A Winner is You! 184
by RossWB on Nov 4, 2009 11:00 AM CST
in News
32 comments
Come January, when the Iowa football team again goes into hibernation for another nine months, what's a Hawkeye fan to do? You could pay attention to our preseason consensus cellar dweller basketball team... or you could give a little time to the two-time defending national champion, #1 ranked wrestling team. It is the one sport we're really, really good at, after all. In the spirit of our Assume the Position series for football, we bring you A Winner is You!, a weight class-by-weight class breakdown of the Iowa wrestling team, counting down from the weight class we have the most confidence in to the weight class we have absolutely no clue about.
KEDDY SMASH.
What We Already Know
Phillip Keddy might be the second-most dominant wrestler on the Iowa team behind one Brent Metcalf. He went 34-5 last year (finishing fourth at the NCAA Tournament), with three of those five losses coming at the hands of just Northwestern's nigh-unbeatable (and outrageously dull) Jake Herbert (the other two losses were shock upsets to Rider's Doug Umbehauer in the NCAA Tournament), last year's NCAA Champion at 184. But it's not just the record that indicates his dominance -- he also continued to hone his ability to not just win, but win in lopsided fashion. He had eight major decisions, two technical falls, and five pins, all career-bests for him.
Stylistically, Keddy bares more than a passing resemblance to Brent Metcalf with an extra forty pounds. Unlike Herbert or Ohio State's Mike Pucillo (another frequent nemesis of Keddy's),who often seem content to spend six minutes of a match locking up while waiting for an opening to take a shot and grind out a narrow win ,Keddy has a much more aggressive, action-oriented style that sees him frequently on the attack, moving forward, and attempting multiple shots per match. If nothing else, it makes Keddy's matches far more entertaining to watch than Pucillo's matches -- and it's been pretty successful for him, too. With a little luck, that style will take him to the top of the 184-pound class this year.
Who Else Is An Option
There's no one experienced behind Keddy, so as with Brent Metcalf, the drop-off goes from "national elite" to "largely untested former prep star." Grant Gambrall (RS FR) is the likely future of this weight class; he's a local kid (from Iowa City West) and in addition to the usual prep credentials (multiple conference titles, one state title), he accumulated an 18-5 record while wrestling "unattached" (i.e., he wasn't officially affiliated with the University of Iowa at those competitions) last year. Vinnie Wagner (SO) and Tomas Lira (FR) are other potential options at 184; Wagner didn't compete at all last year and racked up a 3-3 record wrestling unattached the year before, while Lira will almost certainly redshirt for a year and compete for the starting gig in 2010-2011.
Who Are The Major Threats
With the stall-tastic Herbert finally departed, Keddy's stiffest competition figures to come from Mike Pucillo (Ohio State), runner-up at last year's NCAA Tournament, champion of the 2008 NCAA Tournament, and a 6th place finisher at the 2007 NCAA Tournament. Keddy defeated Pucillo in the Big Ten Tournament last year, 5-2, but Pucillo won their previous three matches: 3-2 (2007-2008), 4-3 (2007-2008), and 9-4 (2006-2007). Keddy's other major foes could be Doug Umbehauer (Rider), who defeated Keddy twice in last year's NCAA Tournament (8-4 and 5-3) and Max Askren (Missouri), the 2nd-ranked wrestler at 184 heading into the season. Strangely, Keddy and Aksren have never wrestled each other in college.
What We Reasonably Expect To Happen
Winning a national title is never easy, but the absence of Herbert this year should make Keddy's quest considerably easier this year. Pucillo will be a tough obstacle in both the Big Ten and the NCAA Tournaments, but Keddy has had a modicum of success against him (one win and two narrow defeats). Based on his ability and his track record, it's far from absurd to suggest that Keddy should be right there in the mix for Big Ten and NCAA Championships; at the very least, Iowa's quest for a third consecutive national title is almost certainly going to require him to make a deep run into the NCAA Tournament (hopefully racking up some bonus points along the way).
TOO MUCH READING! GIVE ME AUDIO/VISUAL STIMULATION TANGENTIALLY CONNECTED TO THIS WRESTLER!
Keddy's from Utah, which is nothing but desert and Mormons in my mind; Mormons don't exactly get me fired up, but Kyuss was a great desert rock band. SO THERE.
Previous entries in the series:
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That's nice
It is wrestling dude….Let us pay some brief attention to the sport when we are in February and the basketball team is well below 500….No one outside of the state gives a shit about wrestling….Let us save what we have and cherish this rare season of Hawkeye football
by moephreys on Nov 4, 2009 11:30 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
You do realize that Iowa is a national powerhouse in wrestling
And that ignoring it would be foolish, right? Maybe a lil pre-season information will also result in more wrestling fans, as well.
