It seems that the consensus is that Oklahoma State is the new rival…
- Thread starter Shepdogg
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I want many good rivals: OSU, tOSU, VT, Nebraska, hopefully a new and improved Iowa team that enjoys wrestling.
My preference is a team in the B10. Tho, I would love a yearly match with OSU.
My preference is a team in the B10. Tho, I would love a yearly match with OSU.
Yeah, because Cael is always worried about what’s going on in other teams’ rooms.
We'll see. I tend to agree with ccdiver that if PSU keeps doing PSU things under Cael, all of these teams will still be playing catchup. Regarding OSU, I'd like to see them score 120 for a couple of years at NCAAs before I'm convinced that they'll be a perennial powerhouse. Taylor's recruiting well and it's fair to assume that he's a good coach, but whether he'll be able to keep it all together and actually challenge PSU, we'll see......
Recruiting is a big step. Sustaining talent in the NIL and easy portal times is also big. I think DT has attracted talent. Cael keeps and develops talent. Let's see if DT can do that as well.
When Sanderson took over at Penn State, Iowa made the mistake of thinking they were entitled to keep winning national championship titles. This delusional attitude was compounded by Penn State losing a winnable dual meet at Rec Hall in 2011. The Big 10 and NCAA tournaments that year were wake up calls for Iowa.
Somehow, I don't see CCC&N making the same mistake. Ok State is probably going to be a legitimate challenger in coming years, and I expect that Penn State will be prepared for it. We definitely will see some exciting NCAA competition.
Somehow, I don't see CCC&N making the same mistake. Ok State is probably going to be a legitimate challenger in coming years, and I expect that Penn State will be prepared for it. We definitely will see some exciting NCAA competition.
Better that Cael take them seriously than fans, but I also agree with Cael. They will be truly challenging us if they continue on their current path. And I think Taylor definitely knows he needs to build behind this current crop of young talent - because Cael definitely is.
Iowa and the Brands worked their tails off to climb the mountain in 2020-21, but it was a blip because they got complacent again - thinking there’d be some long-term “Spencer Lee” effect
I agree. David's recent recruiting has been phenomenal, which is why they look to be the #1 challenger to Penn State in the next few years. How much that recruiting will result in NCAA results remains to be seen. You may see the NCAA tournament's highest scoring #2 team in the next few years. As much as I have loved watching Penn State crush everyone the last few years, having teams like Ohio State, Oklahoma State and potentially Virginia Tech field strong teams will be exciting for me as a fan of wrestling. Notice I didn't mention Iowa. I hope to see them right the ship. As of now, things are not looking good for them. And if they don't have any success in the portal the next few years things might get even worse for them. I hope that is not the case because I think a non-relevant Iowa program isn't good for college wrestling.
also good that he doesn't have a limit of schollies and prob some $$ resources
This whole topic brings to mind this Cael quote, "Unless you continually work, evolve, and innovate, you'll learn a quick and painful lesson from someone who has." I might be more concerned as a Penn State fan if our coaches aren't who they are, but they have shown themselves to almost always be ahead of the curve. Bottom line, if or when another program matches or overtakes Penn State, they will definitely have earned it. And if that day comes, hopefully I will be mature enough to congratulate them and not whine about the unfairness of it all : )
Duckworth is still a reliable mouthpiece for all Oklahoma sources, sniff test be damned.
If we've learned nothing else from the past 15 years, Cael is focused internally. He's aware of OKST but that's noise. His sole concern is mazimizing PSU.
Gotta keep getting the Jimmy's and the Joe's and the Sammy Sanchez's and the Cam Howard's. Maybe a Hutcherson and a Hoare as well.
I'm taking a wait and see approach. Watching Lockett, Robideau, Facundo and Ryder (or Vega for that matter) on Sunday against Iowa doesn't convince me that the Cowboys' ascension is guaranteed.
Did anyone ever do an Okie State future lineup breakout like what was done for Penn State? I'd like to see them side by side. Cael has an uncanny ability to stagger the talent he brings in. It's true that the Cowboys have been recruiting really well, but Penn State's recruiting has been exceptional too.
This is true. Cael is still getting whoever he wants, so all he currently has to worry about is who he wants and let everyone else fight for scraps, but PSU needs to outperform Ok St in order for that to remain true. For example, Blaze and Jax were almost equal level recruits at the same weight. Cael got who he wanted in Blaze, so Jax went to DT. If Blaze beats Jax when they meet, then Cael will keep getting whoever he wants. If Jax under DT surpasses Blaze under Cael, then the tide will start to turn. This same calculus will be happening with all of the elite PSU recruits - Duke, Sidun, James, Henckel, etc. As long as they stay ahead of the equivalent recruits at the other elite schools, and in particular Ok St because after nationals this year, they will be ahead of everyone else, Cael will continue to get whoever he wants.
Disagree , they're not in our conference, so let's just say they might soon be the most likely challenger for the top spot.
