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If a coach is going to run an elite program in the current environment, he is going to welcome anyone who can challenge for the starting job. On the other side of the coin, athletes are free to transfer to another team if the elite program no longer suits them. It’s not how a lot of people are comfortable operating, but it’s how an elite program must operate if it is going to be elite.

My list… 1- CStar 2- MM 3- Steveson 4- Keck 5- Hamiti 6- KOT 7- Hendrickson 8- Mendez 9- Byrd 10- Buchanan

It’s all about vibes, as I’ve been saying. But I’d note that if the Hodge simply became the most falls in a season award, that would at least provide some superficial objectivity (not accounting for number of matches, strength of schedule, strength of weight class, etc). Anyway, congrats to Hendrickson.

In reality Hodge voting is subjective. If it were truly about dominance, as evidenced by bonus percentage, MM would have won.

Voting for Carter is reasonable. He had a better bonus percentage than Hendrickson (and, of course, won an unprecedented fifth title).

I congratulate Hendrickson, but I’d also point out that Carter had a higher bonus percentage than Hendrickson—which, of course, suggests that he was more dominant than Hendrickson. Hodge voting is inherently subjective though and many years, like this year, multiple people have a strong case.

Right. But if an athlete wins a world/Olympic medal within months of an NCAA season, I think that’s relevant. Brooks won an Olympic bronze immediately after his final NCAA season. I don’t think any of the others did that (if my memory is right) — of course Starocci and MM may pursue a world team this year.

Zain having zero votes as of now is surprising. 3x champ, 2x Hodge winner (and eventual world champ)

Who is it? Polls here only allow 20 options so I did not extend the poll to ISU wrestlers (like Paulson and Varner).

My wife named our son after her trainer, first, middle, and last name, and it was just because she liked the name. The one part I never understood was why she added “Jr” at the end.

125- LL / Desmond 133- LL / Davis / Nagao / Ono / Blaze 141- Davis / Nagao / Ono / Blaze 149- SVN 157- Kasak / Duke 165- MM 174- Haines / Welsh 184- Barr / Ryder / Welsh 197- Barr / Con Mirasola 285- Col Mirasola Is this above in the neighborhood of possible? (Edit: BarSeries mentioned Duke)

??

I don’t know much about MMA, but I do understand that it offers some athletes fame and money. And I assume it also comes with the potential for brain injuries Anyway, which (if any) 2025 seniors have announced plans to pursue MMA?

I get the questions about Ono’s mat wrestling. And those are valid. But I just want to emphasize that at 2024 worlds he beat Uguev 10-2 and teched everyone else—including Vito. There’s never been international freestyler come in with credentials like that. (Uetake, of course, won an Olympic gold after his sophomore year.)

Why would Blaze need to RS? He gave Ono his closest match last summer (between senior level and U20s). He’s ready right now, so why not let him cook?