Coach Hull

FREESTYLE RESULTS>>>> B Pool - Indiana is guaranteed 6th place Match #1 Quarterfinal: New Jersey Red defeated Indiana 60-19 100 - Anthony Clark (New Jersey Red) over Danny Tolin (Indiana) TF 10-0 106 - Mark Montgomery (New Jersey Red) over Jacob Moran (Indiana) TF 14-4 113 - Joe Heilman (New Jersey Red) over Alec Viduya (Indiana) TF 14-4 120 - Carmen Ferrante (New Jersey Red) over Matt Lee (Indiana) TF 11-0 126 - Nick Raimo (New Jersey Red) over Carson Willis (Indiana) TF 11-0 132 - Pat Glory (New Jersey Red) over Jesus Mancera (Indiana) TF 15-4 138 - Tristan Sellmer (Indiana) over Gerard Angelo (New Jersey Red) Inj 2:21 145 - Rick Cabanillas (New Jersey Red) over Unknown (Unattached) Forf 152 - Michael O`Malley (New Jersey Red) over Unknown (Unattached) Forf 160 - Chris Foca (New Jersey Red) over Unknown (Unattached) Forf 170 - Billy Janzer (New Jersey Red) over Zach Fattore (Indiana) Dec 11-6 182 - Lucas Davison (Indiana) over Dimitri Serrano (New Jersey Red) Fall 0:35 195 - Kyle Lightner (New Jersey Red) over Eli Pokorney (Indiana) TF 10-0 220 - Zach Delvecchio (New Jersey Red) over Kyle Cornwell (Indiana) TF 13-2 285 - Ahmed Homsi (New Jersey Red) over Unknown (Unattached) Forf 88 - Alex Cottey (Indiana) over Brett Ungar (New Jersey Red) TF 10-0 94 - Wil Guida (New Jersey Red) over Unknown (Unattached) Forf Match #2 Cons. Round 1: Indiana defeated Missouri Blue 41-25 106 - Jake Stathopoulos (Missouri Blue) over Devon Casebolt (Indiana) TF 10-0 113 - Gabe Smith (Indiana) over Anthony Benito (Missouri Blue) Fall 0:46 120 - Matt Lee (Indiana) over Unknown (Unattached) Forf 126 - Sam Frankowski (Missouri Blue) over Carson Willis (Indiana) TF 14-3 132 - Jesus Mancera (Indiana) over Unknown (Unattached) Forf 138 - Tristan Sellmer (Indiana) over Austin Kincaid (Missouri Blue) TF 13-2 145 - Double Forfeit 152 - James Anding (Missouri Blue) over Unknown (Unattached) Forf 160 - Barrett Beaird (Missouri Blue) over Unknown (Unattached) Forf 170 - Zach Fattore (Indiana) over Zac Russell (Missouri Blue) TF 10-0 182 - Lucas Davison (Indiana) over Zac Hazen (Missouri Blue) TF 10-0 195 - Eli Pokorney (Indiana) over Clint Herrick (Missouri Blue) Dec 11-8 220 - Tyler Curd (Missouri Blue) over Kyle Cornwell (Indiana) Fall 1:37 285 - Double Forfeit 88 - Alex Cottey (Indiana) over Unknown (Unattached) Forf 94 - Double Forfeit 100 - Danny Tolin (Indiana) over Unknown (Unattached) Forf

The rest of the Greco Results.... Match #2 Round 2: Pennsylvania Red defeated Indiana 42-31 170 - Zach Fattore (Indiana) over Mike Doggett (Pennsylvania Red) Dec 7-2 182 - Lucas Davison (Indiana) over Ernest Holland (Pennsylvania Red) TF 12-0 195 - Eli Pokorney (Indiana) over Unknown (Unattached) Forf 220 - Kyle Cornwell (Indiana) over Seth Worley (Pennsylvania Red) TF 10-0 285 - Double Forfeit 88 - Robert Lawler (Pennsylvania Red) over Unknown (Unattached) Forf 94 - Nathan Lackman (Pennsylvania Red) over Unknown (Unattached) Forf 100 - Alex Chelton (Pennsylvania Red) over Danny Tolin (Indiana) TF 10-0 106 - Devon Casebolt (Indiana) over Aubrey Dawson (Pennsylvania Red) TF 15-5 113 - Tyler Vince (Pennsylvania Red) over Alec Viduya (Indiana) Dec 15-14 120 - Matt Lee (Indiana) over Dalton Rohrbaugh (Pennsylvania Red) Dec 10-6 126 - Carson Willis (Indiana) over Zach Wright (Pennsylvania Red) TF 12-2 132 - Jesus Mancera (Indiana) over Carter Tuttle (Pennsylvania Red) Dec 20-14 138 - Seth Koleno (Pennsylvania Red) over Unknown (Unattached) Forf 145 - Jake Stefanowicz (Pennsylvania Red) over Unknown (Unattached) Forf 152 - Caleb Hetrick (Pennsylvania Red) over Unknown (Unattached) Forf 160 - Austin Watkins (Pennsylvania Red) over Unknown (Unattached) Forf Match #3 Round 3: Indiana defeated Michigan Blue 42-23 182 - Double Forfeit 195 - Lucas Davison (Indiana) over Brent Booth (Michigan Blue) TF 14-1 220 - Eli Pokorney (Indiana) over Colby Ford (Michigan Blue) Fall 0:56 285 - Kyle Cornwell (Indiana) over Unknown (Unattached) Forf 88 - Alex Cottey (Indiana) over Unknown (Unattached) Forf 94 - Double Forfeit 100 - Vince Perez (Michigan Blue) over Danny Tolin (Indiana) TF 13-2 106 - Devon Casebolt (Indiana) over Ben Manly (Michigan Blue) Fall 2:44 113 - Zeth Strejc (Michigan Blue) over Gabe Smith (Indiana) Fall 4:20 120 - Branson Proudlock (Michigan Blue) over Matt Lee (Indiana) Dec 11-6 126 - Carson Willis (Indiana) over Stone Moscovic (Michigan Blue) TF 11-0 132 - Jesus Mancera (Indiana) over Carson Price (Michigan Blue) TF 10-0 138 - Tristan Sellmer (Indiana) over Riley Eaker (Michigan Blue) TF 12-0 145 - Kyle Yuhas (Michigan Blue) over Unknown (Unattached) Forf 152 - Tommy Adams (Michigan Blue) over Unknown (Unattached) Forf 160 - Double Forfeit 170 - Zach Fattore (Indiana) over Keegan Moore (Michigan Blue) TF 10-0 Match #4 5th Place Match: Indiana defeated Kansas Red 44-21 195 - Eli Pokorney (Indiana) over Unknown (Unattached) Forf 220 - Kyle Cornwell (Indiana) over Dakota Riggs (Kansas Red) TF 14-4 285 - Double Forfeit 88 - Alex Cottey (Indiana) over Unknown (Unattached) Forf 94 - Double Forfeit 100 - Danny Tolin (Indiana) over Dylan Weimer (Kansas Red) TF 10-0 106 - Gabe Buckbee (Kansas Red) over Jacob Moran (Indiana) TF 12-1 113 - Drew Burgoon (Kansas Red) over Gabe Smith (Indiana) TF 10-0 120 - Matt Lee (Indiana) over Justin Williams (Kansas Red) Fall 2:10 126 - Carson Willis (Indiana) over Couy Weil (Kansas Red) TF 10-0 132 - Jesus Mancera (Indiana) over Kelling Grafel (Kansas Red) Dec 15-11 138 - Tristan Sellmer (Indiana) over Jarrett Bendure (Kansas Red) TF 12-1 145 - Gavin Cullor (Kansas Red) over Unknown (Unattached) Forf 152 - Quincy Saddler (Kansas Red) over Unknown (Unattached) Forf 160 - Double Forfeit 170 - Zach Fattore (Indiana) over Rudy Rodriguez (Kansas Red) TF 13-0 182 - Lucas Davison (Indiana) over Unknown (Unattached) Forf Freestyle Results soon....

