Mark Hall @MN State Tournament

[Tom McAndrew]

Point is, I realize that I sound like a 12 year old girl meeting a member of One Direction, but Cael Sanderson made this Penn State fan's, and this wrestling fan's day, today. I don't know, man. I don't care what kind of crap I catch for this, but I met a real-life hero of mine. What a fantastic day.

Happy you got the experience, Crop. Kind of fitting that after all the heavy lifting you've done on boards, and in Minny, of pro-PSU info, that you got to meet CS at the Minny HS Championships.

 

[royboy]

Happy you got the experience, Crop. Kind of fitting that after all the heavy lifting you've done on boards, and in Minny, of pro-PSU info, that you got to meet CS at the Minny HS Championships.

Yeah, I'll second that motion.

Crop, you're now our go-to guy for that area of the wrestling world. Good work.

 

[caliPSUfan]

I just got home from the tournament, as I live an hour and a half away. Mark picked up two tech falls on the way to winning his 6th individual title. The place gave him a great standing ovation, as the ref raised his hand multiple times (However, sidebar, the ref probably did it for his own photo-op. I'm not a fan.)

This is where this post becomes about me, now. So, I've been a big wrestling fan since I was in Middle School. Like, reading forums and articles and watching Flo like crazy. I've watched PSU live one time, when they lost to MN a couple years back, now, in MN. While I coach a FS/GR club at my old HS (I'm 23), D1 coaches are still like, rockstars to me. I met Brands once. Well, he got after me because I pressed him about something at team camp and he didn't like my arrogant attitude. Other than that, like I said... Rockstars.

So, I finished announcing a round, and sit near my hometown guys, awaiting the semis this morning. I get a text from my old teammate that is sitting in the absolute nosebleeds with others I wrestled with: "Cael is up here. Serious." And everybody from my hometown dogs me for being a PSU fan, so I'm like, "Sure he is. $&*# you." My buddy then sends me a Snapchat, circling his head, behind them. Snapchat is a picture sending app, for the older crowd. My other buddy tells me that he's talking to him.

Of course, I had to go up there. I sat for a bit, and as I was leaving the area, I fanboy'd out and had to say hi and shake his hand (You know, probably the opposite of what the guy wants to do when he's there on business, hence sitting in the nosebleeds.) I explained that I'm a huge fan and lose all of my dignity within moments, with rapid-paced speech. We ended up having a 20+ min conversation about the tournament, holding nationals at the Xcel Center, National Duals, MN Wrestling, recruiting, etc. He was so genuine and a great conversation-holder. I expected him to answer questions and want to be left alone. He kept leading the conversation and what-not, as we tossed around ideas. I was bewildered.

He then left, saying his ride was there to pick him up (Honestly, if that was his exit-strategy, I wouldn't blame him, but he seemed super genuine.) We shook hands and said he'd be back later for the finals.

Point is, I realize that I sound like a 12 year old girl meeting a member of One Direction, but Cael Sanderson made this Penn State fan's, and this wrestling fan's day, today. I don't know, man. I don't care what kind of crap I catch for this, but I met a real-life hero of mine. What a fantastic day.

Wish I could have had a real deal conversation like that with him when he was out my way for duals this year but he was way too mauled by us Fans to get more than a "Thanks for coming out this way!" or a "Great job, Coach!"

I got a pic of him with my 4 year old and got to shake his hand and exchange a quick pleasantry with him at each dual. Plus getting to talk to Nolf and Cutch before the CSUB dual for awhile was pretty cool too!

That was my fanboy moment and I probably would have studdered if I got to talk to him for any length of time like you did.

Not trying to piggy back your story - just wanted to let you know that you're not the only one that turns into a "12 year old girl" over this stuff!

 

[Ankle Pick]

Thanks cropduster for the great read.. It we were all honest with ourselves, we would all be just as giddy about having that experience with Carl.

But my gawd.... HALL seems like the complete package.. Obviously tremendous on the mat, but more impressed with what happens after his finals match.. Celebrating with his family and friends and hugs that reflect a true "Cael like" gratitude for being in the position he's in..

