2026 Southern Scuffle tournament thread

[SlipperyPete]

165 R32: Ty Watson vs. Austin Craft (AU)

Period 1:
Tying up & circling. Craft shoots & tries to come behind, but Watson stays squared-up & fights him off. Watson shoots, but Craft blocks him off. Out of bounds & restart. Tying up & hand fighting. Craft throws in an underhook, hits a throwby & comes behind to finish the TD, 3-0. Watson works to his feet, but Craft "back trips" him to the mat. I picked up that term from Cliff Fretwell during one of Cole's matches! Thanks dude! Craft is riding heavy & goes over 1-min riding time. Watson works to his feet & gets the escape, 3-1. Circling, collar ties & hand fighting to end the period. 3-1 Craft, +1:10 RT

Period 2:
Watson takes down. Craft with heavy top pressure & he gets Watson bellied out. Watson works back to his base, but Craft is smothering him from top. Craft gets Watson bellied out again & goes over 2-min riding time. Stall warning on Watson. Craft is punishing Watson from top. He goes over 3-min of riding time & rides out the period. 3-1 Craft, +3:11 RT

Period 3:
Craft takes down. He works to his feet, but Watson brings him back to the mat. Craft turns quickly & gets a reversal, 5-1. Watson gets the escape, 5-2. Watson shoots & gets to a leg, but Craft gets him extended, then counters & gets the TD, 8-2. Craft cuts Watson, 8-3. Circling & hand fighting. Watson shoots & gets a leg, but he gets extended again. They scramble away the rest of the period. Craft adds a RT point, 9-3.

Austin Craft DEC Ty Watson 8-3

 

[pish69]

The middle Ferrari vs Dunbar mat 3 now

ouch! Ferrari blast double and Dunbar hurt..concussion protocol

Dunbar back to wrestling and hurt again. Seems out of it. They need to stop this one..clearly concussed..and they do indeed stop it. Too bad. Was looking forward to that one.

I remember when we got Dunbar. If I recall, Mr Brooks was pretty high on him. Not a ton of experience but very athletic. Hopefully he heels up and ends his career on a high note

 

[LB99]

If Henckel is sick, then just pull him from the tourney. It doesn’t benefit him to continue. On the other hand, never underestimate the military academy wrestlers. They are tough as nails.

 

[Goggles Paisano]

I think the coaches have already weighed in on Desmond long term at 141 this year, as a non player.

Short of more info, I lean Aaron is sick and not injured.

That said his limited sample of work this year seemed to indicate he is the same AN we saw two years ago, and not the transformed level jumping kid after a couple of years in our program that I for one had hoped to see. I was pretty big on seeing the new AN.

Aaron is a very good wrestler, probably fringe to low AA, with a both positive and negative characteristics that remain from the past. He let's guys get to his legs pretty easily. He is strong defensively from that position but high level opponents will be able to convert those exchanges to takedowns. From the top position he can be a very tough ride, but honestly he gets the boots in but then struggles to generate points or meaningful tilts. Eventually he rides too high and is vulnerable to reversals. None of those prior tendencies seemed to have been cleaned up.

I have my own small gripes with Davis, as he to can get sloppy, but on balance I think Davis is the stronger more consistent wrestler. Knowing we have multiple AA level talent at the same weight is a pretty fantastic problem to face.

We clearly have a log jam at 141, and the overall value of Davis' redshirt is not much more than a nice to have. If Aaron is just too stick to wrestle this weekend we should see him again soon enough, but if it's something worse running with Davis, even with too few matches for the NCAA minimum for Nationals , we should be in pretty good shape. Baring a bad draw at Big10s, he likely places very high.

 

[Sandy2176]

I don't think Desmond is going back down to 125.
Blaze probably doesn't want to go to 141 this year because of Menedez. I think Davis makes sense.

I don't think it's Mendez I think 133 is his best weight at this time. I'm hoping Aaron is sick no evidence just hoping

 

[PSUPetch]

I think the coaches have already weighed in on Desmond long term at 141 this year, as a non player.

Short of more info, I lean Aaron is sick and not injured.

That said his limited sample of work this year seemed to indicate he is the same AN we saw two years ago, and not the transformed level jumping kid after a couple of years in our program that I for one had hoped to see. I was pretty big on seeing the new AN.

Aaron is a very good wrestler, probably fringe to low AA, with a both positive and negative characteristics that remain from the past. He let's guys get to his legs pretty easily. He is strong defensively from that position but high level opponents will be able to convert those exchanges to takedowns. From the top position he can be a very tough ride, but honestly he gets the boots in but then struggles to generate points or meaningful tilts. Eventually he rides too high and is vulnerable to reversals. None of those prior tendencies seemed to have been cleaned up.

