We're made it to the last month of dual meet season. It's February! Already! Can you believe it? Well believe it! 

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The buzzword of the week is 'control', as in, no one on this side of Merriam-Webster can figure out its proper definition. 

Control is a very important concept for wrestling in America. It's the defining characteristic of folkstyle. It's how takedowns are secured. It's necessary before you can start earning nearfall.

But knowing exactly when control is established has proven to be an elusive task, at least, it has been during this current NCAA D1 season. 

Part of the story starts in the offseason when a slate of changes to the rule book were adopted. One of them was the elimination of the "no-reaction, rear-standing takedown". Here's a description of how that rule was changed, as stated in the NCAA press release:

Eliminating the hand-touch takedown also was approved by the panel. Rules committee members think demonstrating control is an important component of college wrestling, so it made sense to eliminate the hand-touch takedown in favor of a single requirement for all takedowns.

No other changes to the rulebook regarding takedowns were implemented. In every other situation, what was a takedown in previous years should be a takedown now. Same with what wasn't a takedown in years past. 

But the impression many wrestling fans are getting is that ALL takedowns are now subject to a new, nebulous "reaction time" criteria, which is causing much confusion.

The ending to the 125lb bout between Vinnie Kilkeary and Braeden Davis in Friday's Penn State Ohio dual was perhaps the most perplexing call of the season. It had Buckeye head coach Tom Ryan suggesting changes to the review process.

We need a system that “protects” officials. Their job is not easy. With video review, we should always get it right. Our belief is that it’s too important not to. Anger is an emotion that can move us toward real change. It’s time. We need more resources from the NCAA & Big 10.

— Thomas Ryan (@Buckeye158) February 3, 2024

Another theory is that the level of wrestling has now elevated, especially in scramble positions, such that the traditional definition of control is no longer practical, or at least not desirable. Wrestlers move and react too quickly and concede too little in scrambles for points to be awarded appropriately. 

Or perhaps we are just entering a new era of elite folkstyle wrestling where takedowns will be more difficult to come by. If that is the case, then expectations from fans must be tempered to match that new reality, and the definitions of 'control' and 'reaction time' need to be more clearly communicated.

Some examples of takedowns all from this weekend, so you can see what all the hubbub is about:

Initially ruled not a takedown; reviewed and ruled a takedown

Absolutely ELECTRIC. ⚡️#IUWR | @DanFongaro pic.twitter.com/r8h7a2bnyA

— Indiana Wrestling (@IndianaWR) February 4, 2024

Initially ruled a takedown, reviewed and ruled not a takedown

Call on the mat was 3TD, reviewed on an iPad, and then reversed. We were under the assumption that it was being reviewed for some nearfall! 😂 thoughts? pic.twitter.com/nC6es07rx8

— Mark John Hall II (@BaybeeMarky_PSU) February 4, 2024

Initially ruled not a takedown, reviewed and ruled not a takedown

Starting off strong with a W from Davis at 125 😱#PSUwr pic.twitter.com/vfXb78dI8z

— Penn State WRESTLING (@pennstateWREST) February 2, 2024

Perhaps a committee comprised of the doyens of the wrestling community can be constituted to redefine the definition of control and to enforce a more consistent application of the rule. In the meantime, we've got some noteworthy events from the 14th week of the NCAA D1 college wrestling season to note!

The Dual of the Century, of the Week

Just what does it mean to be the Dual of the Century, of the Week, anyway?

Last week's DofCofW seemed like an easy call to me. But several wise and learned wrestling fans took issue with the selection due to the forfeit at 141-pounds in the Michigan vs Ohio State dual. 

I completely understand that reasoning, however, to me, the disappointment in not seeing an opponent take the mat to face Jesse Mendez was easily overcome but all the other elements of the dual that made it so kick-ass. 

While there is no codified formula for picking matches that get highlighted in this blog (as dubious as that distinction goes), what's important for me is if a dual makes me think, "Dang, that kicked ass. I'd like to discuss how much that dual kicked ass with another wise and learned wrestling fan."

