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oceansize42

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Everything posted by oceansize42

  1. Thanks for answers. As promised, I’ve got nothing.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. 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.
  6. No. I would be honest and forthright and hope they prove me wrong.
  7. 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.
  8. 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.
  9. 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.
  10. 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.
  11. I couldn't agree more with this. Sammy putting in the work AND getting the rewards. Great to see.
  12. The "vast majority" shouldn't bother with D1 unless there is little emphasis on the wrestling part. I honestly can't agree with anything you wrote. I'd rather honestly evaluate their ability and set them up for possible success from the start, all the while pursuing a relevant degree from a quality school (of which there are plenty, even in the lower levels). I'm not into the chase your dreams on the one in a thousand chance it happens. I'm really confused by your statements about winning. When a young man enters D1 wrestling the expectation is winning and winning a bunch. There is no other expectation. That's it. Win, win, and then win some more. If you don't win you don't start. If you're not starting now you're going to practice to get your arse kicked every single day by the young man who is starting or you're relegated to wrestling everyone but the starter as you have no chance. You become a practice dummy. Not that the coach doesn't like you or your teammates don't like you, but ultimately that is what you become. A cheerleader. I'd rather drop a level or two, start, win, and contribute in more meaningful ways. I'm pragmatic about this because for most it is the proper path. Doesn't have to be liked, but it's true.
  13. I can't convince you. You're hung up on D1 being the end all be all. It isn't. The lower levels are very tough and very respectable. It is no small achievement to even start on a lower level school. Further, you keep saying stuff like "every one of the kids....". You absolutely cannot read. You cannot read. You cannot read. I keep saying the "vast majority" or "most". Please, please, read. Don't be emotional. You're super emotional and this where coaches and parents cause problems. Less emotion, more logic. Past statistics matter. All I can say is that there are private discussions amongst wrestling enthusiasts that occur year in and year out. It is isn't terribly hard to predict who is not going to make it. That list is long. Then there are a couple who are borderline (Trae, Reiniche as examples. They emerged as starters). Then there are the Chittums (super short list, right?). Are there exceptions from time to time? Yes, of course. But not making it is ok, but the writing was on the wall to those who are observant.
  14. Yes. I'm not sure how else you could interpret what I wrote. Is there another interpretation I'm missing? The vast majority who head to D1 are not good enough. I'll take it a step further, parents and coaches are doing most of these a kids a disservice by directing them to D1 level schools if wrestling is a priority. If wrestling is just an activity, then by all means.
  15. Tennessee is improving, no doubt, but so is everyone else and this is what gets overlooked. I was really pulling for Palmer to squeak it out but that didn't happen. Brayden, if you read this, I enjoyed watching you wrestle, well done. Chittum had a weird tournament. A win over Teemer, who took second, in the regular season but that didn't translate when it mattered. The loss to the App State guy was the ugly one. He is too old for the well he is just a freshmen chatter. I do think he will AA, likely next year. I've said it before and it was a really unpopular statement but I stand by the statement that most TN kids who enter D1, if wrestling is the priority, would be better served at the D2, D3, NAIA, or JUCO levels. There is no shame in that and I don't know why it was treated as if I said our kids stink, they don't. There is a list of really good wrestlers from TN over the last few years who didn't survive but one or two seasons within D1. I realize everyone wants to make a big deal about recruitment but I see signing as the easy part (in comparison), not the hard part. The hard part is starting and winning, again, if wrestling really really is a priority. How many TN kids are even the starter on their team within D1? How many have a winning record?
  16. What's the odds of that considering we only have three (the other being Chittum) in the whole tournament? I would assume these two have trained together at various points in their life, maybe. As far as a prediction, both are defensive wrestlers looking to counter, could be a 2-1 type of deal. I give Flynn the advantage as he has wrestled far better competition this year. Palmer has looked off at various points in the season, perhaps battling an injury or two. Lost to App State's Bellis twice. Rectified that when it mattered most. Regardless Palmer finishes his career as a two time qualifier, not bad, and great by recent TN D1 college wrestling standards.
  17. Looked like a badly dislocated shoulder. I saw his coach trying to pop it back into socket. He was wearing a shoulder brace so I suspect he was battling through a prior injury.
  18. Met Jake and his dad a few years ago on a summer time traveling team, enjoyed my short time with them. Man I hate this. Like everyone who gets their chance to win a state title the work he was putting in was very clear to me, even back then.
  19. Wrestling again for third, see what happens this time around. Very close match first time.
  20. Yes he is, makes it look effortless. I've never seen the score run up on Max like that but that is what Sealey does.
  21. Couldn't agree more. Sealey is a machine and will test your gas tank which I think is one of Max's best attributes.
  22. My son wrestled Sealey, good times. The best part is me laughing at him on camera just off the mat. Curious to see if Max can score. My son also spent a bunch of time wrestling Max in the off season, so know him and his style quite well.
  23. Freshman Deter Thompson at 106 from Crockett over Luke Higdon of Signal Mountain. Watched it, solid win.
  24. Freshman Deter Thompson at 106 from Crockett over two seed Luke Higdon of Signal Mountain.
  25. Unfortunately Jake was really ill. That kid is tough so it had to be bad.
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