Mr McGibblets

They are hinting at a big time hire to replace Haught who will move to a non-coaching role or possibly with SERTC. I’m not sure Waltz would fit that description…

Into James Green’s impact during his last stint at SERTC? I believe he was brought in to give Mekhi a high level training partner, what were the returns on that? He also had a pretty major hip surgery the following year I believe.

We have seen a massive influx in young talent as a result of what I would consider a revolution in youth coaching. It wasn’t always the case that freshman had major impacts on the collegiate wrestling landscape. It is taking a bit of time for these philosophies and techniques to fully penetrate college coaching staffs but where it does you see huge leaps year over year. IE Okie state where DJ Hamiti took a huge leap as well as Wyatt Hendrickson the season after transferring. I fully believe we have a problem at upper weight coaching.

This is gonna eat him up. A clear path to finals turns into fighting for his life to AA on the backside. To be spotted a point in double OT and still lose is inconceivable

The freshmen have been impressive this season. I’m excited to see Seidel wrestle Shawver this round

Will always love wrestling but there is no level playing field in this sport.

This sucks

He has surprised with his growth the past couple years and may end up around 141 if I were guessing. I think that plus Campbell’s size could leave us looking for a future 125. Even the Dickman commit is very tall and I doubt he could be a long term 125. In really crossing my fingers that Eddie gets a medical waiver for last year

Looks like he has taken a big step back recently. What is with these diving shots?

Last year he AA’d on the easy side of a historically unbalanced 174 bracket. He beat 1 ranked wrestler in Devos who later beat him in medal match

And against a t Fr who is 6-5 on the season. He sucks

Between the two of them I think they took 1 shot.

There’s not a single Olympian on that team

Whole team got embarrassed

Man will do anything but wrestle

Nininger definitely looks leveled up. He is having a solid summer. Torres also had a win over ranked Pitt commit

Sounds like we are hot on a couple 165lb prospects?

First of all he had overcome a lot of obstacles to find success at Columbia, and I get the impression he wants to win at a level that can’t be reached there due to said obstacles. He understands how to coach modern wrestling in a way that embraces individual styles, strategy, mindset and most importantly life outside wrestling. These are the themes you’ll see reflected in the most successful programs across all levels. He is a great compliment to Frayer and Robie and would be a huge asset in my opinion.

Now starting to hear some rumblings. Hope we have Tanelli locked up, he is a home run hire.

In my opinion are 133, 149, 174, 184 and 197 Next would be 141 and HWT

If so that would make him a RS So this year, correct?

That would be a very impressive hire. He was getting a lot of props at NCAAs this year for the job he’s doing at Columbia

Latona- is he significantly better now than during his RFr or even RS season? Vent- great tourney run last yr but he was 28 seed for a reason going in Flynn- hasn’t developed any offense Crook- Great eval but going into Jr year his ceiling is blood round Myers- was already a double RS Sr when Brewer arrived

But lightweights haven’t exactly been the strength of our lineup lately. Seidel is still a year away so hopefully the new coach can keep him in the boat.

Regarding the transfer portal: obviously it will never be the foundation of your and coach Robie’s program, so how do you view it in terms of roster construction? Is it a major obstacle for programs like ours? How do you even go about protecting your program from tampering and poaching? Thanks for all you do for Hokie Nation!

We will see how much money floats around when fans lose interest and college wrestling dies because losers were allowed to cheat their way to the podium.

The culture here is strong so just keep building and developing. I would hate to be a Michigan fan where your team can’t evaluate and develop talent so you have to buy mercenaries. It’s pathetic

Still saying TJ is looking to transfer…

I think the team deserves a little post-natty fundraiser. Post a screenshot if you feel compelled to give, let’s see what the board can raise!

Felt like vintage Andonian this tournament. Went big brother on Ed Scott, then took Haines to the brink for a second time before tail spinning in an absolute blaze of glory through the consis. I loved every second of watching him these past 5 years. He elevated the program and wrestling itself with his iconoclastic style. Cheers to you Bryce and thanks for everything!! ** Edited by Mr McGibblets at 3/23/2024, 3:47:34 PM

Already looking ahead… 😂 149- Henson 157- Hipolito 165- Wright 175- Wolak 184- Stewart 197- Sasso HWT- Mullen This would be a killer lineup

Always gets his ankles tied up and ends up on his side trying to finish. I swear he spends half of every match in that position

Love the optimism and energy this week. Best sports time of year IMO

I’m looking forward to the upper weights matching up these next couple of years. I’m guessing it’s Singleton 184, Fishback 197 and Trumble HWT for next year?

