NCAA DI Wrestling Thread

[ngineer]

With the first day of "official" practice starting, this week, I thought I would start this thread for posting news, results, prognostications, etc. about our FCS schools who have DI wrestling programs. Lehigh has seven guys ranked in their respective 'top 20' at their weight class. Our "wrestle offs", which are non-binding, but an important part of the calculation are set for October 24 in Grace Hall.

[Laker]

On Nov 15th I'm either going to watch the Gophers host Rider (this got stormed out last year) or the Jacks host Binghamton. Of course, depending on the weather.

[ngineer]

On Nov 15th I'm either going to watch the Gophers host Rider (this got stormed out last year) or the Jacks host Binghamton. Of course, depending on the weather.


We haven't wrestled Rider in several years; ;however, Binghamton is an away match this year which we will bus to for a Friday night match followed by a Saturday afternoon match against Cornell in Ithaca...weather permitting in the second week of January. Beating Cornell in their 'bandbox' gym is not easy.

[Laker]

We haven't wrestled Rider in several years; ;however, Binghamton is an away match this year which we will bus to for a Friday night match followed by a Saturday afternoon match against Cornell in Ithaca...weather permitting in the second week of January. Beating Cornell in their 'bandbox' gym is not easy.

There was some interesting scheduling last year. Wrestling wasn't going to be at the Pavilion because of some high school tournaments it was moved to Northrup Auditorium, which is used for performances and concerts. I had no idea that they would try to use it for an athletic event and was looking forward to it until the snowstorm prevented Rider from getting to the Twin Cities.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northrop_Auditorium

[ngineer]

Just confirmed my airline tickets to Minneapolis-St. Paul for March 18! Already looking forward to the NCAA's. Also have family in nearby Wayzata, so I'll get to see an aunt and some cousins I haven't seen in almost ten years.

[ngineer]

Lehigh's coaching staff announced a preview of Thursday's Wrestle-offs with "probable" bouts:

Rankings are those of The Open Mat:

125 #16 Paetzel (jr) v. Polito (fr)

133 Loebeck (jr) v. J. Lane (so)

133 #17 Farro (jr) v. McGonagle (fr)

141 Pomrinca (sr) v. Hines (fr)

149 Karam (jr) v. Hoffman (so)

157 #5 Humphreys (so) v. Burkhart (so)

165 Gallik (sr) v. Meyer (fr)

174 K. Lane (sr) v. Logan (fr)

174 Ruth (fr) v. Cornish (jr)

184 #15 Weiler (jr) v. Grape (jr)

197 #16 Jakobsen (jr) v. Jones (fr)

285 Lacombe (so) v. McDonald (jr)

AA's Kutler and Wood not wrestling for obvious reasons. This is no longer the "end all" of Lehigh's elimination process to determine a starting lineup. With the Bearcat and Princeton Opens the follow week, plus "in the room challenges" this has a become significant part of the process, but lets fans to get a glimpse as to where the team is at. A lot of blue chip freshmen talent on display to whet the appetite for the coming years!!

[ngineer]

Interesting night at Grace Hall Thursday night. Gave the fans a nice glimpse into the future with a lot of freshmen getting the opportunity to wrestle in the fabled hall. Most, if not all, will red shirt this year; thought Hines and Ruth showed they are close to being ready, now. No big surprises, though Hoffman beat Karam in the closely fought bout. Karam must get better on his feet if he's going to move into the upper echelon of collegiate wrestling. Humphreys at 157 is looking like a monster. I see a national champ in the future if not this year. Weiler looked very comfortable at his 'new' 184. It also appears Paetzel will be at 125 as he made the long cut over the past few months. Hopefully, he can hold without deleterious effect. I think he can be AA at this weight.

[ngineer]

Princeton Open is tomorrow which has become the defect "season opener" for a lot of teams to test their squads in developing their line ups. Lehigh's first dual is not until November 16 when we host Oklahoma State. Great start to the season.

[PAllen]

There was some interesting scheduling last year. Wrestling wasn't going to be at the Pavilion because of some high school tournaments it was moved to Northrup Auditorium, which is used for performances and concerts. I had no idea that they would try to use it for an athletic event and was looking forward to it until the snowstorm prevented Rider from getting to the Twin Cities.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northrop_Auditorium

That would have been a pretty cool place to see a match.

[Bison Fan in NW MN]

https://gobison.com/news/2019/11/3/wrestling-ndsu-turns-back-cal-state-bakersfield-24-9-in-home-opening-dual.aspx



NDSU wins their 1st dual of the year.

Fogarty (165) and Sykora (133) have AA potential this year. RFR Franek (157), a local kid from West Fargo will also have a very good career for the Bison.

