Coach Hull

Subtle reference to Emilio Estevez story in Breakfast Club?

Or people get stuck to it and can't move on

No, but it sure can hide it....that is until the tape starts to peel, or it gets wet, or people start to pick at it, or it gets old, or pressure builds ... 

You can call it whatever you want but you will be qualified in one weekend and there is always great competition.

I'm not sure there is a better event over 4 days than the SB Duals.  If I were coaching and had an elite athlete, this is where he would be.

.
Hector Hector Hector, come on man.  Just do the two qualifiers and get his state title and on the Schoolboy dual team for the great comp.  You know as well as I do that was a tournament he needed to be at last year so lets make it happen this year buddy !!!!

I believe this is another example of being unable to mutter a response due to a total processing failure to understand how yourself or anyone else could put together such a statement.

seriously ?????
this thread is totally ridiculous.
 
I would say that I expect better from most of you but I have been reading posts from most of you for the past 3 or so years and have come to expect the stupidity that some of you have posted.....I know the lady very well that has put this magazine together for the past several years and she would NEVER (and I can't underline or bold that word enough) leave anyone out on purpose. 
 
Look back at the numerous threads on this forum about posting results in error and mistakes made on the rankings submitted..................hey guess what, sometimes people (really nice people working for free) make honest mistakes.  Get over it and move on.  You all have great kids and they have accomplished great things so just be proud of those and know that everyone else knows what they have accomplished no matter if it accidentally gets left out of the ISWA book. 
 
If you are looking for someone to pick on then move on to Joe for not coming down to #TheCounty to view the greatest dual with expert coaching moves that brought the score to favor the #Dogs........that's the real criminal in this whole thing !!!!

This may or may not be the official report but just some thoughts I took away from the event....
 
This was the first time we took two teams in I don't how many years.  Granted, it wasn't filled and our best weren't there, but being able to even ENTER two teams is a big step in the right direction for Indiana.  Georgia was our equivalent this year regarding teams and numbers.  I saw above about how we had a 7 man team, where 8 was the requirement, and that was a special privilege they gave to us because we had some guys get injured who couldn't compete before weigh-ins.  They also, similar to some other national duals this year, created a pool for some of the smaller teams to get additional matches so it worked out for everyone.  I had the choice to put everyone on one team, but then there would have been several weights with too many guys and kids would have walked away with only a couple of matches, so I just kept the second team.  On the other hand, If our best guys were there, or even more guys were there, or even the guys who committed that backed out (valid or invalid) were there, this would not have been an issue.  Still, taking two teams is a step in the right direction for Indiana for sure.
 
Ohio beats Illinois in the Freestyle Finals.  This was bittersweet to me personally.  Sweet because Ohio won and I believe our best top to bottom can roll with Ohio.  Bitter because here we are at the national dual tournament and our neighboring states were in the finals facing each other, and good ol' Indiana stuck right in the middle was not even close.  Major difference?  Loaded question, but the simple answer is the vast majority of their best kids came.  Ohio beat New Jersey, who were loaded themselves, in the semi-finals in a last match nail-biter and were able to get on an early roll over Illinois in the finals.  Illinois was missing a few studs and it showed, but still handled their business as usual.  Having these teams in the finals only emboldened our kids even more to come back and roll harder.  They took it a little personal....as they should.
 
Indiana Greco. The same thing holds true in Freestyle, but it is more prominent in Greco: forfeits kill us.  We aren't well versed in Greco as a state (problem) but with a full line-up we would have surely done better than 23rd.  Still, we had less forfeits than past years and our finish showed as we placed higher than in past years. I remember one year not too long ago we placed 32 out of 33 in Greco. Several guys stepped up to get into the greco line-up, some guys even bumping up, primarily for the 4 pound allowance and because we needed it.  The guys that didn't get in on the greco wish they would have because it looked fun, for the allowance, and because the alternates made it less of a grind. Yes, we were lacking fundamental Greco basics which needs to be addressed as a state, but simply filling a full greco team is first and foremost.  
 
Indiana Freestyle.  IF IF IF we had alllllllll (pause) alllllllllll of our best guys we genuinely would have had a shot to win it, or at least All-American, but we didn't so we had to play the hand we are dealt.  On a positive note, every kid who went wrestled their hardest and wrestled tough.  Every wrestler who went learned what they need to do to get better.  It is easy to keep doing the same thing when you're winning conference titles in Indiana, but when we get exposed against the best of the best in the country it definitely humbles the best of us.  Technically, we still can't stop a gut consistently, aren't on the level for consistent 4 point moves, or able to gut ourselves, we still mostly shoot with our head down and stop (folkstyle), along with several other issues Folkstyle does not penalize us for -  but being able to point out these habits to our kids will benefit them greatly as they make the adjustments and will be that much stronger for the H.S. season.
 
Alternates are necessary.  I know some folks, parents and kids questioned in the past why we would take alternates but again, if anyone saw every match, let alone be in the atmosphere, this tournament is a GRIND!!!  It's tough enough to go lose once or twice being suplexed on your head, but losing time and time again, and STILL having to go out there expected to perform at a maximum level is extremely challenging for most of our kids physically and mentally.  Alternates help us stay fresh, healthy and safe, which is necessary because of the truly high-quality competition and overall length of this tournament.  Again, going greco and freestyle for 4 days straight against this level is something the majority of Indiana kids aren't used to.
 
Coaching Staff.  Shout out to Coach Bradley (Marian University), Travis Pascoe (Indiana University), Ben Wissel (Duke University) and Coach Myers (Hamilton Heights) for investing in this team.  Having them on the staff helps the kids not only get more exposure to college coaches, but when they are all saying a lot of the same thing in regards to what we need to do to better perform against this level of competition, it rings a little bit louder in the kid's ears.  My goal is to keep this same group together at least for another year or two, and possibly bring in a few more elite level coaches to help fill the team, push the privilege, and sell the exposure of this event for our kids.  
 
On another note, I spoke with and interviewed Andrew Howe, who helped coach Illinois, along with several other coaches I know/saw from Michigan, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Purdue, Minnesota, etc. and about a dozen D2, D3, NAIA and Juco programs about their thoughts of Indiana.  BIG shout out to Coach Tom Erikson too who came to support.  This legend in USAW and Oklahoma for that matter, was the previous Team Leader before spearheading Lyon University, came and sat at almost every single dual to watch and support our kids.  I find this significant because he could have been wandering around recruiting like the other college coaches who weren't currently coaching a state team, but instead chose continue his support of Indiana - essentially in his home state! That's love...as well as the #22pushupchallenge he did with the team was pretty cool.  
 
Parents. Parents. Parents.  Awesome, without a doubt, and absolutely necessary.  The Brady's came out and even bought a cooler and stocked it with supplies, food, drinks, etc.  Coach Bane of Richmond came out and supported Alston and the rest of the team, which was great to have his presence and even demeanor out there.  Indiana native stud Alex Warren made the trip to support Christian and the team as well, which was cool as he wrestled at this event in the past.  Mama Mappes, bless her heart, was the sweetest thing and rooted on all the boys. The Barclay's were off in the cut too and having them there only helped further strengthen our presence. I realized that if we are gonna do this, better organization and preparation on my side is gonna be needed with the parents. I realized it too late but if a parent volunteered (work the camera or clock for the team) then they could get in free.  Their help was never needed so they got the chance to basically get in free.  But after tasting this parental support this year, it isn't going anywhere and is only going to amp up.
 
