Morningstar upsets Paulson

[brawler12]

Morningstar of Iowa beat number one ranked Trent Paulson of Iowa State Sunday afternoon. 3-2 was the final it was a pretty exciting match. I know it isn't Illinois wrestling news, but I thought some might be interested. Also, former 2 time Illinois state champ Nick Fanthorpe wrestled for Iowa State but lost his match.

[Grappler177]

From what I read, the UI v ISU dual was a great one. Although the final score was not close, almost every match was close and could have gone either way.

Solid win for the Hawks as many thought they would come up short (including me).

[Conquistadors]

I was driving by Iowa City when Iowa was holding their wrestle-offs, so I dropped in. I don't remember much about his match that afternoon, but Morningstar looked really good to me. Naturally, winning a wrestle-off isn't the same as beating competition, but to this amateur observer he looked good.

Let me also note here that I see that Illinois' Jim Kennedy went into overtime with Iowa's Bill Murphy. As most know, the incredibly muscular Murphy was the super-blue-chip recruit for Virginia Tech last year, who then got out of his LOI due to a technicality (letter not signed by legal guardian) and followed Brands to Iowa. In the wrestle-off, Murphy was out-slicked by Galanakis, but to me he looked real good, and is certainly someone the Hawkeyes hope will compete for high AA accolades early in his career. For Kennedy to show that he is basically on the same level is great for Illinois.

[BARR]

I was driving by Iowa City when Iowa was holding their wrestle-offs, so I dropped in. I don't remember much about his match that afternoon, but Morningstar looked really good to me. Naturally, winning a wrestle-off isn't the same as beating competition, but to this amateur observer he looked good.

Let me also note here that I see that Illinois' Jim Kennedy went into overtime with Iowa's Bill Murphy. As most know, the incredibly muscular Murphy was the super-blue-chip recruit for Virginia Tech last year, who then got out of his LOI due to a technicality (letter not signed by legal guardian) and followed Brands to Iowa. In the wrestle-off, Murphy was out-slicked by Galanakis, but to me he looked real good, and is certainly someone the Hawkeyes hope will compete for high AA accolades early in his career. For Kennedy to show that he is basically on the same level is great for Illinois.

I have to say that I was not surprised at all that Kennedy gave Murphy such a good match. I actually thought Kennedy would win. I don't know if you have seen Kennedy, but he pretty put together and one heck of wrestler.

Kennedy is making the decision on whether to red-shirt him or not a very tough one. IMO he has a shot at AA this year.

[Conquistadors]

I have to say that I was not surprised at all that Kennedy gave Murphy such a good match. I actually thought Kennedy would win. I don't know if you have seen Kennedy, but he pretty put together and one heck of wrestler.

Kennedy is making the decision on whether to red-shirt him or not a very tough one. IMO he has a shot at AA this year.

You're right, I haven't had the opportunity to see Young Mr. Kennedy. Kennedy and Dergo certainly are making compelling cases for being pulled out of redshirt (and to a lesser degree, Ashtin Primus at Mizzou, the other school I follow closely). I tend to think that if at all possible it is best to redshirt these guys-- the first year of COLLEGE can be plenty challenging without the pressure of Div I competition. The Big Ten has a history of chewing up true freshmen-- at Penn State last year, both Pataky and Erwin had excellent years, only to not place at Big Tens. Early season success doesn't always continue, as it is a long, grinding season. These type of tough decisions... that why Coach Mark Johnson is paid the big bucks!

Hey, BARR, looks like your early reports on Tannenbaum being comfortable at 165 are right on. Matt Pell is one tough hombre (and a pretty good wrestler too), and for Tannenbaum to beat this former 184-pound AA is truly amazing. I think that Tannenbaum's natural skills might be on another plane (relative to Pell). I'm now even more interested in seeing how Tannenbaum matches up with Perry, big Paulson, Baima, etc. I think all these guys will be at Midlands this year.

[BARR]

You're right, I haven't had the opportunity to see Young Mr. Kennedy. Kennedy and Dergo certainly are making compelling cases for being pulled out of redshirt (and to a lesser degree, Ashtin Primus at Mizzou, the other school I follow closely). I tend to think that if at all possible it is best to redshirt these guys-- the first year of COLLEGE can be plenty challenging without the pressure of Div I competition. The Big Ten has a history of chewing up true freshmen-- at Penn State last year, both Pataky and Erwin had excellent years, only to not place at Big Tens. Early season success doesn't always continue, as it is a long, grinding season. These type of tough decisions... that why Coach Mark Johnson is paid the big bucks!

Hey, BARR, looks like your early reports on Tannenbaum being comfortable at 165 are right on. Matt Pell is one tough hombre (and a pretty good wrestler too), and for Tannenbaum to beat this former 184-pound AA is truly amazing. I think that Tannenbaum's natural skills might be on another plane (relative to Pell). I'm now even more interested in seeing how Tannenbaum matches up with Perry, big Paulson, Baima, etc. I think all these guys will be at Midlands this year.

