The following posts are completely unsolicited and will consist of funny jokes and witty banter, if at all possible.

We'll start with the first match, Joe Dubuque (Indiana University) vs. Troy Nickerson (Cornell University).

1) I didn't get to see Nickerson wrestle when Cornell came to Hofstra for a dual, because our 125 pounder is dumb and gets bad grades.
2) Nickerson looks skinny.
3) Dubuque impressed me with his riding last night.
4) He also impressed me with how ugly he is. It's almost like he belongs in one of P.T. Barnum's museums.
5) All refs are being recorded tonight--I wish we could record Igel Nisom when he refs, or SichardDRalyer when he...is condescending to everyone he works with, wherever he works.
6) Dubuque seems kind of like a jerk...but he impressed me.
7) One of the coaches (not sure which team) had one of the most hideous 1980s ties I've ever seen.*

*Note: Prant is a tie enthusiast.

1) Prant learns that Chris Fleeger, who beat Shawn Bunch last night, got to the semis on a bogus injury default. I hope he loses.
2) Purdue beat Kansas State in the 1998 Alamo Bowl (37-30?). Their mascot is a train. All of these things make me want to cheer for the nerd from Penn, Valenti.
3) I didn't get to see Valenti when Hofstra wrestled Penn earlier this year, because our 133 pounder is fat and never makes weight.
4) I was very impressed by Valenti's scramble in the first period. His athleticism is very Prant-like.
5) Valenti has a dumb sun tattoo in the middle of his back.
6) Bogus stalling call on Valenti.*
7) Stalling warning on Fleeger. Prant agrees with this call.
8) Valenti did some weird whirly-gig move.
9) In a victory for nerds everywhere, Valenti wins. Prant immediately challenges him to a spelling bee.

*Prant is also a stalling enthusiast.

141 Pounds, Nate Gallick (Iowa State) vs. Teyon Ware (Oklahoma)

1) The match starts with a terrible pun by the announcer. He is not witty.
2) Bob Stoops = Benedict Arnold.
3) Gallick has a weird stance.
4) Prant began his 8th-grade season at 141 pounds. Interesting question: Who would win in a match, either of the finalists, or 8th grade Prant Garker?
5) Gallick looks like my old neighbor and former Hat Town wrestler, Richard Gardner.

149 Dustin Schlatter (Minnesota) vs. Tyler Eustice (Iowa)

1) Dustin Schlatter may be a freshman Big Ten champion and the number one seed in the NCAA tournament, but if he isn't registered to vote (or hasn't filled out a form to receive his absentee ballot in Massilon, OH), I can not cheer for him.
2) Former Rock Creek wrestler Dan Pray apparently is wrestling for Iowa University under the alias "Tyler Eustice." Holy crap, those two look the same.
3) Instead of buying a house that could accommodate a wrestling mat, my parents bought a house that could fit a piano and a viola in it. Obviously, that decision is the reason I'm sitting here watching tonight. Thanks, parents.
4) Because this match is boring me, I'll remark on Eustice's sweet chin cup, a la Hat Town legend Bubba Schoenfeld.
5) Dustin Schlatter wears the volleyball kneepad. I always thought that was weird.

157 pounds: Brian Stith (ASU) vs. Ben Cherrington (Boise State)

1) I always like Boise State. Thought K-State should have hired their head football coach. Obviously, this makes Cherrington the favorite.
2) Stith has cool shoes.
3) Danny Hodge is 1198417324 years old, has old wrestler ears and officially scares the crap out of me.
4) Whatever significane the announcer used when comparing apples to Ben Cherrington made no sense. He should be fired and replaced by KMAN's own Rod Olsen.

165 Ryan Churella (Michigan) vs. Johny Hendricks (Oklahoma State)

1) Let's start this match by saying that I don't like Johny Hendricks. I think he's annoying.
2) I dislike him more now that I know he spells "Johnny" with only one N.
3) At what weight can I confidently begin to assume that I wouldn't be able to beat these guys? I think I might have a chance against the 125 pounders, simply because I weigh 85 pounds more than they do...but I'm not even sure about that. Could I still squish
4) I thought Hendricks was stuck...but that's probably because I hate him.
5) I'm peeing my pants because this match is so fantastic.
6) Terrible call. I'm upset. Bogus. I hate Oklahoma State.

Calm your cry baby self down long enough to realize Johny Hendricks wrestles at 165 lbs.

Grant:

After you change your shorts and reclaim whatever composure you might possess, kindly understand under pressure Johny was able to perform and Churella did not. Great defense by Churella to give up two takedowns in the last few seconds.

As you know doubt have guessed I am a big Poke wrestling fan and from now on remember the phrase "Here's Johny".

Why would you want to record me?

Where is the rest?!

I still think Michigan got screwed out
out of points earned. Normally, it doesn't matter, but in these tight matches, losing
a point on a questionable call can make
all the difference. I am a neutral party--
not rooting for Michigan or any other
team (except WSU basketball)--but I felt
sooo sorry for Churella and annoyed at what seemed to be quasi-homefield advantage
for OSU.

I would have to say Churella got screwed not only on the very questionable takedowns, but also on receiving two back points instead of three.

Doesn't matter. Anybody who goes to school at Michigan deserves to lose, then trip and fall on their face on national television after their match.

You, the Hofstra basketball mascot, nor I were on the mat to view if in fact Hendricks shoulders or both scapulae were on the mat for the required count prior to time running out in the period. What we do know with certainty is the cradle was locked up with very few seconds left in the period, the second referee agreed with the decision, and there was no protest from the great J. Rob.

What we also know is Hendricks dominated the match with takedown attempt after takedown attempt to very few takedown attempts by Churella. I have the match on TIVO and Churella's passivity is clear in his attempt to slow down the match and counter Hendricks aggressive takedown attempts. Churella should have been warned and called for stalling on more than one occasion.

Churella did not lose the match on the calls by the referee, he lost the match due to his inability to protect his legs. Giving up two takedowns while backing off the mat in the final 0:40 seconds is what cost him the match.

All wrestlers have been taught not to allow a match to be so close as to allow a referee's judgment to affect the outcome and Churella failed in this regard.

Whether one likes Johny or not is not the issue, nor is the call by the referee - what is the issue is the lack of defense by Churella.

Well said Richard. I agree.

I also agree with Sayler, the better man won this time and that was apparent throughout the whole match(minus the time Johny was on his back, 4 seconds max).

Most definitely the best match of the night in my opinion.

Oh, one thing Mr. Salyer....

The reason why the great J. Rob didnt protest is because he is not Churella's coach.

I believe you meant to say Joe McFarland: http://www.mgoblue.com/coach_bio.cfm?bio_id=446&section_id=349&top=2&level=3

"The reason why the great J. Rob didnt protest is because he is not Churella's coach."

.... ohhhh snap!

Has anybody ever notice the uncanny resemblance between Hendricks and Coach Smith? Do you suppose there was a love child somewhere along the line? His name is also “Johny” which seems very coincidental.

Check out Esposito as well,,definitely some resemblence all around in the Okie State room.