I've been covering collegiate wrestling for 22 years now. First started when I was 18 & I turn 40 in May. Been running Johnnythompsonnum1 for the past 10 years. Unfortunately, for many of those years, I've had to talk about the negatives surrounding California wrestling. CSU-Fullerton dropped, UC Davis dropped, Life Pacific dropped, Fresno State dropped. The list goes on. To a guy who loves college wrestling it's been distressing, somber and bleak. In recent times though, California wrestling has given us a reason to celebrate. Something to give us hope. Speaking of hope one of the newest teams added to California collegiate wrestling this season is Hope International. Along with the addition of Westcliff & the reinstatement of Cal Poly Humboldt.
Another reason to celebrate California wrestling has been the commitment to excellence and improvement that both Stanford and Cal Poly have made as of late. Despite a worthless A.D. who tried to ax the program, Stanford has put together a very impressive team this year that could very well qualify 8 wrestlers to the NCAA championships. The efforts being done in San Luis Obispo have also been quite commendable. The Mustangs have a tough team this year too. I can see up to 6 qualifiers. With all that has gone wrong as to California collegiate wrestling, Stanford and Cal Poly are two examples of where it is going right.
I present to you the #23 Stanford Cardinal Vs the #30 Cal Poly Mustangs.
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| #12 Tyler Knox Vs #13 Zeth Romney 133 |
Redshirt freshman Tyler Knox is on a high after knocking off Iowa's NCAA DI runner-up Draka Ayala in Iowa City last Saturday. The celebration comes to an end tomorrow though, and it's time to go back to work. Zeth Romney is a young, hungry grappler himself. One that includes the kitchen sink when he throws everything else at you. If you enjoy fast paced, in you face action the entire match, this is going to be one to keep an eye on. Should be some slick, as well as downright sick maneuvers in this encounter.
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| #12 Jaden Abas Vs #8 Chance Lamer 149 |
He's an Abas, so you know damn good and well that he's mentally tough. When you're the son of Gerry & the nephew of Stephen, that goes without saying. However, it's also a fact that Jaden Abas has been in a slump as of late. The senior who was an All American as a freshman is looking to reclaim his status and he's once again met with a tough challenge tomorrow. Chance Lamer, who himself has been R12 twice at the NCAA's, owns two victories over the Cardinal. A 7-2 decision & an 11-3 major decision. Abas owns a 4-3 decision over him. Be interesting to see what happens.
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| U.R. Grigor Cholakyan Vs #33 Legend Lamer 157 |
Against the #1 ranked wrestler in the nation last Saturday, despite the score, Grigor Cholokyan showed some impressive skills. He hand fought very well, had some definable defense and even nearly pulled off some offense. That's not easy to do against a wrestler many believe can win an national title this year. The idea of pulling off an upset over Legend Lamer & finding himself among the rankings is rather visible. On the same hang though, Lamer is a three time NCAA qualifier looking for his fourth qualification this year. He's been ranked much better and much higher than #33 before. I'm sure he'd like to be again.
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| #7 Hunter Garvin Vs #21 Luka Wick 165 |
Technique and ability wise, Hunter Garvin has proven himself to be a top notch wrestler. However, despite whatever the reasoning may be, the gas tank has been a big issue for him. He ran out of wind against Barraclough earlier this season & if the tank was plumb empty against Caliendo last Saturday, it was spitting fumes. This could pose in favor of the Mustang looking to make a name for himself this season. If he can keep Garvin from racking up the points in periods 1 and 2, he might be able to go in for the kill if Garvin's for the picking by the 3rd. In a sport of strategy, that may very well be what CP is hoping for.
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| #9 Lorenzo Norman Vs #20 Adam Kemp 174 |
Lorenzo Norman looked very sharp and very smooth against Nelson Brands last Saturday. Wrestled a patient, smart and tactical match. He's gotta be on a high feeling good and feeling confident after that performance. With that said, Adam Kemp is looking to open up some eyes and say, "remember me?" He's dealt with some setbacks in his career, but is still looking to go out with a bang. This may be a #9 Vs #20 match on paper, but I believe on the mat it'll be more like these guys are neck and neck. I expect this to be a very good match...if of course Kemp is 100% healthy.
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| #21 Nick Stemmet Vs U.R. Jarad Priest 197 |
Phenomenal technique, conditioning, strength, flexibility, athleticism. I am not one of these people that buys into the balderdash that wrestling is "all mental." However, I do know that the mental aspect of wrestling does have A LOT to do with it, even if it isn't all of it. As I take that into consideration, I wonder how Nick Stemmet will look this weekend. He's had some disappointing performances lately. He could really use a good win here. A win over Jarad Priest would be a good win for him. With that said, being in a slump can sometimes make wrestlers underperform. That presents itself an opportunity for Priest.
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