Heavy

[OHkie]

Has anyone ever taken a look at Schafer and White? While white has had more success in college (started his bulk earlier than Austin) Schafer did win the US Open last year.

I took a deeper dive...
Both graduated from Edmond North
Both gained about 25lbs. Per season in HS
AS- 112, 145, 170, 195
DW- 119, 145, 170, 195

Both went other places before landing in Stillwater, both faced issues off the mat that seemed to flip a switch in their on mat performance.

In a wrestling world where growth is discouraged, and rare, it is pretty fascinating to see where these guys came from and how much they progressed both on and off the mat.

 

[TheJimReaper]

Where was Schafer before he was at OSU?

 

[OHkie]

West Point Prep

 

[OSUMatFan]

As I recall White was a very legitimate recruit at 197 and Schaffer was somewhat of a nice to have. Nebraska just had a stud at 197 (Studebaker I think) so he was not going to start his sophomore year there.
Really interested to find out who we are looking at for a heavyweight transfer. That weight will be really deep next year. Not 133 deep, but a little deeper than it is this year.

Really impressed with what White has done this year. Two years ago I did not see this happening. Why is it that OSU can take back-up 197 pounders and turn them into high quality heavyweights and nobody else can?

 

[BackHomePoke]

I might have dreamed this but didn’t we have one of the top heavy commit to us last year? Maybe a 20 commit? Did they decommit?

 

[OSUMatFan]

No, it turned into a nightmare as Kerkvelit signed with Ohio State. He was competitive with Gable Stephenson in a match last spring. With that I anticipate that Chase Singleterry will be leaving Ohio State, but he has not done much this year. Smaller redshirt freshmen rarely do that much the first year though.

 

[Kingk0ng]

I'm impressed with White's offense as a heavy, he had almost none at 197 and has really picked it up this year.

 

[Old Number Nine]

Really impressed with what White has done this year. Two years ago I did not see this happening. Why is it that OSU can take back-up 197 pounders and turn them into high quality heavyweights and nobody else can?

Maybe it's because we're not getting high quality heavyweight recruits.

 

[okiecowboy]

Maybe it's because we're not getting high quality heavyweight recruits.

 

[okiecowboy]

OSUMatFan: Perhaps 197 guys have a lot of athletic ability and therefore can master more complex moves that give them an advantage over the heavier guys that usually are much slower, don't have equal athletic ability and in many cases the body type to drop in low on a double leg or single leg. Many heavyweights rely on smackdowns, a few arm drags, riding and turns.

White can move in all directions quickly, is comfortable in his double legs and singles; as well as shuck bys and arm drags. Of course, a good big man, few, will always be at the top, so a guy like White will usually have a chance to be in the top five. Think back to Z, his superior athletic ability gave him a huge edge.

 

[OSUMatFan]

I do not disagree with any of the comments, but it is amazing that these guys develop that much strength that fast. Obviously they are very athletic. I wrestled intermurals in college and weighed around 195 and did best at heavyweight as opposed to cutting to 177. I think athleticism was the issue for me at heavyweight.

 

[Wrassler17]

I do not disagree with any of the comments, but it is amazing that these guys develop that much strength that fast. Obviously they are very athletic. I wrestled intermurals in college and weighed around 195 and did best at heavyweight as opposed to cutting to 177. I think athleticism was the issue for me at heavyweight.

The most successful examples we've seen have been Austin Schafer, Derek White, Jacob Kasper & Anthony Cassar. I think you need 2 things for it to work - a great S&C coach and an excellent athlete. Gary Calcagno is one of the best (if not the best) coaches in the country. And Derek is ridiculously athletic for a 245 lber. Have you guys seen the clips of him playing spikeball? He's the best player on our team.

I think Derek could challenge Snyder for the 97 kg spot if the weight cut isn't too bad for him. Blasphemy, I know, but I really think he has that type of potential. And I've posted this before - we need to retain him as either a senior athlete or as a coach. Yes, we need an athletic facility, and we need endowed RTC positions, and we need JO back. But the first order of business is to keep Derek IMO.

 

[OState Cowboys]

Having an upper weight coach is a big big sell to heavyweights. I know I considered OSU simply because (at the time) Mark Cody was there. I know Mark Cody also was a big part of Daniel Cormier, Mark Munoz, and Mo Lawal's decision to stay and freestyle there as well. Hope Derek sticks around!

 

[Wrassler17]

Very happy to see this...

 

[topc22blue]

Who will be heavy next yr? Purdue guy still in play?