I don't care if fans want to call it a rivalry or not because of the lack of W's for the Cyclones, but you could tell the hostility was there between the teams and coaches. I haven't seen something like that since the 2009 season at Hilton between these 2 teams. They didn't like each other then (and the dual was a toss-up) and they don't like each other now.
A few things:
1. I think Iowa gets good recruits because they have a great coaching staff, rich tradition, and funds to do so. I believe the Brands' would go to Hell & back for their athletes & it is a big pull for recruits. Listen to Marinelli's story about Eli Stickley and you know Tom has the respect & admiration of his athletes.
2. Terry, while he may be a great coach and person (I don't have knowledge on the person front), is the worst behaved assistant coach I have ever seen in collegiate wrestling. From talking to other wrestlers during matches, to pointing to the other team and coaches constantly, to "trying to shake hands early and get out of there", he shows a lot of characteristics of someone I wouldn't want representing my program. This is nothing to do with his knowledge of the sport, his passion, or anything that I believe he excels at.
3. Bringing up Marinelli and his wife's income as a way to say that's helping their program isn't a great thing to point out after Nate Carr got a position, which he is qualified for, to help get David Carr to Ames. She is qualified for her position, NC is qualified for his. Same type of thing from an outsider's perspective.
4. I don't think we need to dig into the Brands' behavior from high school or college to try to prove they are bad people. Neither seem to have done anything since then. They seem to have grown up, and I truly enjoy Tom now as a coach relative to 10+ years ago.
5. Good on the state and its fans for making this meet what it was. It has been the talk about the wrestling world for the past couple of days. No one would have thought that prior to the meet. Kudos to both sides.
6. I love what I saw from the Cyclones. Hopefully get 149 figured out (I would have sent Degan vs Murin btw for style match ups). Midlands would be great for that and then let that person have the spot for the remainder.
A few things:
1. I think Iowa gets good recruits because they have a great coaching staff, rich tradition, and funds to do so. I believe the Brands' would go to Hell & back for their athletes & it is a big pull for recruits. Listen to Marinelli's story about Eli Stickley and you know Tom has the respect & admiration of his athletes.
2. Terry, while he may be a great coach and person (I don't have knowledge on the person front), is the worst behaved assistant coach I have ever seen in collegiate wrestling. From talking to other wrestlers during matches, to pointing to the other team and coaches constantly, to "trying to shake hands early and get out of there", he shows a lot of characteristics of someone I wouldn't want representing my program. This is nothing to do with his knowledge of the sport, his passion, or anything that I believe he excels at.
3. Bringing up Marinelli and his wife's income as a way to say that's helping their program isn't a great thing to point out after Nate Carr got a position, which he is qualified for, to help get David Carr to Ames. She is qualified for her position, NC is qualified for his. Same type of thing from an outsider's perspective.
4. I don't think we need to dig into the Brands' behavior from high school or college to try to prove they are bad people. Neither seem to have done anything since then. They seem to have grown up, and I truly enjoy Tom now as a coach relative to 10+ years ago.
5. Good on the state and its fans for making this meet what it was. It has been the talk about the wrestling world for the past couple of days. No one would have thought that prior to the meet. Kudos to both sides.
6. I love what I saw from the Cyclones. Hopefully get 149 figured out (I would have sent Degan vs Murin btw for style match ups). Midlands would be great for that and then let that person have the spot for the remainder.