Will Tom Brands lead Iowa to another national championship?

[HoundedHawk]

The poll results are optimistic. A strong majority believing Tom will take us to the top again. Probably most of those who do not think so don't look to be Hawk fans - if their posting names are any indication.

I really thought there would be more for what I voted for, that is close to a 50/50 deal. After all, it will be at least 9 years no matter what.

 

[diggerpup]

A few years ago (2013?) when Rick Durso of tiny Franklin & Marshall made All-American at 141 at NCAAs, there were something like 10 different colleges from Pennsylvania represented at NCAAs:

1. Penn St
2. Lehigh
3. Pitt
4. Edinboro
5. Clarion
6. Penn
7. Drexel
8. Bucknell
9. Lock Haven
10. Franklin & Marshall

Show me another state that can represent that well in college wrestling.

 

[CFNiteHawk85]

A few years ago (2013?) when Rick Durso of tiny Franklin & Marshall made All-American at 141 at NCAAs, there were something like 10 different colleges from Pennsylvania represented at NCAAs:

1. Penn St
2. Lehigh
3. Pitt
4. Edinboro
5. Clarion
6. Penn
7. Drexel
8. Bucknell
9. Lock Haven
10. Franklin & Marshall

Show me another state that can represent that well in college wrestling.

You must be confused. This is Hawkeye Report and not BWI. We don't care about the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. There seems to be a lot of confusion around that point lately.

 

[WWDMHawkeye]

I would concur with your assessment with respect to college and Olympic level. Iowa City is the "mecca". On the other hand, the "State" of Pennsylvania is the breeding ground for the majority of D1 prospects. So it comes down to ones definition of "mecca". Just an observation, not a criticism.

True. No doubt PA is the ultimate hotbed of high school wrestling. My definition relates only to college wrestling. Hopefully Iowa becomes more and more of a Mecca in the eyes of more and more PA high school studs! I like the way things are trending. . . .

 

[artradley]

Cael might stop to reload again. That will be the chance, just need to make sure the Hawks are better equipped than the bucknuts to take advantage of the opportunity.

Seriously. Brands' kids know how to wrestle and are always tough. Gotta figure Brands probably wins another one. 3 seasons after this one PSU will have already lost Zain and will lose the 3 Ns. Nobody knows what their replacements will be capable of. I would imagine they will be very good, but you don't know until you get there.

PSUs newcomers this year, Suriano, Hall, and Joseph may be almost as impressive as the 3 Ns were last year.

This is the depressing thing. We feel as if our recruiting is really picking up, but I still don't think we're doing as well as PSU.

 

[Grip220]

This is the depressing thing. We feel as if our recruiting is really picking up, but I still don't think we're doing as well as PSU.

Disagree if there is a good chance at Sasso and Steveson I will take the Hawkeye 2017-19 recruits over the lions all day..

 

[Kwoodhawk]

A few years ago (2013?) when Rick Durso of tiny Franklin & Marshall made All-American at 141 at NCAAs, there were something like 10 different colleges from Pennsylvania represented at NCAAs:

1. Penn St
2. Lehigh
3. Pitt
4. Edinboro
5. Clarion
6. Penn
7. Drexel
8. Bucknell
9. Lock Haven
10. Franklin & Marshall

Show me another state that can represent that well in college wrestling.

That's really pretty cool.

How many of them have won NCAA's?

We have Iowa of course, Iowa State and Cornell College.

Now your turn............

 

[140wildcatv2]

That's really pretty cool.

How many of them have won NCAA's?

We have Iowa of course, Iowa State and Cornell College.

Now your turn............

Don't forget UNI won it as well

 

[Ja1339]

True. No doubt PA is the ultimate hotbed of high school wrestling. My definition relates only to college wrestling. Hopefully Iowa becomes more and more of a Mecca in the eyes of more and more PA high school studs! I like the way things are trending. . . .

Yea, because what PA kid would want to pass up on a chance to wrestle in the Mecca for the third or fourth best team in the country

 

[diggerpup]

It's your forum and you're obviously entitled to your opinions. And you state a very impressive resume for the state of Iowa.

