Sigourney wrestling has placed in the top 3 at the state wrestling tournament a total of 5 times.
1978 3rd
1979 2nd
1980 2nd
1985 2nd
1986 3rd
1978 3rd
1979 2nd
1980 2nd
1985 2nd
1986 3rd
Tuesday, March 31, 2015
Sigourney High School State Place Winners
Sigourney State Place Winners in Wrestling
Note: I believe Jack Smith brought wrestling to Sigourney in the year of 1963. I don't know for sure if that is correct or not but I believe that it is. I was able to go back as far as 1972, and I have a bit of knowledge further back than that. However, Sigourney could have had some other placewinners that I am unaware of between 1963 and 1971.
1966 Collin Boehm 4th @ (Weight unknown)
1967 Paul Graham State Champion @ 103
1968 Paul Graham State Champion @ 103
1972 Michael Carmichael 4th @ 105
1973 Harry Hammes 4th @ 112
1974 John Snakenberg 4th @ 138
1976 Don Lippard 4th @ 126
1977 Jeff Clubb 5th @ 167 Mike Appleget 2nd @ HWT
1978 Clark Yoder State Champion @ 126 Ross Yoder State Champion @ 145
1979 Clark Yoder State Champion @ 132 George Snakenberg 2nd @ 145 Joe Greiner 5th @ 185
1980 Clark Yoder State Champion @ 132 George Snakenberg State Champion @ 145 Tim Holt 3rd @ 155
1981 Danny House 4th @ 98 Scott Kephart 4th @ 112 Chris Holt 6th @ HWT
1982 Danny House 4th @ 98 Jeff Peden 3rd @ 138 Mike Greiner 4th @ 155
1983 Danny House 5th @ 112
1984 Danny House 3rd @ 126
1985 Chris Hoffman State Champion @ 98 Matt McClenahan 5th @ 105 Dave McLaughlin 4th @ 145 Brian Striegle 4th @ 167
1986 C.C. Hoffman 4th @ 98 Matt McClenahan 2nd @ 112 Randy Hammes 4th @ 145 Greg Greiner 4th @ HWT
1987 C.C. Hoffman 2nd @ 98 Greg Greiner 3rd @ HWT
1988 Matt McClenahan 2nd @ 119
1991 Chris Webb 6th @ HWT
1996 Greg Hammes 2nd @ 171 Derrick Miller 4th @ HWT
1999 - Scott Webb State Champion @ HWT
2002 Dan Hammes 6th @ 152 Darren Miller 6th @ 160
2003 Dan Hammes 4th @ 160 Darren Miller 8th @ 189
2005 Jon McLaughlin 5th @ 215
2006 Matt Mullikin 8th @ 103 Jon McLaughlin 4th @ 215
2008 Matt Mullikin 7th @ 130
2009 Kalen Greiner 6th @ 112 Matt Mullikin 5th @ 135
2010 Kalen Greiner 2nd @ 112
2012 Steve Clubb 4th @ 220
2015 Nathan Fritz 3rd @ 145 Lane Boender 8th @ 152
2016 Kaleb Reeves 7th @ 182
2017 Kaleb Reeves 7th @ 195 Noah Boender 4th @ 220
2018 Mason Dye 4th @ 106 Kaleb Reeves 3rd @ 220
1966 Collin Boehm 4th @ (Weight unknown)
1967 Paul Graham State Champion @ 103
1968 Paul Graham State Champion @ 103
1972 Michael Carmichael 4th @ 105
1973 Harry Hammes 4th @ 112
1974 John Snakenberg 4th @ 138
1976 Don Lippard 4th @ 126
1977 Jeff Clubb 5th @ 167 Mike Appleget 2nd @ HWT
1978 Clark Yoder State Champion @ 126 Ross Yoder State Champion @ 145
1979 Clark Yoder State Champion @ 132 George Snakenberg 2nd @ 145 Joe Greiner 5th @ 185
1980 Clark Yoder State Champion @ 132 George Snakenberg State Champion @ 145 Tim Holt 3rd @ 155
1981 Danny House 4th @ 98 Scott Kephart 4th @ 112 Chris Holt 6th @ HWT
1982 Danny House 4th @ 98 Jeff Peden 3rd @ 138 Mike Greiner 4th @ 155
1983 Danny House 5th @ 112
1984 Danny House 3rd @ 126
1985 Chris Hoffman State Champion @ 98 Matt McClenahan 5th @ 105 Dave McLaughlin 4th @ 145 Brian Striegle 4th @ 167
1986 C.C. Hoffman 4th @ 98 Matt McClenahan 2nd @ 112 Randy Hammes 4th @ 145 Greg Greiner 4th @ HWT
1987 C.C. Hoffman 2nd @ 98 Greg Greiner 3rd @ HWT
1988 Matt McClenahan 2nd @ 119
1991 Chris Webb 6th @ HWT
1996 Greg Hammes 2nd @ 171 Derrick Miller 4th @ HWT
1999 - Scott Webb State Champion @ HWT
2002 Dan Hammes 6th @ 152 Darren Miller 6th @ 160
2003 Dan Hammes 4th @ 160 Darren Miller 8th @ 189
2005 Jon McLaughlin 5th @ 215
2006 Matt Mullikin 8th @ 103 Jon McLaughlin 4th @ 215
2008 Matt Mullikin 7th @ 130
2009 Kalen Greiner 6th @ 112 Matt Mullikin 5th @ 135
2010 Kalen Greiner 2nd @ 112
2012 Steve Clubb 4th @ 220
2015 Nathan Fritz 3rd @ 145 Lane Boender 8th @ 152
2016 Kaleb Reeves 7th @ 182
2017 Kaleb Reeves 7th @ 195 Noah Boender 4th @ 220
2018 Mason Dye 4th @ 106 Kaleb Reeves 3rd @ 220
Sigourney High School wrestlers that wrestled in college
Sigourney High School Wrestling Collegiate NCAA Qualifiers/All Americans
Matt McClenehan - New York University - Division III
NCAA All American 1990 - 8th Place - 118 lbs
NCAA All American 1992 - 3rd Place - 118 lbs
Chris Hoffman - Central College - Division III
NCAA All American 1988 - 7th Place - 118 lbs
NCAA All American 1989 - 5th Place - 118 lbs
Paul Graham - Muscatine Community College - NJCAA
NJCAA All American 1970 - 3rd place - 118 lbs
Dave McLaughlin - William Penn University - Division III
NCAA All American 1987 - 8th Place - 158 lbs
NCAA All American 1988 - 2nd Place - 150 lbs
NCAA All American 1990 - 8th Place - 118 lbs
NCAA All American 1992 - 3rd Place - 118 lbs
Chris Hoffman - Central College - Division III
NCAA All American 1988 - 7th Place - 118 lbs
NCAA All American 1989 - 5th Place - 118 lbs
Paul Graham - Muscatine Community College - NJCAA
NJCAA All American 1970 - 3rd place - 118 lbs
Dave McLaughlin - William Penn University - Division III
NCAA All American 1987 - 8th Place - 158 lbs
NCAA All American 1988 - 2nd Place - 150 lbs
Monday, March 30, 2015
The Mystery of Regression and what to do about it.
I've been a Division I college wrestling fan for 24 years now. For 14 of those 24 years, I have followed the sport like a hawk. I've seen a lot of great, grand and positive things happen in this sport, but I've unfortunately also seen some not so great things as well. I've seen a lot of wrestlers with all of the potential in the world, have phenomenal seasons early on in their careers, only to become a shadow of themselves as their career wraps up. After watching it happen again this year, I have to start questioning why this is happening, and if there is anything that can be done about it.
Taylor Meeks of Oregon State two years ago, came into the 2013 NCAA tournament as the #5 seed and successfully wrestled his way to a 4th place finish. It wasn't a fluke finish either. He stuck Wyoming's Alfonso Hernandez and majored Minnesota's Scott Schiller 11-3 along the way. I'll also mention he wrestled finalist Dustin Kilgore of Kent State to the wire in a 8-6 decision. I thought for sure that Meeks would be a title contender in 2014. When he failed to place going 2-2, I thought he'd most certainly redeem himself and come back for his second All American honor in 2015. While he did have a very good season, including a win over NCAA champion Gabe Dean of Cornell, he finished out his career with a loss in the Round of 12.
I have to ask myself why. It could be a list of factors. Perhaps Meeks was dealing with an injury that kept him from wrestling at his full potential. I've seen that happen to one too many guys over the past decade and a half. Witt Durden of Oklahoma, Evan Sola of North Carolina, Troy Letters of Lehigh, Travis Shufelt of Nebraska, Cassio Pero of Illinois, Dustin Schlatter of Minnesota, Roger Kish of Minnesota, Matt McDonough of Iowa, Mike Nevinger of Cornell and Mike Pucillo of Ohio State, not to mention many more. The list is long and I exclude no one. Wrestling fans should be aware of the many wrestlers who we don't see on the award stand at the end of the year because of the shoulder, knee, hand and other assortment of injuries. If the answer for Meeks is injury, he wasn't even alone this year. Jesse Delgado who finished his freshman through junior years going 7th-1st-1st, failed to place this season because of an injury.
