Instant gratification the way of the world now
Whether it’s in sports or everyday life, instant gratification has become both an expectation of today’s society in general, as well as one of its biggest flaws. Waiting is no longer an option for so many when it comes to getting what one wants and desires.
The phrase “Patience is a virtue,” has never been truer than in this modern world.
Just look around any professional or even Division I collegiate program. Coaches are expected to make instantaneous resurrections of losing programs or teams, especially if he is a big name making big dollars. The same can be said with lottery draft picks, five-star high school recruits and big-money free agents. Whether it’s baseball, football or basketball, fans expect results now, not later.
However, for those of us who still believe that good things come to those who wait, there is one major program in the Keystone State that not only rejects the idea of mortgaging the future for more success in the present, but embraces it. That program is the Penn State wrestling team.
Ever since the legendary Cael Sanderson took over the Nittany Lions, they have been the top power program in the nation.
With the biggest, and highest paid, name in the sport at the helm, PSU has not only piled up the wins, but has been able to draw the biggest names in the country to its practice room.
However, with the graduation of two of the program’s greatest performers, Ed Ruth and David Taylor, who are now two of Team USA’s fastest rising international stars, Sanderson has seemingly decided to put the program’s quest for fifth-straight title lower on the priority list than the future of his next wave of stars. Prior to the start of the 2014-15 season, Sanderson made headlines by redshirting returning All-Americans Nico Megaludis and Zain Retherford, as well as several of the nation’s top true freshmen.
Just how good could some of these rookies be? At the recent Nittany Lion Open, first-year grappler Jason Nolf, a Kittaning graduate, not only won the 157-pound weight class, but did it in dominant 21-8 major decision fashion over PSU’s current starter, Cody Law. At 174 pounds, Bo Nickal, a phenom from the state of Texas, made it all the way to the finals, where he duked it out with All-American Matt Brown, who is ranked third in the country. Nickal wound up settling for second place, but did so by way of a 10-7 decision.
Nick Nevills, arguably the nation’s top heavyweight recruit, boasts a perfect 7-0 mark with four pins in open competition. He did not wrestle at the Nittany Lion Open, but is stuck behind two accomplished veteran big men, including senior Jon Gingrich, who is currently ranked eighth in the nation.
Some say the move to keep elite talent like Megaludis, Retherford, Nolf and others off the mats could stem from Ohio State bringing a loaded lineup to the mats.
I am not one of those individuals. I am of the firm belief that even with the Buckeyes, not to mention other Big Ten powers like Minnesota and Iowa, being stacked from 125 to heavyweight, the Lions would be able compete with them.
Rather, the decisions made by Sanderson are in the best interest of his athletes, which seemingly flies in the face of how other sports, particularly in the pro ranks, handle their business.
Another year of work can truly make a difference in a gifted wrestler’s career. It could take a guy like Megaludis from being a very good college wrestler, to one who elevates himself on the international scene.
So, just how have these moves affected the Penn State program? So far, they haven’t. As of Wednesday, Dec. 10, the Nittany Lions are 3-0 in dual matches with wins over No. 10 Lehigh (24-10), No. 14 Pittsburgh (24-12), and Clarion (44-0). However, the real meat of the team’s schedule, i.e. the Big Ten portion, will test just how good this lineup can be. Make sure to circle Jan. 11 and Feb. 8 on your calendar, as that is when PSU battles Ohio State and Iowa, respectively.