Frank Molinaro

[Azchief32]

In the list of things I thought I'd never do, starting a Frank Molinaro thread on HR is one of them.

A few years back, I made fun of the idea that FILA ranked Frank the Tank (say that out loud). When he took the spot from Metcalf, I thought it was a fluke...guy gets on a roll in a tourney and wins it. Had a great weekend, caught some breaks, but that's all it was.

Indeed, he couldn't qualify the weight in the traditional way and some called for another to give it a shot in the second tourney and that our system was messed up because it was inferred that Frank just wasn't good enough to be on the team (I wasn't one of them).

Luckily for Frank, our European counterparts like to to go above and beyond with the PEDs and he backed into a qualifying spot. It's nothing that hasn't happened before but it still
didn't inspire confidence.

In the World Cup this weekend, Frank scrapped his heart out to a 4-0 record. He wrestled smart, physical, and didn't take any shit. As Iowa fans, this is what we are supposed to admire. At one point, his singlet was shredded. It is clear to me, at least for the next few months, that Frank is ready to rumble despite having a dodgy haircut.

I don't know if Frank Molinaro will get gold or even medal. He has a loaded weight class and the odds are against him. But they would be heavily against anybody else. As an Iowa guy, I don't like Frank. As an American, I am rooting for him pretty hard. Sometimes I have to catch myself when he gets scored on; that it isn't a good thing. But that's just the complexities of being a wrestling fan.

So Frank, here's to ya <I'm giving the 5 on 2
Jersey salute>. I am a Frank Molinaro fan*




*This offer expires after the closing ceremonies of the 2016 Olympics or if they cancel this goatrope down in Brazil prior

 

[Wrestlerneverdiesasacatfan]

Cox looked amazing! I think Dennis can medal also! We got young hammers. Future looks great

 

[Sandor45]

His game plane since the Trials seemed to work great this weekend. Super explosive short spurts of offensive with his single or HC than defend defend defend.
Good for him and Team USA.
Still a dbag but he's our dbag for the time being.

 

[SPOONER]

Frank is ready to rumble despite having a questionable haircut.

Well done.

 

[jschrantz]

Chief,

You sir are a good man and inspire us all to be better in here, Lion or Hawkeye.

 

[GantryZ]

Incredibly impressed with Frank Molinaro this weekend, he wrestles so smart late in matches and has the right mental state to get the job done.

 

[crablegs1]

Couldn't agree more. Frank is showing that he deserves this spot, and is proving that he is a threat to make some noise in Rio. Plus, I'm beginning to admire his physical style. I think he can take some foreigners out of their game plans. By getting them a little frustrated they open up just a bit for a 4 point HC from Frank. Smart wrestling and game plan.

 

[Wrassler223]

In the list of things I thought I'd never do, starting a Frank Molinaro thread on HR is one of them.

A few years back, I made fun of the idea that FILA ranked Frank the Tank (say that out loud). When he took the spot from Metcalf, I thought it was a fluke...guy gets on a roll in a tourney and wins it. Had a great weekend, caught some breaks, but that's all it was.

Indeed, he couldn't qualify the weight in the traditional way and some called for another to give it a shot in the second tourney and that our system was messed up because it was inferred that Frank just wasn't good enough to be on the team (I wasn't one of them).

Luckily for Frank, our European counterparts like to to go above and beyond with the PEDs and he backed into a qualifying spot. It's nothing that hasn't happened before but it still
didn't inspire confidence.

In the World Cup this weekend, Frank scrapped his heart out to a 4-0 record. He wrestled smart, physical, and didn't take any shit. As Iowa fans, this is what we are supposed to admire. At one point, his singlet was shredded. It is clear to me, at least for the next few months, that Frank is ready to rumble despite having a questionable haircut.

I don't know if Frank Molinaro will get gold or even medal. He has a loaded weight class and the odds are against him. But they would be heavily against anybody else. As an Iowa guy, I don't like Frank. As an American, I am rooting for him pretty hard. Sometimes I have to catch myself when he gets scored on; that it isn't a good thing. But that's just the complexities of being a wrestling fan.

