Locked On Hawkeyes - Daily Podcast On Iowa Hawkeyes Football & Basketball - STEP BACK? Are the Iowa Hawkeyes Being Overtaken in NCAA Wrestling? Penn State Eyes ANOTHER Title

Starting point is 00:00:00 Year in and year out, every single wrestling season. It seems like it's Penn State versus Iowa. But now the concern is that the Hawkeyes have taken a step backwards. You are locked on college crossover. Part of the Locked on podcast network. Your team every day. That is right. It is a locked on crossover to talk some NCAA wrestling focusing on Penn State

Starting point is 00:00:29 in Iowa. My name is Zach Seiko, and I'm your host of Lockdown, Nittany, Lions, your daily source for all things Penn State. He is Trent Condon, the host of Lockdown, Hot Guys, your daily source for all things Iowa, daily, all things daily when it comes to Iowa. And we are part of the Lockdown Podcast Network, which is the number one sports podcasting network out there. So thank you so much for making us your first listen or watch for today. We got plenty to get into the debate around the national duels. Iowa's going to be there. Penn State staying at home. They have their reasons. We'll get to that.

Starting point is 00:01:01 Also, the recruiting hall. You know, I was taking a step back, right? Maybe for the short term, but long term to get five elite prospects like that. So 2025, 26 season expectations. But starting with the lineup, because Trent, you know, Penn State's going to, the expectation is that they win another NCAA team title. They go undefeated, you know, and then consequently the Big Ten tournament and everything else. And it's because this lineup just returns guys that were heavy hitters a season ago.

Starting point is 00:01:29 Yes, they end up losing a Carter Starachi, but you reload once again with Mitchell Messonbrank and Levi Haynes as the face of your lineup. And then there's Josh Barr who made an NCAA final, lost to Stephen Buchanan, who was at Iowa. But again, Barr is back as a second year starter. Luke Lilidol is back as a second year starter. And then to get instant, just instant talent from true freshmen who can start right away and a Marcus Blaze and a PJ Duke, you know, that's tough to compete with. but I think Iowa's biggest concern is not necessarily, okay, how far are we away from Penn State?

Starting point is 00:02:05 It's, did Nebraska and Oklahoma State just leapfrog us and use us to get closer to Penn State? Yeah, it was a frustrating March once again for Iowa. And, you know, as you go through and you look at, say, this last decade or so of domination from Penn State and the different times that Iowa's had an opportunity, the times that they've broken through and won the national championship, though, it's been a rarity. and that it's been kind of a hallmark here as of late as they just haven't wrestled up to their best when it's come to NCAAs and, you know,

Starting point is 00:02:36 is it the way that they practice? Is it the way they train? Is it what they do throughout the course of the season and trying to peek at the right time for whatever the reason is? It just hasn't happened. And then it really culminated last year in a really disappointing effort. It just looks such a lethargic team. I thought at times during the Big Ten's, you know, two weekends before.

Starting point is 00:02:55 They looked like maybe they were trending in a positive direction coupled with what they kind of did at the end of the season. And just it didn't translate once again. Yet with all that negativity, still inside the program, the people you talk to, there's a lot of positivity. There's a lot of positivity that this year they can surprise that they can make a run and close that gap. Look, you're talking about threading the needle, obviously, to run down Penn State.

Starting point is 00:03:17 Not only does everybody on your roster have to wrestle probably above the projections going into the NCAAs. You're also going to need Penn State to have some issues, have some upsets, some things that happen because of the way that that program is built. But, you know, there's a growing faction of people that want change just for the sake of change. And there's other ones that say, oh, look at what the future does. And look at what Penn State is. And it doesn't matter who the head coach at Iowa is.

Starting point is 00:03:44 It's not going to change what Penn State is. So it's kind of that back and forth. And as you know, Zach, you go on social media, you go on message boards. You get a wide range of opinions that are out there. But it'll be interesting this year for this Iowa team. think there is some upside in this lineup that at minimum, they can close the gap and get back to a solid number two and leave frog back over the Nebraska's of the world. I think there is, I mean, the race is for second place.

