2026 NCAA Championship Session VI Thread

[razpsu]

What are the final team totals. Did I miss that

 

[PaWrestlingFan7]

I guess it just shows how spoiled we (I) are/am that I feel oddly disappointed with "only" 4 national champions. I really think it's still a hangover from the absolute travesty committed against PJ Duke. You'll never convince me he wasn't going to be our next 4 timer. As far as stalling goes, they have to address the finger grabbing again next year. That was the main tactic opponents used against PSU wrestlers, especially at the national tournament.

 

[Anon231980]

WATCH: Cael Sanderson's NCAA Championship news conference (including an appearance from Luke Lilledahl):

He's never going to come out with pom poms at a press conference, however, if you really watch him I think it is one of the happiest I have ever seen him.

 

[RBOld]

True. But didnt he move to Pa like in 6th or 7th grade?

Doubt he’s be the wrestler he is today without the move

He moved here in 7th grade. I remember the video of him driving the moving van up here from NC.

 

[El_Jefe]

They have other kids from down south on the McCort roster also. I know one kid was from Georgia.

FL: Lincoln Sledzianowski (since moved back), Caleb Rodriguez, Marquez Gordon

SC: Shamus Regan (moved back)

TX: Jackson Butler

GA: CJ Pensiero

MS: Sam Herring, Eli Herring (but trained in Tennessee)

NH: Jack Silfies (OK, not a southern state, but not PA either)

At least ... and some of the PA kids aren't from the Johnstown area.

 

[jstross]

Not as blatant, but should have called him 2 more times.

McGowan should've been stalled out again. He did zero. Refs need to get more aggressive about lack of offense as a stall. It's actually Okie state strategy, pretend to engage and prolong the match to get to TB. Maybe take a late shot. Worked versus Medez, but if that's how Okie state wants to proceed shame on DT. Ropa Dope vs Duke was an embarrassment to the sport.

 

[Conewago]

Your memory is serving you left. He’s five it twice - 2017 and 2022.

GUYS STOP CORRECTING ME I WAS HAMMERED

 

[Nitlion1986]

Messenbrink hodge has to be all but gaurenteed.

Better check to see if Cael bought any summer camp advertising in WIN.

 

[LittleJ]

In his interview Cael made a point the PSU plays by the rules but others are not. Anyone have any specifics what we has referring to?

 

[Psalm 1 guy]

Levi won his first title when he was 2 months older than Forrest is now.

Of course Levi had made the NCAA finals the year before.

And in his freshman Final wrestled a sixth year senior in Austin O'Connor.

 

[Nitlion1986]

Jax can be beat

Ono and Jax should be PPV next year.

 

[GregPickel]

Penn State coach Cael Sanderson met with the media after his team set a points record and won its fifth straight championship on Saturday night. What did he say?

Full transcript: https://on3.com/teams/penn-state-nittany-lions/news/everything-cael-sanderson-said-after-penn-state-wrestling-set-a-record-won-their-fifth-straight-ncaa-championship/

WATCH his news conference here: https://youtube.com/watch?v=qh4-XVFkQJ0

 

[TheRedandtheBlue]

They have other kids from down south on the McCort roster also. I know one kid was from Georgia.

Sam Herring is from the Memphis area (Olive Branch, MS).

 

[jstross]

Really bummed for Shayne and Rocco tonight and our other guys who came up short.

Was just thinking there’s no shame in Rocco losing a close match to McEnelly. In the beginning of the year, with the talent at 184, I would have been thrilled if you told me Rocco would take second.

Love Rocco, but I had McEnelly winning it.

 

[JA1339]

Luke mentioned ‘I wanted to make a statement that 125 weight class is mine for the next two years’

Wooohooo

 

[Nitlion1986]

I’m just happy so many fOSU fans were in attendance to see their “world famous Buckeyes” take home zero titles. A remarkable 5th place finish.

Damn, no trophies for the Big10 CoY. How can that be?

 

[OhioLion]

WATCH: Cael Sanderson's NCAA Championship news conference (including an appearance from Luke Lilledahl):

Interesting comment, possibly before you made it to the room. At the 3:15 mark Cael mentioned - we do it the right way and follow the rules. There’s not a lot of that out there right now.
Any idea what that is referencing?
Sounds like he’s taking a shot at someone.

 

[DWKeller]

Have you been to Johnstown? Obviously full of the best and brightest

You don't really understand wrestling... especially national championships, right?

when someone interlaces your fingers it is hard to wrestle. another form of stalling.

 

[Psalm 1 guy]

Not as blatant, but should have called him 2 more times.