 

[GOLDBANGER]

Thanks for the updates Crop, great job. Trust me, we love him too.

 

[JasonBryant]

Cael and Mark talking about some things on my Guillotine Grapevine Podcast
http://www.theguillotine.com/gg12

 

[garw]

Hey Crop, any interesting insight without violating the code of confidentiality when speaking with a coach?

 

[Chickenman Testa]

Cael and Mark talking about some things on my Guillotine Grapevine Podcast
http://www.theguillotine.com/gg12

Thanks JB - will be good commuting listening on Monday morning

 

[lionlover]

Thanks cropduster for the great read.. It we were all honest with ourselves, we would all be just as giddy about having that experience with Carl.

But my gawd.... HALL seems like the complete package.. Obviously tremendous on the mat, but more impressed with what happens after his finals match.. Celebrating with his family and friends and hugs that reflect a true "Cael like" gratitude for being in the position he's in..

View embedded media

What was most impressive to me (and touched my heart) was his hug of the autistic kid. A lot of self inflated egos wouldn't even give a kid like that the time of day, let alone take the time to embrace him.

Mark Hall = TOTAL CLASS!

 

[grappler6]

That gentleman is refered to as Coach Bobby. Mark had him in his corner during his state championship last season. It being Marks idea and he was granted permission from his coaches. You guys are getting a great wrestler but an even better person. Congrats!

 

[doublehaul]

I just got home from the tournament, as I live an hour and a half away. Mark picked up two tech falls on the way to winning his 6th individual title. The place gave him a great standing ovation, as the ref raised his hand multiple times (However, sidebar, the ref probably did it for his own photo-op. I'm not a fan.)

This is where this post becomes about me, now. So, I've been a big wrestling fan since I was in Middle School. Like, reading forums and articles and watching Flo like crazy. I've watched PSU live one time, when they lost to MN a couple years back, now, in MN. While I coach a FS/GR club at my old HS (I'm 23), D1 coaches are still like, rockstars to me. I met Brands once. Well, he got after me because I pressed him about something at team camp and he didn't like my arrogant attitude. Other than that, like I said... Rockstars.

So, I finished announcing a round, and sit near my hometown guys, awaiting the semis this morning. I get a text from my old teammate that is sitting in the absolute nosebleeds with others I wrestled with: "Cael is up here. Serious." And everybody from my hometown dogs me for being a PSU fan, so I'm like, "Sure he is. $&*# you." My buddy then sends me a Snapchat, circling his head, behind them. Snapchat is a picture sending app, for the older crowd. My other buddy tells me that he's talking to him.

Of course, I had to go up there. I sat for a bit, and as I was leaving the area, I fanboy'd out and had to say hi and shake his hand (You know, probably the opposite of what the guy wants to do when he's there on business, hence sitting in the nosebleeds.) I explained that I'm a huge fan and lose all of my dignity within moments, with rapid-paced speech. We ended up having a 20+ min conversation about the tournament, holding nationals at the Xcel Center, National Duals, MN Wrestling, recruiting, etc. He was so genuine and a great conversation-holder. I expected him to answer questions and want to be left alone. He kept leading the conversation and what-not, as we tossed around ideas. I was bewildered.

He then left, saying his ride was there to pick him up (Honestly, if that was his exit-strategy, I wouldn't blame him, but he seemed super genuine.) We shook hands and said he'd be back later for the finals.

Point is, I realize that I sound like a 12 year old girl meeting a member of One Direction, but Cael Sanderson made this Penn State fan's, and this wrestling fan's day, today. I don't know, man. I don't care what kind of crap I catch for this, but I met a real-life hero of mine. What a fantastic day.

Good for you Crop, I'm jealous!!!! Thanks for the updates.

 

[Chickenman Testa]

Cael and Mark talking about some things on my Guillotine Grapevine Podcast
http://www.theguillotine.com/gg12

Got to listen to it sooner than I thought. Funny comment from Cael about lack of headlocks at the state tourney