Maybe it wasn't an injury. Maybe the fact of the matter is that in 2013 Meeks just happened to have a miracle of a tournament. He certainly wouldn't be the only one. In 2001, Wisconsin's Grant Hoerr wrestled the tournament of his life and brought home a 4th place All American medal. When he went 1-2 the next year as a senior, I wasn't all that surprised. He made magic happen once and he wasn't able to do it again. Justin Lister of Binghamton who took 4th place as a sophomore in 2010, failed to place as a junior and senior. Maybe that's what happened to him and maybe that's what happened with Meeks. After all this isn't an easy sport by any means. The parity in wrestling is unreal and there are so many great wrestlers. The top 25 in most weight classes, take away the few exceptional that separate themselves from the rest, are all neck and neck with one another. The NCAA tournament this year had an ample amount of sudden victories and tiebreakers that could have went either way.
Sometimes guys just have bad tournaments. You hate to see it, but it happens. Everyone knows my all time favorite wrestler is Johnny Thompson of Oklahoma State, but a very, very close second is Minnesota's Leroy Vega. Vega was 5th-5th-3rd going into the 2002 NCAA tournament with a #2 seed. Upset in the second round, Vega would be eliminated in the round of 16. No hidden secret as to why, it was simply a bad tournament for Vega. I'd say the same happened to Chris Skretkowicz of Hofstra in 2005 and Donnie Vinson of Binghamton in 2014. Wrestling is an unbelievably demanding sport, that requires you to be at your best all of the time. If you aren't 100% physically and 100% mentally, it will show.
Yet there are still those among the list that do not have a clear answer. Perhaps Meeks is one of them. Take guys like Scott Barker of Missouri/Oregon who finished 6th-2nd his sophomore and junior years, who failed to place as a senior. How about Alex Tirapelle of Illinois who placed 2nd and 4th his freshman and sophomore years and then failed to place as a junior and senior. Joel Flaggert 4th and 5th his freshman and sophomore years, failed to place as a junior and senior. Nick Marable after his sophomore year taking 3rd place, looked poised to win two national titles in his remaining years as a Tiger. He failed to place as a senior. Andrae Hernandez and Matt Coughlin both of Indiana who placed early on in their careers and didn't even qualify for the NCAA championships as seniors. Heck, Coughlin had a losing record his senior year after placing 7th as a freshman. How does that happen? What causes this regression? Is it bad coaching? Are guys getting burnt out? Is something personal going on in their life that is causing them to wrestle a 1/3, a 1/4 or even an 1/8 as good as they really are?
How does a guy like Spencer Myers place 6th as a true freshman right out of high school, including a victory over three time NCAA finalist Tony Nelson of Minnesota, only to never make the award stand again? I can't be the only one asking myself this question.
Is the season too long? I know I'll make some enemies asking this question, but I have to ask it. Are we asking too much out of our athletes? I know that as wrestlers we pride ourselves on hard work and toughing it out and showing the world how mentally strong we are. Is that really worth the health of our athletes though? These guys suck down anywhere from 15 to 40 lbs less than what they will walk around after their wrestling careers are over. They are exerting themselves day in and day out in the wrestling room wrestling live and going over technique, in the weight room pumping iron, and outside in the bitter cold going on long hard runs and doing sprints. Then on top of it, they're also students, who are doing term papers and studying for final exams the same as is everyone else. Is 5 months, nearly 1/2 a year and in a lot of cases close to 50 matches in that time frame really fair to ask out of a collegiate wrestler at this level?
I love wrestling. I love Reno, CKLV, Midlands, the Southern Scuffle, all of the conference tournaments, the NCAA tournament and the duals. If I ever win the lottery, you'll know where to find me during wrestling season! Yet, with that said, would our wrestlers benefit both mentally and physically with a shorter season? January, February and March with maybe two weeks into April for the NCAA tournament? Guys finishing their season with 25 matches instead of 45? Would that really be such a bad thing? Would it benefit the wrestlers physical and mental health?
I don't know the answer. I do know that there is a problem and I do know that if there is a solution to it, I want to explore it.
Taylor Meeks of Oregon State two years ago, came into the 2013 NCAA tournament as the #5 seed and successfully wrestled his way to a 4th place finish. It wasn't a fluke finish either. He stuck Wyoming's Alfonso Hernandez and majored Minnesota's Scott Schiller 11-3 along the way. I'll also mention he wrestled finalist Dustin Kilgore of Kent State to the wire in a 8-6 decision. I thought for sure that Meeks would be a title contender in 2014. When he failed to place going 2-2, I thought he'd most certainly redeem himself and come back for his second All American honor in 2015. While he did have a very good season, including a win over NCAA champion Gabe Dean of Cornell, he finished out his career with a loss in the Round of 12.
I have to ask myself why. It could be a list of factors. Perhaps Meeks was dealing with an injury that kept him from wrestling at his full potential. I've seen that happen to one too many guys over the past decade and a half. Witt Durden of Oklahoma, Evan Sola of North Carolina, Troy Letters of Lehigh, Travis Shufelt of Nebraska, Cassio Pero of Illinois, Dustin Schlatter of Minnesota, Roger Kish of Minnesota, Matt McDonough of Iowa, Mike Nevinger of Cornell and Mike Pucillo of Ohio State, not to mention many more. The list is long and I exclude no one. Wrestling fans should be aware of the many wrestlers who we don't see on the award stand at the end of the year because of the shoulder, knee, hand and other assortment of injuries. If the answer for Meeks is injury, he wasn't even alone this year. Jesse Delgado who finished his freshman through junior years going 7th-1st-1st, failed to place this season because of an injury.
Maybe it wasn't an injury. Maybe the fact of the matter is that in 2013 Meeks just happened to have a miracle of a tournament. He certainly wouldn't be the only one. In 2001, Wisconsin's Grant Hoerr wrestled the tournament of his life and brought home a 4th place All American medal. When he went 1-2 the next year as a senior, I wasn't all that surprised. He made magic happen once and he wasn't able to do it again. Justin Lister of Binghamton who took 4th place as a sophomore in 2010, failed to place as a junior and senior. Maybe that's what happened to him and maybe that's what happened with Meeks. After all this isn't an easy sport by any means. The parity in wrestling is unreal and there are so many great wrestlers. The top 25 in most weight classes, take away the few exceptional that separate themselves from the rest, are all neck and neck with one another. The NCAA tournament this year had an ample amount of sudden victories and tiebreakers that could have went either way.
Sometimes guys just have bad tournaments. You hate to see it, but it happens. Everyone knows my all time favorite wrestler is Johnny Thompson of Oklahoma State, but a very, very close second is Minnesota's Leroy Vega. Vega was 5th-5th-3rd going into the 2002 NCAA tournament with a #2 seed. Upset in the second round, Vega would be eliminated in the round of 16. No hidden secret as to why, it was simply a bad tournament for Vega. I'd say the same happened to Chris Skretkowicz of Hofstra in 2005 and Donnie Vinson of Binghamton in 2014. Wrestling is an unbelievably demanding sport, that requires you to be at your best all of the time. If you aren't 100% physically and 100% mentally, it will show.
Yet there are still those among the list that do not have a clear answer. Perhaps Meeks is one of them. Take guys like Scott Barker of Missouri/Oregon who finished 6th-2nd his sophomore and junior years, who failed to place as a senior. How about Alex Tirapelle of Illinois who placed 2nd and 4th his freshman and sophomore years and then failed to place as a junior and senior. Joel Flaggert 4th and 5th his freshman and sophomore years, failed to place as a junior and senior. Nick Marable after his sophomore year taking 3rd place, looked poised to win two national titles in his remaining years as a Tiger. He failed to place as a senior. Andrae Hernandez and Matt Coughlin both of Indiana who placed early on in their careers and didn't even qualify for the NCAA championships as seniors. Heck, Coughlin had a losing record his senior year after placing 7th as a freshman. How does that happen? What causes this regression? Is it bad coaching? Are guys getting burnt out? Is something personal going on in their life that is causing them to wrestle a 1/3, a 1/4 or even an 1/8 as good as they really are?
How does a guy like Spencer Myers place 6th as a true freshman right out of high school, including a victory over three time NCAA finalist Tony Nelson of Minnesota, only to never make the award stand again? I can't be the only one asking myself this question.
Is the season too long? I know I'll make some enemies asking this question, but I have to ask it. Are we asking too much out of our athletes? I know that as wrestlers we pride ourselves on hard work and toughing it out and showing the world how mentally strong we are. Is that really worth the health of our athletes though? These guys suck down anywhere from 15 to 40 lbs less than what they will walk around after their wrestling careers are over. They are exerting themselves day in and day out in the wrestling room wrestling live and going over technique, in the weight room pumping iron, and outside in the bitter cold going on long hard runs and doing sprints. Then on top of it, they're also students, who are doing term papers and studying for final exams the same as is everyone else. Is 5 months, nearly 1/2 a year and in a lot of cases close to 50 matches in that time frame really fair to ask out of a collegiate wrestler at this level?
I love wrestling. I love Reno, CKLV, Midlands, the Southern Scuffle, all of the conference tournaments, the NCAA tournament and the duals. If I ever win the lottery, you'll know where to find me during wrestling season! Yet, with that said, would our wrestlers benefit both mentally and physically with a shorter season? January, February and March with maybe two weeks into April for the NCAA tournament? Guys finishing their season with 25 matches instead of 45? Would that really be such a bad thing? Would it benefit the wrestlers physical and mental health?
