2027 Soldier Salute update

[TheREALSpooner]

In the Gable days, we always peaked in March. We were seldom the best team in November, but always were in March. When the National Duals were in January, we didn't win them often, but always beat those teams in March. We always had a hard training/conditioning phase during Winter break, then tapered at B1G time and peaked for B1G and NCAA tournaments. Haven't seen much of that peaking since 2000. We've won some, but NCAAs have usually not performed at peak.

No one is thinking they need to peak for the SS I hope.

 

[sdvike]

No one is thinking they need to peak for the SS I hope.

They didn't last year.

 

[dtripp26]

They didn't last year.

Focusing on WI...

 

[HawkeyeInOlathe]

You may've already seen that Cornell has listed the Soldier Salute on its schedule for this season:

2026-27 Wrestling Schedule - Cornell University Athletics

However, for those reticent to get their hopes up that the Big Red will be sending a strong squad to Coralville, I was told today by reliable source that it's fully expected to be a starter-heavy lineup - featuring as many as 15 total entries.

If Iowa does its share this time around, we really could have quite the tournament on our hands.

Hopefully Cornell committing will drag another program or two over this year. Then another program or two next year, etc..

 

[RockySmith]

Hopefully Cornell committing will drag another program or two over this year. Then another program or two next year, etc..

I’m of the opinion that schools really don’t want competition. The trend has been that coaches want to get their top wrestlers to the NCAAs with as few losses as possible. Sometimes this has resulted in ducking at duals, as well. The final outcome has been that there aren’t any good early season tournaments, like the Midlands used to be.

 

[sdvike]

Hope Army brings their starters.

 

[InTheCircle]

I’m of the opinion that schools really don’t want competition. The trend has been that coaches want to get their top wrestlers to the NCAAs with as few losses as possible. Sometimes this has resulted in ducking at duals, as well. The final outcome has been that there aren’t any good early season tournaments, like the Midlands used to be.

Although earlier in the year, the Cliff Keen is still a tough tournament.

 

[TNTwrestle]

No one is thinking they need to peak for the SS I hope.


Who said anything about peaking for the SS? If you read what I said, Gable teams never peaked for the Midlands, which was for a long time (not now) 10X the tournament the SS will ever be. If we haven't built it into something bigger by now, we most likely never will. Moving it to after New Years is not helping with that. Too close to B1G Season, thus the excuse last year. Gable's teams were in a hard training phase at Midlands, with maybe a couple easy days before.