Pretty sad reading some of the posts on this site regarding the Hawks.

[Hawkirish]

I understand a lot of the posters are people who only pay attention to wrestling for a few days each year (nothing wrong with that as wrestling needs casual fans) and a few are posters who seem to always find the negative in every situation. Just to correct some on here - Iowa was not the favorite before the year started - it was OSU and Minny. Iowa was right there along with Mizzou & Cornell. Take a look at a few programs below the Hawks in the standings if you want to see some teams who have not performed.Hawks absolutely could have wrestled much better but they made a run at it and I do think they improved as a team from the beginning of the year. If Nick was healthy and 100% I would have felt like the Hawks could win it - with him hurt you knew Iowa had to have a near perfect tourney - they didn't. In my opinion I like Iowa's chance better next year vs. what I expected before the tourney this year - they will have a couple "horses" that I don't think we had this year. I don't think it's unreasonable to say we may be better (or even depending on Clarks result) at every weight other than HWT next year when it comes to tourney potential.



I get frustrated watching some things like everyone else but I give credit to anyone who puts the singlet on for the Hawks (or any wrestlers at this level for that matter) so congrats to the seniors. They're Hawks and I appreciate their efforts. Maybe, just maybe they accomplished all they were capable of. If you've watched them wrestle you probably kind of know what their ceilings were. They may not have wrestled to some fans expectations but if they gave everything they had well I'm ok with that. There's enough hate for Iowa wrestling from the outside - too bad you see such negative bs here but everyone is entitled to an opinion.

Bring a NC home Mr. Clark!!

 

[Gobblin]

Re: Pretty sad reading some of the posts on this site regarding the H

God bless ya!!!
Posted from Rivals Mobile

 

[Knight563]

Re: Pretty sad reading some of the posts on this site regarding the H

Amen good man!

 

[Durant03]

Agreed HawkIrish! It gets old with all the negativity on this board over the last couple days.

 

[Auger]

One problem I have is I live out West and help coach wrestling clinics. There has been a tremendous effort in trying to grow the sport out here but despite the efforts numbers continue to dwindle. The Iowa name still holds a lot of weight out here but not near as much as it used to. Kids used to watch Iowa wrestlers to learn technique and skill and also dream of winning in the NCAA's. With the downfall of offense in the NCAA's the love of the sport and fanfare of its teams has been dropping in kids these past few years. More and more kids stop wrestling after middle school the sport is getting boring and with kids that no longer care about watching the NCAA's they have no drive to wrestle in college. Iowa is not helping the sport any with the way they have been wrestling. I don't know if Olympic wrestling will survive the next time it is on the chopping block at this rate. So when Iowa wrestling falls back and looks the way they have it hurts wrestling as a sport some.

 

[mtvernonhawk]

Well said Hawkirish. The rest of the country hates us so lets stick together when things get tough. We have a few on here that jump shit every things go wrong. Ohio State and Minn were the consensus favorites to start the year. Iowa ended up putting their name in and about got it done. 2-3 matches the other way and its mostly rainbows on here.

 

[86_90]

Originally posted by mtvernonhawk:
Well said Hawkirish. The rest of the country hates us so lets stick together when things get tough. We have a few on here that jump shit every things go wrong. Ohio State and Minn were the consensus favorites to start the year. Iowa ended up putting their name in and about got it done. 2-3 matches the other way and its mostly rainbows on here.

Welcome to the board. Very active first day for you. Are you one of those "...long time reader just sick of all the negativity" types who just felt compelled to finally set up an account today?

Or are you and gobblin making a big come-back, big bro and little sis back to clean up the board?

 

[Jackhawk87]

Well said Hawkirish.

 

[ih8iast8]

& the board idiot strikes again....welcome mtvernonhawk...please ignore 86_90, he's like herpes, comes on strong & ugly when things get stressed around here.

 

[GG121AND2]

Originally posted by 86_90:

Originally posted by mtvernonhawk:
Well said Hawkirish. The rest of the country hates us so lets stick together when things get tough. We have a few on here that jump shit every things go wrong. Ohio State and Minn were the consensus favorites to start the year. Iowa ended up putting their name in and about got it done. 2-3 matches the other way and its mostly rainbows on here.

Welcome to the board. Very active first day for you. Are you one of those "...long time reader just sick of all the negativity" types who just felt compelled to finally set up an account today?

