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I know and understand that Hardcastle has dreams of being a State Qualifier and that is why I said nothing negative about him. What I was frustrated with was that Josh wasn't given the opportunity because of a "Caution" and a questionable one at that. I was not impressed with the Oak Hill coaching staff and how they handled the situation and am pretty sure they are aware of that. I am sorry for the subtle comments I will make them clear! Ryan Landis - head coach at Southern Wells if that wasn't clear??

I was at the Al Smith and I was the official most of the Day on Mat one. Name is Leo Mercado, and I truly work really hard to make sure I stay consistent with the rules of our sport and apply them like the rulebook states to apply them. I typically don't like to throw jabs at anyone and I hope that this doesn't come out as a jab to anyone or anything; but I truly work hard to make sure my signals, mechanics, interpretations, and rules applications of the sport are delivered clearly and consistent throughout the whole match in the whole entire arena, so that even the deaf man at the nosebleed seats can understand my call. If you don't want me calling a "bad" match for your kid, scratch me like any other coach does in the our state because I apply the rules the way they should be applied.

I currently live in Indiana but lived most of my life in Ohio. I wrestled in Ohio and attended the state wrestling tournament there for 20 consecutive years. This year, I attended the IHSAA post season Semi State at New Castle for the first time ever. Was my first post season event ever attended for Indiana High School Wrestling. My first experience was almost entirely positive. I can tell you the perception in Ohio is that Indiana Wrestling is not as competitive. I personally had this belief as well. I do not anymore. I don’t know if New Castle is that much more competitive from the other Semi-State’s but the quality of wrestling there was excellent. I would go as far as saying there were kids who did not make it out that I could see being state qualifiers in Ohio. My only grip, which most of you could probably guess, was the qualification process. SMH. Why? I just can’t wrap my head around the thought process that went into decided that you need to make the semi finals and your in. This does not ensure the best four getting out. Having double elimination also does not ensure the “best” 4 getting out but it does allow tough quarter final draws to have a second chance. The state’s response could be to not lose and your okay. I get it, but for a lot of kids their goals are not to be a state champ. Maybe it’s to make it state or place in state. I am curious how many other states do it like this? My favorite round in all of Ohio’s post season wrestling is District (their semi-state) Conso-Semi’s. I wish Indiana would revisit this, but I also know that others have probably voiced their opinions over the years and here we are still the same. Also, New Castle is an awesome venue!

What’s low is a kid being “injured” enough to get a default win to get the state, then show zero signs of injury on his way to a title.

I appreciate all those comments made. I was at mat side. The referee signaled a false start, the Oak Hill wrestler was tended and their was discussion taking place between the head coach of Oak Hill and the referees along with one of those in charge refs. I am not being critical but what I would have liked to have seen would have been that the ref would have signaled the “false start” on him, given the appropriate “recovery time” and then let the match continue. That would eliminate some of the more negative effects.

There was a rule change a few years ago where if a kid was injured on a false start and couldn't continue that they would win via injury default. It was a good rule change for instances where a false start causes an injury to an opponent. This situation is very interesting as it was a ticket round and the injured wrestler recovered enough to win semi-state.

Beeks started on Mat 2’s whistle and got a caution for it. I saw it clearly while watching the Berne Witness live stream. I didn’t think it was a caution if you went on another mat’s whistle.

Jay County Sectional 145 Fiechter, Dull, and Currie. Also all three from the same conference.

You just keep doing what your doing kid. This idiot troll made a profile just to bust the chops of a kid that wrestled very smart. Way to put this dude in check. With that said, leave this chat to idiots like us. Check all this out after next weekend. You just keep grinding champ!

The rule was interpreted correctly by the officials. The question of it being a true false start is not so clear in the video. I will try and post video at some point. Just like many things in life it is when the rule or situation is abused. I have coached for many years and never have been put in the situation that the Oak Hill coaching staff was put into on Saturday. I believe in all my heart I know what I would have done in the situation. However the problem and the "unfortunate situation" that this rule caused was that Josh Beeks will never get the opportunity that he has earned by working hard and puttting himself in the best possible situation you can by entering the Semi-State tournament has a Regional champ, will never happen. 30 secs. into the match a "Caution" ended the kids career and his dream of being a State Qualifier.

State Rankings 180 of 224 qualifiers 80% of the state qualifiers were state ranked, this is a new record Semi-States New Castle 52 of 56 @bluemonster will now be on probation Evansville 54 of 56 @TripleB didn't do bad for being from Madison East Chicago 54 of 56 @ontherise219 with an impressive performance Fort Wayne 56 of 56 @Caleb Spires blows the rankings out of the water Only 9 wrestlers that advanced to state were not semi-state or state ranked and most were in at least one ranking interation. Dylan Driver Willie Dennison Ethan Nash Marcus Malson Blaine Pierce Haakon Van Beynen Andres Larios Andrew Himes Ke`Tre Dickens

Hardcastle’s leg sure did heal up quickly though..... congrats to him on winning semi state though.