Starting point is 00:04:12 Penn State, I mean, Penn State's thinking about, you know, can we set the team record again, the team scoring record again with where it was 177 points in Penn State broke it two years ago, then reset the record. And the idea is that, oh, well, this is a possibility again. and Nebraska took a significant step forward. Also, again, Iowa, Iowa State. I did not think Iowa State would be this good going into this season, but that's some, you know, when I'm talking about, you know,

Starting point is 00:04:37 hey, the Big Ten, it's going to be Penn State, Nebraska, Iowa. And then at the NCAA tournament, you know, Oklahoma State is really trying to make that push with David Taylor. And that's why it's kind of interesting because they make the move. Okay, we're good. We're not great. We're certainly not elite. So why don't we go take somebody that, you know,

Starting point is 00:04:56 know, lived it at Penn Stand. And I'm not trying to suggest that for Iowa, but that's kind of the debate is that, oh, Oklahoma State made a move to go get somebody different, to change course, to change direction. But it doesn't sound like from your perspective, Iowa's close to considering that. You know, there is, as I mentioned, there's a faction that does want to see that, that does want to see them make that move. I don't think it's big enough. And most importantly, the financial backing that Iowa has and the reason that they've been able to be so active in the portal and you look at recruiting going forward. The big money donors, I don't think want that either. And that's really where it's going to come to. Iowa has a new athletic director in Beth Getz. She was the one that

Starting point is 00:05:35 came in and right away implemented the Brian Ferrence on the football side, the drive for 325, having an average 25 points per game. And he didn't hit there and he got fired. And so she is somebody that is willing to be bold. I mean, when you go up against a 25 year head coach and force his hand in Kirk Farrants and make him fire his son, I think that definitely shows you. that she's not, she's not scared of being bold. You know, she went out there and got Ben McCullum and let go, Fran McCaffrey, the all-time winningest coach in Iowa basketball history. So I don't think it's a concern about that.

Starting point is 00:06:05 I think the concern comes back to the financial side. And the big money donors, they are not happy with the state of the program. They want to see more, but they're the ones that I don't think are willing to move on. And because of that, I think brands and company, they still have a pretty good leash over here in Iowa City. Now let's compare and contrast the line of spreefully. before we get to the actual goals, you know, and I'm talking, you know, how many individual champions, how many All-Americans, that kind of thing. I gave a glimpse of it with Penn State. But for Penn State's lineup, it's Luke Lilithal at 125, Marcus Blaze at 133, Aaron Nagau, surprisingly,

Starting point is 00:06:40 at 141, I think surprising to some, not necessarily to myself or to anybody else that I have on, you know, experts for Penn State wrestling, but just it's kind, oh, Aaron Nagal is still there. He's still starting, he's still starting caliber. He's somebody that Penn State believes in despite, Just the unluckiness, if you will. Shane Van Ness at 149 at 157, PJ Duke and redshirting Tyler Ksack. That's a big move. Mitchell Messon brings a staple at 165 and the overwhelming favorite. I mean, we're talking Hodge Trophy there.

Starting point is 00:07:09 Levi Haynes, same thing at 174, at 184 Rocco Welsh transferring in from Ohio State. That was a lot of drama with Zach Ryder going on to Oklahoma State. 197 when Josh Barr is healthy, Barr will be the starter. But Connor Mirosola is a fringe title contend. as a redshirt freshman now. And I would say is a top five, a top five wrestler at 197 off of the bench. It's crazy to think that Penn State has that and at heavyweight.

Starting point is 00:07:35 It's going to be Cole Mirosola, Connor's twin brother, because rumors indicate that he recently won a wrestle off and there is confidence within the program that, hey, this guy's going to be our starter until further notice. Trent, what perspective can you provide, you know, what's Iowa going to roll out there on a week by week basis? You know, there are some intriguing guys,

Starting point is 00:07:53 some transfers that, you know, now making the step up, if you will, kind of to the national level, the big national level, what they're going to be. Starting at 25, Dean Peterson comes in from Rutgers. He's made the round of 12 a couple of different times now. You know, can he take that step forward? Is he a guy that can be up there, not just all American, you know, top eight, but can he get into maybe the top half of all American status?