A Pool - Indiana is guaranteed 6th place Match #1 Quarterfinal: Kansas Blue defeated Indiana 54-27 126 - Dayton Porsch (Kansas Blue) over Carson Willis (Indiana) TF 11-0 132 - Jesus Mancera (Indiana) over Cade Lindsey (Kansas Blue) Dec 6-3 138 - Triston Wills (Kansas Blue) over Tristan Sellmer (Indiana) Dec 9-1 145 - Crew Squires (Kansas Blue) over Unknown (Unattached) Forf 152 - Jensen McDermott (Kansas Blue) over Unknown (Unattached) Forf 160 - Troy Fisher (Kansas Blue) over Oszkar Kasch (Indiana) TF 14-3 170 - Mikey Waggoner (Kansas Blue) over Zach Fattore (Indiana) TF 12-1 182 - Lucas Davison (Indiana) over Joey Ewalt (Kansas Blue) TF 12-2 195 - Caleb Willis (Kansas Blue) over Eli Pokorney (Indiana) TF 13-2 220 - Kyle Cornwell (Indiana) over Tristan Killman (Kansas Blue) Fall 5:08 285 - Logan Gugelmyer (Kansas Blue) over Unknown (Unattached) Forf 88 - Alex Cottey (Indiana) over Daniel McMullen (Kansas Blue) TF 10-0 94 - Lucas Glover (Kansas Blue) over Unknown (Unattached) Forf 100 - Brett Minor (Kansas Blue) over Danny Tolin (Indiana) TF 21-10 106 - Jace Koelzer (Kansas Blue) over Devon Casebolt (Indiana) Fall 2:05 113 - Brian Gates (Kansas Blue) over Gabe Smith (Indiana) TF 15-4 120 - Matt Lee (Indiana) over Joseph Irwin (Kansas Blue) Fall 2:10 Match #2 Cons. Round 1: Indiana defeated Ohio Blue 44-25 132 - Jesus Mancera (Indiana) over Jordan Keegan (Ohio Blue) Dec 17-15 138 - Tristan Sellmer (Indiana) over Cole Hivnor (Ohio Blue) Fall 0:40 145 - Nolan Hogue (Ohio Blue) over Unknown (Unattached) Forf 152 - David Reinhart (Ohio Blue) over Unknown (Unattached) Forf 160 - Oszkar Kasch (Indiana) over Lewis Aguilar (Ohio Blue) TF 17-7 170 - Zach Fattore (Indiana) over Unknown (Unattached) Forf 182 - Lucas Davison (Indiana) over Zak Crissman (Ohio Blue) Fall 1:03 195 - Eli Pokorney (Indiana) over Unknown (Unattached) Forf 220 - Double Forfeit 285 - Kyle Cornwell (Indiana) over Louden Haga (Ohio Blue) Dec 13-10 88 - Alex Cottey (Indiana) over Jake Manley (Ohio Blue) TF 10-0 94 - Double Forfeit 100 - Collin Yinger (Ohio Blue) over Danny Tolin (Indiana) Dec 6-4 106 - Dylan Shawver (Ohio Blue) over Devon Casebolt (Indiana) TF 12-2 113 - Bryce Andonian (Ohio Blue) over Gabe Smith (Indiana) TF 12-0 120 - Matt Lee (Indiana) over Gavin Bell (Ohio Blue) TF 15-4 126 - Carson Willis (Indiana) over Joe Caprella (Ohio Blue) TF 10-0 Match #3 Cons. Semi: New Jersey Red defeated Indiana 54-25 138 - Gerard Angelo (New Jersey Red) over Tristan Sellmer (Indiana) TF 10-0 145 - Travis Tavoso (New Jersey Red) over Unknown (Unattached) Forf 152 - Michael O`Malley (New Jersey Red) over Unknown (Unattached) Forf 160 - Chris Foca (New Jersey Red) over Oszkar Kasch (Indiana) TF 17-6 170 - Zach Fattore (Indiana) over Unknown (Unattached) Forf 182 - Lucas Davison (Indiana) over Dimitri Serano (New Jersey Red) Fall 1:27 195 - Kyle Lightner (New Jersey Red) over Eli Pokorney (Indiana) Dec 13-12 220 - Zach Delvecchio (New Jersey Red) over Kyle Cornwell (Indiana) TF 10-0 285 - Ahmed Homsi (New Jersey Red) over Unknown (Unattached) Forf 88 - Alex Cottey (Indiana) over Brett Ungar (New Jersey Red) TF 10-0 94 - Wil Guida (New Jersey Red) over Unknown (Unattached) Forf 100 - Anthony Clark (New Jersey Red) over Danny Tolin (Indiana) TF 10-0 106 - Jacob Moran (Indiana) over Mark Montgomery (New Jersey Red) Dec 10-6 113 - Joe Heilman (New Jersey Red) over Alec Viduya (Indiana) TF 13-3 120 - Carmen Ferrante (New Jersey Red) over Matt Lee (Indiana) Fall 5:25 126 - Carson Willis (Indiana) over Nick Cabanillas (New Jersey Red) TF 16-6 132 - Pat Glory (New Jersey Red) over Jesus Mancera (Indiana) TF 14-3 Match #4 5th Place Match: Utah defeated Indiana 42-38 145 - Isaac Wilcox (Utah) over Unknown (Unattached) Forf 152 - Bowen Shields (Utah) over Unknown (Unattached) Forf 160 - Oszkar Kasch (Indiana) over Logan Kennard (Utah) TF 10-0 170 - Zach Fattore (Indiana) over Tucker Bartels (Utah) TF 12-1 182 - Lucas Davison (Indiana) over Mac Peterson (Utah) TF 11-0 195 - Eli Pokorney (Indiana) over Jaeger Clark (Utah) Dec 11-10 220 - Kyle Cornwell (Indiana) over Chase Trussell (Utah) TF 12-1 285 - Brady Briskey (Utah) over Unknown (Unattached) Forf 88 - Alex Cottey (Indiana) over Blayze Keckler (Utah) Fall 0:32 94 - Van Bray (Utah) over Unknown (Unattached) Forf 100 - Ryker Boyce (Utah) over Danny Tolin (Indiana) TF 18-7 106 - Devon Casebolt (Indiana) over Gavin Ayotte (Utah) TF 12-2 113 - Cole Zorn (Utah) over Gabe Smith (Indiana) Fall 1:20 120 - Stockton O`brien (Utah) over Matt Lee (Indiana) Fall 3:39 126 - Carson Willis (Indiana) over Jack Lang (Utah) Fall 3:37 132 - Brady Lowry (Utah) over Jesus Mancera (Indiana) TF 10-0 138 - Tristan Sellmer (Indiana) over Dyllin Broughton (Utah) TF 10-0 Red/Blue Pool - Indiana Match #1 Round 1: Virginia defeated Indiana 41-38 160 - Jordan Florence (Virginia) over Unknown (Unattached) Forf 170 - Zach Fattore (Indiana) over Tyler Matheny (Virginia) Fall 1:15 182 - Lucas Davison (Indiana) over Ty Kwak (Virginia) Fall 1:03 195 - Trent Ragland (Virginia) over Eli Pokorney (Indiana) TF 11-0 220 - James Momon (Virginia) over Kyle Cornwell (Indiana) Dec 12-7 285 - Thomas Mukai (Virginia) over Unknown (Unattached) Forf 88 - Cole Gorvett (Virginia) over Unknown (Unattached) Forf 94 - Alex Cottey (Indiana) over Unknown (Unattached) Forf 100 - Danny Tolin (Indiana) over Unknown (Unattached) Forf 106 - Brandon Wittenberg (Virginia) over Devon Casebolt (Indiana) Dec 10-6 113 - Gabe Smith (Indiana) over Beau Curtis (Virginia) TF 12-2 120 - Matt Lee (Indiana) over Connor Alexander (Virginia) Dec 15-8 126 - Carson Willis (Indiana) over Luke Grubbs (Virginia) TF 10-0 132 - River Curtis (Virginia) over Jesus Mancera (Indiana) TF 15-4 138 - Tristan Sellmer (Indiana) over Jah`Quez Holmes (Virginia) TF 10-0 145 - Jackson Turley (Virginia) over Unknown (Unattached) Forf 152 - Carson Allen (Virginia) over Unknown (Unattached) Forf Up 28-21 against Pennsylvania Red currently. Thoughts?

IFFFFFFF you can pull it off, we are open to a 106, 145, 152, 170, and 220. The bus departs next Monday, June 20th, from the ISWA office at 8 a.m. and return Sunday, June 26th at 8 a.m. The cost is $630 for one style or $780 for two (deduct $95 if you have this year's gear). On this trip we have guys eager to rep our state out here, guys who have been training specifically for Fargo, guys coming back from Disney on Sunday and leaving the next day with us, and even guys flying in just for the Freestyle portion. If you are interested in going, specifically at one of the above weights, please contact me ASAP at 317.800.5369 or coachnhull@gmail.com. Also, because we need to double up, if you are able wrestle Greco you will also get a 4 pound allowance for Freestyle. As it stands your 2016 Indiana Junior National Dual Team Members.... 100 Josh Smith-Goheen 106 Jake Moran 106 113 Nick Brady 113 Traye Owens 120 Jonathan Moran 120 Colin Poynter 120 Ian Dembowski 126 Brock Hudkins 126 Paul Konrath 126 Adam Jerde 126 Josh Stephenson 132 Jeremiah Reitz 132 Breydan Bailey 132 Jack Tolin 138 Austin Holmes 138 Zach Melloh 138 Luke Schleissman 145 Zach Worden 145 152 Jacob Clark 152 160 Alston Bane 160 Gleason Mappes 160 Diego Lively 170 Christian Warren 170 182 Noah Cressel 195 Andrew Davison 195 Anthony Ruhana 195 Keith Barclay 220 285 Shawn Streck 285 Daniel Phifer Coaches: Steve Bradley, Marian University Travis Pascoe, Indiana University Ben Wissel, Duke University Dan Bedoy, Griffith High H.S., Gary Myers, Hamilton Heights H.S. The team may not be as strong as we need in order to win the tournament....but we are definitely going out to make our mark and we are moving in right the direction as a state for this tournament (however painfully slow). The individuals we are taking are going to benefit the most as we will put together a good run, and every wrestler who makes this trip will come back with a new appreciation for our sport and outlook on their career. We will also be attending a clinic by Alex Dieringer and Bryce Saddoris on Tuesday. 2016 USAW Junior National Dual Championships Cox Business Center 100 Civic Center Tulsa, OK 74103 Hotel: Wyndham-Tulsa 10918 E. 41st Street Again, we will take anyone interested in going who can pull this off. Please contact me for more details. Thanks!

2016 USAW Junior National Dual Championship June 21st - 25th Cox Business Center 100 Civic Center Tulsa, OK 74103 Here is the current roster for the 2016 Indiana Junior National Dual Team, minus several guys possibly interested. If you would like to be on this 2016 Junior National Dual Team, please contact me ASAP at coachnhull@gmail.com or 317.800.5369. With the culmination of the UWW Cadet & University Nationals this past weekend, filling this team is now officially on a first come, first serve basis. With this info now being released we expect to fill up our last remaining spots, whether Cadet, Junior, freestyle or greco stud, beginner, or just wanna go have some fun, definitely hit me up. The cost is $640 for one style, and the full payment must be made before the we get on the bus on the 20th. This is last minute for many, and budgets are already stretched thin, BUT if you can find a way to make this happen it will be a HUGE deal for your wrestler. This is one of the toughest tournaments with GUARANTEED MATCHES against the BEST-OF-THE BEST, as well as the PRIVILEGE to represent Indiana at USAW Junior National Dual Championship! The National Dual Team Camp is this weekend, June 10th - 12th, at Lawrence North High School. Registration is at 1 p.m. where you can bring your monies and info. It is going to be a GREAT camp with some of the country's best athletes and coaches, so be sure to make it. As it stands, below is the updated list and can/will be adjusted at the discretion of the Junior Team Coaching Staff. Coaches: Steve Bradley - Head Coach, Marian University Travis Pascoe - Assistant Coach, Indiana University Ben Wissel - Assistant Coach, Duke University Dan Bedoy - Griffith High School Gary Myers - Head Coach, Hamilton Heights High School Greco Team: 100 - OPEN 106 - OPEN 113 - Nick Brady 120 - Colin Poynter 132 - Bryton Goering 138 - Luke Schleissman 145 - Chris Rump 152 - OPEN 160 - Tristan Goering 170 - OPEN 182 - Noah Cressell 195 - Andrew Davison 220 - OPEN 285 - Daniel Phifer Blue Team: 100 - OPEN 106 - OPEN 113 - Nick Brady / OPEN 120 - Ian Dembowski / Colin Poynter 126 - Josh Stephenson / Adam Jerde 132 - Jack Tolin / OPEN 138 - Luke Schleissman / OPEN 145 - Zach Worden/ OPEN 152 - OPEN 160 - Ranger Soots / Diego Limely 170 - Kameron Fuller / OPEN 182 - OPEN 195 - Anthony Ruhana / Keith Barclay 220 - OPEN 285 - Daniel Phifer Gold Team: 100 - Josh Smith-Gohen 106 - Jacob Moran / OPEN 113 - Sammy Fair / OPEN 120 - Jacob Moran / OPEN 126 - Paul Konrath / Brock Hudkins 132 - Jeremiah Reitz / Breydan Bailey 138 - Austin Holmes / Zach Melloh 145 - Kain Rust / OPEN 152 - Noah Warren / OPEN 160 - Gleason Mappes / Alston Bane 170 - Jacob Gray / Jose Champagne 182 - Noah Cressell / OPEN 195 - Andrew Davison / OPEN 220 - Ethan Ellis / OPEN 285 - Sean Streck If you have any issues, questions, or concerns, please feel free to contact me at the information below. I will adjust this list daily as spots continue to fill and updates are made. We look forward to representing Indiana at our maximum potential at this prestigious and extremely competitive championship!! Nick Hull Team Leader Indiana Junior Dual Team 317.800.5369 coachnhull@gmail.com