I simply posted the PA college tidbit because simply proclaiming Iowa the "best college wrestling state" in a total vacuum really isn't a strong argument.

You at least have to look around at other states as well.

But, whatever. It's your board. Do what you want. Lol

 

[GOLDBANGER]

It's your forum and you're obviously entitled to your opinions. And you state a very impressive resume for the state of Iowa.

I simply posted the PA college tidbit because simply proclaiming Iowa the "best college wrestling state" in a total vacuum really isn't a strong argument.

You at least have to look around at other states as well.

But, whatever. It's your board. Do what you want. Lol

Don't forget Bloomsburg University which produced many a National Champion, three by Ricky Bonomo. Not a team title contender but very respectable in it's hay day. They've fallen on tough times since Roger Sanders retired.

 

[wasdt21]

nice of pup to give us permission to post as we want.

 

[nearfall2]

The state of Oklahoma I'm sad to say is wrestling Mecca.☹️ They have won 41 national titles. The state of Iowa is second with 33. Pennsylvania is third with 6. Pennsylvania won't be wrestling Mecca for a very very long time.

On a side note. Oklahoma State has won a title in every decade except this one. This year might be their last good chance left this decade.

 

[rossel 33]

Simply stating some facts FT. What got you so upset?

Oh now I remember.... you get all hissy and defensive when people point out that Cael gets a lot of top recruits. Everyone is supposed to ignore that and attribute PSU's success to Cael's superior coaching skills.

Remember when you posted this on themat forum?

"btw, I think getting a recruiting class ranked first is a albatross because it gives opposing fan bases too much fodder. Iowa fans use to use it against Cael and now they are dealing with it from unruly fans such as myself."

Be sure to have your mommy wipe your nose.

 

[CFNiteHawk85]

It's your forum and you're obviously entitled to your opinions. And you state a very impressive resume for the state of Iowa.

I simply posted the PA college tidbit because simply proclaiming Iowa the "best college wrestling state" in a total vacuum really isn't a strong argument.

You at least have to look around at other states as well.

But, whatever. It's your board. Do what you want. Lol

LOL. At the risk of sounding like an Ok St. wrestling/UCLA basketball/Nebraska football fan, this state has produced 33 national team championships. But PSU has won 6 and Edinboro has finished in the Top 10 a handful of times so clearly it would be foolhearty to dismiss Pennsylvania in a contest of "best college wrestling state."

 

[Flying_Tiger]

Simply stating some facts FT. What got you so upset?

Oh now I remember.... you get all hissy and defensive when people point out that Cael gets a lot of top recruits. Everyone is supposed to ignore that and attribute PSU's success to Cael's superior coaching skills.

Remember when you posted this on themat forum?

"btw, I think getting a recruiting class ranked first is a albatross because it gives opposing fan bases too much fodder. Iowa fans use to use it against Cael and now they are dealing with it from unruly fans such as myself."

Be sure to have your mommy wipe your nose.

Penn State gets all the top recruits, Waaa! It's not fair, Waaa! Someone pop this bubble, Waaa!

You have actually become worse then Jammenz.

Keep up the bad work and cry me a river!

btw, your quote of my post makes absolutely no sense. Penn State wins championships with their good recruiting classes. Not much for you to say, well other then Waaa!!

 

[WWDMHawkeye]

The state of Oklahoma I'm sad to say is wrestling Mecca.☹️ They have won 41 national titles. The state of Iowa is second with 33. Pennsylvania is third with 6. Pennsylvania won't be wrestling Mecca for a very very long time.

On a side note. Oklahoma State has won a title in every decade except this one. This year might be their last good chance left this decade.

It all depends on your definition of a "Mecca". Mecca, as most of you know, is the foremost site for Muslim pilgrims. It's a prime destination for practicing Muslims. So if I'm talking about a the Mecca of college wrestling -- the prime destination for college wrestlers, coaches, and fans, I think Iowa wins, hands down, for the reasons I stated above.

