Update on Nevills from PSU Coaches Show with Cael Sanderson

[Tim Owen/BWI staff]

Calling it his "unofficial statement," Cael Sanderson announced on his radio show tonight with Jeff Byers on the Penn State Sports Radio Network that Nick Nevills is cleared to wrestle in Friday's dual against Lehigh, that he wants to wrestle but the coaches are still finalizing the details to make sure it's worthwhile for him to return.

"He's cleared to wrestle on Friday," Sanderson said. "Just got my text, actually, on the drive over here from the doctor. If we're going to wrestle him, that's a decision we have to make. He's planning on wrestling. There's just a lot of different things you have to factor in. Heavyweight is a complicated weight class in the Big Ten this year. There aren't a lot of spots going into the tournament and then you also have Kyle Snyder (of Ohio State) who doesn't earn an automatic spot even though he's the reigning world champion, so he's going to be taking one of those spots, as well. So we're going to factor all those things in, seeing where he's at. We have a team that we feel like we can win the nationals with out him, but we know he wants to be a part of it. He wants to contribute. I've been thinking a lot about that one. I was thinking we'd probably get asked that. I've been saying, Hey, he's wrestling, he's wrestling. A lot of that is just because I want all the other coaches to think he's wrestling. When it comes down to pulling the trigger and actually throwing him out there, I'm not 100 percent on that yet."

Sanderson added that a medical hardship waiver remains a possibility, but if he were to wrestle this weekend, or any match for that matter, it would take those plans off the table, saying if "he wrestles one match, he's in" for the long haul. Sanderson also discussed the complications that could arise from Nevills' limited number of matches on the year, and that they're looking into outside competition dates to get him more time on the mat.

"It's not an easy decision," Sanderson said. "Nick wants to wrestle. He's planning on wrestling. He's told his parents he's wrestling. He's told me he's wrestling, but we're the coaches, we have to take that bird's eye view and take the right decision and guide him. Again, I'm looking at how – you have to have eight matches going into the Big Ten (tournament). That's one of the ways you can earn a spot (for NCAAs). He's not going to have eight matches. But if he has eight matches after the conference meet, well, then he should be a candidate for a wildcard, if he's in that position. I'm trying to figure out how do we get him eight matches, including the conference meet. Looking around, is there a tournament anywhere in the country? So there's just a lot of different things we're looking at right now. He still has (until March 5) until the Big Ten Tournament, so it's a tough decision. Again, it's kind of a gamble either way, because who knows if he's going to be healthy for the next four years. Or anybody? We do think he'd get a medical year, but there's a lot of things to consider, and a lot of it just comes down to him and him being comfortable with the decision and being all in with it."

 

[crazylegs2]

Any ideas of how Nick could get 8 matches? Doesn't seem possible at this time? Last weeks Open would have been perfect but that obviously couldn't have happened. Any ideas?

 

[James P. Whitters III]

Wow. Cael is so open with that. Refreshing to say the least.

 

[James P. Whitters III]

You would figure 3-4 matches at the BIG. 3 before the BIG. He just needs a couple matches at an open if there is one.

 

[dunkej01]

Cael must be reading the boards with some of those comments

 

[troyshultz1]

Very doable if they can find a tournament for him to get it next weekend and say he wrestles both matches this weekend then 3 matches in big tens that's eight for sure.

 

[lobo lion]

Not an easy coaching decision. Can you get him 8 matches? If you do, how likely is it that he will qualify for nationals? And, if he qualifies, will his health, conditioning and wrestling sharpness allow him to contribute points toward the team race? I'd like to see him get the opportunity, but that's one fan's selfish preference.

Agree with JPW that it's refreshing to see such candor from a coach about a sensitive issue.

 

[Colorado Man]

There are two considerations: First, does the coaching staff think Nick can get a medical redshirt, and second, and most important, does Nick want another year. Maybe Nick is ready to move on. From Cael's statements, it sounds as if Nick is ready to forego another year.

 

[Lion-around]

Lets not forget that the decisions associated with wrestling Nick are not new. I'm sure from the moment the staff saw there was a possibility that Nick could wrestle this year they, with Nick and his family, have addressed and discussed all his options and the potential positive and negative consequences of each of those options. Nick has been cleared to wrestle; Nick wants to wrestle. Baring some additional health or safety issue that the staff is aware of, let Nick wrestle. While he will be 100% healthy ready, he won't be 100% wrestling ready, but wrestling competition can help fix that. I predict he will wrestle. Go get 'em Nick!

