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KCDale OP
Feb 04, 2026 at 03:20 PM ET
Caleb Henson?
Apologies if this has already been posted, but what were the expectations for Caleb going into this tournament? I don't follow much freestyle and I only saw the bronze medal match. Can someone explain the break, where they were being fanned? Is that always at a certain time regardless of what is happening on the mat or was there another reason for the timeout?

9 Replies

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donjfs3
5mo
Caleb hasn't wrestled a ton of freestyle compared to his opponents
The general non-hokie consensus was that he would lose his first match to Iran's #2 and maybe win a match if he got pulled back in. Bronze was not the expectation he was a big time underdog twice. Personally not surprised he got to the bronze medal match, I didn't see him winning that though. He beat a world champ in his first international tournament. He's a machine.
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Hokiesplatz
5mo
True! Judge made him tape over Frayers name on his blue SERTC singlet!
Classic!! Caleb told the judge he didn't have another blue one...so cool...never seen that before... Congrats to Caleb and Coach Frayer
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Hokiesplatz
5mo
Correction TMWC singlet...Titan Mercury..
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La Gargola
5mo
Gemini called it the best freestyle win by a VT wrestler
In the Robie era. I would say all time freestyle wise
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NYC2000
5mo
I think it depends on how you measure the "best" freestyle win...
If the question is just who has beaten the opponent with the best past credentials, it is hard to argue against a win over a past world champ. However, and not to take anything away from Caleb at all, it is hard for me to rank a win in a bronze medal match at a ranking series event over Mekhi's gold medal win at the U20 world championships, just given the significance of that win. To me, it's a bit like ranking the best collegiate wins of all time for VT wrestlers. As good as Vito was, I wouldn't rank Latona's dual win over Vito in the same category as Mekhi over Joseph or Caleb over Gomez for NCAA titles.
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donjfs3
5mo
What about toughest? Because Caleb's win over Elahi might've been better
Less significant bc everybody knows Musukaev but he's probably better right now.
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Hikinghokie
5mo
Devin Carter had a nice win at the Dave Schultz if I remember right
But this might that the cake
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samistone
5mo
Devin beat Bajrang Punia
Right around the same time Bajrang won his first senior level world bronze medal. It was a big deal but probably flew under the radar a bit in Blacksburg.
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SimV Hokie
5mo
Two three-minute periods to a match. They get a short break between ...
for water, being fanned, and to dry off before starting the final 3 minute session.