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#60: 2019 U.S. Open Scoring Breakdown May 29, 2019

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Download the full scoring breakdown at therudis.com
Current Events
This episode Ben Askren and Matt Dernlan present detailed statistics pulled from data collected by Askren and his team of the 2019 U.S. Open. Before getting into the numbers Askren talks about the sad news that hit the wrestling community this week, David Taylor will not compete at Final X as he recovers from an injury suffered at Beat The Streets. This gives Pat Downey the nod to take the 86 kg spot on Team USA. Askren talks about the importance of Taylor taking the time to heal because although it seems far away, the Olympic Trials are only 10 months away. Askren did think that if David Taylor was hurt we would have seen Bo Nickal drop down to 86 kg and take his chances beating Pat Downey over staying at 92 and facing J'Den Cox. When Nickal didn't drop down, Askren thought Taylor wasn't hurt.
How to Compare (13:26)
Askren and Dernlan will breakdown scoring statistics taken from the 2019 Men's Freestyle U.S. Open. Dernlan mentions if you're comparing the U.S. Open Stats to the 2018 World Championships Stats you should compare the percentages over the amount. Askren recorded more matches from the 2019 U.S. Open than he did from the 2018 World Championships. There are more points scored in the round of 16 at the U.S. Open. Askren says this could be due to the U.S. being more offensively aggressive but most likely it's because the defense at the international level is better.
Trends (19:20)
The two categories that scored the most points in both sets of data by a long shot is Shots and Shot Defense. Knowing how to get to the legs and finish and knowing how to defend against them getting to your legs are still the best ways to score. Another similarity is that there isn't a trend in techniques or ways of scoring by weight class. One thing Dernlan points out is that when you're looking at the wrestlers competing at the U.S. Open most of them don't have international experience and their freestyle is limited to their domestic experience.
Defensive Scores (27:58)
The number one biggest difference for Askren comes in defensive scores. At the World Championships, the number four shot defense was a dump whereas dump at the U.S. Open was number one. This shows the international wrestlers aren't as familiar with folkstyle defense. It also shows wrestlers with a folkstyle background fresh out of or currently competing in college are less dialed into and more loose with their defense not worried about giving up back exposure.

The Way #12 | A RUDIS Wrestling Podcast: Make Your Bed: Start Your Day with a Task Completed May 24, 2019

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Keep it Simple
Cary Kolat and Matt Dernlan introduce a new book they will be discussing, Make Your Bed: Little Things That Can Change Your Life...And Maybe the World by Admiral William H. McRaven. This episode they will discuss Ch. 1 "Start Your Day with a Task Completed". McRaven gave a commencement speech at his alma mater The University of Texas at Austin and Dernlan explains this is where the genesis of this book originated. The clip of this speech went viral of McRaven summarizing his military career and everything he learned from his 37 years of service in 10 simple points. Kolat and Dernlan agree when people are searching for solutions they often over complicate matters when in reality a simple approach is probably the best.
Wake Up, Get Better
This chapter talks about the best way to start your day is with a completed task. This way you begin your day with a positive frame of reference and know you're doing something productive right from the beginning. It's a reminder that at the end of the day you've done something well and to be proud of no matter how small the task. It kicks off the mentality you start your day with, doing something right and perfect. Kolat says every athlete should start their day with something similar. For example, if you start your day with a run you feel like you're starting off being productive, doing what others aren't, getting ahead of the competition, etc. Kolat breaks down the importance of trust and comfortability between coach and athlete. Kolat and his coaching staff start the day now that it's not wrestling season by getting in contact with their wrestlers. If you're not getting to know your athletes on a personal level then you can only build so much trust. It also helps you understand how to help them improve.
Don't Just Do the Work. Do it Right.
Dernlan talks about how most people working towards a goal are seemingly doing all the major things right. The difference is not just going through the motions but really being intentional and holding accountability to yourself even during the most mundane things. The attention to detail is everything. When you can condition yourself to do the little things right the bigger ones fall into place.
Above and Beyond Expectations.
Kolat dives into discussing that you shouldn't expect to get a pat on the back for doing what's expected. The way you train and the way you work is what motivates everyone around you. That's when you get a pat on the back. Dernlan talks about how well informed and misinformed this day in age everyone is with the spread of information on the internet. He urges to be dialed in and disciplined on what's beneficial for your end game. If it's a distraction, distractor or takes away from your primary focus you need the discipline to stop. Pay attention to the small things and they won't steer you wrong.

