Sanchez has pinned and teched his way into the semis. Zinkin has also dominated en route to the semis. Sanchez will face Henry Aslikyan, who is ranked #18 nationally. He is committed to Michigan. He is a reigning two-time champion, competing at 113 last season. He took bronze at 48kg at the 2024 U17 World Championships.
Sanchez beats Aslikyan 2-1 in tiebreakers. Will have Zinkin in the finals
Thanks. I decided to post my Sanchez updates in the PIAA thread. I am glad Sanchez won since I felt he was definitely the aggressor. Also, one of Sanchez's TD attempts sure looked like a TD to me, at least as to how they have been calling it in college.
Every time I see those hats it reminds me of that A** H*** martial arts character in the old movie Best of the Best:I saw okie state come out in their silly cowboy hats, and thought that was odd. I had heard DT say something to the effect that Stillwater was the epicenter of USA or college wrestling. I thought that was odd. Then I was rooting against iowa halfway through the 1st match.
Sticking your head up a cow's a** and going to school in Stillwater is a change of scenery.
Possible, but I don’t think Cael concerns himself too much with what other programs are doing. I think most of his energy is team introspective.
You are correct, and probably won’t wrestle them. That said, if we were going to I’d prefer to start within next two years. They could get inserted into that event where we wrestled Stanford and North Dakota State.
Just because Oklahoma State might be the second best program, it doesn’t make them a rival if we don’t ever compete against them. I’d say that Iowa and tOSU are still our primary rivals. Now, if we end up wrestling them in OOC dual meets then maybe so. I guess having a bunch of wrestlers from Oklahoma State face off against Penn State in the NCAA finals or tight point races between Oklahoma State for a few years might change this and result in a rivalry.
He may end up the best in the bunch. He has that type of ability.
Also, like Kasak and Haines were, is still young and age appropriate for his grade, so he may still have a lot of maturing and growing to do.
We have so much talent here and coming its ridiculous at this point it comes down to development and that puts us waaaaaay ahead of the rest
They will need to change their style or they aren’t catching us.
They are very good but capped at 2nd for a bit. On next years team where do you see them closing the gap? Spratley isn’t beating Luke. Jax can only go down. PSU’s 141 (Ono, Blaze, Desmond) will definitely be better than this year. Swiderski or Raney or whoever goes at 149 can absolutely improve on their 8th place finish but SVN should make the finals again. I don’t think Robideau beats Kasak or Duke next year. Lockett can place but isn’t touching MM. Henckel, James, MM, or Duke will outperform Facundo. Rocco will outperform Ryder. No one is touching Barr. Ross is an elite prospect but I think Mirasola will place higher. I just can’t see any way where next year is closer than this year and I don’t think I’m being a homer. Ok ST will be great. PSU should have one of the best teams EVER
The only part of this is critique is the SVN should make the finals again. Henson is back, or bassett. Either one is no gimme and Valencia is just starting. SVN will be in a great group of top end guys next year
Kerkvliet was seeded 9th and finished 7th in his first NCAA tournament
+1 Even with Haines done, PSU has murderer's row 157-197 again next year. The only shot Oklahoma State has in those five weight classes to outpoint PSU is at 157. It almost doesn't matter what happens at the other five weight classes.
… and of course we hope that Ono will be the champ over one of those guys!
Watching Ono vs vega would be something. The height difference and folkstyle rules don't make me feel very confident in the matchup, even if Ono is the more talented wrestler hands down.
That was after a redshirt year though too so if Ross turns out to be as good, he’s still a couple years away from low AA and I’ll take Cole being better than that in 2 years.
I think Ross may be similar to Kerk. Low AA until he gets his weight up to a legit 240+. Doucet was 4th, so I think they last placement points at 285
Ono could make 125, I don't even understand how Vega makes 141. As intriguing as this matchup would be, it isn't happening.
Ono can’t make 125. He got incredibly sick trying to get down with an allowance for the tournament in Japan recently. He is built like a fire hydrant. Super thick in the *** and legs. 133 is ideal but I think he would be just fine at 141