Metz (HWT) needs to take the next step this year. One of the best HWT recruits a few years ago and now he needs to step up and prove himself.

[ngineer]

I am hearing the South Beach Tournament in Ft. Lauderdale, December 29-30, is all in flux as to what teams are indeed attending. Supposedly a few teams bailed and are going to either Scuffle or Midlands, so no previously issued match-ups are being confirmed. Very strange.

[PAllen]

I am hearing the South Beach Tournament in Ft. Lauderdale, December 29-30, is all in flux as to what teams are indeed attending. Supposedly a few teams bailed and are going to either Scuffle or Midlands, so no previously issued match-ups are being confirmed. Very strange.

Also not on the calendar of the convention center or the sportsplex that hosted it last year.

[ngineer]

Notification today that the Lehigh v. Penn State match is already a sellout for 6,000 in Stabler Arena on December 6. Tickets still available for Oklahoma State on November 16.

[ngineer]

I am hearing the South Beach Tournament in Ft. Lauderdale, December 29-30, is all in flux as to what teams are indeed attending. Supposedly a few teams bailed and are going to either Scuffle or Midlands, so no previously issued match-ups are being confirmed. Very strange.

From what I am hearing North Dakota State has pulled out of the South Beach Tourney?! Lehigh now wrestling Duke, Minnesota and Missouri.

[Bison Fan in NW MN]

https://gobison.com/news/2019/11/9/wrestling-ndsu-earns-four-bison-open-titles-fogarty-eaton-both-claim-fourth-in-career.aspx


Lots of young guys getting mat time.

Franek (157)
Fogerty (165)
Metz (Hwt)

Maybe a couple of others if they come around, will be good ones this year.

[ngineer]

Lehigh garnered three champs at the Journeyman Tournament last Sunday: Paetzel at 125, Humphreys at 157 and Kutler at 174. Big one for Kutler as he took down #3 Labriola of Nebraska 4-1 with a dominating ride. Paetzel also had dominating performances over two other top 20 wrestlers, so it looks like the cut to 125 is going to be agreeable. Big opening dual versus #4 Oklahoma State this Saturday at 1 p.m. EST. Over 3,500 tickets already sold, but would hope it would be close to a sellout by Saturday. It is likely going to be available on Flo Wrestling.

[ngineer]

Lehigh knocks off Oklahoma State 21-20 on criteria! Both teams won five bouts, with the final bout being forfeited due to Cowboys 133 pounder having a skin infection and Smith not wanting to burn a red shirt. Actually some disappointments by our 184 and 197 pounders who, I am hoping, are fighting colds, because their conditioning sucked, with 184 getting pinned after leading 8-2 in the first period. He was completely gassed. Highlights were unranked Pomrinca upsetting #10 Gfeller 3-0 at 141. #10 Humphreys took Sheets to school 16-2 and #2 Kutler got 8 takedowns versus Stika, 20-6. The other Lehigh wins came at 285 and 133. #17 Paetzel at 125 gave a spirit fight with #4 Piccininni before losing a regular decision, and Hoffman at 149 and Meyer at 165 gave creditable performances in tough losses.

Next up is an away match at #16 Princeton on 11/23 and a quick turnaround on 11/24 with #15 Pitt the following afternoon in Grace Hall.

[ngineer]

Lehigh now ranked #7 in the Tournament poll and #5 as a dual team. They will get challenged this weekend with an away match at #14 Princeton Saturday evening at 5 p.m., followed by a home match with #11 Pitt in Grace Hall. A number of tough bouts. Should be some great match ups. Princeton match should be on ESPN+ and the Ivy League site. Lehigh/Pitt should be available via Lehigh sports website via PLN Network.

[ngineer]

Rough weekend to be a Mountain Hawk/Engineer. Wrestlers dropped a tight dual at Princeton, losing 4 bouts by 1-2 points. #17 Paetzel took #5 Glory into overtime, but lost. Then, they turned around and wrestled #11 Pitt to an 18-18 draw, but Pitt won on the third criteria tie-break, cumulative points. Split bouts 5 each and each with a fall...the stunner being Humphreys being pinned when he got overly aggressive and got caught. The kid needs to know when to throttle back a bit. 12 days now until next dual with Penn State, who also got upset by ASU the other night. Appears to be a lot of parity this year in the top 15 schools.

