What I Learned From Beat The Streets
Christian Pyles

It’s one of the most amazing spectacles in our sport.

When you get beyond the sights and the lights you’ve got our best and brightest stars taking on elite World competition.  It really doesn’t get any better.  Here were my major takeaways from the event.

What I Learned:

Logan Stieber may always be a step behind our best guys.
Yeah, maybe this is a moronic statement given how young Logan is.  I know, he’s not even out of college.  I know he hasn't gotten to train exclusively at Freestyle yet either.  But just indulge me a bit.  He’s currently squarely behind Metcalf and probably Russell who certainly aren't going anywhere anytime soon.  Additionally, he's even at best with Oliver if not behind and he finally was able to beat Humphrey, but there's no guarantees for the next time they meet.  He looks to be a reasonably sized 65, though not huge.  I think he’ll need to improve his set ups if he wants to ever make a world team. It’s crazy to think that he’ll win 4 titles and struggle to make a world team, but when you look at the landscape, and the fact that that Pico will be here soon, one has to wonder.

Ed Ruth is the favorite at 84 for the World Team Trials.
The US Open was what, 3 weeks ago? Ed already tightened up his finishes, and continues to expand his arsenal. I’d watched tons of his matches in college, and don’t think I’ve seen him use a slide by.  I saw it for the first time at Flonationals and now it’s a go to takedown for him. He’s not done getting better, not even close. Perhaps he is only scratching the surface?  

David Taylor v. Jordan Burroughs at the World Team Trials is inevitable.
DT continues to be a wrestler to be marveled. He is as unique a scorer and talent that we really haven't seen since Askren.  The variety and methods of his attacks are as diverse as anybody I've seen.  The feel and body awareness he displays with every match is unparalleled(though Burroughs has shown similar moments). Many think it’s a shame we have two amazing wrestlers in one weight. I feel privileged to get to watch their battles. Oh yeah, this Dake guy will be back eventually as well.

Jimmy Kennedy is still improving and is a World medal contender.
Call him a late bloomer if you want, but this guy has shifted gears the last year or so. The 2011 graduate of Illinois is truly blossoming under the leadership and training at the Cliff Keen Wrestling Club. Bogomoev completely outclassed him this Winter in the USA v. Russia dual. A few months later Kennedy wins the US Open and avenges the loss? I’m Sold.

Kyle Snyder is the truth.
I thought he’d have a respectable moment against Gatsalov and he certainly did. His level changes are phenomenal and his shots are so crisp it’s hard to believe he’s so young. If he finishes that first shot clean, it winds up around 4-4 in the 2nd. He’s right there. With Varner back, there will be roadblocks when he does come up to Senior level competition on a conistent basis. However, he will be ready when it’s time to go.

A few things that were re-affirmed.

Brent Metcalf is good enough to win a World Medal.
I fully expected a Metcalf victory and that’s what we saw. He still is giving up some points off of guys counters. This will be his way from now til forever more. However, his attacks are still improving and he’s finding new ways to get in and finish clean. I think he’s the guy, no sweat for USA at Worlds and though he’s draw dependent to a degree, I think he brings home a medal.

The future is bright for Men’s Freestyle
We’ve got studs now, hammers in the pipeline and improvement across the board. I think we’ll be seeing Nahshon take over 57 in the next few years. 61 looks great with Kennedy, Scott and Futrell all battling. 65 has a stable of hammers with Metcalf leading the charge and Pico potentially waiting in the wings for 2016. We saw at the US Open we are super deep at 70 KG. Marable is the guy for the foreseeable future, but James Green with a little more size could wind up being a real force here. 74, we already know we have JB, Taylor, Dake and Howe. Nothing to worry about. At 86 I can’t wait to see how Ed develops. He’s the guy for the future and possibly the now. When you look at 97 it’s a nice blend of proven guys (Varner, Bergman, Michalak, Pendleton) and we’ve got the hammer of hammers headed up with Kyle Snyder. At 120, on any given day Tervel Dlagnev could be the best heavy in the world. Dom has shown he’s right there and if Tyrell Fortune can land in the right training situation he could wind up being the guy. So there’s the rundown. Maybe I’m an optimist, but we are extremely strong across the board and the future looks great.