Great Team Experience. These dudes were fried.  From the knuckleheads to the silent assassins, it's always fun getting guys together from across the state, different regions, schools, personalities, etc. The interaction between successes is invaluable.  The more successful kids directly and indirectly raise the expectations of the newer kids who haven't necessarily had that success, and this just feeds the cycle of building the culture and ultimately Indiana's success and reputation.  The higher Indiana's success and reputation at this level, the more colleges will recruit Indiana kids. This trip with Indiana's "best" has just as much team camaraderie as any other trip and it is also a big component for Indiana's culture.  It was stated earlier about Indiana's best kids pulling the other best kids to help fill this team, and they are absolutely correct.  Only having a few seniors was tough but it allowed our Juniors and younger guys (many of which will be among Indiana's top guys next year) to bond, take this event personal, and amp up to spread the word and come back next year with a vengeance.
 
Venue. From my understanding, this tournament may be up for bid?  I heard something about a two year-cycle.  Wouldn't it be awesome if the USAW Junior National Dual Championships were held here in Indiana? I think about how much easier it would be to get Indiana's best from a quality, quantity and financial standpoint, give Indiana fans, coaches and wrestlers a chance to see this level up close and personal, more top flight coaches stepping on Indiana soil, etc.  There are a lot of possibilities.  On the other hand, the Schoolboys are here and I think we had forfeits on that team as well?  It would take a lot of work to pull this off and that is a major commitment for the ISWA, although it could be done.  Either way, the location could ultimately affect the cost of this trip for us and possibly who and how many we take. Oklahoma gets it mostly because they want it and prepared to do it, from multiple cities inside the state, but there are some other states who will end up bidding for it. I'll keep an eye on it.
 
Team Leader. I am personally looking to lock guys in by IHSAA state for the Gold Team, push more kids to train F/G and participate at Freestyle State for the Blue Team, utilizing more recruiting avenues, providing better training opportunities throughout the summer with the RTCs, getting team sponsors to make it cheaper for kids, working closer with coaches to fill the team, being a little stricter with the selection process, etc. are just a few of the things I will take a look at to have a better showing out here.  Although I don't think we could do it, but I wouldn't even be opposed to giving the guys who made this trip first right of refusal for next year's team just to insure this year becomes at least par. Either way, it should take a collective effort.  Trust, however, that in no way are we satisfied  with these results even remotely. The kids who went are not either.  We will make the proper adjustments and come back bigger and better next year. Given the opportunity, my ultimate goal is to help Indiana win the Team National Championship and/or all-American three years in a row.
 
Conclusion.   In Freestyle, Indiana Gold placed 22nd and Indiana Blue placed 38th out of 39 teams.   Indiana Greco placed 23rd out of 34 teams. We have several wrestlers who made the All-Dual Team and even more who beat some national ranked guys, multiple time state champions, etc. It was fun and every single person got better.  Still, we need to get all of our best guys.  We need to get more guys on the team.  It needs to be cheaper.  We need to be better prepared.  Those 4 areas ultimately requires a culture shift for the state as a whole, as an organization, as coaches, parents, individual wrestlers, and getting outside of one's comfort zone is never easy.  But, then again, nothing epic ever happens in the comfort zone.  Regardless, Indiana should be proud of these boys.

Additional Coverage by Flo...
 
Top 8 Teams  -  See what all the fuss is about.
Day 1 Junior Dual Upsets
Greatest Junior Dual Team of All Time
Top 10 Star-Studded Matches
Minnesota's Stacked Roster
Oklahoma Looking to 3 Peat
Multiple State Champs Lead Iowa
New Jersey Preview
California Brings the Heat 
 
If you take the time to visit these links you will see the sense of urgency to keep Indiana relevant, not just at this event but overall.
 
Again, Disney is not really the issue, especially this year because it at least was the week before Junior Duals for me although it did hinder the Cadets.  Juniors had kids who even went to Disney, got back on Sunday, and turned around and caught the Dual bus at 7 a.m. Monday morning.  It can be done. The issue is our investment in Folkstyle versus the lack of investment in Freestyle and Greco....during the Freestyle and Greco season...which is the summer....because that is what the best in the country focus on.  Indiana's same kid who went out to Disney this year went 10-3 but comes to Junior Duals and goes a tough/ugly 4-10.  Use your imagination on where this disparity comes from, but it is not because he didn't wrestle his hardest.
 
From my angle, this ties directly into the two tournament qualifier and forfeits as well.  Let's say there isn't a qualifier. Having kids train, wrestle and compete in Folkstyle all summer, both locally and nationally, only to show up to Freestyle & Greco state, wrestle it for the first time, even win, then go back to investing in Folkstyle for more camps and national tournaments, and then expect to go to Fargo and win......massively defeats the purpose.  The two qualifier rule isn't the problem.  That's not even enough tournaments to learn much anyway.  Neither is making an RTC once a week or crash course camps IF they even do that.  Would you have your kids train F/G throughout the high school season, let them compete in a few Scholastic tournaments on the weekends, and expect them to win IHSAA state?
 
The problem is we are investing in the wrong thing at the wrong time, which is also where the forfeits come from. There were probably 500 Indiana kids wrestling somewhere (Disney, Wabash, ISI, etc) but we have forfeits on 3 national teams at every level?  We do need kids to fill these spots, but capable kids are a little bit better.  It's the same problem I have with counting national Folkstyle tournaments as qualifiers: it's not Freestyle & Greco so it simply doesn't qualify, however big and/or grand it is.  I'm up to count going to X amount of RTCs as a qualifier, especially as that program continues to develop, but this doesn't fix the root problem.  I'm not saying these events are bad, I'm saying we don't invest in what the best in the country invest in and that's why we aren't one of the best right now.  Do we have the ability to be?  Sure, but numbers and results don't lie.
 
It's like we almost need to be flipped upside down as a state, where starting in March everyone in the state from kids to high schoolers should train Freestyle and Greco only, go to as many local individual and dual F/G tourneys as possible, go to F/G state, go to as many USAW Regionals as possible, and cap off the season in July with the Kids F/G Nationals in Wisconsin and Fargo.  Kids want to go to national Fokstyle tournaments throughout the summer?  Fine.  Have at it.  But Monday through Friday we are training F/G.  For real.  Of course this is just a daydream, but either way we all need to invest more in the Olympic styles, even to be a better Folkstyle State.  Staying on topic of the Duals, alllllllll of those college coaches were there primarily following and scouting the good teams.  It goes hand-in-hand.  I know Folkstyle isn't going anywhere, and I don't want it to, but most people forget it isn't going anywhere.  We hang onto it like we will forget how to wrestle all together if we stop training in it from March through July, and that is just not the case even for beginner wrestlers.  It again is a comfort thing and again it starts with the coaches.
 
