Hipps Toss: Weekly College Wrestling Recap
A Look Around the World of College Wrestling
By Andrew Hipps – Staff Writer
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Who Should Be Ranked #1 at 197?
On Sunday, second-ranked Jake Rosholt of Oklahoma State beat top-ranked Chris Skretkowicz of Hofstra (for the second time this season) at 197. Later that very same day, Rosholt lost to third-ranked Jon Trenge of Lehigh (for the second time this season). And to complicate matters, Skretkowicz defeated Trenge in their only meeting this season. So who should be ranked number one in the country at 197? Let’s examine why you could legitimately make a case for Trenge, Skretkowicz, or Rosholt being the top-ranked 197-pounder in the country.
Why Trenge should be #1:
Trenge is 21-3 this season, but two of his losses are the result of disqualifications. His only true loss happened on November 28th to Skretkowicz, 4-3. Trenge has scored bonus points on all but three opponents this season. Most impressively, though, he is the only wrestler to have beaten Rosholt this season and has done so twice (10-8 and 3-2).
Why Skretkowicz should be #1:
Skretkowicz is 23-2 this season with both losses coming to Rosholt. He has shut out seven of his opponents this season – and also has seven pins. He won the prestigious Cliff Keen Las Vegas Invitational in dominating fashion, outscoring his opponents 45-5. Skretkowicz’s biggest win this season came against Trenge. In fact, he is the only wrestler to beat Trenge this season (not counting disqualifications).
Why Rosholt should be #1:
Rosholt is 27-2 this season with both losses coming to Trenge by a combined three points. He has pinned 2003 NCAA runner-up Scott Barker of Oregon twice this season. He is also the only wrestler in the country to have beaten Chris Skretkowicz of Hofstra, which he has done twice (8-4 and 9-5).
It’s a debate that will ultimately be decided in March, but it’s also debate that makes a case for all three to be considered number one.
Speaking of 197 pounders who might have something to say in March…
Five Questions with Ohio State’s J.D. Bergman
J.D. Bergman, a returning All-American at 197 for Ohio State, improved his season record to 32-6 with a 9-5 victory over Minnesota’s Jon Duncombe on Sunday. On Friday, though, Bergman was pinned by Michigan’s Willie Breyer. He is currently ranked seventh in the country and leads the Buckeyes in every offensive statistical category this season.
How would you rate the performance of the Buckeyes this season?
Bergman: We’re wrestling allright. Our young guys just have to start figuring things out, but that will come with time. We’ll be fine.
How did you feel about your individual performance over the weekend?
Bergman: It didn’t really go as expected. The road was a little bumpier than I planned for it to be this weekend.
After losing your match at Michigan on Friday night, did it feel good to come back and pick up a win against Minnesota on Sunday?
Bergman: Yeah, but actually I would have liked to wrestle a little better in that match. He had some good defense and was fighting off a lot of my attempts. But he’s well coached.
With the Big Ten regular season winding down, are you looking forward to getting ready for the Big Ten Championships in Iowa City?
Bergman: Yeah, for sure. I’m definitely looking forward to Iowa City and peaking at the end of the year. That’s what coach Hellickson is so good at doing. I have a lot of faith in him and our training. But I’ll definitely be ready to go.
Have we seen the best of J.D. Bergman this season?
Bergman: Overall, I think I’ve wrestled pretty well this season. It’s hard to reach perfection. I’m just trying to learn from my losses, but I’d say that I’m satisfied with my season so far. I definitely wish that I had fewer losses, though.
Old Dominion: Most Improved Team in the Country?
Old Dominion head coach Steve Martin has put the Monarchs on the map in his first year at the helm.
But who didn’t think he would? After all, Martin has been successful everywhere he has been. As a wrestler, he was a three-time Virginia high school state champion and All-American at the University of Iowa. As a coach, prior to coming to Old Dominion, he led Great Bridge High School (Virginia) to 13 state championships in 14 years. Each of those years, Martin’s Wildcats were nationally ranked.
Old Dominion has improved drastically since Martin has taken over the program. Although not yet a national power, the Monarchs are making great strides. Below is a quick look at the progress they’ve made from last season to this season.
Last season: 7-12 overall record (.368) and 5-3 in the Colonial Athletic Association.
This season: 11-5 overall record (.688) and 6-2 in the CAA.
Last season: Lost 39-6 to Rider.
This season: Won 26-16 over Rider.
Last season: Lost 34-9 to Boston.
This season: Won 20-18 over Boston.
Last season: Beat Sacred Heart by three points.
