I think Geer wants to stay at 197. I think he's committed to putting on weight and being there for the season.
We have had very average recruiting years the last 2. We only have a few young wrestlers that might be part of our future championships but Montalvo is 1 of them. Up to recently my picture of the future was Plott at 84 and no spot for Montalvo. If he continues to improve at 184 he should be an all American for several years and have Plott at 174 who could be a National Champion. However Montalvo needs to get much better and that is more likely to happen for him finishing the year at 84 where he can succeed. Wrestling in the conference and national tournament at 84 could really help in his development. Moving to 97 and getting overpowered won't help much in his development. Geer should eat and lift weights (this keeping his weight low at 197 so if we decide to cut him to 184 we can, seems foolish. Right now for our future Wittlake 165, Fix 133 and Montalvo seem like the best chances to contribute to a National Championship. Other possible contributors but are more questionable are G at 149, Witcraft at 133 or 141 and Balmeceda at 141 thru 157. Very sad situation for 3 years of recruiting but classes 2020 and 2021 could make up for those classes. The reason I indicate maybe Balmeceda at 157 is because I don't like the idea of Sheets wrestling another year at 157. Wyatt Sheets is a good young man who obviously works hard and is in very good shape but I think that his ceiling is to qualify for Nationals but not place. 157 has been a recruiting hole for a bunch of years and after watching some of Balmeceda's matches this year he isn't the answer unless first he actually could wrestle 7 minutes in a tough match and he jumped a couple of levels. Actually Wyatt finishing his career next year at 157 starting is probably best. My thoughts are young Mastro will take over 157 when we challenge for National Championships in the near future.
Even with my orange tinted glasses I think finishing in the top ten at nationals would be the best we can do this year. So to me it is not as important team wise as it is for the individual wrestlers. I have believed that Geer's only chance to repeat as an AA is at 184. I still believe that but it appears from what I am hearing on this board that Geer wants to stay at 197 and if that is the case then I say more power to him. The fact that Montalvo is improving weekly is another reason not to cut Geer to 184. I actually like both styles shown in these two wrestlers. Montalvo brings a more aggressive balls to the wall style to the mat while I look at Geer as more patient and technical in his skills. I like watching both and proud they are both OK State wrestlers.
I should have connected my response to earlier replies about where Geer should wrestle instead I connected to the last reply which was yours. So my reply doesn't fit with yours or who knows maybe it doesn't fit anyone's.
I've seen plenty of guys go up or down in weight when it wasn't their preference, but they did it for the team. I don't see Coach letting an individual make a choice for himself that hurts the teams overall strength. I also think it's absurd to talk about bumping Montalvo out of the lineup. He still has a ways to go, but the kid has heart and is making huge strides. At the rate he's been improving, I'd say he has a 50% shot at AA. He'll be a no doubter over the next couple of years.
