Sports fans and content consumers have long paid for content and while I was happy for my thoughts to be free, I think that the current model is more representative of the work put into the column (and all the other awesome InterMat content). And since you're reading this, you've made the jump and are along for the ride for at least another year. As before, I'll do my best to provide a fresh perspective on the people, places and institutions that impact the direction of our sports and community. I'm grateful for your readership.
I hope you and your families had a wonderful thanksgiving and enjoy the weekend together.
To your questions …
Trent Hidlay is undefeated and ranked No. 4 at 184 pounds (Photo/NC State Athletics)Q: Hayden Hidlay and Trent Hidlay are doing some great things at their weight classes. They could potentially both make the NCAA finals. Were the Brands brothers the last to do it?
-- D.D.
Foley: The Hidlays are awesome to watch and I agree that it's great to see brothers perform at a high level, on the same team, in the same year. Their mother and father must be pretty proud. I would be. Also, they are both ACC wrestlers which is nice to see.
The last finalist brothers are the Brands brothers, but the Williams brothers (Joe and T.J.) were only a year apart.
Q: Iowa vs. Wisconsin on Sunday. Some fun matchups. Who ya got at 133, 165, and 285?!
-- Mike C.
Foley: See below.
Seth Gross (Wisconsin) vs. Austin DeSanto (Iowa) at 133: You have to favor Gross. He's been wrestling well since taking a year off and just won the Bill Farrell down at 57 kilograms. DeSanto seems to be wrestling with increased focus in 2019-2020 and could challenge Gross in spots, but Gross' length, top wrestling, and ability to match DeSanto's intensity should make it Gross -3.
Evan Wick (Wisconsin) vs. Alex Marinelli (Iowa) at 165: The Bull is ready for another season of aggressive attacks, bully double legs, and Hawkeye intensity. His 2-1 win over Wick at Big Tens stands as the pair's last meeting. Marinelli -0.5
Trent Hillger (Wisconsin) vs. Tony Cassioppi (Iowa) at 285: Cassioppi -2.
Iowa State's David Carr recently knocked off previous No. 2 Kaleb Young of Iowa (Photo/Mark Lundy, Lutte-Lens.com)Q: The Cliff Keen Las Vegas Invitational is expected to have the top three 157 wrestlers, Hayden Hidlay (NCAA finalist), Ryan Deakin (returning Vegas champ) and David Carr (Junior world champ), as well as Kendall Coleman (undefeated freshman). How do you see it playing out? Who are you picking to win it?
-- Mike C.
Foley: Were it freestyle I'd have a tough time choosing between David Carr and Ryan Deakin. Since it's early-season folkstyle I'm going to give the benefit of the doubt to experience, then to momentum, and finally to matchup advantages.
On almost all accounts Hayden Hidlay should be in good position to take top billing. He's tough to score on and wins big matches. The only one I think that can knock him off is David Carr who is having himself a month.
Q: What big-time Division I school do you think will be the first to add women's wrestling?
-- @Jonesy4473
Foley: Lock Haven? If you mean a traditional powerhouse, I'd guess it would be a brand-new program. However, as that doesn't meet the criteria, I think we might see Missouri, Oklahoma State, or Iowa jump into the game. When they are properly incentivized by money, attention, or results there will be change. I think the incentives exist, but it'll largely depend on the growth of the sport and what schools are offering future women wrestlers.
By the way, is there any connection between Iowa's recruiting success, on-the-mat improvements, and general better-ness with the fact that they now have women in the room training to win the Olympics? (I think yes!)
Question of the Week (InterMat T-shirt winner): We go to quite a few youth wrestling tournaments. My boys are competitive and hate to lose. I never wrestled (soccer player) but I try to emphasize getting better, not how big the trophy is or what color medal they get. But often times it falls on deaf ears! When do results really matter?
-- Sonny R.
Foley: High school? And even then, the results can always be understood to be something else. A lifetime ago now, but I started wrestling at age 14 and ended up forcing my way into a lineup. I think that a coachable, athletic, and smart athlete will find a plethora of opportunities in college wrestling. And while it's goal dependent there really isn't a limit to what you can achieve on the mats with the right support system.
A non-wrestling example of this is Nicky Rodriguez, who started competing in jiu-jitsu two years ago and has already become one of the top five in the world at his weight category. His secret seems to be full and complete dedication as well as a training partner and coaching staff that perfectly aligns to his needs. Finding that symmetry as a college athlete is rare, but it is key to anyone who is looking to create a successful collegiate career.
You have the right tact. Youth is for teaching someone how to analyze their position on the field and give them the habits that translate to improvement. Fight like hell to win, but don't get down about losses because those are the best learning lessons. There is nothing less productive than a wrestling accomplishment that comes to a young person based solely on their physical advantages. Technique, enjoyment, and clarity of purpose is key!
