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I am curious of your opinions on this topic. Obviously, somebody mentioned that Hockaday didn't "cut weight," but do you feel its necessary to cut weight weight? I'm in a coach's group message and we have awesome debates all the time. In my opinion there's a difference between cutting weight and managing weight. For example, our champ, Chase Leech, weighed 182-184 pre season, and practiced a couple of days and was under 175. When we arrived back to the hotel after the finals, Chase was 4 pounds under weight. I would say Chase managed a weight and did not cut weight. *This decision to go 175 was based on focussing on getting better at wrestling and not fighting the scale. All of that being said, I don't think it's as possible to do what Chase did at the lighter weight classes. (Hockaday would be the exception, and possibly Hockaday "managed" his weight as well.). In many cases I think it can give a kid a mental edge if they have to do work to make a weight class... Thoughts?

And that is part about managing your weight that I think many HS kids and their parents don't get or at least aren't willing to fully buy into. Some kids can eat 3 decent meals regularly, have occasional cheat meals, and even get stronger as the season progresses all while maintaining or even losing weight. But that's because they and their parents have made the effort to ensure they are eating better and continue to work hard during practice. But, that's the off-the-mat dedication and mental game that some kids and parents have made the choice to buy into. We all hear about kids who say they can't make the weight though, but in some cases, I don't see that as a cutting issue, its poor off-the-mat decisions and lack of a buy-in to themselves, their team, and the sport. We all have some kids who are choosing to routinely make poor food choice decisions, sometimes overindulge, and then trying to over-exercise and starve a day or two before weigh-ins. We then often hear that same kid or parents say as the season progresses that they can't make the weight cut with most pointing out they are barely eating the last couple of days. To me, that is not a cutting weight issue it is a poor weight management issue. We often have to concede this routine isn't going to change and tell the kid and parent they will need to move up a weight class. But then low and behold most of those kids will balloon up close to the top of that new weight too and are still sluggish on the mat due to more bad eating habits. You can throw all sorts of nutrition talks and guides at them to help show that making better eating choices will improve their performance on the mat and make maintaining their weight all season possible. You can even point out that this isn't about eating small portions or only choosing to eat "twigs and leaves" every meal, but about pre-planning food decisions to ensure you have good options available on a routine basis. However, until the kids and parents (since they do provide some of those food choices to their kids have a better buy-in on the value of nutritious eating we will still hear some kids and parents talking about cutting too much weight and/or eating little days before the meet. I also believe there are some effective ways to promote healthy eating habits and removing some of the extreme cutting, but part of that also comes from developing a culture where the other teammates and family understand what supporting each other really means.

Easton was usually 1-2 lbs. under Thursday-Friday. Eating 3 times a day through the week. Pick a weight, like you said Nick, that you can concentrate on getting better at wrestling and not loosing weight. Made the most difference in Easton's success this year. It does take some discipline on both the wrestlers and parents, but meal prepping was also a huge part of it. We would cook all his meat (chicken, hamburger, steak, pork chops) on Sunday or Monday for the week and he would pack it for his lunches and take to school. So many little things go into being successful and these are just a few. It takes time also, this has been something me as a father, his mother and Easton have been trying to dial in for a few years now.

Since this was the year of the firsts!! Rossville - Noah Weaver Garrett - Chase Leech

Watching this Iowa vs Wisc dual and Rathjen takes injury time as he’s getting taken down. Official gives the injury time, Rathjen continues after a short break and doesn’t give the 3 pt td. Reminds me of one of my biggest issues watching wrestling this weekend. Coaches allowing their kids to take a time out when the going gets tough. Weak. One of the countless things that separates wrestling from the stupid sports like basketball, no timeouts when it’s getting real, you have to deal with it. Dissapointing the programs that are ok with taking a breather for that mental break when adversity has set in.

Lake Central: Undoubtedly Kyle Ayersman. Three time state champ (2010, 2011, 2012) and took third in 2009. 193-2 overall career record and I believe a four time Al Smith finalist with three titles.