Cost for this trip definitely is an issue that we are looking to firmly address.  There are a variety of ways to make it cheaper, and it can be done, so it's just a matter of figuring out how to do it within and possibly outside of the system that is in place.  I'm not a big dog and all of our trips need to be cheaper, but I definitely am focused on making this specific trip more affordable. $300 is my goal.  That's a big jump.  I feel though with less forfeits and higher numbers being budgeted, along with securing a few corporate sponsors for this trip, we may be able to get close but that's what I'm shooting for.

Sounds to me like Fargo?
 
http://matbossapp.hs-sites.com/blog/how-do-college-wrestling-coaches-view-fargo
 

The room was awesome this weekend, and Maurer and Coughlin were amazing, but we did learn a couple special things being around this group for 2 days:
 
1.  Nick Lee would be a much better Russian circus acrobat than Joe Lee
2.  Brayton Lee really doesn't stop smiling
3.  Chris Rumph's back handspring is just slightly better that Bam Lawrence's
4.  Welch and Welch are fast
5.  We learned what the MCWC truly stands for
6.  Doug Welch catches bigger fish than Remo and Eric, and Chad isn't even considered for voting
7.  Vega needs to stop wrestling right after shaving
8.  Guys from Chicago are insane scramblers
10. Noah Warren does talk less than Eiteljorge
 
 
There was probably more learned than this, but it's what stuck in our head the most!
 
In all honesty, it was a great room to watch.  Coach Maurer and Coach Coughlin were as good as we have been told and we can't wait until we can get them back in our room.

Additional Coverage by Flo...
 
Top 8 Teams  -  See what all the fuss is about.
Day 1 Junior Dual Upsets
Greatest Junior Dual Team of All Time
Top 10 Star-Studded Matches
Minnesota's Stacked Roster
Oklahoma Looking to 3 Peat
Multiple State Champs Lead Iowa
New Jersey Preview
California Brings the Heat 
 
If you take the time to visit these links you will see the sense of urgency to keep Indiana relevant, not just at this event but overall.
 
Again, Disney is not really the issue, especially this year because it at least was the week before Junior Duals for me although it did hinder the Cadets.  Juniors had kids who even went to Disney, got back on Sunday, and turned around and caught the Dual bus at 7 a.m. Monday morning.  It can be done. The issue is our investment in Folkstyle versus the lack of investment in Freestyle and Greco....during the Freestyle and Greco season...which is the summer....because that is what the best in the country focus on.  Indiana's same kid who went out to Disney this year went 10-3 but comes to Junior Duals and goes a tough/ugly 4-10.  Use your imagination on where this disparity comes from, but it is not because he didn't wrestle his hardest.
 
From my angle, this ties directly into the two tournament qualifier and forfeits as well.  Let's say there isn't a qualifier. Having kids train, wrestle and compete in Folkstyle all summer, both locally and nationally, only to show up to Freestyle & Greco state, wrestle it for the first time, even win, then go back to investing in Folkstyle for more camps and national tournaments, and then expect to go to Fargo and win......massively defeats the purpose.  The two qualifier rule isn't the problem.  That's not even enough tournaments to learn much anyway.  Neither is making an RTC once a week or crash course camps IF they even do that.  Would you have your kids train F/G throughout the high school season, let them compete in a few Scholastic tournaments on the weekends, and expect them to win IHSAA state?
 
The problem is we are investing in the wrong thing at the wrong time, which is also where the forfeits come from. There were probably 500 Indiana kids wrestling somewhere (Disney, Wabash, ISI, etc) but we have forfeits on 3 national teams at every level?  We do need kids to fill these spots, but capable kids are a little bit better.  It's the same problem I have with counting national Folkstyle tournaments as qualifiers: it's not Freestyle & Greco so it simply doesn't qualify, however big and/or grand it is.  I'm up to count going to X amount of RTCs as a qualifier, especially as that program continues to develop, but this doesn't fix the root problem.  I'm not saying these events are bad, I'm saying we don't invest in what the best in the country invest in and that's why we aren't one of the best right now.  Do we have the ability to be?  Sure, but numbers and results don't lie.
 
It's like we almost need to be flipped upside down as a state, where starting in March everyone in the state from kids to high schoolers should train Freestyle and Greco only, go to as many local individual and dual F/G tourneys as possible, go to F/G state, go to as many USAW Regionals as possible, and cap off the season in July with the Kids F/G Nationals in Wisconsin and Fargo.  Kids want to go to national Fokstyle tournaments throughout the summer?  Fine.  Have at it.  But Monday through Friday we are training F/G.  For real.  Of course this is just a daydream, but either way we all need to invest more in the Olympic styles, even to be a better Folkstyle State.  Staying on topic of the Duals, alllllllll of those college coaches were there primarily following and scouting the good teams.  It goes hand-in-hand.  I know Folkstyle isn't going anywhere, and I don't want it to, but most people forget it isn't going anywhere.  We hang onto it like we will forget how to wrestle all together if we stop training in it from March through July, and that is just not the case even for beginner wrestlers.  It again is a comfort thing and again it starts with the coaches.
 
Cost for this trip definitely is an issue that we are looking to firmly address.  There are a variety of ways to make it cheaper, and it can be done, so it's just a matter of figuring out how to do it within and possibly outside of the system that is in place.  I'm not a big dog and all of our trips need to be cheaper, but I definitely am focused on making this specific trip more affordable. $300 is my goal.  That's a big jump.  I feel though with less forfeits and higher numbers being budgeted, along with securing a few corporate sponsors for this trip, we may be able to get close but that's what I'm shooting for.

Coaches, I tip my cap to all of you who selflessly gave your time to this group and ultimately to our state.  The Junior Duals is like you said an absolute grind...especially if you wrestled both styles. As a parent/fan it was disheartening not to field a full team in either style, as there were many duals that could have gone the other way had we not forfeited multiple weights.  From talking to other parents that were there, competing on the national team from other states is an absolute honor, and monetarily speaking, their kids were "rewarded" with this trip to represent their respective states.  From the handful of parents that I spoke to, not one state had the price tag that we did for this experience, and some of the teams even flew their kids in for cheaper.  Obviously, as coaches, that is out of your control, but all things considered, lessening the cost would probably go a long way towards getting a better representation of Indiana on such a big stage.  It was an incredible gathering of accomplished, aspiring wrestlers, and coupled with the team aspect...it was exciting as hell.  I hope that moving forward, we can actually get our best kids to buy into this event.  On another note, it was pretty cool to see many young college coaches and top assistants actively coaching at this event...Howe, Morningstar, Simmons, Becker...in addition to our Indiana guys to name a few.
 
PS:  Coolers were allowed at this tournament, next year we need to plan accordingly.
 
Thanks again to the Indiana staff!  Major props for your commitment to OUR kids. 

This may or may not be the official report but just some thoughts I took away from the event....
 
This was the first time we took two teams in I don't how many years.  Granted, it wasn't filled and our best weren't there, but being able to even ENTER two teams is a big step in the right direction for Indiana.  Georgia was our equivalent this year regarding teams and numbers.  I saw above about how we had a 7 man team, where 8 was the requirement, and that was a special privilege they gave to us because we had some guys get injured who couldn't compete before weigh-ins.  They also, similar to some other national duals this year, created a pool for some of the smaller teams to get additional matches so it worked out for everyone.  I had the choice to put everyone on one team, but then there would have been several weights with too many guys and kids would have walked away with only a couple of matches, so I just kept the second team.  On the other hand, If our best guys were there, or even more guys were there, or even the guys who committed that backed out (valid or invalid) were there, this would not have been an issue.  Still, taking two teams is a step in the right direction for Indiana for sure.
 
