strange_daze

This board is fortunate to such excellent content going into the offseason. It reminds me of the golden days of PD3.

I like the PSU guys for the most part and think there's some good messaging there. I don't agree with all of it, and I personally don't like how the fanbase has been attacking Caliendo. Not a great trend. I also like how other guys carry themselves and talk about the sport: the interviews of Vega and Hardy where they talk about each other have been super interesting to follow and indicative, to me, of true sportsmanship. I'm not looking to be tribal here. Go PSU. Go Iowa. Go Cowboys. Go Wrestling.

I actually think it's an interesting time for wrestling, and I believe the current/upcoming generation of wrestlers is bringing positive attention to themselves and the sport. I also like some of the messaging: it's often very thoughtful, and smart, and articulate, especially for guys who just walked off the mat and spend lots (and lots) of time wrestling rooms. Way more mature than I was at their age. I should clarify: I really like watching Mesenbrink wrestle, and I've followed a great deal of his content, including pretty much every interview he gave over the past few days. He's a thoughtful guy. My point here, on this thread, is that he and the PSU team don't own the concept of sportsmanship, even if, in some cases, their version may be worth adopting. I'm not defending Caliendo per se, but he's also taking a lot of heat/hate on social media (not just here), and I think it's unwarranted. The PSU faithful, literally thousands of them, are using the clip as a means to castigate him and Iowa more generally, and in doing so, elevate themselves, through their team, as being on the moral high ground. I find it distasteful and self-aggrandizing. I should add: it's 'just' wrestling, but to give credit to Mesenbrink and the way he talks about the sport, life, and so on, there are really important themes here that are worth discussing in a meaningful way. This message board may not be the right locale for it exactly, but it's a community space, and I think injecting some nuance is worth the effort.

Mesenbrink is the one who broke convention here. Maybe it's a sporting thing to do, but it's also a little bit like the mayor of the weight class trying to force everyone's hand (no pun intended) in a very public moment. Caliendo had every right to be stoic and reserved in that moment. More generally: this seems to be part of PSU's game. They are dominating on the mat, and guys like Mesenbrink try to carry that authority into interviews. I don't mind it in some ways--and kind of enjoy these young people talking about wrestling with artfulness and soul--but it can also come across as sanctimonious and presumptuous, as if they have the answers to some of life's most difficult questions. The award stand moment is just a small example of where their model of 'right action' met with individual agency and, in this case, rejection of PSU's attempt to dominate the culture.

Robby gave him a look too—dude didn’t seem fazed.

Not looking for an argument... I've really enjoyed watching Duke for some time now. He looked like an absolute monster in the Big Ten finals; same with the first three rounds at NCAAs. To me, he's a killer, and a guy I talk about when watching with my son. All that said, something did seem different in the semis. Whatever the case, he rallied and got the next best thing this morning. Nothing but respect for the guy.

From the Dan Hodge Foundation: "...the Dan Hodge Trophy is based on seven criteria including record, a number of pins, dominance, past credentials, quality of competition, sportsmanship/citizenship, and heart. The trophy is based primarily on the results of a single season, but past accomplishments are considered as well, particularly in years where the competition is tighter." If these are accurate criteria, I'd say it's between Mendez and Messenbrink. Barr has been crazy dominant, but I'm not sure he wins the other categories. Watching Mendez secure the takedown in last night's semi-finals is, for me, more an argument for the 'heart' category and less a strike against dominance.

All the PSU finalists did interviews on Friday after the semis. Van Ness comes across well in front of the camera; Messenbrink brings unique charisma. Mendez speaks well and with humility for someone chasing down a third title and possible Hodge. More generally, I've really enjoyed watching interviews with the 'young guys' (e.g., Vega, Davino, Forrester, etc.). It seems like many of them have grown up in the video/content culture, and they come across as mature and well-spoken. Brock Hardy also brings great perspective. These young men are representing the sport well.

Messenbrink didn’t do much in that match—not sure why he was taunting Hepner at the end.

I say keep a microphone in JB's hand.

Robust analysis mixed with compelling exposition. Strong work.

Blades is awesome--killer photo.

A selfless act of humanity—much respect.

To be fair, Dake's an eminent wrestler and would-be coach.

Walk on somewhere and prove their worth. Then, get paid.