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Discussion Topic: Colt Sponseller v. Eric Tannenbaum
Hank Kornblut added to this discussion on February 4, 2008
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Big test this Sunday vs Michigan. Colt Sponseller takes on 3x AA and arguably the second best 165 in the country, Eric Tannenbaum.
In many ways, these guys are similar. Tannenbaum, as a younger wrestler, was super-quick and constantly on the attack. But as he's gotten more experienced, his style has changed. I've watched him several times this year and he likes to get a takedown and ride. He's very hard to score on. He wants to control the pace and keep the scoring down. His weakness is that he's no longer the aggressive wrestler of a few years ago. Score on him first or take the lead, and he's not going to mount a furious comeback. Tannenbaum reminds me of C.P. in that both are strong, fast and want to minimize mistakes.
Sponseller has proven vulnerable to giving up the first two as his attack style makes his legs accessible early in matches. If he's going to be competitive in this match, he can't get ridden for long amounts of time. He's going to have to turn this into a brawl which will rattle Tannenbaum and likely lead to stall calls in Colt's favor. Don't expect a lot of scoring in this bout. It's more likely to be a question of who is more successful in imposing their will.
If Tannenbaum is able to ride, he probably wins. If Colt can keep the match on his feet, he has a good shot to pull the upset.
One thing I will say. Tannenbaum doesn't wrestle like a national champ. He reminds me of the guy that's good enough to place at state each year but will never win it. Even if he beats Colt this time, I like Colt's chances at the Big Tens or nationals.
If nothing else, I hope everyone that can make the trip will head to Columbus on Sunday to watch this dual.
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Discussion Topic: Colt Sponseller v. Eric Tannenbaum
Patrick Campbell added to this discussion on February 4, 2008
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Looking forward to this one. He will certainly keep the pressure on as usual. I would not expect a high score either, but then I did not expect him to hang 20 yesterday. This will give us a little better insight as to where Colt stands. In some respects this is like watching Dustin 2 years ago. My jaw will certainly be on the floor if he were to drop 20 on Tannenbaum. I can't come down to St. Johns this weekend. I hope a video of this one gets posted somewhere.
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Discussion Topic: Colt Sponseller v. Eric Tannenbaum
Mark Niemann added to this discussion on February 4, 2008
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The Buckeye in me says Sponseller: 30-14 after a period an a half, but it is that kind of mindless prediction that gets me a bad rap... R.I.P. - Wait til next year!
I can't wait. I'll be rooting for Sponseller (and the entire team) and will hope for the best!
Go Buckeyes!!!
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Discussion Topic: Colt Sponseller v. Eric Tannenbaum
Dan Cosimi added to this discussion on February 4, 2008
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Sponseller v. Tannenbaum will be an awesome match. I'll pick the underdog Sponseller because I'm not sure that Tannenbaum can fend off his attacks for the whole match. Tannenbaum, however, does have better offense than anyone Sponseller has faced and that plus Tannenbaum's mat skills might be enough to turn the tables.
<sign_oh>
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Discussion Topic: Colt Sponseller v. Eric Tannenbaum
Mark Niemann added to this discussion on February 4, 2008
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<sign_io>
Please...no senseable responses. Just a monotone chant of "Colt will be a 4x NC...Colt will be a 4x NC...Colt will be a 4x NC...Colt will be a 4x NC...Colt will be a 4x NC...Colt will be a 4x NC...Colt will be a 4x NC...Colt will be a 4x NC...Colt will be a 4x NC...Colt will be a 4x NC...Colt will be a 4x NC...Colt will be a 4x NC..."
Wait til next year!!!
What do you figure...this match alone could bring in 5000 people!!! And on a Sunday afternoon with very few BIG tournaments going on around the state...AND it's against tSUN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Please try not to be so naive as to think tNDG did not do this on purpose.
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Discussion Topic: Colt Sponseller v. Eric Tannenbaum
Maggie Lamantia added to this discussion on February 8, 2008
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Discussion Topic: Colt Sponseller v. Eric Tannenbaum
Dan Ransick added to this discussion on February 8, 2008
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Tannenbaum is very quick but I think Colt's relentless attacks will be very hard for one person to handle. Look at what Metcalf has done to opponents this year with his non stop attacking.
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Discussion Topic: Colt Sponseller v. Eric Tannenbaum
John Mackesy added to this discussion on February 9, 2008
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I am still concerned about him always seeming to give up that first takedown. It may well cost him against a wrestler such as Tannenbaum or any other of the top 5 in this weight class. However, the way that he is wrestling I will now be surprised if he isn't an AA this year.
