BASCHAMANIA

In this episode of Basch & The Brain Live on BASCHAMANIA, we react to the news that AJ Ferrari was denied admission at UNC and speculate on Troy Nickerson’s possible return to Army West Point. We then dive deep into the U20 World Team Trials, covering weight-by-weight highlights — including Anthony Knox’s 3 match rebound, Blaze back on the team, Duke’s dominance at 70kg, and Jayden James giving Dee Lockett & the 74kg field a serious push at 74kg. We also talk Henckel’s breakthrough, Mirasola brothers’ dominance, and McEnelly’s gritty win at 86kg. Plus: a U23 Nationals recap and Willie’s next move with Real American Freestyle.6:15: AJ Ferrari Got Denied at UNC18:10: Troy Nickerson to Army West Point?24:05: U20s - 57kg, Knox Turned it Around Late33:30 - 61kg - Blaze back on a World Team35:15 - 65kg - Was It a Takedown? 46:15 - 70kg - Duke Back on the Team49:05 - 74kg - Jayden James is a Dawg, but Lockett Too Much57:10 - 79kg - Henckel Breaks Through01:01:10 - 86kg - McEnelly Battles Back to Make Team01:05:40 - 92kg - Mirasola Back on World Team01:07:30 - 97kg - Rademacher Continues to Win01:09:30 - 125kg - Cole Mirasola Again Checks The Box01:16:30 - U23 Nationals - Who Is on the Team, Finals Rundown01:31:30 - Willie Takes a Job With Real American FreestyleBe sure to SUBSCRIBE to the podcast. NEW EPISODES WEEKLY/BIWEEKLY!Support the show & leave a 5-star rating and review on Apple Podcasts, and shop some apparel on BASCHAMANIA.com! For all partnership and sponsorship inquiries, email info@baschamania.com. BASCHAMANIA is a Basch Solutions Production. Learn more about Basch Solutions at BaschSolutions.com.SUBSCRIBE FOR VIDEO ON YOUTUBE!https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pxf0TDH1TTYTWITTER: http://www.twitter.com/justinjbaschINSTAGRAM: http://www.instagram.com/jbaschBASCHAMANIA: https://www.instagram.com/baschamaniaWILLIE ON TWITTER/X: https://twitter.com/MatScouts1WILLIE'S PLATFORM FOR EXCLUSIVE CONTENT: https://rokfin.com/MatScoutsSUBSCRIBE FOR AUDIO ON THE GO:Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/baschamania/id1475498491Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7LBgpWGohZxuHHYGgJF9Mu

In this episode of Basch & The Brain Live, we cover everything from who’s still in the transfer portal to the recent 18-month USADA suspension of Thomas Gilman, and signs pointing to Kyle Snyder’s return at Final X. We dive into updates on the Real American Freestyle movement, Lehigh adding women’s wrestling, and the increasingly competitive Junior World Team Trials. We also explore the impact of the same-day best-of-three format—and wrap by asking: Where is Iowa this freestyle season?10:50 - Who is Left in the Transfer Portal?13:45 - Thomas Gilman Suspended for 18 months25:45 - Sounds like Kyle Snyder is Competing at Final X33:00 - Real American Freestyle Update39:10 - Lehigh Adds Women’s Wrestling47:45 - Junior World Team Trials Continue to Heat Up01:00:10 - The Advantage of Best of 3 Same Day in Junior World Team Trials01:18:05 - Where is Iowa this Freestyle Season?Be sure to SUBSCRIBE to the podcast. NEW EPISODES WEEKLY/BIWEEKLY!Support the show & leave a 5-star rating and review on Apple Podcasts, and shop some apparel on BASCHAMANIA.com! For all partnership and sponsorship inquiries, email info@baschamania.com. BASCHAMANIA is a Basch Solutions Production. Learn more about Basch Solutions at BaschSolutions.com.SUBSCRIBE FOR VIDEO ON YOUTUBE!https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pxf0TDH1TTYTWITTER: http://www.twitter.com/justinjbaschINSTAGRAM: http://www.instagram.com/jbaschBASCHAMANIA: https://www.instagram.com/baschamaniaWILLIE ON TWITTER/X: https://twitter.com/MatScouts1WILLIE'S PLATFORM FOR EXCLUSIVE CONTENT: https://rokfin.com/MatScoutsSUBSCRIBE FOR AUDIO ON THE GO:Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/baschamania/id1475498491Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7LBgpWGohZxuHHYGgJF9Mu

