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Discussion Topic: Why I am worried about Sergio Vega
Bruce Andrews added to this discussion on March 3, 2026
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I've been watching some of his matches from this year that are posted on YouTube and Flowrestling.
One thing I noticed was how he holds an opponent in a cradle. Unlink most wrestlers who clasp hands, he holds the wrist of his opposite arm. Because he is tall and lanky, his wrist is pretty narrow, which allows his hand to wrap around the wrist completely. It seems like it would be just about impossible to break that grip.
It seems to me that it is critically important that Jesse avoid being put in a cradle by Sergio.
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Discussion Topic: Why I am worried about Sergio Vega
Casey Talbott added to this discussion on March 3, 2026
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Agree, he is one talented - and dangerous - freshman.
I hope we meet him for all the marbles, in the NCAA finals.
One positive is that Jesse would seem to have a pretty darn good training partner in this regard, in J Jaggers.
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Discussion Topic: Why I am worried about Sergio Vega
Hank Kornblut added to this discussion on March 3, 2026
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One double leg wins the match. Jesse will hit at least two.
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Discussion Topic: Why I am worried about Sergio Vega
Brady Hiatt added to this discussion on March 4, 2026
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I have no idea Bruce why you are worried. I'm not.
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Discussion Topic: Why I am worried about Sergio Vega
Justin Hayes added to this discussion on March 4, 2026
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Me, too, Bruce...and I trust Brady's judgment. #Conflicted
I'm hoping for double leg blasts galore.
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Discussion Topic: Why I am worried about Sergio Vega
Hank Kornblut added to this discussion on March 4, 2026
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Quote from Brady Hiatt's post:
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"I have no idea Bruce why you are worried. I'm not."
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I don't discount that Vega is excellent. But I'm confident Jesse will have the right plan for this matchup should they wrestle.
ps. Snaps and spins--at which Jesse also excels--are the other correct strategy
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Discussion Topic: Why I am worried about Sergio Vega
Michael Rodriguez added to this discussion on March 4, 2026
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He’s a stud freshman, for sure, but there are levels. I see Mendez winning in pretty straightforward fashion.
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Discussion Topic: Why I am worried about Sergio Vega
Mark Niemann added to this discussion on March 4, 2026
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Quote from Michael Rodriguez's post:
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"He’s a stud freshman, for sure, but there are levels. I see Mendez winning in pretty straightforward fashion."
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Great! KOD.
Dang it, Rod!
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Discussion Topic: Why I am worried about Sergio Vega
Doug Gainous added to this discussion on March 4, 2026
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While I'll be betting heavily on Jesse, I do have flashbacks of Myles Martin vs. Gabe Dean and NaTo vs. Cory Clark. I thought those were two matches where the Buckeyes were favored and outcoached. Thats the only way i see jesse losing.
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Discussion Topic: Why I am worried about Sergio Vega
Mark Niemann added to this discussion on March 5, 2026
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Quote from Doug Gainous's post:
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"While I'll be betting heavily on Jesse, I do have flashbacks of Myles Martin vs. Gabe Dean and NaTo vs. Cory Clark. I thought those were two matches where the Buckeyes were favored and outcoached. Thats the only way i see jesse losing."
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If it is going to come down to coaching, then my money is on Jesse Mendez.
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Discussion Topic: Why I am worried about Sergio Vega
Michael Rodriguez added to this discussion on March 5, 2026
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Cruiser...Are you saying you think Coach Ryan is a superior coach with regard to match prep and tactics or you think tOSU's assistants have the upper hand on Oklahoma State, or both? Or that Coach Taylor lacks the experience to prepare a tru-frosh for a bout like this? No judgement, just wondering where you see the Buckeye advantage?
For the record, I think Mendez will win because he's the better wrestler and more developed both physically and mentally. He has developed those skills under tOSU's coaching staff, so they certainly get credit for that, but I'm not sure you can teach what he has.
Also, what Coach Taylor has done at OSU is remarkable. They are either the #2 or #3 team in the nation during a season they were supposed to come back down to earth, with a bunch of young studs and transfers. When you look at the jumps his transfers made last year compared to transfers from other schools, it would seem Coach Taylor is doing something different. When you look at what his freshmen are doing this season, it would seem that Coach Taylor is doing something different. Long story short, if Mendez beats Vega (and I think he will), it'll be because he has distanced himself from the field this year, he has NO HOLES in his game and he will be better prepared for that match because of his experience over the last four years.
Think about his two finals victories...they're truly amazing. His first title was won on a standing Gramby when his opponent (who he had split with during the season) was finishing the would-be winning takedown. And then his second, he goes down 5-0 in the first (to a guy who beat him the at Big Tens), he keeps his composure, storms back and wins comfortably. He's a special athlete.
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Discussion Topic: Why I am worried about Sergio Vega
Mark Niemann added to this discussion on March 5, 2026
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Rod: Go Buckeyes! That's more of my point. #Fandom ;-)
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Discussion Topic: Why I am worried about Sergio Vega
Brian Mathews added to this discussion on March 5, 2026
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Quote from Doug Gainous's post:
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"While I'll be betting heavily on Jesse, I do have flashbacks of Myles Martin vs. Gabe Dean and NaTo vs. Cory Clark. I thought those were two matches where the Buckeyes were favored and outcoached. Thats the only way i see jesse losing."
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I see Martin's semifinal loss as almost purely psychological, and I don't have that concern with Mendez.
Clark/NaTo was a case of closely matched opponents that had recently wrestled a tight match, and I agree Clark had a better gameplan there. IF Mendez and Vega do match up in the finals, it will be their first meeting, and Vega won't have the luxury of making adjustments.
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Discussion Topic: Why I am worried about Sergio Vega
Hank Kornblut added to this discussion on March 5, 2026
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Martin came out and almost scored a bunch of times early but failed to get the necessary points as the match wore on. I also recall watching that match and thinking Max Dean should have been hit for stalling. His game plan was obvious--slow down Myles and keep it close.
Corey Clark wrestled a perfect match against NATO. He waited the entire bout for a chance to grab merkle position and executed when he got the opportunity. Good coaching by the Brands in that instance.
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Discussion Topic: Why I am worried about Sergio Vega
Don Bork added to this discussion on March 5, 2026
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Just for perspective, Martin had beaten Dean easily twice earlier in the season. So, from my viewpoint, Cornel and Dean created and executed a plan. Bucks and Martin did not adjust. That is the athlete, but the coaching staff as well. Martin was the better wrestler without question. The Cornell staff and Dean was better prepared and executed their game plan. It was an overall TOSU failure.
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