[PAllen]

Rough weekend to be a Mountain Hawk/Engineer. Wrestlers dropped a tight dual at Princeton, losing 4 bouts by 1-2 points. #17 Paetzel took #5 Glory into overtime, but lost. Then, they turned around and wrestled #11 Pitt to an 18-18 draw, but Pitt won on the third criteria tie-break, cumulative points. Split bouts 5 each and each with a fall...the stunner being Humphreys being pinned when he got overly aggressive and got caught. The kid needs to know when to throttle back a bit. 12 days now until next dual with Penn State, who also got upset by ASU the other night. Appears to be a lot of parity this year in the top 15 schools.

Brad Dillon looked to be the only fired up person in Grace yesterday. Is all of Lehigh athletics just sort of ehh right now or is it me?

[ngineer]

Brad Dillon looked to be the only fired up person in Grace yesterday. Is all of Lehigh athletics just sort of ehh right now or is it me?

I thought the crowd was fired up and the presence of the pep band added to the atmosphere. The roar when Paetzel pinned and Pomrinca came back to win in sudden victory was as loud as I recall in recent memory. Unfortunately, the Humphreys pin was a big bucket of cold water. I know the upper weights have been battling upper respiratory colds the past two weeks...trading germs back and forth. Kids wrestled hard against two teams that in early season polling are all within spitting distance of each other. A lot of 'upsets' all over the country. (see Rider over Minnesota...in MN!). Hopefully everyone healthy and stoked on December 6. One other thought is the sudden resignation of Hughes. A fixture and well liked by all. Due to the nature of the decision, there may well be some impact on the kids.

As for other sports, the Soccer team won the PL championship for first time in 10 years, the field hockey team had their best season in over ten years, women's bball is undefeated to start the season, and men's team is very young, but looks scrappy with a surprising win over Albany. Swimming and Diving are off to very good starts. The football team finished about where most thought they would, but they left their calling card that can be a force, again, in the near future. Had we gotten blown out all season, I'd be concerned; but we were in every single game, except at UC Davis. Even at Villanova we were in the game well into the third quarter. But, I've always been a 'glass half full' guy.

[ngineer]

A Stabler Arena record crowd of 6,047 saw Penn State beat Lehigh 23-10 Friday night. While LU won only three bouts, several were well fought and should provide a foundation for the next few months as several kids took highly ranked Nits to the limit, including a true frosh and a sophomore. Freshman Meyer took down #1 Joseph in the third period to go up 3-2 only to give up a late escape and td, to lose 5-3. Lane fought a gutty match losing 3-2, and Kutler took down #1 Hall at 174 to tie the bout in the third period but, again, could not get over the hump, losing 7-4. Similarly, at 285 #10 Wood took down #1 Ceassar early in the third, but lost by same score. #13 Humphries lost to #6 Berge, 8-5 in a match with a lot of action. Only real disappointment was missing Pomrinca at 141, and the sub was underweight and totally mismatched. Most impressive for the Nits was their 184 true freshman Brooks who manhandled Weiler. Winners for Lehigh were Paetzell by a major 15-5 decision at 125, Hoffman at 149 and Jakobsen at 197. Mountain Hawks now off until 12/29 for the South Beach Tournament. At present we are set to wrestle Duke, Missouri and Minnesota.

[clenz]

https://unipanthers.com/news/2019/12/7/panther-wrestling-fourth-at-cliff-keen-invite.aspx

The Panthers finish fourth at one of the best regular-season tournaments of the season - Cliff Keen in Vegas.

Steiert Second
Lujan Fouth
Six Placers
Schwarm wins Most Pins honors
Every Panther scores either win or place bonus points


The Panthers finished fourth on the strength of bonus points. Every wrestler picked up bonus points from wins or from placing. The Panthers tallied 94 points. Nebraska won the tournament with 118 points, Ohio State was second with 109.5 and Arizona State was third with 103.

Sent from my Pixel 3 using Tapatalk

[PAllen]

Looks like I'll be in attendance at this year's EIWA championships. Looking forward to seeing some good wrestling this spring.

[ngineer]

Looks like I'll be in attendance at this year's EIWA championships. Looking forward to seeing some good wrestling this spring.
Excellent. As of right now, this could be the most competitive tourney in 20 years. I see four teams, at present, who could all win the team title: Lehigh, Princeton, Cornell, Army, plus Penn and Navy could make trouble. Staying healthy will be the key.

[ngineer]

South Beach Tourney has Lehigh wrestling Duke, Minnesota and Missouri, in that order, I believe, beginning 12/29.

[ngineer]

Looks like the order of matches has been changed with Lehigh facing Minnesota at 11 a.m. on 12/29 followed by Duke at 11 a.m. on 12/30 and Missouri at 1 p.m. on 12/30. I guess Stevenson has been reinstated from his suspension. Question will be how 'in shape' he will be. Looking forward to his bout with Wood.