For all of those whose posts I don't see who are evidently squabbling about this, I'm not claiming that the U of I is currently on top of the heap -- they obviously aren't, but I think they'll get back there soon. Nor am I claiming that the U of I has the most national titles -- they obviously don't, as they trail Okie State 33 to 23 at the moment. But if we're talking about college wrestling Mecca, at least based on my definition above (which, to me, makes the most sense), I think it's a no-brainer.

 

[Grip220]

I never should have used the term Mecca
I'am formerly removing the word Mecca and replacing with pinnicale ..

 

[24 so far]

A few years ago (2013?) when Rick Durso of tiny Franklin & Marshall made All-American at 141 at NCAAs, there were something like 10 different colleges from Pennsylvania represented at NCAAs:

1. Penn St
2. Lehigh
3. Pitt
4. Edinboro
5. Clarion
6. Penn
7. Drexel
8. Bucknell
9. Lock Haven
10. Franklin & Marshall

Show me another state that can represent that well in college wrestling.

That's pretty good from a D1 perspective relative to wrestling, for sure.

Iowa has had multiple DI, Juco, DIII and NAIA National Champions, on a fairly regular basis dating back to when most people who are reading this have been alive.

It's all population relative. Pennyslvania can support that many larger schools, Iowa can't. Pretty simple really. But kudo's to Penn for having them for Wrestling, not the case everywhere obviously.

But frankly, in our lifetimes, from a DI College Wrestling perspective, the "tiny" States of Iowa and Oklahoma have blown the doors off all those Pennyslvania schools combined.

 

[Ja1339]

But frankly, in our lifetimes, from a DI College Wrestling perspective, the "tiny" States of Iowa and Oklahoma have blown the doors off all those Pennyslvania schools combined.

Agreed 23. And kudos to Iowa, Iowa St., OSU, and U of O on their incredible wrestling tradition and success. I do find it amazing that so many titles have been won by just those two states, incredible really.

I'd add that the Mecca/Pinnacle argument can be bolstered by Spencer Lee's comments about wanting to wrestle in Carver.

But since the topic of this thread was whether Tom will win another title at Iowa, I do think it's fair to take a what have you done for lately perspective in judging Brands' future prospects. I'd say Iowa's incoming class is incredible, and will make them very competitive in a couple of years. And if Brands can land Steveson, I think the odds of another title go way up.

But you have to also agree that PSU is the current beast in college wrestling, and the juggernaut shows no signs of slowing down.

 

[24 so far]

Agreed 23. And kudos to Iowa, Iowa St., OSU, and U of O on their incredible wrestling tradition and success. I do find it amazing that so many of titles have been won by just those two states, incredible really.

I'd add that the Mecca/Pinnacle argument can be bolstered by Spencer Lee's comments about wanting to wrestle in Carver.

But since the topic of this thread was whether Tom will win another title at Iowa, I do think it's fair to take a what have you done for lately perspective in judging Brands' future prospects. I'd say Iowa's incoming class is incredible, and will make them very competitive in a couple of years. And if Brands can land Steveson, I think the odds of another title go way up.

But you have to also agree that PSU is the current beast in college wrestling, and the juggernaut shows no signs of slowing down.

They are, and you'd have to be a complete idiot to refute that. That said, there are a few teams that can hold water with them, but Iowa isn't currently one of them in my opinion. Not with an injured Cory Clark and an already out Sam Stoll. Iowa has not held up their end of the deal at NCAA's recently, not even close. Until that changes, expect more of the same.

Frankly we've been spoiled rotten, and while I don't think Iowa should be winning NCAA's every year, we should be very serious contenders most years, and some would say EVERY YEAR (I would be one of those). And we aren't, IMO.

Brands is signed thru 2020 or 2021 I believe. If he hasn't won a Title in that time, he should be let go, IMO. That is far too long a stretch with all the resources Iowa has for Wrestling, and that reflects on the Head Coach. Period. Love having the Brands Bro's in Iowa City, but not getting it done is not getting it done, regardless of who it is. So hoping for the best.

