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Soldier Salute Session #4

Lol. This has nothing to do with feelings. Drake is a big boy and so is Spencer. Tom can pull both aside and say “listen I’m calling the shots here. We’re not wrestling tonight.” Shit show avoided simple as that. Again there was nothing for either wrestler, let alone the program to gain from wrestling this match. But it did and, viola! More unneeded drama.
I tend to agree with your final comments but consider this - they are trying to get a new tournament off the ground and you can’t have every finals match between two Iowa wrestlers called off because you’re worried about how the “loser” handles it.
 
Explain to me why it’s false now that you witnessed it.

I guess I want to know what is there to gain in wrestling any match outside of the National Tournament then? You don't think Spencer needs some good matches before then? You don't think Ayala could use the experience of wrestling a 3x (soon to be 4x) National Champ? You don't think that the (possibly) most popular wrestler in Iowa History MFFing at the first every SoldierSalute would be a bad look?

There was a lot to gain from the match. There is the normal amount of risk as any other match. I'm not sure Brands can really concern himself with a parent getting butt hurt.
 
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Zero hard feelings here gents.. Just call as I see it. Happy New Year and here’s looking up your assets!

Paramount Network Bro GIF by Yellowstone
 
Hopefully all this drama does not lead Ayala to leave, if he did I would think UNI would be his landing spot. 🤞 that don’t happen.
 
Thank you…I’ve watched it three times. Still trying to figure out what everyone is up in arms about? Doesn’t look like he’s even jawing at Ayala afterwards…Drake exits screen to the right, Spencer turns to the right and says some thing towards a different direction, then takes out mouthpiece and says something else-seems like nothing there to me
And even if there was, it wasn't much.
 
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As an attendee of the tournament what a fun two days. Got to spend 2 days with my dad. Got to see a ton of wrestling including some guys that hopefully are the future of the program that I would not otherwise watch. Extreme Arena is a really nice facility and we were able to sit really close to the action all tournament. Tickets were dirt cheap and the tournament was run well. I hope it grows a lot next year.
 
same people were saying no way should spencer wrestle day 2, then no way spencer wrestles tonight he's done. now why wouldn't he wrestle competitors compete.pick a lane or park it
 
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my position is that i would hope all involved would have acted more maturely. spencer as a 6th year man and face of the program should not be showing up teammates like that. you’re spencer lee. ayala’s family should not be airing dirty laundry.

but @Gobblin is also right. it’s toms responsibility to manage the relationships on the team, especially between two such important pieces. if there is any hint of animosity there, the match doesn’t happen. this relationship needs to be ironed out. if that includes taking spencer down a notch, reminding him who he is and what he means to the program, so be it.
F that.

The coaches need to do whatever they need to do to get Spencer ready to win his fourth. Sometimes Spencer is the biggest thing in the way of Spencer, and the coaches have to find a way to get that chip on his shoulder back. They clearly found it today.

If this has long term repercussions then it's a Drake problem, not an Iowa problem. (IMO, of course)
 
Goblin: how can you comment when you don't know anything first-hand? What a joke.
Because I have on opinion?? What exactly do I need to know “first hand” to make my opinion any different?

But seriously, respectfully, enlighten us if you would…
 
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Drake needs to go 133 anyway. He’s got the frame for it easily. He looks so sucked in at 125. With all the talk surrounding Jesuroga right now Drake may be stuck at 125. He just needs to go up and Iowa hit the portal for a 125er next year.

I think the worst thing Lee did was use Drake’s chest to help himself up lol. The words were nothing.
 
Drake needs to go 133 anyway. He’s got the frame for it easily. He looks so sucked in at 125. With all the talk surrounding Jesuroga right now Drake may be stuck at 125. He just needs to go up and Iowa hit the portal for a 125er next year.

I think the worst thing Lee did was use Drake’s chest to help himself up lol. The words were nothing.

Confused Gary Coleman GIF
 
Yikes... The Ayala clans acting like the...well, Ferraris. 😵‍💫
Well, it’s a unique situation. It apparently took until today for DA to feel the power of SL. With him coming off an injury, he and his family might have thought this would be a good time to….

It really is too bad that DA hasn’t had the chance to be dominated by Spencer on a regular basis at this point in his career.
 
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Would it of been ok if Drake slapped his hand off him then stood up and gotten in Lee’s face
while Spencer was standing over him? I don’t think what Spencer did is anything crazy but if Drake had that response I wouldn’t of blamed him either.
Need more of this in wrestling honestly. Just don’t usually see it between teammates. Even tho they’re the ones you want to hit the hardest and beat the worst haha
Drake wanted it and he got it lol.
 
Good tourney despite lacking the competition of Midlands. Great to see IA vs IA matches--a rare treat, and no one wants to see forfeits in the finals.

Lee needed those matches badly. I didn't like his antics after the Ayala match (petty and surprising), but he gave Ayala props in post-tourney interview. Kudos to Ayala, frankly, for not forfeiting. Give Angie Ayala a break, and Gobblin too. It's a nothing burger.

For the record, Ayala had a great tourney coming off injury, beating #14 Berginic (Army). Good motion to both sides, good conditioning.

Schriever: good tourney, beat HM Rini (Columbia).

Woods: Great.

Murin: Solid.

Rathjen: Great tourney, looks better at 149. Beat NQ Zollman (Wyo), Echemendia, and held his own against Murin (7-4).

