finished 10th. Based on our seasons and the ACCT, it is surprising to finish below those teams, but no it isn't surprising to finish ~12th. We were a fairly deep team this year, but outside of Seidel, Gaj, and EV, we didn't really have the top end talent for NCAAs this year. For example, Church finished 2nd at the ACCT and didn't score points for us at the NCAAs (while Parco and Denny who were 3rd/4th at ACCs each won two). Not picking on Church as I think he wrestled up to his potential and gave 110% effort, this is a tough tournament. Having said all that, it would have been a fine tournament if Eddie had been up to the task. For whatever reason, he went progressively further into a defensive shell as the season went on. If only he had dropped a match to Provo, Robinson, or Spratley along the way, he might have opened, but I guess winning reinforces bad habits. ** Edited by goodbadugly at 3/22/2026, 7:55:54 AM

and just went into an offensive shell. Eddie didn't have the injuries that I know of, but he certainly wasn't aggressive the last half of the seasonl

The organizers pushed the Invitational back to December 12-13 which is during VT finals. Robie wants to participate, but planning around our guys taking finals will be a significant challenge.

Wrestling is a sport with actual student-athletes. They actually do care about school.

Too early and you don't get the best teams, too late and nobody participates because they're getting ready for NCAA's. Too in the middle and schools have to deal with finals. Unless it's sanctioned by the NCAA as a true national championship, which isn't happening any time soon, Paycom is giving the best option they can.

The student part of athlete probably is a great distant second.