Patrick Rhoads Appreciaion Thread

[WWDMHawkeye]

Here's a young man who has worked his tail off for 5 years in the Iowa room and earned himself a spot in the lineup for his last season. Now that his career has ended, I think he deserves a thread of his own for Hawk fans to honor him.

I was glad to see him let the fur fly in his first conso match, get a nice win, and have the opportunity to run off the mat to a standing O from Iowa fans.

I do believe Patrick had more ability than he allowed himself to believe deep down, but that kind of self confidence can be the biggest barrier for any wrestler. The mental aspect of the sport is usually the toughest. Still, he gave it his best shot and represented the U of I with class. I wish him the best in the next chapter of his life!

 

[SandBuff]

I think he's an engineering major so I'm sure he has a bright future.

Add to that he wrestled at Iowa and has the work ethic that it implies. Impressive combination.

 

[ping72]

If he wins his 7/8 match today does he have a decent shot at a wildcats? He'll add 1 more criterion.

 

[SPOONER]

Not so fast. He has another match today. And with a win...who knows?

 

[Vallholl]

Rhoads has Morelli (PSU) for 7th place. I am just fine if Patrick goes ahead and wins that match. 100% okay with that, actually.

 

[SCstunners]

I wouldn't say his career is "over". He has a decent shot at a WildCard with a win today.

 

[lookleft goright]

These are the type of guys I admire the most. The kid could have quit anytime, but instead he stuck it out and now as a senior is a starting Hawk. That is something most people will never be able to say. The guys that grind out 5 years with little or no glory are the people we call the unsung heroes in our culture.
I am so glad he got a standing ovation from the Hawk fans. Such a classy thing to do.

 

[The catman]

Great last match at Carver. Can't think of anyone better to have beaten either.

 

[Kwoodhawk]

He's 13-11 this year and all his losses are to guys ranked in the top 10 of the NCAA coaches poll...............so maybe


http://www.hawkeyesports.com/sports/m-wrestl/spec-rel/030616aab.html

 

[Chopper25]

Deserves a Wildcard in my book.

 

[Vallholl]

Plus he finished higher than Morelli and therefore has to make it harder for Morelli to go and not Rhoads. Cautiously optimistic. But if his last match was beating a PSU wrestler at CHA to secure 2nd place, I'd say he can sleep well at night with that.

 

[Airbhghater]

Thought he wrestled hard today and yesterday. Hope he gets in but if not, I appreciate his efforts.

 

[akaoni]

Was happy to give him a big hand at CHA today. Congrats on a great season, hope it has one last chapter (or at least a denouement) in a couple of weeks.

 

[Old_wrestling_fan]

D1 wrestling is a tough business, I admire anyone that can work their way through that grind and finish on a high note. Congrats to Rhoads!

 

[WWDMHawkeye]

Great posts above. Also great to see Patrick with a quality win and another standing O today! Loved it when he waved to the crowd. It was clear that the fan support meant a lot to him.

 

[WWDMHawkeye]

Here's a young man who has worked his tail off for 5 years in the Iowa room and earned himself a spot in the lineup for his last season. Now that his career has ended, I think he deserves a thread of his own for Hawk fans to honor him.

I was glad to see him let the fur fly in his first conso match, get a nice win, and have the opportunity to run off the mat to a standing O from Iowa fans.

I do believe Patrick had more ability than he allowed himself to believe deep down, but that kind of self confidence can be the biggest barrier for any wrestler. The mental aspect of the sport is usually the toughest. Still, he gave it his best shot and represented the U of I with class. I wish him the best in the next chapter of his life!

Just to set the record straight, hopefully a wildcard comes Patrick's way and he gets a chance to "let it fly" in NYC. Otherwise, I stand by every word! Very happy for that young man for the cool experience he got to have in front of the best wrestling fans in the nation this weekend.

 

[Vallholl]

Happy to see that Mr. Rhoads got a WC.

I cannot imagine that there are too many people not named "Patrick Rhoads", "Linda Sperry" or "Tim Rhoads" that thought Patrick would be wrestling in NYC.

The cool thing is, it doesn't matter what anyone thinks as name will be on a bracket tomorrow at 6 PM.

 

[moug]

I lived in Madison for several years before recently moving out west and was able to see a few freestyle tourneys in Madison at that time. Patrick was off the radar for the most part at that time and the roster had about 100 guys trying to make a name for themselves in the 149/157 range and he was one of them. While I personally didn't strike up a conversation with his family who were there, you could tell from nearby that he has a great family and support system. Hindsight is a wonderful thing and I'm not surprised looking back that he found his way into the lineup however he could and happy as hell for him and his family he gets an opportunity to continue putting that black singlet on a few more times!

 

[Vallholl]

I lived in Madison for several years before recently moving out west and was able to see a few freestyle tourneys in Madison at that time. Patrick was off the radar for the most part at that time and the roster had about 100 guys trying to make a name for themselves in the 149/157 range and he was one of them. While I personally didn't strike up a conversation with his family who were there, you could tell from nearby that he has a great family and support system. Hindsight is a wonderful thing and I'm not surprised looking back that he found his way into the lineup however he could and happy as hell for him and his family he gets an opportunity to continue putting that black singlet on a few more times!

I am fine with Patrick if he wants to go out and win a few matches and keep wrestling into Saturday.

And I recall his family posting here last year that when Iowa traveled to Okie St, they stopped at Patrick's HS to get a work out in.

http://dailyiowansports.com/?p=3144

And then found articles about the 5 years for Patrick in the room.
https://www.thepredicament.com/2016/01/rhoads-leads-iowa-rout-minnesota/

https://www.thepredicament.com/2015/11/long-winding-road-iowas-rhoads/

 

[WWDMHawkeye]

I think it's time for one Patrick Rhoads to shock the world. Bring on Dieringer!

 

[whejoe]

Patrick Rhoads, strongest man in the world! Good luck, young man!

 

[wasdt21]

I am happy his perseverance paid off for him and yaknow what he could score a couple of point out east.

 

[LaxHawk174]

I was really happy to be wrong about thinking he wouldn't get a WC! He's got nothing to lose, hopefully he lets the fur fly at NCAAs and lets loose on that offense of his that is outstanding when he believes in himself! Stranger things have happened at NCAA's than someone of Rhoads' caliber AAing.

 

[Vallholl]

I got to sit with Rival_Me on Saturday. Every time he got a TD, I turned to him and said, "He's scored more points in the room this month than his entire career" and he kept winning.

Hard work and dedication get results, amazing. I wonder what would happen to Foley's mailbag if he were to AA?

 

[JohnBasedow]

Bump. I'm sure Patrick is not happy with how his career finished but he fought hard and that means a lot in my book. Thanks for 5 solid years. Hope he does well with his post wrestling life.

 

[vanhawkman]

I'm hoping nothing but success for Patrick, but I really wished that he would have let it go for this tournament. He's not afraid to stand and go with a guy, just doesn't want to shoot. Disappointing for sure, but, he was a Hawkeye, and he gave himself to us for 5 years. Thank you, Patrick, good luck to you and your future.

 

[WWDMHawkeye]

I'll pylon. . . .

Thanks, again, Patrick! Best of luck in the next phase of your life! Hawk fans appreciate all that you've given to the program!