scorenomore

I spoke with Rocky over the summer. He has some serious injuries that was going to make this his last year. Not sure if that meant second semester or if he is out.

it literally took all of two seconds to search joey ward twitter - you'll find it. I was told that the whole thing is actually on video so at some point that video should show whatever went down. From a legal perspective, does anyone know why the video has yet to be released? I'm guessing because minors are involved but figure someone might know.

Best bet I'd make is Ohio State. That is a really low point total and I think 133 and 141 for Ohio State are going to go very deep at nationals. That leaves 8 other weight classes to contribute points. By my estimates, Ohio State will place 3 - 6 this year.

From the page: https://www.gofundme.com/f/9x3sm-sammy-sasso-recovery-fund?member=29036627&utm_campaign=p_cp+share-sheet&utm_content=undefined&utm_medium=copy_link_all&utm_source=customer&utm_term=undefined Dear Friends, Family, and Compassionate Supporters With hopeful hearts, we are reaching out to the community for support during this difficult time. On the evening of Friday, August 18th, beloved Ohio State wrestler Sammy Sasso suffered a gunshot wound to his abdomen as a result of a carjacking. Sammy was immediately rushed to the hospital where he underwent emergency surgery to reconstruct his colon. The following morning, he underwent another surgery to remove the bullet near his spine. As a result of the bullet’s trajectory, he sustained severe nerve damage to his spine. After spending three days in ICU, he was transferred to an acute care unit where he continues to receive care for his injuries. Upon his release from the hospital, he will be transferred to an inpatient rehabilitation facility where he will undergo comprehensive physical therapy aimed at learning how to walk again. At this time, Sammy is unable to walk without assistance. While the doctors are hopeful that he will make a full recovery, Sammy has a long, difficult road ahead of him. Sammy’s athletic journey has been one of triumph and inspiration. As a dedicated and hardworking wrestler, Sammy has achieved numerous successes throughout his life. To name a few, he is a two-time Big Ten wrestling champion, a four-time All-American, and a two-time NCAA Championship finalist. Before his successful college career, he wrestled for Nazareth High School, where he broke several of the school’s records. Additionally, he was a four-time Pennsylvania AAA state place winner and two-time state champion. However, Sammy’s impact extends far beyond the mat. What truly sets Sammy apart is his boundless kindness and selflessness. His dedication to his family and friends is unparalleled, and his uplifting presence radiates positivity. He has touched the lives of many. His infectious smile brightens the days of anyone fortunate enough to cross his path. His heart beats for coaching and guiding young minds, spreading his love for the sport of wrestling, and nurturing the potential within each child he encounters. From teaching the perfect cradle to instilling unwavering confidence, Sammy has been a mentor and a role model to countless wrestlers. He isn't just a wrestling champion; he's a champion when it comes to uplifting everyone around him. Sammy’s journey has taken an unexpected turn, yet even in the face of adversity his spirit remains unbroken. The love and support pouring in from around the country is a testament to the mark Sammy has left on our hearts. Now, more than ever, Sammy needs support from the community. Your contribution will help support Sammy’s recovery and provide him with the resources he needs to regain his strength and continue his inspirational journey. Every donation, no matter how big or small, brings us one step closer to providing Sammy the support he needs. Thank you in advance for your kindness and support. With love, The Sasso Family

I've been wrong a couple times and that's just today! But, I feel pretty strongly that there will be at least 1 true freshman that starts and I think there is a good chance that two start. Also think Sammy is going up. I suspect the team already knows and is just keeping it quiet. I predict we see Vinney in the starting lineup unless he gets hurt.

I see the lineup looking like this and it includes 2 true freshman! 125 - Kilkeary/McCrone - expect McCrone to get the start and then maybe in late January switch to Kilkeary after his 5 matches are up 133 - Bouzakis - Should be in the top 4 and maybe higher, especially if Vito takes an olympic redshirt 141 - Mendez/Decatur - I think Mendez just wants to compete; someone mentioned Decatur is in the portal and could still move on. 149 - D'Emilio/Herman - DD has been cutting hard, last season to compete, eat and enjoy. 157 - Sasso/Wilcox - Sammy has looked good up at 70 KG for freestyle, this is probably a sign that he has moved on from 149. 165 - Hepner/Paddy/Wilcox - Most interesting lineup battle for sure. Would like one of these guys to distance himself, but honestly wouldn't even know who to bet on? 174 - Kharchla/Welsh- Although he blew big leads in the U23s, I don't see that happening in folkstyle. Length could be an issue at 174 but gas tank hopefully won't be. 184 - Rogotzke/Shumate - 2x super 32 champ doesn't happen by accident, I think Ryder is the real deal and goes right away. 197 - Hoffman/Geog - I heard on a podcast that Hoffman had a hamstring issue at the back end of last year, looking forward to a healthy Hoffman. Since no redshirt available, could see these guys splitting duty and maybe a late season wrestle off? 285 - Feldman - Excited for him to get his chance! Curious for those that are close to the program, does Tom ever look at late season lineup changes that aren't injury related? I could see Kilkeary and Rogotzke coming on a little later in the season and maybe worth putting them in the lineup late December/January. Any precedent for that besides Myles Martin which worked out quite well! Also wonder with the battles at 165, do they wrestle by committee until someone outperforms?

Yes but that doesn't discount the time they did train together.

I disagree about Brooks and size and strength. Brooks trained with Taylor for the Olympics and knew he had 1 guy to prepare for who happens to be in the same room as him. Brooks would not be as focused on Ferrari and he would not have the familiarity with him. I would still pick Brooks because of his cardio and skillset, but I think an in-shape Ferrari causes problems for Brooks.

This has been talked about for months so nothing irresponsible.