Starting point is 00:08:13 You know, that's what you're looking for for Iowa. Drake Iyella, obviously at 33. We know about him. National Championship appearances in the finals a couple of different times. This year, Bailey, who came in from Arkansas, Little Rock along with Jordan Williams. Both those Bailey made two years ago.

Starting point is 00:08:30 He was in the finished fourth place in the NCAA. So both of those guys. After Bailey, they're going to decide what to do with Voidovich for the projected duels this weekend for national duels. They had Voidovich either at 49 or 57, and then Williams would be at 57. A Voinovich goes at 49. Mikey Calliando, number two,

Starting point is 00:08:50 in a lot of the polls out there. He's been a staple of this lineup for a while. He's going to be there at 65, another guy that you think maybe could step forward. Patrick Kennedy, another one of those guys fourth place a year ago. Is there another step for him? Angelo Ferrari, can he win a national championship at 84? I think the most intriguing guy, though, out of all this, is Masoma Edna, who comes in from Whartburn, obviously a D3 power here from the state of Iowa up in Waverly, a guy that's

Starting point is 00:09:16 won multiple national championships at the D3 level. How does that translate here? Is he an All-American? Is there even more upside than that? that's kind of the great unknown. And then, of course, Ben Keeter comes in at the heavyweight spot. So there's guys and there's guys with upside, but a lot of those new faces, that's what I'm really interested in seeing what this looks like and what they can put forward.

Starting point is 00:09:37 If they do, all those guys kind of have to take that step forward. But if they do, and you get a couple of national championships and a Ferrari, both those guys win a national championship and the rest of those guys take a step forward. It closes a gap, but it's certainly unlikely to run down Penn State. We'll continue with 2025-26 season expectations because, again, Iowa is going to push for that second spot. They think that they're better than Nebraska. You know, Penn State's a bit of a reach, but Oklahoma State, you know, that should be better than them in NCAAs. Nebraska, Iowa State, all of them.

Starting point is 00:10:09 And you mentioned some title contenders or guys that Iowa anticipates with a ton of upside. Maybe you could meet some Penn State wrestlers in those semifinals or finals. We'll talk about that next here on this lockdown crossover. And this episode is brought to you by DoorDash. It's almost the weekend. Time to look back and crown this week's MVP on Who Delivered? Powered by DoorDash. Just like you can win every Saturday with DoorDash streaks,

Starting point is 00:10:34 saving more every time you order. These players delivered when it mattered most. Now let's break it down. Now we're going to nominate two players here for Penn State in Iowa. For Penn State, I'm going to go with Nicholas Singleton. That was a breakout game. That was a get-back game that he desperately needed, getting three touchdowns.

Starting point is 00:10:51 He was almost all of Penn State's offensive production against Indiana and kept them in that game. He certainly delivered. And then how about the Iowa offense, Mark Grinowski, the team against Oregon? We know that Penn State and Iowa came up short, but in regard to the Hawkeyes,

Starting point is 00:11:06 for them to drive 12 plays, 93 yards to get the game leading score, you know, the offense certainly stepped up and delivered when it mattered most. And just like Nicholas Singleton and Mark Grinowski leading the Iowa offense for Penn State and Iowa, respectively DoorDash delivers your Saturdays with DoorDash streaks. You save every Saturday you order. Stack it up all season and you could save up to $250, including $100 in DoorDash credits. Order this Saturday. Keep the streak alive. Fuel your game day only with DoorDash terms apply from a period through November 18th. Penn State, yes, they're going to be a team that's expected to win the NCAA tournament title.

