Was pretty bummed after Friday night because:

A) Our national champion was injured and it looked pretty serious
B) Prior to the injury, Wentzel looked to be controlling the match

Can’t do anything about A, but after analyzing the match I don’t feel quite as bad about B.

Here’s why:

1st – 1:47 Wentzel gets the leg on a pretty slick move. He stuffs Mekhi’s half shot, gets Mekhi in front head, but also has Mekhi's right tricep. When Mekhi stands up, he throws his arm by to clear, traps Mekhi’s right leg with his right leg and then secures the leg.

Mekhi then does crazy Mekhi defensive stuff until:

1st 0:21 Wentzel finally gets the take down after being incredibly disciplined and patient

1st 0:12 Mekhi gets to his feet and Wetzel rides out the period with both legs in while Mekhi is standing – this should have been Wentzel’s 1st stall call.

2nd 1:59 – Mekhi gets to his feet. Wentzel returns him with leg in and forward pressure.

2nd 1:48 – Mekhi gets to his feet – Wentzel puts legs in again.

2nd 1:35 – Ref finally hits Wentzel for stalling after 13 seconds – should have been his 2nd and 1 point Mekhi

2nd 1:22 After another 13 seconds with no change, Wentzel returns him to mat with back trip. Legal because he had both feet on the ground.

2nd 1:17 Mekhi back to his feet – Wentzel still have same leg in, so no stalling

2nd 1:14 Wentzel returns with another back trip. This one should have been called illegal because both his feet left the ground.

2nd 1:03ish this is where Mekhi initially gets hurt

2nd 0:49 Mekhi gets back to his feet

2nd 0:47 Wentzel returns with another back trip. This one also should have been called illegal and a 2nd point for Mekhi because both his feet left the ground.

2nd 0:45 Mekhi would have needed to take injury time, but Robie challenges the illegal mat return. This ref just clearly isn’t aware rules passed in the last few years.

2nd 0:44 Despite his injury, Mekhi still gets to his feet in 1 second

2nd 0:38 Wentzel returns with same back trip. I think this one should also be called illegal because his left leg again left the ground while his right leg was attempting to trip. Mekhi fought it, and when he eventually fell backwards both of Wentzel’s feet where on the ground.

2nd 0:30 – Mekhi’s injury really gets strained and he grunts out in pain

2nd 0:30 – Mekhi’s shoulder/chest again gets strained and he’s in clear pain. Credit Wentzel for easing off and essentially asking the ref if they should stop. At this point the match is essentially over. Mekhi probably shouldn’t have continued.

End of 2nd – Mekhi defaults out after Wentzel choose bottom after Injury stoppage and gets 1 for escape.

I don't mean to take anything away from Wentzel. He probably wins that match without the injury and he has looked like an All American in his last 2 matches.

However, I still don’t feel like Mekhi was dominated by Wentzel as much as originally did Friday night.

[Post edited by hokie576 at 02/17/2021 3:19PM]