IOWA WEEK!

[mvattivo]

Everyone here will agree that Caliendo is a good wrestler. Probable NC if it weren't for MM. If I were in Caliendo's position, I would wrestle the new "Iowa style" (sic) and try to stifle the action as much as possible. Then, in the last minute, go for broke and hope he can get a score without enough time on the clock for MM to catch up.

Caliendo is one of my all-time favorite Iowa wrestlers to watch. He wrestles the PSU style.

 

[mvattivo]

I believed they used to go to every single dual right?

I wonder if they could have been sold nowadays if we were able to get them a full scholarship for 5 years (back then Cael would probably have to ask In State kids to take almost nothing) I don't think the Hidlay brothers would ever be afraid to compete but hard to ask them to pay tuition (in state isn't even cheap at PSU) when they had full rides everywhere else.

Unfortunately, they were completely blocked at their weights. They found the perfect alternative at NC State. They are two of the nicest young men you could ever meet and they come from a solid family. They currently run a yearly match at the high school with proceeds going to charity. It features matchups of mostly local alumni and is a lot of fun.

 

[LittleJ]

Unfortunately, they were completely blocked at their weights. They found the perfect alternative at NC State. They are two of the nicest young men you could ever meet and they come from a solid family. They currently run a yearly match at the high school with proceeds going to charity. It features matchups of mostly local alumni and is a lot of fun.

I’m a fan - what you say is true.

 

[El_Jefe]

I can attest to this. Drake is a solid dude. Watched him in high school. Offensively gifted, strong motor, great mat awareness, and a will to win. At first it baffled me why these talented guys would get worse at Iowa. But now Drake falls into the long line of good high school wrestlers with a large upside that never progressed while at Iowa and it is almost automatic at this point. It really is sad because there is no reason Michael Kemerer, Alex Marinelli, Jacob Warner, Austin Desanto, Jaydin Eierman, Real Woods, Montell Marion, Thomas Gilman, etc did not win at least one title. Guys like Nasir Bailey, Abe Assad, Mike Evans (I acknowledge this is a stretch), Gabe Arnold, Ben Kueter and others were good high school wrestlers. There was upside. But they get to Iowa and they are so offensively challenged, no physical strength, prone to injury, and lacking mat awareness. If this year isn't the end where change is needed, the program is one step away from a crater.

Evans is not a stretch. He was #1 in the nation at 189 his HS SR year despite really being a 165/174. And he would've been an undefeated PA AAA state champ his JR year if he hadn't gotten suspended from school for the postseason -- that was a crappy break. (Which reminds me to update the Inside Jokes thread.)

Most of those guys peaked before their SR years. That's the biggest reason they didn't win titles. Gilman wrestled a terrible match vs Cruz when he was clearly the best 125, and Kemerer had the misfortune of being at the same weights as Nolf, Hall, and Starocci -- it's a brutal sport that way.

 

[Spykers Secretary]

 

[mcpat]

I can attest to this. Drake is a solid dude. Watched him in high school. Offensively gifted, strong motor, great mat awareness, and a will to win. At first it baffled me why these talented guys would get worse at Iowa. But now Drake falls into the long line of good high school wrestlers with a large upside that never progressed while at Iowa and it is almost automatic at this point. It really is sad because there is no reason Michael Kemerer, Alex Marinelli, Jacob Warner, Austin Desanto, Jaydin Eierman, Real Woods, Montell Marion, Thomas Gilman, etc did not win at least one title. Guys like Nasir Bailey, Abe Assad, Mike Evans (I acknowledge this is a stretch), Gabe Arnold, Ben Kueter and others were good high school wrestlers. There was upside. But they get to Iowa and they are so offensively challenged, no physical strength, prone to injury, and lacking mat awareness. If this year isn't the end where change is needed, the program is one step away from a crater.

In my view, most those Iowa guys did very well but peaked before their senior years and then regressed. DeSanto is an exception. Gilman probably is too. Nothing wrong with being NCAA top 3, but the number of guys at Iowa that don’t place as high in their last season of wrestling is baffling. I think @Wrestleknownothing once published something showing it.

 

[Tryingtodoitright]

Man, who taught him how to dress?

K-Mart?

 

[manatree]

Nothing says credible source like a recorded report while driving a car. Brings back visions of Vodka anonymously calling B1G compliance offices from the last pay phone in Iowa City.

