Thinking maybe we can take the forum in another direction for a bit. Three Badger commits competing in the 1 class CA state tournament starting today.
https://www.flowrestling.org/articles/10612455-the-complete-and-total-california-high-school-championship-preview
Badger commits
145
Laird Root - top seed
Miguel Estrada - #2 seed
(the #3 seed is EJ Parco. The #1 ranked 145 in the country and the #5 seed Beau Priest is ranked #19 so this bracket will be 1 to watch)
170
Luke Condon - top seed
Thanks for the information, wow that's a loaded bracket at 145.
All four of the kids mentioned above by vsmf are in the quarters.
Quote from: bigoil on February 23, 2023, 09:16:05 PMAll four of the kids mentioned above by vsmf are in the quarters.
I saw that. That Ponway connection is looking strong. They've got a Soph who looks like he's gonna be one of the top P4P Wrestlers in the class of '25 at 160.
Quote from: vsmf2010 on February 23, 2023, 10:57:18 AMThinking maybe we can take the forum in another direction for a bit. Three Badger commits competing in the 1 class CA state tournament starting today.
https://www.flowrestling.org/articles/10612455-the-complete-and-total-california-high-school-championship-preview
Badger commits
145
Laird Root - top seed
Miguel Estrada - #2 seed
(the #3 seed is EJ Parco. The #1 ranked 145 in the country and the #5 seed Beau Priest is ranked #19 so this bracket will be 1 to watch)
170
Luke Condon - top seed
This is why California is the toughest State Tournament in the Country. The top 3 or 4 ranked kids at one point were all Cali kids and none of them were the defending State Champ(and the guy this writer picked to win it) Estrada.
Beau Mantanona's season ended last year in the State Finals in an OT match that some may remember. He was in OT. The 30 second ride-outs. He got a reversal and 2 NF with ~15 seconds left in the match. I believe THAT was the right call, but...even if it wasn't, there was at least a loss of control.
Anyway, they let the match run out, Mantanona just sits there. The guy is holding onto his ankle, he's been awarded the 4 points, so no need for him to do anything. After the match, they waive the points off and then everyone just leaves the arena.
His Freshmen year he was in the Semis or MAYBE the finals. Down 1 point with seconds left, he scrambling trying to get the TD. He steps over, tries to put the leg in, he's awarded 2 at the buzzer.
Again, waived off(this time it was the right call, he never got the leg in).
#1 Wrestler in the Country and he hasn't yet won a State Tourney. Says a lot about the talent and why Bono is going after some of their top Wrestlers.
Both the Badger commit 145 pounders (Root and Estrada) advanced to the semis. Unfortunately Estrada will not get to face the #1 ranked 145 in the country in the semis (Parco). He just lost in the quarters to the 6 seed. Lost in sudden victory on a stalling/fleeing the mat call. Yikes! Probably the right call but I tough call to make.
Condon on the semis too.
Semis are tomorrow morning.
Quote from: vsmf2010 on February 24, 2023, 04:48:34 PMBoth the Badger commit 145 pounders (Root and Estrada) advanced to the semis. Unfortunately Estrada will not get to face the #1 ranked 145 in the country in the semis (Parco). He just lost in the quarters to the 6 seed. Lost in sudden victory on a stalling/fleeing the mat call. Yikes! Probably the right call but I tough call to make.
Wow that's a stacked weight class!!
Quote from: bigoil on February 24, 2023, 05:59:07 PMQuote from: vsmf2010 on February 24, 2023, 04:48:34 PMBoth the Badger commit 145 pounders (Root and Estrada) advanced to the semis. Unfortunately Estrada will not get to face the #1 ranked 145 in the country in the semis (Parco). He just lost in the quarters to the 6 seed. Lost in sudden victory on a stalling/fleeing the mat call. Yikes! Probably the right call but I tough call to make.
Wow that's a stacked weight class!!
And the previous #1 and #2 were at 145 and moved up to 152.
Estrada keeps winning tourney's with ranked kids, but somehow doesn't have a national ranking. From the original link posted by Tom, they guy who follows Parco closest had him finishing 3rd or 4th IIRC and had Estrada beating Root.
No clue how it'll shake out, but if these kids were Wisconsin kids, we'd be drooling over them. It's usually not a bad idea to go and get the best kids from Cali!
Coach Reader tweeted out yesterday that he was headed to California. Good idea to make sure the committed wrestlers get a chance to see a coach at their state tournament.
Bono in Cali and WI, Gross in MD for national preps.
