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| Michael Chandler |
Chat Live With Michael Chandler!
Welcome to the weekly mutigers.com moderated wrestling chat! This Monday, Jan. 22, at 2:30 p.m., sophomore Michael Chandler will stop by to answer your questions! The Q-and-A session with the nation's 13th-ranked wrestler at 157 pounds will last approximately 20 minutes.
The chat session is the eighth in a season-long campaign (Monday Mat Chat) in which fans will have the opportunity to communicate with various members of the Missouri coaching staff and team. Each chat session is held Monday at 2:30 p.m. (CT).
After finishing just shy of All-American honors in 2006, Chandler earned Missouri's Most Improved Wrestler and the Hap Whitney Coaches Award as a freshman. This season, Chandler is 18-6 on the year, and has a collegiate career record of 37-22.
While Michael will not by stopping by until 2:30, feel free to submit questions now and we will have them waiting for him when he arrives to chat.
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| fulton,mo: I wanted to know if there is a lot of pressure on the team to win and we have getting off to a slow start in a all our matches? |
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Michael Chandler: There is a lot of pressure on the team, but I think we're responding to it well. We're not folding under pressure. It could be the first time since 1965 that Missouri has won a national title.
As far as the slow start. I think it was just a coincidence that the lower weights had problems at the star of their duals. They had some tough opponents. |
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| Luke Skywalker: Do you like pie? |
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Michael Chandler: Yes. Especilly pumpkin. With whip cream. |
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| Brian (Jefferson City): At what age did you begin wrestling and do you think that starting too young (5-6yrs.) can have an adverse impact on kids?
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Michael Chandler: I started when I was five and quit when I was nine-ish. Starting at five I didn't pick up on a lot. I didn't pay attention, I did flips and messed around. I really started getting into it in high school as a freshman.
I don't think it can have an adverse pace. But I think the most important years are probably somewhere around fifth, sixth, seventh, eighth grade. That's when you're really starting to mature and your motor skills are starting to increase. |
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| mike--kansas city: Congrats on yours and the teams success so far...was there ever a thought to you moving down to the 149 class or are you comfortable at 157 and the field of wrestlers at that weight nationally? |
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Michael Chandler: The thought did cross my mind about going at 149. But...I realized that focusing on wrestling rather than cutting weight would be have a more positive affect on my goals. If I went 149 it would have been a hard cut. Yes, I do feel comfortable at 157. It's not too hard to make and I feel like I'm in the mix with the field of wrestlers at 157. I think it's up for grabs. |
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| Louden-High Ridge: Hey Mike! Congratulations on a successful run as a starter for the Tigers!
For a lot of the younger wrestlers out there looking to make their mark, what advice would you offer those looking to have the same improvement and success that you've had since your first year of college? |
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Michael Chandler: Hey Louden! The greatest advice is to just set your goals high and work hard. Don't focus on your short-comings as a wrestler. Put more of an emphasis on how you can get better and improve and work toward you goals. Sometimes training smart is just as important as training hard. |
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| Rock Port: I am a softmore here at rock port and i wrestle at HWT..and we wrestle lots and lots for the next two weeks then is district so my question is how will i stay ready and healthy? and not be tired....we wrestle...3x this week 3x next week then it is district then state which is in columbia |
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Michael Chandler: The biggest thing about staying on the top of your game during times when it seems like your overloaded and your forced to wrestle three-times a week eat right, get rest. Dot your I's and cross your T's when it comes to having good habits. |
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| Clay (Liberty, MO): Congratulations on a great year so far! Using hindsight, I was wondering if Coach Smith feels he did the right thing by juggling his lineup for the Championship Match with Minnesota at the national duals? Was his primary reason for doing this to give the team a better chance of winning, or was it to give Ben Askren more competition? Thanks! |
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Michael Chandler: No. During the Minnesota dual we had a few guys banged up so we were forced to juggle the lineup. Luckily, we had Nick Marable who was able to step in and get a win for us at 165 which allowed us to pump (Matt) Pell and Ben (Askren). |
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| Brian (Columbia): What drives you to maintain the level of dedication it takes to compete as a Division I wrestler. |
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Michael Chandler: Competing as a Division I wrestler is one of the greatest opportunities that I have made for myself and I consider it a blessing to be able to go out and practice and compete daily. I guess for me, it's mainly just the love of the sport that helps me to maintain the level of dedication that I have. |
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| Nicholas Raic (St. Louis): What is your favorite move to use on opponents? Also, what is your most effective move? |
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Michael Chandler: I try and use a large arsenal of techniques to win matches. Basically, whenever I seen an opening for a move I take it. I believe in my training and know that I'm prepared and worked harder than my opponent. |
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| Uncle Mike and JOHN Stuart, Iowa: Michael, you looked pretty tough at the duals. Keep up the good work. See you at Big 12 tournament. |
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Michael Chandler: Thanks Uncle Mike and John. Can't wait to see you guys at the Big 12 Tournament, March 3 in Columbia.. |
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| Jackson (K.C.): Congrats on yours and the teams early success.I know because of your hard work and continued improvement people are expecting many team points and a A.A.from you Anybody in the room that is not expected by the so called experts that could suprise and get us team points at nationals. p.s. I think next time you beat Schlatter. Go get em!! |
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Michael Chandler: To begin the season Josh Wagner wasn't getting the respect that I felt he deserved. But, now having proved himself he's ranked up there with the best of them. (John) Olanowski at 125 and (Mark) Ellis at heavyweight are both going to score some big points for us at nationals as well as the freshman pinning phenomenon Ashtin (Primus) at 141 pounds. They may be viewed as our weak links but everyone will see that they should make major contributions to our national team score. |
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| Christopher (Chicago): Mike,
With the opening at 165 and 174 next year, are you thinking about moving up a weight class? If not, who do you think has the edge at those weight classes (Marable, Williamson, Brooks)? |
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Michael Chandler: With the openings in mind I plan on going whatever weight will benefit the team the most. I feel I am able to make 157 if the team needs me. Or...if the team needs me at 165 Ill go with whatever works best for the team. No matter what weight (Nick) Marable goes he should be in the mix next year. His hard work is paying off. He's already beaten some ranked guys at 165 for us this year. As far as 174 I'm sure we'll put the pieces together. Hopefully everyone around that weight is hungry for the spot and working hard. As iron sharpens iron so does one man sharpen another. |
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| Andy (Kansas City): Mike, do you have any interests in competing in MMA after your collegiate wrestling career? |
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Michael Chandler: Right now I'm focused on winning a national title and then competing internationally in wrestling after college. But...who knows what the future will hold.... |
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| Big Nick: Congrats on the season so far. HEading into the heart of hte Big 12 season who do you see as your stiffest competition and what is your prediction for the 157 class at the Big 12 tourney? |
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Michael Chandler: Trent Paulson (Iowa State) is the highest "ranked" wrestler that I will see in the Big 12 duals that are coming up. But, there's no doubt in my mind that he's not beatable. I may be the underdog but he better be ready to wrestle seven hard minutes. I plan on taking a run at the Big 12 title March 3. |
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Michael Chandler: Thanks for all the questions and also the support you've given me throughout the season. I look forward to seeing you all out at our dual this Sunday against No. 20 Nebraska. |
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