Left early to beat the snow storm (Monday, headed to Pittsburgh), with no trouble at all on Wednesday, as we arrived on time in St. Louis. First bit of news saddened me, as we heard just after landing that the decision was made to pull Nick. Hate to see any kid with an unfulfilled dream, though the good news is Nick has 3 years remaining. Still tough.
Socializing
We’re there for the wrestling, but socializing is a huge part too. Saw many old friends, and met some new, so a shout out to NoVa, hockeygod (and Mrs. hockeygod), tikk, oldlion, androcles, gumby, and many others for adding to my memories. Thanks all!!
The Tournament
Wow, just wow. A little bittersweet, as Jimmy and Matt didn’t reach their dreams, but did contribute 8.5 points to the team score, and I’m sure were there supporting their team mates. Then there was Nevills, contributing 10 points with a 5th Place finish in his first tournament. Good job Nick!! The remaining 5 guys were CHAMPS, with a capital C-H-A-M-P-S. I personally, even with a cup half full, would have given the chance of 5 consecutive wins, at <5%, but that’s why they wrestle the matches.
The night before day 3, I was talking to some wrestler’s parents, and the question of a slight letdown after the semifinal blitz (obviously all 5 guys won then too) on Friday came up. Zain’s pin of Sorensen, Nolf’s major of Berger, Joseph’s “upset” win over Massa, Hall’s determined (again an “upset”) win over Valencia, and Bo’s pin of Brooks, was as good as it gets, so how in the world would the guys react in the finals the next day. Well, in less than 24 hours we would find out.
The Finals
We had consensus. In 2 matches, we were very confident (you know the ones). For the other 3, our minds were saying one upset (by seed), hopefully two. Fans discussed running the table, but as I said, placed the odds pretty low. At that point, PSU had the National Championship sewed up, so whatever happened was icing on the cake. Little did we know that we would be witnessing, in my humble opinion, the greatest run of wrestling in Penn State’s history. You saw the matches, so no need to say anything more here, though I would suggest you listen to Jeff’s call of all 5 matches, and particularly the Joseph bout. We had the clip Sunday Morning at breakfast, a room full of PSU fans, and passed around the smart phone for all to hear. It’s a classic.
The Data
Statistically speaking, the team was 35-6 (85%) for the tournament, an unheard of winning percentage, and maybe the best ever…though that would take some time to check out. I’m pretty sure 6 losses for a championship team is the lowest ever, but again, it needs to be confirmed. 146.5 Points was Penn State’s highest ever, eclipsing the 2012 team’s 143. Among the 36 wins were 21 Bonus Point victories (7 Falls, 9 Tech’s, and 5 Majors), for 32.5 Team Bonus Points, or an extra champ plus 4th Place finisher (like having 2 extra wrestlers). Placement Points were 87 (59% of all points), Bonus were 32.5 (22%), and Advancement were 27 (18%), rounded. We had the #1, #2, #3, #6, and #7 scoring wrestlers in the tournament. The only 3 Bonus Point victories in the Finals were registered by PSU Wrestlers.
The Rest
I don’t remember any egregious calls during this tournament. Plenty of reviews, and many were stretches by coaching staffs, though it’s one of the prices paid for “getting it right”. No outrageous behaviors, or memorable “moments” from any wrestler or coaching staff either, despite the high anxiety for many of them…after all, it is the National Tourney.
St. Louis did an awesome job hosting…again. Day 1 was a pain, as the security system went down and prevented entry at Scottrade…until they decided to let us enter without metal detection screening. Didn’t miss any matches though, so all was good. Our group ended up eating pretty far from the arena, and St. Louis has a lot to offer, so that was good too. The Parkway Hotel was again awesome, and after several stays there, will do so again the next time St. Louis is host.
The Wrestlers
I can’t say enough about how these young men represent Penn State, interact with fans, and support each other. Personally had several interactions with them and the managers, and it was always as if they were on a Sunday stroll, not part of the biggest college wrestling tournament there is. When they could, they would be mat-side, supporting their team mates, and would be the first to meet them after a bout, win or lose. Nolf’s presence during/after the Cenzo bout with IMar, is one of those moments, and it’s etched in my mind forever. Really good stuff.
