141

1. Montell Marion, Iowa
2. Kellen Russell, Michigan
3. Andrew Alton, PSU
4. Borislav Novachkov, Cal Poly
5. Michael Mangrum, Oregon St.
6. Tyler Nauman-Pitt
7. Kendrick Maple-Oklahoma
8. Josh Kindig-Oklahoma State

R12-Zack Kemerer, Penn, Nick Dardanes-Minny, Zach Neibert-VT, Cole Von Ohlen-Air Force

Well Montell Marion certainly never had a dull moment last year. Started the year permanently suspended. He then proceeded to mentally break the ?permanent suspension? into submission and was back for the PSU dual where Alton tossed him to his back which forced Montell to put an absolute TD clinic on the freshmen. Then he had Kellen Russel dead to rights with little time left and pooped that one away. Dropped one to Thorn last year as well. There was never a question of his ability with Montell as he really reached another level from where he was as a sophomore. Had an absolutely bananas comeback in the quarters against Jimmy Kennedy where I think Jimmy literally lost his mind he was so tired and gave up the last TD. Had the controversial loss to Kellen when he took him down twice but never really ?planted? him so wasn?t awarded the points. Dropped down and got 4th. I?m hoping with a more low key Summer and his first time wrestling an entire season will help put Montell over the edge and beat Kellen Russel and the rest of the field.

Kellen exorcised his NCAA demons last year. Always did great in regular season and Big 10?s, but had some struggles at the big dance. The Gyro just seems to win, and doesn?t care what you think about how he wins. Doesn?t shoot much but uses his duck to score most of his offensive TD?s. Scores lots off of other guys shots. Really tough rider and that was what proved to be the difference for him this year at NCAA?s.

Andrew Alton had a great true freshmen year. He proved he was ready right away when he fake-ducked-headlocked Stephen Dutton into next week. Was competitive with all the elite guys wrestling Marion and Russell very close. Was somewhat ?found out? during the year at some point and he wasn?t quite able blow people up as much as he was earlier in the year. Kemerer(whom he had beaten earlier) had a nice gameplan and was able to oust AA in the R12. I think Cael uses his better judgement and wrestles him this year where I think he?ll be much improved if he can make the weight consistently.

Boris had a nice year and a nice draw last year when he hit the finals. I wouldn?t have guessed he was the 2nd best at this weight last year, but he got it done. Really kind of a jack of all trades. Good scrambler and has some good leg attacks, tough on top. I think he?ll really miss Mark Perry and drops off a little down to 4th.

Ok, now we?ve reached the portion of the picks where I throw darts and whatever I hit I went with. From 5-12 I really had difficulty discerning which way to go. My first dart landed on Mike Mangrum. Exciting kid with a lot of athleticism and ability. Hit the R12 this year and is someone I could see ?breaking out? and having a really nice finish.
I never really know what to make of Tyler Nauman. Had a nice year last year hitting the semis. Has notched some great wins over guys like Russell and Parks. However, when the chips were on the line this year he lost to Stephen Dutton. I think he caps his career off on the podium but believe me I?m not sold on it.

I watched Maple a lot 2 seasons ago and was really impressed. Got tons of ability and is great on his feet. Took a redshirt year and I think Mark Cody could be a great match for a guy like Kendrick. He was a huge 33 last year so I think the move up could help him with some fuel issues.

Kindig is another really exciting youngster. Had a pretty tough draw(though nothing he couldn?t have overcome) at NCAA?s and didn?t get on the podium. Got a lot of weapons on his feet and getting beat down by JO everyday has got to help. Also has had a great Summer wrestling freestyle.

Originally Posted by bwh27

At this rate Iowa won't need Byers to win the title. Good write-ups though.

I won't be this Iowa heavy the entire time. My only real reach was Ramos, even that wasn't a huge reach imo.

RE: Alton, you could be right, but remember he's already shown he can take down Russell with leg attacks, so I'd say they are there. He needs to refine his style more than anything. If he gets more leg-attack focused he'll be fine. I really don't believe it's that big of a stretch to think he'd beat Novachkov who won't have any good drilling partners and lost two great coaches.

