Hmmmm, Parco beat the best version of Max Murin straight up in 2023 at Nationals. Murin is a level above Rathjen IMHO. Hes also a 3X AA (2X NCAA semi-finalist) and Rathjen is a 0X AA. Not sure why some are reluctant to accept that the transfers Iowa got were selected because they were better than the guys we already had in the room at those weights.
Not reluctant on new guys, no doubt on paper and performance new guys deserve the accolades, I’ve just always felt Rathjen is a kid who rises to the occasion(he was written off last year and everyone thought VV or Ferrari were the guys and he proved coaches and fans wrong) Is it an uphill battle, no doubt. I think if he was healthy going into big tens and NCAA’s he would have made some noise. If and butts though.
Caliendo came in last year getting paid Nil along with Franek knowing he had to beat Kennedy, no small task. Getting Franek last year was all the hoopla in the beginning. I was certainly hoping Franek would at least equal his previous performances.
Yeah, that’s an interesting venue to say the least. Is this one of these huge suburban mega-schools with insane money for facilities? And what’s the capacity at this gym?
That's how coaches lose their jobs - playing guys with the scholarship/NIL money over the better performer who may be a walk on. While I agree Parco will have every opportunity to own the spot, if Rathjen is better he will get it. Money is paid out either way so you might as well put the best line up on the mat.
I thought Rathjen was going to be the guy a couple years ago, then Sebreicht hammered him 7-0, and that was without the 3-point TD rule. I think this falls into the “we like our guys” discussion. Parco is a proven commodity. He’s beaten some really good wrestlers, including B10 champion and NCAA runner-up Ridge Lovett. Lovett beat Rathjen 6-0. Parco’s a stud and Hawkeye fans are gonna love him.
He damn near upset Sasso at the tourney in ‘21. Great match.
Right his freshman year. Crazy high scoring match IIRC. He also beat Bryce Andonian, Chance Lamer and Milner from App St( the kid that dominated Murin at Nationals) at that tournament. Parco has a lot of quality wins.
Block was going 141 long before Parco. I do have a lot of respect for Caleb sticking around to fight for the spot. Caleb is very athletic and can scramble. I don't think we've seen him reach his ceiling yet. As for Cobe, match ups will go a long ways to how high he can finish. You can say that for most guys hovering around that 8-15 ranking range though.
Yes Parco has an impressive hit list. Just from the last two season you have:
Alot of road time for them. No SS on official schedule so assuming we see backups and redshirts. Doesn't matter as we will determine the better team a month earlier head on.
That’s always been odd to me. We like our guys so much that results really don’t matter if we can find a good excuse. Or not.
Plus it’s a good early measure, gives teams time to get healthy and ready for conference season. Scrapping soldier solute, midlands, scuffle for cklv is progressive thinking.
Warner - miss that guy. The most regular season hated 4 time all American in Iowa history. Then March - built for 3 day wars
His win against Buchanan in the semis is one of my favorites in recent memory.
I just think a 2 day tournament right on the heals of conference season in the toughest conference in the country is not smart for health purposes. If the goal is to get a good tournament test in but end up healthy in March cklv and scrap and late dec tournaments and get healthy, stronger, more skilled walking into big ten season that has seeding implications seems like a smarter option. Not sure on this but does cklv have 3 weigh ins?
In person. But with today’s technology, Chief could catch the dual during the ceremony with no one the wiser.
Or watch the wedding from the match and send a gift.
Right? Line the sack with the money saved from airline tickets and travel expenses. Everyone wins!
Just bc you’re a mod doesn’t excuse the “no pics” when mentioning “the wife”(no pics)