I don't know the answer. I do know that there is a problem and I do know that if there is a solution to it, I want to explore it.
Friday, March 27, 2015
Redshirt, Returnees and Newcomers to look forward to in 2016
Stevan Micic
Northwestern - Freshman
Projected weight: 125
We had a ton of outstanding freshmen this season in 2015. National
champions Nathan Tomasello of Ohio State and Illinois's Isaiah Martinez leading the way we also saw the phenomenal talent of B.J. Clagon of Rider, Willie Miklus of Missouri, Kevin Jack of North Carolina State, Zach Epperly of Virginia Tech, Kevin Devoy of Drexel, Zeke Moisey of West Virginia, Anthony Ashnault of Rutgers, Brandon Sorenson of Iowa, Alec Pantaleo of Michigan, Bo Jordan of Ohio State, Matt McCutcheon of Penn State and Kyle Snyder of Ohio State. Then to think, that's not nearly half! When I say that 2015 was absolutely loaded with talented freshman, I by all means mean it! What does the 2016 season have to offer? No doubt, another class of newcomers who will take the wrestling world by storm. My pic for the best of the best of the 2016 freshmen? Stevan Micic of Northwestern. The three time Indiana State champion, wrestled a very impressive redshirt season this past year, taking third at the Midlands. He wrestled All American Thomas Gilman of Iowa (4th at the NCAA's) to a very tight 4-3 decision. He also owns a 13-1 major decision and a 4-1 decision over Edinboro's Kory Mines, who made the R12 at this year's NCAA tournament. I think Micic will make immediate impact, and prove himself a contender for the 2016 NCAA title at 125 lbs from day one.
Jake Sueflohn
Nebraska - Senior
Projected weight: 149 lbs
If you had to name the best wrestler going into the 2015-2016, who has yet to be crowned an All American, it'd be hard to name anyone more worthy of that title than Nebraska's Jake Sueflohn. Out with an injury all of last season, it'll be interesting to see how he wrestles next season. Sometimes injuries have a dramatic effect and wrestlers come back half as good as they were before or worse, and then other times they come back stronger and better than ever before. I hope for the latter, because if a 100% healthy Sueflohn enters the 149 lbs weight class this upcoming season, he'll give Jason Tsirtsis, Brandon Sorenson and anyone else going after the NCAA title, all they can handle. Look for Sueflohn at one point or another to take the #1 ranking next season.
Tommy Thorn
Minnesota - Freshman
Projected Weight: 141 lbs
Minnesota fans may not be real happy with me projecting Northwestern's Micic as the probable 2016 freshman of the year, and rightly so. The Golden Gopher's Tommy Thorn ended his redshirt campaign this past season with a record of 32-5, including 11 pins and 10 major decisions. He'll be an excellent addition to the Gopher lineup this season.
Laike Gardner
Lehigh - Junior
Projected Weight: Not sure
Lehigh looks to be slowly but surely rebuilding their way back to a top 5 team. You know that as a wrestling fan when you see someone as talented and gifted as Laike Gardner, and you're not exactly sure where he fits into the lineup in 2016. With returning All American Mason Beckman at 133 lbs and Randy Cruz at 141 lbs, I suppose Gardner's best bet might be at 149. Either that or have Cruz go up to 149 and have Gardner at 141. Either way, the Mountain Hawk lineup is much better with Gardner in the lineup than it is without.
Darian Cruz
Lehigh - Sophomore
Projected Weight: 125 lbs
Speaking of Lehigh, the Mountain Hawk fans have to be excited about the return of lightweight All American Darian Cruz at 125 lbs. With his return after a redshirt in 2015, Lehigh's lineup from 125 to 157 is tough. With Nathanial Brown at 184, Elliott Riddick at 197 and Doug Vollaro at HWT, the only holes are at 174 with the graduation of Santiago Martinez and 184.
Sam Stoll
Iowa - Freshman
Projected Weight: HWT
The second place in the nation Iowa Hawkeyes lost quite a bit to graduation saying goodbye to workhorse All American Bobby Telford at HWT. The black and gold faithful have hope that freshman Sam Stoll will be a suitable replacement. I don't know a whole lot about Stoll other than he had 206 career wins in high school and the last 63 of them were by fall. I hope that he can carry that style over to college because the Hawkeyes could use a good pinner.
Brody Grothus
Iowa - Junior
Projected weight: 149/157
If you want the best wrestler in the nation who rode the bench in 2015, it might very well be Iowa's Brody Grothus. As a freshman in 2014, Grothus had a numerous amount of notable wins, including one over NCAA third place finisher Eric Grajales of Michigan. Unfortunately last year with sensational freshman Brandon Sorensen at 149 lbs and veteran Mike Kelly at 157 lbs, there was nowhere for Grothus in the lineup. Now that Kelly has graduated and Sorensen may move up to 157, that will make room for Grothus in the lineup.
Dylan Cottrell
West Virginia - Junior
Projected Weight: 149
The former Mountaineer of Appalachian State will become a Mountaineer of West Virginia in the 2015-2016 NCAA wrestling season. A two time Southern Conference Champion, Cottrell looks to add a couple of BIG XII titles to his resume before his career is over.
Davonte Mahomes
Michigan - Freshman
Projected Weight: 174 lbs
Mahomes made a name for himself at this year's Cliff Keen Las Vegas Invitational with a sixth place finish. During the 2015 season, Mahomes owned victories over All American Kurtis Julson of North Dakota State and NCAA qualifier Pete Renda of North Carolina State as well as wrestling four time NCAA All American Logan Storley to Overtime. While 174 seemed to clear out quite a bit with the graduation of Matt Brown of Penn State, Tyler Wilps of Pittsburgh, Robert Kokesh of Nebraska, Logan Storley of Minnesota and Mike Evans of Iowa, do not kid yourself for a second. There is plenty of talent making its way to the 174 lbs weight class, and Mahomes is proof of it.
Amaveer Dhesi
Oregon State - Sophomore
Projected weight: HWT
It's not too often that we get to talk about foreigners on college wrestling teams, especially foreigners from Canada. Dhesi proved to be a fast learner two years ago, as he quickly adapted to folkstyle wrestling after having grown up with only freestyle. Earning a #16 seed as a freshman and going 2-2 at the NCAA tournament, look for Dhesi to be even better after taking a redshirt in 2015. No doubt that he has learned a lot and grown tremendously as a wrestler. Very excited to see him on the mat this year.
Richard Durso
Projected weight: HWT
It's not too often that we get to talk about foreigners on college wrestling teams, especially foreigners from Canada. Dhesi proved to be a fast learner two years ago, as he quickly adapted to folkstyle wrestling after having grown up with only freestyle. Earning a #16 seed as a freshman and going 2-2 at the NCAA tournament, look for Dhesi to be even better after taking a redshirt in 2015. No doubt that he has learned a lot and grown tremendously as a wrestler. Very excited to see him on the mat this year.
Richard Durso
Franklin and Marshall - Senior
Projected Weight: 141 lbs
The Diplomats star wrestler returns for his final season as one of the top dogs at 141 lbs. Look for Durso to be the top contender for an EIWA conference title and to contend strongly for a NCAA title as well.
Thomas Gantt
Projected Weight: 141 lbs
The Diplomats star wrestler returns for his final season as one of the top dogs at 141 lbs. Look for Durso to be the top contender for an EIWA conference title and to contend strongly for a NCAA title as well.
Thomas Gantt
North Carolina State - Senior
Projected Weight: 157 lbs
Here's the guy I'm most excited about for this upcoming season. A darkhorse All American protégé that few are talking about and most have foolishly forgotten about. Gantt had an extremely impressive third place finish at the Southern Scuffle this past season, and was R12 two years ago as a junior. Look for Gantt to make a statement this season and help the Wolfpack to its highest finish yet under Coach Pat Popolizio.
Chance Marstellar
Oklahoma State - Freshman
Projected Weight: 149/157 lbs
Another freshman to be excited about is Oklahoma State's Chance Marstellar at 149/157 lbs. Cowboy fans are sad to see the departure of veteran Josh Kindig, but Marstellar will be an excellent replacement. I'm not sure if Marstellar will go to 149 lbs, or if Anthony Collica will drop down to 149 and Marstellar will wrestle 157. Either way, the Cowboys will have a solid lineup.
Projected Weight: 157 lbs
Here's the guy I'm most excited about for this upcoming season. A darkhorse All American protégé that few are talking about and most have foolishly forgotten about. Gantt had an extremely impressive third place finish at the Southern Scuffle this past season, and was R12 two years ago as a junior. Look for Gantt to make a statement this season and help the Wolfpack to its highest finish yet under Coach Pat Popolizio.
Chance Marstellar
Oklahoma State - Freshman
Projected Weight: 149/157 lbs
Another freshman to be excited about is Oklahoma State's Chance Marstellar at 149/157 lbs. Cowboy fans are sad to see the departure of veteran Josh Kindig, but Marstellar will be an excellent replacement. I'm not sure if Marstellar will go to 149 lbs, or if Anthony Collica will drop down to 149 and Marstellar will wrestle 157. Either way, the Cowboys will have a solid lineup.
