What was MM ranked coming out of highschool? It seems as though he has jumped multiple levels in the past 18-24 months.
U20’s August 14th-20th
- Thread starter zzs006
- Start date
Flo had Messenbrink at #53 in the CLass of 2022. Levi at #7.
They had Mendez, Feldman and Bouzakis at 1, 2 and 3, respectively.
Sounds like he’s jumped levels in the last 18-24 days 😎
Watching SVN’s and MM’s pace the next few years is going to be fun.
8 medals is the most earned by U.S. men in the FS discipline since 1984 when the Soviets boycotted and we won 9 (7 gold/2 silver)...
Just shows you how insanely good Iran is....We have an almost record-breaking showing; and still finish as the bridesmaids!
Just shows you how insanely good Iran is....We have an almost record-breaking showing; and still finish as the bridesmaids!
I don't see how they can keep MM on the bench. He's ready to challenge for a national championship now.
With Haines, Facundo, and Starocci at the three weights he could go at, I can see how he may take a redshirt.
An absolute embarrassment of riches, to be honest
After OSU signed a 'historic' recruiting class in 2022, it now appears PSU might have landed the #1 and #2 recruits.
It's no wonder Ryan has a bee in his bonnet.
You have to be over age 13 to compete in the Olympics. He'll be too young by 2028.
Last edited:
I was specifically talking about 165 and 174, i.e. NCAA weights.
We are in the enviable position where we can RS any one of the 4 and still walk away with the championship.
I can be overly simplistic, but it seems to me with Cael having no discussions 'yet' with the kids on weights or shirts, I think it comes down to two things that will be determined live in about 2 months:
1). Who's waking around weight is lower Levi or MM? The leaner goes to 157.
2). Who looks better in the room Sep-Nov, Facundo or the larger from #1 above.
My crystal ball thinks Levi may actual be the bigger of the two despite the common thinking here that Mitchell is the auto choice for 165.
I say Mesenbrink 157, Levi 165, Facundo shirts until 174 next year. This will be Carter's final year.
Say what you want about Askren (whom I really like) but he's pumping out studs at his club.
As a software programmer, I love when logic enters the discussion. And is it certain Shapiro goes 149? All due respect to SVN, if the above pans out, I'd almost prefer to see MM v MS next March. Uh, not that SVN-Shapiro wouldn't be great as well. Lion riches are truly embarrassing.
Too many riches. I understand this isn't folkstyle but maybe some of you guys who thought I was crazy for thinking MM would be picking his weight based on who can beat who in college. The kid is Nolf like in so many ways. He can get a bit sloppy at times but the attack rate is unmatched by any current college wrestler I can recall since Nolf.
My best laid plans got all f’ed today so I’m sorry I didn’t get to follow along with everyone
What a performance from Mesenbrink. I’m not sure I’ve seen a more dominant run at this tournament by an American. I’m sure there are some that equal it but what he did was truly special. His finals opponent was very very good but he never gave him a second of space. It’s hard to wrestle when you are constantly defending. Lots of people said he needs to pace himself a bit but I’ve never seen Mesenbrink gas. This is just how he wrestles. Pretty sure it’s how he wrestles in practice as well so it’s nothing new for him. And if he does get tired think about how his opponent must feel but I highly doubt any of them are in better shape. The levels MM has jumped in the last 2 years are quite incredible. Askren deserves a ton of credit for that. I am one of the guys that hasn’t jumped off the Facundo train but it’s hard to look at MM and Levi and not think they are the better wrestlers right now. Embarrassment of riches is right
What a great tournament overall and especially for this US team. 8 medals. 2 gold, 2 silver, and 4 bronze! Most ever at this level. The wrestling at all levels in the US is getting so good and it’s a joy to watch. Pretty sure we will continue to crank out world medalist’s at all age groups going forward. Man, I love this sport. Thanks to everyone who watched or commented on this forum. Makes it so much more enjoyable for me having other wrestling obsessed people to talk and joke with
What a performance from Mesenbrink. I’m not sure I’ve seen a more dominant run at this tournament by an American. I’m sure there are some that equal it but what he did was truly special. His finals opponent was very very good but he never gave him a second of space. It’s hard to wrestle when you are constantly defending. Lots of people said he needs to pace himself a bit but I’ve never seen Mesenbrink gas. This is just how he wrestles. Pretty sure it’s how he wrestles in practice as well so it’s nothing new for him. And if he does get tired think about how his opponent must feel but I highly doubt any of them are in better shape. The levels MM has jumped in the last 2 years are quite incredible. Askren deserves a ton of credit for that. I am one of the guys that hasn’t jumped off the Facundo train but it’s hard to look at MM and Levi and not think they are the better wrestlers right now. Embarrassment of riches is right
What a great tournament overall and especially for this US team. 8 medals. 2 gold, 2 silver, and 4 bronze! Most ever at this level. The wrestling at all levels in the US is getting so good and it’s a joy to watch. Pretty sure we will continue to crank out world medalist’s at all age groups going forward. Man, I love this sport. Thanks to everyone who watched or commented on this forum. Makes it so much more enjoyable for me having other wrestling obsessed people to talk and joke with
Last edited:
And now I’m curious. Anyone know if U17 or U20 world champs have ever faced each other in the NCAAs?
Mason Parris (U20), Greg Kerkvliet (U17) and Gable Steveson (2x U17, 1x U20) off the top of my head.
Why do we think Cael, the coaches, and the wrestlers haven't discussed weights or shirts for the upcoming season?
I am guilty of that ... I saw him somewhat breathing heavily after 2 minutes but you're right, the opponent always is breathing even harder. I wouldn't rule out somewhat of an adrenaline dump either, it was for the world title and he was facing Iran, who we are in a team race with.
Messenbrink is a special talent. Cael wins again
We have a 76.5 pt lead in Returning Points.
4 board members could wrestle 157, 165, 174, and 197 drunk (or get DQ for missing weight) -- and we'd still have an 11-pt margin.
Mitchell said as much in an interview.
Smart move as well. Keeps guys focused on just becoming a better wrestler and MM on winning a FS gold (which he did).
Cohlton Schultz too, U17 World Champ (albeit in Greco). Crazy how good the credentials are for this generation of heavies
I can't speak to the potential weight cut issues, but she was definitely sick in her quarterfinal match a few hours earlier. They brought the bucket out for her. In the semis she was wobbly on her legs. My guess is she got sick at the worst time possible.
True, however I really don't know anyone who will not avoid being humiliated, Russian or otherwise. I am fairly certain you can feel shame and not really be humiliated. Shame generally comes from within whereas humiliation comes fron what others think. No?
I don’t think any of us are making at least 2 and probably 3 of those weights.
A nice bonus from MM’s win is that this Junior World title should qualify him for the US OTT so that he doesn’t have to wrestle the US Open if he doesn’t want to. Perhaps this will be a factor in who RSs this season. MM is an easy choice sio he can prepare for OTT
Hah! I remember once in my college years where we dared a friend to drink about 1/2 bottle of wine before the finals in an off season tournament. (I think it was in York too!) He took us up on it and then went out a beat a pretty decent guy in the finals. He never took us up on another dare like that again. 😁
I disagree. I have absolutely no insider info, however, as a businessman NLI with the potentially only 5 time NCAA Champion could be crazy…
What a great interview. He talks a bunch about his pace and gives tons of credit to Penn State. What a truly special young man
The kid is genuinely appreciative of those who helped him get there. I love that!
