Midlands: 1st; Big XII: 1st; Nationals: ???

Just wondering what everyone's thoughts on our shot at the Nationals Title?

So far, we have proven to be a great tournament team, as we have won both stated in the title of this thread. That's no small feat. National Duals was a 2nd place finish, after a 24 - 11 loss to MN. Our other loss to them was closer: 19 - 13. Can we top them this time?

Is Iowa still a factor?

I haven't done any research, so I'm not sure who the other schools have going. I have heard that it's set up (somewhat) to favor a Big 10 school (11 wrestling teams, 6 bids). How do we stack up against Minnesota?

Minnesota has owned us twice in duals this year, but we won't be wrestling them head to head. I just want to have our freshman get some good nationals experience and have them advance some, and I would really like to see one or two of our seniors win a title. It'd be great to see somebody like Backes or the Paulsons go out on top.

Backes just has to hit the right groove and he can stick with anyone in the country.

Actually, we finished 3rd in the Duals. Mizzou got 2nd. :wink0st:
Anyways, if we get lucky with some Minny upsets, and we wrestle to our seeds and/or better than our seeds, we have a good shot at obtaining the NC title. I'd like to see us finish in the top 5, because for some reason, I don't think we've finished up there in a while. I may be wrong because I didn't bother to look it up. Winning the NC is a possibility, but Minnesota is definately the team to beat this year. If, and that's a big if, we were to take the title, it would involve Minny being upset and us wrestling at least to our seeds. We still have another week to prepare, and I believe that Cael is gonna have us in prime position for wrestling.

It is exciting thinking that we have (at least an outside) shot at a national title.

One thing that can benefit us is the fact that we are deep and can score points by not only winning but placing, it would be nice to get 5 All-Americans. That is how Gable's Hawks won all those titles, teammates knew that they had better keep wrestling because that meant a national title. And Gable and Cael have a passion to win, something that has been instilled on their squads. Tradition is huge here and Cael wants to make it even greater! I hope that we get at least one Champion, but several AA's. That being said Minnesota is tough. And the Hawks will always be a factor. Duels are different than tourney teams, but we have a solid squad at both! Great job fellas.