- See Less -Brent Metcalf is one of the most anticipated recruits to enter college. He was undefeated in high school wrestling with 4 Michigan state titles. He also earned 6 junior national titles in the Olympic style of wrestling. College fans across the nation had to wait an extra year to see his return because he transfered to Iowa and was denied his freshman season by his former school. In 2008 he won the 149lb National Championship and was named the Dan Hodge Trophy winner.
Both are great wrestlers. I'm not going to waste words trashing either of them because of a brief emotional moment at the end of a great match. A re-match would be awesome!
But - a word of caution to the Iowa fans posting here. You guys know about the coaching changes at Penn State. And whether you want to admit it or not, PA, NJ and the surrounding states do have better material to draw from than Iowa.
Don't be surprised if there are some changes in the Big Ten rankings in the coming years.
"I saw like 3 seconds left and I went to go celebrate. I mean the match wasn't over but it was. I just went to go celebrate. It's just his intensity, he never stops till the end of the period. That's the mistake I made at the end of that third period, which isn't usually my style. No, I'm not upset by it. I can understand, he's really upset. I might have done the same thing, not intentionally, but I don't think he did it intentionally either."-Darrion Caldwell
Both made a mistake, and both have admitted it. If the rest of the world can move on then I'm sure you can too.
I'm a Metcalf fan, and no one reasonable is going to say that the championship match is a fluke because it wasn't. Caldwell came in to wrestle and win, and he did. Quit acting like you have to come in and save the wrestling world with your amazing intellect and insight regarding the sport.
Both Caldwell and Metcalf are really talented wrestlers. There's no need to childishly bash one wrestler to build the other one up.
“Metcalf is god. Caldwell is a black hood rat that wins fluke matches & stalls the whole time while doing so.”
that is gross
“Let me tell you guys something, if I won a national title and upset the last years national champ I woul;d be flipping for victory too. As I did flip to victory when I won a state title in pennsylvania. I thought the whole scene was awesome. Metcalf jacked up that he lost, and Caldwell excited that he won. I don't see why Metcalf ran across th emat to push him but hey thats just me. Metcalf and Caldwell are both great wrestlers and I would love to see a rematch. Wrestling needs some kind of rivalry and this will be a great one to watch in the future. All honestty I think that Caldwells style of wrestling will beat metcalf everytime. Metcalf looked horrible against someone that knows what there doing. For heavens sake he was thrown in a head lock in the first period. You don't get put in a head lock in the national finals.”
People love to hate the hard core wrestling that the University of Iowa puts on year in and year out.
Painted demon idk if you could say that!!! highschool is much different! adam hall beat cladwell in every style in highschool!!
“just because Metcalf lost doesnt make caldwell a better wrestler dan gable easily the best wrestler alive lost his finals match his senior year anybody can beat any other guy on any given day im not taking anything away from caldwell but seriously we all know it was a mix of caldwell being ready and metcalf wasnt”
but metcalf will be back.
“I am fan of wrestling..... I am a fan of passion..... I am a fan of determination.... I am fan of Brent Metcalf. Great interview.”
Yeah it must be a real big embarrassment for the Iowa Administration and the Metcalf family.. Yeah Brent being a national champ and a national runner up so far in his career is pretty embarrassing along with Iowa Administration hiring a coach and coaching staff to take these guys to back to back national championships. Get a clue!
These guys are competing with the best of the best in college wrestling. Hats off to Caldwell for having a great match, hats off to ohio state for having a great showing at the ncaa's.
Its not the last of Metcalf and Caldwell either. Just more fuel in the fire for the hard work and dedication that Brent has for the sport along with all of the other wrestlers at this level.
I don't condone Caldwell's celebration with a few ticks on the clock, I think that was in poor taste but it certainly wasn't an attempt to cause bodily harm to anyone. Considering the moment it was pretty exciting for him and all Metcalf had to do was go to the middle and shake hands. That would have been acting like the champion he has been in the past. Instead, he shoves the guy in midair as if he deserved to get a broken neck. Someone else posted a comment that this reflects Metcalf's coaching and I agree. The Brands believe that teaching your wrestlers to push and shove your opponent everytime you go out of bounds somehow represents a more physical style. It doesn't, it's dirty wrestling and the only wrestlers it intimidates are pitiful and when it happens to them they are the first to cry about it. Somehow when the Tom and Terry would lose it was OK for them not to shake hands and to make a scene. Grow up, it's one thing to wrestle great but try acting like a champion for a change it actually feels good! You saying Brent was right for doing that is saying that the rules of wrestling are wrong.
I feel sorry for the Mecalf family and the Iowa University Administration who now will forever be linked with the behavior of the wrestling team exhibited. The only good I saw was Za trying to get Brands away from the head table after another one of his petulent outbursts. Iowa people you won, but have no class.
This is not the way to influence people in favor of the sport.
iowa would get taken down, get returned to the mat when they were on bottom, anything really. It was like when an Iowa kid was on the mat every watched that matched just so they could cheer against them. Just shows how great of wrestlers they all really are i guess
What happened when brands lost to Kendall Cross at the Olympic Trials? Oh yeah thats right, one of the most unsportsmanlike moments in USA Wrestling History. PAProud is right, Metcalf has become Brands' puppet.
