Originally Posted by JensenS

Thorn beat Zach Bailey and Cody Cleveland this spring.

Those are two very good wins as Bailey spent most of last year in the top 12, and Cleveland was an AA.

Was it freestyle? Impressive wins but we all know that freestyle doesnt necessary translate into folkstyle success.

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And Im not saying that Thorn wont have success, I suspect he'll see the podium at some point. I just dont think he's been vetted enough yet to declare him the next Jayson Ness or Mack Reiter at this point.

As I said, Thorn will hold his own. For people that would argue, I tell you that we will be just as solid at 125, 133 and 141 this year as we were at those spots last year.

Sanders, Ness, Thorn is pretty formidable although maybe not as much success this year as last year at those weights, still pretty solid. Last year those weights went 2nd, 5th and 7th at NCAA's. This year I think Sanders is an outside shot at AA at 125, Ness will be Top 5 and Thorn will certainly get in, we will see what he does once he gets there.

You may not think that freestyle counts but tell that to guys like Herbert when they lose to a guy like Varner in freestyle. That stays with you when you see a guy on the mat again whether you see them in folkstyle or freestyle. It made everyone realize that although Herbert is a big time stud, he can still be beat.

Really? I don't think I ever said that specifically. I think what Triggas did this past summer in the other disciplines will certainly translate in to success for him this year on the folkstyle mat. I think confidence is confidence and offense is offense.

If I did come across as "freestyle" doesn't count then I don't think I would be as high on Zach Sanders as I have been seeing as how alot of his success has been in freestyle as well nationally.

I think the only real difference between you guys and me is that I'm a little more cautious. I'm optimistic about our future weights, but I just cant pencil these guys in as AA contenders until they accomplish something in folkstyle. It's not that I dont think that they can do it, I just need something other then optimism and highschool credentials to go off of.

I dont know if any other top teams are going to be at the Bison but Sanders should see Mustari at the quad on the 29th, so hopefully that will give us an idea of where he is at. I would have liked to see thorn vs hashimoto also but it looks like kenny is out for a while as Trusty predicted.

Hopefully Sanders/Thorn/MAson can pick up the torch left by our great crop of recent lighter weights, I think even without Deitchler minnesota will be back in title contention before these guys graduate.

You know I had gof pegged as a "no freestyle points" guy also...

Just because I tried it for 2 seasons after my sophomore and junior years and sucked at it doesn't mean I don't like it and don't respect it...LOL.