Throwback Thursday: Mike Mena

[Duckunder132]

Both very physical styles in HS. at 125 both senior years would have been a battle!

[jimbob]

Mirabella was a 112 pounder and Mena was 103 pounder his freshmen year in 1989. He could of won it as freshmen, and soph year him and Mirabella would've been a good match, it could've went either way IMO. A good exmaple is David Douglas and all of his naysayers that said he couldn't win it as a soph in AA after winning it in A as a freshmen. If Douglas stays in A many people would say he could have never won it AA. I was also just responding to the dapper dan remark, I knew it was Joel Stockwell who tied him during the season. So just to ask, what was the match like with Mirabella and Mena, and I wonder if there was a weight difference at an offseason tourney.

[eagle]

Originally Posted by jimbob

Mirabella was a 112 pounder and Mena was 103 pounder his freshmen year in 1989. He could of won it as freshmen, and soph year him and Mirabella would've been a good match, it could've went either way IMO. A good exmaple is David Douglas and all of his naysayers that said he couldn't win it as a soph in AA after winning it in A as a freshmen. If Douglas stays in A many people would say he could have never won it AA. I was also just responding to the dapper dan remark, I knew it was Joel Stockwell who tied him during the season. So just to ask, what was the match like with Mirabella and Mena, and I wonder if there was a weight difference at an offseason tourney.

Jeff beat him easily but did not like how physical Mena was. They were close in weight because it was weight classes not blocked.

[oldude]

As I recollect, Sherrili did speak about a draw (on the broadcast) with the Stockwell kid weeks after a suspension was served and apparently hurting his conditioning. The "draw" I mentioned was after the senior season and did occur at the Dapper Dan in Pittsburgh. A 5-5 draw against a PA kid who I will gladly look up. Mena was the sole Illinois representative that year. It did happen.

[oldude]

Ah, the Internet. Joe Rueben out of Northhampton High would be the guy. Should note, in another very famous bout, Chris Bono (Florida) would tie Pennsylvania legend Cary Kolat. Many have suggeested that Bono looked the "winner"?

[jimbob]

bono was the winner, he should of had back points from that tilt.

[yodisd]

How about some izzy throwbacks....or matt roth...or mike boyd...or dave martinez...or mike poeta????

[tilt]

Originally Posted by eagle

Mena was a great wrestler and very dominate but he would not have been a four timer in AA. I don't think he would have won it his freshman year and I am confident that he would not have beat Mirrabella his Sophomore year. I watched him lose twice in a spring tournament after his freshman year to Jeff and to someone else. I know it was spring but he wasn't at Jeff's level yet. He defenitely was a great wrestler.

He was being booed because he wrestled a punishing style but also pushed guys after the whistle which made him disliked.

If Newman wrestled a Montini like schedule ,then, I have to agree that he would not have been an undefeated wrestler. And yes he would not have gotten past Mirabella IMO.

Look at how Montini guys rack up losses at Dvorak and at some of the national meets and against the best AAA teams in duals. Newman just didn't have that kinda schedule. He didn't beat all the best wrestlers at his weights during his hs career...he beat all the wrestlers that were put in front of him....and there is a difference...and its nobodys fault.

When the board has top 10 wrestler lists of all time,Mena , is sometimes slighted and left off the list. But I think if Newman had a tougher schedule Mena would had a couple losses in his hs career but he would have also won some matches that would have made him a lock as one of the top 10 ,maybe top 5 all time wrestlers.

No disrespect to Mena because he was an awesome wrestler!

I was at this state meet and saw the match. And yes he did have an "Iowa style" of total aggression. But in this match it was too agressive against a wrestler whos goal was to just survive. Some of the shoves and in your face stuff was just overkill. And to say nice match at the end ...came across as not genuine...after shoving the competitor around for 6 minutes.

[jimbob]

I think you meant to respond to some of the things I posted. I respect your thoughts, and you have a good case. I thought he was over the top on the aggressive part as well and some of the extra shoves showed a lack of respect to Castro. I think he would of been booed regardless, everyone wants to see an upset, example Tannebaum Kucala, so the extra pushes gave people more of a reason to boo or just boo louder. I don't think to many teams back then chased down the top teams or wrestlers like they do now. I also don't remember huge tourneys like the Dvorak bringing the top teams in state or other states for that matter. There were tough tourneys but nothing like now. I would still have Mena as a top ten, maybe higher becasue he proved to be the real deal on the next level. Of course this is IMO, and everyone will have there own which is cool with me cause then we can have a conversation about it.

[yodisd]

how about next throwback thursday we see some izzy throwbacks? or matt roth? or mike boyd? or dave martinez? or mike poeta???