Older guys just don't have the support systems to get proper training! College kids like Deirenger,Cox, Retherford did better than expected due to older guys not getting better over time (Herbert/Metcalf) Olympic Wrestling just doesn't mean what it used to 15-20 years ago.
It's a young man's sport for Olympic Gold!
- Thread starter Wrestlerneverdiesasacatfan
- Start date
i agree that the old dudes ruled - but jeez - i was happy to see the young bucks out there.
esp - Hall / Pico
esp - Hall / Pico
Years ago,guys like Baumgartner and Joe Williams,Gable,excelled for years after college. Not so much anymore. JB is only 3-4 years out of school. Wrestling is more difficult than tennis now when you are over 26,27 years old. No money in the sport. More options for kids these days. Heck,I only see one Olympic medal from JB out of this bunch. Wrestling still means something in Russia or Iran,but not in good ole USA!
There is something to be said for going through the rigors of a folkstyle season as preparation for Freestyle success. Herbert did have his best year that first year he made the team following his last collegiate season. There are other cases of guys doing well coming off of a collegiate season (Cox, Ramos, Burroughs, Snyder and others all made the team while in college or coming off of a collegiate season)
However, there are plenty of times where that has not been the case. Ask Imar or Gabe Dean how well the college season prepared them for the OTT's.. they are so banged up from the college season they didn't even wrestle this weekend.
However, there are plenty of times where that has not been the case. Ask Imar or Gabe Dean how well the college season prepared them for the OTT's.. they are so banged up from the college season they didn't even wrestle this weekend.
