Otto Black

[so cal hawkfan]

This kid seems to have been a bit under the radar. I’m curious how all this International Greco success translates to the collegiate season. He’s competed at multiple weights internationally. Does that mean he’s fits in at 141 or 149 next season? Kids a lot of f*n to watch. He’s a real bulldog out there and likes to scrap. Easy to root for.

 

[SPOONER]

Unless he’s a unicorn, it doesn’t translate at all.

 

[WildTurk]

Unless he’s a unicorn, it doesn’t translate at all.

Sure it does

 

[ChiPackHawk]

Unless he’s a unicorn, it doesn’t translate at all.

Not at all? That’s a bit too absolute.

 

[js8793]

Sure it does

Historically, it hasn't. Doesn't mean it won't for Otto, but we shouldn't be predicting high level folkstyle results based on his greco success.

 

[SPOONER]

Sure it does

It does? How many Greco stars (guys who don’t also have top level free or folk success) end up at or near the top of the podium at NCAAs?

 

[intrepodor]

This kid seems to have been a bit under the radar. I’m curious how all this International Greco success translates to the collegiate season. He’s competed at multiple weights internationally. Does that mean he’s fits in at 141 or 149 next season? Kids a lot of f*n to watch. He’s a real bulldog out there and likes to scrap. Easy to root for.

Great name for a wrestler.

 

[WildTurk]

It does? How many Greco stars (guys who don’t also have top level free or folk success) end up at or near the top of the podium at NCAAs?

Yes it does translate. Wrestling is Wrestling. They are better all around because of it. You won't change my mind. I've talked to way too many experienced wrestlers to think differently.

 

[WildTurk]

Historically, it hasn't. Doesn't mean it won't for Otto, but we shouldn't be predicting high level folkstyle results based on his greco success.

I just said the wrestling translates. Even if a little. I never predicted him to have high folkstyle results because of it.

 

[93hawkeye]

Sam Stoll was a Greco star who was a good folkstyle wrestler.

 

[12tdsaw]

rulon

 

[AFHawk86]

Colton Schultz and Adam Coon.

Historically it’s the heavyweights that have a higher likelihood of translating success from Greco to folkstyle. Probably because folkstyle for the big boys more closely resembles Greco.

 

[OptionalStart]

Minnesota has some. Brandon Paulson, Garrett Lowney and Jake Dietchler had a lot of potential.

Thielke from WI was one recently that struggled in folk.

 

[dtripp26]

Thielke from WI was one recently that struggled in folk.

Man, I thought that kid was going to be incredible...but as @SPOONER said, elite greco results don't generally translate to collegiate success.

 

[SPOONER]

Yes it does translate. Wrestling is Wrestling. They are better all around because of it. You won't change my mind. I've talked to way too many experienced wrestlers to think differently.

We’re talking success, not skills.

Sam Stoll was a Greco star who was a good folkstyle wrestler.

He was. He was also an accomplished freestyler so he doesn’t factor into this convo.

Colton Schultz and Adam Coon.

Historically it’s the heavyweights that have a higher likelihood of translating success from Greco to folkstyle. Probably because folkstyle for the big boys more closely resembles Greco.

Schultz also won Fargo in freestyle and was accomplished on the national scene in folk. Adam Coon won gold at worlds in cadet freestyle. That’s two more guys who don’t factor into what we are talking about.

That said, your point about HWT was a good one.

Minnesota has some. Brandon Paulson, Garrett Lowney and Jake Dietchler had a lot of potential.

Thielke from WI was one recently that struggled in folk.

Paulson won multiple US freestyle titles. Dietchler did nothing in college. Lowney won at least 3 junior national freestyle titles.

My goodness, guys. This is a poor effort.

 

[Grip220]

I think Otto can make some waves in folk and the good lord knows he is training with the right guy, ADS.
BUT and this pains me to say it, Spooner is right. Does he have the skills to defend shots and get off bottom then maybe he can have an impact, he will be fun to watch!

 

[Libertylover]

I think Otto can make some waves in folk and the good lord knows he is training with the right guy, ADS.
BUT and this pains me to say it, Spooner is right. Does he have the skills to defend shots and get off bottom then maybe he can have an impact, he will be fun to watch!

Is he a redshirt freshman this year, just not training with the team because of his Greco goals??

 

[AFHawk86]

Is he a redshirt freshman this year, just not training with the team because of his Greco goals??

No, he’s not on the roster.

 

[Libertylover]

No, he’s not on the roster.

Is he still in high school or just taking a year off to do only Greco?

