Starting Lineup

[YoungGunsWC]

After talking with a few people, I have "confirmed" the starting lineup.

125 - Schnupp
133 - Keener
141 - Cortez/Lee
149 - Zain
157 - Nolf
165 - Joseph
174 - Hall
184 - Nickal
197 - Cassar
HWT - Nevills


Note:

Schnupp beat Lopez 3-2. They could each rotate in and out.

Cassar beat Cutch in OT. They too will most likely rotate in and out.

Lee won the wrestle off but the majority of people I spoke with think Cortez will get a shot first and if needed will pull Lee's shirt. ( Like Hall last year )

 

[dunkej01]

Can you provide scores to how Rasheed did?

 

[LemonPie]

Wanted to believe Schnupp separated himself a little more. Glad he's starting, but not the score I expected against Lopez. Oh well.

Cassar! Looking forward to Thursday! Thanks for the post

 

[greenmanRD]

How much can we expect McCutcheon to stick around on the team if he is also playing baseball this year? If Cassar passes him, I was thinking it is possible McCutcheon just focuses on baseball.

 

[slushhead]

How much can we expect McCutcheon to stick around on the team if he is also playing baseball this year? If Cassar passes him, I was thinking it is possible McCutcheon just focuses on baseball.

I would be shocked if anything short of personal tragedy kept Cutch away from this team. He has given no sign of being anything but a team player and seems to enjoy the team immensely.

 

[El-Jefe]

How much can we expect McCutcheon to stick around on the team if he is also playing baseball this year? If Cassar passes him, I was thinking it is possible McCutcheon just focuses on baseball.

So he's just gonna fold up and not keep trying to win the job the rest of the year?

 

[Diego Badman]

Wanted to believe Schnupp separated himself a little more. Glad he's starting, but not the score I expected against Lopez. Oh well.

Cassar! Looking forward to Thursday! Thanks for the post

With respect to Schnupp, there could be some degree of room familiarity, I would think. Like you, I was hoping to see more separation. I'm anxious to see what the young man has to show. I don't think he's going to be too much of a challenge for the heavy hitters at that weight class, but if he can save some bonus points along the way, well, that is something. I'm sure he'll give great effort.

 

[dunkej01]

With respect to Schnupp, there could be some degree of room familiarity, I would think. Like you, I was hoping to see more separation. I'm anxious to see what the young man has to show. I don't think he's going to be too much of a challenge for the heavy hitters at that weight class, but if he can save some bonus points along the way, well, that is something. I'm sure he'll give great effort.

I have it on good authority, he was NOT beating Nico in the room.

 

[greenmanRD]

So he's just gonna fold up and not keep trying to win the job the rest of the year?

I would be shocked if anything short of personal tragedy kept Cutch away from this team. He has given no sign of being anything but a team player and seems to enjoy the team immensely.

I find these two responses to my post interesting, as they seem to imply I was questioning McCutcheon's commitment to this team or the sport of wrestling. My post was not intended for that, so perhaps I should've been clearer. It seems like there's a quick trigger here right now to jump on people who don't go along with the groupthink.

It was a genuine curiosity. We know McCutcheon is on the baseball team. If he was not going to get back into the lineup, is the possibility open for him to focus on baseball solely? I don't see this as questioning his commitment to this team, he's been nothing but a great representative for this program. That said, if he wants to maximize his baseball career, it might serve his personal interests to focus on that if he cannot beat out Cassar (of course, this also assumes that Cassar is the starter right now).

At no point did I question his commitment to the program, and I think him focusing on baseball is not some affront to the wrestling program if he chose that route. All I did was speculate on a possibility.

 

[El-Jefe]

I find these two responses to my post interesting, as they seem to imply I was questioning McCutcheon's commitment to this team or the sport of wrestling. My post was not intended for that, so perhaps I should've been clearer. It seems like there's a quick trigger here right now to jump on people who don't go along with the groupthink.

It was a genuine curiosity. We know McCutcheon is on the baseball team. If he was not going to get back into the lineup, is the possibility open for him to focus on baseball solely? I don't see this as questioning his commitment to this team, he's been nothing but a great representative for this program. That said, if he wants to maximize his baseball career, it might serve his personal interests to focus on that if he cannot beat out Cassar (of course, this also assumes that Cassar is the starter right now).

At no point did I question his commitment to the program, and I think him focusing on baseball is not some affront to the wrestling program if he chose that route. All I did was speculate on a possibility.

"Might not stick around" is absolutely questioning his commitment.

And "groupthink" is code for no individual thought.

 

[greenmanRD]

"Not stick around" is absolutely questioning his commitment.

I find it interesting you have taken two posts of mine that were both speculative on this question as to be questioning McCutcheon's commitment to the program. You are certainly speaking in a far stronger tone than me.

Why can't he be committed to wrestling but also want to be in a situation where he maximizes his last year of baseball possibly? He's been committed to the wrestling program, there's no reason to think if he decided to focus on baseball that it would somehow undo his effort and commitment to PSU wrestling. He has come back after graduating and may very well be a backup. That itself is showing commitment!

