So pumped the season started, just had to post some quick thoughts

[dicemen99]

First of all, just want to say that I love that we wrestle Army. Great match for an opener, despite the score they always put out tough, competitive kids that are not pushovers. Kids that after a few years are tough outs and some have the ability to hang and occasionally beat AAs. The freshman heavy is a great example, never going to be an AA but after a few years there he will be a tough go for anyone. Austin Harry as well. Really wouldn't be considered even a mid-D1 coming out as a prospect, but after a couple years is a tough customer who scraps. Perfect OOC early match.

125 - Don't want to be a debbie downer or I told you so, but he is exactly what I posted - developmental kid who probably would be competitive in the B10 after 3+ years in the program. Unfortunately the Suriano situation caused his depth to be called upon too early. Was very small coming in and although he is bigger is still too small. Needs another year or two to put on size. Has skills.

133 - Not much to take from it besides the fact that I love kids who have the ability to finish matches quickly (doesn't everyone?). Really hate when the move is called "junior high." It is executed by the greatest wrestlers of the world at the highest levels of wrestling in the world. It is only JH for kids who forgo developing staple attacks at lower levels in favor of it against kids who don't know how to wrestle. Keener's was beautiful and it is a great tool to have in your box.

141 - Good match for Cortez who looks like he is supposed to. He's a 10-15 type kid in a deep weight class. Same kid. Good kid for us if Nick Lee is not ready to AA (not saying he is not ready, just haven't seen enough yet).

149-184 Don't really need to say anything but Nolf takes the day in this meet as he is a complete freak.

197 Ceasar (Raptor is so yesterday) looked very good. Quick on his feet both on offense and defense. The hype looks to be real. Very encouraged, Cawood can be tough.

285 Nick certainly looks bigger which I think is good. You like to have a little around the middle - no tight waists coming his way. Bigger up top also. Not going to beat Snyder or anything but he will be a very high AA.

 

[nerfstate]

Really looking forward to Nevills vs. Coon. His legs and hip in particular seem much stronger this year.

Also was pleased with what I saw from Hall--sure, the mixer is "expected" but his TDs were savvy and (shh) varied.

 

[tikk10]

I'm guilty of the wiseass "high school move" comment but you're right Dice; it was executed perfectly and if it's not, you're down two. At the D1 level, it usually is executed well and works more often than not, but I think its success is partly due to it still being a rarity.

A good friend of mine's kid wrestled recently finished up his high school career in Connecticut (I think at 158) and was sloppy as hell, but managed to qualify for states with only the head and arm. Beat a ton of guys who were much better wrestlers with it, but got mostly destroyed when he went up against guys who were going to wrestle in college.

 

[dunkej01]

Watched the match on my phone from our soccer game. Had a few hiccups but would say 90% worked. So kudos to flo for that.

Schnupp is what he is, hope the boards/fans give him and the other guys at 125 a long lead. Just not going to win many matches at this weight. is what it is, just hope people recognize and dont hammer on the guys. they are giving it their all.

Keener looked a little hesitant dare I say. I said to my wife that he has a lot of the mac still to get scrubbed off and boom he hits that JH move (haha dice). Loved it.

will know more about cortez sunday.

nolf is the martrix. wont be the last time we see him score with that stuff with these new rules. which will lead to others doing it. the guy is an innovator.

Cenzo giving up the first TD...im like here we go. but then he just worked it from there. beats being down 0-6 and 1-10 like last year in the 1st match of the year.

the Raptor. I took him to MDec Cawood and I meant it. kid is good and if he had the action in the 1st period like he did in the 3rd he does it. 1st match back jitters and nearly MDec a decent kid who Cutch had a closer bout with last year.

was that not the best student U announcers yet? I really thought they did a good job. A few things to clean up but great work. the scorer on the graphics board kept screwing things up but not a big deal.

if anyone is doing drinks Sunday before the match let us know. drinks might last longer than the match other than 141 and 197 (ok 125) it will be a blood bath.

 

[dicemen99]

I'm guilty of the wiseass "high school move" comment but you're right Dice; it was executed perfectly and if it's not, you're down two. At the D1 level, it usually is executed well and works more often than not, but I think its success is partly due to it still being a rarity.

A good friend of mine's kid wrestled recently finished up his high school career in Connecticut (I think at 158) and was sloppy as hell, but managed to qualify for states with only the head and arm. Beat a ton of guys who were much better wrestlers with it, but got mostly destroyed when he went up against guys who were going to wrestle in college.