So Frank, here's to ya <I'm giving the 5 on 2
Jersey salute>. I am a Frank Molinaro fan*




*This offer expires after the closing ceremonies of the 2016 Olympics or if they cancel this goatrope down in Brazil prior

I agree I'm rooting for Frank heavily in Rio. He has turned it on at the right time. I don't understand how you can't be fans of kids just cause they go to a good school that's a rival or highly competitive team.
As much as I am an Okie State fan, my favorite wrestlers in the past decade come from a variety of schools including Iowa and Penn State. I want the pokes to beat them if were competing head to head. I guess I'd rather see a ton of awesome wrestling everywhere then just my own team.

 

[Novakht]

I root for ALL our Olympians and wrestlers that represent the USA regardless of their college affiliation. I hope Frank wins a gold.. with that said I get tired of watching him brush that hair out of his face during matches.

 

[Jaysdad7]

In the list of things I thought I'd never do, starting a Frank Molinaro thread on HR is one of them.

A few years back, I made fun of the idea that FILA ranked Frank the Tank (say that out loud). When he took the spot from Metcalf, I thought it was a fluke...guy gets on a roll in a tourney and wins it. Had a great weekend, caught some breaks, but that's all it was.

Indeed, he couldn't qualify the weight in the traditional way and some called for another to give it a shot in the second tourney and that our system was messed up because it was inferred that Frank just wasn't good enough to be on the team (I wasn't one of them).

Luckily for Frank, our European counterparts like to to go above and beyond with the PEDs and he backed into a qualifying spot. It's nothing that hasn't happened before but it still
didn't inspire confidence.

In the World Cup this weekend, Frank scrapped his heart out to a 4-0 record. He wrestled smart, physical, and didn't take any shit. As Iowa fans, this is what we are supposed to admire. At one point, his singlet was shredded. It is clear to me, at least for the next few months, that Frank is ready to rumble despite having a questionable haircut.

I don't know if Frank Molinaro will get gold or even medal. He has a loaded weight class and the odds are against him. But they would be heavily against anybody else. As an Iowa guy, I don't like Frank. As an American, I am rooting for him pretty hard. Sometimes I have to catch myself when he gets scored on; that it isn't a good thing. But that's just the complexities of being a wrestling fan.

So Frank, here's to ya <I'm giving the 5 on 2
Jersey salute>. I am a Frank Molinaro fan*




*This offer expires after the closing ceremonies of the 2016 Olympics or if they cancel this goatrope down in Brazil prior

Yes I totally agree with u USA USA! as my family and I sat at the Fourm that all I heard was usa and for a moment thats all it was about not about what school u wrestled for!

 

[so cal hawkfan]

Indeed, he couldn't qualify the weight in the traditional way and some called for another to give it a shot in the second tourney and that our system was messed up because it was inferred that Frank just wasn't good enough to be on the team (I wasn't one of them).

Chief, I was one of them that felt that many guys at the weight would give Team USA a better shot a medal. While that still may be true, Frank is starting to make a believer out of me. He looked fantastic in all 4 matches against World Class opponents who were showing him less respect than I showed him on HR. Not only did Frank outwrestle all of his international opponents, but he outclassed them too. That Azerbaijani wrestler was an absolute embarrassment and should've gotten DQ'd for his antics. After busting open Frank's face, and then shoving Frank after the whistle, Frank didn't retaliate. He stared right into the dude's eyes and gave him a classic "shit-eating FU I won, you didn't" grin. In his match against the Georgian, he showed poise, patience, endurance, heart and incredible defense against a very game and aggressive wrestler. That dude kept shooting and shooting. I didn't count, but he had to have shot 25-30 times in six minutes.

Like most men I don't like to admit when I'm wrong, but I(like his opponents this weekend) underestimated Frank's freestyle ability. While he's not an Olympic medalist yet, he clearly has as much of a chance as anyone else in his bracket.

Keep it up Frank, I'll be rooting for ya!

* I, like Chief will reconvene my hatred of him and his silly hair after Rio.

