MidwestMan

I grew up in the city, so when I moved to north Missouri 50 years ago, it was kind of a culture shock. I don't hunt, fish, or play golf. I'm agnostic and my politics don't always line up. When people start trying to talk religion to me, I tell them to talk to my wife, she's the Christian in the family. I just tell people I'm a free/critical thinker and to each their own. I've never quite fit in, but that's ok. Speaking of purgatory, I had someone approach me last week, meaning we'll, but prophesizing. I thanked them for caring about me, but I had grown up with a catholic step father and had gone to catholic school and mass, and had a pentecostal grandmother that lead the church praise band, and spoke in tongues. Between the sitting, standing, kneeling in mass, and watching people pass out with the "holly spirit" at grandma's church, I came to my own thoughts about spirituality. But this individual was concerned about my soul and the "heaven and hell" issue. I looked at him and said, "So,what are your thoughts on purgatory?"

I'm so old that we actually wore a 3 piece uniform. Tights first, top that buttoned at bottom, then trunks. I was damn proud when I finally earned the right to wear that contraption. Finally my senior year, we went to a two piece. Practiced on canvas mats with a mat cover. Talk about mat burns. The under mats would have spots where the stuffing would separate and leave a gap. I ended up with my first concussion as a result of a fireman's carry that drilled my head into one of those gaps. Woke up in ER with a terrible headache and vomiting. Unfortunately, this wouldn't be my last. Knowledge about head injuries has advanced tremendously in 50+ years. Yah think those mats might be a bit of a liability issue today. The "good ole" wasn't always good.

50 miles south of the Mo-Ia state line.

Now imagine being over 70 and watching all the dynasty changes, creative improvement in technique. The internet and video are a big part of that advance, although singles, doubles, cradles, and halfs still rule. I see the most advancement with set ups. Throw in scramble wrestling. I can remember seeing so many of the future studs at Jr Nats in Cedar Rapids, back in the day. I bought a Dan Gable technique book on site and he autographed it. Living in north Missouri, we were fortunate to get a lot of the Iowa Public TV wrestling matches, depending on antenna reception. Back in the good Ole days.

There is a big difference between being a coach that "develops" talent and a coach that "parades" talent. I'm not saying you can't be both, but it's certainly easier to win if your program is stacked deep with top 20 recruits, and this is true in every sport. Did Cael coach a team title back at Iowa State? The blue bloods may take home all the trophys, but if I give out a "Best Coach" award, it's going to the coach that does the most with the least! Isn't that where the phrase "coaching them up" came from? Do we need a new category? Best Underdog Coach.

Yes, that is correct.

He wrestled in HS for St. Clair, Mo. Pretty tough kid. He also beat Bambinelli (MU) by Major dec at Cougar Clash. SIU has a couple of very competitive kids. Back in the 70's, SIU Edwardsville was pretty salty under Larry Kristoff.

Probably should just let this topic peter out, but I watched the MU-NI match this morning and Kade Moore has a terrible stance. Legs straight and weight on heals waaay too much. Hard to defend good shots with that stance, and certainly not getting much power on a shot. No wonder he has to "gadget wrestle" on defense. MU sucks on the bottom. Don't know if its a lack of bottom escape technique, or simply getting beat physically. Last, Schwab was up and animated in his coaching. Smith looked like he was taking a nap on the sideline.

Thanks for the kind/tactful reminder about staying on topic. I do tend to wander.

Just a little "side hustle!" What would Trump do?

Refreshing to watch these kids just hanging out and sharing what they enjoy, why they wrestle, and perspective as to why the PSU program is successful, starting with Coach C. Kid speak includes an abundance of "likes", and the "dude" is still alive and we'll. Exciting times following all this young talent at the college level, and USA wrestling should be fielding some very promising teams. I do look forward to the day when some of the other elite programs can make the team title race exciting.

Wrestej, thanks for sharing that. I figured it could be a combination of things, including money. I also thought maybe he felt he had a better chance of reaching his goals/potential at somewhere other than MU. Got to think that Rocky is going to have better workout partners at Iowa State. I'll even give the edge in coaching to Dresser, and ISU assts. No doubt, there is more fire in that room. It drives me crazy when I go to a Tiger home dual and the coaches and staff rarely seem to get animated on the side. It kills me to see Rocky in a IS uniform. This is the first I heard about him wanting to go back and get on staff. He can have Dom Bradley's position as far as I'm concerned. Dom's low scoring, hold position, no risk, win or lose by 1, won't succeed with today's big athlete heavys that wrestle like middle weights. MU has a good frosh talent HWT in the room in Sampson Stillwell. Personally, I'd be ecstatic having Rocky working with Sampson, should he come back. MU could use a good lightweight coach also.

