i'm just wondering -- how ultimately good for college wrestling -- having one team dominate for so long... not just the 4 straight titles, but the titles to come (with the crazy commits as of late).. I am worried about the rest of the ncaa programs... not so much the year in and year out top 10s but the rest of the world... when college administrators are looking to cut costs, wrestling programs, although cheap, are the first place they look. if programs have zero chance then why keep going. the F&Ms, American, Sacred Heart, Columbia, Brown etc
anybody maybe have an issue with how strong psu's program is....
- Thread starter shak66_psu
- Start date
They seem to do ok with all the other sports, so I'm not sure why wrestling is any different? Basketball has Kentucky... Football has Alabama... Wrestling has Penn State. Most recruits want to go to the top schools, so the best usually gets the best, no matter the sport. There's certainly enough talent to go around.
I think as long as those teams can stay competitive within their conference, they'll be fine.
I think as long as those teams can stay competitive within their conference, they'll be fine.
This happened a mere 14 months ago:
http://www.fandm.edu/news/latest-ne...wrestling-for-generations-of-student-athletes
Sure doesn't sound like the sky is falling.
http://www.fandm.edu/news/latest-ne...wrestling-for-generations-of-student-athletes
Sure doesn't sound like the sky is falling.
shak66 - imo the concept is sound - but the current environment isn't what you suggest it is.
iowa and ok state aren't going anywhere. minny and cornell are still 'right there'. penn state won it's first title since the 50's and tOSU won their first ever.
we have a long way to go before penn state or anyone else is THAT dominant.
the environment is quite the opposite; has there ever been an era of LESS parity and contenders? in the last 5 or so years you had teams like american and boise state in the top 6.
college wrestling is quite competitive in that regard.
and while you won't see binghamton compete for a national title in wrestling, toledo isn't going to win one in D1 football either, but they aren't going to drop their program.
the thing objective people have to applaud (and maybe even root for) though, is a wrestler from brown, or clarion, or grand canyon, or cal poly to win matches in the blood round against the iowa's and psu's, and minnesota's of the world.
that's my perspective, anyway.
iowa and ok state aren't going anywhere. minny and cornell are still 'right there'. penn state won it's first title since the 50's and tOSU won their first ever.
we have a long way to go before penn state or anyone else is THAT dominant.
the environment is quite the opposite; has there ever been an era of LESS parity and contenders? in the last 5 or so years you had teams like american and boise state in the top 6.
college wrestling is quite competitive in that regard.
and while you won't see binghamton compete for a national title in wrestling, toledo isn't going to win one in D1 football either, but they aren't going to drop their program.
the thing objective people have to applaud (and maybe even root for) though, is a wrestler from brown, or clarion, or grand canyon, or cal poly to win matches in the blood round against the iowa's and psu's, and minnesota's of the world.
that's my perspective, anyway.
good summary by smalls, and don't forget each program gets only 9.9 scholarships, which makes it more difficult to stockpile talent.
If anything, the emergence of PSU has been very good for the sport, which had been so dominated by schools from Iowa and Oklahoma
If anything, the emergence of PSU has been very good for the sport, which had been so dominated by schools from Iowa and Oklahoma
For what it's worth the history of ncaa d1 wrestling is one of dominate programs. In the 83 or 84 years of such championships Oklahoma State and Iowa have won 57 of those championships. Most recently Iowa had a stretch of 9 wins in 10 seasons. We have a long way to go to equal or exceed that type of success or dominance. I hope we do but just relax and enjoy the ride. We won't ruin the sport. In fact the PSU style of wrestling is enhancing it!
There is a concerted effort to grow the sport and having a flagship program can only help.
That Penn State features an entertaining offensive style will help all the more.
Iowa, Ok St and OSU are not going away, Cornell will always have a few title contenders. College wrestling had to adjust to the Big-8 break-up, but with teams like Va Tech and Ar St picking up the mantle I think the future looks bright.
That Penn State features an entertaining offensive style will help all the more.
Iowa, Ok St and OSU are not going away, Cornell will always have a few title contenders. College wrestling had to adjust to the Big-8 break-up, but with teams like Va Tech and Ar St picking up the mantle I think the future looks bright.
Have no worries are Hawks will still be around even if it is only Penn State, Okl State, Ohio State,Cornell and Minny. Enjoy u r ride I'm 78 years young and have had many years of good rides with the Hawks...Had great ride today with 42,200 fans and a win over Okl State. 
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Wrestling is as strong as its ever been and no reason to think it will retreat. PSU has come on lately but so much can happen. I don't think anyone is handing them anything. They can only wrestle 10 guys and the talent around the country is getting better and deeper. Lets enjoy the ride and see where it takes us in Caels next six years.
Look at how dominant Iowa and Ok St have been for long periods. There will always be other top programs to match the top dog.
We had a wonderful four year run. We are certainly set up to be in the mix going forward, but with a completely different type of team. I see a lot of parity going into this season. While our guys looked good Friday night, today will be a real test of what we have to work on. If we can win this match, at VT, while essentially giving up 6 at HWT, then I think we have a good base going forward for this season. Anything else is simply getting way ahead of things. The middle of March matters.
Wow, holy lack of historical perspective. If the concern is dominance, your post is several decades too late. As noted, Okie St has 34 team titles and Iowa has 23. Regional dominance in the heartland of the country is even more severe, when you throw in the next two best totals, Iowa St with 8 and Oklahoma with 7.
While probably only a handful of teams have a legit shot of winning a team title these days, that is a lot more than in years past. In short, big-picture wise, there is probably more parity in college wrestling than there ever has been. And getting championship teams in areas other than Iowa and Oklahoma is also healthy for the sport.
This. America has taken to rooting against excellence; instead, fairness is being held up as the ideal. I'll root against Duke in basketball, Alabama in football, but I will never begrudge them respect. Their organizations work too hard for it. If PSU is to go on another run, then its up to Iowa to stop it...not whine about it.