Or are you and gobblin making a big come-back, big bro and little sis back to clean up the board?

Uncalled for response. Try to show a little class when warranted.

 

[86_90]

Originally posted by ih8iast8:
& the board idiot strikes again....welcome mtvernonhawk...please ignore 86_90, he's like herpes, comes on strong & ugly when things get stressed around here.

Pretty funny, but not original...it's someone else's internet joke. If you would attempt to contribute an ORIGINAL thought you might be better received. Again, ORIGINAL thoughts, comments and suggestions are what most probably come here for. Parroting other posters is hardly worth your time, is it?

 

[Gobblin]

Re: Pretty sad reading some of the posts on this site regarding the H

Originally posted by 86_90:

Originally posted by ih8iast8:
& the board idiot strikes again....welcome mtvernonhawk...please ignore 86_90, he's like herpes, comes on strong & ugly when things get stressed around here.

Pretty funny, but not original...it's someone else's internet joke.  If you would attempt to contribute an ORIGINAL thought you might be better received.  Again, ORIGINAL thoughts, comments and suggestions are what most probably come here for.  Parroting other posters is hardly worth your time, is it?

I truly hope you find peace someday.
Posted from Rivals Mobile

 

[Tony Hawk]

I'm all for voicing your opinion by calling a spade(jeva) a spade. But never once should you wish they never wrestled for Iowa. Without Jeva we win no co championship in the big tens. Saying the senior class has done nothing it's a joke. Just be proud that 2nd isn't good enough! And I'm also over the inside information BS. Quite trying to play the I'm more informed than you are card. It's childish and some of you damn babies! Emotional train wreck fan base at every down turn. Frickin A were grown a$$ men and women. Grow up or go home. If you want to pretend you're a tough guy and say "you should be put to sleep" step up to the person on the other side of screen. Don't just be the Internet tough guy. That's old too. Some of you are clowns and im okay with it but some it's not even worth logging on here anymore because it's terrible stuff to read.

When Ethan got caught shooting a duck with his bow I called for his head and I still stand behind the fact I think he should have never wrestled again last year for the Hawks. This board is based for opinions and to talk wrestling about the team you love and the sport you love. I use to hate spooner but all he wants to talk about is his opinions and wrestling. Im good with that. I use to think he was just a prick but really he's a just prick with some good opinions and good wrestling knowledge. That's what sports are all about. Conversation and fun. When it becomes more than that you need to take a step back and re-evaluate your life. I have barely commented on this board this year because it's gross. Everyone wants to attack each other for their opinions. So what's the point?


And yes at some point it's going to start costing us recruits whether you want to hear it or not.

 

[20X]

I think it's funny how we get 2nd and everyone thinks that makes our lack of scoring and intensity okay. The patterns the last 4 years mean more to me. We get worse as careers go on and worse as the years go on. Kids that used to shoot quit shooting. We seldom beat guys ranked or seeded above us. It use to happen a lot now it's sporadic. I don't care if we get first..we still need to learn to be offensive. That's the difference in this sport.

 

[Gobblin]

Re: Pretty sad reading some of the posts on this site regarding the H

Originally posted by Tony Hawk:
I'm all for voicing your opinion by calling a spade(jeva) a spade. But never once should you wish they never wrestled for Iowa. Without Jeva we win no co championship in the big tens. Saying the senior class has done nothing it's a joke. Just be proud that 2nd isn't good enough! And I'm also over the inside information BS. Quite trying to play the I'm more informed than you are card. It's childish and some of you damn babies! Emotional train wreck fan base at every down turn. Frickin A were grown a$$ men and women. Grow up or go home. If you want to pretend you're a tough guy and say "you should be put to sleep" step up to the person on the other side of screen. Don't just be the Internet tough guy. That's old too. Some of you are clowns and im okay with it but some it's not even worth logging on here anymore because it's terrible stuff to read.

When Ethan got caught shooting a duck with his bow I called for his head and I still stand behind the fact I think he should have never wrestled again last year for the Hawks. This board is based for opinions and to talk wrestling about the team you love and the sport you love. I use to hate spooner but all he wants to talk about is his opinions and wrestling. Im good with that. I use to think he was just a prick but really he's a just prick with some good opinions and good wrestling knowledge. That's what sports are all about. Conversation and fun. When it becomes more than that you need to take a step back and re-evaluate your life. I have barely commented on this board this year because it's gross. Everyone wants to attack each other for their opinions. So what's the point?