Kennedy: needs work on conditioning, but solid.

Swafford: good for 2 matches, hope okay.

Assad: A for getting in deep on shots, C for finishing. 9-6 win over an SDSU back-up in semis, SV over true frosh Berge, who had a 5-3 record coming into this tourney. Hope his leg is okay.

Franklin over Glazier was a pleasant surprise; hopefully has a higher ceiling than Glazier (who had a good 3rd place match). Franklin didn't back down against Warner.

Warner: Great.

Cass: Great.

Overall, we mostly seem to be where we need to be, if we can get/keep everyone healthy for B1Gs/NCAAs.
 
Typically agree with Gobblin, but I'm fine with the Lee v Ayala final, as long as there was medical clearance. And no problem with Lee's 2 sec "stare" at the end - pretty much a big nothing, imho.

Dan Gable took beatings vs the older and more experienced Bobby Douglas early in his career. While some practice matches were close, Gable lost to Douglas 11-1 in the '68 Olympic trials. Gable gives Bobby Douglas a lot of respect and also some credit in his development. Drake could use this match as a motivator (and his mom should stay off social media cesspools).
 
As an attendee of the tournament what a fun two days. Got to spend 2 days with my dad. Got to see a ton of wrestling including some guys that hopefully are the future of the program that I would not otherwise watch. Extreme Arena is a really nice facility and we were able to sit really close to the action all tournament. Tickets were dirt cheap and the tournament was run well. I hope it grows a lot next year.
Same, had a great time with my family. Lots of wrestling, love that they made sure everyone got 3-4 matches. Great to see schools like Wyoming that we don't see often - still wonder if the Kennedy Moody match set a record for tallest coaches in the corners with Telford and Branch. Loved being able to hang out with my daughter and watch the women's matches and be close enough to keep an eye on the men's mats. I mean they could knock a couple dollars of the drinks but other than that, great weekend and can't wait for next year.
 
I got a sweet PSU wrestling hoodie.. it's too small though. :(


Off topic... Does anyone know where Drake Ayala receives his mail?
Aw man that sucks. I got money. Might use it to partially build a new pc but pc's are on the expensive side for me. I usually go around $1500 not too cheap but not overkill.

Drake probably gets mail at his dorm lobby or if he's off campus his apartment/house.
 
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Because I have on opinion?? What exactly do I need to know “first hand” to make my opinion any different?

But seriously, respectfully, enlighten us if you would…
An opinion based on what? Why so negative? Watch the interview Lee gave. He gave Drake major props and even reminds folks that he is also returning from injury. Super respectful interview.

Doesn't appear to be any issues from that interview. I saw nothing that anyone had to be ashamed of... Drake will have his time and will contend for national titles. You're working really hard to make something out of nothing. Again, watch the interview--it says a lot that matters whereas, I have an opinion as well, nothing you say makes any sense.
 
My take on the whole thing for what it's worth and not that anyone cares.

One: Angie Ayala: It's fine that you care about your son. It's fine that you have feelings about a match of his. With all of that said you are going to have many more days like today for both Drake & Dru. Learn to deal and cope with it and keep it to yourself.

Drake: Sorry that a match with your teammate had to get blown to this proportion. Proud that you wanted to toe the line with the best of the best. Good for you. More good to come.

Spencer: No idea what it's like to come back from an injury like yours. No idea the weight you bear. With that said a little more eligience when it comes to wrestling a teammate in a public tournament would be much appreciated by all involved. You are on a stage none of us can relate to, so we can't speak from experience, & guessing by your post match interview that you regret the unneeded light you brought to it and the attention it brought to Drake and yourself. You've been there before and will definitely be there again. Act like it.

Tom: please take ownership of this and speak to it.
 

174​

Brennan Swafford (2-3) placed 6th.

  • Champ. Round 1 - Brennan Swafford (Iowa) 2-3 won by decision over Devan Hendricks (Bellarmine) 4-2 (Dec 6-3)
  • Quarterfinal - Brennan Swafford (Iowa) 2-3 won by decision over Nick Fine (Columbia) 5-2 (Dec 9-6)
  • Semifinal - Benjamin Pasiuk (Army West Point) 13-3 won by medical forfeit over Brennan Swafford (Iowa) 2-3 (M. For.)
  • Cons. Semi - Devan Hendricks (Bellarmine) 4-2 won by medical forfeit over Brennan Swafford (Iowa) 2-3 (M. For.)
  • 5th Place Match - Graham Calhoun (Wisconsin) 4-2 won by medical forfeit over Brennan Swafford (Iowa) 2-3 (M. For.

Hey PinDox, hoping your brother is OK. I don’t need details (keep that in the family) just hoping he’s OK and the MFF wasn’t a serious deal.
 
An opinion based on what? Why so negative? Watch the interview Lee gave. He gave Drake major props and even reminds folks that he is also returning from injury. Super respectful interview.

Doesn't appear to be any issues from that interview. I saw nothing that anyone had to be ashamed of... Drake will have his time and will contend for national titles. You're working really hard to make something out of nothing. Again, watch the interview--it says a lot that matters whereas, I have an opinion as well, nothing you say makes any sense.
Nice interview. I freaking love Spencer Lee. Didn’t like the way tonight was handled. Sorry I’m not sorry…. Or enlightened.
 
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