I'm excited to see what this year's drama will be.
Happy Soldier Salute Week!
- Thread starter dtripp26
- Start date
Some reference to mostly non starters but hope that isn't the case. Really looking forward to some matchups this weekend.
125: Delucca (hope he is healthy) against Peterson. Peterson has made me a believer but would like to see where Delucca is at. Maybe the former Clone Terukina in there but doubt NC sends him. I think this is an open tournament so why not throw Spencer Lee out there, that would be fun.
133: No real challenges for no brake Drake so tear it up Drake.
141: Bailey could get that Tagg fella from SDSU, they send starters for most part I think. They are pretty evenly matched on paper.
149: Im so impressed with Ryder, I have that confidence in him that I had when he came out of high school to the Hawks. I believe he had a pretty tight match with Edmund in Natty duals if Mizzou sends him.
157: Hope JW is back on the mat and puts on a show. Estrada can give him trouble or Swenson of SDSU. If Estrada and JW reach the finals, please let that go down as I really want to see that go down.
165: Cali will light up the scoreboard. I think Mayfield gave him a battle at Nattys but Cali seems to be hitting his stride now. I am so going to miss Cali after this year, so much fun to watch wrestle.
174: PK vs Gabe, enough said. But also throw Wask into the semis. Great weight for SS.
184: Could we see Ferrari vs Sinclair round 2? Don't know why Mizzou wouldn't send him, if he wins he probably coasts to Nattys with #1 seed.
197: This could be a great semi and finals if everybody shows. Mo, Berge of SDSU, Novak Wyoming and Bates of Mizzou.
285: Would be great if we get a healthy BK back for this tournament. Personally, I have my doubts we see him wrestling into semis if at all. Him vs Carroll would be nice to see.
125: Delucca (hope he is healthy) against Peterson. Peterson has made me a believer but would like to see where Delucca is at. Maybe the former Clone Terukina in there but doubt NC sends him. I think this is an open tournament so why not throw Spencer Lee out there, that would be fun.
133: No real challenges for no brake Drake so tear it up Drake.
141: Bailey could get that Tagg fella from SDSU, they send starters for most part I think. They are pretty evenly matched on paper.
149: Im so impressed with Ryder, I have that confidence in him that I had when he came out of high school to the Hawks. I believe he had a pretty tight match with Edmund in Natty duals if Mizzou sends him.
157: Hope JW is back on the mat and puts on a show. Estrada can give him trouble or Swenson of SDSU. If Estrada and JW reach the finals, please let that go down as I really want to see that go down.
165: Cali will light up the scoreboard. I think Mayfield gave him a battle at Nattys but Cali seems to be hitting his stride now. I am so going to miss Cali after this year, so much fun to watch wrestle.
174: PK vs Gabe, enough said. But also throw Wask into the semis. Great weight for SS.
184: Could we see Ferrari vs Sinclair round 2? Don't know why Mizzou wouldn't send him, if he wins he probably coasts to Nattys with #1 seed.
197: This could be a great semi and finals if everybody shows. Mo, Berge of SDSU, Novak Wyoming and Bates of Mizzou.
285: Would be great if we get a healthy BK back for this tournament. Personally, I have my doubts we see him wrestling into semis if at all. Him vs Carroll would be nice to see.
Flo has projections based on Mizzou sending a full squad. Not sure how accurate this will turn out to be, nor if we will even send a full squad.
www.flowrestling.org
Ranked Wrestlers At The 2026 Soldier Salute - FloWrestling
Check out a list of every ranked wrestler who could potentially compete at the 2026 Soldier Salute wrestling tournament.
Flo has projections based on Mizzou sending a full squad. Not sure how accurate this will turn out to be, nor if we will even send a full squad.
Ranked Wrestlers At The 2026 Soldier Salute - FloWrestling
Check out a list of every ranked wrestler who could potentially compete at the 2026 Soldier Salute wrestling tournament.
If everyone listed actually shows up, it is a good tournament. Unfortunately, I don't think that is likely.
It has gotten better each year since inception but this year looks to be along the lines of last year. (Unless more show up than I'm guessing.) Was hoping to see the upward trend continue.
Wonder if Mizzou would want to send Sinclair for the opportunity to overtake Ferrari in seeding with a win. But then, what would be Ferraris motivation for a rematch now. I think of McEnally, Welsh and Sinclair, that Sinclair has the best chance of taking down Ferrari.Flo has projections based on Mizzou sending a full squad. Not sure how accurate this will turn out to be, nor if we will even send a full squad.
