Stanich

[LUEngineer]

I still have trouble understanding how McGonagle could not have beaten out Hines for the 141 spot. Either he just shut down when he lost his 133 spot or he was not given the opportunity to displace Hines for whatever reason. It remains a mystery why that talented of a wrestler would not challenge Hines & enter every open tournament at 141 to gain that spot in the lineup??

[BP-LU87]

He lost to Bailey at 141

[Justafan]

IMO, Connor's story is much like Brandon Paetzell's. Connor was 15-17 at 141 before finding his true niche at 133. Brandon was a bit over .500 before finding his niche at 125. Both had similar success at their new weight.

It is unfortunate for Connor that his comfort zone is now occupied by an elite wrestler.

[Oracle]

There is a lot happening behind the scenes in the portal. The teams with active 'Collective' NIL funds are spending their money to attract the elites. No question Hamiti received an offer form the OK St collective. Guys like Cardenas and McGonagle are 1-year rentals and will command dollars -- more so to Cardenas obviously as he is a 2X place winner. One of the reasons Lehigh is usually not in the hunt for these types. It's ok, as others have stated, LU offers business connections and employment opportunities post-wrestling....and we have a quality staff and positive environment. Oh, and 3 AAs this past season.

[legger]

**** Unfortunately, in this era of Big $ NOW, up front for proven portal talent, Trumps Business Connections and potential Employment in the Future for many. Additionally a Lehigh degree does not hold the weight it used to, since we went from a primarily Engineering and Business school to a mostly Liberal Arts and Medical Support school. We need some BIG $ donors to provide the dollars to lure the best of the portal to Lehigh. Sad to say, but Reality can often Suck!

[Spladle1989]

I still have trouble understanding how McGonagle could not have beaten out Hines for the 141 spot. Either he just shut down when he lost his 133 spot or he was not given the opportunity to displace Hines for whatever reason. It remains a mystery why that talented of a wrestler would not challenge Hines & enter every open tournament at 141 to gain that spot in the lineup??

You have to let this go….. did you watch McGonagle when he tried to wrestle 141 earlier in his career? He did not and will not have success at 141, and definitely not more than Hines and yes I believe Bailey can……McGonagle wins low scoring, solid ride (without much turning) matches at 133…… that does not work for him wrestling the bigger guys at 141…..He does not have the length to ride hard the better bigger 141 wrestlers ……Hines beats Bailey in the room and Bailey beat McGonagle….. why would you have this illusion that McGonagle should have been wrestling 141 for any reason?

[Oracle]

I’m being told by an impeccable source that McGonagle is being courted by 2 ACC teams for 133. NIL is involved. I am not at liberty to disclose anything further at this time.

[lu_alum]

I still have trouble understanding how McGonagle could not have beaten out Hines for the 141 spot. Either he just shut down when he lost his 133 spot or he was not given the opportunity to displace Hines for whatever reason. It remains a mystery why that talented of a wrestler would not challenge Hines & enter every open tournament at 141 to gain that spot in the lineup??

You have to let this go….. did you watch McGonagle when he tried to wrestle 141 earlier in his career? He did not and will not have success at 141, and definitely not more than Hines and yes I believe Bailey can……McGonagle wins low scoring, solid ride (without much turning) matches at 133…… that does not work for him wrestling the bigger guys at 141…..He does not have the length to ride hard the better bigger 141 wrestlers ……Hines beats Bailey in the room and Bailey beat McGonagle….. why would you have this illusion that McGonagle should have been wrestling 141 for any reason?

Spot on! McGonagle's record for his non-deferred seasons. He's never been a force at 141.
2020-21 (141): 4-6
2021-22 (141): 11-11
2022-23 (133): 12-3
2023-24 (133/141): 5-1 -- 2-0 @ 133; 3-1 @ 141
*** the 2023-24 record does not include the losses to Crookham (133) and Bailey (141)

[The Kid]

Someone had previously implied Crookham might move up a weight, but I have not heard that anywhere else. I take it he is staying put at 133?

[lu_alum]

Someone had previously implied Crookham might move up a weight, but I have not heard that anywhere else. I take it he is staying put at 133?

Stanich will defer next season and move to 141.
Seymour will be the starter at 125.
Crookham is a 133.
Hines and Bailey will battle it out for the starting spot at 141 next year.
McGonagle will graduate and move to another program via the portal.