So this week I'm highlighting a bunch of duals, none without blemishes, but all which, to me, kick-ass. And if to you, they're 'meh', then that's okay, but at least you'll know why I thought they kicked ass.

Campbell defeats App State in wrestling's most notorious rivalry of the South

Few duals could match the intensity and animosity between these two SoCon rivals. 

Most importantly, it featured heaps of Camel fans in the building going nuts after #11 Taye Ghadiali pinned his opponent to clinch the Campbell victory, and to me, that kicks ass. 

ICYMI: Fighting Camels surge to beat APP State 22-16.

Energy was ELECTRIC ⚡️

Link: https://t.co/DsZW2qk1Mk pic.twitter.com/nsoyXeXpU2

— Campbell Wrestling (@GoCamelsWrestle) February 3, 2024

Ghadiali was deducted a team point for that celebration, but thankfully that idiotic rule had no bearing whatsoever on the dual.

LIU Upsets F&M in the greatest burgeoning rivalry in the East

F&M is the only Division III program that had its wrestling program grandfathered in to compete at the Division I level. Compared to most D1 schools, they are minuscule, with only around 2,000 undergrads. Which is to me, a small school DIII grad myself, quite endearing. 

Long Island University, meanwhile, is only Division I because they used to be two different athletic programs on two different campuses. LIU-Post had a wrestling team and competed at the DII level. LIU-Brooklyn was a DI program and didn't have a wrestling team. The different campuses are still there, and the wrestling team is still there (obviously), but now it's just one team, known as LIU, which competes on the D1 level. 

That happened in 2019, so LIU is essentially a new program, and thus, also a team I enjoy seeing succeed. 

LIU won the dual thanks to an upset by Anthony D'Alesio over #15 James Conway at 184. And drama like that between schools like that, to me, kicks ass. 

Michigan admonished Iowa in an unexpected rout

This match was expected to have a much closer outcome, but a massive upset by true freshman Sergio Lemley over Real Woods, the #1 ranked 141-pounder, tipped this dual decidedly in the favor of the Wolverines. Michigan won the first five bouts, including upsets at 125 and 157, which all but put the match out of reach for the Hawkeyes at the midway point.

Man of the Match.@SergioLemley is just getting started. pic.twitter.com/SOIDeJlNhX

— Michigan Wrestling (@umichwrestling) February 3, 2024

This was right on the heels of Michigan's equally stunning loss to the Buckeyes last weekend, the same weekend that saw Iowa blank Northwestern 46-0. Which shows how fickle momentum can be when it comes to wrestling. And interesting results like that, to me, kick ass. 

You can read more about that dual here, in our award-winning live blog.

Princeton completes comeback over Harvard in the U.S. News & World Report Rivalry

That headline was in reference to the fact that both of these august institutions are often battling it out for the top spot in the U.S. News and World Reports' college rankings, the most important publication for guidance counselors in affluent suburbs throughout the country. 

But what kicked ass in this dual? Chiefly the comeback from Princeton, as they were down 16-7 going into the final three bouts before reeling off three straight victories to ultimately win 20-16. There was also heavy drama at 149, when Harvard's Jack Crook scored a minor upset over #29 Eligh Rivera of Princeton in a wild 14-12 bout, and at 157, where Princeton answered with a sudden victory win by Rocco Camillaci over James Harrington. 

Indiana puts all other comebacks this week to shame in their 23-18 victory over Michigan State

The dual started at 157. Michigan State's Chase Saldate won by fall in the leadoff spot. Caleb Fish received a forfeit at 165. Indiana's highest-ranked wrestler, #12 Donnell Washington, was defeated 4-1 by DJ Shannon at 174. A decision at 184 gave the Spartans an 18-0 lead before the 197-pound bout.