This season: Beat Sacred Heart by 25 points.
Last season: Lost 21-20 to VMI.
This season: Won 27-11 over VMI.
Last season: Lost 27-21 to North Carolina State.
This season: Won 23-13 over North Carolina State.
Last season: Had four wrestlers with 20 or more wins.
This season: Already have seven wrestlers with 20 or more wins.
Tidbits”¦
Oregon State heavyweight Jamie Rakevich’s takedown with 17 seconds left in the day’s final match gave him a come-from-behind win and handed the Beavers a 21-18 win over Oregon in Pacific-10 wrestling Sunday afternoon at McArthur Court. With Rakevich’s 4-3 win over Oregon’s Cody Parker, OSU (11-8-1 overall, 6-2-1 Pac-10) swept the season’s Civil War series and gave the Beavers a 101-24-4 edge in the all-time series”¦
Seventh-ranked Joe Dubuque set the tone for the 23rd-ranked Indiana Hoosiers’ 33-4 over 11th-ranked Michigan State as he defeated third-ranked Nick Simmons of Michigan State, 6-4, at 125 pounds”¦
Top-ranked Oklahoma State heavyweight Steve Mocco posted a 12-2 major decision over Nebraska’s Mitch Manstedt, allowing the undefeated and top-ranked Cowboys to escape Lincoln with a 19-18 victory on Thursday night. The win at heavyweight capped an OSU comeback after Nebraska took a seven-point lead into the final four matches before a crowd of 3,442 fans at the Nebraska Coliseum. Speaking of Nebraska”¦
There has been change in location from the original schedule for the dual between Nebraska and Iowa State on Saturday, Feb. 19th. The dual has been moved from the Devaney Center track to the NU Coliseum because the facility could not accommodate the expected large crowd for the dual. Nebraska’s dual with Oklahoma State on Thursday, Feb. 11th drew nearly 3,500 fans”¦
In NAIA action, Southern Oregon held serve against a depleted Pacific line-up in the Boxers’ final dual of the 2004-05 season, rolling to a 25-12 victory over the 22nd ranked Boxers in men’s wrestling action on Thursday at the Pacific Athletic Center”¦
University of Minnesota officials expressed disappointment last week after learning that Minneapolis was not selected as a finalist city to host the 2008, 2009 or 2010 NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships”¦
Sixth-ranked Michigan rallied against 12th-ranked Iowa for a 21-11 road victory on Sunday at Carver-Hawkeye Arena. Trailing by eight points after the opening two matches, the Wolverines posted seven victories, all by decision, in the remaining eight bouts to remain undefeated in Big Ten Conference competition”¦
The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga wrestling team posted its third shutout of the season Saturday with a 49-0 Southern Conference victory over Davidson”¦
Virginia Tech claimed seven of ten bouts, as the Hokies defeated UNC Greensboro, 26-12, in a non-conference wrestling dual Saturday night at Cassell Coliseum. The Hokies, winners of six straight, improve to 15-4, while the Spartans fall to 9-5″¦
Illinois, ranked fourth in the country, won its fifth conference match of the year with a 37-0 shutout of 23rd-ranked Indiana, Sunday afternoon at Huff Hall. The Illini won all 10 matches in the blanking to improve to 14-1-1 overall and 5-0-1 in the Big Ten. Senior Mark Jayne inched closer to the 100 career win mark with his win to bring his total victories to 99″¦
The 22nd-ranked Bloomsburg University wrestling team defeated the 25th ranked Edinboro Fighting Scots, 21-14, in an Eastern Wrestling League (EWL) match at the Nelson Field House. Bloomsburg needed a win in the heavyweight bout to pull out the victory. The win for Bloomsburg was the first over the Fighting Scots since February 6th, 1993″¦
In a hard fought dual that came down to the final match of the afternoon, 13th-ranked Missouri fell to second-ranked Iowa State, 18-15, in the Hearnes Center. Missouri senior 2003 NCAA All-American Tyron Woodley pulled off the day’s biggest upset, outscoring Travis Paulson, 6-2, at 165 pounds”¦
The 21st-ranked Navy wrestling team won both of its matches Saturday versus American and Delaware State. The Mids, who improved to 11-3 in dual meets this season, defeated the Eagles 32-13, while handing the Hornets a 48-0 loss at Halsey Fieldhouse”¦
Iowa wrestling recorded its 145th win in Carver-Hawkeye Arena Friday night when it defeated Minnesota, 23-14. It was also the 115th career win for Hawkeye Head Coach Jim Zalesky”¦
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