[ngineer]

Lehigh thumped #14 Minnesota today at the South Beach Duals, 29-10. Lehigh took 7/10 bouts with a number by bonus point decisions and one WBDQ.

125 Paetzel continued his strong run in the early going with an 18-3 tech fall over Pat McKee
133 Farro had an impressive 14-4 MD over Gliva
141 Pomrinca LBMD to Mitch McKee
149 Hoffman WBDQ over Lee due to illegal hold resulting in injury.
157 Humphreys WMD, 11-0 over Brolsma
165 Meyer L to O'Reilly, 8-5
174 Kutler W, 6-1 over Skatzka
184 Weiler W, 9-3 over Webster
197 Jakobsen WMD, 10-2 over Joles
285 Stevenson WMD, 8-0 over Wood

A strong showing after a long layoff due to finals and holidays. One never knows how 'sharp' kids will be or disciplined with weight, so good to see. Paetzel continues to open eyes at 125 and should be moving well into the top ten. Farro's showing was strong considering his weight struggles. Humphreys and Kutler each had very solid wins, as did Weiler and Jakobsen. While Wood's loss to Stevenson was not unexpected, one hoped the margin would be closer. Mountain Hawks go up against Duke on Monday at 11 a.m., followed by Missouri at 1 p.m.

[ngineer]

Day 2 at South Beach. Lehigh steamrolled Duke, 47-4. Only loss at 174 where Lane substituted for Kutler. Second match of the day, Mountain Hawks beat Missouri 22-9. A strong showing all around. Next matches will be on the road January 10 and 11 versus SUNY-Binghamton and Cornell.

[Laker]

Gophers smashed Duke 53-0 before dispatching Cornell 31-12.

[ngineer]

Gophers smashed Duke 53-0 before dispatching Cornell 31-12.

Beating Cornell is a good thing!xthumbsupx Lehigh and Cornell have been fierce rivals in the EIWA for about 20 years, now, ever since Kohl turned their program around. The question is whether some of their wrestlers will continue to red shirt for the Olympics, since some have not fared too well in the USA trials so far. We have to go to their place in two weeks..and they always hold it in one of their 'bandbox' gyms so as to keep the Lehigh crowd down.

[ngineer]

Lehigh's 149 pounder Jimmy Hoffman hurt his knee at South Beach and early prognosis is not good. We're pretty thin at that weight class. Hoffman was looking good. Only a soph. I suspect Karam, who is coming off knee surgery from last winter, will be 'next man up', though I am not sure he's 100%.

[clenz]

UNI finished second at Midlands with 101 points.
Iowa ran away from everyone with a record 196.5 points, 5 champions and 12 medalists.

[ngineer]

Wow. Lehigh may return to Midlands next year. A lot of grumbling over the way South Beach was run this year, plus a number of teams who had committed bailed with only a couple weeks before.

[clenz]

UNI focused write up from a buddy of mine I talk too quite a bit that works for/runs (?) IAWrestle...with a shout out to me for inspiring the write up

https://iawrestle.com/2020/01/01/panthers-bring-home-second-from-chicago/


I was asked by someone who is a self-described, “novice wrestling mind,” how they should feel about the second place finish on Monday afternoon, before the medal matches. I responded that when I figure out how I feel about it, I’d let him know.

Now it’s two days later and I still don’t really know how I feel about it. Obviously, taking second in any national tournament is very good, and with that tournament having the history and prestige of The Midlands, plus UNI tied it’s highest team finish, seems quite good.

...

And the smaller school from Cedar Falls was in front of its Big 12 competitors…but only because no other Big 12 school sent their full lineups to the tournament. Fresno Statew as behind UNI in 20th, and Oklahoma was next in the standings in 22nd place.
Comparing against larger Big 10 schools, Illinois, Wisconsin (who wrestles UNI in a dual later this year) Purdue, Northwestern (who UNI lost to this year), Indiana, Minnesota, and Michigan all finished behind the Panthers. The two “M” schools did not send their entire lineups.
But they were 95.5 points behind first-place team Iowa. The Hawkeyes had seven wrestlers in the finals with five champions, one third placer, two fourth placers, and two in sixth. Their 12 place finishes were by far the most of any team, followed by Army and Northwestern with six each.

...


