Story: Verkleeren discusses recruitment, Penn State commitment

[Tim Owen/BWI staff]

I caught up with newest Penn State wrestling recruit Jarod Verkleeren. What went into his decision to commit to the Nittany Lions? He explains at the link

Wrestling: Top-ranked 145-pounder a late addition to PSU's Class of '17

 

[eet5017]

I caught up with newest Penn State wrestling recruit Jarod Verklereen. What went into his decision to commit to the Nittany Lions? He explains at the link

Wrestling: Top-ranked 145-pounder a late addition to PSU's Class of '17

Great article, but does anyone proofread these before they go up? There were a bunch of grammatical errors.

 

[Pennstate1985]

Here was the money quote.

"I think just being there, it shows what the coaches do," Verkleeren said. "I walk into the room and there are like 15 national champs wrestling around. It's just an awesome atmosphere. The coaches are awesome. The campus is close to home. My brother goes there so it just kind of felt like a good fit."

 

[RoarLions1]

Here was the money quote.

"I think just being there, it shows what the coaches do," Verkleeren said. "I walk into the room and there are like 15 national champs wrestling around. It's just an awesome atmosphere. The coaches are awesome. The campus is close to home. My brother goes there so it just kind of felt like a good fit."

It is a factor, for sure.

Location is still #1, imo, for most recruits, though the Penn State model pushes that factor to #2 sometimes.

PA still a hotbed of talent, with 22 of the 140 in InterMat's all-class top-10 rankings (about 16%). Add it all up, and we should certainly be grateful for the current situation.

 

[Dogwelder]

Here was the money quote.

"I think just being there, it shows what the coaches do," Verkleeren said. "I walk into the room and there are like 15 national champs wrestling around. It's just an awesome atmosphere. The coaches are awesome. The campus is close to home. My brother goes there so it just kind of felt like a good fit."

Good thing Spyker ordered 15 national champs. I still say he should have ordered 30. Just to be safe.

 

[Pennstate1985]

Good thing Spyker ordered 15 national champs. I still say he should have ordered 30. Just to be safe.

I counted 13, but what's a couple extra among friends.

For the record:

Zain (2)
Nolf (1)
Joseph (1)
Hall (1)
Nickal (1)
Nico (1)
Gomez (1)
Frank (1)
DT (2)
Varner (2)
Brown (1)
Casey (1)
Cael (4) (Oly champ)

That 19 NC's for 13 guys. Impressive!!


... and if indeed Jake and Casey were in Gwiaz's corner over the weekend, maybe some day we can add his name and titles to the list.

 

[El-Jefe]

Good thing Spyker ordered 15 national champs. I still say he should have ordered 30. Just to be safe.

Only 1 was available on Craigslist but he called the 800 number.

 

[Dogwelder]

I counted 13, but what's a couple extra among friends ...

Verkleeren might be a lawyer in the making, given that he said "... there are like 15 national champs wrestling around ..."

(Aside: I bet he would be too smart and precise to go sending Run-DMCA takedown notices willie-nilly! )

 

[Lion-around]

I counted 13, but what's a couple extra among friends.

For the record:

Zain (2)
Nolf (1)
Joseph (1)
Hall (1)
Nickal (1)
Nico (1)
Gomez (1)
Frank (1)
DT (2)
Varner (2)
Brown (1)
Casey (1)
Cael (4) (Oly champ)

That 19 NC's for 13 guys. Impressive!!


... and if indeed Jake and Casey were in Gwiaz's corner over the weekend, maybe some day we can add his name and titles to the list.

Good list but where is Q?

 

[Dogwelder]

Good list but where is Q?

Between P and R, probably.

 

[Pennstate1985]

Good list but where is Q?

Not listed on the NLWC roster

 

[Dogwelder]

I counted 13, but what's a couple extra among friends ...

You know what would be really cool? If Verkleeren had counted himself and Suriano as future national champs, as of the day he was there!

 

[CentexLion]

I counted 13, but what's a couple extra among friends.

For the record:

Zain (2)
Nolf (1)
Joseph (1)
Hall (1)
Nickal (1)
Nico (1)
Gomez (1)
Frank (1)
DT (2)
Varner (2)
Brown (1)
Casey (1)
Cael (4) (Oly champ)

That 19 NC's for 13 guys. Impressive!!


... and if indeed Jake and Casey were in Gwiaz's corner over the weekend, maybe some day we can add his name and titles to the list.

I'm guessing that Frank isn't in the room anymore, now that he is living in Blacksburg? He also probably added in 3-4 of the Japanese National Champs that are always hanging in the room as well.

