Isn’t uncommon at many programs. Especially with the kids that have gotten more eligibility from Covid. Constant improvement while fending off injuries or recovering from injuries is tough. These guys have wrestled since they were young kids. And the sport is brutal. So even maintaining is tough over many years in college. Cutting weight isn’t fun and when you’ve been sacrificing for a decade or more it can be brutal. That’s why it’s great to see Andy still improving. That’s something we should be proud of as fans. I hope he continues to improve and peak in March. As for the panic over a dual match, I’d bet our guys aren’t especially right after the end of the falll semester, finals etc. The reason you put teams like Oklahoma state on the schedule is to test the guys and see where they are. Mission accomplished. It would have been great to do better, but these guys are headed home for some needed rest knowing they need to get better before March. As I’ve said before I’ve never heard a former D-1 wrestler talk about their dual meet record. Not even conference titles. All focus on the ncaas in March. Panic all you want, but I don’t think that’s even a thought with our coaches or wrestlers.

Penn State kicked the snot out of us. Our returning stud AAs Brascetta and Epperly lost to some wimpy freshman. Turns our those freshmen were some of the best to ever do it, and we won our first and only team trophy at the end of the year. Not saying that's where this year is headed, but a little perspective never hurts. This was ugly, but panicking is just an emotional response. We've had a really strong start to the year before tonight.

I just don't understand this comment help me. Eddie 9-6 --> 19-9 --> 2-7 (injury) --> 10-2 finals of cklv and a close match with Ramos at that. Sam 17-2 --> 14-3 --> 14-9 --> 26-8 --> 20-9 --> 15-6 app American at two weight classes poised to do so at a third. Came in with monumental expectations and has exceeded them Caleb 27-5 --> 30-2 --> 12-0, you can literally see the progression in the ridge matches. Raph early enough that I'm Sony sure we should look at Ditto church Tj 14-5 --> 14-4 -->0-4. The unspoken subtext that I think this venting is aimed at, TJ will be fine if frayer believes there's not much to worry on OR Sam 0-5 --> 6-3 -->21-5 --> 13-7 -->5-4 maybe I could make a case for this argument here but if you watched freshman fisher after Fauquier to now you have to see the development. The world team development was obvious to me...? Smith 4-6 --> 8-4 --> 15-9 --> 18-11 -->4-3, again maybe I could see the argument here but much like fisher the development is obvious watching freshmen versions to now Catka 10-4 --> 10-6 --> 19-8 --> 17-8 -->5-2 I could maybe see the argument here as well but hwt is such a different ball game in terms of body development that it's a little misleading. Also factor in that most of these records have 3-5 wins freshmen year from the freshman and sophomore sertc open. I just don't get the comment against the record. Losing sucks and I'm sure we underperformed but that's why you schedule this match now. The timing is nearly identical to day one of ncaas from the acc tourney with respect to cklv and now the osu dual. It's on the road in a foreign environment. For some guys it's their first time being "the guy" for others it's their first time as the starter. Dual did what it was supposed to.

And maybe Andy this year... but most have plataued or regressed after their first couple years under Robie. Epperly, Zavatsky, McFadden, Mikhi, Bolen, Andonian, Latonna, Catka, Brady, etal. And we may be adding Eddie to that list... and TJ is still unknown (so far we have 2 months of good effort last Feb and March... only one take down this year) ** Edited by Palmetto Hokie at 12/20/2024, 9:54:17 PM

While you can show that some wrestlers (lower weights) have shown an improved average in overall record, I am talking about whats happening inbetween those wins and losses Ventresca: I am happy he's finally healthy and consider last yaer a misnomer, but I am cautious to think he has turned the corner as a top 10 wrestler. He still shows hesitancy in his offense when he isnt wrestling a guy in #100s or a freshman (6 of his 10 wins) McConagle: Wait and see if he gets healthy. Hoping a good plug and play transfer, as we develop the younger guys Latona: It is a testament to his ability to have those records while moving through three weight classes. But a 6th year senior that still gives up silly last second points, lost to some headscratchers and seem to trends downward in postseason: 6-R12-7-R16 (its a tough sport to do this for 6 years) Henson: Absolutely agree with you, probably only one I'm not wary of development Hip: Still to early, agree with you.But holy mackrel his wrestling technique is still so raw. Can't wait to see it refined with his creativity 165: Honestly a black hole in the line up since 21-22 with Mehki. Wait and see with Church but its surprising to me haven't had a top 20 wrestler in this spot going on 3 yearsh Wolak: Very happy for him last year but we will see if he can replicate the same results. Right now he looks shaky, not fully healthy in my opinion. But he needs matches and turn some quality opponents to get a good seed TJ: Actually not at all who I am directing this at. He isnt right this year. We all know this because 1. We all saw the level of his ability at last years tournament and 2. This year, even with whatever problem he has, hes been gutting it out. I honestly think sometimes the expectations the fans have for him is unfair. But I am hoping to see a fully season put together by him, and I am sure he is itching for it too Smith: The development of the 197 weight class and the wrestler holding the spot is a tale of two stories. Andy has shown the most upward growth to me of any wrestler in the room. He has look great so far, but Smith has in a lot of seasons before petering out down the stretch. Heres to hoping for another AA, and going 2-0 the first day 285: We as fans were spoiled by having Walz at HVY, Agree with you HVY is the hardest to project and develop, but something has to be said of going on 6 year of musical chairs of Mullen, Catka, traxler and others LASTLY: Happy to see you posting back on the boards, Jersey. ** Edited by HokieRat at 12/20/2024, 9:52:00 AM

Re: latona, I'm sure the duty he pulled covering while korbin went at his best weight slowed his progress. Given his size this season, he most certainly spent that entire year managing weight and not working on skills. Did it for the the team and the result was worth it. His style has also had to significantly change from being the 9 foot spaghetti monster at 125 instead to being more normal at 141. In term of his style I think he's improved significantly from neutral in terms of technique. Re: HWT it's all about training partners. Hwt like 125 is one of the areas where having a professional at your weight is so important. I think we've spent our dollars so we'll from the sertc but more money would lead to a place for investment in coaching/training partners. Jared has filled in admirably in that gap Re 166 I think it's also a bit of khi winning the NC at 165 his r-fr year. Hard to recruit that position with khi and Brady on board. Obviously I still have hope things click one last time for Connor and he has all the tools but mac is already developing well.

Duals are basically irrelevant. This was an opportunity for a lot of our guys to get quality wins to help their seedings and we didnt take advantage. Still 3 months til nationals. Way too early to peak right now. Sucks that Mcgonagle and Stewart werent able to go. Im sure no one is more dissappointed than Coach in the overall performance. Like you said, thats why we schedule this match now.

statement. Eddie has progressed into a top 10 guy, Caleb seems to keep getting better and Andy Smith's progress has been impressive. For a lot of the other current starters and top backups it's too early to know. You could also point to some guys from the past few years, like Connor Brady, Mekhi and Hunter Bolen, who seemed to peak early in their careers and then regress a bit or just never develop as we hoped.

unintentionally ruined one year with an injury, then Starocci entered the scene, a guy that will be a 5X ncaa champ. Mekhi had some really close matches with him. Granted the last match with Starocci was not all that close but still, he’ll go down as one of the all time greats. If you compare the class of Mekhi vs Starocci, I’d take Mekhi over Starocci as a Hokie every day of the week. ** Edited by ChEHokie78 at 12/20/2024, 9:45:31 AM