High School News

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2131
Toe to Joe with Eric McGill
[caption id=" align="aligncenter" width="291" caption="Eric McGill wrestling against Pittsburgh's Headlee][/caption]
 
The first installment of Toe to Joe is an interview with Cornell wrestler and former two-time Indiana state champion Eric McGill.
 
1. Why did you choose to go to Cornell?
 
[caption id=" align="alignleft" width="143" caption="Cornell wrestlers running up a hill][/caption]
 
Choosing which college to attend was probably the hardest, and, in retrospect, best decision that I have made for myself at this point in my life. I chose Cornell University over Stanford, Princeton, Central Michigan, and Purdue because Cornell allowed me the opportunity to acquire an Ivy League education, while at the same time, wrestling for a top-5 Division 1 college program. It was simply something that I could not pass up. The contacts that I have already met, and will continue to meet at Cornell will hopefully put me on a path to success. Just within the network of former Cornell wrestlers, not even including the rest of the university, we have a former CEO of Goldman-Sachs, a former assistant of economic policy to the President of the United States, and a mission specialist for NASA's space shuttle Atlantis, just to name a few. Every year, Cornell wrestlers go to work on Wall Street and become successful very early in their adult lives.
 
2. Outside of wrestling, what are your other interests and hobbies?
 
Although schoolwork and wrestling take up a large amount of my time, I still like to have other outlets to take my mind off of these stresses. My Sundays are always devoted to NASCAR and the NFL and I am a huge fan of Tony Stewart and the Chicago Bears. I have been a Chicago Cubs fan since the day I was born and I rarely miss a Cubs game on either the radio or the TV throughout the course of the summer. Also in the summer, I like to fish as much as I can with my grandpa at his lake in Cedar Lake, Indiana. We fish for largemouth bass and bluegill, mostly. Although I have never gone ice fishing, some of the guys on the team have talked about going soon because the winters are so cold here in New York. I'm looking forward to it; hopefully it will be a good time! I am also a big fan of MMA and my favorite fighter is WEC Champ Miguel Torres. He has a high pace, attacking style and is such a well-rounded fighter that it makes him very fun to watch. Miguel grew up with one of my high school wrestling coaches, Bobby Joe Maldonado, in East Chicago, Indiana and we have worked with Miguel on his wrestling in the past.
 
3. What is the biggest difference between high school and collegiate wrestling?

The two biggest differences between high school and college wrestling are parity and mat wrestling. What I mean by parity is that every single time that you step on the mat, you know that you are going to be in a closely contested match. In high school, if you are at the top, elite level, you may have just 5 or 6 matches a year that are even close. The mental preparation that you must go through to get ready for these big matches is the same from high school to college, except that instead of having to prepare this way 5 or 6 times a season, it could be 5 or 6 times in a day at a college tournament. Another big difference is mat wrestling. For me, the transition on my feet from high school to college was not nearly as big as what I learned on the mat. My top wrestling has gotten infinitely better since high school, and I wish that I knew some of the things in high school that I have picked up from the top position at Cornell. My bottom wrestling is still my biggest weakness, although I am continuing to work to shore it up. I have found myself losing a few close matches recently because of my inability to consistently get off of the bottom. If you can't get away, not only are you not getting an escape, but he is also getting a riding time point. For this reason, if you can't get away on bottom, it's like starting every single match down 2-0. It's hard to win the close matches when you are giving away 2 points.
 
4. Do you think we should get rid of folkstyle and wrestle the international styles in high school and college? Why or why not?
 
Although I feel that USA Wrestling would probably see more success at the Olympic and World level if they were to get rid of folkstyle at the high school and college level, I, personally, am against it. As of right now, the successful international style is not very spectator-friendly. It is low-scoring and does not promote action. At the elite high school and college level, on the other hand, you will see a high-pace, attacking style, with lots of exciting scrambles. If nothing else, folkstyle is more fun to watch. The top high school and college level guys in the United States are still wrestling the international styles in folkstyle's "off-season" at tournaments such as Fargo, University Nationals, FILA Jr's., U.S. Nationals, etc., so our international guys are not coming into the game clueless just because they spent the majority of their wrestling careers wrestling folkstyle. Bubba Jenkins from Penn State showed everyone that it's possible to compete in college in today's day in age and still enjoy international success when he won the FILA Jr. World Championship. On the other hand, Henry Cejudo provided an argument for the other side, since he decided to forego college wrestling in order to improve his freestyle, and that seemed to work out pretty well for him, too.
 
5. What is your college major and why did you choose that area?
 
At this point, my major is Economics within Cornell's College of Arts and Sciences. I have also declared a minor in Law and Society within Cornell's College of Arts and Sciences. I feel that this course of study gives me the most versatile set of options upon the completion of my undergraduate degree. Friends of mine who have graduated from Cornell with Economics degrees have gotten jobs on Wall Street and become successful at very young ages. If an opportunity like that were to fall into my lap, it would be tough to pass by. However, with the economy in its current condition, and the uncertainty of Wall Street at the present time, I also have the options to go to Business school and work towards an MBA, go to Law School, or both.
 
6. What is the most memorable match you have wrestled in?
 
I have wrestled in so many matches that it would be hard to classify one as my "most memorable match." For this reason, I will just run through some that stick out in my mind for various reasons, from all the way back in youth wrestling, all the way up until my college career. For me, there is no better feeling than avenging a loss. When I think back on losses that I have avenged, a few stick out in particular. The first happened in 6th grade. Growing up wrestling in Illinois' IKWF youth program, I used to always wrestle a kid from the Harvey Twisters named Mario Morgan, who now wrestles in Division 2 at the University of Nebraska-Omaha. The first time that we wrestled was when I was 8 years old and he tech-falled me 15-0. We would go on to wrestle each other almost every single year after that with him winning every single time, but the score getting closer and closer and closer. Finally, in 6th grade, I beat him and it was extremely gratifying to see that I had not only caught up to him, but passed him. He served as a sort of measuring stick for my progress from the time I was 8 years old until the 6th grade, and I had finally outgrown it! Another avenged loss that sticks out in my mind happened in 8th grade. At Liberty Nationals that year, I lost 6-0 in the 3rd and 4th place match to a kid from New Mexico named Matt Ortega, who went on to win Senior Nationals and now wrestles at IU. Just 3 weeks later at the Virginia Challenge, we wrestled again in the finals and I beat him 5-2. The first match of my sophomore year in high school sticks out as another gratifying victory. My freshman year I went 46-1 and advanced to the state championship match at 103 where I lost 4-2 to Jon Lloyd from Warren Central. The very first match of the following season at 119 we wrestled again in the first round of the Indianapolis Cathedral Super Six and I came out on top of that one by an identical score, 4-2. Other than those 3 matches, my first high school state title, a 3-2 win against Adam Walters from Portage at 125 in 2006, and the whole 7-match series with Brennan Cosgrove which culminated in my second high school state title sticks out as some other matches that were memorable in my career. Two that stick out as particularly memorable in that 7 match series were the very first two. In the first one, a dual meet at Hobart in which we were battling back and forth, exchanging takedowns and reversals and backpoints and I won 9-8 with a takedown in the final seconds. The second match in that series, the finals of the Lake County Tournament was also memorable. He threw me to my back in the first period and I was down by 5 right away. I slowly picked the lead off one point at a time and came back and won 10-9, also with a takedown in the final seconds. He won the third match, a 5-2 decision in the finals of the Lake Athletic Conference Tournament. He also won the fourth match, a 3-1 decision in the finals of the Hobart Invite. The fifth match, the Calumet Regional finals, was a memorable one, even though it went to him by a score of 9-7 In that one we put a lot of points on the board and it came right down to the wire. In the sixth, the Merrillville Semi-State finals, he was winning late in the 3rd period when he was disqualified for an illegal slam. The 7th and final match for the state championship also came right down to the wire and an escape with under 30 seconds to go gave me the 6-5 win. Those are what I would classify as my most memorable matches, however, the best atmosphere that I have wrestled in would undoubtedly be the hostile crowd in the dual meet at Penn State last year when I faced returning All-American Jake Strayer. The state championship match is a fun atmosphere, but nothing compares to thousands of fans who are out for your blood, and sitting literally inches from the edge of the mat. They actually pushed you back on when you went out of bounds.
 
7. Class wrestling, yay or nay?
 
Although I can see both sides of the argument, I am against class wrestling in the individual state tournament. At this point, with Indiana wrestling still growing and looking to gain national attention, I do not feel that there is enough depth to successfully split up the individual state tournament. At each weight class, the top 5 kids are head and shoulders above the rest of the competition, and until Indiana can qualify 16 kids for the state tournament (and maybe even leave some at home) that are capable of beating the state champion on any given day, I feel that class wrestling would have a watering-down effect on the individual state tournament. In the past couple of years, it has become a more nationally recognized accomplishment to win 2 or 3 state titles in Indiana with guys such as Matt Coughlin and Andrae Hernandez becoming All-Americans after winning only 2 Indiana state titles. If Indiana was to split up the individual state tournament, kids who are not on this elite level would be winning multiple state titles, and the image of Indiana wrestling in the national picture would suffer a setback. Although this is how I feel about class wrestling in the individual state tournament, I am open to the idea of class wrestling for the team state tournament. In the past years, with the exception of Evansville Mater Dei, who has an unrivaled feeder system, the team state tournament has been dominated by large schools, and I do not see any problem with splitting that tournament up into classes.
 
8. Who is the most influential person in your life? Why?
 
The most influential people in my life are my parents. They were the ones who set me up with the opportunities that have helped me get where am I today. They each played pivotal roles that you don't quite understand until you get older and are able to look back on it. My dad was at almost every single practice up until I got into high school and would drive me all over for the best coaches and workout partners. I'm sure he could have found more relaxing things to do after work. He was also a driving force behind my success in school and was always motivating me to do better. My mom never missed a match and did the "behind-the-scenes" work which often gets taken for granted. She was able to put up with me as I cut weight, taking my special diet into account every night as she prepared dinner, and always made sure all my clothes were washed and ready for the next day's workouts. Both of my parents put me and my success and interests before themselves and I am very grateful for this.
 
9. Do you have any superstitions or routines when it comes to wrestling?
 
Those who know me know that I am extremely superstitious when it comes to wrestling. There are so many I can think of, that I will just name a few. First, I eat and drink the exact same thing in the exact same order after each and every time that I weigh-in for a competition. My morning warm-up always consists of the exact same number of reps and exact same techniques every single week. I also wear the exact same items of clothing at every single competition. I have my singlet on, and on top of that I have a t-shirt and shorts, followed by a long sleeve t-shirt, followed by a sweatshirt and warm-up pants. Three matches before I am going to wrestle, I take off the sweatshirt and warm-up pants. Two matches before I am going to wrestle I take off the shorts and long sleeve t-shirt, and when there is 30 seconds left in the third period of the match before I am about to wrestle, I take off the t-shirt. This is just something that I have been doing for a long time, and works well as a routine for me, although many people find it quirky.
 
10. The weight class 103… keep it or get rid of it?
 
Being a former 103 pounder, I am all for keeping 103. Here in New York, they even have a 96 lb. weight class. There are just too many talented kids at 103 to get rid of it. I was just looking back at my 103 lb. weight class at state and noticed that there were 4 kids in there that went on to be high school state champions. That's 1 out of every 4 kids that made it that year! I am also against moving 103 up to a higher weight like 108. Every year there are upperclassmen at 103 that are less skilled than some freshman at the same weight class but win because of a size, strength, and maturity advantage. If 103 got moved up to 108, this problem would be even larger since more upperclassmen could make 108 than can make 103.

Just as a fair warning to future people that want to go Toe to Joe, this is what Eric looked like afterward.


 
 
[caption id=" align="aligncenter" width="666" caption="This is Eric Mcgill after going Toe to Joe][/caption]
 


1705
Toe to Joe with IHSAA Assistant Commissioner Bobby Cox
What do feel the state of wrestling is in the state of Indiana?
Currently our participation numbers are steady. I have not seen a dramatic decrease or increase over the past few years. With that said I have concerns regarding the health and safety of our student athletes and issues related to competition.
 
What can be improved with the sport of wrestling in the state?
It is my belief that student athletes who participate in wrestling are no different than their counterparts in other sports. Students wish to participate in front of their peers, their parents and fans that support their efforts. All day individual tournaments where the fans and even the participants have little idea of the status of the meet throughout the day do nothing to grow the sport of wrestling. While the notion of a student wrestling 40-50 bouts throughout a season in a collection of individual tournaments may be attractive from an experience and development standpoint, it decreases general interest and attention from the common sports fan. I firmly believe in our society today, if coaches want to increase the numbers of wrestlers on their squads, they have to demonstrate that while wrestling is a very demanding sport, it can be fun and rewarding. Part of that is the concept that those kids will compete in front of a large gathering of fans, parents, classmates and peers and be recognized for their efforts.
 
What is your athletic background - playing/coaching?
In high school I participated in track and cross country at Carmel High School with moderate success. I continued my running career at Butler University competing in long distance events such as the 5,000 and 10,000 meter runs. I was fortunate to have two outstanding coaches during my running days in Chuck Koeppen at Carmel and Stan Lyons at Butler. I began teaching and coaching in 1979. I taught health, physical education and driver's education and I coached cross country, basketball and track and field. After 11 years in those roles, I became an athletic director. I served as an athletic administrator at the middle school and high school levels for 10 years.
 
How he became involved with IHSAA?
I was the athletic director at Carmel High School when Bob Gardner announced that he was resigning as Commissioner to become the Chief Operating Officer for the National Federation. Blake Ress was an Assistant Commissioner at the time and was appointed as the new Commissioner in April of 2000. I received an application for the vacated Assistant Commissioner's position and decided that I would apply for the position. Prior to that as the A.D. at Carmel, we hosted the state softball tournament for several years and one year the state cross country meet along with various sectionals and regional events. Through the hosting of those events, I developed some relationships with the staff at the Association and a basic understanding of what the Association was about.
 
