all lighter type heavyweights. Taylor of Lehigh will be a big exception which I hope can work to his favor. He should be up close to the weight limit. As far as new guys coming in I expect Mirasola, Hopke, and if he doesn't grey shirt Correa will all be light. Attao if he comes in might be a bit on the heavier side. It will be interesting to see who rises to the top. Anyway I thought it deserved it's own topic - it will be a bit different

I think Cole Mirasola's future is at heavyweight wherever he goes. Next year at heavyweight most of the top contenders will be "undersized" heavyweights - this year graduated a lot of really good guys who were 250lbs and up and could really wrestle - Hendrickson, Gable, Kerk, Schulz, Trephan, Heindleman & Luffman - Next year most of the best guys seem to be in that 225 to 240 range. Trumble, Bastida, Ghiadelli, Kueter, Feldman, Pitzer are all lighter type heavyweights. Taylor of Lehigh will be a big exception which I hope can work to his favor. He should be up close to the weight limit. As far as new guys coming in I expect Mirasola, Hopke, and if he doesn't grey shirt Correa will all be light. Attao if he comes in might be a bit on the heavier side. It will be interesting to see who rises to the top.

Mocco only wrestled twice in the Big 10

If he can make 157 as a true Frosh they could RS Kasek and then have Duke RS the next year when MM is a senior. He could then take over at 165 after MM is done

Spot on Willie

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.