And yes at some point it's going to start costing us recruits whether you want to hear it or not.

I sincerely apologized Tony. If that's not good enough for ya, so be it. Take care man.
Posted from Rivals Mobile

 

[1stplacehawk]

Originally posted by 20X:
I think it's funny how we get 2nd and everyone thinks that makes our lack of scoring and intensity okay. The patterns the last 4 years mean more to me. We get worse as careers go on and worse as the years go on. Kids that used to shoot quit shooting. We seldom beat guys ranked or seeded above us. It use to happen a lot now it's sporadic. I don't care if we get first..we still need to learn to be offensive. That's the difference in this sport.

We only scored 2 less bonus points than tOSU in the tourney. We had plenty of guys that got after it. Some guys are extremely difficult to score on. Other teams have well conditioned talented kids, and it's not easy to just score takedown after takedown.

 

[Urohawk]

I think Iowa fans just need to realize several things:

1. Iowa wrestling can't out condition everyone like Gable used to. His coaching tree is wrestling and everyone understands those techniques.

2. Gable was able to psychologically hone his wrestlers to have a competitive edge.That is why he is one of the greatest coaches of all time in any sport. You can imitate, but you can't duplicate.

3. There is a lot of parity these days. A great wrestler doesn't have to go to Iowa to succeed. Scholarship money is limited and many will go to a place that can pay them. You don't HAVE to be in Iowa's room to be successful. It simply isn't THE place to be anymore.

The guys wrestled hard. The seniors have given it their all. The coaches need to start doing something different and need to take a look at the program and personal but I don't think for a second they have given up or aren't looking for ways to improve. Wrestling today is just a different paradigm.

 

[Gobblin]

Re: Pretty sad reading some of the posts on this site regarding the H

Originally posted by Urohawk:
I think Iowa fans just need to realize several things:

1. Iowa wrestling can't out condition everyone like Gable used to.  His coaching tree is wrestling and everyone understands those techniques.

2. Gable was able to psychologically hone his wrestlers to have a competitive edge.That is why he is one of the greatest coaches of all time in any sport.  You can imitate, but you can't duplicate.

3. There is a lot of parity these days.  A great wrestler doesn't have to go to Iowa to succeed. Scholarship money is limited and many will go to a place that can pay them.  You don't HAVE to be in Iowa's room to be successful.  It simply isn't THE place to be anymore.

The guys wrestled hard.  The seniors have given it their all.  The coaches need to start doing something different and need to take a look at the program and personal but I don't think for a second they have given up or aren't looking for ways to improve.  Wrestling today is just a different paradigm.

Another tremendous post.
Posted from Rivals Mobile

 

[1stplacehawk]

Originally posted by Urohawk:
I think Iowa fans just need to realize several things:

1. Iowa wrestling can't out condition everyone like Gable used to. His coaching tree is wrestling and everyone understands those techniques.

2. Gable was able to psychologically hone his wrestlers to have a competitive edge.That is why he is one of the greatest coaches of all time in any sport. You can imitate, but you can't duplicate.

3. There is a lot of parity these days. A great wrestler doesn't have to go to Iowa to succeed. Scholarship money is limited and many will go to a place that can pay them. You don't HAVE to be in Iowa's room to be successful. It simply isn't THE place to be anymore.

The guys wrestled hard. The seniors have given it their all. The coaches need to start doing something different and need to take a look at the program and personal but I don't think for a second they have given up or aren't looking for ways to improve. Wrestling today is just a different paradigm.

Agreed. My biggest gripe is that every time one of our guys loses it is the wrestlers or coaches fault. Sometimes that may be the case, but the competition also deserves credit. Other teams have great coaching, talent and training partners. Sometimes our guy loses because the other guy is simply a touch better

 

[hawks_82]

Originally posted by 1stplacehawk:

Agreed. My biggest gripe is that every time one of our guys loses it is the wrestlers or coaches fault. Sometimes that may be the case, but the competition also deserves credit. Other teams have great coaching, talent and training partners. Sometimes our guy loses because the other guy is simply a touch better

X 1,000,000

 

[20X]

Here is what i think most people on this board are Hawk fans and are just upset with how we have finished the season.That being said im not happy with our lack of attempts to score and sitting on leads. Tom Brands and the wrestlers talk every match about getting to their offense earlier and more often. This just does not happen consistently. So my question is how do Brands and the wrestlers fix this? Iowa wrestling was built on this mind set!

