I can not remember another year when the WPIAL has been as loaded as it is this year in wrestling, with so many kids ranked nationally and with five national champions at the recent tournament in Greensboro. And, it looks like we are going to get none of them.
I can understand losing the Central Catholic kid to PSU. But losing both Franklin Regional wrestlers and Headlee is disturbing. And, we lost Krivius to Virginia, another one to UNC and another to Arizona State.
The first class Peters landed gave us all a lot of hope, although only two of them wrestled regularly last year. His second class was a major disappointment, and this class appears to be the same. But, my view is it sends up a big danger flag because of the WPIAL being so loaded this year. The Ohio school has been a recent HS wrestling power, but neither of the kids from there are top 100 nationally. The City League kid is from my alma mater, but he appears to be a major project. Last year, UVA, Virginia Tech and UNC all had top 20 classes; this year at least UVA and UNC appear to be headed for top 20 classes again. I am not sure that VT can take more than one wrestler this year because of scholarship numbers. We apparently have four scholarships to give, and the first three have been very disappointing. I just hope Peters doesn't turn out to be Rande redux.
I haven't seen the facilities in years, and I don't know how they compare to Oklahoma State or tOSU. But, when you are competing with UVA and UNC for WPIAL wrestlers, there are things that Pitt has over them which can't be made up for by having a nicer locker room: Tradition, tradition and tradition. I know all of us who post on wrestling are diehard Pitt wrestling fans, but I am really tired of Pitt fans making excuses for recruiting in every sport. If thjere is any sport where we should be a perennial power, it is wrestling. We should expect -- and should demand -- better from the staff. Even if they get the one uncommitted WPIAL standout, this is a very disappointing class by any objective measurement.
On other somewhat related issues:
I assume we will have no shot with Spencer Lee, the top sophomore in the nation. He won the Greensboro tournament by pinning the Ohio state champion in 26 seconds. He is an absolute beast. He still is wrestling at 113, so I have no idea what weight he will reach in college. But, whether at 125 or 133, he is going to be awesome -- and he is a pinner, which means bonus points.
Our last transfer from OSU (Oklahoma State in that case) didn't work out very well. Let's hope that Roberts from the other OSU turns out better.
I am shocked that Yahner might beat out Rizzo at HWT. Can someone explain that?
Solomon didn't do so great last year wrestling unattached in tournaments. Does anyone know how he looks this year?
I assume that Cody has all of his personal issues straightened out because he is listed on the roster this year. He was a frequent poster on Twitter, but has pretty much gone silent the last few months. I hope that means he is focused on wrestling.