Penn State wrestling notes: Lions move in latest rankings; early look at Oregon State
Penn State wrestling is fresh off a perfect dual meet weekend and will be back on the mat this Sunday when Oregon State invades Rec Hall.
Penn State wrestling notes: Lions move in latest rankings; early look at Oregon State
- Thread starter GregPickel
- Start date
My early season thoughts that may or may not have any value later in the season:
1. 125 still looks like a non qualifier, and I’m sad about it.
2. Beau can podium at 141 if he finds a consistent shot that he likes and is willing to take.
3. The freshman are DYNAMIC and both will win a championship at some point.
4. Bear Claw isn’t it, but I understand why they want to hold Levi back at this point.
5. Max Dean will be fine, but he’s my least confident repeat this year by far.
6. RBY/Carter/Brooks are all currently on my all-Cael team? Yes I think that’s correct.
6. Kerk will not lose a match and him vs Fat Tony in the BJC is my current match of the year.
1. 125 still looks like a non qualifier, and I’m sad about it.
2. Beau can podium at 141 if he finds a consistent shot that he likes and is willing to take.
3. The freshman are DYNAMIC and both will win a championship at some point.
4. Bear Claw isn’t it, but I understand why they want to hold Levi back at this point.
5. Max Dean will be fine, but he’s my least confident repeat this year by far.
6. RBY/Carter/Brooks are all currently on my all-Cael team? Yes I think that’s correct.
6. Kerk will not lose a match and him vs Fat Tony in the BJC is my current match of the year.
Nailed it! I have a hard time disagreeing with anything ya wrote here.
A few things here. First, as Smalls has said many times, the two toughest weights to recruit are the bookends, 125 & 285, as they can't slide to a different weight, and there aren't a lot of elite guys at either weights. Second, Howard's injury kind of hamstrings PSU here. PSU has some depth at some weights, but even they would have a tough time plugging in somebody that would end up being ranked top 10 if one of their expected starters got injured at most weight classes. It's just the nature of the sport. Lastly, PSU has signed some excellent light weights for future years, so between Howard, Steen, and the recruits I think this will get resolved in future years.
I kind of thought that heading into the season. That said, none of them will have a cake walk.
133: Few would be surprised if we see RBY - Fix, Round 3. And while RBY has won the past 2 battles, Fix is a really good wrestler. And Vito Arujau is never an easy win.
174: Mekhi Lewis always scares me. And Labriola is really good. CStar has a knack for winning close matches. There's little room for error in those type of matches, and the two aforementioned guys can make you pay for any errors.
184: Brooks just wins. But Trent Hidlay and Parker Keckeisen are going to make him earn another championship, as both have the talent to win it as well. AB defeated Keckeisen in the recent NCWA Classic, so there is that in his favor.
197. When you lose twice in a weekend, it does take away some of your fear factor. Seems like Rocky Elam, Yonger Bastida, Nino Bonaccorsi, Michael Beard, Jacob Warner, Ethan Laird, Isaac Trumble will be battling all season to get a top seed, and all will be in the mix at NCAAs.
I was really really excited for Howard to come back and be good this year. Not even championship good, but just really competitive.
The real drag about 125 being as bad as its been is that the first match of every meet is always a downer. I feel bad about it but sometimes I just wait and turn it on at the 133! Hopeful that Steen can get in some battles this year, but not expecting much.
Like you said, the future, hopefully, is bright!
Of course not cake walks, but all of those would be significant upsets at this point, no? All those guys have the talent and could certainly win on an off-day for our guys, but it would need to be an off-day, especially with RBY and AB. Star / Lewis 3 could be Legit because he doesn’t seem to score on Lewis but damn Star’s riding is INSANE.
Since the PSUers are returning champs, I guess them losing would be an upset.
That said, I think the difference between Fix and RBY is razor thin. Fix has a big frame for the weight class, and is strong. Two years ago it was a SV decision. I spoke with RBY at the Rider dual, and promised to not disclose what he said. Let's just leave it at he has a lot of respect for Fix and his abilities.
After Lewis bested Cenzo in the final, I'm always going to be scared of Lewis. That said, he hasn't shown a lot of offense against top opponents since returning from his injury. He lost this past weekend to Labriola at Cliff Keen LV, 3-1 SV. But by the same token, CStar doesn't exhibit a lot of offense against elite opponents. He seems to gut out tough wins. It's unfortunate that PSU and Nebraska don't wrestle a dual this year, so Labriola and CStar likely won't face each other until B1Gs.
I'm probably the most confident about AB, but Hidley is a bear, and a very good wrestler.
There's still a long season to play out. Let's hope everyone mentioned here stays healthy, and that they get to decide things at NCAAs.
A healthy appreciation for your opponent’s skills is very important! Especially in those big matches! I mean RBY was half a second from his back via inside trip this march before getting the opening TD. He just always seems to be able to pop out with the advantage. It’s aways a tight rope to walk, but one that, til now, he’s navigated every single time.
My thoughts
125 anyone who wrestles in college should be admired, but I don't see Steen qualifying.
133 fix is world class, but RBY looked better the 2nd match than the 1st.
141 I still don't see anyone Bartlett can't beat on any given day, but he can also lose to several on any given day.
149 need to see him wrestle top 10 guys to see how good he is.
157 no need to pull any shirts. Bearclaw will qualify and may be win one or 2 in wrestlebacks
165 see 149
174 see 133, change names
184 Brooks may be best lb for lb right now. See Spencer's 2nd and 3rd period vs Iowa state.
197 see post about dean's losses. He will be fine.
225 kerk has separated himself from the rest of the hwts. Paris will want nothing to do with a kerk that is 20 lbs heavier
125 anyone who wrestles in college should be admired, but I don't see Steen qualifying.
133 fix is world class, but RBY looked better the 2nd match than the 1st.
141 I still don't see anyone Bartlett can't beat on any given day, but he can also lose to several on any given day.
149 need to see him wrestle top 10 guys to see how good he is.
157 no need to pull any shirts. Bearclaw will qualify and may be win one or 2 in wrestlebacks
165 see 149
174 see 133, change names
184 Brooks may be best lb for lb right now. See Spencer's 2nd and 3rd period vs Iowa state.
197 see post about dean's losses. He will be fine.
225 kerk has separated himself from the rest of the hwts. Paris will want nothing to do with a kerk that is 20 lbs heavier
Can I request Kirk to wipe the mat with Cass? Please? That kid has not impressed me his entire career, but up until now Kerk couldn’t beat him.
Labriola at 174? Either Mikey has a younger brother, or this is his 12th season.
Nope, it's still him. It's the Big Ten. Every sport has guys who are at their respective school forever. Him in wrestling, Robbie Hummel in hoops, Sean Clifford in football, and yes, I know the list could go on and on and on.Labriola at 174? Either Mikey has a younger brother, or this is his 12th season.
In the two prior matches against AB it seems like Hidley stalls and hangs on the edge of the mat. His plan seems to be to time 1 good shot with about 30 seconds left. He knows he cannot go toe to toe with AB for 7 minutes. I think that the next time they meet, Aaron really needs to push the pace and force stall calls so Hidley will need to present himself more.
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