 

[rainierelbert]

Evans is not a stretch. He was #1 in the nation at 189 his HS SR year despite really being a 165/174. And he would've been an undefeated PA AAA state champ his JR year if he hadn't gotten suspended from school for the postseason -- that was a crappy break. (Which reminds me to update the Inside Jokes thread.)

Most of those guys peaked before their SR years. That's the biggest reason they didn't win titles. Gilman wrestled a terrible match vs Cruz when he was clearly the best 125, and Kemerer had the misfortune of being at the same weights as Nolf, Hall, and Starocci -- it's a brutal sport that way.

Gotcha. I recall he was highly touted but watching him at Iowa, I always wondered what might have been with Evans. If he scored a takedown much less shot at the legs one was shocked.

Very brutal with Kemerer wrestling those studs. His match with Starocci in Carver is one of the best matches I’ve ever seen. And it was only 2-1

 

[El_Jefe]

In my view, most those Iowa guys did very well but peaked before their senior years and then regressed. DeSanto is an exception. Gilman probably is too. Nothing wrong with being NCAA top 3, but the number of guys at Iowa that don’t place as high in their last season of wrestling is baffling. I think @Wrestleknownothing once published something showing it.

Different take on DeSanto: he stagnated. Finished 3rd both of his last 2 years because once RBY figured him out, he stayed figured out.

And that's the thing with DeSanto -- he was clearly talented enough to win a title. He beat a lot of champs in his career (RBY, Cruiseliner Nick, Gross, Byrd, Lovett at least) plus a bunch of finalists (Micic, Fix, a few others). But often those guys beat him in rematches. They adjusted, he/Brands didn't.

 

[jmadden1998]

A wrestler from Cumberland cites no sources and claims this to be 99% true and Mineo reposts it.

 

[mcpat]

Different take on DeSanto: he stagnated. Finished 3rd both of his last 2 years because once RBY figured him out, he stayed figured out.

And that's the thing with DeSanto -- he was clearly talented enough to win a title. He beat a lot of champs in his career (RBY, Cruiseliner Nick, Gross, Byrd, Lovett at least) plus a bunch of finalists (Micic, Fix, a few others). But often those guys beat him in rematches. They adjusted, he/Brands didn't.

True but he didn’t regress. RBY got better. ADS went R12-5-Covid-3-3. That’s not regression.

 

[El_Jefe]

Gotcha. I recall he was highly touted but watching him at Iowa, I always wondered what might have been with Evans. If he scored a takedown much less shot at the legs one was shocked.

Very brutal with Kemerer wrestling those studs. His match with Starocci in Carver is one of the best matches I’ve ever seen. And it was only 2-1

Evans definitely pinned Chris Perry during that scramble in the semis, then lost in rideouts. I doubt he would've beaten Howe in the finals, but he got robbed of the chance.

 

[Aardvark86]

A wrestler from Cumberland cites no sources and claims this to be 99% true and Mineo reposts it.

…while bemoaning “all the rumors out there”

 

[donboy6499]

The joint probability you calculated assumes each trial is independent. If Penn State gets out fast, that demoralizes the Hawks. If they get lucky on a couple bouts, the crowd goes nuts and they are pumped. Not independent trials.

Damn, I finally get to use that stuff from QBA 101-which is obsolete.

Yeah. I'm sure the late Mr. Nick Skimbo, who taught the course at PSU Hazleton would be proud.

Will Hunting ova here.

 

[Sportfan2017]

…while bemoaning “all the rumors out there”

Hey.....It is the rumor that I wanted to hear so I choose to believe it. Isn't that how it works now?

 

[Colt2169]

The joint probability you calculated assumes each trial is independent. If Penn State gets out fast, that demoralizes the Hawks. If they get lucky on a couple bouts, the crowd goes nuts and they are pumped. Not independent trials.

Damn, I finally get to use that stuff from QBA 101-which is obsolete.

Yeah. I'm sure the late Mr. Nick Skimbo, who taught the course at PSU Hazleton would be proud.