 

[pablow]

A few years ago (2013?) when Rick Durso of tiny Franklin & Marshall made All-American at 141 at NCAAs, there were something like 10 different colleges from Pennsylvania represented at NCAAs:

1. Penn St
2. Lehigh
3. Pitt
4. Edinboro
5. Clarion
6. Penn
7. Drexel
8. Bucknell
9. Lock Haven
10. Franklin & Marshall

Show me another state that can represent that well in college wrestling.

Iowa, Oklahoma and Minnesota combined have only 9 D1 schools, yet have won 72 NCAA wrestling champioships. All 14 PA D1 schools have won 6. Big deal.

 

[sweatybetty]

If Iowa thought they had a California pipeline, that valve is about to shut off. Lennie and Troy will be hitting the trail hard now that they have D-1 schollies.

TnT need to build an Trump fence around Iowa (again) before Bono or Dresser or whomever comes back and turns ISU into a pre 1977 juggernaut.

 

[Gobblin]

If Iowa thought they had a California pipeline, that valve is about to shut off. Lennie and Troy will be hitting the trail hard now that they have D-1 schollies.

TnT need to build an Trump fence around Iowa (again) before Bono or Dresser or whomever comes back and turns ISU into a pre 1977 juggernaut.

Hey man, pass that over!

 

[GOLDBANGER]

They are, and you'd have to be a complete idiot to refute that. That said, there are a few teams that can hold water with them, but Iowa isn't currently one of them in my opinion. Not with an injured Cory Clark and an already out Sam Stoll. Iowa has not held up their end of the deal at NCAA's recently, not even close. Until that changes, expect more of the same.

Frankly we've been spoiled rotten, and while I don't think Iowa should be winning NCAA's every year, we should be very serious contenders most years, and some would say EVERY YEAR (I would be one of those). And we aren't, IMO.

Brands is signed thru 2020 or 2021 I believe. If he hasn't won a Title in that time, he should be let go, IMO. That is far too long a stretch with all the resources Iowa has for Wrestling, and that reflects on the Head Coach. Period. Love having the Brands Bro's in Iowa City, but not getting it done is not getting it done, regardless of who it is. So hoping for the best.

"Spoiled rotten" is exactly the term I used on the drive to the PSU/Maryland bloodbath. It's hard for me to remember when we didn't have anyone even make the semis at Nationals, but not all that long ago that was the fate of PSU. The only thing that's important is to know, NOTHING lasts forever and you get on the way back down what you gave on the way up. Sure, we were jealous of Iowa's success back in the day, but jealousy without respect is dangerous.

 

[JustWrestle133]

2017-2018 Season- is a Penn State and Ohio State Battle (PSU lose Zain, tOSU loses Synder, Tomasello, and BoJo)

2018-2019 Season- is all Penn State. Iowa will be in the running for 2nd, although with some others including wildcard ASU. Penn State Loses Nolf, Nickal, and Nevills.

2019-2020 Season- This is where Iowa has a real shot. Lee, Kem, Marinelli, Warner, Happel, Teasdale, Young,

125- Lee...>...Busiello/Suriano
133- Teasdale...<...Suriano/Cortez
141- Murin...<...Lee
149- Happel...<...Bravo-Young
157- Kem...>...Manville
165- Bull...>...Berge
174- Young...<...Jeosph
184- Wilke (or Wilson)..<...Hall
197- Warner...>...Nevills (or HS JR. Hoffman)
Hvy- The Stevenson recruitment battle could decide it. But until then: Costello...>...Nicholas

Hard to predict this far out, but on paper this looks like a year that Iowa could slay the beast. tOSU, OSU, and ASU could each be very good too, but the 2019-2020 season has a LOT of potential with Stevenson still in play and I have heard some unconfirmed rumors that Karoly might be in play for Iowa for 184 as well.

 

[LaxHawk174]

2017-2018 Season- is a Penn State and Ohio State Battle (PSU lose Zain, tOSU loses Synder, Tomasello, and BoJo)

2018-2019 Season- is all Penn State. Iowa will be in the running for 2nd, although with some others including wildcard ASU. Penn State Loses Nolf, Nickal, and Nevills.