#59: World Team Trials Junior’s Tournament Recap May 24, 2019

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The Future of Heavyweight
This episode of the RUDIS Wrestling Podcast, Ben Askren and Matt Dernlan breakdown the World Team Trials Junior’s tournament. Askren really enjoys watching the Junior tournament because it gives you a sneak peek on the talent that is entering college. One standout performance during the Greco-Roman tournament was heavyweight high schooler Cohlton Schultz who beat Olympian 32-year-old Robert Smith in the finals. To have this amount of success at the senior level while in high school is extremely impressive. There is an enormous amount of young talent at heavyweight which has Askren and Dernlan excited for the college season.
Juniors 57 kg (6:05)
Vitali Arujau tech falls Michael Colaiocco in the finals of the mini-tournament and then is very dominant in his two wins over Malik Heinselman. Arujau showed he can compete at the senior level in the U.S. Open and according to Dernlan made the right choice by dropping down to the junior division and was able to get the win.
Juniors 61 kg (9:28)
Askren says the story of the mini-tournament is Roman Bravo-Young. During the U.S. Open, he lost to high schooler Gabe Tagg and in this tournament, he loses to 10-5 to Jaime Hernandez. Askren brings up something off topic, all Iowa Hawkeyes wrestlers didn’t participate in the Juniors World Team Trials.
Juniors 65 kg (15:16)
Keegan O’Toole wrestling out of Askren Wrestling Academy had an extremely dominant road to the best of 3 finals including 2 tech falls and an 11-6 decision. He then drops to Yahya Thomas in the finals. Askren may be biased in his opinion but tells everyone to keep and eye on O’Toole these next few years as he makes huge level changes.
Juniors 70 kg (17:57)
Brayton Lee is the story of this weight class. He went down in each match and battled back tremendously each time. Dernlan talks about how maybe the strategy for his opponents should be to keep it close don’t go up too much because Lee will start dominating. Lee beats Sam Sasso in the best of three finals. Askren says Lee is right there at the top of the heap to compete for an NCAA title next year.
Juniors 74 kg (22:14)
Someone who wasn’t on Askren’s radar in high school was Shane Griffith who tech falled his way to the finals but lost to David Carr in the best of three finals.
Juniors 79 kg (23:50)
Another wrestler out of Askren Wrestling Academy makes the finals. Parker Keckeisen who loses to Aaron Brooks in the best of three finals. Dernlan thinks Brooks ready and good enough to compete at the senior level but Askren needs some convincing. That being said Brooks is the most likely to not only medal this year but win gold on the junior team.
Juniors 86 kg (27:28)
Fourth seed Victor Marcelli makes the finals but doesn’t have quite enough to beat Trent Hidlay in the best of three finals.
Juniors 92 kg (28:43)
Askren could see the champ Lucas Davison getting a world medal this year.
Juniors 97 kg (30:41)
Tanner Sloan gets the win at 97 kg and Dernlan talks about how well the national team coaching staff is at getting guys ready to win medals.
Juniors 125 kg (31:51)
Mason Parris beats Trent Hillger. Askren and Dernlan bring up just how good heavyweight is looking.