Saying that “no one outside of the state gives a shit about wrestling” is fairly ridiculous. This is an Iowa blog, and should focus on things that Iowa fans care about. Seems pretty easy to follow…
by The Mexican't on Nov 4, 2009 11:47 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Unlike you
Some people give a shit about the wrestling program. Yes, even in November. Also, who really gives a hoot if “…No one outside of the state gives a shit about wrestling….”
by Dip-Shit on Nov 4, 2009 11:49 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Seriously? Fuck off.
Let us save what we have and cherish this rare season of Hawkeye football
In what way does this post prevent you from enjoying the dozens of other football-specific posts on this blog?
by RossWB on Nov 4, 2009 11:58 AM CST up reply actions 1 recs
Ross, this is awesome. Thank you. Can't wait for the rest of the series.
Finally with the Big Ten Network on the “west coast” of the state, I’m looking forward to watching some of the meets this year.
Keep up the good work with the wrestling coverage.
Iowa - Where undefeated is just not good enough.
by CUNKNNK on Nov 4, 2009 12:42 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Yup, nobody.
Not a soul. That’s why I wandered in here expecting 7 comments on the 184 and hopefully being able to add to the conversation.
I know that not one single person in MN cares about wrestling. That’s why I had an hour conversation with my future father-in-law last night about The Brandseses and their coaching arc vs. how J. Robinson looks (We came to a consensus that J. is wrestling’s Bobby Bowden).
Everyone fails. The successful learn from their failures. I just wish we'd quit giving ourselves so many learning opportunities.
by WhiteSpeedReceiver on Nov 4, 2009 12:35 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
I'm a Pennsylvania dude
In DC and very interested in these Iowa wrestling writeups.
Tune out the chucklefucks, and keep the good shit coming Ross.
"For me the game wasn’t grounded in reality. It was about the uniform you put on that turned you into a warrior. It was about the mythology of the battle, the victory, the defeat, the struggle." - Mike Reid, PSU '69
by jtothep on Nov 4, 2009 1:03 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Just go away now......
and let the men talk about wrestling. Okay?
by Bluzmn on Nov 4, 2009 1:10 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
EPIC first post FAIL
“moephreys” keeps digging his hole deeper. Sit back and relax, buddy. In fact, in between November posts of what bowl Iowa should go to, you’ll probably see some epic-ly manic-depressive basketball preview posts. I can’t wait to enjoy those, too!
by YouCanPutYourEddsInIt on Nov 4, 2009 1:47 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Sorry...
I enjoy wrestling and my time as a wrestler in high school. I have my parents record the national championships for me every year (despite the Zeleski era). Fact of the matter is, no one cares about wrestling. It is huge in iowa, and I know why being a part of it (in some respects), but still it is irrelevent. When do we see our former wrestlers perform on a larger stage apart from a rare olympic experience. Yes we are fucking badass at wrestling and that is cool as fuck. But compared to football or even basketball (if lickliter turns the shit around), it is nothing. No disrespect though, because I love wrestling (in March).
by moephreys on Nov 4, 2009 12:11 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
You're still not making much sense.
But compared to football or even basketball (if lickliter turns the shit around), it is nothing.
It is clearly a niche sport, but within the universe of University of Iowa-related activities, it is relatively significant and worthy of some attention. College hockey is a niche sport, but MGoBlog gives it pretty extensive coverage — should he not even bother because no one outside of a select few care?
You seem to be approaching this from a standpoint that there’s a finite amount of content that we can put on BHGP and that thus we should focus only on the sports people care about the most, football and basketball. But that’s not really true. The only real limits to the amount of content on BHGP are our ability to write things and the audience’s ability to read things. The existence of this post doesn’t replace a football post — it supplements it. There is every bit as much football posting as you would normally get from OPS, HS, myself, etc. You just happen to get these posts in addition to those other posts. If you don’t care to read them, fine.
by RossWB on Nov 4, 2009 12:35 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Also
We’re the best fucking wrestling college in the history of the NCAA. If you don’t care, don’t presume others don’t. And instead of being a dickhead about it, try celebrating the school’s absolute fucking dominance in it. Jesus.
by imadirtyoldman on Nov 4, 2009 1:04 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
And
Back-to-back National Champions motherfucker. I’m not a huge wrestling fan myself but I like any Hawks team doing well, and I hope BHGP helps me pay a bit more attention this year than I usually would.
