CP’s Hybrid Superdual Breakdown
Christian Pyles

There probably aren’t any major marquee duals this week, so I decided to just pull 10 of the best matches this weekend to break down.

Jon Gingrich-Penn State v. #6 Mike McClure-Michigan State
Say what? Why this one CP. Well, just a year ago, this was a 5-3 win for Gingrich. Like many weights at PSU, this is a hotly contested weight for the Nittany Lions where the starter may still be in question. A year ago Gingrich not only beat McClure(who just knocked off #1 Adam Coon), but he also beat All American Odie Delaney. By major. He also beat 5th ranked Adam Chalfant. So Gingrich is legit, and has consistently had superior wins to Jimmy Lawson. As Lawson recovers from injury, we can expect a push from Gingrich to claim the starting job. 

McClure is among the most physically impressive heavys out there. A great physique combined with elite mobility has made him a nightmare matchup for many at this weight. Gingrich can avoid the big mistakes by and large and this has served him well in the past. A 5-1 over Coon as well as a major over Medbery leads me to believe he may have jumped levels. I am taking the hot hand in McClure here. Close.

Mike McClure WBD Jon Gingrich


#3 Jesse Delgado-Illinois v. #11 Tim Lambert-Nebraska
Another potential: Say what? Why? Well, let’s face the facts: Jesse Delgado is in a bit of a rut right now. Let’s look at the last 4 matches he’s had against ranked guys. Lost to Nico (not faulting him there), 2-1 over Youtsey, 11-7 over Roberts and 6-5 over Peters. Until he shows separation again from these elite guys, it’s at least worth discussing.

Jesse is still elite with his leg attacks, but people are improving how they approach him. Circling in, keeping their hands low, or keeping their hands on him and not letting him work from space. On the mat Jesse has always been fine, but it’s not an area of particular strength relative to other ranked guys. Lambert meanwhile is a more traditional wrestler. He can give up the single at times (which is perhaps a bad omen against Jesse), and has been ridden as well. He’s coming off a great performance against Nick Roberts where he really seemed to break Nick after a while and was able to get the fall.

I’m taking Jesse here, but I’m not expecting a blow out.

Jesse Delgado WBD Tim Lambert


#7 Chris Mecate-ODU v. #9 Zach Horan-Central Michigan
One of the matches I’m anticipating the most. Reall nice contrast of styles here. Horan very solid in all positions and fundamentally sound. Mecate brings elite scrambling and excellent riding. Horan has been a rock, going 21-2 with his only losses to Zain Retherford and Evan Henderson (PA on PA crime there). To give the whole picture, Horan hasn’t really notched an elite win yet either. Wins over Small, Gardner and Collica are nice, but none are truly on the level of Mecate.

Conversely, Mecate has notched some BIG time wins, yet has a real puzzing loss to Nick Flannery (who interestingly enough Horan beat 8-4). Mecate has beaten Evan Henderson, Joe Spisak, Chris Dardanes and Edgar Bright. So really, Mecates 4th best win is better than any win Zach has had all year.

I have a gut feeling about this one that it’s going to be Horan. In a vacuum Chris is the more skilled and more accomplished guy. However, I like the way Horan has looked and I think his style can neutralize what Mecate is best at. I see a tight one going Horans way. I normally go with the guy with the best compilation of wins, but I think I’m going to be a little more responsive to current trends.

Zach Horan WBD Chris Mecate


#6 Brody Grothus-Iowa v. #8 Jason Tsirtsis-Northwestern
Big opportunity for both guys here. Will Grothus prove his win over Tsirtsis wasn’t a fluke? Can Tsirtsis prove to be the better guy? I love Tsirtsis in this match. I love his attacks and how efficient he is at finishing. I really think that Grothus’ hips are quite average, and fully expect him to get taken down when guys get in. His top game is solid, but can be reckless. I like Tsirtsis to control most of the match on the feet, and I don’t see him getting ridden like he was at Midlands. Talking about trends, Tsirtsis seems to be a struggling a bit. There wasn’t too much separating he and Beitz in the dual, and he also had a tight one with Ian Paddock. I think he gets in on a few high crotches for takedowns and is able to do a good enough job on the mat. Jason gets his revenge here.

Jason Tsirtsis WBD Brody Grothus


#2 Bobby Telford-Iowa v. Mike McMullan-Northwestern
These two haven’t met since their Freshman year where they split 1-1. Both got over the hump quite recently against longtime nemesis Tony Nelson. Telford is really a comparable matchup to Nelson when you think about it: He brawls and hand fights on his feet and prefers to get counter TD’s on errant shots as opposed to initiating his own attacks. He’s tough on top and typically doesn’t get ridden. However, in all these areas I think he’s a slight downgrade to Nelson (when Nelson is on). I like McMullan to get an attack or two off and finish one of the shots. I think all he’ll need is 1 TD to beat Bobby as I don’t see Telford having the consistent offense or athleticism to get to McMullans legs. If Mike avoids the neutral mistake, he wins this match.

