kionga

A sixth place finish with one champion and 2 other All-Americans last weekend probably met or exceeded the expectations of most observers. But once again, they lose five starters: Medley (125), Lewan (157), Maylor (174), Finesilver (184), and Parris (HWT). Based on their current roster, next year's starting line-up may look like this. 125: Kurt McHenry 133: Dylan Ragusin 141: Cole Mattin 149: Chance Lamer 157: ??? 165: Cam Amine 174: Joseph Walker 184: Rylan Rogers 197: Brendan Yatooma 285: Ira Jenkins What should one expect from next year's team? Does Michigan have any incoming freshmen that could start? What about Jake Woodley or other potential transfers? Cole Mattin and Chance Lamer had some nice wins on the backside on Friday. Could they AA next season?

Well, I hope you are wrong as far as Michigan is concerned. 35.5 points would have earned a team an 18th place finish last year. I will certainly be disappointed if they finish out of the top ten this year. I did notice that Flo has a story on how the Wolverines could finish in the top 4. I didn't read it because I do not have a subscription, but in my fan's mind I can fantasize how that could be.

To the contrary, I like to hear the honest opinions of others. Nothing is more disappointing than to build up high expectations only to have them dashed by reality. If you have Parris winning 285, then you must expect very little from the rest of the team.

After last year's graduations, I expected this to be a relative down year. However, I did expect it to be better that the 10th place finish many of the ranking sites are predicting. I have done a little creative mathematics based on 2022 results. 125) Medley (1.5 points) I think he wins his first match and once in consolations. 133) Ragusin (4.5) This is what Micic scored last year. 141) Mattin (0.5) If he were totally healthy I would expect more. 149) Lamer (0.5) As above. 157) Lewan (10) Same as last year when he placed 5th. 165) Amine (12.5) Same as last year when he placed 4th. 184) Finesilver (8.5) Points scored by 8th seed last year, Marcus Coleman, who placed 7th. 285) Parris (23) Points scored last year by Nick Suriano placing first with one fall and one MD. The above total of 61 points would have a team placement of fifth in 2022. The tenth place finisher had 49 points. Are the above projections overly optimistic?

125, Jack Medley.

Not here to complete for any awards, just to hopefully keep up on college wrestling chatter.