Back to results. Can we not clump together 15 guys and say they under performed or over performed. Also, can we look at the age of our guys verse the age of the Iowa wrestlers. Lastly, this is freestyle not folkstyle so it really hard to compare unless you watched the matches. A takedown with 4 ankle laces is different then giving up 4-5 TDs. Here is my take on most of the guys:
Boston - I know for a fact he does not like or has experience at freestyle and it showed as he may have had the worse results of the main ISU guys. Making 125 in the off-season may have been a factor, too. I excpected so much more from him so hopefully he can maintain his weight and get back to wrestling like he did his true freshman year.
Simmons - Name one college Freshman that could beat Graff? The Pitt kid was ranked most or all of season so not a bad loss. Had 2-3 wins in-between so not sure what people are expecting from him.
Meeks - Disappointed. Still doesn't appear to be able to get over the hump.
Hall - Makes weight and he is in title discussion. Good showing up a weight.
Shaw - One match from placing. Has really improved and may be in the lead in being our 157-pounder next year. Very good tourny.
Renaldo - Disappointed. Not likeing the path he is heading down and he better get it figured out soon or may not be around long.
Breitenbach - Actually, had a decent tourny. Was 1 or 2 matches from placing and had a couple of nice wins.
DiBlasi - Great tournament with a win over an AA. One win from placing. Seems to be progressing real well during the last part of the season and through the off-season. No guarantee Dane would beat him if he makes 165 next season.
Harrington - Real solid tournament. Lost fairly close matches to a very good FS wrestler that has graduated and a NCAA AA. Did not give up a point except for those two matches and was one match from placing. I have been worried about his progression but it appears he is starting to put it together and could have a very good (AA contention) sophomre year.
Obviously, no one had a breakout tournament but I think Simmons, Shaw, DiBlasi, and Harrington showed that they could have very good freshmen and sophomore years. If you are expecting these 4 to be AA caliber today then yes, I guess you should be disappointed in their performance. Otherwise, not a bad weekend.