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Update At Heavyweight

Gray52

Gray52

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Dec 9, 2012
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Coach Sanderson gave us an interesting (and unprovoked) update to the situation at heavyweight in his post-match interview last night (linked in the "Recap" thread)
While talking about Phipps, he offers... "We have Cassar, and we have Nevills. One of those guys will most likely be in our line-up before the Big Ten."
He was then asked specifically about Nevills. In response, Coach Sanderson said "They're (Nevills and Cassar) getting close, they're drilling." Then about Nevills he says, "He's got to feel confident, and believe." I can only assume that he is referring to Nevills feeling confident about being 100%, or close enough to it to compete.
Coach Sanderson went on to say "Cassar is burning a year of eligibility right now. So, for him, he's going to be competing regardless. But Nevills... it might depend on how Cassar is doing, we'll see. One of those guys will be in there."

Two things that weren't said.
1. Interesting that there was no mention of Jan Johnson in the "future" discussion.
2. Since he only mentions Cassar "burning a year of eligibility right now," it seems to suggest that Nevills is not. So a Medical redshirt seems to be on the table.
 
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Gray52 said:
Coach Sanderson gave us an interesting (and unprovoked) update to the situation at heavyweight in his post-match interview last night (linked in the "Recap" thread)
While talking about Phipps, he offers... "We have Cassar, and we have Nevills. One of those guys will most likely be in our line-up before the Big Ten."
He was then asked specifically about Nevills. In response, Coach Sanderson said "They're (Nevills and Cassar) getting close, they're drilling." Then about Nevills he says, "He's got to feel confident, and believe." I can only assume that he is referring to Nevills feeling confident about being 100%, or close enough to it to compete.
Coach Sanderson went on to say "Cassar is burning a year of eligibility right now. So, for him, he's going to be competing regardless. But Nevills... it might depend on how Cassar is doing, we'll see. One of those guys will be in there."

Two things that weren't said.
1. Interesting that there was no mention of Jan Johnson in the "future" discussion.
2. Since he only mentions Cassar "burning a year of eligibility right now," it seems to suggest that Nevills is not. So a Medical redshirt seems to be on the table.
Click to expand...
 
Cassar weighed in at 206.7 in June. Can't imagine he's much more than 220, if that at all
 
UWW Junior Nationals in May 2015 - 205.5

UWW Junior WTT in June 2015-
206.7
 
Gray52 said:
Coach Sanderson gave us an interesting (and unprovoked) update to the situation at heavyweight in his post-match interview last night (linked in the "Recap" thread)
While talking about Phipps, he offers... "We have Cassar, and we have Nevills. One of those guys will most likely be in our line-up before the Big Ten."
He was then asked specifically about Nevills. In response, Coach Sanderson said "They're (Nevills and Cassar) getting close, they're drilling." Then about Nevills he says, "He's got to feel confident, and believe." I can only assume that he is referring to Nevills feeling confident about being 100%, or close enough to it to compete.
Coach Sanderson went on to say "Cassar is burning a year of eligibility right now. So, for him, he's going to be competing regardless. But Nevills... it might depend on how Cassar is doing, we'll see. One of those guys will be in there."

Two things that weren't said.
1. Interesting that there was no mention of Jan Johnson in the "future" discussion.
2. Since he only mentions Cassar "burning a year of eligibility right now," it seems to suggest that Nevills is not. So a Medical redshirt seems to be on the table.
Click to expand...
Terrific Intel. THANKS for posting!
 
According to Cael on (Wednesday coach's show), Cassar is "trying to get back into school. Cael said he has a few days to get it done and he's hitting the scales "around 225".

His update brings up the question about McIntosh's replacement for next year. Could Cassar effectively cut back down to 197? If not, is it too late to try and pull Reenan into the fold with all of the turmoil at NU?
 
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I think Cassar would be fine at 197. If Cassar competes again in the summer (pretty sure still Junior eligible), he should get his weight back under control. I doubt he's been able to lift his way into 20 pound of weight--though I'm sure he's lifting hard! He's likely just conscious of the fact that 285 is a possibility and has been working his way up the scale by all means. That weight can come off (e.g. Micah Barnes, Riddick, Koepke). We also haven't seen him weigh in at 225. If he's anything like a Jan Johnson 230-235, he's 215-220.

