RUDIS Wrestling Podcast

Latest Episodes:

#92: College Wrestling Top Contenders Oct 10, 2019

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On this episode of the podcast, Ben and Matt break down their predictions for the top contenders in the upcoming college wrestling season for each weight class.

#91: Who’s Number 1 Recap Oct 08, 2019

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This week on the podcast Ben Askren and Matt Dernlan discuss the results of Who’s Number 1, breaking down several different matches. They also debate the idea of whether or not talent is a legitimate factor in success as an athlete when compared to environment and work ethic overall. To wrap up the show they also explain why they believe that the Pat Downey and Nicky Rodriguez Supermatch was detrimental to the sport of grappling as a whole.

#90: 2020 College Wrestling Season Preview Oct 04, 2019

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On this episode of the podcast, Ben Askren and Matt Dernlan cover a wide range of topics spanning from a preview of the statistical breakdown from World Championships, the committed recruits for the upcoming college season, potential changes that could be made to redshirt policy, as well as the subject of athlete rights.

#89: 2019 World Championships Recap Oct 01, 2019

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On this episode of the podcast, Ben Askren and Matt Dernlan go over the results from the U.S. Team’s performance at the 2019 World Wrestling Championships and cover topics like Daton Fix’s performance as well as speculation on which weight class J’Den Cox will be moving to for his 2020 Olympic run. Wrapping up World Championships the two also discuss the bright future of the Wisconsin Badger RTC as well as the decision that Greg Kerkvliet will not take a redshirt despite a persistent injury.

The Way #21 | A RUDIS Wrestling Podcast: Leaders Eat Last: Protection From Above Sep 27, 2019

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Protection From Above
Cary Kolat and Matt Dernlan introduce a new book they will be discussing, Leaders Eat Last: Why Some Teams Pull Together and Others Don’t by Simon Sinek. In this episode, they discuss Ch. 1 “Protection from Above”. Throughout the chapter, Sinek utilizes examples from military combat to teach in clear terms of life and death but shows that the same principles can be put to use in all of life, especially in leading a team. Kolat and Dernlan reflect on the idea that the best teams come about as leaders build respectful relationships with those under them and put the welfare of their athletes above their own in order to build trust. They also discuss the importance of relying on their senior athletes to act as the “managers” of the team in order to help lead their younger teammates on a smaller level. Kolat finishes by emphasizing the importance of empathy in leadership. He relies on more experienced seniors to lead and push the younger athletes but stresses the importance of not forgetting where they started and to help the next athletes in line to maintain a cohesive, united team.

#88: Exclusive Interview with Seth Gross Sep 24, 2019

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This episode Ben Askren sits down with 2018 NCAA Champion and 2017 NCAA Finalist Seth Gross who is preparing to start his 6th collegiate season and his first season with the University of Wisconsin. They breakdown Gross’s journey starting with how he began wrestling through his troubles and tribulations all the way to the recruitment process and becoming a national champion.

#87: 2019 World Championships Breakdown Part 3 Sep 23, 2019

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On this episode of the RUDIS Wrestling Podcast, Matt Dernlan and Ben Askren continue their breakdown of the results of the 2019 World Wrestling Championships. Dernlan reports in from Nur Sultan for the final time and the two recap the last of the Men's Freestyle matches. They discuss the dominant performances of world Champions J'Den Cox and Kyle Dake, as well as the Bronze medal match for Kyle Snyder. Askren comments on Dake's elusiveness as to which weight class he will be moving to for 2020, and the two discuss the deep field of talent and matchups that will be competing to represent the United States for the coming Olympic cycle.

#86: 2019 World Championships Breakdown Part 2 Sep 23, 2019

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On this episode of the RUDIS Wrestling Podcast, Matt Dernlan and Ben Askren continue their breakdown of the results of the 2019 World Wrestling Championships. Dernlan is reporting in from Nur Sultan Kazakhstan where the competition is taking place. The two first recognize the dominant performance put on by Tamyra Mensah Stock, as she barrels through the competition to secure her very first World Gold Medal. Askren comments on her versatility as well as her bright future should she continue on her current path. Askren and Dernlan also comment Jordan Burroughs' semi-finals loss and compare the current state of seeding for World Championships to decades previous. Dernlan also speculates on the disappointing results from Nick Gwiazdowski's final match, and what tendencies he will need to change to perform to his full potential in the future. The two will continue their coverage of 2019 World Championships with the final weight classes of Men's Freestyle beginning competition on Saturday 9/21.

#85: 2019 World Championships Breakdown Part 1 Sep 19, 2019

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On this episode of the RUDIS Wrestling Podcast, Matt Dernlan and Ben Askren give a breakdown of the results of the 2019 World Championships after 6 days of competition. Dernlan is reporting in from Nur Sultan Kazakhstan where the competition is taking place. The two cover the results of Greco Roman, Women’s freestyle, and the early matches of Men’s Freestyle wrestling, focusing on Tamyra Mensah Stock’s dominant performance as well as questionable officiating in the early Men’s Freestyle competition. The two will continue coverage of World Championships throughout the competition.

#84: 2019 World Championships Preview Sep 18, 2019

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On this episode of the RUDIS Wrestling Podcast, Matt Dernlan and Ben Askren make predictions about what they expect to see for each weight class in this year’s World Championships as well as talk college wrestling and how next year being an Olympic year will impact rosters.
125kg: (16:13) The minimum expectation is that Nick Gwiazdowski medals which would qualify the weight class for the Olympics. Askren isn’t confident in Gwiazdowski’s ability to beat Taha Akgul or Geno Petriashvili. Dernlan agrees it will be tough to get into the finals as they have equivalent athleticism, yet Akgul and Petriashvili have a size advantage. Dernlan says the expectation, however, is to win the bronze medal and that it would be a “monumental effort to make the finals”.
97kg: (18:55) Abdulrashid Sadulaev vs Kyle Snyder is set up to be the feature final match of the tournament. Both Askren and Dernlan agree that whoever comes out on top of this series will go down as the greatest of all time.
92kg: (24:19) “World Title or bust” Dernlan states. Both Dernlan and Askren agree that for this weight class the realistic expectation is that J’den Cox wins.
86kg: (27:43) Askren doesn’t believe Pat Downey will place for the U.S. at this weight class. Dernlan says it is unrealistic to expect to qualify the weight for the Olympics.
79kg: (31:59) Both Dernlan and Askren say they will be highly disappointed if Kyle Dake doesn’t come home with the gold medal. Dernlan says he doesn’t see anyone coming close to him in his bracket.
74kg: (33:21) The weight class Askren is most excited about, you can’t overstate how difficult this weight class is. Jordan Burroughs’ goal is to be the greatest ever and to beat John Smith’s highest number of World Titles record of 6.
70kg: (36:57) Askren believes that James Green can beat the others but has, in fact, struggled a bit this year. Dernlan believes that to expect a gold medal is a reach, but there is hope here.
65kg: (39:29) Super deep weight class, “unbelievable” according to Dernlan. Askren believes it’s hard to predict what Zain Retherford will do. The US hasn’t medaled in this weight class since 2006.
61kg: (45:33) Neither Askren or Dernlan have a definite prediction for this weight class. Askren doesn’t believe Tyler Graff will place. Dernlan says either 0-1 or a medal wouldn’t surprise him either way.
57kg: (48:00) Askren admits that Daton Fix is very young and it’s possible for him to lose to one of the top guys. Dernlan believes the opposite in this weight class and says he wouldn’t be surprised if Fix medals.

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