I'm very sorry. I meant it completely ironically and sarcastically because I feel very frustrated about our rigid seeding system. But irony is an irresponsible emotion to communicate in print because it's often unclear like this time. I would never in a million years think that either one of those guys would seriously not give their all to win a match. Obviously, a semi-state title in and of itself is an amazing accomplishment--let alone the additional consideration for next weekend. I'm sorry I didn't consider my words and my approach more carefully in the way I wrote it. Thanks for pointing it out since others would have felt the same in reading it.

This is Justice Cash and after losing 4 times at semi-state I am coming on here to share the story that I never was able to share after winning a state title... The dog tag in the picture has been in my shoe for every wrestling match since Amante Young's death... He was a brother to me and there was nothing I wanted to do more than win a state title for him and his memory. He died tragically in a car crash a few months after winning a state title in Michigan. For those who knew Amante you would know he was one of the sweetest, joyful, and kind hearted people you've ever met. He was always smiling and brought so much joy to others, he always had my back, and he always wanted to make himself better. His home life was never amazing but he still was always trying to make money to give gifts to his whole family during holidays and other occasions even knowing he wouldn't be getting any from his parents at times. He always wanted to help people and he never acted like he was bound to be unsuccessful because of his home life, he found ways to make himself better and others around him better. I could go on and on about how amazing Amante was as a person and a wrestler and about how much he meant to me and so many others, but here is the end and the end of my high school career. I would be so grateful if anyone who reads this would mention his name in my place after winning a state title this year because I have failed to make it there for him myself... Thank you...

Nope not assuming the outcome of the match...just wanted the opportunity for Josh to earn it, that's my point. A caution for a false start ended a wrestlers career!

That sounds like a fake name.

This is a terrible take from someone who has a voice in our wrestling community. That was an extremely hard fought match. By saying something like this you are painting a bad picture of the sport of wrestling in Indiana. You should be embarrassed

Put up 9,7,3 in the first 3 matches. Don’t know how that’s stalling?? You said right to my face after my finals match you didn’t say anything on the internet about me. Stop talking about me please.

Another dominating performance by Lee

I didn't see the match other then the video but it seams everyone is going on the assumption that Beeks would have won the match. Either way Hardcastle was good enough to win the tournament. So if Beeks would have won that means that the 2nd best wrestler would have went home. This is another great example of needing wrestle backs. As far as wrestling after getting hit in the knee, it could defantly affect you in that match but after some ice and ibuprofen you could be good to go after that. Sucks either way for one that a good kid won't make it.

Beeks vs Hardcastle (4399268).zip Here is the video from mats side and you tell me what whistle Josh went on? There were all kinds of whistles on mat 2 and if you watch referees hand motion looks to be a clean start?

My guess would be Y2 and TripleB, discussing whether New Haven or Evansville is the stronger semi-state . . .

Miraculous almost

Micic won the bronze match in an easy tech.

The Cash’s are a top notch family. Justice is a kid that surpasses a trip to BKL. He had my son Alex’s back more times then I could count, such a great young man.

Lee’s frosh year I mentioned Lee being the best MD has produced. I believe it’s official official now !

Pletcher strikes quick to try and take charge early. But Lee keep the pressure on after that in neutral and top after that. Pletcher couldn’t keep up. We have established the BigTen #1 seed.

Hayhurst pulling a 4 over 1 Friday night, could go along way for MD.

One thing that i heard mentioned today by another coach was that from the time kids are 6-7 years old nearly every tournament they wrestle in has wrestlebacks then they get to high school and they are no more. How does that make any sense? The reasoning basically by Bobby Cox from the article is that the goal is determining the best 14 wrestlers which doesn’t necessarily happen every year at every weight. If that’s the case why do they advance roughly 20 or so cross country runners for the post season? Especially considering last year the first place and last place at state were separated by around 4 mins. A runner was not going to cut 4 mins off their time from week to week, however a wrestler could change the outcome of a match from early in the day to late in the day. Wrestling is fundamentally different than any other sport so why is there such disagreement from the powers that be to listen to the people actually involved in the sport?

152 Qtr Bracket with Coleman,Kervin and Dougless is a tough 1..

Watts loses to Jordan Decatur in the finals. They dueled penn state last night and came and won this today. Carson beats a solid Russian in the finals 14-3 to win his 4th open of the season. Had a runner up finish this year also. Putting together a very solid redshirt campaign. #ProudDad

He went on the whistle, his disqualification is BS!

This is a tough one. If he was temporarily injured enough to possibly get beat in that ticket round match then he should not have continued. Any other scenario other than that except defaulting to fourth would seem to have some sportsmanship/morality faults to it, in my opinion. Tough one.

You can lead a horse to water, but cannot make them drink.

My dude, I have never met you, I can’t ever recall seeing you wrestle, but you wrestle however you want to. Put up 1 point or get a tech. A win is a win and no one can take that from you. Don’t buy into a troll, he is probably upset that you beat one of his wrestlers or a wrestler he knows, and instead of saying “asbury is better then that kid” he goes straight to saying you’re stalling throughout your matches. Don’t listen to the outside noise. You’re a state qualifier and should be focusing on winning a state title! Good luck bud! Block out any noise that comes to this forum about you. I’ll even sign my name yet again because I won’t hide behind a screen name. Thattus McMurray

Yes, please do yourself a favor and attend the state finals if you are able to. I’d love to hear an outside perspective on it. Especially one coming from someone who spent years watching a top wrestling state post-season.

