NCAA D1 Championships 2014Mar 25, 2014 by Christian Pyles
David Taylor Earns Flowrestling's <br />Wrestler of the Year Award
David Taylor Earns Flowrestling's <br />Wrestler of the Year Award
David Taylor Named Flowrestling Wrestler of the Year
Christian Pyles
By nearly any measurement this award was David Taylor and everybody else. Undefeated: Check. Showman: Check. Bonus Points: Double Check. It was an easy choice and the right one. David Taylor is the Flowrestling Wrestler of the Year.
The final count for Taylor’s season is a baffling one. 34-0 with 16 pins, 8 techs, 8 majors and just 2 decisions. 32 of 34 wins by bonus. Both decisions against one of the most accomplished wrestlers to not come away with a title: Tyler Caldwell.
A look back at his entire career of dominance 53 pins, 42 techs and 31 majors for a whopping 126 wins by bonus points. 135 career wins, only 9 by decision. Only 3 losses in 4 years. 2 of those came at the hands of one of the greatest wrestlers to ever lace up, Kyle Dake. Truly absurd statistics. Having him on your team at a tournament proved to be an insurmountable advantage. Though he was always dominant, he was able to elevate at NCAA’s throughout his career. His NCAA Tournaments: 11 pins, 2 techs, 3 decisions, and losses only to Dake and Bubba.
Those are just the numbers. Numbers that are still tough for me to wrap my mind around, and numbers I would love to see a comparable career from a bonus points perspective.
Let’s shift the focus a bit to what else he brought to wrestling: The relentless pursuit of points made him a star beyond the PSU fan base. Standing ovations from even the Iowa faithful at Big 10’s show the appreciation fans have for someone who wrestles truly for 7 minutes. His offense was varied and diverse, able to beat you in so many ways. Re-attacks that resemble teleportation, tilts that look effortless, and counters you’ve never seen. Taylor had it all and did it all. While his final spot in history is potentially muddled by the fact that he “only” has 2 titles, I think he is still close to the conversation for one of the best ever.
No, he’s not in the Cael, Dake, Smith conversation, but I’ll put his credentials and team impact with almost anyone else. It was more than just NCAA title accumulation, it’s the impact he had on an entire team, the way he carried himself and the impact he’s had on fans and young wrestlers alike. He’s a star for his style, dominance and personality more than his NCAA finishes. He carried himself with class every step of the way. When he won, he showed a youthful exuberance and renewed excitement every time. When he lost, he carried himself like a man. He’s an example and role model for young wrestlers. The popularity he’s gained he earned through a contagious and captivating style. Who knows what’s next for DT, but I think we know he’s going to continue to excel and excite.
Christian Pyles
By nearly any measurement this award was David Taylor and everybody else. Undefeated: Check. Showman: Check. Bonus Points: Double Check. It was an easy choice and the right one. David Taylor is the Flowrestling Wrestler of the Year.
The final count for Taylor’s season is a baffling one. 34-0 with 16 pins, 8 techs, 8 majors and just 2 decisions. 32 of 34 wins by bonus. Both decisions against one of the most accomplished wrestlers to not come away with a title: Tyler Caldwell.
A look back at his entire career of dominance 53 pins, 42 techs and 31 majors for a whopping 126 wins by bonus points. 135 career wins, only 9 by decision. Only 3 losses in 4 years. 2 of those came at the hands of one of the greatest wrestlers to ever lace up, Kyle Dake. Truly absurd statistics. Having him on your team at a tournament proved to be an insurmountable advantage. Though he was always dominant, he was able to elevate at NCAA’s throughout his career. His NCAA Tournaments: 11 pins, 2 techs, 3 decisions, and losses only to Dake and Bubba.
Those are just the numbers. Numbers that are still tough for me to wrap my mind around, and numbers I would love to see a comparable career from a bonus points perspective.
Let’s shift the focus a bit to what else he brought to wrestling: The relentless pursuit of points made him a star beyond the PSU fan base. Standing ovations from even the Iowa faithful at Big 10’s show the appreciation fans have for someone who wrestles truly for 7 minutes. His offense was varied and diverse, able to beat you in so many ways. Re-attacks that resemble teleportation, tilts that look effortless, and counters you’ve never seen. Taylor had it all and did it all. While his final spot in history is potentially muddled by the fact that he “only” has 2 titles, I think he is still close to the conversation for one of the best ever.
No, he’s not in the Cael, Dake, Smith conversation, but I’ll put his credentials and team impact with almost anyone else. It was more than just NCAA title accumulation, it’s the impact he had on an entire team, the way he carried himself and the impact he’s had on fans and young wrestlers alike. He’s a star for his style, dominance and personality more than his NCAA finishes. He carried himself with class every step of the way. When he won, he showed a youthful exuberance and renewed excitement every time. When he lost, he carried himself like a man. He’s an example and role model for young wrestlers. The popularity he’s gained he earned through a contagious and captivating style. Who knows what’s next for DT, but I think we know he’s going to continue to excel and excite.
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