But if he wanted a head start on baseball, I certainly would not (1) question his years of service to Penn State wrestling, (2) his commitment to Cael Sanderson and his teammates, or (3) his praiseworthy representation of Penn State as a student-athlete. Just like wrestling, this could be his last year of playing baseball, so I don't see how speculating whether he would want a head start for baseball is unfair to McCutcheon.

I assume he will make the best decision for himself, all I did was ask whether it was a possibility, yet you seem to think like I spoke about it as a certainty or that if McCutcheon did it would nullify his commitment to PSU wrestling.

 

[RoarLions1]

Must admit, greenman, I took your original post the same as a few others did. Probably not taken exactly the way it was intended...but then that's the problem with written words sometimes.

No one should be questioning Matt's commitment, and as far as what the future holds, we haven't even wrestled a match yet...I'm excited to see how it unfolds.

 

[El-Jefe]

I find it interesting you have taken two posts of mine that were both speculative on this question as to be questioning McCutcheon's commitment to the program. You are certainly speaking in a far stronger tone than me.

Why can't he be committed to wrestling but also want to be in a situation where he maximizes his last year of baseball possibly? He's been committed to the wrestling program, there's no reason to think if he decided to focus on baseball that it would somehow undo his effort and commitment to PSU wrestling. He has come back after graduating and may very well be a backup. That itself is showing commitment!

But if he wanted a head start on baseball, I certainly would not (1) question his years of service to Penn State wrestling, (2) his commitment to Cael Sanderson and his teammates, or (3) his praiseworthy representation of Penn State as a student-athlete. Just like wrestling, this could be his last year of playing baseball, so I don't see how speculating whether he would want a head start for baseball is unfair to McCutcheon.

I assume he will make the best decision for himself, all I did was ask whether it was a possibility, yet you seem to think like I spoke about it as a certainty or that if McCutcheon did it would nullify his commitment to PSU wrestling.

I'm not going down that rabbit hole.

My point is that I don't see him conceding the weight to Cassar or Rasheed until the first match of the Big Ten Tournament.

 

[slushhead]

greenman, my response was 100% about how Cutch appears to love the wrestling team too much to allow anything to interfere with his level of participation. My perception, and meant to be a positive. Not intended to be inflammatory or an attack on you.

On that note, WTH got into the BWI water this weekend? A lot of sensitivity going around . . .

 

[lobo lion]

I find these two responses to my post interesting, as they seem to imply I was questioning McCutcheon's commitment to this team or the sport of wrestling. My post was not intended for that, so perhaps I should've been clearer. It seems like there's a quick trigger here right now to jump on people who don't go along with the groupthink.

It was a genuine curiosity. We know McCutcheon is on the baseball team. If he was not going to get back into the lineup, is the possibility open for him to focus on baseball solely? I don't see this as questioning his commitment to this team, he's been nothing but a great representative for this program. That said, if he wants to maximize his baseball career, it might serve his personal interests to focus on that if he cannot beat out Cassar (of course, this also assumes that Cassar is the starter right now).

At no point did I question his commitment to the program, and I think him focusing on baseball is not some affront to the wrestling program if he chose that route. All I did was speculate on a possibility.

"If he was not going to get back into the lineup, . . ."

I think your supposition was a non-starter. It is almost inconceivable that Cael would tell Cutch something to the effect that "there is no way you will start for us for the duration of this season" -- at least not until much, much later in the season.

 

[SRATH]

Two talented guys who love wrestling, Penn State and The Team. It can be that simple. We are so fortunate to have young men like gravitating to PSU Wrestling.

Thursday. Thursday. Thursday..........

 

[GasEmFromBottom]

greenman, my response was 100% about how Cutch appears to love the wrestling team too much to allow anything to interfere with his level of participation. My perception, and meant to be a positive. Not intended to be inflammatory or an attack on you.

On that note, WTH got into the BWI water this weekend? A lot of sensitivity going around . . .

Snowflakes! ❄️❄️❄️

 

[jack66]

Matt is tough as nails and a potential AA. The fact that Caesar came out on top puts him in pretty select company.

I'm sure the starter in March has yet to be determined, but I'm excited to see what Caesar can do outside room.

 

[huskieswrestling]

I am sure Matt will be ready and willing to wrestle at any point during the year. It is a sad truth, that any wrestler can get hurt at any time. Caesar’s shoulders scare me.

 

[Diego Badman]

Matt is tough as nails and a potential AA. The fact that Caesar came out on top puts him in pretty select company.

I'm sure the starter in March has yet to be determined, but I'm excited to see what Caesar can do outside room.

Beware the Ides of March, Caesar.

 

[slushhead]

Who's V-Caesar?

 

[Used2BEerie]

Who's V-Caesar?

Et tu Raptor?

 

[Chickenman Testa]

Who's V-Caesar?

Short for Vincenzo Caesar. Leader of the Roman Legions prior to Varus who, of course, led his forces to defeat in the Teutoburg Forest. This was the era when Pitt won its 412th through 423rd national championships in football.