Starting point is 00:11:50 But in the scheme of things, right, I want to point out that Penn State is also chasing history, not only in the postseason, but in the regular season. They're trying to set the dual-meat streak record of consecutive dual-meat victories that's been held by Oklahoma State for forever. and the mark is 77 in December at the, I'm blanking on it right now, but it's down in Nashville, Tennessee, and it's the, I think it's the collegiate wrestling duels, and they're going to wrestle Stanford, which is where they could break that record. And I imagine that Penn State is just going to continue to extend it, continue to extend it,

Starting point is 00:12:27 continue to extend it. So, Trent, where do you think Iowa stands with its regular season schedule? And we're going to talk about, you know, Ayala as a finals contender, right, with a crowded 133 class. And could Marcus Blaze potentially break through a piece peaking? And Angelo Ferrari with Araucco Welsh with a Max McAnnelly, 184, Zach Ryder, 184 is extremely entertaining. And then as you mentioned, some of the transfer pickups, you know, do they take the point is that Iowa, you know, hey, you were good here. But if you come over to Iowa, we can make you better. So we'll go through some of those contentious weight classes there.

Starting point is 00:13:02 But in the regular season, most entertaining duel, toughest duel. How do you see it? Yeah, I'm really excited about coming up this weekend, just having them in the national duels and seeing them down in Tulsa. Can't relate. Going out there, national duels are something that are, yes, yes. You know, near and dear to my heart when it was at the Unidone for years. And I worked them a couple of different times.

Starting point is 00:13:25 So I really enjoyed the national duels and not just what we get at the D1 level, but at the other one. As you go through, though, and you look at the schedule and the way that it's set up. It's a little bit different. They already opened up against Bellarmine, but they're going to have a couple of oddities. Going to Iowa State, always a fun duel, though Iowa's dominated that series. The Uncivil War, they're going to head down to Hannibal, Missouri, take on a couple of programs in Chattanooga and Utah Valley that I'm sure for both of those programs, just huge, that they get the

Starting point is 00:13:52 opportunity, obviously to go up there. When Penn State comes to town, that's going to be huge as always. But I think maybe the most intriguing duel when we get into the Big Ten season, is what they have going to Nebraska after what the Huskers did a year ago. A lot of expectations out of them. Normally every single season, it's where's Penn State, right? Where's Penn State on the dual calendar and how is that going to fit?

Starting point is 00:14:14 This year, I think a lot more people, just because it's also so tough to be Penn State, maybe has that Nebraska duel and going over there to the Devaney Center and how that's going to look like on Friday, January 23rd. I think that's the one that a lot of Hawkeye fans certainly have circle. Yeah, and that same, I mean, similar case for Penn State is, you know, where they're going to put this win streak, this dual meat streak on the line.

Starting point is 00:14:35 And they wrestle, again, they wrestle at Iowa. That environment's always going to be what it is, what at top, top elite tier, hostile environment for Penn State. So they're going to have to bring their A game even though, oh, well, Penn State significantly, no, you still have to go into a, that you could potentially swing one or two matches that maybe you're not supposed to get there. But then the gauntlet that Penn State has with Nebraska, a mission. team that is supposed to be significantly better. And Ohio State team that I always, I always have said for the past couple of years is a dark course at the NCAA tournament because there's so much young talent. And this is where, okay, now that it was a young talented team a couple of seasons ago.

Starting point is 00:15:17 Now it's the veteran talented team that I think maybe could surprise some people that again, Iowa has to be mindful of if they're not going to be too, okay, if we can't catch Penn State, you know, what other teams could step step in our way. and Ohio State, I think, is another one. So both entertaining schedules, I think Iowa certainly has the tougher schedule in comparison with who, you know, some of the non-conference matchups. And again, attending the national duels,

Starting point is 00:15:41 which will debate. Is Penn State right to do that? Is it wrong to do it? They're not growing the sport, right? But that's later on in the show. With some of these contentious weight classes, especially what in 133, might be one of the deepest, if not the deepest weight class.

Starting point is 00:15:57 Okay, so Drake Iyala comes in as a finals, favorite. I'm not saying he's going to win. I'm saying he's a favorite to get back to the finals because he and Lucas Bird were just there. But Ryan Crookham of Lehigh gets healthy. You add in Marcus Blaze, who's going to start at Penn State. He's ready to go. He doesn't need a red shirt. And then other Zanfuget of Wisconsin, Evan Frost of Iowa State, Tyler Knox of Stanford, Dylan Schaver still at Rutgers. And then Richie Figueroa, who won an NCAA title at 125 pounds, transfers over to Oklahoma State. And I'm not going to look past the best. of Ohio State, one of those young and up-and-coming wrestlers that is over with the Buckeyes.