Root and Estrada to meet in the finals.
Condon in to the finals too. 4 First period takedowns and then a fall.
Coach Bono was at the semis last night at the Kohl Center.
Super exciting to see the success of these young wrestlers.
Quote from: Harris on February 25, 2023, 03:54:26 PMSuper exciting to see the success of these young wrestlers.
+1
Miguel Estrada with a 4-2 TB2 victory over future Badger teammate Laird Root!
Miguel with his second California State Title and Root with the 2nd place finish and both only Juniors!
They are going to be two back to back hammers at whatever weight they end up at in a few years for Wisconsin!
Lucas Condon coming up soon at 170 going for the second Badger California State Title of the night!
Lucas Condon with the first period pin for his State Title!
Badger recruits took 2 titles and a 2nd place at the California single division state meet today and rumor is we are in deep on some talented sophomore in the California class!!
Quote from: BuckyMatt on February 25, 2023, 09:27:43 PMMiguel Estrada with a 4-2 TB2 victory over future Badger teammate Laird Root!
Miguel with his second California State Title and Root with the 2nd place finish and both only Juniors!
They are going to be two back to back hammers at whatever weight they end up at in a few years for Wisconsin!
Lucas Condon coming up soon at 170 going for the second Badger California State Title of the night!
But he didn't actually BEAT Parco...so...still not enough impressive wins over highly ranked National Wrestlers!
Also, again, at 145 in California, you had the #1, #2 and #3 ranked Wrestlers all at 145. Two bumped up.
Maybe this Estrada kid is just that good! 2X Champ in 2 trips(cancelled as a Freshmen) and they both have one more year to go.
QuoteThis weight is pretty crazy, both nationally and in the state of CA. There was a time when Beau Mantanona was down here as well. That made for the national 1, 2, and 3 all from CA. Now he's at 152 and so is Maxx Martinez. But that doesn't leave the cupboard bare, in fact, it's still perhaps the toughest weight out here.
EJ Parco comes in as the Flo top rated 145 in the country. Root is top 10 at 152. Beau Priest is in the top 20 at 145. And the returning state champion, Estrada, is nowhere to be found. Well, he's the one I have winning this thing.
Estrada didn't start the season on time for whatever reason and that might be why the national media – yours truly notwithstanding – had forgotten him. He got things kicked into high gear at Temecula where he ultimately fell to Root in the 152 finals 4-3. That result notwithstanding, I give the benefit of the doubt to the state champ. He comes in with the Central Section title.
Parco could honestly be sitting at the top here. He hasn't lost yet. He's got some good wins under his belt. His older brother is doing work for the Sun Devils after winning a CA state title his senior season. He finished 5th at 138 last year, figures to improve on that.
I'm sure the Root clan and the Poway faithful think I've lost my marbles. He beat Estrada. And that's fair. But it's also just my opinion, and one single head to head doesn't always determine who wins the next time. Root does deserve the 1 seed though. On the season, his only loss was to Collin Guffey up at 152.
Again, pre-match write-up...
Interesting note about Condon. His finals match against Sloan Swan was a rematch of the Doc B semis where Condon won 2-1 in a zero takedown match. In the finals he took down and released Swan twice before pinning him in a neutral scramble all in the first period. The ability to adjust and improve from the previous match is pretty impressive. Looking forward to seeing what he can do in the Red and White later on this year.
Watched all of Condon, Estrada, and Roots matches today. Very impressed with all 3. Condon breezed through this tourney.
Fun watching Estrada and Root. Crazy to think they will be teammates as competitive as that finals match was. Plus they may get to do it all again next year. Then again everyday in the wrestling room. Hope they become good friends and great Badgers.
Quote from: onwisconsin on February 26, 2023, 01:35:45 PMWatched all of Condon, Estrada, and Roots matches today. Very impressed with all 3. Condon breezed through this tourney.
Fun watching Estrada and Root. Crazy to think they will be teammates as competitive as that finals match was. Plus they may get to do it all again next year. Then again everyday in the wrestling room. Hope they become good friends and great Badgers.
Yeah, it's a good looking class. Now if they can just pull a certain '25 pounder or HWT...perhaps we can stop wringing our hands over one club.
Quote from: onwisconsin on February 26, 2023, 01:35:45 PMWatched all of Condon, Estrada, and Roots matches today. Very impressed with all 3. Condon breezed through this tourney.
Fun watching Estrada and Root. Crazy to think they will be teammates as competitive as that finals match was. Plus they may get to do it all again next year. Then again everyday in the wrestling room. Hope they become good friends and great Badgers.