The Social
The PSWC Social after the finals was a cool event
. Coach spoke, and each of the 9 qualifiers spoke. Very eloquent, all 9. Again, food was great, company was great, and the mood was sky high after winning the 5 Championship bouts.
Socializing
We’re there for the wrestling, but socializing is a huge part too. Saw many old friends, and met some new, so a shout out to NoVa, hockeygod (and Mrs. hockeygod), tikk, oldlion, androcles, gumby, and many others for adding to my memories. Thanks all!!
The Tournament
Wow, just wow. A little bittersweet, as Jimmy and Matt didn’t reach their dreams, but did contribute 8.5 points to the team score, and I’m sure were there supporting their team mates. Then there was Nevills, contributing 10 points with a 5th Place finish in his first tournament. Good job Nick!! The remaining 5 guys were CHAMPS, with a capital C-H-A-M-P-S. I personally, even with a cup half full, would have given the chance of 5 consecutive wins, at <5%, but that’s why they wrestle the matches.
The night before day 3, I was talking to some wrestler’s parents, and the question of a slight letdown after the semifinal blitz (obviously all 5 guys won then too) on Friday came up. Zain’s pin of Sorensen, Nolf’s major of Berger, Joseph’s “upset” win over Massa, Hall’s determined (again an “upset”) win over Valencia, and Bo’s pin of Brooks, was as good as it gets, so how in the world would the guys react in the finals the next day. Well, in less than 24 hours we would find out.
The Finals
We had consensus. In 2 matches, we were very confident (you know the ones). For the other 3, our minds were saying one upset (by seed), hopefully two. Fans discussed running the table, but as I said, placed the odds pretty low. At that point, PSU had the National Championship sewed up, so whatever happened was icing on the cake. Little did we know that we would be witnessing, in my humble opinion, the greatest run of wrestling in Penn State’s history. You saw the matches, so no need to say anything more here, though I would suggest you listen to Jeff’s call of all 5 matches, and particularly the Joseph bout. We had the clip Sunday Morning at breakfast, a room full of PSU fans, and passed around the smart phone for all to hear. It’s a classic.
The Data
Statistically speaking, the team was 35-6 (85%) for the tournament, an unheard of winning percentage, and maybe the best ever…though that would take some time to check out. I’m pretty sure 6 losses for a championship team is the lowest ever, but again, it needs to be confirmed. 146.5 Points was Penn State’s highest ever, eclipsing the 2012 team’s 143. Among the 36 wins were 21 Bonus Point victories (7 Falls, 9 Tech’s, and 5 Majors), for 32.5 Team Bonus Points, or an extra champ plus 4th Place finisher (like having 2 extra wrestlers). Placement Points were 87 (59% of all points), Bonus were 32.5 (22%), and Advancement were 27 (18%), rounded. We had the #1, #2, #3, #6, and #7 scoring wrestlers in the tournament. The only 3 Bonus Point victories in the Finals were registered by PSU Wrestlers.
The Rest
I don’t remember any egregious calls during this tournament. Plenty of reviews, and many were stretches by coaching staffs, though it’s one of the prices paid for “getting it right”. No outrageous behaviors, or memorable “moments” from any wrestler or coaching staff either, despite the high anxiety for many of them…after all, it is the National Tourney.
St. Louis did an awesome job hosting…again. Day 1 was a pain, as the security system went down and prevented entry at Scottrade…until they decided to let us enter without metal detection screening. Didn’t miss any matches though, so all was good. Our group ended up eating pretty far from the arena, and St. Louis has a lot to offer, so that was good too. The Parkway Hotel was again awesome, and after several stays there, will do so again the next time St. Louis is host.
The Wrestlers
I can’t say enough about how these young men represent Penn State, interact with fans, and support each other. Personally had several interactions with them and the managers, and it was always as if they were on a Sunday stroll, not part of the biggest college wrestling tournament there is. When they could, they would be mat-side, supporting their team mates, and would be the first to meet them after a bout, win or lose. Nolf’s presence during/after the Cenzo bout with IMar, is one of those moments, and it’s etched in my mind forever. Really good stuff.
The Social
The PSWC Social after the finals was a cool event
. Coach spoke, and each of the 9 qualifiers spoke. Very eloquent, all 9. Again, food was great, company was great, and the mood was sky high after winning the 5 Championship bouts.
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