Not sure if I should post this in the other topics thread (if so, please redirect).
The squids came into Christl arena last night and beat Army for the first time in 5 years. The squids were heavily favored and our boys fought hard and lost 20-13 despite one of our top 2 kids being out due to injury (Markus Hartman...nationally ranked at 157).
Had Hartman been able to go, it’s a 7-point swing minimum at 157 and the match at least goes to criteria like last year when we won 15-15 on criteria.
The squids are much improved with Olympian Cary Kolat in his first year as HC. This will be a great battle for years to come, and both academies will compete with Cornell, Lehigh and Princeton for the top of the podium at EIWA’s going forward.
This year the Ivy’s aren’t competing due to COVID so Army and the squids both will have a chance to win EIWA’s next week.
Army’s top wrestlers are:
149 - PJ Ogunsanya who is undefeated and nationally ranked. In my opinion he has a chance to win EIWA’s and be an All-American. He’s only a junior I believe so he’ll be back next year.
157 - Markus Hartman if he’s healthy has a chance to do some real damage in the postseason.
197- JT Brown nationally ranked and just beat the kid from the boat school who beat him 6-0 last year.
133 - Roselle Park (NJ)’s own Mark Montgomery. He’s a plebe with a ton of upside. Had a huge W over a Navy senior last night.

It was kind of a weird year for wrestling with COVID. Only 5 duals and no tournaments. Was hard for anyone to get in a groove at all.
Army had kind of a down year after graduating one of their best classes in program history in 2020. I think they lost some significant leadership as was evidenced by them losing a number of close bouts against Lehigh and Navy that in the past, it feels like they could have and would have pulled out.
Reminded me a little of the 2019 football season. I think next year’s firstie class will be talented and pissed off and they’ll have a great season post-COVID in 2022.
Was thankful they were able to get a modified season in and Coach Ward and his staff continue to do a great job.

My Top Four are (in order):

1. Woody
2. Dixon
3. Gaither
4. Davis

TIGER WOODS INJURED IN SINGLE CAR CRASH IN L.A.

The reality is that the Army football program actually only brings in about 55 -60 football recruits each year. The attrition through the Admissions process and the rigor at our Prep school greatly reduce the “offers” made by the coaches. Those “offers" are just verbal commitments to recruit, assist through the Admissions process, and reserve a roster slot their freshman year. Many are disqualified by the Admissions standards that include academics, medical, moral/legal, and physical fitness standards. Every recruit goes through the same admissions process as every other candidate.

About 50 or so are sent to USMAPS for a year of academic prep and military orientation. Some are overcoming temporary injuries that preclude their matriculation until they heal from injuries or illness. About 75% resolve their deficiencies and come into the following class essentially making USMAPS similar to a redshirt year to remediate academic/medical risks. However, that year does not affect their NCAA eligibility since they do not earn college credit for the courses they take at USMAPS.

About a third of each freshman class do not stay on the team, either of their own volition or at the suggestion of the coaching staff. They do not lose their “scholarship”. Most continue as cadets and graduate.

As such, West Point still maintains a higher than NCAA average graduation rate.

For those of you who follow college football recruiting beyond the walls of Army West Point

• Rivals250:
• Biggest movers:
• Mind of Mike column:

WIth so many things up in the air these days when it comes to travel and face-face events I was wondering where we stand on having a ProDay this spring and who in the graduating class is considered a late round draft prospect or will get serious consideration for free agency. The track record of Army grads getting a shot and sticking is frankly impressive and appears to be growing. Any insight / intel on this topic is appreciated.

I happen to have two sons and their respective families in the Dallas/Plano area and I know that many many families in that region are and have been challenged over the past several days with the storm.

I extend my prayers out to you and sincerely hope that you, along with your family, friends and neighbors are safe and that sooner than later this will pass from your midst and that you can get back to normal.

Many programs around the country have already signed their 2021 recruiting class when the early NSD took place. However, for the Army Black Knights, there is plenty of activity for today's NSD, and here at GBK, we will keep you up to date.

Several prospects have signed this morning and many throughout the day. There have been a couple of late surprises, such as Rivals 3-star safety Jordan Burrell, who committed last night and signed today. We will have an update on him later today.

Then out of the state of Georgia, there is plenty of NSD activity with the following players signing:

• Dante Edwards
• Quindarius Sterling
• Cody Bradford
• Jofranstar Graham
• Phillip Johnson

Then the Katy Trio have signed this morning.

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