mspart

Mike, are you there? mspart

I went to the 1999 Pan Am Games in Winnipeg just to watch the wrestling. That was a great day. McIlravy beat Igali in that meeting but lost to him later in the Olympics. The match at Pan Ams was very close. Another great final was Gutches vs Romero. They got in each other's face, Gutches won I believe. This is great that we have 2 in the finals already in MFS. Tomorrow should bring more I'm hoping. mspart

And that math doesn't add up. mspart

Perhaps he fired Fox News. mspart

Well, I hope that is not the case and he comes out 100% next year. mspart

I have to say, my onions are simmered now. mspart

Willie Nelson is old, but I didn't know he was that old!! mspart

I'm beginning to think that. mspart

Ah ok. I didn't even know that was possible. This might be very interesting. mspart

I don't know but I would assume for those weights that are only FinalX, then #2 at US Nats is #3 on the World Team. For those weights with WTTs, the #3 guy will be the one that takes 3rd, unless there is no consolation bracket. mspart

It is tough to keep this going for so long. Only good wishes for TMS. mspart

With his #2 finish at US Nationals at 84, can he then enter the WTTs at 92kg? That would be a viable move if it is possible. mspart

Then become a member of another nation's team and qualify the weight. mspart

Steveson does not belong there. He is great. Let him prove it over the long haul like others have. Smith and Big Bruce wouldn't be in the conversation if they "one and done" it. We are not talking about Brandon Slay in this conversation now are we? They are in the conversation because of their greatness over the long haul. Olympic weights do matter in the conversation. The non olympic weights do not bring in those aspiring to the Olympics. Why would you go non olympic weight? To get experience? To still be in the conversation? Yes to these, but when it comes down to it, anyone serious about Olympic glory will be in an Olympic weight. The non Oly weights are not as deep. Why did Dake and Taylor keep trying to get to 74? So they could be in an Olympic weight. Taylor never looked at a non Olympic weight. Dake sat there at 79kg until 2020 and made his move. There is a reason the Oly weights are tougher. It should not be this way. It is only this way because of the IOC. They artificially limited the competition to 6 weights for each style. All those tweeners get shafted. I don't understand the IOC's reasoning in this regard. Swimming has all kinds of events for a Phelps to get 7+ gold medals in one Olympic Games. Wrestling, they can only get one unless they do different disciplines. Which is not easy. Not like they can do a 50m, 100m, 200M FS, butterfly, breast, and back stroke, or the 500m or 1000m etc etc. Bring on 16 more medals each and bring in the other weights. To compensate, they could reduce swimming events if they want, gymnastics and track events too. Of course they won't do that. I just don't see why an additional 16 medals is such an issue for them. mspart

I also wonder why Taylor is not there. mspart

Dake - 2 WC gold at 79Kg (a non olympic weight), 2 WC gold at 74Kg (an Olympic Weight), 1 Oly Bronze at 74kg. Cox - 1 Oly Bronze at 86Kg (an Olympic Weight obviously), 1 WC Bronze at 86kg, 2 WC gold at 92Kg (a non Olympic weight), 1 WC Silver at 92 Kg, 1WC bronze at 92kg. Taylor - 1 Oly Gold at 86Kg (an olympic weight), 2 gold at 86Kg, 1 WC silver at 86Kg. If we look at just olympic weights it looks like this: Dake - 2 WC gold at 74Kg (an Olympic Weight), 1 Oly Bronze at 74kg. Cox - 1 Oly Bronze at 86Kg (an Olympic Weight obviously), 1 WC Bronze at 86kg. Taylor - 1 Oly Gold at 86Kg (an olympic weight), 2 gold at 86Kg, 1 WC silver at 86Kg. Or another way to look at olympic weight accolades: Dake 2 gold, 1 Bronze Cox - 2 Bronze Taylor - 3 Gold, 1 silver I'm not saying Taylor is better, but he has been more successful at Olympic weights than the other two. For Dake it was because he was fighting Burroughs all the time. For Cox, because he moved up in weight by choice. This is a silly argument to have, all three are monsters along with Burroughs and Snyder. I don't think we have had a team with so many hammers on it. mspart

Gable is doing it. Why not? mspart

This would be very sad indeed. mspart

I guess Bill Zadick is no longer being considered. mspart

I think it was Retherford that couldn't qualify due to the 2020 Pan Am Olympic qualifier. Got pinned by Destribats of ARG. That's why we had no 65kg at 2020 olys. Talk about a land mine. mspart

That is great information. Thanks! mspart

It's that second period that is a killer!! mspart

This ^ mspart

He was never the best in the US? That is a pretty bold statement. He is the best at 84kg right now. In the US and the World. So what you are saying is that he is less of a world and Olympic champion as Burroughs and Cox. An interesting conundrum. Let's keep in mind that Cox did not win a WC until he went to 92Kg, a non-olymipic weight. Yes that was a gift to Taylor and it looks like now he has taken full advantage. I don't think anything will gnaw at him. Why would it? He has proven himself to be the best in the world at 84KG. He grew into his frame and is now at his ideal weight. I have no doubt that the current Taylor would beat the then Cox at 84KG. Cox never won a WC or Oly at 84kg. Taylor has done both. The fact that Taylor couldn't beat Cox back then has no bearing on his success now. Or maybe you are hoping it gnaws at him. That would be a completely different story. mspart

She's much too nice to be a part of that entertainment. I predict she won't last too long. mspart