2025 Wrestle Offs
- Thread starter crablegs
- Start date
It’s just really hard to take too much away from wrestle offs. There is so much familiarity, extra tenseness, and most guys first time down to weight.
Almost all of the matches were competitive, and we know how good lots of the guys are having proven it in actual competition.
I think 33, 49, and 65 will still have some battles. Both Naaks were competitive against proven competition.
I thought Euton looked pretty good too. Man, Riggins only has 1 JV level attack. Really thought he would develop some different set ups or shots this year.
Not sure 149 will be settled early in the year. In my mind, Paniro will have to show he can consistently separate from the lower competition/major the teens to low 20s ranked guys for him to earn the job. He can beat anyone in the nation, but needs to show he can separate and not be at risk of losing to the lower ranked guys. Frosty is pretty consistent and at this point I still trust him more than Paniro, but would love for Paniro to prove me wrong
149 will not be settled at the Cyclone Invite unless Paniro wins. It is best 2/3 with the 3rd match being in the room. I’m talking about the first semester. I don’t think 133 or 149 will be fully decided until early January. I think the rest are set unless there is injury. I thought the young guys wrestled well. Shape didn’t seem to be an issue except maybe a little with Pearson & Euton which is understandable for both. I think Euton will widen the gap as he gets in better shape and trust the leg.
The concern for Dean was his very low attack rate (had no go to shot last year) had a couple real nice shots which will be huge for him to go to the next level.
Gaitan impressed me as he didn’t panic and force something. You felt he was in control after first TD by Powe. You can see why the added Powe. The plan was for him to RS and as Nate said earlier this summer he is raw. Will be interesting to see his growth the next 12 months.
Hopefully, all the pieces will be in place in 5 weeks when in matters.
The concern for Dean was his very low attack rate (had no go to shot last year) had a couple real nice shots which will be huge for him to go to the next level.
Gaitan impressed me as he didn’t panic and force something. You felt he was in control after first TD by Powe. You can see why the added Powe. The plan was for him to RS and as Nate said earlier this summer he is raw. Will be interesting to see his growth the next 12 months.
Hopefully, all the pieces will be in place in 5 weeks when in matters.
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i thought MJ looked good but man I hope he limits the risky moves and or positions he likes to get in.
Other than SVN, would you pick PJ to go for ISU vs anyone else in the 149 field? I think that’s where I’m at. PJ can beat SVN but Frost is simply more reliable against everyone else in the field, IMO. Such a goofy thing to say about someone who’s been the NCAA #5 seed twice.
Some great matches today. Just kind of random thoughts.
- Grice seemed pretty disappointing, similar to how I felt about him last year when he lost to Meza. 133 continues to look like a potential hole in the lineup.
- 149 was a little surprising to me, but they're both great wrestlers. Hard for me to have confidence in Johnson after the NCAA's we have seen from him. Also hard to argue with the fact that he probably has more upside than Frost, but consistency also needs to be taken into account.
- Euton looks like he's the guy, despite the close match I continue to think Euton is going to be significantly better than Riggins at that weight.
- Gaitan inspired about as much confidence as Grice at this point. I feel like Powe winning would have told us more information, but Gaitan coming from behind and squeaking one out is hard to read much into.
- Thought Tate looked really good against the #8 guy in the country, have to think he will be a great option next year.
I think Grice will be fine in a pinch for a while. He’s going to keep matches close against some of the better guys and win against the lesser competition. Hard to get too excited about wrestling a teammate in a high school gym. Also first time down to weight. The scary part is thinking about Frost actually making it down to weight and being effective though.. last year wasn’t a good end of season and that was absolutely a result of the weight cut
I sincerely hope frost can manage that cut better, I can’t imagine it’s gotten easier after another year of naturally growing though.
Sundays match was just an exhibition match. Poulin is the starting guy so it’s Poulin, meza, then I’d assume Perryman while Castillo redshirts.
Can Meza go 133 for now? Or is Grice the better option until Frost gets down to weight?
It will be very interesting to see how this plays out. I agree with all you say, except the 'upside' comment. Don't get me wrong, I know what you mean...if PJ would 'let it go' we all think he'd be right at the top, but we've seen this movie before. I think Jacob has more 'upside', but I think he will have a very hard time beating PJ. I think this spot is up in the air through much of the season.
I'm very concerned here also.
I wondered this as well, but I have to think if Meza was going to be able to win the starting spot at 133 he wouldn't have cut down to 125 where presumably Poulin is hands down the guy?
The 25/33 situation is weird to me.
1. Why not let Castillo compete? He looks better than Perryman or Meza. I get he’s smaller, but if he’s the best, he’s the best. Why not even see?
2. Meza seems like he’d have a great shot at 133. Maybe 125 is his best weight, size wise, but if he beat Grice 8-1 in last years’ wrestle off.
3. Frost weight mismanagement. Again?
