Well ladies and gents, I have decided to take the plunge.
This will be my first of, hopefully, many mailbag blogs to
come. Before I dive into your questions, just a few thoughts why I decided to
start writing this segment.
At my current post at USA Wrestling I am exposed to all
sorts of wrestling information, stories, fun facts and the like. I really am in
an interesting spot in that I get to deal with wrestlers of all levels and
build solid relationships with wrestling folk up and down the wrestling
hierarchy.
Based on my feelings of responsibility to properly serve the
wrestling community, both the people I work with and the fans as a whole, I
want to provide a resource for you to have your questions answered and perhaps
gain any valuable insight I can provide.
If you have a question, I will look for an answer. It’s as simple
as that.
Please do keep in mind my responsibility to the athletes and
coaches I work with on a daily basis. I have a journalistic integrity to keep
up for both you the audience and those behind the scenes. In the pseudo words
of the great Uncle Ben, with great access comes great responsibility. No, I am
not Spider-Man, just a movie nerd.
And, of course, I will have my opinions. Not all of my
opinions will be correct but they will come from a place of passion for our
great sport. Whether you agree or disagree with me just realize I enjoy talking
wrestling and hopefully can spark the conversation that much more.
Now, enough chitchat. On to your questions.
Question 1
@Richard_Immel after Miklus and Lewis' big wins, do we see them in the Miz lineup this year?
— CD (@ChristopherDehn) November 21, 2014
Interesting that you bring up the Tigers considering I just
had the opportunity to do a Google+ Hangout with Coach Smith and a couple of
the guys last week. After that chat I see Johnny Eblen in the lineup for sure,
which creates a couple of scenarios for Miklus.
Having been around Miklus while he trained at the OTC two
years ago I have no idea how he made 184 pounds. He is a big dude. Making that
weight consistently throughout the season could be hard for him. I think the
best chance for him to make the lineup is to be at 197 pounds meaning a J’Den
Cox jump to 285.
This to me is the most likely scenario, but if Cox decides
285 is too much for him we could see an alternative of Miklus at 184 and Eblen
dropping to 174, pushing Mike England down to 165.
That to me is the strongest Mizzou lineup possible. Obviously
there are a number of variables so it is hard to be certain at this point what
route Coach Smith will take.
As far as Lewis goes, I think we see him redshirt. There are
a number of guys that could man 165 for the Tigers so the best move for Lewis
is to take this season and develop. He will be primed and ready to go for next
season.
As you can see Missouri has a lot of options and decisions
to make in the upper weights, and we could see a lot of fluctuation. Expect a
firm lineup after the Southern Scuffle to build continuity for the post-season.
Question 2
@Richard_Immel what's ur take on @kyledake444 competing in @GoGreco against 2014 World Champion?
— Cody Arnold (@CodyOcho5) November 20, 2014
I tell you what, there is no doubt that Kyle Dake has some
serious cojones. Taking on the reigning Greco-Roman World Champion Arsen
Julfalakyan will be a huge task for a number of reasons.
Dake has been out of the competition circuit for over a year
now due to injury. This to me is a huge concern, simply because of the rust
factor. We all know how important it is to get quality mat time in addition to
practice room training.
Let’s also remember that Dake hasn’t wrestled a competitive
Greco match in six years. There is no doubt he is an exceptional talent, but I
have seen examples recently of the top freestyle stars not doing so well in
Greco (see J.D. Bergman at the Greco World Team Trials last year).
Dake does have a strong Greco pedigree being a member of the
2008 Junior World Team in Greco on top of winning the Junior Nationals and
Junior World Team Trials in Greco that same year.
Wrestling is simply in Dake’s blood. He is as tough as a
competitor as I have ever been around.
Given all the facts, one would think Dake will struggle in
this match, but I get the feeling he will surprise us and be competitive. His
style lends itself to Greco. He holds solid position always and can dominate
with his underhooks. Throw in the fact that Julflakyan is coming off the
tournament of his life, might be overlooking Dake to a degree and it is in New
York, it is my opinion this will be a competitive bout.
I think Julfalakyan pulls out a narrow win, but this could
be a huge stepping-stone for Dake and give him the confidence to make a name
for himself on the Greco-Roman circuit.
Greco-Roman wrestling in the U.S. needs guys like Dake in
the mix. It is a win-win all around.
Best of luck to Kid Dynamite!
Question 3
@Richard_Immel what are your thoughts on the matches between Ramos-Haze, Dake-Howe, Tervel-Tyrell? #mailbag #Immelthoughts
— Ross Bartachek (@RossIAWrestle) November 19, 2014
When it comes to the Global Wrestling Championships I am intrigued
to say the least. I see six of the top wrestlers on the U.S. freestyle circuit
competing and $30,000 in prize money on the line. What is not to like?
I love this for the athlete’s sake. They all deserve a big
payday for what they do. We all know wrestlers do not get the payouts they
deserve, so this is a great venture to help support our athletes.
My main concern is whether or not this “pro league” will be
the one that sticks, or if it falls into the same category as AGON or RPW that
falls into the abyss. Being funded by Andy Barth and the Titan Mercury
Wrestling Club this league is in capable hands and could be something special.
As far as the matchups go I think we will see some close
bouts.
Ramos will be the favorite over Hazewinkel, but both of the
matches these two wrestled at the World Team Trials were close, so do not be
surprised to see a Haze win.
Dake versus Howe is my favorite matchup. We all remember the
overtime donnybrook from the Trials two years ago where Dake got the takedown
after about 10 minutes of extra time to win it. It will be another close bout.
Filp a coin for the winner.
In the heavyweight bout Tervel is the man until proven
otherwise. Fortune has the explosiveness to compete with just about anyone in
the world, but Tervel has had his number. I think that scenario holds true this
time around as well with Tervel winning, but here’s hoping to an exciting,
competitive bout.
One thing to keep in mind is the implementation of the five,
three-minute periods. This brings the conditioning factor to a whole new level.
I am interested to see how that shakes up the results here.
Question 4
@Richard_Immel If Pico doesn't make the olympic team in 2016 do you think he focuses on his Bellator career? Your thoughts on the situation?
— Dylan Morrison (@DylanMorrison10) November 19, 2014
Excellent question.
Pico is no doubt a polarizing figure in the wrestling community.
He is talked about ad nauseam on the message boards. There is always some new
speculation about what his plans are and how he is progressing.
The kid is an exceptional talent, has a good head on his
shoulders and has a great support system in place with his family and coaches.
If there is one person the hype will not get to it is Pico.
We will no doubt see him challenge at 65 kg through 2016,
and if you ask me he will go through 2020 also, no matter what his results are
over the next two years.
From what I have seen first hand, he is fully committed to
his wrestling and has taken the necessary steps to be a serious contender for
the 2016 Olympics should he stay on his current path.
I am told Bellator is supportive of his wrestling venture
and wants to see him win an Olympic or World title before he makes the
transition. I think the biggest reason for this move now is just security for
the future.
As I said before the kid is bright. He has a longterm plan,
but that will not hinder his wrestling. Expect big, big things from Pico, maybe
even as early as next year. I know I sure do.
To submit your questions for the Immel Initiative Mailbag either email
them to rimmel@usawrestling.org or
tweet them to @richard_immel.
This opinions in this article are that of the author only and are in no
way affiliated with USA Wrestling.