 

[Cold Smoke]

That REALLY bothers the hell out of me too. If you have to brush it back all the time, cut the damned thing off.

Maybe it bothers his opponents as much as you. With all due respect, of course.

 

[pablow]

Frank has had his Go Fund Me page up for 29 days and the PSU fans aren't close to the $20,000 goal. What's up? Either there aren't as many PSU wrestling fans as we've been led to believe or the they are tightwads. Or, maybe Frank just needs to quit grabbing his nuts in public. I don't know. I might go over and give Frank some $$ - apparently he needs it.

 

[ZepGraffiti]

The hair: Is it possible there's some kind of intentional strategy to having a tuft of hair up top? As some sort of buffer for the head butting/grinding that goes on in 'headgearless' freestyle?

Even so, I'm sure they could do better with the rest of the scalp to make it more presentable. But it almost seems like it's a purposeful homegrown head gear of sorts? Or, this thought is completely off base & the younger generation grooms in ways I just don't understand

 

[Sandor45]

If I'm wrestling Frank, I'm timing my shots to every time he waves his hands through his hair. Maybe it's like Samson, and Frank draws his power from his hair.

 

[JohnBasedow]

Frank has had his Go Fund Me page up for 29 days and the PSU fans aren't close to the $20,000 goal. What's up? Either there aren't as many PSU wrestling fans as we've been led to believe or the they are tightwads. Or, maybe Frank just needs to quit grabbing his nuts in public. I don't know. I might go over and give Frank some $$ - apparently he needs it.

Most of their money is tied up in the NLWC tuition repayment program.

 

[YoungGun07]

My dislike towards him has nothing to do with him being a PSU alum, and everything to do with him being a d-bag. That said, he is way better at freestyle than I gave him credit for at the trials.

 

[sstark46]

I wasn't a fan of him at the trials, especially right after he beat Metcalf, until the third match with Pico. Frank has been tough as nails through this whole thing, and seems to be putting it all together when he needs to. It's been, dare I say, fun watching him compete since then, and I've been impressed with his poise and his willingness to scrap.

Also, and I realize I'm very much in the minority here, I have no problem with his haircut. I didn't recognize him when I first saw him at the trials, but I don't think it's a bad haircut by any means.

 

[CowboyUp61]

Frank has had his Go Fund Me page up for 29 days and the PSU fans aren't close to the $20,000 goal. What's up? Either there aren't as many PSU wrestling fans as we've been led to believe or the they are tightwads. Or, maybe Frank just needs to quit grabbing his nuts in public. I don't know. I might go over and give Frank some $$ - apparently he needs it.

Maybe there is a separate page set up for the barber shop, and people are donating to it by mistake?

Hey, if bad hair keeps him wrestling well, I can live with it.

 

[championhawk]

Indeed, he couldn't qualify the weight in the traditional way and some called for another to give it a shot in the second tourney and that our system was messed up because it was inferred that Frank just wasn't good enough to be on the team (I wasn't one of them).

Chief, I was one of them that felt that many guys at the weight would give Team USA a better shot a medal. While that still may be true, Frank is starting to make a believer out of me. He looked fantastic in all 4 matches against World Class opponents who were showing him less respect than I showed him on HR. Not only did Frank outwrestle all of his international opponents, but he outclassed them too. That Azerbaijani wrestler was an absolute embarrassment and should've gotten DQ'd for his antics. After busting open Frank's face, and then shoving Frank after the whistle, Frank didn't retaliate. He stared right into the dude's eyes and gave him a classic "shit-eating FU I won, you didn't" grin. In his match against the Georgian, he showed poise, patience, endurance, heart and incredible defense against a very game and aggressive wrestler. That dude kept shooting and shooting. I didn't count, but he had to have shot 25-30 times in six minutes.

Like most men I don't like to admit when I'm wrong, but I(like his opponents this weekend) underestimated Frank's freestyle ability. While he's not an Olympic medalist yet, he clearly has as much of a chance as anyone else in his bracket.

Keep it up Frank, I'll be rooting for ya!

* I, like Chief will reconvene my hatred of him and his silly hair after Rio.

