PSU Freshmen at NCAA's

[RoarLions1]

Never know about freshmen, and their first trip to Nationals. Lots of confidence in the 3 we're sending, though, as the big stage and bright lights are nothing new. There is that #1 seed in 2007, however, that went 2-and-out.

Since there's not enough time to do my weigh-by-weight breakdown, thought it a good idea to follow the paths of Suriano, Joseph and Hall through the brackets.

First is Nick. Thursday marks 25 days, or 3 and a half weeks, since he last wrestled. Anyone's guess how this will play out, so some speculation among my knowledge, at this point.

Opening round, Nick has Kyle Akins (BUF). Good record for Akins (19-5), but lots of padding from low-ranked guys. He MMF'd his last match, and also had a MFF at a 2/12 tournament, though I have no info beyond that. Best wins were against Brent Fleetwood and Noah Gonser, two NQ's, and he also lost to Fleetwood earlier in the year by MD. His losses, in addition to being pinned by Dylan Peters, was to #83, #57, #45, and #26 in WrestleStats rankings. Normally, this would be a bonus point win, still going with Nick in a fairly easy win.
Second round opponent is likely #14 Freddie (Alfredo) Rodriguez (SIUE). Freddie coasted through the SoCon tournament, but it wasn't a terribly competitive weight class. Rodriguez also has a great record (21-6), but not great competition. Best wins were against Nathan Kraisser (2x), and Barlow McGhee, but he lost to Pasone (APP), Thornton (PUR), Bunduka (Chat), and J. Rodriguez (NDSt) during the season. Same thought...looks like a fairly easy win for a completely healthy Nick...and I'm saying Decision win here.
Third round could be Josh Terao (Amer) or Ethan Lizak (Minn). Here's hoping for a win and an AA finish, otherwise it's a drop to wrestle-backs. Ordinarily, it would be a quarter's win for Nick...but I'm stopping here, and just hoping for the best for the young man.

Joseph and Hall later,,,

 

[Grass]

I agree with your assessment up to the quarters. Until we see how healthy he is we should be happy with him making it to the quarters. Hate seeing Lizak potentially being there as he is tough on top even with a good ankle. I imagine fighting to get out on bottom would put a lot of stress on your ankle. Hoping for the best.

 

[Real-Lion]

Never know about freshmen, and their first trip to Nationals. Lots of confidence in the 3 we're sending, though, as the big stage and bright lights are nothing new. There is that #1 seed in 2007, however, that went 2-and-out.

Since there's not enough time to do my weigh-by-weight breakdown, thought it a good idea to follow the paths of Suriano, Joseph and Hall through the brackets.

First is Nick. Thursday marks 25 days, or 3 and a half weeks, since he last wrestled. Anyone's guess how this will play out, so some speculation among my knowledge, at this point.

Opening round, Nick has Kyle Akins (BUF). Good record for Akins (19-5), but lots of padding from low-ranked guys. He MMF'd his last match, and also had a MFF at a 2/12 tournament, though I have no info beyond that. Best wins were against Brent Fleetwood and Noah Gonser, two NQ's, and he also lost to Fleetwood earlier in the year by MD. His losses, in addition to being pinned by Dylan Peters, was to #83, #57, #45, and #26 in WrestleStats rankings. Normally, this would be a bonus point win, still going with Nick in a fairly easy win.
Second round opponent is likely #14 Freddie (Alfredo) Rodriguez (SIUE). Freddie coasted through the SoCon tournament, but it wasn't a terribly competitive weight class. Rodriguez also has a great record (21-6), but not great competition. Best wins were against Nathan Kraisser (2x), and Barlow McGhee, but he lost to Pasone (APP), Thornton (PUR), Bunduka (Chat), and J. Rodriguez (NDSt) during the season. Same thought...looks like a fairly easy win for a completely healthy Nick...and I'm saying Decision win here.
Third round could be Josh Terao (Amer) or Ethan Lizak (Minn). Here's hoping for a win and an AA finish, otherwise it's a drop to wrestle-backs. Ordinarily, it would be a quarter's win for Nick...but I'm stopping here, and just hoping for the best for the young man.

Joseph and Hall later,,,

I think Nick will bonus the first 2 guys and make it to the Semis as well !!!!

 

[Used2BEerie]

I think Nick will bonus the first 2 guys and make it to the Semis as well !!!!

As wrong as you have been on everything.......

 

[hlstone]

Thank you Roar.

 

[pawrestlersintn]

As wrong as you have been on everything.......

Kiss. Of. Death.

 

[RoarLions1]

Vincenzo Joseph (17-4)

Couldn't have written the script any better. A rematch with JR Keaton Subjeck (STAN) in the 1st Round of Championships. Do I need to state what happened earlier this season?

Subjeck has 7 losses on the year, to Anthony Valencia (AZ St), Lorenzo De La Riva (CSUB), Brooks Martino (PENN). Cole Walter (LEH), Mitch Minotti (LEH), Austin Matthews (EDIN), and Brandon Ashworth (WYO). Not exactly the top of the rankings (with one notable exception), hence he's relegated to being unseeded. Still, he's a dangerous guy, as we know...but Cenzo is much improved, even if it is in a short time. Subjeck's best win, other than beating Joseph, was to De La Riva (see above, he also lost to him). Could be a bonus point win if Cenzo opens up late.