What is the function of IHSAA?
Our purpose as written in our by-laws is to encourage, regulate and give direction to wholesome amateur interschool athletic competition between the schools who are members of the Corporation.
 
What are your responsibilities with the IHSAA?
My primary responsibilities are the administration of five of the IHSAA's 20 sports. Those sports are football, wrestling, boys' track and field, girls' track and field and boys' golf. Additionally, I rule on approximately 1200 student transfers annually, oversee the insurance programs of the Association, oversee the coach education program for the Association, serve as the staff liaison to the Indiana Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association and sit ex-officio on the Commission on Sports Medicine which is an outreach of the Indiana State Medical Association. I have served a four year term as a member of the NFHS Coach Education Committee and currently sit on the NFHS football rules committee, serving as the Chairman of the Research subcommittee. Finally, anything else the Commissioner deems necessary.
 
What are your general views on wrestling as a sport (what it teaches kids)?
Of all sports the IHSAA sponsors, I believe that wrestling is the most demanding activity we offer. There is no question as to the value wrestling provides to the students that participate in the sport. All the commonly known attributes such as dedication, hard work, sacrifice, teamwork, mental discipline and physical development are easily observed. Wrestling, not unlike our other sports also provides the opportunity to teach sportsmanship and a sense of fair play. These tenants must stand at the forefront if we are to continue our pursuit of education based athletics.
 
What are your views on weight management plans since adoption (any bugs to still work out?)?
The IHSAA weight management plan has been in existence now for 10 years. It is hard to believe it has been that long. Generally, I am pleased with the fact we have implemented the program and how it has developed over time. With that being said I believe I need to ramp up my efforts in education for our coaches. Coaching as well as athletic administration experiences a great deal of turnover. I would estimate that over half of the head wrestling coaching positions in our state has changed over the last ten years. That turnover causes a need for focused communication with coaches regarding the provisions of our weight management program. I believe that the vast majority of coaches are making honest efforts to adhere to the principles of the program. I also believe that we still have a few individuals associated with wrestling that see weight management as a nuisance and dismiss it. Those individuals are doing their student athletes a grave disservice and are out of touch with today's sport.
 
What is the importance of relationship between IHSAA and coach's associations?
With all our coaches' associations, I believe the relationship between the IHSAA and those groups are important. The coaches' associations should be representing the desires of their constituents and have the ability to articulate those aspirations to the IHSAA staff and Executive Committee.
 
What is in store for the future of high school athletics (pay to play??)?
I have serious concerns regarding the future of education based interscholastic athletics. I phrase it in that manner because I believe that high school athletics will still be around, it just might not be in the style that educators can live with. The budget cuts that school corporations are facing span across all areas of programming and it appears that interscholastic athletics sits squarely in the crosshairs. When programming is cut, that reduces opportunities for young people to gain experiences that might not be enjoyed otherwise. In my opinion, student athletes, parents and coaches along with athletic administrators need to speak loudly and clearly in their local communities to the values of athletics and what those experiences provide outside the traditional classroom. If school boards fail to see the positive values provided by interscholastic athletics, I believe those programs are in jeopardy.
 
Wrestlebacks: Why do you think the coaches have been pushing so hard for them and what is preventing them from being passed?
My sense is that coaches push for wrestlebacks for a couple of primary reasons. Initially, it is part of the wrestling culture and those matches occur throughout the regular season. Many wrestling coaches would like the IHSAA tournament series to mirror some of those regular season events. Additionally, coaches feel that in some situations, a wrestler could get caught in a move during a bout and lose when in their mind the losing wrestler was really the best wrestler and should have the opportunity to "wrestle back" to a better position. The IHSAA individual tournament series is about determining a state champion in 14 weight classes. Adding wrestlebacks is nothing more than adding matches to an already long program to determine something that is already being determined. When the individual tournament concludes at Conseco on Saturday night, I believe we have accomplished our goal in identifying the best wrestler in 14 weight classes. Finally, wrestlebacks have been proposed on no less than three separate occasions to the Executive Committee and there has been no support from the Committee to entertain this proposal.
 
What would have to happen for Indiana to sanction women's wrestling like a few other states do?
Our current by-laws require that for a sport to be offered, 50% of the membership must be participating in that sport during the same season and a championship tournament series proposed by the Commissioner. Girls' Wrestling would be the sport and 206 schools would have to field females in their current wrestling programs for there to be any consideration.
 
Who have been your favorite wrestlers to watch at the state finals?
There have been many. It is always interesting to me to see how kids develop throughout their careers and how they handle success. I really enjoyed watching Alex Tsirtsis from Griffith in how he simply dominated his opponents. I admired Blake Maurer from Evansville Mater Dei not only because of his wrestling prowess but the fact he was a great three sport athlete. I watched him play football and his 4 x 800 meter relay team made the state finals his senior year. Not bad for a 171 pounder. Reece Humphrey from Lawrence North was entertaining and good. His patented back flip after a big victory probably prompted the NFHS wrestling rules committee to outlaw that stunt. Finally I really liked Angel Escobedo from Griffith because he seemed so humble and humility is an endearing trait.

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Toe to Joe with Joe Arthur
[caption id=attachment_268" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Bloomington North's Joe Arthur][/caption]
 
This week's Toe to Joe is more of a Joe to Joe with Joe Arthur of Bloomington North High School.  Arthur was a Cadet National Champion in 2007 in the heavyweight division.
 
1. How did you get started wrestling and how many years have you been wrestling?
My father introduced me to wrestling. My father is BEST friends with Joe Van Deventer, father of the legendary Heath Van Deventer. Joe told My Dad that I should give it a try. I was always bigger than anyone my age and therefore I started on the mats throwing side headlocks when I was 4 years old.
 
2. What other interests/hobbies/sports do you participate in outside of wrestling?
I love football! And I also participated in track my freshman and sophomore years. My favorite thing to do in my spare time is hunting and fishing. I enjoy the outdoors very much. I also enjoy farming. There is nothing better then getting out on a BIG International Tractor and tilling up some land in southern Indiana.
 
3. Who is the toughest wrestler you have faced and why?
The toughest wrestler I have ever faced would be Atticus Disney from Kansas. Atticus gave my first defeat ever. Atticus is a redshirt freshman on a full ride scholarship to Minnesota.
 
4. What are your future plans after high school?
I plan to attend a 4-year school and either wrestle or play football, or both. I want to study some kind of Agriculture, or Criminal justice
 
5. What are more exciting matches to watch, the lightweights or the big guys and why?
I am a big guy so of course the big guys.  Not many of us cut weight so it all comes down to who has worked harder in the offseason, and during the season. And it is very exciting to see guys who look like they are not very mobile but really they are very agile!
 
6. What is the most memorable match you have wrestled and why?
My National championship match in Fargo, North Dakota is my favorite match yet. I really enjoy wrestling freestyle a lot. Being on that stage and everyone in the Dome watching you it was truly memorable, and something I will never forget. I can remember we were at St. Josephs College for the camp before we went to Fargo.  It was right after a practice and I was all hot and sweaty and I can remember looking in a mirror and asking myself are you the best freestyle heavyweight in the nation.  Automatically my mind said yes I believe you are and I really focused on that after I didn't all American in Greco. That was a turning point in my wrestling career.
 
7. You're in the third period in the state finals going for your first title and down by one point with 30 seconds left and on your feet, what move are you going to hit to bring home the title?
I would have to say foot sweep to a single and finish with a treetop.
 
8. Who is the most influential person in your life? Why?
My father because he just pushes me, and makes me understand how important certain things in life are.
 
9. Do you have any superstitions or routines when it comes to wrestling?
Yes I wear the exact pear of underwear and socks every weekend. I do wash them but it is a must have when I'm off to a meet. I just don't feel right without them!
 
10. What makes wrestling so great?
It is a ONE man sport. You have one goal go out and at the end of the match get your arm raised and you know you did what needed to be done. If you lose there is none else to blame but yourself

944
Toe to Joe with Josh Harper
[caption id=attachment_215" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Mishawaka's Josh Harper][/caption]
 
The second Toe to Joe this week is with three-time state champion Josh Harper of Mishawaka.  Harper is looking to become only the eighth four-time state champion in Indiana history this season.
 
1. How did you get started wrestling and how many years have you been wrestling?
My brother wrestled so I joined a club in Springfield, Illinois in second grade.
 
2. What other interests/hobbies/sports do you participate in outside of wrestling?
I'm in Stay In Bounds and I love having fun with friends.
 
3. Who is the toughest wrestler you have faced and why?
Tough question, probably Frankie Porras or Cashe Quiroga because I wrestle them a lot.
 
4. Looking forward to college, what excites you the most about wrestling for Michigan State and in the Big 10?
DI, toughest conference, everyone is good, its true competition
 
5. What state title is the one you cherish the most?
Winning my freshman year
 
6. What is the most memorable match you have wrestled and why?
Pinning John Sims to seal the win for our Team State title.
 
7. You're in the third period in the state finals going for title #4 and down by one point with 30 seconds left and on your feet, what move are you going to hit to bring home title #4?
Tough question, I have a go-to move from a lot of different ties.  It depends on who I'm wrestling I suppose.
 
8. Who is the most influential person in your life? Why?
Probably LeRoy Vega.  My friends and family have played a big role in who I am today as well.
 
9. Do you have any superstitions or routines when it comes to wrestling?
I like to get relaxes before my match so my head is clear.  I always have some song in my head the entire time I'm wrestling.
 
10. What makes wrestling so great?
It's one on one, no excuses.  There is no one to blame but yourself.  Plus, chicks dig wrestlers, but most of all it's that burning desire to compete to win.

718
Toe to Joe with Steven Sandefer
[caption id=attachment_209" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Mishawaka's Steven Sandefer][/caption]
 
One of this week's two Toe to Joe's is with reigning 140lbs state champion Steven Sandefer of Mishawaka.  He is coming off a great week after winning the Al Smith Invitational, which included two pins in 8 seconds and 14 seconds.
 
1. How did you get started wrestling and how many years have you been wrestling?
When a kid on my little league baseball team(Jeremiah Maggart) got me started.  I have been wrestling for nine years.
 
2. What other interests/hobbies/sports do you participate in outside of wrestling?
I did play football until this year and I play rugby.

3. Who is the toughest wrestler you have faced and why?
Marshall Peppleman of Central Dauphin, PA, the kid is a stud!
 
4. Describe what it was like to win a team state title last year after finishing runner-up the previous year.
It felt pretty awesome, like we finally set things right.  It was a big relief!
 
5. What sport is your favorite and why?
Wrestling, it has taken me the farthest in life and paid for my college.
 
6. What is the most memorable match you have wrestled and why?
Winning my first state title my first year wrestling at Greco state.  I had to pin or tech my opponent to win and I ended up teching him.
 
7. You're in the third period in the state finals and down by one point with 30 seconds left and on your feet, what move are you going to hit to bring home the championship?
I'll take whatever he gives me, I'll keep pressuring him until he makes a mistake.
 
8. Who is the most influential person in your life? Why?
My dad, he has taught me a lot and has guided me through life and put me in the best position for college wrestling.
 
9. Do you have any superstitions or routines when it comes to wrestling?
My shoes have to feel perfect.  I might adjust them a few times.
 
10. What makes wrestling so great?
It's an individual and team sport.  You get to find out how tough you really are mentally and push the wrestlers around you.

365
Toe to Joe with the Kieffer Twins
1.       Who is the toughest wrestler you have faced in competition or in the practice room?
 
Justin: The toughest wrestler, I have to say Brandon Wright. He has such great head pressure and motion. He was very quick, he and I wrestled so much, it made each other very predictable. He made me so much better as a wrestler.
 
Josh: Beside my brothers Justin and Joe. It is hard but during my 10th. grade I had Mullins twice, Jackson twice, Hawkins in the State Championship. Brandon Nelson, he and I wrestled several times, he always knew what I was going to do before I did it.
 

 
[caption id=attachment_2284" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="Justin Kieffer (Photo by Gary Moore)][/caption]
 
2.       How did you get started wrestling?
 
Justin: I started wrestling in 4th grade in attempts to become a better football player.
 
Josh: My dad took us to wrestling practice to make us better open field tacklers in football. My brothers and I just really enjoyed it.
 
3.       Which of you is better looking and why?
 
Justin: We both have our good and bad qualities, we are twins.
 
Josh: Me, I have all the girlfriends. I just let Justin hang out with us.
 
4.       Do you have any superstitions or rituals you do before a match?
 
Justin: I always listen to my IPOD, do the same stretches, and touch the mat at start of each match.
 
[caption id=attachment_2285" align="alignright" width="300" caption="Parade of Champions Josh on the left, Justin on the right][/caption]
 
Josh: To many to put on paper. I wear same shoes, headgear for the last three years. Both have seen better days.
 
5.       How do people tell you guys apart?
 
Justin: I have blonde hair and Josh has black.
 
Josh: He is bigger and has blond hair, I have black.
 
6.       If you didn’t wrestle what other sport would you be dominating?
 
Justin: Basketball, I played all my life and debated between that and wrestling before my 9th. grade.
 
Josh: Golf
 
7.       Describe your first wrestling match ever?
 
Justin: In 4th grade at Holy Name grade school. All I knew was the half. I used it in the first match and pinned the kid.
 
Josh: 4th. grade at Holy Name, Coach Louzon was my coach. I recall being very nervous. We were told just go out and take them down, throw the half in.
 
8.       You’re in the third period in the state finals going for your third title and down by one point with 30 seconds left and on your feet, what move are you going to hit to bring home title?
 