In his first appearance on Baschamania, Penn State’s Levi Haines joins the show fresh off a World Team Trials win to talk about his dominant performance, what it means to be heading to Final X, and how it felt getting revenge on Dean Hamiti. We break down Levi’s incredible first three years at Penn State — including three Big Ten titles, a 73–4 record, and finishes of 2nd, 1st, and 3rd at the NCAA Championships. Levi opens up about leadership, faith, gratitude, and the elite culture inside the Penn State and NLWC room, plus his thoughts on social media, NIL, and who’s the better outdoorsman — him or Josh Barr.TIMESTEAMPS01:00 - Winning the World Team Trials05:00 - Beating Hamiti in the Finals07:00 - Opposing David Taylor11:15 - Placing 1st, 2nd & 3rd at NCAA’s16:45 - Learning The Most From Loss18:00 - Moving Up Two Weight Classes19:00 - Winning 3 Big Ten Titles21:00 - Winning Team Titles vs Individual Titles24:00 - The Depth at Penn State28:40 - The Penn State Coaches & Leadership31:00 - Having No Off Switch35:00 - Importance of Family39:15 - Stepping Up into Leadership42:00 - Penn State Culture & Gratitude47:00 - Growing in His Faith49:00 - Plans for Social Media53:30 - Perspective Heading into Final X54:30 - Rapid Fire Fan Questions

In this episode of Basch & The Brain Live, we dive into the latest buzz around the Junior World Team Trials, previewing loaded brackets at 61kg, 65kg, and 70kg, and potential finals matchups across the board. We talk about the latest on Kyle Snyder, why USA isn’t attending the Ranking Series, and why Oklahoma State fans are once again triggering Willie. 03:00 - Girls High School Rankings Are Here08:15 - Kyle Snyder Looking Likely18:00 - Oklahoma State Fans are Pissing Willie Off Again25:30 - USA Not Going to Ranking Series30:00 - WIllie Getting Sick in Uzbekistan32:00 - Junior World Team Trials Preview41:40 - 61kg: Loaded for College Fans45:30 - 65kg: Bassett/StanichRematch?51:25 - 70kg: Duke Trying to Double Up56:40 - 74kg: Dee Lockett Sitting in the Finals58:35 - 79kg - Will William Henckel Break Through01:01:30 - 86kg - Max McEnelly vs Sinclair Likely Battle Again01:03:35 - 92kg & 97kg - US Open Final Rematches Likely01:07:15 - 125kg is Gonna be a ShowBe sure to SUBSCRIBE to the podcast. NEW EPISODES WEEKLY/BIWEEKLY!Support the show & leave a 5-star rating and review on Apple Podcasts, and shop some apparel on BASCHAMANIA.com! For all partnership and sponsorship inquiries, email info@baschamania.com. BASCHAMANIA is a Basch Solutions Production. Learn more about Basch Solutions at BaschSolutions.com.SUBSCRIBE FOR VIDEO ON YOUTUBE!https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pxf0TDH1TTYTWITTER: http://www.twitter.com/justinjbaschINSTAGRAM: http://www.instagram.com/jbaschBASCHAMANIA: https://www.instagram.com/baschamaniaWILLIE ON TWITTER/X: https://twitter.com/MatScouts1WILLIE'S PLATFORM FOR EXCLUSIVE CONTENT: https://rokfin.com/MatScoutsSUBSCRIBE FOR AUDIO ON THE GO:Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/baschamania/id1475498491Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7LBgpWGohZxuHHYGgJF9Mu

In this episode of Basch & The Brain, we break down all the major storylines from the 2025 World Team Trials. We start with the good, the bad, and the ugly from the event before diving into each key weight class — including Real Woods showing out at 65kg, Yianni vs PJ locked in at 70kg, Carter vs Dake delivering at 86kg, and Josh Barr making serious noise at 92kg. We also discuss PSU/NLWC sending 7 athletes to Final X, Skylar Grote vs Amit Elor, and whether Mason Parris & Gable Steveson’s absences left 125kg feeling flat. Plus, we close with a teaser on the Class of 2026 Big Board and our Top 10 recruiting prospects.05:00 - The Good, The Bad, The Ugly of the World Team Trials18:18 - 65kg Recap, Real Woods Brought It30:25 - 70kg Recap, We’re Getting Yianni vs PJ!36:00 - National Team/Not Wrestling Back44:40 - 79kg, PSU/NLWC Sends 7 to Final X48:43 - 86kg - Carter/Dake Delivered57:00 - 92kg - Barr is an Animal01:01:45 - 97kg - TBD if Our Rep is Now Set01:05:15 - 125kg - Lacked the Star Power We're Used To01:10:20 - Skylar Grote brought it to Amit Elor01:12:15 - Class of 2026 Big Board Teaser1:14:20 - The NEW TOP 10 in The Class of 2026!Be sure to SUBSCRIBE to the podcast. NEW EPISODES WEEKLY/BIWEEKLY!Support the show & leave a 5-star rating and review on Apple Podcasts, and shop some apparel on BASCHAMANIA.com! For all partnership and sponsorship inquiries, email info@baschamania.com. BASCHAMANIA is a Basch Solutions Production. Learn more about Basch Solutions at BaschSolutions.com.SUBSCRIBE FOR VIDEO ON YOUTUBE!https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pxf0TDH1TTYTWITTER: http://www.twitter.com/justinjbaschINSTAGRAM: http://www.instagram.com/jbaschBASCHAMANIA: https://www.instagram.com/baschamaniaWILLIE ON TWITTER/X: https://twitter.com/MatScouts1WILLIE'S PLATFORM FOR EXCLUSIVE CONTENT: https://rokfin.com/MatScoutsSUBSCRIBE FOR AUDIO ON THE GO:Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/baschamania/id1475498491Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7LBgpWGohZxuHHYGgJF9Mu