 

[AFHawk86]

Is he still in high school or just taking a year off to do only Greco?

He was part of the 2024 recruiting class but I couldn’t find him in the student directory.

 

[funnyfletcher]

Isn't he enrolling second semester?

 

[nu2u]

I’ve already trademarked “Ottomatic” and expect financial windfalls as he conquers college and international wrestling.

 

[Steevo36]

Is he still in high school or just taking a year off to do only Greco?

I'm pretty sure he is Grey shirting this year. I think his dad said as much on here.

 

[The Vak]

I'm pretty sure he is Grey shirting this year. I think his dad said as much on here.

He is.

 

[so cal hawkfan]

We’re talking success, not skills.



He was. He was also an accomplished freestyler so he doesn’t factor into this convo.




Schultz also won Fargo in freestyle and was accomplished on the national scene in folk. Adam Coon won gold at worlds in cadet freestyle. That’s two more guys who don’t factor into what we are talking about.

That said, your point about HWT was a good one.




Paulson won multiple US freestyle titkles. Dietchler didn’t nothing in college. Lowney won at least 3 junior national freestyle titles.

My goodness, guys. This is a poor effort.

Randy Couture and Matt Lindland.

 

[SPOONER]

Randy Couture and Matt Lindland.

Not only was Lindland never an AA, he won several age level national titles in freestyle.

Couture, I’m not sure about. Maybe you’re onto something as I can’t find his freestyle accomplishments, though he had some. At the end of the day, it’s been over 30 years since he’s competed thus reinforcing the point.

 

[so cal hawkfan]

Not only was Lindland never an AA, he won several age level national titles in freestyle.

Couture, I’m not sure about. Maybe you’re onto something as I can’t find his freestyle accomplishments, though he had some. At the end of the day, it’s been over 30 years since he’s competed thus reinforcing the point.

My goal was to get you looking up stuff on the internet. Mission accomplished.

 

[SPOONER]

My goal was to get you looking up stuff on the internet. Mission accomplished.

I have 5 hours riding in a vehicle today so I appreciate you.

 

[so cal hawkfan]

My goal was to get you looking up stuff on the internet. Mission accomplished.

FWIW Lindland is an unusual case. In 1993 he wrestled for Nebraska. He won the B12s and was the number 1 seed at the National tournament. He lost in the first round (majored by a unseeded wrestler, who also didn’t place) then medically forfeited out of the tournament.

 

[SPOONER]

FWIW Lindland is an unusual case. In 1993 he wrestled for Nebraska. He won the B12s and was the number 1 seed at the National tournament. He lost in the first round (majored by a unseeded wrestler, who also didn’t place) then medically forfeited out of the tournament.

Correct. Quite a story. But he still had all the other years and was a multiple time national freestyle champ.

 

[Twoooooooo]

Earl Walker from Boston. Next year I believe Walker placed 3rd. One of my favorite memories of going to nationals

 

[12tdsaw]

could you imagine being in a car for 5 hours with spooner

 

[so cal hawkfan]

Correct. Quite a story. But he still had all the other years and was a multiple time national freestyle champ.

Spooner predicting “multiple national titles” for Otto.

 

[SPOONER]

could you imagine being in a car for 5 hours with spooner

It’s great.

Spooner predicting “multiple national titles” for Otto.

🤔 Perhaps you don’t understand the discussion. Greco specialists and success at the NCAA level.

 

[so cal hawkfan]

It’s great.



🤔 Perhaps you don’t understand the discussion. Greco specialists and success at the NCAA level.

Perhaps your sarcasm meter is broken. C’mon Spooner, I’m very rarely serious. I am however serious about enjoying the fight I’ve seen from Otto Black. He’s not the typical pedestrian Greco guy. He’s super physical and aggressive. I imagine he gets to spend a lot of time training with ADS, which can’t be bad for his folkstyke development.

 

[Sdwrestler_20]

Wasn't Ryan Mango a Greco specialist?

 

[SPOONER]

Wasn't Ryan Mango a Greco specialist?

He was a cadet and junior national champ in freestyle.

 

[tiltman]

Not gana lie Spooners doing a damn good job defending and proving his point. Here’s to hoping Otto can buck the trend!

 

[UndercoverHawk]

Should we keep going to test his knowledge? I’ll start with a softball. Wasn’t Cory Clark a Greco national champ?

 

[SPOONER]

Should we keep going to test his knowledge? I’ll start with a softball. Wasn’t Cory Clark a Greco national champ?

You know, after a while it stops being fun.