Saturday, March 21, 2015
Final Recap notes of the 2015 NCAA wrestling tournament.
Not even real sure where to start. I guess I'll start off by saying congrats to Old Dominion's Tristan Warner who for the second year in a row has won the highest GPA award for a college wrestler. Very impressed with that.
Next I want to talk about the annual Johnnythompsonnum1 Sportsmanship Award, that I have been giving out since 2002. I had a very difficult time deciding on this year's winner as I saw a ton of exceptional sportsmanship this year. I base it on a number of factors, including how a wrestler acts after a win, a loss and out and about. First let me call off some of the examples of excellent sportsmanship that I saw.
The Oklahoma State Cowboy fans really impressed me tonight when they put aside their rivalry of Oklahoma to give Cody Brewer a standing ovation after his national title.
Shortly after the 174 All American medals were given out, I saw Minnesota's Logan Storley, Nebraska's Robert Kokesh, Iowa's Mike Evans and Penn State's Matt Brown all in the tunnel shaking hands, congratulating one another and thanking one another for their great feuds. These guys four guys have been a joy for wrestling fans to watch over the last four years and have made the sport very exciting.
In all sense of reality the award this year could go to a number of people. As I was saying, I saw a ton of outstanding sportsmanship and class over the course of this tournament.
A very, very close second was Cornell's Nahshon Garrett who won and lost with humility and class all tournament.
The 2015 Johnnythompsonnum1 Sportsmanship Award Winner
Edinboro's A.J. Schopp who also won the Gorriaran award for the most amount of falls in the least amount of time. Coming back from a first round loss to practically pin his way to third place was incredibly impressive. It is my favorite story of the tournament. In his loss to Richardson and then in his seven consolation wins, he showed a great deal of sportsmanship.
I have got to talk about the parity of wrestling. Two weeks ago were the qualifying conference tournaments. Let me illustrate the parity of wrestling through the following examples....
Zach Horan of Central Michigan won the 141 MAC title. He did not place. However, second place Chris Mecate of Old Dominion and Lavion Mayes of Missouri both made the award stand.
Jack Dechow of Old Dominion has been more or less untouchable this season with only one loss coming into the tournament. Yet he goes 2-2, while Missouri's Willie Miklus who he beat for the MAC title, takes 7th.
Rutgers Anthony Ashnault who placed 5th at the BIG 10 took 8th at the NCAA's, while 4th, 3rd, 2nd of the BIG 10 failed to place at the NCAA's.
T.J. Dudley of Nebraska who placed 6th and Kenny Courts of Ohio State who placed 8th in the BIG 10 both made All American status, while the top 5 place winners in the BIG 10, including the champion Dominic Abounader failed to place at the NCAA's. If that doesn't help to illustrate the crazy parity in this sport, what will?
Points of interest.....
There were 7 Unseeded All Americans this tournament
Five wrestlers who lost first round came back to make All American. Six wrestlers who lost first round, wrestled back to the match to place and then lost again. In my opinion that would be the hardest thing for a wrestler to swallow. People talk all the time about how hard it is to swallow taking second, losing in the finals after you were so close to an NCAA title. In my opinion I think losing first round, and then working your way back winning three consolation matches in a row, only to lose that last one would be quite rough.
I've never seen a more anti-climatic ending to a wrestling match than what I saw between Matt Brown of Penn State and Tyler Wilps of Pittsburgh. Agree or disagree with me, but if I were the Pitt coaches in the moment, give the circumstances, I would have cut Brown and had Wilps try and win it in overtime.
My favorite final of the night was 197 lbs. I loved watching Iowa State's Kyven Gadson lock up that throw on Kyle Snyder of Ohio State and launch him. That was awesome!
They say that when history happens, those who are a part of it aren't always aware of it. I think that may be true because this tournament not only crowned the fourth four time NCAA DI champion, it also marks the first time that Ohio State has ever won a team title and the first time that Edinboro has ever placed in the top four.
Next I want to talk about the annual Johnnythompsonnum1 Sportsmanship Award, that I have been giving out since 2002. I had a very difficult time deciding on this year's winner as I saw a ton of exceptional sportsmanship this year. I base it on a number of factors, including how a wrestler acts after a win, a loss and out and about. First let me call off some of the examples of excellent sportsmanship that I saw.
The Oklahoma State Cowboy fans really impressed me tonight when they put aside their rivalry of Oklahoma to give Cody Brewer a standing ovation after his national title.
Shortly after the 174 All American medals were given out, I saw Minnesota's Logan Storley, Nebraska's Robert Kokesh, Iowa's Mike Evans and Penn State's Matt Brown all in the tunnel shaking hands, congratulating one another and thanking one another for their great feuds. These guys four guys have been a joy for wrestling fans to watch over the last four years and have made the sport very exciting.
In all sense of reality the award this year could go to a number of people. As I was saying, I saw a ton of outstanding sportsmanship and class over the course of this tournament.
A very, very close second was Cornell's Nahshon Garrett who won and lost with humility and class all tournament.
The 2015 Johnnythompsonnum1 Sportsmanship Award Winner
Edinboro's A.J. Schopp who also won the Gorriaran award for the most amount of falls in the least amount of time. Coming back from a first round loss to practically pin his way to third place was incredibly impressive. It is my favorite story of the tournament. In his loss to Richardson and then in his seven consolation wins, he showed a great deal of sportsmanship.
I have got to talk about the parity of wrestling. Two weeks ago were the qualifying conference tournaments. Let me illustrate the parity of wrestling through the following examples....
Zach Horan of Central Michigan won the 141 MAC title. He did not place. However, second place Chris Mecate of Old Dominion and Lavion Mayes of Missouri both made the award stand.
Jack Dechow of Old Dominion has been more or less untouchable this season with only one loss coming into the tournament. Yet he goes 2-2, while Missouri's Willie Miklus who he beat for the MAC title, takes 7th.
Rutgers Anthony Ashnault who placed 5th at the BIG 10 took 8th at the NCAA's, while 4th, 3rd, 2nd of the BIG 10 failed to place at the NCAA's.
T.J. Dudley of Nebraska who placed 6th and Kenny Courts of Ohio State who placed 8th in the BIG 10 both made All American status, while the top 5 place winners in the BIG 10, including the champion Dominic Abounader failed to place at the NCAA's. If that doesn't help to illustrate the crazy parity in this sport, what will?
Points of interest.....
There were 7 Unseeded All Americans this tournament
Five wrestlers who lost first round came back to make All American. Six wrestlers who lost first round, wrestled back to the match to place and then lost again. In my opinion that would be the hardest thing for a wrestler to swallow. People talk all the time about how hard it is to swallow taking second, losing in the finals after you were so close to an NCAA title. In my opinion I think losing first round, and then working your way back winning three consolation matches in a row, only to lose that last one would be quite rough.
I've never seen a more anti-climatic ending to a wrestling match than what I saw between Matt Brown of Penn State and Tyler Wilps of Pittsburgh. Agree or disagree with me, but if I were the Pitt coaches in the moment, give the circumstances, I would have cut Brown and had Wilps try and win it in overtime.
My favorite final of the night was 197 lbs. I loved watching Iowa State's Kyven Gadson lock up that throw on Kyle Snyder of Ohio State and launch him. That was awesome!
They say that when history happens, those who are a part of it aren't always aware of it. I think that may be true because this tournament not only crowned the fourth four time NCAA DI champion, it also marks the first time that Ohio State has ever won a team title and the first time that Edinboro has ever placed in the top four.
2015 NCAA DI Wrestling Tournament Day Two Notes
The Gods of luck must have something against the University of Pennsylvania and something for the University of Iowa. Both Caleb Richardson @ 133 and C.J. Cobb @ 149 defeated wrestlers who would go on to make All American status, while they themselves did not place. Richardson defeated Edinboro's A.J. Schopp in the first round 4-2 and Cobb defeated Iowa's Brandon Sorenson in the second round 4-3.
Besides Sorenson, Iowa also had Bobby Telford who lost 7-5 to Maryland's Spencer Myers in the opening round come back and AA while Myers did not.
Others to beat All Americans that were not All Americans themselves this tournament:
Cooper Moore of Northern Iowa pinned Nick Sulzer of Virginia in the second round in 2:19
Matt McCutcheon of Penn State defeated Blake Stauffer of Arizona State 3-1 s.v. in the second round.
Blaize Cabell of Northern Iowa defeated Ty Walz of Virginia Tech 3-1 s.v. in the second round.
Jade Rauser of Utah Valley defeated Mason Beckman of Lehigh 5-3 in round one.
Caleb Richardson defeated A.J. Schopp of Edinboro 4-2 in round one.
125
If you would have bet on Zeke Moisey making the finals, you could have probably won $1,000,000. Who would have thought that a freshman with 12 losses (yes 12, the program counted one of his losses twice) would have made the finals in such fashion? Also speaking of which where did Michigan's Connor Youtsey come from? Very impressed with his performance as well. Glad to Nahshon Garrett coming back strong through the consolations.
