Gable Steveson

[WEAREPSU_LI]

So, I am starting this off being honest about what I thought Anthony's chances were. I thought Gable was going to manhandle him the second time around, but I am pleased he did not and in awe by Anthony's wrestling. Watching Gable's matches from earlier in the year, his freestyle matches and looking at his past results against big names, it made me wary that the first match was just a fluke.

I'm genuinely surprised by Gable. I thought he was going to be 4/4 no losses ever. He doesn't seem to be able to turn it up like he needs to. What do you guys think?

 

[lionlover]

So, I am starting this off being honest about what I thought Anthony's chances were. I thought Gable was going to manhandle him the second time around, but I am pleased he did not and in awe by Anthony's wrestling. Watching Gable's matches from earlier in the year, his freestyle matches and looking at his past results against big names, it made me wary that the first match was just a fluke.

I'm genuinely surprised by Gable. I thought he was going to be 4/4 no losses ever. He doesn't seem to be able to turn it up like he needs to. What do you guys think?

I think those matches were both very close. That said, since freshmen improve the most after their first full year in college, I expect Steveson to beat Cassar next year...if Cassar comes back.

 

[WEAREPSU_LI]

I think those matches were both very close. That said, since freshmen improve the most after their first full year in college, I expect Steveson to beat Cassar next year...if Cassar comes back.

I can see that,too, but I was so sure Gable was going to breeze through everyone. Shows what I know. He clearly has the strength, but maybe his gas tank isn't where it needs to be.

 

[PSUbluTX]

In hindsight, Minn and Gable would probably like to go back and have him RS this year.

 

[GogglesPaizano]

Just goes to show how great Cael's 159-0 is. Spencer, then Gable we both supposed to do it and neither came close. Going undefeated and a 4x is incredibly hard.

Gable will be exceedingly difficult to beat with a year under his belt. Then again so will Cassar wrestling in only his second year as a heavy and still learning. I really hope he comes back.

 

[RoarLions1]

Cassar, if he returns, will be a year stronger too, and bigger. Too early to say anything about their (Steveson vs Cassar) results. Also, with Kerkvliet, Schultz, and Cassioppi on the horizon, 285 will be competitive.

 

[WEAREPSU_LI]

Schultz is a monster I am interested in seeing. Dude's huge. I think he has Greco in the future.

 

[HOCKEYGOD11]

By the time GS met AC... GS really was essentially not a freshman any longer.. I don't think AC will run away with wins from GS but wouldn't be so fast to say that a Soph GS automatically takes it to AC... with another year of 8000 calories and non stop lifting added to his body... AC will be might formidable next year if he decides to return.

 

[jrd23psu]

I think college wrestling is on such a completely different level from high school that even the blue chip out of the blue chip guys can be beaten in college and will have to earn everything. Spencer Lee and Gable Steveson were both the bluest of chips and everybody thought they'd never lose and here we are. Spencer has two titles but he not unbeatable, either.

Look at Chance Marsteller. Do you guys remember when he was in 8th grade and beat a college guy at a college tournament? Undefeated 4X PIAA champ? It was all, "not if Chance wins a title but how many and will he even lose?" He didn't win any. I remember when the talk was "will Chance even go to college or skip it and just go freestyle and win an Olympic gold?"

Everybody loses in college.

 

[WEAREPSU_LI]

Yeah, you're right and maybe it's a recency bias thing. I feel duped, hah.

 

[danoftw]

Could be another one with his only loss/losses to PSU guy, like IMar. The boys do their part to keep the undefeated 4 timers from happening

 

[DavidM]

In the final on Saturday, Steveson looked like he'd convinced himself that he would muscle Cassar like he did just about every other heavyweight, and it just didn't happen. Look at how he locked up with Cassar during the first half of the match--he really tried to bully the PSU wrestler--and he failed. I think he was beaten because he was arrogant and hadn't learned what it took to beat an equally athletic opponent. Will he learn from his two losses and up his game? We'll see.