Ranked Wrestlers At The 2026 Soldier Salute - FloWrestling
Check out a list of every ranked wrestler who could potentially compete at the 2026 Soldier Salute wrestling tournament.
If I was Mizzou, every starter and any decent backup would be on the bus north to beat Iowa at their own tourney. Midwest recruiting implications. We think Iowa will sit some starters or not have them face off in a finals. Likely will sit Angelo (I agree with this) because he has nothing to gain whatsoever and Aedon has everything to gain for NCAA seeding. You already beat him and he doesn't wrestle in the BIG so don't reward him for already losing to you. Call it orange- I dont care- I am tired of non BIG guys getting rewarded with NCAA seeding and punishing the BIG Runner up for not wrestling in a lesser conference finals. At this point even IF Angelo lost to Max or Welsh, he at least holds that head to head for a 3rd seed. Dont give that up to be a 4/5 if Aedon gets him this time. That's not being scared its more like FU- you had your chance and you will have to wait until March.
Id be more concerned with the tourney going forward rather than twitter comments. Maybe planned and SS is looking for an out and Hawks move on to another tournament.
Or Ferrari could put an exclamation point on Sinclair before BT season starts. Really don't think it is going to matter. Ferrari, Sinclair, McEnally and Welsh are semi finals but the 4 seed will get the Maryland guy.
But thats the thing. What good would the exclamation point do other than hawk fans high fiving each other. Go 2-0 vs Sonclair still doesnt matter if McEnally or Welsh both beat him. And if Sinclair wins then he would 100% be the #1 seed if all Angelo, Max and Welsh trade each other losses.
That's my whole point is not only bad for Angelo but that loss opens the door to justify Sinclair over all the BIG 184s unless they go undefeated from here on out. Unless you think Sinclair has any serious match left on his schedule? IDK that but I am sure somebody will tell us his remaining competition.
Probably depends on how the match with Ferrari and Sinclair turns out. A close win by Sinclair - then they are 1-1. Angelo takes care of business during the regular season and Big Tens and it would be hard to not give him the #1 seed based on the level of competition. If he gets beat by either Welsh or McEnally, the #1 seed is unlikely, but doubtful it would drop him to #4.
I just checked Midlands "potential" participants - that tournament has spiraled downward big time. ZERO top ten wrestlers.
If head to head is 1-1, they will always award who won the last match if both Angelo and Aedon won out. Again that's why Angelo shouldn't give up that head to head advantage given Aedon also defeated Max.
We don't freaking sit wrestlers unless there's a physical reason. You don't NOT wrestle your varsity guys in your own tournament. I really hope the starters go or it'll be completely embarrassing.
Why are there rumors of them not wrestling that doesn’t even make sense?
Those are good points. But for the sake of argument: Ferrari has no doubts he would beat Sinclair again at SS and if he does, Sinclair is out of hope for top seed. If McEnally and/or Welsh beat him, he is still a 1 or 2 loss guy same as Sinclair and seeds higher due to h to h. Im not really sure it makes any difference, those four will be in semis and battle it out at Nattys.
100. Just check out the brackets and #1 seeds. I thought Id watch some before I looked at the brackets.
An athlete is finished as soon as he is more focused on what happens if you lose than what happens when you win. Negative mind set will destroy you. Goes for the fans too. Worry and/or ***** about something when it becomes reality.
This. If we don’t send our starters why in the world would we have the SS in CHA.
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I meant in Iowa, whether it's CHA or Xtream Arena. I just think that if we want to grow it - and we've been doing a good job IMO - we need to bring our A-team to the party.
I think Bailey and Williams should wrestle for sure . If Angelo wrestles, we are playing right into Sinclair’s hands, where he has nothing to lose and everything to gain. It may make more sense for McNelly to come and try to avenge his only loss to a guy he won’t see again before the tournament. I think Kennedy should sit out. He has a lot of miles on him with a very grinding physical style. Even if Gabe were to beat him, I don’t think they are just going to hand him the spot. I think it’s important for Gabe to show he can make the weight and be very effective for next year. Torres should be our 165, again as a preview for next year. I’m excited to see how Deluca and Ludington do.
Don't think I have ever seen Cali take time off.
I tend to agree with most everything you said here. 141 and 157 is the only weights I think we see starters at, and I'm not sure who that even is at 157. Let the backups and freshman show what they have against some solid competition.
