oceansize42

I agree, this is an excellent opportunity for Little to get experience right off the get go. That would be huge.

Young man is from Alabama so maybe will stay, but who knows. I saw Askey (who beat Chittum at the NCAA's) and Oakley from App State, both NCAA qualifiers, entered the portal. Fun fact, Hunter Mason (ex Greeneville alum and now at VT) came back from a 6-1 deficit to tie 6-6 and then pin Powe in the final minute of their semi-final match back in November at the Southeast Open.

Divisions do not matter all that much, in TN at least. My son's school started off big school for his first three years and then moved to small school in his senior year. Did we wrestle anyone different in his senior year because we were small school? Nope. Wrestled same public/private schools we always did. Absolutely no difference. So in the end most schools are probably going to wrestle the same old schools that are within a sixty mile radius regardless of their or their opponent's division. The better schools are already seeking out better competition so I don't think extra divisions matter there either. I think you hit the nail on the head concerning population. When TN adds another three or four million people our overall level will rise and not until then. With three divisions it is currently too easy to medal in TN. I know several young men who didn't practice at all in the off season (I mean zero) and medaled in big school and small school (no they weren't heavy weights or anything close to it). That shouldn't be possible, or at least should be rare even if a really good athlete, which goes back to population. The larger we grow the more difficult a medal will become (in theory), regardless of athletic ability, unless we add a truly ridiculous amount of divisions like VA or GA. This is the one thing California does right. One division, one set of medals per weight class. 18 medals per weight class in a state of 7 to 8 million people definitely seems overkill, especially when PA has two divisions and CA one division. My son wouldn't have medaled under one division and that would have been just fine. I'm clear with this information when family or acquaintances, who are sports enthusiasts, ask questions about that time of our lives. I tell them we have three divisions and that if there had been one then it is most probable he wouldn't have medaled. My son is aware of this as well, kids aren't idiots, they can survey the landscape. A lack of medals wouldn't change the gratitude I have towards this sport.

Thanks for answers. As promised, I’ve got nothing.

You wrapped up a great college wrestling career so congratulations and enjoy wrestling "retirement". Also, I don't think anyone is disappointed, really I don't. Don't misconstrue the talk of old guy (relatively) fans as being malicious. Most of us simply enjoy the sport and get wrapped up in stuff we probably shouldn't. The talk isn't centered around the wrestlers themselves for the most part, although there is certainly the armchair QB in most all of us. For me, I'd like to see more kids go where they can have success. I admit, as I'm sure you read, I feel like some not small percentage are in over their head at the D1 level. Again, I enjoyed watching you wrestle, unique style that befuddled many an opponent. A few questions if you don't mind. What's your opinion on the situation, I certainly see from time to time, where a young man doesn't quite fit at the D1 level because he isn't prepared (and may never be) for the level of competition D1 presents? I'm asking because I know a few TN wrestlers over the last three to five years who have left early never to return to any type of wrestling. It was D1 or bust, no consideration given to smaller schools. Do you think more consideration should be given to small schools from some kids? Or just nope, if they want D1 then jump in and let the chips fall where they may? Whatever the answer, I'm not arguing with ya, period. Why did you wrestle 125 this year? I have to admit I wondered, by choice or was there a specific injury? Are you done? Any thoughts about continuing on? Your favorite match? Toughest opponent? The GOAT pound for pound wrestler during your time as a collegiate wrestler? What one or two pieces of advice would you offer to a freshmen collegiate wrestler (other than don't read coachT) ? Edit: You and Cooper wrestling in NCAAs in the first round, what were the odds? Sheesh.

If a wrestler survives four years of D1 wrestling they are a D1 wrestler. The level of difficulty is off the charts just to survive. I respect it immensely. I sincerely feel that more TN wrestlers could benefit by dropping a level or two. That's it. I honestly believe they might have a better time. Now that is a subjective opinion, undeniable. What isn't subjective and is quantifiable is performance and attrition. Don't get this wrong, I'm sincere, if a kid is having a great time being a backup or third string then 100% continue on. However, I've seen how competitive high level kids are and I cannot see that being the case for most. I think most would rather start and have winning records. I want that for them (like Sammy, Eli Clemmons and a few others out there). I can't understand why so many are seemingly anti-smaller school, or at least so pro-D1. I can't. @WrestlingGod is a cheerleader, self proclaimed chief cheerleader who tries to bring others into the fray by flaunting his wish to be on the high ground by being extremely positive concerning TN wrestling. However, I'm too pragmatic and statistical by nature to share those thoughts. We need people like @WrestlingGod and his positivity but there is also room for a dose of reality. Edit: You all keep talking about All-Americans and we are having a tough time getting young men in the starting lineup. I'm not joking.

You lied my man, not me. I'm stating the truth so more TN kids can have a better time in collegiate wrestling by entering the level they might belong.

I never anticipated this would be so hotly debated since exceptions only serve to prove the rule. The general rule is most TN wrestlers don't fare well at the D1 level. History lays that out pretty conclusively. I think most would be better served at a lower level if wrestling is a priority. But, just to make everyone really really mad I'll say it again lol. Most will not do well at the D1 level. Most should wrestle a lower collegiate level if wrestling is a priority and they wish to start. Some not small percentage of those who go D1 will last only a year or two and then quit wrestling completely. The truth for some would be better than a participation trophy (granted a stupidly hard participation trophy where even surviving four years is super rough). A small percentage will do just fine and a very small percentage might AA. @WrestlingGod The only yikes is you saying you watched a match you didn't (and couldn't have). Sorry, you lost all credibility on that one and that is another unlikable truth.

No. I would be honest and forthright and hope they prove me wrong.

Correct. Most are not good enough to compete successfully at the D1 level. This has held true in the past and will do so for the foreseeable future.

Again no one said every kid won’t make it. You and another seem determined to make it out I said every single kid from TN is a failure. One more time, most will not make it. Each young man is different, but there are definitely some I look at and, to your chagrin, say to myself it is never happening. Ever. That isn’t due to some personal grievance on my part. Again, facts and history lay it out. We don’t have to guess. History tells the tale as it will for current generations entering D1 colleges. It sucks, it isn’t a likable truth but it is the truth. Particularly so for those going to top 10 schools.

Sheesh, none of you can read. What part of "vast majority" or "most" don't you guys understand? Palmer was D1 material and anyone with a brain knew it. Let us all aspire to greatness by first learning to read posts and not get emotional.

You're thinking about how you speak to kids and not how someone with a modicum of common sense speaks to kids. If I'm talking to a young man who clearly doesn't belong at the D1 level I'm not going to say "well you stink and shouldn't go". I'm not going to quote statistics or draw comparisons to other wrestlers. I'm going to sit them down and have a level headed honest conversation, which I believe most kids and young adults want. I'm going to tell them that if they choose D1, their current abilities do not align with that choice. I'm going to tell them the road will be extraordinarily difficult (I think D1 wrestling is the hardest collegiate sport by a mile) and the amount of work required to achieve even a modicum of success will be costly in terms of time and physical well being. However, if that is your choice and you understand what is required then shoot for the stars (because that is what they are doing, I'm not telling them this part). I would then point out the advantages to wrestling at a lower level. You're acting as if everyone thinks and speaks at the level you do. Like in wrestling there are levels, in thought, observation, and the spoken word.

I couldn't agree more with this. Sammy putting in the work AND getting the rewards. Great to see.