I disagree completely with Metcalf's actions at the end and post match. I understand his mental state but do not condone his actions, he was wrong. Caldwell beat him and pulled one of the greatest upsets in college wrestling history. He should have been allowed his celebration, it was good entertainment. It would have been good for wrestling and made ESPN's highlight reels. Instead, we get Metcalf taking him out in mid-air, looking like a sore loser. Metcalf should have allowed Caldwell his moment. One could even argue that Metcalf should have been disqualified, his points taken away and Ohio State crowned National Champions. Metcalf is a great wrestler and a fierce competitor but his behavior should be ridiculed as poor sportsmanship.
If you people can't see that or accept it...something is wrong with you.
Caldwell wrestled one heck of a match... Up until he disgraced himself, his university and the sport. Again this is not the NFL or NBA... Act like you've been there before. No one is taking anything away from him; he took it away from himself…
Unfortunately that "Hawkeye smoke hogwash" you refer to is what makes their program so dominate. Wrestling rooms across the country strive to create the intensity this program bleeds. The Brands brothers have created a coaching staff that is second to none. But then again, you already know that by the sheer numbers of the "Iowa Nation" in attendance. Don't fool yourself, the Hawkeye wrestling room is where many wish to be but only few are able to be...
What program possesses such dominance that even without producing a single national champion still wins the National Championship? But then again, if everyone were Hawkeye fans, there would be no one to cheer against…
metcalf get your weight up lol
thats iowa smoke hogwash yea you might not shake his hand with 2 seconds but when you hear a whistle blown 10 times right next to you keep your cool and just think, im going to get you next time. thats stupid to get mad that you lost, and somebody is celerbrating in your face. thats not wrong to celerbrate. its worng to go after someone after time is up and push then because your mad that you lost, have so balls brent, are you really that brain washed with that brands iowa smoke hogwash
and man he healed quick didn't he? what was it like in a minute 30 he was able to do a round of into a back handspring, from being unable to stand on his feet. Just say's
“I would have done the same thing that Metcalf did. who wouldn't? and for all of you people hating on Brent Metcalf, calling him unsportsmanlike like are ridiculous he is the most dedicated, dominating and hardest working wrestler in college. He just had a bad match so does everyone, he is not Jesus and he knows that.
But Cadwell did beat him and that is unbelievable, its probably one of the biggest upsets in sports history. I would also had respect for Cadwell if he has just raised his hand and walked off the wrestling mat instead of being a y little queer. I'm glad Metcalf pushed him.
Metcalf is for sure the better wrestler, that match was just an upset.
i hope they wrestle agian.”
Suck it up and be real, Metcalf was not the better wrestler, he wrestled just like he always does, he is tough, just wasn't tough enough Saturday night.
Caldwell didn't barely win, he was in controlled the entire match, and gave Metcalf his only takedown at the end.
You want to talk about unthinkable, then you should have seen the unbelievable but not surprising reaction of the idiotic Hawkeye Fans when it was announced.
Everyone who knows wrestling it was going to be Caldwell. It couldn't have been anyone else. You can break that match down any way you want whether it be Takedowns, Riding, Reversing an imminent Takedown, Overall Strategy, Confidence....Caldwell drilled Metcalf and took him to school in that match.
Iowa Nation stood there with their arms crossed, totally without class when the OW award was announced. Have seen that act many times. It gets old.
It goes right in line with the win at all cost donkey-ass attitude Brands instills out of his teams. In spite of saying that, I love it. It's the bar in this sport most want to go after. Saturday night, Caldwell put a chink in that bar....it happens. I saw it last happen when McElrevy got schooled with better credentials than Metcalf.
How could you know wrestling and think for one moment that anyone other than Caldwell would be OW?
So for you or anyone to pick Caldwell's over the top celebration as the single point of this match to expand upon, not surprising when you buy into all that Hawkeye smoke hogwash when it comes to class.
Metcalf will recover and very likely come back stronger than ever.
When it counted on Saturday, March 21st for the National Championship, there was absolutely nothing Metcalf could do right and it was for one reason, and one reason only, Darrion Caldwell had a plan, and he executed it to perfection.
It feels kind of good to know that even though Iowa squeaked out a national title by 4.5 points and were given 6 points in injury defaults alone over the last 2 days, and all without a single champion....knowing that will gnaw at the very fiber of Brands for an entire year....well let's see what they do with it all.
Iowa...individual Champions....0. I was there too. Gotta love it. Great Tournament.
2) when time ran out he was already running pretty fast so how is he gonna stop
3)its not like he pushed him off the platform like he probably could have
I was there, and the clock shown on ESPN was not accurate. The actual clock showed zero when he ran across the mat to do the flip. The push actually looked a lot more menacing in person and from other angles.
The NCAA committee members were called to review this situation immediately with on mat video from multiple angles with clear view of the clock. Many of the committee members were outraged, especially after the Iowa coaches had been formally warned TWICE during the three day tournament for violating rules about demeanor during matches.
Should Caldwell have done the flip.....no, in my opinion. BUT, he was not the only wrestler to show jubilation before leaving the mat, this year or in other years.
