I appreciate that but I'll take blame here for not being clear. But let's be honest, if I said I believe Mitch would beat Levi in a wrestleoff, people would find a way to get upset at that analysis as well.
U20 World Team Trials & U23 Nationals - May 31-June 2
- Thread starter backdrft76
- Start date
You call that belief (i.e., your opinion) an analysis? LOL.
It's fine to have that opinion - that doesn't make you any less of a fan of all our wrestlers. Some will disagree, but that's what the board is for. IDK how anyone can have a strong opinion one way or another. It's going to be razor-thin no matter what if that were to happen (extremely doubtful). I think MM is likely better in freestyle, but this is folkstyle we are talking about and Levi is really strong in all phases - I'd lean that way.
If that's where you wanted to go, you shouldn't have posted anything about Mitch not having his first title yet and being a great teammate. I mean, that's garbage. If MM was better in folk - why didn't he go 157 this past year and get his title? Because he wanted to let Levi have one first? Laughable.
I love all our guys, and they each have their strengths and weaknesses. I think MM becomes a three time champ when he slows his game down just a hair against top tier guys and respects their strengths. He needs to find a Plan B against that level of guy. Against both Hamiti and Carr, his aggressiveness was turned into a weakness at times when he came up against a superior counter wrestler. Levi is another great counter wrestler and I have no doubt MM works on situational wrestling this next season. Let's all remember that DT was every bit as high octane offensively as MM but never could master Dake, a master defensive wrestler. I guess my point is that neutral offense alone doesn't guarantee a championship. You have to be good to great in all three phases, and adapt to your opponent's capabilities. I'm excited to see what MM can do for the next three years.
Just heard Kasak is a scratch this weekend. I was looking forward to him vs Duke. Still a lot of great matches but that was my top one.
If only Mitchell could work with that kid that DT couldn't solve, he might have a chance....
The benefit of RTCs indeed. MM's RSFR year was among the best we've seen at PSU, but like almost all of the FR and RSFR we have seen, they just lacked the experience against all types of positions. That will come next year no doubt. I think he will still be high octane but maybe a little more crisp in some tie-ups.
Reply to KCLion. Your post isn't "tag-able" for some reason.
I think a better version of MM doesn't gas Carr at all because instead of being down big going into the third, he has a small lead because he didn't get countered successfully like he did. So I see the match being different with another year under his belt, with the outcome never in doubt. I look at a guy like Levi or AB or Nick Lee. They go out and methodically take their opponents apart position by position. The result never in doubt. Like Levi in the finals. Won 5-0 and Teemer had nothing to use against him. Same with Hidlay against AB. 6-0 and never in doubt. Controlled domination.
I think a better version of MM doesn't gas Carr at all because instead of being down big going into the third, he has a small lead because he didn't get countered successfully like he did. So I see the match being different with another year under his belt, with the outcome never in doubt. I look at a guy like Levi or AB or Nick Lee. They go out and methodically take their opponents apart position by position. The result never in doubt. Like Levi in the finals. Won 5-0 and Teemer had nothing to use against him. Same with Hidlay against AB. 6-0 and never in doubt. Controlled domination.
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That’s fine, but he could (should?) have won with his current “style”.
I was certainly cheering him on no doubt. His match with Hamiti at B1Gs showed the path for beating him, and Carr did exactly that at nationals, as I would expect an elite senior to do with a good coaching staff.
I think his current style wins most bouts, and "can" win them all, but in those very few bouts against elite competition, a loose/aggressive style can be attacked. That's all I'm saying. I don't want to come across as putting MM down because I'm not. I just believe a controlled methodical style has less chance for failure in ALL cases, whereas an aggressive style, especially against a more experienced opponent, is prone to a one-off loss. Like DT against Bubba.
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Taylor lost to Jenkins (and to Dake) because he wrestled tentatively.
IMO Mesenbrink does not need to change his level of aggression. His pace is a feature, not a bug. It's the "loose" part that he needs to clean up. The takedowns he gave up to Carr and Burroughs were too easy.
IMO, Taylor wrestled tentatively against Dake because he knew if he had wrestled more aggressively, he would have been beaten more soundly. That's why Dake is so hard to beat.