Starting point is 00:16:35 So at 133, Trent, do you think this is, Drake Ayala hasn't eaten same path because he has another year under his belt to get back to the finals there? You know, hearing him during the offseason and people with the program, it's, he's already been obviously a very driven guy, but being so close, being on the precipice these last two years and just not being able to break through and ultimately win that national championship, we've seen. seen this story so many times in the past and guys that, man, I just, you know, some people might think they can't get there. And they do. And because of that, you know, if I had to put a bet down, you know, for friends over at Fandual, I'll put it out and we can't bet on individual player props here in the state of Iowa. But if they did, I would put my money on Drake I.L. I really think that he is going to have that breakthrough moment. But like you said, this weight class is absolutely stack. And it's not just about, you know, so many times it's who you're

Starting point is 00:17:26 going to see in the finals or maybe in the semifinals. Just think of what. these quarterfinals are going to look like when we get the NCAAs in March. I mean, that thing is going to be an absolute bear. The path isn't going to be easy by any means, but Drake Iiella, I just, it's that funny feeling that you have. There's nothing, you know, that I can put it numerically that says this is the reason that he can do it. It's just that gut feel and I think that Drake will get there.

Starting point is 00:17:49 Let's talk about 165 and 174 together because it is a one-two punch of a Penn State wrestler that is the overwhelming favorite. And then the Iowa wrestler that's kind of quietly biting us. time that is looking to pull off what is going to be considered a massive upset with Mitchell Messenbrink and Mikey Calliendo. And Calliendo, again, I said as it was going on in real time, you know, okay, hey, Messenbrink's dominating, but slowly Caliendo kept chipping away or trying different things to close the gap on Messonbrink. And on the scoreboard, he did. And Levi Haynes, same thing, just clear cut favorite at 174. Patrick Kennedy of Iowa, that second rank wrestler.

Starting point is 00:18:26 So it seems like there's a crash course there between Penn State and Iowa at 165 and 174. Yeah, I think you put it beautifully with Caliando and just closing that gap. Now, Mess & Prink is kind of just his only guy, his own kind of guy at that weight class. But Calliando, that's the one thing you always wonder about wrestling, right? I mean, is there just a point where you can scheme, you can game play it, you know what a guy is going to do, and he's just better, or is that final moment? You know, is that Vision Quest moment where you can get it done and finally, breakthrough for Caliando and you wonder if there is still that final tier that he can get to

Starting point is 00:19:02 to do it just because Mess & Break is so good. He can be in a myriad of different ways. And that is certainly the one on that one. So I guess maybe that's the one I'm most hopeful for. That's the one that I think there is that better chance. Patrick Kennedy, I don't just don't know if there's enough offense for him to get by Haynes. If I had to take a choice between the two and it's, I think, a long shot with both of them, I'd probably be looking at Caliando to do it. Certainly, because, again, he can score. He can either slow, he slowed down Messenbrink in that final, but he can also get, hey, all right, if we're going to go punch for punch, you know, metaphorically speaking, right?

Starting point is 00:19:38 If you're going to go step for step with Messenbrink, Caliendo is still going to be lagging behind. But again, to be able to kind of change pace with him, you know, I'm going to slow him down here. Okay, I close the gap a little bit. You know, then we're going to get into a points fast. Okay, you can keep up with him, but Mess and Brings still able to pull away. but you can at least go and keep the pace with him. I don't know that I see that with Kennedy when it comes to Levi Haynes. And then at 184, it's not as clear cut as, okay, it's Penn State and Iowa.

