Are you telling me Jenkins can't wrestle Metcalf better than Palmer?

I think it has to do with style. Palmer has a better tank than Jenkins, but he also is very methodical and seems to take the tactic to keep it close and not expend a whole lot of energy (take a breather now and then) and try to win it at the end. It nearly worked to perfection in the qfinals when he was close to a takedown to win it at the end.

Jenkins comes out like a ball of fire and tries to take the match to Metcalf. Even takes him down once or twice. However, that also means that he expends a lot of energy in that first period trying to match Metcalf's pace and energy. Metcalf is the only guy who's used to that kind of pace all of the time, so when Jenkins finally runs out of gas, it's all over.

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Metcalf isn't as good as some of the guys he wrestles in the technique area. However, he more than makes up for it by out working them in every other area. He never gives you a second to breath and since he's the only guy in the country who wrestles like that all of the time, you can't beat him at his game. You have two choices, do what Schlatter does and score early and then block and try to slow things down for the rest of the match, or do what Palmer does and try to get a stalemate for the first 6 minutes and take your chances at the end. Either way, he's gonna keep the pressure on for 7 minutes and most guys will crack at some point.

Originally Posted by therick

Metcalf isn't as good as some of the guys he wrestles in the technique area. However, he more than makes up for it by out working them in every other area. He never gives you a second to breath and since he's the only guy in the country who wrestles like that all of the time, you can't beat him at his game. You have two choices, do what Schlatter does and score early and then block and try to slow things down for the rest of the match, or do what Palmer does and try to get a stalemate for the first 6 minutes and take your chances at the end. Either way, he's gonna keep the pressure on for 7 minutes and most guys will crack at some point.

Just like his coach! I'd bet he'd be the 1st to say he's not the best technician in the world, but it doesn't matter, you better be able to go 7! And you're right.. the last thing Metcalf/Brands/Iowa would do is play the Schlatter game (score early and block-slow things down) and hope for the win. They just go...go...go...and go more!

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^^^^^^^

That's why many of us old school guys love watching him wrestle. He brings it for 7 minutes and does not care about the score. Example was tonight's final. He was shooting and looking to score right up the last second. I loved it!

What amazes me about Metcalf is his stamina. 7 minutes of going at it full tilt and he's still breathing through his nose at the end. He has unbelieveable oxygen transfer.

I agree with the theory that Metcalf is as good as he is because he is constant offense! Offense wins matches not defense! Wrestlers who try to keep it close and get the early slim lead and then try to "stall" their way to a win run the risk of making a mistake or getting nailed for stalling.I don't think Metcalf gets called for stalling much.Jenkins summed it up best..."I could not survive the storm the last 2 times" There is your answer! oh ...and by the way make that the last 3 times now.

Back in the Dark Ages - before internet message boards - you would occassionally have real live discussions where you would hear that Tom Brands was no where near "as good a wrestler" as Alan Fried. Which one of them was a 3X NCAA champ, World Champ and Olympic gold medalist?

There are no "style points" in college wrestling. I'll take the guy who wins over the guy that looks pretty losing every time.