It's not that I'm lazy, Bob, it's just that I don't care
by Colteyes on Nov 4, 2009 6:21 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Colteyes....its not too
early to talk about a 3-Peat right in this 184 post. RossWB has his shit straight, & if it was up to him & the bloggers here, fuck, we’d win the next 10 NCAA Team titles by 30, nah, 50 points…
Keep up the good work RossWB. Hawkeye wrestling fans in KC enjoy the previews.
this place smells like feet. i’ll bring a can of lysol next week.
by pfac51 on Nov 4, 2009 8:57 PM CST via mobile up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah, No One Cares
I seem to recall Carver filled beyond capacity, standing room only, for the Iowa vs. Iowa State meet last year. I also recall it being nearly sold out for the Iowa vs. Minnesota meet. I wouldn’t be shocked if it sold out for the Ok. State meet this year too.
I knew more people in college (girls included), who had attended far more wrestling meets than basketball games (during both the Alford and Lickliter eras). I’d say that’s a pretty strong argument for wrestling actually mattering at Iowa.
They took the bar, the whole fucking bar!
by recoveringfratguy on Nov 4, 2009 12:57 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Given the diabolical home schedule for men's basketball this year (and the fact that no one expects us to be any good at all)
I would not be surprised if there were as many or more home meets that have CHA close to capacity than men’s basketball games that do the same. Granted, it’s much cheaper to attend a wrestling meet than a basketball game, but I think point is offset somewhat by the fact that the pool of potential basketball game attendees is much larger than the pool of potential wrestling meet attendees (even in a state like Iowa).
by RossWB on Nov 4, 2009 1:54 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Are you kidding me!?!
Dude… This football season is wonderful, I’m not going to deny it. That said, this has the potential to be the best wrestling team since 1986. To ignore it would do a great disservice to these guys who’ve worked their asses off, and to one of the great shining lights of this athletic department! Also, there were more participants in the NCAA Wrestling tournament last year from Pennsylvania and from Ohio than from Iowa, so i suggest you sit on it and spin. There is A TON of nationwide interest in wrestling.
As far as the article, spot on analysis! It would be nice if a guy like Borschel would pick up some tips from Keddy. I swear that hit looks like he’s wrestling scared a lot of the time. And it’s frustrating because he is so talented! Additionally, I forget… Is Erekson back this year? If so, I May hold even higher hope for him than I do for Keddy. Guy was a beast at the end of the year!
Either way, nice work and keep up this column. We will certainly need something to look forward to after football is over.
Go Hawks!
by Wegher Please! on Nov 4, 2009 12:15 PM CST via mobile reply actions 0 recs
Thanks.
Additionally, I forget… Is Erekson back this year? If so, I May hold even higher hope for him than I do for Keddy. Guy was a beast at the end of the year!
He is back in the sense that he has a year of eligibility. Unfortunately, he won’t be back in the sense of being an actual competitor in meets until January or February, I think — he suffered an injury (to his pectoral muscle, as I recall) and is out of action for a little bit. Hopefully he’ll have enough time to get in top shape for the NCAA Tournament.
by RossWB on Nov 4, 2009 12:39 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
And no disrespect to you...
But you seem to be showing significant disrespect to these athletes and a program that as Hawkeyes could be proud of when all other programs sucked.
If you are not interested, don’t read the article
by Wegher Please! on Nov 4, 2009 12:19 PM CST via mobile reply actions 0 recs
Absolutely no disrespect.
I respect the hell out of wrestlers and in not doubt believe that they are some of the toughest motherfuckers to do shit…I absolutely enjoy wrestling as well but my point is that it is not relevent on a national stage what so ever. I have recently moved to the Bay Area (after a stint on the east coast), and have found that no one cares about wrestling. We this be posted if we were not the 2 time defending champions? Maybe, but only because it is Iowa. I love wrestling and am in doubt an Iowan, but no matter how many wrestling championships we have one, it does not compare to this season of Hawkeye football. We won’t remember Metcalf beating [everyone] a year from now…We will, however, remember 2 blocked field goals against UNI, and Stanzi to McNutt, and 9-0 and possibly beyond. Go Hawks, be it wrestling, basketball or football.
by moephreys on Nov 4, 2009 12:35 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
I'll remember Metcalf beating everyone a year from now...
that is all.
by twade70 on Nov 4, 2009 1:01 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
I want to know one Iowa wrestling fan
who won’t remember Metcalf beating everyone a year from now.
(Previous post FAIL)
"My momma always said, 'It's better to eat shit than to not eat at all.'" --Rube Baker
by McNutt Butter on Nov 4, 2009 1:10 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Couple of comments...