I have been saying for a while that when Lujan and Steiert, and to a little lesser extent Schwarm, Thomsen and Holschlag (when he’s healthy) are good, UNI can be a really good team – especially in tournaments. Bonus points are big and all five of them can go get them. But as their most recent performance shows that when just a few of these guys are off, or unavailable, the Panther’s prospects go down drastically.
However as I type that, I have to remind myself that UNI still took home second place. They still beat all those other Big Ten schools in a tournament. They still had four place winners and two finalists. Carter Isley took down the number one ranked heavyweight twice and made it look easy. Schwarm can pin anybody, anywhere, anytime. Lujan’s knee doesn’t do what normal human knees do and can wrestle with anybody in the country. Steiert is solid from every position, as is Thomsen. The Panthers are good this season.
Yes there are holes at 157, 165, and 197 for as long as Holschlag is out. Yes there were disappointing performances in Chicago. And yes their dual record might not be as good as it might otherwise be.

...

I want to support my buddy/the site more than some other sites i like too so click the link to read the full thing please. I left out quite a bit of "meat"

[ngineer]

Done! Nice site.

[ngineer]

On the road tomorrow for Lehigh's dual at Binghamton at 5 p.m. then overnight nearby and head to Ithaca to watch Lehigh take on SUNY-Ithaca a.k.a. Cornell. at 1 p.m. Cornell's lineup contains a lot of unknown issues. Rumors about some redshirts being burned by some of their stars who are taking the year off to train for Olympics, but who haven't fared too well in the endeavor. Lehigh should win 6/10 bouts, but that's on paper. Traveling to Ithaca this time of year can be dicey. Fortunately, temps predicted around 60 this weekend, but with some rain.

[ngineer]

Great weekend in the 'north country'. Lehigh pummeled Binghamton Friday night, 36-3 and then knocked off Cornell in their sweltering bandbox, 19-14. Only bad news is that our back up 149 pounder, Karam, did not wrestle due to 'academic issues' with the University, not the NCAA. Details not disclosed as yet, but problematic as Hoffman's knee sprain will likely keep him out at least another 3 weeks. We may have to bounce a 141 pounder up, but no one with either Hoffman's for Karam's skill set. Heavyweight, Jordan Wood was spectacular in nailing down the dual with Cornell, taking the Big Red's massive heavyweight,(he has to cut weight to make 285),5-0. Wood gave up about 25 lbs and was in a precarious 'underneath' position during his take down, when he lifted the guy and thundered him to the mat! Roughly 540 pounds spinning onto the mat. Weiler at 184, upset #6 DePrez at Binghamton, 6-2, thought he injured his shoulder against Cornell, but "shouldered" on. #2 Kutler looked very solid in both bouts. Praetzel cementing his ranking around #5-6 as people are learning to try and stay away from him at 125.

Next up are two home matches with American, Friday evening and Navy, Saturday afternoon. Both in Grace Hall.

[ngineer]

Great weekend as we had our first 'real' snowstorm--all of 4",,but least I got to play with my snow thrower. Meanwhile, Lehigh extended it's dual meet winning streak to 7 straight with a dominant 33-6 win over American and a hard fought win over Navy, 23-9. Good crowd of about 1,500 despite the snow. With two starters on the shelf at 149, Dan Moran bumped up to 149 and pulled off a stunning 8-3 upset scoring 6 points in the last minute. Weiler rested at 184 due to a ding suffered at Cornell. Should be read to go by Army dual on 1/31, our next match being held at West Orange, NJ High School as Army lost a wrester/cadet last summer in a motor vehicle accident during training. He attended West Orange, so Lehigh agreed to meet Army in West Orange to honor their fallen comrade.

[PAllen]

Booked my stay at the Sayre Mansion for EIWAs. Looking forward to a great couple of days.

[Bisonoline]

NDSU beat Oklahoma.

[uni88]

UNI takes down #10 Oklahoma State in front of 4,006 fans at the McLeod Center.

[ngineer]

UNI takes down #10 Oklahoma State in front of 4,006 fans at the McLeod Center.

Excellent. We beat them back in November on tie breaker. Lehigh now faces a very tough Army team Friday night in West Orange, NJ. I dare say 6 of the weight classes are either 'toss-ups or very slight favored" where it wouldn't be shock if the 'underdog' won. Army will be stoked and emotional as the match is being held at the high school of their fallen comrade and preceded by a local high school rivalry match, so the place will likely be packed.

[ngineer]

Before a packed gymnasium at West Orange High School in New Jersey, Lehigh's upper weights ran the table to knock off Army, 24-9. Match was preceded by a 35 minute ceremony honoring the late West Point Cadet C.J. Morgan who was killed in a mva last summer at West Point, and was a star wrestler at West Orange. The first five weight classes were as tight as a tick with Lehigh leading 9-6 at intermission and with no bout won by more than 3 points. After losing at 165, Lehigh's 174 #3 Jordan Kutler pinned #10 Harvey while leading 3-0. This was followed by Weiler, Jakobsen and Wood dominating their bouts.
Lehigh is now 9-3 on the season with next bout at Bucknell on 2/14 and finishing up dual season on 2/20 at Penn and at home in Grace Hall on 2/21 against #5 Arizona State.