But of course, you could always find room for a Reenan
 
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Gray52 said:
Coach Sanderson gave us an interesting (and unprovoked) update to the situation at heavyweight in his post-match interview last night (linked in the "Recap" thread)
While talking about Phipps, he offers... "We have Cassar, and we have Nevills. One of those guys will most likely be in our line-up before the Big Ten."
He was then asked specifically about Nevills. In response, Coach Sanderson said "They're (Nevills and Cassar) getting close, they're drilling." Then about Nevills he says, "He's got to feel confident, and believe." I can only assume that he is referring to Nevills feeling confident about being 100%, or close enough to it to compete.
Coach Sanderson went on to say "Cassar is burning a year of eligibility right now. So, for him, he's going to be competing regardless. But Nevills... it might depend on how Cassar is doing, we'll see. One of those guys will be in there."

Two things that weren't said.
1. Interesting that there was no mention of Jan Johnson in the "future" discussion.
2. Since he only mentions Cassar "burning a year of eligibility right now," it seems to suggest that Nevills is not. So a Medical redshirt seems to be on the table.
Click to expand...

Interesting. A couple initial thoughts:
  • If Jan Johnson isn't dinged up, why would he not be wrestling? Beyers and Sanderson have indicated that the most important thing for Johnson at this point is to get more matches under his belt. Not seeing Johnson against Nebraska, plus Sanderson's comments about Cassar and Nevills, suggest that we may not see much more of Johnson.
  • Sanderson's remarks about Nevills are very similar to those he made last season about Andrew Alton, and we all know how that went down. These may be two very different situations, but Cael's comments about Nevills health and readiness mean almost nothing at this point, IMO.
 
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BruceK-PSU83 said:
Interesting. A couple initial thoughts:
  • If Jan Johnson isn't dinged up, why would he not be wrestling? Beyers and Sanderson have indicated that the most important thing for Johnson at this point is to get more matches under his belt. Not seeing Johnson against Nebraska, plus Sanderson's comments about Cassar and Nevills, suggest that we may not see much more of Johnson.
  • Sanderson's remarks about Nevills are very similar to those he made last season about Andrew Alton, and we all know how that went down. These may be two very different situations, but Cael's comments about Nevills health and readiness mean almost nothing at this point, IMO.
Click to expand...
Interesting that we can all hear the same interview and walk away with different impressions. Here are mine:

a. Nevills is training. If he doesn't wrestle, odds are he qualifies for a sixth year of wrestling. I don't think Cael will roll the dice and wrestle him with the chance of Nick not be fully ready to go and the loss of an additional year of wrestling. Not being fully ready to go has nothing to do with his health, as I know we're all convinced Cael would only consider wrestling him if he was 100% healthy. Not being fully ready to go would be specific to his training; has he trained enough to compete. I think Nevills will not wrestle this cycle.

b. Cassar is training. If Cassar has enrolled in school (last I heard, it was unclear whether he had registered) I think this is the most likely heavyweight starter. Whether he wrestles or not, he burns a year of eligibility (per Cael's comments), so I think the coaches would like to maximize his availability and talents if he is 100% healthy.

c. If neither Cassar or Nevills goes, than I think it's anyone's guess on who goes at HWT. It could be Johnson, Phipps, Van Cura or Livingston. My money would be on Jan.
 
Lion-around said:
Interesting that we can all hear the same interview and walk away with different impressions. Here are mine:

a. Nevills is training. If he doesn't wrestle, odds are he qualifies for a sixth year of wrestling. I don't think Cael will roll the dice and wrestle him with the chance of Nick not be fully ready to go and the loss of an additional year of wrestling. Not being fully ready to go has nothing to do with his health, as I know we're all convinced Cael would only consider wrestling him if he was 100% healthy. Not being fully ready to go would be specific to his training; has he trained enough to compete. I think Nevills will not wrestle this cycle.

b. Cassar is training. If Cassar has enrolled in school (last I heard, it was unclear whether he had registered) I think this is the most likely heavyweight starter. Whether he wrestles or not, he burns a year of eligibility (per Cael's comments), so I think the coaches would like to maximize his availability and talents if he is 100% healthy.

c. If neither Cassar or Nevills goes, than I think it's anyone's guess on who goes at HWT. It could be Johnson, Phipps, Van Cura or Livingston. My money would be on Jan.
Click to expand...