My fams from New Castle, I’ve been a part of the program, and known @FCFIGHTER170 since he was a scrawny freshman so my opinion comes with some bias, but I remember saying to my brothers when the season started that Ty would have to go through Hockaday to win this year if he didn’t stay at 126. I never doubted him. Not once. I personally felt if there was anyone from 126-138 that could beat JH, Tylin was it. I don’t even think Leveall could do it (not to take anything away from KL). that said, I also said (to my bros) that he’d have to wrestle an absolutely perfect match or hit a big unexpected move to beat JH. JH is just on a different level than anyone else in Indiana right now and has lofty aspirations. Tylins a superb athlete, a generational talent, if you will. IMO, if he focused solely on wrestling, the gap probably wouldn’t have been what it was. I’m sure I’m not the only one, Mew Castle community or otherwise, that thinks that. He continues to get better and wrestles very smart. He may not blow guys out of the water but he doesn’t have to. His best attribute, aside from just being a great person, is his ability to maintain his composure on the mat. Even in the midst of the semifinal match with JH, he never seemed rattled. Can’t wait to see what he does next year.

Book me Mindset Clinics coming soon.

*This decision to go 175 was based on focusing on getting better at wrestling and not fighting the scale. I think you answered your own question. Weight management is the key in my opinion, I'd rather focus on getting better: especially as a senior. Get fat and happy and improve your technique, position and mindset.

EMD- High school only it would be Blake Maurer. But all around it is definitely Nick Lee

PM has a crap ton for the argument. Chico Adams - 157-8 record, 2× State Champion Alex Cottey - 164-8 record, 4× State Finalist, 2× State Champion, 2018 Junior Freestyle All-American Cody LeCount - 180-2 record, 3× State Finalist, 2× State Champion, 2012 Cadet Freestyle Finalist Jared McKinley - 201-8 record, 2× State Champion, 2× Junior Freestyle All-American Nate Moore - 101-1 record (last two seasons), 2× State Champion, Junior Freestyle National Champion Nick Walpole - 197-18 record, 2005 State Champion Noah Warren - 166-9 record, 2× State Finalist, 2018 State Champion, NHSCA Sophomore All-American Donte Winfield - 88-4 record (last two seasons), 2013 State Champion, 2012 Junior Freestyle National Finalist Brandon James - 169-8 record, 4× State Medalist, 2014 State Finalist, NHSCA Senior All-American, 2013 Junior Freestyle All-American, 2× Cadet Freestyle All-American, 2012 Super 32 All-American If we are to include accolades beyond high school, Winfield was an NJCAA All-American for Harper College, Adams and James were NAIA All-Americans, and Walpole is an NCAA Division II National Champion for the University of Indianapolis, the only champion in school history. Also, not listed above was Nick Bova who was a three-time state medalist in high school and a two-time NCAA Division III All-American for Wabash College.

That was Older brother’s nuts he hit!!! For all those times in the garage during Covid on the 10X10 Mat!!!

The other thing that would help is wrestlers starting their weight management plan during the preseason. Much easier to make a gradual drop that your body can handle over the course of a few months than trying to push to make a drop way into the season.

Chastain was fun to watch!

HSE has a few options: Jack Chastain is the career wins leader and Qualified as a Sophomore, took 5th twice Austin Holmes qualified 3 times and won 2 4th place medals his Sophomore and Junior year. He’s second all time in wins. Matt Irick likely would have been the guy had he not been hurt his Junior year. 2 time qualifier, 5th placer. Jake Simone was a headlock and a bad draw away from maybe being the guy: Sophomore year he’s ranked top 4 in state, Regional Champ, up 6-2 on David Pierson in ticket round, in on another single, the patented DP headlock takes him out. Junior year, wins 8th place medal, Senior year, ranked 4th, loses to Eldred of Westfield 2-1 in Regionals, Eldred takes 2nd that year to Seltzer, who you guessed it, was Simone’s ticket round match that year. Awful. As it lays: Andrew Irick is likely the guy. 2 time medalist in his 3 years as a starter taking 4th as a Junior, runner-up his Senior year in 2020 after a Semi-state title. Only 2 time qualifier since then has been Max Broom, who never medaled but is the career leader in falls and won more matches with only one move (cradle) than anyone I’ve ever seen. Got a crop of 7th/8th graders that have as much if not more credentials coming in than any of those guys. Hoping for that first champ in the next few seasons

