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Iowa HS Wrestling is fading -- Coincidence?

BlameIt

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Aug 23, 2009
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Kids from Iowa are rarely making the transition from Iowa HS dominance to College level dominance anymore.

Whereas, PA Kids are.

What's the difference?
 
Iowa HS wrestling is actually in the midst of a resurgence. No doubt it was down over a 10 year stretch but that has turned around.

Iowa kids are competing and ranked highly at much higher numbers and that is very likely a direct result of clubs like Sebolt, Big Game and others.

I hope that resurgence leads to better college performances because it appears we are bringing in a bunch of in-state recruits again.

Regardless Iowa wrestling still needs to be recruiting PA, regionally and nationally for recruits.
 
Kids from Iowa are rarely making the transition from Iowa HS dominance to College level dominance anymore.

Whereas, PA Kids are.

What's the difference?
Before you crown Penn State's title because of development of PA kids, here's a look at where they actual came from.

Hildebrandt - IND
RBY - AZ
Lee - Ind
Bartlett - AZ
Berge - Min
Starocci - PA
Brooks - MD
Dean - Michigan
Kerk - Min

Iowa had more PA kids in their line-up than Penn State did. Not saying the state doesn't have great HS wrestling, it's just not the reason Penn State was dominant.
 
Kids from Iowa are rarely making the transition from Iowa HS dominance to College level dominance anymore.

Whereas, PA Kids are.

What's the difference?
More people in those states helps. They also have more super programs and way better access to top of the line in season tournaments and competition. The club scene was way ahead there too but Iowa has improved that. Participation and depth is not what it used to be in Iowa even 20 years ago. Many smaller schools and even a number of big class schools have lots of open weights. Some duals I've seen will have like 4 actual matches wrestled. The elite guys on the super programs get better work in at team and club practice than in actual matches for the most part.
 
Before you crown Penn State's title because of development of PA kids, here's a look at where they actual came from.

Hildebrandt - IND
RBY - AZ
Lee - Ind
Bartlett - AZ
Berge - Min
Starocci - PA
Brooks - MD
Dean - Michigan
Kerk - Min

Iowa had more PA kids in their line-up than Penn State did. Not saying the state doesn't have great HS wrestling, it's just not the reason Penn State was dominant.
Because I'm not a lifelong wrestling fan (but a huge fan for more than a decade) and at the risk of sounding like a rube, I was going to post a suggestion in the Tarphawk "steps to improve" thread that perhaps one might get too bogged down in intricacies of training, match tactics, and such (which are, of course, important) when the biggest issue, by far, is staring you right in the face --recruiting. It seems obvious.

I also agree with those posters who have pointed out that the injuries to 3 legitimate title contenders seriously effected Iowa's chance to contend for a team title this year. That cannot be overlooked or over-emphasized, I think.
 
Kids from Iowa are rarely making the transition from Iowa HS dominance to College level dominance anymore.

Whereas, PA Kids are.

What's the difference?
Troll, you are out of touch. Iowa's kids are getting stronger. Not to take anything away from the guys from PA, but Iowa produces good wrestlers these days, and better than a few years back.
 
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The reality is, across all of college sports at the elite level, the days of focusing predominantly on state and regional recruiting are OVER. If that's what you're doing, you're probably not winning. I get that we all have natural parochial instincts (and I say that as a native Pennsylvanian, where hyperparochialism borders on the genetic), but people need to get over the idea that birth/school state is even remotely relevant to anything other than in-state tuition.
 