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Discussion Topic: Colt Sponseller v. Eric Tannenbaum
Ryan Dickson added to this discussion on February 9, 2008
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John: Same thing Sponseller did in state finals, seems to get him pissed and he begins his disection from there! I don't know how to get a hold of you but there is a group of us heading over, are you? Give me a ring leaving about 11:00
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Discussion Topic: Colt Sponseller v. Eric Tannenbaum
Hank Kornblut added to this discussion on February 9, 2008
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I think there's a simple explanation as to why Colt often gives up the first takedown. First, he's very aggressive; hence he's wide open to shoot on. Secondly, in the early part of a match, most guys are operating at the same energy level. The difference is that he's able to maintain that same early match pace for the entirety of each bout. It's an amazing advantage. Simply put, he doesn't tire.
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Discussion Topic: Colt Sponseller v. Eric Tannenbaum
Greg Debbe added to this discussion on February 10, 2008
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I said it on another post, I've seen Colt give up the first takedown so many times amd then go on to dominateI think its his MO. It seems to work for him. He said it himself in an interview that he needs to work on the first minute or minute and a half. We will see at 4pm how far above the rest he is and/or what more he really needs to work on.
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Discussion Topic: Colt Sponseller v. Eric Tannenbaum
Jack Muni added to this discussion on February 10, 2008
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Well said Greg. He has already surpassed my expectations as a true freshman; I would have been satisfied if he were having a "Triggas-type" season. So let's get it on, the time for talk is over! <thumbsup>
GO BUCS
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Discussion Topic: Colt Sponseller v. Eric Tannenbaum
Bob Preusse added to this discussion on February 15, 2008
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i asked a (non-Ohio St) Big Ten asst coach about Sponseller and he thinks he will make AA this year-- would be quite a feat,
only 2 true freshmen AAs last season in Div I.
Lance Palmer and JP O'Connor, both at a rugged wt, 149.
i also recently asked veteran
AWN editor Ron Good
, and Ron tells me:
"I think he has a shot. He should finish third in the Big Ten, which will give him a top 12 seed. He’s No. 9 right now. Depends on how he handles the pressure as a true rookie. There has been many fade out at this age. I assume he has no trouble making weight – which is a big plus."
Sponseller won over Jarrod King of Edinboro last night. King a tough customer, from Connelsville PA, he trf to Edinboro from U of Oklahoma. In high school King had Steve Luke's number, beat Luke twice at Beast of the East and then again in the Dapper Dan, all 3 were one point losses by Luke. Then Luke finally beat King in SDOT in finals of NHSCA senior nationals, when Luke had choice, chose bottom and got out.
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Discussion Topic: Colt Sponseller v. Eric Tannenbaum
Hank Kornblut added to this discussion on February 15, 2008
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It's nice to hear those comments from a non affiliated coach.
Spons win last night was big as Tannenbaum didn't just beat him--he crushed him (4 takedowns to 0 is a butt kicking). It's hard coming back after your first loss and it gets trickier when your first match back is against a very tough King. I thought King would win when it was 3-0 at the end of two periods but Spons hung tough and kept competing. That's the key with him--he never stops trying to score. I think that style plays very well as the season goes on esp in tourney comp. As Fred Feeney points out in his post on another topic, refs tend to reward the aggressive wrestler.
However, as King showed last night, Spons has some vulnerabilities. First, everyone knows he's looking for an underhook throwby or a drag to his shots and they're minimizing his chances to use those setups (at least his last two opponents). Secondly, he's walking into shots. Colt actually counters pretty well but it's not playing to his strengths when he has to defend.
For Colt to AA, he's going to have to add a wrinkle to his offense. Nothing fancy, but a quick post and shoot (or something similar) would help his cause. Regardless, however, what last night showed is that his offense blossoms when his opponent can no longer breathe. His ability to wear down opponents will always be his strength and it's a d-mn good one.
Just my thoughts...
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Discussion Topic: Colt Sponseller v. Eric Tannenbaum
Bob Preusse added to this discussion on February 16, 2008
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Hank,
u make good technical obsevations--- and usually true freshmen hit the wall from the long college season, but the fact Sponseller only started in varsity matches on December 10 after his wrist injury may help him. Other than the top 2 at 165 lb Mark Perry & Tannenbaum who seem to stand apart, Colt can beat any of them.
Right now Sponseller ranked # 9 by AWN --- check www.amateurwrestlingnews.com for all recent college and high school rankings, updated this week.
other notables updated this week on AWN website :
133 Humphey at # 14
141 Jaggers at # 6
149 Dustin Schlatter still # 1 by AWN, i think the NWCA has Metcalf # 1.
Some other AWN, 149 Ryan Lang # 7 and Lance Palmer # 8.
157 C.P. # 6
174 Steve Luke # 2
184 Mike Pucillo # 2
285 Fox # 1, Bergman # 2, Porter of Kent St # 13 and Rashard Goff of Cleveland St # 20
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