#58: World Team Trials Mini Tournament Recap May 22, 2019

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57 kg – 61 kg
On this episode Ben Askren and Dernlan breakdown the mini-tournament of the 2019 World Team Trials. They start out at the 57 kg weight class where Thomas Gilman beat Darian Cruz to head to the best of three finals. They also discuss the 61 kg weight class which is not an Olympic weight class and where some of those guys will go whether that’s up in weight to 65 or down to 57. Nico Megaludis who lost to Tyler Graff in the mini-tournament finals is an example of a guy who announced he will be going down to 57 kg. Moving down in weight is not a small task by any means and takes a lot of time upwards of a year.
65 kg (10:17)
The first match they break down is Jason Ness who got tech falled by Dom Demas. That is not something we’ve come to expect to happen to Ness although Demas has proven himself a force to be reckoned with. Demas went on to battle Jaydin Eierman in the consolations losing in a huge scoring match 20-15. Overall there are a lot of extremely talented young wrestlers at this weight class.
70 kg (17:08)
Askren didn’t expect to Anthony Ashnault to make the finals here but he is another really young wrestler immediately making an impact on the national scene. Ashnault will most likely go down to 65 kg next year. Askren and Dernlan disagree on if James Green will go up or down in weight.
74 kg (22:00)
Askren was blown away when Logan Massa beat Thomas Gant in the semi-finals of the mini-tournament 5-4. Dernlan talks about the difference in responsibility when you’re competing for a team vs when you’re competing representing yourself in freestyle. Jason Nolf looked great throughout the tournament. Askren likes that Nolf made the move to 74 kg now and didn’t wait.
79 kg (25:20)
Askren trains closely with Nick Becker who recently signed with the Badger RTC and took third place dropping to Mark Hall. In the finals, Mark Hall lost to Zahid Valencia 5-0. Even with such a close score Askren and Dernlan agree Valencia’s win was pure dominance. After this match, no one would have expected the outcome of the best of three finals against Alex Dieringer. These three guys are all wrestler who cannot get down to 74 kg which makes 86 kg a brutal weight class to be in as the 2020 Olympics approach.
86 kg (35:35)
Nick Heflin looked good throughout the mini-tournament but couldn’t get it done in the finals. Askren and Dernlan hope David Taylor is ready to compete at Final X.
92 kg (36:37)
Michael Macchiavello beat Hayden Zillmer in the finals. Askren and Dernlan agree Macchiavello has a good opportunity to go down in weight and compete.
97 kg (38:40)
Ty Walz turned it around from the U.S. Open and did well throughout the mini-tournament to make the finals.
125 kg (39:41)
Heavyweight was an exciting weight class during the World Team Trials. Gable Steveson being the shining star throughout. Given Steveson’s age and skill Dernlan and Askren are fully on board the Steveson train and are excited for Final X.

#57: World Team Trials Finals Recap May 21, 2019

Show notes

Heavy Weight
On this episode, Ben Askren and Matt Dernlan will break down the Finals of the World Team Trials. Askren doesn't waste any time jumping right into his opinion on Gable Steveson vs Adam Coon in the Heavy Weight Finals. some people picked Steveson to beat Coon but not in the dominant fashion he did. Dernlan says if you had no frame of reference you would think Coon was the 18-year-old college wrestler and Steveson was the recent graduate who has proven their abilities at the senior level. Coon felt the most comfortable wrestling upper body with Steveson but once he sensed danger he tried to get out of bounds. Overall Steveson ran through the World Team Trials in such a way no one could have predicted.
97 kg (8:36)
Kyven Gadson took on Ty Walz in the best 2 of 3 finals with Gadson getting the win in two close matches. Askren and Dernlan agree Gadson has proven himself to be a clear number two at this weight class as Kyle Snyder has proven himself a clear number one.
92 kg (10:29)
Bo Nickal beat Michael Macchiavello first match by tech fall and second match 5-0. Dernlan talks about how Macchiavello attempted to slow it down in the second match but still couldn't get any offense going. The set up of Nickal vs J'Den Cox at Final X is one of the most anticipated and exciting match ups.
86 kg (14:39)
Pat Downey gets a flurry at the end of match number one and then holds off Nick Heflin in the second match to get the win.
79 kg (16:13)
Alex Dieringer dominates NCAA Champ Zahid Valencia getting two tech falls in the finals. Dernlan talks about how Dieringer was definitely injured last year and how he made a big-time statement this year with his dominance. Askren thinks 100% Kyle Dake vs 100% healthy Dieringer will be a scrap and it'll be super interesting to see how these two approach their Final X match up.
74 kg (18:10)
One of the most anticipated finals came at 74 kg Isaiah Martinez vs Jason Nolf. Imar dominated the first match and the majority of the second match but Nolf was able to get a head pinch at the very end and come up big to send it to a winner take all third match. Imar wasn't rattled and remained focused and got the tech fall in the third match.
70 kg (23:30)
Anthony Ashnault goes down in the first match and is forced to injury default out of the second giving James Green the win. James Green was on a mission throughout this tournament to show the separation he has from the rest of this weight class and just how good he is.
65 kg (24:16)
Zain Retherford beats Jordan Oliver in two 7-6 matches. Askren talks about the strategy behind deciding when to challenge a call and when to not. Overall these two matches were so high level and technical by both guys especially during the first period it is hard to believe Oliver won't be moving on to Final X.
61 kg (30:48)
Tyler Graff beats Cody Brewer in this high scoring final. Askren breaks down the controversial referee calls. Dernlan talks about something they've talked about all Folkstyle season which is the importance of the referees understanding wrestling and not just making black and white calls.