In this episode of Basch & The Brain Live, we break down the latest on Kyle Snyder’s situation and what it could mean for Final X. We also dive into the Raney brothers’ commitment to Oklahoma State, reactions from Iowa fans, and what it means for recruiting momentum moving forward. Plus, we talk about the Class of 2027, and make our final picks for World Team Trials matchups across the board.Video Timestamps:4:50 - Kyle Snyder Update11:45 - Will We See Snyder at Final X?17:31 - Raney Bros Commit to Oklahoma State25:30 - Iowa Fan Reactions to Not Getting Raney31:30 - Next Year, Class of 202739:30 - World Team Trials Matchups & Making Final PicksBe sure to SUBSCRIBE to the podcast. NEW EPSISODES WEEKLY/BIWEEKLY!Support the show & leave a 5-star rating and review on Apple Podcasts, and shop some apparel on BASCHAMANIA.com! For all partnership and sponsorship inquiries, email info@baschamania.com.BASCHAMANIA is a Basch Solutions Production. Learn more about Basch Solutions at BaschSolutions.com.SUBSCRIBE FOR VIDEO ON YOUTUBE!https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pxf0TDH1TTYTWITTER: http://www.twitter.com/justinjbaschINSTAGRAM: http://www.instagram.com/jbaschBASCHAMANIA: https://www.instagram.com/baschamania/WILLIE ON TWITTER/X: https://twitter.com/MatScouts1WILLIE'S PLATFORM FOR EXCLUSIVE CONTENT: https://rokfin.com/MatScoutsSUBSCRIBE FOR AUDIO ON THE GO:Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/baschamania/id1475498491Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7LBgpWGohZxuHHYGgJF9Mu

On this week’s Basch & The Brain Live, we cover a packed slate of news and speculation across the wrestling world. We kick things off with the breaking news of Kyle Snyder’s arrest, then dive into transfer buzz with Sammy Alvarez announcing he's heading to Iowa. We discuss Dee Lockett’s possible weight change, preview the World Team Trials, and then we get into Real American Freestyle, new recruiting class rankings, and more.Video Timestamps:03:50 - Kyle Snyder Got Arrested17:35 - Sammy Alvarez to Iowa?31:45 - Dee Locket Changing Weights?37:15 - World Team Trials Preview for Men’s Freestyle (65 & 70)52:20 - 74kg at WTT57:00 - 79kg & 86kg at World Team Trials01:03:15 - 92kg and 97kg01:08:15 - Is Heavyweight Wyatt Hendrickson Next Topic?01:12:00 - Real American Freestyle Wrestling01:17:15 - Recruiting Class Rankings Are OutTweet us and send us messages with questions and general thoughts! Be sure to SUBSCRIBE to the podcast and go through the archives to hear more great stories.Support the show & leave a 5-star rating and review on Apple Podcasts, and shop some apparel on BASCHAMANIA.com! For all partnership and sponsorship inquiries, email info@baschamania.com.BASCHAMANIA is a Basch Solutions Production. Learn more about Basch Solutions at BaschSolutions.com.SUBSCRIBE ON YOUTUBE! https://www.youtube.com/@JustinBaschCONNECT ON X/TWITTER:TWITTER: http://www.twitter.com/justinjbaschINSTAGRAM: http://www.instagram.com/jbasch

