Dangerous, smart, and scoring points

The Darrion Caldwell / Brent Metcalf match in this years NCAA finals received a tremendous amount of press. Most of the press was due to the shove by Metcalf during Caldwell's celebration at the end of the match. However, this is a tremendous match! The video here shows the first two periods. I'd like to make a few comments regarding the match. A little background first... Caldwell caught Metcalf in a spladle during a previous match and pinned him. Metcalf also tech'ed Caldwell earlier in the year. Metcalf, being the returning Hodge winner, and by winning in such a dominant fashion earlier in the year, was definitely the top bet to be a national champ again this year. However, things did not turn out that way.

Typically, the "Hawkeye style" is extremely aggressive, moving forward, mentally and physically breaking your oppenent by pushing and shoving. That had to be Metcalf's plan entering the match. He is extremely physical, has a great left-handed hi-c, and has probably the biggest gas tank in college wrestling. This conditioning factor is a huge point in the success of the Iowa Hawkeyes (http://www.flowrestling.org/blogs/blogger/baskren/6441-gable-trained)

There were a few things here that I would like to point out that I think are interesting.

**Caldwell is dangerous. He is scary fast, and has weapons. The funk he brings in leg counters saves his goose, not only saves it, but scores with it. Whenever, you wrestle an opponent who at any point can end the match with some weapon in their arsenal makes one a little cautious. He is also winning the match within the first 12 seconds.

**The more weapons your opponent has the more important it is to maintain good position. Logic would tell you to dig inside and pummel for control as Metcalf was doing in the over/under. But you can just see the gears turning with Caldwell, waiting, waiting, then he lets him in and reckless abandon! Lefty head throw! No one hits head-and-arms in college, much less in the finals.

**I really like seeing Caldwell's continuation of throw-bys when Metcalf hangs on the head. I think that is really smart. He didn't score off of a single throw-by, but he didn't allow Metcalf to just hang and wear him down. So many people stay in a collar tie or try digging inside on stronger opponents. Caldwell shucked it off his head continually, and he did tire (back spasm) in the third period, but he definitely preserved his gas tank and kept Metcalf out of his position of favor.

**Caldwell also is an incredible scrambler. He has the technical plan of working his offense, but he does whatever it takes to score points. He doesn't give up the takedowns and really makes Metcalf work for every point and is able to actually score his own points off of positions that seem dire and over.

Anyways, it was a great match, exciting wrestling. Both guys are amazing and will be the future of international competition in the United States. Enjoy!