Yeah, that's where it gets its reputation. When it's your only go-to you're not going to beat kids that know how to wrestle unless you are super elite with it and then only occasionally. When you are really good with it as part of your toolbox, it's great to have when it presents itself. I think the reason you see it work more times than you would think when it is executed at high levels is because the guys who throw them are really good at them and they are throwing them when they've been set up right.

 

[dicemen99]

Watched the match on my phone from our soccer game. Had a few hiccups but would say 90% worked. So kudos to flo for that.

Schnupp is what he is, hope the boards/fans give him and the other guys at 125 a long lead. Just not going to win many matches at this weight. is what it is, just hope people recognize and dont hammer on the guys. they are giving it their all.

Keener looked a little hesitant dare I say. I said to my wife that he has a lot of the mac still to get scrubbed off and boom he hits that JH move (haha dice). Loved it.

will know more about cortez sunday.

nolf is the martrix. wont be the last time we see him score with that stuff with these new rules. which will lead to others doing it. the guy is an innovator.

Cenzo giving up the first TD...im like here we go. but then he just worked it from there. beats being down 0-6 and 1-10 like last year in the 1st match of the year.

the Raptor. I took him to MDec Cawood and I meant it. kid is good and if he had the action in the 1st period like he did in the 3rd he does it. 1st match back jitters and nearly MDec a decent kid who Cutch had a closer bout with last year.

was that not the best student U announcers yet? I really thought they did a good job. A few things to clean up but great work. the scorer on the graphics board kept screwing things up but not a big deal.

if anyone is doing drinks Sunday before the match let us know. drinks might last longer than the match other than 141 and 197 (ok 125) it will be a blood bath.

Agree, I also noticed the announcers. You could tell they were not ex-wrestlers, but they still were very impressive.

 

[Cali_Nittany]

I'm more of a visual person. My thoughts:

Keener

Zain:

Nolf:

Hall:

Nickal:

Cassar:

Nevills:

 

[RoarLions1]

It was good for the guys to finally hit the mat. Nice first match, well-chronicled by dice...so I'll just mention the intangibles. Watched the guys during introductions, during the bouts, and immediately after Nevills pin, some of it from the best view in the house . Then spent some time afterwards with the guys, and once again their support for each other was on full display. Chemistry is important, and this team has it in spades.

 

[El-Jefe]

Keener looked a little hesitant dare I say. I said to my wife that he has a lot of the mac still to get scrubbed off and boom he hits that JH move (haha dice). Loved it.

Send him to the Creamery, request the Morelli therapy. If it could get all the Pitt off, surely it'll work on the MAC.

 

[nerfstate]

Agree, I also noticed the announcers. You could tell they were not ex-wrestlers, but they still were very impressive.

Pretty sure this is the 3rd year w/ these same 2 kids. They were rough around the edges in year one, but you can tell their big time fans now.

 

[Ja1339]

I'm more of a visual person. My thoughts:

Keener

Zain:

Nolf:

Hall:

Nickal:

Cassar:

Nevills:

Darn that's some funny stuff. Well done.

 

[James Toney]

125- Gonna be a long year for him. He did try, just too small and is going to get hammered by top guys.
133- Great start for Keener. Def need to see more matches though.
141- Looked okay. Honestly without knowing anything, I see Cael pulling Lee's shirt later on.
149- Zain decided to give the others a head start by only getting the tech.
157- Some day in the future everyone is going to be wearing Jason Nolf wrestling shoes!!
165- Looked a little sloppy or not too focused to me. He easily has the toughest road to repeat this year. Man I wanna see him and Chance wrestle.
174- That dude HAD to know what was coming and still could not stop it. Mark looked awesome though against a decent guy.
184- Bo is going to go undefeated and pin really a lot of guys this year. FACT!!
197- Love Cutch and his heart, but man was I super impressed with Raptor. I just really liked the way he wrestled in all aspects. He can make the finals.
HWT- Nevills is a fun heavy to watch wrestle. Did not disappoint and wish him the best this year.

 

[lobo lion]

I'm more of a visual person. My thoughts:

Keener

Zain:

Nolf:

Hall:

Nickal:

Cassar:

Nevills:

That Nevills footage is pretty amazing. Freaking cat jumped 6 or 7 feet! The Zain Train is pretty impressive as well. The Internet is a great thing.