1st choice-school offering the most NIL. 2nd choice-school offering the 3nd most NIL. 3rd choice-well you get the theme. Welcome to the wild west. Is this why Rocky Elam is at Iowa State? I still don't know that story yet. I have my own ideas.

I was coaching a kids club and we were driving to St Louis in the 70's to wrestle tournaments. We would regularly see the Martin's, Fran and Craig, also the Andersons (Doug). They were little tikes back then. Of course, they became big school state Champs, while several of the kids I coached became smaller school state Champs. This was back in the days when Jack Crider was coaching at Forest Park JC and was a big part of the St Louis wrestling scene. Shep Pittman, Danny Boudria, were in that mix of coaches. I go way back, and on both sides of the state. The elder Charlie Sheretz was winning state championships at NW HS, King Parsons was a stud for Maplewood Richmond Heights. Robes were the popular warmup. Yah, I'm older than dirt. I actually ran into Craig Martin while waiting in the entrance line at a MU dual.

Warren is a hoot. He mentioned Chip Bunner toward the end. Both those guys were part of our Missouri Jr. Nats team back in the day. We had a pretty salty team back then Sammy Henson, Nick and Tony Purler, Gabe Arnold's dad, Phil. But yes, Mizzou and NI always scrap hard. Mizzou had a run for a short while when they had their number, but not recently. I'm a Mark and Doug Schwab fan. Love their intensity and toughness. NI reflects their style and grit.

Going to be a tough long season to be a Tiger wrestling fan. Tigers get whipped on the road at Northern Iowa 22-14. Takes me back to those lean years when we were always projecting to "next year!" The great programs just reload. Still no Cam Steed in the lineup.

I think Jimmy knows exactly what he is contributing to the "stew pot!" Chef Jimmy just serving up fresh cookies to anyone hungry enough to sample the goods and several come back for 2nds. I'm always curious about what the Chef is cooking up next.

Sounds like a good story line for a motivational, feel good movie. Aren't we about due for a "Vision Quest 2" and a modern redo of Lunatic Fringe? Have it hit the movie theaters right at holiday season/national duals.

Without being in the room and knowing the philosophy of how wrestlers are coached: lightweights, middle, etc... Individual development with technique/strategy, I just wonder how much of a jump Moore could take to get to the next level? We know his style is dangerous and he can "end up on top" in any given match, or flat on his back. Having KO in the room in a coaching capacity, and tweaking little things, might up Moore's statistical probabilities, which in laymen's terms means, "less going for broke!" I also think Cam Steed's career is in limbo with all his injuries. He's never been completely healthy for a season. That may also become an opportunity for one of the upcoming youngsters. I'm not ready to already be looking past 25-26 yet. I've been critical of coaching from time to time and want to see how the team progresses to the "meat and potatoes" of the season, starting with Northern Iowa on Sunday.

I was actually thinking about starting a topic and asking opinions about which portal transfer was making the most positive impact for their team thus far. My vote is Rocky Elam for Iowa State. That was a big get for the Cyclones and he seems really happy with his new team.

Ok, you got a giggle on that comment.

Good question. Might have strained his back doing deadlifts.

I'm also curious about what is going on with Collin Rath. He is part of this blue chip recruiting class and I assume is red shirting and prepping to move in 165 next season. Still can wrestle up to 5.

This may be the outcome more often then not against the top tier programs as this team matures. But I'd rather see the Tigers continue to wrestle a schedule that is entertaining to fans, while also exposing this young team to all American type talent to raise the bar. As wrestlers,we all knew that if you wanta be the best you have to wrestle the best in the room! But also as fans, and wrestling quality programs, we can also see how well the coaches do their job to make progress by "coaching up" their wrestlers. I finally got around to watching the "lopsided score" dual with Iowa. Regardless of the outcome, the Tigers actually wrestled pretty tough in some very close matches. I'm a real fan of the National Duals early. If anything else, it is a two day clinic to prepare for the rest of the season, as long as wrestlers don't get injured. Cam Steed, case in point. Cam seems to be Snake bit as far as injuries. I think part of it may be his style of wrestling. As a person that has dealt with multiple concussion injuries in my life, I do know that you certainly don't want to rush back to competition.

I'll be "planted in the pasture" by the time that happens.