It would be very hard for me to not see PSU winning their 5th title in the last 6 years. Our lineup is solid from top to bottom as evidenced by the Big Ten Tournament. I'm not saying it is a forgone conclusion, but I think the chances are 75% that we take the team title.
At this point I am more thinking along the lines of individual championships. My predictions are as follows (while we qualified 9, this is only for the 6 wrestlers that I think are able to take it all the way):
125 - Nico Megaludis - A senior. I would love to see this kid win after a redshirt last year. Two finals appearances and also a 3rd place finish. Has given his heart and sole to this fine program. A #3 seed. There is a lot of competition for Nico here, and while I yearn for a title for this kid, I don't think he gets there. Certainly in the top 4, and of course could be a finalist again (Chance of title = 33%)
133 - Jordan Conaway - senior and a great worker. 26-5 record. Placed 8th overall last year for All American status. A 5th seed. Very tough class for Jordan. Does he have the talent to win - I'd argue yes. Is it likely, unfortunately not. Too many hurdles to overcome. I can see a 5th-8th finish, but not a championship. (Chance of title = 10%)
149 - Zain Retherford - Sophomore and dominant this year after a redshirt last year. 29-0 and the Big Ten Wrestler of the year. A mauler, and dominant on top. Long ride outs and a big bonus scorer. Zain is an absolutely stud at 149. I cannot see Zain being denied his first championship this year. I could conceivably see Retherford winning 2 and possibly even 3 championships when it is all said and done. (Chance of title = 90%)
157 - Jason Nolf - what's not to love about this kid this year? A freshman. 29-1 with his only career loss to Isaiah Martinez. Coincidentally he dealt Martinez his first career loss as well (split this year) as Martinez went undefeated last year and only one loss this year. Weird to see him as a #3 seed. I can see no other scenario than these two meeting for a 3rd time this year in the finals. This match is obviously a coin flip, but I going with Nolf for the title. (Chance of title = 51%)
175 - Bo Nickal - Stud freshman. 29-1 with his only loss by one point in a stunning upset. Don't look for that to happen again. Lone freshman Big Ten Champion in this years tournament. Big point scorer, and exceptionally quick. Outside of Retherford, our most dominant wrestler. It would be hard to see him not winning the title this year (Chance of title = 75%)
197 - Morgan McIntosh - A senior. 28-0 this year and placed 3rd overall last year. 2-time All American and Big Ten Champion. Very high IQ wrestler and thinker. Solid all the way around. I would love to see a fairy tail ending here for his first championship. I'm just playing the odds here and predicting a minimal top 3 finish. A championship? Favored but I am nervous. Can't predict a championship here. Hope I am wrong as I love what this kid brings each day. (Chance of title = 49%)
I am estimating 3 individual championships. I'm interested to know everyone's thoughts here. Can't wait for this weekend. Wrestling and the Basketball tournament!!!
At this point I am more thinking along the lines of individual championships. My predictions are as follows (while we qualified 9, this is only for the 6 wrestlers that I think are able to take it all the way):
125 - Nico Megaludis - A senior. I would love to see this kid win after a redshirt last year. Two finals appearances and also a 3rd place finish. Has given his heart and sole to this fine program. A #3 seed. There is a lot of competition for Nico here, and while I yearn for a title for this kid, I don't think he gets there. Certainly in the top 4, and of course could be a finalist again (Chance of title = 33%)
133 - Jordan Conaway - senior and a great worker. 26-5 record. Placed 8th overall last year for All American status. A 5th seed. Very tough class for Jordan. Does he have the talent to win - I'd argue yes. Is it likely, unfortunately not. Too many hurdles to overcome. I can see a 5th-8th finish, but not a championship. (Chance of title = 10%)
149 - Zain Retherford - Sophomore and dominant this year after a redshirt last year. 29-0 and the Big Ten Wrestler of the year. A mauler, and dominant on top. Long ride outs and a big bonus scorer. Zain is an absolutely stud at 149. I cannot see Zain being denied his first championship this year. I could conceivably see Retherford winning 2 and possibly even 3 championships when it is all said and done. (Chance of title = 90%)
157 - Jason Nolf - what's not to love about this kid this year? A freshman. 29-1 with his only career loss to Isaiah Martinez. Coincidentally he dealt Martinez his first career loss as well (split this year) as Martinez went undefeated last year and only one loss this year. Weird to see him as a #3 seed. I can see no other scenario than these two meeting for a 3rd time this year in the finals. This match is obviously a coin flip, but I going with Nolf for the title. (Chance of title = 51%)
175 - Bo Nickal - Stud freshman. 29-1 with his only loss by one point in a stunning upset. Don't look for that to happen again. Lone freshman Big Ten Champion in this years tournament. Big point scorer, and exceptionally quick. Outside of Retherford, our most dominant wrestler. It would be hard to see him not winning the title this year (Chance of title = 75%)
197 - Morgan McIntosh - A senior. 28-0 this year and placed 3rd overall last year. 2-time All American and Big Ten Champion. Very high IQ wrestler and thinker. Solid all the way around. I would love to see a fairy tail ending here for his first championship. I'm just playing the odds here and predicting a minimal top 3 finish. A championship? Favored but I am nervous. Can't predict a championship here. Hope I am wrong as I love what this kid brings each day. (Chance of title = 49%)
I am estimating 3 individual championships. I'm interested to know everyone's thoughts here. Can't wait for this weekend. Wrestling and the Basketball tournament!!!
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