Wrestling Weekend Preview
by psuwresfan on Dec 11, 2009 6:32 PM EST
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PrintI've been writing these previews for awhile to a small group of people and figured I would start posting them here so more people could actually read them. I usually also write a recap on Monday or Tuesday if I have time.
Two matches Penn State should win this weekend, in fact I think they should win both easily with a full lineup. But things were made a little more interesting this week when it was announced that Clay Steadman will be out for both matches and Penn State will forfeit 197 both nights. Steadman and Lorenzo were suspended for a violation of team rules which was reported to be drinking during the season, celebrating Steadman's 21st birthday. Cael said on his radio show that both are good kids, who work hard and do everything right, they just made a mistake. It will be interesting to see how long the suspension to Steadman lasts.
Last weekend Penn State had a decent showing in the Nittany Lion Open, they had a few champions but failed to notch many signature wins, with both Pataky and Vallimont losing to good wrestlers. David Erwin continued to improve and beat the #10 guy at 184 it seems that move might be a good one. Ortega continues to look as though the early season win over Erwin was a fluke as he struggled and lost early.
Friday vs the West Virginia Mountaineers
125 #7 Brad Pataky vs Anthony Curico This should be an easy win for Pataky and a good chance for bonus points the team will need to help fill the hole at 97. Pataky by tech fall
133 Tyler Saltsman vs Colin Johnston Johnston wrestled an absolute thriller with Molinaro last year, where Molinaro was cruising before running out of gas, and then trading big moves in the final period for a one point win. Johnston hasn't lived up to his early hype he had in high school, but he'll have no problem with Saltsman Johnston by dec
141 Colby Pisani vs Trey Ayala Two mediocre wrestlers take to the mats but I'll give Pisani the edge here after a pretty good weekend at the NLO. Pisani by dec
149 #6 Frank Molinaro vs Mark Tsikerdanos Ah I almost forgot about old Tsinkerdanos which it turns out is pronounced sink er don us. Learned that at least year's dual meet. I wonder if Mark has learned anything since that match in which Bubba put on a takedown clinic. Expect more of the same. Frank by maj dec
157 #3 Cyler Sanderson vs Ryan Goodman Vallimont who struggled at times last year dominated Goodman. Sanderson will get a little bit of a break this week after a tough early stretch. Sanderson by maj dec
165 #9 Dan Vallimont vs Donnie Jones Jones is a pretty solid wrestler but not in the class of Vallimont. Dan bounced back well after getting upset in the semis last week at the nittany lion open. I think this bout will be closer than people are expecting. Vallimont by dec
174 Justin Ortega vs Chance Litton Ortega hasn't impressed me much since the win over Erwin. He's always been a defensive wrestlers and that doesn't always work well in college. Would love to see him pick up the offense in the first period. He'll be tough to beat if he can get a lead. Litton by dec
184 #14 David Erwin vs #19 Matt Ryan Erwin has wrestled really well in recent weeks this will be decent test to see if he can keep it going. Erwin by dec
197 Forfeit to Kyle Rooney
Hwt #13 Cameron Wade vs Brandon Williamson Wade did ok at the Nittany Lion Open but failed to beat any of the top heavyweights that were there. Williamson doesn't appear to be a top heavyweight. Wade by dec
Final Score Penn State 25 West Virginia 12 Even with the forfeit it's tough to see Penn State lose this match but stranger things have happened. And if they come out flat as they've been know to do in past years they could be in trouble. That seems to have improved under Cael.
Saturday vs #24 Pittsburgh
125 Pataky vs Anthony Zenetta Should be another easy win for Pataky. Pataky by maj dec
133 Saltsman vs Zach Grove Gonna make a homer pick here and go with the kid from York. Saltsman did lose to Grove by a point last weekend, so it's not completely crazy. Grove by dec.
141 Pisani vs #13 Tyler Nauman Pisani beat Nauman last week at the Nittany Lion Open in what was a pretty big surprise. I don't see it happening two weeks in a row. Nauman by dec
149 Molinaro vs Eric Albright Definitely no homer pick here, Molinaro big. Christian Harr beat Albright last weekend at the NLO and he's no where near in the same league as Molinaro, who could be on the verge of a break out season. Not that last years all american campaign was anything to scoff at. Molinaro by maj dec
157 Sanderson vs Mark Powell Should be another easy match for Sanderson. Powell beat Nick Fisher and Eric Resch from Penn State but got pinned by Vollrath. Sanderson should have no problems in this bout. Sanderson by maj dec
165 Vallimont vs Carl DeCiantis Vallimont should cruise to a win here in an easy bout. It would be great to see him get bonus points here early on he seems to have the killer instinct back he was missing last year. Vallimont by dec.