133
I told everyone when the brackets came out that #2 Ryan Taylor of Wisconsin was way, way overrated and that #13 Cody Brewer of Oklahoma was severely disrespected and underrated. Looks like I was right. Brewer manhandled #1 seed Chris Dardanes of Minnesota 15-3 and Taylor will be wrestling for seventh place today.
Speaking of Taylor, his lack of sportsmanship in the Quarterfinals against Jimmy Gulibon of Penn State is a black eye on our sport. I was glad to see Coach Barry Davis ream him for his unsportsmanlike gesture. Hopefully it was a sign of pure frustration and just a young man making a mistake. I hope it isn't a reflection of who he really is.
One of my favorite stories of the tournament is the miraculous come back of A.J. Schopp of Edinboro. I really thought after a first round loss, that the senior fighting Scott may have succumbed to injury and would be out soon. Instead he has pinned his way through the consolation, hungry for the Gorriaran award. He has won thus far, 5 matches in a row.
141
Kevin Jack of North Carolina State is one of the many reasons why I hope to see Pat Popolizio get coach of the year honors at this year's tournament. I think he has earned it.
Very excited to see the finals between Port and Stieber. I will miss both of these guys a ton next year. Been two of my favorites, especially Port the last four years.
149
It has been about forever and a day since Lock Haven has had an All American, and it was nice to see the Eagles finally put someone on the award stand with junior Dan Neff.
Also very happy to see Cornell senior Chris Villalonga finally break through and earn All American honors as well. Long time waiting.
Weight class produced two outstanding freshman in B.J. Clagon of Rider and Brandon Sorenson of Iowa. The two could meet for either 3rd or 5th today.
157
Cody Pack of South Dakota State damn near became the JackRabbits first Division I All American as he lost a battle with Virginia Tech's Nick Brascetta in the round to place 5-2. Pack will be a senior next year and I say he gets the job done in 2016.
Ian Miller of Kent State is the talk of the tournament, as many fans feel he should have won a quarterfinal match against Cornell's Brian Realbuto, but was screwed by the referees.
Isaiah Martinez of Illinois is the most impressive freshman this year. I think he'll take it to Realbuto in the finals and easily win freshman of the year honors. If he stays healthy, both physically and mentally, we could be looking at the next Cael Sanderson. He's that good.
My heart goes out to Minnesota's Dylan Ness who will most likely medical forfeit to a 6th place finish because of an injury. The four time All American was always a joy to watch on the mat.
165
Very happy to see Taylor Walsh of Indiana not only finally break through, but make the NCAA finals in his final year as a Hoosier. I contribute much of his success to assistant coach Nick Simmons, who I would like to see take over for Goldman.
Ethan Ramos of North Carolina, one of many outstanding freshman has the potential to become the tarheels third four time all American.
Alex Dieringer of Oklahoma State in my opinion is the best pound for pound wrestler in the nation.
Heart goes out to Northwestern's Pierce Harger who fought defaulted in the R12 due to injury. Despite his unfortunate ending, the wildcat showed a lot of class and humility in the way he acted. Very impressed with that.
Heart also goes out to Iowa State's Michael Moreno as the senior finished one match away from All American Status. I was really hoping he would win his match with Isaac Jordan, but it wasn't meant to be.
174
Tyler Wilps of Pittsburgh wrestled a great tournament and upset the #1 seed Robert Kokesh of Nebraska in the quarterfinals and is now in the finals breaking up the top four seeds who everyone thought would finish in the top four. Now one of them, or even two of them will finish below fourth place.
I wish I knew what possessed Iowa's Mike Evans to choose the neutral position against Penn State's Matt Brown. It was nice to see him finally take a few shots though, even though he didn't score on them.
Both Kokesh and Minnesota's Logan Storley came back to make All American Status. The two seniors who have met multiple times throughout their careers, could potentially face one another one last time today.
184
Loving stories of Redemption I was sad to see Taylor Meeks of Oregon State come so close, only to lose out in the blood round. His opponent who defeated him in the blood round is Willie Miklus of Missouri, who wrestled for Southeast Polk High School in Des Moines.
Congrats to Hayden Zillmer of NDSU who is helping to prove that Coach Roger Kish is building the Bison program. Look for Zillmer to contend for the NCAA title next season.
197
With Ohio State's Kyle Snyder's upset of Missouri's J'Den Cox in the semi-finals I think that about all but wraps up the team title for the Buckeyes. Look for Cox to come back and take third, although Minnesota's Scott Schiller could upset him.
Kyven Gadson is on fire, I say he whips Snyder in the finals.
HWT
I have to say compared to 2014, this year's officials have done a much, much better job. This tournament I've only seen one horrendous call and that was in the Spencer Myers of Maryland Vs Matt Kroells of Minnesota match. You cannot tell me that Myers had not scored two points in the closing seconds of the match. Kroells was flat on his back and Myers was clearly in control. Everyone someone gets screwed by a referee. There ought to be an award that says, "I would have won, but the referee decided not to screw me." This year's recipient would be Spencer Myers.
Shout out to Iowa's Bobby Telford who is doing exactly what a man needs to do for his team! Iowa wrestling is all about National titles. They preach a "2nd place sucks" mentality and think anything less than first is unacceptable. With that mindset and the fact that he is a senior, who now knows he will never be an NCAA champion, Telford shows us what intestinal fortitude is all about. He has won five consolation matches and is in a route back to third place. This is the most impressed I have ever been with Telford during his whole career. If there was a "heart" award, he would be in contention for it with Edinboro's A.J. Schopp.
Looking forward to the third and final session tonight!!
Besides Sorenson, Iowa also had Bobby Telford who lost 7-5 to Maryland's Spencer Myers in the opening round come back and AA while Myers did not.
Others to beat All Americans that were not All Americans themselves this tournament:
Cooper Moore of Northern Iowa pinned Nick Sulzer of Virginia in the second round in 2:19
Matt McCutcheon of Penn State defeated Blake Stauffer of Arizona State 3-1 s.v. in the second round.
Blaize Cabell of Northern Iowa defeated Ty Walz of Virginia Tech 3-1 s.v. in the second round.
Jade Rauser of Utah Valley defeated Mason Beckman of Lehigh 5-3 in round one.
Caleb Richardson defeated A.J. Schopp of Edinboro 4-2 in round one.
125
If you would have bet on Zeke Moisey making the finals, you could have probably won $1,000,000. Who would have thought that a freshman with 12 losses (yes 12, the program counted one of his losses twice) would have made the finals in such fashion? Also speaking of which where did Michigan's Connor Youtsey come from? Very impressed with his performance as well. Glad to Nahshon Garrett coming back strong through the consolations.
133
I told everyone when the brackets came out that #2 Ryan Taylor of Wisconsin was way, way overrated and that #13 Cody Brewer of Oklahoma was severely disrespected and underrated. Looks like I was right. Brewer manhandled #1 seed Chris Dardanes of Minnesota 15-3 and Taylor will be wrestling for seventh place today.
Speaking of Taylor, his lack of sportsmanship in the Quarterfinals against Jimmy Gulibon of Penn State is a black eye on our sport. I was glad to see Coach Barry Davis ream him for his unsportsmanlike gesture. Hopefully it was a sign of pure frustration and just a young man making a mistake. I hope it isn't a reflection of who he really is.
One of my favorite stories of the tournament is the miraculous come back of A.J. Schopp of Edinboro. I really thought after a first round loss, that the senior fighting Scott may have succumbed to injury and would be out soon. Instead he has pinned his way through the consolation, hungry for the Gorriaran award. He has won thus far, 5 matches in a row.
141
Kevin Jack of North Carolina State is one of the many reasons why I hope to see Pat Popolizio get coach of the year honors at this year's tournament. I think he has earned it.
Very excited to see the finals between Port and Stieber. I will miss both of these guys a ton next year. Been two of my favorites, especially Port the last four years.
149
It has been about forever and a day since Lock Haven has had an All American, and it was nice to see the Eagles finally put someone on the award stand with junior Dan Neff.
Also very happy to see Cornell senior Chris Villalonga finally break through and earn All American honors as well. Long time waiting.
Weight class produced two outstanding freshman in B.J. Clagon of Rider and Brandon Sorenson of Iowa. The two could meet for either 3rd or 5th today.
157
Cody Pack of South Dakota State damn near became the JackRabbits first Division I All American as he lost a battle with Virginia Tech's Nick Brascetta in the round to place 5-2. Pack will be a senior next year and I say he gets the job done in 2016.
Ian Miller of Kent State is the talk of the tournament, as many fans feel he should have won a quarterfinal match against Cornell's Brian Realbuto, but was screwed by the referees.
Isaiah Martinez of Illinois is the most impressive freshman this year. I think he'll take it to Realbuto in the finals and easily win freshman of the year honors. If he stays healthy, both physically and mentally, we could be looking at the next Cael Sanderson. He's that good.
My heart goes out to Minnesota's Dylan Ness who will most likely medical forfeit to a 6th place finish because of an injury. The four time All American was always a joy to watch on the mat.
165
Very happy to see Taylor Walsh of Indiana not only finally break through, but make the NCAA finals in his final year as a Hoosier. I contribute much of his success to assistant coach Nick Simmons, who I would like to see take over for Goldman.
Ethan Ramos of North Carolina, one of many outstanding freshman has the potential to become the tarheels third four time all American.
