This post will focus on a little more info from nationals and my perspective on the disappointment following the Bucks' performance at nationals. The next post will focus on potential lineups for next year.
First off, regarding the protest during Triggas' first round match:
The staff really felt that Nikko got the short end of the stick in this match. They felt that Nikko should been awarded a near fall after having the BU wrestler on his back for over 4 seconds earlier in the match. But what caused the protest occurred at the end of the match with Triggas up by one. On the edge of the mat, the BU wrestler was working a cradle while Nikko had his ankle, but a TD was awarded to the BU guy. On the restart, Nikko did to the BU kid what had just been done to him, but not only did the ref not give him the reversal, he didn't even get an escape.
More on Hump v. Dake:
When Hump took Dake down in the first, he had him on his back and NF possibly could have been awarded. Hump said he felt it was a good no call, as when in doubt, especially in such an important match, the refs should let the wrestler decide it on the mat. Hump said had the NF been awarded, the match would have effectively been over. Hump was also still dealing with that ankle injury he sustained at the end of the regular season, as well as some neck and back issues.
More on Pucillo:
Upset with himself over the pigtail loss to Miller, felt that he was definitely the better wrestler. Also, his shoulder is seriously messed up, to the point that his one arm is pretty much worthless, preventing him from finishing shots that he used to finish with ease. Also, OSU staff furious over the NF awarded in his match with Foster. Felt he was at 90 degrees, 80 at most (the wrestlers shoulders must be at a minimum 45 degrees from the mat to get a NF).
My take on the perceived disappointment over this season:
First off, this team was clearly a better dual team than last year, having no real "bad" weight. But in terms of a national tournament team, coming into the season, even expecting a healthy Pucillo, I felt they would be worse. They lost a national champ in Jaggers and didn't have a stud to replace him with. You don't do well as a team at nationals by having a lot a solid guys win 2-3 matches. You do well by having studs who can place high (see Wisconsin: Howe, Graff, Ruschell and Brandvold pretty much got 4th place). Jaggers accounted for 20+ points last year, you can't replace that with some more guys who may win another match in the consolation bracket.
Second, while outside of Triggas, nothing "exciting" happened, nothing really bad happened either. This is what I had expected/hoped going into the tounry:
Triggas: 2-3wins/3wins-AA (result: 8th place AA)
Paddock: 1-2wins/2-3 wins (result: 2 wins, with his two losses to seeded oppontnets)
Humphrey: Top 4/First (result: 3rd)
Palmer: Top 2/First (result: 2nd)
Nemec: N/A
Sponseller: Top 8/Top 3 (result: 3 wins, round of 12, failed to place)
Rella: 2 wins/3 wins (result: 1 win, lost to 2 seeded opponents)
Pucillo: 3-4 wins/AA (result: 4 wins, round of 12, barely missed AA)
Magrum: 1 win/2 wins (result: 2 wins with both losses to ranked opponents)
Morrison: 1 win/2 wins (result: 0 wins, both losses to ranked opponents)
Outside of Colt, I don't think anyone had that poor of a tournament, and it's not as if his was a complete disaster (i.e. Lewnes going 0-2 last year). Triggas was the bright spot, Paddock and Magrum both did as good as could have been expected and had great first tournaments, Mike was hurt and nearly AA'd, Reece and Lance met expectations, just didn't get that crowning jewel to their careers, and Morrison and Rella were the victims of some brutal draws, both facing tough, seeded wrestlers who had been upset in the wrestlebacks. Although the season surely didn't end with a bang, I don't think it ended with a thud, either.