Ohio beats Illinois in the Freestyle Finals.  This was bittersweet to me personally.  Sweet because Ohio won and I believe our best top to bottom can roll with Ohio.  Bitter because here we are at the national dual tournament and our neighboring states were in the finals facing each other, and good ol' Indiana stuck right in the middle was not even close.  Major difference?  Loaded question, but the simple answer is the vast majority of their best kids came.  Ohio beat New Jersey, who were loaded themselves, in the semi-finals in a last match nail-biter and were able to get on an early roll over Illinois in the finals.  Illinois was missing a few studs and it showed, but still handled their business as usual.  Having these teams in the finals only emboldened our kids even more to come back and roll harder.  They took it a little personal....as they should.
 
Indiana Greco. The same thing holds true in Freestyle, but it is more prominent in Greco: forfeits kill us.  We aren't well versed in Greco as a state (problem) but with a full line-up we would have surely done better than 23rd.  Still, we had less forfeits than past years and our finish showed as we placed higher than in past years. I remember one year not too long ago we placed 32 out of 33 in Greco. Several guys stepped up to get into the greco line-up, some guys even bumping up, primarily for the 4 pound allowance and because we needed it.  The guys that didn't get in on the greco wish they would have because it looked fun, for the allowance, and because the alternates made it less of a grind. Yes, we were lacking fundamental Greco basics which needs to be addressed as a state, but simply filling a full greco team is first and foremost.  
 
Indiana Freestyle.  IF IF IF we had alllllllll (pause) alllllllllll of our best guys we genuinely would have had a shot to win it, or at least All-American, but we didn't so we had to play the hand we are dealt.  On a positive note, every kid who went wrestled their hardest and wrestled tough.  Every wrestler who went learned what they need to do to get better.  It is easy to keep doing the same thing when you're winning conference titles in Indiana, but when we get exposed against the best of the best in the country it definitely humbles the best of us.  Technically, we still can't stop a gut consistently, aren't on the level for consistent 4 point moves, or able to gut ourselves, we still mostly shoot with our head down and stop (folkstyle), along with several other issues Folkstyle does not penalize us for -  but being able to point out these habits to our kids will benefit them greatly as they make the adjustments and will be that much stronger for the H.S. season.
 
Alternates are necessary.  I know some folks, parents and kids questioned in the past why we would take alternates but again, if anyone saw every match, let alone be in the atmosphere, this tournament is a GRIND!!!  It's tough enough to go lose once or twice being suplexed on your head, but losing time and time again, and STILL having to go out there expected to perform at a maximum level is extremely challenging for most of our kids physically and mentally.  Alternates help us stay fresh, healthy and safe, which is necessary because of the truly high-quality competition and overall length of this tournament.  Again, going greco and freestyle for 4 days straight against this level is something the majority of Indiana kids aren't used to.
 
Coaching Staff.  Shout out to Coach Bradley (Marian University), Travis Pascoe (Indiana University), Ben Wissel (Duke University) and Coach Myers (Hamilton Heights) for investing in this team.  Having them on the staff helps the kids not only get more exposure to college coaches, but when they are all saying a lot of the same thing in regards to what we need to do to better perform against this level of competition, it rings a little bit louder in the kid's ears.  My goal is to keep this same group together at least for another year or two, and possibly bring in a few more elite level coaches to help fill the team, push the privilege, and sell the exposure of this event for our kids.  
 
On another note, I spoke with and interviewed Andrew Howe, who helped coach Illinois, along with several other coaches I know/saw from Michigan, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Purdue, Minnesota, etc. and about a dozen D2, D3, NAIA and Juco programs about their thoughts of Indiana.  BIG shout out to Coach Tom Erikson too who came to support.  This legend in USAW and Oklahoma for that matter, was the previous Team Leader before spearheading Lyon University, came and sat at almost every single dual to watch and support our kids.  I find this significant because he could have been wandering around recruiting like the other college coaches who weren't currently coaching a state team, but instead chose continue his support of Indiana - essentially in his home state! That's love...as well as the #22pushupchallenge he did with the team was pretty cool.  
 
Parents. Parents. Parents.  Awesome, without a doubt, and absolutely necessary.  The Brady's came out and even bought a cooler and stocked it with supplies, food, drinks, etc.  Coach Bane of Richmond came out and supported Alston and the rest of the team, which was great to have his presence and even demeanor out there.  Indiana native stud Alex Warren made the trip to support Christian and the team as well, which was cool as he wrestled at this event in the past.  Mama Mappes, bless her heart, was the sweetest thing and rooted on all the boys. The Barclay's were off in the cut too and having them there only helped further strengthen our presence. I realized that if we are gonna do this, better organization and preparation on my side is gonna be needed with the parents. I realized it too late but if a parent volunteered (work the camera or clock for the team) then they could get in free.  Their help was never needed so they got the chance to basically get in free.  But after tasting this parental support this year, it isn't going anywhere and is only going to amp up.
 
Great Team Experience. These dudes were fried.  From the knuckleheads to the silent assassins, it's always fun getting guys together from across the state, different regions, schools, personalities, etc. The interaction between successes is invaluable.  The more successful kids directly and indirectly raise the expectations of the newer kids who haven't necessarily had that success, and this just feeds the cycle of building the culture and ultimately Indiana's success and reputation.  The higher Indiana's success and reputation at this level, the more colleges will recruit Indiana kids. This trip with Indiana's "best" has just as much team camaraderie as any other trip and it is also a big component for Indiana's culture.  It was stated earlier about Indiana's best kids pulling the other best kids to help fill this team, and they are absolutely correct.  Only having a few seniors was tough but it allowed our Juniors and younger guys (many of which will be among Indiana's top guys next year) to bond, take this event personal, and amp up to spread the word and come back next year with a vengeance.
 
Venue. From my understanding, this tournament may be up for bid?  I heard something about a two year-cycle.  Wouldn't it be awesome if the USAW Junior National Dual Championships were held here in Indiana? I think about how much easier it would be to get Indiana's best from a quality, quantity and financial standpoint, give Indiana fans, coaches and wrestlers a chance to see this level up close and personal, more top flight coaches stepping on Indiana soil, etc.  There are a lot of possibilities.  On the other hand, the Schoolboys are here and I think we had forfeits on that team as well?  It would take a lot of work to pull this off and that is a major commitment for the ISWA, although it could be done.  Either way, the location could ultimately affect the cost of this trip for us and possibly who and how many we take. Oklahoma gets it mostly because they want it and prepared to do it, from multiple cities inside the state, but there are some other states who will end up bidding for it. I'll keep an eye on it.
 