Scott Hall, AKA Razor Ramone went to my high school, he played basketball. For real!! But he did a lot in wrestling after high school : You said accomplished wrestler!!! Besides being one of the greatest heals of all time: He won the WCW 60 man battle royal in 1997 and had these championships and accolades: American Wrestling Association AWA World Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Curt Hennig[16] DDT Pro-Wrestling Ironman Heavymetalweight Championship (1 time)[177] Pro Wrestling Illustrated Match of the Year (1994)[178]vs. Shawn Michaels in a ladder match at WrestleMania X Most Improved Wrestler of the Year (1992)[179] Tag Team of the Year (1997)[180]with Kevin Nash Ranked No. 7 of the top 500 singles wrestlers in the PWI 500 in 1994[181] Ranked No. 72 of the top 500 singles wrestlers of the PWI Years in 2003[182] Ranked No. 40 and No. 98 of the top 100 tag teams of the PWI Years with Kevin Nash and Curt Hennig, respectively, in 2003[183] Total Nonstop Action Wrestling TNA World Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Kevin Nash and Eric Young[a] United States Wrestling Association USWA Unified World Heavyweight Championship (1 time)[184] World Championship Wrestling WCW World Television Championship (1 time)[93] WCW United States Heavyweight Championship (2 times)[185][186][187] WCW World Tag Team Championship (7 times) – with Kevin Nash (6) and The Giant (1)[76] World War 3 (1997)[81] World Wrestling Council WWC Caribbean Heavyweight Championship (1 time)[23] WWC Universal Heavyweight Championship (1 time)[112] World Wrestling Federation/WWE WWF Intercontinental Championship (4 times)[188][189][190][191] WWE Hall of Fame (2 times) Class of 2014 – individually[4] Class of 2020 – as a member of the New World Order[192] Slammy Award (2 times) Most Spectacular Match (1994) vs. Shawn Michaels in a ladder match at WrestleMania X[193] Match of the Year (1996) vs. Shawn

That one was EARNED

Gaskin's brother was very good too. It's been so long, I don't know which one it was but his battle with May was my introduction to serious wrestling.

It might be Gaskins: Ron was 3rd, 1st and 1st his final 3 seasons.

Goshen: Our only champ was Dave Edlund in 1974--50 years ago this season. Also 3rd his sophomore year. (Bonus points for having 2 sons at state later.) Best I ever watched was Joe Piwoszkin, our only 3-time placer. Dropped a last-second semi-final decision in 2004 to all-time big-guy great, Chris Kasten, for his only loss that season. Shout-outs also to Gerardo Quiroz, Schuyler Barkes, and Jim Hoke, who are the other 3 in my 35 seasons of following high school wrestling that could have won state on the right day.

BIAS WARNING: Went to Garrett High School. I had to do some hard thinking given what happened last weekend in Evansville with Mr. Leech as well as Clayton Fielden from a few years ago.. but the best wrestler from my school is still my brother, Hayden Lee: -2x Indiana Place Winner (3rd & 6th) -Ohio State Champ -NAIA National Champ -Super 32 - 8th Place -Best winning percentage in school history -Pinned Nick Lee at the 2011 IHPO

HS only, my vote is Maurer. But you could make an argument for Matt Coughlin if you include national credentials while in HS. 2-2-1-1, Fargo champ and NHSCA sr national champ.

Greg Wagner FW Snider HWT 2001 Champ 2000 Runner up 3x NCAA All-American for Michigan. HM Elbert Starks 132 1985 ( 1,2,4)

Hobart Alex Ramos 2x Champ- Lost 1 time in 3 years Eric Galka 2x Champ - Mental attitude 3x finalist Frankie Porras 2xChamp-Mental attitude 3x finalist Brennan Cosgrove 174 wins 1x Champ 3x finalist- top 3 all four years HM: Brian Butler was wins leader at University of Pennsylvania

I was super impressed with freshman Malone from Monrovia. Despite a tough loss at State, placed 3rd while dominating Boyd(ranked 1st) in 3rd placement match.

