Never been more happy to be wrong about widening gap between Ross and Merrill! Ross, if he gets with the plan, can be champion ship contender this year!
WTT ‘26
- Thread starter HopkinsPoke
- Start date
SHOCKING. When Merrill can’t just tee off and headbutt the entire match, he ain’t such a monster.
The hell you mean, “gets with the plan” ???
The DT plan of “Doing things right as true freshmen to get a championship “ one.
He just started. But its a long time to championship. He needs to be in there till the March Sunday.
Early in match 2 Ross timed a few of Merrill's bull rushes for stepouts and a 3-0 lead. In Match 3 Ross got an early 3-0 lead off of step outs from Ross shots that drove Merrill out. Both times the early lead made it where Merrill couldn't just push and play sumo. Even in the first match Merill wasn't real effective at that and never got a step out. He got a shot clock and then his own surprise single off the whistle followed by a leg lace. I think just over collar stuff and hard circling took away the Merrill pushing. Plus Ross grew more comfortable shooting as the match went. Off a dozen+ Ross shots across 3 matches Merrill never really came close to a counter score, or even a square sprawl that trapped him under the weight.
I like the adjustments that Dreshaun made after being teched. He would not allow Merrill to push him, he used heavy hands and quickness in finding angles to push Merrill out of bounds after getting on Merrill's legs. Merrill got real tired and then Dreshaun got takedown with go behinds and leg shots. Great comeback. Lanon was in complete control and Miller could not score a point and Landon got pushouts and takedowns to win 6 to 0 and 10 to 0. Landon's strength and hand fighting make him very hard to beat and in close he finds angles and gets takedowns. Speaking of comeback Dee had the lead in both matches well into the 2nd period but his opponent came back twice to win with takedowns. Dee did not separate and it cost him. He is no longer the top guy in his age group. Lockett will need to jump a level this next year. He needs to develop a couple of more takedown moves because his opponent was waiting for it double leg and caught it, drove forwards and got a leg and beat Dee. Dee has the duck and the double. His single is ineffective. He also needs to hand fight better and get tougher. This is 3 big losses that has occurred in the last few months. He can still get back number 1 but he will need to change and jump a level. I was really enjoying watching White beat the guy soundly that teched him but then he lost focus, gave up a takedown and then he could not stop his opponent from gut wrenching him over and over again. Very frustrating but hopefully he gets even more hungry. His potential is to be great.
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That's a lot of conclusions to reach about Lockett for losing to a guy as good as James. If not separating from James is a bad sign, then it's a bad sign for everyone from David Carr down.
I like it!
We just saw the staff put together something to win a title. I like the idea of March with Dre.
You are right that James is going to be a problem for most everybody and maybe even push Messinbrink. The not separating maybe wasn't the bad sign but losing his lead in 2 out of 2 matches late was a bad sign. Ladarion can still be the best. But the last 3 months has brought about questions losing to Caliendo, Ruiz, Alvan, Sparks and now James. Which conclusion or conclusions did you disagree with? I really want Lockett to be great and help us win number 35. Another, question is what are the Raney's doing this summer?
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Agree with everyone on the adjustments Dre made. Very encouraging and it's a sign that he's coachable. I think you have to fully trust your coach to become a champ especially as an underclassman.
Landon continues to bear the fruit of his dedication and consistency. I can't wait to see him solve the various puzzles international wrestlers will present him with.
Landon continues to bear the fruit of his dedication and consistency. I can't wait to see him solve the various puzzles international wrestlers will present him with.
Ross vs Merrill
Just watched this and if he wrestles smart, I don't see how Merrill will ever consistently, if ever, beat Ross in freestyle where pushing your opponent of the mat is stalling.
Just watched this and if he wrestles smart, I don't see how Merrill will ever consistently, if ever, beat Ross in freestyle where pushing your opponent of the mat is stalling.
Actually, I bet the staff uses Merrill as an example and teaching moment to open up Ross completely.
IMO, Ross can now dominate Merrill because he knows how to beat him soundly with mental doubt…what’s he gonna do with mental advantage?
Looking forward to seeing Swiderski up two weight classes. Can he go with these bigger guys?
Also looking forward to Bennett Berge our new 184lber. He's a U20 World bronze medalist. He's a very good wrestler.
Also looking forward to Bennett Berge our new 184lber. He's a U20 World bronze medalist. He's a very good wrestler.