Then Indiana got upset wins by Gabe Sollars and Nick William at 197 and 285. Michael Spanglar won a 10-8 barnburner at 125. Cayden Rooks got a much-needed bonus at 133 with a tech. #29 Danny Fongaro won a toss-up over #26 Jordan Hamdan 6-4 at 141. Finally, Graham Rooks, with Indiana still trailing 18-17, sealed the deal with a pin at 149.

A comeback of that magnitude, to me, kicks ass. 

Oklahoma State shows they are a force to be reckoned with

The Cowboys disappointed a record crowd in the Hearnes Center, as over 6,000 fans showed up to see the #3 Tigers take on wrestling royalty in #5 Oklahoma State. 

Additionally, and perhaps most importantly, I was in Columbia, Missouri with Tyler Meisinger, our MVV (Most Valuable Vlogger) to help produce kick-ass content I can link to, so there's no way I wasn't going to include this dual. 

Troy Spratley, Teague Travis, and Brayden Thompson all scored upsets at 125, 157, and 174, and Daton Fix bumped up from 133 to 141 and beat #22 Josh Edmond to give the Cowboy faithful a lot to cheer about. 

🚨UPSET ALERT🚨

#29 Brayden Thompson upsets #5 Peyton Mocco at home as the Cowboys pick up another big win over Missouri! pic.twitter.com/gGC4PcNDXK

— FloWrestling (@FloWrestling) February 4, 2024

Oklahoma State is now 12-0, with three more duals on the schedule, including a huge match with Iowa on February 25, the last day of the regular season. 

You can read more about the dual in yet another award-winning live blog. However, the predictions from the preview I wrote? You can skip those, they were trash!

Other Stuff Happened

• Ohio State and Rutgers were in a fairly insane dual on Sunday. Five upsets! You can read more about here.
• UNI defeated West Virginia which included this buzz-beater upset from Jared Simma. 
• California Baptist notched a win over Air Force, though the Great American Heavyweight got another pin for the Falcons. 
• Arizona State's Nicco Ruiz bumped up to 174 and defeated #11 Matthew Olguin of Oregon State as the Sun Devils beat the Beavers 19-17 in the last time these teams will meet as Pac-12 rivals.
• There was a little less chaos at 125 this week, as #1 Matt Ramos beat #6 Eric Barnett. 
• Little Rock wins again! They defeat Cal Poly 21-12. Consider them estimated!
• NC State thumped tobacco road rival UNC 33-6, though the Tar Heels did get an upset win by Sonny Santiago over #11 Ed Scott. Jarrett Trombley took the mat again for the Wolfpack at 125 and got a win over #26 Spencer Moore.
• VT beat UVA 27-9 in the Commonwealth Clash. The bright spot for the Cavaliers was Marlon Yarbrough's upset over #9 Sam Latona. The Hokies got a solid win from #2 Mekhi Lewis over #16 Justin McCoy. Additionally, TJ Stewart got another start and win at 184 for VT. 
• ISU beat WVU 29-11. Cyclone highlights include #8 Casey Swiderski beating #9 Ty Watters in SV at 149 and #2 David Carr beating #9 Peyton Hall at 165. The Mountaineers got a nice win from Austin Cooley over #29 Julien Broderson.
• 125 still has SOME craziness, as Clarion's Joey Fischer beat #13 Anthony Noto of Lock Haven. Additionally, #20 Tanner Jordan of SDSU beat Wyoming's #8 Jore Volk and Duke's unranked Logan Agin beat #24 Colton Camacho of Pitt.
• Break up Bellarmine! They stayed undefeated with a 27-9 win over Davidson on Friday!
• Ballarmine was broken up! The Citadel defeated the Knights 27-3 on Sunday. 
• Lots more stuff happened in the Penn State Ohio State dual. Read about it here if you want to know more, this blog is already too long to go into more details!

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Send Me Tips!

This roundup is for you, so if you see something noteworthy happen in D1 NCAA wrestling, let me know so that I can make note of it! 

Best way to reach me is on Twitter (@speywrestle) or email [andrew.spey@flosports.tv].

Next week: More duals! And also some sports ball game will be played on Sunday. Have a super week everyone!