Watch the Azerbaijani match again. Frank started the dirty stuff. There are a million other guys I would rather almost any other penn state wrestler representing our country over that dirty dbag.

 

[255]

I agree he is doing ok but the tournament is a whole
Other animal. Lose to the wrong guy and you are in rio for 1 match. The real heavy hitters are waiting or there. Hope he does well but not counting on it. Dennis and cox have real opportunities but the same pitfalls.

 

[ev_flores0331]

In the list of things I thought I'd never do, starting a Frank Molinaro thread on HR is one of them.

A few years back, I made fun of the idea that FILA ranked Frank the Tank (say that out loud). When he took the spot from Metcalf, I thought it was a fluke...guy gets on a roll in a tourney and wins it. Had a great weekend, caught some breaks, but that's all it was.

Indeed, he couldn't qualify the weight in the traditional way and some called for another to give it a shot in the second tourney and that our system was messed up because it was inferred that Frank just wasn't good enough to be on the team (I wasn't one of them).

Luckily for Frank, our European counterparts like to to go above and beyond with the PEDs and he backed into a qualifying spot. It's nothing that hasn't happened before but it still
didn't inspire confidence.

In the World Cup this weekend, Frank scrapped his heart out to a 4-0 record. He wrestled smart, physical, and didn't take any shit. As Iowa fans, this is what we are supposed to admire. At one point, his singlet was shredded. It is clear to me, at least for the next few months, that Frank is ready to rumble despite having a dodgy haircut.

I don't know if Frank Molinaro will get gold or even medal. He has a loaded weight class and the odds are against him. But they would be heavily against anybody else. As an Iowa guy, I don't like Frank. As an American, I am rooting for him pretty hard. Sometimes I have to catch myself when he gets scored on; that it isn't a good thing. But that's just the complexities of being a wrestling fan.

So Frank, here's to ya <I'm giving the 5 on 2
Jersey salute>. I am a Frank Molinaro fan*




*This offer expires after the closing ceremonies of the 2016 Olympics or if they cancel this goatrope down in Brazil prior

Man, I thanked Molinaro here awhile back and almost got strung up by my toes! Glad national pride trumps school loyalties right now! lol

Christ, did I just say "national pride" and "trump" in the same sentence?? What the hell is wrong with me...

Don't hold the kid to a higher standard than we held ourselves, I was a self-absorbed douche at his age. I honestly think "self-absorbed douche" is literally the definition of any guy between 18-30ish, haha

 

[SansSouci]

I forgot the past, I'm all in on Frank. He looks like he has his cycling down. Go, Frank! I kid,the man is a beast.

 

[ev_flores0331]

I'm kinda nitpicking here, BUT... This kid did not "back-door" his way into the Olympics. A couple guys got caught cheating. If anyone tried to get in through the back door, it's the guys sticking needles in their asses. It chaps *my ass* to defend a PSU guy, but Molinaro got what he earned.

What is this world coming to when I'm defending a PSU guy...

I want the record to show that I root against Penn State in every sport! LOL

 

[Pennstate1985]

Next think I'll hear is that Iowa has had an increase in sales of Barbie cheerleader dolls outfitted in blue and white.

 

[MSU158]

I'm kinda nitpicking here, BUT... This kid did not "back-door" his way into the Olympics. A couple guys got caught cheating. If anyone tried to get in through the back door, it's the guys sticking needles in their asses. It chaps *my ass* to defend a PSU guy, but Molinaro got what he earned.

What is this world coming to when I'm defending a PSU guy...

I want the record to show that I root against Penn State in every sport! LOL

I am happy that Molinaro is going to Rio. But, I have a hard time saying he "earned" it. I believe he "deserves" to be there. Still, deserved and earned are much different in this case. He went to 2 events KNOWING what he had to place to guarantee qualification. He did neither. If it were Metcalf, I would say the same thing.

You get what you earn and You get what you deserve can be 2 very different things!

 

[Czech Hawk]

My dislike towards him has nothing to do with him being a PSU alum, and everything to do with him being a d-bag. That said, he is way better at freestyle than I gave him credit for at the trials.

