FYI - Cael & Nico on at 6 PM today Wed 11/11 - Free GoPSUSports.com link...
- Thread starter T J
- Start date
From the interview at Letterman's Bar and Grill, with Ironhead Jeff Byers.
NOTE: Any Additions or Modifications are Welcome. Items may be paraphrased. Hope it is accurate, but comments are welcome. Here we go...
NOTE: Any Additions or Modifications are Welcome. Items may be paraphrased. Hope it is accurate, but comments are welcome. Here we go...
Ironhead said Cael has a policy to not comment on his class until the final class is complete. So likely nothing on Mark Hall tonight.
HWT - Nick Neville's and Jan Johnson
Nick - Had a surgery. Chance he could be back for post season. Don't know.
Will make those decisions when they get closer.
Jan Johnson - A big deal for us. Coach Franklin gave them the opportunity, was excited about it. Great athlete. Good work ethic. He's a winner. Trying to get him ready to go. Very grateful to him and Coach Franklin for making this possible.
Commercial break...
6:13 - A few Standing room only tickets for Lock Haven this Friday and tickets are available for the big Bryce Jordan match vs Wisconsin. So get them now while you can.
VT - coached by PSU grad. Program on the rise under Scott Moore, returning AA with Neff.
Cael - Good program wrestle hard. When approached them, they didn't hesitate. We were looking for a match in early Nov and they said Yes. We have a really exciting team this year.
IH - Sunday vs VT - Young wrestlers thrown into the mix early.
Cael - Tough match early. Keeps them motivated. Excited to see how the Frosh do at VT, a really good program.
IH - Growing sport
Cael - Strong. Never been more competitive. Programs like VT and BT.
Years ago, just a few teams competing for NC like Ok St and IA. Now 10-15 teams competing nationally.
VT getting good recruits at every weight class, so that's good to see
IH - National Dual format - 8 Venues. Grow sport
Cael - Gives us a chance to wrestle teams we wouldn't meet normally, OK St, Missouri, and others were listed. People are more excited to follow the team results.
IH - 4 Quality recruits - with AA potential Rasheed.
Cael - Hammond ranked 14 returns, Rasheed from Long Is, very competitive. Rasheed wants to get in extra work every day. Have to tell him he needs rest too. also good wrestlers Cody Law Gino Morrelli - Shakur will start because he won all his matches this week. But they will continue to wrestle. Excited. We will see how he competes on Friday and Sunday.
IH - Cade Moss lost his job and others mentioned. How important is their attitude in the room?
Cael - Need to keep working and keep competing.
Tough spot Zain 49 Noff 57, we love Zack Bytes we want him to continue to improve, as he may be needed again.
Cade Moss needs to continue to improve, wrestling open tournaments. We want them to know that if you start at PSU you have a chance to be a NC. Starting at PSU isn't enough, they need to focus on becoming a National Champion.
IH - This Senior Class is represented by some powerhouse wrestlers.
Cael - Will lose Nico, Conaway and Mac after this year. We don't want to win in waves. We want to be competitive very year. When you only change 2- 3 guys in a year, it sets you up better every year.
IH - 3 leaders
Cael - Nico Consistency unmatched. Led off for 3 NC teams.
Conaway - Wrestles well. Confidence even better. Can wrestle at 33 for a medal.
Mac - Great year last year. Could have won NC. This year he needs to have goal, focus and consistency to win the NC.
IH - Are you seeing what you want to see in the room this year?
Cael - Yes. We've had some good teams. Overall the attitude this year is easily the best we've had. Consistency, high character guys, good students, it's a good mix.
IH - How you prepare team? Weights - Guys bumping up. What is your approach on weight management?
Cael - Have gotten some emails in that don't like some guys bumping up. We see them every day.
Jimmy better at 41 - Zain a monster at 41. We want to win and give them an opportunity to win. Want them to focus on winning and not just making weight.
Shakur at 65 will be as big as any in the country.
IH - Other things you do at practice, with games in the room?
Cael - Want them feeling fresh. Mind is important. Don't play dodge ball as much as some think. Lot of it is feel. Play if we think they need it. Want them excited to be there. Sometimes you can see how much harder they run in games than in a circle.
IH - Match-ups - How team members will respond vs very good opponents at every weight, at least once this weekend.
Cael - On match day let them go. Excited to see them respond. VT - we will have to do well.
VT had a good match already vs ISU 32-3 (?), who was ranked.
IH - What are you looking for vs Lock Haven?