[clenz]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EQgpuCfX0AAzG8F?format=jpg&name=large

[ngineer]

Pretty good. I think you'd give us a good go in a dual meet. Especially like to see Kutler and Steiert facing off. Kutler's only loss to #1 Hall, and he came "this close" to pinning him. We have three duals left: Bucknell this Friday, UPenn next Thursday and winding up with #5 Arizona State at home 2/21. Anyone on here planning on going to NCAA's in Minneapolis?

[ngineer]

I've been checking out a website called wrestlingstat.com It does comparisons with two teams facing off and predicting the outcome. Also, constantly revising the individual and team rankings (both dual and tournament strength), as well as including most recent RPI and coaches' poll.

[ngineer]

Wasn't aware of a "Mid-Major" Wrestling poll before, but there is one now:https://www.teamusa.org/USA-Wrestling/Features/2020/February/13/NWCA-Mid-Major-Poll-Feb-13

And Lehigh is #1 followed by UNI !

[Bison Fan in NW MN]

https://gobison.com/news/2020/2/15/wrestling-ndsu-defeats-21-stanford-28-13.aspx


NDSU beat #21 Stanford.

Franek (157) has a decent chance at AA. Fogarty (165) might get to be a AA with some luck.

Metz (HWT) can be very good but needs to still shed the fat and transform his body and also be better on the bottom.

Too many lineup holes to be a top level dual team...as in a top 5-15 range team.

[PAllen]

https://gobison.com/news/2020/2/15/wrestling-ndsu-defeats-21-stanford-28-13.aspx


NDSU beat #21 Stanford.

Franek (157) has a decent chance at AA. Fogarty (165) might get to be a AA with some luck.

Metz (HWT) can be very good but needs to still shed the fat and transform his body and also be better on the bottom.

Too many lineup holes to be a top level dual team...as in a top 5-15 range team.

Sounds like you're getting there. Lehigh went through a period with similar skill sets in the 90s. The right coach with the right support can certainly build on that to become a national name. BTW, you want an invite to the BXII, build your wrestling program along with your FB and hoops programs.

[Bison Fan in NW MN]

Sounds like you're getting there. Lehigh went through a period with similar skill sets in the 90s. The right coach with the right support can certainly build on that to become a national name. BTW, you want an invite to the BXII, build your wrestling program along with your FB and hoops programs.



For NDSU's wrestling program your point about the right coach is spot on. IMO, the coach (Kish) is not the answer but that is just my opinion. I just don't like his style. A lot of guys are piss poor on the bottom and are not aggressive with offense. Teams take on the personality of their coach and NDSU is no different.

NDSU could be a very good program that can have multiple AAs every year with an occasional national champion but they need to take the next step and that IMO is a different coach.

[ngineer]

For NDSU's wrestling program your point about the right coach is spot on. IMO, the coach (Kish) is not the answer but that is just my opinion. I just don't like his style. A lot of guys are piss poor on the bottom and are not aggressive with offense. Teams take on the personality of their coach and NDSU is no different.



NDSU could be a very good program that can have multiple AAs every year with an occasional national champion but they need to take the next step and that IMO is a different coach.

Absolutely. The coach also has to get kids who have a 'mindset' similar to his. We have been fortunate to have had only two coaches since 1994 and both were/are excellent. Very good identifier of not only talent, but the requisite mental make up to deal with a tough academic environment and the toughest of sports. Santoro is not satisfied to just see kids win. He wants them out there attacking and looking to score points. Easier said than done. We have a d
kid right now who is highly skilled and strong and in "the room" tears people apart. In the match he tightens up and becomes defensive. Being "afraid to lose" will not get it done.

Lehigh ends dual season this week after clobbering Bucknell 32-6, with a trip to The Palestra in Philly to face an up and coming Penn team, and then, on Friday, we host #5 Arizona State in "The Snake Pit". Senior Night. Match sold out, but available on Lehigh sports website.