149

1. Jamal Parks-Okey St.
2. Frank Molinaro-PSU
3. Ganbayar Sanjaa-American
4. Jason Chamberlain-Boise State
5. Mario Mason-Rutgers
6. Dylan Ness-Minnesota
7. Eric Grajales-Michigan
8. Ivan Lopouchanski-Purdon?t
   R12: Jacob Carewziewa-Iowa, Derek Valenti-UVA, Joe Cozart-ISU, Brian Stephens-VT

What the French, Toast? That?s right I said it. Mr. Jamal Parks! Seems like a stretch and I agree, but I simply cannot put Frank on top, I just don?t want to believe Frank can do it. Jamal has had his issues at Okey St. Primarily related to tank issues and refusing to score more than one take down a match, regardless of how easy the first one was. I listened to an interview and he seemed like a guy who really matured. Said He would put everything he had into this last year in an attempt to get a national title. His talent has never been in question. Extremely good on his feet, great double leg and great hips. Struggles from bottom at times, but I think he is athletic enough and there aren't any Lance Palmer type of riders at 49 this year that I think will really ride him. He lost to Dake in the quarters and then Chamberlain in the wrestle backs.

Frank Molinaro is a huge man and is hard to score on. He gets tired sometimes, and sometimes he doesn?t. He?ll choose down. That should be good enough for 2nd.

So I really clowned Ganbayar Sanjaa early on, not because I really disliked or knew much about him, but because of KobePM?s obnoxiousness it gave me somewhat of an unfair bias against him. Well I was wrong for that, but Kobe is still a clown. Kids got a really unique style that served him well this year. Great headlock and good short offense. For a primarily freestyle guy he?s pretty good on the mat. Had a dream draw if you ask me when he basically became the 1 seed when Caldwells shoulder came out which allowed him to cruise to the semis where Dake took care of him. Then dropped down and was able to hit Nadhir in the consi semis, then he dropped a match to Chamberlain to get 4th. I see him jumping another level and getting by Chamberlain.

Well so far I put two guys that Jason Chamberlain beat last year at NCAA?s ahead of him. That?s pretty cold, but I just think Chamberlain is just a top 4 kind of talent. I don?t see him getting a whole lot better and I think 4th is where he?ll wind up. He?s just very solid at everything. Shored up some of his issues with finishing shots and that served him quite well. He very well could be the number 2 guy here for all I know, but I foresee better talents surpassing him.

I came into last year pretty high on Mario Mason and felt he could really contend for a pretty high AA spot. When he beat Frank, I felt even more sure he could do just that. Marios biggest problem is his consistency. He can beat most and can lose to most. I don?t know if going to Rutgers was the best move for him. Stylistically he matches up well for their program, however, I?m not sure that school is able to get guys to the next level. I very cautiously am placing him here in hopes that his obvious sheer talent will win out and he?ll get on the podium. He?s another guy with a pretty high ceiling, but I think he?s held back by a lack of drive and a sub par coaching staff. Just my observations from afar.

Big Dylan Ness is probably the guy coming off of redshirt I?m most looking forward to seeing. He?s got the goods like big brother on top, but with a little bit more athleticism from the feet. Now does he have the heart of a champion like his brother is the real question. Had a nice redshirt year with some good wins, but we?ll see if he jumps another level and gets on the podium. He?s a guy with a big time ceiling who could break into the top 4 and not surprise me.

Well I drafted Eric Grajales last year on my fantasy team and was thrilled to have him. As a 133 lber. Well he was too big for that, and since Johnny Gyro was occupying 141 he had to go up 2 weights to 149. He was a big time recruit and was (laughably) mentioned in the same breath as David Taylor coming out of high school. Has a laid back style but showed some great gifts. He?s best on his feet where he really likes upper body stuff. He?ll attack legs too and has some tremendous scrambling ability. He had some gas issues which could be simply because he has to work so much harder to move guys that much bigger, or maybe he just gasses, I dont know. I see him bulking up, hitting the weights, getting a full nights rest, and getting on the podium this year.

Ivan ?Loopy? Lopouchanski is a pretty interesting prospect. Had a pretty nice 2 years at UNC-G before they were cut. Has an exciting upper body style with some good scrambling ability in addition to being pretty tough from top. He hit the two shouldered Darrion Caldwell in round 1 and then managed to hustle back to the round of 12. I would guess Purdue is a coaching upgrade from UNC-G, so we?ll see how he improves. He will benefit from better training partners that is without question. This weight is not completely stellar and I think he slips in at 8.

Originally Posted by halfdozen

He won't have Iowa higher than 4th at 197.

Is that a dare?

Also, how do I change the thread title so that people who are anxiously awaiting the next weight know that it is up. I can't find it.