#56: World Team Trials Preview May 17, 2019

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Current EventsThis episode Ben Askren and Matt Dernlan preview the 2019 World Team Trials. Askren starts the podcast by telling Dernlan how much he enjoyed Dernlan's interview with Anatoly Beloglazov on episode #55. Dernlan gives some insight on the interview and all the interesting pieces he took from it. Some news since the last podcast that has come out includes Jason Nolf moving up a weight class and Nick Suriano deciding not to compete at World Team Trials. Dernlan and Askren see such a great opportunity for Suriano to make the world team and don't know his reasoning why he is choosing not to wrestle. 57 kg (8:23)Dernlan gives an update on Nathan Tomasello's status and how he is choosing to take time off, heal his injuries, and return next year for an Olympic run. They also discuss the strict qualifying criteria to make the World Team Trials and how smaller brackets allow for less possible injuries. Askren and Dernlan agree the pick for this weight class is Thomas Gilman hands down. 61 kg (13:37) Askren picks by his performance at the U.S. Open Nico Megaludis will beat Cody Brewer in the finals and head to Final X to take on Joe Colon. Dernlan agrees with this pick especially with a best of three series.65 kg (16:55)The topic is brought up about where Jordan Oliver should be seeded. Askren breaks down why seeding matters and how much of a difference it makes. There is also rumors that say Oliver could jump up to 70 kg. Overall Askren and Dernlan picks Zain Retherford to get the win at World Team Trials.70 kg (24:20)Both Askren and Dernlan pick James Green to win.74 kg (25:20)In the finals, Askren picks Jason Nolf vs Isaiah Martinez with Martinez getting the win and heading to Final X. Dernlan talks about how Martinez is on a new level and has opened up a gap between him and the rest of the weight class.79 kg (27:58)Dernlan has Mark Hall breaking onto the Senior level scene with a win at World Team Trials. Askren picks Zahid Valencia to win.86 kg (32:47)Both Dernlan and Askren pick Myles Martin to get revenge on Pat Downey and head to Final X. 92 kg (35:05)Dernlan says he has to take Bo Nickal to win and Dernlan agrees.97 kg (36:16)Askren picks Ben Honis to win the trials. Dernlan has been a Honis supporter for a very long time and also picks him to win. 125 kg (38:55)With a surprise pick, Dernlan takes Gable Steveson to win the trials. Askren takes Adam Coon over Steveson.