2019-2020 Season- This is where Iowa has a real shot. Lee, Kem, Marinelli, Warner, Happel, Teasdale, Young,

125- Lee...>...Busiello/Suriano
133- Teasdale...<...Suriano/Cortez
141- Murin...<...Lee
149- Happel...<...Bravo-Young
157- Kem...>...Manville
165- Bull...>...Berge
174- Young...<...Jeosph
184- Wilke (or Wilson)..<...Hall
197- Warner...>...Nevills (or HS JR. Hoffman)
Hvy- The Stevenson recruitment battle could decide it. But until then: Costello...>...Nicholas

Hard to predict this far out, but on paper this looks like a year that Iowa could slay the beast. tOSU, OSU, and ASU could each be very good too, but the 2019-2020 season has a LOT of potential with Stevenson still in play and I have heard some unconfirmed rumors that Karoly might be in play for Iowa for 184 as well.

Manville i dont think will be making 157 anytime. He couldnt make 152 with a 5 lb allowance for an all star dual last year and has been wrestling like 80kg.

Think Hall is a career 174, i cant ever see him at 184. Dont think Joseph ever moves up either.

Also, Karoly has already commited to Northwestern. Are you hearing rumors he may be decommitting?

I think 2018 recruiting class will be the proving grounds for 2020-2022 team titles. Steveson in play at HWT. Who knows to what degree iowa has a chance, but have to believe we get a look. Sasso very much in play for Iowa, would be a huge get. Then of course solidifying teasdale. Also Nelson Brands! PSU already has RBY, Wittlake, and Joe Lee. This recruiting season will be an exciting one im sure, Iowa will land someone big yet. Could rival the 2017 class. Time will tell.

 

[nitlion6]

You must be confused. This is Hawkeye Report and not BWI. We don't care about the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. There seems to be a lot of confusion around that point lately.

Really? No interest in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania?
You aren't the dude stalking Teasdale's facebook account and tweeted him about his facebook favorites are you?
An Iowa wrestling fan stating they have no interest in Pennsylvania? You can't help yourself.

 

[CFNiteHawk85]

Really? No interest in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania?
You aren't the dude stalking Teasdale's facebook account and tweeted him about his facebook favorites are you?
An Iowa wrestling fan stating they have no interest in Pennsylvania? You can't help yourself.

Nope. Don't have the time or inclination to hang on a recruit's every word. I don't get off obsessing over children. Likewise, PSU would be a much better place today if everyone there shared that mentality.

 

[Nashville_Hawkeye]

Not really, it depends on the options. PSU has some places that are like that as well. Hard to tell anything in a few years but having a top 10 backup isn't always a bad thing. Clark / Gilman at 125... I think Gilman could have done just as well that year. Wish we had a Stoll / Bradley or something this year that was close to his production level

I'm with you. The landscape would sure look a lot different if we had someone to step in and fill the holes at 197 and 285. I feel sorry for Wilcke and Holloway (especially Holloway) almost every meet.

 

[redghost1974]

Brands has has the worst luck with injuries in his tenure as coach, with heavy being the biggest soft spot. For some reason we cannot get a recruit from freshman to senior with out a surgery. Look at the other injuries MdD, DSJ, Morningstar, Clark (hoping for top 3 at least), Moore (is still think had more than mental issues), and every single heavy. That is a lot to make up for. Cael has the Altons and a single year at heavy? The only program more injury plagued than us is maybe Minny.

 

[Pennstate1985]

Brands has has the worst luck with injuries in his tenure as coach, with heavy being the biggest soft spot. For some reason we cannot get a recruit from freshman to senior with out a surgery. Look at the other injuries MdD, DSJ, Morningstar, Clark (hoping for top 3 at least), Moore (is still think had more than mental issues), and every single heavy. That is a lot to make up for. Cael has the Altons and a single year at heavy? The only program more injury plagued than us is maybe Minny.

PSU has had more injuries than that, but we have not had any serious injuries to my recollection among our star wrestlers. <knock on wood> McD, DSJ, Clark, Stoll, etc are heavy hitters for Iowa and that has to have an impact on the other members of the team.