Wow QBA - had it at PSU Schuylkill back in the day

 

[District 4]

I can attest to this. Drake is a solid dude. Watched him in high school. Offensively gifted, strong motor, great mat awareness, and a will to win. At first it baffled me why these talented guys would get worse at Iowa. But now Drake falls into the long line of good high school wrestlers with a large upside that never progressed while at Iowa and it is almost automatic at this point. It really is sad because there is no reason Michael Kemerer, Alex Marinelli, Jacob Warner, Austin Desanto, Jaydin Eierman, Real Woods, Montell Marion, Thomas Gilman, etc did not win at least one title. Guys like Nasir Bailey, Abe Assad, Mike Evans (I acknowledge this is a stretch), Gabe Arnold, Ben Kueter and others were good high school wrestlers. There was upside. But they get to Iowa and they are so offensively challenged, no physical strength, prone to injury, and lacking mat awareness. If this year isn't the end where change is needed, the program is one step away from a crater.

 

[Dren007]

guess whos going to CHA this Friday…

my buddy can defend both of us, luckily

Can't be true, those Brands boys ALWAYS do it the right way. All this time IronTurd was beating the drum of a program doing dirty stuff and he was right, just had the program wrong.

 

[rainierelbert]

Different take on DeSanto: he stagnated. Finished 3rd both of his last 2 years because once RBY figured him out, he stayed figured out.

And that's the thing with DeSanto -- he was clearly talented enough to win a title. He beat a lot of champs in his career (RBY, Cruiseliner Nick, Gross, Byrd, Lovett at least) plus a bunch of finalists (Micic, Fix, a few others). But often those guys beat him in rematches. They adjusted, he/Brands didn't.

And that's the thing, especially against RBY. DeSanto needed to vary his attacks. I'd watch their matches and wonder why he never switched it up. He'd get to the leg and then nothing happened. It was so maddening because the lack of adjustments with matches over time, and it is still happening.

 

[rainierelbert]

Evans definitely pinned Chris Perry during that scramble in the semis, then lost in rideouts. I doubt he would've beaten Howe in the finals, but he got robbed of the chance.

Ahhh, don't remind me.

 

[The Pitchfork Rebel]

Nothing says credible source like a recorded report while driving a car. Brings back visions of Vodka anonymously calling B1G compliance offices from the last pay phone in Iowa City.

I would like to see someone drop to their knees against Messenbrink. We might see the solution. Won't matter that they are waiting for it. Can't stop a Tornado.

EF5. at that.

 

[AgSurfer]

One more Facebook post:

========================================================================================
I’ve been an Iowa fan as far back as I can remember. I love the Brands bros, their style, & killer mentality on the mat but my goodness how many fumbles until you have to ask yourself does a change need to be made??? Bo Basset is a generational hs talent. He’s very likely going to do phenomenal things in college. If you asked AI create a wrestler that epitomizes the Iowa style of wrestling you would get Bo. They fumbled Bo. Fumbled Mo. Fumbled AJ. I can go on but won’t. Brands bros need to adapt or coach elsewhere.. Iowa should always be competing for a national championship.. Iowa might(Might) only win 2 matches against Psu. Crazy

 

[Cstroke]

Obviously no one here probably knows what happened there with Endene..
My tea leaf reading skills are questionable at best..
A theory?? Endene was banged up was thinking about getting a medical redshirt, the Brands/Slumlord got wind of this along with other rumors that other teams were pursuing him if he got one... Slumlord and Brands cut bait...

 

[AgSurfer]

Obviously no one here probably knows what happened there with Endene..
My tea leaf reading skills are questionable at best..
A theory?? Endene was banged up was thinking about getting a medical redshirt, the Brands/Slumlord got wind of this along with other rumors that other teams were pursuing him if he got one... Slumlord and Brands cut bait...

I saw another post somewhere that said Endene was dealing with a neck injury and needed a little extra time to heal up as well as needing a little time with his family after his baby was born. The post said Brands wanted him to get an injection in his neck and get back to full time wrestling right away. Endene said no and that ended it. If the post is correct, I can appreciate why Endene was being a little cautious. Neck injuries should not be taken lightly. I had to have my C5/C6 vertebrae fused some years after graduating because of an injury from wrestling. I was having pretty severe pain and I could feel the tips of my fingers tingling due to nerve irritation. If Endene was having similar symptoms, he had every reason to be careful.

 

[YeOldeCup]

Probably the worst strategy possible for a knee wrestler. They're waiting for it.

I've posted this in the past. There should be no such thing as a "knee wrestler," apart from someone missing a leg (Robles). A count for stalling should be issued for willfully taking a knee at neutral.