Probably one of Iowa's best classes (potentially):
**Some studs in the '23 class

DateCommitedCollegeNameHigh SchoolStateProjected weight
9/23/2021​
VirginiaGriffin GammellWaukee NWIA
184​
11/2/2021​
Northern IowaWyatt VoelkerWest DelawareIA
197​
10/10/2021​
IowaNate Jesuroga (c/o 2023)Southeast PolkIA
125​
10/28/2021​
VirginiaRobert Avila Jr.Iowa City WestIA149/157
10/16/2021​
IowaBradley HillBettendorfIA
285​
9/8/2021​
Iowa StateCarter FousekCrestwoodIA125/133
9/19/2021​
IowaBen Kueter (c/o 2023)Iowa City HighIA
285​
9/6/2021​
Northern IowaGarrett FunkDon BoscoIA125/133
11/1/2021​
StanfordHunter GarvinIowa City WestIA
157​
10/10/2021​
IowaAiden RigginsWaverly Shell-RockIA165/174
10/10/2021​
IowaMickey GriffithDes Moines-LincolnIA
184​
10/12/2021​
IowaCarter MartinsonSoutheast PolkIA141/149
10/12/2021​
IowaCarson MartinsonSoutheast PolkIA149/157
10/11/2021​
IowaEaston FleshmanWest LyonIA
285​
10/11/2021​
IowaJace RhodesMason CityIA141/149
10/15/2021​
IowaRyder Block (c/o 2023)Waverly-Shell RockIA
157​
11/24/2021​
VirginiaGabe ChristensonSoutheast Polk (via Iowa)IA
197​
11/4/2021​
IowaJoel JesurogaSoutheast PolkIA
149​
11/7/2021​
Iowa StateTate Naaktgeboren (c/o 2023)Linn-MarIA
184​
3/1/2021​
Northern IowaChet BussNorth Butler-ClarksvilleIA
285​
1/7/2022​
North CarolinaCade TenoldDon BoscoIA174/184
11/14/2021​
CampbellHagen HeistandUnderwoodIA141/149
11/15/2021​
Northern IowaTrever AndersonAnkenyIA
125​
2/1/2022​
SIU EdwardsvilleMarcel LopezNew LondonIA
133​
7/13/2021​
ColumbiaEvan FrostDowling CatholicIA
133​
7/13/2021​
ColumbiaJacob FrostDowling CatholicIA
133​
 
The reality is, across all of college sports at the elite level, the days of focusing predominantly on state and regional recruiting are OVER. If that's what you're doing, you're probably not winning. I get that we all have natural parochial instincts (and I say that as a native Pennsylvanian, where hyperparochialism borders on the genetic), but people need to get over the idea that birth/school state is even remotely relevant to anything other than in-state tuition.
Yep
 
A quick check had 12 Pa. kids achieving AA status this year, one from Iowa. I think Pa. lost 20 kids in the blood round, not sure about Iowa there.
 
The kid from NL just became a 4-time state champ. Very few offers. IOWA told him congratulations but they felt like he had no competition. He will be at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville next school year.
 
4 time state champ in Iowa doesn't necessarily equal great college recruit.
Agreed. 4 time state champ anywhere doesn’t necessarily equal great college recruit. John Meeks was a 4 time undefeated and we all know how that turned out. Plus Lopez just lost to Iowa recruit and still in high school Jesuroga. I think we are ok telling him congrats but no thanks.
 
Troll, you are out of touch. Iowa's kids are getting stronger. Not to take anything away from the guys from PA, but Iowa produces good wrestlers these days, and better than a few years back.
Go back to the start of Iowa's dominance..Check the rosters, National Champs and place winners through the years. Compare to the last few years. Iowa did not have a single kid from the state of iowa in their starting lineup this year. Maybe check with the IHSAA on total participation in wrestling? I am quite sure it would be way down from years past. It was typical for Dual meets at our local high school to have multiple forfeits.
 
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Did I read somewhere that Iowa kids aren't allowed by the state athletic association to compete out of state during the high school season?
 