Arnold over Starocci

With Gable announcing his intention to return for his final year of eligibility any chance he gets a nice NIL deal from Iowa? If Iowa gets Ferrari at 197 and Gable at heavy along with the other off-season additions, could this be enough to take on Penn State?

57 KG - Thomas Gilman over Zane Richards - 6-0, 6-0, controlled handfights, go behinds, 2 takedowns 61 KG - Nahshon Garrett over Vito Arujau - 4-2, 10-9, controlled match one, both let it fly in match 2 - could be even higher scores 65 KG - Yianni Diakomihalis over Nick Lee - 5-2, 4-4 70 KG - Zain Retherford over Tyler Berger - 6-0, 6-0 Zain not at risk at anytime 74 KG - Kyle Dake over Jason Nolf - 6-2, 4-4 79 KG - Jordan Burroughs over Chance Marsteller 6-1, 8-2 86 KG - David Taylor over Aaron Brooks - 4-0, 8-0, DT in control 92 KG -Zahid Valencia over Michael Macchiavello 6-4, 4-3 97 KG - Kyle Snyder over J’den Cox - 4-0, 4-2 - some sort of controversy whether scoring issue or emotional reaction but a setup for a storyline for 2024 trials 125 KG - Gable Steveson over Mason Parris - 6-0, 6-0 I don't see any of these going 3 matches so I expect to be wrong on many levels and will guess that 92 has the greatest chance of going 3 matches.

It's interesting that this year's team could be one of the most dominant in individual championships or one of the least PSU individual championships in recent memory. If Starocci and Brooks took Olympic redshirts, then Haines is your only PSU champion. Does anyone know if Starocci is unable to compete after getting injured at the US Open? 125 - Ramos/Figueroa favored, Howard NQ 133 - Arujao/Fix favored, Nagao top 4 141 - Woods favored, Bartlett top 4 (NCAA offensive scoring was very low) 149 - Sasso/Shapiro favored, VanNess top 4 157 - Haines - real chance of winning 165 - O'Toole/Carr, Facundo/Messenbrink unlikely to win 174 - For the upset to have a chance, No Starocci - Olympic redshirt 184 - Keckeisen Favored / Truax - 2nd 197 - For the upset to have a chance, No Brooks - Olympic Redshirt 285 - Steveson returns, Kerkvliet - 3rd

College football and other sports can have upsets due to big plays - pick 6 and so on. Penn State on paper is on track to be a lock to win nationals. What would need to happen to make an upset remotely possible - not likely but remotely possible? Ferrari comes back and wins 197 Stevenson returns and wins heavy Olympic redshirt for Starocci and Brooks 4th place or lower finishes for Bartlett and Van Ness Not hating on Penn State but rooting for an interesting national tournament. Even when I run my numbers, I still have Penn State winning the title. Only chance I can think of is if Ohio State's last 2 years of recruits set the world on fire. Could they see champs at 133, 141, 149 and maybe some really high finishes at 174 and heavy sprinkled in with AAs at 165 and 197? Admittedly, this is a big stretch but just trying to see if there is anyway for another team to win in 2024. I don't see Cornell being in position to overtake them and I think Michigan's retreads will run suffer from HEW.

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You are probably right. Who's #1 and high school have been my memories of him. Haven't watched him much in college.

I used to think DT could be a coach somewhere. After watching this I don’t see it happening. He and his wife and 2 businesses in State College, family with Kennedy and likely as many friends as they could want. He has done an amazing job building a life that many can only dream about.

VV has always been a hammer on top. Add in some of the Spencer Lee arm bar and tilt and he might be able to put some points up for sure. Agree, neutral scoring is where the work is needed.

I’ve spoken with parents of recruits that have spent time with him. He is the same as what you see on camera and on the mat. Elite people don’t need to be led by charismatic leaders, they have all the drive they need. It’s the education that they desire, in the case of Cael he is writing the book on wrestling!

I'm sorry, but where in the world did you come up with Cael is a charismatic leader? Cael is the about as far opposite of a charismatic leader as there can be. He is a great person and knows wrestling better than anyone, but a charismatic leader he is not. Unseating PSU will start after the 2024 Olympic trials. Some school will pay big money for Taylor, Burroughs or Dake. I think the only one that will have a real shot at defeating PSU is Taylor. He is an upper weight, long, lengthy and has done an amazing job with his M2 program.

Bartlett has olympic and world team aspirations - makes no sense to drop down to 133. 141 is a perfect weight for 65 kg.

Visiting the team forums, calling for heads to roll. Lot's of unrealistic expectations as Tom Brands and John Smith are on the annual hot seat with fans. Everyone is calling for Taylor, Dake or Burroughs to come save them. Realistically does any of these coaches go out before they are 60 and who replaces them? No way Taylor, Dake or Burroughs are even remotely interested until after 2024 Olympics and I don't see Dake or Burroughs going into coaching. I could see Taylor and he would be a game changer! Any thoughts?

I disagree 100%. In his trials interview he called Burroughs and Marsteller average wrestlers and was unimpressed. If he is a great wrestler he should have beaten Chance and teched the very average Olympic champ Jordan Burroughs. Dude puts down wrestlers and then shows limited offense and squeaks by average wrestlers. He doesn’t back anything up and can’t wait to see him looking at the ceiling when he goes MMA.

Agree with all except I wonder about Kharchla and if Romero is recovered and ready.

Iowa showed the blueprint to stop Penn States’ NCAA championship run. 1 - Stall and brawl in neutral 2 - Be content to take a stall call 3 - Let your shooters shoot, otherwise hang it up and avoid the patented Penn State reattack. 4 - get on the refs to call stalemate everyone Penn State goes stubby ride with no intent to turn. If everyone wrestled Penn State this way, bonus points would dry up and another team gets crowned champion in March.