I'm excited about the Big10 tourney today starting at 10 am on the Big channel. The expectations for Cael's team are such that they are the underdog to a loaded Iowa team. I think this is where Cael and his wrestlers really shine where the strategy is to go out, give it your best, learn and have fun. I'm pullling for Howard, Bartlett and Joe Lee to quality for nationals. PS may not win Big10's but its all preparation for Nationals. If Penn State can qualify a full 10 wrestler roster at nationals peaking at their best and a few misses by Iowa, they will be NC's again.
ouch, rough session 1 for the good guys.
The first session was rough but the evening session was an awakening for this young PSU team. They are making some hay in the consi brackets and have 4 in the finals. I don’t expect the team championship for PSU today, but this is invaluable experience for a very young PSU team set up for the future. I think Bartlett is the only one most likely eliminated from an NCAA berth. He could get an at large bid but didn’t wrestle all of his matches at 149 this year so that is most likely not going to happen. He is exciting and talented though, his day to shine is coming somewhere down the road.
Right, session 2 went very well last night and will have 9 qualifiers for nationals. This is really all you could expect for this young team and BB even though will not qualify gained invaluable experience. i watched Cael's presser and his calm demeanor and attitude is just go out there and have fun. They know they aren't favorites but can be SCARY to the favorites. Nick Lee's interview after his amazing SV win over Seabass was interesting as he talked about how much "fun" that match was and a classy nod to his opponent. Its always fun when you win one but fun is not an expression I woud use when pushing every ounce of energy out of your body while inflicting/recieving pain. How about Nelson Brands pulling a "Brands" type move scratching, biting Aaron Brooks and in the end wouldn't shake his hand. So many great matches, so much to talk about can't cover it all. "Fun" times today and tonight.
Not a wrestling comment but I spent a good deal of time yesterday and day before changing a vanity top and faucet in my half bath. Eveything went swimmingly well, no problems, no leaks, great look etc. THEN......in a hurry putting up a new mirror because I wanted to catch the Lee/Rivera match I stood on the new vanity and it cracked. Geeez.
Nice match for RBY!
All in all, not a bad showing by a very young team with superstars abounding. I was surised to see where this year's team outperformed 9 team points) than last year's team with many more veteran wrestlers. Iowa is just too good to seriously challege for NC but PS is stil the team to beat for second.
Is the wrestling NC’s this weekend? Thanks
Excellent young group. Starting 6 freshmen is epic. Going to be fun watching these kids develop.
Sorry I'm late to the party guys,been a busy week with the fam and all. i was somewhat surprised by BB's showing and was hoping that he might have done a bit better and been able to qualify. I wonder what we'd have seen had Kerk had another 6 weeks of conditioning under his belt. He's a great wrestler, just not in wrestling shape yet. Joe Lee needs to figure a lot of things out, at this level of competition, when you're on the bottom you cant reach back and not expect to get pinned. Howard needs to let it fly against MH. This next statement is easier said then done, but we need to start wrestling to win and stop wrestling to not lose......if that makes any sense. I know Mr Lake will understand what I'm trying too say. If a couple of Iowa wrestlers get upset early, things could get interesting. I think they're the team to beat but we can make it hard on them. Spencer Lee is wrestling on a totally different level and the rest of the weight class is wrestling for 2nd place. I hope our Lee can get it done against Eierman. Its tough when your opponent throw legs in and then doesnt wrestle to improve his position. In my opinion, JE should have been hit with a stall warning, but that rarely if ever happens. I think Cael has the men ready and we put on a fine showing at the dance.
all you can do is chalk it nerves with a crew of really young wrestlers. I think Cael will have NL sufficently coached against Eiermnan's top game if they go in the finals again. That weight class is a meat grinder and Eieman will still have Tariq Wilson to get to the finals and NL will have to get by Rivera again, a very tought task. What's fun is there are no real expectations for PSU this year and if they go in loose and have fun, some funky things can happen.....but I suspect you know that feeling Kid.
@lakerie: Yep, if TW upsets Eierman, that could make things interesting. Desanto has a tough draw at 133 and may not make it past the semis, if he makes it past MP from Pitt in the quarters.
I'm interested in seeing RH go for us at 125. Gonna be a good weekend!!!