Cael - We want consistency. Hustle. Score points. Attitude, not just to win. More about fighting to win. If they are Happy and Healthy they will wrestle well. Let's score some points and battle.
Next week will be a recorded show, because PSU travels to California. Maybe on Thurs night in place of Franklin's show, because of football bye week?
Then this Ironhead and Cael Coaches' show will be every Wed 6-7 after next week.
=======
After the break, Cael was gone and Nico was the guest.
Nico - Excited. Now that his final year is here, he's calm before the storm. Feels good.
IH - How is your final senior year different this year than your last 3?
N - Know where I am. Know what I can do. Maturity. Know sport better. Feel a lot more mature as a wrestler. Every year ready to get to the first match and then to keep going.
IH - What was your greatest improvement during your RS year?
Grew at every position. Great things when down. Can now learn and focus on what coaches say - Better at listening, instead of just go go go. Still go go go, but now a lot smarter.
IH - Jarret Cortez, Gilibon etc. - How is your competition in the room?
Cortez really good, similar style. Good at funking and rolling under legs.
25 #ers like to roll around
Jordan big heart, both of us won't quit
Pataki and Knight - Have 9-10 guys. From 25 to 41, have 10 guys to choose as partners
IH - Did not compete in collegiate style matches much as Redshirt.
N - First match back was wrestle-off. Enjoyed it, good to be in head gear again. Freestyle was awesome, but didn't get 7 minute matches. Anxious to get 7 min in again.
IH - How much focus have you had on the rule changes? Out of bounds rules and how they call stall calls at the edge of the mat?
N - 1st wrestle-off got called for stall call. First of my life. Have to learn from it. With some scrambles, treat it like FreeStyle, wrestle on the edge, but keep butt toward the middle, do not step out.
IH - Near fall points
N - 4 points can matter. Nico likes it. Doesn't want to just ride. 4 points are a lot of points. Nico thinks the point change will help a lot.
IH - Seniors like to enjoy final year, take it all in.
N - Crazy that it's been 9 years, up through HS and college. Life goes so quickly. Enjoy every second. Makes me want to go every second. Enjoy it all, every second this year. Excited to get it going. Not concerned about the past. I am the person I am today because of all of the past.
IH - This team vs other special teams. Is this the best team top to bottom?
N - We are going to be scoring lots of points. Frosh are like Snrs, they want to come in to dominate not just compete. And our other team members want to score score score.
Break...
IH - 3 time AA Nico Megaludis
Focus on this weekend. Good start for you and team. What do you do to set yourself up?
What do you want to accomplish?
N - Dominate every second. Make guys hate to wrestling me again. Not to be cocky. That's the only way to compete. Wants to set things up well for the team.
IH - Joey Dance ranked 5th or 6th
N - Wrestled him 2 years ago at NCAAs - Tricky kid. Funks. I watch 1-2 matches, but I wrestle how I wrestle. Good to watch some, but you focus on yourself. I am thinking about me and if I get to his legs, what he might do.
IH - Top 5 match on Sunday - Hit the road. Is this the type of weekend you like to start?
N- Yes Friday in Rec Hall is great with our fans. Then VT who is very good. We wrestle in Cassel Auditorium(?) with hostile fans. I love to compete in that kind of environment.
IH - Travel 6 hours on bus with team. What are road trips like?
N - Interesting - lots of interesting guys on the team, including me. We know each other so well. We spend time together in the lounge. On a long trip, we get to joke around. Not doing much, so we come up with things to make the time go bye.
IH - To Nico - Good luck this year.
Break...
IH - PSU vs Lock Haven at Rec Hall, 7 Friday. Handfull of standing room only tickets left.
Plenty of tickets left for Bryce Jordan vs Wisc in early December, so get them now.
Friday very busy day at PSU this weekend. If going to any events, give yourself extra time.
5 events in 2 hours or a couple on Saturday.
M & W Swim and Diving 5 Fri
LL BB Holy Cross at 6 (?) in BJC Fri
W Soccer vs Albany in the Opening Round of the NCAAs 6:30 Friday.
M Hockey 7 Friday
PSU Wrestling at 7 Friday
Starting lineup.
Most we know. But mentioned these that may be different for some fans.
Shakur at 65 and Jan Johnson at HWT.
======
Again.... Not direct quotes, but meant to be accurate. Any updates or modifications are welcome.
Hope this was helpful... T J
HWT - Nick Neville's and Jan Johnson
Nick - Had a surgery. Chance he could be back for post season. Don't know.