Respectfully, @carmelfan, please do not assume catching a glimpse at some notes penciled in on a scrap piece of paper was anything more than that - some notes penciled in on a scrap piece of paper. There is a lot of interest in the trip and the Selection Committee is pilfering through fairness, results, prospects, coaches, families, programs, etc. in order to ultimately make the best decision for this year's team. When the current official list is released, hopefully by Friday, there will be plenty of opportunity to pick it apart then. Again, there are those that can and cannot make this trip, but whoever is fortunate enough to go will undoubtedly gain a great deal of experience and success. If everything comes together, we will also undoubtedly let the country know Indiana is for real on this level. Standby everyone....

@warsawwrestling...where did I chastise? I'm assuming when I talked about kids wrestling on Disney All-Star team versus Team Indiana at Junior Duals? @Y2...I'm not sure what would be said between the two as that is up to the Coaches to determine who goes in where and against who. What I have told parents and the like is the same thing I said on this board: if we truly want to try and win AT THIS TOURNAMENT we need our best kids and they need to be fresh. Brandon James is back in town so I'll use him as an example. We all know BJ, super stud, nationally ranked for several years, wrestles D1 now, etc. Pretty tough kid. He flew in from Disney to Oklahoma and his first match was against a 2x FL state champ who I believe he had never beaten. It was a battle, but Brandon injured his ankle in that match. He wrestled once or twice more but it swelled up like a softball. Needless to say he didn't finish the tournament and we had to forfeit that weight. This is Brandon James we are talking about. Every year, because of how tough this tournament is, we ALWAYS have guys banged up, especially when they are not ready for this caliber. What I do know is the best states have multiple alternates and they are all good. Illinois had Josh Alber and Jared Cortez at the same weight one year, so we are talking two 4x state champions, both ranked #1 and #2 in the country. I watch Minnesota, Oklahoma, Michigan, etc...all of the best states...and their kids don't have a problem with it when I inquire. Their answer? "It's for the state, so whoever they put in needs to be ready and handle business either way." This is because they take PRIDE in this tournament and winning a team title. We don't. Watching their matches, or even just hearing their duals (as we are always on the other side of the gym in the other pool) they are FIRED UP!!! It is passion, it is intense, and there are bragging rights on the line. This is a culture of wrestling that INDIANA DOES NOT HAVE.....yet. Are there kids who want alllllllllllll the matches? Sure. But when we are at this tournament, it is a team and it is all for the team...or state. Exhibitions are available too. Either way, look up the results of Junior Duals from past years. Look at the states who are in the top 8, then look at the top 4. Now, look at their line-ups and trackwrestling profles. You'll see. If we want to be the best then we must model ourselves after the best and try and do what they are doing. We won't be able to do exactly what they are doing but, by modeling ourselves after the best, we in turn will create our own path towards greatness. Same thing individually. If the best of the best kids in the country are training and wrestling in the international styles all summer - then that is what I'm going to do IF I want to be the best in the country. If I don't care or want to be the best in the country then I'll do what everyone else is doing....like wrestle folkstyle all year round. Simple. Proven. Another example: so as Indiana Pride Wrestling Academy continues to grow and build (aiming for Titan Mercury, NYAC, Sunkist, etc), with the ISWA State this weekend, there are no other local Freco tournaments available. I HATE HATE HATE to start training Folkstyle on Monday with the little ones, so I am looking at other opportunities for our kids (K-12) to continue investing in these styles. With that said, we are taking a contingent to Central Regionals and maybe even one more USAW Regional. Still, after that, even fewer Olympic style tournaments are available for our young kids. We train year-round so the topic came up to take a team to Grand River Rumble. I heard it was a great event....but it's still too early for me to even BEGIN to think about Folkstyle. Ewww. The best older kids are still training Freco at this time as Fargo is right around that time, which is where I will be actually coaching Indiana's "best". So, because we want to model ourselves after the best, and get them used to this lifestyle, I am probably nixing Grand River Rumble and instead taking our kids to USAW Kids Freestyle and Greco Nationals in Wisconsin. If we can do both, we will, as Grand River is a great team tournament I hear. But if I only had $1 to invest and look for the biggest payoff, I'm taking them to wrestle in the kids freestyle and greco nationals. This seed we plant won't sprout immediately, and they have countless Folkstyle opportunities anyway, but by planting it now, continuing to water it and nurture it, this little seed will flourish into something beautiful. Hope is not a strategy. We will take the proven path.

Ha! Great stuff, everyone! Keep it up, whatever lane you are in. This really isn't the thread for opinions, more so for information, but I have a few minutes to touch on some things I have seen... - Even though I was proud of being the only state champ representing Indiana, as I've grown I would prefer Indiana to go to individual class wrestling as well. I think it would help get more kids wrestling and, to settle the score, have all the state champs of however many classes compete in an All-Star meet. I know some wouldn't because they don't want to risk losing that prestige, but either way if more kids and schools could win state or even have a shot at winning state, more kids would participate. But that's not my cause.... - The ISWA State Champion DOES have the first rite of refusal to be on the BLUE Freestyle team and or Greco team. It's still fair for those who participate at state. We are just adding another team of committee selected kids to go contend for a title: the Gold Team. All kids essentially have a shot. Filling two teams is definitely ***NO NO NO***ious as filling one in the past is tough enough...and there are some that want to see me personally fail....but I don't mind failing at the risk of raised expectations. Aim for the stars and at least you'll hit the clouds. - The list of kids names on the first post of this thread are Indiana kids who provide seeding points per the criteria of the tournament....which is why you don't see Mason Parris or Blake Rypel. These aren't necessarily our best kids on the above list, just the ones who give us seeding points. - The personal attacks,which many could argue exist or do not exist, are more entertainment for me than anything. I like Hull's Heroes. It has a ring to to it. I don't take offense to that as he may not have been trying to be offensive. I do feel there are a select few who have a personal beef with me or the ISWA, and that's fine as that is their right AND not my problem. Again, looking at the bright side (since no one ever went blind doing it) people are just passionate about their beliefs. That's all. I still haven't personally met a Trump enthusiast, although I would like to, not to hate but to understand. I have too many issues of my own to judge anyone else, whether they judge me or not. Plus, the more time I spend hating on someone else is the less time I have bettering myself...or Indiana wrestling for that matter. - Folkstyle's dominance in Indiana isn't neccessarily the ISWA's fault. The ISWA doesn't make any money from out of town national tournaments. The ISWA does not set the national schedule. Disney, Viper Pit Duals, ToC, Folkstyle Nationals, New Orleans, VA Beach, etc etc etc, do not reach out to consult with the ISWA on when they should have their tournament. Folkstyle is a nationwide pandemic and each state handles it differently. - I am not a numbers guy, although I'm sure some on here have the time to do it, but I'd like to see the Freestyle/Greco state participation over the past 10-20 years. Many are new to this issue so they might not know, while others were present but didn't see it taking place, but we have a short memory. I'd like to see that info if anyone has the time....... - Speaking of short memory, as many anoint the RTCs as a savior for the international styles, people forget that I MADE/REQUIRED ALL RTCs to train in the international styles only! Some people didn't like it then. Some schools dropped out because they didn't want to do it, and others did it but grudgingly. Both this change, and the new selection process for the Junior Dual, were made last year. I knew making these changes that it was going to take a few years to catch on, so last year was a little rough, this year we got a little better, next year will be even better, so on and so forth. - We have some kids who are competing at UWW right before Junior Duals. If they make the World Team and we miss out on them - AWESOME! Glad one of our own made the team, for real. This would be the only tournament I would not trip about our kids going to over the duals....IF, and only IF, they want to be the best. Now, some kids aren't training to be the best and go to Disney because it's more comfortable for them, they won't get murdered at Oklahoma, or it's more fun, they got invited, etc. Whatever. Do you. To the kids that aren't ready for the Duals or are scared of that competition...I don't prefer those kids anyway. If the UWW guys don't win, then this is the second tournament they are going to. Again, Disney is great for team building, but Junior Duals is for individual development as far as school programs are concerned. If they are going to Disney with their school, so be it. The Disney All-Star teams though, no loyalty to a school program, but are going for the extra competition....those are kids I would be after because the best-of-the-best are in Oklahoma and not with Walt Disney. But, again, waiting for the ISWA Freestyle State Tournament placers to decline or accept a week after the state tourney, when Disney, VA, and other events/ teams have had months to hawk our "best" kids, is another reason we changed up the selection process. Plus, that kid who had to miss ISWA state because of prom, now gets a shot to represent our state too! It's a win, win.