Alex Dieringer of Oklahoma State in my opinion is the best pound for pound wrestler in the nation.
Heart goes out to Northwestern's Pierce Harger who fought defaulted in the R12 due to injury. Despite his unfortunate ending, the wildcat showed a lot of class and humility in the way he acted. Very impressed with that.
Heart also goes out to Iowa State's Michael Moreno as the senior finished one match away from All American Status. I was really hoping he would win his match with Isaac Jordan, but it wasn't meant to be.
174
Tyler Wilps of Pittsburgh wrestled a great tournament and upset the #1 seed Robert Kokesh of Nebraska in the quarterfinals and is now in the finals breaking up the top four seeds who everyone thought would finish in the top four. Now one of them, or even two of them will finish below fourth place.
I wish I knew what possessed Iowa's Mike Evans to choose the neutral position against Penn State's Matt Brown. It was nice to see him finally take a few shots though, even though he didn't score on them.
Both Kokesh and Minnesota's Logan Storley came back to make All American Status. The two seniors who have met multiple times throughout their careers, could potentially face one another one last time today.
184
Loving stories of Redemption I was sad to see Taylor Meeks of Oregon State come so close, only to lose out in the blood round. His opponent who defeated him in the blood round is Willie Miklus of Missouri, who wrestled for Southeast Polk High School in Des Moines.
Congrats to Hayden Zillmer of NDSU who is helping to prove that Coach Roger Kish is building the Bison program. Look for Zillmer to contend for the NCAA title next season.
197
With Ohio State's Kyle Snyder's upset of Missouri's J'Den Cox in the semi-finals I think that about all but wraps up the team title for the Buckeyes. Look for Cox to come back and take third, although Minnesota's Scott Schiller could upset him.
Kyven Gadson is on fire, I say he whips Snyder in the finals.
HWT
I have to say compared to 2014, this year's officials have done a much, much better job. This tournament I've only seen one horrendous call and that was in the Spencer Myers of Maryland Vs Matt Kroells of Minnesota match. You cannot tell me that Myers had not scored two points in the closing seconds of the match. Kroells was flat on his back and Myers was clearly in control. Everyone someone gets screwed by a referee. There ought to be an award that says, "I would have won, but the referee decided not to screw me." This year's recipient would be Spencer Myers.
Shout out to Iowa's Bobby Telford who is doing exactly what a man needs to do for his team! Iowa wrestling is all about National titles. They preach a "2nd place sucks" mentality and think anything less than first is unacceptable. With that mindset and the fact that he is a senior, who now knows he will never be an NCAA champion, Telford shows us what intestinal fortitude is all about. He has won five consolation matches and is in a route back to third place. This is the most impressed I have ever been with Telford during his whole career. If there was a "heart" award, he would be in contention for it with Edinboro's A.J. Schopp.
Looking forward to the third and final session tonight!!
Thursday, March 19, 2015
NCAA Division I Wrestling Tournament Session One Notes.
The NCAA tournament is a magical world full of triumph and heartbreak. The unwinnable somehow find a way to win and the invincible unbeatable somehow manage to get beat. It can be the most rewarding environment and at the exact same time be the most unforgiving. It is a world all within its own.
125 lbs NotesTwo Time NCAA Champion Jesse Delgado fell 4-2 to American's David Terao. Terao, a junior from Hawaii looks to become the second wrestler in the entire history of the NCAA DI wrestling tournament to capture All American status from the Aloha state. The other being four time All American Travis Lee of Cornell who was 7th-1st-5th-7th.
Returning All American Dylan Peters of Northern Iowa, who placed 6th last season, went 0-2.
Kory Mines of Edinboro is having himself a so far miraculous tournament. The senior fighting Scott upset Chattanooga's Sean Boyle in the second round.
Another huge upset in this weight class was West Virginia freshman Zeke Moisey, who is unseeded with 12 losses, upset the #2 seed Nahshon Garrett of Cornell. Garrett has finished 3rd-2nd the last two years.
133 lbs NotesOklahoma's Cody Brewer is showing us why giving him the #13 seed was ridiculous as he manhandled Ohio State's #4 seed Johnni DiJulius 9-1.
Edinboro's A.J. Schopp is our first reminder of how injuries often negatively effect someone's performance. Schopp is still alive in the wrestlebacks however.
141 lbs NotesWhat better place to make a name for yourself than the NCAA tournament? Freshman Kevin Jack of North Carolina State was an unknown nobody in the world of college wrestling all year long. With wins over Iowa's Josh Dziewa and North Carolina's Joey Ward, we now know who he is.
Nick Dardanes of Minnesota also went down early, as he lost to Old Dominion's Chris Mecate. In the wrestlebacks Dardanes will face Iowa's Dziewa. They are 1-1 against one another this year, and have faced each other in year's past as well. Tomorrow marks the final time the two will meet. The illustrious feud will come to an end.
149 lbs NotesJosh Kindig of Oklahoma State is another reminder to us of how much injuries just plain suck as the Cowboy did his best to fight through an injury but just couldn't hold up. The same can be said for Iowa State's Gabe Moreno.
157 lbs NotesIf both Isaiah Martinez of Illinois and James Green of Nebraska win their quarterfinal matches they will meet in the semi-finals. I really hope this happens as I've been looking forward to this rematch for a very long time.
Iowa needed every point they could get to win this NCAA tournament. Kelly not giving them any, hurts the Hawkeyes chances at a team title a lot.
165 lbs NotesNick Moore going 0-2, especially to two guys that he could have beaten may have very well ended Iowa's chances at a team title. I sure would like to know what went wrong with him and why. Moore has the talent to beat anyone at his weight class with exception to Dieringer . How a guy with a win over Chris Perry of Oklahoma State, never even makes the Round of 12 is beyond me. Could have been a finalist.
Cooper Moore of Northern Iowa looks to be in the running for the Gorriaran Award with two first period falls, one of which is over Nick Sulzer of Virginia the #4 seed.
Iowa State's Michael Moreno is yet more evidence of just how gruelingly unforgiving this tournament can be, when he was upset by Austin Wilson of Nebraska in the first round. Yet, mark my word, he may also prove to be an example of how rewarding this tournament can be. Every year someone loses first round at the NCAA tournament and comes back to take third. If anyone can make that incredible journey, it's Moreno.
174 lbs Notes
Senior Joe Latham of Oregon State is making a name for himself in his last run as a Beaver upsetting the #4 seed John Eblen of Missouri and finding himself in the quarterfinals.
Mike Evans of Iowa faces Minnesota's Logan Storley for the third time this season tomorrow. Thus far Evans has won two close matches. They say it's difficult to beat someone three times in a row. It'll be interesting to see what happens.
184 lbs Notes
Taylor Meeks of Oregon State has a way of repeating himself. As a sophomore in 2013, he entered the tournament with three losses to Wyoming's Alfonso Hernandez and when they met in the quarter-finals he pinned him. This year Meeks lost 9-3 to Oklahoma State's Nolan Boyd and today he beats him 8-2.
Speaking of Revenge the last time Vic Avery of Edinboro wrestled Old Dominion's Jack Dechow, Dechow whipped him 8-1. Today Avery won.
Freshman Matt McCutheon of Penn State, is illustrating just how effective of a coach Cael Sanderson is. His guys are always ready for tournaments.
197 lbs NotesThis is the one weight were things are actually going as they were predicted to go for the most part.
HWT NotesIt's not fun for Iowa fans that Bobby Telford lost in the first round to Maryland's Spencer Myers, but they ought to not be so hard on him about it. Myers is no slouch. When on, he's extremely dangerous. He was 6th in the nation as a true freshman and owns a win over three time NCAA finalist Tony Nelson of Minnesota. We're not dealing with just anybody here.
Points of Interest
True freshman Dom Forys of Pittsburgh who qualified for the NCAA championships this year, did not qualify for his state tournament last season. While 5th as a sophomore and 3rd as a junior, he failed to qualify for the state tournament as a senior last year.
Santiago Martinez of Lehigh, who went 1-1 today, spent his first three years wrestling in the National Collegiate Wrestling Association (NCWA), (a non-varsity, club or club-like status program) for Central Florida University. Just another example that NCWA wrestlers are no slouches and that there IS a NEED for collegiate wrestling, VARSITY collegiate wrestling in the state of Florida. We start with Southeastern an NAIA program next year. Hopefully it's one of many to come.
125 lbs NotesTwo Time NCAA Champion Jesse Delgado fell 4-2 to American's David Terao. Terao, a junior from Hawaii looks to become the second wrestler in the entire history of the NCAA DI wrestling tournament to capture All American status from the Aloha state. The other being four time All American Travis Lee of Cornell who was 7th-1st-5th-7th.
Returning All American Dylan Peters of Northern Iowa, who placed 6th last season, went 0-2.
Kory Mines of Edinboro is having himself a so far miraculous tournament. The senior fighting Scott upset Chattanooga's Sean Boyle in the second round.
Another huge upset in this weight class was West Virginia freshman Zeke Moisey, who is unseeded with 12 losses, upset the #2 seed Nahshon Garrett of Cornell. Garrett has finished 3rd-2nd the last two years.