 

[CSauertiegPSU]

So what we thinking, boys? Lee 141, JVerk 149, Berge 157 after Nolf? Where's that leave Gavin and RBY? One of these kids is gonna end up elsewhere methinks, even it's via transfer

 

[Real-Lion]

So what we thinking, boys? Lee 141, JVerk 149, Berge 157 after Nolf? Where's that leave Gavin and RBY? One of these kids is gonna end up elsewhere methinks, even it's via transfer

RBY and Gavin will be 33 and 41....Lee won't be at 141 long...JMO

 

[PSU James]

Here was the money quote.

"I think just being there, it shows what the coaches do," Verkleeren said. "I walk into the room and there are like 15 national champs wrestling around. It's just an awesome atmosphere. The coaches are awesome. The campus is close to home. My brother goes there so it just kind of felt like a good fit."

That was the only part I went back to a second and third time and reread. Then I started counting coaches and wrestlers with national championships.

 

[Pennstate1985]

That was the only part I went back to a second and third time and reread. Then I started counting coaches and wrestlers with national championships.

you and I think alike lol

 

[BruceK-PSU83]

So what we thinking, boys? Lee 141, JVerk 149, Berge 157 after Nolf? Where's that leave Gavin and RBY? One of these kids is gonna end up elsewhere methinks, even it's via transfer

Tend to agree, which is the main reason why I thought Verkleeren would end up someplace other than PSU. Then you had a viable scenario of Teasdale (133/141), RBY (133/141), Lee (149), and Berge (157). With JVerk, there are five guys for four spots, meaning that someone is gonna get squeezed. Will be interesting to see how it works out.

 

[Ja1339]

Tend to agree, which is the main reason why I thought Verkleeren would end up someplace other than PSU. Then you had a viable scenario of Teasdale (133/141), RBY (133/141), Lee (149), and Berge (157). With JVerk, there are five guys for four spots, meaning that someone is gonna get squeezed. Will be interesting to see how it works out.

Possibly rolling redshirts??

 

[JOESTROSSER]

Tend to agree, which is the main reason why I thought Verkleeren would end up someplace other than PSU. Then you had a viable scenario of Teasdale (133/141), RBY (133/141), Lee (149), and Berge (157). With JVerk, there are five guys for four spots, meaning that someone is gonna get squeezed. Will be interesting to see how it works out.

No chance any of them grows into 165?

 

[dunkej01]

Tend to agree, which is the main reason why I thought Verkleeren would end up someplace other than PSU. Then you had a viable scenario of Teasdale (133/141), RBY (133/141), Lee (149), and Berge (157). With JVerk, there are five guys for four spots, meaning that someone is gonna get squeezed. Will be interesting to see how it works out.

This is what happens when the PLAN for world domination is executed.

Jefe, show the folks how this all works.

 

[T J]

I counted 13, but what's a couple extra among friends.

For the record:

Zain (2)
Nolf (1)
Joseph (1)
Hall (1)
Nickal (1)
Nico (1)
Gomez (1)
Frank (1)
DT (2)
Varner (2)
Brown (1)
Casey (1)
Cael (4) (Oly champ)

That 19 NC's for 13 guys. Impressive!!


... and if indeed Jake and Casey were in Gwiaz's corner over the weekend, maybe some day we can add his name and titles to the list.

This year was a really nice boost for that list, with 4 more 1st time Champs.

Another consideration could be the number of National Champs in competitions "other" than NCAA.

 

[El-Jefe]

This is what happens when the PLAN for world domination is executed.

Jefe, show the folks how this all works.

Works something like this:

 

[PSU James]

I counted 13, but what's a couple extra among friends.

For the record:

Zain (2)
Nolf (1)
Joseph (1)
Hall (1)
Nickal (1)
Nico (1)
Gomez (1)
Frank (1)
DT (2)
Varner (2)
Brown (1)
Casey (1)
Cael (4) (Oly champ)

That 19 NC's for 13 guys. Impressive!!


... and if indeed Jake and Casey were in Gwiaz's corner over the weekend, maybe some day we can add his name and titles to the list.

I was thinking about this.....thanks for compiling it!

 

[PSU James]

I counted 13, but what's a couple extra among friends.

For the record:

Zain (2)
Nolf (1)
Joseph (1)
Hall (1)
Nickal (1)
Nico (1)
Gomez (1)
Frank (1)
DT (2)
Varner (2)
Brown (1)
Casey (1)
Cael (4) (Oly champ)

That 19 NC's for 13 guys. Impressive!!


... and if indeed Jake and Casey were in Gwiaz's corner over the weekend, maybe some day we can add his name and titles to the list.

I'm planning to add a 125 pounder to that list with some hope! NS!

 

[crockster]

So what we thinking, boys? Lee 141, JVerk 149, Berge 157 after Nolf? Where's that leave Gavin and RBY? One of these kids is gonna end up elsewhere methinks, even it's via transfer

Don"t forget about Mason Manville! He is another stud who is in those weight ranges.

