peanut

Starocci seems to have the talent and drive to do things beyond college wrestling. Specifically, he has his eyes set on the Olympic Team Trials and on MMA — where he could potentially make good money. What more does he get out of college wrestling at this point? I think he should say goodbye to college wrestling and begin the next chapter of his life. He’s too talented to continue to pursue age-level accolades.

ESPN should consider putting Chael in the booth. Also, he seems to be suggesting that the wrestlers get paid to perform at NCAAs, which seems reasonable to me.

Here are my uninformed guesses: 125- Howard 133- ? -- Shunk / Levine / Vespa / Steen / Shindledecker / Davis / Nasdeo / Wentzel 141- Bartlett 149- SVN 157- Haines 165- Facundo 174- ? -- Kraeszig / J. Lee / M. Lee / Borden / Kelly 184- Brooks 197- ? -- Ball / Smith / Cochran / Fricchione / Barr 285- Kerk I think Starocci either redshirts or leaves college entirely. If he wants to make the Olympic team, he's going to have to make 163 pounds or 189 pounds next year -- either way he's going to have to transform his body. He also seems set on MMA, so he might be favoring an extra year of considerable earnings over another college title.

Right.

After one minute of mat wrestling with no scoring, wrestlers need to be stood up. Simple as that.

The Hawkeyes did well to place second behind the Nittany Lions. Yet even so, the Hawkeye faithful might have a few things to grumble about. Iowa was blown out by 55 points, and this is the second year in a row in which they didn't have any champions. While I think there is absolutely nothing wrong with the Hawks' performance, some in Iowa City might have been expecting a bit more. Lee -- although we all regard him as a legend and a hero -- did not win his fourth title. After losing in the semis, he medical forfeited down to 6th. (I definitely hope his knees heal up so that he can give freestyle a go.) Lee was also was not the tournament's highest scorer, as many predicted. That honor went to Starocci -- a Penn Stater -- with 24. A third Hodge seems out of reach, as well. Woods was a great acquisition from out west, finishing as a runner up in impressive fashion. However, as the number one seed, I'm sure some hoped that he would win it all. (And I have to add, Nickerson's brick in the championship match was the most impressive brick of the tournament. If there were a Golden Brick to award, Nickerson would absolutely deserve it.) Of course, there were a few bright spots: Warner placed 5th as the 14th seed; Brands placed 5th as the 11th seed; and Murin placed 6th as the 8th seed. Cass also did well to wrestle to seed and place 4th. Kudos to those young men! I think there's a lot for Iowa to be proud of.

What is Starocci planning to do next year? He’s mentioned training for the Olympics and entering MMA, but I am not clear on the timelines. Is he done with college wrestling? Is he taking an Olympic RS? If he returns to college wrestling next year, will he move up or down to get closer to an Olympic weight?

Forgot Ramos in 2014.

Didn't Metcalf win the Hodge with a loss?

The Hawkeyes are always tough, but in the last ten NCAA tournaments, they have had fewer champs than I realized: 2023- 2022- 2021- Lee 2019- Lee 2018- Lee 2017- Clark 2016- 2015- 2014- 2013- St. John I realize Iowa's output is something most programs are envious of, but how do Hawkeye fans feel? They are some of the most passionate wrestling fans in the country.

PSU and Cornell had two champs apiece. So I'd say that PSU and Cornell did equally well in terms of number of champions. In terms of team output, PSU scored 137.5 points and Cornell scored 76.5 points -- a difference of 61 points. I thought Vito and Yianni put on great shows. Kudos to them.

He seems to like Pro Wrestling and MMA as well. But he gave a medal to Gable. I feel like there have been other signs that he genuinely appreciates wrestling to some extent, but I can't think of them at the moment. But maybe I'm not thinking correctly.

Trump has a long history of being interested in wrestling, IIRC. Does he also promote himself when he engages with wrestling? I'm sure he does, to varying degrees. But it's what politicians do. I think Trump must have a genuine interest in wrestling because it would have been easy for him to ignore it, like nearly all politicians do.

I am not a Trump fan, but his continued interest in wrestling is something I like about him.

When I see Carr hanging out with the Penn Staters, it only seems natural for him to transfer tp PSU. Plus, Carr has been at ISU for five years -- he could potentially transfer as a grad student.

Here are the bonus rates and RPIs of the undefeated champs: Glory- 42% (0.700 RPI) Alirez- 67% (0.690 RPI) AOC- 68% (0.717 RPI) Starocci- 65% (0.726 RPI) Bonaccorsi- 35% (0.729 RPI) Parris- 66% (0.723 RPI) Here are the bonus rates and RPIs of the champs with losses: Vito- 60% (0.714 RPI) Yianni- 62% (0.703 RPI) KOT- 62% (0.713 RPI) Brooks- 71% (0.746 RPI) It looks to me like AOC, Starocci, and Parris have had comparable seasons.

You got that right. FWIW I'm about to crack my Bible open for the first time in 20 years.

Kerk is only a 4th year sophomore. He has time to make adjustments. RBY has been relentlessly scouted in a super tough weight class, and has only lost once in three years. He's been magnificent. Maybe some exercise or a date with your wife might cheer you up.

I'm sorry that you feel down, bro. How do you feel about Bartlett and SVN?

Who should win the Hodge? (Poll)

McGee looked super quick, too.

Alirez: "I don't even like school like that."

We just lost all the casuals.

I have never met a casual college wrestling fan. But, of course, they may exist.

We're talking about a college kid who devotes a significant amount of time to wrestling. I suspect that life experience will mellow him out.