pokemonster

Correct, but he has surprisingly increased the accuracy of his "news" lately. He used to just spew bullshit, now he seems to be closer to the truth.

That's a great question that I don't know the answer to. I wonder if they're looking to have one stick with AWA and one coach college and funnel all the AWA kids there. I'm not sure of the legalities of that, but I believe I read on here that if Ben Askren took the coaching role, he'd have to stop with the academy work due to conflicts of interest. As far as Ben scheduling a meeting with the AD to badmouth Bono and demand Max, that seems like hyperbole...

Pat Mineo claims Ben met with the AD to badmouth Bono and try to convince them to hire Max...

That's wild, and I agree, nothing about looking at them screams PEDs to me. Just damn good. And as far as age goes, these kids seem like they're ready for NCAAs now. I selfishly hope they skip a grade and get in the mix ASAP. Plus, their senior years they'll be absolutely smoking everyone.

Jax knocking off NATO is insane. How the hell is that kid so good? Is he also one of the sophomores who's 17/18 or normal age? For Bo Bassett and the chemicals speculation, don't think he has any of the typical signs of somebody using roids. Not even particularly muscular from what I've seen. Maybe EPO if he's at the Treigning Lab with Dillashaw and DT.

I'm just teasing Mr Willie!

I've wondered if their embarrassingly small stature has lost them respect on the recruiting trail, especially with their inflated Napoleon complex. Aaron Brooks has lost some respect as well with his relatively small stature in comparison to past 197 lb champs. Embarrassing.

I think the only complaint is it is super dark, but I'm willing to bet that was just to make the photos look ominous and badass. I wonder if the mats actually have that clouded look to them or if that was a touch up. Looks cool to me.

Dake would have a central skylight with a natural portion of grass meant for his perineum sunning.

I could've sworn I saw some posts saying Zain was going 74, but 65 makes a lot more sense

Just now seeing Retherford is confirmed at 65kg. I don't envy these tough cuts. Anyways, back to my bucket of KFC...

Retherford is pretty ruthless... I bet if he gets a chance he throws in his famous bow and arrow and tears Starocci's leg straight off the bone. This bracket is going to be hell for the Penn State faithful.

Good, nobody wants to see those boring stall tactics anymore.

Carter Starocci literally said "this is little kid stuff compared to what I want" and mentioned the Olympic Trials on April 19th and 20th and "on Monday it's back to work. And just like Drake said, there's not friends in this industry." JB then goes, man, I'll tell you what, he mentioned April 19th and 20th and I know a guy who's gonna be there and I'd love to see him, and best believe I'm going for that leg. He won't disclose the injury but man he's looked great, and on a more serious note, Carter Starocci has had a phenomenal career.... And lists all of the greats and states he has to be on the mount rushmoore of Penn State. The amount of compliments he gave him were numerous. If you think that is making it about himself, then you are way too damn sensitive.

Not to mention that these other sports employee retired athletes as their commentators, not current ones. So to say a commentator would never say they're coming after them like that isn't even relevant as they're done competing. Even still, they offer truthful insight and wouldn't hold back cuz of softies who are jealous of the commentator.

Woah woah woah, you're about to catch the wrath of ILLINIwrestlingblog

Good point, didn't notice the weight was only 103. I do think it vastly improves your chances of a scholarship at other weights though.

Being a state champion certainly helps your odds of getting a college scholarship over somebody who gets 3rd place as a senior.

It hurts the kids who don't game the system. And it is illegal to not give a child any form of required education in Arizona, no need to keep using quotations. For RBY's situation, it obviously played out okay for him as he's a successful wrestler, but having no education for an entire year is obviously not good in his formative years. Allowing him to do nothing besides go to wrestling practice and become addicted to video games, to the point where he is playing them until 5am every single night, is obviously not great for a kid. Explain to me how it is good for his development besides being stronger than his younger peers.

Agreed and agreed. Seems the main advantage is getting a college scholarship.

RBY is from Tucson, AZ, where it is required by law that children between the ages of 6 and 16 attend school or a homeschool equivalent. He was pulled out of school in 8th grade to play video games and go to wrestling practice for an entire year. If you believe playing video games until 5am every night is the equivalent of an education, then you're an imbecile.

This poor going man is being absolutely shredded on social media, my Lord, the humanity! This is what's wrong with wrestling culture! I hope RBY can sleep tonight with all the vitriol directed his way.

He's the one who shared it with Flo so get a grip my dude. I'd honestly prefer these amazing wrestlers just wrestle the grade they were supposed to rather than doing illegal tricks to literally get your child an advantage over other children. The parents are prioritizing wrestling success over an education, social life, etc. But you'll always have shitty parents so doubtful that happens.

Yeah, it's extremely common but I guess the parents want their kid to have the best chance of 4 state titles and thus a better chance of being recruited. Plus, the other high level kids are doing it, so if they don't they probably feel behind. Not to mention that the highest level guys often have parents that are absolutely insane, and there ya go. Lame but that's life.

There's a bunch of debate going on right now in the Twitter-sphere (or X-sphere?) about kids being held back as well as competing too long in college. Mineo, Willie, and plenty of others are chiming in.