Levi Haines - Committed to Penn State

[LVman22]

Just committed per Willie/MatScouts

Really big commit in a weight range of need. Levi keeps getting better and better. Will be a fun one to watch in Rec Hall!

 

[tabenn]

where?

 

[WEAREPSU_LI]

 

[LVman22]

where?

PSU!!

 

[psumacw]

awesome!

but definitely don't let this impact whether donate to his gofundme to go to cadet worlds. that would be improper.

 

[jschrantz]

Welcome Levi, huge get at weight of need, will be a perfect fit , love his trajectory

 

[MikeDerukey]

Well isn't this some great news!

 

[McScoreley]

@smalls103 described him on his show one time as just a winner. Sometimes it's not flashy and sometimes it's closer than you'd think it should be but his hand is raised end of the day. I can't wait to see him after he's coached up in our room.

 

[tabenn]

PSU!!

I swore the original thread title was Levi Haines Committed---with no PSU atfer

 

[smalls103]

told you guys it was just a matter of time. you got a good one. congrats. fits the program (personality) very well imo.

 

[goethe14]

told you guys it was just a matter of time. you got a good one. congrats. fits the program (personality) very well imo.

Your slush fund money has been sent. Keep up the good work.

 

[Dogwelder]

I swore the original thread title was Levi Haines Committed---with no PSU atfer

I thought it said “Levi Haines Committed to Defeating Iowa Hawkeyes”

 

[CentexLion]

told you guys it was just a matter of time. you got a good one. congrats. fits the program (personality) very well imo.

Really enjoyed the Rokfin show this week. For those not subscribed to Rokfin, DO IT! It is becoming the #1 go to for wrestling news for me (Willie's show and Justin's show). After that is Inside Trip. Can't think of any good shows after those.

On your show, you mentioned Thomas Haines and Travis Wittlake "committing" to PSU in the past, but that these were unilateral commitments. Guessing that this is a dual-lateral commitment.

Keep up the good work there. I really enjoy the show

 

[El-Jefe]

More of this: grew from 106 to 126 to 145, and increased his bonus rate each year. This year 30-0 with 29 bonus.

Numbers aside: he has noticeably developed already. Was good a few years ago but not really in contention for a world team.

Scores a bunch, has fun, highly motivated, did not peak early ... checks every box.

We should probably take a wait-and-see approach with his weight. His father Ken wrestled 197 at Lock Haven. Not saying Levi will get that big, just that we shouldn't be surprised if he outgrows 149/157.

 

[Tom McAndrew]

seemed like only matter of time until this occurred. That said, it's always nicer to see a verbal commitment than to to be expecting it to happen. (With the caveat that verbals are just verbals, but this seems quite solid.)

 

[smalls103]

i have a good anecdote about levi and recruiting. two actually. but i'll save it for the show bc words don't do them justice. it was the facial expressions that were funny. (show is free btw, so tune in ya heathens)

 

[Ian]

Nice get. Is Bouzakis in play or is he headed out west? Who else might be on the radar screen.

 

[CSauertiegPSU]

Young for his class. Will be a 17-year-old senior. Won’t find a nicer, more down to earth kid out there. Hard worker. Has added something each year in HS and just plain mean on top.

 

[El-Jefe]

Nice get. Is Bouzakis in play or is he headed out west? Who else might be on the radar screen.

In the finalist list for Bouzakis and Jesse Mendez. They're the 2 best remaining guys in 2022, but likely both at the same weight -- 141 or maybe 149. Not getting both. Hopefully get 1.

Finalist for Rylan Rogers and Bennett Berge. They're both in the 184/197 range. Probably an underdog for both, especially with Brady retired.

Have heard Dayton Pitzer is very interested. Not sure if mutual. Probably a 197, maybe HWT? Either way, likely logjam already.

Same with Kolby Franklin except definitely a HWT.

Plus whoever else Cael finds that the board doesn't think of.

Not 2022, but surprised Carson Manville (2021 184/197) has not committed. We all assumed it was a foregone conclusion when the family moved to State College.

Also surprised Jake Kaminski (2021 HWT) is uncommitted. Past world team member. Visited PSU but that was pre-Kerk, not sure if still interest in either direction. Also not committed for football.

 

[El-Jefe]

Young for his class. Will be a 17-year-old senior. Won’t find a nicer, more down to earth kid out there. Hard worker. Has added something each year in HS and just plain mean on top.

You just don't see a locked-hands double bar anymore. Haines did it in the state finals to Higley.

 

[El-Jefe]

 

[Ian]

In the finalist list for Bouzakis and Jesse Mendez. They're the 2 best remaining guys in 2022, but likely both at the same weight -- 141 or maybe 149. Not getting both. Hopefully get 1.

Finalist for Rylan Rogers and Bennett Berge. They're both in the 184/197 range. Probably an underdog for both, especially with Brady retired.

Have heard Dayton Pitzer is very interested. Not sure if mutual. Probably a 197, maybe HWT? Either way, likely logjam already.

Same with Kolby Franklin except definitely a HWT.

Plus whoever else Cael finds that the board doesn't think of.

Not 2022, but surprised Carson Manville (2021 184/197) has not committed. We all assumed it was a foregone conclusion when the family moved to State College.

Also surprised Jake Kaminski (2021 HWT) is uncommitted. Past world team member. Visited PSU but that was pre-Kerk, not sure if still interest in either direction. Also not committed for football.

Appreciate the update El-Jefe... crazy how the puzzle works and always a few surprises. It will be interesting to see who visits once campus opens up in June. Kerk is the 285 but Seth seems injury prone. No room for Manville at those weights. Same may be true for Rogers and Berge. A little worried about the lower weights especially with Howards surgery.

