Not sure there is a program doing less with more then Pitt right now. Fully funded in a recruiting hot bed, yet they are in steep downward spiral. Mikey was ranked as high as #4 not that long ago and now he's left the team.
Racciato No Longer On Pitt's Roster
- Thread starter Flying_Tiger
- Start date
Was talking 2 weeks ago with a Pitt wrestling alum about the state of Pitt wrestling and he is just amazed at how rapidly the program has deteroriated.
The elite kids from the area are on everybody's wrestling roster throughout the country - well everybody's but Pitt's.
The elite kids from the area are on everybody's wrestling roster throughout the country - well everybody's but Pitt's.
Only two years ago we poked fun at them and their banners when we had the rings. They had a nice team w quality guys.
Peters put a lot of $ in a few guys coming in then. Those guys were top end talent in HS but they simply haven't panned out for whatever reason.
Peters can't or isn't willing to hit reset so they remain stuck in mediocrity.
Would be a lot of fun if sPitt became a force. Maybe down the road caels tree will see a branch get rooted there.
Peters put a lot of $ in a few guys coming in then. Those guys were top end talent in HS but they simply haven't panned out for whatever reason.
Peters can't or isn't willing to hit reset so they remain stuck in mediocrity.
Would be a lot of fun if sPitt became a force. Maybe down the road caels tree will see a branch get rooted there.
He would be a very good pick up for us. For those who has seen him wrestle he is very very tough. He would get really tough in our room. In addition to making others better. Maybe Geno can reach out to him and tell him to contact Cael. Geno was at Pitt 2 years
Pitt is looking up at mediocrity.
There's no reason for that program to be less than top 15 every year -- except for coaching, scholarship mismanagement, and roster mismanagement.
They're still recruiting pretty well -- 3 high-end recruits next year (Wentzel, Bell, Dietrich) -- and just watch them start 2 of the 3 as true freshmen even though the program is stuck in mud.
Can't agree -- and that's hard to say as someone who quite vocally wanted him at PSU 3 yrs ago. He's not nearly the guy he projected to be. In HS, he was so fluid, attacking, and totally unafraid to give up 2 pts to get 5. In college, he has turned into another Pitt border-hugging counter wrestler, far too reliant on scrambling over shooting.
And his college record reflects that. 12+ losses each of his first 2 years. 1-4 in 2 trips to nationals. 0-for the ACC this year, likely would've been the 6th seed in a 6-team tourney.
Then there's the matter of which weight. After 2 yrs at 149, now he drops to 141? I suspect this is not his correct weight but might have to be at PSU with Zain at 149.
If he wanted to come here, if Cael would take him, if he's willing to accept little or no money, if he's willing to accept possibly never starting ... after all of that, he would require some serious deprogramming. Morelli has been in the room for a year and still is less attacking than our emergency backup football heavy.
I wouldn't turn him away, but I just don't see it happening. Whatever decision he makes, hope it works out for him.
He's always been a counter-funk guy, but I agree with this. Saw him wrestle Preston at EIWAs and he can still push that button and get out of ridiculous situations. I won't get into the money, but I would definitely like to see him in Blue and White, regardless if he starts or not. I'm not seeing it though.
interesting. i was thinking the same thing. they're slowly building something down there. will take time, but lhu is getting some good kids lately.
Flat? Didn't he beat Cruz who beat JG and that was probably one of the first times making that wt. Sky is the limit for that kid in right situation.
Wouldn't it be cool if Chance would end up there if he decided to keep wrestling.
Unless his family issues dramatically improved, this is a terrible idea. Some of life's problems require extraction.
stranger things have happened. think a lhu,clarion,edinboro would be a good landing spot if he's not burned out and is committed to working on the mat & in the classroom.
Honest question...what are your thoughts on extraction mileage? It seems to be your opinion that LHU is too close. Edinoboro's 300+ miles from Kennard Dale. Better? Central Michigan? Rider?
Anywhere his family can easily go visit him is too close. For argument's sake, let's say 6-hr drive each way -- that might be too close -- and, yes, I'm aware this radius eliminates a reunion with Kolat. Central Michigan? Now you're talking.
Though this is all immaterial. His best option is very likely exactly where he is, especially if he still harbors Olympic goals. He has to accept that he extracted himself from the problems in York, so now his issues in Stilly are all under his control. If he does -- and maybe he has already -- then he can be successful anywhere, but there would be no reason to leave Smith. If he doesn't, then he will struggle anywhere.
Regardless -- and I'm not pointing at anyone in particular -- there seems to be some never-ending fantasy about Marsteller maybe hopefully someday moving back to wrestle in PA. There is zero evidence of it being in his best interests, and plenty of evidence of it being to his detriment.
