'25 Final X, 6/14

[CarolinaFan1]

Jax looked great and deserved to win for sure and I wish he was PSU bound instead of Okie St. Not taking anything from him but, in my opinion, Vito looked like a shell of his former self. May not be popular but I for one would like to see the US do away with the auto bids for prior medal winners. We need the most competitive team we can get on the mat and I don’t think this version of Vito was top 2 in nation.

Edit: sorry don’t know how to move to Final X thread.

 

[RockySmith]

Two high school kids beat two Cornell legends to make the world team.

ok I’ll say it- “what’s going on in Ithaca?”

 

[An Old Pair of Asics]

Surprised no one has posted about it, but Jax Forrest beat Vito Arujau in match one, 4-3, taking place in Fargo.

In the second match Forrest dominated, opening with a quick TD + 2. After the break, Forrest got a step out to go up 5-0. Vito finally got a takedown but Forrest slipped the gut attempt, got his own 2, and nearly got a pin, with less than 10 seconds remaining. Forrest wins, 7-2, is on the world team.

Two high school kids beat two Cornell legends to make the world team.

Damn, congrats Jax!

 

[WEAREPSU_LI]

Is Jax that good (yes) and did Vito look bad? I think both are very clearly true. I say bad relatively. Vito did not look confident and quick.

 

[nerfstate]

Could be hurt, but Vito always seems to have this Jekyll/Hyde thing about him.

 

[Cstroke]

It’s a Cornell thing.
When those dudes are on they seem like they can be the best in the world..
If not well then…

 

[Psalm 1 guy]

EDIT: I don't know why I presumed Forrest wouldn't be taking the U23 slot also. This would give both he and PJ the opportunity to win gold at the U20, U23 and Senior World championships in the same year, matching Amit Elor, who accomplished the feat in 2022 and 2023.

Since Marcus Blaze was second in line behind Forrest for the 61 kg. U23 slot is Marcus allowed to claim the spot now, thus allowing Cornella the opportunity to take the 65 kg. slot that Marcus claimed before Forrest made the World Team?

 

[PAgeologist]

Could be hurt, but Vito always seems to have this Jekyll/Hyde thing about him.

I know he got this match delayed. Does anybody know why? Could be he was legitimately injured amd still not fully back?

Or was this one of his off days.

Cue up the Cornell lawyers...

 

[Dogwelder]

ok I’ll say it- “what’s going on in Ithaca?”

It's as if these Ithaca people weave a shroud of wrestling training during the day, and then unweave all that training at night!

 

[nerfstate]

It's as if these Ithaca people weave a shroud of wrestling training during the day, and then unweave all that training at night!

 

[PSUbluTX]

 

[RockySmith]

I believe a reference to Odysseus’ wife Penelope. When Odysseus was away and presumed dead, she said she would pick a suitor after weaving a garment. She wove all day, but she un-wove it every night, hoping her husband would come home before she had to make a choice.

 

[jstross]

Great match. Amazing how good these HS kids are.

 

[Tom McAndrew]

 

[Tom McAndrew]

 

[Tom McAndrew]

 

[Tom McAndrew]

 

[Tom McAndrew]

 

[Tom McAndrew]

 

[Dogwelder]

I believe a reference to Odysseus’ wife Penelope. When Odysseus was away and presumed dead, she said she would pick a suitor after weaving a garment. She wove all day, but she un-wove it every night, hoping her husband would come home before she had to make a choice.

Thank you, Rocky. What a nice, concise summary! I would only add that Odysseus was king of Ithaca.

 

[Reiterate]

Jax 4-3 with a very late takedown (0:06). Jax definitely gassed Vito. Given how exhausted Vito looked at the end of the match it will be interesting to see if Vito can compete strong for a full six minutes of match two, and three if needed. I'm definitely no SlipperyPete, but as far as how the scoring went, Vito with the first TD and then Vito got in on another good shot. There was an extended scramble with Jax getting the two. End of first period 2-2. About 45 seconds into the second Vito hit another nice shot which was countered by Jax, but Vito did get the step out point to make it 3-2. Both kept active with shots for the next two minutes or so, with Vito looking very tired. With about 30 seconds left Vito is warned for not engaging. Vito immediately shoots on the whistle resulting in a 13 second scramble where Jax breaks free and almost catches Vito's leg. Vito sprawls to his knees but makes the grave mistake of staying on his knees. Jax is able to spin behind, getting the very late TD. Restart at 0:05. Vito can barely walk back to center and doesn't even attempt a shot in those last five seconds.

That will do for freestyle but come fall we'll take the Slippery one. Right c-stroke?

 

[vhsalum1]

EDIT: I don't know why I presumed Forrest wouldn't be taking the U23 slot also. This would give both he and PJ the opportunity to win gold at the U20, U23 and Senior World championships in the same year, matching Amit Elor, who accomplished the feat in 2022 and 2023.

Since Marcus Blaze was second in line behind Forrest for the 61 kg. U23 slot is Marcus allowed to claim the spot now, thus allowing Cornella the opportunity to take the 65 kg. slot that Marcus claimed before Forrest made the World Team?

Jax did not attempt to make and is not on the u20 team.

only PJ can wrestle at u20, Seniors and u23

blaze has already accepted the spot at 65kg for u23. He’ll wrestle 61 at u20.

 

[nerfstate]

I believe a reference to Odysseus’ wife Penelope. When Odysseus was away and presumed dead, she said she would pick a suitor after weaving a garment. She wove all day, but she un-wove it every night, hoping her husband would come home before she had to make a choice.

Yep. The gif I posted is of Ulysses Everett McGill from the Coen Bro’s “O Brother, Where Art Thou”—a retelling of the Odyssey set in depression-era of the US south.

 

[PSU Mike]

Thank you, Rocky. What a nice, concise summary! I would only add that Odysseus was king of Ithaca.

Yes, the Lady of Cayuga Lake lobbed a scimitar at Odysseus and the rest is history.

 

[RockySmith]

Mineo comparing PJ‘s and Jax‘s performance to Jimmy Carr’s:

I am no Jimmy Carr expert, but Wikipedia says Jimmy was a 1x NCAA AA, placing fifth the year he medaled. Can you imagine if PJ and Duke finished with one low AA apiece? I can’t. Crazy.

 

[Tom McAndrew]

USA Wrestling released videos today of a bunch of Final X matches, so I'm posting some of them.

 

[Tom McAndrew]

 

[Tom McAndrew]

 

[Tom McAndrew]

 

[Tom McAndrew]

 

[Tom McAndrew]

 

[Tom McAndrew]

 

[Tom McAndrew]