NDFAN

Best wishes to you, Chris. You've done some great things here in Indiana and we'll all be looking forward to seeing your continued success in Georgia!

"If a wrestler cannot finish a match without the use of a drug to continue, then they should forfeit the match." Well, given the fact that asthma is considered a disability under law, and one that requires accomodation, good luck with that. I guess this is one of those situations where you'd have to be impacted by it personally to understand how much these kids struggle sometimes to maintain a decent quality of life. The wrestler you're referring to does not need to fake an attack, and I am quite confident he would much prefer to get through all of his matches every single time without the aid of an inhaler. I find it hard to believe that any true asthmatic would fake such a thing, as the ability to breathe is not something they take lightly. Feel fortunate you can breathe.

Well put Coach Hartman. As a parent of a middle school wrestler with asthma, it can be a very maddening experience. I've watched your son wrestle and can relate to what he's going through all too well. I encourage him and thank him for raising awareness of a medical condition that can be very trying. Best wishes to him at state!

Congratulations to Penn Kingsman wrestler Michael Hummer for his accomplishments at Disney Duals. Michael achieved All American status at one of the most grueling tournaments in the nation! I have watched Michael since he started wrestling in middle school and his hard work, composure and class on the mat is unrivaled. Best of luck at Fargo, Michael, and best wishes for a great senior year of high school wrestling. I just know your hard work and dedication will pay off!

Dittos here. He's a fine young man with a bright future. Have enjoyed watching Braden for the past few years and look forward to following him at Purdue. His drive, determination and sportsmanship are an example to all who aspire to follow in his footsteps.

Medical condition causes inspirational Penn senior to give up wrestling Penn's Mikey Witous has battled dwarfism to become one of the best wrestlers in the state at 103 pounds. He was set to walk-on to the Purdue wrestling team in the fall. But instead, he learned this week he won't ever be able to wrestle again. Posted: 10:30 PM Jan 20, 2010 Reporter: Angelo Di Carlo Email Address: angelo.dicarlo@wndu.com Penn's Mikey Witous has gone through a lot in life. The senior stands just 4'6" tall and he suffers from dwarfism. As a child he had two surgeries to straighten out his legs and unrelated to his condition, he began suffering from epilepsy at age 15. And he's battled through it all to become one of the toughest people Penn wrestling coach Brad Harper knows. Witous has grown into a star on the wrestling mat as one of the best grapplers at 103 pounds in the state. In fact, he was set to become a preferred walk-on for the Purdue wresting team in the fall. But during a week that should have been one for celebration, Witous received devastating news. Recently, he's been experiencing extreme pain in his back and numbness in his legs. He thought it was just because of wrestling and didn't tell anyone. But on Monday, things got worse and it wasn't going away. He told his mom and they went to the emergency room on Tuesday where an MRI revealed Witous had severe spinal stenosis, a complication of dwarfism. Doctors told Witous if he ever wrestled again, he risked becoming paralyzed. The news came one night before Senior night and two nights before his 18th birthday. Just like that--Mikey's wrestling career was over. "It's killing me to have to watch these guys wrestle and for me to have to sit on the bench," Mikey said before Wednesday's senior night. "But I know it's really hurting my mom and dad." As it turns out, Mikey is taking the news the best out of everyone. His toughness is inspiring. "I've cried buckets of tears for the last 24 hours," his mom Sheila explains. "I'm so proud of him for the way he responds to these types of situations. It's made him my hero, he's my hero." Mikey's coach feels the same way. "Mikey will overcome it just like the other battles he's had in his life," coach Harper says. "For some reason this has happened to Mike, but he's a hero. He's a hero on our team, our kids look up to him and its sad." Mikey is very disappointed he won't live his dream and wrestle at Purdue next year. But he's keeping things in perspective and staying positive. He says he understands it could have been a lot worse and one more match could have been very dangerous for him. His family is very thankful they caught things when they did. And that's what made senior night so bittersweet. As Mikey walked out with his mom and dad, they were sad thinking about what has happened but happy reflecting on what Mikey has already achieved. Mikey was the last wrestler introduced to the crowd. Coach Harper took the mic and explained why Mikey would no longer be able to wrestle. Harper didn't really know what to say, but he knew he wanted Mikey to feel everyone's love and appreciation. Mikey then received a standing ovation from the crowd in attendance. With Witous on the bench cheering on, Penn went on to defeat Washington 68-0. And Witous will be right there with his teammates the rest of the way. He says he won't miss a practice or a match and will serve as a coach for those in the lower weight classes. As he continues to battle, Mikey will likely stay closer to home for college instead of going to Purdue. That's something that will keep his mom happy. And while Mikey will never wrestle again, he's already proven he'll be a fighter for the rest of his life. We'll have much more on Mikey's battle on Newscenter 16 at 5 on Thursday.

I think Mishawaka will take the Aux Gym and Penn will take the Main Gym. Now the question is how may weight class champs will each school get? Mat 1 Mat 2 at 3 (Main Gym) (Main Gym) (Main Gym) 9:00 SB Adams Penn SB St Joseph SB Clay Plymouth John Glenn 10:30 SB Adams SB St Joseph Penn Plymouth SB Clay John Glenn 12:00 SB Adams Plymouth Penn SB Clay SB St Joseph John Glenn 2:00 sB Adams SB Clay SB St Joseph Plymouth Penn John Glenn 3:30 SB Adams John Glenn SB Clay Plymouth Penn SB St Joseph Mat 1 Mat 2 Mat 3 (Aux Gym) (Aux Gym) (Aux Gym) 9:00 Mishawaka SB Riley SB Washington Mish. Marian Elk. Central Niles (MI) 10:30 Mishawaka SB Washington SB Riley Elk. Central Mish. Marian Niles (MI) 12:00 Mishawaka Elk. Central SB Riley Mish. Marian SB Washington Niles (MI) 2:00 Mishawaka Mish. Marian SB Washington Elk. Central SB Riley Niles (MI) 3:30 Mishawaka Niles (MI) Mish. Marian Elk. Central SB Riley SB Washington

LOL...

Anyone have thoughts on this weekends NIC?

I didn't see a bad call. When? What call? All I saw was a really close match between 2 great competitors.

If they have to rely on one kid making weight, they have bigger problems than just one kid not making weight. It's a team effort.

Informed is obviously not a Penn fan. HA!

Is Wisler even wrestling? I thought he quit the team.

I second that, Warrendad. I 'd like to add that the discussion should not center on one individual either. This is a team event and things happen all the time that preclude certain individuals from participating(sickness, injury, grades, discipline). That's where the "team" concept comes in to play. Don't lay it all on one guy's shoulders. Lay off the kid!