I’m pretty psyched that BHGP has added wrestling previews this year. Ross, you’re doing a good job with these, but a couple things I wanted to comment on:
1. You seem to have a beef with Herbert’s style. Seriously? Dude went 34-0 last year with 15 pins, 4 TFs and 9 MDs. He beat Keddy 15-1, 3-2 and 8-1 in 2008-2009. I’m assuming you’re reference to him being “stall-tastic” are due to the 3-2 match in the NW-Iowa dual. Did he wrestle defensively that day – yes. But one match does not make a reputation. He consistently looked to dominate his matches throughout the year. While it pained me to watch him take it to Keddy (especially in the Big 10s – I thought Keddy would take it to him after the close dual matchup), Herbert was one of my favorite wrestlers to watch last year.
2. Keddy and Askren have never met in college because Askren wrestled 197 his Freshman, Sophomore and Junior years (while keddy has been at 184 his entire career).
Looking forward to the rest of the previews. My biggest question is 141 and 157. Marion sounds like he’s been a stud in the room, but LeClere has the experience. 157 seems like a grab bag.
by twade70 on Nov 4, 2009 12:55 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Herbert was the man
The only reason his matches were dull is because almost nobody could hang with him. Keddy did a great job and I really wanted to see that matchup for the final. Umhauer? Really? Where did he come from? I was at the tournament last year and Keddy could just not do anything with him.
I am surprised to learn that Askren is cutting to ’84 this year. That could be interesting.
by Bluzmn on Nov 4, 2009 1:13 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Bluzmn, I was there too
and I still can’t figure out how Keddy lost that Quarterfinal match vs. Umbehauer. I kept expecting Keddy to pull away but Umbehauer kept it close and was lucky to get it into OT. Then Keddy just couldn’t get any offense going and lost on a scramble in the TB.
Then in the 3rd place match, Keddy looked COMPLETELY lost out there. He was never in the match despite the close score (5-3). At that point, it seemed like he had a mental block against Umbehauer.
by twade70 on Nov 4, 2009 1:24 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Thanks for the clarification re: Askren.
As far as Herbert, you may have seen more of him than I did, then. I don’t recall him being really aggressive in some of his NCAA matches, either, but I may be mis-remembering.
I may also be confusing him with Varner for ISU somehow, too.
I agree that he was a tremendous wrestler, though, which is why it was so frustrating to see him be so incredibly cautious and tentative at times. But I feel the same way about some Iowa guys as well (coughcoughMorningstarcoughcough).
My biggest question is 141 and 157. Marion sounds like he’s been a stud in the room, but LeClere has the experience. 157 seems like a grab bag.
Yeah, I think it’s safe to say that those weights will be arriving near the end of this series.
by RossWB on Nov 4, 2009 1:50 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Fuck
I had heard that about Erekson, but I had forgotten. Any idea if he has a redshirt in the bag. Doubtful, but I didn’t know.
Any knowledge if Slaton is still being a fat ass or if he’s “gotten with the program” so to speak…
BTW, feel free to ignore me if I am ruining future posts… Just getting pumped and really have no further questions or comments about Keddy. He has answered most of them himself!
by Wegher Please! on Nov 4, 2009 2:02 PM CST via mobile reply actions 0 recs
Erekson already used his Redshirt
after wrestling 197 his freshman and sophomore seasons. It paid dividends as he was able to put on some pounds to wrestle HWT and ended up 4th at NCAAs last year.
Sounds like Slaton has missed some practices due to injury so far this year. My unprofessional opinion is that 141 comes down to LeClere or Marion. Joe is going to be missing the 1st semester due to academics and may be playing catch-up against the other 2 once he becomes eligible.
by twade70 on Nov 4, 2009 2:08 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Fat ass and thief.
But I’m sure he has gotten somewhat with the program from Brands kicking his ass all over the wrestling room after Slaton got caught trying to steal a pair of ear plugs from a cornerstore.
"My momma always said, 'It's better to eat shit than to not eat at all.'" --Rube Baker
by McNutt Butter on Nov 4, 2009 2:10 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Good to see a wrestling preview
A signifigant number of people would love to get a peek at who’s who this year.
“In the spirit of our Assume the Position series for football,” – too bad we couldn’t keep that through to wrestling…
I have occupational turrettes... My job makes me swear uncontrolably at everyone.
by Ioweegin on Nov 4, 2009 5:33 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Due To The Appearence
That it is seeming more and more that the Football Team is finding a way to DIG down deep and find what it takes to win this year(erasing the “Fluke” argument") it seems only fitting that we present and discuss the WrestlingTeam. What the FB team has been doing week after week is what the wrestling team has been doing for a while now….nothing flashy, just rard Ass Work and finding thats trength and courage in the last period to do it for themselves, for their team, and for us….keep bringing the analysis and we Hwak Fans can feel the fight.
_ They took the bar! The whole fucking bar!-John Blutosky Animal House)
by John Hartlieb is stiil a stud! on Nov 4, 2009 6:56 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
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