This is a silly comparison 40 or 50 years ago, a kid not starting to wrestle until HS and being very good was normal, however, kids specialize in sports at a much earlier age today. It’s why you see freshman coming in who are more than capable than winning early in their college careers, not only did they likely start specializing at a much younger age, but they also have access to wrestle college level, older , and world class level talent at a much younger age. The proliferation of club teams and wrestling schools is light years ahead where it was 40 or 50 years ago. My point the sport is different today and it’s going to be much much tougher to make up the experience gap if you are only starting in HS. It’s not to say it can’t happen as access to gaining top level experience opportunities are much greater today as well … but comparing 40-50 years ago to today is pretty silly.
Next Year’s Lineup '26
- Thread starter SlickWillie18
- Start date
I don't know... sounds a bit pessimistic to me. I mean... drop a bout?
Yeah, does he even Cowboys Wrestling fan…
Captain Insano shows no mercy
My mentioning of White only having wrestled for 4 years isn't so much the issue of why he wouldn't be the starter. Its more of the question of who is coaching him and how is the room he's been in those 4 years. I have zero insight on this. I just know, there are some great HS coaches out there and there are some not good ones.
From what I've heard about White on this board thus far is nothing but great things and that apparently everyone around him has nothing but high praise. Obviously, his future is very bright.
From what I've heard about White on this board thus far is nothing but great things and that apparently everyone around him has nothing but high praise. Obviously, his future is very bright.
Taking a guy who's never wrestled and turning him into a guy OSU would sign indicates his coaching must have been pretty damn good.
When I saw how much his body had changed from hard work and knowing he had a full year with DT and Wyatt in the room I was pretty optimistic. But I did not have him finishing 4th! He could get 3rd+ next year!
Flying Lion I have been asking the question of WHY did he transfer to ou for years. To all kinds of good sources without a solid answer. Any idea? Also I think we are talking about Dave Shultz, the older brother of Mark.
125 - Sprat
133 - Jax
141 - Jamison/Hughes/Raney
149 - Vega
157 - Robideau
165 - Lockett/Facundo/Swiddy
174 - Routledge/Ish
184 - Berge
197 - Panda, Panda, Panda, Panda
285 - Doucet
133 - Jax
141 - Jamison/Hughes/Raney
149 - Vega
157 - Robideau
165 - Lockett/Facundo/Swiddy
174 - Routledge/Ish
184 - Berge
197 - Panda, Panda, Panda, Panda
285 - Doucet
Dave's wife told me that OSU lied about bringing in a freestyle coach which is what Schultz wanted. ou did hire a freestyle coach which made the decision easy for Dave to transfer and for Mark to enroll.
You think Routledge will move to 174? and competition between Dee and Facundo will decide 165?
Here is one quote on the subject: "In the summer of 1979 Mark and Dave Schultz made the Junior World Team, met Oklahoma Assistant coach Jim Humphrey who convinced them to transfer to Oklahoma University."
Mark is the one I was talking about, he was a 3 time NCAA Champion and didn't start wrestling until his Junior year of high school. He was on the gymnastics team prior to that. He transferred from UCLA to Oklahoma after his true freshman year.
Question on HWT next year… If the NCAA passes that 5 year deal and it is effective next season, does that all but guarantee Ross at HWT?
I don’t think it’s possible to pass easily?
The current guys in the eligibility wheel have a serious case against it.
If it does, I think current signers will be grandfathered into the old rules. Maybe not? But it only makes sense.
Well that was a very big mistake that likely cost us a few team national championships, And gold medals. Ugh.
Out of the loop here but did Ryder have shoulder surgery? I assume not as I’ve seen some videos of guys in the room and ZR is in it rolling around with DT.
Yes he's in a surgical sling in the Stilly boys vid from several weeks ago.
He had surgery within like 3-4 days after NCAAs I think lol.
It's totally a thing. President is calling for a vote in May. If it passes, will be effective in June
NCAA 5-year eligibility rule could start in May, potentially giving Otega Oweh a fifth season
We could be headed for more transfer portal chaos and potentially a fifth season of Otega Oweh.
sports.yahoo.com
It has a lot of momentum. I still think it’s a bad idea.It's totally a thing. President is calling for a vote in May. If it passes, will be effective in June
NCAA 5-year eligibility rule could start in May, potentially giving Otega Oweh a fifth season
We could be headed for more transfer portal chaos and potentially a fifth season of Otega Oweh.
