Request for input - BWI's 2025-2026 PSU wrestling coverage

[GregPickel]

Good morning, all! We're now 14 days from the start of the 2025-2026 Penn State wrestling season. It's been awesome interacting with so many of you from last season during the busy offseason. It's also been great to meet the many of you who came over when the Rivals board merged here.

This will be season seven, at least, for me covering PSU wrestling. I did so for four years in college while interning at Statecollege.com and working at Fight On State. I then covered football at PennLive and watched from afar as the great Jim Carlson did his thing. When I joined BWI back in 2021, I picked wrestling back up as part of the coverage plan for the year, and have been doing it ever since. @TFrankCarr is the man behind the magic of bringing you video of many of Cael Sanderson's weekly news conferences. He also hosts BWI's wrestling show/podcast.

With all of that background out of the way, I wanted to get some input from all of you about what you'd like to see this season. I realize this board is self-sufficient and doesn't need much. But, what extras would you like? A typical week breaks down like this: Cael news conference video + notebook, midweek wrestling show/podcast, wrestler feature based on who's available, weekend preview and predictions, match coverage, extra tournament coverage when needed, and post-match/tournament takeaways. We'll obviously cover the sport at large in terms of rankings updates, recruiting news, and more.

Beyond that, I'm curious what else you all would read and consume. No idea is a bad idea, and we'll get to as many as we can throughout the year. Thanks for reading and being part of the community here at BWI!

 

[tbay]

I would like to see a story on what Cael's first national championship team members from 2011 are doing today. Some are known and obvious, but others not so much.

 

[manatree]

What I think would be helpful is a weekly (Wed or Thu) listing of who our scheduled opponents are wrestling in the upcoming weekend. Ideally with tv/streaming availability included. Bonus if all B1G schools are included plus a few other top schools. Something similar to what Tom does each week with the Premier League each week.

https://www.on3.com/boards/threads/2025-2026-premier-league-thread.1842961/page-7#post-173811728

 

[amattaro]

If you travel with the team, would be cool to see some behind the scenes stuff of the logistics of the trips.

 

[El_Jefe]

Dodgeball coverage.

 

[WPIALBrwnPSU]

Someone to infiltrate the system and violate HIPPA on medical issues with head nods as to upper body injury or lower body injury.

Im still going with Barr having turf toe until someone nods me wrong after I read 100 more posts on what is wrong, he's in the room, he's 184 or he is at Rutgers.

 

[BaccaFarmer]

Good morning, all! We're now 14 days from the start of the 2025-2026 Penn State wrestling season. It's been awesome interacting with so many of you from last season during the busy offseason. It's also been great to meet the many of you who came over when the Rivals board merged here.

This will be season seven, at least, for me covering PSU wrestling. I did so for four years in college while interning at Statecollege.com and working at Fight On State. I then covered football at PennLive and watched from afar as the great Jim Carlson did his thing. When I joined BWI back in 2021, I picked wrestling back up as part of the coverage plan for the year, and have been doing it ever since. @TFrankCarr is the man behind the magic of bringing you video of many of Cael Sanderson's weekly news conferences. He also hosts BWI's wrestling show/podcast.

With all of that background out of the way, I wanted to get some input from all of you about what you'd like to see this season. I realize this board is self-sufficient and doesn't need much. But, what extras would you like? A typical week breaks down like this: Cael news conference video + notebook, midweek wrestling show/podcast, wrestler feature based on who's available, weekend preview and predictions, match coverage, extra tournament coverage when needed, and post-match/tournament takeaways. We'll obviously cover the sport at large in terms of rankings updates, recruiting news, and more.

Beyond that, I'm curious what else you all would read and consume. No idea is a bad idea, and we'll get to as many as we can throughout the year. Thanks for reading and being part of the community here at BWI!

• “Clutch Takedown Percentage”
Measure how often wrestlers successfully secure takedowns in the final 30 seconds of periods—especially in tied or one-score matches—giving insight into peak pressure performance.
• “Reversal Momentum Index”
Track the impact and frequency of a wrestler scoring reversals after conceding points. This stat identifies athletes who excel at rapidly regaining control and shifting match momentum.
• “Riding Time Suppression Rate”
Quantify a wrestler’s ability to prevent opponents from accumulating riding time, showing defensive proficiency in bottom position far beyond what current riding time stats imply.
• “Escape Efficiency”
Calculate the average time it takes for a wrestler to escape from the bottom position, normalized by the opponent’s season-average riding time

 

[Reslo1]

Dodgeball coverage.

obligatory:

 

[Goggles Paisano]

The secret system to KYPSW!

