|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Discussion Topic: Colt Sponseller
Hank Kornblut added to this discussion on January 6, 2008
|
His match with Gross was the best match of an exciting dual. While Ohio State dominated, I thought every Kent wrestler competed hard and that most of the bouts had some great action. None, however, was better than the battle at 165 between a motivated Gross and the true frosh from Millersburg West Holmes.
Gross hit a beautiful single and had Sponsy's leg high in the air yet somehow he got out of it. Then, Spons got in on a deep high C. Gross countered beautifully and appeared poised to score (indeed he was awarded two points as it turned out) when Sponseller exploded for what most of us thought was a takedown. It turned out to be a reversal but at this point I knew who would win. When you take your opponents best shots and stop him, you're likely to emerge victorious. This aptly named kid seems to find extra "horsepower" when in trouble. I marveled at his ability to finish shots when Gross countered hard. (memo to Coach Ryan--no point in arguing a disputable call when he competes. He'll get the points back)
Sponseller is not merely an offensive machine. He counters beautifully and rides far better than I would have imagined; indeed he looks like a seasoned college vet on top.
Keep in mind that Gross did not wilt under Sponseller's constant pressure. He held his ground and fought tooth-and-nail the whole way. Sponseller won this match because he's an incredible talent with the skill and desire to be a legendary champion. I think he will prove to be at least as good as Ryan Bertin. Bold statement--but anyone who watched him and feels differently should tell me why I'm wrong. I'm game for the discussion. I know an incredible competitor when I see one.
AA this year? Very real possibility based on what I saw this past Friday.
Run--don't walk--to every Buckeye dual you can. Sponseller is a legend in the making.
|
|
|
|
|
Discussion Topic: Colt Sponseller
Ethan Moore added to this discussion on January 6, 2008
|
Hank - your belief that Sponseller could AA is legit.
To that end, I feel that the 'grind' of the National Tournament could be to his benefit. With his extreme conditioning perhaps he would get stronger as the tournament progresses while others are wilting.
|
|
|
|
|
Discussion Topic: Colt Sponseller
Jack Muni added to this discussion on January 6, 2008
|
I love watching this kid. How he got out of that single leg of Gross' was amazing. He has a certain mat presence, a 6th sense about the sport. Indeed, his conditioning will be his ace in the whole come tournament time.
He is worth the price of admission.
BTW Mark Perry got beat again by an Okla. State wrestler over the weekend <dry> hmm....
|
|
|
|
|
Discussion Topic: Colt Sponseller
Scott Nicola added to this discussion on January 6, 2008
|
If you watch Perry in the match against the Oky St. kid he gasses and even takes a "lung timeout" at one point. I like the idea of Sponseller in his face for 7 minutes with constant pressure. The key is not getting under him.
|
|
|
|
|
Discussion Topic: Colt Sponseller
Ethan Moore added to this discussion on January 7, 2008
|
Scott - I agree with this assessment. Another key with Perry is bringing shots to your feet ASAP, or not even going to your knees when attempting a shot (ironically, like many of the Iowa kids like Slaton and LeClere do).
Perry is an enigma this year. His Midlands finals match against Reader from Iowa State he looked unbeatable, yet has losses to Brown and now Dieffenbach.
|
|
|
|
|
Discussion Topic: Colt Sponseller
Hank Kornblut added to this discussion on January 7, 2008
|
Perry's had puzzling losses from time to time. He is brutal on top but his takedown skills are not intimidating. He shrugs or shoots a long single where he tries to get his hands locked and walk up to a finish. But, he's always been money when it matters most--the national tournament. He's beaten Johny Hendricks and Troy Letters at this event and those are huge victories. Bottom line on Perry is that he's 3, 2, and 1 at NCAA's. Beat him at the tourney and you've done something great.
Getting back to my favorite topic--Sponseller. I think every match he wrestles will make him better. Hopefully, the Buckeyes will have a strong national tourney performance so he gets to wrestle some matches. This weekend presents the possibility for him to compete against a Lewnes, Dieffenbach, Perry, Tannenbaum or Reader. Every one of those guys gives him an opportunity to grow as a competitor.
|
|
|
|
|
Discussion Topic: Colt Sponseller
Jason Franks added to this discussion on January 7, 2008
|
Please bear with me as I ramble on but here are a few thoughts on Colt. Colt has lots of potential to be a great college wrestler. Watching him from the time he was just getting started till now the one thing I can say is constant improvement. He just keeps getting better and better all the time. In my opinion he even improved from his 1st state title to his 3rd. With that being said I can't wait till his senior year at Ohio State to see where he's at by then let alone where he'll be at by the end of the season this year.
I'm planning on hopefully going down to Columbus when they take on Iowa to see how he does with Perry. Some people were talking about how they thought that Colt looked undersized to be wrestling at 165. But By the looks of Perry Colt looks to be as big or even bigger than him. I will have to agree that I'm not too impressed with Perry's skills on his feet, although he did look brutal on top. However I think Colt will surprise a lot of us including me with his skills on bottom.
I've been looking ahead to at the schedule and compared it to the most recent rankings at 165 on InterMat. I noticed that Colt will have a handfull of guys in the top 20. I'm anxious to see how he fars. My perdictions are that he will far really well. I believe Colt has the stuff that it takes to pull off some big upsets. I'm waiting with lots of anticipation and much excitement to see how things turn out. The match that I'm really excited to see besides Iowa is Michigan's Tannembaum. I almost can't stand the wait.
Go Spoon!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Go Bucks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! <sign_oh>
|
|
|
|
|
Discussion Topic: Colt Sponseller
Dan Cosimi added to this discussion on January 7, 2008
|
Colt Sponseller is quickly becoming one of my favorite wrestlers to watch. His pace in the match and his passion for the sport are awesome.
|
|
|
|
|
Discussion Topic: Colt Sponseller
Jack Muni added to this discussion on January 7, 2008
|
I just watched the Colt highlights on the OSU TV show at the wrestling website. I forgot about that awesome rolling reversal <smiling> I got to relive those great TD's too. Some think he's undersized, but he lifted a stubborn Gross with some power. <strong>
|
|
|
|
|
Discussion Topic: Colt Sponseller
Maggie Lamantia added to this discussion on January 8, 2008
|
Jack,
where is this highlight you speak of? <cool>
|
|
|
|
|
Discussion Topic: Colt Sponseller
Leo Zimmer added to this discussion on January 8, 2008
|
Maggie... Check out flowrestling.com
|
|
|
|
|
Discussion Topic: Colt Sponseller
Jack Muni added to this discussion on January 8, 2008
|
Maggie, it's in their weekly wrestling wrapup show. I get it either through flowrestling or the OSU wrestling site which I get to by going to the OSU school website (www.ohiostatebuckeyes.com) and follow links to Sports-wrestling.
|
|
|
|
|
Discussion Topic: Colt Sponseller
Maggie Lamantia added to this discussion on January 8, 2008
|
wow, how could I have possible not known this existed?!
thanks!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