 

[El-Jefe]

Conditioning.

Steveson was in good shape -- for the old shaved bear standards. That's no longer the standard. Thankfully.

If Steveson plans to be Gwiz"s eventual successor at Worlds, this is a necessary wake up call. The Akguls of the world shed their baby fat.

 

[Hartzie]

In the final on Saturday, Steveson looked like he'd convinced himself that he would muscle Cassar like he did just about every other heavyweight, and it just didn't happen. Look at how he locked up with Cassar during the first half of the match--he really tried to bully the PSU wrestler--and he failed. I think he was beaten because he was arrogant and hadn't learned what it took to beat an equally athletic opponent. Will he learn from his two losses and up his game? We'll see.

Ah, David, Cassar didn't wrestle Steveson on Saturday night.

 

[DavidM]

Sigh, I hate it when you're right. I suspect that Cassar's brutalization of the Okie State wrestler so traumatized me that I just blotted it out of my memory. Ah, sh!tting the bed is never a pleasant thing.

 

[nerfstate]

Yeah--I think GS believed his own hype a bit too much to be honest. He has just so much up side, but did not really appear hungry enough. I've heard rumors he rules the roost in that room a little too much for a TFr. Humility is pretty much a prerequisite for this sport.

IF Gable applies himself to improvement to the degree AC has, we will have a real rivalry on our hands next year (assuming an AC return). If not, I expect AC to continue his upward trajectory, and GS will be in trouble.

 

[lionlover]

Cassar, if he returns, will be a year stronger too, and bigger. Too early to say anything about their (Steveson vs Cassar) results. Also, with Kerkvliet, Schultz, and Cassioppi on the horizon, 285 will be competitive.

Of course Cassar will be improved. But, ceteris paribus, Steveson's growth trajectory going from true freshman to to sophomore should be greater than Cassar going from 5th year to 6th year. I hope Cassar sticks around so we can see that battle.

 

[Dogwelder]

Sigh, I hate it when you're right. I suspect that Cassar's brutalization of the Okie State wrestler so traumatized me that I just blotted it out of my memory. Ah, sh!tting the bed is never a pleasant thing.

PSU wrestlers teach us to fight through every position. David, you could have claimed to be in a different time zone such that it was Saturday night for you. Don’t concede a position so soon! #wasitoverwhenthegermans...

 

[billrag]

Of course Cassar will be improved. But, ceteris paribus, Steveson's growth trajectory going from true freshman to to sophomore should be greater than Cassar going from 5th year to 6th year. I hope Cassar sticks around so we can see that battle.

I think if Cassar were your typical HWT that had spent the last 4 or 5 years there you could make the argument that Steveson is likely to improve a lot more. Given that Cassar is still figuring out how to wrestle at heavy and given that he'll likely gain 10-15 pounds during the off-season, I don't think I agree with you. Steveson's only real advantage this year was that he was bigger, arguably stronger and that he could lean on Cassar more. If he tries that against a bigger/stronger Cassar next year, he'll not only lose, he'll get whipped. That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

 

[Sullivan]

By the time GS met AC... GS really was essentially not a freshman any longer.. I don't think AC will run away with wins from GS but wouldn't be so fast to say that a Soph GS automatically takes it to AC... with another year of 8000 calories and non stop lifting added to his body... AC will be might formidable next year if he decides to return.

With another year of 8,000 calories per day, AC might not be able to make 285

 

[STAND with PRIDE]

NICK NEVILLS, (not to mention some guy named Cael)...who did Steveson have that mimicked Cassar approach? Nelson?? I did not expect AC to beat GS either time either, but I would have bet $100 that he would beat DW in finals and even predicted the MD.

 

[STAND with PRIDE]

I think if Cassar were your typical HWT that had spent the last 4 or 5 years there you could make the argument that Steveson is likely to improve a lot more. Given that Cassar is still figuring out how to wrestle at heavy and given that he'll likely gain 10-15 pounds during the off-season, I don't think I agree with you. Steveson's only real advantage this year was that he was bigger, arguably stronger and that he could lean on Cassar more. If he tries that against a bigger/stronger Cassar next year, he'll not only lose, he'll get whipped. That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

Agree 100%. Cassar will be extremely hard to beat next year.