Starting point is 00:20:04 Hey, maybe it is at the end of the day. Maybe it is Rocco Welsh because that's a, I see it, Trent, I see this as a roulette wheel. You spin it, you could end up with Rocco Welsh versus Angelo Ferrari, Max McInelly versus Zach Ryder, Angelo Ferrari versus Max McInelli. And I think all four of them will meet in some form in the semi-final. and then the two just advanced because who is having the better day, who has the better semifinal. I also don't want to, I don't want to discount Aden Sinclair because he did give Max McAnelly some trouble on the freestyle circuit this time around. So he's ranked a little lower on the outside of these four wrestlers.

Starting point is 00:20:39 But I think Sinclair, if he's peaking, will be right in the mix there as well and is going to be a tough out. So what is your confidence level with Angela Ferrari when it seems like it's an even race between all four wrestlers there? You know, I really have confidence in Ferrari. And I think that he's certainly wired differently than his older brother, which is a good thing. I also just like the way that he attacks things. And you mentioned that weight class, a guy that I really like to, is Silas Alred. I've seen him, you know, be able to get up there and get into that top tier. Also, I think he's another guy that's going to be in the mix.

Starting point is 00:21:10 We'll get to see Sinclair this week as Iowa will open up with Missouri in the national duels. But I think you're right. Still, McAnnelly for me, he is the top of that list. He is the guy that I think I have towards the top ahead of Ferrari, Welsh Ryder. I think all those guys are at least a smidge below, at least for me, just like what we've seen out of McAnnelly. But you're exactly right. This is another of those weight classes.

Starting point is 00:21:32 And it doesn't feel like as we've gone through here and just these last couple of seasons that there's so many more weight classes that are a whole lot deeper than they've been in the past. And I think that, I mean, obviously great for the sport. You want to talk about growing the sport. This is how you do it where it's not just, you know, Aaron Brooks is Don. dominating at 184 and 197. And I think that's why there is that perception is that, oh, you kind of knew who the champion was for the past three years and you're starting to see it, you know, spread out a

Starting point is 00:22:00 little bit. And that's great because I don't want to be able to sit here and say as much as entertaining as it is for me, as nice and easy as it is for me to talk about it. I do want somebody to challenge Penn State, whether it's Iowa, because it makes for a great rivalry or Oklahoma State for the history of the sport, for them getting back to what they were in dominating it and making it what it was. for decades. And now Penn State has taken that baton. But I also wanted to be more than just Penn State, Iowa, and Oklahoma State. Good on Nebraska. Good for Ohio State to at least offer

Starting point is 00:22:30 that potential. But we do need to see it actually happen before we can say, okay, declare them, hey, they're in this group. I still think this is a three-team sport with Nebraska solidifying itself to making it a 14. But we'll see how it all unfolds. On a year-by-year basis, we can say that now. But what about five to 10 years? Is Nebraska still going to be in that same window? but I like where they stand at the moment. Okay, so we get to the National Duel's conversation. Penn State is not attending. Is it selfish?

Starting point is 00:22:59 Is it the right move for Penn State? Well, we're going to give you both the reasons why Penn State is doing it and why they actually should be there. That's coming up next here on this lockdown crossover. And this episode is brought to you by Fan Duel. The NBA is back and there's no better place to get in on the action than with Fan Duel, the official sports betting partner. of the NBA. Even if you miss the start of the game where you want to ride the hot hand,

Starting point is 00:23:23 Fandul has live bets on everything from who will score next to fourth quarter comebacks. Plus, you can even combine your live bets into a same game parlay for a shot and an even bigger payout. It keeps every game exciting, especially when your team's making that late push. And right now, Fanduel is giving new customers $300 and bonus bets when your first $5 bet wins. And that can be used on anything. NBA basketball, NFL football, college football lines for both Penn State and Iowa are available for this weekend. The Nittany Lions are favored. Been the first time in a while, right?