Second Round is between the winner of what is pretty close to a toss-up 1st Round match. Brian Hammann (NC St) and Branson Ashworth square off for the right to face Cenzo (per my pick). Still, I'll go with the seeded wrestler, Ashworth. He's lost 7 times this year, to Luke Zilverberg (SDSU) 2x, Andrew Fogarty (NDSU), Chandler Rogers (OSU), Drew Hughes (MSU), Archie Colgan (UVU), and Anthony Valencia (ASU). Some very good wins vs Subjeck, Austin Matthers, and Anthony Valencia, so Ashworth's no pushover. Again, I'll go Cenzo with a late push for bonus.

Here's where it gets fun. Daniel Lewis (MIZZ), by seed, should be waiting for the right to finish no lower than 6th, as the winners in Championship Quarterfinals are guaranteed AA!! Lewis has 3 losses, to Bryce Steiert (UNI), Chandler Rogers and IMar. Great resume, though I'll mention here he'll probably have Steiert in the 2nd Round for the right to face Joseph...fun stuff, as they're 1-1 for the year. Lewis has also won against Rogers (11-10 slugfest), and Drew Longo, so he does have some good wins. Going with Cenzo by 3 or 4 here.

Based on seed, Cenzo will get Logan Massa (MICH) in the semi's. Massa's only 2 losses this year were to IMar, but this is pretty close to a toss-up. Either could win.

Win, and IMar will surely be waiting, lose and the foursome of Dylan Cottrell, Chandler Rogers, Chad Walsh (RID), or Isaac Jordan (WIS) should, by seed, be waiting in the consy semi's. At that point, it's anywhere between 3rd and 6th, as he could also face any of the 4 listed (and a few others) for the 5th/6th or the 3rd/4th Place Matches. I don't see Cenzo finishing worse than 4th...and hope for higher.

 

[RoarLions1]

Mark Hall (26-3)

The randomness of placing unseeded wrestlers in the brackets sometimes plays favorites. Not this time. JR David Kocer (SDSU) is a tough 1st Match, though Mark will surely be on his toes. Kocer lost 8 times, to Matt Reed (OK), Zach Epperly (VT) in SV!, Kimball Bastian (UVU), Jordan Pagano (RUT), Zach Brunson (Ill), Alex Meyer (IA), Nick Wanzek (MINN) before descending, and Zahid Valencia (ASU). He's also beaten Leland Weatherspoon (ISU) 2x, and Kyle Crutchmer (OSU), which are excellent wins. Hoping for a BP Win, but will take a Decision here.

2nd Round will have the winner of a toss-up 1st Round Match between JR Jadaen Bernstein (NAVY), and Casey Kent (PENN). What separates them is a 1-0 victory by Kent over Bernstein in the EIWA's. Kent has 6 losses, all to really good guys...Ryan Preisch (LEH) 2x, Brian Realbuto (CORN), Hall (4-9, at the Scuffle), Jonathon Schleiffer (PRIN), and Ethan Ramos (UNC). Of those, all but Schleiffer are seeded top-8. Hoping for a repeat of the Scuffle win for Mark, and advancement to the Quarters.

3rd Round looks like a barnburner, against a guy I pick to easily get there, JR Zach Epperly (VT). Zach's only loss this year is to Preisch, and he's wrestled top-20 guys normally to 1 or 2 point Decisions (he has 7). A takedown, or 2, may be all Mark needs to win, but Epperly is one tough hombre. Last year, he lost in Rd 1, then took 7 in a row in wrestle-backs to finish 3rd. All but one win in that run was a BP win, so he is capable of scoring points...just seems to be lower-scoring this year.
Win, and Mark's an AA...lose and he'll have to win his R12 match next to finish top-8.

I really like Mark's chances against Epperly, but sure as I'm sitting here typing, odds are it's a 1-2 point match, and could go either way. #1 (and undefeated) FR Zahid Valencia should be waiting if Mark beats Epperly, though Zahid has a toughie vs Ethan Ramos in the quarters.

Lose to Epperly, and Mark moves to wrestle-backs for a match likely against Crutchmer or Brunson. If it plays out this way...a victory over Crutchmer helps in the team race. A win here, and Mark can't finish lower than 8th. His next match could be Ramos, who was a 4th seed in 2016, but didn't look himself, going 0-2. This is another tough bout. From this match to the end, Mark could face any of Ramos (already mentioned), Crutchmer (already mentioned), Myles Amine (MICH), Preisch, Bo Jordan (tOSU), and possibly Alex Meyer (IA) depending on how the bracket unfolds.

So, bottom line...I like Mark in his first two bouts, then calling the Epperly bout a coin flip. The back-side has lots of traps, so any win, and any place on the podium will be well-earned.

 

[aalion]

who here is willing to contribute to my "get Roar more time" fund to buy him a butler, driver, apprentice, gardener, handyman, or any other lackey such that his unimportant tasks (i.e. anything but the analysis of the other 7 weights) get handled?

 

[1AA]

Good stuff

To bad Suriano couldn't of gotten more college tournament experience at big tens.

If all our freshmen can get to semis we will be in good shape.

 

[21Guns]

Good stuff

To bad Suriano couldn't of gotten more college tournament experience at big tens.

If all our freshmen can get to semis we will be in good shape.

So many people just writing this young man off because of an ankle injury from nearly a month ago. Not me. This kid is nails and is tough as hell. He's going far in this tournament this week, I gotta a funny feeling...

 

[diggerpup]

Mark Hall will earn everything he gets in this tourney.

He won't have an easy draw anywhere.