Now who gets the Hodge?

[MadMardigain 1,606]

Although a few other guys had a nice season it’s between Spencer Lee and Gable Steveson.  Make a hodge criteria related case for one of them over the other?

[Cruocified 22]

Criteria per WIN.

Criteria for the award includes a wrestler’s record, number of pins, dominance on the mat, past credentials, quality of competition, sportsmanship/citizenship and heart.

Wrestler's record: tie

Number of pins: Spencer Lee

Dominance on the mat: Spencer Lee

Past credentials: Spencer Lee

Quality of competition: Gable Steveson

Sportsmanship/citizenship: Spencer Lee

Heart: Spencer Lee

Objectively it isn't even close. If WIN were to throw their own criteria out the window, then they could base it only on quality of competition and give it to Steveson. I don't know their thought process, but I'm assuming they put the criteria there so it doesn't become a "who do I like more" competition.

[jchapman 1,331]

4 minutes ago, Cruocified said:

I’m assuming they put the criteria there so it doesn't become a "who do I like more" competition.

Gotta love sarcasm on a Sunday morning!

[uncle bernard 1,117]

Gable was arguably more dominant against better competition, but the storyline of Lee dominating the field on no ACL's and leading the hawks back to their first title in 10 years makes him a pretty heavy favorite imo. Plus, Gable rubs people the wrong way, for fair and unfair reasons.

[NJDan 1,081]

Isn't it done by a vote, making the criteria more of a suggestion?

Also, what makes Gable anything less than a good citizen?

[iwrite 123]

NJDAN -- Yes , it is by a vote of  selected media members, officials from top organizations, several retired coaches, all past Hodge Trophy winners, and by the fans. A ballot will soon be placed on the WIN website. As the creator of the award over 25 years ago, I get one vote, as does Win publisher Bryan Van Kley -- and no more. -- Mike Chapman

[wrestlingnerd 3,004]

After the ACL revelation, it's Lee by a mile.

Gable is the best wrester in college though. The amount of improvement he made even in the past year makes me want to cry at the though of this being his last year in the sport.

[MadMardigain 1,606]

Is ACL injury a criteria?  Besides did Lee even point out how much of the season he was affected?  Not sure you can really penalize Gables chances due to going injury free.

[wrestlingnerd 3,004]

Just now, MadMardigain said:

Is ACL injury a criteria?  Besides did Lee even point out how much of the season he was affected?  Not sure you can really penalize Gables chances due to going injury free.

It's not just one, but two criteria in this case: 1. Record 2. Number of pins 3. Dominance 4. Past credentials 5. Quality of competition 6. Sportsmanship/citizenship 7. Heart

6 and 7 clearly go to Lee. 1 is a wash. 2 and 4 go to Lee. 3 is subjective but mathematically it's Lee and it's not close. Only 5 goes to Gable.

Again, I say this while also saying I feel Gable is the best wrestler. But the Hodge isn't a best wrestler award.

[Jajensen09 23]

if you guys are saying Lee cuz of an ACL injury. Based off that Griffith should get the hodge. He was wrestling for way more than anyone ever will

[MadMardigain 1,606]

Ferrari had the adversity of not reaching 700lb on his deadlift.  Not sure how he made it as far as he did. ;)

[GoNotQuietly 1,175]

We REALLY need a season MOW in addition to the Hodge, which isn’t that.

 

 

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[Jim L 328]

Spencer already won once, so while it is not part of the official criteria, I think it is a fair reason to give it to Steveson. Also, because of the level of competition, plus he may be the best Heavyweight ever

 

[fadzaev2 545]

1 hour ago, Jim L said:

Spencer already won once, so while it is not part of the official criteria, I think it is a fair reason to give it to Steveson. Also, because of the level of competition, plus he may be the best Heavyweight ever

 

Just pointing out that Cael Sanderson won it 3 times and David Taylor won it twice.

[fadzaev2 545]

7 hours ago, MadMardigain said:

Is ACL injury a criteria?  Besides did Lee even point out how much of the season he was affected?  Not sure you can really penalize Gables chances due to going injury free.

Spencer hurt that first knee in his senior year in high school and lost the state title going for #4, maybe because of it, to DeSanto.  I don't remember ever seeing him without that big, bulky knee brace on that "first" knee.

Edited March 21, 2021 by fadzaev2

[MadMardigain 1,606]

Just now, fadzaev2 said:

Spencer hurt that first knee in his senior year in high school and lost the state title going for #4 maybe because of it to DeSanto.  I don't remember ever seeing him without that big, bulky knee brace on that "first" knee.

That was a couple of titles ago.  I was referring to this recent issue.  

[fadzaev2 545]

2 minutes ago, MadMardigain said:

That was a couple of titles ago.  I was referring to this recent issue.  

I thought he mentioned it in the interview after his finals match, but I also thought you could read his lips after his Big Ten finals match and I thought he said "I just blew out my knee".....there was a thread on here about that. 

[152lbs 68]

Since it was an asterisk season, no Hodge ought to be given.  Not enough data points.

[IronChef 1,100]

Since it was an asterisk season, no Hodge ought to be given.  Not enough data points.

Spencer Lee had just one more match last year than Steveson had this year.

[VakAttack 4,016]

It'll probably be Spencer, as has been pointed out he either wins or at least ties on most criteria.  If they picked Gable, I couldn't be mad at, the dude is freaking amazing.

[headshuck 2,607]

It’ll be Gable. Destroyed everyone. Never a doubt. Never gave up the initial takedown. Never behind. Competition way better.

[VakAttack 4,016]

It’ll be Gable. Destroyed everyone. Never a doubt. Never gave up the initial takedown. Never behind. Competition way better.

That's not really the criteria. Other than competition. He was dominant, but not as dominant as Spencer. Fewer pins. Same winning percentage. Superior competition. Inferior prior credentials. I love Gable, but sportsmanship is not always his thing. Which, again, I'm fine with, I loved him taunting Parris after Parris talked crap, but it's definitely not "good sportsmanship."

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[headshuck 2,607]

Dominance. Spencer gave up go-ahead takedowns more than once if I recall.

 

Quite a stretch to think the 2-way “rivalry” was unsportsmanlike for either Parris or Steveson. Prior year? Perhaps but he was an excellent sportsman this year.

[Perry 1,429]

I think steveson deserves it more when you factor in the level of competition. 125 was the weakest weight as far as depth this season (Lee admittedly also make them look worse than they really are). Heavyweight had much better talent and steveson played with them.

[VakAttack 4,016]

Dominance. Spencer gave up go-ahead takedowns more than once if I recall.

Fair. Like I said, I wouldn't be mad at Gable winning, he's a monster. I just think Spencer will win based on criteria, combined with the narrative around the injury + Gable letting off the gas at NCAAs compared to what he did to Parris earlier, plus only a decision and giving up a TD against Kerk who got tuned up by Cass, Parris, and Schultz.

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