I can't believe I'm reading all of you saying the starters should duck the competition! This is embarrassing. The only reason to sit out is because of injury. What a horrible look it would be to sit out the starters. If the hawks do not bring their starters why should any other team? What fans are going to show up to a JV tourney?
The backups can wrestle even if the starters participate.
Entries will be submitted today. Tom Brands interview said he would look at each starter individually. Made reference twice about Wisconsin coming up 5 days after, got the feeling he would have been happy to have the SS continue on the 28th and 29th although no negativity with SS board. Id still like to see starters at SS and rest some at Wisconsin but then that's probably why Im a fan and not a coach, decision could have more to do with BT seeding.
If “resting” is the goal then why practice?
I get that. People in the know (which isn't me) say this events timing really messes with the training cycle for the season. I know nothing about that, but it is why I think you will only see a few starters going and most of the young guys and backups. I don't like it either, but it is what it is. Maybe this is the beginning of the end for the SS? Guess we will find out.
It sounds a bit rigid to me, but I’m just a casual fan, apparently.
Everyone knows the new reality for all in season large tournaments. A consistent decline in the last 10 years pretty much across the board with Vegas the only one really hanging on. Outside of that it is non-attended opens with 10+ mats rushed through on a Saturday.
we jumped into a concept that was a sinking ship.
That being said, Wisconsin blows so can’t we basically win that dual with back ups and true fresh dates?
Either wrestle everyone or cut this tourney and use the time, resources, and energy to create something new and innovative—
we jumped into a concept that was a sinking ship.
That being said, Wisconsin blows so can’t we basically win that dual with back ups and true fresh dates?
Either wrestle everyone or cut this tourney and use the time, resources, and energy to create something new and innovative—
This!
Even with Angelo’s win he faces a much tougher schedule going forward than Sinclair and the potential for a loss.
The seeding criteria already heavily favors Sinclair to be the #1 seed at NCAA’s. Sinclair will coast to a conference championship and probably won’t lose the rest of the year, giving him the highest overall rating for NCAA seeding.
No need for Angelo to wrestle, if you’re looking ahead.
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First off TT have no clue on timing of training cycles. Second this isnt even 1/2 way thru season. Tapering dodging, protecting seeds and resting im guessing wasnt in the gable era. To someone elses comment….then why practice? Room days make tourneys feel like a break. Nothing makes sense with this program…no transparency to fan base like hes running the nuke program, injuries, 0 development and improvement over an athletes career, HWC a national joke to recruits…..i get it, perenial top 5 team that most colleges would love but iowa hasnt been most colleges. They were the bar on team and certainly HWC. Now look at both.
just watch OSU okie st and penn state kids wrestle and compete. Then watch our beloved hawks. Skills, Strength, OFFENSE, desire so far past these TT teams the last few yrs. I dont see it coming back till change of staff. TT unreal athletes and competitors some of the best of all time but not as coaches. Not seeing it anymore.
I don't see much advantage, maybe a little tougher road to the semis. The 4 seed will get the Maryland guy but top 4 will settle it in semis and finals. If Ferrari has a favorable match up, then seeding can come into play.
My point being practices are much tougher than matches, again if resting is the criteria. I realize there’s more to consider, just using the straw man that was thrown out earlier.
Practices may be more physically exhausting, but matches have a higher intensity level and therefore chance for injury. Think back to when we won Nats and forward, to all the guys who got hurt during matches. Lee, Marinelli, Eireman (sic) to last year with Teemer and Parco.
We have the toughest schedule this year bar none. March matters and injuries heading into it matter
Exactly, Iowa's schedule is brutal. They wrestle damn near every top 10 team, plus multiple matches against the Big 10 guys (who make up lots of the top guys at each weight). Everyone bitches about injuries and over training, but then want everyone to wrestle every match from November thru March?! Seems to me Carl wrestles a complete cupcake non conference schedule and limits matches drastically for starters. Which path has been better over the last 10 years?! Maybe Carl is on to something, yet TnT get criticized for starting to limit matches while Carl is a genious. Sucks for us fans, but Tom is trying to adapt imo. Fans can complain and rightfully so about some things Tom is or isn't doing, but wrestling less matches for the starters isn't one of them imo. Duals are for the fans. March is all that matters anymore for the wrestlers, like it or not.
Thanks! Now can you help me understand how holding the event a week earlier would affect that dynamic?