Taylor did get the opening takedown in their NCAA final. And then he wrestled Dake's match the rest of the way.
Why did he wrestle Dake's match? It's been many years since I've seen those matchups, so I don't recall the details. My memory of Dake is that he was so sound in all positions that he almost forced you to wrestle his style because he was that good at finding an exposed position if you took anything other than a great shot.
Edit to add that every time DT went up against Dake, I knew DT would get him that time and be more aggressive, but it never happened. So that's where my mind has gone to after all these years. DT wrestled Dake's style because Dake's defense was impenetrable and any mistake was costly.
Agreed. Dake is the riddle.
But Taylor figured it out early in the match. He just couldn't sustain it -- and by that I mean either score a 2nd takedown or not give up any.
I believe that, by virtue of making the senior olympic team, the U23 spot is his if he wants it.
Alright, that's it! I demand that the coaching staff make a match up of MM and LH recorded and aired live, if they don't I think the AD should hire a new coaching staff!
I know everyone will agree with this!
I know everyone will agree with this!
Yes. No one with a brain changes MM's style, you simply build on it.
Agree. I would never advocate changing any wrestler's style. I would just like to see him gain more positional awareness in some situations.
Penn State Wrestling Signee Named Junior Hodge Trophy Winner
Penn State wrestling was, once again, the best in the team in America this past spring, winning its 11th national championship in 13 year
nittanysportsnow.com
It’s not like that one NCAA final was the only time Dake beat Taylor. I have Taylor at 0-8 against Dake college and post college combined. Dake was better; pure and simple. But Taylor scored more team points, even in the year he lost to Dake in the finals, so I’ll opine Taylor was more valuable to the team.
Taylor was the ultimate marketing video as a contrast to the previous Iowa style.
We are still trying to figure out how Mitchell Mesenbrink pulled off this funky counter.
57kg Nate Desmond vs. Garret Rinken (Mat 2)
P1:
Desmond in quick on a leg, gets behind, Rinken quad pod, but Desmond gets him down for the TD, 2-0
Desmond working for a turn & gets it, 4-0, restart
Desmond working the head, snaps, & comes around for another TD, 6-0, no turns, restart
Desmond reaches for a single, gets the leg, trying to finish & gets the TD, 8-0
Desmond adds a turn for the Tech 10-0
Nate Desmond TF Garret Rinken 10-0 (2:48)
P1:
Desmond in quick on a leg, gets behind, Rinken quad pod, but Desmond gets him down for the TD, 2-0
Desmond working for a turn & gets it, 4-0, restart
Desmond working the head, snaps, & comes around for another TD, 6-0, no turns, restart
Desmond reaches for a single, gets the leg, trying to finish & gets the TD, 8-0
Desmond adds a turn for the Tech 10-0
Nate Desmond TF Garret Rinken 10-0 (2:48)
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Damn, I guess Kasak is too busy getting his Stillwater affairs in order. Really wanted to see him in the challenge bracket with Webster and Antrell Taylor
61kg Marcus Blaze vs. Isaias Torres (Mat 3)
P1:
Tying up in the center, Blaze in on a leg & takes Torres down, 2-0, working a funky turn & gets another 2, 4-0, restart
Torres starts flat & Blaze gets a quick turn & then another, 8-0, restart
Blaze gets another TD on the edge for a quick Tech, 10-0
Marcus Blaze TF Isaias Torres 10-0 (1:20)
P1:
Tying up in the center, Blaze in on a leg & takes Torres down, 2-0, working a funky turn & gets another 2, 4-0, restart
Torres starts flat & Blaze gets a quick turn & then another, 8-0, restart
Blaze gets another TD on the edge for a quick Tech, 10-0
Marcus Blaze TF Isaias Torres 10-0 (1:20)
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All of this just to get a shot at Lilledahl.