133 lbs NotesOklahoma's Cody Brewer is showing us why giving him the #13 seed was ridiculous as he manhandled Ohio State's #4 seed Johnni DiJulius 9-1.
Edinboro's A.J. Schopp is our first reminder of how injuries often negatively effect someone's performance. Schopp is still alive in the wrestlebacks however.
141 lbs NotesWhat better place to make a name for yourself than the NCAA tournament? Freshman Kevin Jack of North Carolina State was an unknown nobody in the world of college wrestling all year long. With wins over Iowa's Josh Dziewa and North Carolina's Joey Ward, we now know who he is.
Nick Dardanes of Minnesota also went down early, as he lost to Old Dominion's Chris Mecate. In the wrestlebacks Dardanes will face Iowa's Dziewa. They are 1-1 against one another this year, and have faced each other in year's past as well. Tomorrow marks the final time the two will meet. The illustrious feud will come to an end.
149 lbs NotesJosh Kindig of Oklahoma State is another reminder to us of how much injuries just plain suck as the Cowboy did his best to fight through an injury but just couldn't hold up. The same can be said for Iowa State's Gabe Moreno.
157 lbs NotesIf both Isaiah Martinez of Illinois and James Green of Nebraska win their quarterfinal matches they will meet in the semi-finals. I really hope this happens as I've been looking forward to this rematch for a very long time.
Iowa needed every point they could get to win this NCAA tournament. Kelly not giving them any, hurts the Hawkeyes chances at a team title a lot.
165 lbs NotesNick Moore going 0-2, especially to two guys that he could have beaten may have very well ended Iowa's chances at a team title. I sure would like to know what went wrong with him and why. Moore has the talent to beat anyone at his weight class with exception to Dieringer . How a guy with a win over Chris Perry of Oklahoma State, never even makes the Round of 12 is beyond me. Could have been a finalist.
Cooper Moore of Northern Iowa looks to be in the running for the Gorriaran Award with two first period falls, one of which is over Nick Sulzer of Virginia the #4 seed.
Iowa State's Michael Moreno is yet more evidence of just how gruelingly unforgiving this tournament can be, when he was upset by Austin Wilson of Nebraska in the first round. Yet, mark my word, he may also prove to be an example of how rewarding this tournament can be. Every year someone loses first round at the NCAA tournament and comes back to take third. If anyone can make that incredible journey, it's Moreno.
174 lbs Notes
Senior Joe Latham of Oregon State is making a name for himself in his last run as a Beaver upsetting the #4 seed John Eblen of Missouri and finding himself in the quarterfinals.
Mike Evans of Iowa faces Minnesota's Logan Storley for the third time this season tomorrow. Thus far Evans has won two close matches. They say it's difficult to beat someone three times in a row. It'll be interesting to see what happens.
184 lbs Notes
Taylor Meeks of Oregon State has a way of repeating himself. As a sophomore in 2013, he entered the tournament with three losses to Wyoming's Alfonso Hernandez and when they met in the quarter-finals he pinned him. This year Meeks lost 9-3 to Oklahoma State's Nolan Boyd and today he beats him 8-2.
Speaking of Revenge the last time Vic Avery of Edinboro wrestled Old Dominion's Jack Dechow, Dechow whipped him 8-1. Today Avery won.
Freshman Matt McCutheon of Penn State, is illustrating just how effective of a coach Cael Sanderson is. His guys are always ready for tournaments.
197 lbs NotesThis is the one weight were things are actually going as they were predicted to go for the most part.
HWT NotesIt's not fun for Iowa fans that Bobby Telford lost in the first round to Maryland's Spencer Myers, but they ought to not be so hard on him about it. Myers is no slouch. When on, he's extremely dangerous. He was 6th in the nation as a true freshman and owns a win over three time NCAA finalist Tony Nelson of Minnesota. We're not dealing with just anybody here.
Points of Interest
True freshman Dom Forys of Pittsburgh who qualified for the NCAA championships this year, did not qualify for his state tournament last season. While 5th as a sophomore and 3rd as a junior, he failed to qualify for the state tournament as a senior last year.
Santiago Martinez of Lehigh, who went 1-1 today, spent his first three years wrestling in the National Collegiate Wrestling Association (NCWA), (a non-varsity, club or club-like status program) for Central Florida University. Just another example that NCWA wrestlers are no slouches and that there IS a NEED for collegiate wrestling, VARSITY collegiate wrestling in the state of Florida. We start with Southeastern an NAIA program next year. Hopefully it's one of many to come.
Wednesday, March 11, 2015
2015 NCAA DI Tournament First Round Upset Picks
125
Josh Martinez Air Force over #14 Josh Rodrigues North Dakota State
141
Jesse Thielke Wisconsin over #14 Dean Heil Oklahoma State
149
Michael DePalma Kent State over #13 C.J. Cobb Pennsylvania
Hunter Stieber Ohio State over #14 Cody Ruggirello Hofstra
Ken Theobold Rutgers over #10 Christian Pagdilao Arizona State
157
Nick Brascetta Virginia Tech over #9 Joey LaValle Missouri
Mike Kelly Iowa over #6 Josh Demas Ohio State
165
Mikey England Missouri over #11 Tristan Warner Old Dominion
Nick Moore Iowa over #7 Pierce Harger Northwestern
174
Kurtis Julson North Dakota State over #10 Mark Martin Ohio State
184
Ophir Bernstein Brown over #16 T.J. Dudley Nebraska
HWT
Brooks Black Illinois over #7 Blaize Cabell Northern Iowa
Josh Martinez Air Force over #14 Josh Rodrigues North Dakota State
141
Jesse Thielke Wisconsin over #14 Dean Heil Oklahoma State
149
Michael DePalma Kent State over #13 C.J. Cobb Pennsylvania
Hunter Stieber Ohio State over #14 Cody Ruggirello Hofstra
Ken Theobold Rutgers over #10 Christian Pagdilao Arizona State
157
Nick Brascetta Virginia Tech over #9 Joey LaValle Missouri
Mike Kelly Iowa over #6 Josh Demas Ohio State
165
Mikey England Missouri over #11 Tristan Warner Old Dominion
Nick Moore Iowa over #7 Pierce Harger Northwestern
174
Kurtis Julson North Dakota State over #10 Mark Martin Ohio State
184
Ophir Bernstein Brown over #16 T.J. Dudley Nebraska
HWT
Brooks Black Illinois over #7 Blaize Cabell Northern Iowa
Johnnythompsonnum1's Final 2015 NCAA predictions
TOP 15 TEAMS
1. Iowa Hawkeyes
2. Minnesota Golden Gophers
3. Missouri Tigers
4. Cornell Big Red
5. Ohio State Buckeyes
6. Iowa State Cyclones
7. Edinboro Fighting Scotts
8. Oklahoma State Cowboys
9. Nebraska Cornhuskers
10. Northwestern Wildcats
11. Virginia Tech Hokies
12. Illinois Fighting Illini
13. Wisconsin Badgers
14. Michigan Wolverines
15. Oklahoma Sooners
125
1. Alan Waters senior Missouri
2. Nahshon Garrett Junior Cornell
3. Joey Dance sophomore Virginia Tech
4. Sean Boyle senior Chattanooga
5. Jesse Delgado senior Illinois
6. Thomas Gilman sophomore Iowa
7. Nathan Tomasello freshman Ohio State
8. Eddie Klimara sophomore Oklahoma State
R12 Dylan Peters sophomore Northern Iowa
R12 Ben Willeford senior Cleveland State
R12 Josh Martinez junior Air Force
R12 Tyler Cox senior Wyoming
133
1. Cody Brewer junior Oklahoma
2. Cory Clark sophomore Iowa
3. Chris Dardanes senior Minnesota
4. A.J. Schopp senior Edinboro
5. Johnni DiJulius junior Ohio State
6. Mason Beckman junior Lehigh
7. Earl Hall sophomore Iowa State
8. Nick Soto senior Chattanooga
R12 Mark Grey sophomore Cornell
R12 Ryan Taylor sophomore Wisconsin
R12 Rossi Bruno junior Michigan
R12 Zane Richards sophomore Illinois
141
1. Logan Stieber senior Ohio State
2. Mitchell Port senior Edinboro
3. Nick Dardanes senior Minnesota
4. Devin Carter senior Virginia Tech
5. Lavion Mayes sophomore Missouri
6. Josh Dziewa senior Iowa
