Weekend Recap

The NWCA All-Star Classic is always an interesting event. Thinking back to high school, it'd be rather odd to face another state placer or champ in your first match of the year. We always see some interesting results in this event, but luckily for the guys who didn't have their best night the matches are technically exhibitions. The rule changes and experimental rules tend to overshadow the wrestling, which is unfortunate in my opinion. 

As for the rules last night, does increasing point values really increase action? Folkstyle has a stalling problem and one of the instances that seems to produce it is one wrestler getting a takedown and essentially feeling the match is over. Since neutral stalling doesn't seem to get called until there is 15 seconds left in the 3rd, one wrestler becomes defensive for the rest of the match. Having a takedown be worth 2, 3, or 4 is essentially just aesthetics in my opinion. It really doesn't change any action until refs call stalling before late in the 3rd. 

The near-fall scoring is even worse to me. If you can turn a guy for points or to pin him, you do. The idea that if it's worth more makes you want to more, is just stupid. 

It was some great wrestling to kick off what should be an incredible collegiate wrestling season. It was great to have it on ESPNU. I actually watched on an Ipad at a family event via the WatchESPN app. It's nice to have such access since in some previous years you were waiting for results days later. 

Other interesting results from the weekend you may have missed:

Minnesota was in action at the Daktronics Open at South Dakota State. Skylar Petry defeated Ethan Lizak at 125 meaning Petry now has a leg up for the starting spot. Minnesota has traditionally used opens instead of a wrestle-off. Brad Dolezal made news by tossing around Lavion Mayes (Missouri) at University Nationals this spring. Interestingly though (at 157) he lost to freshman teammate Larry Early who then lost to Brandon Kingsley who split time with Wanzek at 165 last year. So maybe Kingsley has dropped a weight to make a spot for him. It's interesting to see how the Gophers lineup shapes up as they start an odd season which has them #24 in the pre-season rankings. 

Also at the Daktronics Open, Colin Jensen (Nebraska) lost to Minnesota backup Rylee Streifel. Don't worry though, Jensen will still somehow get a wild card to make the NCAA's again this year no matter what his record is. 

Trey Andrews (Northern Colorado) went beast mode at the Northern Colorado Open with none of his matches going the distance. He looks to be a breakout star this year. 

Rutgers was expected to beat Franklin & Marshall and Binghamton as part of their opening weekend duals, but scores 47-0 and 38-0 was a bit surprising. Throw in a 46-0 win over Centenary and the Scarlet Knights won all 30 matches they wrestled. Anthony Ashnault posted an impressive 7-1 win over All-American Richard Durso in a matchup of top ten guys.