61kg Kyison Garcia vs. Sergio Vega (Mat 4)
P1:
Vega with a quick shot, gets to the let, Garcia countering, gets an ankle & stalemate
Tying up & snaps, then breaking apart
Vega passivity warning
Garcia shoots, nothing
Vega with a counter, but can't finish, back to center
More tying up, snaps, under-hooking, both looking for an opening
2nd passivity warning Vega, goes on the clock (but no clock on the screen)
Back to center, tying up, circling & looking for an opening
Vega can't score, passivity point Garcia, 1-0
Passivity warning Garcia
Vega gets to the legs for a TD, 2-1
Period ends
P2:
Back to tieups, Vega shoots, gets the legs, working for a TD & comes around to get it, 4-1
Adds a turn & then another 8-1, restart
Vega in on a quick single for the TD, 10-1, restart
Garcia in on a leg, working for a TD, Vega gets a cradle locked up & gets a turn for the Tech, 12-1
Sergio Vega TF Kyison Garcia 12-1 (4:17)
P1:
Vega with a quick shot, gets to the let, Garcia countering, gets an ankle & stalemate
Tying up & snaps, then breaking apart
Vega passivity warning
Garcia shoots, nothing
Vega with a counter, but can't finish, back to center
More tying up, snaps, under-hooking, both looking for an opening
2nd passivity warning Vega, goes on the clock (but no clock on the screen)
Back to center, tying up, circling & looking for an opening
Vega can't score, passivity point Garcia, 1-0
Passivity warning Garcia
Vega gets to the legs for a TD, 2-1
Period ends
P2:
Back to tieups, Vega shoots, gets the legs, working for a TD & comes around to get it, 4-1
Adds a turn & then another 8-1, restart
Vega in on a quick single for the TD, 10-1, restart
Garcia in on a leg, working for a TD, Vega gets a cradle locked up & gets a turn for the Tech, 12-1
Sergio Vega TF Kyison Garcia 12-1 (4:17)
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Seth Mendoza was down big (9-2 I believe), then came back to beat Kilkeary 12-9.
Connor Pierce vs. Gabriel Schumm
P1:
Looks like Pierce is sporting the Top Knot hairdo
Tying up, pushing, Schumm working the head, out of bounds, restart
Passivity warning on someone
Tying up again, Schumm the more aggressive
Pierce passivity warning, restart
Pierce quickly in on a leg, working & gets the TD, 2-0, no turns, restart
Tying up again, Pierce shoots, nothing, Schumm counters, gets the leg, but Pierce fights out of it
Back to center, Tying up, Schumm pushing forward, shoots, Pierce sprawls
Schumm coming forward, Pierce throws a headlock & takes Schumm out of bounds for 4, 6-0
Schumm driving forward, has a tight headlock, they go to the mat & Schumm gets an exposure, 6-2
Pierce keeps scrambling & gets the legs laced & gets a turn & another & another for the Tech 12-2
Connor Pierce TF Gabriel Schumm 12-2
P1:
Looks like Pierce is sporting the Top Knot hairdo
Tying up, pushing, Schumm working the head, out of bounds, restart
Passivity warning on someone
Tying up again, Schumm the more aggressive
Pierce passivity warning, restart
Pierce quickly in on a leg, working & gets the TD, 2-0, no turns, restart
Tying up again, Pierce shoots, nothing, Schumm counters, gets the leg, but Pierce fights out of it
Back to center, Tying up, Schumm pushing forward, shoots, Pierce sprawls
Schumm coming forward, Pierce throws a headlock & takes Schumm out of bounds for 4, 6-0
Schumm driving forward, has a tight headlock, they go to the mat & Schumm gets an exposure, 6-2
Pierce keeps scrambling & gets the legs laced & gets a turn & another & another for the Tech 12-2
Connor Pierce TF Gabriel Schumm 12-2
79kg William Henckel vs Sean Coughlin (Mat 1)
P1:
Quick tie up & then break,
Coughlin gets to a leg, but Henckel easily fights it off
Back to tie ups, Henckel reaches for a leg & trips Couglin to the mat for a TD, 2-0
Henckel adds a turn as they go out of bounds, 4-0
Looks like they're giving Henckel another 2 for exposure during that action, so it's 6-0
Back to center, tying up, hand-fighting, looking for an opening
Henckel tries a throw by, no dice
Henckel in on a leg, gets the TD, 8-0, no turns, restart