 

[CSauertiegPSU]

Don"t forget about Mason Manville! He is another stud who is in those weight ranges.

Mason Manville just made a world team at 175 pounds...

 

[Pennstate1985]

Mason Manville just made a world team at 175 pounds...

75 kilos. That's 166 pounds.

 

[PSU James]

75 kilos. That's 166 pounds.

I'm not sure but I think Mason Manville likely will have red shirt available and an Olympic red shirt available. He could be in his 3rd year of eligibility wrestling with teamate Carson Manville as a true freshman.

 

[PSUer1989]

And apparently he is not depleting our slush fund ...
http://triblive.com/sports/hssports...mpaign=Feed:+TopTribliveStories+(Top+Stories)

 

[FineMaterial]

And apparently he is not depleting our slush fund ...
http://triblive.com/sports/hssports/highschoolrecruiting/12252553-74/hempfields-verkleeren-to-wrestle-at-penn-state?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed:+TopTribliveStories+(Top+Stories)

Wow. How many coaches (and how many non-PSU wrestling fans) will see that article in their nightmares?

 

[El-Jefe]

75 kilos. That's 166 pounds.

His point is still correct: Manville is not in the 149-157 mix.

 

[dunkej01]

And apparently he is not depleting our slush fund ...
http://triblive.com/sports/hssports/highschoolrecruiting/12252553-74/hempfields-verkleeren-to-wrestle-at-penn-state?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed:+TopTribliveStories+(Top+Stories)

People at other schools hate to acknowledge it but kids are coming for less to be apart of this "thing".

Whether they stay in the years to come.....who knows.

 

[Pennstate1985]

His point is still correct: Manville is not in the 149-157 mix.

I wasn't correcting his point, just his math. I think Manville is a minimum 165 as well.

 

[Flying_Tiger]

Wow. How many coaches (and how many non-PSU wrestling fans) will see that article in their nightmares?

I read that as preferred walk-on with the opportunity to pick up a partial scholarship if he cracks the lineup. Practically unheard of for a #16 overall recruit.

 

[PSUisawesome]

21 guns would been all over this thread any know what his deal is after his 15 minutes of fame?

 

[psu_flip]

Wow...the article says that the other schools were offering a full ride. PSU in-state is about $27-30k when all is said and done with no aid. So many families at the youth and high school level put so much time and money into sports thinking the light at the end of the tunnel is that their kid will get that scholarship. This guy has the stones to take his chances walking on at PSU despite the other opportunities. Kudos to his parents for supporting him.

 

[El-Jefe]

Wow...the article says that the other schools were offering a full ride. PSU in-state is about $27-30k when all is said and done with no aid. So many families at the youth and high school level put so much time and money into sports thinking the light at the end of the tunnel is that their kid will get that scholarship. This guy has the stones to take his chances walking on at PSU despite the other opportunities. Kudos to his parents for supporting him.

Not sure I believe that entirely. That many (any?) schools have a full ride out of their 9.9 max, just sitting around idly waiting for Verk to claim it? More likely it was combinations of aid package + loans that came out to 100% total.

Kinda like when Lawson transferred in and said he got a full ride ... anyone believe Cael spent 1.0 of his 9.9 on Lawson?

Not saying either is a liar, just that teenagers don't think that way.

 

[dicemen99]

Wow...the article says that the other schools were offering a full ride. PSU in-state is about $27-30k when all is said and done with no aid. So many families at the youth and high school level put so much time and money into sports thinking the light at the end of the tunnel is that their kid will get that scholarship. This guy has the stones to take his chances walking on at PSU despite the other opportunities. Kudos to his parents for supporting him.

Just had a conversation about this. Spent tons of time on the youth circuit and have heard this opined before. This is a myth.

Most parents really put so much time and money into it so their kids get BETTER with the goal of being the best. A scholarship is just a byproduct of this. And when it comes time to go to college many are willing to continue to do the same thing.

It's a nice justification you use on yourself when you're putting out the cash early, but anyone who seriously believes that they are laying out money in a financially sound plan to reap a return during their college years is fiscally foolish.

 

[dicemen99]

Not sure I believe that entirely. That many (any?) schools have a full ride out of their 9.9 max, just sitting around idly waiting for Verk to claim it? More likely it was combinations of aid package + loans that came out to 100% total.

Kinda like when Lawson transferred in and said he got a full ride ... anyone believe Cael spent 1.0 of his 9.9 on Lawson?

Not saying either is a liar, just that teenagers don't think that way.

I would agree with this. Most situations a full ride is just a guarantee that the kid is not laying out money. Then the school works the package - especially this late in the game.