Getting antsy for the season to begin so going a little more in depth on the lineup this year. I’m a bit more optimistic than most. I’ll just post on 125/133 for now. Let me know if you all want me to continue after reading this. I’m sure Lex or WNG can do better but here goes.
125- Nic Aguilar, Shane Metzler, Sammy Alvarez
-Aguilar is undersized but a total stud. People forget he won Fargo at both the cadet and junior level. Once he fills out, we could be looking at Darian Cruz level talent/results. I bet he AA’s at least once in his career. Metzler is a real hard worker but not sure how high his ceiling is. Great for the room. Not sure why Alvarez cuts to 125 unless he is a real threat to be a NQ or more/the cut isn’t too bad. He is a phenomenal talent, 3x NJ state finalist winning OW last year beating Robbie Howard. Per above it may make sense to wrestle a more comfortable 133 and get acclimated to college/grow into his lanky frame. I think we have a NQ at 125 this year.
133- Sammy Alvarez, Malcolm Robinson, Zach Firestone
-If Alvarez stays up and kills it in opens then maybe he starts here and drops later in the season if Nick returns second semester at 133. Kind of rough for whoever the 125 starter if Nick comes back and wrestles 125 instead. Way better if Nick stays up at 133 so Alvarez can keep redshirt/cut to 125 second term. Really tough on Aguilar to lose a postseason year if Nick wrestles 125. Sammy should probably focus on 133. Great upside with Malcolm Robinson just needs to keep developing. No clue where Firestone is re. weight/development post injury but he beat Paetzell in the state finals so talent is there. Looks like Brittan is here as well. Starter here needs to be NQ level (especially if Alvarez burns redshirt to wrestle). Good depth.
So, I think we can qualify both weights for NCAA’s. A lot more if Nick wrestles second semester. Best lineup seems to be Aguilar/Alvarez at 125 and Nick at 133.
125- Nic Aguilar, Shane Metzler, Sammy Alvarez
-Aguilar is undersized but a total stud. People forget he won Fargo at both the cadet and junior level. Once he fills out, we could be looking at Darian Cruz level talent/results. I bet he AA’s at least once in his career. Metzler is a real hard worker but not sure how high his ceiling is. Great for the room. Not sure why Alvarez cuts to 125 unless he is a real threat to be a NQ or more/the cut isn’t too bad. He is a phenomenal talent, 3x NJ state finalist winning OW last year beating Robbie Howard. Per above it may make sense to wrestle a more comfortable 133 and get acclimated to college/grow into his lanky frame. I think we have a NQ at 125 this year.
133- Sammy Alvarez, Malcolm Robinson, Zach Firestone
-If Alvarez stays up and kills it in opens then maybe he starts here and drops later in the season if Nick returns second semester at 133. Kind of rough for whoever the 125 starter if Nick comes back and wrestles 125 instead. Way better if Nick stays up at 133 so Alvarez can keep redshirt/cut to 125 second term. Really tough on Aguilar to lose a postseason year if Nick wrestles 125. Sammy should probably focus on 133. Great upside with Malcolm Robinson just needs to keep developing. No clue where Firestone is re. weight/development post injury but he beat Paetzell in the state finals so talent is there. Looks like Brittan is here as well. Starter here needs to be NQ level (especially if Alvarez burns redshirt to wrestle). Good depth.
So, I think we can qualify both weights for NCAA’s. A lot more if Nick wrestles second semester. Best lineup seems to be Aguilar/Alvarez at 125 and Nick at 133.