Justin: Blast Double
 
Josh: Low single
 
9.       Who is the most influential person in your life?
 
Justin: My parents
 
Josh: I have several, my family, between my parents,grand-parents, all my aunts and uncles and cousins. We are very close.
 
10.   You vs. Coach Ellis in his prime, who wins and why?
 
Justin: Ellis, for sure he is an absolute monster on the mat. He beat's up on me now, so I could not even imagine what he was like in his prime. It is an honor to wrestle him now, he is the best IMO, he set the bar.
 
Josh: Ellis, he is still a beast.

487
Toe to Joe with Trine University
I took the short drive to Angola on Thursday to see how the Trine Thunder's preseason was going and had the opportunity to talk with head coach Dan Callahan along with five of his student athletes.  Last year in only their forth year of having a program they garnered a top 25 ranking.  This year, they look to build upon that success and take some wrestlers to nationals.  Coach Callahan beefed up the schedule this year as the Thunder will wrestle 21 of the top 30 teams in the nation in dual or tournaments.  Look for the Trine team and wrestlers to make their mark at the DIII level not only this year, but in the coming years.
 
Here are the interviews
 
George Markou
Sophomore 165lbs
 
Nick Kraus
Senior 184lbs
 
Alex Fleet
Junior 197lbs
 
Thomas Pompei
Senior 141lbs
 
Eli Larson
Freshman 149lbs

 
Head Coach Dan Callahan

742 3
Tom Clark being inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame
Courtesy of the NWHOF – Link
 
STILLWATER, Okla. – The National Wrestling Hall of Fame announced on Wednesday that the Class of 2022 is Distinguished Members Clarissa Chun, Sara McMann, Andy Rein and Jake Varner, Meritorious Official Tom Clark (posthumously), Order of Merit Recipient Mike Moyer, and Medal of Courage recipient Melissa Simmons. 

“Following an extensive screening and selection process, I am excited to announce such a notable and deserving group of honorees for 2022,” said Lee Roy Smith, Executive Director of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame. “We are fortunate to be able to spotlight these inductees who have transcended our sport’s heritage over the past 40 years. It is also a class that represents the positive transformational impact females are realizing in wrestling, with two female Distinguished Members and our first female Medal of Courage recipient.”

The Hall of Fame Board of Governors approved the selections at their meeting in Waterloo, Iowa on October 25. 

The Hall of Fame will announce its Outstanding American honoree at a later date.

The induction ceremony will be held at the 45th Honors Weekend on June 3-4, 2022 in Stillwater, Oklahoma. For more information on Honors Weekend, please telephone (405) 377-5243.  
 
The Meritorious Official award recognizes outstanding service as a referee, judge, or pairing official.

Tom Clark, who passed away in 2017 at 58 years old, officiated for 35 years, beginning while attending Ohio State and continuing in Indiana. The Bluffton, Ohio native was selected as a referee for the Olympics in 2008 and worked dozens of World Championships and major international competitions at the senior level. Named Official of the Year by USA Wrestling in 1988, Clark retired after the Olympics to open up opportunities at the highest level for young, talented officials. A top high school wrestling official, he received the Indiana Interscholastic Athletic Officials Association Award for excellence in wrestling in 2007 and was the Indiana Wrestling Association Official of the Year in 2005. Clark served as a board member for the U.S. Wrestling Officials Association and was vice president of the organization at the time of his death. His commitment to wrestling was at every level, from youth to high school and on to the international level.
 
National Wrestling Hall of Fame & Museum
America’s shrine to the sport of wrestling, the National Wrestling Hall of Fame & Museum was founded as a nonprofit organization in 1976 to honor the sport of wrestling, preserve its history, recognize extraordinary individual achievements, and inspire future generations. The National Wrestling Hall of Fame has museums in Stillwater, Oklahoma, and Waterloo, Iowa. The Stillwater, Oklahoma, location reopened in June 2016 following a $3.8 million renovation while the Waterloo, Iowa, location reopened in March 2019 after undergoing a $1.4 million renovation. Both museums now feature interactive exhibits and electronic kiosks, as well as the opportunity to watch NCAA Championship matches from the 1930s to present day. Stillwater also has the John T. Vaughan Hall of Honors where the greatest names in wrestling are recognized, including iconic granite plaques presented to Distinguished Members since the Hall of Fame opened in 1976. The museum has the largest collection of wrestling artifacts and memorabilia in the world, including the most collegiate and Olympic wrestling uniforms. Wrestling truly is for everyone and the diversity and accessibility of the sport continues to be highlighted through exhibits featuring females, African-Americans, Asian Americans, Native Americans, and Latino Americans. There is also a library featuring historical documents, including NCAA guides and results, as well as books on the sport.
 
For more information about the Hall of Fame, please visit www.NWHOF.org.

3332 8
Tonte moving back to the south side
After four years at the helm of Warren Central Jim Tonte will head back south to take over the Franklin Grizzly Cubs this year. In his first year guiding the Warriors Tonte captured his fourth state title as a coach and became the first coach in Indiana history to coach two different schools to a state title.
Tonte spent 19 years at the helm of Perry Meridian where they captured state titles in 2011, 2012,and 2013. The first two titles were in the dual meet championship era and in 2013 was when the scoring at the state finals determined the team champions.
Longtime Franklin coach Bob Hasseman stepped down last month after leading the Grizzly Cubs for 33 years. The Grizzly Cub program is heavily involved with the ISWA and always has a strong youth presence. 
Tonte will leave open a prime position at Warren Central that returns two state placers and was runner-up at Team State last year. He will have to leave behind his trademark gold jacket, but don't be surprised to see him in a flashy new silver on at the state finals this year.

715
Tony Ersland Named Purdue Head Wrestling Coach
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - Purdue athletics director Morgan Burke has announced the hiring of Tony Ersland as head wrestling coach. Ersland takes the helm of the Boilermaker program with extensive Division I coaching experience and success in the Big Ten, Big 12 and Mid-American conferences.
 


" data-width="466"> Post by Purdue Wrestling. "We had many qualified candidates, but in the end it was clear that Tony had emerged as our No. 1 choice," Burke said. "He presented a comprehensive plan for moving our wrestling program forward both in the Big Ten and nationally. His resume as a coach and as a student-athlete is impressive, and it is clear he knows the look and feel of a championship-caliber program. I congratulate our search team, led by Calvin Williams, for selecting an outstanding head coach."
 
"I'd like to thank Calvin Williams, Morgan Burke and the entire search committee that I dealt with during hiring process," Ersland said. "Being named head wrestling coach at Purdue means a lot to me. I've been coaching for 17 years, and I got into this business to lead young men. I know the path I have taken to get to this point and the individuals that I have worked with have prepared me to create an elite program at Purdue. I'm thankful Purdue has put its trust in me to lead the wrestling program."
 
Ersland comes to Purdue after serving as an assistant coach at Nebraska for the past eight seasons. While on staff, the Huskers have tallied a 102-41-2 dual record, seven top-20 team finishes at the NCAA Championships and grapplers have earned 17 All-America honors. Ersland, who primarily worked with the upper weights, coached three-time All-American, two-time NCAA finalist and 2009 Big 12 champion and Outstanding Wrestler of the Meet Craig Brester at 197 pounds. He also coached four-time qualifiers in Josh Ihnen (184) and Tucker Lane (285).
 
During his 17 years, Ersland has played an integral role in developing student-athletes that are accomplished on the mat and nationally recognized. He has had 86 wrestlers qualify for the NCAA Championships, with 28 earning All-America honors and four finishing at the top of the podium. Two of his pupils, Jordan Burroughs and Jake Herbert, earned the highest honor a collegiate grappler can receive in the Dan Hodge Award. Ersland continued to develop Burroughs on the international stage as he claimed the 2011 and 2013 World titles at 74 kg. In 2012, Burroughs claimed Olympic gold in London.
 
"Tony has been associated with winning programs and has significant experience in the Big Ten Conference," associate athletics director Calvin Williams said. "He brings a level of maturity and focus that will be conducive to taking our wrestling program to the next level. We believe very strongly that he is the right choice for Purdue University."
 
Prior to his post at Nebraska, Ersland coached the Cyclone Wrestling Club in Ames, Iowa. Ersland worked with Iowa State NCAA champions Trent Paulson (157) and David Zabriskie (285) among other multiple NCAA qualifiers and All-Americans.
 
His familiarity with the Big Ten extends beyond his time at Nebraska. From 2000-2005, Ersland was the head assistant wrestling coach at Northwestern, and he also served as a coach and board member for the Wildcat Wrestling Club.
 
He was the head assistant wrestling coach at Northern Illinois in 1999 and 2000 after getting his start as a graduate assistant at Central Michigan from 1997 to 1999.
 
On the mat, Ersland wrestled for the University of Iowa under legendary coach Dan Gable and was a part of three-straight NCAA team championships (1995-97) and four Big Ten Championships (1994-97). During his senior season in 1997, Ersland finished one match shy of All-America honors at 177 pounds.
 
The Humboldt, Iowa, native excelled in the classroom as a four-time Academic All-Big Ten selection and Board of Control Athletics Award winner, and was bestowed with Iowa wrestling's J. Donald McPike Award, given to the senior on the team with the highest grade-point average.
 
Ersland earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology from Iowa (1997) and a Master of Arts in athletic administration from Central Michigan (1999).
 
Ersland and his wife, Carolyn, have twin sons, Mason and Jaxon.

388
Top 10 Seniors for the Class of 2011
The Class of 2011 in Indiana is not deep with superstars, but is deep on solid wrestlers.  Four of the wrestlers, Eric Roach, Josh and Justin Kieffer and Jon Sims, are all looking for their fourth state medal this year.  The class of 2011 in Indiana is also very unique with three sets of twins and a set of triplets that will all be in the running for state placements.  The most highly regarded of the twins, Josh and Justin Kieffer already have six state medals between them.  Chad and Doug Welch have both recently verbally committed to Purdue University have placed three times while qualifying for state five times total.  The last set of twins, Reece and Conner Lefever of Fort Wayne Carroll, qualified for state last year with Conner placing 8th after upsetting the previous year’s state runner-up in the first round.  The Rieker triplets from Columbus East will also try to have multiples at the state finals in 2011 after the middle twin, Baron, qualified for state last year.
 
1.       Eric Roach- Crown Point
Projected 2011 Weight: 152lbs
Projected College Weight: 149lbs
Freshman- 41-4, 2nd Place 130lbs
Sophomore- 43-2 4th Place 135lbs
Junior- 42-0, 1st Place 140lbs
 
Career- 126-6
2X USAW Preseason Nationals Champion
FloNationals Champion
4th NHSCA Sophomore Nationals
1st NHSCA Freshman Nationals
Verbally Committed to Indiana University
 
Eric Roach has the best pedigree of the wrestlers in the class of 2011.  He has three top 4 finishes and captured the state title at 145lbs this past season.  Roach is extremely aggressive and smooth on his feet.  Using a wide range of takedowns he captured the inaugural FloNationals championship this past spring.
 
2.       Drake Stein- Princeton
Projected 2011 Weight: 171lbs
Projected College Weight: 184lbs
Freshman-31-8, 140lbs
Sophomore-46-3, 8th Place 152lbs
Junior- 44-2, 1st Place 171lbs
Career- 121-13
2nd USAW Junior Greco-Roman Nationals
8th USAW Cadet Greco-Roman Nationals
 
Drake Stein has had a tremendous amount of success while wrestling higher weights his entire career.  After qualifying for semi-state as a freshman he burst onto the scene as a sophomore going undefeated until the state finals when an injury in the quarterfinals dropped him to 8th place.  In the 2010 season he captured the state championship over perennial favorite Michael Duckworth, then went on to finish 2nd at Fargo in Greco-roman.
 
3.       Ethan Raley- Indian Creek
Projected 2011 Weight: 135lbs
Projected College Weight: 141lbs
Freshman- 33-0, 1st Place 103lbs
Sophomore- 31-2, State Qualifier 119lbs
Junior- 37-2, 2nd Place 125lbs
Career- 101-4
7th NHSCA Junior Nationals
 
Ethan Raley is the third and last state champion in the class of 2011.  As a freshman, Raley went undefeated en route to a title at 103lbs.  As a sophomore he did not match the same success, but rebounded as a junior to finish runner-up to nationally ranked Brandon Wright.  He followed up his state finish with a 7th place finish at the NHSCA Junior Nationals.
 
4.       Josh Kieffer- Roncalli
Projected 2011 Weight: 125lbs
Projected College Weight: 133lbs
Freshman- 38-5, 5th Place 103lbs
Sophomore-44-5, 2nd Place 112lbs
Junior- 40-4, 4th Place 119lbs
Career- 122-14
 
The Kieffers are the first set of twins we will talk about.  Josh Kieffer has had just a tad more success than his brother in finishing in the top 5 three times.  In 2009, he lost in overtime in the state finals.  Both Kieffers have had success at the Brute Scholastic Duals the past couple seasons, defeating some top notch competitors.
 
5.       Justin Kieffer- Roncalli
Projected 2011 Weight: 135lbs
Projected College Weight: 141lbs
Freshman-36-9, 7th Place 112lbs
Sophomore-46-4, 7th Place 119lbs
Junior- 38-4, 4th Place 125lbs
Career- 120-17
 
Justin Kieffer has three state medals to his credit with his highest finish of 4th place this past season.   This past season he had one win over state champion Brandon Wright at regionals.
 
6.       Doug Welch- Castle
Projected 2011 Weight: 152lbs
Projected College Weight: 149lbs
Freshman-37-5, 125lbs
Sophomore- 45-4, 5th Place 135lbs
Junior- 50-1, 2nd Place 145lbs
Career- 132-11
Verbally Committed to Purdue University
 
The Welch twins, ranked 6th and 8th are the second set of twins that are ranked in the top 10.  Doug has steadily improved during his career with two state placements including a runner-up finish this past season.
 