7. Zach Horan junior Central Michigan
8. Geo Martinez freshman Boise State
R12 Michael Morales senior West Virginia
R12 Randy Cruz junior Leigh
R12 Jesse Thielke sophomore Wisconsin
R12 Anthony Ashnault freshman Rutgers
149
1. Chris Villalonga senior Cornell
2. David Habat senior Edinboro
3. Jason Tsirtsis sophomore Northwestern
4. Drake Houdashelt senior Missouri
5. Brandon Sorensen freshman Iowa
6. Josh Kindig senior Oklahoma State
7. Hunter Stieber junior Ohio State
8. Mike Racciato sophomore Pittsburgh
R12 Tywan Claxton junior Ohio
R12 Sal Mastriani freshman Virginia Tech
R12 Gabe Moreno sophomore Iowa State
R12 Brandon Nelsen senior Purdue
157
1. Dylan Ness senior Minnesota
2. James Green senior Nebraska
3. Isaiah Martinez freshman Illinois
4. Ian Miller junior Kent State
5. Brian Realbuto sophomore Cornell
6. Cody Pack junior South Dakota State
7. Mike Kelly senior Iowa
8. Nick Brascetta junior Virginia tech
R12 Aaron Walker sophomore Citadel
R12 Brian Murphy sophomore Michigan
R12 Josh Demas senior Ohio State
R12 Justin Staudenmayer freshman Brown
165
1. Alex Dieringer junior Oklahoma State
2. Michael Moreno senior Iowa State
3. Taylor Walsh senior Indiana
4. Isaac Jordan sophomore Wisconsin
5. Bo Jordan freshman Ohio State
6. Nick Sulzer senior Virginia
7. Nick Moore senior Iowa
8. Peyton Walsh senior Navy
R12 Pierce Harger senior Northwestern
R12 Cooper Moore sophomore Northern Iowa
R12 Mikey England senior Missouri
R12 Jim Wilson sophomore Stanford
174
1. Robert Kokesh senior Nebraska
2. Mike Evans senior Iowa
3. Logan Storley senior Minnesota
4. Matt Brown senior Penn State
5. John Eblen senior Missouri
6. Kyle Crutchmer sophomore Oklahoma State
7. Tanner Weatherman junior Iowa State
8. Andy McCulley senior Wyoming
R12 Tyler Wilps senior Pittsburgh
R12 Zach Epperly freshman Virginia Tech
R12 Cody Walters junior Ohio
R12 Santiago Martinez senior Lehigh
184
1. Blake Stauffer junior Arizona State
2. Max Dean sophomore Cornell
3. Max Thomusseit senior Pittsburgh
4. Taylor Meeks senior Oregon State
5. Jack Dechow sophomore Old Dominion
6. Lorenzo Thomas junior Pennsylvania
7. Dominic Abounader sophomore Michigan
8. Sammy Brooks sophomore Iowa
R12 Hayden Zillmer senior North Dakota State
R12 Nolan Boyd sophomore Oklahoma State
R12 Lelund Weatherspoon sophomore Iowa State
R12 Nathanial Brown senior Lehigh
197
1. J'Den Cox sophomore Missouri
2. Kyven Gadson senior Iowa State
3. Scott Schiller senior Minnesota
4. Kyle Snyder freshman Ohio State
5. Connor Hartmann junior Duke
6. Shane Woods senior Wyoming
7. Phil Wellington junior Ohio
8. Nathan Burak junior Iowa
R12 Elliott Riddick sophomore Lehigh
R12 Morgan McIntosh junior Penn State
R12 Jace Bennett senior Cornell
R12 Abe Ayala junior Princeton
HWT
1. Mike McMullan senior Northwestern
2. Nick Gwiazdowski junior North Carolina State
3. Adam Coon sophomore Michigan
4. Bobby Telford senior Iowa
5. Connor Medberry junior Wisconsin
6. Riley Shaw junior Cleveland State
7. Spencer Myers senior Maryland
8. Austin Marsden junior Oklahoma State
R12 Brooks Black freshman Illinois
R12 Jimmy Lawson senior Penn State
R12 Evan Knutson senior North Dakota State
R12 Ty Walz sophomore Virginia Tech
1. Iowa Hawkeyes
2. Minnesota Golden Gophers
3. Missouri Tigers
4. Cornell Big Red
5. Ohio State Buckeyes
6. Iowa State Cyclones
7. Edinboro Fighting Scotts
8. Oklahoma State Cowboys
9. Nebraska Cornhuskers
10. Northwestern Wildcats
11. Virginia Tech Hokies
12. Illinois Fighting Illini
13. Wisconsin Badgers
14. Michigan Wolverines
15. Oklahoma Sooners
125
1. Alan Waters senior Missouri
2. Nahshon Garrett Junior Cornell
3. Joey Dance sophomore Virginia Tech
4. Sean Boyle senior Chattanooga
5. Jesse Delgado senior Illinois
6. Thomas Gilman sophomore Iowa
7. Nathan Tomasello freshman Ohio State
8. Eddie Klimara sophomore Oklahoma State
R12 Dylan Peters sophomore Northern Iowa
R12 Ben Willeford senior Cleveland State
R12 Josh Martinez junior Air Force
R12 Tyler Cox senior Wyoming
133
1. Cody Brewer junior Oklahoma
2. Cory Clark sophomore Iowa
3. Chris Dardanes senior Minnesota
4. A.J. Schopp senior Edinboro
5. Johnni DiJulius junior Ohio State
6. Mason Beckman junior Lehigh
7. Earl Hall sophomore Iowa State
8. Nick Soto senior Chattanooga
R12 Mark Grey sophomore Cornell
R12 Ryan Taylor sophomore Wisconsin
R12 Rossi Bruno junior Michigan
R12 Zane Richards sophomore Illinois
141
1. Logan Stieber senior Ohio State
2. Mitchell Port senior Edinboro
3. Nick Dardanes senior Minnesota
4. Devin Carter senior Virginia Tech
5. Lavion Mayes sophomore Missouri
6. Josh Dziewa senior Iowa
7. Zach Horan junior Central Michigan
8. Geo Martinez freshman Boise State
R12 Michael Morales senior West Virginia
R12 Randy Cruz junior Leigh
R12 Jesse Thielke sophomore Wisconsin
R12 Anthony Ashnault freshman Rutgers
149
1. Chris Villalonga senior Cornell
2. David Habat senior Edinboro
3. Jason Tsirtsis sophomore Northwestern
4. Drake Houdashelt senior Missouri
5. Brandon Sorensen freshman Iowa
6. Josh Kindig senior Oklahoma State
7. Hunter Stieber junior Ohio State
8. Mike Racciato sophomore Pittsburgh
R12 Tywan Claxton junior Ohio
R12 Sal Mastriani freshman Virginia Tech
R12 Gabe Moreno sophomore Iowa State
R12 Brandon Nelsen senior Purdue
157
1. Dylan Ness senior Minnesota
2. James Green senior Nebraska
3. Isaiah Martinez freshman Illinois
4. Ian Miller junior Kent State
5. Brian Realbuto sophomore Cornell
6. Cody Pack junior South Dakota State
7. Mike Kelly senior Iowa
8. Nick Brascetta junior Virginia tech
R12 Aaron Walker sophomore Citadel
R12 Brian Murphy sophomore Michigan
R12 Josh Demas senior Ohio State
R12 Justin Staudenmayer freshman Brown
165
1. Alex Dieringer junior Oklahoma State
2. Michael Moreno senior Iowa State
3. Taylor Walsh senior Indiana
4. Isaac Jordan sophomore Wisconsin
5. Bo Jordan freshman Ohio State
6. Nick Sulzer senior Virginia
7. Nick Moore senior Iowa
8. Peyton Walsh senior Navy
R12 Pierce Harger senior Northwestern
R12 Cooper Moore sophomore Northern Iowa
R12 Mikey England senior Missouri
R12 Jim Wilson sophomore Stanford
174
1. Robert Kokesh senior Nebraska
2. Mike Evans senior Iowa
3. Logan Storley senior Minnesota
4. Matt Brown senior Penn State
5. John Eblen senior Missouri
6. Kyle Crutchmer sophomore Oklahoma State
7. Tanner Weatherman junior Iowa State
8. Andy McCulley senior Wyoming
R12 Tyler Wilps senior Pittsburgh
R12 Zach Epperly freshman Virginia Tech
R12 Cody Walters junior Ohio
R12 Santiago Martinez senior Lehigh
184
1. Blake Stauffer junior Arizona State
2. Max Dean sophomore Cornell
3. Max Thomusseit senior Pittsburgh
4. Taylor Meeks senior Oregon State
5. Jack Dechow sophomore Old Dominion
6. Lorenzo Thomas junior Pennsylvania
7. Dominic Abounader sophomore Michigan
8. Sammy Brooks sophomore Iowa
R12 Hayden Zillmer senior North Dakota State
R12 Nolan Boyd sophomore Oklahoma State
R12 Lelund Weatherspoon sophomore Iowa State
R12 Nathanial Brown senior Lehigh
197
1. J'Den Cox sophomore Missouri
2. Kyven Gadson senior Iowa State
3. Scott Schiller senior Minnesota
4. Kyle Snyder freshman Ohio State
5. Connor Hartmann junior Duke
6. Shane Woods senior Wyoming
7. Phil Wellington junior Ohio
8. Nathan Burak junior Iowa
R12 Elliott Riddick sophomore Lehigh
R12 Morgan McIntosh junior Penn State
R12 Jace Bennett senior Cornell
R12 Abe Ayala junior Princeton
HWT
1. Mike McMullan senior Northwestern
2. Nick Gwiazdowski junior North Carolina State
3. Adam Coon sophomore Michigan
4. Bobby Telford senior Iowa
5. Connor Medberry junior Wisconsin
6. Riley Shaw junior Cleveland State
7. Spencer Myers senior Maryland
8. Austin Marsden junior Oklahoma State
R12 Brooks Black freshman Illinois
R12 Jimmy Lawson senior Penn State
R12 Evan Knutson senior North Dakota State
R12 Ty Walz sophomore Virginia Tech