One aspect of freestyle I like is they will ding you for a Caution and one for grabbing fingers. It definitely is an improvement over the NCAA rules in this regard.

 

[OhioLion]

Looking ahead and at a couple young kids at or close to being st PSU... Henckle I see as a Levi type kid, grinder that just gets sh it done. Jayden James folks.... that's the one I think is gonna be Jason Nolf type special. Gonna be a scoring machine. I like the heavy weight kid that will be coming in. Mirasola might be in trouble in his own room eventually let alone what other teams have. We got a great young 125 lber to replace Luke eventually. And I think you're gonna see some huge hauls in recruiting next few years cuz....well ....cuz Cael doesn't lose.

Where is the 125 from?

 

[johnstownsteel]

Remember some speculating that Luke couldn't possibly hold 125 all 4 years. Well in the presser with Cael he made it pretty damn clear the weight is his for next two years.

 

[mcpat]

Great season. Had a blast in Cleveland, which is really set up well to host this event, IMO. Only thing I need to change is to sit in a PSU section next time. The PSU hate was eye-opening. Didn’t experience that last year in Philly, and I never went b4 that.

 

[johnstownsteel]

He moved here in 7th grade. I remember the video of him driving the moving van up here from NC.

Funniest post of the whole tourney. Well done! Lol

 

[PSUcup]

Where is the 125 from?

Norwin PA

 

[Hotshoe]

When I was in HS and kid who was 19 was a dummy who flunked.

And we all forgot until Jordan kept reminding us all, he graduated early! Lmao!

 

[Nitlion1986]

Buckle up - Okie State is coming whether we like it or not. Looking forward to some fun battles over the next 5 years!

OkieSt had a heck of a tournament this year and still 50 short. PSU almost certainly is not backing up to Okie State, so if they are coming they need to find another 50 points.

 

[DWKeller]

Thank you Penn State Wrestling - one and all. Love you all. What a great 15 years. For all who post, who share date and their time, who write up the match summary. And esp. for the men who wrestle and their/our coaches. Just wonderful!

Sincerly yours,
David

 

[El_Jefe]

That, or a shot clock is definitely needed. Folks talk about PJ and Luke, what exactly do folks want them to do? PJ got hosed twice this year by refs. I laugh every time I here folks say, don't let it in the refs hands. Sometimes, athletes don't have a choice. If a wrestler takes no shots, is constantly backing up, and tying hands all math long, what is a wrestler to do? Take a massive risk? Why would you do that?

I hear you but a shot clock is an unmitigated disaster as long as finger lacing is legal. 100% guaranteed the refs will put the wrong guy on the clock. And either way, the guy not on the clock will get an automatic cheap 1 pt by lacing fingers.

 

[El_Jefe]

Where in NC are you referring to?

Chapel Hill

 

[mcpat]

Ohio State placing 5th in this tournament and behind three B1G teams should be cause for Ryan’s B1G COTY award to be rescinded and awarded to Cael.

 

[El_Jefe]

When did the NCAA outsource drug testing to Meyer Shapiro?

 

[Psalm 1 guy]

PSU goes 41-9 at NCAAs

That's only 82%; unacceptable regression : )

 

[johnstownsteel]

Where is the 125 from

Sidun. He's a PA kid unless he too moved in from the south.

 

[Nitlion1986]

Isn't he a North Carolina boy? Lol

If you had done your job he would be a PSU boy. Dammn it.

 

[OhioLion]

He's never going to come out with pom poms at a press conference, however, if you really watch him I think it is one of the happiest I have ever seen him.

I thought the same. Wore a smile much more than I’ve ever seen.

 

[Nitlion1986]

“You left HS early”.


He’s almost ******* 20 years old

My granddaughter will be 17 when she starts college this coming year.

 

[PAgeologist]

Where is the 125 from?

Sidun.

 

[Psalm 1 guy]

It is tough to make yourself shoot if your target is on his knees sliding backwards, or standing and always stepping backwards. I mean sure Luke could take a desperate shot, get extended and give McGowen his only shot at winning. But damn, that sounds like a really poor plan.

I will use Davino as an example. He took one shot against Jax and Jax countered him for the TD and rideout win.

 

[Efejle]

I can't see Forrest holding 133 next year. And I can't see Bassett moving up to 49. McCort on McCort next year will be glorious because one of them is going to lose

 

[watoos]

A couple of observations;

Tan Tom was rarely in the corner, don’t think he cornered for the finals, only saw him a couple of times the whole tournament.

They gave the trophy to Ono, he was like a kid in a candy shop holding it up, no one would take it away from him, they stuck him with it.

Scooter dwarfs Ono, no way he goes 141, he could go 126.