Aaron Brooks

[NittanyChris]

Honest questions, not trying to argue. You don’t believe Desanto or Cassioppi are great wrestlers? I know you have mentioned Brayton Lee, Sammy Sasso, and Boo Lewallen in other posts as guys who will finish ahead of Lugo. Any others? At 157 who do you have finishing ahead of Young? Deakin, Hidlay, and Carr come to mind for me.

I believe DeSanto has the talent to win it all, but he certainly has a fair amount of unpredictability to him. I don't think you can reasonably argue that point. I am impressed by Cassioppi and I think he's as good as anyone after Steveson and Parris. That said, he's a Freshman and Freshman have been known to make mistakes.

Both of these two were not so much who I had in mind when I said not living up to rankings.

Any of the top 7 can finish ahead of Lugo. He edged O'Connor at Midlands but a rematch could go the other way. Like Mauller also. He also split with Degen last year so he could lose to him.

Young is solid but unspectacular and, though there's no way to know this but physically appears to be making a big cut. That has the potential to affect him at NCAAs. I'll take the three you mentioned plus Q Monday just beat him in December, right? I'll take a healthy Berge and I wouldn't favor them but would you be shocked if Humphreys, Coleman or Lewan pulled an upset over him?

 

[nitlion6]

Brands would've been unranked if Colbray had injury defaulted.

Even if Brands had been physically mauling the snot out of him at the time of the default?

 

[El-Jefe]

Even if Brands had been physically mauling the snot out of him at the time of the default?

Especially not if he were winning 5-1 and had taken Colbray to his back twice.

 

[Mat Burn]

True but I am looking forward to Venz-Assad #2. I think we will see a different match.

Any rational person wouldn’t predict Assad to beat Brooks coming into this year. But Assad has shown he is capable of beating AA competition. He may never beat Brooks but he can still score a decent amount of points in March. Too many on here and HR focus way too much on head to head between PSU and Iowa. Obviously there will be some match ups but bonus points and deep runs in either the championship or consi bracket will determine the champ.

 

[NittanyChris]

Back to Aaron, not to put too much pressure on him, but he came to Penn State so I'm sure he doesn't mind pressure or high expectations, after this year he wins three in a row. Beast.

 

[PSUAllTheWay]

I can assure you nobody puts more pressure on AB than himself. The best are the best because they push themselves to be the best. I'm really looking forward to his career at PSU!

 

[Wishiwrestledmore]

I think AB ‘s potential is boundless. His loss at Nebraska was just a loss to a good opponent. To come back and win at Iowa shows his mental toughness. He is learning and improving every match. Of all the recruits, I am most excited about him.

 

[jmadden1998]

I believe DeSanto has the talent to win it all, but he certainly has a fair amount of unpredictability to him. I don't think you can reasonably argue that point. I am impressed by Cassioppi and I think he's as good as anyone after Steveson and Parris. That said, he's a Freshman and Freshman have been known to make mistakes.

Both of these two were not so much who I had in mind when I said not living up to rankings.

Any of the top 7 can finish ahead of Lugo. He edged O'Connor at Midlands but a rematch could go the other way. Like Mauller also. He also split with Degen last year so he could lose to him.

Young is solid but unspectacular and, though there's no way to know this but physically appears to be making a big cut. That has the potential to affect him at NCAAs. I'll take the three you mentioned plus Q Monday just beat him in December, right? I'll take a healthy Berge and I wouldn't favor them but would you be shocked if Humphreys, Coleman or Lewan pulled an upset over him?

149 for sure is wide open and 157 is somewhat. I think Deakin and Hidlay are a notch ahead of everyone else. So I could see Lugo and Young finishing low AA which would be below their current ranking. Of course you guys would need 133, 184, 197, and 285 to probably wrestle above seed and 141, 165, and 174 to finish top 2 or better to still be in the running for the title. Brooks, like Cassioppi, is very talented but he’s a freshman and as you said freshman are known to make mistakes. Rasheed hasn’t looked anywhere near a AA contender so he’s going to need to really show improvement. I have been impressed by Nevills. I think he can do some damage and has a chance to finish in the 5-8 range. It will interesting to watch as some of these top contenders will be facing each other in the coming weeks and then at Big 10s.

