James Green celebrates after a victory over Nick Marable (Photo/John Sachs, Tech-Fall.com)Though the circumstances surrounding the incident and the validity of the appeal have been brought into question there was no supporting evidence brought forward in the public domain with which to doubt Marable. That being the case if nothing was presented at the arbitration (How does one prove something like a concussion "doesn't" happen?) then the arbitrator made about the only decision they could.
Though it's highly unlikely it's not totally impossible that Marable did fall and hurt himself before weigh-ins. Because he was dehydrated? Maybe, but what if he slipped in a puddle of someone else's sweat form their plastics? I tore an MCL that way in college. Unlikely but not impossible.
USA Wrestling was within their right to deny Marable his wrestle-off and Marable was within his right to appeal. The process is meant to protect an athlete from the personal agendas of those with political roles in national federations. As such it skews towards second chances and that's a good thing.
Green won the wrestle-off in large part because he is wrestling better at this moment. He beat a VERY talented Frank Chamizo and has a better than 50 percent chance of placing at the World Championships. Support Green and choose to trust (or if you must, forgive) Marable. These are this nation's finest athletes and as always they deserve our love and support no matter their circumstance.
To your questions ...
Q: What are your thoughts on Iowa potentially having an outdoor dual meet at Kinnick Stadium in November? It's going to be freezing!
-- Mike C.
Foley: I don't know all that much about these things, but the weather forecast for Iowa in mid-November has to be chilly. There is a press conference scheduled for next week so I have to assume they'll make their plans known then.
Wrestling outdoors is probably not all that crazy. The wrestlers can wear large jackets and I assume they'll have something to cover the mats to make sure they don't become frigid and stiff.
Who will they wrestle? Unclear, but it seems unlikely to be Penn State or Ohio State since both are off the schedule. I'd like to see it be Minnesota and since the best weekend to do it might be the Minnesota football game there is a possibility of a big splash.
Kudos to Tom Brands and whatever team comes into Iowa for this spectacle as it will be a great promotion for the sport of wrestling.
Q: What do you think of Logan Storley and Ed Ruth entering MMA? With only three amateur fights in high school, do you think Storley is turning pro too early? Why or why not?
-- Gregg Y.
Foley: Support their endeavors. Wrestling is tough and if you are on the outside looking in at a weight class like 74 kilos you don't have many other options in terms of how to use your body to earn money. Ruth I'd still prefer to see compete through 2016 since I think he could regret having never made it through a cycle.
MMA is not a bad first career choice. You're young and you like to work hard, why not throw hands and use God's blessing to make some cash and maybe travel a bit more. Young guys, like most, will eventually end up in an office chair for the majority of their working life. Why not give your body a spin or two before your expiration date.
That said, I wouldn't think that you want to be in the fight game for more than 10 years. After a while you need to protect your noggin and think about a sustainable future.
Q: I read an article from the Des Moines Register a little while ago about how Tony Ramos and Matt McDonough rarely train with each other. Is this odd that these two studs don't reap the benefits of training together? I understand they have Thomas Gilman, Cory Clark, Daniel Dennis, and others to train with and they both have the same goals, but it just seems odd to me.
-- Justin H.
Foley: That makes total sense to me, though I wonder if it's totally true. There is always something to these stories that seems likely, but not enough of the story is being told. I see both these guys training hard to win, but maybe that's driven some separation between the two. Ramos' success could be motivating McD and to make friends might jeopardize that reserve.
MULTIMEDIA HALFTIME
This kid gets what sports are all about
Q: Is wrestling a lifetime sport? Can it be?
-- Mike C.
Foley: For most, wrestling can only be a lifetime sport as a spectator. Crashing into the ground and having your head pounded on by a 19-year-old is not something men in their 50's should be doing with any consistency, or likely at all.
We are passionate group and like most I'm sure that you and I will continue to follow the action on the mat until our blue hairs tumble onto the ground.
Q: Why are schools limited to 9.9 scholarships? It's kind of crazy that top 10 teams only have 4-5 guys on full rides.
-- @alliseeis_
Foley: The 9.9 rule is a limitation by the NCAA that ensures gender equality and is in line with the number of starting wrestlers on each Division I, II, and III squad in competition. The rule has been in place for decades and has worked fine since most schools can cobble together financial aid packages from wealthy endowments and are allowed to cutup and divide those scholarships in any amount they choose.
Also in the current system (Death to the NCAA) most graduating seniors don't merit a full ride. Some do, but the majority should have to earn their way up from 60 percent to a full ride based on performance, though with some guarantees it doesn't go down.
Q: Cael recently talked about David Taylor, and gave this quote in an article on Pennlive.com: "He (Taylor) has to decide what he's doing. I'm not so sure we won't be seeing him move up a weight because he is a big kid. He doesn't have trouble but he's big enough and it might be better for him in the long run.''
Do you think we could see Taylor at 86 kilos as early as 2016?
-- Mike C.
Foley: Yes. I think that statement teases what is coming. Taylor goes to 86 kilos and tries to take on Jake Herbert for the World Team spot. I think that for Team USA to field him up a weight would be a coup and it's rational for him to go somewhere he fits, but also somewhere he can represent his country and maybe medal at the Olympic Games.
Q: Will wrestling be a part of your honeymoon? Does your fiancé know how to score a match yet?
-- @WrestlGreatness
Foley: Not yet, but I have her watching full dual matches and am standing overtop screaming in disbelief when she mistakenly marks the scoring maneuvers out of order.
As for the honeymoon, I am trying for a wrestling trip to Mongolia but so far the response has been tepid. She's been very understanding of my insane travel schedule so I think I'll reciprocate and be understanding of her need to sit on a beach or explore some new country.
Happy wife, happy life.
Oklahoma State signee Joe Smith dominated in Fargo (Photo/John Sachs, Tech-Fall.com)-- Mike C.
Foley: I'd predict a two-time NCAA champion and four-time All-American. Given the recent performances of true freshmen, however, I don't think a third title is out of the realm of possibility. His dad is John Smith.
Maybe we can get Muir to make some lines?
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