In regards to Scenario B, what's the issue with Cassar getting back into school or not registering, it's pretty easy or not ? Sorry if I missed that one
 
jschrantz said:
In regards to Scenario B, what's the issue with Cassar getting back into school or not registering, it's pretty easy or not ? Sorry if I missed that one
Click to expand...
I recall Cael making a comment that Cassar had not yet registered and there was still a window available where he could still register late and catch up with his classes. If I heard that incorrectly, stay tuned, someone will correct me (as they should).
 
Classes began M 1/11. I don't know the late registration period offhand, but there should be some time.
 
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Lion-around said:
Interesting that we can all hear the same interview and walk away with different impressions. Here are mine:

a. Nevills is training. If he doesn't wrestle, odds are he qualifies for a sixth year of wrestling. I don't think Cael will roll the dice and wrestle him with the chance of Nick not be fully ready to go and the loss of an additional year of wrestling. Not being fully ready to go has nothing to do with his health, as I know we're all convinced Cael would only consider wrestling him if he was 100% healthy. Not being fully ready to go would be specific to his training; has he trained enough to compete. I think Nevills will not wrestle this cycle.

b. Cassar is training. If Cassar has enrolled in school (last I heard, it was unclear whether he had registered) I think this is the most likely heavyweight starter. Whether he wrestles or not, he burns a year of eligibility (per Cael's comments), so I think the coaches would like to maximize his availability and talents if he is 100% healthy.

c. If neither Cassar or Nevills goes, than I think it's anyone's guess on who goes at HWT. It could be Johnson, Phipps, Van Cura or Livingston. My money would be on Jan.
Click to expand...
With Troy Reeder transferring to Delaware, Johnson's services may be needed with the football team, which loaned him to Cael.
 
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I am just tickled the two guys who were hurt are at least working out....good sign in the big picture of things. I think Phipps going last night was more of a function of getting a guy a chance after working through some injuries.......but that is a guess. Johnson needs experience....but we simply are not going to get many points at BT/Nationals from heavy, no matter who goes.

Phipps did well......he was simply physically outclassed by a dramatically bigger guy.
 
SRATH said:
I am just tickled the two guys who were hurt are at least working out....good sign in the big picture of things. I think Phipps going last night was more of a function of getting a guy a chance after working through some injuries.......but that is a guess. Johnson needs experience....but we simply are not going to get many points at BT/Nationals from heavy, no matter who goes.

Phipps did well......he was simply physically outclassed by a dramatically bigger guy.
Click to expand...
Neville and Cassar would be the only HWT wrestlers with a shot of placing high enough at the B1G tournament to get to nationals.

Despite all of their hard work, Johnson, Phipps, Van Cura or Livingston would be decided underdogs to place high enough at the B1G tournament to get to nationals.
 
SRATH said:
I am just tickled the two guys who were hurt are at least working out....good sign in the big picture of things. I think Phipps going last night was more of a function of getting a guy a chance after working through some injuries.......but that is a guess. Johnson needs experience....but we simply are not going to get many points at BT/Nationals from heavy, no matter who goes.

Phipps did well......he was simply physically outclassed by a dramatically bigger guy.
Click to expand...
Generally not a fan of the match action at 285, but I have new respect for how difficult it is for even a talented wrestler from a lower weight class moving up and competing with even average starting wrestlers at 285. Johnson is a 2-time PIAA champ, and has gotten up to 225 pounds or better, yet is not having any success.
I hope PSU's situation at 285 is not a fatal flaw for conference and national championship aspirations.
 
royboy said:
Generally not a fan of the match action at 285, but I have new respect for how difficult it is for even a talented wrestler from a lower weight class moving up and competing with even average starting wrestlers at 285. Johnson is a 2-time PIAA champ, and has gotten up to 225 pounds or better, yet is not having any success.
I hope PSU's situation at 285 is not a fatal flaw for conference and national championship aspirations.
Click to expand...
The issue at HWT will be more of an issue in a dual (think tOSU) than a tournament.
 
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Lion-around said:
Neville and Cassar would be the only HWT wrestlers with a shot of placing high enough at the B1G tournament to get to nationals.