 

[diggerpup]

Send him to the Creamery, request the Morelli therapy. If it could get all the Pitt off, surely it'll work on the MAC.

While watching Keener, I was thinking to myself "wow - he's a 133 Morelli" - then he hit his throw.

 

[diggerpup]

I'm more of a visual person. My thoughts:

Keener

Zain:

Nolf:


Hall:


Nickal:


Cassar:


Nevills:

Some of your best work.

 

[tikk10]

Just rewatched the Cassar match, was really impressed. Great finishes on all his takedowns, unusually quick for a 197, looked the same in the third as he did in the first, controlled the tie-ups. Didn't expect him to be as poised as he was in his debut. Bigger test against Bucknell but was encouraged by what we saw today.

 

[psuflyguy]

Where can a guy watch the match today? Is it online anywhere? Thanks in advance, fellas.

 

[pish69]

Where can a guy watch the match today? Is it online anywhere? Thanks in advance, fellas.

Flo has all the matched

 

[Chickenman Testa]

Just rewatched the Cassar match, was really impressed. Great finishes on all his takedowns, unusually quick for a 197, looked the same in the third as he did in the first, controlled the tie-ups. Didn't expect him to be as poised as he was in his debut. Bigger test against Bucknell but was encouraged by what we saw today.

And don’t forget quite dashing!

 

[ptomaselli]

While watching Keener, I was thinking to myself "wow - he's a 133 Morelli" - then he hit his throw.

Keener's cool...as long as he keeps the 'stache trimmed. We don't need any Evans/Pornstache in HV.

 

[RoarLions1]

Keener was the Ridge Riley Award winner...just an fyi, didn't see it mentioned anywhere yet.

 

[86PSUPaul]

Keener was the Ridge Riley Award winner...just an fyi, didn't see it mentioned anywhere yet.

Literally just now listening to his interview with JB after the match. Sounds like a class kid, as all the PSU, and most wrestlers in general, are!

 

[Still in State College]

For me:

125 - very active. every time he got in Army was just too strong
133 - I thought Keener looked like a 5th year guy. Seemed to me to be very confident and patient.
141 - He will suffer in fans eyes as not being ZR, JN, BO, etc. You get so used to crazy scoring and action that "normal" activity seems like no action.
149 - no comment
157 - this scoring back exposure without control is going to be crazy this year with a guy like Nolf.
165 - workman like. Wish he had more top game to really extend leads with tilts.
174 - so solid.
184 - fun watching a guy that really wants to pin everyone and wants to do it as fast as possible.
197 - Cassar looks like a good 197. Hopefully he holds up physically. No reason to think he won't but it's been a while since he wrestled a full schedule. Weight pretty open after Moore.
285 - Can't wait to watch him against the likes of Coon, Kasper, Haines, of course Snyder.

 

[RoarLions1]

Literally just now listening to his interview with JB after the match. Sounds like a class kid, as all the PSU, and most wrestlers in general, are!

Yeah, we talked after the dual...first time I've had the pleasure. If first impressions are worth anything, he's a perfect fit attitude and behavior-wise. Far his elder, he was very respectful to me.

That said, my hope for him is success all-around, and to be honest, especially on the mat in this, his final year of college wrestling.

 

[diggerpup]

Best Impersonation Award -

Goes to Mark Hall ...


Anyone notice that after his mixer, after the handshake, after the ref raised his arm in victory:


Mark Hall ran off the mat & did the Saquon Barkley crazy arm windmills touchdown celebration ?

 

[El-Jefe]

Best Impersonation Award -

Goes to Mark Hall ...


Anyone notice that after his mixer, after the handshake, after the ref raised his arm in victory:


Mark Hall ran off the mat & did the Saquon Barkley crazy arm windmills touchdown celebration ?

Somebody noticed ...

 

[Ski]

Bo Nickal, post pin:

 

[pawrestlersintn]

Nolf "play wrestling".

With the new rule, he's going to make everyone question whether to even take a shot on him. You take the shot, he's over your back, you try to come up and that move is there. Funny thing is, that move has always been there, but no one used it. Because the risk wasn't worth the reward, and now it is? Or, is it because Nolf created a move that will be named after him?

 

[tikk10]

 

[dunkej01]

Nolf "play wrestling".

