|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Discussion Topic: Article: Palmer on Palmer: Lance on Collin
Elliot Lewis added to this discussion on June 11, 2008
|
Palmer on Palmer: Lance on Collin
Big Brother has big expectations for little brother at OSU
Kevin Schlosser; the-ozone.net
Three years ago Lance Palmer signed with the Ohio State to give the Buckeyes their first pair of four-time Ohio state champions with teammate J. Jaggers. After two year it is safe to say both Palmer and Jaggers have progressed and produced. At the same time they each finished as All-Americans the last two years, the team continued to climb their way up the standings as well. While not everything has worked out to the expectations of either wrestler, it is hard to argue about the accomplishments.
Behind Palmer, Jaggers, Mike Pucillo and J.D. Bergman, OSU has improved from forty-fifth to tenth and from tenth to second. Ohio State qualified seven to the NCAA tournament and only lose points from the graduation of three-time All-American J.D. Bergman. With six returning scorers, two impact transfers, a new recruiting class, and a lot of momentum; it is a good time to be a Buckeye wrestler or wrestling fan.
In a world of hype, Lance Palmer has been one of those that has delivered. With the loss of Bergman, he will need to step it up for the team to move up. As a true freshman in 2007, Palmer placed fourth at the NCAA Tournament. He was one of two true freshmen in the country to end the year on the podium in Detroit. Wrestling in one of the toughest and deepest weight classes in college wrestling this decade he placed eighth in St. Louis. Next season Palmer doesn’t want to wrestle on Saturday morning, he wants to wrestle in prime time
At the same time Lance was winning big in Columbus, his younger brother Collin was carrying on the family tradition at Lakewood St Edward; matching his older brother’s back-to-back-to-back state titles. Lance Palmer would cast a big shadow in any family but with the Palmers the two brothers can stand alone. Each is an extremely talented and accomplished wrestler in their own right and both were two of the most sought after recruits in the country.
Lance Palmer has proven that potential can become production; as a two-time All-American and defending national J. Jaggers can say the same thing. Both wrestlers made the transition to college wrestling and despite some struggles have produced when it counts. Neither wrestler has yet to qualify for an NCAA Tournament and failed to place when they were able to wrestle.
Like his older brother Collin Palmer has high expectations for himself. He loves to compete, he wrestles to win, and he wants to do that at Ohio State. Whether he can accomplish as much as his brother or stand as high as Jaggers on the podium; the talent, achievement, and drive are the same. Potential doesn’t guarantee production but it can be a good indication when put in the right context. With that said who better to ask about Collin Palmer than his brother Lance Palmer?
Lance recently took time for a short interview to discuss his brother’s commitment from his perspective, the impact it can have on the Ohio State program, his views on the OSU off-season, and what it means to him to be a Buckeye.
What advice did you give him in selecting a college?
“I told him he had to find a place where your heart is going to be and you are going to feel at home. For me there is nothing better than Ohio State, but he has to make his own decision. I think I influenced him a lot; just because it would be great for us to train together like we use to. We have a great coaching staff and our team is only getting better every day we practice together. I think he took a lot of that to heart and thought about really hard.”
I asked Collin what it meant growing up as Lance Palmer’s younger brother, what is it like for you to be Collin Palmer’s older brother?
“For me it is more of a thing where now I am getting to old for the younger kids to know who I am. I see all of those little kids looking up to Collin and that means something. It is good that I can see that now in him because when I was in high school I never really appreciated that. I am glad he is doing well.”
What does it mean to you to be a Buckeye with your brother?
“I absolutely love being at Ohio State. For me being a Buckeye means we are building a tradition. We want to build a powerhouse from here on out. The tradition that Iowa is bringing back is what we have started here. We are going to win a national championship at Ohio State and I am just glad to be a part of it.”
“I’m one of Collin’s biggest fans so it means a lot to me to know my brother is coming here. We are going to be on the same team for a year and he will be here to carry that tradition on when I am gone.”
Can you discus what it means to your family to have two brothers wrestling for the same college team at the same time?
“That is something my parents could probably answer better than I can; but for me and Collin… we have both have wanted to do this since we were young. We both made goals to be four-time state champs, get a full scholarship to college, and keep on winning when we get there. We wanted to win national championships and I think with both of us being at Ohio State it is something we can each do. I know Collin is very excited to get on board and add to the history we are making right now.”
What did it mean to you personally to have him commit to Ohio State?
“It is more of weight lifted off of my shoulders because I know that he is here. I don’t have to listen to everybody asking me where he is going or what he is thinking. (laughing) Now everyone knows and they don’t have to ask me anymore.”
What does it mean to the Buckeyes to have him commit to Ohio State?
“It is big for the Buckeyes because it is something the young kids can see growing up and wrestling in Ohio. Whether they are great now or are going to be great when they get older; they are the future and knowing the Palmer brothers are going to be at Ohio State for awhile it should be even easier to recruit the top kids like Logan Stieber and people like that.”
Is there a scenario that has both Palmers in the same starting lineup?
“There is a possibility. We are hoping to have that for one year so we’ll see what happens. I am definitely looking forward to it.”
What are your summer wrestling plans?
This whole summer I am going to train to be a national champion next year. It was disappointing this past year I didn’t get what I wanted. Even though it was a tough weight class I still have my goals. I was an All-American but it was disappointing that I wasn’t a national champion and I’m already working to change that next year.”
“This summer we are going to work the camps and train for four weeks and then a group of us are going to finish out July at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs. I’ll spend August at home with my family and be back in Columbus before school starts.”
Ohio State had a great regular season and ended the year with four All-Americans, two national champions and a team high second place finish at the NCAA Tournament. The good news has kept coming all spring; Rella and Gardner transfer in; Triggas, Humphrey, and Rowlands win national titles, a recruiting class of eighteen, and Tommy is knocking on the Olympic door. What can you say about the momentum the program is experiencing?
“As of right now things are getting better and better every year that Tom Ryan has been the head coach. When you have coaches like we have once you get the ball rolling it is not going to stop. It is our job to keep things going and I think things are just going to keep getting better and better.”
“I am excited about the incoming freshman and transfers and am especially excited about Dave Rella coming in because I know Ohio State is where he wants to be. Hopefully this next year with all the training we have been doing and we are going to do we can reach our goal of winning a national championship.”
|
|
|
|
|
Discussion Topic: Article: Palmer on Palmer: Lance on Collin
Marlo Stanfield added to this discussion on June 12, 2008
|
Very good article. Thank you!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