7.       Jackson Bratcher- Eastbrook
Projected 2011 Weight: 171lbs
Projected College Weight: 174lbs
Freshman-37-1, 152lbs
Sophomore-32-3, State Qualifier 160lbs
Junior- 38-1, 3rd Place 171lbs
Career- 107-7
 
4th FloNationals
 
Sandwiched in between the Welch twins is Jackson Bratcher of Eastbrook.  Like Drake Stein, Bratcher has had a lot of success early in an upper weight class.  As a freshman he was undefeated going into semi-state, but lost in the ticket round to state.  As a sophomore he broke through and qualified for state, but this past season was his coming out party with a 3rd place finish in the state finals.  After his state finals finish he placed 4th at FloNationals.
 
8.       Chad Welch- Castle
Projected 2011 Weight: 160lbs
Projected College Weight: 157lbs
Freshman- 37-7, State Qualifier 135lbs
Sophomore- 40-6, State Qualifier 140lbs
Junior- 50-1, 34d Place 152lbs
Career- 127-15
Verbally Committed to Purdue University
 
Chad Welch has qualified for the state tournament three times, but only has one state medal to show for it.  He had a banner year this past season, only losing to state champion Sammy Bennett in the ultimate tie-breaker in the semi-finals.  Both Welches have recently verbally committed to continue their education and wrestling career at Purdue University.
 
9.       Jon Sims- Evansville Mater Dei
Projected 2011 Weight: 152lbs
Projected College Weight: 149lbs
Freshman-36-11, 6th Place 125lbs
Sophomore-38-3, 4th Place 140lbs
Junior-  33-8, 5th Place 145lbs
Career- 112-19
 
5th NHSCA Sophomore Nationals
 
Jon Sims is the picture of consistency at the state finals.  He has three medals to show for his trips to state, but his highest finish is 4th place in 2009.  Sims probably would have finished higher this past season if he did not run into Eric Roach in the quarterfinals, thus limiting him to only finishing as high as 5th place.
 
10.   Aaron Stevenson- Indian Creek
Projected 2011 Weight: 189lbs
Projected College Weight: 197lbs
Freshman- 10-1
Sophomore- 45-1, 3rd Place 189lbs
Junior- 14-0
Career- 69-2
 
Aaron Stevenson is one of the most unknown, but good wrestlers in the state of Indiana.  In his only full year of wrestling he finished in third place with only one loss.  This past season he was undefeated until he was sidelined late in the season with an injury that kept him out of the state tournament series.
 
Honorable Mention
Luke Schroeder- Southwestern(Hanover)
Projected 2011 Weight: 112lbs
Projected College Weight: 125lbs
 
Daniel Meyer- Bellmont
Projected 2011 Weight: 285lbs
Projected College Weight: 197lbs
 
Josh Boots- Evansville Mater Dei
Projected 2011 Weight: 171lbs
Projected College Weight: 174lbs
 
PJ Montgomery- Terre Haute South
Projected 2011 Weight: 152lbs
Projected College Weight: 149lbs
 
Cody Kendle- Pike Central
Projected 2011 Weight: 112lbs
Projected College Weight: 125lbs
 
Steven Gonzales- Delta
Projected 2011 Weight: 119lbs
Projected College Weight: 125lbs
 
Travis Barroquillo- Prairie Heights
Projected 2011 Weight: 130lbs
Projected College Weight: 133lbs
 
Conner Lefever- Carroll(Fort Wayne)
Projected 2011 Weight: 160lbs
Projected College Weight: 165lbs
 
Reece Lefever- Carroll(Fort Wayne)
Projected 2011 Weight: 152lbs
Projected College Weight: 157lbs

2725
Top 10 Stories in Indiana Wrestling for 2015
By Chad Hollenbaugh
Senior Writer
 
1.KINGSMEN CROWNED – Coach Brad Harper’s gang from Granger brought the big trophy north for the first time in school history. Penn had previously been runner-up in 1971 and 1997. Perry Meridian and Cathedral had a four-year stranglehold on the state title prior Penn’s victory over Mater Dei. The Kingsmen used the big points scored by champions Chase Osborn (182) and Kobe Woods (220) to score over half their team points. State runner-up Drew Hildebrandt (113), as well as 5th place seniors Joey Mammolenti (170) and Cory Christman (285) added to the Penn’s tally. Not only did Penn win a team state title but they also got a 30+ year monkey off the school’s back by producing two individual state champs.
2.JUNIOR JUGGERNAUT – A magnificent seven juniors finished the year on top of the podium at Banker’s Life and four other juniors wrestled under the lights. The talent level in this class is, in a word, outstanding and a huge number of juniors have signed to wrestle at Division One schools. 2016 might be the year of Red but there will be several of his classmates making headlines right beside him.
 
3.LEFEVER FEVER IN HERSHEY, PA. – The trio of brothers from Wabash College gained national recognition with their exploits at the D3 nationals. Sophomore Riley Lefever defended his national championship with a controlled victory over Wartburg’s Devin Peterson. Riley’s win came on the heels of older brother’s win in the 174 pound weight class. Senior Conner Lefever had to endure a long review of his winning score but it came out in his favor. The third brother to wrestle in the finals was Conner’s twin brother, Reece. While Reece did not bring home the gold, his 2nd place finish was his third All-American performance and helped lead the Little Giants to a third place team finish. This was the first time in NCAA history that three brothers were in the NCAA finals.
 
4.FORTE CLAIMS FIRST MR. GORILLA AWARD – Mishawaka’s Tommy Forte capped an outstanding senior campaign with the inaugural Mr. Gorilla title, which goes to the state’s outstanding senior wrestler. Forte was dominant in his senior year with a 37-0 record. He also ran his scholastic record to an impressive 150-5. Currently Forte is 8-2 in his redshirt season at the University of Buffalo.
 
5.TONTE MOVES TO WARREN CENTRAL – The state’s most accomplished active coach leaves a powerhouse program that he built at Perry Meridian (3 state titles and 3 runner up finishes) to take over for Danny Williams on the east side of Indy. Warren was already a top ten program under Williams so it is not a surprise that Tonte already has this season’s Warrior team at the top of the polls as the calendar turns to 2016.
 
6.REECE HUMPHREY’S YEAR TO REMEMBER – Former Lawrence North three time state champ Reece Humphrey had an outstanding year on the senior world freestyle circuit. Hump won a couple of international events, made the world team and had a 12th place finish at the Worlds in Las Vegas. Wrestling up at the Olympic weight class of 65 kg will be challenging because of the logjam of talent. Getting through Brent Metcalf, Jordan Oliver, Logan Stieber, Jimmy Kennedy will be no small feat in order to make the Rio Olympic squad.
 
7.INDIANA’S GOT TALENT – The junior class of studs have lead to an unprecedented number of division one scholarships being offered to Indiana’s best. Headlining the parade is New Palestine’s Chad Red, who will take his talents west to Lincoln, Nebraska to wrestle for the Cornhuskers. The opportunity to learn from world team members Jordon Burroughs and James Green was too much to pass up. Other top talent that will be leaving the state include Jacob Covaciu (Wisconsin), Brock Hudkins (Northern Illinois), Drew Hildabrandt (Central Michigan) and Drew Hughes (Michigan State). Studs that will stay in state include Blake Rypel (Indiana), Kobe Woods and Shawn Streck (Purdue).
 
8.RYPEL DOMINATES IN SUPER 32 FINAL – Indianapolis Cathedral senior Blake Rypel took his talents to a national stage this fall when he traveled to North Carolina to compete in the Super 32 preseason tournament. Acknowledged as the nation’s premier preseason tournament, Rypel’s win cemented his national reputation as an elite upper weight. The big mystery now seems to be what weight class Blake will land as he attempts to win his second state title. Other Indiana placers included Drew Hughes 4th, Brayton Lee 5th, and Joe Lee and Evan Ellis 8th.
 
9.RED PROVES HE’S #1 – Chad Red left no doubt as to who is the top 132 pound wrestler in the USA was when he defeated two of his rivals in the Flo Wrestling’s “Who’s Number 1” event in October. He started off the event by beating the fourth ranked wrestler, Taylor Lamont of Utah, 5-2. Red then closed out the evening by defeating second ranked Luke Pletcher of Pennsylvania with a wild scramble in overtime. The debate may never be settled on who is the greatest ever to come out of Indiana, but Chad Red will always be part of that discussion.
 
10. INDIANA INVITED TO PITTSBURGH WRESTLING CLASSIC (FORMALLY THE DAPPER DAN) – In probably the biggest story of the year, the Pittsburgh Wrestling Classic formally invited Indiana to participate as a team against an all-star team from western Pennsylvania. Many former Hoosier stars have participated individually in the “Rose Bowl of Wrestling”. Steven Bradley (1998), Blake Mauer and Alex Tsirtsis (2004), Jason Tsirtsis and Jared Brooks (2012) and Stevan Micic (2014) have all won as part of the all-star event but now the entire state will be represented by our top 13. The invite is a huge badge of honor for the coaches and athletes that have earned this invite.

4117
Top 10 Stories of 2014
By Chad Hollenbaugh
IndianaMat Senior Writer
Super 32 Kicks of 2014-15 Prep Season – New Palestine’s Chad Red led a strong contingent of Hoosier wrestlers with his championship performance at the premier pre-season tournament in the country. Red’s domination of the field at 126 has led to his current Flo ranking of #2 in the country. He is only the third Indiana product to win this event, joining Indian Creek’s Ethan Raley and Warsaw’s Jared Brooks. Red’s club teammate and fellow junior Blake Rypel finished a strong third at 182. The Cathedral product moved up to 195 for the high school season and is still dominant. He currently holds the # 8 ranking in the country at 195. East Noble’s Garrett Pepple and Lowell’s Drew Hughes also finished on the podium with fourth place finishes at 113 and 152 respectively.
Three Cadet champs, Team Finishes 5th at Fargo – Late July always brings exciting wrestling news from the always beautiful Fargo, North Dakota. The Fargodome, on the campus of North Dakota state annually hosts the Cadet and Junior level freestyle and Greco national championship. The Indiana Cadet team had one of the finest performances in the states history as three Hoosiers won national freestyle titles. Mt. Vernon’s Paul Konrath followed up his high school runner-up performance with a freestyle national crown. Konrath’s victory vaulted him onto the national map. Perhaps no Indiana wrestler had a better 2014 than Chad Red. Red added a national championship in freestyle to his long list of accolades by winning the 126 pound class. The third Hoosier champ was Evansville Mater Dei’s Nick Lee. Lee dominated the field in Fargo in route to his championship. Penn’s Kobe Woods was a national runner-up and Westfield’s Evan Eldred placed 7th to help Indiana to a 5th place team placement.
University of Indianapolis has Highest ever National Finish – Regional Coach of the Year Jason Warthen took seven Greyhound grapplers to Cleveland after winning their super regional for the first time in school history. After two days in Cleveland, UIndy returned to the Circle City with four All-Americans and the programs highest ever national finish.(8th) Scoring for the Greyhounds were Jeff Weiss who was 3rd at 165, Evan Wooding placed 5th at 285, Cameryn Brady garnered his third All-American honor with a 6th place finish and Evansville Reitz product Alex Johns placed 7th at the 125 pound class. Warthen has built the Greyhounds into a national power at the Division 2 level and while they will miss the fab four seniors, don’t expect the Greyhounds to be down for long.
Lefever becomes first National Champ in Wabash’s History – When Fort Wayne Carroll’s Riley Lefever made his choice to follow his brothers and wrestle for the Little Giants of Wabash, Head Coach Brian Anderson knew he was getting an outstanding student-athlete. He probably had no idea that Lefever would run the table, finish 41-0, and become Wabash’s first ever National Champion. With a takedown at the edge in the first overtime period, Lefever defeated two time national finalist Brian Broderick of The College of New Jersey to claim the championship, 3-1. The future is very bright for Lefever as he contines to develop and mature as a wrestler. The humble Lefever thanked his older twin brother in typically humorous way when he stated, after winning the title, “without them beating the crap out of me every single day I wouldn’t be here right now.”
Northwestern Jason Tsirtsis wins D1 Crown at 149 – Cardiac kid, Jason Tsirtsis, held his poise through three straight overtime victories in the 2014 NCAA national championships to become the first Northwestern freshman to ever claim the national crown. Tsirtsis used a nice trip on a single leg and worked to secure the ankle of Oklahoma State’s Josh Kindig in the first period of overtime to seal the victory. On his way to the top of the podium, the Crown Point product had to defeat a defending national champion in Kendrick Maple of Oklahoma as well as the number one seed, Drake Houdashelt of Missouri. The Houdashelt win avenged a defeat earlier in the season. Now a sophomore, Tsirtsis has picked up where he left off. He is ranked first in the country and is undefeated heading into the Midlands tournament.
Indianapolis Cathedral Claims First IHSAA Wrestling State Championship – One of the most storied wrestling programs in the state earned its first state championship in school history. Cathedral rode the broad shoulders of state champion heavyweight Wesley Bernard and runner-up performances from Vinny Corsaro and Blake Rypel to earn that elusive first title. The Irish overcame a disappointing first round loss by Ben Harvey but got a third place finish from Breyden Bailey and seventh from Skylour Turner to add points to Cathedral’s total. With Rypel, Harvey, Bailey and Turner returning, the Irish will be in the hunt again in 2015.
Yorktown Goes Back to Back, Franklin and Churubusco Win First Team Titles – Yorktown turned in a devastating performance to win its second straight team state dual title. The Tigers went 34-8 as individuals in route to defeating Lebanon, New Prairie and North Montgomery. Franklin Community Grizzly Cubs defeated Warren Central in round one and then edged defending team state champs Perry Meridian by one slim point before finishing the deal with a narrow three point victory over Evansville Mater Dei in the finals. The small school crown was claimed by the Sam Riesen led Churubusco Eagles. After defeating Bremen in round one, the Eagles built up a big lead on South Putnam and coasted to a victory. The state crown made the trip back to Turtletown when ‘Busco used a pin in the last match to break a tie against defending champ Adams Central.
Hanover Central Produces another 3 time State Champion – Ten years ago, Hanover Central legend Andrew Howe was on his way to becoming a three time state champion for the Wildcats. A decade later, Stevan Micic matched Howe’s accomplishment when he bested Penn’s Zach Davis, 10-5. The Northwestern recruit became just the 33rd grappler in state history to win three or more titles. Micic was a perfect 137-0 in his final three seasons for Hanover Central.
Robinson, LeCount, Wilson and Red Repeat as State Champs – Lake Central’s Gelen Robinson capped a 2nd straight undefeated season with his 2nd state championship. An impressive accomplishment that was just part of an amazing athletic career for this three sport stud. Perry Meridan’s Cody LeCount quietly put the cap on an amazing high school career with his second state title. LeCount won in his junior and senior seasons after finishing second during his sophomore year. Warren Central’s Deondre Wilson also won a second straight title when he bested Perry Meridian’s Brandon James. His junior year, Wilson bested Lowell’s Drew Hughes. The final two time champ was also the youngest. New Palestine’s Chad Red followed up his title at 106 in his freshmen year with a 6-2 win in his sophomore campaign at 120.
Indiana Legend Andrew Howe Completes Outstanding College Career – In a college career that spanned six years, former Hanover Central great Andrew Howe capped an outstanding run by finishing second in the 2014 national championship last March in Oklahoma City. The runner-up finish matched his 2nd place finish during his freshman year when he competed for Wisconsin. Howe won the national title in his sophomore campaign with the Badgers and added a third place his junior year before transferring to Oklahoma.