 

[Corby2]

A 2025-26 roster would be nice for starters. Do interviews with the RS guys so the fans can get familiar

 

[Ruby Tues]

If you travel with the team, would be cool to see some behind the scenes stuff of the logistics of the trips.

I second the behind the scenes aspect. Like a Hard Knocks or Full Swing style doc. Although I know that is a lot to ask.

 

[centaur94]

You should pay @SlipperyPete . PBP is outstanding

 

[El_Jefe]

I second the behind the scenes aspect. Like a Hard Knocks or Full Swing style doc. Although I know that is a lot to ask.

I'd rather see Hard Knocks Iowa.

Remember the Hard Knocks NYG episode when the Giants GM told the owner he's gonna let Saquon be a free agent, and the owner said he hopes Saquon doesn't sign with the Eagles?

There's gotta be some Iowa equivalent.
Brands: we're not gonna call Aaron Brooks.
AD: I hope he doesn't go to Cael.

Something like that ...

 

[GregPickel]

I would like to see a story on what Cael's first national championship team members from 2011 are doing today. Some are known and obvious, but others not so much.

That's a great idea! It's one I'm probably not going to have time for until after football season ends so be patient with me but that would be a fantastic story to tell.

 

[GregPickel]

What I think would be helpful is a weekly (Wed or Thu) listing of who our scheduled opponents are wrestling in the upcoming weekend. Ideally with tv/streaming availability included. Bonus if all B1G schools are included plus a few other top schools. Something similar to what Tom does each week with the Premier League each week.

https://www.on3.com/boards/threads/2025-2026-premier-league-thread.1842961/page-7#post-173811728

Can work that into the plan each week for sure. Not sure if any of them are wrestling this week but will say I'm not going to get to it before the weekend though I do have something coming in this realm. Good idea. Thanks!

 

[GregPickel]

If you travel with the team, would be cool to see some behind the scenes stuff of the logistics of the trips.

I do not, unfortunately, but I will see if doing something with Adam Lynch is a possibility. Stay tuned, and thanks!

 

[GregPickel]

Dodgeball coverage.

Ha, that is on lock down!

 

[GregPickel]

Someone to infiltrate the system and violate HIPPA on medical issues with head nods as to upper body injury or lower body injury.

Im still going with Barr having turf toe until someone nods me wrong after I read 100 more posts on what is wrong, he's in the room, he's 184 or he is at Rutgers.

Ha, one of the most memorable news conference moments of the Sanderson era was him beaming with pride about the fact that Nagao being hurt remained internal.

 

[GregPickel]

• “Clutch Takedown Percentage”
Measure how often wrestlers successfully secure takedowns in the final 30 seconds of periods—especially in tied or one-score matches—giving insight into peak pressure performance.
• “Reversal Momentum Index”
Track the impact and frequency of a wrestler scoring reversals after conceding points. This stat identifies athletes who excel at rapidly regaining control and shifting match momentum.
• “Riding Time Suppression Rate”
Quantify a wrestler’s ability to prevent opponents from accumulating riding time, showing defensive proficiency in bottom position far beyond what current riding time stats imply.
• “Escape Efficiency”
Calculate the average time it takes for a wrestler to escape from the bottom position, normalized by the opponent’s season-average riding time

Will have to look into what's out there to see what can be done in that regard but, will add it to the list!

 

[GregPickel]

A 2025-26 roster would be nice for starters. Do interviews with the RS guys so the fans can get familiar

You are a week too early for that! Haha. Maybe it will pop up next week, but I bet we don't see it until Oklahoma week.

 

[SRATH]

A 2025-26 roster would be nice for starters. Do interviews with the RS guys so the fans can get familiar

Yeah, especially the non-starters, what they are studying, what their routine is like, especially on match day, who travelled internationally as workout partners etc. What they like to eat when they can.

 

[GregPickel]

Yeah, especially the non-starters, what they are studying, what their routine is like, especially on match day, who travelled internationally as workout partners etc. What they like to eat when they can.

Penn State typically only makes starters available during match weeks, but will definitely see what we can do. They used to have a media day where everyone was available at the start of the season but that has gone away in recent years.

 

[El_Jefe]

Yeah, especially the non-starters, what they are studying, what their routine is like, especially on match day, who travelled internationally as workout partners etc. What they like to eat when they can.

Just hope none of them say they have Logan Stieber's schedule that ESPN aired, that didn't show any time for class.

 

[Onetime1]

Can work that into the plan each week for sure. Not sure if any of them are wrestling this week but will say I'm not going to get to it before the weekend though I do have something coming in this realm. Good idea. Thanks!

thank you!