Even if Metcalf could not see the clock or hear the whistle, he was wrong for doing something that could have seriously injured an opponent, and he KNEW there was no way he was going to score 5 points in less than 2 seconds.
AND....
It is amazing that so many consider this a fluke. These two have met 3 times in college, two of them being matches that count in the rankings (the major decision at the All Stars match was essentially an exhibition match). Caldwell has won in both of those two matches that mattered. One was a pin and the other (this match) a decisive win. It was not a 1 or 2 point match. Caldwell got 4 takedowns AND riding time. Metcalf got 1 takedown and could not ride Caldwell at all. Those are the facts, for fans of either or both.
End of story.
And to think that the voters chose Caldwell for the Outstanding Wrestler Award is even more unthinkable...No other National Champion displayed that type of behavior. What Caldwell did running and taunting only served to detract from an unbelievable match... That is not how an outstanding wrestlers behave. What an example...
I am sure many of you will dissect my response and talk about how what Metcalf did was so wrong, how Iowa didn't have a single National Champion and why Caldwell is a better wrestler... However, the fact remains IOWA is the still the standard and Metcalf is still the man to beat. 22 National Championships... TOTAL DOMINATION.
GO HAWKS!
But Cadwell did beat him and that is unbelievable, its probably one of the biggest upsets in sports history. I would also had respect for Cadwell if he has just raised his hand and walked off the wrestling mat instead of being a y little queer. I'm glad Metcalf pushed him.
Metcalf is for sure the better wrestler, that match was just an upset.
i hope they wrestle agian.
“for everyone that keeps mentioning about the time being off the clock when he shoved him, re-watch the video. the flip started when the clock struck zero but the running around the circle as metcalf is chasing him was going on when time was on the clock and do you not think that metcalf was getting frustrated chasing him around and that the noise of the crowd maybe blocked out the refs whistle and he didn't hear it? had metcalf known for sure that there was no time left on the clock, i doubt he would have reacted that way. for crying out loud when he was "Pinned" he didnt react that way because caldwell won that match with class. Metcalf has lost before and does know how to lose with class as well as win with it. Caldwell started his celebration a little early and it pissed metcalf off. Who out here if you had dominated the best in the country and hadn't lost in almost 70 matches, wouldn't react similar if your opponent started celebrating their victory before time expired? I would be ticked to. But he still went over and shook his hand at the end of the match and caldwell holds no ill feelings toward metcalf or so he says at least.”
“Im from NJ n grew up wrestling with caldwell..I am happy to see him win but metcalf did the right thing..there was still two seconds on the clock n no1 should be celebrating by doin a back flip on the mat...Its college..The ncaa is against celebrations like that no matter what sport it is, they r still kids not professional athletes n its all in the rule book. If u were in Metcalfs position n u didnt do what he did ur soft n u let people celebrate like that in ur face bc ur a chump n got no heart.”
Caldwell was the better wrestler, I knew that before the finals and I called it.
Metcalf had no chance of winning that match when the shove happened, or when Caldwell started his celebration. Caldwell deserves the unsportsmanlike, but he did not deserve to be shoved, Metcalf was not champion Saturday night, 3/21/09, and he could have and more than likely should have gotten hit for flagrant misconduct for intentionally shoving Caldwell when he was defenseless in mid air. If that had happened , Iowa would have lost the NCAA Wrestling Championship. All points earned by Metcalf would have been deducted. That would have been huge, and Iowa would have lost it. Be honest with yourself, poor sportsmanship was displayed by both wrestlers, but Metcalf's action and response to getting dismantled was greater of two evil.
“He's right I'm absolutley laughing and happy Metcalf lost, Caldwell beat him fair and square. Lets make it clear the early celebration and the push were both unneccessary.”
HE GOT HIS NUMBER
“An iowa fan it was more unsportsmanlike to do a round off to a back flip during a match with time still on the clock..even if there wasnt time u dont do that...u didnt see anyone else doin backflips after they win..win the match shake hands and thats it...its not gymnastics. And im From NJ and wanted caldwell to win but still u just dont do that”
He later admitted that he should have finished two of his takedowns in the match. Any good wrestler knows how to stall, every wrestler have his own way of staling for air. Don't think matcalf wrestles without an air break somewhere in the match. Good wrestlers know how to stall, but others are not as discret in the approach to staling...
In this case, the match was over, and Caldwell wanted to celebrate like all wrestlers do, especially when they win the NCAA Finals. "The greatest tournament in amateur wrestling."
“Cant believe all the ppl making excuses for metcalf.."metcalf was just wrestling until the match was over"..the whistle was blown way before caldwell started to flip...metcalf was just retaliating because he was mad he lost and pushed caldwell, he could have really hurt caldwell if he pushed him a little harder..FYI its a stage, no excuse for his act, hes a BABY, all of you IOWA ppl sticking up for your hero too FUNNY...and metcalf should have had a 5 pt move on the edge of the mat??? haha yeah right no control was obvious enough to call until caldwell secured the 2, metcalf himself even said he didnt finish takedowns he could have improved his position in that scramble but thought he could get the points and back points but there was no clear control...NO EXCUSES”
Any wrstler can be defeated on any given night, but everyone can't bounce back from that loss...