1621 1
Top 5 Storylines for #INWRState19
1. Team Race
This will be a good one. We have many teams that could take home the gold here and every match from Friday to Saturday night will matter. Bonus points will matter, getting kids to the semi-finals will matter...oh and don't get team points deducted either. Brownsburg and Mater Dei will bring nine horses to the race, while defending champs Cathedral could have 3-5 finalists. Don't count out Cooper's crew in Columbus as they made a very good run last year. Roncalli surprised many at New Castle and have some very tough title contenders that could pose a threat. Merrillville could be a sleeper team with some guys in solid spots and even Perry Meridian is one to watch. There are so many matches that could win or lose the title and it starts with Friday night.
2. The freshmen
This is a very talented freshman class and for many of us it will be the first time seeing them against top level competition. The Culver three will be fun to watch and we have all heard rave reviews about them. Add to that guys like Jesse Mendez and Zeke Seltzer who are more than battle tested. Look for the freshmen to have great showings this weekend.
3. Will Silas get gold?
He is our top ranked junior and also very highly ranked nationally, but has yet to win gold in the state tournament. This should be his time, but if he looks past any of the competitors h
4. Big guys up for grabs
The 220lbs and 285lbs weights are going to be fun to watch with so many that could bring home a title. There are some team race implications also up here with Brownsburg, Columbus East, and Roncalli to add some spice to the mix. 
5. Tonte's Suit
When I think of fashion I ask myself, would Jim Tonte wear this? If the answer is yes, then I know I'm hip and going to look good. Tonte pulls out all the stops with his suit collection. What will he wear this weekend? Who knows, but it will look good!

1004
Traicoff Memorial Bracket and Scores
Bracket will be updated throughout the day.


401
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845
Trine Thunder Announces Class of 2013
Head Coach Dan Callahan has announced the class of 2013 for Trine University in Angola, Indiana. Callahan will be bringing in 24 new wrestlers into the four year old wrestling program with wrestlers representing Indiana, Ohio, Michigan and Illinois. The headliner of the group is Illinois 3A(big school) state champion Elias Larson of Marian Catholic just outside of Chicago. Larson is projected to wrestle 149 or 157lbs. The class also includes 11 other state qualifiers and placers including Hoosier natives Trace Hall and Tyler Lymburner of South Bend Riley, Will Sheets of Bellmont, Nick Odom of Warren Central, and Forest Romer of Ben Davis. The Thunder also will receive the services of two wrestlers transfers in Caleb Norville formerly of Mishawaka and Dylan Forbes formerly of Prairie Heights. Out of state wrestlers that will be wrestling for Trine next year include Michigan state runner-up Jeffery Nofzinger, Michigan 3rd place finisher Ben Wines, Ohio 8th place finisher Robert Blake and Michigan state qualifier Nathan Strickland.
 
Trine graduated their first class of wrestlers this past season and will be looking to replace Seniors Louis Posa, Bryan Wight, and Kyle Pittman. The Thunder will return starters Brandon Harvey at 125lbs, Tye Bowman at 133lbs, George Markou at 157lbs, Kyle Long at 165lbs, Nick Kraus at 174lbs, Alex Fleet at 197lbs and Mike Tees at heavyweight. This recruiting class along with all of the returning wrestlers, many of whom hail from Indiana, will help to contribute to a great 5th season for the Thunder wrestling program.




Name
High School
Weight Class
State Finishes


Elias Larson
Marian Catholic, IL
149/157
SQ '07, 6th '08,1st 2009 IL AAA



Trace Hall
SB Riley
141/149
4th, 4th & 7th IN


Jeffrey Nofziger
Morenci, MI
149/157
2nd 2009 MI Div 4


Ben Wines
Pittsford, MI
184/197
3rd 2009 MI Div 4


Will Sheets
Bellmont
133
4th 2008 IN


Caleb Norville
Mishawaka
165/174
6th 2008 IN


Robert Blake
Tinora, OH
197
8th 2009 OH



Nick Odom
Warren Central
141/149
8th 2008 IN


Tyler Lymburner
SB Riley
149/157
SQ 2009 IN


Forest Romer
Ben Davis
133/141
SQ 2009 IN


Nathan Strickland
Grosse Pointe MI
184/197
SQ 2009 MI Div I


Dylan Forbes
Prairie Heights
285
SQ 2008 IN


Henry Waring
East Noble
165/174



Dustin Kern
Peru
157/165




Elliott Corner
Peru
149/157



Alan McNeal
Southport
157/165



Brett Worden
Peru
184/197



Kyle Ullery
SB Riley
165/174



Jame Green
Cloverdale
125/133



Alex Bailey
Jeffersonville
157/165



David Waldroup
New Palestine
141/149



Aaron Overbey
Ben Davis
125/133



Andrew Leis
Elida, OH
141/149



Jay Dee Schmucker
Westview
285



584
Trine’s Seniors Lead the Way on Senior Night
-Trine comes away with a close 21-18 victory against Indianapolis
 
Trine University came away with a 21-18 win over the Indianapolis Greyhounds in the first ever meeting between both teams.  Trine is still in the infancy of their program, but have matured at an accelerated pace under head coach Dan Callahan and assistant Mike Ester.  On Tuesday, the Thunder got two big wins from their seniors and added two forfeits to seal the victory over the visiting Greyhounds.
 
The match started out at 125lbs with Jimmy Nichols(Westfield, IN) utilizing 1:57 of riding time and an escape to come away with a narrow 2-1 victory over Brandon Harvey(Elkhart, IN).  Harvey had two near takedowns in the first period, but the veteran Nichols funked out of the attempts both times.  Harvey's only point came on a late stalling call, but it was not enough for the freshman to upset the senior.  Indianapolis was out to a 9-0 lead after a forfeit at the 133lbs weight class.
 
The 141lbs match featured two Northeast Hooser Conference products in former Homestead wrestler Bryan Wight of Trine and former Bellmont state champion Matt Irwin from Indianapolis.  After a scoreless first period Irwin was out quick to start the second period.  Irwin then finished a beautiful double leg to go up 3-0.  Wight escaped after the takedown and to start the third period, but could not garner any more points as Irwin squeaked out a close 3-2 decision.
 
Senior Kyle Pittman(Greensburg, IN) stepped out on the mat for Trine against Indianapolis' freshman David Lopez(Napanee, IN) at 149lbs.  Both wrestlers were of identical short and stocky builds which made for a very entertaining match with lots of scrambles and near takedowns.  Pittman scored a takedown with 22 seconds left and Lopez's late desperation scramble could only muster an escape point as time ran out.  The decision by Pittman closed the gap to 12-3 after four matches.
 
At 157lbs Indianapolis' Corey Fornal(Rochester, IN) squared off with Trine freshman George Markou(Peru, IN).   Fornal scored an early double leg and racked up 1:57 of riding time in the first period.  In the second period Markou rode Fornal for nearly the whole period, but a late escape extended Fornal's lead to 3-0.  To start the third period, Markou chose the top position and Fornal didn't waste time as he got an early reversal.  Fornal didn't let Markou escape his grip as he regained his riding time to come away with a 6-0 victory.
 
The 165lbs match was by far the most entertaining of the night as Indianapolis' Jacob Blackwell(Indianapolis, IN) barely got by Trine's Kyle Long(South Bend, IN).  After a scoreless first period, Blackwell put Long to his back for a three count, but Long rolled through and gained a reversal to tie things up at two.  Blackwell got a reversal 30 seconds into the third period and rode Long out until he got another reversal to tie things up.  The reversal was too little, too late as Blackwell had barely enough riding time to garner the extra point and the 5-4 victory.
 
Trine then utilized their experience in the next two weight classes as they had junior Nick Kraus(Rolling Prairie, IN) going to the mat at 174lbs and senior Louis Posa(Tecumseh, MI) at 184lbs.  Kraus got the ball rolling early executing a great single leg finish to start the scoring in the first period.  He later added a double leg to take a 4-1 lead in the first period over JT Jenkins(New Albany, IN).  Kraus then put the hurting on Jenkins with a backbow to score three nearfall and almost come away with the pin in the second period.  After two periods, Kraus had a 7-1 lead along with 2:46 of riding time.  In the third period Kraus got a takedown and then three nearfall and a near pin before letting Jenkins up again to go for the tech fall.  Jenkins held off the late throw attempts to save the team valuable points as Kraus won 15-2.
 
Nothing was more suiting for senior night than for the match to come down to Trine's all-time win leader Louis Posa.  Posa has racked up 94 wins on his career and could be the first(and only) Trine wrestler to eclipse the 100 win mark.  Posa has been a mainstay in the line-up since his freshman year and has steadily improved each year, including just barely missing out on going to nationals last year.  Posa sprinted out of the gate with three takedowns in the first period on Indianapolis' Kevin Smith(Boggstown, IN) including an absolutely amazing low single off the whistle that excited the crowd.  Posa got his fourth takedown of the match to stretch his lead to 8-3 in the second period.  Posa then reversed Smith in the third period before a late escape by Smith kept the match to a regular decision.  Posa's 11-4 victory made the team score 9-18, but two forfeits by Indianapolis at 197lbs and heavyweight made the final score 21-18 in favor of the home Thunder.
 
The crowd at Hershey Hall on the Trine campus was filled with many coaches and wrestlers from South Bend, Northwood, Northrop, Jimtown, Leo and many more area schools.  Many fans came out to watch some of the best small school college wrestling in the state.  With the state series just around the corner, there is nothing like going down memory lane watching some of the former high school stars at the collegiate level.
 
On a personal note, I want to say congratulations to the Trine seniors that were honored tonight.  Levi Mundy, Bryan Wight, Kyle Pittman, Cory Boyles and Louis Posa were a part of the first team in Trine(Tri-State) history and laid the foundation for a very exciting future.  I coached all of these great young men as freshman and saw the fire in their eyes as they stepped out on the mats as inexperienced freshmen at the collegiate level.  There is nothing better than seeing how they have matured into very good wrestlers and even more importantly, great young men.  Congratulations and good luck in the future to all of you.

456
Trio of Cadets Earn All-American Honors
Three Hoosier wrestlers survived the first day of Cadet Greco-Roman wrestling and will come home with some hardware.  Leading the way is Connor Tolley.  Tolley, of Franklin Community, is undefeated in his pool and has one more match to determine what place he will wrestle for.  USAW Folkstyle National Champion Gavin Jolley-Little had his title hopes dashed in the fourth round, but came back to win his first round robin match.  Jolley-Little has one more pool match to determine what place he will wrestle for in the finals.  After losing his first match to FILA Cadet National Champion Danny Boychuck, Muncie Southside's Sage Coy reeled off four straight wins to put himself into position to place.  In the sixth round he lost, but secured placement due to having some early pins.  Boychuck, who defeated Coy in the first round did not place, which shows how brutal of a weight class it was.
 