Totally agree. If it was David Taylor, it would be much easier. Still, I will cheer for Frank, and then go puke in the corner.

As for Frank's go fund me.... I am not concerned, he had the travel one set up before the go fund me, and I would assume many gave to that one. The link was posted here and took you to his webpage. It doesn't show a running total ... so it's hard to know what has really been donated. Without knowing I will pass and he has both still going so I will just assume he gets what he needs. Below is how it reads on his website.

"If you'd like to contribute to Frank's Olympic Road to Rio GoFundMe campaign, you can do so here.

If you’d like to donate to Frank’s Olympic Travel fund via PayPal, you can do so below with a pre-set amount of chose an amount of your own by selecting the Other button."

 

[JasonBryant]

For those referring to Frank as a d-bag really haven't paid a whole lot of attention to the changes he's made in his life the last several years, the last 18 months especially. He's definitely grown up. People change.

 

[HAWKMANN]

For those referring to Frank as a d-bag really haven't paid a whole lot of attention to the changes he's made in his life the last several years, the last 18 months especially. He's definitely grown up. People change.

I think grabbing his nuts at the Iowa crowd/Metcalf after his win in the OTT left an impression on many Hawk fans in attendance.

 

[JasonBryant]

Yeah, about that: Make your own assumption.
http://www.nbcolympics.com/video/olympic-wrestling-trials-brent-metcalf-vs-frank-molinaro
Jump to the 8:00 mark.

May be something to it -- may be nothing to it more than making a crotch adjustment. All depends who you're rooting for and seeing what you want to see.

This video, to me, is inconclusive on your claim. But I'm also staunchly impartial here.

 

[MSU158]

There was no adjusting going on, unless it was at the microscopic level. Still, I will agree it wasn't a full fledged crotch grab. The timing of it while having his other arm raised, along with the crowd reaction to Metcalf losing, makes it hard to not see it as a taunt...............

 

[HAWKMANN]

I consider myself to be fairly unbiased and don't think Molinaro is a dbag but that was right in front of me at the trials (I was in the 3rd row) and it looked on camera just like it did that day. You'll notice he doesn't actually adjust anything.

 

[JasonBryant]

It is what it is. I'm sure you'll hear differing opinions on it on any message board in the country. For what it's worth, this is the first I'm hearing about the gesture, so it must not have been that egregious in the eyes of the wrestling world -- not because I didn't hear about it, but because it wasn't a crazy topic people were fawning over.

 

[championhawk]

It is what it is. I'm sure you'll hear differing opinions on it on any message board in the country. For what it's worth, this is the first I'm hearing about the gesture, so it must not have been that egregious in the eyes of the wrestling world -- not because I didn't hear about it, but because it wasn't a crazy topic people were fawning over.

Or maybe it didn't come as a surprise that the dbag did that. Just frank being frank.

 

[JasonBryant]

Go Team USA.

 

[JohnBasedow]

So here we are, evaluating the nuances of a crotch grab. Are the olympics here yet?

 

[CholleyVandine]

I am happy that Molinaro is going to Rio. But, I have a hard time saying he "earned" it. I believe he "deserves" to be there. Still, deserved and earned are much different in this case. He went to 2 events KNOWING what he had to place to guarantee qualification. He did neither. If it were Metcalf, I would say the same thing.

You get what you earn and You get what you deserve can be 2 very different things!

I assume you would say Brandon Slay did not "earn" his gold medal and Mike Zadick did not "earn" the right to call himself an Olympian.

Other than for message board trolling purposes, does the distinction have any meaning?

 

[Azchief32]

I guess starting a thread and most everybody saying nice things wasn't enough. Now we have to start a petition making him an honorary Hawkeye.

 

[crablegs1]

I'm with you, Jason. Looked like a simple adjustment to me. Never understood how upset some people were about that.

 

[CholleyVandine]

I guess starting a thread and most everybody saying nice things wasn't enough. Now we have to start a petition making him an honorary Hawkeye.

"Most everybody" except the half-dozen calling him a dbag and the one accusing him of using steroids.