I concur to a degree. I don't know that we can find a better head coach and would never suggest getting a new head coach unless/until Tom decides to clean out his office for Spencer. But as I've mentioned in the past, I would certainly like to get some non-Hawks brought in as the supporting cast. Sure we can keep one or two really elite Hawks (i.e., Spencer), but we need diversity. A more diverse supporting cast would bring about new ideas, new philosophies, different developmental techniques, effective conditioning drills and fitness methods focused on keeping our guys healthy, better offensive tactics for wrestlers weighing over 133 pounds, etc., etc. And of course recruiting has to improve as you and others have mentioned. Schools not named PSU are beating us in that department far too often.
100%. I'm still not confident the leadership at Iowa actually understand why they're getting their ass kicked. Yes, it's recruiting, but they're missing the reason why PSU recruits so well. It's not because they have great facilities. It's because PSU has proven over the last 15ish years that they are the best place to go to accomplish your goals.
Although I agree to some extent with some of your comments. Aren't you pointing out something that is currently happening? They are now raising money to get everything fully endowed so that the Hawks can "throw absurd sums at elite senior level athletes" or did I misunderstand?
They've all won World gold at NLWC. Yes, Snyder and Dake had already done that but Gilman had not. Snyder is never beating Sadulaev again, which is unfortunate because he is a Sadulaev away from being the GOAT for USA Wrestling. Dake seems to have conditioning issues. Also, why do several of these athletes think a chest wrap FROM YOUR BUTT is a good move?
They are indeed getting more backing needed now. And the facilities do matter imo. It will help a lot with recruiting/retention. Like I said before Iowa needs a couple of big wrestling names to arrive in town soon, then things will start rolling again. More people will donate $$ for one
You mean there are teams and coaches that can produce better wrestlers than Carl and the nlwc??
Snyder likely would've beat Sadulaev a couple days ago. There is 0 shame in Losing to Sidakov 10-7 in the world finals. Dake didn't look that out of shape to me. Chest wrapping from your butt is very common in freestyle and has worked a lot in the past from Kyle Dake and his impressive strength. I will agree he tried it a little too much this tournament. Dake is 32 now aswell. Not making excuses for him, just noting father time doesn't stop
This is bizarre. Dake didn't look tired at all. And it is a good move for Kyle Dake. He hits it for points on everybody not named Sidakov. He didn't go to his butt by choice. Sidakov defended the chest lock and put him there.
I thought his conditioning looked just fine. Sidakov won the key exchange in the mat. It was a great shot and a better finish. It's not that complicated. The dude is more accomplished than Dake and showed why in this match.
10-7 was very generous scoring for Dake. I know it's only 2 points but I believe the score should have been 10-5 Sidakov.
I don't remember Dake scoring off a chest wrap at the World Championships this year.
Rewatch the match and score it yourself and tell me I'm wrong. 10-5 is a fairly one-sided victory.
I think 10-5 was the correct score, but 2 of that was Dake going for broke as time expired, and 4 came off one scramble. It was a 2-1 takedown margin and Dake was winning with under a minute to go and there were 4 lead changes. That is not one-sided.
Yep, lots.
I guess we agree to disagree
He didn't want to be sitting on his butt. Sometimes moves don't work. Doesn't mean it was a bad move.
Obviously, this is just my opinion but attempting that move against Sidakov is a bad choice. Dake turned down in an earlier sequence. It would have still been hard to score on Sidakov with a lead late in the match, but he would have given himself more time for a scoring opportunity if he didn't go through that sequence. Kyle's biggest weakness is how he reacts to hard hand fighting. He doesn't like it, doesn't react well to it and leaves himself open for guys to get to his legs.
Yes. I graduated from Penn State in 1985. Born and raised in Western, PA. Now live in MD. Never hid this on this board.
Dake always looks like he is out of shape and gasping for air. He wrestles very defensively typically and loves attempting the Dake bombs. He was bombing people all over the place at 79kg and I would guess that the pull down to 74kg is pretty tough for him, causing him to lack some of that power he has at 79kg. We would all love to see Dake open up and get to his shot more often but that's just not his style - and far be it from us to question it because its clearly worked pretty well for him.
Someday I may also donate to the HWC, BTW. Iron sharpening iron, and all. Especially if I ever go to a dual with @el dub, @Trapper85, or @natchrlman (who I'm currently worried some about).
I’m worried about @natchrlman as well.
For some reason I did not realize you are a psu guy.
Me too. Haven't heard from him here for awhile.
It may be a reason why they will CONTINUE to recruit well, but it is NOT why. Sanderson recruited every bit as well at ISU and has from the VERY BEGINNING at PSU. The only difference in recruiting when he hit PSU was that he added having PA talent in his own back yard and could supplement the roster as he needed with such a lush garden at his disposal.
She is an absolute MONSTER. A lot can happen and she has a long ways to go, but she sure looks like she may be the best woman to ever wrestle for the USA by the time she is done!
I was VERY impressed with her in Coralville last year.
