Crotalus

Steed Sent from my SM-S936U using Tapatalk

Where does Jason Tsirtsis come out in 3 pts or less? He always comes to mind as a guy who was aiming for rideouts as soon as the match started. Sent from my SM-S936U using Tapatalk

Always funny when they travel across the world just to wrestle US guys. At least he'll get an international opponent in the finals. Sent from my SM-S936U using Tapatalk

J'den Cox was disqualified for a similar incident. Should've been a relatively easy DQ call as he clearly intentionally shoved Minto off the elevated stage. Sent from my SM-S936U using Tapatalk

The suspension on that thing truly felt like a boat riding the water on a calm day. Sent from my SM-S936U using Tapatalk

I had a 1989 Ford LTD Crown Victoria in the early 2000s. White with maroon leather interior. In rather good shape. I did not appreciate that car the way I should have. What a ride. Sent from my SM-S936U using Tapatalk

Sure. But will he be wrestling or just there to support his teammates? Sent from my SM-S936U using Tapatalk

Because he's old and boring. People like new and flashy. But make no mistake, he can beat any and all of those guys on any given day. He's as, or more, technically sound as anyone at the weight. It's fun to have a weight with so much parity because everyone is world class rather than because it's a weak weight. Sent from my SM-S936U using Tapatalk

Yep. The neutral danger rule made scrambling tolerable. Beyond that will just be over regulating what wrestlers are allowed to do. Saying a guy can't counter with a leg pass isn't any different than saying they can't sprawl. We just need an emphasis on calling stalling when guys are actively avoiding wrestling. If a guy is on one knee and not engaging, then call stalling. If a guy repeatedly dives for an ankle and holds on for dear life with no attempt to work through the position? Call stalling. Sent from my SM-S936U using Tapatalk

Getting to watch the match on YouTube, I think Travis wrestled well, but would have been better off taking more fake shots to force a couple stall calls. He kept getting in deep and then stopping allowing Larkin to work defensively which made it seem like he was actually doing something. Larkin did absolutely nothing the entire match, but wasn't close to getting called for stalling. With Larkin's length and defensive abilities, nothing good will come of taking shots you can't finish quickly or get a leg up in the air. Sent from my SM-S936U using Tapatalk

Yes, please. Sent from my SM-S936U using Tapatalk

Cael threw a chair after J'den beat DT at the WTT. The Mongolian coaches handled a controversial loss better than he did.

Two guys using a year of eligibility no matter what. You start the better guy. Travis may not be a world beater, but he's had better career results. I've gotta assume that Smith would have told him he'd have a chance to earn the spot, or he wouldn't have transferred the last semester of his senior year. It would've been nice to see a bigger difference vs. common opponents, for one or the other, though.

Not sure I see it this way. It just makes sense to let Edmond finish out his last year of eligibility and preserve Mendoza's RS. Edmond will qualify and earn some points. Even if Mendoza is better right now (definitely has a higher ceiling), the added points at NCAAs won't make much difference as the team still won't be in the running for a trophy (or likely even a top 10). Mendoza will have the year to continue to improve and then 4 years as the starter (barring injury or transfer portal). Travis, on the other hand, can't red shirt. If he's the better guy, you start him. Or what was the point of bringing him in?

I hope so. I'm a fan (and wish he had gone to Mizzou). I'd love to see him get a chance. It's hard to say he'd be an upgrade at this point, but we have limited reference points. Again, I think he'll have to run through this tournament if he wants to make a case.

He's a defensive wrestler that often doesn't look to create his own scoring opportunities. This leads to close matches against top tier opponents as well as guys he should handle.

The same is true of Arnold regarding limitations. I think the outcome of a match between the two means very little. They can evaluate that in the room, but their styles and familiarity will likely lead to a very boring match that provides little insight into potential NCAA performance. Seeing how Arnold will fare against high-level opponents at 174 would be most useful. If he doesn't win this tournament, I doubt he'll get a chance to take the spot.

I don't follow high school wrestling much at all beyond some of the big national/international tournaments, so I could be wrong, but I've lived in MD since 2016. Despite a few huge talents (Snyder, Maroulis, Brooks) coming from the state, it is not a big wrestling state. It appears to still be a very niche sport here. It doesn't help the Maryland and Navy aren't particularly competitive. I would assume any higher level HS kids seek out competition out of state if they have the means.

Who would have had the tie breaker in Mizzou vs. Minn if not for the deducted team point?

Fixed it for you.

My assessment was that he went in ready to control the hand fight, but his opponent was super quick on the shot and finish and was able to get an early lead. This seemed to surprise Lee, and he wasn't able to make any adjustments to his game plan and mentally crumbled. Lee is pretty one-dimensional, as he relies on a plodding, methodical control of his opponent. But the one dimension allows him to dominate 99% of his opponents. It clearly didn't work here. I think Lee is one of the best wrestlers we've had at 57kg/125lbs in a long time, but unfortunately I don't think he has "that dawg" in him, as the cool kids would say. He doesn't seem to handle adversity well, due in part because he always expects to be the better guy, and he struggles mentally when challenged. We've seen the intense self-criticism during interviews, but I think that we even see that creep in mid-match and turn into self-doubt when things are not going his way. There are a lot of calls for him to change training locations, but I'm not sure anyone can really fix this for him (not to mention the other top locations have domestic challengers). If things go his was, he can tech his way through the best in the world. If not, well, we saw what happened.

At least visually, this is quite an improvement over a few days ago. The haircut and shave help, but his face is fuller.

J'den Cox won gold in 2018 and 2019 when he would have been 23 and 24. He also had two bronze at 21 and 22, and a bronze and silver at 26 and 27, respectively. Just adding another data point. Seems to be plenty of examples on both sides of age 25. Time will tell about Carter. Personally, I don't think his age matters much, but don't think he's dynamic enough to become a dominant force of the senior level scene (but wouldn't be shocked if he got a medal before all is said and done).

Starocci scored a similar 2+2 against Marsteller. It's not wrong, technically. But I always thought it was strange that if you expose them right after the takedown (but they have not yet gotten to a defensive position) you get 2+2. But if you expose them first and then secured the "takedown", for example a chest wrap where the opponent then bellies out and you spin around on top, you only get 2 for exposure and no takedown points are awarded.

Or a future rapper.