 

[WPB_lion]

There are two considerations: First, does the coaching staff think Nick can get a medical redshirt, and second, and most important, does Nick want another year. Maybe Nick is ready to move on. From Cael's statements, it sounds as if Nick is ready to forego another year.

I agree with your point. Everyone assumes that Nevills wants a sixth year of eligibility. Although Happy Valley is a great place to go to college, many students are ready to move on after they graduate. Staying in State College after all of the friends that he made in his Freshman year have graduated may not be what Nevills wants.

 

[dicemen99]

There are two considerations: First, does the coaching staff think Nick can get a medical redshirt, and second, and most important, does Nick want another year. Maybe Nick is ready to move on. From Cael's statements, it sounds as if Nick is ready to forego another year.

+1000. 6 years of college is not for everyone. Everyone assumes you would want an extra year if you could, but think about it. If you are a good student - which most of these kids are - and spending a summer semester every year, you can get your degree, 2nd degree, post grad, etc. in 5 years. At that point does an extra year in college really make sense unless you are chasing something you haven't achieved in wrestling our staying back just to help the team? It's not like wrestlers are staying back to improve their draft positions.

From all the direct quotes it seems as if Nick and/or the entire Nevill family has indicated he would like to wrestle if cleared, and now the coaching staff is making a decision if it makes sense from a team standpoint.

 

[dms87]

So based on everything stated, what is the value in saying No? Clearly Nick wants to go, the doctors agree he is safe, parents are on board. If Nick is willing to accept that he may not make the NCAA, he loses the possible 6th year and any other risk that exists have been laid out and he accepts the worst case scenario, why would Cael not agree?

Is there any risk to the team that I am not seeing? All the risk seems like it is on Nick personally.

 

[dicemen99]

So based on everything stated, what is the value in saying No? Clearly Nick wants to go, the doctors agree he is safe, parents are on board. If Nick is willing to accept that he may not make the NCAA, he loses the possible 6th year and any other risk that exists have been laid out and he accepts the worst case scenario, why would Cael not agree?

Is there any risk to the team that I am not seeing? All the risk seems like it is on Nick personally.

The risk for the team is that if Nevills scores no points or does not qualify, then the team blew the option of the 6th year medical RS. And who knows? Maybe 4 years from now Nick changes his mind and decides he DOES need the 6th year.

But I agree with you - all signs point to go if Nevills wants to wrestle and is cleared by the doctors.

 

[TexasLion1979]

One comment that Cael made that I don't see referenced here is he needs to get done with his eligibility to make room in the lineup for his brother AJ. Though AJ is wrestling 195 in High School that tells me that he will try to beef up over the next two years.

 

[dms87]

The risk for the team is that if Nevills scores no points or does not qualify, then the team blew the option of the 6th year medical RS. And who knows? Maybe 4 years from now Nick changes his mind and decides he DOES need the 6th year.

That point, which I agree is valid, seems small and short sighted based on how I think Cael runs his life and the program. He seems to have the closeness with his wrestlers on things bigger than just the mat stuff. He often mentions the "live in the moment" mentality with an eye to the big picture. I don't disagree that the team loses down the road but I trust that Cael and the staff have that detail on their radar, if has been clarified for Nick and his family and in the end, I find it hard to believe Cael would choose the "what if" of 3-4 years down the road over one of his guys saying, please give me this shot, I am ready. I just see him as a guy that trusts the wrestlers he brings in to be humble, mature men and he backs them because they are just that.

Sorry to belabor the point.

 

[NoVa Lion]

One comment that Cael made that I don't see referenced here is he needs to get done with his eligibility to make room in the lineup for his brother AJ. Though AJ is wrestling 195 in High School that tells me that he will try to beef up over the next two years.

Not AJ, Seth Nevills who is a soph in HS wrestling 285 and currently ranked #7 by Intermat, the only soph in their 285 rankings.

 

[Lion-around]

The risk for the team is that if Nevills scores no points or does not qualify, then the team blew the option of the 6th year medical RS. And who knows? Maybe 4 years from now Nick changes his mind and decides he DOES need the 6th year.