Despite all of their hard work, Johnson, Phipps, Van Cura or Livingston would be decided underdogs to place high enough at the B1G tournament to get to nationals.
Click to expand...
How many qualifying spots will the B10 get this year at heavy? Last year it was 10 out of 14 -- a heavy who went 1-3 still qualified for nationals.
 
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SRATH said:
With Snyder there now, give em the six.
Click to expand...
I wouldn't concede six. If, big if, Cassar were to go at HWT against Snyder it could be a decision. Snyder isn't big for a HWT, and Cassar wouldn't be big either. Snyder would be favored, but against Cassar it could be just a decision.
 
Lion-around said:
I wouldn't concede six. If, big if, Cassar were to go at HWT against Snyder it could be a decision. Snyder isn't big for a HWT, and Cassar wouldn't be big either. Snyder would be favored, but against Cassar it could be just a decision.
Click to expand...
Then again, Snyder has been training hard while Cassar is coming back from injury. So, something more than a decision isn't unreasonable to expect.
 
SRATH said:
With Snyder there now, give em the six.
Click to expand...
Last year Snyder had exactly zero pins. Except the one he lost.

He had 2 TFs: Hrymack (Rutgers) DNQ for nationals; Pickett (Edinboro) did but with a losing record.
 
Lion-around said:
Neville and Cassar would be the only HWT wrestlers with a shot of placing high enough at the B1G tournament to get to nationals.

Despite all of their hard work, Johnson, Phipps, Van Cura or Livingston would be decided underdogs to place high enough at the B1G tournament to get to nationals.
Click to expand...

No disrespect to Cassar, but I haven't seen enough of him to think he could qualify at B1G's, especially up a weight. I'd bet he could qualify at 197, but that McIntosh guy seems to have the spot locked down.
 
Lion-around said:
Interesting that we can all hear the same interview and walk away with different impressions. Here are mine:

a. Nevills is training. If he doesn't wrestle, odds are he qualifies for a sixth year of wrestling. I don't think Cael will roll the dice and wrestle him with the chance of Nick not be fully ready to go and the loss of an additional year of wrestling. Not being fully ready to go has nothing to do with his health, as I know we're all convinced Cael would only consider wrestling him if he was 100% healthy. Not being fully ready to go would be specific to his training; has he trained enough to compete. I think Nevills will not wrestle this cycle.

b. Cassar is training. If Cassar has enrolled in school (last I heard, it was unclear whether he had registered) I think this is the most likely heavyweight starter. Whether he wrestles or not, he burns a year of eligibility (per Cael's comments), so I think the coaches would like to maximize his availability and talents if he is 100% healthy.

c. If neither Cassar or Nevills goes, than I think it's anyone's guess on who goes at HWT. It could be Johnson, Phipps, Van Cura or Livingston. My money would be on Jan.
Click to expand...
If Nick can go...WE NEED HIM TO WIN A NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP...MY BUDDY AND I HAVE WORKED IT OUT 8 DIFFERENT WAYS...IF HE CAN GO WE "NEED" HIM !!!! IT WILL BE INTERESTING TO SEE HOW CASSAR DOES BUT HE IS SIMPLY NOT BIG ENOUGH..HE WILL BE REALLY GOOD AT 197 NEXT YEAR !!!!
 
Lion-around said:
Very true. I said Cassar could keep it to a decision; I didn't say he would keep it to a decision.
Click to expand...

This video is from this past summer, so Snyder's and Cassar's weights probably aren't far off. Snyder definitely has some pounds on him, but Cassar is above 197 too. They're probably going about 75% here. Cassar gets a TD late. I think he could keep it to a DEC against Snyder.
 
El-Jefe said:
Last year Snyder had exactly zero pins. Except the one he lost.

He had 2 TFs: Hrymack (Rutgers) DNQ for nationals; Pickett (Edinboro) did but with a losing record.
Click to expand...

Interesting tidbit. Do you know how many times OSU needed a pin to win the match and Snyder was wrestling a guy who had limited college experience and was underweight by one weight class and Snyder couldn't get the pin?

Sorry for the smart ass remark but this kid was really good last year and he continues to improve.
 
SRATH said:
Interesting tidbit. Do you know how many times OSU needed a pin to win the match and Snyder was wrestling a guy who had limited college experience and was underweight by one weight class and Snyder couldn't get the pin?