 

[James P. Whitters III]

149 for sure is wide open and 157 is somewhat. I think Deakin and Hidlay are a notch ahead of everyone else. So I could see Lugo and Young finishing low AA which would be below their current ranking. Of course you guys would need 133, 184, 197, and 285 to probably wrestle above seed and 141, 165, and 174 to finish top 2 or better to still be in the running for the title. Brooks, like Cassioppi, is very talented but he’s a freshman and as you said freshman are known to make mistakes. Rasheed hasn’t looked anywhere near a AA contender so he’s going to need to really show improvement. I have been impressed by Nevills. I think he can do some damage and has a chance to finish in the 5-8 range. It will interesting to watch as some of these top contenders will be facing each other in the coming weeks and then at Big 10s.

I think we see it similar. Now if, for instance, DeSanto has a bad injury and is done we have ourselves a toss up imo. Raptor going down really made a huge difference in the team race as it lowered PSU plus elevated Cass to a more likely finalist. Desanto going down would have a similar effect in reverse. I think Iowa is in a great spot and if they wrestle anywhere close to seed at the BIG they will enter the NCAA with a very strong position. PSU needs titles at 141,165, and 174. Iowa needs three finalists. Iowa could have as many as 5 in the finals and I wouldn't be shocked at all as I see 7 guys who by themselves would not surprise me if they were alive on the winners side after Friday night. I will be surprised if Iowa doesn't have at least 3. It is normal to predict rivals falling short of seed/rank if that is what your team needs to overtake them in the team race. Tall task but still within reach.

 

[STAND with PRIDE]

Cassar/Nevills will hurt less than Desanto/Glynn

 

[PSUer1989]

I would be surprised if DeSanto isn't back in the next week or two.

 

[STAND with PRIDE]

I would be suprised if DeShamto isnt ON HIS back the next time he faces RBY

 

[STAND with PRIDE]

Spencer Lee to Austin: “see I told you that freakin hurts”

 

[jmadden1998]

I would be suprised if DeShamto isnt ON HIS back the next time he faces RBY

I wouldn’t call a guy a sham who has beaten 2 national champions. He must be pretty good.

 

[Johnbrooks]

Appreciate the support! He is finally in shape and getting healthy. He was out almost 2 months after worlds for an injury. He has wrestled his way back into condition. We should continue to see improvement.

 

[McScoreley]

Appreciate the support! He is finally in shape and getting healthy. He was out almost 2 months after worlds for an injury. He has wrestled his way back into condition. We should continue to see improvement.

https://tenor.com/view/elmo-faint-gif-11387969

EDIT: Sorry don't know how to embed GIFs!

 

[slushhead]

https://tenor.com/view/elmo-faint-gif-11387969

EDIT: Sorry don't know how to embed GIFs!

Right-click/select image, hit copy, then go to your post, click on the little image icon in the toolbar (mountain & sun icon), paste where it asks for image URL, then hit Insert.

 

[McScoreley]

Right-click/select image, hit copy, then go to your post, click on the little image icon in the toolbar (mountain & sun icon), paste where it asks for image URL, then hit Insert.

Yes!!! Thank you, its appreciated!

 

[manatree]

The thing that worried me was Brooks just won so solidly. Assad couldn't do nothing on offense and Brooks was in on alot of td attempts and also got riding time

It was just one match, no need to write him off as the lesser wrestler yet. Kemerer just handled Hall as well and it would be foolish to write off Hall. I can't wait to see them all meet up again.

 

[RoarLions1]

Way early look at 184. Aaron has Sebastian, Webster, and Jordan left in the Big Ten, if all wrestle. All are tough, but win all three and he's the #1 seed at B1G's.