@ Y2, that may be correct...and I'll even entertain this for the Indiana parents, coaches and fans.... Under the circumstances (decline of freestyle, emergence of folkstyle national tournaments....still) filling a Junior Dual Team has been increasingly difficult over the past decade or more. Before, when the international styles were at their peak in Indiana, it was an absolute PRIVILEGE to wrestle on this team, and we would take two freestyle teams, LOADED with Indiana's best, with 2x state champs even being on the second team. However, over time, with Folkstyle taking over and everyone going to Disney, New Orleans, etc, the Junior Dual Team became the neglected step-child of our Indiana national teams, in some cases even having to find someone the day the bus leaves to fill a 145 freestyle starting spot. This is unacceptable as a coach here in Indiana who knows better, and definitely unacceptable for Indiana when we are out there getting SMASHED and end up in the pink pool. Again, it is not the fault of the athletes who went on these trips, because they absolutely wrestle their hardest. It's just that at some point, wrestling hard doesn't get you anything but hurt, suplexed, or just simply beat down when we are outclassed as our 2x semi-state qualifier has to wrestle against a Junior World Team Member. Which leads me to today, where I and a select group of others are becoming increasingly more vocal about stopping our literal sacrifice out here and at Fargo. It is simply too late to teach basic Freestyle and Greco principles a week before the national tournament, the open practice right before weigh-ins, or during a bye round in the tournament. It has to start sooner, younger, and much deeper. With that said, in precious years the ISWA State Champ in each style would have the first right of refusal and, if declined, we would go down the list to fill the spot. Well, again, this was difficult to do because our best Juniors had other obligations (primarily Disney or simply wanted to FINALLY take a summer off at this age). That is all fine and dandy, but the best-of-the-best kids in the country weren't stopped by either. The issue then became how do we compete with Disney and raise our kid's low expectations versus the best in the country. Difficult decisions had to be made as we had to adapt to the times. In a perfect world I would prefer to have people beating down the doors to get on this team, or being able to follow the old model of taking the state placers, or even having wrestle offs or a legitimate tournament to see who gets the spot. I even kinda hope we have too many kids and someone gets mad at me because they want to be on the team but can't because it's full. But this isn't a perfect world. So, after 20 something years. we were fortunate enough to change the selection criteria in order to begin changing the culture and making this tournament a privelage again....like it is for Illinois, Oklahoma, Minnesota, California, Ohio, Iowa, Pennsylvania, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, Missouri, etc etc. Taking two teams does two-fold: It allows us to compete for a national championship with Indiana's best (which is my personal goal for Indiana) and also provide those 2nd and 3rd tier guys the opportunity to benefit from this tournament, which truly is career changing for them. Even though Indiana would get smashed and it was tough to watch, seeing these same guys bring this experience back to Indiana and run with it towards securing their legacy on the home front is very rewarding to watch as well. Hence, we have a Gold Team and a Blue Team. Although I am the Team Leader, we do have a committee that selects the team, to make it as fair as possible. I spoke with Louis today and he made it perfectly clear that he is concerned about the benefits of the journey wrestling takes you on, more so than winning at all cost. Me on the other hand, am focused on trying to do both. If you build it, they will come. I received a dozen or so text messages tonight alone and about the same amount of emails inquiring about getting on this team. Perfect. Parents, I will get with you all soon and we will begin to lock guys in this weekend. Keep the inquiries coming. I'm open to filling both teams for their purpose and we will. In the future, when the culture changes hopefully sooner than later, I'm certain we will revisit our selection process and make any adjustments. In the meantime, the success of this 2016 Junior Team is my only obligation right now and whoever happens to take advantage of it will be greatly, greatly benefited. @gogoplata...being on the team is a great honor, but placing at the tournament means even more, so that's why they award another seeding point. Keep it coming Indiana. We are going for it all. Let this be the year we begin to change for the better. I will post another update soon.

It's almost that time! With Freestyle and Greco State this weekend, we will be finalizing the Indiana Junior National Dual Team. Participation and placement at the 2016 ISWA Freestyle & Greco State Tournament qualifies athletes to be selected to the Indiana Junior National Dual Team, assembled to both compete and perform at the 2016 USAW Junior National Dual Championships on June 21st-25th in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Again, this event is arguably the toughest high school national dual tournaments in the country with over 40 states represented dueling it out for the Junior National Dual Championship. States like Illinois, Oklahoma, Ohio, New Jersey, California, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Minnesota, Utah, Washington, etc. are all represented by the best-of the-best, with a countless number of state champions, nationally ranked, All-Americans, National champions, possible World medalist and champions participating. This tournament is a great precursor to Fargo, and you receive guaranteed matches against this high-caliber competition. Undefeated wrestlers at this event are named to the Junior All-Dual Team, which ultimately adds to your national ranking! Not only do you receive the camaraderie between Indiana’s best as we collectively compete for our state, but there are a hundreds of college coaches in attendance - as well as several on this year’s staff! This is a HUGE opportunity for you to take advantage of and single-handily could change your career in wrestling! We are looking to take one Greco team and two Freestyle teams with alternates at each weight, which means up to 4 wrestlers may go at one weight class in Freestyle. The competition and depth is fierce, so alternates for this tournament are a must in order to stay healthy and competitive. These states come to win and we are hoping you can help usher in the next wave of Indiana athletes aiming to be one of the best in the country!! With our two Freestyle Teams, we are looking to take a competitive Gold team and a developmental Blue team. The Gold Team is assembled to go win the event, with selection being more in line with the Separation Criteria to that of the event itself. The Blue Team is designed to give other dedicated Indiana athletes looking to compete against the nation’s best a chance to do just that, and usually end up making the most gains at this tournament. At the culmination of ISWA Freestyle and Greco State, deposits of $200 will secure your spot for the Blue Freestyle Team and/or Greco Team at the awards stand. If you are interested in wrestling for the Gold Team, depending on availability and the determination of the Selection Committee, we will determine if you are eligible to be on the Gold Team the following week. All deposits for all teams will be due by May 19th or upon full team selection. The balance is due at the beginning of camp on June 10th at Lawrence North High School. We understand this is around the time of several other national Folkstyle events that are great for team building. As a coach and fan, I understand the importance of these events and they can be critical to the development of a high school program. I do however as a Team Leader want to make parents, athletes, and coaches understand that this tournament is for individual growth, which ultimately effects your team on the back end. It is an honor to represent Indiana at this event. Success here, although participating for the sake of Indiana, pays major dividends to the individual athletes who are able to make this trip. In some cases in the past we have had athletes fly out after wrestling at Disney or New Orleans to Oklahoma to ensure they can get a shot at least at the Freestyle portion of this event and competition. Nevertheless, we look forward to working with you in aiding ourselves individually as wrestlers and as a national team representing the great state of Indiana at this prestigious event. I will post line-ups after the culmination of the ISWA State Tournament this weekend. Let's get better, Indiana!!

FREE, FREE, FREE RTC @ Perry Meridian featuring none other than: VICTORIA ANTHONY 2014-15: Team USA Ranking No. 2 at 48 KG Years on Team USA: 3 (2012-15) Residence: Huntington Beach, CA Club: Sunkist Kids College: Simon Fraser HighSchool: Marina (Calif.) Born: 06/24/1991 Height: 5'1 2014: Pan American Championships gold medalist… Second in Grand Prix of Spain… Second in U.S. World Team Trials… Second in U.S. Open… Second in Klippan Lady Open… Cerro Pelado International champion… Third in Dave Schultz Memorial International… 2013: Second in Heydar Aliyev Golden Grand Prix… Third in New York AC International… Fifth in World Championships… Third in Poland Open… Women’s World Team Wrestle-Off champion… Second in U.S. World Team Trials… Austrian Ladies Open champion… Second in U.S. Open… Third in Ukrainian Memorial International… 2012: Third in Hargobind International… Ninth in University World Championships… Third in U.S. World Team Wrestle-Off… Second in Hari Ram Grand Prix... Third in U.S. Olympic Team Trials… Third in Dave Schultz Memorial International… Second in U.S. Open… 2011: Second in Hargobind International… Fifth in U.S. Open… Fifth in Dan Kolov International… 2010: Third in New York AC International… Third in Hargobind International… Junior World champion… Second in Canada Cup… Fifth in U.S. World Team Trials… Fourth in U.S. Open… 2009: Junior World champion… Fourth in New York AC International Open… FILA Junior Nationals champion… Fourth in U.S. Nationals… 2008: Fifth in 2008 Junior World Championships… FILA Junior Nationals champion… USA Age group: 2008 Junior Nationals champion… Third in 2007 Junior Nationals… Second in 2006 Junior Nationals… College: Attends Simon Fraser University in Canada… Four-time WCWA Women’s College Nationals champion… High School: Attended Marina (Calif.) High School… Personal: Daughter of Tony and Nadine Anthony… She is a beast!!! This isn't just for the ladies though - even though we hope ALL Indiana WOMEN WRESTLERS come get this treat..FOR FREE - but she also trains with some of the best guys in the country and will toss you on your head. Come learn some trends, habits and techniques from one of the best in the world, Tuesday night at Perry Meridian RTC!!

You guys...nothing but love in this post and now I "blame and shame" bc I said the word "selfish" or posted a video about the REAL ISSUE? My daughter is playing softball now. Her team, bless their hearts, are sub-par but are having fun. My daughter likes the sport although she's average and definitely needs to work on catching the ball, but she has a pretty good stick. I don't have enough time for her because of wrestling, but I want the best for her. I know a few ex-softball athletes who played in college and I'm thinking of getting her private lessons. I hate to outsource it but I just don't have the time. So I need to be as efficient and effective as possible. Boom. I pull the trigger on getting her personal training. I know several parents with the team, and my cousin is actually the head coach, so this is a personal relationship there. Still, as much as I care about her team, I only have enough money to get her training by herself. If I had the time or money, I'd bring in the national championship college team to privately train every player on her team, and the team itself. But I can't. All I can focus on is my daughter. Does that make me selfish? If it does then so be it. No one is paying these bills for me. My daughter is my responsibility, and I sleep just fine taking care of her alone...selfishly. No nightmares about not worrying about everyone else's child, even though I do help coach them when I'm around. Does that make me selfish too? Again, who cares? If someone calls me selfish because I'm worried about my daughter's development above all else, which isn't even a school team, then sure - I'm selfish. The real selfish choice I must make is, with only X amount of time and money, where do I spend it to maximize her potential? Although I know a little, I am not a softball wizard but I know some who are: maybe the coaches of the state team? The national team possibly? Maybe even a few softball Olympic and World Champions? They probably have a good idea. To each his own, but I'll take their word for it. ...and RTC's are not enough. After the BEST COACHES AND ATHLETES IN THE COUNTRY AND WORLD SAY WRESTLE AS MUCH FREESTYLE AND GRECO AS POSSIBLE, we want to wrestle at JUST state now and say that I am single-handily bringing down freestyle and greco in the state....because I want more kids wrestling freestyle and greco, personally and professionally? Out 52 weeks a year, 3 weekends is waaaaaay too much to dedicate to freestyle and greco? Because we already touch on it at RTC's? We only want to wrestle in one freestyle tournament, which is state, then go to Fargo now? Then yes, sorry to say, we are not that serious about it getting better compared to the best states in the country. The previous video and info is not to shame, which I don't get anything out of unlike others, but it is to inform from the best-of-the-best, since a select few think I am the bad guy. I don't lose any sleep from this stuff and I'm sure it goes both ways. I'lll be the bad guy. The bad guy says, "wrestle as much freestyle and greco as possible if you truly want to be one of the best in the COUNTRY." That is all. Actually, I see Jake Herbert, Mike Krause, and Reece Humphrey are coming in soon. Wabash has pretty big camp, along with Culver and several others. Ask those guys what they think about it face-to-face then. At least we are narrowing this all down. Go, Indiana wrestling! Love you guys!! Just so we can bump it again... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5G8UHpbEL2E @ AJ, good observation. Freestyle is more popular than Greco. Greco, as intimidating as is to most kids and parents, I believe is actually the easiest out of all 3 styles. They're both together though. Just like I MAKE our IPWA kids wrestle freestyle, I MAKE them wrestle Greco as well. Having to type it all out (Freestyle, Greco-Roman, Olympic styles, international styles, F/G, Freco, etc.) gets tiring, but they should be interchangeable. And the ISWA does push all three styles, which is why they host a Greco state in the first place. Clearly though, although we can require qualifications, we aren't in charge of individual rooms and what coaches focus on.

