Sanderson Inducted into National Wrestling Hall of Fame

Sorry I didn’t get back to your email in time. Stuck in a meeting all day, about the exciting future of academic libraries. I’ll just add some possible opponents Cael could see this weekend. A lot have PA ties actually.

Quentin Wright:
This could actually be Cael’s first round match up. Obviously Cael would be a huge favorite but it has some intrigue with a wrestler competing against his coach. Plus how crazy would the wrestling world go if Wright caught Sanderson in that standing cradle he used at Nationals.

Andy Hrovat:
Past world team member has struggled of late. His star seems to be fading a bit at this point. I don’t think Cael would have any problems with him but he is a savvy veteran and they are always dangerous at events like these.

Keith Gavin:
All American from Pitt was runner up at the US Open. He figures to be Cael’s toughest match in the challenge tournament. Cael should be favored but Gavin could give him some potential matchup problems. Gavin is a little longer and leaner he may be able to keep Cael at bay to ward off his ankle pick but it’s unlikely.

Jake Herbert:
NCAA Champ from Northwestern, grew up in Wexford PA. This was one big recruit Penn State missed on under Sunderland. He is the reigning World Silver medalist from last year, and won the US Open a few months ago. This is who Cael would wrestle if he wins the challenge tournament. Herbert is extremely tough and still appears to be getting better in freestyle. I think the lack of competition could hurt Cael in this one as Herbert has been wrestling at a high level for a few years. While the NLWC practice room has plenty of good guys there’s nothing quite the same as stepping on the mat for real. This should be a great match, and I wouldn’t be surprised if Herbert one, although if I had to place odds I would make Cael a very very slight favorite. I actually feel a little bad for Herbert as I’ve always enjoyed watching him wrestle even while he was at northwestern and I thought he had a good shot at gold next year in London. Hopefully maybe these two can wind up in different weight classes at the Olympic Trials next year.

Another weight to watch is 66 kg 145.5 lbs
Penn State has Andrew Alton and James English in the field. Neither seem to be real contenders. But the NLWC has Teyon Ware who was a surprise winner of the Challenge tournament. Also in the field is former Nittany Lion and Lock Haven wrestler Cary Kolat who is also making a comeback he was as big a shock as Ware at the US Open finishing 3rd. The favorite going into the US Open at this weight is former Iowa star and Quint Kessnich man crush Brent Metcalf. Who has translated his style to the freestyle game quite yet, but he could easily make his second world team. While Ware was a surprise winner of the Open I think he is more of a pure freestyle wrestler than Metcalf at this point. Kolat has plenty of past experience and success at this level. Some other familiar names former Michigan NCAA runner up(should have been champion had he not gotten screwed) Josh Churella, Minnesota wrestler Dylan Ness, former Cal Poly All American (i think) Chase Pami, Bucknell All American, Kevin LeValley, and former Wisconsin All American Kyle Ruschell.

Also in response to the post I actually met Bobby Douglas at the NCAAs. Really down to earth nice guy. Thing that I remember most about him is the first thing he asked the group of us standing there is if we heard any updates on Japan as NCAAs were taking place during the Japan Nuclear reactor fiasco. Really stuck me that at the super bowl of wrestling in the united states he wouldn’t want to talk about wrestling he would want to talk about what was going in Japan.

That and despite his size and age he appeared he could kill any of us with his bare hands if he wanted to. haha

This was at the Hall of Fame Luncheon at the home of one of the fans in Stillwater. His “man cave” is decorated with antlers and all sorts of cool things.

Thanks for the pub!

JB