Probably one of Iowa's best classes (potentially):
**Some studs in the '23 class

DateCommitedCollegeNameHigh SchoolStateProjected weight
9/23/2021​
VirginiaGriffin GammellWaukee NWIA
184​
11/2/2021​
Northern IowaWyatt VoelkerWest DelawareIA
197​
10/10/2021​
IowaNate Jesuroga (c/o 2023)Southeast PolkIA
125​
10/28/2021​
VirginiaRobert Avila Jr.Iowa City WestIA149/157
10/16/2021​
IowaBradley HillBettendorfIA
285​
9/8/2021​
Iowa StateCarter FousekCrestwoodIA125/133
9/19/2021​
IowaBen Kueter (c/o 2023)Iowa City HighIA
285​
9/6/2021​
Northern IowaGarrett FunkDon BoscoIA125/133
11/1/2021​
StanfordHunter GarvinIowa City WestIA
157​
10/10/2021​
IowaAiden RigginsWaverly Shell-RockIA165/174
10/10/2021​
IowaMickey GriffithDes Moines-LincolnIA
184​
10/12/2021​
IowaCarter MartinsonSoutheast PolkIA141/149
10/12/2021​
IowaCarson MartinsonSoutheast PolkIA149/157
10/11/2021​
IowaEaston FleshmanWest LyonIA
285​
10/11/2021​
IowaJace RhodesMason CityIA141/149
10/15/2021​
IowaRyder Block (c/o 2023)Waverly-Shell RockIA
157​
11/24/2021​
VirginiaGabe ChristensonSoutheast Polk (via Iowa)IA
197​
11/4/2021​
IowaJoel JesurogaSoutheast PolkIA
149​
11/7/2021​
Iowa StateTate Naaktgeboren (c/o 2023)Linn-MarIA
184​
3/1/2021​
Northern IowaChet BussNorth Butler-ClarksvilleIA
285​
1/7/2022​
North CarolinaCade TenoldDon BoscoIA174/184
11/14/2021​
CampbellHagen HeistandUnderwoodIA141/149
11/15/2021​
Northern IowaTrever AndersonAnkenyIA
125​
2/1/2022​
SIU EdwardsvilleMarcel LopezNew LondonIA
133​
7/13/2021​
ColumbiaEvan FrostDowling CatholicIA
133​
7/13/2021​
ColumbiaJacob FrostDowling CatholicIA
133​
We will find out in the next few years. Hopefully many National place winners in that group
 
Go back to the start of Iowa's dominance..Check the rosters, National Champs and place winners through the years. Compare to the last few years. Iowa did not have a single kid from the state of iowa in their starting lineup this year. Maybe check with the IHSAA on total participation in wrestling? I am quite sure it would be way down from years past. It was typical for Dual meets at our local high school to have multiple forfeits.
Ayala
 
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Did I read somewhere that Iowa kids aren't allowed by the state athletic association to compete out of state during the high school season?

Highly unlikely that anyone here would know what you read. We would have to defer to you on that one.

Regardless, Iowa teams routinely attend The Clash, The Cheesehead, The Dvorak, etc. I’m addition to smaller tournaments; so that’s false.
 
Go back to the start of Iowa's dominance..Check the rosters, National Champs and place winners through the years. Compare to the last few years. Iowa did not have a single kid from the state of iowa in their starting lineup this year. Maybe check with the IHSAA on total participation in wrestling? I am quite sure it would be way down from years past. It was typical for Dual meets at our local high school to have multiple forfeits.
Way down from years past? Yes. But it is improving.
 
Way down from years past? Yes. But it is improving.
I don't think there is any question it's improving. A healthy Drake Ayala is going to be the first one of this "new phase" to prove it IMO.

Trying to duplicate recruits like the Brands, Zalesky's, Ironside, Davis, Alger, Juergens, McGuiness, etc. is going to be damn difficult, not likely to be seen in my lifetime, but it is improving and that's a good thing.
 
Go back to the start of Iowa's dominance..Check the rosters, National Champs and place winners through the years. Compare to the last few years. Iowa did not have a single kid from the state of iowa in their starting lineup this year. Maybe check with the IHSAA on total participation in wrestling? I am quite sure it would be way down from years past. It was typical for Dual meets at our local high school to have multiple forfeits.
This. I was checking my old HS’s sectional results and every weight class had only 4-5 wrestlers.
 
Highly unlikely that anyone here would know what you read. We would have to defer to you on that one.

Regardless, Iowa teams routinely attend The Clash, The Cheesehead, The Dvorak, etc. I’m addition to smaller tournaments; so that’s false.
But maybe someone hallucinated, er, read the same thing?
 
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So the only time they are allowed to compete out of state when in season is during Christmas break?
I know at one time that was the rule but not 💯 sure it still is. I think there might be a component limiting to neighboring states too.
 
