Very happy with the postseason lineup

[NEPAwolverine]

Very happy with the 10 we are sending, and the five workout partners.

Bummer that Gingrich won't get to go. Would have liked to see him get his chance.

I wish the Altons well, but actually am glad to not have to root for them. Sorry to say it, but that would have been a bad setup for disappointment.

Reminds me of a Buffalo newspaper. Back in the 90's (for those of you with enough grays to remember), When the Bills won their fourth consecutive AFC title game, and were going back to the Super Bowl (headed to their their fourth loss), a Buffalo sports section was bummed. They did not want another heartbreak, did not want to get their hopes up, and actually editorialized that the Bills would have been better off losing the AFC title game to KC, instead of setting the fans up for disappointment, and losing ANOTHER Super Bowl.

Similarly, the Altons have been such a disappointment, that it would be hard to get my hopes up for them. They both started with great promise, but failed miserably. Injuries really suck, but there was more to it than injuries.

On the bright side, I am very, very glad to root for Beitz and Frey instead. I hope Frey does really well and comes back for a fantastic senior campaign. I am confident that Beitz will make All American round, at least.

Will be rooting hard for all 10 PSU guys.

 

[PSUAllTheWay]

We need to eradicate the 'pick on the Altons' from this board. Show some class. I don't see you out there on the mat or putting in the training hours these guys have.

I don't think there's any more to it than injuries and both of them never really being healthy enough to get back in top shape. It seemed like every time they'd get close, something bad would happen. It's unfortunate but don't place the blame on them. Have you ever tried to wrestle with a bad shoulder (or two?). You can't shoot, lift, ride, get out from bottom, etc. You need your shoulders for pretty much every move in wrestling. This isn't soccer!

 

[El-Jefe]

I will miss the Altons in every way except one:

I will not miss fans dogpiling on them at every opportunity.

 

[Chickenman Testa]

To quote Flo - Really Bro??

C'mon man - just let it go.

 

[PSU Mike]

Thanks for your contribution to 4 title teams.

 

[BRETTPSU]

"Similarly, the Altons have been such a disappointment, that it would be hard to get my hopes up for them. They both started with great promise, but failed miserably. Injuries really suck, but there was more to it than injuries."

I would hardly say they "failed miserably". When healthy few could stay with them. Both contributed greatly to all four championships.

It is very unfortunate they had all the injuries and for you to say it was more than that is a cheap shot.

 

[Cowbell Man]

Olbermann, is that you?

 

[CholleyVandine]

I wish my miserable failure as a collegiate wrestler had included a third place finish at nationals.

 

[androcles]

...Andrew and Dylan are likely more disappointed than anyone on this board...

...wrestlers train and watch their weight more than any other sport...

...I thank both of them for their effort...and wish them well in the future...

...through all their difficult times they have never complained and have remained committed...

...hopefully many better days lie ahead for them...

...but thas jes my opinion...

 

[LHavenlion]

True that, Jefe ***

.

 

[seeyajohn]

Re: True that, Jefe ***


Add me to the list of those who greatly appreciate all of the effort that Andrew and Dylan put into their careers. It clearly was a series of injuries - particularly the shoulder issues - that prevented them from reaching their full potential.

 

[manmythlegend1]

Re: True that, Jefe ***

Originally posted by seeyajohn:


Add me to the list of those who greatly appreciate all of the effort that Andrew and Dylan put into their careers. It clearly was a series of injuries - particularly the shoulder issues - that prevented them from reaching their full potential.

Agreed, I love the Altons and blame all their misfortunes on injuries....but that does not mean we can't say as an opinion they did not reach expectations. This is not an indictment on them as much as our expectations for them. It is not an indictment on their work ethic as a realistic reality of life that Sh1t happens that is not always your fault. And I know Penn State would not have the 4 championships without their efforts as young men. I am sure as extreme competitors they would admit to not meeting expectations. I am sure they are disappointed in what happened more than we are as fans.

The bottom line is this, These two young men got a top notch Education for a fraction of the cost. They were a huge part of 4 consecutive national championships. They will be missed and remembered for the positive contributions. The education they got and the lives they will live from this point on is what will define them as human beings. I wish them well, I will always be a fan of theirs and I hope they can let it go and have peace with the reality that they left everything out on the mat!!!!! I will miss you guys and wish you well!!!!

 

[hlstone]

Andrew Alton is the greatest guy ever. I don't know what you call that front head lock move that he used, but .. I taught it to my daughter 3 years ago. We would goof around with that move when mommy was not around. Along with the stand up and cross face cradle and shrug.

