The announcement is close . . . who’s going to win this year’s Sullivan Award? Vegas has it hands down for Katlin Clark. I’d have to agree. She had a fabulous year, and even more stellar career.
For the sport of wrestling, David Taylor is one of the six finalists that will at the ceremony in New York City. And, he’s certainly deserving of our at-a-boys. He’s one of America’s best athletes ever, in any sport.
And to support David’s nomination by comparing it to Katlin’s career, he’s only dominated the world, not just other American collegians.
However, winning this coveted award is a matter of two things. Having the type of statistics that’s necessary to overshadow the other five athletes; he does! The other one is having the type of marketing campaign that’s equal to, or greater than the awards notoriety.
David gave us the first one on a silver plater. However, the organization that nominated David, USAWrestling, laid his accomplishments on a sheet of saranwrap and called it a day.
On a scale of 1 to 5, I ask three individuals who has made a career in the sport with what they read, write or saw? Their responses; all three said a 2 out of 5.
I’m sorry David, you deserve more. You deserve better, as does the sport.
Granted, he would have needed a lot given Katlin’s national exposure, but if he trained the same way as USAWrestling prepared for him to win the Sullivan, he wouldn’t have made it overseas at all.
Does Colorado Springs even have a marketing department? If the number of fans that show up at their national championships is any indication, it would appear the answer is no.
