Wrasslin

Andre Gonzales . . . now there's a name I haven't heard in a while! TBH, not surprised . . .I wasn't super high on him outta HS- he won a CA state title as a senior @ 113, but besides him, the top 8 were FR/SO (as is the case in HS). He got majored the year before in semis at 106 by none other than Virginia's Jack Gioffre (who played spoiler to Paniro Johnson) at NCAAs, who in the finals got teched by Richie Figgs. Poway is a power program, but he was far from the best they've produced, although I enjoy seeing CA guys do well in college!

That can't make you feel so awesome about where you stand in comparison, I'm guessing. . .

It's not a knock against Hendrickson. . . simply pointing out human bias. His win over Gable, other than adding a win to his record, actually lowered his statistical dominance score in all other statistical categories (a regular decision win), yet propelled him to his Hodge anyway. And Starocci couldn't have done anything more than he did to convince voters in his favor.

Correct. Thing is, you can crunch numbers all you want (and we did), but as Aaron Levenstein put it, "Statistics are like bikinis. What they reveal is suggestive, but what they conceal is vital." Humans do the voting. They have built-in bias based on their experiences/preferences. The literal end of the wrestling season, and what we remember, was Wyatt doing the unthinkable and beating Gable. People make emotional votes, backed by statistics they see fit (that support their view- see quote above), and that's how it goes. Not saying it's good or bad, just how it is. Want proof? Hendrickson wasn't even in the top 3 being considered until he beat (and replaced) Gable.

With all due respect to Ben Askren, Jake Herbert's contribution is just as impressive- just watch any grade school or high school tournament!

A couple of interesting points you make here- First, in 2023 Worlds when Aitmukhan won his Senior world title @ 92kg, Yoshida was in that bracket (as was Azarpira- more on that later). Yoshida was teched in the Semis by Nurmagomedov 10-0 and also teched by Zahid Valencia in the bronze medal match 11-0. Funny enough, I really thought that tournament was Zahid's to lose after his win over Azarpira in the 2nd round- he wrestled like a man possessed. His next match with Nurmagomedov in quarters was disappointing and really came down to one exchange where Zahid got behind in standing position and was unable to get the takedown (I need to watch that match again). Given the above, more questions . . . Has Yoshida not only jumped weights but also jumped levels? "We'll see" is where I stand Is Zahid our guy at 86kg? Is Atimukhan really as good as his results indicate as Truzzcat pointed out above? He wasn't competitive against Snyder and gassed and lost to Jay Aiello at Kunayev in 2024 so . . .

Coby wins U20 trials (includes Mocco and Ross), wins U20 world gold, and commits to Stanford. You heard it here first.

OMG- we need a trophy emoji for stuff like this . . . "and my sister, who laid me out cold before I hit double digits" . . . I can't emphasize enough how much I love this post!

I mean, I just don't know how the new stuff from this link will react to the stuff I already have. It's like mixing meds- there's always a risk there- sometimes good; sometimes not as good!

I agree (Vega is a freak) and disagree that he is D1 ready now. IMO, he'd benefit from a year in a college room. As @Truzzcat mentioned, he would benefit from some heavy hand fighting and improvement on his feet. Watch his matches against Mendoza and Grajeda (don't know who that is? You will in a few years). Again, not taking anything away from him, obviously.

I wanna click on the link really badly but a part of me thinks it's just going to pop up porn all over my screen.

It almost feels like ASU is a feeder program now - not exactly sure when that happened. They've always been good at attracting CA talent (and still are).

I'm not ready to crown him just yet . . .I'm going to reserve judgement until after Worlds- if he medals then I'll come around.

How much weight is Spratley cutting- does anyone know? I saw one of his interviews during NCAAs and he looked pretty dried out!

Haines to OKST to fill their 174lb spot and link back up with his old K2 coach David Taylor, especially since a DT coached wrestler just beat him at NCAAs? I wouldn't bet on it, but stranger things have most certainly happened. I don't see Davis or Mirasolas transferring this year, and I like Ryder's chances of beating Welsh. Nagao should definitely transfer, and I think he'd do better somewhere closer to home (Stanford)? He and Tyler Knox can figure who wrestles where (133/141). Sealy should probably also transfer- if he did I think he has the potential to be a round of 12 guy next year. One thing's for sure, that PSU room in going to be crowded!