That point, which I agree is valid, seems small and short sighted based on how I think Cael runs his life and the program. He seems to have the closeness with his wrestlers on things bigger than just the mat stuff. He often mentions the "live in the moment" mentality with an eye to the big picture. I don't disagree that the team loses down the road but I trust that Cael and the staff have that detail on their radar, if has been clarified for Nick and his family and in the end, I find it hard to believe Cael would choose the "what if" of 3-4 years down the road over one of his guys saying, please give me this shot, I am ready. I just see him as a guy that trusts the wrestlers he brings in to be humble, mature men and he backs them because they are just that.

Sorry to belabor the point.

 

[dicemen99]

The risk for the team is that if Nevills scores no points or does not qualify, then the team blew the option of the 6th year medical RS. And who knows? Maybe 4 years from now Nick changes his mind and decides he DOES need the 6th year.

That point, which I agree is valid, seems small and short sighted based on how I think Cael runs his life and the program. He seems to have the closeness with his wrestlers on things bigger than just the mat stuff. He often mentions the "live in the moment" mentality with an eye to the big picture. I don't disagree that the team loses down the road but I trust that Cael and the staff have that detail on their radar, if has been clarified for Nick and his family and in the end, I find it hard to believe Cael would choose the "what if" of 3-4 years down the road over one of his guys saying, please give me this shot, I am ready. I just see him as a guy that trusts the wrestlers he brings in to be humble, mature men and he backs them because they are just that.

Sorry to belabor the point.

Agree with you 100% as posted above. Just pointing out a possible contrarian view - which I don't agree with and don't think will come into play.

 

[Lion-around]

The moment he steps on a mat in a Penn State singlet he burns a year of eligibility, applying for an additional year (6th year) is gone and there is a big challenge in his making this years national tournament. Yet despite that, Nick wants to contribute to the team; he wants to wrestle. It tells you a lot about the young man, his attitude and his strong desire to support his teammates and his team. There is a lot to like about Nick Nevills.

 

[NoVa Lion]

The moment he steps on a mat in a Penn State singlet he burns a year of eligibility, applying for an additional year (6th year) is gone and there is a big challenge in his making this years national tournament. Yet despite that, Nick wants to contribute to the team; he wants to wrestle. It tells you a lot about the young man, his attitude and his strong desire to support his teammates and his team. There is a lot to like about Nick Nevills.

Agree 100%. I doubt Nick is even thinking about the 6th year. He just wants to wrestle and contribute NOW.

FYI, one clarification, he burns a year if he wrestles in any college tournament (even an open tournament), whether he wears a PSU singlet doesn't matter.

 

[BOSCO2]

As I've stated before, a 6th year of eligibility a never guaranteed and it's highly likely that NN would want it. He's from California. Six winters in State College? It's not like football, where year six ends in December. A wrestler stays here for a full 6th year. I say he goes for this weekend.

 

[NoVa Lion]

As I've stated before, a 6th year of eligibility a never guaranteed and it's highly likely that NN would want it. He's from California. Six winters in State College? It's not like football, where year six ends in December. A wrestler stays here for a full 6th year. I say he goes for this weekend.

Not sure that has anything to do with it. Assuming Nick has Olympic & World aspirations I would think there is a good chance he stays in State College to train with the NLWC.

 

[T J]

One other consideration.

If Nevills joins the team this year and the team wins the Big Ten and/or NCAA title, he shares that win as a participant instead of as a team member. That may be a way to get a really nice bonus from this year, so to speak.

Plus, if Nevills wants to be on the podium, these tournaments will really help him with experience for future years.

We shall see...

 

[Brian LB-U]

Regardless of whether or not Nick wrestles this season, it's clear Cael has thoroughly examined the options and he's thinking about Nick's well being first and foremost, not the team's.

Is anybody surprised by this? Anybody with a brain, that is. I didn't think so.

 

[zwick99]

The risk for the team is that if Nevills scores no points or does not qualify, then the team blew the option of the 6th year medical RS. And who knows? Maybe 4 years from now Nick changes his mind and decides he DOES need the 6th year.

But I agree with you - all signs point to go if Nevills wants to wrestle and is cleared by the doctors.