#55: Exclusive Anatoly Beloglazov Interview May 14, 2019

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Spreading the MessageOn this special episode, Matt Dernlan sits down with Olympic Gold Medalist, 3x World Champion, and International Coach, Anatoly Beloglazov as well as Anatoly's son Alex for an exclusive interview. Beloglazov is currently in the middle of his second tour around the USA putting on world-class wrestling clinics. Dernlan starts by asking Beloglazov what his overall goal is and why he's willing to travel across the world to share his knowledge. Beleglazov says he wants to promote wrestling around the world. He enjoys working with and teaching all levels of wrestlers.How it All Began (4:20)Dernlan asks how most kids are introduced to wrestling in Russia. Beloglazov says it is very similar to the USA but Russia doesn't have many brands that represent, sponsor, and uplift wrestling like other sports have. From an outsiders perspective, it seems wrestling is the premier sport of Russia but Beloglazov says this is far from reality. There are pockets of Russia such as Dagestan where wrestling is entrenched in their traditions and culture. Beloglazov talks about schools in Russia where athletes live, learn, and train and how every sport not only wrestling has that. The recruiting process for these schools is similar to the college one in the USA. The athletes are fully funded and paid for also similar to college athletes. Beloglazov was walking home from soccer practice and happened upon a building where they were having a wrestling practice. He was invited in and enjoyed it so he brought his brother back with him the next day.Build the Foundation (14:58)In Russia, after young wrestlers learn the basics, coaches start to introduce more difficult and technical techniques. Beloglazov says the older you get the more individualized your training becomes and you get put together with others on your level. He says in the USA he has many more parents asking him to have their very young wrestlers go live instead of technique drilling. This is different than in Russia where parents and coaches don't push inexperienced wrestlers in that way. Beloglazov's parents were very hands off when it came to wrestling and never saw a single match of his.Sports Academy (25:45)Circling back to the topic of sporting schools and the process that system entails, Dernlan asks about what the next step after an athlete has been at the school for 3-4 years. In Russia, College is between high school and University and you can get a 2-year education before moving to University. There are sporting Universities where they specialize in careers within athletics. For example, Beloglazov was a wrestler and his other classes were sports science, nutrition, history all geared towards wrestling. a difference between the USA and Russia is that most of our coaches are elected because of their accomplishments as an athlete competing in the sport. In Russia, this is not the case and to be a high-level coach you must get certification via a degree.Wrestling Then vs Now (55:08)The conversation shifts to how Russian wrestlers make money by wrestling in different countries, wrestling leagues. In the United States, we have regional training centers and high-level athletes can get paid to train there. This is not state sponsored but rather community sponsored through donors who are passionate about wrestling. While Beloglazov was coming through the ranks he was not allowed to go wrestle for another country that is no longer the case. This brings up how when the Soviet Union broke apart into different republics it was easier for Russians to make their respective national teams but harder for the USA because instead of wrestling against one super team we had to defeat up to fifteen wrestlers representing their country. Beloglazov says it was harder to make the national team than to win Worlds. Beloglazov gives insight on how the world team selections are made. Even if you're the number one ranked wrestler or win nationals it doesn't mean you make the team. If coaches don't think you'll be ready they will find someone else who is.Snyder vs Sadulaev (1:07:00)Dernlan asks how Russians reacted when Kyle Snyder beat Abdulrashid Sadulaev. Beloglazov says they told Sadulaev the things he needed to work on and get better at. In today's world wrestlers can watch any match they want online and don't have to travel to watch the best wrestlers in the world.Dave Schultz (1:15:50)Beloglazov talks about his history with Dave Schultz. He first met him in the USA in the 1970s. Russian's had a hard time figuring him out because he always had a relaxed presence and didn't get nervous. It took them time to realize Dave was a different person on and off the mat. What made Dave great was not his power or strength but rather his mind for wrestling and his relentless studying, drilling, and perfecting of technique.Featured RUDIS Gear:Matt is wearing the KS Journey Soft Shell Jacket found here: https://therudis.com/product/ks-journey-soft-shell-jacket/Anatoly is wearing the RUDIS Wrestler Block Hoodie found here: https://therudis.com/product/rudis-wrestler-block-adult-hoodie-2/Alex is wearing the RUDIS Essential Hex Performance Quarter Zip found here: https://therudis.com/product/essential-hex-performance-quarter-zip-rudis/