I have my own small gripes with Davis, as he to can get sloppy, but on balance I think Davis is the stronger more consistent wrestler. Knowing we have multiple AA level talent at the same weight is a pretty fantastic problem to face.

We clearly have a log jam at 141, and the overall value of Davis' redshirt is not much more than a nice to have. If Aaron is just to stick to wrestle this weekend we should see him again soon enough, but if it's something worse running with Davis, even with too few matches for the NCAA minimum for Nationals , we should be in pretty good shape. Baring a bad draw at Big10s, he likely places very high.

I hope you are right, but it looked like Aaron purposely shook hands with his left hand after the match. Hope he is okay.

 

[a_mshaffer]

The middle Ferrari vs Dunbar mat 3 now

ouch! Ferrari blast double and Dunbar hurt..concussion protocol

Dunbar back to wrestling and hurt again. Seems out of it. They need to stop this one..clearly concussed..and they do indeed stop it. Too bad. Was looking forward to that one

that didn't look bad but you see his head jerk back. Of course his opponent wasn't concerned and appears (oh never mind).

 

[Sunshine88!]

Nagao/Desmond wrestleoff and winner gets spot (I’ll take Desmond). Seems Davis definetly not in mix.

I’m sure Desmond would welcome the opportunity to start for PSU. Nothing guaranteed in future. Get in when you can

Yes almost has to be a wrestle off between Desmond and Nagao.

 

[GregPickel]

Penn State wrestling just announced that Aaron Nagao is officially done for the day. After winning his opener by decision in his first match since getting hurt in November, the Nittany Lion medically forfeited the rest of his matches. In Round 1, he competed with a brace/sleeve on his upper right arm.

 

[Sunshine88!]

Just concerned about the size of Desmond at 141. Hopefully he’s been spending a lot of time in the weight room. That will help big time.

 

[Psu-cpa]

Penn State wrestling just announced that Aaron Nagao is officially done for the day. After winning his opener by decision in his first match since getting hurt in November, the Nittany Lion medically forfeited the rest of his matches. In Round 1, he competed with a brace/sleeve on his upper right arm.

 

[orange nole]

I might want to see how Connor Pierce performs at 141, but don’t know if his certification allows for it. Certainly doesn’t look big. Desmond competing at 141 just seems silly to me.

I don’t understand it either, think it’s Davis time. Hopefully Cael knows what he’s doing

 

[Efejle]

Im pretty sure it's going to actually have to be Desmond here: Aaron is just unable to get healthy and none of that is his fault, while there is not enough matches left at this point to bring in Davis

 

[wrestlingfan22]

I think taking a guy who beat your starter at 125 and having him move up to 141 and burn his RS that same season would be poor long-term lineup management. Desmond is 3-0 at 141, but his opponents have a combined record of 4-14, and his best result is a 9-0 major. I don't think he could compete in the B10 at 141 this year.

 

[SlipperyPete]

174 R32: William Henckel vs. Josh Lange (DAVD)

Period 1:
Maybe Henckel just started a little slow & was saving his best for latter on? Hopefully, we'll see some more offensive output in this match. Here we go! Caution on Henckel to start. That's more aggressive right away. Lol. Tying up & hand fighting. Lange shoots, but Henckel fights him off. Lange gets an underhook, Henckel fakes a shot & Lange sprawls back hard. Tying up & hand fighting again. Henckel drops to a leg, elevates it & trips Lange to the mat for the TD, 3-0. There we go! Henckel quickly gets Lange bellied out. Lange works back to his base, but Henckel is applying heavy pressure from top. Out of bounds & restart. Lange is still down. He works to a quadpod, but Henckel brings him back to his base. Henckel is working the wrist hard & looking for a turn, but it's stopped for some reason. Henckel is talking to the ref now, 5-sec left. I think Lange got a point for something. Lange starts down. Henckel rides out the period. 3-1 Henckel, +1:31 RT

Period 2:
Henckel starts down. He works to his feet, turns & gets a leg. He walks Lange out of bounds for the escape, 4-1. Tying up with hard hand fighting. Henckel with some snaps. Henckel fakes a duck & takes Lange to the edge. He drops to a leg. Lange gets a stall warning. Henckel walks Lange back towards center & then trips him to the mat for the TD, 7-1. Henckel rides out the period. 7-1 Henckel +1:15 RT