OMG. Thank you Fabio Wiesjahn, for pointing that out and letting me clear that up. Parents, who are focused on providing your own athlete(s) the best opportunities for them to maximize their potential in the sport of wrestling, and aren't necessarily worried about state as a whole, it is suggested by the best coaches and wrestlers in the country and world to train and compete in freestyle and greco during the off-season to accomplish this. I am very sorry if that comment offended anyone else that may have taken that the wrong way. Thank you again, Fabio. Y2, unfortunately, as the RTC Director for the state, I can safely say that the RTCs are not enough.

I'm loving the suggestions, even if some of you disagree with me individually on my stance or that of the ISWA collectively. We are working on it. All of these ideas have been noted and many have come up before, but the dialogue is what is necessary! We have to keep this up. Our common ground I believe is we all take pride in Indiana's success, we just differ on the approach to get there. The Olympic styles ARE dying in INDIANA and have been for the past decade or more, and this is no bueno. Because of the local and national folkstyle tournament schedule it is tough to invest in these style, but we HAVE to. Things we could do and that I would like to see change personally: most importantly is coaching awareness towards these styles, as the coach is the official liaison between the sport and the athlete. If they don't buy it then the kid nor family is likely to buy it either. I'd like to see more beginner freestyle and greco tournaments popping up early and everywhere for our kids, more freestyle and greco tournaments themselves, in a perfect world have the F/G season go from March - July for the state, more freestyle duals (whether, elementary, middle or high school, and I'm even working on having the RTC's dual each other), and just more opportunities in general to train and compete for the state. The two requirement rule doesnt bother me any because Indiana Pride tries to go to them all, because I know better, and I MAKE our kids train in these styles anyway. They may be hesitant initially but when they're older they always understand and are thankful. Starts with the coach first though IMO. Nevertheless, this entire thread was about boycotting freestyle state, for whatever reason, but this doesn't hurt the ISWA even remotely close to as much as it does our current and future Indiana wrestlers - regardless of the reason. So, with that said, the real issue becomes informing EVERYONE as to why. Below I have attached a link that some of us have seen but that we all need see: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5G8UHpbEL2E The people who know me know what I have and do bring to Indiana's wrestling table, that I am semi-cool and halfway funny, can be difficult to get a hold of, but I love our kids and that I have a halfway decent idea of what I'm talking about as our results have and will speak for themselves. Still, others do not, and for whatever reason may hate on a brother. Either way it doesnt matter. Don't take it from me, take it from these guys. Watch the video and think about it. Here's a summary... "Started wrestling Freestyle and Greco when he was 5 years old, didn't pick up Folkstyle until 8th grade, it's because of Freestyle and Greco (the little things) that made him the successful Folkstyle wrestler." - Bill Zaddick, World Champ, NCAA Champ "Forced to wrestle Freestyle and Greco, gave him his foundation, teaches positioning, not putting yourself in danger, versatility in wrestling skills, etc. In order to be the best of the best, you're going to have to wrestle Freestyle, and if you don't have a foundation at a young age, it's going to take a while to bridge that gap when you wrestle the best guys in college." - Jared Frayer, Olympian, 2x NCAA All-American "Mainly focused on folkstyle and scholastic wrestling, and he did get better everyday, but looking back on it he made his biggest jumps when he started wrestling freestyle and greco. As soon as he started wrestling those styles in the 5th grade, although he was only focused on having fun, it made him really good. Did it all the way through high school, took a couple of years off when he got to college, started it up again and as soon as he did he started getting better." - Kyle Dake, 4x NCAA Champion @ 4 different weight classes "His folkstyle success was directly attributed to freestyle. The extra training, competition, the technical aspects of freestyle that make you better in folkstyle, you have to be more diligent about execution as folkstyle allows you to have breaks in your execution, but in freestyle your execution has to be perfect. Freestyle will sharpen all of your offense and all of the assets that you have in Folkstyle." - Teague Moore, NCAA Champion "It helps you in every aspect, but it's the better competition you get in Freestyle and Greco, look at all the Olympic champs and they did all three styles. It is extremely important that we never lose site of Freestyle and Greco." - Kevin Jackson, Olympic Champion, World Champion, 4x NCAA All-American "63% of D1 All-Americans placed at Fargo, over 80% over the last 20 years at least competed at Fargo, 8 NCAA Champions at the time wrestled at Fargo, Freestyle and Greco are hard to discount because the numbers are all there. Preventing kids from going to Fargo, Junior Duals, etc can be detrimental as the stats validate. There is a high level of collegiate success even just by going" - Jason Bryant, Editor @ Amateur Wrestling News "It was his Freestyle and Greco opportunities that allowed him to wrestle all of the college studs while he was in high school, both losing and winning, so when he got to college he knew he could go in and win right away. He basically started out in college at a higher place than he would have if he had not wrestled Freestyle and Greco." - Logan Stieber, 4x NCAA Champion "It's the change of pace, redundancy hurts. All of the technical things that Freestyle and Greco bring are a given, but people miss the importance of the mental break, the 6-8 months of folkstyle added to the 3-4 months of freestyle helps break things up and keeps it fresh when folkstyle starts back up." - Kerry McCoy, Olympian, 2x NCAA Champion "We make and expose them to everything, all three styles, and thats what we look for when recruiting." - Lou Rosselli, Asst Coach @ Ohio State "Folkstyle wrestlers and Folkstyle coaches share a municipal belief that if their kid has a hard enough time wrestling folkstyle, why would we want to confuse them with the international styles? Truth is there are a lot of freestyle techniques that are absolutely imperative for even a beginner folkstyle wrestler to understand. If you want to get to the top you absolutely have to go this path." - Mike Moyer, Executive Director of NWCA "Position, counter offense, hand fighting, the ability to finish quick and clean, especially with all of the funk in folkstyle, but our kids have to have a freestyle background." - Pat Santoro, 2x NCAA Champion, 4X All-American, Head Coach @ Lehigh In conclusion, if you disagree with the ISWA that is fair. Be selfish then. Take care of home and forget the state. If you want your kid to maximize their potential in the sport of wrestling, training and competing as much as possible in freestyle and greco is the way to go. I hope this last weekend of tournaments is packed and next week at state we have a good showing. Even if you didn't qualify this year and aren't going to be able to make it, start next year. Let's change Indiana's culture together!!

