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There’s a lot of negativity this time of year. So let’s use this thread as an opportunity to say something genuinely nice about a program you cheer against, or are tempted to cheer against. (I have nothing to add because I am happy for all athletes.)

I won’t comment on any individual — but in general — I don’t think any athlete is obligated to compete. If someone wants to take time off to write poetry, it’s their business.

I included McCready and Hutton, who won three titles in the three-year era. I knew that Nance won two NCAA titles in the three-year era, and had no international hardware. I did not know that Nance was held in such high regard. Good to know.

I like this answer. These are young people who could have spent the last 15 years playing video games or whatever. But instead they’ve worked extremely hard at a really tough sport. Kudos to all the athletes.

No love for Neal, who, immediately after his senior year, won a world title and was named World’s Most Technical Wrestler by FILA?

Interesting. I don’t know much about him. What’s your reasoning?

Pretty sure Keck is looking for his fifth All American finish. KOT too. I’m guessing there are a number of others who are in their fifth postseason.

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It just occurred to me that CStar has basically had three undefeated seasons already, looking for a fourth (aside from injury defaults). Would be Cael-like. Of course, McEnelley or Keck (former Hodge finalist) — both super tough — may have something to say about that. There’s also always the chance of an unexpected loss, injury, etc.

Being a four-timer is super impressive. It takes an insane amount of work and talent and at least some luck (to be healthy enough to compete) to win a single title. But when you consider that each year brings with it new challenges — new competitors, old competitors focusing on you, perhaps new rules or tactics, new injury possibilities, momentary mental lapses that cost you a match at NCAAs, etc — winning four times in a row is incredible. In general, I think fans put too much of a premium on all time discussions and not enough of a premium on appreciating the performances in front of us. Let’s give these athletes their props.

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Ranking across decades is fun, but probably not fair or accurate or realistic. Some very notable names, of course, are Smith, JB, and Bruce. However, there are other names that perhaps should be notable, but are often overlooked: Others have pointed out that Menhert, who is not normally mentioned, won two Olympic golds -- in 1904 and 1908. That puts him in rare company with only Smith and Bruce. Robin Reed (1924 Olympic gold medalist) was apparently extremely good. Allegedly he never lost a match to anyone at any weight class. For more than 50 years Jack van Bebber was the only wrestler to win three NCAA titles (plus he was undefeated) and an Olympic gold. Lee Kemp, I believe, is underrated, although he gets more attention than the previous three athletes. Etc etc

I don't know how the formula works, but Carter is a 4x champ; he beat Keck at the all star match; he beat Ferrari when it wasn't clear he would face Ferrari; and he beat McEnelly. Anybody acting like Keck was wronged is just making stuff up. At any rate, as a fan, a potential Keck vs. McEnelly match sounds fantastic.

The brackets never go according to plan, but the top eight seeds at 141 are: 1- Hardy 8- Alirez 5- Happel 4- Koderhandt 3- Mendez 6- VomBaur 7- Jamison 2- Bartlett What do people think about this?

It’s beyond time to add a step-out rule

A successful Iowa program is good for college wrestling IMO. That said, Iowa is at a recruiting disadvantage compared to Penn State simply because Pennsylvania routinely produces more elite wrestlers. Hopefully Iowa hires assistant coaches from the Penn State system, because that is the system that works these days.