[ngineer]

Lehigh finished it's dual meet season in fine fashion last Friday be beating #5 Arizona State in "The Snake Pit". Yes, the Sun Devils were without Zahid at 184, but we were without Jake at 197. The light weights,however, won the day sweeping the first four weights of which were were only favored in one. The other three were 'toss-ups' or slight edge to ASU and we won them all. This was after having to wrestle Penn down in Philly the night before and winning that one 35-9 (six of their points coming on Jake's injury default). Team ends the season 12-3 and should end up in the final top ten. Ten days until the EIWA tournament being held in Lehigh's Stabler Arena (cap. 4500 for first day with six mats, 5800 for finals) so plenty of seats if anyone is within driving distance. Tickets are all general admission at $25 per session (I--11 a.m. 3/6; II-6 p.m. 3/6; III-10 a.m. 3/7)

[ngineer]

EIWA tournament begins Friday at Stabler Arena. The Home Club "Send Off" was held Sunday night at Saucon Valley CC. Coaches previewed the tournament and starters. Farro will be going at 133 and Pomrinca going at 141. Both not only won their 'open' matches at Lock Haven, but both seem to be peaking. Also going with experience. Lane and Moran certainly worthy, but in close calls the most recent wins and experience usually get the nod. Rest of line up will be Paetzel at 125, Hoffman at 149, Humphreys at 157, Meyer at 165, Kutler at 174, Weiler at 184, Jakobsen at 197 and Wood at 285. All seem to be peaking, though Jakobsen may not yet be 100%...but who is at this time of year? We need to have a couple beat their seeds in order to send a large contingent to Minnesota. EIWA only has 2 slots at 133, though an AQ could be used there. 17 teams now in the EIWA making it the largest D-I tournament in the nation.

Also informed that the recruited Class of Fall 2020 will have 13 newbies, with five really 'blue chip' recruits. With last year's strong class and a good core returning from this year's starting lineup, the future is bright. But, for now, it's the "Eyes on March"!

[ngineer]

Lehigh stormed out of the gates on Friday morning and never looked back in taking their third straight EIWA title with 154 points to distant Cornell's 120. Army gave a spirited run with their finest finish in decades with 112. Lehigh's Josh Humphrey's won the Outstanding Wrestler award with a thrashing of Quincy Monday at 157, 7-0. Jordan Kutler at 174 didn't give up a single point along with a fall and tech fall with the two shutouts to win his third EIWA title and Jordan Wood at 285 took apart #1 seed Slatisyurousev from Harvard/Belarus, 9-2. The Harvard kid was much ballyhood after taking down some highly ranked heavyweights. Lehigh got 8 automatic qualifiers to NCAA's and we hope to get a 9th with Jimmy Hoffman at 149, who was the victim of a horrendous "out of bounds" that took away a six point move. Head Coach Pat Santoro was voted Coach of the Year in taking a team with a lot of question marks back in November and a 1-3 start, to a 12-3 finish and a dominant showing in the tournament that was expected to be a four way race for the title. Indeed, the 'four way race' was for second place as Cornell, Army, Navy and Princeton were all within about 20 points of each other. Looking forward to Minneapolis, although I am concerned about what I am hearing about the mats being planned to be spread out the entire length of the field. It would be much better for them to be concentrated at one end, with at the other half being walled off and used for the Fan Fest activities. My seats are in Section 142 about 20 rows up.

[clenz]

The Oklahoma State wrestling team won three individual titles en route to its eighth consecutive Big 12 Wrestling Championship trophy.


The Cowboys finished with 147.5 team points followed by Iowa State (116.5), Northern Iowa (111.5), South Dakota State (94) and NDSU (90.5) to round out the top-five.


Oklahoma State’s conference title streak matches its longest in program history as it also won eight straight from 1921-1928.


Seven of the 10 No. 1 seeds claimed Conference titles, highlighted by the Cowboys’ Nick Piccininni in the 125-pound weight class who won his fourth Big 12 trophy while also being named the Most Outstanding Wrestler as voted on by the league’s 12 head coaches.


Northern Iowa’s Doug Schwab was named the Big 12 Coach of the Year by his colleagues, becoming the first Panther head coach to win the honor in program history.


The 2020 NCAA Wrestling Championships are scheduled for March 19-21 at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota.


Final Team Standings
1. Oklahoma State – 147.5 points
2. Iowa State – 116.5 points
3. Northern Iowa – 111.5 points
4. South Dakota State – 94 points
5. NDSU – 90.5 points
6. Oklahoma – 83 points
7. Wyoming – 75.5 points
8. Northern Colorado – 72.5 points
9. Fresno State – 57 points
10. West Virginia – 41 points
11. Utah Valley – 33 points
12. Air Force – 25.5 points


Individual Winners
125 – Nick Piccininni, Oklahoma State
133 – Cam Sykora, NDSU
141 – Ian Parker, Iowa State
149 – Boo Lewallen, Oklahoma State
157 – David Carr, Iowa State
165 – Travis Wittlake, Oklahoma State
174 – Bryce Steiert, Northern Iowa
184 – Taylor Lujan, Northern Iowa
197 – Noah Adams, West Virginia
Heavyweight – Brian Andrews, Wyoming

[ngineer]

Certainly, some top of the podium quality guys there. Will be interesting to see which FCS school comes in the highest at the NCAA's. Leading candidates would be UNI, Princeton, Cornell, Lehigh, SDSU and NDSU. We have four guys who I believe could be seeded in the top ten: Paetzell (125), Humphreys (157), Kutler (174), Weiler (184) and Wood (285). The best thing I like about the tournament is when some unseeded guy busts up a bracket. Nothing guaranteed...The only question, now, is whether the tournament will be held or "open" to the public. The wife isn't too thrilled with the idea of me attending....

