Exactly! Guys/gals here need a different way to express their disappointment in a guy that can’t even buy tobacco.
2026 NCAA Wrestling Championship Official Thread
- Thread starter CowboyMedic
- Start date
Big match for Dee. Let’s hope the coaches were able to get him refocused after what happened yesterday because he will need to wrestle well to beat Araujo again.
I’m sure it was much worse off the board. This was the PC version for most people imo.
Sure would be nice to have that team point... No way to put lipstick on that pig. We don’t make this many excuses for 6 year olds when it comes to that kind of attitude and effort.
But to follow up on the rest of everything Chase said… 90% of these boys are absolutely wrestling their arses off. I love it and they are all studs. I’m so dang proud of how hard Ryder fought with his shoulder barely hanging on. Troy’s jonesy was a moment. I don’t think I’ll ever forget it. It’s just impossible to overstate how big that was for Troy. Jax is an alien and so is Vega. Casey is just a cowboy man. That kid truly is a mean *** gunslinger. Between the ankle and whatever else throughout the season, Landon isn’t the same kid he was in the first half of the season imo but one thing you don’t have to about with him is heart and effort. Alex kind of is what he is imo. Great kid, really good wrestler and a kid I love having on the team. He’ll keep battling. Cody is about to take off. It’s been palpable for a month imo. KD will keeping figuring out a way. I got faith.
Just a next step comment
I love we placed 7 in the 1/4 finals ties the record over the last 20 years. If correct Taylor is the difference maker so many on this board stated when hired. I love the work these kids have put in to get to Cleveland. But we whiffed on our chances to bonus in the first session. That will ultimately be the difference between OSU making Penn State very uncomfortable this tournament. A focal point for 2026 and beyond. I hope we move on with the 7 and the 3 in consolation. Go Pokes!
I love we placed 7 in the 1/4 finals ties the record over the last 20 years. If correct Taylor is the difference maker so many on this board stated when hired. I love the work these kids have put in to get to Cleveland. But we whiffed on our chances to bonus in the first session. That will ultimately be the difference between OSU making Penn State very uncomfortable this tournament. A focal point for 2026 and beyond. I hope we move on with the 7 and the 3 in consolation. Go Pokes!
I don't know about the rest of you, but I cannot wait for session 3 to start. Only a couple more hours.
I loved the effort from everyone but Lockett. He has so much potential but has looked gassed every match the last month or so.
Didn't think he looked gassed last night, ironically. Thought his opponent mirrored every move Dee made, had a great gameplan, was great positionally, very strong and quick. Dee didn't know what to make of him. I'd say Dee looked his normal gassed self in the morning then fine last night.
There are two types of wrestlers when they lose at State/Nationals. High school and college are similar in that fashion.
A) They had full hope of winning it all and they lose early, they shut down and pretty much give up.
B) They reset, goal has now changed but they still have plenty to wrestle for.
Sadly I had both at state this year, one girl that could have won it all. Her senior year, came in as 2 seed and we thought she had a chance. She lost. Tried to get her to reset and refocus but the pain won and she ended up losing out on the backside and not making the podium.
Another girl, Junior, same thing. Lost early (had a much tougher path but capable of winning it all) had a long talk with her, she listened, trusted the process and reset. Battled back for third.
Dee makes me nervous, we all have posted on social media without really thinking, but he posted a picture of him and Kennedy last night with the caption “And just like that, it’s all over” Personally, I hope that was just an emotional post and not a sign that he won’t be able to bounce back. He had a goal of winning it all, was very vocal about it. Can he reset and adjust? Has the skill too, but mentally I’m not sold he can. I really hope I’m wrong though.
A) They had full hope of winning it all and they lose early, they shut down and pretty much give up.
B) They reset, goal has now changed but they still have plenty to wrestle for.
Sadly I had both at state this year, one girl that could have won it all. Her senior year, came in as 2 seed and we thought she had a chance. She lost. Tried to get her to reset and refocus but the pain won and she ended up losing out on the backside and not making the podium.
Another girl, Junior, same thing. Lost early (had a much tougher path but capable of winning it all) had a long talk with her, she listened, trusted the process and reset. Battled back for third.
Dee makes me nervous, we all have posted on social media without really thinking, but he posted a picture of him and Kennedy last night with the caption “And just like that, it’s all over” Personally, I hope that was just an emotional post and not a sign that he won’t be able to bounce back. He had a goal of winning it all, was very vocal about it. Can he reset and adjust? Has the skill too, but mentally I’m not sold he can. I really hope I’m wrong though.
