Since I have been a poster here, I have done one set of grades, which was last week and I'll never do that again. It was just too hard to put a grade to one of our wrestlers. So instead of doing grades, I'll just do my own analysis of each weight like I have previously done.
125 - When Drew breaks his opponent down, he is a problem plain and simple. I thought maybe Suriano took his foot off the gas, but I'm starting to think Drew is just stylistically a bad matchup for just about everyone. I read earlier that his opponent has never given up bonus. That speaks volume for what Drew was able to do. He's definitely a great addition. Excellent showing.
133 - Kind of surprised RBY didn't go. Makes me think he's a little dinged up and they're trying to get him 100% for Friday. Unless it is serious, I don't think there is any chance he doesn't go Friday. With that being said, Baylor comes out, and does a great job against Foley. He battled the whole time, wrestled through positions, and seemed to give Foley some fits. I've said it before, and I'll say it again, I will always appreciate effort, no matter the end score. Baylor gave everything he had against a very good opponent, and I'll always enjoy when he runs out on the mat.
141 - Chop wood, carry water. I'm still in the boat that thinks once Nick gets his riding time, he should catch and release. Nick does a pretty good job of telling me to shove it, but I'm stubborn and refuse to give up that idea. He continues to prove why he is a national champ.
149 - BB is undoubtedly a tough out for everyone. He's not gonna light up the scoreboard, that's just not his style. However, he hardly ever breaks stance, and the position awareness is top notch. He had a beautiful counter attack and that's exactly what every opponent needs to be aware of. He did a great job of rolling through the headlock against a greco guy who hit it I think twice on Storr.
157 - I thought BearClaw looked the best he has all year against Lewan. While I don't think he looked quite as good today, I still think his confidence is growing. He did a great job I think it was the first sequence of defending the takedown. That's two nationally ranked kids that he's wrestled super tough. I said during my grades I wish he got an opportunity at a slightly lower level guy but the schedule just doesn't work out. If he did have that opportunity and got a good win under his belt, I believe that would do wonders. Unfortunately, he couldn't prove he deserved to be out there until the meat of the schedule. Still not sure how this weight plays out or who will go next Friday. If I had to guess, I would say Negron. We're gonna need offense against Young, and so far, he's shown the most from his feet. We will see what happens.
165 - I would like to start by saying I thought the announcers did a pretty good job overall, except for this match. When Fish was in on Berge's leg and drove him out, there is not a ref on this earth that should call that a stall. Brady presented himself and controlled the center of the mat in my opinion for the majority of the match. Brady has always been tough to score on and that hasn't changed. With only his third match back, I think he's still getting in match shape. He's looked extremely tough and I'm interested to see how he does against Marinelli. Super pumped he's back with us, and after 3 matches, he's done a hell of a job.
174 - Watching the live feed we didn't get the chance to see the cradle that didn't produce near falls. Some on here have said the rewatched it and it was a good call. I haven't rewatched it so I believe them. Doesn't matter. Great match.
184 - Credit to Layne Malczewski, he had a hell of a weekend, and didn't make it easy on Brooks. Brooks' escape right to the takedown is exactly why he's a national champ. That killer instinct is what separates the top guys from everyone else. I think Layne has the potential to be there at some point, but right now, its Brooks' weight.
197 - I'm gonna take heat on this one. I said it against Rutgers, and Michigan, and again today. Dean has not looked like the number two ranked guy. He's a phenomenal top wrestler, and has scored a lot off of turns, but when you rely on your turns to win matches, and you don't get turns, something has to give. I don't mind him taking a loss at this point in the season, I'm not claiming he's doomed for the rest of the season. What I will say however is he needs to figure something out against other top guys. Maybe its a mental thing, which I hope it isn't because that can be super hard to overcome. My hope and prediction is this loss does nothing but help him get back on track and he shows it next Friday against another top guy in Warner. He's a national finalist for a reason.
285 - Not too much can be said with Kerk. No disrespect to Wilton, but he's just not on Kerk's level, in fact only about 4 other guys are.
Overall another great showing. Its sometimes hard to get up for a team like Michigan State after wrestling a team like Michigan Again, no disrespect to them, but they were an overwhelming under dog compared to Michigan where there was a number of swing matches. Momentum is a weird thing in this sport, and after two dominating wins, we should be riding high. Lets keep the train rolling since it is heading into the midwest... ...again.
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