The only good thing is, it will create more parity.
I think it's a TURRIBLE idea.
It won't create more parity. That's not a thing except in basketball.
...President Trump signs this and it tells the NCAA these are the new rules? Then someone mentions "...calls for a vote in May..." who is this body or group which/should votes on it? Congress? NCAA? Some presidentially selected committee? Appeals and/or amendments considered? Has this already been suggested/approved/recommended by NCAA? Who, where, and when did they vote on it? Power of the purse makes this unanimous- due to federal contributions to universities? Chase says "...it's a bad idea". Then relates "...create more parity." Bad? Current athletics grandfathered? And how long? Exception for the Olympics? Just too much time until 2026 US Open starts.....................................best to all..................
Yes it will…the only good thing I see.
Kids won’t be going to PSU and OkState to sit for 2 years or even 1. They’ll go somewhere else.
There are so many better options than doing this. Willie talked about it at the end of their show yesterday and it sounded like he almost had a revelation? Even if he didn’t, he explained pretty well why it’s not the best idea.
He also argued Monday against changing to freestyle. His main point, it’s always been this way (folkstyle) and there’s no point in changing it. Yet, let’s change something else that’s always been this way?
IMO, things that could be changed:
-transfer limits…you get one and two with an approved hardship.
-Medical shirts must require a surgery or defined injury condition by an NCAA approved physician.
-a 6 year clock. Once you graduate HS, you got six years to get your 4.
IMO, things that are going to go bad:
-increase in tampering. It will become much more aggressive.
-increase in transfers
-decrease in quality of Wrestling. A kid that could develop under good coaching will be relegated to lesser amenities until a transfer spot opens up.
-decrease in program culture. There will be transfer armies.
To me, this will put out two ends of the spectrum. You’ll have your Anthony Ferrari type and your AJ Ferrari type. Yes, you’ll have some Angelo types in there as well. But, we will see more 4x AAs with 5 schools and that’s not good in any metric. It will prove to be bad for the sport.
You've go to remember this about Mark Schultz quick rise in wrestling: He was a gymnast which requires strength and agility; Even before he wrestled competitively his big brother made him his personnel grappling dummy; When he started wrestling his big brother pounded on him even more, to the point where he (Mark) was able to stymie his (Dave's) offense. Talk about a great training partner!
US Open weigh ins for some of the top guys in next year's heavyweight division
Dreshaun Ross - 225
Cole Mirasola - 232
Michael Mocco - 239
Joy Hopke - 246
Jimmy Mullen - 253
Rocco Dellagatta - 256
Dean Bechtold - 260
Coby Merrill - 261
Dreshaun Ross - 225
Cole Mirasola - 232
Michael Mocco - 239
Joy Hopke - 246
Jimmy Mullen - 253
Rocco Dellagatta - 256
Dean Bechtold - 260
Coby Merrill - 261
Coby is one big dude. He's going to be a problem in that division. Ross needs to gain weight.
What weight do we think he needs to be at by next season to compete with the best? 240-245ish? Bigger? Want him to maintain his quickness and explosiveness. He needs to gain weight in his lower body - legs and backside. Shouldn't be too hard if he dedicates.
Recently people were saying he was gaining weight and was over 235. So what caused the drop to 225?
It isnt just weight. Ross teched Bechtold who's 1 lb under Merrill. Its Merrill's strength and low center of gravity. He gets his head under and pushes like a damn bulldozer.
Man. You can tell we’re in the doldrums of the offseason because we’re sweating the weight of an 18 year old kid. Lord willing he gains good weight over the next 9 months with the right nutrition & weightlifting program. And if he can’t, who knows. Maybe Sergio Vega just keeps growing and eventually makes HWT
The kid has literally the greatest frame I've ever seen in a high school wrestler, is coming from a small town development program, and people are sweating if he'll put on the proper weight once he moves to Stillwater with great food and great S&C coaches.Man. You can tell we’re in the doldrums of the offseason because we’re sweating the weight of an 18 year old kid. Lord willing he gains good weight over the next 9 months with the right nutrition & weightlifting program. And if he can’t, who knows. Maybe Sergio Vega just keeps growing and eventually makes HWT
Talk about matters that don't concern me one bit....
...currently I would favor Merrill in a competitive tractor pull contest with one of small to medium size...as he continues to eat and GROW will he be the first authentic heavy weight like one in the '70's at Iowa State whose name I cannot recall but I remember him from OSU contests in person...
