Unfortunately - I believe your statement,”College wrestling has evolved to a take care of your resume and your body sport” nails it. I get the take care of your body part - do that where it is needed obviously, but the take care of your resume part has become the dominant, driving factor. It’s disappointing as a fan and to the competitive side of me. Isn’t it supposed to be all about competing and actually wrestling? I’m not saying starters have to wrestle every tourney. Duals often lack the best matchups due to the gamesmanship. My best coaches and mentors growing up were all about challenging ourselves and taking on anyone, anytime, anywhere. We all learned so much about ourselves - through obstacles, adversity and ups and downs - and it made us the best we could be as athletes and people. I’ll never be able to repay those people for those life lessons, teachings and principles. But across the board today in many cases - it’s all about avoiding matches - what would be great matches - in many cases to protect the resume. I think in SOME cases it’s obvious people duck and hide behind the “take care of my body stance”. I personally have the utmost respect for the wrestlers that put themselves out there and compete. It’s so hard mentally, physically and emotionally to be a wrestler. Makes what some of our commits, guys like TJ Stewart, Mac Church and Caleb Henson have been doing at the high school level even more impressive. Entering all kinds of tourneys regardless of brutal competition - and in fact, to challenge and stretch themselves (Even Opens with college guys).
Heck - TJ hs been wrestling up 2 weight classes in some cases, at the best tourneys in the country since summer - taking on top guys to challenge himself and get better (also for what was best for his team at times). Look at Clayton Ulrey - he has wrestled and insanely tough schedule thus far this season. I’ll bet no one in the country has wrestled as difficult a schedule as him at this point. He keeps putting himself out there - and you can see him get better and gaining confidence - even in losses. Major tip of the cap to the above guys mentioned and all like them.

Go Hokies!