 

[TangSoo]

I was never on-board with the automatic 4 timer thinking and certainly not the undefeated 4 timer. I saw him wrestle Kerkvliet in a high school match last year and came away slightly more impressed with Kerkvliet.
He remains a great talent and prospect. I think he needs to get in a little better shape.

 

[RandyL]

I thought Cassar would take 3-4 good shots in the first period, maybe finishing one or two, and making both Steveson and White wrestle a different type of match, than they are used to. Thus exhausting both by the 3rd period.

Akguls...those are from Lord of the Rings, right.

 

[Shpsu]

I don't expect Cassar back. Somebody brought up two points on him. First, he has to pay out of state tuition for at least part of the additional year and he could go to MMA and make money instead of paying for a 6th year. With shoulder injuries in his past I don't see him staying.

 

[DavidM]

PSU wrestlers teach us to fight through every position. David, you could have claimed to be in a different time zone such that it was Saturday night for you. Don’t concede a position so soon! #wasitoverwhenthegermans...

I'll go either with a time travel motif or maybe a parallel universe experience. As another poster suggested here, a little humility is a good thing for a wrestler. And I am a little rusty, having last wrestled in about 1964.

 

[tikk10]

I thought in the first match between Cassar and Steveson that Steveson's decision to let Cassar up was questionable--he didn't even try to ride despite that Cassar had, to that point, chosen neutral in other matches, evidently fearing not being able to get from underneath a larger heavy. Coaching? Who knows, Gable doesn't seem look over to his corner a lot.

And then in Friday night's match he also let Cassar right up. So I don't get it because I'd have thought Steveson was a bad matchup for Cassar, being a heavier HWT with a comparable athletic skill set. And he couldn't get out from under Cassar and ceded a RT point (I think that rule needs to be looked at, btw, b/c top guys are scoring RT points from positions that don't vaguely resemble control, as was the case here).

 

[DavidM]

"Akguls...those are from Lord of the Rings, right."

Almost everything is originally from the Lord of the Rings.

 

[JBott]

I think with another year in the PSU room Anthony will work on two things; being able to stay in those chest to chest positions(not get warned or hit for stalling) and then transitioning out of them to leg attacks and turns on top that will work for a HWT. He has great partners in Cael, Jake, and both Nevillis brothers, he will only get better if he keeps the same mindset! I want to see Rasheed and Cassar both come back and lead us to #10!

 

[tomsc]

I thought Cassar would take 3-4 good shots in the first period, maybe finishing one or two, and making both Steveson and White wrestle a different type of match, than they are used to. Thus exhausting both by the 3rd period.

Akguls...those are from Lord of the Rings, right.

That's what I used to think would be Cassar's style against the good, big hwts. But it doesn't seem to be his MO. It seems he wants to get the top hwts tired before beginning his shooting. When they're fresh, if they react quickly they can put their full weight on AC. But after they start to tire, AC is too quick for them and they can never get their weight advantage into play. In both GS matches and in the White final, Cassar didn't make his first solid shot until at least 2nd period, IIRC. I think that's a good strategy for the bigger, good hwts. It means that AC has to be in REALLY good condition himself, to be strong and quick late.

 

[RoarLions1]

Of course Cassar will be improved. But, ceteris paribus, Steveson's growth trajectory going from true freshman to to sophomore should be greater than Cassar going from 5th year to 6th year. I hope Cassar sticks around so we can see that battle.

This was Anthony's first year at 285. I would expect nice improvement, and a bigger Cassar if he returns.

 

[Still in State College]

Will be interesting to see what GS looks like next year. I would think a full off-season with college trainers will lean him out some and up his conditioning to make him a real force.

