Kyle Dake

[creamery freak]

I know that as PSU wrestling fans the guy is tough to like. Kyle has destroyed many of our guys dreams starting with Tank, DT and now Nolf.
This is just my opinion but I believe KD is without a doubt, the strongest P4P wrestler in the world. He hides his offense in Freestyle, but when he goes, watch out. His defense is unprecedented, stopping JB's blast double in it's tracks and forcing JB to play it safe or give up big points. He showed great respect to JB after the match and I thought his interview almost made him likeable to me. If I was rating the guys who I think are bringing back a gold for Team USA Wrestling at the Olympics, Kyle Dake is at the top of that list. I know that I will be cheering as hard for KD as DT and every other team USA wrestler in Tokyo.

 

[bigs22]

Dake’s defensive feel is otherworldly. His comfort level and success in the chest wrap and with guys on his legs make him so tough to get to. It’s super frustrating when you are rooting against him, but fascinating as a neutral observer. I’ve never seen Burroughs so tentative, you could tell that he didn’t like the feel he was getting even when getting to pretty good spots.

My only issue with Dake at worlds is that he can be pretty passive and content to win small. He’s good enough to win like that but with the wrong opponent and the wrong ref things can happen. Burroughs has been shown that with someone like Sidakov its best to put them fully away if possible.

 

[PSUArnie]

I know that as PSU wrestling fans the guy is tough to like. Kyle has destroyed many of our guys dreams starting with Tank, DT and now Nolf.
This is just my opinion but I believe KD is without a doubt, the strongest P4P wrestler in the world. He hides his offense in Freestyle, but when he goes, watch out. His defense is unprecedented, stopping JB's blast double in it's tracks and forcing JB to play it safe or give up big points. He showed great respect to JB after the match and I thought his interview almost made him likeable to me. If I was rating the guys who I think are bringing back a gold for Team USA Wrestling at the Olympics, Kyle Dake is at the top of that list. I know that I will be cheering as hard for KD as DT and every other team USA wrestler in Tokyo.

The real question is, are we hoping he teabags some Russian along the way?

 

[WildTurk]

The real question is, are we hoping he teabags some Russian along the way?

That's an odd thing to hope for!

 

[raslen007]

I think he has become more likable as he gets older (mature). I think the more we get to see/hear him not always on the mat it softens the edges a bit. The guy seems like a good family man with 2 young daughters. As someone said before he may be a terd but he is our terd.

 

[Ian]

He is the Lion killer but at the Trials I saw a more aggressive Dake. One who was on the offensive immediately. That Dake is uber dangerous as Nolf found out.

 

[nerfstate]

Dake’s defensive feel is otherworldly. His comfort level and success in the chest wrap and with guys on his legs make him so tough to get to. It’s super frustrating when you are rooting against him, but fascinating as a neutral observer. I’ve never seen Burroughs so tentative, you could tell that he didn’t like the feel he was getting even when getting to pretty good spots.

My only issue with Dake at worlds is that he can be pretty passive and content to win small. He’s good enough to win like that but with the wrong opponent and the wrong ref things can happen. Burroughs has been shown that with someone like Sidakov its best to put them fully away if possible.

I do not believe JB has put Sidakov away yet.

 

[bigs22]

I do not believe JB has put Sidakov away yet.

Correct. He has been shown that the one point lead is not safe even if it’s under 10 seconds and you have made your living being clutch.

 

[Dogwelder]

He is the Lion killer ...

AARGH! It’s not funny because it’s true!!!!

 

[tikk10]

One of the freakiest things about Dake that people rarely mention is how he almost won the spot at 86kg in 2016, pushing Cox to a third match--and each match was close. That was up 26lbs from where he is now, and he doesn't even look winded much less gassed at 74kg. Five years later he drops what would be 2 and a half weight classes in folk, and takes out a legend in Burroughs, who is still good enough to medal himself.