Starting point is 00:23:56 Penn State is a seven and a half point favorite against Michigan State. The total is set at 49 and a half. For Iowa, they are on the road at USC. USC is a six and a half point favorite. The total is set at 48.5. If you like those lines, you can bet them over at fandul.com and the fandle app. And remember, Fandle is giving new customers $300 in bonus bets when your first $5. bet wins. So head to fandle.com to sign up and play your game with Fandul, the official sports

Starting point is 00:24:21 betting partner of the NBA. The national duels are going down this weekend. I was going to be there. Oklahoma State is the program that put it all together. And I wish Penn State was there. I'm not going to sit here on my high horse and say, no, no, you know, Penn State doesn't need to be there. They don't need to show up. They don't need to compete. I would very much like them to be there because it is great for the sport. It grows the sport. But there are some, there are some drawbacks to it as well. Again, Penn State, their priorities are different. They focus on the NCAA tournament. And again, that's not what this is about, but it's also about the freestyle circuit.

Starting point is 00:25:00 Eight of their starters just wrestled in either a U-20, a U-23, or a senior level world tournament, just a few weeks back. And then you got to turn around and the national duels are what they are as advertised. This is going to be high level wrestling. This is going to be intense. There's a lot on the line here. Prize money, notoriety, everything. And you just had, you actually had Josh Barr get injured at a world tournament here. So if you're Penn State, do you really want to risk that rather than ease them into the NCAA schedule, kind of throw off your routine of where, hey, we really don't have an offseason because most of our guys actually wrestle on the world stage and then we get back into it with NCAAs. There's not, it's not really the case for Oklahoma State at this point in time.

Starting point is 00:25:43 Can't say the same for Iowa. It's also, Kail made an interesting comment about how he thinks there's a little bit of nefarious intentions with it. And I don't know that I can comment on that because I don't want to misunderstand what he's saying. And I don't want to misquote him either. So I probably need to go back and hear what he's saying. But I agree with the sentiment that we don't know if the national duels are going to be a staple year in and year out. So why should we deviate from what we're doing and what we're doing well for a fly-by-night?

Starting point is 00:26:13 tournament, so to speak. That's fair. And of everything, maybe that's kind of the fairest thing for K. Look, it's not like because you had a bunch of guys that are out there competing, you know, on the world and national stage that the rest of the guys out there in college wrestling are just sitting around eating Twinkies, right? These guys are working out. These guys are going through competition and they're doing things too. So I don't buy that line of thinking. And let's be honest, here's the most realistic thing for me. Penn State wrestlers don't need the money. I mean, The reason that I think this came together so quickly is because of the financial component to it and the prize money that is on the line.

Starting point is 00:26:47 Well, you know, Penn State is well funded and they are as well funded as anybody that is out there. So that is not something I think that is at the same level as what you have at some of these other programs. Now, we know Iowa also is a well-funded program. So it's a different kind of conversation. But I think that's the biggest thing. Look, if Penn State was a program that was looking at it, they didn't have the finance, means. And for some of these guys, you know, an extra $25, $50,000 if you win a championship for each wrestler individually, that would be a huge deal. I think we'd be having a conversation.

Starting point is 00:27:22 As everything, Zach, as we know, everything always comes back to money. Yeah. And there's, like I said, Penn State is not motivated by money at all. And I don't think Penn State is obligated to, again, I don't think they're obligated to go to the national duels when, again, it feels like it's an exhibition type of tournament. I get it. It's trying to reestablish itself. I appreciate Oklahoma State and David Taylor for trying to do that. I will be tuning in and I wish Penn State was there. But let's get more people together and actually cement it within the NCAA wrestling season.

Starting point is 00:27:54 I don't know how this would look, but I'm just going to throw it out there as a crazy idea. Use it as a form of tournament. I've always wondered, okay, don't make this a preseason type of thing to kick off the wrestling. Have it be the first iteration of the postseason because here in Pennsylvania in high school, they go through the duels they have the regular season then they do the district and the regional tournaments and then they do states and they have a state duels tournament before they get to the individual part of it so if you can work with the NCAA to accommodate everybody and saying you got to make you got to make time for us no how about you make the accommodations for everybody

Starting point is 00:28:31 so it works out for all of the programs make it a staple at the end of the season what how you would shift that around logistically is that's where the craziness comes in What do you have to do? What do you have to take away in order to make it work? But I think you should have the regular season, put the national duels there at the end of it, and then go into the conference tournaments individually and then go into the NCAA tournament. Is that fair? Yeah, and that's something that we have similar.

