Where would this page be w/o conspiracy theorists. The truth is never as exciting as fiction!
'25 NWCA All-Star Classic, 11/1, thread
- Thread starter pish69
- Start date
Yes. He went to follow DT not because of the competition. Lots what people think and hear in public is not what it is. Glad Rocco came to fill the spot before it was vacated.
No I don't think he was afraid of the competition at all. And anyone who knows him knows that's true.
Regret how? If everything goes according to the Pyles plan it could be a minimal point diff at the big show.
And why would such a secret remain with you? I don't believe it.A little bit more to the whole situation with Ryder leaving and Rocco coming in
Zach was bubbling over with his love for PSU, and excitement for the coming year, just a week before Rocco/Cael announced the intent to come over.
All evidence seems to some sort of feeling that trust had been broken, coupled with his long history with DT. I really hope DT didn't instantly pick up the phone and tamper, but I wouldn't be shocked. It does seem Cael and DT aren't so chummy since
Zach is more athletic with a far more aggressive style than Rocco. Zach's RS year was very encouraging. Rocco is with little doubt a high AA, but I will remain very butt hurt with this one, and in time I think it will be clear, it was a mistake. Top 2 guy lost for a top 3-4 guy, far from a crisis, but I lean towards loyalty and dipping our toes into the portal only when the need is great. IMO we had zero need here, and the end result disruptive.
As for Facundo, just to set the record straight with my overall feelings with guys portalling out. That was too much talent relegated to the bench, I am very happy for him and no better place than tOSU.
If there is a deeper back story, I would like to hear it, but I'm terms of the magnitude of secrets you are "in" on, this one would seem pretty minor.
You don't have to believe anything . And I'm not gonna get into it since you don't believe me anyway. Not some huge story but there is a backstory
Slightly adjusted to capture the original (2014) thought.
Somehow Cael struggled thru the past 11 years.
Just a thought. Anybody who proclaims letting a true freshman NCAA runner-up into your program after he shows up at your front door asking if he can come in as a mistake is expressing a fool's opinion.
Even if Ryder ends up winning 4 NCAA championships and Rocco never AAs again, there was no mistake made. Nobody told Ryder to go.
Even if Ryder ends up winning 4 NCAA championships and Rocco never AAs again, there was no mistake made. Nobody told Ryder to go.
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Have you watched the two...at all?
Rocco is a rock solid defensive low scoring controlled wrestler. A very tough out but he is not going to dominate top competition, I think we see a fair number of late 3rd period victories, maybe SV against AA caliber guys.
Ryder is much faster, more dynamic and aggressive. I though a pre season 7 or lower was a joke, but that's what happens with new guys. Give me Zack over Ferrari every day - yep, I said it, just wait. I bet you will see Zach get some majors against AA level guys, some catch & release.
Will it impact PSU? Likely not in a big way or if it does maybe 3 years from now.
That said, I was super stoked when we recruited him, existed by his RS year last year, and was anticipating yet another home grown multi timer. I think had he stayed, he would have won the spot.
So sure I remain bummed, partly because he is more exciting to watch.
My crystal ball has Zack losing to Max in the finals this coming year.
I think “Athletic” is one of those terms that varies wildly from one guy’s definition to the next. You can wrestle a defensive style and still be an athletic freak (thinking of J’den Cox as an example—but Rocco might also fit that bill pretty well).
On the other end, Mitchell is no physical freak, (other than his ability to perform while tired, but to me that’s a mental thing), but he sure is aggressive.
I, for one, am hoping to see more offense from Rocco this year. A leopard can’t necessarily change his spots, but our room offers a freedom to risk ratio that Tan Tom will never, ever truly comprehend.
Nobody tell Zain that SRATH is trying to give away Zain’s initials. We wouldn’t want SRATH’s head to get treated like a watermelon!
The kind of morning I am having………where is the Watermelon line.Nobody tell Zain that SRATH is trying to give away Zain’s initials. We wouldn’t want SRATH’s head to get treated like a watermelon!
My money on DT tampering and parents being to involved
Saying Ryder is faster, dynamic and aggressive is interesting. He definitely looked more aggressive in this last match but he has always been a defensive wrestler who is tough to score on. Lots of tight matches against good competition through the years. He might continue to grow offensively but you make him sound like Mesenbrink when he’s always been closer to Rocco in style
With the "support" for the classic shown by Rutgers fans and NJ fans in general, I think it's safe to say Rutgers might not be hosting a similar event for a while.
By that defintion, Mekhi Lewis and J'Den Cox weren't particularly athletic.
IDK... RBY was a great athlete... Zain not so much
Beau Bartlett was a great athlete... Nick Lee.... not as much
Antrell taylor is a great athlete---- Kasak...not so much
Ben Kueter great athlete.... Wyatt Hendrickson... not as much
I can keep going... some great athletes who are great wrestlers and some great wrestlers who were not the best athletes in the world
Im not saying that athleticism doesnt help but its not the defining character trait for great wrestlers!
Wyatt Hendrickson not a great athlete am I reading that right?
And where did he learn that at and from who? That's what he's paid to do
What are the objective metrics that define "athleticism"? Everybody has their own definition, but in general we're talking (forgive me, I'm an exercise physiologist):
Strength
Speed
Power
Mental Resilience
Aerobic Capacity
Anaerobic Capacity
Balance & Coordination
Agility
Stability
Mobility
I can see where you are going with your examples (RBY, Bartlett, Taylor appear to have high level balance & coordination, and agility), but those are only a few components of athleticism. And, in that context, I'd argue that Hendrickson is elite for a HWY and Kueter is not (he's proven to be fantastic at several different sports, but he always looks stiff to me while Hendrickson moves like a smaller man). Hendrickson and Kasak also have incredible strength and explosive power.
Seems like a pointless debate; all these guys are elite "athletes", with strengths and weaknesses in different areas. Now, if we are playing pickup basketball, (based on what I've seen on TV) I'm probably picking Mesenbrink last among top NCAA wrestlers, but he has some freakish athletic traits (aerobic and anaerobic capacity, mobility, mental resilience).
could he play anyother sport?
either way... dont get so caught up in the example that you missed the point
dont miss the point.....
That was my measuring stick... can this guy be great at any other sport?
Micah Parsons could have been a great wrestler... footbal player... etc
Gabel Stevenson.... same
ETC,
But agreed on the metrics or not... the point remains the same... some who are not great athletes, are still great wrestlers so athleticism (while a weapon) is not a make or break criteria in wrestling!
I run a metabolic health program for a medical facility, but in a previous life (prior to PhD) I worked at an athletic training facility primarily training guys for NFL and NBA combines and some combat sport athletes (mostly MMA).
If you’re basing your opinion on greater perceived quickness, that’s preference alone. I find the “not so’s” in your post every bit as athletic as those you compare them to. To me, in this particular sport, the successful execution of physical moves to counteract an opponent attempting the same is athletic as it gets. You don’t win NCAA titles or place third twice without being great at it.
This. Those who want to be the best in the world seek out the best partners. It's not about winning National championships for many of these kids, its about becoming world and Olympic champs.
might go with with coordination but I think hand/eye coordination is an indicator as well
What if the best partner in his estimation that he was looking for was David Taylor? It’s easy to forget that David could be his training partner and maybe that’s what influenced the decision.
Great wrestling and great athletes are not one for one. Greg Jones was a great athlete who happened to be a great wrester...
anthony robles didnt have legs and was a great wrestler. Not one in the same!
And Zahid. It’s unequivocally a very good situation for Ryder. I’ll still take Rocco come March.