 

[MikeDerukey]

I am pretty neutral on Dake as a person since I don't know much about him as a person but there is no doubt he is one of the greatest NCAA wrestlers of all time (I have him at two behind Cael) and he is an elite international wrestler with a world title to his credit. It's very, very hard to find a guy with a better college resume than Jason Nolf but Kyle Dake has one. I think Jason can eventually become elite and win a world title and even an Olympic title but right now Kyle Dake might be the best P4P guy in the world. And if not, he's close.

 

[ga.lion]

I am pretty neutral on Dake as a person since I don't know much about him as a person but there is no doubt he is one of the greatest NCAA wrestlers of all time (I have him at two behind Cael) and he is an elite international wrestler with a world title to his credit. It's very, very hard to find a guy with a better college resume than Jason Nolf but Kyle Dake has one. I think Jason can eventually become elite and win a world title and even an Olympic title but right now Kyle Dake might be the best P4P guy in the world. And if not, he's close.

I'd say #3 still behind John Smith who won a lot of world titles...............

 

[midniteride]

I'd say #3 still behind John Smith who won a lot of world titles...............

Bruce Baumgartner is a four-time Olympian and four-time Olympic medalist. He was one of the world’s most dominant wrestlers between 1983 and 1996, winning a combined 13 world and Olympic medals. Born in Haledon, New Jersey, Baumgartner won his first world championship medal in 1983. The following year, at the Olympic Games Los Angeles 1984, he won the gold medal in freestyle. Over the next 13 years, Baumgartner would medal at every Olympic Games, Pan American Games, and in nine world championships. In total, he won two Olympic gold medals, three world championships and three Pan American Games.

 

[Chickenman Testa]

This much is clear re: Dake: he’s only at 74kg because he’s scared of Spencer Lee

 

[Larryrise]

Again, if he stays passive in the big matches at Tokyo, he will be put on the clock and he will find himself in a situation which he may not be able to overcome.

 

[nerfstate]

Again, if he stays passive in the big matches at Tokyo, he will be put on the clock and he will find himself in a situation which he may not be able to overcome.

It could happen--but so far, Kyle has won both World Championships that he has entered. Most of those matches, he didn't give up a single point. Many of them, he scored a lot of points.

 

[Larryrise]

It could happen--but so far, Kyle has won both World Championships that he has entered. Most of those matches, he didn't give up a single point. Many of them, he scored a lot of points.

I'm thinking of the officials. They don't exactly give Americans a fair shake.

 

[ZepGraffiti]

The real question is, are we hoping he teabags some Russian along the way?

I suppose it's ok to go Ithaca tea party on a Russian.
Can't force it though.
Agreed Dake has claim to P4P.

 

[El-Jefe]

I'm thinking of the officials. They don't exactly give Americans a fair shake.

Dake won those other world titles with international refs, right?

How many world titles does Dake need to win before we stop fretting about the refs?

 

[El-Jefe]

This much is clear re: Dake: he’s only at 74kg because he’s scared of Spencer Lee

Dake will be the greatest wrestler in history when he wins 4 world titles at 4 weight classes.

 

[Cowbell Man]

Dake will be the greatest wrestler in history when he wins 4 world titles at 4 weight classes.

I see what you did there....sending up the Cowbell Man signal. Lol.

 

[MikeDerukey]

I'd say #3 still behind John Smith who won a lot of world titles...............

I was only comparing their NCAA careers. Dake won as a true freshman and won four different weights. That's why I have him at two. It's the four weights is something nobody has ever done and is terribly impressive. He also beat David Taylor in the finals who was a returning champ and Frank Molinaro in the finals who won the next year. I think those are impressive.

If someone wants to make a case for someone else being number two for NCAA resume I think you probably could. Pat Smith maybe? But John Smith has a better freestyle resume than Dake currently has, but that could change.

 

[Grass]

Dake gas grown on me over the years and I was rooting for him to make the Olympic team. He is an absolute beast.

 

[El-Jefe]

I see what you did there....sending up the Cowbell Man signal. Lol.