Team Leader. I am personally looking to lock guys in by IHSAA state for the Gold Team, push more kids to train F/G and participate at Freestyle State for the Blue Team, utilizing more recruiting avenues, providing better training opportunities throughout the summer with the RTCs, getting team sponsors to make it cheaper for kids, working closer with coaches to fill the team, being a little stricter with the selection process, etc. are just a few of the things I will take a look at to have a better showing out here.  Although I don't think we could do it, but I wouldn't even be opposed to giving the guys who made this trip first right of refusal for next year's team just to insure this year becomes at least par. Either way, it should take a collective effort.  Trust, however, that in no way are we satisfied  with these results even remotely. The kids who went are not either.  We will make the proper adjustments and come back bigger and better next year. Given the opportunity, my ultimate goal is to help Indiana win the Team National Championship and/or all-American three years in a row.
 
Conclusion.   In Freestyle, Indiana Gold placed 22nd and Indiana Blue placed 38th out of 39 teams.   Indiana Greco placed 23rd out of 34 teams. We have several wrestlers who made the All-Dual Team and even more who beat some national ranked guys, multiple time state champions, etc. It was fun and every single person got better.  Still, we need to get all of our best guys.  We need to get more guys on the team.  It needs to be cheaper.  We need to be better prepared.  Those 4 areas ultimately requires a culture shift for the state as a whole, as an organization, as coaches, parents, individual wrestlers, and getting outside of one's comfort zone is never easy.  But, then again, nothing epic ever happens in the comfort zone.  Regardless, Indiana should be proud of these boys.

This may or may not be the official report but just some thoughts I took away from the event....
 
This was the first time we took two teams in I don't how many years.  Granted, it wasn't filled and our best weren't there, but being able to even ENTER two teams is a big step in the right direction for Indiana.  Georgia was our equivalent this year regarding teams and numbers.  I saw above about how we had a 7 man team, where 8 was the requirement, and that was a special privilege they gave to us because we had some guys get injured who couldn't compete before weigh-ins.  They also, similar to some other national duals this year, created a pool for some of the smaller teams to get additional matches so it worked out for everyone.  I had the choice to put everyone on one team, but then there would have been several weights with too many guys and kids would have walked away with only a couple of matches, so I just kept the second team.  On the other hand, If our best guys were there, or even more guys were there, or even the guys who committed that backed out (valid or invalid) were there, this would not have been an issue.  Still, taking two teams is a step in the right direction for Indiana for sure.
 
Ohio beats Illinois in the Freestyle Finals.  This was bittersweet to me personally.  Sweet because Ohio won and I believe our best top to bottom can roll with Ohio.  Bitter because here we are at the national dual tournament and our neighboring states were in the finals facing each other, and good ol' Indiana stuck right in the middle was not even close.  Major difference?  Loaded question, but the simple answer is the vast majority of their best kids came.  Ohio beat New Jersey, who were loaded themselves, in the semi-finals in a last match nail-biter and were able to get on an early roll over Illinois in the finals.  Illinois was missing a few studs and it showed, but still handled their business as usual.  Having these teams in the finals only emboldened our kids even more to come back and roll harder.  They took it a little personal....as they should.
 
Indiana Greco. The same thing holds true in Freestyle, but it is more prominent in Greco: forfeits kill us.  We aren't well versed in Greco as a state (problem) but with a full line-up we would have surely done better than 23rd.  Still, we had less forfeits than past years and our finish showed as we placed higher than in past years. I remember one year not too long ago we placed 32 out of 33 in Greco. Several guys stepped up to get into the greco line-up, some guys even bumping up, primarily for the 4 pound allowance and because we needed it.  The guys that didn't get in on the greco wish they would have because it looked fun, for the allowance, and because the alternates made it less of a grind. Yes, we were lacking fundamental Greco basics which needs to be addressed as a state, but simply filling a full greco team is first and foremost.  
 
Indiana Freestyle.  IF IF IF we had alllllllll (pause) alllllllllll of our best guys we genuinely would have had a shot to win it, or at least All-American, but we didn't so we had to play the hand we are dealt.  On a positive note, every kid who went wrestled their hardest and wrestled tough.  Every wrestler who went learned what they need to do to get better.  It is easy to keep doing the same thing when you're winning conference titles in Indiana, but when we get exposed against the best of the best in the country it definitely humbles the best of us.  Technically, we still can't stop a gut consistently, aren't on the level for consistent 4 point moves, or able to gut ourselves, we still mostly shoot with our head down and stop (folkstyle), along with several other issues Folkstyle does not penalize us for -  but being able to point out these habits to our kids will benefit them greatly as they make the adjustments and will be that much stronger for the H.S. season.
 
Alternates are necessary.  I know some folks, parents and kids questioned in the past why we would take alternates but again, if anyone saw every match, let alone be in the atmosphere, this tournament is a GRIND!!!  It's tough enough to go lose once or twice being suplexed on your head, but losing time and time again, and STILL having to go out there expected to perform at a maximum level is extremely challenging for most of our kids physically and mentally.  Alternates help us stay fresh, healthy and safe, which is necessary because of the truly high-quality competition and overall length of this tournament.  Again, going greco and freestyle for 4 days straight against this level is something the majority of Indiana kids aren't used to.
 
Coaching Staff.  Shout out to Coach Bradley (Marian University), Travis Pascoe (Indiana University), Ben Wissel (Duke University) and Coach Myers (Hamilton Heights) for investing in this team.  Having them on the staff helps the kids not only get more exposure to college coaches, but when they are all saying a lot of the same thing in regards to what we need to do to better perform against this level of competition, it rings a little bit louder in the kid's ears.  My goal is to keep this same group together at least for another year or two, and possibly bring in a few more elite level coaches to help fill the team, push the privilege, and sell the exposure of this event for our kids.  
 
On another note, I spoke with and interviewed Andrew Howe, who helped coach Illinois, along with several other coaches I know/saw from Michigan, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Purdue, Minnesota, etc. and about a dozen D2, D3, NAIA and Juco programs about their thoughts of Indiana.  BIG shout out to Coach Tom Erikson too who came to support.  This legend in USAW and Oklahoma for that matter, was the previous Team Leader before spearheading Lyon University, came and sat at almost every single dual to watch and support our kids.  I find this significant because he could have been wandering around recruiting like the other college coaches who weren't currently coaching a state team, but instead chose continue his support of Indiana - essentially in his home state! That's love...as well as the #22pushupchallenge he did with the team was pretty cool.  
 
Parents. Parents. Parents.  Awesome, without a doubt, and absolutely necessary.  The Brady's came out and even bought a cooler and stocked it with supplies, food, drinks, etc.  Coach Bane of Richmond came out and supported Alston and the rest of the team, which was great to have his presence and even demeanor out there.  Indiana native stud Alex Warren made the trip to support Christian and the team as well, which was cool as he wrestled at this event in the past.  Mama Mappes, bless her heart, was the sweetest thing and rooted on all the boys. The Barclay's were off in the cut too and having them there only helped further strengthen our presence. I realized that if we are gonna do this, better organization and preparation on my side is gonna be needed with the parents. I realized it too late but if a parent volunteered (work the camera or clock for the team) then they could get in free.  Their help was never needed so they got the chance to basically get in free.  But after tasting this parental support this year, it isn't going anywhere and is only going to amp up.
 
