strange_daze

It's a dumb post for a few reasons. For one: go ahead and name an existing staff in a DI program that represents the type of diversity we're talking about here. They may exist, but they are few and far between, and they don't currently appear in the top 20 as far as I can tell. Which means: it's a lame jab at Iowa being racist when, in reality, it's a much more systemic issue in the sport and in the country. It's perhaps true that alumni tend to like 'insiders' more than 'outsiders', but in looking at this year's top 10 teams, only 3 have head coaches that came from the program. These are basic data points. I'd add: I take exception at the idea that rural people are somehow more racist than non-rural. In my experience, some of the most open-minded people I've ever met are from the country; likewise, some of the most close-minded and openly racist are well-to-do people who live in (sub)urban areas. You make a fair point about 'dumb rednecks', but it applies to 'dumb white collar' people as well--the very people who, in many cases, have the economic means to shape program development.

Dumb post.

Montell Marion was Dake’s first.

Just a thread to share some memorable NCAA tournament matches/moments. One that always comes to mind for me at this time of year: Mcllravy v. Abas (1993): Many many others—add one if you feel like it.

It’s a simple take, but I say: wrestle now, while you can. Not for the team but because next year is never guaranteed.

It's a funny post, but if it were any other team, some of these could be real possibilities. I do think Haines is looking better than earlier in the season, and Mesenbrink is pretty bad@ss. I like to think about Hidlay pushing Brooks but don't see the latter getting beat. Otherwise, who knows--strange things happen at the big show.

*Nickal

Quiet optimism.

Gomez is wrestling well right now. He's dangerous in the tie-up for sure, but he's also got a pretty wide arsenal on his feet (including a super-slick single that can come up into a body lock). I'd probably take him the dual, but I see more potential for Ridge to go deep at nationals.

I think a key element of 'Carvering' involves chaos and usually disorientation of some sort. It is often a 'mismatch' between two competitors (e.g., Schwabby and Guerrero), but necessary to the situation, I think, is a moment where something goes haywire: e.g., a wrestler bonks out in the third; a ref calls stalling or intervenes in the match in some other way; the score or riding time clock is incorrect; etc. The crowd plays a necessary and critical role in these moments: by getting really loud and making it difficult for said wrestlers and refs and staff to orient to the match and do what they came to do. I think the example of Sammy Brooks and Bo Nickal is actually a good example of the lesser known phenomenon of 'anti-Carvering': a talented and cool-headed star is unrattled by the environment and masters the chaos through his own unconventional technique. One can compare this, too, to 'near-Carvering': for instance when Brandon Sorensen almost got one on Zain. I should probably go back to work.

I'm with Fred on this one. Cinnabunz keeps the board lively...and I like that.

Hearing Sparks ‘guest’ on FRL helped me understand his personality outside the broadcast scene and brought me around to him even more. Seems like a good guy on top of being an intelligent and vocal advocate for wrestlers and the sport of wrestling.

Aaron and Greg finally giving the PSU faithful something to cheer about.

Being purposely dense isn’t a virtue.