With the new rule, he's going to make everyone question whether to even take a shot on him. You take the shot, he's over your back, you try to come up and that move is there. Funny thing is, that move has always been there, but no one used it. Because the risk wasn't worth the reward, and now it is? Or, is it because Nolf created a move that will be named after him?

Did cael foreshadow this in the media day interview??? not only can he recruit, he can seeeeeeeeeee into the future.

PS- I have it on good authority that members of the HR are secretly raising funds to purchase a 1985 Delorean to aid some crazy scientist's project.

PSS- since iowa is not as safe as Iran, im told that those in the land of corn should be on the look out for iranians in a VW bus.

 

[NoVa Lion]

Nolf "play wrestling".

With the new rule, he's going to make everyone question whether to even take a shot on him. You take the shot, he's over your back, you try to come up and that move is there. Funny thing is, that move has always been there, but no one used it. Because the risk wasn't worth the reward, and now it is? Or, is it because Nolf created a move that will be named after him?

I think you may see many wrestlers trying this move instead of just draping over the back and putting themselves in danger. However, I doubt many will pull it off and pretty much no one will do it with the success Nolf had. He just does things that no one else can. Plus he is FUN to watch. Oops, I said the word that should not be said, kind of like he who shall not be named.

 

[tikk10]

I think you may see many wrestlers trying this move instead of just draping over the back and putting themselves in danger. However, I doubt many will pull it off and pretty much no one will do it with the success Nolf had. He just does things that no one else can. Plus he is FUN to watch. Oops, I said the word that should not be said, kind of like he who shall not be named.

I agree you won't see many try it unless as a hail mary sort of thing, because there's a greater chance of risk than reward for most. Besides that Nolf can execute it better than probably anyone in D1, he can also easily overcome the risk if/when it fails.

 

[diggerpup]

Nolf "play wrestling".

With the new rule, he's going to make everyone question whether to even take a shot on him. You take the shot, he's over your back, you try to come up and that move is there. Funny thing is, that move has always been there, but no one used it. Because the risk wasn't worth the reward, and now it is? Or, is it because Nolf created a move that will be named after him?

Reinventing Scrambling.

 

[RoarLions1]

I think you may see many wrestlers trying this move instead of just draping over the back and putting themselves in danger. However, I doubt many will pull it off and pretty much no one will do it with the success Nolf had. He just does things that no one else can. Plus he is FUN to watch. Oops, I said the word that should not be said, kind of like he who shall not be named.

I agree you won't see many try it unless as a hail mary sort of thing, because there's a greater chance of risk than reward for most. Besides that Nolf can execute it better than probably anyone in D1, he can also easily overcome the risk if/when it fails.

The move was/is extraordinary. Done with such ease that he makes it look like it should be commonplace. It won't be.

Just hope fans appreciate it, as Jason is a Picasso among all college wrestlers.

We'll just have to wait and see if it's attempted/successful against the best at 157.

 

[diggerpup]

We'll just have to wait and see if it's attempted/successful against the best at 157.

This is what makes the PSU room such an advantage for our wrestlers.

I'm sure Nolf already knows if & when his new move will work by practicing it on Zain & Joseph all summer long.

 

[El-Jefe]

View embedded media

Beckman makes a great point but I'd challenge "immediate" in the sense that he's been doing things oriented toward this rule for a long time -- only the rule has changed.

I remember a match in which Nolf shot 3 times, each time the opponent forced a scramble that ended in stalemate. After the 2nd one, Jason told the ref to look for a neutral pin, and sure enough Jason stuck him the 3rd time.

That match was in the 2014 state finals.

And then there's this:

 

[86PSUPaul]

Where can a guy watch the match today? Is it online anywhere? Thanks in advance, fellas.

You can listen on gopsusports

You can watch on Flo if you have the premium subscription.

 

[tikk10]

Beckman makes a great point but I'd challenge "immediate" in the sense that he's been doing things oriented toward this rule for a long time -- only the rule has changed.

I remember a match in which Nolf shot 3 times, each time the opponent forced a scramble that ended in stalemate. After the 2nd one, Jason told the ref to look for a neutral pin, and sure enough Jason stuck him the 3rd time.

That match was in the 2014 state finals.

And then there's this:

Yeah, it's nothing he's not done it before, but to my eye it looked like he went out there explicitly looking for it after the cradle fell apart. Maybe not, I doubt he'd say, but he did hit it twice in the same series, got back points for both.