2014 FloNationalsApr 2, 2014 by Willie Saylor
The Truth: Ruths First Pro Match vs. Wilps at FloNats
The Truth: Ruths First Pro Match vs. Wilps at FloNats
The Truth: Ruths First Pro Match vs. Wilps at FloNats
Willie Saylor, Sr. Editor
If you felt (and who could blame you) a little sad to see Ed Ruth walk off the mat for the final time as a member of Penn State's Nittany Lions, you don't have to wait long to see the superstar back in action.
Flowrestling is happy to announce today that Ruth will meet the behemoth Matt Wilps, a 2x All American for in-state rival Pittsburgh at 197lbs.
More than just a champion, Ed Ruth wowed the nation for four years in a career in which he posted a 136-3 record, won three consecutive NCAA individual titles, and propelled the Lions to the National Team Title every year he was in the line-up.
Ruth dazzles fans with a nearly unprecedented silky smoothness while appearing relaxed and nonchalant. Over the course of his career at PSU, he posted a staggering bonus point rate of 76% all the while making it look easy.
But his showdown with Wilps, which will take place as the finale of FloNationals in Indiana, Pennsylvania on Saturday evening, will be anything but a walk in the park.
The official weight for the bout is 200lbs, and Wilps is a monster who will have to cut to make it.
If you're not up to speed on just how good Matt Wilps is, check out these statistics...
Wilps competed at 197lbs, winning 129 matches, 3 Eastern Wrestling League titles, and reaching the NCAA Semifinals in both 2012 and 2013.
In 2012 he went 34-5 and was 4th in the nation. His 2013 season was even better. At the All Star Classic he pinned Ruth's teammate, Quentin Wright, a 4x All American, 3x NCAA finalist, and 2x National Champion.
In Wilps' last two trips to NCAA's he lost a total of just three matches. In addition to Wright, Wilps has notched wins over the likes of NCAA Finalist Chris Honeycutt and All Americans Taylor Meeks, Kyven Gadson, Micah Burak, and Scott Schiller. That's the level Wilps is at, folks.
We're not only excited to host Ed Ruth's first professional bout as the cresendo to a some of the best high school talent the country has to offer, but also intrigued at what should be a compelling clash of styles and size.
Can Ruth out-finesse Wilps like he does everyone? Wilps' size and strength will be a factor, but how much?
The match will be a standard 3-2-2 bout with college scoring and rules. On one hand, Wilps is an assistant at Pitt who has spent the entire season coaching and preparing the Panthers in folkstyle. On the other, his competition last year has been all freestyle. Does that come in to play?
We'll find out on Saturday night!
Catch the match and all the FloNationals action LIVE on FLO PRO!
Willie Saylor, Sr. Editor
If you felt (and who could blame you) a little sad to see Ed Ruth walk off the mat for the final time as a member of Penn State's Nittany Lions, you don't have to wait long to see the superstar back in action.
Flowrestling is happy to announce today that Ruth will meet the behemoth Matt Wilps, a 2x All American for in-state rival Pittsburgh at 197lbs.
More than just a champion, Ed Ruth wowed the nation for four years in a career in which he posted a 136-3 record, won three consecutive NCAA individual titles, and propelled the Lions to the National Team Title every year he was in the line-up.
Ruth dazzles fans with a nearly unprecedented silky smoothness while appearing relaxed and nonchalant. Over the course of his career at PSU, he posted a staggering bonus point rate of 76% all the while making it look easy.
But his showdown with Wilps, which will take place as the finale of FloNationals in Indiana, Pennsylvania on Saturday evening, will be anything but a walk in the park.
The official weight for the bout is 200lbs, and Wilps is a monster who will have to cut to make it.
If you're not up to speed on just how good Matt Wilps is, check out these statistics...
Wilps competed at 197lbs, winning 129 matches, 3 Eastern Wrestling League titles, and reaching the NCAA Semifinals in both 2012 and 2013.
In 2012 he went 34-5 and was 4th in the nation. His 2013 season was even better. At the All Star Classic he pinned Ruth's teammate, Quentin Wright, a 4x All American, 3x NCAA finalist, and 2x National Champion.
In Wilps' last two trips to NCAA's he lost a total of just three matches. In addition to Wright, Wilps has notched wins over the likes of NCAA Finalist Chris Honeycutt and All Americans Taylor Meeks, Kyven Gadson, Micah Burak, and Scott Schiller. That's the level Wilps is at, folks.
We're not only excited to host Ed Ruth's first professional bout as the cresendo to a some of the best high school talent the country has to offer, but also intrigued at what should be a compelling clash of styles and size.
Can Ruth out-finesse Wilps like he does everyone? Wilps' size and strength will be a factor, but how much?
The match will be a standard 3-2-2 bout with college scoring and rules. On one hand, Wilps is an assistant at Pitt who has spent the entire season coaching and preparing the Panthers in folkstyle. On the other, his competition last year has been all freestyle. Does that come in to play?
We'll find out on Saturday night!
Catch the match and all the FloNationals action LIVE on FLO PRO!
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