 

[GOLDBANGER]

You must be confused. This is Hawkeye Report and not BWI. We don't care about the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. There seems to be a lot of confusion around that point lately.

I'm thinking y'all over here do care about the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. If not, stay out of our borders when you're recruiting...just sayin' you may care more than you wish to admit. Just an observation.

 

[CFNiteHawk85]

I'm thinking y'all over here do care about the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. If not, stay out of our borders when you're recruiting...just sayin' you may care more than you wish to admit. Just an observation.

I don't do any recruiting so I can't speak to that. I'll agree not to post at BWI. That is about all I can do.

 

[JustWrestle133]

Manville i dont think will be making 157 anytime. He couldnt make 152 with a 5 lb allowance for an all star dual last year and has been wrestling like 80kg.

Think Hall is a career 174, i cant ever see him at 184. Dont think Joseph ever moves up either.

Also, Karoly has already commited to Northwestern. Are you hearing rumors he may be decommitting?

I think 2018 recruiting class will be the proving grounds for 2020-2022 team titles. Steveson in play at HWT. Who knows to what degree iowa has a chance, but have to believe we get a look. Sasso very much in play for Iowa, would be a huge get. Then of course solidifying teasdale. Also Nelson Brands! PSU already has RBY, Wittlake, and Joe Lee. This recruiting season will be an exciting one im sure, Iowa will land someone big yet. Could rival the 2017 class. Time will tell.

I wouldn't disagree about any of the PSU weights, I was just spitballing out a potential lineup 2 seasons from now. Originally people thought Hall was a 160 and he still looks rather lean now at 174. If he hits the weights like Zain did I could easily see him going up. The same can be said for Joseph.

I made the comment about Karoly, because some of my friends who are Northwestern supporters had made comments over the last couple months about how he wasn't a solid lock, mostly because of in State recruit Jack Jessen coming in who is ranked higher in the same weight class. It would be a long shot in reality at this point so long in the process. Unfortunately, even if he did decommit from northwestern, I have no idea if he or Iowa have any interest in each other. You also have to figure Northwestern has quite a bit of scholarship money available right now after the exodus of talent from their program. Their offer might be very hard to replicate for elite programs. However, I was thinking that Iowa could recruit over Wilke at 184. Perhaps Wilson is a legitimate option right away. Maybe someone like Karoly is still in play out there. I don't know of any great options. I do really like Montalvo from Buchanan, California. I only have been able to watch him twice, both times at the Clash the last two years. He made a major jump from last year to this year, He could be one to watch next year. He cracked the top 20 this year and sits at #19 in the weight class currently.

 

[LaxHawk174]

I wouldn't disagree about any of the PSU weights, I was just spitballing out a potential lineup 2 seasons from now. Originally people thought Hall was a 160 and he still looks rather lean now at 174. If he hits the weights like Zain did I could easily see him going up. The same can be said for Joseph.

I made the comment about Karoly, because some of my friends who are Northwestern supporters had made comments over the last couple months about how he wasn't a solid lock, mostly because of in State recruit Jack Jessen coming in who is ranked higher in the same weight class. It would be a long shot in reality at this point so long in the process. Unfortunately, even if he did decommit from northwestern, I have no idea if he or Iowa have any interest in each other. You also have to figure Northwestern has quite a bit of scholarship money available right now after the exodus of talent from their program. Their offer might be very hard to replicate for elite programs. However, I was thinking that Iowa could recruit over Wilke at 184. Perhaps Wilson is a legitimate option right away. Maybe someone like Karoly is still in play out there. I don't know of any great options. I do really like Montalvo from Buchanan, California. I only have been able to watch him twice, both times at the Clash the last two years. He made a major jump from last year to this year, He could be one to watch next year. He cracked the top 20 this year and sits at #19 in the weight class currently.

I'm not sure exactly how big Jessen or Karoly are, think theres any chance either see 174 in college? If so, all the commitments could work out for NW. Could have something like this in the upper weights for NW.
174 - Jessen/Karoly
184 - Jessen/Karoly
197 - Beard
285- Chakonis