174 Ortega vs David Sullivan Don't know much about Sullivan other than that he's a senior. I'm gonna go on a gut feeling here that Ortega is gonna struggle this weekend. I have no real evidence to back up why I think that be he seemed off last week. Sullivan by dec
184 Erwin vs Zac Thomusseit I think Erwin will continue his impressive run, he seems to be getting stronger week to week. So maybe all the talk of the flu wasn't just talk. Erwin by dec
197 Forfeit to #18 Matt Wilps Sadly only three ranked wrestlers on this pitt team and we'll be forfeiting to one of them.
Hwt Cameron Wade vs #12 Ryan Tomei I don't think Tomei is all that great but he handled Wade last week and I don't see any real reason for change. Tomei by maj dec
Penn State 18 Pittsburgh 19
Forfeit is gonna hurt here. This bout could go either way Penn State could easily pull it out with a win at 74 or 33. But I do feel pretty confident in all the bouts I picked Penn State to win, although some of the bonus points maybe questionable.
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Good job, good predictions.
Ol’ Steadman apparently celebrated his 21st with a cold one, which is a big Cael no-no in season. May seem a bit harsh, but – h.ave a seat, son.
Thanks for picking me up on the wrestling front. My ‘puter is in the hands of the infamous Geek Squad, but I’m hoping to have it back tomorrow. (Please, please, Mr Geek, Sir!)
Let’s give a hand to Psuwresfan
'People are about as happy as they decide they want to be'
by Pete the Streak on Dec 11, 2009 6:53 PM EST reply actions
"In the beginning the Universe was created.
This has made a lot of people very angry and been widely regarded as a bad move."
"Andrew Jones....SEND IT IN, BIG FELLA!" - Bill Raftery, 4/2/09
by ReadingRambler on Dec 11, 2009 7:21 PM EST up reply actions
Sheesh
Everyone enjoys a little ass, but no one likes a smart ass.
'People are about as happy as they decide they want to be'
by Pete the Streak on Dec 12, 2009 10:54 AM EST up reply actions
Thanks
Yea I noticed you have been writing stuff about the team which is good to see, I just hoped I wasn’t stepping on any toes. But I figured since I didn’t see any preview this week I would give it a shot. It was tough picking Pitt in my first post I was afraid that might get me banned for life around here.
Keep up the good work,
and no – you’re not stepping on toes. The more info we can give these folks the better off we all are.
PSU absolutely smoked WVU 33-12, and I’m a bit surprised by the spread. We won 7 of 10 bouts, and racked up an amazing amount of bonus points for a D1 match, with 3 pins and a DQ at heavyweight (the WVU guy got a little squirrely and got hit with unsportsmanlike conduct).
Perhaps PSUWF or myself will post a fanpost recap.
'People are about as happy as they decide they want to be'
by Pete the Streak on Dec 12, 2009 9:27 AM EST up reply actions
So am I understanding this correctly?
We are forfeiting 2 matches b/c a 21 year old had a drink during the season? I am not questioning Cael but I guess I don’t understand how a program like Penn State doesn’t have anyone that could wrestle at that weight or someone who could suck weight to wretsle there if we truely have no backup
Everyone has a plan until they get punched in the face
I'm just guessing
But I think it might have to do with our large shadow team army. The spot could probably be filled but it would involve burning a redshirt which I get the feeling Cael would rather insert his grandmother into the line-up than do.
Also, is this really even a big deal? Do regular season dual match records really even mean anything or is it all about individual performance getting guys to championship matches?
Yea there's a couple of reasons
You’re right about the shadow team Luke Macchiaroli ( a fun name to spell ) is red shirting this year. He was a pretty big recruit out of high school but he has struggled this year and clearly needs the year to adjust to college which is normal. Plus there is no way they’d waste his redshirt for one weekend.
We also had JR Brown who was expected to start at 184 but quit the team the week before the first meet. He could have moved to 197 for this weekend.
And no the duals basically mean nothing as a team. It’s all about individual performance. Which is one of the major problems with college wrestling. Hopefully if the rumors are true they will be starting a national team tournament where the team champion is crowned, instead of taking the best team score at nationals. That way duals would matter as teams would need to qualify for the tournament. As far as spectators go it would be great for the sport if the duals meant something. I remember a few years ago Cornell (who is a pretty big rival in wrestling) came to rec hall it was expected to be a big match. But Cornell brought only about half their starters and wrestled back ups in the other matches and got destroyed. While fun to see Penn State beat up on people most people wanted to see an exciting dual.