Will make those decisions when they get closer.
Jan Johnson - A big deal for us. Coach Franklin gave them the opportunity, was excited about it. Great athlete. Good work ethic. He's a winner. Trying to get him ready to go. Very grateful to him and Coach Franklin for making this possible.
Commercial break...
6:13 - A few Standing room only tickets for Lock Haven this Friday and tickets are available for the big Bryce Jordan match vs Wisconsin. So get them now while you can.
VT - coached by PSU grad. Program on the rise under Scott Moore, returning AA with Neff.
Cael - Good program wrestle hard. When approached them, they didn't hesitate. We were looking for a match in early Nov and they said Yes. We have a really exciting team this year.
IH - Sunday vs VT - Young wrestlers thrown into the mix early.
Cael - Tough match early. Keeps them motivated. Excited to see how the Frosh do at VT, a really good program.
IH - Growing sport
Cael - Strong. Never been more competitive. Programs like VT and BT.
Years ago, just a few teams competing for NC like Ok St and IA. Now 10-15 teams competing nationally.
VT getting good recruits at every weight class, so that's good to see
IH - National Dual format - 8 Venues. Grow sport
Cael - Gives us a chance to wrestle teams we wouldn't meet normally, OK St, Missouri, and others were listed. People are more excited to follow the team results.
IH - 4 Quality recruits - with AA potential Rasheed.
Cael - Hammond ranked 14 returns, Rasheed from Long Is, very competitive. Rasheed wants to get in extra work every day. Have to tell him he needs rest too. also good wrestlers Cody Law Gino Morrelli - Shakur will start because he won all his matches this week. But they will continue to wrestle. Excited. We will see how he competes on Friday and Sunday.
IH - Cade Moss lost his job and others mentioned. How important is their attitude in the room?
Cael - Need to keep working and keep competing.
Tough spot Zain 49 Noff 57, we love Zack Bytes we want him to continue to improve, as he may be needed again.
Cade Moss needs to continue to improve, wrestling open tournaments. We want them to know that if you start at PSU you have a chance to be a NC. Starting at PSU isn't enough, they need to focus on becoming a National Champion.
IH - This Senior Class is represented by some powerhouse wrestlers.
Cael - Will lose Nico, Conaway and Mac after this year. We don't want to win in waves. We want to be competitive very year. When you only change 2- 3 guys in a year, it sets you up better every year.
IH - 3 leaders
Cael - Nico Consistency unmatched. Led off for 3 NC teams.
Conaway - Wrestles well. Confidence even better. Can wrestle at 33 for a medal.
Mac - Great year last year. Could have won NC. This year he needs to have goal, focus and consistency to win the NC.
IH - Are you seeing what you want to see in the room this year?
Cael - Yes. We've had some good teams. Overall the attitude this year is easily the best we've had. Consistency, high character guys, good students, it's a good mix.
IH - How you prepare team? Weights - Guys bumping up. What is your approach on weight management?
Cael - Have gotten some emails in that don't like some guys bumping up. We see them every day.
Jimmy better at 41 - Zain a monster at 41. We want to win and give them an opportunity to win. Want them to focus on winning and not just making weight.
Shakur at 65 will be as big as any in the country.
IH - Other things you do at practice, with games in the room?
Cael - Want them feeling fresh. Mind is important. Don't play dodge ball as much as some think. Lot of it is feel. Play if we think they need it. Want them excited to be there. Sometimes you can see how much harder they run in games than in a circle.
IH - Match-ups - How team members will respond vs very good opponents at every weight, at least once this weekend.
Cael - On match day let them go. Excited to see them respond. VT - we will have to do well.
VT had a good match already vs ISU 32-3 (?), who was ranked.
IH - What are you looking for vs Lock Haven?
Cael - We want consistency. Hustle. Score points. Attitude, not just to win. More about fighting to win. If they are Happy and Healthy they will wrestle well. Let's score some points and battle.
Next week will be a recorded show, because PSU travels to California. Maybe on Thurs night in place of Franklin's show, because of football bye week?
Then this Ironhead and Cael Coaches' show will be every Wed 6-7 after next week.
=======
After the break, Cael was gone and Nico was the guest.
Nico - Excited. Now that his final year is here, he's calm before the storm. Feels good.
IH - How is your final senior year different this year than your last 3?
N - Know where I am. Know what I can do. Maturity. Know sport better. Feel a lot more mature as a wrestler. Every year ready to get to the first match and then to keep going.
