BELIEVE IT OR NOT!!!

[1/2NELSON]

To me, assessing the Nationals results involves comparing the results with reasonable expectations at the outset of the tournament, not at the outset of the season. If the latter were the methodology, the team would get an A. But with the proper analysis, I would give a grade in the range of D+ to a charitable C-.

Well what I was saying in the other thread (about the season) is we should assess the season as-a-whole in terms of season-outset expectations. The team failed to meet its seeding expectations at the tournament, thats just a statistical fact. So we can say they underperformed at the tournament, although maybe there is some question if the seedings were based on enough evidence. Bigger picture for me is to reaffirm that the season is NOT just "practice for nationals" - and therefore still a good season.

Like the WAY you think Marty,..well stated!

[HFO]

I have always advocated expanding search for elite wrestlers, but reality is that you need to own the 100 mile radius around your campus. Everyone comes to the Lehigh Valley to recruit. Just look at the schools, Oregon State, Nebraska, Michigan, Penn State, Cornell, Virginia Tech, Missouri and so on.

You need to recruit the PA guys and then pick up whom you can land who are elite, Top 8 in their weightclass nationally coming out of high school.

2014-2024
17 PA All-American placings, 3 NJ, 1 WV, 1 CO.

Lehigh Wrestler STATE Season Weight Place
Ryan Crookham PA 2024 133 3rd
Luke Stanich NJ 2024 125 5th
Michael Beard PA 2024 197 8th
Josh Humphreys WV 2023 157 3rd
Jordan Wood PA 2022 285 3rd
Ryan Preisch PA 2019 184 4th
Jordan Wood PA 2019 285 4th
Jordan Kutler NJ 2019 174 7th
Darian Cruz PA 2018 125 5th
Jordan Kutler NJ 2018 174 6th
Scott Parker PA 2018 133 7th
Darian Cruz PA 2017 125 1st
Scott Parker PA 2017 133 8th
Nathaniel Brown PA 2016 184 7th
Randy Cruz PA 2016 141 8th
Max Wessell CO 2016 285 8th
Nathaniel Brown PA 2015 184 2nd
Mason Beckman PA 2015 133 6th
Mitch Minotti PA 2015 157 8th
Mason Beckman PA 2014 133 6th
Mitch Minotti PA 2014 149 6th
Darian Cruz PA 2014 125 7th

2003-2013
13 PA All-American placings, 6 NJ, 3 VT, 2 FL

Stick with recruiting PA and NJ and we will do fine, but at least express interest in a wrestler early in 9th/10th grade if they are elite from other states.