Originally Posted by kr1963

Didn't I tell yawl about Ed?

InterMat Wrestling - Ruth honored as 2012 InterMat Wrestler of the Year

Amazing how he went from a complete unknown underachiever last year to a National Champ this year.

Originally Posted by vaisforlovers

I'm surprised Intermat didn't still have Eric Grajales ahead of him.

Haaaaaa

Originally Posted by kr1963

Didn't I tell yawl about Ed?

InterMat Wrestling - Ruth honored as 2012 InterMat Wrestler of the Year

Originally Posted by quinn14

Congrats to Ed, but I disagree with the decision. Taylor had more wins, 5 more pins and more techs. This just may be another case where awards are given just to spread the wealth. Kind of like a QB winning the Heisman but they give the quarterback-of-the-year to another player.

I was thinking about this also and think you're probably right. The only wrestling reason I see to give it to Ed over DT would be the quality of competition thing. I think people saw more of a drop off after Taylor at 165, whereas Ed had Perry and Amuchastegui at that weight.

Originally Posted by vaisforlovers

I believed in him before you did. Fantasy drafts don't lie.

You picked him 8th I think 2 years ago? I think you were thinking table scraps at that point.

Originally Posted by Flop The Nuts

Amazing how he went from a complete unknown underachiever last year to a National Champ this year.

Preseason for the Hodge no one on this website was picking him. Not even to finish int he top 5. I was putting his name up there even ahead of Amuch when Ed was ranked 2nd in most polls. He finished 2nd in the Hodge.

Originally Posted by BlueBloodLion

I was thinking about this also and think you're probably right. The only wrestling reason I see to give it to Ed over DT would be the quality of competition thing. I think people saw more of a drop off after Taylor at 165, whereas Ed had Perry and Amuchastegui at that weight.

I think the only stat Intermat showed where Ed was ahead was beating more AA then DT. I was surprised by it a bit but I think you are right. it is sort of like one QB winning the Maxwell & another QB winning the Heisman.

I recorded the PIAA finals and just now got around to watching it (insert laughter here). Actually, with nooooo wrestling going on right now, I'm glad I did. I was impressed with all 3 kids heading to PSU, it was such a better night than the Dapper Dan. My thoughts:
Gulibon had a typical match. I was really happy for him and liked seeing John Hughes and (the other old guy who won four times) welcome him to the club. I still kind of view Megaludis as having a little higher ceiling (thought so before NCAA tourney, still think so), but I think both will have outstanding careers. It is much easier for me seeing Meg go up to 133, so my long term thought is that Gulibon stays at 125 and Meg goes up, but I haven't seen Gulibon in person.

Beitz looked so much better in this match than the Dapper Dan (my only other time seeing him or Phipps). I was impressed with his neutral work (less impressed on the mat obviously). I have seen his brother in practice some and don't see him lighting it up at NCAAs, but little bro looks a little more interesting.

And then there's Phipps. WOW! His Dapper Dan match didn't show it, but he is strong like a bull. Now, his DD match showed that he is a very good HS wrestle while Rogers is college ready (and Rogers would have been a serious pickup for PSU), so he will need some work. But he reminded me a lot of Matt Brown. I might have to go down and watch those two brawl im practice. Them going live might be like two superheroes - I can see Brown throwing Phipps through the wall, then Phipps climbing back through the hole and smashing Brown through the wall on the other side of the room.

On a personal note, I was really happy with Solomon's win at 195. He works out with the NLW kids group regularly and is a steady, hard worker. A good tournament for a good kid. His finals match this year was sooo much better than last year. Last year I was comfortable wrestling him, this year not so much. He is surprisingly strong through his core which really helps him stay in good position.

Finally, any early words on where Racciato is leaning? I love watching him wrestle, but it seems he is just as likely to end his college career with the title "character issues" as he is "NCAA champ".