Sorry for the smart ass remark but this kid was really good last year and he continues to improve.
Click to expand...
3 of the guys Snyder wrestled last year were 174s last year or are 174s this year. He didn't pin any of them. He didn't tech any of them. And are you seriously arguing that Snyder gave less than his best effort because Ohio State didn't need pins?

Look, you don't need to tell me how good Snyder is. I was the one saying 3 yrs ago that he might be a better college prospect than Marsteller. He is a very good folkstyle wrestler, but his folkstyle credentials are being inflated by his freestyle results.

The fact still remains that Snyder lost in his last 2 folkstyle tournaments, and to 2 different wrestlers. And he has yet to pin a college wrestler.
 
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And since you went down that road:

VT 19, OSU 18. Snyder 8-5 over Haught, then Walz beat Tavanello 6-4 SV. If Snyder decks Haught, Ohio State wins.

Missouri 20, OSU 19. Smith bumped both Eblen and Cox up. (Eblen was in the middle of cutting to 174.) Snyder 15-5 over Eblen. Cox 4-2 over Tav. If Snyder pins Eblen, Ohio State wins.

Iowa 18, OSU 14. Burak 4-2 over Snyder, then Telford 4-0 over Tav. If Snyder had pinned Burak, that would have clinched the dual for Ohio State.

One might argue that Ohio State didn't really "need" Snyder to pin any of those 3 guys since Tav could've won ... but only an idiot would've considered Tav a favorite to win any of those 3.

If Snyder could've pinned guys if only Ohio State needed it, then why didn't he in 3 tries?
 
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Maybe this was answered before, what would happen if Nevills got hurt again next year, who are heavyweights next year?
 
El-Jefe said:
And since you went down that road:

VT 19, OSU 18. Snyder 8-5 over Haught, then Walz beat Tavanello 6-4 SV. If Snyder decks Haught, Ohio State wins.

Missouri 20, OSU 19. Smith bumped both Eblen and Cox up. (Eblen was in the middle of cutting to 174.) Snyder 15-5 over Eblen. Cox 4-2 over Tav. If Snyder pins Eblen, Ohio State wins.

Iowa 18, OSU 14. Burak 4-2 over Snyder, then Telford 4-0 over Tav. If Snyder had pinned Burak, that would have clinched the dual for Ohio State.

One might argue that Ohio State didn't really "need" Snyder to pin any of those 3 guys since Tav could've won ... but only an idiot would've considered Tav a favorite to win any of those 3.

If Snyder could've pinned guys if only Ohio State needed it, then why didn't he in 3 tries?
Click to expand...

Thanks for digging into the details....I stand corrected.
 
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Johnson simply isn't the answer at 285. He really hasn't improved much. Hate to be critical because he is small for the weight class and a football player first, but it is what it is.

I think it's highly unlikely an undersized Cassar, coming off an injury, can qualify for nationals. He could help minimize bonus in a few duals though.

Based on everything I have read about Nevills injury, I would be pleasantly surprised if we see him compete this year.
 
Last edited:
Slick8 said:
Maybe this was answered before, what would happen if Nevills got hurt again next year, who are heavyweights next year?
Click to expand...

We all thought we had Gabe Leon, then that clown from Intermat made up another commit, still in search? For now, it'd be the same
El-Jefe said:
And since you went down that road:

VT 19, OSU 18. Snyder 8-5 over Haught, then Walz beat Tavanello 6-4 SV. If Snyder decks Haught, Ohio State wins.

Missouri 20, OSU 19. Smith bumped both Eblen and Cox up. (Eblen was in the middle of cutting to 174.) Snyder 15-5 over Eblen. Cox 4-2 over Tav. If Snyder pins Eblen, Ohio State wins.

Iowa 18, OSU 14. Burak 4-2 over Snyder, then Telford 4-0 over Tav. If Snyder had pinned Burak, that would have clinched the dual for Ohio State.

One might argue that Ohio State didn't really "need" Snyder to pin any of those 3 guys since Tav could've won ... but only an idiot would've considered Tav a favorite to win any of those 3.

If Snyder could've pinned guys if only Ohio State needed it, then why didn't he in 3 tries?
Click to expand...

Dam Jefe, that's some research. Incredible
 
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