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.

Are they making clones at OSU? We may have just stumbled across their secret to success!!!

Excellent point JB.

On the replay Mr. Churella really does not seem to protest either. He certainly has a look of surprise. I do not believe the replay shows Coach McFarland or any of the Michigan staff.

I am not sure what oh snap means and am more inclined to say that was a great lateral drop.

That too! But the oh snap is surely better than a "swish!"

I just don't see how thats two.

Bain you still in Edmond?! That place is changing like crazy.

That is definitely not a takedown. A call like that should have been easily made in such a high profile match.

Yea where is the reaction time?

Told you I wasn't crazy.

Also, a few things for our friend SichardDRalyer:
1) Not only am I the esteemed Hofstra basketball mascot, I am also the mascot for football, lacrosse and soccer. (Jealous? Ha.)
2) You must recognize that an attack on the Oklahoma State Cowboys or an insinuation that Johny Hendricks may have had some help by the referee is not an attack on Mr. Sichard D Ralyer. Chill out, buddy. Relax. Deep breaths.
3) I think the picture shows that Prant's original diagnosis of the situation was correct. Thank you, Hulse, for being awesome.
4) That was an excellent *swish.* Handy--I believe "ohhh snap!" and *swish* are the same thing. Both are glorious.
5) Finally, Mr. Ralyer--please try to be a reliable pursuer and presenter of fact. It's all we ask on this board.

I also hate OSU... Noway was that a takedown. Homecooking deluxe style, I will say superb reffing for three days, with the exception of this match. Bighair from Missouri at 174 made very short work of an outstanding opponent, and thats how you take the ref out of the equation.

The image which Hulse references is after the fact. Note the referee already has his hand raised signifying the two points.




Agree or not however according to these pictures it was a takedown.

Control was established with the hands wrapped around Churells mid section - I rarely agree with Jennings however the call was "easily made" and was the correct call.

"For the purpose of awarding takedown points at the edge of the wrestling area, points shall be awarded when control is established while one supporting point or any part of a foot of either wrestler finishes on the mat in bounds."

I will be boarding an airplane in a few minutes and will be out of state and may be unavailable for comment for a few days!

Keep the complaints coming?

No takedown. Are you kidding me? If I would have been given a takedown on that against someone, I would have known right away that it was bogus. He didn't have control of anything other than that his arms happened to be wrapped around his opponent, who was on one knee, had one leg stretched out straight, and had all of his balance. Sichard would give someone a takedown like that....

Did Grant type all those posts while wearing the mascot outfit? If so, that is pretty impressive!

I'm not a big Hendricks fan, but working a table at the tournament gave me a whole new perspective how they call stuff at this tournament. They did award points differently when a guy was going out. They were very quick to call pins IF the guy winning was doing the pinning. They tended to give the benefit of the doubt to the aggresive wrestler. One match, the guy losing was clearly not pinned, but he was called stuck and did not argue.

I wasn't in the right place to see or judge the Hendricks match, but I'll say this; he gets more than his share of questionable calls to go his way. I'd hate if I had wrestlers act like him, but he does bring an element to wrestling that will draw fans in. More fans means more coverage. More coverage means more opportunity.

If you want to read some great posts, go to themat.com and read one of the 10 million posts on him. There are some funny cut & paste pics on them.

Can we get some photo proof of Prant in this hofstra suit? I want to see his "good" side.

Prant, where are your comments on the rest of the matches/participants? I was really looking forward to your comments on Askren and Mocco. Please continue!!!!!

I agree with Curtis - come on Prant, give us some more banty witt regarding Askren and the heavies!

I'm with Curtis too, that is the other Curtis, Mr. Rein, not the myself Curtis. If that makes sense.

And although I'm an OSU fan myself, I'm gonna have to go with Prant on this one.

whoops. i meant 'witty banter'. Come on prant. we are calling you out.

