I have been getting a ton of questions and comments, about Iowas upcoming recruiting classes. It is not hard to feel the excitement coming, from even the most causal fans. That is the one thing that sticks out to me its the casual sports fans, saying tell me about Spencer, or Gavin, ext...I think one of the main reasons for this is Flo Wrestling. Flo has made stars out of these guys. This is going to a huge thing for collage wrestling in the near future. Last time Iowa signed number one guys ,that I remember, were Mocco and Mark Perry. I am a very big wrestling fan and follow it pretty close. Before those guys wrestled a match at Iowa I had seen them wrestle a grand total of one time... combined. Even as flo was developing, I think I may have seen two or three Brent Metcalf high School matches. Compare that to today, I could name all the best high school wrestlers in the nation. I have seen them all wrestle numerous times. But more importantly, it is the back story's, are what make interest peak. Think what Carver will look like in a few years with possible Spencer Lee vs Surino, Hall vs Marinelli
, ext,ext. Ticket sales at all schools will grow immensely. These kids graduating for the next 2 or three years will be the first classes that we have been watching grow up, through national tournaments and world team trials (rather it be cadets or juniors). Im not sure, but I think CP said this year at beat the streets, the lines for autographs were just as long for guys like Fix, and Hall as they were for Jordan Burroughs. Think about that for a second. The excitement level for these kids to get to campus, seems way different, and much more broad then anytime I can remember since I have been following the sport. Yes Spencer Lee was going to create a big buzz with or without Flo. But Flos promotion of him since he was basically in 8th grade, sure didn't hurt, and not only makes him and his story more integrating, but also his future collage opponents.. This will create interest that has been developing before high school, so by the time they arrive on campus they (and their opponents) are well known from day one. Its one thing to have the hardcore fans, like people that post on these boards locked in, but once the casual sports fan can recognize the Gavin Teasdales, and Alex Thomsens of the world, watch out, big things gonna happen!
I had a conversation with Lewboo (aka the the Great One) the other day, and he told me that when he was being recruited to Iowa, Gable had seen him wrestle a grand total of 0 times (well I guess that worked out ok). But also think of the resources it saves the coaches. If a coach wants to take a look at a possible recruit, they no longer have to jump on a plane, simply type his name in and you have all his matches at your fingertips. Not only can they evaluate the kid, but evaluate him vs the best competition. I also think this will be a great thing. With all the info they have on these kids, there will be a far less chance of "busts". It is good for the sport when the superstars preform.
I predict, not only at Iowa, but all schools will see season ticket sales rise exponentially in the next few years as a result of this. I just hope the officials, continue to make them wrestle, and we will have the best product ncaa wrestling has ever had.
Throughout, the last few years I have been as hard on Flo as anyone, not really for quality content, no argument there, the best in the game x10. Sometimes I disagree with, how they portray things, and weekly I argue on twitter with cp on his rankings ( haven't seen his preseason rankings yet, but Brooks is to low! and McCutcheon way to high!). Not sure but some people, including myself, can be a little thin skinned, and take everything they say personally. It must make it quite difficult, to breakdown matches or duel meets, knowing that someone is going to be pissed, and call you bias, no matter which way you go. Before Flo,intermat was the place to go for wrestling content and discussion. I really cant remember the last time i visited that site. Ohh ya, I do... Foley's mailbag sometimes, but lately, I have been skipping that, because I like my new hobby of chewing on tinfoil, more enjoyable. It may be time to give Flo and Martin, their due, cause they very well may accomplish the goals, they envisioned from the very beginning, so congratulations to Martin and his team. I know they have been at it for ten plus years, but in the last five they have come a long way. Get your season tickets ordered soon, and keep renewing cause good seats will not be available for long!
, ext,ext. Ticket sales at all schools will grow immensely. These kids graduating for the next 2 or three years will be the first classes that we have been watching grow up, through national tournaments and world team trials (rather it be cadets or juniors). Im not sure, but I think CP said this year at beat the streets, the lines for autographs were just as long for guys like Fix, and Hall as they were for Jordan Burroughs. Think about that for a second. The excitement level for these kids to get to campus, seems way different, and much more broad then anytime I can remember since I have been following the sport. Yes Spencer Lee was going to create a big buzz with or without Flo. But Flos promotion of him since he was basically in 8th grade, sure didn't hurt, and not only makes him and his story more integrating, but also his future collage opponents.. This will create interest that has been developing before high school, so by the time they arrive on campus they (and their opponents) are well known from day one. Its one thing to have the hardcore fans, like people that post on these boards locked in, but once the casual sports fan can recognize the Gavin Teasdales, and Alex Thomsens of the world, watch out, big things gonna happen!
I had a conversation with Lewboo (aka the the Great One) the other day, and he told me that when he was being recruited to Iowa, Gable had seen him wrestle a grand total of 0 times (well I guess that worked out ok). But also think of the resources it saves the coaches. If a coach wants to take a look at a possible recruit, they no longer have to jump on a plane, simply type his name in and you have all his matches at your fingertips. Not only can they evaluate the kid, but evaluate him vs the best competition. I also think this will be a great thing. With all the info they have on these kids, there will be a far less chance of "busts". It is good for the sport when the superstars preform.
I predict, not only at Iowa, but all schools will see season ticket sales rise exponentially in the next few years as a result of this. I just hope the officials, continue to make them wrestle, and we will have the best product ncaa wrestling has ever had.
Throughout, the last few years I have been as hard on Flo as anyone, not really for quality content, no argument there, the best in the game x10. Sometimes I disagree with, how they portray things, and weekly I argue on twitter with cp on his rankings ( haven't seen his preseason rankings yet, but Brooks is to low! and McCutcheon way to high!). Not sure but some people, including myself, can be a little thin skinned, and take everything they say personally. It must make it quite difficult, to breakdown matches or duel meets, knowing that someone is going to be pissed, and call you bias, no matter which way you go. Before Flo,intermat was the place to go for wrestling content and discussion. I really cant remember the last time i visited that site. Ohh ya, I do... Foley's mailbag sometimes, but lately, I have been skipping that, because I like my new hobby of chewing on tinfoil, more enjoyable. It may be time to give Flo and Martin, their due, cause they very well may accomplish the goals, they envisioned from the very beginning, so congratulations to Martin and his team. I know they have been at it for ten plus years, but in the last five they have come a long way. Get your season tickets ordered soon, and keep renewing cause good seats will not be available for long!
