2026 Southern Scuffle tournament thread

[Acacia]

Wt Wrestler College
133 Kyson Garcia Penn State
141 Aaron Nagao Penn State
141 Cael Nasdeo Penn State
149 Connor Pierce Penn State
157 Joe Sealey Penn State
165 Ty Watson Penn State
174 Sean Degl Penn State
174 William Henckel Penn State
184 Asher Cunningham Penn State
197 Josh Barr Penn State
197 Mason Ellis Penn State
285 Dawson Bundy Penn State
285 Lucas Cochran Penn State

 

[mcpat]

Wt Wrestler College
133 Kyson Garcia Penn State
141 Aaron Nagao Penn State
141 Cael Nasdeo Penn State
149 Connor Pierce Penn State
157 Joe Sealey Penn State
165 Ty Watson Penn State
174 Sean Degl Penn State
174 William Henckel Penn State
184 Asher Cunningham Penn State
197 Josh Barr Penn State
197 Mason Ellis Penn State
285 Dawson Bundy Penn State
285 Lucas Cochran Penn State

I count 5-6 placers and a champion. Watch them win it.

 

[Scam likely]

I wonder if Jeff Byers is making the trip?

 

[dicemen99]

Reading between the lines, Connor Mirasola is hurt worse than we thought.

Actually, I had the opposite thought. Throwing Barr into a tournament setting, not treating him with kid gloves, we must be fairly comfortable with the backup situation. That’s an important thing for the staff.

 

[Anon231980]

I wonder if Jeff Byers is making the trip?

This might be the most important lineup question of the entire tournament! Really hoping he is there, we are very fortunate to have Ironhead during this incredible run

 

[Rock-man]

I think we get possibly 6 place winners and a couple of champs at the Scuffle. Cornell, NC State, and Va Tech the only other contenders. Its going to be interesting!

 

[ClarkstonMark]

Actually, I had the opposite thought. Throwing Barr into a tournament setting, not treating him with kid gloves, we must be fairly comfortable with the backup situation. That’s an important thing for the staff.

my take as well. no need for Barr to wrestle a tourney now, he'll have enough matches after B10s

 

[Fan16801]

Which of these guys do we see in a beautiful blue and white singlet for the first time? (Signing photos do not count.) Ty, Sean, Asher? I recall Mason being in some kind of tournament a bit ago but I don't think anyone here saw that. William Henckel was supported by the coaches at U20s (world silver!) but has he appeared in blue and white?

 

[AndEEss]

Which of these guys do we see in a beautiful blue and white singlet for the first time? (Signing photos do not count.) Ty, Sean, Asher? I recall Mason being in some kind of tournament a bit ago but I don't think anyone here saw that. William Henckel was supported by the coaches at U20s (world silver!) but has he appeared in blue and white?

Henckel and Cunningham both wrestled at Black Knight in PSU singlets. Per NCAA rules, RS freshman must wrestle attached their first semester. They are allowed five total attached dates, across both semesters, without burning their RS.

I'll be interested to see how Connor Pierce does. Same with Cochran.

 

[District 4]

So does no Desmond mean he is on his way back to 125?

 

[Lyons212]

Actually, I had the opposite thought. Throwing Barr into a tournament setting, not treating him with kid gloves, we must be fairly comfortable with the backup situation. That’s an important thing for the staff.

I think Barr wrestling is the priority, need to get his match count up for B1G weight class allocation slots for NCAAs and possible wild card selection if needed. Wrestling Connor in the final takes away from the match count.

Also possible that Connor needed some down time from the ankle injury and would not be fair to him to essentially have a wrestle off at this time if they met in the finals.

 

[NoVaLion]

So does no Desmond mean he is on his way back to 125?

Per the weight descent rules Desmond cannot wrestle 125 until the tOSU dual at the earliest. Per the Flo broadcast of the NDSU dual he weighed in at 137.5 pounds and can only lose 1.5% of his weight each week so the chances of him being our 125 this season are pretty much ZERO.

