I think some poster said he was hurt last year. Does anyone in the know have any info on his development as a freshman? Could he step in and do well for us next year or is he still way off?
skyler st. john
- Thread starter Besthawkfan
- Start date
Someone posted recently that he will have a say as to who our 157 pounder is over the next couple years. In my opinion, if that is the case, we are in trouble.
I think this year it looks like Rhoads or Cooper. Next year will be Kemerer or Sorenson.
Cooper was clearly too small for 57 last year, but he hung close with BS and BG at 49--definitely no slouch. Has he put on any muscle over the past 5 months? Let's hope. Rhoads always had potential but never really improved (8-4 last year). Not expecting a sudden burst of improvement at this late juncture. I'm putting my chip on Cooper, but my fantasy is that St. John comes out of nowhere and beats Imar to win NCAAs.
Cooper looked a little bigger at universities. Legs still looked alittle small for the weight. He was lighting quick and got to the legs easy. With alittle more strength he will finish most of his takedowns. He did get out of and put himself in bad position a few times and guys didn't have to much of a problem getting to his legs. If he's on constant attack he's hard to beat. I feel that he is a better folk style wrestler then free. Hopefully Rutt will get some more strength on him before the start of the season. I expect him todo better then Kelly, but 157 is very deep this year.
Let's get it strait that I'm not making any "bold" predictions for Skyler... Just want people to understand how tough he's gotten in such a brief time. He's the kind of kid that gets better everyday and has more than enough grit to keep it up... Might be even more ornery than his big bro, which is saying a ton.
He'll have plenty to say about who wrestles '57 this year.
He'll have plenty to say about who wrestles '57 this year.
And speaking of "sleepers"... Put Cole Erickson in the same category as SSJ.
Nobody's putting words in your mouth Gobblin...just saying he's your darkhorse. Hope you're right.
Not really sure why, but Erickson is the future "dark horse" for me. Gut feeling. He's gonna push some people, and maybe push them clear out of the way.
Please do not confuse me with spoons. Thank you.
That said, from what I understand SSJ has improved by leaps and bounds.
First of all we are talking about replacing Mike Kelly. Don't get me wrong, I thought Kelly did just fine last year, but we are talking about a guy who finished 9th in the Big Ten and was 0-2 at NCAAs. Out of all that, why would it be so crazy that just about anyone on the roster could be a serious factor for this weight? I am not being a downer, just pointing me out that there is no super stud FR ready to take over, most of the "favorites" will be guys moving up from their natural weight class.
So yeah, I don't think it's crazy that St. John will have something to say about who starts. I assume he'll be in the wrestle off, which means he'll have his opportunity to show what he can do.
So yeah, I don't think it's crazy that St. John will have something to say about who starts. I assume he'll be in the wrestle off, which means he'll have his opportunity to show what he can do.
This does not surprise me one bit. This is a kid that went from a non state qualifier as a freshmen (JV) and sophomore to a 5th place and state runner up. His growth as a wrestler was fun to watch.
You would not have believed he was capable of placing 5th his Junior year if you had seen how sick he was. Had to go to the hospital after the second (?) day of the tournament. Pure grit got him through the next few matches.
SSJ is a tough guy. Does not have the background of Derek, but definitely has some potential. Count me as one fan that's pulling for him.
I would not bet against Skyler. Kid is getting better and better. I love that some feel he won't be that good. I guarantee you he will use it for motivation to prove everybody wrong. Derek was my favorite Hawk when he wrestled and Skyler is working his way up to my new favorite. If he wins the spot I guarantee he will do better than Kelly did....
High praise Spoons. Just saw him in high school so he must be a late developer. I'll take your word.
I get it, was sort of making reference to last summer, when DeVos was the guy who was going to come in and surprise everyone at 157... I love rooting for Iowa kids.. but with hammers like Kemerer and Marinelli coming in... going to be tough to break in at those weights.. plus Sorensen already there.
Need some recruiting news, wish Suriano would go ahead and verbal to the Hawks already ;-)
Need some recruiting news, wish Suriano would go ahead and verbal to the Hawks already ;-)
Very late bloomer, lol. Kudos to the DeVos reference from last summer love fest from some posters. Smh
Holding his own can be misleading. There is a difference between Tarp holding his own vs Brands back in the day and Devos holding his own vs Mike Kelly or Cooper or Thomsen or Lembeck or Rhoads. etc.
Look im all for SSJ being a huge surprise but were talking about guys around this weight that couldn't beat out Mike Kelly or even beat out a 50% banged up Nick Moore. Nick was so banged up he shouldnt have been starting. Bottom line is the depth at 157/165 is seriously lacking compared to other weights and it shows. So holding his own is relative. .
Look im all for SSJ being a huge surprise but were talking about guys around this weight that couldn't beat out Mike Kelly or even beat out a 50% banged up Nick Moore. Nick was so banged up he shouldnt have been starting. Bottom line is the depth at 157/165 is seriously lacking compared to other weights and it shows. So holding his own is relative. .
I thought he was injured last year. Plus he may have been better but holding a red shirt last year. I guess that is what makes him a mystery.
Do you keep forgetting that Devos and SSJ were injured? I would rather wish Devos good luck instead of speculating he left due to not being able to make the lineup. Unfortunately he had to have surgery and we didn't get to see if he was capable or not.