- Venz has the win over Aaron, but losses to Assad, Caffey, and Jordan.
- Jordan has losses to Webster (MINN), Assad, and Janzer (RUT).
- Assad has the win over Venz, but losses to Brooks and Caffey.
- Caffey has 10 bouts against B1G competition, a good bit in tourneys, and losses to Braunagel (ILL), Embree (MICH), and Janzer (RUT).

It really is a case where guys are beating up on each other, but the path to the top seed is clearest for Aaron.

 

[PSUbluTX]

Caffey is on a bit of a hot streak, but after watching his match today with Assad, I have high confidence that Aaron will handle him if they meet at BIGs and Nationals.

And based on John's post above that Aaron is "finally in shape and getting healthy," I'm even more excited at the prospect of Aaron getting to keep the promise he made to Zahid at the ASU dual.

 

[okinburg1]

I think AB ‘s potential is boundless. His loss at Nebraska was just a loss to a good opponent. To come back and win at Iowa shows his mental toughness. He is learning and improving every match. Of all the recruits, I am most excited about him.

Agree with this x100. To win at Carver, after the Nebby loss, really shows AB's mental aspect as elite. As with most every sport, those at the top separate themselves mentally, not physically. Feel fortunate that we get to see him in that PSU singlet.

 

[5q]

Question on the skin check. Is it normally ring worm ? I had that two yrs ago. A day or two of steroid cream and presto gone. Or could it be something else too

 

[NittanyChris]

Good thing they pulled Assad's shirt.

 

[rmg78]

Way early look at 184. Aaron has Sebastian, Webster, and Jordan left in the Big Ten, if all wrestle. All are tough, but win all three and he's the #1 seed at B1G's.

- Venz has the win over Aaron, but losses to Assad, Caffey, and Jordan.
- Jordan has losses to Webster (MINN), Assad, and Janzer (RUT).
- Assad has the win over Venz, but losses to Brooks and Caffey.
- Caffey has 10 bouts against B1G competition, a good bit in tourneys, and losses to Braunagel (ILL), Embree (MICH), and Janzer (RUT).

It really is a case where guys are beating up on each other, but the path to the top seed is clearest for Aaron.

Possible that Brooks, Caffey and Janzer each end up with only 1 conference loss. Prior to the season of you bet a trifecta on those being the top three seeds at Big10's I would imagine it would be a nice payday. That and the thought that Venz might be a 6 or 7 seed at the conference tournament shows the uncertainty there this year.

 

[RoarLions1]

Question on the skin check. Is it normally ring worm ? I had that two yrs ago. A day or two of steroid cream and presto gone. Or could it be something else too

Most prominent is herpes simplex.

Ringworm requires a minimum 72 hours of treatment to be cleared, unless it's on a coverable area -- most cases are to the face, or neck.

 

[RoarLions1]

Possible that Brooks, Caffey and Janzer each end up with only 1 conference loss. Prior to the season of you bet a trifecta on those being the top three seeds at Big10's I would imagine it would be a nice payday. That and the thought that Venz might be a 6 or 7 seed at the conference tournament shows the uncertainty there this year.

True, here's a bit more detail;
Caffey lost to Brauagel (tournament), Aaron beat Braunagel.
Aaron beat Janzer HTH.

Caffey has easier end-of-season matches.
Janzer's is fairly easy too, though he has Braunagel next weekend.

The guys like it when their fortunes are within their control. Aaron's is.

 

[pish69]

Possible that Brooks, Caffey and Janzer each end up with only 1 conference loss. Prior to the season of you bet a trifecta on those being the top three seeds at Big10's I would imagine it would be a nice payday. That and the thought that Venz might be a 6 or 7 seed at the conference tournament shows the uncertainty there this year.

Caffey has 3 losses to conference foes and Janzer has 2 at this moment

 

[5q]

Most prominent is herpes simplex.

Ringworm requires a minimum 72 hours of treatment to be cleared, unless it's on a coverable area -- most cases are to the face, or neck.