#54: Askren’s Beat the Streets Recap May 09, 2019

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New Wrestling Data
On this episode, Ben Askren and Matt Dernlan talk about Beat the Streets, as well as all the exciting upcoming events surrounding the podcast. Askren starts off with the news that he along with a handful of wrestlers from Askren Wrestling Academy have finished collecting data from the U.S. Open Wrestling Championships. Dernlan is surprised when Askren says that are a lot of similarities in the numbers when you compare the new data to the 2018 World Championships data. He thought there would be drastic differences in certain areas when comparing an international tournament to a domestic one. One interesting difference was under defensive scores, down block go behind went from being the number one at Worlds to number four at the Open. Another point brought up is if in the future they can breakdown the data round by round to see how techniques change from the level of competition being faced.
Kayla Miracle (6:05)
4x WCWA National Champ and 3x U.S. Open Champ Kayla Miracle stopped by Columbus before heading down to Dallas for the U23 Team Trials. Miracle has an extremely busy upcoming schedule. She will compete at the U23 Trials then the Senior World Trials, and then Final X.
Giving Back (8:39)
Dernlan gives his respects to Askren for using his platform to help grow the sport and bring a lot of eyes to a great cause that is Beat the Streets. Askren had every reason not to compete including being in the middle of training camp for his upcoming UFC fight but he chose to dedicate his time to shine a light on the sport of wrestling. Askren elaborates on his quick speech after the Jordan Burroughs match when he talked about supporting not only Beat the Streets but all of wrestling because it changes lives. Askren talks about all the ways wrestling can have an amazing influence on a young person. One example is having something in your life that challenges you and forces you to be better than you already are. Askren talks about how much wrestling has done for him and his life and that is the reason why he feels it is so important to give back.
Beat the Streets (19:42)
Breaking down the event Askren brings up the electricity in the air when Yianni Diakomihalis took on Bajrang Punia. He feels like you could replicate that energy every year if you did nation vs nation, for example, USA vs Russia. Another point is that this event showed beyond a few upsets that it really takes some time to develop at the senior level to rise to that elite status. Another impressive showing at BTS was from Jack Mueller. Mueller put on a clinic against Nick Piccininni winning 10-0. Mueller is qualified for the World Team Trials for being last year’s U23 world team member. The last match they breakdown is James Green vs Anthony Ashnault. It looked like to Dernlan that James Green had motivation due to the expectations of a competitive match that came from Ashnault dominating at the Pan American Championships.
Nick Suriano vs Joe Colon (36:58)
2019 NCAA Champ Suriano beats World Bronze Medalist Colon 3-1. Dernlan breaks down Colon’s game and how Suriano’s defensive style didn’t allow for Colon to execute where he’s best at. The question before Beat the Streets was how good is Suriano at Freestyle and while that question isn’t fully answered, he looked really good and it poses the next question will we see Suriano at World Team Trials? Askren doesn’t know why Suriano wouldn’t. He has beaten Daton Fix who he would face if he drops to 57 kg and now he has beaten Joe Colon if he decides to stay at 61 kg.
David Taylor (42:44)
31 seconds into his match against Drew Foster, Taylor suffers an injury and is forced to injury default in order to not cause any further damage. Everyone is hoping the injury was not serious and Taylor can continue his dominance at Final X. Dernlan talks about how the end goal is next years Olympics so if he has to forgo the 2019 Worlds in order to get healthy and compete for Olympic Gold he’s sure he would. Overall it was very unfortunate.
J’Den Cox vs Patrick Brucki (45:26)
Dernlan talks about how Cox might be one of the most under-appreciated wrestlers in the world. He is one of the best wrestlers to come out of the United States in recent years and has a resume that can stand up to anyones. On top of all of that he’s only 24 years old.
Yianni Diakomihalis (48:26)
It’s crazy to think about the last 8 weeks Diakomihalis has had winning an NCAA Championship, U.S. Open Championship, and beating one of the best wrestlers in the world at Beat the Streets. Askren and Dernlan discuss the levels Diakomihalis has already grown and to think he’s only 20 years old is amazing.

#53: UWW Men’s Junior Freestyle Recap May 09, 2019

Show notes

57 & 61 kg
On this episode, Ben Askren and Matt talk about the UWW Junior Freestyle U.S. Open Wrestling Championships. They kick off the podcast by talking about the 57 kg weight class. Ohio State’s Malik Heinselman dominated his way all the way through this tournament. It’s great to see Heinselman competing and working to get on a world team. Moving to the 61 kg bracket brings one of the best matches of the whole tournament, Roman Bravo-Young vs Gabriel Tagg. After a close match, Tagg ends up getting the pin with 1:45 left in the second period. Dernlan talks about the dramatic improvements Tagg has made in the last year.
65 kg (7:33)
Yahya Thomas gets the win over Andrew Alirez 4-0 in the finals. Even though Thomas’s defensive style was able to get it done in the finals Askren and Dernlan were equally impressed with both wrestlers throughout the tournament.
70 kg (9:15)
Another Buckeye getting the finals win was Sam Sasso tech falling Brayton Lee in the finals 10-0. Ohio State has to be extremely happy with this considering Sasso has a huge task ahead of him in filling Micah Jordan’s roster spot. With a lot of schools graduating top ranked 157 lbs wrestlers there is a real opportunity for Sasso. One of the wildest matches of the bracket came in Lee’s semifinal match against Jacori Teemer ending 9-9 in Lee’s favor. Another incredible storyline from this bracket was Quincy Monday who was matched up against Sasso first round but battled all the way back 8 matches to take fourth place.
74 kg (14:44)
Iowa State’s David Carr beats Danny Braunagel in the finals 12-1.
79 kg (17:23)
Last years 79 kg junior world team member Aaron Brooks dominates this tournament yet again at no surprise to anyone. The debate gets brought up that if you medal as a junior why does that not give you a by to trials as it does for the seniors.
86 kg (21:00)
This was a stacked weight class and NC State’s Trent Hidlay beat Zachary Braunagel in the finals 10-3. Askren says he wouldn’t be surprised if Hidlay went up in weight for NC State.
92 kg (25:22)
Lucas Davison beat Jakob Woodley 6-3.
97 kg (23:18)
Two unknown guys to both Askren and Dernlan make it to the finals Sam Schuyler takes out Tanner Sloan 17-13.
125 kg (24:26)
Anthony Cassioppi dominated this bracket with a win over Seth Nevills in the finals 13-0. Askren talks about how when you look at this year’s overall potential team there isn’t a huge amount of confidence in getting a world team medal. There really isn’t any previous world medalist on the team besides Aaron Brooks.
Rule Change Proposals (27:00)
One proposal is counting medical forfeits as losses. Askren says this rule is hard to stick to when a seeding committee is looking at wrestlers records. Dernlan talks about how the seeding committees have already been doing this without an actual rule being in place. Medically forfeiting is run on the honor system and this rule poses to enforce it more strongly. Another rule being proposed that Dernlan is confident will get passed is allowing the use of sauna during the offseason. Originally this rule was put into place to protect wrestlers from unhealthy and unsafe weight cutting. In today’s age sauna would be used more for recovery than cutting water weight.

