JVStateChamp

I do not disagree with that. I do believe that UTC is fully committed to Ruschell and the wrestling program. I would like to know what other candidates would have been a better hire, obviously, I don't have this knowledge but I am curious about who else had put in for the position once Eslinger left that may have had different results.

While I do not think that Coach Eslinger was the best coach, I think that there needs to be something said about where the program was and where it is now. Eslinger did a much better job of recruiting. Chattanooga should be a top program in the SoCon but falls short every year. Looking back vision is always 20/20 but to say letting Coach Sioredas go could've been one of the biggest mistakes the program made.

Many of the programs mentioned, such as Bloomsburg, Sacred Heart, and UTC, will face challenges in finding a sought-after replacement. As the wrestling market has grown, albeit not significantly, there will be a lack of qualified candidates. In the past, the best wrestlers in the USA were drawn to coaching due to limited financial opportunities. However, now wrestlers are experiencing career longevity and earning comparable salaries for focusing solely on training. Additionally, a high-profile assistant coach in the ACC or B1G may earn more than a head coach at a SoCon or EIWA program. While these programs have undoubtedly fallen short of their past achievements or potential, attracting coaches who can bring about change and remain committed for an extended period is proving to be a significant hurdle.

The UFC's decision to stream wrestling matches, regardless of quality or quantity, is a significant step forward for the sport. This initiative exposes college wrestling to a new audience already captivated by combat sports. The UFC's approach of turning dual meets into events is also commendable, as the varied settings add an extra layer of excitement and attraction to college wrestling. Additionally, the inclusion of less discussed teams in these dual meets provides them with valuable exposure, which bodes well for the future growth of Division I wrestling.

This needs to be a get right dual for VT. It seemed they came out against Ohio State a little ill-prepared or flat. Every swing match and some downright upsets went all toward tOSU, this is a good opportunity to get the train rolling back in the right direction. I think that VT wins this dual by 5-6 points.

This argument appears to be somewhat hypocritical. While some individuals, including Brands, may disagree with the ruling on the gambling investigations, it is unfair and unjust to speculate about the actions of other teams or programs without any evidence. As a leader, Brands should focus on guiding his own team in the right direction rather than worrying about others.

I agree, my other thought on it was that since the weight cut, he is trying to compete in more open tournaments and possibly just SoCon matches. To limit weigh-ins but still get the amount of matches needed. I guess thats the beauty of the second week of the season, most of this is speculation and we get to discuss until it plays out.

In his defense, Palmer wrestled unattached at the Clarion open. This weekend Chattanooga wrestled two dual meets in which Palmer did not wrestler so it may be a case where Palmer is still deciding whether to take a RS or not. This is all speculation but something to consider.

A lot of the sustainability with training and competing at such a high level has to do with health. I believe (and hope) that if Bo can stay healthy for a majority of his career then burn out will not be a factor. Again, in a sport like wrestling injury is hard to predict or prevent but the mental toll it takes is often times what causes the burnout.

Can never make everyone happy... Correction (Sorry to offend anyone) VT: 17 tOSU: 16

Well if we are still talking about Virginia Tech v The Ohio State, my prediction is V-Tech coming out on top 17-16. A couple swing matches could really make the difference.

I agree, my main argument was more that a wrestler earning an escape is worth the point. Taking away an escape point does not create more action. In mat wrestling, there is a give and take between working for a turn and riding, as well as working for an escape and working to not get turned. My unpopular opinion is that stalling has turned into following a stepping out of bounds and a 5-second count, rather than knowing when a wrestler is purposefully avoiding action and scoring which can be called at any point in a match.

The objective on top is to score. Using double boots, an ankle ride, or a double spiral ride is a mechanism to stop action not create. The top wrestler is also noted as the offensive wrestler in which none of these strategies are actively offensive. I am all for using these techniques to work towards a turn/fall, but in many cases, it is used to build riding time.

I agree that action is entertaining from a viewership perspective and does promote growth in the sport. I think the scoring situation may not be a huge factor in promoting scoring. I think a huge factor in lower-scoring matches as well as what we see as a lack of action in matches is that the talent level in the most viewed college wrestling matches is very high. It is very hard to have high scoring and lots of action between two high-level wrestlers where talent levels are similar which makes for low scoring and fewer exchanges. I do think its possible that this may be the root of the problem, but also just a theory.

You seem very dismissive of others who don't fully agree with your opinion. More people would choose top because there is no danger in going on top and the worst result is that they get an extra 5 seconds of riding time. Even without trying to turn to start on top and grabbing an ankle for a 5-second count can waste or give the top man 7 seconds of riding time. That does not sound conducive to a good product.

I would say a better argument for 3 point takedown would be to make a 3 point reversal opposed to no escape point. I believe it is overlooked how difficult and how much effort it takes to get an escape in college wrestling. With 0 point escapes someone can do all the work to get to their feet in a rear standing position top guy will not put in the effort to mat return and in conclusion then gets 0 points for creating action and getting to their feet. Also, in your argument, the difference in points is the same, but in your case, you are not rewarding the bottom man for wrestling.

This seems eerily similar to freestyle. It's just another step in the direction to eliminate mat wrestling.

I would say that a combination of factors contributed to Blaze's loss. Brayden Palmer came into the season ranked #10 at 133 pounds, and he is now ranked #20 at 125 pounds (which could change after this weekend). Blaze is an amazing wrestler, but it is really hard to win two matches against high-ranked college wrestlers, especially when he had to beat Jax Forrest just to get to the finals. Palmer is a very good wrestler, and he is very difficult to score on, as well as being very good at controlling opponents on top. Palmer pinned Nagao last year at the Southern Scuffle, so overall I would say that Blaze's loss was not a case of "weird stuff happens."

Initial reactions to this event are kudos to both Army and Campbell. The pageantry and production brought a lot of attention to two programs that are not typically seen as "must-watch." The teams did a great job marketing the event through Twitter, and both seemed to fully buy in to promoting something that is unique to the sport of wrestling. Also, a lot of credit must be given to Coach Sentes, as Campbell has not seemed to lose a step with the departure of Kolat. The Camels came to wrestle and had some sharp-looking singlets. Hopefully, more lesser-talked-about programs can attempt to replicate and add their own twist to something like this event.

I thought the new redshirt rules were only true freshmen get 5 weigh-ins before it uses a year of eligibility.

Not positive on this but I believe the all-star classic is not an official match. I would assume then Haines would be eligible to wrestle in this match and still have his redshirt in tact if that is the route PSU decides to go.

I interpreted his point of view as believing that before the NCAA or powers that implement anything including mat-side weigh-ins, they need some evidence or data that it will benefit the sport. So I believe to gain that data you must start it on a smaller scale before jumping the gun on mat-side weigh-ins. I also am in the belief that mat-side weigh-ins can clearly work, but what evidence is there that it would be beneficial to the sport from an athlete's perspective as well as a logistics and spectator perspective? It is clear that this is a more difficult matter than it may seem and needs to be treated as such.

Bagaev did not look very mediocre there. Good win for Brooks

Not arguing that this could definitely work. Considering that they are wrestling or supposed to be wrestling at their natural weight is it safe to assume then there would not be a pound allowance for the second day weigh in?

The belief is that if you do one weigh in per tournament the most elite high school(not as much college) wrestlers will still cut the same amount of weight due to the fact they will be wrestling a lesser opponent in the first round of a big tournament. But yes this could be a compromise for both sides.