Great competitor. I know he doesn't care what anyone else thinks about him and I see this as his only down fall in helping out wrestling. I will tell my kids to learn from his training and competitive nature, but I don't think I would want my own athletes acting like him as far as his attitude. I know he doesn't care about my opinion and that is what does make him great.
“Funny that you get so upset! First, what makes you think I am a male? Second, I was not bashing Dan Gable- he is by far the greatest wrestler ever and wrestling is where it is today because of him. I am not making excuses for Metcalf, but I think the match could have been an even better finish if the refs called the match more fairly. I never said they "cheated." How do you explain the no team point deducted from Caldwell or no penalty point during the match while performing gymnastics? I know that Metcalf will bounce back and be an even better wrestler from this- he wrestles for Iowa. Tom will have him better than ever- no doubt. As for the Obama comment- you must be one of those that could not pay your bills and are getting bailed out from the rest of us tax payers again. I am not sure where creating a deficit worse than we have ever seen will make him great and where is that health care plan- doctors are continuing to charge more and more for their services costing us more and more. Where is the "cap" being put on the medical profession as to what they can charge for their services? That avenue will not be touched since Obama receives so much money from the doctor lobbyists. That is another story- should listen to Rush Limbaugh sometime. Thanks for your thoughts.”
You are making excuses. Metcalf have had some controversal matches. No one is crying about that, but when you talk about what the refs allowed Caldwell to do, and the refs not giving Metcalf his points, etc. you are taking from an athlete who earned his first place medal, just like metcalf would have did, if he won the match. Remember last year when Metcalf won the match against Dustin Schalter (Minn), Metcalf posted his forearm in the back of the neck of Dustin, which I thought was unsportsmanlike, but my thoughts didn't matter, just like yours don't matter now...? :-)
I don't need to hide behide anyone, that includes Dan Gable. He's not just a lengendary wrestler, but he's a lengendary coach. He doesn't need people like you devalue his name.
Just about every comment I read reflect that most people responding to the Metcalf/Caldwell match have neither wrestled before, or was never anything close to being as good as Brent and Darrion. Just suck up the fact that Brent loss, take it like a man, and watch him bounce back like every wrestle does when they lose a tough match...
By the way, President Obama is not just a great orator, but he'll be one of the greatest presidents ever...
“I was amazed at the poor officiating during the entire match. I think the match score should have been tied when Metcalf clearly had control at the edge of the mat and had Caldwell on his back for over 5 seconds ( a 5 pt. move) and then Caldwell was awarded a take down when both wrestlers were off the mat. Where were the stalling calls on Caldwell during the 3rd period, especially after Metcalf got off of him and Caldwell just laid there on the mat for over 3 seconds before getting up to perform his acrobatic presentation with time still remaining in the match. There were no penalties called against him? What a miraculous recovery from his so-called back spasms just a minute before that time- I am sure it was adrenaline that caused the quick recovery. Lets put some class back into wrestling. What else was Metcalf to do at the point when even the officials are against you. Call a clean match and be fair. Metcalf may still have lost, but I was surprised he only pushed Caldwell. That was a poor was for Caldwell to become a national champion and if he can be proud to win that way then more power to him- maybe we will see him competing in gymnastics next year for North Carolina St.”
Give me a break. I like Brent. I live less the an hour from him in Michigan. I wrestle against his coach in high school. I watch his match against Dustin Schatter at the Medina Tournament in Ohio. Brent isn't challenged enough by good wrestlers because most of them already lost before they get to the mat. However when wrestlers like Darrion Caldwell refuse to lay down, we want to make excuses for the number 1 ranked wrestler. Sorry, but I don't buy that the ref cheated.
"I think that we should allow the wrestlers to settle matches on the mat, and not get too involved in prematch hype and predictions. Rankings are another distraction that hinders wrestlers from staying focused on the match. Brent said that he wasn't worry about his final match, that he was just focused on what he does. Why? Because he's ranked number 1, why would he have to scout his opponent. Now we all know why? Maybe next time he'll take some time to watch his opponent, it might make a difference...
Give both of these gentlemen a hand, because they gave us the best final action we've seen in a long long time...
Thanks Brent and Darrion for the best wrestling I've seen in a long time...
I agree with everyone on here that is saying, great match that ended poorly for both wrestlers.
As for Metcalf, he did not enter the final match with a chip on his shoulder like he did in the semi final against Palmer. Coming in the the tourney, most people thought that IF Metcalf was going to lose, it would be to Palmer whose style would keep the match close. Metcalf apparently felt the same way.
I think that the classless comments and the superhero will be back comments should wait until we truly see how he reacts and if he bounces back next season. One thing is certain, Brent Metcalf will be one of the big stories of the NCAA's again next year.
Metcalf was a total tool last year talking about how he wasn't good enough, and it came back, I agree with the other post, he needs a personality coach, maybe the Brands brothers should go as well, total tools all tournament.
“Caldwell did win for sure, but he shouldn't have celebrated when there's time on the clock. Metcalf was just wrestling his style of wrestling, which is hard and intense till the match is over.”
Brands is a successful coach, but asking him to be good on camera and to construct a logical progression within his discussion may be asking a little much. In some ways, despite the difference in percentage of National Titles, I enjoyed having Jimmy Zalesky at the helm of the Hawkeyes. His presence on camera was more Gable or Sanderson-like.