It's a feat that can be matched only by qualifying for two Big Ten tournaments.

 

[creamery freak]

It's a feat that can be matched only by qualifying for two Big Ten tournaments.

I now know that Nick Lee wasn't really trying in the final of the Big Ten tournament. Case solved!

 

[Chickenman Testa]

I now know that Nick Lee wasn't really trying in the final of the Big Ten tournament. Case solved!

The Soviets let Mike Eruzione score in 1980 because they weren’t really feeling it that day

 

[McScoreley]

One narrative I find funny is Dake "slays" Nittany Lions. True, our guys (some of our best) haven't beaten him but Dake doesn't particular lose a ton exactly.

It's funny because that kind of narrative makes it seem like Dake is a mediocre wrestler but Cael and our guys can't gameplan to beat him!

 

[dunkej01]

That's an odd thing to hope for!

There are two things we are hoping for out of you

- your wife's picture
- what lots your lizards are in

#eatitturk

 

[RoarLions1]

Fans villainize wrestlers from other teams. It's what they do. Dake has never been a bad person or a bad wrestler.

 

[liex26]

Dake won those other world titles with international refs, right?

How many world titles does Dake need to win before we stop fretting about the refs?

Just one Olympic Gold will suffice.

 

[okinburg1]

This much is clear re: Dake: he’s only at 74kg because he’s scared of Spencer Lee

Ah, seeing the world through HR rose colored glasses. They bring everything into focus:
Bael is a cheating scumbag who pays recruits
Every PSU wrestler stalls continuously
Any PSU wrestler with a hint of muscular definition is on the juice
Gable not only was the greatest wrestler of all time, he also is the greatest coach of all time AND invented the sport of wrestling in all forms
Am I missing something???

 

[CurtisLoew40]

That's an odd thing to hope for!

It’s the only thing to hope for! This time hopefully in the face! (Anyone good with gifs have the Hangover “In the face!!!”) lol

 

[NoVa Lion]

I'm thinking of the officials. They don't exactly give Americans a fair shake.

Weren't there officials at the 2018 & 2019 World Championships where Dake DESTROYED the field, as did DT at the 2018 Worlds. Didn't see much bias from officials in any of those matches.

 

[Dogwelder]

Weren't there officials at the 2018 & 2019 World Championships where Dake DESTROYED the field, as did DT at the 2018 Worlds. Didn't see much bias from officials in any of those matches.

But IF the 2018 and 2019 officials were only mini-officials, 14 inches tall, and the 2021 officials are full-sized, then the US might have problems in Tokyo. 🧐

 

[Irv ONian]

I suppose it's ok to go Ithaca tea party on a Russian.
Can't force it though.
Agreed Dake has claim to P4P.

Just behind J'Den. Not kidding at all.

 

[Dogwelder]

... It's funny because that kind of narrative [calling Dake Lion slayer] makes it seem like Dake is a mediocre wrestler but Cael and our guys can't gameplan to beat him!

Really? If so, then calling Hercules the slayer of the Nemean lion would make it seem that Hercules is a mediocre hero? Non sequitur?

 

[jrod65]

Ah, seeing the world through HR rose colored glasses. They bring everything into focus:
Bael is a cheating scumbag who pays recruits
Every PSU wrestler stalls continuously
Any PSU wrestler with a hint of muscular definition is on the juice
Gable not only was the greatest wrestler of all time, he also is the greatest coach of all time AND invented the sport of wrestling in all forms
Am I missing something???

Absolutely ridiculous post!

As a HR'ite, I am appalled that you would suggest that my glasses are "rose colored".

 

[bowandarrow]

I have always loved Kyle Dake and will continue to do so.

 

[liex26]

Just behind J'Den. Not kidding at all.

Dake P4P.
JDen P.4P

 

[okinburg1]

Absolutely ridiculous post!

As a HR'ite, I am appalled that you would suggest that my glasses are "rose colored".

Nicely done