College wrestlers are among the NCAA’s best athletes, yet the average sports fan would have a hard time naming just one grappler. Why? Wrestling simply hasn’t caught on outside the Midwest, where schools such as Iowa, Iowa State, Oklahoma State, Minnesota and Illinois boast the nation’s top programs. But that’s not to take anything away from the wrestlers themselves. They train intensely to make weight for each match. Most are, pound for pound, tougher than athletes in almost any other sport.
We want to know what you think about college wrestling. Why isn’t it more popular? Why don’t wrestlers get more respect? If USC’s 197-pound Reggie Bush wrestled Oklahoma State’s Jake Rosholt, the nation’s top 197-pound grappler, how do you think the Heisman Trophy winner would fare? And how would Rosholt do on the football field? Tell us about the toughest wrestlers you have seen and what athletes in other sports would make good wrestlers.
— Andy Gray (Tues 11:30 a.m.)
As a former wrestler in high school, I know how difficult it to go out onto the mat against some of the best athletes around, and that was at the high school level. I think that wrestling requires technique, strength, stamina, heart and pain to master. You cant blame a loss on anybody else but yourself, so there is an added emotional barrier many must break.
— AG, Reston, Va. (11:21 a.m.)
The wrestlers that make the best football players are the heavyweights. They have great hand speed and balance and would make great lineman. Many high school heavyweight champs already play in the NCAA.
— Scott White, Mission Viejo, Calif. (11:36 a.m.)
Rosholt would demolish Bush. The functional strength wrestlers develop along with their quickness are above most athletes at collegiate level. Rosholt would do well on the football field, he’s an athlete. Stephen Neal from the Patriots is an impressive athlete, two Super Bowl rings and also a World Champion in wrestling, not to shabby.
— J, Chapel Hill, N.C. (11:41 a.m.)
I wrestled in high school and I am an avid football fan. I have watched some of the best wrestlers in the country and some of the best football players in the country each play their individual sports. Cael Sanderson, of Utah fame, is possibly the greatest college athlete ever. Wrestling is the toughest sport and you depend only on yourself. There is no offensive line blocking for you, only you. Wrestlers are underappreciated as athletes, and should get more credit. Why can’t there be actual pro wrestling, like the way they do boxing?
— Thayne, Philadelphia (12:21 p.m.)
As a youth wrestling coach (program produced defending NCAA 125-pound champion Joe Dubuque of Indiana University), I am pleased to see today’s topic. However, a comparison of top college athletes is rather silly. Each has acquired skill-sets specific to their sport. Admitteldy athleticism is important, but the key point to remember is that their skills are somewhat sui generis.
— Mike Grimaldi, Glen Ridge, N.J. (12:31 p.m.)
I swam in high school. For whatever reason, wrestlers and swimmers hated each other. I suspect that it had to do with both having a legit claim to being the best pound for pound, well conditioned athletes in the building. In addition, I suspect that the wrestlers were just salty about the swimmers being able to each however much they pleased.
— Tom, Madison, Wisc. (12:51 p.m.)
Rugby is another unappreciated sport. They are hitting just as hard as football players without the pads. They also have to be in great shape.
— John Carberry, Chicago (1:06 p.m.)
Wrestlers are amazing athletes and most of them can do very well in almost any other sport out there. It develops the highest level of discipline and toughness that is unmatched in almost all other sports. Wrestling requires many other attributes that are needed to be successful in all types of sports. (Strength, Speed, Quickness, Flexibility, Mental Strength, Stamina, Endurance, and Balance.) Thanks to UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championships) wrestling has gotten much needed respect since most of the successful competitors are former wrestlers. Advice to non-wrestlers: If you are about to get into a street fight and notice your opponent has some messed up looking ears, do yourself a favor and RUN!! Even if the person is half your size. Trust Me!
— Frank M. Nocit, Harrison, N.Y. (1:21 p.m.)
Seven minutes doesn’t sound difficult until you go out onto the mat. One can easily be totally exhausted before the first period is complete. Wrestlers need endurance and strength. On top of all of this, they have to watch their weight and that usually involves cutting weight until it hurts.
— David Haas, Hastings (1:36 p.m.)
Jake would pin Reggie within 20 seconds.
— Jonathan Dickson, Kansas City (2:06 p.m.)
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