I just wanted to say...
“Shadow Team” has got to be one of the top 3 coolest phrases used on this website.
"Andrew Jones....SEND IT IN, BIG FELLA!" - Bill Raftery, 4/2/09
by ReadingRambler on Dec 11, 2009 11:53 PM EST up reply actions
We'll call your Spetsnaz,
and raise you a David Taylor.
These guys are lurking behind the lights, training their butts off, and waiting to jump out and throttle you come 2010.
Be afraid.
'People are about as happy as they decide they want to be'
by Pete the Streak on Dec 12, 2009 9:32 AM EST up reply actions
Thanks
I followed wrestling in high school but not so much in college so really wasnt sure about the significance of a dual.
I am excited to get into penn state wrestling though. Hopefully the Big Ten Network will have some macthes on.
Everyone has a plan until they get punched in the face
i am more concerned
That cael won’t let a kid celebrate his 21st. That’s a pretty dick move, IMO.
NittanyWhiteOut.com. Arguably the second best Penn State blog I know of.
by PSUdevon on Dec 12, 2009 5:24 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
He did celebrate it,
and he’s now getting the bill along with the rest of the team. A good drunk will set back your conditioning a week, and if you’re not moving forward, you’re going backward.
He can celebrate his half-birthday in 6 months. Right now, his choices are wrestling, or not wrestling. I think he wants to wrestle.
'People are about as happy as they decide they want to be'
by Pete the Streak on Dec 12, 2009 9:39 AM EST up reply actions
oh, come on
These are kids and college students, first and foremost. This isn’t an olympic training regimen. Imagine if a football coach banned all alcohol during the season? I see no difference, and think its pretty disturbing that Cael is being such a dick about this sort of thing.
NittanyWhiteOut.com. Arguably the second best Penn State blog I know of.
by PSUdevon on Dec 12, 2009 10:07 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
Did the wrestler in mention quit the team?
If the answer is no, then I don’t think it’s as big as deal as you are unreasonably making it.
"Andrew Jones....SEND IT IN, BIG FELLA!" - Bill Raftery, 4/2/09
by ReadingRambler on Dec 12, 2009 10:21 AM EST up reply actions
I think it's a bit different
Wrestlers need to keep a very strict weight and drinking a ton can throw that off a lot. And like the Streak alluded to, he’ll have all the opportunity to drink during the off season. Maybe Cael could have let it go since it was his 21st (which I mean, is really nothing nowadays since it’s not like nearly everyone didn’t drink before that), but a punishment isn’t really unreasonable.
by PSUisMyHeart on Dec 12, 2009 11:43 AM EST up reply actions
if it had said he was wasted
Id agree, but this says he had a drink. One beer isn’t killing your conditioning, and I really dislike the idea of controlling these guys social lives. Let em be kids first.
NittanyWhiteOut.com. Arguably the second best Penn State blog I know of.
by PSUdevon on Dec 12, 2009 12:13 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
It seems like a simple team rule
And he broke it, it is not that complicated.
A word to the wise ain't necessary - it's the stupid ones that need the advice.
Bill Cosby
Bingo.
'People are about as happy as they decide they want to be'
by Pete the Streak on Dec 12, 2009 12:57 PM EST up reply actions
And my problem is with that rule.
NittanyWhiteOut.com. Arguably the second best Penn State blog I know of.
by PSUdevon on Dec 12, 2009 1:04 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
Yes, Devon,
but you need to understand the concept of sacrifice. For cryin’ out loud – you make it sound like if you can’t drink when you think you should, college is a complete waste.
These guys are gaining a tremendous experience that will carry over through the rest of their lives. They are a part of something that is, will continue to be, something very special.
Cael gets to make the rules, and he’s earned that right. Of anyone, no one knows more than he what it takes to be the best.
So apparently, to you, a full scholarship and a chance to learn from the very best isn’t worth not drinking, even on your 21st. Fine. You’re not the kind of person he’s looking for anyway.
The word discipline keeps popping up when discussing this team, sport and coach – both physical and mental. You need it. Everyone can and probably will slip up, but if you don’t succeed with it an inordinately high percentage of the time, you’re going to be just another wrestler.
Nothing is better than beating a guy head to head, one on one, while helping your team in the process in front of a raucus crowd. Winning is fun. The other type of fun can come later on, when others aren’t depending on you.
