2024 Sr World Team Trials, Sept 14-15
- Thread starter wrestlingfan22
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Obviously, you know this, but it was still a freestyle match where Facundo beat him and no matter how often people like to compare the two or draw conclusions in one based on examples from the other, it doesn't work that way. I happen to really enjoy Facundo and I really hope that he wrestles for PSU this year (meaning Levi redshirt or MM bumping up and Facundo going 165 or Kasak redshirting and Facundo making a big cut or whatever), but I'd be beyond shocked if Facundo beats Haines in a fair competition for the 174 spot this year.
I wasn't booing JB, I was yelling at Manning to at least pretend to be an adult. Walking off the BJC floor blowing was a terrible look for a nearly 60-year-old D1 coach.
Manning is a cry baby no matter the venue, and I too was heckling Manning after his shenanigans, and let's not forget his nonsense at B1Gs, but JB was getting a lunger as much as he could with the "sock breaks".
Penn State Teammates Levi Haines and Connor Mirasola Working Out Before the Trials
My wife and I were heckling Manning and JB for his antics. I have no issue admitting that!
Those two have no problem dishing it out to the PSU fanbase, but Burroughs really can’t deal with not being adored and idolized in return. His post match WTT interview was quite an eye opener. Came across as a narcissistic snowflake. What a sad combination for such an amazing wrestler.
Agreed, I tend to look at the macro level though. We could do much worse for an ambassador of the sport and an all time great. Take some of the big 4 pro leagues for example.
That TD vs O'Toole was both a thing of beauty and oh so rare. How many times have you seen someone completely flat bellied out underneath vs a multi time NCAA champ, to then somehow almost inexplicably using technique and man strength to pull in a leg, lift him off the mat for a takedown? I have watched it several times and remain amazed. The kid is just a plain scary stud, and had no problem filling out in 6 short months.
Man strength is a gross understatement!!
The one thing I took great notice of in this exchange, besides Levi's other-worldly strength, is how Levi switched his lead leg while on the mat to increase his leverage. He initially started with his left leg closest to Keegan and then slid his right leg under his left leg to gain more leverage. I don't remember having seen that technique before, especially while being completely flattened out on the mat. It is impressive to be so aware positionally while still being able to keep hold of the leg, and ultimately be able to get to your feet and successfully finish the takedown. Two wrestlers that come to mind with the ability to suck in a leg from such a disadvantageous position are Zahid and Matt McDonough.Here is a phenomenal display of strength by Levi. How many wrestlers could finish a takedown like this?
Levi shoots, O'Toole sprawls. Levi is flat on his belly with his feet off the mat, but he keeps his hands locked around the leg.
Levi starts driving forward with his legs. O'Toole keeps sprawling.
Levi works to his knees. O'Toole is still sprawling.
Levi sucks in the leg before finishing off the takedown.
I think at this point Levi has two years which clears out the log jam somewhat. If he did redshirt just more of a jam the next few years. Carter and beau kind of held up the flow as well. I'm not complaining but I'm sure it wasn't something the staff planned on five years ago. In any event we get to see two more studs get one more year in. Would love to see beau get a natty he's worked hard and is such a great leader on the team
2015 was a very unique situation for Cael for "punting" I'm not sure redshirting high AAs and national champs will be a regular thing under Cael going forward with the lineup being jammed as is.
Nico was very much hobbled and it was clearly he wouldn't have won a title that year, there's a reason he didn't wrestle a single match that year. That would have been heartbreaking for Nico to leave titleless.
Nickal, Nolf both would have been AAs as true freshman but Cael foresaw something greater if they took their redshirts (and he was spot on!)
All of those reasons ultimately is why Cael saw fit to redshirt Zain, he needed to add muscle but also he wanted him with Nickal and Nolf for 3 years.
Brooks wanted to redshirt in 2023 because he felt he could have beaten DT if he focused on freestyle that year rather than making 184 for a season. The main purpose obviously was to get the OTT finals spot for medaling at 86. Ultimately, he went for the team, did lose to DT at Final X but hey, he made the Olympic Team in 2024! Things tend to work out.
Nico was very much hobbled and it was clearly he wouldn't have won a title that year, there's a reason he didn't wrestle a single match that year. That would have been heartbreaking for Nico to leave titleless.
Nickal, Nolf both would have been AAs as true freshman but Cael foresaw something greater if they took their redshirts (and he was spot on!)
All of those reasons ultimately is why Cael saw fit to redshirt Zain, he needed to add muscle but also he wanted him with Nickal and Nolf for 3 years.
Brooks wanted to redshirt in 2023 because he felt he could have beaten DT if he focused on freestyle that year rather than making 184 for a season. The main purpose obviously was to get the OTT finals spot for medaling at 86. Ultimately, he went for the team, did lose to DT at Final X but hey, he made the Olympic Team in 2024! Things tend to work out.
You have a reputation for heckling other wrestler's mothers!
So impressive for anyone let alone a HS kid.
That was an impressive display of strength for a guy that might have been 10% lighter six months ago.
If I was a D1 174, I'd be afraid, very afraid, no not afraid, terrified.
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Finally got around to watching this. That first finish from Haines was preposterous.
if he gets his hands locked around a leg he's dangerous
I would just go with if he gets his hands on you he is dangerous
Here's Flo's recap of the tournament. They start talk about Blaze around the 40-min mark, and then discuss Levi around the 55-min mark.
Here's Basch & Willie discussing the tournament. They start talking about Blaze around the 13-min mark & Levi around the 43-min mark.
This is the e-equivalent of Bo helping dudes up after he pinned them. Total troll job. #CarterStarHodgei.
Did you just stutter in a post or invent a new word?
Thanks for posting these. I have a bad habit of neglecting to go back and watch some of the earlier rounds in tournaments, even though like in this case I have a Flo subscription. I can't wait to see Duke at Penn State. I foresee great things from him in college.
PJ’s baseline defense is so ****ing good. His down block go behind is deadly and he handfights like someone on the senior level. If someone does get to his legs his hips and strength make it almost impossible for them to score. In the Lewan match, Will got to a seatbelt/bodylock position off of his shot where he would score against most people but PJ broke his grip, whizzered hard and circled out giving up no points. The power he has is off the charts especially for an 18 year old. There are quite a few special high school talents right now (Blaze, Jax, Bassett, Ross) but in my opinion Duke is the best. I can’t wait to see him in college. I wonder if he will wrestle in a few college opens this year? I would think so. I know KD is still coaching him in all of these recent videos but is he moving to State College this year to train at the NLWC?
He is definitely a strong young man with the Cenzo-like hips to go with the strength. It would be great to see him enter a few college opens this season.
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