Starting point is 00:28:55 And maybe this is something that we could do and push the season back, something that I've been arguing for decades and decades now. Move this thing to the middle of April, where this season culminates in nationals in the middle of April. I understand the calendar for USA Wrestling, the calendar on the World's change. But you know what, for what it is and the power that USA wrestling has, I think some teams, some people out there on the national stage will be willing to move, on the world stage will be willing to move things back, even a week or two to make that accommodating. If it's about growing your sport, and that's what we hear all the time, grow the sport, grow the sport,

Starting point is 00:29:28 how you grow the sport is not putting it up against March Madness, putting it in the middle of April, do it the weekend right after you finish things up with the Masters. You go to the final four, the Masters, and then NCAA wrestling. eyeballs that you would get, it would be absolutely incredible. On top of that, you're basically then turning wrestling into a one semester sport. And, Zach, we know what these guys go through. We know the physicality that is the mained of them in this sport to change it into a one semester sport for the student athletes. I think actually would be a good thing as well.

Starting point is 00:30:00 Trent, the final thing that I want to hit on is because I don't want to let it go by is that Iowa went out and got, you know, okay, oh, they're taking a step back. Okay, maybe it may be this season. but they're certainly not going away for the long term. And the recruiting hall that they had to get not one, not two, not three, not four, but five elite. We're talking the top pound for pound wrestlers in the country in both 27 and 28 is impressive. They also go into the state of Pennsylvania to do it as well to go get the Bachman brothers. Those are two prospects that I've been circling and like, oh, these guys have a one way path to Penn State, right? No, they both go and get both Joe Bachman and Fred Bachman, world medalists.

Starting point is 00:30:39 Top prospects. Fred Bachman is, I mean, one of the best. I think he's the number one overall prospect in the class of 2028, depending on who you, depending on who you look after. But they also get the Kenny. They also get the cannies. Paul Kenny and Sean Kenny as well. Israel Board. I mean, this, this was a phenomenal hall for Iowa. And it's certainly, you know, hey, Penn State's going to be Penn State, but it was certainly eye opening to me with the way that they pulled this off. Yeah, it was big. Now, it definitely helps that you get two sets of brothers, right? Because the likelihood that brothers are. going to go to the same place. So that helps out. And with Tom and Terry Brands, I'm sure there's a little synergy that goes along with it here. Unfortunately, after what we saw in the last calendar year

Starting point is 00:31:19 with some decommits and some guidance changing until they're on campus, until they're wrestling, it's hard for me to get overly excited about it. And we're talking about something that's still a ways down the line. So because of that, it's really exciting. I know for the wrestling fans,

Starting point is 00:31:34 I know you get excited because you think of the potential on what this looks like down the road. But until we get there, Until we get to the finish line, until they sign their financial aid agreements and sign their letters of intent, I can't get overly excited about it because we know this sport, well, like all sports in college athletics. And until they are there, it's hard for me to be head over heels about this one. But exciting times, yeah, no doubt.

Starting point is 00:31:57 No, I understand to tread the waters lightly because of what recently happened with, you know, with Beau Bassett. So it's worth. But again, right now at the moment, hey, things that elite class for Iowa. So props to them. Hey, that's where we're going to wrap up this locked on crossover to talk some Penn State and Iowa wrestling. Thank you so much for checking out this edition of both Locked on Nittney Lions and Locked on Hotkeyes. Trent has you covered daily with everything Iowa.

Starting point is 00:32:20 My name is Zach Seiko, your host is always of Lockdown Nitney Lions to give you daily coverage around your favorite Penn State sports teams. Trent, thank you so much for the time. And as the season unfolds, let's do this again very soon.

Locked On Hawkeyes - Daily Podcast On Iowa Hawkeyes Football & Basketball - STEP BACK? Are the Iowa Hawkeyes Being Overtaken in NCAA Wrestling? Penn State Eyes ANOTHER Title

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