 

[PSUbluTX]

• “Clutch Takedown Percentage”
Measure how often wrestlers successfully secure takedowns in the final 30 seconds of periods—especially in tied or one-score matches—giving insight into peak pressure performance.
• “Reversal Momentum Index”
Track the impact and frequency of a wrestler scoring reversals after conceding points. This stat identifies athletes who excel at rapidly regaining control and shifting match momentum.
• “Riding Time Suppression Rate”
Quantify a wrestler’s ability to prevent opponents from accumulating riding time, showing defensive proficiency in bottom position far beyond what current riding time stats imply.
• “Escape Efficiency”
Calculate the average time it takes for a wrestler to escape from the bottom position, normalized by the opponent’s season-average riding time

This is a great list. I would add to it that I’d like to know what our wrestlers are thinking. Like literally a streaming of their internal thoughts. Not all the time. Just during a match. And during dodgeball. And during recruitment visits.

Make it happen, Greg. Tape delay is fine if you can’t manage a livestream.

 

[Reiterate]

Room facts- Is there a statute of limitations. I'd like to hear actual 1st hand accounts about Zain and Jason getting after it before I die.

 

[Corby2]

Yeah, especially the non-starters, what they are studying, what their routine is like, especially on match day, who travelled internationally as workout partners etc. What they like to eat when they can.

Exactly. Just get personal with them it's way easier to do now then when they're starters.

 

[Corby2]

Penn State typically only makes starters available during match weeks, but will definitely see what we can do. They used to have a media day where everyone was available at the start of the season but that has gone away in recent years.

You can reach out and setup a time to speak with them. If Cael allows it most would love to tell people about themselves.

 

[GregPickel]

You can reach out and setup a time to speak with them. If Cael allows it most would love to tell people about themselves.

Will always try, but from experience, easier said then done. But, as noted above, will see what we can do.

 

[Gronky]

If Cael does karaoke, that would be cool to see!!

 

[ElDuce]

Host Live steam of meets? I get the plus aspect could be very challenging, interview the wrestlers/guests on the podcast

 

[railbirrd]

What I think would be helpful is a weekly (Wed or Thu) listing of who our scheduled opponents are wrestling in the upcoming weekend. Ideally with tv/streaming availability included. Bonus if all B1G schools are included plus a few other top schools. Something similar to what Tom does each week with the Premier League each week.

https://www.on3.com/boards/threads/2025-2026-premier-league-thread.1842961/page-7#post-173811728

There's this useful site: WrestleStat | Remaining Duals

 

[petethegreat]

Not sure if it’s possible but it would be great to get a personal diary of a wrestler to get a better idea of how their week goes. Especially just before a big match.

 

[Lionvet]

Recruiting page/thread for prospects/commits for each year with current weight class and rankings.

 

[mcpat]

Good morning, all! We're now 14 days from the start of the 2025-2026 Penn State wrestling season. It's been awesome interacting with so many of you from last season during the busy offseason. It's also been great to meet the many of you who came over when the Rivals board merged here.

This will be season seven, at least, for me covering PSU wrestling. I did so for four years in college while interning at Statecollege.com and working at Fight On State. I then covered football at PennLive and watched from afar as the great Jim Carlson did his thing. When I joined BWI back in 2021, I picked wrestling back up as part of the coverage plan for the year, and have been doing it ever since. @TFrankCarr is the man behind the magic of bringing you video of many of Cael Sanderson's weekly news conferences. He also hosts BWI's wrestling show/podcast.

With all of that background out of the way, I wanted to get some input from all of you about what you'd like to see this season. I realize this board is self-sufficient and doesn't need much. But, what extras would you like? A typical week breaks down like this: Cael news conference video + notebook, midweek wrestling show/podcast, wrestler feature based on who's available, weekend preview and predictions, match coverage, extra tournament coverage when needed, and post-match/tournament takeaways. We'll obviously cover the sport at large in terms of rankings updates, recruiting news, and more.

Beyond that, I'm curious what else you all would read and consume. No idea is a bad idea, and we'll get to as many as we can throughout the year. Thanks for reading and being part of the community here at BWI!

Love to read more about the guys that came through the program. What are they doing now? For some it is obvious, but for others, I’d love to read a weekly “where is he now” interview.

edit: see someone else said something similar. Good - means I’m not alone.

 

[Headlock]

I would find it interesting to have a wrestler share in-season eating routines. For instance how much leeway he allows after a match if the next match is a week away vs in three days. How much weight is dropped after a typical practice? What favorite foods are avoided during the season, etc., etc.