I thought I read that these were hohum signings.
Potential to be a 3X state champ (didn't wrestle due to covid for a 4th). Only 23 3X CIF state champs in history. Estrada could be joining Valencia's, Tirapelle's, Abas and Guerrero, that is some impressive company.
Pretty cool to see Willie's new National high school rankings at 144. He's got Estrada at #5 (top ranked JR), Julian George at #9 and Laird Root at #11 (3rd ranked Junior). Will be interesting how these 3 shake out in the room weight class wise but lots of talent there!
Quote from: BuckyMatt on March 02, 2023, 11:46:32 AMPretty cool to see Willie's new National high school rankings at 144. He's got Estrada at #5 (top ranked JR), Julian George at #9 and Laird Root at #11 (3rd ranked Junior). Will be interesting how these 3 shake out in the room weight class wise but lots of talent there!
Tough to say where they will end up but Estrada is pretty stocky and seems like he could be in the 141 to 157 range in college with George and Root being much taller and longer. Could probably end up as high as 174. You can never have too much talent right in the middle. If they are in the middle. Usually a fair bit of flexibility in weight classes.
Quote from: vsmf2010 on March 02, 2023, 02:37:55 PMQuote from: BuckyMatt on March 02, 2023, 11:46:32 AMPretty cool to see Willie's new National high school rankings at 144. He's got Estrada at #5 (top ranked JR), Julian George at #9 and Laird Root at #11 (3rd ranked Junior). Will be interesting how these 3 shake out in the room weight class wise but lots of talent there!
Tough to say where they will end up but Estrada is pretty stocky and seems like he could be in the 141 to 157 range in college with George and Root being much taller and longer. Could probably end up as high as 174. You can never have too much talent right in the middle. If they are in the middle. Usually a fair bit of flexibility in weight classes.
Agreed on talent in the middle! Lots of time to grow for everyone but could be:
149: Estrada
157:George
165:Root
174: Condon
184: Rowley
That's a lot of high end young talent from the Coasts!
Quote from: BuckyMatt on March 02, 2023, 03:42:42 PMQuote from: vsmf2010 on March 02, 2023, 02:37:55 PMQuote from: BuckyMatt on March 02, 2023, 11:46:32 AMPretty cool to see Willie's new National high school rankings at 144. He's got Estrada at #5 (top ranked JR), Julian George at #9 and Laird Root at #11 (3rd ranked Junior). Will be interesting how these 3 shake out in the room weight class wise but lots of talent there!
Tough to say where they will end up but Estrada is pretty stocky and seems like he could be in the 141 to 157 range in college with George and Root being much taller and longer. Could probably end up as high as 174. You can never have too much talent right in the middle. If they are in the middle. Usually a fair bit of flexibility in weight classes.
Agreed on talent in the middle! Lots of time to grow for everyone but could be:
149: Estrada
157:George
165:Root
174: Condon
184: Rowley
That's a lot of high end young talent from the Coasts!
I'd be more impressed if Estrada had beaten Paco(3rd Nationally) but as it is, he really doesn't have many impressive wins vs highly ranked National Wrestlers. You may be impressed, but I just worry we're spending too much money on a guy who doesn't have enough names I know in his Track profile ;D
Pretty tough state bracket that has 4 of the top 10 in the country. I do not recall ever seeing that before for any state bracket. Also not very often you see a wrestler go from #1 to #10 after 1 weekend.
Quote from: vsmf2010 on March 02, 2023, 10:19:02 PMPretty tough state bracket that has 4 of the top 10 in the country.
They must not have an Academy to shift them all to different weight classes.
Quote from: Houndhead on March 03, 2023, 06:16:36 AMQuote from: vsmf2010 on March 02, 2023, 10:19:02 PMPretty tough state bracket that has 4 of the top 10 in the country.
They must not have an Academy to shift them all to different weight classes.
;D
Quote from: vsmf2010 on March 03, 2023, 08:41:52 AMQuote from: Houndhead on March 03, 2023, 06:16:36 AMQuote from: vsmf2010 on March 02, 2023, 10:19:02 PMPretty tough state bracket that has 4 of the top 10 in the country.
They must not have an Academy to shift them all to different weight classes.
;D
On an interesting side note happening this weekend at the Minnesota state tournament. The top 2 195 pounders in the country are on a collision course to meet in the finals. Both seniors: #1 Max McEnelly from Waconia (Minnesota commit) and #2 Ryder Rogotzke (Ohio St commit). What is interesting is Rogotzke is a 182 pounder who moved up for the state series to face McEnelly to try to avenge a earlier loss this year when he bumped up in the dual and lost. Pretty cool that he bumped up to take on the challenge and take the more difficult path. I thought this was a refreshing story.