That mooresville regional wasn’t playing yesterday

I wrote this two posts before yours because someone else called me out on that quote too: I'm very sorry. I meant it completely ironically and sarcastically because I feel very frustrated about our rigid seeding system. But irony is an irresponsible emotion to communicate in print because it's often unclear like this time. I would never in a million years think that either one of those guys would seriously not give their all to win a match. Obviously, a semi-state title in and of itself is an amazing accomplishment--let alone the additional consideration for next weekend. I'm sorry I didn't consider my words and my approach more carefully in the way I wrote it. Thanks for pointing it out since others would have felt the same in reading it.

In the 2000 team semi-state, Mater Dei faced the Plainfield Quakers for the title. Mike Goebel's gamesmanship was on full display when he inserted reserve freshman Sam Wildeman into the lineup against Plainfield's undefeated Derek Donelson. Assistant coach Randy Helfrich had a plan for Wildeman.... Donelson had his hands full. Wildeman scored a reversal in the third period to make it 5-3. in a wild "pick 'em" scramble at the end of the match, Donelson came out on top and won by six. Plainfield's coach, Paul Nicodemus, was impressed, telling Wildeman "he was going to have a great career."

Regional Count Mooresville 27 Crown Point 25 Perry Meridian 21 Evansville North 18 Peru 16 North Montgomery 16 Jay County 16 Carroll (Fort Wayne) 16 Penn 14 Pendleton Heights 13 Hobart 11 Goshen 8 Bloomington South 8 Richmond 6 Logansport 6 Jeffersonville 3 Regionals by semi-state Regional Count Crown Point 25 East Chicago Penn 14 East Chicago Hobart 11 East Chicago Logansport 6 East Chicago Mooresville 27 Evansville Evansville North 18 Evansville Bloomington South 8 Evansville Jeffersonville 3 Evansville Peru 16 Fort Wayne Jay County 16 Fort Wayne Carroll (Fort Wayne) 16 Fort Wayne Goshen 8 Fort Wayne Perry Meridian 21 New Castle North Montgomery 16 New Castle Pendleton Heights 13 New Castle Richmond 6 New Castle By Sectional Sectional Count Crown Point 14 Avon 14 Mooresville 13 Jay County 13 Frankfort 13 Warren Central 12 Evansville Central 12 Oak Hill 11 LaPorte 11 Indianapolis Arsenal Tech 11 Carroll (Fort Wayne) 11 Southport 9 Plymouth 7 Mishawka 7 Portage 6 Castle 6 Peru 5 New Haven 5 Lafayette Jefferson 5 East Chicago Central 5 Bloomington North 5 Westview 4 South Dearborn 4 Elkhart Memorial 4 Southridge 3 Delta 3 Crawfordsville 3 Shenandoah 2 Jennings County 2 Elwood 2 Twin Lakes 1 Jeffersonville 1

Trent was great for Yorktown. He had a way of inspiring others to want to go there. He helped my sons and my grandsons at an open tourney years ago because I had no idea what I was doing. He asked me if I would mind if he would coach them matside for the day. At first I thought it was a joke, it was not. He coached them the rest of the day. A lot of the local guys around the Adams County area like to throw the word "recruiter" out there, I know nothing of that. I just know he went out of his way to help these random kids out. I'm in the minority, but it's sad to see such a great program become laughable in just a couple/few years.

I knew he was great in high school but once he went after Red that's when I knew he had that quality it takes to be GREAT at the next level but now he's PROVING IT!!!!!!!

You would think, but there’s a lot of diehards that think if Blake didn’t get hurt he’d be the greatest wrestler in the history of wrestling. Let me be clear this isn’t a knock on Blake and one of the finest wrestlers this state has seen. Just think Nick is already almost on the Mt. Rushmore of the states greatest!

I’m not sure how long anyone else was waiting but I think he put the seal on that deal when he placed 5th as a freshman at NCAAs

Sure hope he gets that TITLE this year he deserves it.

And beyond the Big 10 tournament. What I saw tonight bodes well for Lee going forward. He is both more judicious in when he takes his shots and still able to wear guys down. Thats a pretty hard combo to beat. Pletcher was bellied out a few times and it took everything he had left to get off bottom in the third. I dont think that gets solved between now and the end of the season.

Yes it was. Lee's improvement in the top position is unreal. Pletcher couldn't do anything on bottom after getting that first escape. Love how Nick didn't blink after giving up the first TD.

Justice, it has been a joy watching you wrestle. You were so much fun to watch!! You taught my son Jordan a thing or two back in the day!! I know your next journey will be amazing!!!! You have a great attitude, wonderful family and we wish nothing but the best for you! love, Donna & John Slivka