Y2CJ41

One wants to go up a weight as stated above. One really only goes because of the hanging out with his teammates, cool gear, and the awesome coaches.

The kids don't look miserable, but as I've asked before why are kids not caring if they are on the "best" team? Why would they want to sacrifice being on a "national championship" team to be a gorilla?

I'll be in Wisconsin going to my first DIII's! I can't wait.

Here are the issues 1. Strong arming kids into being on a certain team 2. There has to be a reason why the kids would rather be a Gorilla knowing full well they may not be as good as the Gold team. Why is it that they want to be a Gorilla over IHSWCA? Is it price, is it gear, is it my awesome personality? I don't mind the best being on one team, I don't go after kids that haven't been a previous Gorilla.

It was pretty boring and they didn't have the coverage they have now. You're welcome by the way.

I know of two state champs that are Gorillas or won't go, amongst a few other top kids. The kids were told if they even try to wrestle for the Gorillas they would be BANNED from the tournament. It's not a national event, calling yourself a national champion without teams from states like Minnesota, Iowa, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, etc is a little self serving.

1. I'd rather not take vacation time and time away from family to coach with people that do not respect me. Just not worth it in my mind. 2. You're right I don't have to recruit the kids, they come to me because of past experiences that were great.

I was told my team was not allowed. I was offered a "coaching" stint with the IHSWCA team, but declined. Some of the reasons include not using the "approved" hotels, don't recognize it is an IHSWCA event(which it's not according to Skinner), and because I can't tell kids no that want to be on the team and i need to force them to be with the other teams. I'm not taking my ball and going home, the Gorillas got kicked out and told to stay home. They got kicked out for offering the same exact product for cheaper and provided a better experience. I'm sorry for doing that and will try to make the kids' experience less fun and enjoyable in the future. For the record I don't recruit kids going on the Gold team, the kids come up to ME and tell me they would rather be on my team. Most of them are ones I picked up when they were not selected beforehand. I picked up Brayton Lee when he was a semi-state qualifier, Brayden Curtis when he was a mere 7th place finisher, etc. I also work backroom deals such as a group of kids came to me last year saying they'd wrestle if I let their red haired friend on the team...so I did.

Snopes is a liberal website, don't believe everything they say

Yes it will get ugly, that's what happens when you poke the #800lbGorilla. The only reason I'm waiting is because it's on the event organizer's plate, not the kids or the IHSWCA's.

Perry had three returning placers...add in Sam Fair from 2016.

Nope they can wrestle in the event just fine. There are no issues with them participating.

I won't catch them, just warn them ahead of time if they do something they'll be violating their IHSAA amateurism. They will be fine to wrestle and participate, there is just a little catch at the end.

Believe it if you will, I'll release the information on the IHSAA violation at the right time.

This should be a local decision by the coach, wrestler, and parents plain and simple. With the lax supervision and coaches involved I wouldn't want a Carroll kid to go to the event on the IHSWCA team. Tom Miller, I use the term Hall of Fame loosely as he was inducted after having only 3 state qualifiers and no placers. That information will be released the week of the event unless a miracle happens. The event organizer and IHSWCA has consistently put the kids in jeopardy and will probably continue to do so.

How come those are only "rules" for Indiana's teams?

What if kids can't afford the other team that is almost double in price? What if kids want to be on the same team as a few of their teammates? What if kids want to be coached by their high school coach instead of "others?" Why can't kids/parents make the decision for themselves instead of being forced into a decision?

Well of course, I'm not that mean. I wouldn't be one to ostracize people even at that level. We don't do it at the IHPO, we won't do it ever. I would wait until the day of the event for a real confirmation as I believe Georgia was one that a few years ago was supposed to come and backed out literally last minute. That then led to the "All-Stars" team of...well anyone they could find.

That's a splendid idea, maybe we'll look into some Gorilla Duals next year. Maybe name the #800lbGorilla State that has the best elementary, middle school, and high school performances. Per TrackWrestling right now it looks like Indiana, Ohio, Illinois, Colorado, Virginia, Michigan, North Dakota, Kentucky, and Georgia Virginia is back after a year hiatus Michigan is back after a couple year hiatus Georgia is back after a really long hiatus

And I forgot to add that kids could be jeopardizing their IHSAA Amateurism at this event. By taking a few "top" kids I have helped prevent kids from violating IHSAA rules.

1. Are the selected wrestlers the top 9th-11th grade wrestlers as determined by IHSAA state placement? Yes, at least that is how I believe it goes 2. Beyond the top 2 wrestlers (assuming that's how team Gold/Blue are chosen) are the other wrestlers free to join another team or do other teams have to wait until the sanctioned teams are filled by going down the pecking order, then choose from the remaining freshman-junior wrestlers to fill their squads? I don't know the process in which other teams are selected. Waiting for the Gold/Blue teams to fill up is tough as there is a short window of time to find wrestlers especially when real national events are about the same time and you flirt with spring breaks and other spring activities.

1. Will the 2 officially sanctioned teams (Indiana Gold/Blue) be the only Indiana teams allowed? I'm sure there will be Renegade teams 2. Are the Gorillas the only team being barred from participating? Yes 3. How are wrestlers selected for the various teams? Are wrestlers/parents allowed to choose which team they will be a part of, or will the top wrestlers *only* be allowed to participate on the sanctioned teams? They are "selected" based on state performance. However, wrestlers/parents are not allowed to choose what team they are on supposedly. This is a "rule" only for Indiana teams though. It is fine for Ohio and Illinois to spread their talent out to multiple teams.

Word on the street is there may be some WARRIORS in the room tonight....even ones that have attained All-American status!

Where to begin... It seems a "Hall of Fame" coach got his panties in a bunch when the top kids didn't care to be coached by him. He really enjoyed overcharging the kids and providing next to no supervision of the athletes. Then he really enjoyed the hob nobbing like he was something special when he "coached" the kids to a "national" title. When some competition came along that offered the same exact event with potentially better gear(kids love cool gear), a fun time, and for about half the price his gig was up. So the "Hall of Fame" coach got with his buddy who disguised himself as an NWCA representative and made an executive order to dismiss the Gorillas based on some shoddy evidence. It's no surprise this is the same person who has run a once very prestigious event directly into the ground. Note that Indiana is the ONLY state with "rules" on entering teams, no other state has any regulations other than pay and you're in. This is the same event that allows teams to be comprised of wrestlers from different states. They also allow kids to be on two different teams and WRESTLE for two different teams in the event. There are also middle school kids that participate on state teams that do not allow middle school wrestlers to be varsity. Basically, rules for this event are made up on the spot and change every year. I have contacted the NWCA to see why they are sponsoring and event that has little to no organization and makes up rules as they go. Even though USAW has their name on the event it seems as if they have no affiliation with the event or the organizer. Lastly, if you are sending a kid with the IHSWCA teams be aware of very relaxed supervision. Last year a large group of IHSWCA wrestlers were seen at the Gorilla hotel both nights with water guns. The year before a group came over to the Gorilla hotel and walked into a room and stole a bag with singlet, shoes, headgear, and other gear. Luckily our kid got his stuff back and the kids involved with the theft were not punished.

Looks like Isaiah Kemper from Evansville Central also qualified, he's wrestling for McKendree University.