 

[McScoreley]

Any chance Mendez is a career 133? Might be why we have renewed interest. We're set at 141 and 149 for a long time.

 

[STAND with PRIDE]

The pipeline is OPEN!!

 

[El-Jefe]

Any chance Mendez is a career 133? Might be why we have renewed interest. We're set at 141 and 149 for a long time.

Willie and Corby talked about this recently. Hopefully I'm not fracturing their discussion too badly: Some think that Mendez might be able to go 133. But Willie and Corby think he's a 141, and think Mendez is more likely to grow into 149 than Bouzakis.

 

[PSU Mike]

You just don't see a locked-hands double bar anymore. Haines did it in the state finals to Higley.

Great living room option ...

 

[El-Jefe]

Appreciate the update El-Jefe... crazy how the puzzle works and always a few surprises. It will be interesting to see who visits once campus opens up in June. Kerk is the 285 but Seth seems injury prone. No room for Manville at those weights. Same may be true for Rogers and Berge. A little worried about the lower weights especially with Howards surgery.

I'm of the opposite opinion about 125. Howard's last 12+ months were suboptimal, with multiple delays to his surgery and then the training constraints. If he gets the procedure done soon, he'll have over a full year to recover.

Steen should be competent next year (steady though unspectacular). After that ... without digging into the rankings, there are no better 2022 options, and 2023 is too far away to really know who the 125s are.

==============

Regarding HWT: if I were the coaches (and thankfully for everyone I'm not), I'd keep my options open in case Feldman changes his mind about Columbus.

I have no indication that he will -- and PSU was not among his finalists. But ORTC's 97/125 roster isn't nearly what it once was, and since Dlagnev left, they have no coaches who competed above 174.

Also, Feldman is going ROTC, so he won't cost anything. It's very little risk for a guy who looks special.

 

[PAHURDLER]

i have a good anecdote about levi and recruiting. two actually. but i'll save it for the show bc words don't do them justice. it was the facial expressions that were funny. (show is free btw, so tune in ya heathens)

Dumb question, but where can I find the show?

 

[CentexLion]

Dumb question, but where can I find the show?

There are no dumb questions. There are only dum dum participants

On Rokfin, it is MatScouts and the show is The First Word

 

[Str8DBLz]

 

[Cali_Nittany]

View embedded media

Hawk fans. And btw, I'm done with HR.

 

[82bordeaux]

View embedded media

 

[garw]

More of this: grew from 106 to 126 to 145, and increased his bonus rate each year. This year 30-0 with 29 bonus.

Numbers aside: he has noticeably developed already. Was good a few years ago but not really in contention for a world team.

Scores a bunch, has fun, highly motivated, did not peak early ... checks every box.

We should probably take a wait-and-see approach with his weight. His father Ken wrestled 197 at Lock Haven. Not saying Levi will get that big, just that we shouldn't be surprised if he outgrows 149/157.

Question for you guys who follow high school wrestling more closely than I. Who does young Mr. Haines remind you of who wrestled for PSU in the past?
thanks

 

[SJP80]

In the finalist list for Bouzakis and Jesse Mendez. They're the 2 best remaining guys in 2022, but likely both at the same weight -- 141 or maybe 149. Not getting both. Hopefully get 1.

Finalist for Rylan Rogers and Bennett Berge. They're both in the 184/197 range. Probably an underdog for both, especially with Brady retired.

Have heard Dayton Pitzer is very interested. Not sure if mutual. Probably a 197, maybe HWT? Either way, likely logjam already.

Same with Kolby Franklin except definitely a HWT.

Plus whoever else Cael finds that the board doesn't think of.

Not 2022, but surprised Carson Manville (2021 184/197) has not committed. We all assumed it was a foregone conclusion when the family moved to State College.

Also surprised Jake Kaminski (2021 HWT) is uncommitted. Past world team member. Visited PSU but that was pre-Kerk, not sure if still interest in either direction. Also not committed for football.

Any chance Manville goes the ROTC route?

 

[CurtisLoew40]

More of this: grew from 106 to 126 to 145, and increased his bonus rate each year. This year 30-0 with 29 bonus.

Numbers aside: he has noticeably developed already. Was good a few years ago but not really in contention for a world team.

Scores a bunch, has fun, highly motivated, did not peak early ... checks every box.

We should probably take a wait-and-see approach with his weight. His father Ken wrestled 197 at Lock Haven. Not saying Levi will get that big, just that we shouldn't be surprised if he outgrows 149/157.

This is another reason why it would be nice if these guys heights were listed.

For his sake tho he better not outgrow 157. The upper weights are booked up for awhile

 

[Media Fan]

i have a good anecdote about levi and recruiting. two actually. but i'll save it for the show bc words don't do them justice. it was the facial expressions that were funny. (show is free btw, so tune in ya heathens)

Dumb me; what is the link for the show? Love to listen, and yes, I am cheap.

 

[Media Fan]

Just a hunch, but I doubt Carson ends up wrestling for the good guys.

Pretty hard to fit 15 thoroughbreds in stalls designed for 9.

 

[El-Jefe]

Just a hunch, but I doubt Carson ends up wrestling for the good guys.

I think this is probably true, but not in the way most people would read it.

Don't have to look very hard for a relevant comparison: his brother.

If Carson does like Mason and focuses on Greco, then he might never don the blue/white except maybe opens and injury spot starts. And that'll be OK since folk isn't his focus.

But I don't see any evidence that he'll go elsewhere.

 

[El-Jefe]

 

[El-Jefe]

Haines interview is concluded; the show is continuing with other topics including PA 2022 high school wrestling.

Everyone should listen to the interview. This is a really smart kid with an incredible attitude. And funny. One snippet:
Upson: I hear you might go 184 in college. What are you eating?
Haines: I'm on the David Taylor diet.