Thanks Roar. I didn’t think of herpes simplex. Makes sense

 

[rmg78]

True, here's a bit more detail;
Caffey lost to Brauagel (tournament), Aaron beat Braunagel.
Aaron beat Janzer HTH.

Caffey has easier end-of-season matches.
Janzer's is fairly easy too, though he has Braunagel next weekend.

The guys like it when their fortunes are within their control. Aaron's is.

Yes, Brooks controls his path. Doesn't the conference seeding favor in conference records more than out of conference (tournament) losses?

 

[Creek Side]

Thanks Roar. I didn’t think of herpes simplex. Makes sense

You should always worry about herpes... ALWAYS!

 

[RoarLions1]

Yes, Brooks controls his path. Doesn't the conference seeding favor in conference records more than out of conference (tournament) losses?

More, yes, but as I understand it, they don't ignore tournament HTH's. First, with only 9 conference duals, tournament action is valuable to get more data points. Second, with guys held out for injuries at times, it is valuable for the same reason, more data points.

 

[PAHURDLER]

Question on the skin check. Is it normally ring worm ? I had that two yrs ago. A day or two of steroid cream and presto gone. Or could it be something else too

Steroids don’t treat ringworm, they make it worse. You probably had nummular eczema. Steroids will knock that out in a few days. But it is absolutely not a reason you can’t wrestle.

So many guys get misdiagnosed by non-dermatologist docs (“sports med docs”) and who knows how many athletes miss mat time for misdiagnoses.

Source: I am a dermatologist.

 

[AgSurfer]

Steroids don’t treat ringworm, they make it worse. You probably had nummular eczema. Steroids will knock that out in a few days. But it is absolutely not a reason you can’t wrestle.

So many guys get misdiagnosed by non-dermatologist docs (“sports med docs”) and who knows how many athletes miss mat time for misdiagnoses.

Source: I am a dermatologist.

I'm pretty sure that Seth Nevills can appreciate your opinion here.

 

[PAHURDLER]

I'm pretty sure that Seth Nevills can appreciate your opinion here.

I am probably missing something obvious, but I am not sure I know what you’re alluding to.

 

[lionlover]

True, his performance did kind of get lost, but IMHO his performance was the most impressive by a PSU wrestler. Beat a very good wrestler in CHA. Future looks bright for Mr. Brooks.

Looks good for his son too!

 

[5q]

I am probably missing something obvious, but I am not sure I know what you’re alluding to.

something along the lines of

he has a dr note saying he could wrestle but the ref didn’t buy it and he couldn’t participate

 

[lionlover]

Am I the only one who was impressed with Aaron's gracious, understated smile upon getting his hand raised (see clip below).

View embedded media

No, I appreciated it too. I much prefer it over him pretending to strum a banjo or some musical instrument!

 

[El-Jefe]

I am probably missing something obvious, but I am not sure I know what you’re alluding to.

Seth flunked skin check at Ironman his SR year. Had a doctor's note and prescription from a specialist in Fresno who is well regarded in the field.

On-site tourney skin checker disregarded and flunked him.

Family flew from Fresno to Akron to watch him wrestle Cohlton Schultz join him in the stands.

Tirapelle blew a gasket, and rightly so.

Clovis will probably never go to Ironman again.

 

[PAHURDLER]

something along the lines of

he has a dr note saying he could wrestle but the ref didn’t buy it and he couldn’t participate

Seth flunked skin check at Ironman his SR year. Had a doctor's note and prescription from a specialist in Fresno who is well regarded in the field.

On-site tourney skin checker disregarded and flunked him.

Family flew from Fresno to Akron to watch him wrestle Cohlton Schultz join him in the stands.

Tirapelle blew a gasket, and rightly so.

Clovis will probably never go to Ironman again.

Thanks fellas.

My high school used a family practice doc for skin checks, and this doc also worked for PIAA events including states. He was probably half decent, but knowing what I know now as a board certified dermatologist, I realize just how terrible non-dermatologists often are when it comes to skin issues in general.