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The HS class of 2021 was hugely impacted by COVID. Everything shut down in the spring of their junior years, and then they didn't have normal senior years. Now, when you look at the AAs, you can see that wrestlers from the class of 2021 seem oddly absent. Per WrestlingNomad, AAs by HS graduation year break down like this: 2017- 4 2018- 17 2019- 22 2020-11 2021- 5 2022- 15 2023- 6 Somehow there are fewer third year wrestlers than first year wrestlers. And the second biggest cohort is sixth year wrestlers!

They’re both great wrestlers — both champs — and they are even. And it was super fun for fans to watch.

I thought Vito and Fix were both part of the HS class of 2017 — only difference is that this is Vito’s fourth NCAA tournament and Fix’s fifth. I think Fix is somehow a little older, too. Interestingly, both are world medalists. That doesn’t happen every day in the NCAA finals.

Vito and Brooks looked most impressive to me, based on vibes. Starocci would’ve been right there if not for his injury. Even so, he took out two former champs back to back.

Interestingly, Fix has a world silver — which IMO is more impressive than an NCAA title.

Kasak (149) and Berge (184) both lost in the first round, but are now guaranteed to place 3-6. Also, Volk (125), Jordan (125), and Kinner (149) lost in the first round, but are now guaranteed to place 7-8. Super tough.

Looks like they clinched the team title already. And congrats to those of you who legally bet on Penn State!

Griffith is a great wrestler, but his match with Starocci shows why a step out rule would be a good idea.

Maybe they are? Or maybe it’s part of sports psychology and we can’t expect them to disassociate from them competition mentality so quickly.

O’Toole-Carr was fantastic. Wow! Kudos to both athletes.

Andonian performed extremely well. Nothing to hang his head about!

Haines with a crazy comeback. Cool as a cucumber during the matside interview.

Vito is indeed looking like world champ Vito from last year.

At 133, we’re going to see a 26 year old compete against a 24 year old tomorrow night for the title. Interesting!

Gomez is in his fourth post-season. Personally, I would distinguish between some in their fourth post-season versus someone in their fifth post-season.

For me.. 125- Ramos vs. Stanich 125- Davis vs. Volk 133- Nagao vs. Orine 149- Kasak vs. Arrington 165- Hamiti vs. Olejnik 197- Cardenas vs. Allred

125- (8) Figueroa- 3rd year 125- (12) Noto- 4th year 125- (3) Ayala- 3rd year 125- (10) Barnett- 5th year 133- (1) Fix- 7th year 133- (5) Ragusin- 4th year 133- (6) Arujau- 7th year 133- (2) Crookham- 2nd year 141- (1) Mendez- 2nd year 141- (5) Echemendia- 3rd year? 141- (6) McNeil- 4th year 141- (2) Bartlett- 4th year 149-(1) Lovett- 5th year 149- (4) Henson- 2nd year 149- (6) Gomez- 7th year 149- (2) Parco- 5th year 157- (1) Haines- 2nd year 157- (12) Andonian- 5th year 157- (6) Cardenas- 2nd year 157- (2) Teemer- 6th year 165- (1) O'Toole- 4th year 165- (4) Carr- 6th year 165- (6) Caliendo- 3rd year 165- (2) Mesenbrink- 2nd year 174- (9) Starocci- 5th year 174- (4) Griffith- 6th year 174- (6) Welsh- 1st year 174- (7) Wolak- 5th year 184- (1) Keckeisen- 5th year 184- (4) Munoz- 5th year 184- (3) Plott- 4th year 184- (2) Salazar- 4th year 197- (1) Brooks- 5th year 197- (12) Elam- 4th year 197- (3) Sloan- 6th year 197- (2) Hidlay- 6th year 285- (1) Kirkvliet- 5th year 285- (4) Schultz- 5th year 285- (3) Hendrickson- 5th year 285- (10) Davison- 6th year There may be mistakes in here, so be sure to verify everything before relying on it.

Brooks is just so good. Wow.

Starocci = Kobe

Mekhi is a defensive and counter wrestler. He's extremely tough to take down.

They are both absolute monsters (in a good way).

Vito's super looking tough.

There really needs to be a step-out rule. There are too many athletes playing the edge and running away when they have a slim lead.

“I would literally do anything to grow the sport of wrestling.” ”Would you listen to DC talk?” ”No.”