The best way to curb that is for injury time that the coach cannot attend to the wrestler and a trainer/doctor must attend to them. Along with not allowing water or anything like that.

This weekend I watched a kid signal for injury time while close to getting taken down, the ref didn't see it/didn't stop it, the kid ended up defending back to neutral (no takedown), then continued to wrestle the next 1+ minute of the match. My thoughts on how to curb some of this: Referee Injury time/stoppage = No penalty Wrestler/Coach calls for Injury time = Opponent has choice on reset (just as with a second injury time in current rules).

100% Huyvaert Been a big fan of watching Brant Beck (Rochester) this year, also a sophomore.

Thank you for your kind words. Easton has been working for this since he was 5. Watching his big brother in high school & at Wabash college, learning and studying how the college guys do it at such a young age made him aspire to be the best. He is still hungry and will continue on this wrestling this summer and improving to defend his title!!

Mason Day of BBurg lost to 2 Indiana kids this year. 1 in OT in the semi state semifinals, Then a 7-3 match to Brabender at state. Where I think Brabender was one controversial locked hands call away from maybe being a state champ. I can guarantee you Mason will be working his butt off to be at the top of the podium next year as a senior. That dog will bite you if you overlook him next season.

He was fun to watch and I loved his semi-final celebration. Taking off the headgear and chucking it from 15 feet away into your coach's nuts is the stuff legends are made of. Funniest thing I have seen in a long time

Team Indiana Heartland Duals Both the middle school and elementary teams were pre-selected by the Heartland Committee. The pre-selected members can be challenged to a wrestle off. Wrestle off will be held March 1st (Evening) or March 2nd(Morning). In order to challenge you must be able to make both days. You will be notified which day your wrestle off is, it is at the discretion of the committee. Challenges will be held at Contenders Wrestling Academy in Brownsburg, IN. Anyone challenging must beat the blue team member in a best 2 of 3 series, unless there are multiple challenges in which a bracket will be formed. If you would like to challenge, a request must be submitted VIA EMAIL to ryan@contenderswrestling.com by February 23 at 6:00pm EST. The tournament will be held March 28-30th in Council Bluffs, Iowa. If challenging you must be able to register and attend the tournament on the challenge date. The trip cost is $300 Weight Gold Blue 50 Landon Childers Wyatt Schoettle 55 Leyton Marsh Suncera Dickman 60 Roman Howe Silas Sanderson 65 D’Angelo Chavez Henry Reisen 70 Colton Wiseman Josh Mussleman 75 Parker Staniz Jeremiah Maldanado 80 Luke Pipito Max Kessinger 85 Jace Largent Brady Ramirez 90 Dron Scott Rocco Cartilino 95 Max Cantu Maverick Smith 100 Camden Hook Maddox Stultz 105 Carson Planer Will Carney 112 Newt Randol Raidon Gonzalez 120 William Smith Landon Bauman 130 Landon Lukeman Eric Barr 140 Noah Fitzgerald Ellis Jones 160 Mason Heidelberger Austin Fouty Middle School 75 Mason Bayor Wyatt Melchi 80 Haedyn Cochran Henry Antrobus 85 Hunter Pierson Deacon Gibbs 90 Kellen Schoeff Karson Kahlekomo 95 Ty Whitten Cruz Orueta 102 Trae Ducking Sebastian Gracia 110 Anthony Zuranski Daniel Brown 117 Collin Stayer Noel Verduzco 125 Lincoln Underwood Gavyn Kemp 132 Lincoln Hinchman Bo Jackson 140 Brendan Bentz Ezra Olster 150 Darrel Hicks Connor Haines 160 Jackson Smith James Scruggs 175 Mj Staples Garret Deuser 195 Kalvin Grose Bradley Rivera 220 Cesar Salas Austin Oakley 275 Kameron Hazellt Levi Parrish

Just more fuel to keep working hard. Thanks for the post.

