MidwestMan

Knowing the venue, Power and Light District, and the vision that KC has to be a host destination for events, I was expecting to hear great reviews, but it's still tickles me to read these comments. Thank's for coming, and Ya'll come back now!

I just spit my dinner on the table trying to read this and eat. That was a belly wiggler for sure.

True that. We head to Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Texas in the winter to escape frigid temps and ride our bikes. Wisconsin is one of our summer destinations. Hell, there is a big difference just between north and south Missouri. He'd love the milder winters. They get ice storms down there and tornadoes so it's not perfect.

Reading these portal comments conjures up this image in my mind of a piece of meat being dropped in a pit of lions and watching them fighting to get it. The most powerful-cunning cat wins the prize.

Oh, I like the sound of that. Probably won't happen as Smith would be loyal to a Tiger waiting in the wings. I couldn't see Hamiti making 157.

Gus, I think you've got something there and Okie State has some $$$$$ they can probably locate. He would fit in, but would have to learn how to interpret Oklahoma dialect. They talk funny down there, kinda like they talk in southern Missouri.

I don't want to hear any more of this talk about Ben going to Wisconsin. Smith is going to eventually retire at Miz and my ultimate dream is an Akren as head coach and KO on staff. Please...please...please!

Mizzou could use some depth/competition at 125 and 133. Have a couple of extra 125s and 133s listed on the roster but they also have Seitzer listed as a 133 and we know how that went. Surtin and Moore will be returning, but when Moore was out, the Tigers had to forfeit a match. When I look at a roster I sleays wonder how many are still a actively wrestling and who may have quit.

Mr Idaho, and Mr nhs67: Your not interpreting my post as is intended. Again, I am not suggesting that any of the Arizona State AA's would not have finished any different at nats if they had qualified through the Big 12 tournament. I'm just saying "I" think the path through the Big 12 will be a tougher road. This is my opinion. Shultz had already lost to Bastida, and eventually lost Elam at nats. Shultz had beat Elam in their previous meetings. Who knows how that goes if they are in the same conference tournament, and include Hendrickson in the conversation. At 125, Figueroa had close matches with some Big 12 wrestlers and had taken 5 loses on the year. Much like Vito losing to Crookham two times, it could happen. I don't want to diminish what Arizona State accomplished at Nats, just stating my opinion that I think it would be a tougher path through the Big 12. Speaking from about opinions, I'm an old man and earned every one of my grey hairs. I never ha ha another person's opinion. But then again, that comes with posting on a forum. I will share that I did win $20 on a side betting against Teemer in the finals and taking points. Easy money. We knew he'd be backing up from the first whistle. Mr. Idaho, I like your handle. In my younger years I was a whitewater kayaker and spent 3 weeks a year paddling in Idaho and Montana. Many a day playing the rivers during the day and nights sitting in hot springs under the stars. That was when Idaho was a bit more less civilized. Some of the best experiences of my life and campfire stories forever. Hope you have a blue sky day.

I can't see Rocky doing a red shirt. Did you not watch his last matches at nats. He is either wrestling hurt or lost some drive/HEW. He was like 2 different wrestlers at nats.

I don't question that at all. I do know the tougher path can end in injuries. William's at Okie State is a good example. Does Schultz win the title at Hvy in the Big 12? Tell me Figs doesn't get better challenges at the Big 12 at 125. Is that funny stuff? I think the Big 12 benefits from Arizona State joining the conference, but their path to nats will get tougher next year. Bank that.

This has been on my mind also. That bump of Whiting for Hawks was a head scratcher and I wondered if he was hurt till I heard Smith's explanation. Hawks was one riding time point from being an AA, so I guess he was right in his thinking. There is still a "log jam" with Hawks, Whiting, and Heriman. If Kegan stays at 165 and one of those guys can drop to 174, that might help. Sinclair is coming in to the mix and what is R. Elam doing? Staying at 197 or bumping to hvy, or ? Just a crystal ball at this point.

