BigRedFan

Gabe Dean did not wrestle as a true freshman, taking his greyshirt year at FLWC. Travis Lee *probably* did wrestle as a true freshman, although I can't confirm that. 2002 was a long time ago. Both would have been considered elite recruits, I guess. I added "elite" since I have no idea how many Cornell wrestlers wrestled as a true freshman, mostly being familiar with the starters.

Before my time of following collegiate wrestling, but yeah, twenty years ago ("decades"). Thanks Does show how rare it has been for Cornell to start true freshmen.

Tell you what: you give me instances of Mike Grey being whiny and complaining about other teams ducking Cornell wrestlers, and I'll fill you in on my relationship with Cornell wrestling. Deal?

Yet it so clearly sticks in your mind that you call him out for it. You just know he is whiny about other teams ducking Cornell wrestlers, despite not being able to point to a single instance. Go figure. I'm not defensive, as Mike Grey is not "my guy." I'm more familiar with their program than with any other program, yet I can't recall any time he's been whiny and complaining about people ducking. I'm hard pressed to even think of anyone who has notably ducked against Cornell. Make a claim, fail to back it up, then drop out complaining how badly you're being treated. I'm sure there are names for that kind of thing, but I can't recall any at the moment.

Does winning or doing well at some Open tournament qualify as "making a name for themself?"

Whining and complaining about someone ducking. Should be easy for you to cite some instances. Thanks.

Of the elite Cornell recruits in recent decades, only Shapiro, Yianni, and Dake wrestled as true freshmen.

Can you point to an instance where this happened? Thanks.

Shapiro, Greg D, and Cornella won't be there, unfortunately. Not enrolled this semester.

Gabe Dean, Dylan Palacio, Brian Realbuto, Mark Grey all redshirted the same year. Ben Darmstadt, Max Dean and a couple of others redshirted and joined true freshman Yianni. This recruiting class is very special (well, not PSU special), and Cornell already has a number of quality starters this year. It might get ugly next year at the top weights (soph Mikey Dellagatta, and frosh Jude Correa, Rocco Dellagata, Elijah Diakomihalis). My hope is Mikey D drops to 184, Correa goes 197, and Rocco D/Elijah D fight it out at 285, or Elijah D goes 197 and Correa goes 285 (ain't nobody in the room gonna beat him). Knox would have to face Greg D at 125 (don't underestimate Little D); Isaiah Cortez and Ferrera/Ungar at 133, DeJesus and Cornella at 141, Perentin and Cerchio at 165. Setting up a lineup for 2026-27 like Knox (fr) Cortez (fr) Cortez (fr) Joy (fr) Shapiro (sr) Cerchio/Perentin (so/fr) Ruiz (jr) Dellagatta (so) Diakomihalis (fr) Correa (fr)

Doubtful.

He'd have to beat Cornella and Josh Saunders, and frosh Bouyssou. I think he'll try to beat Joy.

Interesting that Ruiz is 2-0 vs. Pinto (including at the NCAAs), 5-2 vs 3-5 against common opponents, and WS picks Pinto.

Nope. Fernandez bumped up from 133 to 149 a couple of years ago. Way too small to be anything heavier. Shapiro at 157, of course. 149 is his only choice.

Greg D, Cornella, and Fernandez can't enroll this semester without graduating this semester, so they are sitting out to wrestle in the second semester (the one that counts). Yes, due to Ivy rules. Shapiro is on a pitch count, and I *guess* that he's saving his Ivy eligibility just in case there is an injury issue in the future. Most think Greg can beat Milani at 125; Fernandez has to get past Jaxon Joy at 149, and most think he won't. (and, no, I haven't taken a poll)