Jax and Vega should move on to the semis. Everyone else has really tough matches to advance. Troy, Landon and Cody probably have the next best shots.
Not sure what to expect from Dee this morning. People questioning the future for him aren’t way off but let’s see if he can rally.
Not sure what to expect from Dee this morning. People questioning the future for him aren’t way off but let’s see if he can rally.
Yes, I believe Taylor is the grandslam hire that everyone hoped he would be. Having said that, Penn State has raised the bar FAR above where it was 20 years ago. To catch that bar takes time even for the best coach in the world. We have 6 freshman - that won't catch them in any universe. Next year I think we can separate ourselves as the clear #2. 2028 is the first year that we can realistically challenge them when lots of these pups are more grown up. Until then, let's enjoy the climb...
Excellent post, without bashing him.
Spratley Mat 4
Forrest Mat 3
Vega Mat 6
Swiderski Mat 3
Robideau Mat 4
Forrest Mat 3
Vega Mat 6
Swiderski Mat 3
Robideau Mat 4
Friendly reminder that this is just a message board... not life or death. We're part of the same fandom so let's not beat up on each other. We can have differing opinions and get heated but its important that we keep our commonalities in mind or we'll turn into another internet cesspool.
Anyways what a day! Lots of good, a few bad. That's how it goes at these tourneys. You get upset, you get upsets. A couple of those upsets make our guys' paths a little easier on paper. Glad we have 10 guys still going. There's two more days of wrestling. I yelled when Spratley hit his move. I blinked when Jax got his pin - thank goodness for rewind! I also blinked when Cody scored 30 takedowns on that one guy. Swid looking fierce. And so on.
Be good to each other, enjoy today!
Anyways what a day! Lots of good, a few bad. That's how it goes at these tourneys. You get upset, you get upsets. A couple of those upsets make our guys' paths a little easier on paper. Glad we have 10 guys still going. There's two more days of wrestling. I yelled when Spratley hit his move. I blinked when Jax got his pin - thank goodness for rewind! I also blinked when Cody scored 30 takedowns on that one guy. Swid looking fierce. And so on.
Be good to each other, enjoy today!
Would you mind linking to the trackwrestling/flo site where they update mat assignments? I'm getting lost in Flo's page
NM here it is: https://www.flowrestling.org/nextgen/events/15175319/bout-schedule
He's not "gassed" its just the way he looks and wrestles. Its an attitude thing, can it be changed - i dont know. He had time to shush Bono in the first match but not the time/focus to get the major, and he did the shsss before the match outcome was even certain. The why is hard to understand.
However, the guy is probably being paid more than most of us....So the criticism is totally warranted.
If nobody can see his tactics/technique/motor is different from the other 9, you're just blind.
If he's being influenced outside of the program, that needs to be tightened up. If he's simply ignoring the coaching strategy (what balls for someone to have), it needs to be nipped.
If both can't be fixed, move it along. Would love to see him make it all the way back and take 3rd.
This next match is going to tell us a ton about him. It does worry me with how he reacted to the loss that he will be able to bounce back. He needs to dig deep and advance as much for the team as he does for himself.
He needs to start bonusing everyone to make up for the deduction. I'd be so pissed if 2nd was lost by a point or less.
The point he cost the team is bad and that annoys me way more than taking the loss. Agree he needs to make up for it and best way to do that is to fight on the backside.
I sent this to a buddy who is in Cleveland. He countered with this trivia mention. It is the first time since 1968 we had all 10 wrestlers advance to the second round. Probably already mentioned earlier but I had a wow moment.
Track still works, just have to go to classic mode. So much better for tracking wrestlers. Once I figured out how to use track again after the merger it was a game changer at opens and tournaments following my wrestlers. Just having to look at “team” mat assignments instead of searching brackets is so much more efficient
Absolutely, positively NO on this. He is gassed. Respectfully.
huge break for Merrill with Elam losing, he has a real chance to make the finals now
The app has a bout schedule and I have all our wrestlers as a favorite so it highlights them when they get added to a mat.
The guy I'm most interested to see today is Swiderski. He's playing with house money this morning. I hope he comes out and just lets it fly.
125 - Spratley with an 8-2 decision and ALL-AMERICAN!!!
Dang thought Peterson might get him. Spratley can beat Lilledahl. Ventresca is beaten too.
Lilledahl advances. Spartley will knock him off tonight. Was not impressed.
peterson effed up with the big mat return
lilledahl only chance was bouncing outta that
lilledahl only chance was bouncing outta that
I'm a grandma actually a great grandma