 

[ClarkstonMark]

Per the weight descent rules Desmond cannot wrestle 125 until the tOSU dual at the earliest. Per the Flo broadcast of the NDSU dual he weighed in at 137.5 pounds and can only lose 1.5% of his weight each week so the chances of him being our 125 this season are pretty much ZERO.

if Luke gets hurt the chances are 83%

 

[El_Jefe]

my take as well. no need for Barr to wrestle a tourney now, he'll have enough matches after B10s

Actually, he needs some tourney to get to the min 15 matches for an RPI, assuming he's undefeated in conference matches. Without a tourney, he'll have max 11 matches before B10s. The top 2 seeds only wrestle 3 rounds including the finals.

Or he could take the Tan Tom approach of forfeiting his B10 opener for an easier draw in consis.

Cael hasn't always prioritized the min 15 matches -- Brooks for example. But IMO it's important here. The top 2 guys are clearly Barr and Elam in whichever order. Barr's seed isn't all that important, as long as he's separated from Elam until the finals. No good reason to jeopardize that in NCAA Seeding Math by not getting him enough matches, when he's ready to go.

 

[Rmg975]

That's not come across my radar yet, but it's a great question. I'll see what I can find out.

Would it not be weird for a few guys to fly out to CO next week when the Rutgers dual is next Friday?

 

[CarolinaFan1]

Perhaps. Or just whatever he's dealing with after Wyoming isn't fixable enough to think it's worth going to this in ~15 days.

Don’t know extent of his injury but is it possible that Connor qualifies for a medical year at this point? Starter at the time who wrestled in fall only and got hurt. Assuming doesn’t wrestle again this year would meet the criteria? No need to rush him back to just burn the year if that is a possibility. Would give him 2 years after Barr done.

 

[GregPickel]

Would it not be weird for a few guys to fly out to CO next week when the Rutgers dual is next Friday?

I assumed (perhaps wrongly) the question was asking not about guys on the current roster but if any NLWC members are going, but at any rate, I've asked who they're planning to have there, so if/when they answer, I'll report back regardless.

 

[GregPickel]

Don’t know extent of his injury but is it possible that Connor qualifies for a medical year at this point? Starter at the time who wrestled in fall only and got hurt. Assuming doesn’t wrestle again this year would meet the criteria? No need to rush him back to just burn the year if that is a possibility. Would give him 2 years after Barr done.

An injury happening in the first half of the season is a big part of the criteria, so my gut instinct would be yes, if that's the direction he/they wanted to go, but it's the NCAA, so you never know for sure.

 

[WV lion]

Actually, I had the opposite thought. Throwing Barr into a tournament setting, not treating him with kid gloves, we must be fairly comfortable with the backup situation. That’s an important thing for the staff.

Barr needs matches for seeding

 

[Roar More]

So does no Desmond mean he is on his way back to 125?

It probably means they are trying to preserve his redshirt. If he is needed at 141, he still will have two competition dates available (by my unverified count), if he skips the Scuffle. Only one if he attends.

 

[Sportfan2017]

Here are the rostered wrestlers (excluding starters) who are NOT listed for the Southern Scuffle:

Ono- RS
Davis-RS
Kasak-RS
Connor Mirasola-Inj? Med.?
Desmond- Descending?
Dalton Perry ?? RS?
Sam Beckett-?? Graduated?
Hayden Cunningham-?? Has already used redshirt....so...?
Brock Weiss- ?? Has already used redshirt....so....?

Any help clarifying the ? is greatly appreciated.

 

[o_BruceK-PSU83]

Actually, he needs some tourney to get to the min 15 matches for an RPI, assuming he's undefeated in conference matches. Without a tourney, he'll have max 11 matches before B10s. The top 2 seeds only wrestle 3 rounds including the finals.

Or he could take the Tan Tom approach of forfeiting his B10 opener for an easier draw in consis.

Cael hasn't always prioritized the min 15 matches -- Brooks for example. But IMO it's important here. The top 2 guys are clearly Barr and Elam in whichever order. Barr's seed isn't all that important, as long as he's separated from Elam until the finals. No good reason to jeopardize that in NCAA Seeding Math by not getting him enough matches, when he's ready to go.

Seems pretty clear that Barr and Nageo are headed to the Scuffle.to increase their match count. Nageo has only five matches so far this season and Barr only two.

Why Connor Mirasola isn't going to the Scuffle with other PSU backups is less clear, but it seems reasonable to assume that his recent injury is at least a factor in that decision. Mirasola taking an injury redshirt this season is an interesting question; not sure whether that is a legit possibility??

