What is the state of Iowa State wrestling after this disappointing showing?

BigDogCyclone

Member
Nov 22, 2006
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Westerville, OH
Granted this talented class of seniors went through coaching changes, however I think we might all agree that this was a disappointing showing at nationals.

For those guys who follow this team closer than I do, what do we have to look forward to next year? Are we completely rebuilding?

Will this team be able to compete for a title next year?
 
Yeah, we'll compete for title. For wrestling, we're still Iowa State, one of the top wrestling schools in the nation. It'll always be a matchup of us and Iowa at the top with another school up there, but don't worry. KJ will reload with talent.
 
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Granted this talented class of seniors went through coaching changes, however I think we might all agree that this was a disappointing showing at nationals.

For those guys who follow this team closer than I do, what do we have to look forward to next year? Are we completely rebuilding?

Will this team be able to compete for a title next year?
I think two champions and a runner up is a pretty good showing. We had a couple of guys not wrestle up to their seeds but some people think we should get the NC just because.
 
We seem to do well in duals, but tournaments haven't been kind to us in the past few years. What is key to turning this corner?

There was a point in the season where I thought KJ got the guys focusing on scoring bonus points, but once it got to the final tournaments we went conservative.
 
We seem to do well in duals, but tournaments haven't been kind to us in the past few years. What is key to turning this corner?

There was a point in the season where I thought KJ got the guys focusing on scoring bonus points, but once it got to the final tournaments we went conservative.

Could have been reverting back to how Sanderson coached when they got to the finals, who knows. I don't think it will be a problem in the future with KJ's intensity and focus on said bonus points.
 
ISU will continue to be a top 5 team. Long, Reader, and Gallick can all win titles next year. Just need some underclassmen to step up. Now is their time.

My guess
125 - ???? Big hole
133 - Long
141 - Gallick
149 -Weathermen
157 - Carr Jr./Sorenson
165 - Reader
174 - Spangler
184 - Beard
197 - Ward
Hwt - Gibson/Thompson

Honestly, there is a lot to be excited about in that line up. I've heard good things about Spangler and Beard. I think Ward will do much better at 197. I'm gonna miss Z and Varner.
 
I am not disappointed with this team, head to head we beat everyone we needed to, and missing 2 weight classes (Gallick and 157) we did just fine
 
Iowa State has a pretty good class coming in, Ryak Finch is highly ranked 125-pounder. I doubt Long moves up unless Finch can take it over. If Gallick can come back with a medical red-shirt, that would help tremendously. We're losing some excellent men, but Long, Reader will need to lead us. Off the cuff guess, 3rd place at Nationals could be pretty realistic next-year because I don't think we're going to replace the points we lose in Varner and Z next year, and Cornell will be very solid and Iowa will be Iowa. But a lot of growing up is done in the off season, KJ gets a little more time with them, who knows what kind of gains our guys could come back with.
 
We seem to do well in duals, but tournaments haven't been kind to us in the past few years. What is key to turning this corner?

There was a point in the season where I thought KJ got the guys focusing on scoring bonus points, but once it got to the final tournaments we went conservative.
Not really conservative. More like it's nationals and the best wrestlers at each weight are there. Not many places where there may be holes in a squads lineup where you see falls and blowouts.
 
We seem to do well in duals, but tournaments haven't been kind to us in the past few years. What is key to turning this corner?

There was a point in the season where I thought KJ got the guys focusing on scoring bonus points, but once it got to the final tournaments we went conservative.

In duals you can have 5 guys wrestle very well and win. For tournaments, you need scoring from all of your wrestlers. If 3 or 4 of them are not good enough to get any points in nationals then you are already behind.
 
What about the kid from Urbandale? Can't think of his name, and don't feel like looking?, for next year, RS?
His name is Moreno. His dad wrestled for ISU, and yes, he will probably red shirt. Big upside down the road for him because he's a hell of a wrestler.
 
ISU will continue to be a top 5 team. Long, Reader, and Gallick can all win titles next year. Just need some underclassmen to step up. Now is their time.

My guess
125 - ???? Big hole
133 - Long
141 - Gallick
149 -Weathermen
157 - Carr Jr./Sorenson
165 - Reader
174 - Spangler
184 - Beard
197 - Ward
Hwt - Gibson/Thompson

Honestly, there is a lot to be excited about in that line up. I've heard good things about Spangler and Beard. I think Ward will do much better at 197. I'm gonna miss Z and Varner.

You really think Long will move up to 133 next year? Word out of Iowa's wrestling room is that McDonough will be at 133 next year too, with Ramos coming in at 125. Would love to see 3 more years of Long v. McD matchups, every time they go at it it's tooth and nails and could go either way.
 
You really think Long will move up to 133 next year? Word out of Iowa's wrestling room is that McDonough will be at 133 next year too, with Ramos coming in at 125. Would love to see 3 more years of Long v. McD matchups, every time they go at it it's tooth and nails and could go either way.

I think he is going to have to. If he can stay at 125, more power to him. The problem is that he is already struggling to make 125 and may have no choice but to go up to 133. This time last year he was 133.
 

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