Q: What do you think of private lessons for wrestling? I'm thinking about having my sons do them (wonderful coach/teacher, Division III All-American), but wondering if it's worth it? Pros? Cons?
-- Sonny R.
Foley: I think that if there is real potential, or a need to quickly catch up on the technical level (late middle school and above), then it can be a worthwhile venture. The pros are technical improvement, match management, and dedicated oversight of conditioning and strategies. The cons could be burnout or injury, but if your son or daughter is dedicated to the sport I doubt the extra boost will feel much like a yolk.
MULTIMEDIA HALFTIME
Freestyle highlights from the World Championships
OUTRAGEOUS video on last-second wins
Snyder vs. Sadualev (Paris 2017)
Link: Iowa vs. Iowa State
Q: I think it has something to do with the amount of top-level talent taking the Olympic redshirt, but there seems to be a lot more parity in Division I this year. Penn State, Ohio State, Oklahoma State, and Lehigh have all been upset already. Which team should be concerned about their loss (two for Lehigh)? Which of the winning teams has the best chance of maintaining that success throughout the year?
-- Matt W.
Foley: The Lehigh losses weren't devastating, but I'm sure that Coach Santoro would rather have seen them be W's. The biggest worry is that one of Lehigh's losses came to Pittsburgh, in-state competitor for both athletes and attention (read: dollars). Also, it was the second straight season with a loss to Pitt.
The Oklahoma State loss came to Lehigh, so that probably makes the Valley faithful feel better about the start of their season (skin check debacle aside).
The parity is a little better than in past years and the Olympic redshirt probably does have some impact, but more so I think we are coming into an era where the second tier of schools -- those not named Penn State, Ohio State, Okie State, or Iowa -- are finding it easier to compete in dual meets where the balance of the outcome can hang on the actions of 1-2 wrestlers (a GREAT thing for the sport).
Q: Was ASU's dual against PSU a make or break for the Zeke Jones experiment? Some in the media picked lower ranked PSU wrestlers over higher ranked ASU wrestlers suggesting PSU develops guys better. Has that been debunked? And just to clarify, I don't think it was make or break. I think ASU had just never had their full lineup of top recruits on the mat all at once until last Friday. The first time they had all their guys in, they were obviously top notch.
-- @JBKolat
Foley: I don't think beating Penn State will be the deciding factor in a coach's immediate career. However, I do agree that there are measuring posts for any coaching career, and the ability to be competitive with the top team of the decade is certainly the highest of posts. Coach Jones has done a wonderful job rebuilding his program and while ASU didn't succeed a three-year-to-championship trajectory, they are producing several All-Americans and a two-time national champion.
The win over Penn State was momentous for several reasons; boosters can fundraise against the win, Coach Jones can recruit against the top four schools with proven outcomes, and it gives his wrestlers the (additional) belief that they are on the same level as those aforementioned top programs. Or put another way, he and his coaching staff are developing the best athletes. The system works.
Was Nelson Brands named after a half nelson? (Photo/Mark Lundy, Lutte-Lens.com)Q: Was curious if Terry Brands' son Nelson was named after the half nelson wrestling move?
-- Mike C.
Foley: Goodness, hadn't crossed my mind, but I hope so. I really, really hope so.
Q: Does Tom Brands like pickles? Did the question put him in a pickle? Is Terry's behavior sour pickles?
-- @CoachCard11
Foley: We are all better for having learned the many uses of the word pickle. Tom Brands has a passion for wrestling and unique usage of the English language. May he never again shy away from the microphone.
Q: Does it go: turkey, gravy, mashed potato; or mashed potato, gravy, turkey? Also, if I have apple pie AND almond cake, which Port should I serve with that?
-- @Tony_Rotundo
Foley: The best cycle is the one that brings the most joy to your face and/or the cycle that allows for the best imagery. Remember, as much as Thanksgiving is about family, it's all about boasting about something on social media, so protect your creations and ensure that you angles are popping off. That said, you're reading this on Friday so best of luck on your own!
As for the Port wine -- an intoxicant most undervalued by the general American public -- I'd recommend a Barros 20 Year Old Tawny Port for your almond cake, or fruit cake pairing. Go get yourself a bottle of that sweet, sugary goodness.
COMMENT OF THE WEEK
By Bob M.
Why would a team forfeit a weight class when they have healthy, able-bodied wrestlers in the lineup? Of course, I am talking about Shakur Rasheed ducking Zahid Valencia. If he is injured, then I must apologize, but not to the PSU coaching staff! It makes no sense and it really angers us wrestling fans. Wouldn't you want to know where you stand against the best? That just does not follow with the wrestlers' culture, which is to have the guts to step on the mat, man-to-man and compete. All this BS just pushes me to lose respect (coaching staffs) for the sport that I love so dearly. It is part of who I am. Therefore, to forfeit to me is unconscionable!
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