Period 3:
Lange chooses neutral. Circling, hand fighting & tying up. Henckel drops to a leg & elevates it. Lange bounces around on 1-leg, then turns & kicks free. Lange shoots, Henckel counters with a front headlock. Stalemate & neutral restart. Lange shoots, Henckel counters & adds another TD, 10-1. Now he's rolling! Henckel tries to lock up a cradle, but Lange breaks free & gets bellied out. Henckel looks for a turn, but Lange rolls through & time expires. Henckel adds a RT point, 11-1

William Henckel MD Josh Lange 11-1

 

[Efejle]

I don’t understand it either, think it’s Davis time. Hopefully Cael knows what he’s doing

I think taking a guy who beat your starter at 125 and having him move up to 141 and burn his RS that same season would be poor long-term lineup management. Desmond is 3-0 at 141, but his opponents have a combined record of 4-14, and his best result is a 9-0 major. I don't think he could compete in the B10 at 141 this year.

Not enough matches left for Davis to qualify. It's either Desmond or it's Nasdeo.

 

[Sunshine88!]

Very concerned about 141 and HWT. Hope Cael gives Lucas C a few matches to prove himself. Just seems like he scores more points. I know about the head to head which was 1 point but these guys know each other very well from the room. Guess we’ll see.

 

[pish69]

Not enough matches left for Davis to qualify. It's either Desmond or it's Nasdeo.

Don’t need any matches to qualify (just need to enter B1G tourney and steal a spot). That being said I think they go with Desmond..just my gut

 

[mvattivo]

I hate excuse making, but, I'm pretty sure Henckel is not 100%. That kid he wrestled came in 1-7 with mostly bonus point losses. It's good to see him battling through whatever he's dealing with, but, he's not wrestling like he usually does.

 

[Sunshine88!]

Not enough matches left for Davis to qualify. It's either Desmond or it's Nasdeo.

I’m thinking it’s gotta be Desmond. H just needs to be in that weight room and taking in calories big time right now.

 

[pish69]

I hate excuse making, but, I'm pretty sure Henckel is not 100%. That kid he wrestled came in 1-7 with mostly bonus point losses. It's good to see him battling through whatever he's dealing with, but, he's not wrestling like he usually does.

He’s usually attacking like a madman. Today he’s just counter scoring. Something off. Glad he’s fighting thru whatever it is

 

[Reslo1]

Not enough matches left for Davis to qualify. It's either Desmond or it's Nasdeo.

That is only a concern if he doesn’t place highly enough at the B1G tournament to earn an automatic bid. That seems unlikely given his previous results.

141 in the B1G will probably have 8 or 9 auto qualifiers this year. Davis technically doesn’t need to wrestle a single match until the B1G tournament. If he places top 8, he goes to nationals.

 

[LemonPie]

Henckel should still win the tournament. The field for 174 is atrocious.

 

[PUR158]

Very concerned about 141 and HWT. Hope Cael gives Lucas C a few matches to prove himself. Just seems like he scores more points. I know about the head to head which was 1 point but these guys know each other very well from the room. Guess we’ll see.

At least we will have 8 scoring wrestlers....

 

[pish69]

Asher up next mat 3 and Barr up next on mat 1

 

[Goggles Paisano]

Just concerned about the size of Desmond at 141. Hopefully he’s been spending a lot of time in the weight room. That will help big time.

I beg to differ.

This is far too late for the weight room, or the Cassar crash course at the buffet line. A small kid adding even 5 lbs of 'good' weight in season is nearly impossible.

Desmond weighed in last at 137.5 lbs to wrestle 141. His talent and skill are obvious, but that is waaayyy too much of a gap for the weight class. Guys like Mendez walk around near our above 150 before the cut. I am sorry but even the most skilled can't really deal with a 13 lb true body size differential ( that's nearly 10% of total body weight).

If I had to guess, Desmond is already working a slight decent back down just in case he is needed in an emergency to have a shot at backing up Luke and /or Marcus.

 

[jack66]

I see only 2 outcomes for Aaron. Either he's sick and will be back in shortly, or he reinjured himself and will be out for the year.

Sadly, I have suspected for a while now that Nagao's career would end like Robbie Howard's. Today reinforces that suspicion. Hope I'm wrong.

Unfortunately, I share the same thoughts.