Quote from: vsmf2010 on March 03, 2023, 10:22:18 AMQuote from: vsmf2010 on March 03, 2023, 08:41:52 AMQuote from: Houndhead on March 03, 2023, 06:16:36 AMQuote from: vsmf2010 on March 02, 2023, 10:19:02 PMPretty tough state bracket that has 4 of the top 10 in the country.
They must not have an Academy to shift them all to different weight classes.
;D
On an interesting side note happening this weekend at the Minnesota state tournament. The top 2 195 pounders in the country are on a collision course to meet in the finals. Both seniors: #1 Max McEnelly from Waconia (Minnesota commit) and #2 Ryder Rogotzke (Ohio St commit). What is interesting is Rogotzke is a 182 pounder who moved up for the state series to face McEnelly to try to avenge a earlier loss this year when he bumped up in the dual and lost. Pretty cool that he bumped up to take on the challenge and take the more difficult path. I thought this was a refreshing story.
Unfortunately the WI state tournament has turned into the opposite of that.
Quote from: BuckyMatt on March 02, 2023, 03:42:42 PMQuote from: vsmf2010 on March 02, 2023, 02:37:55 PMQuote from: BuckyMatt on March 02, 2023, 11:46:32 AMPretty cool to see Willie's new National high school rankings at 144. He's got Estrada at #5 (top ranked JR), Julian George at #9 and Laird Root at #11 (3rd ranked Junior). Will be interesting how these 3 shake out in the room weight class wise but lots of talent there!
Tough to say where they will end up but Estrada is pretty stocky and seems like he could be in the 141 to 157 range in college with George and Root being much taller and longer. Could probably end up as high as 174. You can never have too much talent right in the middle. If they are in the middle. Usually a fair bit of flexibility in weight classes.
Agreed on talent in the middle! Lots of time to grow for everyone but could be:
149: Estrada
157:George
165:Root
174: Condon
184: Rowley
That's a lot of high end young talent from the Coasts!
I love your optimism, but all the "high end" talent on the current roster has not yielded better than middle of the pack Big Ten finishes. I don't think any serious fan thinks Estrada is an upgrade over Gomez and Root is an upgrade over Hamiti. The Badgers already have Rowley and he didn't have a great year by any stretch with an 8-8 overall record but only three wins over D1 wrestlers. Are we really sure that George will fare better than Model and Condon will fare better than Dow? Hmmm.
Quote from: wrastle63 on March 03, 2023, 12:50:43 PMQuote from: vsmf2010 on March 03, 2023, 10:22:18 AMQuote from: vsmf2010 on March 03, 2023, 08:41:52 AMQuote from: Houndhead on March 03, 2023, 06:16:36 AMQuote from: vsmf2010 on March 02, 2023, 10:19:02 PMPretty tough state bracket that has 4 of the top 10 in the country.
They must not have an Academy to shift them all to different weight classes.
;D
On an interesting side note happening this weekend at the Minnesota state tournament. The top 2 195 pounders in the country are on a collision course to meet in the finals. Both seniors: #1 Max McEnelly from Waconia (Minnesota commit) and #2 Ryder Rogotzke (Ohio St commit). What is interesting is Rogotzke is a 182 pounder who moved up for the state series to face McEnelly to try to avenge a earlier loss this year when he bumped up in the dual and lost. Pretty cool that he bumped up to take on the challenge and take the more difficult path. I thought this was a refreshing story.
Unfortunately the WI state tournament has turned into the opposite of that.
Truth
Quote from: BadgerOne on March 03, 2023, 01:06:00 PMQuote from: BuckyMatt on March 02, 2023, 03:42:42 PMQuote from: vsmf2010 on March 02, 2023, 02:37:55 PMQuote from: BuckyMatt on March 02, 2023, 11:46:32 AMPretty cool to see Willie's new National high school rankings at 144. He's got Estrada at #5 (top ranked JR), Julian George at #9 and Laird Root at #11 (3rd ranked Junior). Will be interesting how these 3 shake out in the room weight class wise but lots of talent there!
Tough to say where they will end up but Estrada is pretty stocky and seems like he could be in the 141 to 157 range in college with George and Root being much taller and longer. Could probably end up as high as 174. You can never have too much talent right in the middle. If they are in the middle. Usually a fair bit of flexibility in weight classes.