To move toward the hypothetical regarding actual wrestling ability, given size and style differences, Cael Sanderson would own Tom Brands in a match on the mat, ESPECIALLY if they went at it Greco. Can you say 5 for throw, plus 1 for the lift?!?
“Metcalf got what he deserved...He opened his big fat mouth after wrestling Palmer and said, "Palmer is satisified to lose by 3; I am not satisfied to win by 3." Metcalf disrespected an incredible wrestler, Palmer. He deserved to be treated like a little girl by Caldwell in the national finals. He got whooped bad and acted like a spoiled Brands brat in the end.
It was showboating by Caldwell, but he just beat someone he had no chance, according to the so-called experts, to beat.
Metcalf, were you satisfied to lose by 5, like Palmer was to lose by 3, you little B!TCH?”
Win or lose this match was good for wrestling...in my opinion.
Can't wait till next year....Hope they are at the same weight.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l5BnltllKNY
“One thing I love about wrestling is that it's the ultimate equalizer. Great athletes get thumped all the time by those who might be lesser athletes but are better conditioned and more disciplined. It's unfortunate that conditioning is taken out of the equation by so called "injury timeouts". No question DC is a great athlete. But hey, I know lots of people that wrestle well when they are rested. Only great competitors wrestle hard when exhauseted. After the first takedown DC countered and ran the entire match. Congrats. I'll bet you'd make a fantastic 100 meter sprinter.”
metcalf=sore loser
“there was still time on the clock. if u didn't watch the finals, at least don't pretend like u know wut's goin on...”
“this match doesnt even matter. college wrestling= is some stupid, fake, made up style from the USA that no where else in the world wrestles. if u guys want to have conversation we should be putting our brain power into freestyle and greco. i know both metcalf and caldwell would get there ass handed to them internationally.”
“Metcalf is exactly right in what he was saying. If he finishes his shots in the second he wins the match. Caldwell took it to him as you say for the first 2 minutes then the Race ensued. Metcalf chased him all over. Both Caldwell takedowns were off of Metcalf shots after the first. Why is everyone acting as though the match was over? When the actual shove happens is right at 00:00 but he started running around like an idiot with time on the clock.”
Funny stuff...I may be kidding.
Perhaps I over emphasized or misinterpreted the "name" thing when the bigger issue was Brands not giving credit to a job well done by Metcalf's opponent.
It was showboating by Caldwell, but he just beat someone he had no chance, according to the so-called experts, to beat.
Metcalf, were you satisfied to lose by 5, like Palmer was to lose by 3, you little B!TCH?
Anyone booing Metcalf when they stood to get the medals is a tool
dc had a game plan, maybe he ran during the match and could have been could for staling but he wasn’t so dc is smart, score quick and don’t get in a spot where your uncomfortable. the celebration, there's nothing wrong with that. you don’t get that opportunity often to be a nc so when you get it bass in the sunlight as much as you want, there is no rule against celebrating. congrads
second metcalf
yea i like metcalf, i like how he trains and wrestles hard but sometimes thing don’t go your way. sometimes you have to find other ways to wrestle and win. metcalf could really get his style of wrestling working until the end. that sucks but if something is not working for you, you should try something else.
next metcalf is probably a wonderful person I don’t know i never meet him but you have to be humble!. even you get kicked in the nuts on purpose, you cannot retaliate that way, you need to let your wrestling be your action for you.
next yea people were asking hard questions but still you have to be humble and still keep your cool. its tough but i feel metcalf could have answer the question better, yes i know its hard but a lot of things in life are hard. like nike just do it.
last even if someone is celebrating in your face, you have to keep your cool, be intense but know where to draw the line, if i was dc i was to flips to if i could flip, im a nc. if i was metcalfs shoe, yea i would be pissed but i have to show some respect and be humble.
last
great match, people are going to celebrate because they are full of excitement no matter how much time is life, but you cannot lose you cool just because you lose, look at peota, i commend him. metcalf can be intense and that’s great but he should learn better respect and composure in the face of defeat
good luck to both
that Metcalf was still strong. But still able to do flips that not COOL now you
can take breaks while you wrestle at anytime. Not taking away from either
wrestler it was a GREAT match Metcalf 37-0 and Caldwell 27-0 one had
to lose to bad it was Metcalf they both got one more year see what happens
next season..........
being a mentally fragile douchebag = class act
I was most disappointed with coach Brand in his ESPN interview as he failed to refer to Caldwell by name and would only refer to him as the "opponent". He then seemed to be in complete denial when he said something along the lines as "Metcalf owned his opponent". The expressions on Metcalf's face in the photos of Caldwells first period take downs don't look like the expression of someone who "owns his opponent".
Come on Coach Brands, give credit were were well deserved credit is due!!
"Both wrestlers earned my respect. Replays show that BM let up and his momemtum caused the perception of a shove. DC put himself in that precarious position by his flip. Nevertheless, the 99% of the entire match was one great display of skills and competition. Yesterday, March 21, 2009, DC was the better wrestler of these two for the 2nd time in tournament competition Bottomline is anytime you pin and decision one of the calibre of BM for the only two losses of his career, respect is earned and deserved as it should be for DC. BM's interview was classy. IMHO, the booing was done by not only OSU fans and others who thot BM shoved DC and by Iowa fans and others who thot DC was showing off. Unfortunately the booing overpowered the applause for the great and classic match up for the ages it was."