I agree that if possible they (Kennedy & Dergo) should red-shirt, but they are making it a tough decision. Like you said....that is why Johnson get the big bucks. Another kid that comes to mind as starting out well, but faltering do to the grind is Daniel Dennis.

165 at Midlands should be great this year. Perry, Paulson, Baima, Tannenbaum, hopefully some post grads too. Maybe Ryan Churella.

I think the weight cutting was the biggest reason for Eric's somewhat inconsistent year, last season. Conquistador, you know my thoughts on Tannenbaum. I am not surprised he beat Pell and I think Eric is going to continue to surprise people on his way to the 2007 165 pound NCAA title. He may be the quickest and most athletic 165 in the country. He will struggle a bit on bottom, but he is going to be brutally tough on his feet.

[Grappler177]

I hope you are correct on the 165 title. It would be nice to see that, esp considering who he would probably have to beat.

As for the red shirt (or not to red shirt); of course it comes down to talent and the needs of the team. They also need to consider the strength of the weight and if it will allow them to score points in March.

Of course, at the back of everyone's mind has to be whether or not they are healthy. Nothing would stink more than taking the red shirt while healthy only to get hurt a year or two down the road and not have it to take. I understand a medical would be a possibility, however sometimes those are hard to get.

Just my 2 cents ...

[MR TWISTER]

I was driving by Iowa City when Iowa was holding their wrestle-offs, so I dropped in. I don't remember much about his match that afternoon, but Morningstar looked really good to me. Naturally, winning a wrestle-off isn't the same as beating competition, but to this amateur observer he looked good.

Let me also note here that I see that Illinois' Jim Kennedy went into overtime with Iowa's Bill Murphy. As most know, the incredibly muscular Murphy was the super-blue-chip recruit for Virginia Tech last year, who then got out of his LOI due to a technicality (letter not signed by legal guardian) and followed Brands to Iowa. In the wrestle-off, Murphy was out-slicked by Galanakis, but to me he looked real good, and is certainly someone the Hawkeyes hope will compete for high AA accolades early in his career. For Kennedy to show that he is basically on the same level is great for Illinois.

You can outslick Murphy. Mario had that going at UNO Open. But what he does is he draws you into the Iowa style and that wears on you. You know "Bang on the head, get your tired so then you start to hang on in tieup, then bam, he drops to a single" type stuff. I was not surprised at what Kennedy or any of the Illinois kids (Robbins, Morgan, Henslee) at 133 did or could do against him. If he keeps facing the Illinois kids at these opens they will eventually get him. Everyone adjust atthis level.

I asked Mario about the muscle thing and he said he did not feel that Murphy was exceptionally strong. In fact he said Kennedy is stronger than Murphy. I think for some because he looks strong some mentally might psych themselves out for at least half the match. But in reality everyone I have seen at 133 is strong so it is a wash as far as being stronger than the nextr man.

[BARR]

I hope you are correct on the 165 title. It would be nice to see that, esp considering who he would probably have to beat.

As for the red shirt (or not to red shirt); of course it comes down to talent and the needs of the team. They also need to consider the strength of the weight and if it will allow them to score points in March.

Of course, at the back of everyone's mind has to be whether or not they are healthy. Nothing would stink more than taking the red shirt while healthy only to get hurt a year or two down the road and not have it to take. I understand a medical would be a possibility, however sometimes those are hard to get.

Just my 2 cents ...

I agree it is a risk in using the red-shirt right away and then not having it (if needed) for an injury. I also agree that it comes down to talent and needs of the team. I think that is why Kennedy and even Dergo are making the decision so tough. They are both doing very well, plus 133 and 184 seem to be the weakest weights for Illinois.

[Achilles]

IMO kennedy would bennift from redshirting this year. Wrestling at the collegient/big ten level takes alot of focus and he hasn't likely been focused on goals (BIG TENS NCAA's) for very long, and that focus is a big mental edge. He could continue to develope this year and focus on next year and IMO he would very likely be a 4x AA

[Grappler177]

Who would wrestle his weight for the school? Could they score points for the team at relatively the same clip?

[BARR]

Who would wrestle his weight for the school? Could they score points for the team at relatively the same clip?

It would either be Manzella or Comfort. Both of those guys are good and would do well, but I don't think either of those guys would do near as well as Kennedy. Kennedy is with out a doubt the best wrestler at 133 and, in my opinion, would make AA this year. Of course he would benefit from a red-shirt, but he has always been a stellar student (so I don't think he will be struggling there) and he is ready for the starting line-up now. With that said, could you imagine having Dergo, Kennedy, and Sean Reynolds all coming out of red-shirt the same year? WOW!!