Worlds Softest Man.

1. Implementing a harsher penalty for unnecessary roughness. 2. Wrestlers being considered inbounds with one supporting point. 3. Specific measurement requirements for required girls uniforms. 4. Video replay in championship events. 5. Awarding three points for a takedown instead of two. 6. Awarding two points for near-fall after a two-second count, three points for a near-fall after a three-second count, four points for a near-fall after a four-second count. 7. Charging the wrestler with a loss when using a medical forfeit. 8. Requiring only one supporting point for wrestling to be considered inbounds. 9. Eliminating that knees be inside the boundary to earn a fall or near-fall with the defensive wrestler out of bounds. 10. Allowing that the pinning area not be the “total” of supporting points when the defensive wrestler is on their back. 11. Allowing a wrestler to touch the mat in front of the starting line in the neutral starting position. 12. Adding grasping of the ear guards or mat as a delayed call. 13. Adding head-butting to the list of illegal holds/maneuvers. 14. Expanding to include gouging or poking of the eyes to Rule 5-29-1 (Unnecessary Roughness) 15. Requiring at least one coach in the corner of a match. 16. Requiring mat-side weigh-ins. 17. Mandating coaches’ attire at dual meets and tournaments – similar to other NFHS sports.

The topic is "Who's your school's most accomplished wrestler". She's probably the most accomplished wrestler from Indiana. Olympic Bronze Medalist 4x World Championship Medalist

Other the the initial "cut" which for him is not really a cut about 152 to 144. For him cutting is just eating better and wrestling. Getting around the knee surgeries when all he could do is lift pushed him a little. He cut big his freshman year and it really hurt him late in the season.

Good call on the MINDSET General!! Believe in yourself, your training & your technique!!

Garrett so far with high school only Hayden Lee X-3rd-6th *Left state/Ohio Champ Hayden Brady Qualifier-Qualifier-4th-Qualifier Clayton Fielden x-x-2nd-2nd Chase Leech Qualifier-Qualifier-x-1st could add in ISWA stuff, but let's not... national stuff Hayden Lee Super 32 All American Clayton Fielden FS Fargo All American Zak McCray GR Fargo All American

Damon Hummel was getting it done back when there was not a 215 weight class. If there had been, I think you can make the case that he would have been a 2x state champion.

Fishers High School Mitch Sliga 2x State Champ, 2x 3rd Place 5x Fargo National Champ Jr World Team Member

As logical as this sounds I would hate for a referee to be on the hook to determine if the athlete is injured during action. That seems like a lawsuit waiting to happen and refs have enough to deal with.

It is up to the coaches (the adults in the situation) to try to teach the proper lessons such as integrity, accountability, and character. I know many coaches will teach kids to take advantage of the way the rule is written to gain an advantage and they believe this is the right lesson to teach (use any advantage you can to gain an edge even if it goes against the integrity of the rule as long as you aren't "breaking" any rules). I disagree with this mindset, I believe you should uphold the spirit and integrity of the rule. A win is not worth sacrificing the life lessons that this great sport teaches such as perseverance, discipline, self accountability, character, and integrity. You do not take "blood" time, unless there is blood, and you don't take "injury" time unless there is an injury. If you call getting out of an unfavorable situation, or taking a breather because you're tired an injury, we have a vastly different definition of what an injury is, and we have a vastly different opinion on what we should be teaching our athletes. We are in the business of developing good humans first, and great athletes as a byproduct of teaching such lessons. If you are teaching the other way around, I believe you are doing your student-athletes a disservice. Just one coach's humble opinion.

Jason Terry and Marlin Stewart wrestled a bunch of times in the early 90’s. I remember enjoying those matches!! They always went at it!

The Switzerland County Pacers gonna punch that 1A ticket, #TripleBGuarantee

Soooo to the people who say that they are boring, don’t score points etc. do you want to explain why center grove scored the most total match points as a team? Or are you guys not ready to have that conversation yet?

I concur

Brownsburg had a wrestler take injury time every single match this weekend. He would signal injury time and then converse with coaches and get a drink. After 45 seconds of he was good to go again.