 

[johnstownsteel]

Wanted to believe Schnupp separated himself a little more. Glad he's starting, but not the score I expected against Lopez. Oh well.

Cassar! Looking forward to Thursday! Thanks for the post

Schnupp isn’t someone I’d typically think would be on the radar of bigtime college programs. I find it interesting that Cael actually contacted him about the possibility of joining the team after HS. Cael saw something in him to take the time and effort to get Devin to at least consider walking on at Penn State. Can’t wait to see how he does.

 

[psualt]

if a guy took four years off wrestling and then starts practice the week of the first match how successful would he be? That is exactly what MM playing baseball will be like. It's been too long.

 

[tgar]

With respect to Schnupp, there could be some degree of room familiarity, I would think. Like you, I was hoping to see more separation. I'm anxious to see what the young man has to show. I don't think he's going to be too much of a challenge for the heavy hitters at that weight class, but if he can save some bonus points along the way, well, that is something. I'm sure he'll give great effort.

What is the Back story on Schnupp? Where is he from, where did he wrestle, etc? Expectations?

 

[dicemen99]

What is the Back story on Schnupp? Where is he from, where did he wrestle, etc? Expectations?

Schnupp wrestled at Warwick in D3. 2x placewinner (6th x2). Probably walking on here. Wrestled 113 as a SR so was small coming into college. Very developmental prospect, probably somebody you would expect to take 3 or 4 years to come in and be competitive in terms of qualifying for an NCAA, if he worked hard and filled out.

Expectations for this year should be low. He may be able to compete hard, but I don't think there will be many wins in the B1G for him, if any. Maybe tOSU if Tomasello is out.

 

[Ja1339]

Matt is tough as nails and a potential AA. The fact that Caesar came out on top puts him in pretty select company.

I'm sure the starter in March has yet to be determined, but I'm excited to see what Caesar can do outside room.

I'm ecstatic that we appear to have very significant depth at 97.

 

[El-Jefe]

Expectations for this year should be low. He may be able to compete hard, but I don't think there will be many wins in the B1G for him, if any. Maybe tOSU if Tomasello is out.

This might be underselling Schnupp a little bit -- he might be able to beat a few other guys. Iowa's non-Lee 125s, Stickley and Perez. Maybe Maryland's Cray (beat Schnupp 4-2 and 5-3 last year).

But, yeah, after that it could be some rough sledding. B10 125 looks especially deep this year. Qualifying for nationals is what we call at work a stretch goal.

 

[jrd23psu]

I'm interested to see how Keener does this year. Isn't he a two time NCAA qualifier? If we can get a few points out of him at NCAAs I'd be happy. The kid was a 2x PIAA state champ in high school. It's not like he was a project as a recruit. I'm hoping the staff can maximize his potential and we get a kid at 133 who can get some points for us.

 

[RoarLions1]

I'm interested to see how Keener does this year. Isn't he a two time NCAA qualifier? If we can get a few points out of him at NCAAs I'd be happy. The kid was a 2x PIAA state champ in high school. It's not like he was a project as a recruit. I'm hoping the staff can maximize his potential and we get a kid at 133 who can get some points for us.

3X Qualifier

 

[jrd23psu]

3X Qualifier

Even better. The only weight I'm not expecting to qualify at NCAAs this year is 125.

 

[El-Jefe]

 

[jtothemfp]

This might be underselling Schnupp a little bit -- he might be able to beat a few other guys. Iowa's non-Lee 125s, Stickley and Perez. Maybe Maryland's Cray (beat Schnupp 4-2 and 5-3 last year).

But, yeah, after that it could be some rough sledding. B10 125 looks especially deep this year. Qualifying for nationals is what we call at work a stretch goal.

Jefe, what's your stretch goal for internet contributions for this season? Can be total quantity or regular frequency. No quality, tho; we already know what we're gonna get for that, emoji.

 

[El-Jefe]

Jefe, what's your stretch goal for internet contributions for this season? Can be total quantity or regular frequency. No quality, tho; we already know what we're gonna get for that, emoji.

90% reduction.

I'm gonna preemptively call that one a failure.

 

[NYWRESTLER94]

View embedded media

Bring on Lopez and Rasheed!!!!!

 

[slushhead]

Bring on Lopez and Rasheed!!!!!

I hear Caesar is pretty tough, but has a bad habit of dropping his head too close to his knee. Rasheed will eat it up all day.

 

[86PSUPaul]

I heard Caesar once was kidnapped by pirates. When they told him what they were asking in ransom he told them he was worth double that, and that one day he would hunt them down and kill them.

His parents paid double and he did hunt them down and kill them after he got out.

True story!

 

[bwfight]

And I heard that Shakur trains with an orangutan so he can practice locking up his cradle on something whose arms are longer and more powerful than his.

 

[1AA]

And I heard that Shakur trains with an orangutan so he can practice locking up his cradle on something whose arms are longer and more powerful than his.

Does that orangutan scrap cars?