Winners Circle

I like this list a lot. All have MAC ties aside from Scott Green, who has NY ties. I like that.

This is not a thread about whether or not Stutzman did a good job or not/if he should have been let go or not. This is strictly about who they will get to replace him. I feel like I have a good amount of college wrestling knowledge, but I'm having a hard time coming up with a list of qualified candidates who would be interested. Nick Gwiazdowski (NY resident) Donnie Vinson (NY resident)

1. What does the last 15 years have to do with it being a Cyclone state RIGHT NOW? 2. Some would say they have already passed Iowa based on how the two teams finished at the national tournament. 3. As far as losing to them in a dual this year goes, does our sport have a dual championship? Until we do, the individual national tournament is what matters and I'm pretty sure EVERY college coach in America would agree.

I think you'd have a hard time convincing any non-Hawkeye fan that it's not even worth having a debate over.

Mendez jumped levels. That's obvious. He had other losses last year that would be crazy to think about him losing this year (Ragusin, Michael McGee x2, Chris Cannon, Latona). But as far as Nagao goes, I think it's more so a thing where guys figured out his style and coaches had specific gameplans to beat him. I think he has a very unique feel that is hard to figure out the first time around. But, after a season of film, coaches started to figure some things out. Confidence issues MAY have come after losing a few matches to guys that he 'felt' like he should beat. But as far as confidence issues stemming from INSIDE the room, I find that hard to believe. Coaches usually put their starters with guys that are going BOOST their confidence, not diminish it. I doubt Nagao is wrestling Bartlett, Kasak, Davis, etc. I'd be willing to bet he's wrestling back up 125s/133s/141s.

Big difference between individual sports and team sports. Can't compare the two like it's apples to apples. What @Mr. PeanutButter is referring to, is how individuals are performing at the national tournament. Right now they're 'underperforming' by Iowa Hawkeye Wrestling standards. When multiple athletes (in an individual sport) are underperforming, that's a leadership issue imo.

@Hammerlock3

Not sure if in this thread already. But Caleb Fish in portal also, according to @Husker_Du's post on X.

Problem with that is, who in the portal is an upgrade over what they have? Hamiti is the best in the portal and he didn't AA, even though I'd say he is equal to Caliendo. McGonagle is an upgrade over either 133/141, but he's never AA'd. Not sure Alvarez is that much of an upgrade over Rathjen. Is Kraisser an upgrade over Cobe? I don't think so. I'm sure there will be more guys hit the portal. But, I see it being hard for them to even take second with a roster based on this year's portal.

Yea I get all that. But they were 6th at NCAAs in 2022. They had all these same factors 2 years ago.

No. But I do think changes are on the horizon in Iowa City.

I think you'd have a hard time convincing anyone not a Hawkeye fan that it's even a discussion.

First Iowa State out-places Iowa at NCAA's, then today Carter Pearson (Super 32 AA, IA 3A State Champ) commits to ISU despite the Sebolt connection to Iowa. Is it officially a Cyclone state?!!

Yes, I knew of Webster and Byrd taking redshirts. But I forgot about Luffman and thought the Braunagel's were done. So yes, they punted this year to put best team on the mat next year. Appreciate the feedback there.

Pretty obvious that Northwestern has been gutted by the transfer portal/NIL situation, but they were brutally bad this year. They went 4-6 overall as a team at NCAA's, and 13-28 overall as a team (including 9th place bracket) at B1G's. And this is only two years after finishing 6th at NCAAs in 2022. Illinois started some guys I've never heard of, which is rare for a state school in a power state. They went 4-6 overall as a team at NCAAs (all 4 wins coming from Ruth), and 11-24 overall as a team (including 9th place bracket) at B1G's. So that pegs the question...what is going on in Evanston/Champaign??

You sure? Watching B12s on TV, BOK Center looks pretty empty.

Nasir Bailey??

The problem is not with his results from this year. The problem is that his results are very similar to his freshman year results, aka he has not progressed.

All fair statements. I redact my comment about comparable resumes.

This, by Iowa standards, has to be considered mediocre right? Not a Hawkeye fan, but yikes. Zalesky (8 years): 3 team titles, 2 runner-ups, 0 3rds, 1 4th, 0 5ths, 2 outside the top 5's (one 7th and one 8th). Brands (13{14} years) : 4(5) team titles, 2 runner-ups, 3 3rds, 1 4th, 2 5th, 1 outside the top 5 (8th). Similar resumes imo.

Agreed. My 8th championships. This one was best by far. I'd be more than ok with it being here every year.

I agree. 3 mats. One for 3rd, one for 5th, one for 7th. Run the whole weight class at the same time. Also, I can't be the only one. But there is absolutely NO need to start that session (5) at 10:00 AM. Wrestling was done by 12:30 and then a 5.5 hour break before finals. Start it at 11:00, just like the other two previous days. Done by 1:30. There's a reason why session 5 is the most skipped session. People are hungover and 10:00 AM is too early. Period.

I've actually heard multiple times that making 125 is easy for him and that he bumped up to 133 because they had Schroder at 125.

125: Brandon Kaylor (21) 133: Braxton Brown (17) 141: Cole Matthews (18) 149: Jordan Williams (20) 157: Vinny Zerban (18) 165: Caleb Fish (21) 174: Danny Wask (27) 184: Ryder Rogotzke (18) 197: Wyatt Voeler (19) 285: Grady Griess (17)

Not butthurt that he quit, trust me. I actively root against the Hawks. My point is, would he have wrestled in the national finals or not? Yes or no? If the answer is yes, then he should have finished the tournament. Period.