2. I was there, personally, time was not out when the antics and flips started. I thought he was going to be able to rack up two more points before time was out. Happens all the time folks!
3. You could not hear a whistle....Metcalf was not "clock watching" he was wrestling to the whistle.
4. Metcalf is a class act....actually speak to him sometime. Face to face. Or are you afraid you might like him?
5. I was inside the arena and was booing Caldwell for running like a girl to celebrate. Act like you've been there before, if you want to celebrate...do it after the match is OVER.
6. Stop being idiots and give both kids their due...both are great wrestler's but unfortunately, Caldwell was ready for the match and was the better wrestler on Sat night. I think if you listen closely, the only disrespect you hear from Metcalf is regarding the timing and that in his mind Caldwell was not finishing the match. That's how it looked from the actual real time arena seats, not the BS time delay you saw on tv.
“unsportsmanlike or not. you are an incredible wrestler. you and everyone in the country knows that you aren't satisfied with your performance. but you are a great. actually you know what...scratch all that. you effed up. you used to be my kids' hero, but the way you carried yourself on and off the mat was pathetic and very dissappointing. you wrestled like a girl, made baby faces, and then cried like a little baby. it looked like what chris brown beating rihanna up probably look like. i hope darrion transfers to iowa next year so you don't start.”
too bad he broke his hard man facade by crying
I went to the NCAAs two years ago in detriot and I witnessed Johny Hendricks lose in the finals, leaving him with two championships, a runner up, and a fifth place. The distinction between a three time champ and a two time is huge, there have been quite a few two timers so Johny missing out at the hands of someone he had defeated quite a few times that season had to be heart breaking, when i looked into the big screen for a close up of his face; yes he looks hurt but he didnt run of the stage he didnt pull any faces, he shook hands and walked off with his head held high. That's class. Brent lost a year because he wanted to wrestle for Brands...fine but like he said that puts you in danger of "only" being a three timer when youve got expectaions like Brent. You won your first and got second this year, you do only have one more shot at leaving a storied career. So my point is take all this experience with some respect you cant wrestle your whole life and if your going to be a robotic poor loser than im sorry I will no longer be rooting for you.
On a side note I'm going to say the unthinkable....but i think I'll soften the blow with this, dont call DC's moves junk. Iowa wresters are techniquelly good but only at the basics. I watch them and I can recognize every one of their moves, being as they were taught everyday at my highschool practice. Before you jump on me...what Iowa is amzing at is drilling into their wrestlers that a high crotch trained 10,000 times in the practice room will make you borderline unstoppable when youpair it with an amazing work ethic and cardio. That works its completely obvious, but that does not mean that...lets call it reaction wrestling...that guys like DC and Askren and further more the Russians do is junk wrestling. they do funky and reaction type moves, theyre fast and they see the match as journey not a task. Brent goes out there and gets five high crotches and turns you until its a tech or a pin. Its a job for him (one that he does well) but for guys like DC or Askren it looks as though, yeah they have a gameplan but they take each match seperatly as a sport, "how can i get points off of my opponent?". Just listen to DC's interview and you'll hear his response about how he prepared. I think my side note was longer than my first point but oh well!
Anyone who thinks anyone who thinks Caldwell doesn't deserve it is an idiot.
sheesh...
One thing about Caldwell and his back: By the end of the first period, I told my wife that Metcalf's heavy hands on the head was going to pay off in the third period, and it'd either wear Caldwell down, weaken his back and neck up, or both. Managed to do a little of both.
My heart goes out to Metcalf, but then on the other hand congrats to Caldwell for winning the national title.
I think we are making a little too much out of this situation. People make mistakes, and you can expect, but not condone it in wrestling.
He sure changed his interview tone compared to the post-Palmer match.
Karma is b!tch.
"Well I was content to lose by 5" Brent Metcalf
what goes around comes around my friend
To me he has just been a bully. There is a difference between being a physical wrestler, and being a dirty bully. In the semis, Metcalf unnecessarily slammed palmer toward the end of the match, in the big ten finals last year, Metcalf unnecessarily rubbed his forearm on the back of Schlatters neck at the end of the match, and i have watched numerous matches of Metcalf this year on flow, where he push guys when they were clearly out of bounds. This is just a sample of Metcalf's tactics.
Like I said, his actions finally caught up to him. Yes he is an Iowa Hawkeye, but that was definitely not the only reason why the whole arena (besides Iowa fans) was rooting for him to lose.
i think id be doing some backflips to
its not about class its about him showing his pride if any thing it gives metcalf respect in knowing how serious this match was to him
I guess Metcalf will learn to never say, "He is happy with losing by 3, by I am not happy winning by 3". Hey Metcalf, "how do you feel about getting spanked during prime time on National TV by 5 points and losing a team point for being a poor sport?" I have said it before, KARMA STINKS.
I have Caldwell as a sopre... That is what the bracket is showing, anyways.
What is up with the disdain for college wrestling? Another country heard from, I guess.
