Winners Circle

Sax was round of 12 at 174. I'd say he's probably a true 174.

First ballot hall of fame response.

As a former NCAA athlete, I know the NCAA doesn't care about the athletes. That's been obvious. But they used to be a stickler on the rules and would throw down some dumb, overkill, punishments.

Not for Zach Tanelli...

Isn't that tampering and illegal? I know that schools are doing it, but if it's common knowledge a school is doing it in a specific instance for a specific athlete couldn't they get busted for that? Or does the NCAA just not care?

Both just made the U17 WTT Freestyle finals (against each other) and both are Super 32 AA's. So I'd say pretty well.

Real good question. I like it. I think I'd take both Raney's over one of Bassett/Forrest because two high placers at NCAAs beats one champ from an NCAA team tournament standpoint. And then if one (or both) of the Raney's wins it that's an added bonus.

Yea the previous staff is still listed on the website. And I'd assume if plans to replace them he'd be working on that sooner rather than later for a recruiting standpoint.

Anyone have any insight as to what the UB staff will look like? Is Vinson keeping the current assistants (Derek Spann, Alan Clothier, and Ben Freeman)? Or is he comprising his own staff?

Best by what metric?

This past season Parco had wins over: Ridge Lovett (2x); who was heavy favorite to win it all season Abas; 2021 AA Swiderski; 2024 AA D'Emilio (major dec.); 2023 AA This past season Williams had wins over: Swiderski; 2024 AA So to say Parco can't win a title, meaning there's no chance, next year is crazy. And to say Willams will make a jump big enough to pass Parco also seems crazy. Could it happen, yes absolutely. But it seems like wishful thinking more than anything.

I think you're on an island by yourself with this thought. A 4x AA vs a guy that went 2-2 at NCAAs this year (including a loss to Quinn Kinner). I understand Williams has a bright future. But, being an Okie State fan, I want to win (or at least get 2nd) now, not later. And I'm not alone there.

Could Teemer and Parco both go to Oklahoma State? Spratley, Hughes, Jamison/Williams (he made 143 last summer), Parco, Teemer, Fish, Hamiti, Plott, Carroll, Doucet. That could be a second place team.

He was tough in high school. I watched him at Super 32, as I had an athlete in the same weight and we were on the same mat the match after him, and I was impressed. He's a good athlete. Gritty.

I think it's like this for most sports for them. I can't remember who it was, I want to say John Smith in his competition days, but I remember someone said "They spend 4 years training, show up at the Olympics, then you won't see them again for 4 years. They're scary."

I'm sure there is a bit of fear incentive to win as well.

I don't see Ward or Kolat leaving. Columbia seems like a step down from where they're at right now. Pearsall, Bedelyon, Antonelli, Tirapelle, Papadatos, I could all see. Pearsall probably most so. But I like that group. Russell just got promoted to AHC at Cornell. Doubt he'd leave after just accepting that. I don't see Borshoff leaving either. Another person I could see would be Scott Green - AHC at West Point.

I appreciate your enthusiasm, but I don't see Gibson as a 141 and I don't see Nini as a 157.

Got a link to a social media post revealing the news?

I would argue that the NBA is more dead now than it was in the 90's when trash talk was more prevalent. Those guys back then hated each other. Now they're all buddy/buddy. Like when Mark Hall said someone yelled racial slurs to him before and after he wrestled Kemerer in CHA? Biased nonsense at high persistent volume like when Hawkeye fans yell for stalling on the other guy when their guy constantly pushes but doesn't actually try to score points?

You're the one that said those other sports were struggling. I argued the other side. I don't know one person who watched a WCBB regular season game this year. Elite 8 and Final Four only. And Clark was lighting it up just as much in the regular season. The biggest draw was a smack talker. See her vs Louisville in 2023 tournament to Van Lith ("You're down by 30 points, shut up.") Lol. I got a kick out of the tren analogy. Again, not sure how you can look at the biggest revenue sports organization in the world and say they're doing it wrong. Hot take there.

Hasn't it been ugly the past few years?

I'm not sure what your motive is with this post?

What price are the sports I listed paying? Seems as though each of them brings in much more revenue than wrestling (college or international). Struggling by what metric? CFB is thriving now more than ever. And I don't think that's debatable. Same with CBB. Why did people tune into WCBB Elite 8/Final 4? I'll give you a hint, it's because the history/beef between LSU (Reese)/Iowa (Clark). People did not rant and rave about WCBB until there was a storyline because of the TRASH TALK history. You're delusional if you think the biggest revenue sports organization needs Taylor Swift. So the MOST successful revenue sports in this country are all drowning and struggling because of the trash talk?

Maybe "standard behavior" is what's holding our sport back? Go to any major sporting event (NFL, NBA, MLB, CFB, CBB) the home fans smack talk the opposing team.