huntandfishISU 0 Report post Posted March 24, 2014 dudes has 3 losses at the his last 3 NCAAS. His three losses were to Burroughs a 2 x champ and olympic champ(won worlds later this yr), Kyle Dake a 4 time champ , and David Taylor a 2x champ and 4 time finalist. IMO he wont ever be considered an all time great or one of the best to ever win a title because of a few regular season losses, and his lack of offense. but WOW. thats a tough run of guys to lose to in the ncaa tournament. Makes you wonder what a guy like this couldve done up a weight or in a different era Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
silver-medal 670 Report post Posted March 24, 2014 Colt Sponseller's junior year, it looked like he had a clear path to the finals at NCAA's when Jon Reader went down unexpectedly. Then he ran into a relatively unknown frosh in the quarters (think it was the quarters) named Tyler Caldwell and got ridden into the ground. Then in the cons to place, he got taken out by another unknown, some kid from Stanford named Amuchastegui. Neither wrestler was highly regarded at the time while Sponseller had been ranked high all year. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
vsnej 199 Report post Posted March 24, 2014 definitely an impressive career and I was watching him walk off the mat afterward and wondering similarly Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Two_on_one 121 Report post Posted March 24, 2014 My guess is that he may be the only person ever to go through three NCAA tournaments (2011, 13,14) and only suffer one loss in each tournament with that loss coming at the hands of a hodge trophy winner. That is some seriously bad luck. 2010 placed 5th losing to Andrew Howe and Nick Amuchastegui 2011 placed 2nd losing only to Hodge winner Jordan Burroughs and beating defending champ Howe in the semis 2013 placed 3rd losing only to Hodge winner Kyle Dake in semis (lost 2-0) 2914 placed 2nd losing in finals to former Hodge winner David Taylor (and almost certainly this years Hodge winner) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wiedsworld 14 Report post Posted March 24, 2014 Tough task for him in the finals, but why would he not try to score. He literally did not take one offensive shot. In the immortal words of Brent Metcalf, he was content to lose by 6. Great career for him though, solid wrestler who's stats and placement are something to be proud of. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wrestlingnerd 3,012 Report post Posted March 24, 2014 I posted this on the David Taylor thread, where I mentioned Taylor does not get enough credit for his wins over Caldwell. Had Caldwell been born four years earlier or later, he might have won NCAAs more than once. The guy is as tough as they come but ran into three of the best wrestlers the sport has ever known during his career. Very unfortunate. Caldwell should definitely be mentioned in the list of best to never have won it. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TBar1977 4,611 Report post Posted March 24, 2014 Tough task for him in the finals, but why would he not try to score. He literally did not take one offensive shot. In the immortal words of Brent Metcalf, he was content to lose by 6. Great career for him though, solid wrestler who's stats and placement are something to be proud of. Tyler had about as phenomenal a Tournament record as you can have without winning the title. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
nom 1,210 Report post Posted March 24, 2014 Was wondering about this. Three Hodge winners for him. What a brick wall he had to ram against. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rufoz 0 Report post Posted March 24, 2014 Caldwell's W/L record is outstanding. Caldwell has appeared on the biggest stages many times. How then do you explain his utter lack of offensive effort in the ultimate match of the evening with nothing else on the line save for his chance at an individual NCAA title? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites