Yankeefan33
Well-known member
GILMAN!!!!! YES!!!!!
YES INDEED!!!! HUGE!GILMAN!!!!! YES!!!!!
Overall, I don't think whoever we send at 65kg will do much, but it's still a great opportunity. Our hopes lie in 74kg, 86kg, and 97kg, where we should be medal threats no matter who goes.And certainly congrats to Gilman, DT3, & Gwiz. And congrats again to the 6 ladies and 4 GR guys.
Man the US’s struggles at 65 continues, when was the last time we medaled at that weight? Been a while, was it Zadick like 10-15 years ago? A medal that came out of nowhere and wasn’t close to repeated again? I’m still amazed Metcalf for all of his folk style success wasn’t better at free internationally, though I do think if he’d had his entire career under the current rules he might have got one.15/18 is really good. Hopefully, we can add another spot or 2 at Last Chance. If 65kg doesn't get Q'ed, and/or Zain isn't the guy or doesn't place at Olympics, it will be 8 years since Zain won a World medal (2012 Cadet gold). IMO, we need to see Yianni or JO at 65 for Team USA.
I think their qualification is fine, they just arent talented enough at 65kg. No matter who they send, they havent medaled in 15 years. That's not a sign they need a new process, it's a sign our guys arent good enough. And to be fair, our best guy in the last 10 years at 65kg in my opinion was Aaron Pico, who obviously hasn't been wrestling for the last four years.I'm almost ready to suggest that the U.S. move toward some sort of "alternative selection criteria" for choosing world team members. Zain is not likely to lose a wrestle-off in the Trials, but both JO and Yianni perform better than Zain in international competition. I know in the U.S. the mantra is "you gotta beat the guy on the mat" to earn the spot, but look at all the college coaches, as well as international coaches, that do not select their lineups with direct wrestle-offs.
I suppose that's a can-of-worms for another day. I'll hold out some hope that something breaks favorably for Zain in the LCQ, but I'm not holding my breath.
Seems like Coon might have a shot? I don't know Greco and I'm not a fan of HWTs, but he's had world-level success before, so maybe he can get on a roll an qualify.