Wrestling is such a unique sport

by Domer99, John Wesley Powell's Expedition Island, Sunday, March 22, 2026, 09:29 (125 days ago) @ Mark

It actually is one of those sports where the best in the sport can be good coaches and teachers too. The best wrestlers are largely self-selectors. So, you don't deal with prima donna egos, or the shifting trends like "today's sport is different than in my generation." The best guys in the sport are almost always the hardest workers. That makes it easier for a guy like David Taylor. All those guys in the room know who he is, respect him, and want to match his success.

There aren't many LeBrons in the sport.

People thought it was a risk to hire Taylor. But the reality was he was already coaching a ton at his club M2 Training Center while he was still training for international competitions. He really just needed to be surrounded by guys who know the NCAA landscape and some good recruiters. Stillwater was desperate for anyone to take this program to another level. I imagine you will see something similar in Iowa City as the Brand brothers continue to do things the old way that Gable taught.

I think you are right, OSU is putting their stamp on college wrestling right now. And next year's class is stacked too (not quite as good as this year's class but next year's was supposed to include Jax Forrest, which is a tradeoff I think they'll gladly take).

But they have the Raney twins coming in, both are accomplished on the international circuit in Greco and freestyle. They have DreShaun Ross. Rocklin Zinklin, who just won the toughest HS bracket in America in California. So, they are definitely stockpiling.

The issue is that they are just trying to make a dent into PSU's armor. Certainly, they are closing the gap. But take 133 for example. Marcus Blaze is the starter. PSU had Aaron Nagao, who was an All American his frosh year. They had to bump him to 141 and even then he was going to have to take another redshirt year. Why? Because the back up at 133, who is also redshirting, is a world champion. Masanosuke Ono had a ridiculous off season including beating Spencer Lee at an exhibition in Iowa. Those 3 guys are all legitimate All Americans, each with a possibility to win the title at 133.

Similar issue at 125 with Lilledal and Nate Desmond. Same thing at 141 with Braeden Davis and now Aaron Nagao. Similar issue at 157 where Messenbrink's back up is Joe Sealey who won 2 prep national championships. At 174 they have Henckel backing up national champion Levi Haynes.

I don't understand how they get these guys to stay. All of their backups would be starting at nearly every program in the country.

And if they are ever light on a weight class? They go to the portal and get a guy like Rocco Welsh who was undefeated all year and was upset in the national championship.

Oklahoma St. is going to certainly elevate the program as the leading contender but I just don't see how anyone dethrones Penn St. as long as the talent continues to stay in State College. And how can you blame them? They just had 5 national champions in another ho-hum season for them.