[clenz]

I expect 2 AAs from UNI, a shot at a third and a prayer on a 4th if he gets a wildcard.


Schwarm has a chance but wouldn't bank on it at 125
Blockhus has a chance with the right draw at 141
Steiert I'm confident in getting to the stand at 174
Luhan is the #1 guy in the nation at 184

Max Thompsen needs a wildcard to get in at 149. He has a knee that is just destroyed right now. He has the talent to do it, but with his knee I'd doubt it.

[PAllen]

Lehigh got the one at large bid they were looking for, but it looks like they'll be wrestling in front of a near empty house. I'd be interested in knowing who determines who is necessary for the team and who isn't.

[ngineer]

WrestlingSTATs did a computer simulation and we ended up in 9th place. With Kutler finishing second to Hall at 174, and Wood finishing 3rd at 285. Humphreys made 7th. Surprised Paetzel at 125 did not place. Not sure how the algorithm works. Something to drink beer over. So disappointing.

[ngineer]

NCAA has officially nixed the idea of granting the winter sport athletes an additional year of eligibility. So the seniors, i.e. Jordan Kutler, et al., are done. Disappointing, but guys like Jordan have a big future ahead of them.

[PAllen]

NCAA has officially nixed the idea of granting the winter sport athletes an additional year of eligibility. So the seniors, i.e. Jordan Kutler, et al., are done. Disappointing, but guys like Jordan have a big future ahead of them.

It sucks that they missed their championship tournaments, but they did get to play the vast majority of their seasons. It will be interesting to see what the NCAA does with the spring atheletes and even the fall atheletes if this continues.

[Laker]

Old Dominion has dropped wrestling.

https://collegead.com/adnews/old-dominion-estimates-savings-of-approximately-1-million-once-wrestling-program-discontinues/

[Laker]

Story about the ODU situation.

https://www.pilotonline.com/sports/college/old-dominion/vp-sp-odu-athletics-study-20200403-akwhwiad2zfmrbvob7j6dlzcjy-story.html

[citdog]

ODU needs to quit pretending that they are an FBS program.

[ngineer]

A lot of schools in that category.

[Bison Fan in NW MN]

At least ESPN is running previous wrestling championships now.

Watching some of them makes me wonder how time has flown by. They had the 2000 National Championships on and it seems liked I watched that live on TV not too long ago.....xembarrassedx.....:)

[ngineer]

At least ESPN is running previous wrestling championships now.

Watching some of them makes me wonder how time has flown by. They had the 2000 National Championships on and it seems liked I watched that live on TV not too long ago.....xembarrassedx.....:)

You Tube had a feature the other day with the Top Ten bouts of all time. #1 was Owings/Gable ,, but #2 was Rob Rohn's cement-mixer pin of Lambrecht of Oklahoma in the NCAA championship in 2002 after trailing 14-2. Greatest come-from-behind win of all time. I could watch that forever. Never Quit.

[Laker]

Interesting article about why there are so few wrestling programs out west.

https://www.fairfieldsuntimes.com/sports/national/collegiate-wrestling-struggling-to-keep-its-foothold-in-the-west/article_e8b140d8-9403-11ea-954a-2326f6ccef3a.html

[ngineer]

Interesting article about why there are so few wrestling programs out west.

https://www.fairfieldsuntimes.com/sports/national/collegiate-wrestling-struggling-to-keep-its-foothold-in-the-west/article_e8b140d8-9403-11ea-954a-2326f6ccef3a.html

Thanks. While a good recap of the situation, I still did not glean a good reason as to why...other than the usual unspoken word of $$$. It's such a shame that with so many high schools increasing wrestling participation, that the opportunities beyond high school are so limited.

[cx500d]

Thanks. While a good recap of the situation, I still did not glean a good reason as to why...other than the usual unspoken word of $$$. It's such a shame that with so many high schools increasing wrestling participation, that the opportunities beyond high school are so limited.
It’s really the same with most Olympic sports