The VT vs NCST rivalry has no doubt raised the level of both programs, and despite NCST winning the last 6 ACC tournaments this rivalry has been very competitive until this year. So what happened? The common sentiment has been that NCST is identifying and developing talent better. And while that IS true, they haven’t been without failure. Those failures may soon be catching up with the Pack. Below is a deep dive into VT vs NCST recruiting the past 5 years. Those hits and misses foretell the results we see today, but a not so subtle shift in tides is occurring, and I predict VT will soon be back on top. In honor of the best sports weekend of the year, here is some reading material for my fellow wrestling junkies out there. Hope you enjoy! 2018 NCST brought in the #6 recruiting class and pretty much nailed it. It was headlined by big boarders T. Hidlay and Camacho, but lower ranked Trombley and Faison proved to be good evals. The VT class was far less impactful. It was small and at the time received HM recognition. Only Dakota Howard remains from that group. 2019 VT reloaded with the #5 class and 3 top 50 prospects in Brady, Andonian and Latona. Also bringing in local product Andy Smith. NCST took a small class which ranked #17 and again was dead on. K. Orine #49 and Trephan #72 both hit. 2020 For VT I would consider this the recruiting class most responsible for the disparity in our programs this season. VT brought in a big class which was ranked #9 overall. Catka #6, Hillegas #51, Ulrey #57, Ventresca #69, and Sam fisher. This class really struggled to hold par with the level of production being recruited by the Wolfpack. This cycle NCST brought in the #8 class consisting of Scott #19, Trumble #43 and Ryan Jack #46. In hindsight these 3 consecutive years fortell the results we are seeing today. NCST was recruiting at a high level and hitting the evals. They also grabbed solid contributors in the lower ranks with Trombley and Trephan. But 2021 was a turning point. In 2021 the Pack uncharacteristically struck out on the #4 ranked recruiting class. Only #46 Fields remains from that group. VT added Flynn and Trey Kibe in a small class. In 2022 both teams reload, NCST with the #3 class and VT #10. Despite NCST nabbing 4 top 50 recruits in Fishback #5, Singleton #10, Arrington #16 and Horne #35, early returns would indicate we have the upper hand with Henson #7 and Stewart #31, along with Crook who was a great eval at #69. 2023 is the year that could really set the tone for the next era of this rivalry. VT with the #7 class seems to have hit it out of the park. Mullen #7, Sasso #26 Church #29 and Hipolito #57 could be high level starters. It will be interesting to see what weight Church fills into. Mason #85 and Frazier HM round out the class. NCST took a small class with Buesgens #20 headlining along with V. Robinson #46. TLDR: If you’ve read up to this point, the takeaway seems clear. NCST isn’t doing anything spectacular in terms of development. Their high level contributors were expected to be just that, and good recruiting and evaluation from 2018, 2019 and 2020 continue to pay dividends for them. Our comparatively down years in 2018 and 2020 couldn’t keep pace, and we see the results now. The years ahead will be a different story. Our 2022 and 2023 classes have set a new tone, and the balance of power could shift in our favor very soon. S/o @Hikinghokie who correctly reminded us earlier in the season that our reinforcements are here, they’re just redshirting.

Did y’all see the 125 for UNC shat in his white singlet… Brutal

But he is elevating his game week by week at an unbelievable pace. Different wrestler than 4 matches ago.

I would go with TJ either way and tonight cemented that

And RS. That gives him 6 years to wrestle 5 no?

Good job by the coaches for righting the ship. I was not optimistic coming out of Cornell, but the roster as I see it has strong post-season potential and is set up for the future. Flynn is a r-Fr with legit finals potential this season. Has the body of a career 25. With Crook, smart move saving his body early in the year. His size is an asset right now and he seemed to physically overwhelm Lachlan with his length and gas tank. This time last year his weight cut was starting to take its toll. I see him poised for a strong finish. At 184 I would ride with TJ. He will level up that spot IF he can master the weight cut.

Physically looked great. Lots to learn from in that match and glad he’s taking his opportunity.

Unfortunate to see it play out this way. Looking at the roster, we have a rebuild ahead of us. Reinforcement won’t arrive until the 2025 class enrolls. It honestly looks bleak the text 2 years. Damn it!!!!!

I had high hopes for him at 184 when he first committed. 2 years in and he has never made the weight