I've yet to see Lugo do anything on the freestyle circuit. Hell that goes for all of those Iowa guys that you just mentioned. Marinelli backed out of the only match he's been offered. DeSanto? Young? The only guy in that group that might amount to something is Eierman...
The RTC is to help fund wrestlers on their journey to win Olympic and World medals, regardless of their age.
Torres is a resident athlete at the RTC. There are also three members of the French national team, along with several others from around the world that are spending significant time in Stillwater to train with our coaches and athletes. CWC isn't funding them, but they are there. And once this freestyle season ends, you'll see some guys that are trying to make Team USA join the club. Then in three-four years you'll have Daton, Plott, Carter Young, Victor Voinovich all competing for spots on world teams... and staying in Stillwater because of the fundraising that is taking place now.
BTW, have you joined the CWC yet?
You're missing the point.
- Lugo is better than Torres in freestyle, look up their results. But the real value of RTCs for colleges is in folkstyle anyway. And we all know folkstyle practices are happening. Lugo was the #1 seed and favorite to win NCAAs @ 149 in 2020. His value in training with the Iowa lower & middle weights far exceeds Torres's value in training with OSU's upper weights. Look at Alex's impact on Michigan this year. 157-184 all AA'd.
- RTCs are designed to promote the international styles at all age levels, true. But people donate $ to fund the post grads. It attracts top recruits knowing they will have elite training partners. And those recruits know they will one day get the opportunity to be paid themselves as they chase their Olympic dreams.
- If Torres is a resident athlete then he should be listed on the website. BTW, listing college guys is ridiculous. Hopefully we don't start listing the Stillwater HS guys next. And hosting a few French visitors and others is nice, but it pales in comparison with what other colleges are doing. Some schools are hosting entire national teams for college duals on Rokfin. Maybe one day we'll wake up and start a Rokfin channel of our own.
- You asked about joining the CWC. Here's a story...3 years ago I attempted to contact the wrestling office inquiring about how I could donate to the RTC. Left 2 voicemails - and got no reply. Someone suggested I try emailing Holder. Holder replied within 2 hours. He directed me to someone from the wrestling office and cc'd them. I emailed that person directly and asked for the address and also if there was a way to donate to the RTC online, with the idea of recurring payments. They said they would get back to me - and then never did.
Maybe things are changing. Hopefully they are. But at this point, I don't plan to join the CWC until I hear John state that he fully supports the RTC model - and that he will be adding post grad athletes and coaches. Posts on message boards just don't cut it for me.
