Cael, Penn State Take Unfair Criticism for Decision (from InterMat, Andrew Hipps)

If PSU doesn't win the NCAA's then Happy Valley will not be very happy about sitting on the sidelines watching.

Congratulations to Minnesota! They deserve to be ranked #1 now.

My guess is after losing there Heavy for the year Smith is wishing he had not entered national duels.

That happened at Bedlam, not National Duals. Had his team been able to go in to the heavyweight match not needing that win to tie Oklahoma, perhaps he doesn't have to stick Gelogaev out there?

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Originally Posted by goferphan

That happened at Bedlam, not National Duals. Had his team been able to go in to the heavyweight match not needing that win to tie Oklahoma, perhaps he doesn't have to stick Gelogaev out there?

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+1

Injuries can happen anywhere at any time. Using fear of injury as an excuse or reason why to not participate in this or any other event is only plausible if a schedule is too demanding. I think it is clear to each team participant in the National Duals that they were not necessarily taxed any more this year than last at this point in the season.

Saying things like someone shouldn't have wrestled in some particular event because of an injury they suffered while there is hindsight and only applicable if any competitor(s) is obviously being overworked.

The Gophers wrestled 4 matches in 2 weeks, that's not uncommon this time of year. Its far less demanding to wrestle the National Duals in this style then it is to wrestle say the Southern Scuffle, CKLV or Midlands. Additionally, you ought to be able to rest some guys in the earlier rounds though I think Minnesota had a particularly difficult schedule with Kent State, Missouri, Iowa and Oklahoma State. Maybe Illinois had it rougher?

Lionheart--I don't think that injuries is the issue with National Duals. I sure hope they can move it to a 1-day event earlier in the year next year and get PSU on-board.