Since his high school days. Totally disrespected Mekhi. You know why?
1) Feeling of true insecurity in his case. Because he knows he had ref bias in that match. Not a conspiracy theory - just some
analytical thought and critical thinking on the facts of the match.
2) Starocci is an amazing talent, supremely physically gifted and gets great coaching. No doubt.
2) Watched the match a few times last night and again this morning. Taking the emotion out of it: From the non-call on Mekhi’s initial takedown - that every person in the arena and watching on TV saw was a clear takedown (ref with an emphatic “no TD out of bounds”), Thank goodness for review.
3) To allowing Starocci to execute the PSU plan in his close matches to give the look of initiating. All he does is tie-up and grab an arm every now then - no real attempt. Easily could have given Brooks a stall. I think the whistles on stopping the action - stalemate or out of bounds were fine and equal.
4) Mekhi had the shot on the first takedown and was close on others - later in the match he switched to more of a re-attack mode - being true to himself - going with what he thought gave him the best shot to win. Many great wrestlers have won championships with takedowns and that tactic.
5) What about the missed lock hands? Point or worse case he would have had to let Mehki go at that point (and/or a stall warning which changes everything).
6) The stall warning on Mekhi changed the match - he did more than enough. However - that is why he let Starocci go so early - he didn’t want to risk getting that second stall warning trying to keep him down and giving him a point.
6) What was the final word on why Starocci chose first? He went down immediately - and I could be wrong - but I thought wrestler with first takedown had choice? Just got back from Mass and going to try to find the rule and facts on that. Such an advantage for whomever gets it - you know what you have to do in the 2nd TB and there is a ton of strategy involved where you can push the limits to the current rules. Everyone does that and Mekhi probably would have too (run/push out of bounds, hold for the 4 count, etc…).
Different topic - Almost everyone agrees the current rules are dumb - but they were the rules last night - no changing that. Everyone knew them and wrestled under them. They stink but were in place. Going forward, let them keep wrestling until someone gets a takedown, reversal or escape and holds opponent down entire TB and other doesn’t. Not the way it is now. One of them will eventually get one of the above - one person will get more tired, make a mistake, etc…

RBY, Lee and Brooks - get full credit and respect - confident, and happy they won, but infinitely more gracious of their wins against worthy opponents in their post match comments (even Lee whom demolished Clarke). Congratulations to PSU - AND our Guys!

Feel bad for Mehki. What a warrior!

Go Hokies!