I spent a couple of days last week in Champaign watching the Illinois state wrestling finals. Since the board's a little slow, I thought some might enjoy my non-expert opinion on a few wrestlers - some with Iowa connections & some not.
Vincent Turk (1st at 2A 145) - This guy is a beast! Rolled through his bracket without a serious challenge. Seems like he's cut out of the Iowa mold, too. After a RS year, I think he will be ready to compete for a starting position & be an AA candidate.
Joey Gunther (2nd at 3A 160) - I'm not as high on him as I am on Turk. He's definitely a quality wrestler - more than a "room guy" (whatever that means), but he will need to gain strength to compete with the top guys.
Rudy Yates (Junior, 1st at 3A 126) - All I can say is WOW! Dominated a really tough bracket & handily beat 3X champ Williams in the championship match. Seems like a great kid, too. I know there are supposedly a lot of lightweight prospects already lined up, but if he's interested I would definitely show him some love. Would love to see how he matches up against Suriano and Lee. He's short and pretty muscled out, so I imagine he would be a 133 or even a 126 in college.
Austin O'Connor (Sophomore, 1st at 3A 132) - Definitely a guy to watch. Great technical wrestler, was champ last year at 106, and looks like he may have some more growing to do.
Jack Jessen (Freshman, 2nd at 3A 170) - Wow - a freshman finishing 2nd at 170! This kid is already a great wrestler and has a great future.
Nathan Traxler (Junior, 1st at 3A 182) - I don't know if Iowa is in on this guy, but he looks like he could become a quality 197-pounder. Won a tough bracket, and I know he beat Montalvo (Illinois recruit) earlier in the year.
Timothy Young (Senior, 1st at 3A 195) - I hadn't heard of him before the tournament, but he breezed through his bracket. Was very quick & athletic. Wonder if he might be an under-the-radar guy who could really blossom in college.
Vincent Turk (1st at 2A 145) - This guy is a beast! Rolled through his bracket without a serious challenge. Seems like he's cut out of the Iowa mold, too. After a RS year, I think he will be ready to compete for a starting position & be an AA candidate.
Joey Gunther (2nd at 3A 160) - I'm not as high on him as I am on Turk. He's definitely a quality wrestler - more than a "room guy" (whatever that means), but he will need to gain strength to compete with the top guys.
Rudy Yates (Junior, 1st at 3A 126) - All I can say is WOW! Dominated a really tough bracket & handily beat 3X champ Williams in the championship match. Seems like a great kid, too. I know there are supposedly a lot of lightweight prospects already lined up, but if he's interested I would definitely show him some love. Would love to see how he matches up against Suriano and Lee. He's short and pretty muscled out, so I imagine he would be a 133 or even a 126 in college.
Austin O'Connor (Sophomore, 1st at 3A 132) - Definitely a guy to watch. Great technical wrestler, was champ last year at 106, and looks like he may have some more growing to do.
Jack Jessen (Freshman, 2nd at 3A 170) - Wow - a freshman finishing 2nd at 170! This kid is already a great wrestler and has a great future.
Nathan Traxler (Junior, 1st at 3A 182) - I don't know if Iowa is in on this guy, but he looks like he could become a quality 197-pounder. Won a tough bracket, and I know he beat Montalvo (Illinois recruit) earlier in the year.
Timothy Young (Senior, 1st at 3A 195) - I hadn't heard of him before the tournament, but he breezed through his bracket. Was very quick & athletic. Wonder if he might be an under-the-radar guy who could really blossom in college.