Cadet-88 - Drew Hildebrandt's place is unknown.
Match #1 Michael Doetsch (Maryland) over Drew Hildebrandt (Indiana) Dec 1-0,2-1
Match #2 Drew Hildebrandt (Indiana) over Shea Randall (Idaho) Dec 0-2,2-0,2-0
Match #3 Jeremy Nygard (Washington) over Drew Hildebrandt (Indiana) Dec 4-0,4-1
 
Cadet-94 - Tyler Denney's place is unknown.
Match #1 Antonio Moore (Illinois) over Tyler Denney (Indiana) TF 7-0,7-0
Match #2 Tyler Denney (Indiana) over Ben Callison (Arizona) Dec 3-0,5-3
Match #3 Hunter Marko (Wisconsin) over Tyler Denney (Indiana) Fall 0:11
 
Cadet-106 - Sage Coy's place is 8th.
Match #1 Danny Boychuck (New Jersey) over Sage Coy (Indiana) Dec 5-3,5-4
Match #2 Sage Coy (Indiana) over Brad Osatiuk (Minnesota) Fall 0-1,4-2,1:16
Match #3 Sage Coy (Indiana) over Morgan Saucedo (California) Dec 4-3,3-1
Match #4 Sage Coy (Indiana) over Doyle Trout (Nebraska) Dec 1-1,5-0
Match #5 Sage Coy (Indiana) over Dalton Duffield (Oklahoma) Fall 7-0,0:50
Match #6 Kyle Norstrem (Florida) over Sage Coy (Indiana) Fall 5-0,1:29
 
Cadet-113 - Reid Eckert's place is unknown.
Match #1 Ben Hornickle (Wisconsin) over Reid Eckert (Indiana) Fall 0:59
Match #2 Joshua Hogan (Ohio) over Reid Eckert (Indiana) Fall 1:27
 
Cadet-120 - Tyler Fleener's place is unknown.
Match #1 Tyler Fleener (Indiana) over Bobby Alexander (Illinois) Fall 1:32
Match #2 Tyler Fleener (Indiana) over Aaron Meyer (Iowa) Dec 6-0,4-1
Match #3 Matthew Floresca (Washington) over Tyler Fleener (Indiana) Dec 4-0,5-0
Match #4 Freddie Dunau (New York) over Tyler Fleener (Indiana) Dec 6-0,3-2
 
Cadet-120 - Quinn Harris's place is unknown.
Match #1 Matthew Rundell (Illinois) over Quinn Harris (Indiana) TF 10-4,8-1
Match #2 Zahid Valencia (California) over Quinn Harris (Indiana) TF 6-0,6-0
 
Cadet-126 - Austin Ward's place is unknown.
Match #1 Austin Ward (Indiana) over Dequarius Millett (Illinois) Fall 0-6,1:10
Match #2 Tyler Wicken (Washington) over Austin Ward (Indiana) Dec 6-0,1-0
Match #3 Cole Weaver (Michigan) over Austin Ward (Indiana) Fall 5-0,1:42
 
Cadet-126 - Jarrod Hemmings's place is unknown.
Match #1 Jacob Murphy (Georgia) over Jarrod Hemmings (Indiana) Dec 0-3,6-0,4-0
Match #2 Pernevlon Sheppard (Illinois) over Jarrod Hemmings (Indiana) Dec 6-1,0-6,4-1
 
Cadet-132 - Jose Champagne's place is unknown.
Match #1 Austin Kraisser (Maryland) over Jose Champagne (Indiana) Dec 1-1,1-0
Match #2 Jose Champagne (Indiana) over Grant Bolduan (Minnesota) Dec 3-1,2-2
Match #3 Troy Wilson (Washington) over Jose Champagne (Indiana) Fall 6-4,0:23
 
Cadet-138 - Ruger Kerstiens's place is unknown.
Match #1 Peter Nieto (New Mexico) over Ruger Kerstiens (Indiana) Dec 2-2,7-1
Match #2 Tionte Parks (Iowa) over Ruger Kerstiens (Indiana) Dec 6-0,5-0
 
Cadet-145 - Joey Mammolenti's place is unknown.
Match #1 Jordan Torbitt (New York) over Joey Mammolenti (Indiana) Fall 0-2,0:52
Match #2 Michael Bryant (Virginia) over Joey Mammolenti (Indiana) Dec 8-2,4-1
 
Cadet-160 - Damon Buxton's place is unknown.
Match #1 Jacob Timpanaro (Florida) over Damon Buxton (Indiana) Dec 5-3,6-2
Match #2 Mattew Allen (Virginia) over Damon Buxton (Indiana) Dec 6-1,4-1
 
Cadet-170 - James Malone's place is unknown.
Match #1 James Malone (Indiana) over Malcom Johnson (Maryland) Dec 6-1,4-0
Match #2 Jordan Dalton (Ohio) over James Malone (Indiana) Fall 7-1,0:37
Match #3 Daniel Smith (New York) over James Malone (Indiana) Fall 9-0,0:47
 
Cadet-170 - Stone Neese's place is unknown.
Match #1 Niko Rocha (Illinois) over Stone Neese (Indiana) Dec 5-1,1-5,3-2
Match #2 Jeremiah Imonode (Arizona) over Stone Neese (Indiana) Dec 1-0,2-0
 
Cadet-220 - Carson Popp's place is unknown.
Match #1 Carson Popp (Indiana) over Tate Orndorff (Washington) Fall 0:27
Match #2 Kyler Childers (Oklahoma) over Carson Popp (Indiana) Fall 1:08
Match #3 Dylan Otis (Pennsylvania) over Carson Popp (Indiana) Fall 4-0,1:50
 
Cadet-220 - Connor Tolley's place is 6th.
Match #1 Connor Tolley (Indiana) over Matthew St. Onge (New York) Fall 7-0,1:25
Match #2 Connor Tolley (Indiana) over Thomas Baker (Ohio) Dec 1-0,2-0
Match #3 Connor Tolley (Indiana) over Dallas Campbell (Oklahoma) Dec 2-2,3-2
Match #4 Connor Tolley (Indiana) over William Brown (Georgia) Dec 3-0,3-0
Match #5 Connor Tolley (Indiana) received a bye.
Match #6 Connor Tolley (Indiana) over Thomas Baker (Ohio) Dec 1-0,2-0
 
Cadet-285 - Gavan Jolley-Little's place is 6th.
Match #1 Gavan Jolley-Little (Indiana) over Jason Zook (Kansas) Dec 2-0,3-0
Match #2 Gavan Jolley-Little (Indiana) over Jake Gunning (Pennsylvania) Dec 1-0,2-0
Match #3 Gavan Jolley-Little (Indiana) over Sam Phillips (Oklahoma) Dec 2-1,1-0
Match #4 Dane Drimmer (Colorado) over Gavan Jolley-Little (Indiana) Fall 0:33
Match #5 Gavan Jolley-Little (Indiana) over Xyah Ra (Missouri) Dec 1-0,1-1
Match #6 Dane Drimmer (Colorado) over Gavan Jolley-Little (Indiana) Fall 0:33
Match #7 Gavan Jolley-Little (Indiana) received a bye.

2384 10 2
TripleB's Famous Evansville Semi-State Preview
Welcome to TripleB’s annual Evansville Semi-State Preview!
 
House keeping items -
 
From our inside man Markio - Ford Arena info:
 
 
●       Parking and general information about the arena can be found at www.thefordcenter.com
●       Wrestlers can enter the arena at 7:30am for weigh ins. Wrestlers and coaches will enter at the interior ticket office lobby (to the far right of the main lobby doors) to check in and head back. You will pick up your credentials here.
●       The only coolers allowed are for wrestlers and must enter at the check in table through the interior ticket lobby. NO OUTSIDE FOOD OR DRINK for anyone else is allowed inside unfortunately. Not my rules, just standard building policy.
●       Public doors open at 8:00am CST. Enter on Main Street through the main lobby. We will look to create a separate door/entrance for those that already have tickets. $12 dollars for all session ticket, $10 for finals only.
●       There is NO onsite parking. Please do not have any team vehicles attempt to park in the loading dock or attached outer lot. These are reserved spots.
●       There is no public Wi-Fi.
●       Please do not jump over the dasher walls to access the floor. They try to control access to the floor, so you need to enter from the lower level hallway under section 103. You wouldn't jump the wall at Banker's Life would you? lol
●       The hospitality room for officials, etc. will be in the Corner Club. Enter from the main lobby and hang a right at lower level hallway.
●       If you are going to set up a camera please do not have the cord running across the aisle. You will be made to unplug any cords running across an aisle.
●       We will have full concessions available throughout the day. Coffee and hot chocolate are also available all day as well. (get the bbq pork nachos, huge and awesome)
●       There is no smoking on or in the Ford Center property, this includes e-cigarettes.
●       Brackets will be updated throughout the day and posted on several of the 170 or so TVs located all over the arena. The brackets end up kind of small, but hey, they are everywhere and pretty cool.
●       Lastly,if you are a wrestler that loses please don't kick,throw,or punch Ford Center property. We had a kid break off a door handle last year.Sent the bill to the school. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Friday will be a day of passion and love, but 224 grapplers hope their hearts aren’t broken like scorned lovers on Saturday as only 56 can get hit by Cupid’s arrow and sent to Indianapolis and Bankers Life Fieldhouse.
 
 
How does this work - The exclusive Evansville Championship Selection Committee (ECSC) spent 2 days in hard deliberations over their Ford Fab 4 picks. Each member selected their ballot, points were accumulated, and from there the picks started falling.
 
Article features:
 
The Charles Barkley “Turrible”  Draws - ticket round matches that shouldn’t be happening in the ticket round!
 
The Barry Horowitz Best Curtain Jerkers - Best first round matches!
 
The Built Ford Tough Locks - The Pickers of the Round Table has been assembled. There were very few, but any weight class where the pick for champion was unanimous, makes it a Ford Tough Lock. Ford Tough Locks were hard to come by this year as only 4 were given out.
 
Ford Fab 4 - After picks were gathered, points distributed, and the dust settled, we’ll have the Ford Fab 4.
 
Also special guest committee member The Donnie Baker (not that Donnie Baker) has offered some of his highlights throughout.
 
What if I didn’t agree with the ECSC or I thought they made a terrible error (I mean really how many times will Oklahoma get free frickin pass already)? Then have no fear - The TripleB Guarantee will help you sort out the madness.
 
Without further ado...UNLEASH THE PREVIEW!!
 
 
106: 106 brings us our first of five LOCKS. Logan Miller of Brownsburg has been knocking off ranked wrestlers all year. The ECSC was unanimous - this is Miller’s weight class to lose. With team race looking tight, this weight class can get the Bulldogs off and running orrrrr ticket round magic by the latest Egli, Reed can get the Wildcats of Mater Dei rolling.
 
 
Barry Horowitz Best Curtain Jerker - The Mater Dei classic in December gave us a preview of 106. Lou Knable and Reed Egli wrestled twice with Knable winning the first match 6-5 and Egli taking the second one 1-0. What happens in the third match?1?!? Don’t be late!!
 
Charles Barkley Turrible Draws -  The #12 Coy Hammack vs #13 Blake Zirkelbach guarantees that a SS top 4 kid is going home, and they are also 1-1 with Hammack getting the latest win in their conference finals a few weeks back. Another rubber match in the 106 bracket!!
 
Don’t sleep on…. Jasper Junior Jainier Milanes looks to maybe break up the Hammack/Zirkelbach trilogy by sliding through the quarter bracket and onto Indy!
 
Ford Fab 4 - The ECSC was unanimous on 1-2, but a tie for 3/4th. Ties were handled by whoever had the total higher placement points (more 3rd place votes in this case).
 
1st - Logan Miller Brownsburg, 2nd - Kyler West Evansville Memorial, 3rd - Coy Hammack Tell City, 4th - Ca$h Turner Edgewood
 
 
113: All 10 semi-state ranked grapplers have navigated their way through sectionals and regionals and have set themselves for shots at BLF. Mater Dei’s Cole Ross is the early favorite, owning 2 razor thin wins over both Lane Gilbert and Cheaney Schoeff. But this weight class is star power heavy as Ross, Gilbert, and Schoeff lead a class that could all be podium placers in the next few years.
 
Barry Horowitz Best Curtain Jerker - SS #4 Braiden Hanes vs  SS #7 Ethan Roudebush are featured in a quarter bracket with no state ranked wrestlers and also features SS #6 Noah Lykins. Sophomore, Sophomore, Sophomore = Future Hammers, Hammers, Hammers but for one their time is now. Donnie Baker says you better watch this quarter bracket!
 
Charles Barkley Turrible Draw - Maybe not a tuuuurbbbillee draw but certainly a blood round match to watch - Freshman #5 ranked Gilbert vs Senior #19 ranked Logan Sutton of Castle. Winners goes to Indy, loser heads home too early.
 
Don’t sleep on…. The aforementioned quarterbracket of Super Sophomores and Noah Lykins. The Olympian is battle tested as East wrestles one of the toughest schedules in the state. Can he pull off wins over two legit competitors?
 
Ford Fab 4 - The ECSC was split but Ross gets the nod.
 
1st - Cole Ross Evansville Mater Dei, 2nd - Lane Gilbert, 3rd Cheaney Schoeff, 4th Braden Haines
 
TRIPLEB GUARANTEE - Cheaney Schoeff of Avon will cause some noise, he makes the finals, he pushes Ross, he beats Ross.
 
120: 120 features our second LOCK of the preview - Evansville Mater Dei Junior and returning state qualifier Alec Freeman. Heritage Hills’ Sam Scott has had a great year and is the only other clear cut state bound wrestler here as after that things get murky.
 
Barry Horowitz Best Curtain Jerker: 2 opening round matches could bring early fireworks - Greencastle Frosh phenom Chase Carrington and Evansville Centrals super Soph Ayden Amento will both battle for a chance to advance. Both received votes, this first round match could determine who advances to Indy. The other is Chris Newman and Jacob Bechert, Newman is a returning state qualifier but he gets two points of recognition here as he’s also featured in….
 
Charles Barkley Turrible Draw - Chris Newman and Delaney Ruhlman maybe isn’t a Turrible do to both being underclassmen and not a lot of state level credentials. But both have had great years, 6 combined losses, and this could possibly be the first of many matches.
 
Don’t sleep on…. Newman, Amento, and 2 homers I have - Charlestown junior Colin Knox is 35-1 but has gotten zero love from the ECSC, also Madison Sophmore Noah Burkhardt has only been wrestling for 2 years and won sectionals and was a regional runner up. Can either of these 2 TripleB Sleepers pull off the upsets?!?!?!
 
