2026 U.S. Open Events: Senior, U20, U17, U15 - 04/21/2026 - 04/26/2026
- Thread starter Acacia
- Start date
I guess we could do a search, but I do recall some posters "annointing" Blaze an almost certain 4-timer. I recall because I was one who (based upon watching previous matches and my own very limited expertise in the sport), from the jump, didn't think he had a great shot at an individual title as a true freshman. It's absolutely possible I am remembering things that didn't happen and am arguing with myself.
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Maybe it was Zach Seko. At one time or another he had proclaimed many of our new recruits as future potential 4 timers, including Luke, Marcus, PJ and most notably both Marisolas. ;-)
Marcus has the talent to achieve his goals. I think it's pretty clear his skill set 'today' is more optional for Freestyle, and he can beat the same guys he may lose to in Folk. Given 2/3 of folk is mat wrestling he will need a better top/bottom game to reel off a series of national championships. This is one more reason I am hoping he gets a redshirt this year. Marcus could also use a bit more strength and our kids do transform their bodies after their freshman years even if they stay the same weight. Levi, Barr, Nolf, Nick, Zain .... all got visibly stronger and more powerful with some maturity, not to mention vastly improved mat (hammers on top) wrestling with a few years under their belts.
That is probably unlikely as I had never been on any wrestling-related message board until just before the '25-'26 NCAA wrestling season.
It’s a fact that wrestlers who go to Iowa do not improve. Just ask a previous Iowa wrestler. Brands days may be numbered who knows. Personally hope he stays around.
I see two Iowa schools, yet no Iowa. And where is tOSU? Not how we would have handled it : )
Boasting about landing a historic recruiting class, and then having little to show for it 4 years later can have consequences.
As with any match that Mark Manning is involved with, there's probably 6 minutes of stoppage for brick reviews.
Oh that all my performances could be as underwhelming as Spencer Lee's!
I would have loved to see this match with even a semblance of competency with the officiating.
That's an odd semantic criticism of my statement.I think I made my point clear: that a single win in freestyle doesn't mean a ton regarding the future of the Blaze/Davino/Forrest/Seidel battles in folkstyle. I'm cool with others disagreeing with me.
I agree, it doesn't. Likewise one or two wins or losses in folkstyle early in a career doesn't mean a ton regarding future battles in folkstyle.
I think I made my point clear: that a single win in freestyle doesn't mean a ton regarding the future of the Blaze/Davino/Forrest/Seidel battles in folkstyle. I'm cool with others disagreeing with me.
There are plenty of examples of rivalries that start in favor of one and end in favor of the other. RBY vs DeSanto is a classic example.
Futhermore, four NCAA champs this year (including Luke to Nate) took losses during the year, three (Luke being the exception) reversed an earlier season loss during the tournament, two being in the finals.
Great kid. I'm rooting for him against anyone who isn't in a Penn State singlet.
Sucks for Barr He would have most likley been another NLWC At final x
hopefully we can win 70 and 74 at team trials
hopefully we can win 70 and 74 at team trials
Yeah to be honest, we have had a fair number of season-altering injuries during the off-season in freestyle events over the years. Hopefully Barr didn't slightly tear anything in that knee, and Kasak was it or was it not a concussion? Berge and Cassar weren't so lucky.
Short of an Olympic year, I am ok with guys taking the Mitchell route and just taking some well deserved time off until the next folkstyle season. After your 4 years are up on folk you can squeeze another decade or or so of freestyle for those so inclined.
Sure there are examples of guys winning world medals while still in college, but for most, peak freestyle skills usually occur between the age of 25-28 ish if not a little later
I get it but you don’t usually pass on years where you have the ability to be a world champion. Both PJ and MM are in that category. You only have so many chances to win a world title and Mitchell would absolutely have that chance this year. That’s why I think it’s odd but if his head isn’t into it and he needs a break then it’s the smart move. Take a break and come back energized. I’m still holding out hope he goes to trials though
I'm OK with whatever the guys choose. It's their goals and their lives, not mine.
I don’t believe so. Flo thinks Duke will be going but MM won’t. Who knows though
Shrugster knows. He knows all.
On the first exposure for Marstellar, the official wasn't in position to make the call but did and there wasn't a camera angle that could overturn it. Still shots by those in the crowd available online show Wick never broke 90. One early incorrect call changes the match dramatically as it force Wick to take more chances that Marstellar took advantage of.
There was also the challenge that Marstellar won. That was flat out terrible officiating.