Great Team Experience. These dudes were fried.  From the knuckleheads to the silent assassins, it's always fun getting guys together from across the state, different regions, schools, personalities, etc. The interaction between successes is invaluable.  The more successful kids directly and indirectly raise the expectations of the newer kids who haven't necessarily had that success, and this just feeds the cycle of building the culture and ultimately Indiana's success and reputation.  The higher Indiana's success and reputation at this level, the more colleges will recruit Indiana kids. This trip with Indiana's "best" has just as much team camaraderie as any other trip and it is also a big component for Indiana's culture.  It was stated earlier about Indiana's best kids pulling the other best kids to help fill this team, and they are absolutely correct.  Only having a few seniors was tough but it allowed our Juniors and younger guys (many of which will be among Indiana's top guys next year) to bond, take this event personal, and amp up to spread the word and come back next year with a vengeance.
 
Venue. From my understanding, this tournament may be up for bid?  I heard something about a two year-cycle.  Wouldn't it be awesome if the USAW Junior National Dual Championships were held here in Indiana? I think about how much easier it would be to get Indiana's best from a quality, quantity and financial standpoint, give Indiana fans, coaches and wrestlers a chance to see this level up close and personal, more top flight coaches stepping on Indiana soil, etc.  There are a lot of possibilities.  On the other hand, the Schoolboys are here and I think we had forfeits on that team as well?  It would take a lot of work to pull this off and that is a major commitment for the ISWA, although it could be done.  Either way, the location could ultimately affect the cost of this trip for us and possibly who and how many we take. Oklahoma gets it mostly because they want it and prepared to do it, from multiple cities inside the state, but there are some other states who will end up bidding for it. I'll keep an eye on it.
 
Team Leader. I am personally looking to lock guys in by IHSAA state for the Gold Team, push more kids to train F/G and participate at Freestyle State for the Blue Team, utilizing more recruiting avenues, providing better training opportunities throughout the summer with the RTCs, getting team sponsors to make it cheaper for kids, working closer with coaches to fill the team, being a little stricter with the selection process, etc. are just a few of the things I will take a look at to have a better showing out here.  Although I don't think we could do it, but I wouldn't even be opposed to giving the guys who made this trip first right of refusal for next year's team just to insure this year becomes at least par. Either way, it should take a collective effort.  Trust, however, that in no way are we satisfied  with these results even remotely. The kids who went are not either.  We will make the proper adjustments and come back bigger and better next year. Given the opportunity, my ultimate goal is to help Indiana win the Team National Championship and/or all-American three years in a row.
 
Conclusion.   In Freestyle, Indiana Gold placed 22nd and Indiana Blue placed 38th out of 39 teams.   Indiana Greco placed 23rd out of 34 teams. We have several wrestlers who made the All-Dual Team and even more who beat some national ranked guys, multiple time state champions, etc. It was fun and every single person got better.  Still, we need to get all of our best guys.  We need to get more guys on the team.  It needs to be cheaper.  We need to be better prepared.  Those 4 areas ultimately requires a culture shift for the state as a whole, as an organization, as coaches, parents, individual wrestlers, and getting outside of one's comfort zone is never easy.  But, then again, nothing epic ever happens in the comfort zone.  Regardless, Indiana should be proud of these boys.

This may or may not be the official report but just some thoughts I took away from the event....
 
This was the first time we took two teams in I don't how many years.  Granted, it wasn't filled and our best weren't there, but being able to even ENTER two teams is a big step in the right direction for Indiana.  Georgia was our equivalent this year regarding teams and numbers.  I saw above about how we had a 7 man team, where 8 was the requirement, and that was a special privilege they gave to us because we had some guys get injured who couldn't compete before weigh-ins.  They also, similar to some other national duals this year, created a pool for some of the smaller teams to get additional matches so it worked out for everyone.  I had the choice to put everyone on one team, but then there would have been several weights with too many guys and kids would have walked away with only a couple of matches, so I just kept the second team.  On the other hand, If our best guys were there, or even more guys were there, or even the guys who committed that backed out (valid or invalid) were there, this would not have been an issue.  Still, taking two teams is a step in the right direction for Indiana for sure.
 
Ohio beats Illinois in the Freestyle Finals.  This was bittersweet to me personally.  Sweet because Ohio won and I believe our best top to bottom can roll with Ohio.  Bitter because here we are at the national dual tournament and our neighboring states were in the finals facing each other, and good ol' Indiana stuck right in the middle was not even close.  Major difference?  Loaded question, but the simple answer is the vast majority of their best kids came.  Ohio beat New Jersey, who were loaded themselves, in the semi-finals in a last match nail-biter and were able to get on an early roll over Illinois in the finals.  Illinois was missing a few studs and it showed, but still handled their business as usual.  Having these teams in the finals only emboldened our kids even more to come back and roll harder.  They took it a little personal....as they should.
 
Indiana Greco. The same thing holds true in Freestyle, but it is more prominent in Greco: forfeits kill us.  We aren't well versed in Greco as a state (problem) but with a full line-up we would have surely done better than 23rd.  Still, we had less forfeits than past years and our finish showed as we placed higher than in past years. I remember one year not too long ago we placed 32 out of 33 in Greco. Several guys stepped up to get into the greco line-up, some guys even bumping up, primarily for the 4 pound allowance and because we needed it.  The guys that didn't get in on the greco wish they would have because it looked fun, for the allowance, and because the alternates made it less of a grind. Yes, we were lacking fundamental Greco basics which needs to be addressed as a state, but simply filling a full greco team is first and foremost.  
 
Indiana Freestyle.  IF IF IF we had alllllllll (pause) alllllllllll of our best guys we genuinely would have had a shot to win it, or at least All-American, but we didn't so we had to play the hand we are dealt.  On a positive note, every kid who went wrestled their hardest and wrestled tough.  Every wrestler who went learned what they need to do to get better.  It is easy to keep doing the same thing when you're winning conference titles in Indiana, but when we get exposed against the best of the best in the country it definitely humbles the best of us.  Technically, we still can't stop a gut consistently, aren't on the level for consistent 4 point moves, or able to gut ourselves, we still mostly shoot with our head down and stop (folkstyle), along with several other issues Folkstyle does not penalize us for -  but being able to point out these habits to our kids will benefit them greatly as they make the adjustments and will be that much stronger for the H.S. season.
 
Alternates are necessary.  I know some folks, parents and kids questioned in the past why we would take alternates but again, if anyone saw every match, let alone be in the atmosphere, this tournament is a GRIND!!!  It's tough enough to go lose once or twice being suplexed on your head, but losing time and time again, and STILL having to go out there expected to perform at a maximum level is extremely challenging for most of our kids physically and mentally.  Alternates help us stay fresh, healthy and safe, which is necessary because of the truly high-quality competition and overall length of this tournament.  Again, going greco and freestyle for 4 days straight against this level is something the majority of Indiana kids aren't used to.
 
Coaching Staff.  Shout out to Coach Bradley (Marian University), Travis Pascoe (Indiana University), Ben Wissel (Duke University) and Coach Myers (Hamilton Heights) for investing in this team.  Having them on the staff helps the kids not only get more exposure to college coaches, but when they are all saying a lot of the same thing in regards to what we need to do to better perform against this level of competition, it rings a little bit louder in the kid's ears.  My goal is to keep this same group together at least for another year or two, and possibly bring in a few more elite level coaches to help fill the team, push the privilege, and sell the exposure of this event for our kids.  
 
