I know these Guys are not the same weight. But who does everyone think would win between these three great wrestlers?

I believe erisman would totally dominate that group based on the extent of his nationwide accomplishments and his talent. It is one thing to be good in Kansas, but neil has been a champion in just about every open tournament of any consequence nationwide since age 12. background, training and desire, along with class. quite a rare bird, that one.

Grater was a finalist as a cadet last year. Erisman placed 7th in the same bracket. Of course Erisman was a year younger than Grater at the time.

Have not yet had the opportunity to see Erisman wrestle, so I can't comment on him. But the hypothetical match-up between Taplin and Grater would be interesting in terms of styles.

Grater tends to wrestle very controlled and calculated. Uses two or three shots to set up the one he really wants. Keeps the match close and comfortable winning in overtime, if need be. Always in control. Avoids high risk moves.

Taplin, meanwhile, tends to force the issue by using his tremendous upper body technique and great hips. Does not appear concerned about giving up points because he knows he can score in bunches. Is much more of a brawler.

It would be interesting to see these two go at it - if nothing more for the style differences, let alone their incredible talent.

And, no doubt about it, Erisman would certainly have the credentials to join this round robin!

My shirt is now covered in drool after reading this topic. If the wrestling gods were to do us one favor, it would be for all three of these behemoths to meet up at some tournament. Not only would the matches be great, but the seeding meeting as well.

all right i have wrestled both neil and grater and belive they are a couple of the best wrestlers we have but i think neil would beat grater.
i know neil would beat taplin.
and do any of you think it might happen that they all wrestle 152? just a tought.

I would be surprised if they all wrestle 152 next year, I would guess Grater will be at 145. Taplin and Eirsman could possibly both be @ 52 next year which would be a terrific match up. I think Taplin would win a very close match. He is quite a bit stronger than Neil and I don't think Eirsman would be cutting much weight to get to 52 which would also hurt him strength wise. It is one of those matches that could go either way, and I would love to see it.

Does anyone know if Abilene and Desoto see eachother during the season?

Another name that needs to be mentioned here is Strawn! He is another awesome underclassman. He may be bigger next year (I think as high as 171 if he fills out at all so this may be a mute point).

Man, that would be crazy, but will never happen.

Danny-145; 140 at Fargo

Neil-152; doesn't need to cut, excellent technician

Ross-160; cut pretty **** hard to make 160 for the summer, will only grow.

Jesse-171; he's huge, I saw and talked to him at Kids' State and wondered how the hell he made 152 during HS, he said he was defantly moving up a few pounds (likely 171 but who knows how big he'll get)

The thing these guys have in common is that their technique and mat brutality make them able not have to cut a lot of weight and still whoop *** .

CoachTwink -

I agree with you that Grater, Taplin, and Erisman are excellent wrestlers. I just don't understand how you can say that not cutting a lot of weight will hurt Neil stregth-wise. Actually, the opposite is true. By being able to maintain his normal body weight and not have to limit his diet, Erisman will actually benefit strength-wise. I don't know if this actually makes him stronger than Taplin, but it definitely does not hurt him.

Abilene and De Soto will face each other twice during the season at the Wamego invitational early in the year, and then at the Baldwin duel tournament. It could be very interesting if Neil and Ross bump up or down to face each other.

I misspoke saying not cutting weight would hurt Neil strengthwise. What I should have said was that Taplin being stronger, and heavier would be to Neil's disadvantage. Those of us that have cut weight (and done it correctly) know the benefits of losing weight, but keeping your strength. It can make a huge difference. All things being equal, I would bet on the wrestler losing 10 pounds as opposed to the one wrestling his natural body weight.

I can think of a couple examples where not cutting weight actually helped wrestlers compete better.

Zach Esposito of Blair Academy never cut weight until he got to college. His HS accomplishments at 152 and Freestyle at 154 far outshine his college accomplishments at 141.

Closer to home, Justin Dyer always wrestled stronger when he was not cutting weight at all. Some wrestlers simply can't cut a lot of weight without sapping their strength. To each his own.

My son just talked to Taplin on the msn thing that they have. And he said that he was playing football at 166 pounds. And that he would be at 160 this wrestling season. He said that he was not cutting any weight this season just like he did last year. He said the only year he even cut weight was his freshman year and that was only like 5 pounds he said.

That is amazaing. Taplin was huge at 145 as a sophmore, and looked like a very big 52 pounder last year. Maybe he has a hollow leg or something.

However, I still think the majority of wrestlers benefit from losing 5-8% of their body weight, if it is done correctly. After all, we are not all the physical specimens Erisman, Taplin, and Prant Garker are.

Unfortunatly I don't think Neil or Grater will have the guts to bump up to Taplin's weight and wrestle him. Im not taking anything away from them becuase they are both good wrestlers.

Why do you have to talk crap like that? They aren't afraid of anyone, it would be stupid to bump up a weight just to wrestle one person.

Good point and my sentiments exactly! When reading Nigel's post(s) one has to consider the source!

REALLY, at least Nigel didn't make a correlation to his own greatness in this ridiculous post, which he frequently does!!!!

I don't think that either of the NATIONAL CHAMPIONS (Grater, Eirsman) are to gutless, as Nigel put it, and would wrestle Taplin if they were in the same weight. However, all three guys have proved themselves enough against the best kids in the nation, I don't see why they would want to bump up to wrestle another Kansan in a regular season match!

I don't think these three will meet up this year.
Because I think grater will be at 145, erisman at 152 and taplin at 160. Maybe taplin and erisman could wrestle at wamego. because i'm sure taplin is tired of hear that these two could beat him. If taplin can make 152 i'm sure he will because i know he is not gutless. taplin went up to 160 a few times last year to wrestle better kids in some duals. one that stands out is against sheets from chapman. Sheets is one of those kids that can keep it close no matter who he wrestles.taplin won 6-2 the worst sheets got
beat all year long. if taplin and erisman wrestle this year it will be a great match. but i would give it to taplin because he's to strong and aggressive for neil to handle.

i agree with ld on that one