 

[a_mshaffer]

And that's the thing, especially against RBY. DeSanto needed to vary his attacks. I'd watch their matches and wonder why he never switched it up. He'd get to the leg and then nothing happened. It was so maddening because the lack of adjustments with matches over time, and it is still happening.

Brands adjusted. He brought a shoe to the match and held it up when RBY grabbed the ankle

 

[WV lion]

I've posted this in the past. There should be no such thing as a "knee wrestler," apart from someone missing a leg (Robles). A count for stalling should be issued for willfully taking a knee at neutral.

Pretty sure in freestyle it is a stalling call or whatever terminology they use.

 

[mcpat]

One more Facebook post:

========================================================================================
I’ve been an Iowa fan as far back as I can remember. I love the Brands bros, their style, & killer mentality on the mat but my goodness how many fumbles until you have to ask yourself does a change need to be made??? Bo Basset is a generational hs talent. He’s very likely going to do phenomenal things in college. If you asked AI create a wrestler that epitomizes the Iowa style of wrestling you would get Bo. They fumbled Bo. Fumbled Mo. Fumbled AJ. I can go on but won’t. Brands bros need to adapt or coach elsewhere.. Iowa should always be competing for a national championship.. Iowa might(Might) only win 2 matches against Psu. Crazy

I always find these “Iowa Style” posts funny. Outside of DeSanto, who has wrestled this so-called “Iowa Style” since the 80s? “Iowa Style” today can be defined as wrestling from one knee and winning on an OT rideout.

 

[Nitlion1986]

I always find these “Iowa Style” posts funny. Outside of DeSanto, who has wrestled this so-called “Iowa Style” since the 80s? “Iowa Style” today can be defined as wrestling from one knee and winning on an OT rideout.

You are forgetting the most important ingredient for Iowa wrestling. There are a couple who drop to a knee looking for the guy who maintains a high stance and steps into the low one knee for an easy shot. For the most part they still try pushing and singing, "heeeessss staaaalllllinnnnn" and the stall point to give them their desired 2-1 victory.

 

[NittanyChris]

I always find these “Iowa Style” posts funny. Outside of DeSanto, who has wrestled this so-called “Iowa Style” since the 80s? “Iowa Style” today can be defined as wrestling from one knee and winning on an OT rideout.

Exactly. Iowa style today: don't take a shot, tie up and hand fight, push and push and beg for stalling, etc etc

 

[Spykers Secretary]

 

[Matter7172]

If even 10% of this is true, it's a horrendous look.

 

[Hotshoe]

I always find these “Iowa Style” posts funny. Outside of DeSanto, who has wrestled this so-called “Iowa Style” since the 80s? “Iowa Style” today can be defined as wrestling from one knee and winning on an OT rideout.

Nah, Iowa style is wrestling on the outside line, circling, circling, circling, head slaps, and virtually no attacks.

 

[BaccaFarmer]

A psu beat down immediately after this news is going to have that fan base on tilt.

such bad timing

Working on a farm on a cold windy day has few charms …… thus …. I sit by the window and scroll down this thread. I am warmed by the thought of reading the Squawkeye site on Friday night. Those guys are running out of stock excuses …. so we ought to see some new thinking/delusions.

 

[BaccaFarmer]

Good points.

I will add:

- I expect that Calendo will keep it close again, But he’s NO MM, but almost no one is.

Almost?

 

[namenoonechose]

Alright, I just have to ask.. Why would any recruit want to go to Iowa at this point? This is a serious question. Injuries. Lack of development. Lack of culture. I don’t see the appeal.

 

[Hotshoe]

I put no faith in this being 100% true, but if it is, wtf? Where is the trainer and university doc at?

 

[Hotshoe]

Working on a farm on a cold windy day has few charms …… thus …. I sit by the window and scroll down this thread. I am warmed by the thought of reading the Squawkeye site on Friday night. Those guys are running out of stock excuses …. so we ought to see some new thinking/delusions.

You should be riding with me today shoeing horses. 30°, 40 mph winds, horses batsh&t crazy in the wind. It's a great day to be alive! Lol

 

[RockySmith]

I put no faith in this being 100% true, but if it is, wtf? Where is the trainer and university doc at?

Can you imagine Cael kicking Nagao off the team if he wouldn’t get a cortisone shot in his shoulder to compete Friday?