As far as Cassar goes, any FS aspirations for Olympic/World teams would be a reason to return. Take a year to become a real 125 kg in the 245 lb range would probably be his best path.

I hate seeing anyone go MMA. It is really a terrible sport and not many end up making the money to offset the abuse.

 

[PSUbluTX]

Yeah--I think GS believed his own hype a bit too much to be honest. He has just so much up side, but did not really appear hungry enough. I've heard rumors he rules the roost in that room a little too much for a TFr. Humility is pretty much a prerequisite for this sport.

IF Gable applies himself to improvement to the degree AC has, we will have a real rivalry on our hands next year (assuming an AC return). If not, I expect AC to continue his upward trajectory, and GS will be in trouble.

Agree with this. Go back and watch Gable’s presser after demolishing Dhesi and the homertastic questions he got from the Minny press. Hubris.

 

[NoVa Lion]

That's what I used to think would be Cassar's style against the good, big hwts. But it doesn't seem to be his MO. It seems he wants to get the top hwts tired before beginning his shooting. When they're fresh, if they react quickly they can put their full weight on AC. But after they start to tire, AC is too quick for them and they can never get their weight advantage into play. In both GS matches and in the White final, Cassar didn't make his first solid shot until at least 2nd period, IIRC. I think that's a good strategy for the bigger, good hwts. It means that AC has to be in REALLY good condition himself, to be strong and quick late.

Yep, he even said as much in his post match interview. Gets them tired by keeping his hands and feet moving. Seems to work.

 

[lobo lion]

Of course Cassar will be improved. But, ceteris paribus, Steveson's growth trajectory going from true freshman to to sophomore should be greater than Cassar going from 5th year to 6th year. I hope Cassar sticks around so we can see that battle.

Sorry, can't agree. I think, all else being equal, Steveson will likely improve more than AC.

 

[RD41]

It will be interesting to see what he decides. Looking at his situation from afar, I really have no idea what he gains by returning. Sure, fans get to watch him for another year, which is great for wrestling however I do not know if that squares with his goals/plans for the future.

 

[flaglerlion]

In the final on Saturday, Steveson looked like he'd convinced himself that he would muscle Cassar like he did just about every other heavyweight, and it just didn't happen. Look at how he locked up with Cassar during the first half of the match--he really tried to bully the PSU wrestler--and he failed. I think he was beaten because he was arrogant and hadn't learned what it took to beat an equally athletic opponent. Will he learn from his two losses and up his game? We'll see.

 

[Dogwelder]

That's what I used to think would be Cassar's style against the good, big hwts. But it doesn't seem to be his MO. It seems he wants to get the top hwts tired before beginning his shooting. When they're fresh, if they react quickly they can put their full weight on AC. But after they start to tire, AC is too quick for them and they can never get their weight advantage into play. In both GS matches and in the White final, Cassar didn't make his first solid shot until at least 2nd period, IIRC. I think that's a good strategy for the bigger, good hwts. It means that AC has to be in REALLY good condition himself, to be strong and quick late.

What you write is compatible with what Cassar said in his interview (the mat side interview, I think) after winning the Final. He talked about getting the opponent tired in the 1st period using movement, and being patient with the actual shooting because he does not want to get caught under the big boys.
Edit: I noticed after the fact that NoVa had made the same comment as me.

 

[Ja1339]

I'll go either with a time travel motif or maybe a parallel universe experience. As another poster suggested here, a little humility is a good thing for a wrestler. And I am a little rusty, having last wrestled in about 1964.

Perhaps Gable loses the Ali shuffle next year

 

[tomsc]

Yep, he even said as much in his post match interview. Gets them tired by keeping his hands and feet moving. Seems to work.

Waiting to see/hear the post-match interviews. I'm glad to hear that AC agrees with me! Side note--I was disappointed this year that they didn't show the post-match interviews on the big screen like they did in the past. I guess it must be a contractual thing with ESPN. Was disappointed. Last year we got to hear, "That's what we do", as he said it!