 

[WWDMHawkeye]

Originally posted by 1stplacehawk:

Originally posted by Urohawk:
I think Iowa fans just need to realize several things:

1. Iowa wrestling can't out condition everyone like Gable used to. His coaching tree is wrestling and everyone understands those techniques.

2. Gable was able to psychologically hone his wrestlers to have a competitive edge.That is why he is one of the greatest coaches of all time in any sport. You can imitate, but you can't duplicate.

3. There is a lot of parity these days. A great wrestler doesn't have to go to Iowa to succeed. Scholarship money is limited and many will go to a place that can pay them. You don't HAVE to be in Iowa's room to be successful. It simply isn't THE place to be anymore.

The guys wrestled hard. The seniors have given it their all. The coaches need to start doing something different and need to take a look at the program and personal but I don't think for a second they have given up or aren't looking for ways to improve. Wrestling today is just a different paradigm.

Agreed. My biggest gripe is that every time one of our guys loses it is the wrestlers or coaches fault. Sometimes that may be the case, but the competition also deserves credit. Other teams have great coaching, talent and training partners. Sometimes our guy loses because the other guy is simply a touch better

Great thread, for the most part. I especially agree with the above sentiments. Casual wrestling fans are great, as the more wrestling fans, be they passionate or casual, the better. However, this time of year, whenever things aren't going our way at Nationals, there's a predictable onslaught of "this isn't the Iowa wrestling I know and love" baloney. Sounds a lot like some folks have been asleep since the late 90's and aren't aware that Gable is retired and there's far more parity in college wrestling than ever before.

It's a free country, and far be it from me to attempt to control what anyone says on a message board, but I do hope each of us Iowa fans makes a concerted effort to focus on the positive and emphasize our support for our wrestlers, their families, and our coaches. I'm not saying we shouldn't acknowledge our weaknesses, lament losses, etc., when appropriate. Things aren't all roses and unicorns all the time in any program, and it would be foolish to pretend otherwise, but I think everyone will be better off if we just think for a moment before we share out thoughts with cyberspace -- imagine we were speaking in person to the wrestler and/or coach in question and ask ourselves if we'd feel comfortable saying it to their faces.

We have some great young kids in the program, some fantastic recruits already itching to be Hawkeyes, and many more on the way, I'm sure. The HWC is growing stronger every day and will be making a statement this summer. Lots of reasons for excitement around Iowa wrestling and the HWC! Let's make sure our guys know we have their backs!

Let's go CORY CLARK, and GO HAWKS!

 

[hogghawk]

Originally posted by 1stplacehawk:

Originally posted by Urohawk:
I think Iowa fans just need to realize several things:

1. Iowa wrestling can't out condition everyone like Gable used to. His coaching tree is wrestling and everyone understands those techniques.

2. Gable was able to psychologically hone his wrestlers to have a competitive edge.That is why he is one of the greatest coaches of all time in any sport. You can imitate, but you can't duplicate.

3. There is a lot of parity these days. A great wrestler doesn't have to go to Iowa to succeed. Scholarship money is limited and many will go to a place that can pay them. You don't HAVE to be in Iowa's room to be successful. It simply isn't THE place to be anymore.

The guys wrestled hard. The seniors have given it their all. The coaches need to start doing something different and need to take a look at the program and personal but I don't think for a second they have given up or aren't looking for ways to improve. Wrestling today is just a different paradigm.

Agreed. My biggest gripe is that every time one of our guys loses it is the wrestlers or coaches fault. Sometimes that may be the case, but the competition also deserves credit. Other teams have great coaching, talent and training partners. Sometimes our guy loses because the other guy is simply a touch better

John Smith said it best yesterday. There are a lot of great coaches now spread all across the states. They are working harder and coaching harder than ever before. It is competition like never before and is harder than it was 20 years ago. The kids are focusing on 1 sport from a young age and they are getting very good at a young age. Look how many freshman are coming in and winning a title there first year on the varsity mat. There are some things our kids could do better and every team has that, but our Hawks work just as hard as anyone. Our titles will come, but it won't be 2 and 3 in a row and we may go 8 to 10 without one. It makes for a funner tournament and more exciting though. Go Hawks