Fast forward to this year

Her "boyfriend" had a party for the Ohio state national championship game. Before the game started he had a takedown tourney. All the boys were wrestlers. Well she was up first, he shot in on a single and my daughter spralled back and hit Alton's front headlock and stuck the kid and made him cry. He run up stairs and when he came down one boy made fun of him for losing to a girl. The boy replied , "Do you want to wrestle her?", the other boy responds, "NO!!!!"

So Thank you so much Altons!!!!!!!

 

[Bushwood CC]

Originally posted by El-Jefe:
I will miss the Altons in every way except one:

I will not miss fans dogpiling on them at every opportunity.

Agreed, complete BS given the personal sacrifices (including their bodies) they have made for PSU and the team. As Teddy Roosevelt's "Man in the ring" speech states, the world belongs to those who have the courage and determination to give it their all without regret (e.g., the world does not belong to those timid souls who have never tasted victory or defeat....). They deserve our support and admiration.....and in no way deserve derision.

 

[NEPAwolverine]

class?

PSU All The Way:
Class? I wished them well. Nothing low class here.

I'm not on the mat? How many of these posters are? Is that the qualification to post?

"nothing more than injuries?" I wish that were true, but weight management, conditioning, and not partying downtown are part of a successful wrestler's life, too.

Injuries suck. yes, to answer your question, I have wrestled with a bad shoulder. Two, actually. Both operated on since. I was nothing great (I absolutely sucked compared to the Altons), but I did place second in a tournament with a separated shoulder suffered in the quarters. Won the semi match with one arm. Unfortunately, had to MF the final.

I am just a PSU wrestling fan, posting that I am glad that Beitz and Frey are going instead of the Altons. I wish the Altons were healthy and ready to go, because they were both lights out (once upon a time). I always rooted for them on the mat, and now I root for them to get healthy and well.

For Frey and Beitz, Congrats to them for nailing down the starting spot at the end of the season.
This post was edited on 3/5 12:06 AM by NEPAwolverine

 

[NEPAwolverine]

more class

PSU Mike: your snide comment is classy?

What was my contribution to the title teams? A fan in the stands.

And just what was YOUR contribution to the four title teams?
This post was edited on 3/5 12:07 AM by NEPAwolverine

 

[NEPAwolverine]

olbermann


Cowbell Man.......Now your comment great example of a low class comment. Calling someone Olbermann. Bring up that piece of dirt in this thread is really low class. You remind of of another poster, who used a Hitler comparison recently.

On the other hand, as a PSU fan, I am glad to be rooting for the better, healthier wrestlers (Beitz and Frey). Like it or not, the Altons aren't healthy and aren't able to wrestle to their capabilities at this time. I applaud Sanderson's decision to let Beitz and Frey fairly earn the starting spots over the injured, disappointing Altons. Nothing mean or sinister here, just a neutral assessment of what is best for the team. Another great example of how fantastic our coaches are.

Is that really so difficult to admit or understand? No derision, my friend.

This post was edited on 3/4 11:40 PM by NEPAwolverine

This post was edited on 3/5 12:01 AM by NEPAwolverine

 

[lionlover]

Originally posted by hlstone:
Andrew Alton is the greatest guy ever. I don't know what you call that front head lock move that he used, but .. I taught it to my daughter 3 years ago. We would goof around with that move when mommy was not around. Along with the stand up and cross face cradle and shrug.

Fast forward to this year

Her "boyfriend" had a party for the Ohio state national championship game. Before the game started he had a takedown tourney. All the boys were wrestlers. Well she was up first, he shot in on a single and my daughter spralled back and hit Alton's front headlock and stuck the kid and made him cry. He run up stairs and when he came down one boy made fun of him for losing to a girl. The boy replied , "Do you want to wrestle her?", the other boy responds, "NO!!!!"

So Thank you so much Altons!!!!!!!

LOL...is her name

ELLIE?

 

[NEPAwolverine]

miserable failure

CholleyVandine, maybe you misundersood the message. They "started great" (Andrew's amazing freshman season, and Dylan's All American R-Fr season).

Like many of the other bodies in the room, they made priceless contributions to the championship teams. They were part of 4 championship teams, congratulations to them.

But....Since then, it's been a decline. A drop. Misery for them. Failure to make and maintain a starting spot this year. Terrible senior seasons (mostly due to injury). Like true warriors, they tried. They battled. But failed.

Meanwhile, Frey and Beitz, this year, are currently better wrestlers. Currently more successful. And as my original post said, I am glad to see them starting for B1G. I I am applauding the lineup.