“caldwell did his signature cartwheel. The matchwas over If you watch it you can see metcalf let up and thats when caldwell started celebrating. theres no difference between doing a backflip or running around the mat. all you haters stfu”
I'm not sure anyone can really blame Caldwell for celebrating after pulling the biggest upset of the tournament. And I'm not sure anyone can really blame Metcalf for still going at it through the whistle, even though there was no way he was going to get 6 points in the last three seconds.
But Caldwell wrestled a great strategic match, and no matter what anyone says about Caldwell running around the middle of the mat, he put more points up. And Metcalf is going to remember that shove, remember the response (even if he says he thinks people weren't booing him), and remember how closed-in he wrestled. Constant aggression doesn't always equal constantly winning.
I heard Caldwell say he was going to take a year off, and I think he's talked about moving up a weight or two. I wonder if he'll have a bit more in the tank at 157; he always starts hard, but loses a gear in the third.
you flipped....ADMIT IT.....it was flaggrant and tom brands is lucky that you didn't get booted entirely from the tournament and lost ALL of your points...
if it was anybody else that pulled that stunt...they would have been gone from the tournament.....
Talk about a great attitude, Robles is a true champion in every way. He has every reason to be a bot angry and yet, he comes out every day and toughs it out, with, as he says, "the hand he was dealt". Not to mention, the kid is a sophmore and look out next year..!!!
“Running and doing flips before your hand is raised is GOOD SPORTSMANSHIP???? whatever”
they have a winning attitude and metcalf was not satisfied with only winning by 3 points thats the iowa attitude thats why theyve won national title after national title..... this is wrestling not field hockey you have to have that mentality if you want to be the best of the best ... obv people w different attitudes can win titles as well but thats not iowa
I do agree with JerseyFresh... I alos think, however, that Brands needs to start instilling soem humility in these kids so they understand that it is ok to be human and suffer a loss here and there... Losing can only make you better.
I think this kid is truly dellusional - not admitting he was booed. What is that? He needs to take some time off, regroup mentally and get back at it in a few months. He also needs to remember he is also a kid...they all are...and this is upposed to be a bit fun too.
“Metcalf's record is now 72- and CALDWELL... Darrion owns those losses on his record... I hope you haters can now respect this man as one of the best wrestlers out today. Darrion proved it tonight... And Darrion was humble listen to his interviews before the match... Metcalf needs to learn GOOD SPORTSMANSHIP... That’s when you gain much more RESPECT...”
“Upsets general create excitement and this upset did create excitement. Brent Metcalf moved through college wrestling like a juggernaut of intensity, physical conditioning, with his willpower bulldozing through the psyche of his opponents hopes to win. Metcalf creating such an aura of invincibility that even though we all knew that Caldwell had pinned him before we used the results of the next match between these two, where Metcalf overwhelmed Caldwell, to say that Caldwell would be the heavy underdog. Even though Caldwell had a great run up to the championship bout, still we felt Metcalf would dominate this match. Instead Caldwell dominated Metcalf.
Metcalf epitomizes the intensity, not only of the Iowa style, but of the sport of wrestling. He clearly hated losing; he burns with rage about the loss. Metcalf now has more fuel to use to power his drive to wrestling dominance, yet before while he operated on jet fuel, now he will go nuclear.
I hope Gable talks to Metcalf about the loss. I listened to Gable’s loss to Owens, on a small radio in my garage, and I knew that Gable would go on to become an even greater icon in American wrestling. So can Metcalf, I can see world titles and an Olympic title in this athlete if he faces his loss and uses it well. Metcalf represents the power of using conditioning and not stopping to overwhelm his opponents, a psychological weight applied to the neck of every opponent he faces. With this lose, he could be like Tyson, who slipped the skin of invincibility to end up on the canvas more than we expected. Metcalf did not need the Iowa program to become one of the top stars of our sport; however, the Iowa program is ideal to bring him back from this loss and propel him to the elevated position he should assume in our sport.
Caldwell epitomizes the drive of the wrestler to overcome the steep odds and to win the battle against an opponent who seems unstoppable. He gives hope to every wrestler who lines up against a behemoth. Caldwell showed mental toughness, athletic skills, and an outstanding ability to execute a sound game plan. His pre and post match interviews showed the confidence one would need to have beaten Metcalf not just once but now twice. Dennis Connor once said you can’t outperform your own self-image. Caldwell has an accurate self-image of himself, no false humility and no unwarranted pride.
The sportsmanship on both sides of the bout as it ended reflected poorly on the sport. Caldwell started the celebration before the bout ended and Metcalf continued to pursue to wrestle the match to the conclusive end as he should have done. As Caldwell went out of bounds Metcalf pursued him and while out of bounds, and while the time of the match had expired, pushed Caldwell while Caldwell flipped in the air. An out of bounds act while time was out and the whistle had clearly blown shows poor sportsmanship on Metcalf’s part.
Both may benefit from reading the poem ‘If’ by Kipling. “If you can keep your head when all about you are losing theirs and blaming it on you,...If you can dream-and not make dreams your master; If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster And treat those two impostors just the same, ... Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken...you’ll be a Man...”
Both these young wrestlers have achieved far more success in life than I have and I admire them for their efforts and achievements. Yet both of these men have not achieved their vast potential. I hope they both do.”