#52: BTS & Final X with Kyle Snyder May 01, 2019

Show notes

When Should You Enter the Open?
On this special episode of the RUDIS Wrestling Podcast Kyle Snyder joins Ben Askren and Matt as they discuss the U.S. Open, Beat the Streets, and Final X. Askren starts by asking Snyder what his takeaways were from watching the U.S. Open. Snyder was surprised by a few wrestlers who wrestled even better than everyone already knew they were. One of those wrestlers being Yianni Diakomihalis who beat Jordan Oliver and then Zain Retherford who were favorites in the 65 kg weight class. Snyder is of the belief that as a college wrestler you should only enter the U.S. Open with the intentions and belief you're going to win. This is opposed to the idea of entering the tournament and testing the waters against the best senior level freestyle wrestlers. Snyder then breaks down his journey to making the world team and how he knew through reassurance in the practice room and from coaches that he was ready.
Diakomihalis vs Oliver (13:11)
From Snyder talking about his time where he knew he could surpass the best in the world, Dernlan brings up the Jordan Oliver vs Diakomihalis match. Askren talks about how some wrestlers don't let the big stage and bright lights impact their wrestling or mindset and rise to the occasion. Snyder elaborates on this point that just because you haven't beaten an opponent in the training room doesn't mean you aren't ready to beat them when it counts.
Jordan Burroughs (18:30)
Askren and Dernlan disagree on Askren's statement that the Burroughs of 2018-2019 has lost a slight edge compared to the Burroughs of previous years like 2012-2013. Dernlan says you can't use the Franklin Gomez match as a fair comparison because you're looking at one of the most athletic competitors in wrestling when you're watching Gomez. Snyder speculates that Burroughs could have been affected by the new weigh-in rules during the last World Championships. After watching him compete at Dan Kolov, Snyder says Burroughs looked just as good as he ever has if not better.
Young Guns Make a Splash (23:37)
Dernlan switches the topic back to the U.S. Open and asks Snyder if he had any surprises from the younger guys at the tournament. Snyder was impressed with Bo Nickal because he knows the level of wrestlers he was beating in Michael Macchiavello and Hayden Zillmer. He was surprised but happy for Pat Downey as he's overcome a lot of adversity. Snyder was also impressed with Daton Fix beating a strong Thomas Gilman. He noticed Fix's improvements in hand fighting and made adjustments since the NCAAs. Askren picks Fix to beat Gilman again at Final X.
Beat the Streets (34:26)
This will be Snyder's fifth time competing at Beat the Streets. Snyder talks about some of the things he loves about competing at Beat the Streets. One of those being the unique experience of competing outside at Times Square. Overall he loves the exciting matchups you won't find anywhere else and what that does for growing wrestling and strengthening its community. Snyder was surprised to hear the announcement of Jordan Burroughs vs Ben Askren and loves the conversations it has started.

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