Daddy Hatch- No offense taken. Ill go through these briefly: 1) I understand the beef about the waivers, being last minute and inconveniencing the parents who made adjustments to their summer schedule, only for others to turn around, skate the rules, and come in through the back door. I get it. It sucked for those who followed the rules, and for the ISWA who provided the opportunity. Again, it was the coaches discretion on handing out the waivers like hot cakes. But either way it's over. With all due respect, there were some things that George Bush did that I didn't agree with before Obama got elected. But any and all complaining I do isn't going to change what happened OR fall on ears who care or can do anything about it now. What's done is done. It'll be the same when the next POTUS takes over, whoever it is. I'm not downplaying it but when is it enough? At what point does it pass legitimate concerns and then become just crying about it? The horse has been dead, at least for me. I have other more pressing issue to address in my life other than something that happened last year. Hindsight IS 20/20. It's over. Moving on.............. 2) I don't know how the ISWA can be more transparent with the current tools they have. The meetings are open to the public, minutes are sent out, newsletters, etc. I agree that our website isn't set up to keep people on it. I, like you, go on there the same amount - very rarely. They do have an emailing list, with access to over 8,000 athletes. But emails change, especially for the younger crowd, so the info goes to the adults, in particular the club coaches, who have the responsibility to disseminate that info. Still, I'd like for the ISWA to get a message board like this, or get a twitter account, or build an app, or do a better job at spreading news...but we can only play the hand we are dealt. Here is a thought, since no one on the board is paid, how about we get another volunteer who specializes in social media to take over this area for the state? Easier said than done, I know, because believe it or not we all have lives and families too. But that doesnt stop them from doing the best they can, making adjustments, and continuing to improve under whatever circumstances are present. 3) ISWA is a business, a non-profit business, which must rely on volunteers. I'm certain if everyone were paid we would quadruple the interested applicants for some of these positions. But it's all volunteer. I'm assume you work full-time. Do you work for free? Probably not. How long COULD you work for free? Probably not long. Why? Because you have bills to pay and mouths to feed. Let's say you loved your job so much that you were able to work for free, and love put food on the table. But what if you volunteered your time, out of sheer love, sacrificing your family time, money, extra curricular activities, money, etc. to put into this business, and you did absolutely your best with what you had......and there are still people talking sh*t CONTINUOUSLY on the hard work of you and your team. Let's say you have thick skin but you have a 60+ year old co-worker, almost like a mother or grandmother, with a heart of gold, divorced, cats everywhere, no husband, kids are gone, etc. who still has dedicated her life for the cause of this business and what it stood for, and who would give her last dollar to help you and anyone else...only to have people miles away on a computer talking so much sh*t on her hard work only because they disagree?!?!? Please. This lady doesnt defend herself, but you as a man would absolutely take offense and hopefully step up and say something. Disagreeing is one thing, and I have no problem with disagreeing. But when people take it overboard, which is their right, then that's where my posts come from today. I'm not bothered by the ones who have concerns, I get ticked off by the trolls who KEEP harping on her and use every opportunity to stay on her head, especially when they haven't done anything as of late to help the situation. For the record, people can vote....if they come, join, put in their time, and earn that vote. But allowing all club members to vote, especially right before they leave for baseball practice, or stay at home from practice to play Call of Duty, isn't the wisest option as a business because they are not invested as much as they need to be, or only invested as long as they are participating. No one on this board is still competing in tournaments themselves, but they are still involved. How long will you be involved once your son/daughter has finished their career? Probably not long. But ALLLLLL members on the board have essentially dedicated their lives to helping Indiana wrestling. And if ISWA was a dictatorship, and I was in charge, some things WOULD be absolutely different. But it's not. It is a governing body with board members and committees full of people from all walks of life with a common purpose: Indiana wrestling. 4) Not sure how to comment on this one. No, i would prefer our best kids be at Fargo, as well as our mid and low level kids. The problem many have now is we think all of the success at these national folkstyle tournaments make us a high level kid....until we go wrestle the REAL high level kids when and where it counts. So pride doesnt have the best of me. Indiana Pride does (plug) but not pride by itself. If you think I or the ISWA prefer our mid level guys over our high level guys at Fargo, you are greatly off. I think you are trying to insinuate that the ISWA is punishing the "high level" kids who don't wrestle at 2 whole qualifications, so therefor we prefer the less qualified? If we didn't then we would make the high level kids happy by letting them do whatever and just show up for Freestyle state? I answered that in an earlier post. This doesn't make any sense. What I am beginning to understand more and more is that my definition of "high level" kid is different from most. What would you constitute as high level? State placer? State Champ even? If so, then yes we are way off. Indiana has some good kids, but very few who can roll with the best in the country. Maybe half of our state champs would All-American at Fargo, most of which would place low, and even fewer would make top 3. Here, again is the issue: not nearly enough of our top guys even GO to Fargo, or UWW Cadets or Juniors. Another issue: Our top, top guys do alright, but #2 through everyone else basically get a hard-fought double dip. Much deeper issues are here than some funky qualifier. AS A WHOLE: the quality of Indiana wrestling is not nearly as good as people think. Wrestling at a national event, especially Folkstyle, does not help in any way the goal behind the requirements: higher quality and quantity of Indiana kids wrestling freestyle, more local freestyle tournaments and opportunities. #5) I agree with you here the most. Folkstyle is for the masses. I didnt even know it was called "Folkstyle" until later in life. When I was wrestling, as soon as the high school season was over, we went straight into Freestyle and Greco and didnt event think about "Folkstyle" wrestling until September/October. Same thing in college. It wasn't until I moved back to Indiana that I saw all of these new "Folkstyle" tournaments. It was pretty sad already but it just kept getting worse and worse. But yes it is for the masses. Not sure when, where, or how this came to pass. Actually, the more I think about it the more I relaize the masses are following the masses, because they sure arent following the top 5% in the country. The top 5% are training for UWW Cadets and Juniors right now. What did the Indiana masses practice today? But I absolutely agree about it being a choice. Because of all of these new choices and options the kids have now, we have to adapt to the times. Next year Indiana Pride does plan to host a Beginners Freestyle and Greco Open, and even Freestyle Duals (in the traditional sense). But every state is different. It is a culture. Personally, this 5-8 year span to create some high expectation having little freestyle and greco monsters with Olympic dreams is what I envision to happen with this qualifier rule (not a cheap shot). But it is definitely a culture shift that must take place and will take some time. Absolutely an inconvenience for some in the beginning but over time it will pan out and be forgotten about. I wish we didn't have to have it and it was still a privelage to wrestle in these styles, and represent Indiana's National Team wherever. The qualifier doesnt fix the mindset. I put this burden on the coaches as the official liaison between the athlete and the sport, but yeah... 6) I also understand the abundance of athletes and opportunities in central Indiana vs. the rest of the state. Believe it or not, the majority of Indiana Pride's program is made up of kids from programs outside of Indianapolis, where they may even be the only kid training in the off-season. That sounds like a play the hand you are dealt type of thing. It's easy for me to say "well just get with your local club and blah, blah, blah" but the truth is I can only imagine how tough it is. Again, this qualifier is essentially designed for this reason: to help give more schools more confidence in hosting these freestyle and greco events knowing people may HAVE to come. @Sig - Ha! Nice on the NUWAY statement, but INDIANA HAD KIDS OUT THERE WHO HAVEN'T AND DONT PLAN ON WRESTLING FREESTYLE!!! Yes, there are college coaches at ToC and Iowa....but not the top programs. I saw the Manchester coach at Perry Meridian's Freestyle and Greco Tournament too, but that doesnt mean much. Tom Brands, Chael Sanderson and John Smith are not that worried about your kid winning ToC or going undefeated at the Viper Pit Duals. Great tournaments, too young to matter, and it's more folkstyle. They want you well versed. I saw ALLLLL of these guys at Fargo. Saw them, talked to them, picked their brains, etc. @ Fargo. Someone let me know when you see one of these guys, not a representative, but these guys at a summer folkstyle tournament. Saying the ISWA doesn't support their own wrestlers doesn't require an answer as I sense the frustration. The bottom line for me is if I only coached at Indiana Pride and was not on the ISWA board, I absoluely would be thinking different. One of our coaches even wants to take our kids to Illinois/California/Oklahoma freestyle tournaments on the weekends and skip the local Indiana tournaments because there is not enough high-quality competition. I actually wouldn't be against it and am all for it......but I can't think like that because I have to keep the entire state in mind being on the board. This would help us individually, but the state would suffer. Even though we are training in Freestyle, local tournaments would miss out on these numbers, quality or not, and money. If this got out of control then there wouldn't be any reason for this local club in B.F.E., Indiana, to even host a tournament because everyone is out of state. There goes the money. This is kind of the position we are in now, but much much worse because we arent even training and competing in the international styles. Like I said, being on the board comes with the obligation, which I embrace, of focusing on Indiana as a whole.

It could be both. 200 kids was a guesstimate and Warren's room is as big as many college rooms. But when Central Regionals was here, that was a shame too. No need for a qualifier in that, but Wisconsin had as many if not more kids than Indiana, wrestling at a national even in our own backyard. Why? Simple answer is freestyle and greco aren't that big of a deal for the masses here in Indiana. People forget the qualifiers came into effect because participation in these styles had already declined over the course of the decade so badly that something drastic needed to be done. The ISWA didnt have qualifiers then, so why did the numbers drop? National Folkstyle events. Double whammy: much less money/participants cycling through Indiana and more kids getting smoked at Fargo...if they even go. This is entertaining. Get your qualifiers in. That's it. If you are really serious as an average wrestler then you wrestle in one every weekend if you can, qualifier or not. But to each his own. Like I said, my posts have been in defense of the ISWA because a lot of this nonsense comes from it being left unchecked. Check. Say what you will. I'll be the bad guy. At least those who are indifferent know the other side. I've gotten over 20 text messages today already thanking me for saying it....and none of them are ISWA board members. Pretty prominent coaches actually. But whatever, I've said my bit for the record. I have one private session and two practices to run tonight so I'm out. Good luck and best wishes to everyone, regardless of what you choose to do. Even though we may disagree, it's all love from Coach Hull. As an ISWA board member I'd love to set up a time for a google hangout, send in your questions, comments, concerns, etc. I may not be the best qualified but I can at least provide some real time insight. We may even do something crazy and work together to at least get a better understanding of the issues? If not me, maybe someone else? Y2?

@ Y2 - All of that made my head hurt, yes your tourney is good, but I'm not your numbers guy. I'm the guy coaching kids here and there at tournaments, floating around, shaking hands and kissing babies. I'm one of the guys who train and coach some of Indiana's best, locally AND nationally, at Flo, in Iowa, in Oklahoma, in Texas, at the Cadet World Team Trials, at Junior World Team Trials, at University Nationals and at Fargo. I see the our performance, or lack thereof, first hand....and my heart hurts for our kids. They wrestle hard, but still are just outclassed the lot of them. Still, for local events like "Warren-gate", I prefer to watch and observe our performance at tournaments and matches, especially with 40+ kids in attendance, I can't coach them all and we have great staff and parents. I don't like "joystick" coaching on the mat anyway because if I have to - it's too late. We rehearse our routine in the room and go perform this routine when it's time to compete - regardless of who we wrestle. As far as the breakdown, I'm not sure. I know that all of our kids got multiple matches, no one got hurt, coaches and parents were present coaching them up, they had fun, it was in and out, and it counted as a qualifier for our kids...most of which who didn't even need it for us. I didn't design the event, didn't know how it was going to go down, didn't know the format, or how many matches each kid would get. We got INVITED and we showed up. This wasn't a money maker. There were no medals or award stands. We wrestled as many matches as possible in the time provided. It was different but served it's purpose: more freestyle and greco mat time with more competition. What do you envision happened? We just took a bunch of names down and gave kids freebies? No, these kids wrestled! They wrestled hard, they got a lot of matches in, and the kids and the parents appreciated it. That's what I know. I also know that now this is an option for others who want to do something similar. Awesome!!!

@Sig I do NOT think a kid has to participate at Freestyle state to be good at Freestyle. We all can name a dozen kids off the top of our head that don't wrestle at state who would undoubtedly win, especially from RWA. But again, the majority of the state don't train at RWA so they do not have access to this training. The majority of the kids who are out here still wrestling may not even have a club that trains in these styles, let alone the caliber of RWA. But it is very simple, you train to compete. I'm gonna go out on a limb and assume 90% of our ISWA state champions don't All-American at Fargo. That's being graciuos of course, but I'm talking about training and competing as much as possible. So we train freestyle during the week and wrestle folkstyle on the weekend? That's not getting the best out of the training, and no different than training folkstyle all week and wrestling freestyle on the weekend. It doesn't make any sense. This means folkstyle weekly, with the exception of a day or so, go to as many folkstyle national tournaments and possible, and then show up at Freestyle state to just win a medal because everyone else is not that good? And this is exactly what people do. So for the individual and for the sake of this argument, good for them. But as a state, why does the rest of the state suck in comparison to the top 5% of the state, let alone country, in these styles? Because there aren't enough opportunities. Not enough local tournaments? How do fix that? Get more kids participating. How do we do that? Hope? No, they require you to go two whole local tournaments. Just TWO!! And that is a disgrace as well. I can see the dilemma if 5 is required and there are only 6 weeks....but 2 (two) tournaments comes down to a choice. The two tournaments are required to make sure kids get better versed in the internationals styles, so schools can have faith in hosting one without losing money now that they have a shot at participants, and participants have opportunities to compete. And winning those tournaments is good for the state of Indiana, and the kid individually, for their school, confidence, etc. But who are we comparing ourselves to? It's not the top states in the country, that's for sure. I have a kid who just won a NUWAY national championship, but the top collegiate programs in the country don't care. They care much much more on how you'll do in Fargo, UWW Trials, etc. So, if this is where they are, then I will position myself to have a great showing when that time comes for me. But that is me, and RWA, and a few others, but the large majority don't focus or compete in these styles collectively...and that is the problem.

