NCAA quals: purely hypothetical

[PSU Mike]

If a bolt of lightning were to hit Jason Nolf in the first round at B1Gs, would Zack still have any shot at representing us at Nationals? I'm not wishing anything bad on our young stud, I'm just curious (1) where Zack would stand qualification-wise, and (2) whether Zack would need to have entered at B1Gs. I know that one can fail to make one of the auto-qual slots and still make Nationals, but does one need to have tried?

TIA.

 

[RoarLions1]

No, to your first question. Each qualifying tournament (ours is the B1G, obviously) sets a date/time for the coaching staffs to have their 10 entries submitted. Since pre-seeds for B1G's typically come out the Monday before the tournament, it's likely the Thursday or Friday before (so this year, February 25 or 26).

Struck by lightning is a little extreme, but there is a provision for a replacement wrestler, however not after the tourney begins (which I think is what you are asking). I do not know the B1G rule for late-entry, but I'm sure there's a fine involved and a date/time limit to make any changes.

For your second question...yes, a wrestler needs to have wrestled in the qualifying tournament to be eligible for the NCAA Championship, no exceptions.

 

[El-Jefe]

As long as he enters B10s before the tournament registration deadline and wins enough matches, he goes to nationals.

 

[PSU Mike]

Thanks. I was just trying to understand whether there is much benefit in trying to boost the credentials of your #2 at a weight, especially now that we're largely in dual season.

 

[El-Jefe]

The credentials only matter for seeding purposes. Seeding probably wouldn't matter too much for B10s, he's good enough to earn his way into nationals. Without looking at the field, he might get an NCAA seed if he wrestled every dual, not so sure if he doesn't.

 

[RoarLions1]

Credentials also play a big part in the At-large Selections.

 

[PSU Mike]

Credentials also play a big part in the At-large Selections.

Thanks. That was what I was getting at. But as you and others pointed out it would only matter if he entered the B1G tourney and failed to secure one of the B1G's auto qual slots.

 

[El-Jefe]

Credentials also play a big part in the At-large Selections.

Good catch. I keep forgetting about those because, well, I expect our guys to win their way in at B10s.

 

[RoarLions1]

Good catch. I keep forgetting about those because, well, I expect our guys to win their way in at B10s.

Me too, though I remember Hammond's situation last year. One "quality" win was the difference in him getting in and not getting into the NCAA Tournament.

 

[PSU Mike]

Me too, though I remember Hammond's situation last year. One "quality" win was the difference in him getting in and not getting into the NCAA Tournament.

And I was wondering if we wouldn't try to get Zack in front of a 8-12 type guy just in case. We have Murphy, Minotti and Ryan coming up. I think Berger might be too low, and maybe Ryan is too.

 

[burnsie1983]

I don't think you can successfully plan a season around what if's. You gotta put your best guy out there, and hope for the best!

 

[RoarLions1]

And I was wondering if we wouldn't try to get Zack in front of a 8-12 type guy just in case. We have Murphy, Minotti and Ryan coming up. I think Berger might be too low, and maybe Ryan is too.

Apples and oranges. Zack already has the quality wins.

Let's hope none of this is necessary...and we were using our situation at 157 to learn a little more about B1G's and earning a trip to NCAA's.

 

[Cowbell Man]

Apples and oranges. Zack already has the quality wins.

Let's hope none of this is necessary...and we were using our situation at 157 to learn a little more about B1G's and earning a trip to NCAA's.

Not only that, but I'd say it's a reasonable expectation that Zack would steal an Auto qualifying spot. He is staring at the edge of the podium, he would most certainly pull his way past the lowest qualifiers in the Big 10.

 

[RoarLions1]

Not only that, but I'd say it's a reasonable expectation that Zack would steal an Auto qualifying spot. He is staring at the edge of the podium, he would most certainly pull his way past the lowest qualifiers in the Big 10.

Actually, Zack's "body of work" would earn him Gold Standard at most and Silver Standard at the least, so he would earn a qualifier allocation slot for the B1G. Wouldn't need to steal anything, he'd rightfully get what he earned during the season.

EDIT: Just want to be sure everyone is clear on my intentions here...I'm for all our starters to wrestle injury-free, have fun, and wrestle to their ability in every match, whether dual or tournament. This Zack discussion was only an example of what could happen if any starting wrestler from any team somehow would miss their conference championships. So place any name you want in place of Zack's and you will understand, just a little better, what a team has to go through in this situation.

 

[nitlion6]

And I was wondering if we wouldn't try to get Zack in front of a 8-12 type guy just in case. We have Murphy, Minotti and Ryan coming up. I think Berger might be too low, and maybe Ryan is too.

I do not about anybody else, but I think it silly to believe for a second that it is a good idea to remove Jason Nolf from the competitive lineup for any reason other than Jason's own well being.

As long as Jason is healthy, there will be nobody else suiting up at 157.