Indiana people seem to give a lot of respect to PA and OH but kind of slight IL by saying it's "depth" that makes IL better than IN. Well, I'd argue it's depth that makes PA and OH better than IN as well. Depth is just another word for better as far as this discussion is concerned. Steel sharpens steel, whatever conrny phrase you want to use, applies here. Bigger states have bigger populations to choose from and better competition to compete against regularly. This is true for IL, PA and OH. This makes BETTER athletes. It comes from depth but, in the end, these states just have better guys than ours, regardless. My son and I were talking about it and we think IN competes favorably with states like WI, MN and MI. Leave the big boys (PA, OH, NJ & IL - probably in that order) out of the discussion as to who IN competes with favorably.
Well said; you and Y2 are spot on.
Laboratory experimental proof to support your point can be found by looking at the success of 'da Region' wrestlers in the last 10 years at Indiana State finals. An underpinning element to the success of those wrestlers is due to Illinois; more specifically to proximity to the Overtime Wrestling School of Wrestling. If you peruse their website and look at the list of dedicated Indiana wrestlers who trek an hour, 2-3 times per week in the off-season from 'da Region' to Naperville to lock horns with the best from Illinois & the Midwest it is pretty telling. But the story is not just the Indiana guys on the list, but just look around to the names Illinois guys in the room they train with all the time.
As to the big picture support of Indiana wrestling at large, this is perhaps in my mind the primary reason I would support class wrestling; on one hand there is unique pride in the one-class system because in the end, we know the top guys are battle tested and have earned their badge of honor. But I have come to believe we need to incentivize success for the sport to grow, and create depth through success, which will keep more kids hungry in the sport knowing they have a shot. It's a tough balance, but as long as it does not become 'handing out soccer trophies to all', it can grow and stay meaningful in preparation for life's future lessons.
(Side-note: Indiana basketball made a boneheaded decision because they miscalculated the value of history and how their consumer valued of their product. Indiana class basketball was a way of life, a special Friday night, and belief that each TOWN was chasing a holy grail. Just to be fan, or to make the team for most meant they became part of the lore, passion, and prestige of Indiana basketball, which drove the hunger of kids wanting to play. Heck I bet even basketball Sectional Champions got champ ring and a POA.
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As to the Indiana, Illinois wrestling argument on IL's depth, population and youth organization are the difference. Indiana has come a long way in improving the kids programs (thanks to many of the high school coaches), but having coached middle school in Illinois in the 1990's, I was blown away with the size and intensity of the machine that is the IKWF. It was on par or superior to the Indiana High School operation, and kept K-8 kids wrestling all the way into March. Regardless of the coaching quality, just having the organization in place is half the battle.
Thus to improve Indiana wrestling, in addition to the coaches who help keep Indiana High school wrestling going (despite pathetic IHSAA support), I think class wrestling is the best for the future of the sport in Indiana for all. As well the IHSAA coaches need strengthen and find away to more people with wrestling experience voted to the various IHSAA boards, but not just coaches, they need to find former wrestlers who are now professionals out in the work force who may not be seen as to one-issue people and be threatening to the IHSAA machine.
At the same time, continuing to cementing & grow the structure of the K-8 and those great volunteers who selflessly put on freestyle tournaments, and continue to grow K-8 programs, it's good to hopefully see the private training programs like the CIA's, Region Wrestling Academies, etc' succeed, as they have become important in filling a void.
Y2, on top of what you guys have done with Indiana Mat, I really like what you guys have been doing with promoting the RTC's, and various camps and clinics, while trying to build a foundation at places like Garrett, keep it up the great work.
http://overtimewrestling.com/students.html INDIANA HIGH SCHOOL STATE CHAMPIONS form OVERTIME WRESTLING
Angel Escobedo - 2002 (IN)
Mike Escobedo - 2002 (IN)
Alex Tsirtsis - 2002 (IN)
Alex Tsirtsis - 2004 (IN)
Eric Galka - 2005 (IN)
Eric McGill - 2006 (IN)
Andrew Howe - 2006 (IN)
Eric Galka - 2007 (IN)
Eric McGill - 2007 (IN)
Andrew Howe - 2007 (IN)
Andrew Howe - 2008 (IN)
Kyle Ayersman – 2010 (IN)
Kyle Ayersman - 2011 (IN)
Kyle Ayersman - 2012 (IN)
Jose Escobedo - 2002 (2nd, IN)
Josh Garza - 2002 (4th, IN)
ose Escobedo - 2002 (2nd, IN)
Josh Garza - 2002 (4th, IN)
Andrew Howe - 2005 (2nd, IN)
Eric Howe - 2005 (3rd, IN)
Brennan Cosgrove - 2006 (2nd, IN)
Eric Galka - 2008 (2nd, IN)