Actually, Y2, I wasn't directed at you or anyone specifically. I haven't been on in a while so I just looked through the general spirit and content of the comments themselves. I knew I would hit some emotions with my last post, but so what. It's weapons free for everyone else who calls the ISWA every name under the sun. You know I have respect for you Y2, regardless of our differences, but this site is a great platform. But the ISWA is a dedicated organization and they do work very, very hard VOLUNTEERING for the state. Some ISWA members, along with the VAST majority of people I know, don't get on here and post because of some of the foolishness. I heard you say before there are 5,000 members with Indianamat, but very, very, very few of those post...because of this same reason. This is your site, and you are king. No beef here. It is free for people to voice their opinion so this is mine. But for the record, no, it was not directed at you. Now in response, and to my understanding, an email was sent out from the ISWA to the clubs to allow waivers at their discretion. I got that email for IPWA and used the waiver at my discretion. Several kids who I know for a fact chose not go to the tournaments for bogus reasons, asked for a waiver, and I told them flat out no, and actually I said NOPE. However, we had a kid who had been hurt for a few months who had just gotten cleared, had one tournament in, and wanted to wrestle at Freestyle state. The kid is a competitor, I know the family pretty well and they are good people, and ultimately decided it was ok for him to wrestle. He got the waiver. Very simple on this end. Now, to the kids, parents and coaches who took advantage of the waivers for bogus reasons, and you know who you are, shame on you. Those are the people who should get the brunt of this negativity, not the ISWA. I know for a fact they were at the tournament working vigorously verifying tournament qualifications, so it was a big and important operation. Folks cry about it is as if there were some big conspiracy by the ISWA. Sorry, just something good that got blown way out of proportion and turned into something bad. Even still, that was last year. Adjustments were made, and people are still crying about it? Scheduling wise, everyone knew last year, so I can't think of any reason not to get your two tournaments in that are worth not getting your two tournaments in: folkstyle nationals tournaments, prom, ACT, spring sports, etc etc etc. We have kids who got some mat time in and still went to ACT. We have some kids who skipped NUWAY nationals for a local tournament. A Family vacation I get, and we have kids who are playing soccer and baseball who aren't wrestling at state. Injuries are a more complex issue, and I feel for those kids and families, but it's largely a choice and folks are free to choose what they want. As far as the Warren event, wrestlers were paired into groups of 4, then everyone wrestled set periods, win or lose, and rotated throughout people and groups. It was definitely a lot going on and definitely nothing I had seen before, but every one left with several matches, parents and kids were happy, there were head officials, trainers, coaches, and kids wanting to compete in freestyle had a chance to do just that. Not sure if this was going to be an annual thing or what, but it was pretty cool for the parents and wrestlers because it served it's purpose. I'm certain Coach Tonte can send folks the official format if they want to do something similar, tweak it, or whatever as I'm certain he will do the same if he has it next year. And to answer additional questions I kind of see, yes, no waivers is due to the uproar I would imagine...at least with my vote. Why wouldn't it be? We are still complaining about the ISWA fixing the issue from last year? Isn't that why people complain and fight for their rights? To change something? So their voices are heard? Which in this case is the same, lame conversation about last year's waivers?!?! (In my Allen Iverson "practice" voice) Yes, get over it. No waivers. Boom. People know where I stand on this: Indiana does not train and compete in Freestyle and Greco even close to enough. It reflects in what we focus on at Indiana Pride, my posts on here, and at national tournaments when I am in the corner almost helplessly watching Indiana kids get scorched against the best in the country because they are outclassed in these styles. No, there is no love over here for me on this issue. Either you will make it happen or not.

You heard it: Indiana's own, Reece Humphrey, will be at Warren Central next Wednesday, May 4th! This is a FREE, FREE, FREE clinic for athletes of all ages with a USAW membership card. Come ready to grow and better understand the international styles (skills, techniques, habits, why it is essential for folkstyle development, etc) and learn from one of the best wrestlers and athletes in the U.S. and world!! 2015-16 Team USA Ranking No. 1 at 61 KG Years on Team USA: 5 (2011-16) Residence: Columbus, Ohio Club: New York AC Coach: Lou Rosselli College: Ohio State High School: Indianapolis, Ind. (Lawrence North) Born: 07/31/86 Height: 5-8 2015: U.S. World Team Trials champion… U.S. Open champion… Second in Cerro Pelado International… Second in Dave Schultz Memorial International… 2014: Third in Phase II World Team Trials… Fourth in U.S. World Team Trials… Fifth in U.S. Open… Third in Grand Prix of Paris… 2013: Eighth in World Championships… U.S. World Team Trials champion… U.S. Open champion… Third in Dave Schultz Memorial International… 2012: Second in New York AC International… Fifth in Ramzan Kadyrov Cup… 2011: Third in Olympic Test Event… New York AC International Open champion… Ninth in World Championships… Fifth in Ukrainian Wrestlers Memorial International… U.S. World Team Trials champion… U.S. Open champion… Fifth in Dave Schultz Memorial International… 2010: Fourth in New York AC International… Third in University World Championships… Fourth in U.S. Open… 2009: Fourth in U.S. World Team Trials… 2008: Second in World University Championships… College: Third in 2010 NCAA Championships for Ohio State… Second in 2009 NCAA Championships for Ohio State… High School: Three-time state champion from 2003-05… 177-7 career record at Lawrence North... Helped lead Wildcats to team state championships in 2004 and 2005 ... Personal: Son of Jim and Adrienne Humphrey… Has one brother, Jordin… He and his wife, Meredith, have one son, Parker, and one daughter, Reace… His father won a World silver medal in freestyle wrestling in 1977… @Warren Central RTC Wednesday, May 4th 6p - 8p Enter Door 14 Gym Wrestling Room Upstairs next to weight rooom

DISCLAIMER - My name is Nick Hull, with Indiana Pride Wrestling Academy, and I am on the ISWA board. These opinions are mine, and mine alone, and in no way reflect that of the ISWA board or it's members. If you take this personal, then I am talking to you. If you don't take this personal, then now you can see the other side of this nonsense...for the record. Now, with that said, to those with valid arguments and CONSTRUCTIVE criticism: this isn't for you. To those on here with DESTRUCTIVE criticism and bask in this ignorance - that's your right. But let's keep this in perspective: Last year the ISWA allowed clubs to grant waivers to those families who legitimately had an issue qualifying, whether that be travel, ACT, injury, etc. It was a last minute call to help families participate, but it backfired. Not because it was a bad idea going out on a limb to help families, it backfired because of the gripers, complainers, and soap boxers who like controversy that chose to use this as another opportunity to take a big dump on a bunch of volunteers who do their best to help wrestling in Indiana grow. But again, that's your right. "Don't flip-flop" they say. "Waiver-gate" they say. "Stick to your guns ISWA" they say. OK, so this year the ISWA is sticking to their guns, unfortunately at the expense of those families who need them now, and people are complaining still?!? Lol. At some point, this goes through legitimate, to sad, to comical. What specifically are we crying about now? Doing what the "masses" asked for? "Sticking to our guns"? To those families who LEGITIMATELTY cannot make the second qualfier because of whatever (injury is the biggest one in my book) and cannot receive a waiver - which sucks - thank the complainers who blew this out of proportion. Thank the cranky, never-satisfied cries of those who could care less about your kid wrestling, or Indiana wrestling as a whole, but more than anything are focused on making the ISWA look bad. Could the ISWA do better? Well, of course!! There are plenty of areas the ISWA could grow, strengthen, cut back in, etc. But we are talking about VOLUNTEERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Some of which who have dedicated their lives to the sport. Meanwhile, it's sooooo easy and lame and honestly sad to sit on here and batch about it, as opposed to doing something about it - like come in and VOLUNTEER, reach out to your state rep, or just simply be positive!! Take all of that know-how and expertise, since you have all the answers, and go enlighten the board, volunteer at a tournament, cut a check, of find ways to help instead of hurt! The ISWA is open to everyone - still - and treats everyone with open arms. Even if you drive all that way just to go rant, they'll listen, try to address it if they aren't already, and work to understand the issue and solutions. Don't wanna hear it's too far. Some travel hours to it, once a month let alone just once, because it's that deep. If it was really that big of deal then you would too. On the other hand, if it's not that big of a deal to you and you just find it entertaining to kick up dust - it's a poison. Regarding the event Warren had last week, good job for them. It was a great idea, thinking outside of the box to get another opportunity done, and followed all the rules: paid the sanction fee, weigh-in, skin checks, USAW#, offcials, and had a will to participate. Even if we hadn't been invited I'd be looking to start one ourselves. Hopefully, it does create more opportunities and ignites a fire to understand the severity of Indiana's lack of participation and success in the international styles. This at least is the only good thing I see coming from this clamor - publicity for the international styles. What was even more cool about this event for us was it was it allowed some who didn't plan on even wrestling freestyle to try it out. We had 6 new h.s. kids who used this as not only their first freestyle event but as their first summer wrestling event period. How can you truly get mad at it, or the ISWA, for ALLOWING the opportunity? Because you weren't invited? Because it wasn't on the schedule? The ISWA didn't start or allow it to screw people. It was an invite only, so it wasn't open to the public, kind of like an "Invitational", it was on a weekday as opposed to a weekend, and it was a last second thing from my understanding to give kids another opportunity to not only qualify but get more experience. Between the three programs, I'd say over 200 kids were there with their families, so it wasn't just a room full of 20 kids simply practicing. If it's that deep then you have two weeks. Get with your club or academy, pay the sanction fee, invite some teams, get some officials, weigh-in, record participants and USAW#, and have at it. IF you cant this year then put it on the books next year. We need more of this anyway, along with Freestyle Duals, Beginner Freestyle and Greco tournaments, etc. There were several open weekends over the past month that could have used a tournament or two next year. Lastly, it's still about quality AND quantity. From a quality standpoint, what is the purpose in wrestling all of these national folkstyle tournaments and JUST wrestling freestyle @ state? To be a 12x ISWA Freestyle State Champion?! Congratulations. And then what? Do you possibly plan to go to Fargo, which is where the true best in the country are at? If you are serious about being one of the best in the country then you will plan to go to Fargo. But, guess what???? Fargo is going to be a massive waist of money for you. Do you know why? Because there is a strong chance your son or daughter will get SPANKED!!!!!! Why is that? Because they didn't invest in Freestyle and Greco. Period. If you want your child to MAXIMIZE THEIR POTENTIAL in wrestling then you will invest in the international styles. If wrestling is recreational for you, then keep investing in folkstyle. Honestly, this is a black and white issue. There will be those who train Folkstyle all year, those who are seasonal, and those who will invest in Freestyle and Greco. The results will take care of themselves on the back end - when it really counts. Those who train folkstyle all year, along with those who are seasonal, may end up pretty good and have decent careers - but they will have never maximized their potential in wrestling. Wrestling, as you all know, is a lifestyle. The programs, not even individuals, but the programs that consistently win, in high school and college, are those that train year-round and max out their training and participation in the international styles. EMD? Perry? Warren? Iowa? Oklahoma State? Penn State? Individually, it's even worse. Either you choose to go to the qualifiers or don't. It's that simple. Again, these are my personal reflections. I've posted in other threads about my feelings of this requirement towards helping vs. hurting the state, so I won't even get into that. If you choose to boycott freestyle state then that is your prerogative. For the record, the Warren event last week was the 3rd or 4th Freestyle tournament for most Indiana Pride kids, and they will be at Franklin this weekend too, not only to provide more participants at/for Franklin but to continue sharpening our skills in Freestyle and Greco. I know Indiana Pride will be at state in full effect trying to leg lace and gut everyone and their mama. Who knows, we may even be able to stop a good gut wrench too. This way, when high school hits i know they will be even that much more ready for Fargo their freshman year, which means being one of the best in the state is not a goal but an expectation. Hope is not a strategy.