Not much of a risk in my book. It is not like PSU has a backup that you expect to score points and PSU will have another good heavy in 5 years.

 

[tikk10]

Judging from Cael's comments, I think the hesitancy has far less to do with blowing a year of eligibility for Nevills' sake than assessing whether Nick would qualify for the NCAAs if he does wrestle, given how long he's been out and how little of the season is left. Compounding things, it's a decision that needs to be made fast, so that he can get enough matches in, both for technical reasons and realistic ones--he needs mat time. So it's a catch-22--dunno what you have until he wrestles in matches, but once he wrestles in matches, you're committed. Good thing that he's in such a great room to make that assessment.

 

[Roar More]

There is also the economic angle. Wrestling scholarships are few and precious. Going for a sixth year means tying that money up for another year.

 

[Glen]

Who is Nevills frequent wrestling partner in the room? I would think Cael probably has the best perspective on his current wrestling ability as well as conditioning.

 

[manatree]

There is also the economic angle. Wrestling scholarships are few and precious. Going for a sixth year means tying that money up for another year.

I think the bigger economic angle is that of the Nevills family economics.

Estimated cost of attending PSU for out of state students: $47,548. If Nick is fortunate enough to average 1/3 for his entire time, attending PSU for five years already puts his bill at $158,575. Six years adds an additional $31,715 for a total of $190,290.

The family already has one son attending Stanford (around $44,000/yr in state), another set to come to Penn State around ($47,548/yr out of state) and the youngest that will most likely be college bound.

That's some serious money, even if the family is wealthy.

 

[dicemen99]

I think the bigger economic angle is that of the Nevills family economics.

Estimated cost of attending PSU for out of state students: $47,548. If Nick is fortunate enough to average 1/3 for his entire time, attending PSU for five years already puts his bill at $158,575. Six years adds an additional $31,715 for a total of $190,290.

The family already has one son attending Stanford (around $44,000/yr in state), another set to come to Penn State around ($47,548/yr out of state) and the youngest that will most likely be college bound.

That's some serious money, even if the family is wealthy.

Nevills is getting 60% - he was quoted on that. So that's about 19K per year. Plus, he is getting the stipend - not sure how PSU calculates it for non-football athletes, but that could be up to another 4K which would bring the total down to 15K.

That said, if he goes a sixth year could affect the amount that PSU has available for Seth. And AJ is attending next year, and it's doubtful he is getting a ton, but if he develops into a starter that could also affect how much is available for him (and Seth). Probably a zero sum game on the sixth year in regards to the Nevills family.

 

[katsujinken]

Here's another angle that I haven't seen mentioned... A 6th year medical red-shirt is a one-time safety net of sorts. If NN was to sit out this entire year (under the assumption of getting the 6th year), what if, God forbid, he blows out a knee in October of 2018? He would have no safety-net of a 7th year medical, and he would end up competing in 3 seasons over 6 years. If he goes this year he retains that safety net for any unfortunate possibilities in the future.

 

[psualt]

Here's another angle that I haven't seen mentioned... A 6th year medical red-shirt is a one-time safety net of sorts. If NN was to sit out this entire year (under the assumption of getting the 6th year), what if, God forbid, he blows out a knee in October of 2018? He would have no safety-net of a 7th year medical, and he would end up competing in 3 seasons over 6 years. If he goes this year he retains that safety net for any unfortunate possibilities in the future.

I think you are correct. Everyone is assuming that he wont need to use one again.

 

[lionlover]

+1000. 6 years of college is not for everyone. Everyone assumes you would want an extra year if you could, but think about it. If you are a good student - which most of these kids are - and spending a summer semester every year, you can get your degree, 2nd degree, post grad, etc. in 5 years. At that point does an extra year in college really make sense unless you are chasing something you haven't achieved in wrestling our staying back just to help the team? It's not like wrestlers are staying back to improve their draft positions.

From all the direct quotes it seems as if Nick and/or the entire Nevill family has indicated he would like to wrestle if cleared, and now the coaching staff is making a decision if it makes sense from a team standpoint.

I knew someone that graduated from Davidson University in North Carolina. He said it tha they actually did your laundry and had close access to a fabulous golf course. He further stated that if he got a divorce, he was going to immediately apply there!

I told him last year that he needed to work on his marriage, because they were eliminating the laundry service.