1:30 left
Back to center, Henckel in on a leg again, Coughlin sprawls & they go out of bounds, pushout point Henckel 9-0, restart
Back to center, Henckel snaps, nothing, Coughling gets to the leg, working for a TD, but Henckel fighting him off & Coughlin takes Henckel out of bounds, 9-1, restart
Back to center, More tie ups, Coughlin shoots, nothing
Time expires, 9-1 Henckel
P2:
Henckel shoots for a leg, but just misses
BAck to center, tying up & working for position
Coughlin working an underhook, but can't do anything
Henckel gets another step out point, 10-1
Henckel gets to the leg, comes behind & gets the TD for the Tech, 12-1
William Henckel TF Sean Coughlin 12-1 (4:05)
P1:
Quick tie up & then break,
Coughlin gets to a leg, but Henckel easily fights it off
Back to tie ups, Henckel reaches for a leg & trips Couglin to the mat for a TD, 2-0
Henckel adds a turn as they go out of bounds, 4-0
Looks like they're giving Henckel another 2 for exposure during that action, so it's 6-0
Back to center, tying up, hand-fighting, looking for an opening
Henckel tries a throw by, no dice
Henckel in on a leg, gets the TD, 8-0, no turns, restart
1:30 left
Back to center, Henckel in on a leg again, Coughlin sprawls & they go out of bounds, pushout point Henckel 9-0, restart
Back to center, Henckel snaps, nothing, Coughling gets to the leg, working for a TD, but Henckel fighting him off & Coughlin takes Henckel out of bounds, 9-1, restart
Back to center, More tie ups, Coughlin shoots, nothing
Time expires, 9-1 Henckel
P2:
Henckel shoots for a leg, but just misses
BAck to center, tying up & working for position
Coughlin working an underhook, but can't do anything
Henckel gets another step out point, 10-1
Henckel gets to the leg, comes behind & gets the TD for the Tech, 12-1
William Henckel TF Sean Coughlin 12-1 (4:05)
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57kg Nate Desmond vs Christian Castillo (Mat 1)
P1:
Tying up & circling, Desmond in on a leg, working, Castillo trying to fight it off, but Desmond gets the TD, 2-0
Desmond has the legs laced & adds a turn, 4-0, restart
Tying up, breaking & then back to the tie ups
Castillo working the head, drives Desmond out of bounds, 4-1, restart
Back to tying up & looking for an opening
Desmond gets an ankle, Castillo fighting, gets the leg free, but Desmond right back in on it & working, gets an exposure, 6-0 and then finishes the TD, 8-0
Desmond adds a turn for the Tech, 10-0
Wait, now they take away the last TD for Desmond & we're back at it, still 8-0 Desmond
Desmond in on a leg again again & gets a TD with 1-sec left for the Tech, 10-0
Nate Desmond TF Christian Castillo 10-0 (2:59)
P1:
Tying up & circling, Desmond in on a leg, working, Castillo trying to fight it off, but Desmond gets the TD, 2-0
Desmond has the legs laced & adds a turn, 4-0, restart
Tying up, breaking & then back to the tie ups
Castillo working the head, drives Desmond out of bounds, 4-1, restart
Back to tying up & looking for an opening
Desmond gets an ankle, Castillo fighting, gets the leg free, but Desmond right back in on it & working, gets an exposure, 6-0 and then finishes the TD, 8-0
Desmond adds a turn for the Tech, 10-0
Wait, now they take away the last TD for Desmond & we're back at it, still 8-0 Desmond
Desmond in on a leg again again & gets a TD with 1-sec left for the Tech, 10-0
Nate Desmond TF Christian Castillo 10-0 (2:59)
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Castillo was 2022 U17 world silver.
61kg Kyison Garcia vs Brady Roark (Mat 4)
P1:
Head tapping & circling
Garcia gets to an ankle, working, comes around for the TD, 2-0, adds a turn & another, 6-0
Garcia still with the legs laced, gets another turn & then another for a quick Tech, 10-0
Kyison Garcia TF Brady Roark 10-0 (54-sec)
P1:
Head tapping & circling
Garcia gets to an ankle, working, comes around for the TD, 2-0, adds a turn & another, 6-0
Garcia still with the legs laced, gets another turn & then another for a quick Tech, 10-0
Kyison Garcia TF Brady Roark 10-0 (54-sec)
