Facundo is down to his more natural weight. Even two years ago he wrestled 165 but could have made 157 but Haines was there. Facundo beat several AAs that year like Amine, Kharchla, Braunagel and only lost to David Carr 4-2. At ncaas he had one bad match then unfortunately had Julian Ramirez first round of consis who for upset. Facundo wrestled 74kg and that is 163 lbs. Cut is not that bad . He practiced with Dake all year and Dake even took him to Paris with him. I honestly would have been surprised if Kasak bear him for spot.
I’d be more surprised to see a Braeden Davis who didn’t podium at 125, be in the finals then I would a Cochran/Barr in the finals at 197. I don’t see Davis beating Nasir Bailey, Ryan Crookham, or Dylan Ragusin at 133. At 197 Buchanan is very tough but certainly beatable. Cardenas and Elam…absolutely beatable..Ferrari….can he make it through the season even? If i had to rank on a confidence level of Penn State guys MAKING the final…1 being best chance, id go 1. Carter 2. Mesenbrink 3. Haines 4. Kerkvliet 5. Lilledahl 6. Bartlett 7. Van Ness 8. Facundo 9. Cochran /Barr 10. Davis - Carter doesn’t have a challenge to make final. - Mesenbrink teched #2 rank Caliendo already. At 174 i put O’Toole, Haines and Hamiti tier 1. Hamiti is a tough match for whoever meets him in the semi. Both Haines and O’Toole will be favored but still tough. 285 got Gable, Kerk, Wyatt, Feldman and Bastida all top tier guys. Clearly Gable and Kerk favorites but lots of challengers along the way. 125 I think Lilledahl can steam roll this class. We will see 141 Bartlett, Alirez and Mendez all top tier Bartlett will likely have to beat 1 to get into the final which he absolutely can do. 197 is a big let’s wait and see but there are not guys in the weight who are not beatable. Davis has the hardest path. He didn’t place at 125 with the path of a 1 seed and 133 will bring many more challenges. No comparison between Figs/Noto/Ungar. and Crookham/Bailey/Ragusin.
So, Steveson wasn't a student, he wasn't pursuing the Olympics, but somehow he he gets a RS? And he's not back to "prove something" he needs some sweet NIL coin, since there's no WWE or NFL paycheck. Honestly, this is embarrassing.
Enjoy the show, great conversation.
Facundo is down to his more natural weight. Even two years ago he wrestled 165 but could have made 157 but Haines was there. Facundo beat several AAs that year like Amine, Kharchla, Braunagel and only lost to David Carr 4-2. At ncaas he had one bad match then unfortunately had Julian Ramirez first round of consis who for upset.
Facundo wrestled 74kg and that is 163 lbs. Cut is not that bad . He practiced with Dake all year and Dake even took him to Paris with him. I honestly would have been surprised if Kasak bear him for spot.
I’d be more surprised to see a Braeden Davis who didn’t podium at 125, be in the finals then I would a Cochran/Barr in the finals at 197. I don’t see Davis beating Nasir Bailey, Ryan Crookham, or Dylan Ragusin at 133. At 197 Buchanan is very tough but certainly beatable. Cardenas and Elam…absolutely beatable..Ferrari….can he make it through the season even?
If i had to rank on a confidence level of Penn State guys MAKING the final…1 being best chance, id go
1. Carter
2. Mesenbrink
3. Haines
4. Kerkvliet
5. Lilledahl
6. Bartlett
7. Van Ness
8. Facundo
9. Cochran /Barr
10. Davis
- Carter doesn’t have a challenge to make final.
- Mesenbrink teched #2 rank Caliendo already.
At 174 i put O’Toole, Haines and Hamiti tier 1. Hamiti is a tough match for whoever meets him in the semi. Both Haines and O’Toole will be favored but still tough.
285 got Gable, Kerk, Wyatt, Feldman and
Bastida all top tier guys. Clearly Gable and Kerk favorites but lots of challengers along the way.
125 I think Lilledahl can steam roll this class. We will see
141 Bartlett, Alirez and Mendez all top tier Bartlett will likely have to beat 1 to get into the final which he absolutely can do.
197 is a big let’s wait and see but there are not guys in the weight who are not beatable.
Davis has the hardest path. He didn’t place at 125 with the path of a 1 seed and 133 will bring many more challenges. No comparison between Figs/Noto/Ungar. and Crookham/Bailey/Ragusin.
So, Steveson wasn't a student, he wasn't pursuing the Olympics, but somehow he he gets a RS? And he's not back to "prove something" he needs some sweet NIL coin, since there's no WWE or NFL paycheck. Honestly, this is embarrassing.