Southeast Open Recap & Review

 

Sometimes a Twitter post or two will not cut it. Many things happen, all of which are worth discussion, and you need some space to get your thoughts out.  A lot of great season openers happened this weekend & the Southeast Open was one of them. Let's dissect. 

Great Final Ends in Unfortunately Injury

Was really hoping that we'd see the full match between Minnesota's Jore Volk & West Virginia's Jett Strickenberger.  Unfortunately injury came into play & a forfeit won Volk the title here at 125 lbs.  I also thought it was pretty cool that Mac Cafurello an NCAA Division III wrestler of Roanoke came back to take 3rd.  That's a statement in a very respectable DI tournament. 

Redshirt Freshman Vastly Impressive

Man was Dillon Campbell impressive this tournament! Just dominated Troy Hohman of N.C. State in the semi-finals 11-0 & then dominated Braxton Brown of Maryland 11-0 in the finals.  I was NOT expecting him to shut out these two respectable opponents, not like this, not by this big of a score. 

It was disappointing to see last year's champ Ethan Oakley of North Carolina not even place at all & it was heartbreaking to see Chris Cannon get beat out so early.  I guess deep down inside I knew that this was probably the outcome we were going to see.  I just hate it though because I know it is mostly due to injury.  Hard to not let stuff like this bug you. 

Vance VomBaur doing Vance VomBaur things

Vance VomBaur won the bracket the way I thought he would, but I was surprised that Tom Crook wasn't who ended up meeting him in the finals. Upsets happen, so what do you do? Crook came back to take 5th.  I also realize this year's bracket was tougher than last year's, but I was quite surprised that last year's champion Jayden Scott did not place. 

Koy Buesgens Champion at 149

Not a whole lot to say here.  I figured looking at pre-brackets that we'd see a final between Koy Buesgens & Willie McDougald, and a Buesgens Vs McDougald final is exactly what we got.  Buesgens the better man this weekend. 

Another Impressive Freshman Wows The Crowd

Cradlezone is convinced that Charlie Millard is going to be an All-American this year as a freshman & I can definitely see why he believes that.  Perhaps not the toughest competition he'll see this year, he won a tough match against a tough & seasoned Kal Miller 5-2 in the semis.  Then took out Jeremiah Price 8-1 in the finals. 

Bulldog garners the SOCON Some Respect

Let's face, when people think wrestling, the SOCON doesn't get a lot of recognition or attention.   Tommy Snipes of The Citadel winning the title today was pretty big for the conference. A lot can be ignored or overlooked, but winning a tough open, is winning a tough open.  Wrestled a smart, tough match to take a close 2-1 win over Andrew Sparks.  Will also comment on how another SOCON wrestler Tanner Peake of Davidson stuck Mac Church of Virginia Tech.  He was unfortunately hurt later on in the tournament which was unfortunate.  I think he could've beaten Ryan Burton too.  MFF'd to 4th place. 

Brody Conley Champion 174

I don't always have a whole heck of a lot to say.  Brody Conley looked tough at 174 & won a title.  Enough said. 

Diplomatic? 

I love seeing a small school, with limited resources & the odds stacked against them have success. My late maternal grandfather Richard Grimm always rooted for the underdogs, and I guess I often do too. While teams like Iowa, Penn State & Oklahoma State are working with platinum and gold, Franklin & Marshall is making the most out of copper.  James Conway won a title this weekend, with an 8-3 decision over Tomas Brooker of Appalachian State in the semis & then just took it to Jaden Bullock 17-2 in the finals.  

Maryland with a Champ at 197

An up and down weekend for the Terrapins, I was happy to see them crown a champion in Branson John at 197.  Won a respectable bracket featuring Rune Lawrence, Gavin Nelson & Sonny Sasso. 

Minnesota HWT Rookie Impressive

Minnesota isn't hurting for talent at HWT.  They aren't hurting at all.  I thought for sure Bennett Tabor would be the Golden Gophers starter this season, but I had second thoughts when Koy Hopke took it to last year's Southeast Open champion Jimmy Mullen 12-1.  Ben Stein says, "wow."    Then Hopke defeated Tabor 4-1 s.v. in the finals, which tells me that this story may not be complete yet.   Hope both enter the Soldier Salute later this year.