It’s just the way it is.
'People are about as happy as they decide they want to be'
by Pete the Streak on Dec 12, 2009 6:40 PM EST up reply actions 2 recs
I agree with you but,
I agree with you whole heartedly Devon, that college kids should be able to get the “full college experience” if you will. But that is also why I was a D-III athlete where a hangover was practically a prerequisite for Saturday practices and not a D-I scholarship athlete.
Fact is he chose D-I and all of the perks and disadvantages that go with it. I know very little about wrestling, and though I doubt one load would set you back an entire week if you could get out of bed and drag yourself to conditioning, if the coach finds it a big enough deal to be a rule, the athlete has to follow it. Choices and consequences.
"no alcohol" restrictions
typically don’t care about what day your birthday is. It isn’t like drinking alcohol is some birthright, and it isn’t like Cael is forbidding him from drinking. Just forbidding him from being a wrestler on his team and drinking. People have to prioritize.
by The JuggerNitt on Dec 12, 2009 9:42 AM EST up reply actions
I don't think it's a big issue
Cael said on his radio show that Clay made a mistake and had to be punished but went on to praise how hard he works and what a good kid he is. Yesterday during the match they said he’ll only be held out for this weekend so it’s not like it’s a long suspension or anything.
I agree it’s tough to not celebrate your 21st birthday like most other college kids. But Cael made it very clear that running a very disciplined program was one of his top priorities. Which is also a priority of the school since the wrestling team has had some problems the past few years. Including an ugly hazing allegation just 3 or so years ago. If he wouldn’t have suspended him I’d argue it would have been worse for the program in the long run, since it would have gone against everything he’s been preaching since last spring.
There’s a difference between being a disciplinarian and a dictator. I love Cael, both for PSU and as an american hero, but I don’t think its right for him to get on a kid for being a kid. What would happen if, say, Landolt was suspended for a game for having a beer on his bday? We would say that was ridiculous. Same here.
NittanyWhiteOut.com. Arguably the second best Penn State blog I know of.
by PSUdevon on Dec 12, 2009 3:53 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
Not to belabor this but
I doubt we would say it was ridiculous. If it was a team rule he agreed to then broke, he deserves to be benched. If he had skipped practice/cut class/didn’t show up for study hall/etc. and been benched we wouldn’t even be having this conversation. It’s the same thing. Granted, I agree with you that it is a stupid rule, hell I thought it was a stupid rule when I couldn’t drink 48 hours before a meet, especially when we would swim teams that didn’t have said rule and they would beat us. But it was a rule my teammates and I agreed to in exchange for being part of a team, and if broken put your butt on the bench. Again stupid rule or not it’s one he agreed to and I’m sure he knew what was coming when he made his choice.
Welcome psuwresfan
Great to see some more solid posting on Penn State wrestling. I’m a fan of the sport but don’t have time to follow the ins and outs of the team the way psuwresfan does, so I appreciate his insights. I’m really looking forward to seeing how this team performs once Cael has been in place for a year or two. As for a kid getting benched for drinking, I’ll presume that the coach had explained the rules in advance. if a kid breaks the rules, I want a coach who enforces his rules, not one who lets things slide. Does drinking in season impact a wrestler’s performance? I figure Mr. Sanderson knows more about that than me. I have no problem with this decision.
Cael spelled it out, and Steadman got burned.
One minute late for a practice or meeting? It’s ‘Friday Night Lights’ for you – a nice Friday evening in the wrestling room, working out and (gasp!) doing schoolwork. Remind you of anyone?
Wrestling is a sport like no other. One on one, no one to pick you up, and discipline and readiness is everything. Fitness and endurance rules the day, as matches are invariably won in the 3rd period (unless, naturally, it doesn’t reach that point). Wrestling at this level comes down to one thing: how bad do you want it? What will you give up to reach the top? If your answer isn’t “pretty much everything”, you’re going to struggle.
I mentioned in another thread the great Penna guys we had here during previous regimes that lost their way, and ended up transferring and having great sucess. Guys like Cary Kolat, Garrett Scott and Chris Kwortnik. It seemed like no one was watching them outside of practice. Looks like that’s been changed. Good.
'People are about as happy as they decide they want to be'
by Pete the Streak on Dec 12, 2009 9:16 AM EST reply actions
Good job
I really enjoyed the write up and with the added information will be more excited to make it to some matches this season.
A word to the wise ain't necessary - it's the stupid ones that need the advice.
Bill Cosby
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