On another note, I spoke with and interviewed Andrew Howe, who helped coach Illinois, along with several other coaches I know/saw from Michigan, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Purdue, Minnesota, etc. and about a dozen D2, D3, NAIA and Juco programs about their thoughts of Indiana.  BIG shout out to Coach Tom Erikson too who came to support.  This legend in USAW and Oklahoma for that matter, was the previous Team Leader before spearheading Lyon University, came and sat at almost every single dual to watch and support our kids.  I find this significant because he could have been wandering around recruiting like the other college coaches who weren't currently coaching a state team, but instead chose continue his support of Indiana - essentially in his home state! That's love...as well as the #22pushupchallenge he did with the team was pretty cool.  
 
Parents. Parents. Parents.  Awesome, without a doubt, and absolutely necessary.  The Brady's came out and even bought a cooler and stocked it with supplies, food, drinks, etc.  Coach Bane of Richmond came out and supported Alston and the rest of the team, which was great to have his presence and even demeanor out there.  Indiana native stud Alex Warren made the trip to support Christian and the team as well, which was cool as he wrestled at this event in the past.  Mama Mappes, bless her heart, was the sweetest thing and rooted on all the boys. The Barclay's were off in the cut too and having them there only helped further strengthen our presence. I realized that if we are gonna do this, better organization and preparation on my side is gonna be needed with the parents. I realized it too late but if a parent volunteered (work the camera or clock for the team) then they could get in free.  Their help was never needed so they got the chance to basically get in free.  But after tasting this parental support this year, it isn't going anywhere and is only going to amp up.
 
Great Team Experience. These dudes were fried.  From the knuckleheads to the silent assassins, it's always fun getting guys together from across the state, different regions, schools, personalities, etc. The interaction between successes is invaluable.  The more successful kids directly and indirectly raise the expectations of the newer kids who haven't necessarily had that success, and this just feeds the cycle of building the culture and ultimately Indiana's success and reputation.  The higher Indiana's success and reputation at this level, the more colleges will recruit Indiana kids. This trip with Indiana's "best" has just as much team camaraderie as any other trip and it is also a big component for Indiana's culture.  It was stated earlier about Indiana's best kids pulling the other best kids to help fill this team, and they are absolutely correct.  Only having a few seniors was tough but it allowed our Juniors and younger guys (many of which will be among Indiana's top guys next year) to bond, take this event personal, and amp up to spread the word and come back next year with a vengeance.
 
Venue. From my understanding, this tournament may be up for bid?  I heard something about a two year-cycle.  Wouldn't it be awesome if the USAW Junior National Dual Championships were held here in Indiana? I think about how much easier it would be to get Indiana's best from a quality, quantity and financial standpoint, give Indiana fans, coaches and wrestlers a chance to see this level up close and personal, more top flight coaches stepping on Indiana soil, etc.  There are a lot of possibilities.  On the other hand, the Schoolboys are here and I think we had forfeits on that team as well?  It would take a lot of work to pull this off and that is a major commitment for the ISWA, although it could be done.  Either way, the location could ultimately affect the cost of this trip for us and possibly who and how many we take. Oklahoma gets it mostly because they want it and prepared to do it, from multiple cities inside the state, but there are some other states who will end up bidding for it. I'll keep an eye on it.
 
Team Leader. I am personally looking to lock guys in by IHSAA state for the Gold Team, push more kids to train F/G and participate at Freestyle State for the Blue Team, utilizing more recruiting avenues, providing better training opportunities throughout the summer with the RTCs, getting team sponsors to make it cheaper for kids, working closer with coaches to fill the team, being a little stricter with the selection process, etc. are just a few of the things I will take a look at to have a better showing out here.  Although I don't think we could do it, but I wouldn't even be opposed to giving the guys who made this trip first right of refusal for next year's team just to insure this year becomes at least par. Either way, it should take a collective effort.  Trust, however, that in no way are we satisfied  with these results even remotely. The kids who went are not either.  We will make the proper adjustments and come back bigger and better next year. Given the opportunity, my ultimate goal is to help Indiana win the Team National Championship and/or all-American three years in a row.
 
Conclusion.   In Freestyle, Indiana Gold placed 22nd and Indiana Blue placed 38th out of 39 teams.   Indiana Greco placed 23rd out of 34 teams. We have several wrestlers who made the All-Dual Team and even more who beat some national ranked guys, multiple time state champions, etc. It was fun and every single person got better.  Still, we need to get all of our best guys.  We need to get more guys on the team.  It needs to be cheaper.  We need to be better prepared.  Those 4 areas ultimately requires a culture shift for the state as a whole, as an organization, as coaches, parents, individual wrestlers, and getting outside of one's comfort zone is never easy.  But, then again, nothing epic ever happens in the comfort zone.  Regardless, Indiana should be proud of these boys.

Great job Indiana wrestlers for going out and representing!   
 
Definitely a TEAM oriented event...and although it's business it does involve some vacation.  Nothing wrong with that and no fault of anyone's.  Again, I do not doubt it is some tough competition at Disney, kids get better, the team bonds, and there is some fun in the sun involved.  That is what the trip is for.  I wanted to know of the nationally ranked kids who were out there and the college coaches in attendance.  That was all.  No offense should be taken but I understand any resentment.  I don't have time to research the numbers and I assumed as much zeal and awesomeness this event brings that someone could spit some info out.  I guess it's because Hull asked and that's fine.
 
But since we are going here.....
 
As a coach, you can't take your high school team to the Cadet or Junior Duals.  If you could, I'm CERTAIN most Indiana teams at Disney would be competing in PA or OK.  I know Coach Harper would LOVE to take Penn, Coach Schoettle and Coach Tonte would as well.  I saw Coach Blevins had several of his kids at UWW Cadets (which was awesome by the way) so Avon is on its way. A coach's dedication is to their high school programs.  The job is to get their team and kids better, both on and off the mat, and win (sometimes not in that order).  Some coaches have more success than others although there is a lot that plays into that: qualification, vision, dedication, support, school culture, size, parental involvement, resources, timing, etc.  But one of the KEY ingredients in going after a team state championship is team camaraderie. Sure, wrestling is an individual sport, but having a tight team bond can move mountains.  Winning is a spirit and the passion and excitement created from the bench is necessary to win. It truly is something special. Disney is a PRIME opportunity and event to build that camaraderie and is a life changing experience for many.
 
I get it.
 
My issue:
 
Indiana can go down in flames but for most coaches as long as we win conference it's all good (sarcasm). 
 
Indiana isn't our problem.  It's not our obligation.  At Disney if our All-Star wrestler, most times the team leader, isn't there with us then we clearly won't do as well and can ultimately affect the team bond when season starts.  I get that too.  I propose coaches look at it differently. (I know I'm nobody) On the other hand, what if that team leader of yours got an opportunity to represent Indiana at the USAW national All-Star meet?  With an OPPORTUNITY to not only get higher quality matches, not only get a chance to become nationally ranked or move up those rankings, not only get seen by more college coaches, not only get seen by more elite college programs, not only bring more notoriety to your school (especially when you start shelling them out), not only gets better than better individually, not only comes back with more confidence because of it, not only are their expectations raised and vision emboldened, which not only spreads throughout the team, which not only raises their expectations and hopes as well - but he gets a chance to help Indiana @@#$#%^(& win!  
 