Like I said, timing and competition in the weight class is a big part of the equation.

Really, you think? This was about "everyone one else getting an opportunity to brag." We know which conference currently rules. Just hoping the Big 12 will inch closure with Arizona State coming into the conference next year. Baby steps!

This is absolutely true and I like that your pointing this out.

I absolutely agree with this post. I live in Missouri but I'd drive to Ames or Iowa City for that dual. That win over the Hawkeyes is coming, as is the train that Dresser is building in Ames. It's a dual I fear when they come to Columbia to dual the Tigers. Big props.

Catchy handle considering your referring to Steiber. Only way Steiber I'd mentioned as a 3 is if his dad votes.

Boy, I can't wait! How will Braxton Amos fit in that plan?

You might want to weigh in the competition that the wrestlers faced to get to the top 4 times. Some paths might have been easier than others. If MM would have won this year in a weight class that included 3 world champs/2 former nat champs and finished an undefeated career, he would have been at the top of this list. Oh well, "shoulda, woulda, coulda!"

How many of those AAs were from A state cause they get to come to the Big 12 next year and grind it through that tournament before getting to nats. Don't think the path makes a difference?

Nothing wrong with being critical of the performance, but I wouldn't expect any major changes. The athletic department seems happy with the status quo, and Mizzou is not a destination school for wrestling (or any other sport). I don't see them spending the money necessary to change that. I just hope Smith can find a way to light a fire back under the program. Exactly Crotaius. There is no pressure to win wrestling at Mizzou, and to be honest, with us being in the SEC for everything else, I'm just happy every year wrestling is not dropped. MU is not going to spend money to improve the program. Smith has done the unimaginable by building the program to where it is and "tickling" the loyal wrestling fans of the state. I just want my cake and eat it too, thus the criticism and wishful posts. Just an old retired guy with too much time to bitch.

Leave his shoes on the mat after next season or not even return? I'd be shocked if he didn't return, but I certainly don't have any inside info. It certainly seems like he was dealing with something injury-wise based on his limited schedule and lackluster early season performance, but he was rounding back into form for the postseason. Given that, I don't see his finish as a disappointment. He split with a tough Cardenas, and he was never beating Brooks or Sloan even at his peak. I hope he doesn't finish his career with a whimper the way Mauller and Mocco did. As I stated, the question popped up while Rocky was getting teched by Brooks, then fizzled in the next rounds. There was comments from people that are pretty reliable sources, that Big Elam was ready for the season/wrestling to be over and Rocky was also dealing with HEW, some of which could be injury related. We all know what the grind of wrestling does to the head and body by the end if the season, and that could be part of the Elam psyche, and comments. Was very happy the way Zach completed his collegiate career as he continued to move up as an AA and get a great win against Schultz. His senior year was obviously a success. We all want to see Rocky back, and he will be in the hunt for a title at 197 if his head is right and he is healthy. I had been suggest to others for a long time that he could go up if weight is an issue. I just don't want to see him finish like Mocco and Mueller, just being loyal and putting in the time. If the fire is not in the belly, be proud of your legacy as a 4 time AA, and get on with life.

Our group had multiple big screen tvs so had matcast and regular broadcast. At one point, the commentary was getting so bad, we turned down the volume. DC was bouncing off the walls and we just couldn't go with the "shot gun" approach with the crew talking over eack other and some of the dumb comments. Our group consisted of ex college wrestlers and coaches so we didn't need to be educated about wrestling as we watched. It just seemed like a clown show this year compared to some of the past years.

Wowser!!! Thanks for sharing. That kind if money will buy a lot of headgear.

I was absolutely pulling for Carr, but when he went into total defensive mode, backing and using the edge, I was expecting him to get dinged for stalling. Great kid/wrestler and happy he got to end his career this way. Tough one for MM but he has plenty to look forward to. Still hard to imagine 3 world champs in the same weight class. In most years, all 3 would be nat champs.