The "takedown" on page two was most definatly not a takedown, not even close! Hard to beleive that was called.

You have to see the positioning a second or two prior to this photo when Churella was on all fours.

I see, I did not see that picture, I just made a comment based on the still picture shown.

I missed that match though, I got home in time to see Askren do whatever it is that he calls what he does, it almost doesn't look like wrestling. He a good guy, and being a Mizzou alumni I am happy for him and the university

Some call it funk, but I prefer to think of it as technically sound.

You going to Sr. Nationals?

what about only getting 2 back points for that cradle. was it just me or did churella get well over a 5 count?

ya, i thought there was a mistake there also... It looked like a 3 point turn to me

<-------Looks like a pin to me.....

I agree that is only one frame (1/16 of a second?).... but I watched the match and I'm pretty sure there was at least 2 if not 3 full seconds of being "flat"... guess it what happens when you have the finals at HOME(r)...

I think Oklahoma State should change their mascot to the Yankees.

Lol. Then get orange pinstriped singlets.

Exactly, and then they can start to recruit guys away from teams even if they're going to be seniors next year, so that they win every single weight.

they sorta pulled that one already with mocco

Clear my throat....Unfortunately, for those who do not care for Oklahoma State wrestling,**news flash** success is contagious. Those who could go wrestle for another school would rather wrestle for OSU, for less of a scholarship, for one thing....That Championship ring. Good possibility you could get one wearing the "orange pinstriped" singlet. And quite honestly, that is what it's about at that level. You tell me that if you wanted to make a career out of wrestling that you would not want to wrestle for OSU. The alumni, training facilities, support from the community, winning, and John Smith are some good reasons to maybe transfer. Mocco...well I guess he wanted to win. As far as the homer calls, come on. This is NCAA officiating. Missing a call is one thing, but thinking a call goes one way because they are wearing an orange singlet is ridiculous. OK...Hindricks is called pinned and gets second...who wins the NCAA division I championships?

And yes my spelling and grammar stinks. So that is not a point to make fun of, because I know that I need the help.

Actually, other than misspelling your boy Hendricks name, you didn't do too badly.

I agree, you really can't get any better coaching, or facilities to train in, or partners to practice with than you can get with OSU.

How would you know.... Do you even know anything about wrestling?

P.S. I am selling it (you know what) on Ebay and I will split the earnings with you.

Curtis,

Growing up going up going to every match and camps every year makes me kind of biased.

I do need to tell you that every one of my wrestlers had your signature on their state shirt and was stooooked. Thanks for taking the time to give back. Thanks. Good work this year. Can't wait till the next.

Mr. Gaither...could you call my high school English teacher and tell her that. Good work as well with the 11 from heaven. Next year I hope to see your hair as platinum as Coach Ed's.

Hendicks' was already taking flack from the wrestling community over his semi-final win by was secured with a controversial stall call.....doubt any official was going to open that worms (whether warranted or not) unless there was no way to avoid it.

i'm not trying to make myself out to be against osu. i'm indifferent. i still occasionally sport my osu wrestling tee.

as for hendricks, he did the best he could in the situation. he tried his hardest, and he got help from the ref. but you can't blame hendricks for that. unless he slipped the ref some cash before the match. anyone would have done the same thing that hendricks did.

On the contrary to popular belief, I do know a few things about wrestling(mainly involving wrestling cheerleaders).
Also, if you get to much out of it, I may have to hook you up with some more.

I'm a little biased to since the camp i went to.
About the autographs. That was awesome for me and Daniel Prater as well. It really is pretty cool seeing kids with your name on their shirts. And it's the least I could do, since I was one of those little guys getting autographs when I was that age.
Also I too am dissapointed to not see Mr. Gaither's hair the same color as Coach Ed's. Come on Coach Gaither, you were definitely slacking.

This was Sean\'s hair two years ago. I will dig up a picture of mine also. If certain goals are met, I will do it again next year.