Ford Fab 4: After Freeman and Scott the rest of the field appears to be up for grabs - Ruhlman, Newman, Carrington, and Amento all got some love but after the dust settled -
 
1st - Alec Freeman Evansville Mater Dei, 2nd - Sam Scott Heritage Hills, 3rd - Delaney Ruhlman Bloomington South, 4th Chase Carrington Greencastle
 
126: 5 top 10 state ranked wrestlers, 8 top 10 semi-state ranked wrestlers. Maybe the mostest biggest, yuuugest CB Turrible Draw ever….. Alstott/Dalton 3. This was a bronze medal match last year at state and now it’s a ticket round match. Somebody better call my momma….this is a injustice!!! Oh and our 3rd Ford Tough LOCK!
 
Barry Horowitz Best Curtain Jerker - Let’s skip the formalities and pleasantries, all 8 SS guys fall into different first round matches. First round should be chalk. Let’s get to it
 
Charles Barkley Turrible Draw - Are you kidding me?? Under absolutely no circumstances should this be a ticket round match. This should be a prime reason for wrestlebacks, but not so fast my friend!! This is the beauty of Indiana wrestling. We are getting a winner take all match in the blood round between two state medalists. This should be a fantastic, low scoring match up. Good luck to both guys!
 
Don’t sleep on…. After the Alstott/Dalton match this weight we almost Chalk picks. Maybe I should plug Raymond Rioux here. All the talk has been about Alstott and Dalton and we have a Ford Tough LOCK here. Raymond has put together a stellar career for Avon, he’s a 3 time state medalists. He’s been a leader for the #WestSideWingmen for 4 years and should put a bow on his career with a Semi-state Championship this weekend and a state championship next weekend. He’s also the first of the Rioux Dozen, that name isn’t going away anytime soon in the Indiana Wrestling scene. #ParrishTrained
 
Ford Fab 4: Gavin Alstott is 0-3 against Ben Dalton, the ECSC believes 4th time's the charm as The Highlander got the nod
 
1st - Raymond Rioux Avon, 2nd Gavin Alstott Floyd Central, 3rd Kysen Montgomery Brownsburg, 4th Ashton Hayhurst Mater Dei.
 
TripleBGuarantee - B-E-N-D-A-L-T-O-N, not only for ticket round but maybe as a LOCK buster!
 
132: 5 state ranked and 8 semi-state ranked wrestlers lead this weight class. 2 words can describe this HOT MESS. 9 potential qualifiers all received votes, yes I said 9! That means this weight class should be a doozy Saturday!
 
Barry Horowitz Best Curtain Jerkers -  SS #4 Beau Heeke from Heritage Hills and SS #7 ranked Seth Rohrbach both got votes to advance, but only one can advance out of the first round. Also a potential 1 over 4 upset as Conner Alcala from Decatur Central looks to take out regional champ Chase Aldridge from Providence.
 
Charles Barkley Turrible Draws - Sound the sirens, we have our first “Swear to God” pick by Donnie Baker - Gibson Southern Sophomore Christian Polen and Center Grove’s Hayden Watson. DB says to bet the boat on Polen! The other Turrible draw is a battle of two time state qualifiers and features a match that could definitely shift the team race. #4 state ranked Kane Egli takes on #8 ranked Tyler Conley from Avon. These two wrestled at state duals with Egli getting a 3-2 win. Can Conley switch that result and help his Hendricks Co rivals Brownsburg out here or even help put Avon in position to win?
 
Don’t sleep on…. Ha, evidently we shouldn’t sleep on the whole bracket. But in no order - Seth Rohrbach, Beau Heeke, Christian Polen, Lane Deckard, and Tyler Conley all got votes but not enough to break into the -
 
Ford Fab 4 -
 
1st - Hayden Watson Center Grove, 2nd - Kane Egli Evansville Mater Dei, 3rd - Connor Holt Plainfield, 4th - Conner Alcala Decatur Central
 
 
138: A weight going chalk means the ECSC has 4 unanimous selections in the same order. It has rarely if ever happened. This weight class was as close as it came this year as only one vote kept the weight class from being chalk and having Blake Boarman as a LOCK (*cough Donnie Baker cough*). Oh did I mention Drake Campbell beat Blake Boarman this year already? Maybe good old DB isn’t off his rocker! 5 state ranked wrestlers and 9 semi state ranked wrestlers are featured at 138, Let’s Go!!!
 
Barry Horowitz Best Curtain Jerker - 2 matches stand out as curtain jerkers and I noticed some irregularities. First another Donnie Baker “Bet the Boat” upset alert - Terre Haute South junior Nathan Recknor over #13 Keandre Watson. The other match is SS #6 Colton Roberts and SS #9 Pat Mayes. Mayes is 40-2, Roberts has 13 losses. Does Avon’s strength of schedule carry Roberts over Mayes? Some voters say yes, some say no!
 
Charles Barkley Turrible Draw - None, there’s a reason this weight class was almost chalk. Semi finals and finals should be great though.
 
Don’t sleep on…. Campbell beat Boarman in a close match, Boarman beat J Conway in a close match. J Conway has been a takedown machine all season……. can the Highlander steal the booty and walk away like a Pirate with some gold Saturday?
 
Ford Fab 4 -
 
1st - Blake Boarman Brownsburg, 2nd J Conway Floyd Central, 3rd Drake Campbell Brownsburg, 4th Landon Boe Plainfield
 
145: 5 state ranked wrestlers and 7 ranked semi-state wrestlers are featured at 145. Also 145 features our only 1st place tie, it’s officially up for grabs. It’s another weight where the committee doesn’t feel that there will be any party crashers as all 5 had the same 4 qualifiers albeit in different order. Justice Cash, Brody Baumann, and Jaden Renyolds all got first place votes and Cash/Reynolds finished in a tie. We will take it The Speaker of the Committee TripleB to break the tie.
 
Barry Horowitz Best Curtain Jerker - Both unranked, both having great years Central freshman Luke Kemper and Floyd Central sophomore Codei Khawaja both come from bloodlines of wrestlers (Look them both up, I’m not geneology.com over here). This will be a great curtain jerker. Franklin Community senior Ethan Nash draws regional champ and state final hopeful #19 David Tucker. Here’s 2 things I know from my years of being around - Franklin never has a dull semi state, they keep matches close and Tonte brings the magic. While Tucker is the favorite, don’t be surprised to see Nash pull out a grinder match and sneak through
 
Charles Barkley Turrible Draws - There’s nothing to see here, move along.
 
Don’t sleep on…. Voters were chalk with the qualifiers
 
Ford Fab 4 - Our first and only tie for first place, Justice Cash and Jaden Reynolds both racking up 16 out of a possible 20 votes. We went to the ballots and Cash received 3 first place votes while Reynolds received 1. Cash gets the nod.
 
1st - Justice Cash Bloomington North (Donnie Baker Lock, Stock, and Pork pick), 2nd - Jaden Reynolds, 3rd - Brody Baumann, 4th - David Tucker Brown Co
 
152: 5 top ten state ranked and all 10 semi-state wrestlers makes 152 no joke. There will be some Fitts thrown, some Hamms, will the Law be laid down, or can the Incredible Fulks smash the field? I could go all day with puns here but let’s put a BOE on it and move along. A top ten match up in the blood round gives us a Turrible draw and a Donnie Baker “Bet the Boat” guarantee are featured. 
 
Barry Horowitz Best Curtain Jerker - Moses Hamm and Jacob Cookerly are two SS ranked dudes looking to get after it, can the Hamm be COOKerlied? Oh man but seriously, the winner gets Fulks and this should be a great match!
 
Charles Barkley Turrible Draw - #7 Fitts vs #2 Kervin. Both are returning State Qualifiers. Fitts is a fireball, if he can channel his emotions in the right way, will it be enough to knock off Kervin?
 
Don’t sleep on…. Logan Boe, yes he’s predicted to finish in top 4 but this Warrior is a 3x state medalists and has always brought the heat when it counts. Kervin got the nod from the voters, but Don’t Sleep On Boe
 
Ford Fab 4 -  Your top 4 seeds are a combined 142 and 2. Schwew-wee, this should be some fun semi-finals and finals. Boe and Kervin are the Donnie Baker “Shut Up Randy, I’m watching come rasslin” Highlight match.
 
1st Jonathan Kervin Floyd Central, 2nd - Kade Law Columbus East, 3rd Logan Boe Danville, 4th - Jordan Fulks Boonville
 
Donnie Baker Bet the Boat Guarantee - All 4 will be on the podium next week at BLF, STATE LAW!!!
 
160:  5 State ranked and 8 semi-state ranked wrestlers lead the field at 160 including the next LOCK, Evansville Mater Dei’s returning 3rd placer Eli Dickens. Some ticket round matches are featured here, not necessarily Turrible draws but matches that should be worth the watch. 
 
Barry Horowitz Best Curtain Jerker - The Donnie Baker “Too Close to call” first round curtain jerker goes to #11 Sam Morrill and Evansville Reitz’s Aiden Farmer. Can Farmer sneak the upset?
 
Charles Barkley Turrible Draws - Whenever 2 top 10 ranked guys are going at it for the golden ticket it’s just turrible. #1 Eli Dickens and #9 Tyler Fuqua have both made the trip to Indy and both certainly are worthy medalists, but this year only one will get to take that opportunity. Turrible, turrible, turrible.
 
Don’t sleep on….Wade Presson of Bloomington South has had some good wins this year and a win in the ticket round isn’t unthinkable. Keep an eye on Morrill/Farmer winner vs Presson.
 
Ford Fab 4 - The 2nd Wildcat making the LOCK list, Eli Dickens leads this talented field
 
1st - Eli Dickens Evansville Mater Dei, 2nd - Peyton Asbury Brownsburg, 3rd - John Purdy Castle, 4th Sam Morrill Columbus East
 
170: 5 State ranked and 8 semi-state ranked wrestlers are on tap to duke it out at 170. The ECSC had a unanimous Fab 4, though some disagreed with placements. This because we have the dreaded my guy beat your guy but lost to your guy. The sectional seeding nightmare. 2x state qualifier Robert Deters leads this field. Let’s see who gets left out of the musical chairs.
 
Barry Horowitz Best Curtain Jerkers - Columbus North’s Nick Holt was a sectional champ that hit a roadblock last weekend by some freshman from Madison (btw how many freshman lead the varsity football team in tackles and win regionals?) Indian Creek’s Owen Sego’s season has been well documented, this is his 4th trip to Evansville, will he get through? This match should be special, don’t miss it!
 
Don’t sleep on…. Sego and Carrington
 
Charles Barkley Turrible Draw -  Two turrible draws, the aforementioned Sego has a decorated career, here’s to hoping he can continue his season with a W, but Deters is no small obstacle. #3 2 loss Ruhlman and #11 2 loss Carrinton will be going at it to determine who goes to BLF. Ruhlman appears to be the favorite, but another Turrible Draw
 
Ford Fab 4 - Whenever you got #2,#3, and #6 in the same bracket, there will be no LOCK. The ECSC did really like Deters though to avenge his loss to Ruhlman and lock up a SS championship.
 
1st - Robert Deters Castle, 2nd - Tristan Ruhlman Bloomington South, 3rd - Gabe Sollars Evansville Mater Dei, 4th - Jalen Ward Franklin
 
182: 2 state qualifiers, one not favored to advance, a for LOCK that wasn’t. It’s 1-8-2! 6 state ranked (including #s 3,7, and 9) and 9 ranked SS wrestlers are on tabs at 182. Macartney Parkinson is a returning state medalist, who is undefeated in Indiana this year. This was a hands down LOCK….but then Donnie Baker crashed the party. Also Brenden Moore is a returning state qualifier who hasn’t had the easiest path to the Ford Center. How do Parkinson and Moores fate intertwine? Welll…..
 
Barry Horowitz Best Curtain Jerker - Brendan McPike of Terre Haute South has had a fantastic season (trust me I got the emails and texts to prove it). Can this Outlaw survive returning State Qualifier Moore in the first round to lay way for rematch with Parkinson?
 
Charles Barkley Turrible Draws - Macartney Parkinson and Greg Glover will meet to determine a spot in Evansville. Another ticket round match that could affect the team race.
 
Don’t sleep on…. Brenden Moore, Greg Glover, how about a sleeper pic of Drake Buchanan? Do you know his dad was a school teacher at Madison Junior High School when TripleB was only DoubleB and ran the hallways?!?! Never doubt a 3B connection!!
 
Ford Fab 4 -
 
1st - Macartney Parkinson Evansville Mater Dei, 2nd - Noah White Columbus East, 3rd - Drake Buchanan Center Grove, 4th - Brendan Mcpike Terre Haute South
 
Donnie Baker Bet the Boat Guarantee - Brendan McPike will be on the revenge tour Saturday knocking of Parkinson and Noah White.
 
195:  Only 4 state ranked and 8 SS ranked wrestlers leaves this bracket kind of feeling ehhh…. but no worries, the Donnie Baker “Fight of the Night” will deliver and according to DB break up another LOCK. McKinley Kemper was well on his way to locking up a LOCK, like the other Kempers before him. Donnie pulled a Corso and said “Not so fast my friend”
 
Barry Horowitz Best Curtain Jerker - No first rd matches of SS ranked grapplers left me searching….just like I”ll be searching the concessions Saturday at about this time.
 
Charles Barkley Turrible Draws - Again natta, all 4 ranked guys are spread out in quarterbrackets, all seems well.
 
Don’t sleep on…. Cody Matherly of Jeffersonville, he will have to win one on the STREETs to get to Bankers but the streets of Jeff are no joke.
 