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Probably one of Iowa's best classes (potentially):
**Some studs in the '23 class

DateCommitedCollegeNameHigh SchoolStateProjected weight
9/23/2021​
VirginiaGriffin GammellWaukee NWIA
184​
11/2/2021​
Northern IowaWyatt VoelkerWest DelawareIA
197​
10/10/2021​
IowaNate Jesuroga (c/o 2023)Southeast PolkIA
125​
10/28/2021​
VirginiaRobert Avila Jr.Iowa City WestIA149/157
10/16/2021​
IowaBradley HillBettendorfIA
285​
9/8/2021​
Iowa StateCarter FousekCrestwoodIA125/133
9/19/2021​
IowaBen Kueter (c/o 2023)Iowa City HighIA
285​
9/6/2021​
Northern IowaGarrett FunkDon BoscoIA125/133
11/1/2021​
StanfordHunter GarvinIowa City WestIA
157​
10/10/2021​
IowaAiden RigginsWaverly Shell-RockIA165/174
10/10/2021​
IowaMickey GriffithDes Moines-LincolnIA
184​
10/12/2021​
IowaCarter MartinsonSoutheast PolkIA141/149
10/12/2021​
IowaCarson MartinsonSoutheast PolkIA149/157
10/11/2021​
IowaEaston FleshmanWest LyonIA
285​
10/11/2021​
IowaJace RhodesMason CityIA141/149
10/15/2021​
IowaRyder Block (c/o 2023)Waverly-Shell RockIA
157​
11/24/2021​
VirginiaGabe ChristensonSoutheast Polk (via Iowa)IA
197​
11/4/2021​
IowaJoel JesurogaSoutheast PolkIA
149​
11/7/2021​
Iowa StateTate Naaktgeboren (c/o 2023)Linn-MarIA
184​
3/1/2021​
Northern IowaChet BussNorth Butler-ClarksvilleIA
285​
1/7/2022​
North CarolinaCade TenoldDon BoscoIA174/184
11/14/2021​
CampbellHagen HeistandUnderwoodIA141/149
11/15/2021​
Northern IowaTrever AndersonAnkenyIA
125​
2/1/2022​
SIU EdwardsvilleMarcel LopezNew LondonIA
133​
7/13/2021​
ColumbiaEvan FrostDowling CatholicIA
133​
7/13/2021​
ColumbiaJacob FrostDowling CatholicIA
133​
Let's give this a few years and see how many of these guys "make it" at the D1 level.
 
Kids from Iowa are rarely making the transition from Iowa HS dominance to College level dominance anymore.

Whereas, PA Kids are.

What's the difference?
I think a big difference is the amount of mat wrestling they do in PA and OH. Iowa and Illinois do a lot of freestyle and greco in the summer and the PA and OH schools do not. The time spent on the mat translates into more D1 success - IMHO
 
I think a big difference is the amount of mat wrestling they do in PA and OH. Iowa and Illinois do a lot of freestyle and greco in the summer and the PA and OH schools do not. The time spent on the mat translates into more D1 success - IMHO
Interesting…
 
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Iowa HS wrestling is actually in the midst of a resurgence. No doubt it was down over a 10 year stretch but that has turned around.

Iowa kids are competing and ranked highly at much higher numbers and that is very likely a direct result of clubs like Sebolt, Big Game and others.

I hope that resurgence leads to better college performances because it appears we are bringing in a bunch of in-state recruits again.

Regardless Iowa wrestling still needs to be recruiting PA, regionally and nationally for recruits.
I agree with this. I feel the state, from a national perspective, has made a resurgence and has a lot of quality wrestling. We had a good number of nationally ranked recruits competing at the state tournament this year.
 
This is one of the best measures
True and frankly Iowa highschool kids have not been exactly overpopulating the AA ledgers for a while. Would be wise to keep that in mind when trying to build a championship team.
 
True and frankly Iowa highschool kids have not been exactly overpopulating the AA ledgers for a while. Would be wise to keep that in mind when trying to build a championship team.
Sure, let's punish the recent/current crop of Iowa H.S. kids because previous classes didn't produce. Something they have absolutely nothing to do with.

I think the Iowa Hawkeye's recent, current and future rosters clearly reflects Iowa's feelings toward in-state kids.
 
Sure, let's punish the recent/current crop of Iowa H.S. kids because previous classes didn't produce. Something they have absolutely nothing to do with.

I think the Iowa Hawkeye's recent, current and future rosters clearly reflects Iowa's feelings toward in-state kids.
I'm not saying punish anyone but they would be stupid not to keep it in mind. Be really sure in their choices.
 
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