 

[El_Jefe]

Seems pretty clear that Barr and Nageo are headed to the Scuffle.to increase their match count. Nageo has only five matches so far this season and Barr only two.

Why Connor Mirasola isn't going to the Scuffle with other PSU backups is less clear, but it seems reasonable to assume that his recent injury is at least a factor in that decision. Mirasola taking an injury redshirt this season is an interesting question; not sure whether that is a legit possibility??

I don't think this is about match count for Nagao. He'll get to 14 during the regular season and will reach the 15-match minimum for an RPI at B10s.

His Scuffle entry seems more about the competition. There are 2 returning AAs (Composto, Jack). Nagao would likely get one in the semis and the other in the finals. Plus 4 other returning NQs.

Also about re-acclimation to a tournament setting, making weight on consecutive days, etc.

Maybe also they wanted to get him some warm-up matches (i.e., early-round Scuffle) before the bigger matches. Without the Scuffle, his first 2 opponents would be #6 Olivieri and #10 Bailey.

 

[PUR158]

Am I crazy for think Cochran is going to win this?

Cochran beat Slavikouski...who is better than anyone in this field...in my opinion.

 

[El_Jefe]

Cochran beat Slavikouski...who is better than anyone in this field...in my opinion.

That's the same Slavikouski who lost an NCAA Tournament match by stall DQ -- in the first period. Right?

 

[McScoreley]

An injury happening in the first half of the season is a big part of the criteria, so my gut instinct would be yes, if that's the direction he/they wanted to go, but it's the NCAA, so you never know for sure.

If Connor sits out the rest of the season, he almost certainly gets it back based on the current precedent.

It's particularly been that way for wrestling.

 

[McScoreley]

That's the same Slavikouski who got stalled out in the first period of an NCAA Tournament match, right?

Against Gable when he had a bum shoulder, can't blame him for being a little hesitant to engage with that mammoth

It's the same Slavikouski who beat Yonger to AA also

 

[PUR158]

That's the same Slavikouski who lost an NCAA Tournament match by stall DQ -- in the first period. Right?

Or the Slavikouski that beat Bastida? Easy Jefe....I'm on your side.

 

[El_Jefe]

Against Gable when he had a bum shoulder, can't blame him for being a little hesitant to engage with that mammoth

It's the same Slavikouski who beat Yonger to AA also

The injury excuse goes both ways. Bastida had a broken hand. He didn't stall out at all, let alone in the first period.

Regarding Cochran: why do people keep thinking that a one-off dual somehow automatically translates to success in a tournament? If that were true, then Zach Beitz would've won B10s instead of finishing 5th a month after pinning Kindig, and would've been better than 1-2 at nationals.

I'll say this again: "he can win" isn't crazy. "He will win" and "he's the favorite" are.

 

[PUR158]

Against Gable when he had a bum shoulder, can't blame him for being a little hesitant to engage with that mammoth

It's the same Slavikouski who beat Yonger to AA also

Jinx

 

[GregPickel]

If Connor sits out the rest of the season, he almost certainly gets it back based on the current precedent.

It's particularly been that way for wrestling.

Yep, I completely agree, minus the “it’s the NCAA” caveat. Of course, they pretty much just hand em out regardless now a days anyway, to your point.

 

[McScoreley]

The injury excuse goes both ways. Bastida had a broken hand. He didn't stall out at all, let alone in the first period.

Regarding Cochran: why do people keep thinking that a one-off dual somehow automatically translates to success in a tournament? If that were true, then Zach Beitz would've won B10s instead of finishing 5th a month after pinning Kindig, and would've been better than 1-2 at nationals.

I'll say this again: "he can win" isn't crazy. "He will win" and "he's the favorite" are.

Because nobody is claiming Cochran will win NCAA, they're wondering out loud if he can win the Southern Scuffle. The person who claimed it's possible started his prediction with "Am I crazy" to think he will and someone cited why they think Cochran can with a good win over Slavikouski when he was still a 197.

And now you're the one trying to discredit Cochran's win as not a good one because a one off result against Gable.

Let's also not act like a broken hand is the same as a torn shoulder. Guys routinely have their hands taped and wrapped and seemingly don't miss a beat.