Yup

Come out to Warren Central tonight @ 6 if you are interested in getting ready for this Freestyle and Greco season! I will be running tonight's clinic and will be covering several fundamental Freestyle and Greco techniques, habits, skills and issues Indiana athletes need to address for success against the top 5% in the country. As the RTC Director for the ISWA, I have coached Team Indiana at the Schoolboy, Cadet and Junior National Duals, numerous other national tournaments including Cadet World Team Trials, Fargo, Flo, Iowa, etc, and experience first hand where Indiana is at versus where we need to be as a state in relation to the best in the country. Currently with Indiana Pride Wrestling Academy, I am internationally certified in Freestyle by FILA (UWW), was the 2014 USAW National Developmental Coach of the Year, 2011 ISWA Cadet & Junior Coach of the Year, and have a thirst for Indiana's rise to the top in this great sport. Open to current USAW Schoolboy, Cadets and Juniors. Come ready to get better tonight, Warren Central RTC @ 6!

Yes, sir, I completely understand about the bad taste from last year. It was unfortunate the situation got out of hand as much as it did. It was the first year the 2 requirement was implemented and was a tough transition for some, but believe it or not the decision was made in fact TO compromise. Right or wrong, at the last minute because of the amount of last minute complaints, difficulties, reasons, valid or invalid, issues, etc.resulting from the requirements, the ISWA gave the Clubs power to grant waivers at their discretion. If the ISWA were trying to prove some type of point, they wouldn't have granted anyone access. It's not like the ISWA held their hand and at the last minute hustled everyone, which I think some people choose to believe. The waiver decision was genuinely to help those struggling families that needed some assistance. Like if one's IPL was due for disconnection. Their car broke down, which cost them work, which put them behind, so they call in to ask IPL for an extension and it's granted because IPL knows not having power is not cool. Rather than just allowing anyone and everyone to get in to the tournament if they filled out the waiver form, some accountability was called for which is why the Clubs had the power. Our academy granted a waiver too, to a kid who had been injured all summer who just got cleared to wrestle the week before state. He hadn't trained much but still was hungry for the opportunity, we all discussed the implications, and between him, myself, and the parents agreed to let him to compete. Still, trust and believe there was a team of 6-7 very dedicated ladies volunteering and working diligently to verify the 2 requirements on-site. I had the opportunity to stand over their shoulders for a minute and looked at the process and I felt for them. But, the ISWA hierarchy, whether some believe it or not, are genuinely very, very good people who VOLUNTEER their lives, not just time, to help the state of Indiana wrestling. They aren't perfect and there is always things that can be done better, which is why they drive sometimes hours to meet once a month and discuss whats right, wrong, what needs to be fixed, etc, drive hours back, then turn around and drive hours to volunteer setting up, breaking down and running wrestling tournaments statewide, hearing the pros and cons of what they are doing, and still strive to push forward because of their love for the sport and our Indiana athletes. On a side note, I don't hide behind the 2 requirement being posted on the ISWA website the night before either, as not everyone goes to the site and I understand. I'm on the board and I barely go there for certain things, so I get the frustration. Again, because they strive to get better, there are some new things being rolled out here soon to enhance the ISWA's online presence and better communicate with the Indiana wrestling community. Now, as a coach, what I tell our kids is to look at the results. Freestyle and Greco make you a better wrestler so if there is an opportunity to wrestle in freestyle and greco, and there arent many - yet - then that is simply what we do. Those 3 quick matches are beneficial because it is more mat time and experience in those styles. Not everyone is fortunate to be that good in these styles, which is why they need these opportunities. If they aren't that good in these styles, which is the case for the majority, then the confidence that comes with being fortunate enough to quickly disperse of 3 opponents, good or bad, goes a long way. Winning is fun and having fun encourages more, and if the kid gets over-confident then that will also take care of itself when they get to the Cadet and Junior nationals. Because there aren't many yet, any and every opportunity must be taken advantage of. Personally, I MAKE our kids, ALLLLLLLLLLLLLLL of our kids, train and wrestle in the international styles - IF they truly want to be great. The kids that usually train with us are there because they do want to get better, meaning they are a little more dedicated than the average kid, so I may have an easier time influencing them than other programs. However, this doesnt mean that I don't have to sell it, push it, influence it, propose it, stress it, and enforce it, not just with the wrestler themselves but also with mom and dad. There is resistance and hesitancy, but again IF they truly want to get better and become good or great in this sport, they must cross this bridge and I let them know that right up front. Although our h.s. room is one of the toughest in the state, we opened our little kids program two years ago to start the development process earlier. The program is still in it's experimental stage but their progress, being sold the Olympic Dream (and I wasn't an Olympian either), has them having a lot of fun and getting better every day. Even our little kids are raising their expectations by buying in and they don't even truly know it yet. Lol. But it's already paying off big dividends for some and we haven't even scratched the surface. Again, it's in the experimental stage, but it's tough trying to teach most of Indiana's best h.s. kids basic freestyle and greco fundamentals a week before Fargo and expect them to perform at a high level. It's too late. These issues must be addressed at a younger age. The only way to address these issues it to train and compete in the style these issues are exposed in as much as possible. RTCs, which train in the international styles, are for Schoolboy and up, so that unfortunately leaves out opportunities for the little ones to train in the Olympic styles. This doesn't help them out any for this cause, and so it's easier to continue growing by wrestling in national folkstyle events. I get it. I don't necessarily like this set-up of RTCs only being open to Schoolboy and up, but those are my rules I have to follow. Still, it's ultimately up to the youth club or elementary school coach to introduce and sell it on their end. My hope is we start seeing more Beginner Freestyle and Greco tournaments for our kids, similar to Beginner Folkstyle events, to continue getting this ball rolling. I agree it hurts our improvement when/if some of our best Cadets don't wrestle the following year at state, much like when our best kids skip a local freestyle tournament for a national folkstyle tournament. However, the absence of these 12-15 placers may not simply be because they are boycotting it. I know for a fact that Prom has kept some of our best Juniors out. But yes, it does affect the smaller and larger picture, and yes we do in a sense have to continue rebuilding because each wave of kids all are missing basic fundamentals to win Fargo. Getting them more involved and experienced at a younger age is the solution. Much like trying to build a dynasty - the feeder system must be strengthened. To change Indiana's culture, there must be some tough decisions made. As the RTC Director, enforcing the international style was a tough (but kind of easy) call. Some coaches were elated, some were very hesitant, and a few couldn't commit to it because it didn't fit with their school program's agenda. I COMPLETELY understood why. But we had to make the move as a state, not for results today but for Indiana's success tomorrow, next year, in 5 years, 10 years. Coaches, parents, and athletes must make a tough decision to specialize in wrestling, or go to this tournament or that tournament, or focus in the international styles or not, or where to train, etc. Sometimes it's trial and error, but either way life keeps going and we all must continue to strive forward, right or wrong, hit or miss. This culture shift starts with each one of us, but yes it can be a tough decision and transition. These discussions help so, no, you are good. Thanks for the reply.

For those that care, Deondre is back home training hard for Juniors and University Nationals. He has a dozen or so offers from several interested schools and right now we are just focused on getting him better as he should be out of here before the summer. He was ranked first and he did have an incident a couple weeks before Regionals with an opposing wrestler, but he was awarded the win. He sat the next match due to internal discipline for that incident, and wrestled the last match of the season. However, unknowingly to NIC, the opposing school went back several days later and changed the results from him winning 10-3 to him being DQd - ultimately resulting in him and his coach missing the Regionals getting EXTRA screwed. They were basically looking to get him out of the mix because he was the clear cut favorite, he was an easy target and the opportunity presented itself. NIC protested to the national association, lost, and that was that. His freshman year he went in ranked 8th, smashed through his competition, beating almost a dozen tough D1 opponents along the way and worked his way up to ranking 3rd in NJCAA. However, he suffered a knee injury at Vegas early in the year during his win against Jade Rauser, continued to wrestle throughout the season on it, but eventually had to have surgery which ended his season before Regionals his freshman year. He was ranked 3rd when he ended that season. I'd like to believe he would have won that title as well but that's how it goes. Clearly I'm biased but his spirits are up, he's dialed in, and has even more to prove to himself and the world both on and off the mat. It was disappointing on several fronts but there is a lesson to be learned: just win the match and walk away, regardless of how much crap the fans, opponents or whoever throws at you. Strategies and tactics become very important when wrestling a dominant wrestler, and if there is a weakness, like a relatively short fuse, then it will be exploited. He's dealt with it plenty as many know, and I 've seen him pass 98% of the time. But that 1-2% will cost you so you have to keep things in perspective. Although it was the catalyst to the extra screwing he got, he understands it starts with him - unfortunately at the price of a potential national championship. One of the things that makes him so tough on the mat is his attitude of fighting for everything, and that is also one of his biggest weaknesses. Lol. He is a very passionate wrestler, wrestling with his heart more than his head sometimes. It isn't his fault it's in him really but that is the beauty of our sport: it teaches us so much about life, adversity, success and failure, how to keep striving to get better, etc. Wishing him and expecting the best.