NCAA Wrestling 2026

There is not even a conversation for the hodge trophy. Mesenbrink is simply on another level than everyone else. Caliendo is very likely a two time NC if Mitchell isn't there. He tech falled him.

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Take Aways.....already depressed that it's over. Small part of me died. Not even sure what's next. US Open in June maybe. My wife giggles, but I am serious.

Penn State breaks All Time scoring and has.....4 NCAA Champs and it still feels like a Fail? Kinda.

Was putting myself in these kid's shoes all weekend. Pressure. Has to be incredible. Not matter how you mentally try to spin it- it's a Gift. Be Grateful for it. Whatever Cael preaches....it has to be there. It's a huge part of what I admire about the sport.

It's personally plagued me my whole life. I am 54. I haven't beat it. I've shot a good bit of competitive archery. My brain spins and works very fast.....I know what your score card says. I know what mine says without looking. If I am winning, I "melt" and choke on the last target EVERY time. And shoot an 8. Or miss an X. If I am shooting Trap for score....and start stacking up consecutive hits....I will fail.

The undefeated records. The pressure to repeat. To be a former Champ expected to win again, down to OT and executing a perfect TD without a scramble and go behind....has to be incredible.

The Okie State kids wrestled super free. Pulled the Pin. Did a great job.

I don't think SVN wrestled like ass....but the right kid won. Vega/Mendez....the right kid won. McEnelly/Welsh....the right kid won.

My heart goes out to PJ. I strongly feel without the ref awarding the points and blowing the whistle...he won that match. And I think he would have stomped Antrell.

I hope he and Robideaux meet on the Open/Trials circuit or at least run that back Nov'26 in an All Star Classic.

Don't know how many hours of watching I logged in this weekend. But I didn't miss hardly any.

I miss it already
 
Totally agree on the Penn State result kind of feeling like a failure despite the fact that it was an overwhelming, record setting success. Strange dichotomy there, the level of excellence they've set is incredible.
 
Tough break for Silas Allred. Severely broken ankle. Announced today that is a career ending injury

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Jesse Jaymes said:
The undefeated records. The pressure to repeat. To be a former Champ expected to win again, down to OT and executing a perfect TD without a scramble and go behind....has to be incredible.
Click to expand...
A quote from my head coach before a regional or national tournament sticks with me when thinking about these things.
“This aint pressure! Pressure is getting dropped off in the jungle with a knife & everybody else gots a gun… That’s pressure! This aint pressure this is just fun!”

I believe the guys that can take that mindset, believe in the work they’ve put in & be thankful for the opportunity to display their work without feeling pressure are the guys that can consistently prevail on the big stage.
 
Loved the tournament and seeing some of the up and comers do something so special (Vega, Forrest, etc.).

I will say that the sport of wrestling produces better contributors to society than any other sport, IMO. There is something special about wrestling that ingrains physical and mental toughness, while also forging respect and gratitude. Just listen to Mesenbrink’s post match interview and press conference to see that epitomized.

Sad it is over for a year!
 
98XJRC said:
This and honestly not sure how they could have fixed it. In that situation if there is even any doubt the refs need to let it to continue to play out. Duke had him locked up in a cradle and at the very least would have proved without a doubt that he had control. The refs dictated the end of that match. Duke had every opportunity to shut the door, but I believe he was mentally defeated after that call was reversed. I also haven’t seen PSU coaches as hot after a match in a very long time.

On another note when the refs didn’t award Davino that take down after review I was left scratching my head. Some of these close ones I really question if anyone knows what a take down is any more and thankfully the right kid won.
Click to expand...

I have seen in some MMA bouts, where they need to stop the action for whatever reason, they are put back in the same position. I think that is fair and something most coaches would be able to agree on. Duke's cradle was only broken due the ref awarding the takedown. If the coach wants to challenge the takedown, thats fine. If the coach wins the challenge, the kid gets thrown right back in the cradle, and we continue to wrestle.
 
My reflections on attending as a Husker:
1. Cleveland is a dump and I hope the NCAA never even considers having the tournament there again.
2. The seeding committee needs to use weight strength of schedule much higher, crazy amount of top 8 seeds from ACC and Ivy and other conferences outside B10 and B12 not making the podium or even getting close in some instances.
3. Stalling and the especially backing off the mat stalling were called so inconsistently it was painful.
4. Crazy amount of talent from freshmen and underclassmen.
5. 149 was my favorite finals match. Just getting after it.
6. Nebraska peaked again at the right time. Allred doesn't break his ankle and we have 8 AAs and our best score ever. (I know, I know, what if)

Looking forward to next year.
 
Okie-hunter said:
A quote from my head coach before a regional or national tournament sticks with me when thinking about these things.
“This aint pressure! Pressure is getting dropped off in the jungle with a knife & everybody else gots a gun… That’s pressure! This aint pressure this is just fun!”

I believe the guys that can take that mindset, believe in the work they’ve put in & be thankful for the opportunity to display their work without feeling pressure are the guys that can consistently prevail on the big stage.
Click to expand...
"Pressure is a privilege"

easier said than done....
 
My takeaways
-unbelievable wrestling esp the scrambling abilities even by the HWTS. HUGE props to all the college wrestlers AA or not.
-I agree with Cael Sanderson "weve been trying to figure out what a takedown is for the last 5 years and we need to figure that out"
-Eliminate the brick challenges and independent reviews. all matches have a primary and secondary ref and if there is a close call they have so much time to discuss the call and the primary ref makes a decision and the call on the mat stands. Huge props to all the refs. they get a lot of hate/boos in the moment but they are human and it will never be perfect.
 
From a casual watcher i think a push out rule would make the stalling at the edge more black and white. It was so inconsistent all weekend.

Its going to be fun to see if Ok st will give Penn St a challenge in the following year.
 
@Bearded Bowhunter I've attended Big 10s and Olympic Trials...as a fan and someone attending the big show...

Could you tell me how good or bad your seats were and would you tell me the cost of a ticket?

Something you would do again? It's a bucket list to go. State College is "home turf" to me and I have many connections in Pittsburgh for free lodging and vehicles.

St. Louis would require all those amenities to attend. An even bigger investment.

I grew up between Cleveland and Buffalo. All those Great Lakes cities are red brick, rust belt shitholes.....

At the State College events....the entire town fills up between the breaks. The bars are full. Shuttles run from event to town. It's a rather large and fun party between sessions.
 
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