 

[The Pitchfork Rebel]

Decent setup for Nagao. 2 returning AAs (Composto and Jack). Barr has a pretty easy path to the finals, where he'll get Little.

Henckel can win this. 174 is really weak, only 2 ranked guys in the field (19 and 22 by Intermat).

Arelius Dunbar is also at 165, for Duke.

OKST not sending any big names, unless Figs is still a big name. Jax Forrest not registered either, in case anybody still wondering about that.

unless Figs is still a big name.

Man, what a meteoric fall. Some guys seem to go through rough patches, but what the hell happened after 23-24?

 

[The Pitchfork Rebel]

my take as well. no need for Barr to wrestle a tourney now, he'll have enough matches after B10s

Maybe he wants them?

 

[District 4]

Per the weight descent rules Desmond cannot wrestle 125 until the tOSU dual at the earliest. Per the Flo broadcast of the NDSU dual he weighed in at 137.5 pounds and can only lose 1.5% of his weight each week so the chances of him being our 125 this season are pretty much ZERO.

My point being why isn't he wrestling? Does he not have one more to make 5?

 

[McScoreley]

Barr wouldn't have 15 matches for RPI after Big Tens if he didn't wrestle a tournament (by my math, he'd be at 14, 2 wrestled, 9 duals, 3 at Big Tens unless he lost)

Also I think Josh wants to wrestle, imagine it annoyed him to have had to sit for almost 2 months. Pretty obvious he jumped levels and is ready to show it.

 

[El_Jefe]

Because nobody is claiming Cochran will win NCAA, they're wondering out loud if he can win the Southern Scuffle. The person who claimed it's possible started his prediction with "Am I crazy" to think he will and someone cited why they think Cochran can with a good win over Slavikouski when he was still a 197.

And now you're the one trying to discredit Cochran's win as not a good one because a one off result against Gable.

Let's also not act like a broken hand is the same as a torn shoulder. Guys routinely have their hands taped and wrapped and seemingly don't miss a beat.

No they're not. They're saying out loud that he's the favorite and should win, and sugar-coating it with "am I crazy to think this?". (BTW, anybody who asks that question already knows the answer.)

This is no different from people thinking Cochran is a better HWT option than Mirasola despite losing to Mirasola every time and weighing almost exactly the same. Shiny toy.

You're also putting words into my mouth. I never said Cochran's win wasn't a good one. I have always said it's poor standalone evidence of his future success for a lot of reasons -- primarily because duals are easier than tournaments, secondarily about Slavikouski's limitations -- let's face it, he wasn't exactly Michael Beard out there scoring points left and right.

Speaking of Beard, that same year Cochran got crushed by Beard and Cardenas. Those don't matter at least as much?

But yeah, it's just the Scuffle. Apparently I need to re-re-repeat myself: he can win this. He's not the favorite but can win.

 

[o_BruceK-PSU83]

Because nobody is claiming Cochran will win NCAA, they're wondering out loud if he can win the Southern Scuffle. The person who claimed it's possible started his prediction with "Am I crazy" to think he will and someone cited why they think Cochran can with a good win over Slavikouski when he was still a 197.

And now you're the one trying to discredit Cochran's win as not a good one because a one off result against Gable.

Let's also not act like a broken hand is the same as a torn shoulder. Guys routinely have their hands taped and wrapped and seemingly don't miss a beat.

There have also been occasional musings on this board that Cochran is good enough to AA at 285 this season, based almost exclusively on his win against Slavikouski. This seems like a real reach to me (and apparently at least one other) - just not enough data to think it's realistic.

And no one is trying to discredit Cochran's win against Slavikouski; just suggesting to tap the brakes a bit regarding tournament predictions for Cochran at the Scuffle and NCAAs. And we'll know soon enough how Cochran fares at the Scuffle.

 

[Goggles Paisano]

Per the weight descent rules Desmond cannot wrestle 125 until the tOSU dual at the earliest. Per the Flo broadcast of the NDSU dual he weighed in at 137.5 pounds and can only lose 1.5% of his weight each week so the chances of him being our 125 this season are pretty much ZERO.

 

[Goggles Paisano]

Or the Slavikouski that beat Bastida? Easy Jefe....I'm on your side.

Don't pick a flight with the wrong guy.

Experience has taught me. El Jefe is the blond guy!