When is next years All-Star Classic ?
They are not booing him !
I think because he teched him at the All-Star that Matcalf thought it was going to be easier then it was.....and then Caldwell did a Ryan Lang on him and threw the kitchen sink. Metcalf was not expecting that and was in shock and did not know what hit him.
Metcalf epitomizes the intensity, not only of the Iowa style, but of the sport of wrestling. He clearly hated losing; he burns with rage about the loss. Metcalf now has more fuel to use to power his drive to wrestling dominance, yet before while he operated on jet fuel, now he will go nuclear.
I hope Gable talks to Metcalf about the loss. I listened to Gable’s loss to Owens, on a small radio in my garage, and I knew that Gable would go on to become an even greater icon in American wrestling. So can Metcalf, I can see world titles and an Olympic title in this athlete if he faces his loss and uses it well. Metcalf represents the power of using conditioning and not stopping to overwhelm his opponents, a psychological weight applied to the neck of every opponent he faces. With this lose, he could be like Tyson, who slipped the skin of invincibility to end up on the canvas more than we expected. Metcalf did not need the Iowa program to become one of the top stars of our sport; however, the Iowa program is ideal to bring him back from this loss and propel him to the elevated position he should assume in our sport.
Caldwell epitomizes the drive of the wrestler to overcome the steep odds and to win the battle against an opponent who seems unstoppable. He gives hope to every wrestler who lines up against a behemoth. Caldwell showed mental toughness, athletic skills, and an outstanding ability to execute a sound game plan. His pre and post match interviews showed the confidence one would need to have beaten Metcalf not just once but now twice. Dennis Connor once said you can’t outperform your own self-image. Caldwell has an accurate self-image of himself, no false humility and no unwarranted pride.
The sportsmanship on both sides of the bout as it ended reflected poorly on the sport. Caldwell started the celebration before the bout ended and Metcalf continued to pursue to wrestle the match to the conclusive end as he should have done. As Caldwell went out of bounds Metcalf pursued him and while out of bounds, and while the time of the match had expired, pushed Caldwell while Caldwell flipped in the air. An out of bounds act while time was out and the whistle had clearly blown shows poor sportsmanship on Metcalf’s part.
Both may benefit from reading the poem ‘If’ by Kipling. “If you can keep your head when all about you are losing theirs and blaming it on you,...If you can dream-and not make dreams your master; If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster And treat those two impostors just the same, ... Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken...you’ll be a Man...”
Both these young wrestlers have achieved far more success in life than I have and I admire them for their efforts and achievements. Yet both of these men have not achieved their vast potential. I hope they both do.
Thank you for entertaining me and for all your hard work.
I would have nothing to look forward to if all wrestlers in NCAA didnt exhist
go ahead continue to add value to your low lives by speaking as if you know what these people do and have gone through. youre all gay. and if you dont like what im saying...
i dont care you probably are the ones im talking about. get where they are and then say something.
but that was complete bull by caldwell to do what he did...before the match was even over
But again, NJ is a top echelon state..DC and Burroughsand Dudziak and 10 other all amaericans....only behind Pa.
But In all honesty did it matter if Caldwell got a point taken away from his team for show boating... NCS wasnt in the race for national title... Plus does anybody actually know Caldwell might have got a team point deducted, but no one even cared to think of that.... No matter what you know theres going to be show boating its the National Finals match! Which im not gona lie im not a Iowa fan but I have to say congrats to Iowa, your guys came threw in the tough matches where they was needed... I liked watching iowa due to there chain wrestling but Metcalf lost alot of respect not just in my eyes but alot of peoples eyes...
So in the end, Caldwell just proved that he was the better wrestler at the time and he could pull of a Running Backflip to a Powerbomb, then jump right back up and still be happy and straight headed.... Congrats Caldwell, To bad Metcalf Should Have Finished Shots......
I find the timeouts for being out of shape frustrating in the sport and wish it could be better controlled. DC did basically admit it to some degree in his interview. I think Brent would have had more point but still lost.
Too bad everyone has made metcalf out to be this unbeatable guy because in every interview he knows he just has to do his best and focuses on one match at a time. Besides the media it wasn't much of an upset since DC had already beat him. I want to thank Brent for the interview and his ability to speak respectfully after a tough loss. Good work DC, did what you had to do.
Get'em next year Brent
IA gained a lot of respect in this tourney, battling thru adversity.
GL, brent.
When the same thing happened to Lincoln Mac. years ago he could barely stand upright. Metcalf is giving an interview for crying out loud, you know the guts that takes after what just happened to him?
gone from being the offensive wrestler to the defensive in a flash.
Caldwell was loose but quicker in that first period. After that it was his match to lose. I like Brent Metcalf but he was little shell-shocked after
that first period barrage from Caldwell. As far as the end of the match,
Caldwell celebrated a little too early too much but Metcalf didn't have to
go after Caldwell and push him. Sour grapes.
- the ref determined there was no time left and deducted a team point.
- DC knocked you off the top of the podium
He's definitely brainwashed.
Yes Bret, they were booooing you. Caldwell was wrong for the flip and it pissed you off so you slamed him. Another example of the classless Iowa wrestler and coach for that matter.