Hodge Contenders

[Perry 1,429]

With only a couple of months left in the season who do you all forecast as being the front runners for the Hodge? Interestingly enough, an article was posted with the most falls and none of the top guys in my mind were featured in the top 10. 

Top contenders in my mind for the award in no particular order: Zahid, Spencer Lee, Mark Hall, Marinelli or Joseph

Current leader in NCAA with pins: Ben Darmastadt with 11

[silvermedal 210]

I respect Marinelli but don't see why he'd be ranked ahead of Luke Pletcher or Kollin Moore.  Can someone explain?

[stp 564]

Until somebody gives Lee a challenge, he's winning in my opinion.  

[stp 564]

3 minutes ago, silvermedal said:

I respect Marinelli but don't see why he'd be ranked ahead of Luke Pletcher or Kollin Moore.  Can someone explain?

I didn't research, but possibly more bonus point matches won?

[Perry 1,429]

No reason not to include Pletcher or Moore, or Nick Lee either for that matter who has bonused most of the guys he has wrestled this year. Has Spencer Lee gotten a single fall this season? He seems to tech everyone which is incredible but I know pins are supposed to be a big factor in who gets the award

[steamboat_charlie v2 1,160]

Zahid is the leader right now for me.  17-0, 88% bonus rate, with wins over 3 top 10 opponents.

Spencer can certainly pass him if he continues his current pace, but strength of schedule and forfeiting out of the only difficult competition he's entered matters IMO.

[Gantry 1,872]

Hall not too far behind, he's destroying people this year. 

[fiveontwo 22]

its zahid or lee.

[jammen 339]

The Hodge trophy is all about pins.  Dan Hodge was a pinner.  That's what excited fans and the media.  His undefeated record was an afterthought.  Most Dominant means a pinner, not near fall tilts with its newly inflated scoring.  Marinelli is a pinner and definitely ranks ahead of Lee.

[Jimmy Cinnabon 411]

Zahid is the favorite.  If he wins it's a lock for him being the senior and 3x champ.

[Witherman 384]

1 minute ago, Jimmy Cinnabon said:

Zahid is the favorite.  If he wins it's a lock for him being the senior and 3x champ.

if spencer is 100% bonus (never been done) with first period techs over numerous ranked opponents, has only a handful of matches even go the distance, is also a 3x champ, you think its a lock for zahid?

Edited January 31, 2020 by Witherman

[steamboat_charlie v2 1,160]

1 minute ago, jammen said:

The Hodge trophy is all about pins.  Dan Hodge was a pinner.  That's what excited fans and the media.  His undefeated record was an afterthought.  Most Dominant means a pinner, not near fall tilts with its newly inflated scoring.  Marinelli is a pinner and definitely ranks ahead of Lee.

[Jimmy Cinnabon 411]

5 minutes ago, Witherman said:

if spencer is 100% bonus (never been done) with first period techs over numerous ranked opponents, has only a handful of matches even go the distance, is also a 3x champ, you think its a lock for zahid?

If Spencer pins out to his 3rd title and Zahid wins all his matches by regular decision, maybe.  The Hodge has recently become more of a lifetime achievement award that seems to give a lot of weight to senior status.

[Wrestleknownothing 1,511]

52 minutes ago, Perry said:

No reason not to include Pletcher or Moore, or Nick Lee either for that matter who has bonused most of the guys he has wrestled this year. Has Spencer Lee gotten a single fall this season? He seems to tech everyone which is incredible but I know pins are supposed to be a big factor in who gets the award

The criteria for the award are:

1. Record
2. Number of pins
3. Dominance on the mat
4. Past credentials
5. Quality of competition
6. Sportsmanship/Citizenship
7. Heart

While number of pins is a criteria I don't think the leader in pins is a lock, so it is not really just a pinners award. Certainly not if they have lost a match given that record is above pins. (Besides the NCAA has an award for most pins) Not sure how to define dominance on the mat, sportsmanship/citizenship, or heart. It seems like those criteria are there to give the voters wiggle room. Past criteria would definitely favor Valencia, S Lee, Hall and Joseph over everyone else as they have all 1s and 2s at past NCAAs.

[Witherman 384]

2 minutes ago, Jimmy Cinnabon said:

If Spencer pins out to his 3rd title and Zahid wins all his matches by regular decision, maybe.  The Hodge has recently become more of a lifetime achievement award that seems to give a lot of weight to senior status.

i try to give you the benefit of the doubt when the other posters make fun of you jimmy - but this was an asinine statement.

[ionel 2,574]

15 minutes ago, Wrestleknownothing said:

The criteria for the award are:

1. Record
2. Number of pins
3. Dominance on the mat
4. Past credentials
5. Quality of competition
6. Sportsmanship/Citizenship
7. Heart

While number of pins is a criteria I don't think the leader in pins is a lock, so it is not really just a pinners award. Certainly not if they have lost a match given that record is above pins. (Besides the NCAA has an award for most pins) Not sure how to define dominance on the mat, sportsmanship/citizenship, or heart. It seems like those criteria are there to give the voters wiggle room. Past criteria would definitely favor Valencia, S Lee, Hall and Joseph over everyone else as they have all 1s and 2s at past NCAAs.

There is a little known Hodge shortcut (bypass 1-7).

Win the NCAA tournament with a pin in each match, immediately after having hand raise simultaneously crush a fresh apple in each hand!

This leaves the door open for the rare unknown guy, oh and let me be clear - thems apples not oranges.  ;)

[headshuck 2,607]

Tilt schmilt. Pin your guy. Weak Hodge candidates. Cancel it until next year or further risk it becoming just another MVP award.

[MSU158 2,012]

1 hour ago, Perry said:

No reason not to include Pletcher or Moore, or Nick Lee either for that matter who has bonused most of the guys he has wrestled this year. Has Spencer Lee gotten a single fall this season? He seems to tech everyone which is incredible but I know pins are supposed to be a big factor in who gets the award

10-0 with 2 Falls, 7 TF’s and 1 MD(16-5)

[Tommy Payan 59]

Zahid Valencia will win out.

[AZ_wrestling 119]

Zahid no question. Lee isn’t wrestling enough to win it.

[jammen 339]

6 hours ago, Wrestleknownothing said:

The criteria for the award are:

1. Record
2. Number of pins
3. Dominance on the mat
4. Past credentials
5. Quality of competition
6. Sportsmanship/Citizenship
7. Heart

While number of pins is a criteria I don't think the leader in pins is a lock, so it is not really just a pinners award. Certainly not if they have lost a match given that record is above pins.

Pins everyone all year except for injury default loss.  Can't win Hodge cause Wrestleknownothing says no.

[Wrestleknownothing 1,511]

57 minutes ago, jammen said:

Pins everyone all year except for injury default loss.  Can't win Hodge cause Wrestleknownothing says no.

It's about time you figured out the way things are. Try not to forget in the future. 

[jammen 339]

I'll let Brent Metcalf know that he has to return his Hodge.

[Marcus Cisero 342]

For me it has to be Zahid Valencia.

No one has been as dominant as he this season.

[Wrestleknownothing 1,511]

31 minutes ago, jammen said:

I'll let Brent Metcalf know that he has to return his Hodge.

We've already established that is not for you to decide. It's up to me.