 

[RoarLions1]

Originally posted by NEPAwolverine:

Very happy with the 10 we are sending, and the five workout partners.

Bummer that Gingrich won't get to go. Would have liked to see him get his chance.

I wish the Altons well, but actually am glad to not have to root for them. Sorry to say it, but that would have been a bad setup for disappointment.

Reminds me of a Buffalo newspaper. Back in the 90's (for those of you with enough grays to remember), When the Bills won their fourth consecutive AFC title game, and were going back to the Super Bowl (headed to their their fourth loss), a Buffalo sports section was bummed. They did not want another heartbreak, did not want to get their hopes up, and actually editorialized that the Bills would have been better off losing the AFC title game to KC, instead of setting the fans up for disappointment, and losing ANOTHER Super Bowl.

Similarly, the Altons have been such a disappointment, that it would be hard to get my hopes up for them. They both started with great promise, but failed miserably. Injuries really suck, but there was more to it than injuries.

On the bright side, I am very, very glad to root for Beitz and Frey instead. I hope Frey does really well and comes back for a fantastic senior campaign. I am confident that Beitz will make All American round, at least.

Will be rooting hard for all 10 PSU guys.

NEPA, there's a long history on this board and Scout of bashing the Alton's unfairly. Along the way, many have stepped forward in a far more supportive way...those that understand the sacrifices made, and the stick-to-it attitude these kids have, despite all the disappointments. I can say this at my age...they're just kids, and if a poster can't say anything decent behind the anonymity of their keyboard, especially if they're a fan of the team, maybe they shouldn't say anything at all.

Your post wasn't hateful, imo, not like some in the past. But how can anyone that says they're a fan separate out a couple of kids and say they're not worthy of our support. Wrestling is a team sport, all 36 guys play a part. Here's what drew the ire of several posters...

"I wish the Altons well, but actually am glad to not have to root for them. Sorry to say it, but that would have been a bad setup for disappointment."

"They both started with great promise, but failed miserably. Injuries really suck, but there was more to it than injuries."

 

[PSU Mike]

Re: more class

I hope you understand the value of a retaining wall.

 

[NEPAwolverine]

Roar, Who said they are not worthy of our support?

I have nothing against the Altons. It's just that they are obviously not ready to go. I really wish they were. Hell, on this board a year ago, I predicted they both high AA this year. As a fan, I am disappointed that they are hurt. They both are phenomenal talents, and did great things in the blue and white singlets.

Right now, though, as a fan of the team, I prefer the better guys go (at this point Frey and Beitz are better...on the mat). I would have hated it if the Altons were picked by the coaches to go (because of seniority, previous wrestling success, high hopes, or whatever), because it's obvious that they aren't at that level. DA was ranked all year, and was looking better, and had another injury. That really sucks.

I did not want to root for them...why? not because I have anything against them. The reason, as I thought I made clear, is that Frey and Beitz are better now. I'm bummed that the Altons are hurt, because they have such incredible skill and we all had high hopes for them. Due to their current injuries, I do not expect they would have done well at the B1G's or nationals.

Never did I indicate that the Altons were not worthy of our support.
I'm "glad to not have to root for them" because I feel that picking them as a starter now is a mistake, due to their current injuries and Frey and Beitz being better right now. If the Altons were picked by the coaches to go to B1G's, then I predict that their performance would have been a disappointment. If the coaches had picked them, I would have hated it, knowing that they were picked over (currently better) wrestlers.

My stance is based on my assessement of their on mat performance at this time. Simple. nothing personal.

This is the same as wanting a backup QB to replace an injured, hurting starter. If I was a Washington Redskin's fan, I would have wanted Cousins to start ahead of RGIII when RGIII wasn't full. Right now, It's obvious that the Alton's aren't full, and I had some concern that the coaches might have picked them (or one of them) anyway. So, wanting the team to do as well as possible, I was relieved that the better wrestlers were chosen to go (they earned their spots).

Roar, the scars from previous (inappropriate) comments about the Altons explain the hyper-reaction to my comments (which, as you correctly commented, were not hateful). I had no part in ANY of the previous Alton bashing. Ever. Why? I am a fan of them, and the entire team, and wish them all well. I've been hurt, and missed mat time. But I cheered for my replacements, too.

 

[jschrantz]

Let's just turn the page

 

[FineMaterial]

Nepa: Just stop posting and go away.

 

[NEPAwolverine]

FineMaterial: (whatever that means): A Hawkeye fan posting here for a Blue and White to go away? That's rich. Crawl back to HR.