Obviously, the team has had some pretty amazing success over the past 10-12 year run, and they are at a different level now than they've ever been before. The talent level is as high as it has ever been and deeper (that's the key!) than ever, and they should be pushing for podium finishes over the next several years.

But everything in life is earned, and the current roster should take a look back at the 2016 and 2017 squad who set the high-water mark for this team IMHO (except for Mekhi's National Title) with a podium finish and 6 All-Americans in 2016 and five more AAs in 2017. Several guys from that talented squad were projected to be in the hunt, and they were and they performed. A couple stumbled, but then rose to the occasion on the biggest stage - most notably Zach Epperly storming back for 3d place in 2016. And a few just outperformed - like Sal Mastriani in 2017.

I bring up the 2016-17 squad because yes, the current group is loaded with talent and has amazing potential, but rankings mean nothing on the mat. This group has incredible potential, but they still need to earn it like the 2016-17 group did. (OK, and props for 2018 too.)