Pat Lugo, Real Woods, JE, Ads, Nelson, and Cobe have all improved during their time at Iowa. In their placements and their wrestling ability. Nelson was finally healthy this past week and he looked great.
I’m not saying the program is perfect, far from it, but i think we’re going in the right direction.
Just so no one thinks I’m a complete Tom and Terry apologist (though I think you’ll be hard pressed to find better) I’ll add that I’m not a big fan of our peaking is a mindset idea. It’s not, it’s just not. Also, I do wish I would hear at least one wrestler say I saw that move on tape and me and my coaches came up with a way to block him off. Instead of that they always say they need to force their positions they are best in. Well, IMO, scouting and wrestling in your best position can be done simultaneously. The level of scouting seems to differ from wrestler to wrestler and coach to coach. I’m of the opinion that increased scouting should take place.
The state of Iowa wrestling is better now than it was pre Spencer, but there’s still a ways to go. Top tier transfers, high end recruits, a bright new facility, and an endowed HWCare all steps in the right direction. Im not happy with second and as far as I can tell the coaches and wrestlers aren’t either. They’re doing something about it.