Donnie Baker’s FIGHT OF THE NIGHT - Ladies and Gentleman, boys and girls, children of all ages, Donnie Baker enterprises in accordance with STATE LAW proudly brings to you the Fight of the Night… it’s a semi final match up between a Junior, from Franklin Community, with a 35-2 record Harrrriiisss Eaassssooonnnn!!! And his opponent from Evansville Central, this senior comes to us with a record of 36 wins and only 1 defeat, ittttttttt’s McKinnnnnnnnnley Kemmmmmper!!!
 
Ford Fab 4 - Kemper, Eason, Street and Rogers all advance. Kemper so close to a lock, but Eason got a vote.
 
1st - McKinley Kemper Evansville Central, 2nd - Isaiah Street (I watched this kid almost bleed to death in Iowa as a 6th grader and still finished the match and the tournament helping Team Indiana finish 3rd in the nation, do not sleep on the STREET), 3rd - Harris Eason, 4th - Phoenix Rodgers Heritage Hills
 
220:  7 state ranked (wow) and all 10 SS ranked wrestlers bring the BOOM to 220. 8 wrestlers all recieved votes. Amongst the chaos the ECSC picks a non state ranked hammer to get through, Yowie Wowie what a weight class!!
 
Barry Horowitz Best Curtain Jerker - This quarter bracket features 4 SS ranked dudes - #9 Ethan Rogers, #8 Cordell Huering, #10 Reese Condon, and #7 Kenton Williams all will have to sort it out it to make it out and the votes were not unanimous on who makes it out.
Charles Barkley Turrible Draws - When you have so many ranked guys does it negate Turrible draws? The Donnie Baker Barn Burner of the night and Turrible Draw - #13 Josh Howell of Terre Haute South vs #7 Will Stewart of South Spencer. Spencer is a returning state placer, Howell has one loss and Donnie says this match is going to extra periods - This should be a great match! Also #6 Nathan Willman vs #11 Leighton Jones both are top 4 in SS but one is going home! The last one is #8 (#1 in ss) Micah Dodson vs #15 (#6 in ss) Macray Robinson. 
 
Don’t sleep on…. Stop what you are doing, look up the bracket (The Indianamat one with rankings), take a picture and seriously don’t sleep on any of them
 
Ford Fab 4 - This was chaos, the ECSC was up until the wee hours debating 220. Here’s what we got:
 
1st - Nathan Willman North Posey, 2nd - Micah Dodson Martinsville, 3rd - Joshua Howell Terre Haute South, 4th - Kenton Williams Sullivan
 
TripleBGuarantee - If Ethan Rogers can get on his offense early, he’s going to state. Leighton Jones will go big boy and the frosh will knock out a senior in the ticket round, Will Stewart will go to state… Heck just write this down - 1. Micah Dodson, 2. Leighton Jones, 3. Will Stewart, 4. Ethan Rogers. Take that to the Bank!
 
285: The last weight and the last LOCK. Last year Dorian Keys took the state by surprise on his run to a state title. There will be no surprises this year as Keys has been labeled a LOCK by the ECSC. 6 state ranked and 9 ss ranked wrestlers round out the semi-state qualifiers for 2020 (round, see what I did there, jeeze I’m losing my mind). 6 garnered votes and the most interesting matchup is a Turrrible draw
 
Barry Horowitz Best Curtain Jerkers - I’ve been hearing about this one guy all year, “TripleB ya gotta give love to Ke’Tre Dickens, watch out for Dickens, Dickens, Dickens” Well here is his chance to shine and out of the gates he has undefeated Bloomington North wrestler Race Stewart. I’ve been told this could be shocker!
 
Charles Barkley Turrible Draws - #14 Robbie Gentry vs. #15 Matthew Munoz, both are worthy of state and Munoz has a win over Gentry this year albeit on home turf. There will be no home turf this weekend.
 
Don’t sleep on…. Hunter Wimpelberg is a senior for Coach Ferguson at Reitz, Regional champ, good program, great coach, do not sleep on Wimpelberg punching a ticket. Robbie Gentry could reverse his fortunes against Munoz and also punch his ticket
 
 
Ford Fab 4 - Our last LOCK and Munoz doing what Munoz does best, escaping with a win
 
1st - Dorian Keys Brownsburg, 2nd - Matthew Munoz Jeffersonville, 3rd - Race Stewart Bloomington North, 4th - Jacob Johnson Franklin
 
Man we made it…….let’s end w my favorite - food recomendations
 
Friday night I’m heading to Hilltop Inn for my first ever Brain sandwich. I'm pumped. Brains aren’t your thing? Turonis is a local pizza place that’s dynamite. Like German? Gerst Haus is phenomenal. Want to head out for some adult beverages? Go to Franklin Ave, Gerst Haus is there and a number of other watering holes and great restaurants. I’m never up early enough for Breakfast so I have no clue. I hear the nachos at the Ford are great and worth the $. And a tradition on the way home is Stoll’s Country Diner - lights out fried chicken and down home buffet.
 
Have a great time Saturday, I thoroughly enjoy the Evansville Semi-State experience. I’ll be there slumming around, feel free to say hey, you can’t miss me! Good luck to all my coaching buddies and all 224 grapplers. Use this to pump you up and get mad bc you were slighted and parents have fun with this as we at Indianamat are just trying to bring attention to our favorite sport, wrestling!
 
See everybody at the FORD and onto Bankers!
 
 

1559 2 1
Triples with TripleB
Our newest weekly article is a quick hit look at the week ahead and a recap of the previous week. TripleB will give you three things you need to know, three events to watch for this week, and three questions with someone in wrestling. 
 
3 Things You Need to Know
1. New Coaches look to make an impact
40 programs have new coaches at the helm this season, including 5 ranked teams. will it be business as usual or will there be a disruption in the force??
 
#7 1A Eastern(Greentown)- Zach Pence
#2 1A Southridge- Kurt Collins
#18 Franklin- Jim Tonte
#17 Portage- Andrew Bradbury
#5 Warren Central- Matt Krulik
                
2. Post Season Dynasties
There’s dominant, then there’s #PainTrain dominant. Brownsburg is a phenomenal 16-0 at IHSWCA Dual Team State Championships and have won the last 4 in a row. Can the Bulldogs add a ring to their thumbs this year??
 
Brownsburg Coach Darrick Snyder, “At Brownsburg we take a lot of pride in our performance at dual state. We want to be the best team in the state. We put a huge emphasis on dual state because we know that shows the best team”
 
Cathedral needed 4 leaf clovers and all the luck of the Irish last year as Jordan Slvika and Elliott Rodgers turned in monumental efforts to lock up individual state championships and help Cathedral rally for a 3rd consecutive big old Indiana plaque at Bankers Life. Will the luck of the Irish be on their side for a fourth consecutive title?
 
Indianapolis Cathedral Coach Sean McGinley, “Look for the Irish to struggle a bit out of the gate.  However, if we do our jobs and keep getting better each week, by tournament time we feel we will be one of the few teams that people are talking about with a chance to bring home a team state championship.”
 
3. How will the football runs impact early season matches?
7 of the top 10 preseason ranked teams are still alive as Indianapolis Cathedral, Evansville Mater Dei, Warren Central, Roncalli, Carmel, Merriville, and Hobart all played in regional games on Friday night. Will these ranked hammers stumble out of the gate as teams patiently wait for football players to wrap up, get healed, and get in wrestling shape? Look for the holiday tournaments before some of these teams are fully loaded. Merrillville, Carmel, Mount Vernon(Fortville), Hobart, and Adams Central will all be playing this week at semi-state.
 
3 Feature Matches
1. Opening dual of the season! 
The Battle for the Paddle; Madison at Southwestern
 
Since the incarnation of the Battle, Madison has ran the tables winning all nine duals. What this match has lacked is over all dual excitement as forfeits on both sides have been an issue, but the scuttlebutt is that this year both teams will be bringing full line ups into the Dual and Southwestern is hoping to keep the paddles in Hanover!
 
2. Crown Point vs Portage  
Portage graduates 4 state qualifiers and new coach Andrew Bradbury jumps right into the frying pan in this Region kick off dual.  Returning state qualifiers Ty Haskins and Damari Dancy will look to keep this dual close but on paper Crown Point appears to be too strong. Lead by returning state champ Jesse Mendez, with 5 freshman and 2 sophomores in starting lineup, the Bulldogs will look to rack up bonus team points early and often!
 
3. Capital City Classic 
Through the years Triple C is one of the toughest opening weekend tournaments with teams like Beech Grove, Perry, Warren, Bloomington North, Mishawaka, and North Central winning the very first one. Perry Meridian looks to be the front-runner for the 38th annual Capital City Classic.This years line up includes - Beech Grove, Franklin Central, Greenwood, Indian Creek, Jeffersonville, Perry Meridian, Plainfield, Westfield
 
3 Questions with Mike Reiser
1. What is your background in wrestling? 
I wrestled for Coach Jim Wadkins at Calumet High school.  I graduated in 2001 and was a part of some successful teams. We were three-time team sectional champs, two-time regional champs, and two-time Lake Athletic Conference champs. Individually I was a two-time sectional champ and two-time semi state qualifier.
 
2. Why do rankings, it seem very stressful and thankless, what drives you to do rankings? 
There are times that the rankings can be stressful, but I learned early on that you can’t make everyone happy. I love doing the rankings both semi state and state. I think it is the best job in the state it has given me a lot of opportunities to broadcast and do the gorilla radio. 
 
3. What do you do when you are not neck deep in wrestling? 
When I am not doing the rankings and going over results, I work my actual job which is a Project Manager for an Environmental Company. I also coach my 2 daughters in softball which is becoming a full time job also.

593
Tsirtsis Back Into the Finals
Jason Tsirtsis of Crown Point will return to the stage where he last wrestled two years ago as a cadet.  He defeated Joey Lavallee of Nevada 1-0,2-0 to secure his spot. In the first period Tsirtsis scored a pushout and in the second period took Lavalle down twice.  His finals opponent will be Jake Short of Minnesota.
 
The finals begin tomorrow morning at 10am CST and you can watch them on TheMat.tv.

 
Junior-140 - Jason Tsirtsis's place is 2nd.
Match #1 Jason Tsirtsis (Indiana) over Mihaly Nagy (New York) Dec 3-1,7-0
Match #2 Jason Tsirtsis (Indiana) over Michael Cutbertson (Missouri) Fall 1:10
Match #3 Jason Tsirtsis (Indiana) received a bye.
Match #4 Jason Tsirtsis (Indiana) over Johnathan Blackwell (Kansas) TF 7-0,6-0
Match #5 Jason Tsirtsis (Indiana) over Colton Dempsey (Connecticut) TF 7-0,6-0
Match #6 Jason Tsirtsis (Indiana) over Anthony Collica (Ohio) Dec 6-0,5-1
Match #7 Jason Tsirtsis (Indiana) over Steve Spearman (Pennsylvania) Fall 0:51
Match #8 Jason Tsirtsis (Indiana) over Natrelle Deminson (California) TF 7-0,6-0
Match #9 Jason Tsirtsis (Indiana) over Anthony Collica (Ohio) Dec 6-0,5-1
Match #10 Jason Tsirtsis (Indiana) received a bye.
Match #11 Jason Tsirtsis (Indiana) over Joey Lavallee (Nevada) Dec 1-0,2-0


590
Tsirtsis Comes Away with the Gold!
Jason Tsirtsis of Crown Point won the 140lbs Junior Freestyle National Championship on Saturday morning.  He defeated Jake Short of Minnesota 1-0, 1-0.  The first period went to a clinch and Tsirtsis quickly scored the one point takedown.  In the second period Tsirtsis scored another takedown with about 40 seconds left in the period.
 
Also for Indiana Jarred Brooks finished second and Jared McKinley placed 5th.
 
Junior-140 - Jason Tsirtsis's place is 1st.
Match #1 Jason Tsirtsis (Indiana) over Mihaly Nagy (New York) Dec 3-1,7-0
Match #2 Jason Tsirtsis (Indiana) over Michael Cutbertson (Missouri) Fall 1:10
Match #3 Jason Tsirtsis (Indiana) received a bye.
Match #4 Jason Tsirtsis (Indiana) over Johnathan Blackwell (Kansas) TF 7-0,6-0
Match #5 Jason Tsirtsis (Indiana) over Colton Dempsey (Connecticut) TF 7-0,6-0
Match #6 Jason Tsirtsis (Indiana) over Anthony Collica (Ohio) Dec 6-0,5-1
Match #7 Jason Tsirtsis (Indiana) over Steve Spearman (Pennsylvania) Fall 0:51
Match #8 Jason Tsirtsis (Indiana) over Natrelle Deminson (California) TF 7-0,6-0
Match #9 Jason Tsirtsis (Indiana) over Anthony Collica (Ohio) Dec 6-0,5-1
Match #10 Jason Tsirtsis (Indiana) received a bye.
Match #11 Jason Tsirtsis (Indiana) over Joey Lavallee (Nevada) Dec 1-0,2-0
Match #12 Jason Tsirtsis (Indiana) over Jake Short (Minnesota) Dec 1-0,1-0

484
Tsirtsis Commits to Wrestle for Northwestern
IndianaMat.com has learned that Crown Point Bulldog and #1 ranked Jason Tsirtsis has verbally committed to continue his wrestling career at Northwestern University.  In the end the decision was between Northwestern and Oklahoma State.  Tsirtsis cited Northwestern's great academics and proximity to home as key reasons for the decision. 
 
Even before the beginning of his senior year, Tsirtsis has left quite a mark on Indiana wrestling. He will be gunning for his fourth state title to join very exclusive company. Added to his in-state success is numerous national accolades including a Junior National Freestyle championship this summer. He has also placed highly at the FILA Junior Freestyle championships defeating many collegiate freshmen and sophomores in the process. Look for him to have an immediate impact at Northwestern.
 
Congratulations to Jason and best of luck pursuing an NCAA championship.