Random wrestling thoughts

Are we seriously even seeing any better wrestling this season with the new coaching staff? And no, I'm not talking about just wins. I'm talking about more aggressiveness in taking shots, better toughness, better ability on getting out from the bottom position, better fitness level, etc, etc.

I'd just like to hear someone with a bit of knowledge on this say that they see some drastic improvements on the mat this season.... even if it hasn't led to many wins yet.
 
Sometimes. I see glimmers of it, but I think some are stuck in old habits.

On top seems better, but underneath needs work.

Sometimes the attack rate from the feet is there, but not enough.
 
Are we seriously even seeing any better wrestling this season with the new coaching staff? And no, I'm not talking about just wins. I'm talking about more aggressiveness in taking shots, better toughness, better ability on getting out from the bottom position, better fitness level, etc, etc.

I'd just like to hear someone with a bit of knowledge on this say that they see some drastic improvements on the mat this season.... even if it hasn't led to many wins yet.

KJ decimated the program as witnessed by 1 total point at the NCAA tourney last year. With the scholarship situation and the lack of quality wrestlers in the program, ISU fell victim to a self-inflicted death penalty . The future with the new coaching staff is brighter and the results in 4 years will reflect such. The agressiveness, toughness & confidence will improve and that is a stone cold lock!
 
I see improvement. Stamina is better and toughness is starting to show up in flashes. We are wrestling a lot more matches for the non starters. If you have a room full of top 100 guys they need to develop. They need matches and a willingness to develop. Top 100 guys like at VaTech start to show themselves later in their careers theoretically. Continue to develop the talent and sprinkle in Carrs and Focas. Build depth and high end talent to reach top 5-10. I’m not sure how we match PSU and tOSU with how they have taken recruiting to a different stratosphere.
 
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I will admit I was hoping to see the higher ranked prospects at ISU thrive more earlier. That has not happened. I can understand why they didn't but it is still somewhat disappointing.

On a second note, not only are the former ISU recruits doing well, but so are some of the kids that Dresser, Zadick and St John got for VT. Borst and Lewis would have been great in ISU singlets.

And third, I was really hoping the demise of Iowa was going to be real this year, but with Lee looking like his old self, they now will probably AA with Lee, Sorenson, Kemerer, Marinelli, Wilcke, and Stoll. If Downey does as well we could be looking at the number 3 team in the nation. This is turning into a long season.
 
I will admit I was hoping to see the higher ranked prospects at ISU thrive more earlier. That has not happened. I can understand why they didn't but it is still somewhat disappointing.

I'm hoping with the month off since Vegas we'll see guys starting to turn it around. It was pretty obvious the staff wasn't too worried with early season results because they were more focused on longer term improvements. With the holidays over we're in the meat of the season so now's the time to start seeing the results of that.
 
1 Cohlton Schultz Ponderosa Colorado 285
2 Kurt McHenry St. Paul's Maryland 113
3 Daniel Kerkvliet Simley Minnesota 220 Oklahoma State
4 Jordan Decatur CVCA Ohio 132 Ohio State
5 Julian Ramirez Blair Academy New Jersey 170 Cornell
6 Connor Brady Olentangy Liberty Ohio 152
7 Adam Busiello Eastport-South Manor New York 120 Penn State
8 Julian Chlebove Northampton Pennsylvania 132 Arizona State
9 Ryan Anderson Bethlehem Catholic Pennsylvania 138
10 Brevin Balmeceda South Dade Florida 152
11 Nick Raimo Hanover Park New Jersey 132 Arizona State
12 Andrew Alirez Greeley Central Colorado 132
13 Carter Starocci Erie Cathedral Prep Pennsylvania 160
14 Theorius Robison Pomona Colorado 138
15 Jaden Abas Rancho Bernardo California 138
16 Anthony Jackson Hutchinson Minnesota 160
17 Chris Cannon Blair Academy New Jersey 126
18 Chris Foca Bergen Catholic New Jersey 170 Iowa State
19 Connor McGonagle Timberlane New Hampshire 132
20 Jason Kraisser Centennial Maryland 145
21 Travis Ford-Melton Marian Catholic Illinois 120

I would be happy with #1 & #2 Juniors in addition to Foca at #18.
Supposedly we are interested in #21 Travis Ford-Melton also
 
Yeah, they list Swalla as an "or" but I have to think it is Bush's spot. He didn't kill it at Midlands but he should still be a step up at the weight.

Simmons and Dante are both listed as "or"s as well but this staff seems to like to list a lot of "or"s so I'm not reading too much in to it. Maybe we'll see them, maybe we won't. Or maybe they'll each get one of the two meets this weekend. Nobody knows but them and the coaches.
Simmons & Parker will be wrestling for the spot and alternate in duals in order for the coaches to make a final decision on 133#. I'm hearing that ISU is getting a 125# transfer in and will be eligible immediately, buf87 or any other insider, can you confirm?
 
Have not heard that. They were talking to one or 2 of the Portillos, but that didn't work out. Not sure if Bono ever gave releases or not since 1 went NAIA and other went D3.

But I haven't talked to any of the coaches recently

If true I don't think we would see him compete until classes start
 
1 Cohlton Schultz Ponderosa Colorado 285
2 Kurt McHenry St. Paul's Maryland 113
3 Daniel Kerkvliet Simley Minnesota 220 Oklahoma State
4 Jordan Decatur CVCA Ohio 132 Ohio State
5 Julian Ramirez Blair Academy New Jersey 170 Cornell
6 Connor Brady Olentangy Liberty Ohio 152
7 Adam Busiello Eastport-South Manor New York 120 Penn State
8 Julian Chlebove Northampton Pennsylvania 132 Arizona State
9 Ryan Anderson Bethlehem Catholic Pennsylvania 138
10 Brevin Balmeceda South Dade Florida 152
11 Nick Raimo Hanover Park New Jersey 132 Arizona State
12 Andrew Alirez Greeley Central Colorado 132
13 Carter Starocci Erie Cathedral Prep Pennsylvania 160
14 Theorius Robison Pomona Colorado 138
15 Jaden Abas Rancho Bernardo California 138
16 Anthony Jackson Hutchinson Minnesota 160
17 Chris Cannon Blair Academy New Jersey 126
18 Chris Foca Bergen Catholic New Jersey 170 Iowa State
19 Connor McGonagle Timberlane New Hampshire 132
20 Jason Kraisser Centennial Maryland 145
21 Travis Ford-Melton Marian Catholic Illinois 120

I would be happy with #1 & #2 Juniors in addition to Foca at #18.
Supposedly we are interested in #21 Travis Ford-Melton also
What are the plans for Aaron Brooks after the OTC? That is the best grab in next years recruiting cycle by quite a distance. I hope we are still involved. That gets Dresser well on his way to his A class.
 
What are the plans for Aaron Brooks after the OTC? That is the best grab in next years recruiting cycle by quite a distance. I hope we are still involved. That gets Dresser well on his way to his A class.

We were in his top 5, but something tells me the OTC was to buy time to get to PSU. Just my gut feeling
 
We were in his top 5, but something tells me the OTC was to buy time to get to PSU. Just my gut feeling
Yeah, with Wittlake doing his defection I feel like that is the case. Rich getting richer unfortunately. PSU will have a huge hole next year. Cael may never redshirt a wrestler again.
 
True, i'll be checking out the student directory as well.

To be immediately eligible the most likely situation is a guy who graduated JuCo fall semester (like Downey a couple of years ago). So if you're feeling frisky you could check and see if any ranked 125 JuCos were in that position.