Even though he is only a sophomore, I have been keeping track of Sanchez this season. He blitzed his way through both of the qualifying tournaments for the state championship. This season he moved up to 120 pounds after winning a title at 106 his freshman year. He has definitely added on a lot of muscle in the last year, and is noticeably broader in his arms and shoulders. He is still undefeated in his California H.S. career. At this year's tournament he has senior Rocklin Zinkin in his bracket. Zinkin has made the Finals every season and has won it the last two seasons. He is committed to Oklahoma State and is ranked nationally at #2 behind Landon Sidun. If Sanchez wins the title this year he will further cement his credentials moving forward. Also, if Sanchez wins it again this year he will be half way toward the record of being California's only 4-time undefeated state champ. For those who don't know, California is a single classification state and has over 1000 high schools with a boys wrestling program.
Exactly. Mazimum work + Mazimum innovation + Mazimum Cael = Mazimum success.
Lol, I deserve all the shots for spelling from my phone.Exactly. Mazimum work + Mazimum innovation + Mazimum Cael = Mazimum success.
At least more shots than Caliendo took from Lockett.
For recruits, soon-to-be recruits or up-and-coming recruits, the only dominant team they have ever known is Penn State. Here is the team and individual titles breakdown since the 2011 season:
Individual NCAA tiles: Penn State (40), Oklahoma State (10) and Iowa (8).
Team titles: Penn State (12), Iowa (1) and Oklahoma State (0).
For youngsters, recent history has been all Penn State. It is going to take some sustained success from David Taylor for recruits to view them as the new shiny thing, even with Jax in their line-up. Taylor is doing a phenomenal job of recruiting currently, so we will see how much they cut into Penn State's recent dominance. I'm sorry to say that it is going to be very hard for Iowa to not fall further and further behind. Ohio State and Virginia Tech will probably make up the other top four teams. I think the next few seasons are going to be even more exciting for us fans as the team title chase will be tightening up.
The separation is greater when looking at World/Olympics medals. Which is what the recruits really want.
It's too early to tell how Taylor will fare in that regard. We know how Cael does, best Senior Freestyle club in the world.
the next couple of years are going to be fun to watch ... the chemistry of the PSU staff is strong, DT & Company are in year 2 - can they maintain the RTC after the 2028 Olympics if Team USA doesn't include a Cowboy?
I think most everyone was really only impressed with Jax, but most everyone who was paying attention was already very impressed with Jax.
Okay - you are on Sanchez duty. After @johnstownsteel failed us with Jax, we’re looking for a new closer.
But what if the leads are weak?Okay - you are on Sanchez duty. After @johnstownsteel failed us with Jax, we’re looking for a new closer.
This. Most of the best recruits want to win more than NCAA championships. They want World medals. Maintaining the position as the top destination for freestyle is the number one key to winning NCAA team titles going forward. It’s why Cael bringing in guys like Ono to train is 4D chess even if he never masters folkstyle. To top recruits, seeing PSU related guys taking 15 out of 30 spots on world teams this past year is 1000% more valuable than going to a fake dual championship in November even if it pays $200k.
Think we sit pretty nicely with these guys. Obviously getting a kid to fly across the country presents challenges. Think a safe bet is 3/4 here
This. I still think the RTC is the biggest driver: both in recruiting and development. DT getting Zahid was the first, and frankly the only get that has given me pause on that front. And it’s unclear if the pause is worth more than a breath or two. Jax will be the next big one. But even after the Kyles and Gilman retire, we’ll have AB, Mitchell, Luke, Levi, Marcus, Roman, PJ, Barr, Hopefully Nick and Ono for a while, and more.
Cudos to Okie State for their recruiting success but they will soon run into PSU problem of too many recruits for ten weight classes, enjoy the team competition but recruiting only part of process
SAMMY Sanchez.Okay - you are on Sanchez duty. After @johnstownsteel failed us with Jax, we’re looking for a new closer.
@Psalm 1 guy gets bonus points if he can hoodwink OKST into taking "Sanchez."
Two years out would be
Zinkin vs LL
Raney vs Blaze
Jax vs Desmond
Vega/Raney vs Shepherd?
Roubudeau vs Kasak/Duke
Lockett vs Duke/James
Facundo vs Henckel
Ryder/White vs Rocco
Merrill vs Barr
Ross vs Mirasola
This is two years out. Three years out could be interesting for the team race. A lot can change though with the portal.
Gilman, who followed Taylor as a signature hire and then left...hmmm.
Blaze isn't going to be 133. It's going to be more like Sidun, Lilledahl, Blaze. Desmond could be 149 if he bulks up there.
**** okie state. I don't like their vibe or their attitude. Sense of entitlement and **** and that crap with jax holding a cup of iowa tears is telling. Lol. I'm rooting for anyone who wrestles a poke im waiting for the first team crisis and see how that's handled it's coming it always does