Kansas Wrestling
Posted By: Eric A Joe Johnston pins OSU today - 01/17/05 02:56 AM
Just got back from Tulsa Nationals and Iowa vs OSU dual tonight. Joe represented Kansas in dominant fashion. He played cat and mouse with his Cowboy opponent and got the pin with 3 seconds left after recording 5 takedowns in the match. It was the Hawkeye's largest team point scoring of the dual. Good job Joe.

Akin
Posted By: Aaron Sweazy Re: Joe Johnston pins OSU today - 01/17/05 08:12 AM
Sounds like he did a great job...Iowa could have used a few more wins that big point wise.
Posted By: RichardDSalyer Re: Joe Johnston pins OSU today - 01/17/05 09:04 AM
It was a great match, however the intensity and anticipation of the Perry vs. Hendricks match was unlike anything I have experienced. There were over 7,000 fans in attendance, and certainly the match did not disappoint.

Eric, what did you think of the stalling on the Iowa wrestlers in general. Joe was the only wrestler from Iowa who actually pressured and worked for the takedown for an entire match.

At 133 lbs. the freshman Smith pulled out of redshirt looked outstanding with the spanking of #11 Galankis.

How about Mocco's slap of Fields at the end of the match? Fields did not attempt a single shot the entire match.
Posted By: Mike Furches Re: Joe Johnston pins OSU today - 01/17/05 03:26 PM
Yea Eric, what do you think of stalling? Especially in overtime?
Posted By: Eric A Re: Joe Johnston pins OSU today - 01/18/05 11:02 PM
I think the ref was a little quick on the few stallings called on Iowa. On the contrary I felt that a few Okie Staters (especially) Espozito got away with a lot of backing up. He looked tired, never shot, but had great defense. I felt that Eustice could have been awarded at least one stall point and the take down at the end.

Mocco's slap at the end was uncalled for and typical of his personality. Fields will beat him by the end of next year, and the slap was just more motivational fuel. Four college wrestlers in the last week have been DQ'd for unsportsmanlike. . .but that ref (Pat Ritchie I think) has proven for 3 strait years to be the worst I've seen!


Furches,

(In regards to Tulsa - Nathan's medal match) yeah stalling in overtime is almost unheard of. I think that ref neede a cigarette.
Posted By: Eric A Re: Joe Johnston pins OSU today - 01/18/05 11:12 PM
I guess if I take into consideration the way Mocco attempts his trademark foot sweep, which looks more like a 50 yard field goal attempt and leaves bruises, I could go out on a limb and accept his excuse:

"I didn't hear the whistle and decided to do a head slap to a shot."

However, he never shot during the match and it looked more like a punch to the throat from where I was sitting. Either way, I know Fields will use it to his advantage.
Posted By: RichardDSalyer Re: Joe Johnston pins OSU today - 01/19/05 01:27 AM
Eric:

I detect some anti Oklahoma State Cowboy sentiment! The Cowboys scored 13 takedowns on the day to 11 for Iowa.

To Eustice credit, Esposito wrestled the worst match I have seen in his three years at O.S.U.

I do not look for Scott to make the same mistake with twenty seconds remaining in a match again.

#11 Galankis was totally outclassed by Morgan, however after this weekend, he will not be alone.

Perhaps Mocco was making a statement for the uncalled for and unpenalized slap / push by Perry while Hendricks was dominating him. Perry was likely frustrated at his poor performance in front of the hometown folks and Uncle's LeRoy, John and Pat Smith. Hendricks made up for the slap by rubbing Perry's face into the mat at match end.

Steak dinner in Topeka at the Kids Championships says Fields does not beat Mocco this year, and if he can not do anything but lay on the mat as he did in the second period, depening on the seeding at the NCAA's, he likely will not get the chance.

Fields will be lucky to place second at the Big 10 Championships.

To be candid, this may be the worst Iowa team I have seen since Zalesky took over for Gable.
Posted By: Eric A Re: Joe Johnston pins OSU today - 01/19/05 03:46 AM
Actually I'm a huge John Smith fan. He's the best ever. . .coach and competitor. I love the way he controls his staff; they all stay seated when he needs to yell out instructions to his wrestlers. Other teams usually have 6 coaches all screaming something different at the same time. I know John won't have any of that, and his coaches know it to.

I thought Morgan was the best wrestler in the whole dual except for Pendleton, who didn't have much of a challenge. Morgan will definately be a phenom for next few years.

I don't think Fields will beat Mocco this year, but I think he will by the end of next year like I said. He will continue to close the gap this year. As for Mocco, I bet he wouldn't take a swing at Kerry McCoy, Tolly Thompson, or Stephen Neal. . .but he'll get the chance.

Honestly, I was cheering for Iowa in some matches and for Okie State in some others. I know some guys too good to root against them, like Johnny Hendricks and Joe Johnston.

Thanks for all the updates. Take care.

Eric
Posted By: RichardDSalyer Re: Joe Johnston pins OSU today - 01/19/05 08:45 AM
Dear Eric:

Sorry I misread your original post, I thought you had said Fields would upset Mocco by the end of this year.

I believe you to be correct that Mocco would not "slap" at McCoy or Thompson.

Several years ago you should have seen the stare down between Gable and Smith at a dual in Stillwater. I have to agree with you, today Smith is one of, if not the best. His wrestlers, with the exception of Ward at 157 lbs. are all about offense. Rarely any stalling by Espo, Hendricks, Pendleton, Rosholt, etc.

Have a great day!
Posted By: JordonB_184 Re: Joe Johnston pins OSU today - 01/19/05 10:50 PM
Wow! looks like we have a little battle is this because Eric is and ISU alumni and is cheering for Iowa or what?? O-State is looking to be unstoppable for any team and most likely will not be touched at the NCAA's Who knows wrestling is a marathon not a sprint some teams may peak right there at the end of season.
Posted By: Eric A Re: Joe Johnston pins OSU today - 01/21/05 02:47 AM
Good knwowledge Dirtybird. Thanks for remembering. I am a Cyclone and will always bleed red and gold. I'm proud to be 7th on the all-time win list on a list of legendary Cyclones.

However, due to my many year of extensive travels and many places of training, I have strong ties to many programs and try to support them all when I can. Wrestlers are warriors that deserve respect and I respect a lot of them from everywhere.

ISU has had a couple of years in a row with awesome pick ups on recruits. They are the next powerhouse.

Look out America. . .Cyclones are coming your way!
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