Have not watched many televised meets on BTN, but those announcers were the most biased toward Penn State of any I have heard in any sport. That was one where I should have muted and just watched...they were AWFUL
Hmm, that's an interesting take. Typically BTN employs student announcers for the run-of-the-mill meets. In this instance this was the premier event on the calendar, #1 vs #2, PSU vs Iowa, and what could be better. (if you checked out the tOSU vs Michigan meet earlier on BTN, you'd have heard the 'B team', imo.)
For this meet in question, and it's only my opinion, ironically Jim Gibbons ('bring your hips to the party', Iowa State NCAA individual champion and Iowa State NCAA team champion coach), has slanted called historically towards Iowa/ midwestern wrestling. Generally speaking, that's the PSU fan's view. This last year or so he's shown less bias (again, my opinion) towards eastern wrestling in general and PSU in particular. For this dual, his partner, Shane ('cocaine' - based on his rah-rah enthusiasm for the sport) Sparks, has Wisconsin roots and aside from his exuberance, simply loves the sport and was trying to generate some interest in a meet that was painfully boring. *see other boards for the 'expert commentaries'. I'm a fan of both of these guys. I'd Love to sit down and talk wrestling with either or both of them if the opportunity presented itself. Both are Great for the sport.
I follow PSU wrestling and have enjoyed the PSU local announcer, Jeff (Ironhead) Byers, whose technical skills may be at times called into question, but his love for the sport and unbiased calling has given him a great reputation. Oftentimes I'll tune out the BTN announcers and sync the meet with his radio-play calling. (Check out the PSU website for his 'greatest calls'; he loses his voice in about half the bouts he's calling.) A gem!
I understand Grace and Ironside are top-notch, but unfortunately I have not had the opportunity to listen to them but from what I read they are great play callers, insightful, extremely knowledgeable and fair. I believe these guys' calling can be synced by radio with the BTN video. These are the kind of sports casters the sport deserves.
We're a niche sport and we'll take what we can get I suppose.
You guys have a Great one in Spencer Lee, enjoy him while he's here; and and an all-around well-rounded team. Enjoy the season; it's too short as it is!
See you all again in early March.
