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Discussion Topic: Kaleb Romero and Ethan Smith
Ben Golden added to this discussion on March 18, 2023
Hats off to these gents, and thanks for years of being Buckeyes! These guys were both grinders their whole career.
I remember Ethan Smith's frosh year saying, "man, that guy fights in every match," and that stayed true his whole career. As a fan, I could always count on superb effort from him.
I'm thrilled with Kaleb Romero's last match! Kaleb has been in the mix with the top guys for the last few years, and the win over Hidlay may be the best of his career. Guy worked hard in all his matches as well, and I've enjoyed watching him.
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Discussion Topic: Kaleb Romero and Ethan Smith
Jeff Fortman added to this discussion on March 18, 2023
Thrilled for Romero, what a gutsy win over an awesome wrestler. Romero would be a national champ any other year with what we saw this weekend outside of a Penn wrestler. Glad to see Ethan as well.
He was nice enough to talk with us and take a picture with me a few weeks ago after a tough loss to Nebraska. First class dude.
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Discussion Topic: Kaleb Romero and Ethan Smith
Jim Kessen added to this discussion on March 18, 2023
Quote from Ben Golden's post:
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"Hats off to these gents, and thanks for years of being Buckeyes! These guys were both grinders their whole career.
I remember Ethan Smith's frosh year saying, "man, that guy fights in every match," and that stayed true his whole career. As a fan, I could always count on superb effort from him.
I'm thrilled with Kaleb Romero's last match! Kaleb has been in the mix with the top guys for the last few years, and the win over Hidlay may be the best of his career. Guy worked hard in all his matches as well, and I've enjoyed watching him."
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Well said. It was a pleasure watching them these past 4-5 years and they will be missed. Best of luck to both of them.
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Discussion Topic: Kaleb Romero and Ethan Smith
Brady Hiatt added to this discussion on March 18, 2023
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Discussion Topic: Kaleb Romero and Ethan Smith
Alex Creech added to this discussion on March 18, 2023
Quote from Ben Golden's post:
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"Hats off to these gents, and thanks for years of being Buckeyes! These guys were both grinders their whole career.
I remember Ethan Smith's frosh year saying, "man, that guy fights in every match," and that stayed true his whole career. As a fan, I could always count on superb effort from him.
I'm thrilled with Kaleb Romero's last match! Kaleb has been in the mix with the top guys for the last few years, and the win over Hidlay may be the best of his career. Guy worked hard in all his matches as well, and I've enjoyed watching him."
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Ditto.
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Discussion Topic: Kaleb Romero and Ethan Smith
Matt Schein added to this discussion on March 18, 2023
Awesome stuff Brady. What’s Kaleb’s plan next year
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Discussion Topic: Kaleb Romero and Ethan Smith
Brady Hiatt added to this discussion on March 18, 2023
Quote from Matt Schein's post:
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"Awesome stuff Brady. What’s Kaleb’s plan next year"
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Heading into, hopefully, the medical sales world. Though I’d love to see him get into coaching as well. He has a lot to give and I told him that, from experience, it is so much more rewarding helping others reach their goals than reaching your own!
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Discussion Topic: Kaleb Romero and Ethan Smith
Brady Hiatt added to this discussion on March 18, 2023
I wish y’all could have been at the tOSU social today. This team is a special group of guys and the coaches are special people.
Was enjoyable to talk a little strategy with Bo and Logan also. High character men! Glad Kaleb chose tOSU!!!
This is a staff and team that I can always support and root for.
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Discussion Topic: Kaleb Romero and Ethan Smith
Brady Hiatt added to this discussion on March 19, 2023
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Discussion Topic: Kaleb Romero and Ethan Smith
Rex Holman added to this discussion on March 19, 2023
Those guys both had outstanding careers.
I still think Ethan could have won the semis his sophomore year.
Romero was due for some big wins as he just kept incrementally improving and closing the gap on Brooks. Would've liked to see him match up with Keckheisen in the semis. That high crotch/crackback position in the middle of the mat was money. Similar to how Levi Haines elevated his game.
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Discussion Topic: Kaleb Romero and Ethan Smith
Hank Kornblut added to this discussion on March 19, 2023
What's amazing about Romero is that he looked rusty at Big Tens. Over the last two weeks, he was able to return to an elite performance level.
Kudos to the Bucks staff as a whole. This team was ready.
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Discussion Topic: Kaleb Romero and Ethan Smith
Brady Hiatt added to this discussion on March 19, 2023
Quote from Hank Kornblut's post:
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"What's amazing about Romero is that he looked rusty at Big Tens. Over the last two weeks, he was able to return to an elite performance level.
Kudos to the Bucks staff as a whole. This team was ready."
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It was hush hush but Kaleb had a different significant injury in the PSU dual (Not the dislocated finger) and that was the reason he sat out for the month heading into the B1G. The team had many injuries that really hampered guys this season. To their credit, not one peep about them. They just battled.
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Discussion Topic: Kaleb Romero and Ethan Smith
Mark Cummings added to this discussion on March 19, 2023
I remember watching Kaleb wrestle a dual at Purdue his redshirt freshman year. He looked to be cutting a ton of weight and was wrestling 165 because that’s where he was needed. I loved the video Brady shared where he was reading a letter thanking some of the people who helped him along the way. A real warrior. Glad he finished his last year strong.
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Discussion Topic: Kaleb Romero and Ethan Smith
Mike Stann added to this discussion on March 20, 2023
Quote from Brady Hiatt's post:
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"
Quote from Hank Kornblut's post:
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"What's amazing about Romero is that he looked rusty at Big Tens. Over the last two weeks, he was able to return to an elite performance level.
Kudos to the Bucks staff as a whole. This team was ready."
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It was hush hush but Kaleb had a different significant injury in the PSU dual (Not the dislocated finger) and that was the reason he sat out for the month heading into the B1G. The team had many injuries that really hampered guys this season. To their credit, not one peep about them. They just battled."
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I thought so when I saw him just give up his ankle against Brooks in the dual.
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Discussion Topic: Kaleb Romero and Ethan Smith
Brian Mathews added to this discussion on March 20, 2023
Romero and Smith were great Buckeyes.
The fact that Romero was able to place 3rd in this tournament with the condition of his right knee is ridiculous. His last match being probably his best ever win... pure toughness. If he doesn't get hurt in the dual he had a chance to give Brooks a real challenge.
Super happy to see Smith cap off his career with another AA finish as well. Has to be noted he was also banged up most of this season. Same as Romero, never heard a peep about it, he just went about his business.
These 6th year guys have been pretty hit or miss across the country, in large part because of the physical toll of wrestling 6 straight NCAA seasons. The guys that finish strong like this show real character.
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