Mike McMullan WBD Bobby Telford


#4 Taylor Walsh-Indiana v. #9 Dylan Ness-Minnesota
If you know what’s coming with Dylan Ness, I’m calling you a liar. We never know what we’re going to get from this guy, but you can expect to be entertained. I think these two are quite similar stylistically.

They both will go for broke and want to pin you. Taylor has about 10 different turns on top. Cradles, legs, tilts, he can do it all. Ness has his half series that is solid(thanks big bro!), but really he gets his pins/turns from positions of relative disadvantage: guys on his legs, guys on top or guys going upper body. I think Ness will respect the areas where Walsh is good and avoid those positions. I like Ness to win here in a match that may actually disappoint from an action stand point considering the reputation of each guy.

Dylan Ness WBD Taylor Walsh

#4 Tony Nelson-Minnesota v. #5 Adam Chalfant-Indiana
At some point Nelson will get back on track, right? Right!? Maybe I’m in denial, but I just can’t pretend that somewhere Tony Nelson is not great anymore. I really think he’s going to be fine, and I fully expect him to win here. Athletically, Chalfant can match anyone in the country. An extremely explosive and strong wrestler, he can take down just about anybody.

The key for Adam is avoiding giving up the takedown or getting ridden. I think Nelson is probably in the midst of an identity crisis right now. He’s made such a living on being nearly impossible to take down and nearly impossible to get away from, it is probably difficult for him to change up too much. Maybe I’m late to the “Tony is not the same guy” party, but oh well. I still believe he can be the best guy in this weight. The best guys will beat Adam Chalfant, in my opinion. I think we see a Nelson-esque win, Chalfant is overly aggressive at times, and Nelson will be ready to capitalize.

Tony Nelson WBD Adam Chalfant

#5 Eric Grajales-Michigan v. #18 Ian Paddock-Ohio State
Grajales is ranked 13 spots ahead of Paddock, so clearly he’s the favorite, right? Wrong. Paddock has been excellent against Grajales in their last two meetings winning 7-4 (last year at Big 10’s) and 8-2 (this year at CKLV). Grajales is the ultimate box of chocolates, you never know what you’re gonna get (Thanks Forrest)! The short offense of Paddock has always been his strength as well as Paddocks top game and pace. High pace is not always Eric’s friend. If he can get a TD and get a ride going, that’s when we can see Eric put a complete match together.

I always believe matchups really matter, and for whatever reason Paddock is a great matchup against Grajales. I don’t see that changing here. Of course the opposite result is a very real possibility as Grajales has proven to have a much higher ceiling than Ian. All that being said I’ve got Ian winning again here.

Ian Paddock WBD Eric Grajales


#1 Drake Houdashelt-Missouri v. #7 Josh Kindig-Oklahoma State
I’m Officially done picking against Drake Houdashelt. Didn’t pick him to win the Scuffle, picked him to lose last night against Maple. When will I learn!? Ok, starting today. Please accept my heartfelt apologies Drake. I had some reservations letting go of the wrestler you were a year ago, and held it against you.

He’s been great. He’s probably the best combination of both great pace combined with multiple areas of skill. He’s darn tough to take down and is a monster on top. Kindig has been good for the most part this season, but it’s been Drake who has set himself apart from the field, despite a loss to Tywan Claxton. Drake will be too much in all 3 positions.  

Drake Houdashelt WBD Josh Kindig


#13 Brian Murphy-Michigan v. #12 Dylan Alton-Penn State
A big test for Dylan Alton, who has been relatively untested this year. He downed Zac Brunson with little issue last week. The ranking disparity can be a bit misleading. It’s more a product of Dylan not really facing any competition this year. He’s still undefeated, albeit against mostly unranked competition.

Murphy has been really tough this year, but has had some ‘Freshman’ peaks and valleys that you often see with True Freshman. He pushed James Green to the brink, and took out 2 time All American Dylan Ness. I think he’s a real talent, and does a good job pushing the pace.

If Dylan can wrestle a full 7 minutes I don’t see how he loses. If he’s still not quite in the best wrestling shape, he could be vulnerable. I think Alton gets the win here. He’ll get to the legs and finish on Murphy and I think his head/hands defense will keep Murphy at bay. I owuld be surprised to see the mat play a factor for either guy.

Give me Dylan by 2 or 3.

Dylan Alton WBD Brian Murphy