 

[SlipperyPete]

197 R32: Josh Barr vs. Adam Ortega (CIT)

Period 1:
Barr immediately shoots for a leg, then transitions to a double. Ortega locks through the crotch. Barr keeps working, hooks the leg & comes behind for the TD, 3-0. Barr cuts Ortega, 3-1. Barr shoots again & gets to a leg, then bulls forward & finishes the TD, 6-1. Out of bounds & restart. Ortega is still down. Barr works a tight waist ride & gets Ortega bellied out. Ortega works back to his base. Barr goes for a reverse headlock move. Ortega counters & gets a leg. Out of bounds & restart. Ortega is still down. Barr goes over 1-min riding time. Ortega works to his feet. Barr trips him back to the mat. Barr cuts Ortega, 6-2. Barr snaps & comes behind for another TD, 9-2. He's working a hard cross-face & looking for a cradle. Ortega bellies out of it. Barr goes back to the cross-face & rides out the period. Barr +2:01 RT

Period 2:
Someone takes neutral. Barr shoots & gets another TD, 12-2, then adds 2 NF, 14-2. Ortega turns into Barr. Barr counters & locks up a cradle. He adds 4 NF more for the 18-2 Tech!

Josh Barr TECH Adam Ortega 18-2 (4:10)

 

[pish69]

Asher up 14-2 in 2nd and gets the fall!

 

[SlipperyPete]

184 R32: Asher Cunningham vs. Griff Gammell (UVA)

Period 1:
Tying up & hand fighting. Asher reaches for an ankle, but can't get there. He reaches for the other ankle & gets it. He elevates the leg & trips Gammell to the mat on the edge for the TD, 3-0. Stoppage for blood. Lots of blood. Casey councils his son & then comes out to help mop up all the blood. Very long stoppage right now. Gammell starts down. He works to his feet & gets the escape, 3-1. Tying up & hand fighting. Asher tries a arm drag, but can't finish. Asher drops in on a leg & finishes another TD, 6-1. More blood time. Gammell is gushing like a geyser! Back to action. Gammell is still down. He works to his feet, but Asher breaks him back down. Gammell works back to his feet & gets the escape, 6-2. Tying up & hand fighting again. Asher reaches for a leg, but Gammell blocks him off. Gammell drops in on a leg. Asher locks through the crotch, then works behind for the TD, 9-2. Asher throws a boot in. Gammell turns & looks for a reversal, but Asher stays with him & rides out the period. 9-2 Asher, +1:02 RT

Period 2:
Asher starts down. He turns & gets a leg. Gammell drapes over the top. Asher keeps working & finishes a reversal 11-2. Asher throws in a boot & has Gammell all twisted up. Asher adds 4 NF, 15-2, then the matched is stopped for more blood time. Gammell is still leaking. Back to action. Gammell starts down. He works to his feet, but Asher trips him back to the mat, then locks up a cradle. Oh yeah, baby! Asher gets the fall!!!

Asher Cunningham FALL Griff Gammell (4:29)

 

[orange nole]

Not enough matches left for Davis to qualify. It's either Desmond or it's Nasdeo.

He’d likely take an allocated spot, it’s certainly an option if he’s healthy and ready to go. In this transfer age and so many upcoming young studs, RSing isn’t what it used to be. But of course I defer to the coaches, we have the best.

 

[WV lion]

Not enough matches left for Davis to qualify. It's either Desmond or it's Nasdeo.

Always find a tournament somewhere. Lock haven usually has at least one.

 

[jack66]

I’m thinking it’s gotta be Desmond. H just needs to be in that weight room and taking in calories big time right now.

Will you stop?

Desmond is small at 141; eight weeks from now, he will still be small. Maybe Cael will go with him, but he won't be eating bonbons and spending extra time in the weight room.

 

[mcpat]

Way too many people eat like crap (regular sugar overdoses), drink excessive alcohol, and don't get sufficient amount of sunshine. This leads to metabolic issues which make people susceptible to infections.

I already have a mother, thank you.

 

[a_mshaffer]

Ellis looked good - seconds from a tech fall. Couldn't believe they are 197... has to be the optics

 

[o_BruceK-PSU83]

Very concerned about 141 and HWT. Hope Cael gives Lucas C a few matches to prove himself. Just seems like he scores more points. I know about the head to head which was 1 point but these guys know each other very well from the room. Guess we’ll see.

Didn't check previous match records, but unclear what this statement is based on. Also need to consider the quality of the opponent.

 

[Shifty15]

I already have a mother, thank you.

Plus the insinuation of excessive alcohol use on this board is strictly forbidden!!

 

[ClarkstonMark]

Didn't check previous match records, but unclear what this statement is based on. Also need to consider the quality of the opponent.

better if you just consider the quality of the poster

 

[nerfstate]

Davis shouldn’t need RPI to qualify. But I wonder if he has other considerations to clear (in the room, from his coaches) before he takes the mat again. I guess we’re likely to see soon. Definitely feel for Aaron….

 

[BriantheLion]

I think it is safe to assume none of our guys are wrestling with the flu or norovirus

…at least that they knew of going into the day!