After an incredible freshman season, Josh Barr returns to Baschamania to talk about his NCAA Finals run, battling through injury, and what he learned in year one at Penn State. We dive into everything from his mindset after the Buchanan match to his growing leadership role, the addition of new training partners and teammates like Rocco Welsh and Ono, and his decision-making around World Team Trials.Josh also shares how his faith anchored him through the highs and lows of a grueling season.02:00 - Bo Nickal’s Fight Reaction04:30 - Biggest Takeaways from Freshman Season06:30 - Getting Injured at Big 10’s12:30 - Getting Momentum at NCAA’s14:30 - Cardenas Semis Rubber Match17:15 - Gratitude for Heading to NCAA Finals19:50 - Mindset after NCAA Finals25:00 - 2nd or 3rd Place29:10 - Role of His Faith This Season32:15 - Iron Sharpens Iron36:30 - Leadership in the Room39:30 - Approaching Next Season Differently?43:00 - Rocco Welsh Coming & Zack Ryder Leaving46:30 - Depth at Penn State, Wrestling with Mirasola49:30 - Excitement for Ono51:30 - World Team Trials?56:30 - Biggest Pride from This Past YearTweet us and send us messages with questions and general thoughts! Be sure to SUBSCRIBE to the podcast and go through the archives to hear more great stories.Support the show & leave a 5-star rating and review on Apple Podcasts, and shop some apparel on BASCHAMANIA.com! For all partnership and sponsorship inquiries, email info@baschamania.com.BASCHAMANIA is a Basch Solutions Production. Learn more about Basch Solutions at BaschSolutions.com.SUBSCRIBE ON YOUTUBE! https://www.youtube.com/@JustinBaschCONNECT ON X/TWITTER:TWITTER: http://www.twitter.com/justinjbaschINSTAGRAM: http://www.instagram.com/jbasch

Fresh off winning the U.S. Open at 70kg, Yianni Diakomihalis returns to Baschamania with a lot to unpack. We dive into his transition to 70kg, what beating James Green meant to him, how a year off changed his approach, and what’s fueling him heading toward Final X and the World stage. 01:30 - How This Open Win Compares03:30 - Having a Full Year Off07:00 - The Transition to 70kg10:00 - Cardenas & Bryce Wins11:30 - Takeaways from Finals with Green14:00 - Best of 3 Series at Final X16:45 - Focusing on Green vs World Competition19:00 - Only 26, But Already 2622:30 - Being the Old Guy23:00 - PJ Duke Story24:30 - Inspiration in the Young Guys29:00 - Mindset Focus33:00 - Evolving at This Point in Your Career34:15 - Thoughts on Current State of Team USA39:00 - Impact of Guys Wrestling for Other Countries45:45 - NIL’s Impact on RTC’s58:00 - Simon Ruiz Story01:00:50 - Fan Q&ATweet us and send us messages with questions and general thoughts! Be sure to SUBSCRIBE to the podcast and go through the archives to hear more great stories.Support the show & leave a 5-star rating and review on Apple Podcasts, and shop some apparel on BASCHAMANIA.com! For all partnership and sponsorship inquiries, email info@baschamania.com.BASCHAMANIA is a Basch Solutions Production. Learn more about Basch Solutions at BaschSolutions.com.SUBSCRIBE ON YOUTUBE! https://www.youtube.com/@JustinBaschCONNECT ON X/TWITTER:TWITTER: http://www.twitter.com/justinjbaschINSTAGRAM: http://www.instagram.com/jbasch

Fresh off winning the 2025 US Open - (Seniors!) High School Phenom Jax Forrest joined me to talk about his awesome performance in Vegas, committing to Stillwater, and finishing up his time at Bishop McCort.1:30 - Going Seniors instead of U20/Juniors03:15 - Oklahoma State Commitment Impact on US Open05:30 - Seeing the Veterans Retire07:10 - Perspective Heading into the Open09:15 - Finals Match with Seth Gross12:00 - When He’s Locking In for Vito13:30 - Daton Fix Injury Update14:50 - Importance of Faith19:30 - Balancing Expectation & Pressure21:45 - Jax on Social Media23:30 - Other Team Plans?24:15 - The Excitement in Stillwater27:15 - Bishop McCort30:30 - Dynamic in the McCort Room31:30 - Motivation for Remainder of High School Career34:15 - Influences for Development & Maturity36:00 - Getting a Cadillac37:45 - Fan QuestionsTweet us and send us messages with questions and general thoughts! Be sure to SUBSCRIBE to the podcast and go through the archives to hear more great stories.Support the show & leave a 5-star rating and review on Apple Podcasts, and shop some apparel on BASCHAMANIA.com! For all partnership and sponsorship inquiries, email info@baschamania.com.BASCHAMANIA is a Basch Solutions Production. Learn more about Basch Solutions at BaschSolutions.com.SUBSCRIBE ON YOUTUBE! https://www.youtube.com/@JustinBaschCONNECT ON X/TWITTER:TWITTER: http://www.twitter.com/justinjbaschINSTAGRAM: http://www.instagram.com/jbasch