Agreed on talent in the middle! Lots of time to grow for everyone but could be:
149: Estrada
157:George
165:Root
174: Condon
184: Rowley
That's a lot of high end young talent from the Coasts!
I love your optimism, but all the "high end" talent on the current roster has not yielded better than middle of the pack Big Ten finishes. I don't think any serious fan thinks Estrada is an upgrade over Gomez and Root is an upgrade over Hamiti. The Badgers already have Rowley and he didn't have a great year by any stretch with an 8-8 overall record but only three wins over D1 wrestlers. Are we really sure that George will fare better than Model and Condon will fare better than Dow? Hmmm.
I'll have to dig up what you thought was worthy, but five top recruits in an order, not including any others, you don't find to be enough.
Quote from: bigoil on March 03, 2023, 02:03:37 PMQuote from: BadgerOne on March 03, 2023, 01:06:00 PMQuote from: BuckyMatt on March 02, 2023, 03:42:42 PMQuote from: vsmf2010 on March 02, 2023, 02:37:55 PMQuote from: BuckyMatt on March 02, 2023, 11:46:32 AMPretty cool to see Willie's new National high school rankings at 144. He's got Estrada at #5 (top ranked JR), Julian George at #9 and Laird Root at #11 (3rd ranked Junior). Will be interesting how these 3 shake out in the room weight class wise but lots of talent there!
Tough to say where they will end up but Estrada is pretty stocky and seems like he could be in the 141 to 157 range in college with George and Root being much taller and longer. Could probably end up as high as 174. You can never have too much talent right in the middle. If they are in the middle. Usually a fair bit of flexibility in weight classes.
Agreed on talent in the middle! Lots of time to grow for everyone but could be:
149: Estrada
157:George
165:Root
174: Condon
184: Rowley
That's a lot of high end young talent from the Coasts!
I love your optimism, but all the "high end" talent on the current roster has not yielded better than middle of the pack Big Ten finishes. I don't think any serious fan thinks Estrada is an upgrade over Gomez and Root is an upgrade over Hamiti. The Badgers already have Rowley and he didn't have a great year by any stretch with an 8-8 overall record but only three wins over D1 wrestlers. Are we really sure that George will fare better than Model and Condon will fare better than Dow? Hmmm.
I'll have to dig up what you thought was worthy, but five top recruits in an order, not including any others, you don't find to be enough.
Hopke, Davino and Ferrari.
He just SO genuinely hopes we're not giving too much to Estrada(who doesn't impress him) because we need to save it for them. He has no clue what we're giving those guys...but still. Not a great day to be a Badger.
And he just wanted to see Estrada with some bigger wins over top ranked kids. That he's now the #1 ranked 45 in the Country for his grade...which was a huge distinction when talking about Rivera's win at the Cheesehead and I'm sure he'll be VERY consistent on that!
Jesus. The kid still has a year to go in HS and we're already limiting what he's going to be able to do as a Badger. 2X State Champ in 2 State Tournaments, but he won't be Gomez!
And Root won't be Hamiti. And they definitely won't get any other Wrestlers. Their 2025 lineup is SET...in stone ::)
Room guys ;D :o
Quote from: BuckyMatt on March 02, 2023, 03:42:42 PMQuote from: vsmf2010 on March 02, 2023, 02:37:55 PMQuote from: BuckyMatt on March 02, 2023, 11:46:32 AMPretty cool to see Willie's new National high school rankings at 144. He's got Estrada at #5 (top ranked JR), Julian George at #9 and Laird Root at #11 (3rd ranked Junior). Will be interesting how these 3 shake out in the room weight class wise but lots of talent there!
Tough to say where they will end up but Estrada is pretty stocky and seems like he could be in the 141 to 157 range in college with George and Root being much taller and longer. Could probably end up as high as 174. You can never have too much talent right in the middle. If they are in the middle. Usually a fair bit of flexibility in weight classes.
Agreed on talent in the middle! Lots of time to grow for everyone but could be:
149: Estrada
157:George
165:Root
174: Condon
184: Rowley
That's a lot of high end young talent from the Coasts!
This post isn't aging very well. Estrada and Root are no longer committed to the Badgers and Rowley is in the portal. We still got George and Condon though, at least for the moment. Badgers really need to get Hopke or another top ten pound for pound guy badly to remain competitive past next season.
just me but not really happy with the trajectory of the program. Really hoping Bono can turn the counter as right now it seems like the Badgers are going backwards.