IH - What was your greatest improvement during your RS year?
Grew at every position. Great things when down. Can now learn and focus on what coaches say - Better at listening, instead of just go go go. Still go go go, but now a lot smarter.
IH - Jarret Cortez, Gilibon etc. - How is your competition in the room?
Cortez really good, similar style. Good at funking and rolling under legs.
25 #ers like to roll around
Jordan big heart, both of us won't quit
Pataki and Knight - Have 9-10 guys. From 25 to 41, have 10 guys to choose as partners
IH - Did not compete in collegiate style matches much as Redshirt.
N - First match back was wrestle-off. Enjoyed it, good to be in head gear again. Freestyle was awesome, but didn't get 7 minute matches. Anxious to get 7 min in again.
IH - How much focus have you had on the rule changes? Out of bounds rules and how they call stall calls at the edge of the mat?
N - 1st wrestle-off got called for stall call. First of my life. Have to learn from it. With some scrambles, treat it like FreeStyle, wrestle on the edge, but keep butt toward the middle, do not step out.
IH - Near fall points
N - 4 points can matter. Nico likes it. Doesn't want to just ride. 4 points are a lot of points. Nico thinks the point change will help a lot.
IH - Seniors like to enjoy final year, take it all in.
N - Crazy that it's been 9 years, up through HS and college. Life goes so quickly. Enjoy every second. Makes me want to go every second. Enjoy it all, every second this year. Excited to get it going. Not concerned about the past. I am the person I am today because of all of the past.
IH - This team vs other special teams. Is this the best team top to bottom?
N - We are going to be scoring lots of points. Frosh are like Snrs, they want to come in to dominate not just compete. And our other team members want to score score score.
Break...
IH - 3 time AA Nico Megaludis
Focus on this weekend. Good start for you and team. What do you do to set yourself up?
What do you want to accomplish?
N - Dominate every second. Make guys hate to wrestling me again. Not to be cocky. That's the only way to compete. Wants to set things up well for the team.
IH - Joey Dance ranked 5th or 6th
N - Wrestled him 2 years ago at NCAAs - Tricky kid. Funks. I watch 1-2 matches, but I wrestle how I wrestle. Good to watch some, but you focus on yourself. I am thinking about me and if I get to his legs, what he might do.
IH - Top 5 match on Sunday - Hit the road. Is this the type of weekend you like to start?
N- Yes Friday in Rec Hall is great with our fans. Then VT who is very good. We wrestle in Cassel Auditorium(?) with hostile fans. I love to compete in that kind of environment.
IH - Travel 6 hours on bus with team. What are road trips like?
N - Interesting - lots of interesting guys on the team, including me. We know each other so well. We spend time together in the lounge. On a long trip, we get to joke around. Not doing much, so we come up with things to make the time go bye.
IH - To Nico - Good luck this year.
Break...
IH - PSU vs Lock Haven at Rec Hall, 7 Friday. Handfull of standing room only tickets left.
Plenty of tickets left for Bryce Jordan vs Wisc in early December, so get them now.
Friday very busy day at PSU this weekend. If going to any events, give yourself extra time.
5 events in 2 hours or a couple on Saturday.
M & W Swim and Diving 5 Fri
LL BB Holy Cross at 6 (?) in BJC Fri
W Soccer vs Albany in the Opening Round of the NCAAs 6:30 Friday.
M Hockey 7 Friday
PSU Wrestling at 7 Friday
Starting lineup.
Most we know. But mentioned these that may be different for some fans.
Shakur at 65 and Jan Johnson at HWT.
======
Again.... Not direct quotes, but meant to be accurate. Any updates or modifications are welcome.
Hope this was helpful... T J
Last edited:
cant comment on Mark Hall (dont even name him) due to NCAA regulations and Cael has internal policy not to talk about recruiting until all are signed.
cael says we are blessed and have a large class projected to be coming and needs are filled.
Says freshman are ready and will be fun to watch
Nick Nevills had surgery, dont know if he will be back but there is a chance. will make a decision closer to post season. Thanked CJF for letting Jan come on board. Jan was excited, solid work ethic and just trying to get him ready. They are positive and taking their time with him. Greatful Jan agreed to come on board.
and the first break.
nice job TJ. my venison cheese steak filled stomach thanks you.
Thanks RoarLions1.
Edited the recap post to remove any reference to being pre-recorded.
Appreciate the correction.
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