Our expectations are just too low, as wrestlers and coaches.  If you truly want to be the best, being the best in the state shouldn't be good enough. You're selling yourself short. Aim for the stars and at least you'll hit the clouds.  Where are the stars in our sport? Fortunately we get a chance to catch a glimpse of them this year. They normally come around every 4 years and this year they're in August.  Imagine for a split second if everyone in your room were programmed/training/wanting/dedicated to win the Olympics.  Olympics too scary? Okay, how about national champion?  That's better. What type of athlete and mindset does that take?  What steps does that take or path does that follow? I haven't done it but I can study those individuals and programs who have done it before. IF you had a room full of kids bought into a national title, you think winning state will be an issue? No, it's how many state titles can/do/will you win.  However, most Indiana coaches are only focused (or capped) on the state, and that's why we get state placers and semi-state qualifiers (hopefully).  No different when competing.  If my hope is to make it to state, chances are I end up a semi-state qualifier.  If I am focused on winning it on the other hand, then chances are I will at least place and probably high.  Aim for the stars and at least you'll hit the clouds.
 
Ok, so you opt in. How do you do it?  Right now, send your kids to Fargo if you can. Going to Grand River instead, or somewhere else? Good job, keep wrestling because Freestyle and Greco season are over anyway. Summer workouts, strength and conditioning? Awesome.  Now throw an Olympic wrestling party the night Burroughs is going for the gold. Start pushing your kids now. Plant and water those seeds to watch the Olympic wrestling event in August. Print out a schedule when you find it of what days and times it's on TV.  Pass it out to your kids, put it on your Facebook page, tweet it, whatever.  Just push watching it.  That's the first step and it's perfect timing, Rio.  Now go about your business, train for the Indianamat Hoosier Pre-Season Open (plug for you Y2), but as the season approaches start collecting and hanging posters and information of World and Olympic Champions, USAW posters, etc. to get your room ready.  Every wrestling room in Indiana should have an Olympic flag hanging up and you won't even have to say another word about it if you don't want.  Your kids will take note, and so will you.  
 
Now, and here is the tricky part, once ISWA Folkstyle State is over, start training Freestyle and Greco.  Go to the RTC's if you aren't comfortable or know how to teach it.  Push your kids to go.  Partner with a coach who has one and push your kids, take your kids, there and everyone learn together.  To you guys going out to Iowa and Flo, at least start mixing it into your practice schedule.  Believe it or not but if you stick with the program it ultimately doesn't affect each style because it forces you to be smarter.  But push these styles, even if you're lying to them and/or yourself about the benefits of F/G participation and training.  Yes, participate in as much F/G as possible, even if the local competition is shoddy for the time being, because believe me it gets better.  Take advantage of it and build your confidence.  The local tournaments are home work,  Central and Southeast Regionals are your pop quizzes, Schoolboy, Cadet and Junior Duals are your tests, and UWW Cadets/Juniors and Fargo are your final exams.  
 
This is where we need to be pushing our kids to not only experience but sell them the dream of winning these tournaments.  Folkstyle tournaments are practically year-round now, so if and when any and all F/G opportunities come up, we have to take advantage of them.  It's going to take some work, most if not all coaches are going to have to get out of our comfort zone, but that's the point: getting better.  Like I said, even if you can't teach it or have the time for it, hang those posters and Olympic flag in your room and you will at least have done your part.  If you want to buy in, push the Olympics.  If you want to get serious then make it a game.  Quiz kids on who did what to who, from where, with what move, what habits did you see, how did USA look, how did the other countries look, what are some differences, etc. If you end up being sold, start implementing as much as you can after ISWA Folkstyle State.
 
Either way, I am minutes away from leaving to take our Junior National Dual Team to Oklahoma.  It will be a great experience for these guys.  Indiana is not as strong as we could/should be, we lost some commits to whatever, many kids aren't interested or have other obligations, but I can promise our team will go out there and take advantage of this opportunity.  We have a great staff of coaches so I don't do much coaching on the mat, and actually prefer coaching the bench, but I guarantee Indiana as a team and as individuals will come back better....just like the teams in Disney.  I hope everyone follows our/YOUR results and see where we are at as a state versus where we could be.  This post just a cat call to us as coaches.  Raise your expectations.  Indiana needs it.  You need it.  Your kids need it. We need it.  #getbetter

Great job Indiana wrestlers for going out and representing!   
 
Definitely a TEAM oriented event...and although it's business it does involve some vacation.  Nothing wrong with that and no fault of anyone's.  Again, I do not doubt it is some tough competition at Disney, kids get better, the team bonds, and there is some fun in the sun involved.  That is what the trip is for.  I wanted to know of the nationally ranked kids who were out there and the college coaches in attendance.  That was all.  No offense should be taken but I understand any resentment.  I don't have time to research the numbers and I assumed as much zeal and awesomeness this event brings that someone could spit some info out.  I guess it's because Hull asked and that's fine.
 
But since we are going here.....
 
As a coach, you can't take your high school team to the Cadet or Junior Duals.  If you could, I'm CERTAIN most Indiana teams at Disney would be competing in PA or OK.  I know Coach Harper would LOVE to take Penn, Coach Schoettle and Coach Tonte would as well.  I saw Coach Blevins had several of his kids at UWW Cadets (which was awesome by the way) so Avon is on its way. A coach's dedication is to their high school programs.  The job is to get their team and kids better, both on and off the mat, and win (sometimes not in that order).  Some coaches have more success than others although there is a lot that plays into that: qualification, vision, dedication, support, school culture, size, parental involvement, resources, timing, etc.  But one of the KEY ingredients in going after a team state championship is team camaraderie. Sure, wrestling is an individual sport, but having a tight team bond can move mountains.  Winning is a spirit and the passion and excitement created from the bench is necessary to win. It truly is something special. Disney is a PRIME opportunity and event to build that camaraderie and is a life changing experience for many.
 
I get it.
 
My issue:
 
Indiana can go down in flames but for most coaches as long as we win conference it's all good (sarcasm). 
 
Indiana isn't our problem.  It's not our obligation.  At Disney if our All-Star wrestler, most times the team leader, isn't there with us then we clearly won't do as well and can ultimately affect the team bond when season starts.  I get that too.  I propose coaches look at it differently. (I know I'm nobody) On the other hand, what if that team leader of yours got an opportunity to represent Indiana at the USAW national All-Star meet?  With an OPPORTUNITY to not only get higher quality matches, not only get a chance to become nationally ranked or move up those rankings, not only get seen by more college coaches, not only get seen by more elite college programs, not only bring more notoriety to your school (especially when you start shelling them out), not only gets better than better individually, not only comes back with more confidence because of it, not only are their expectations raised and vision emboldened, which not only spreads throughout the team, which not only raises their expectations and hopes as well - but he gets a chance to help Indiana @@#$#%^(& win!  
 
Our expectations are just too low, as wrestlers and coaches.  If you truly want to be the best, being the best in the state shouldn't be good enough. You're selling yourself short. Aim for the stars and at least you'll hit the clouds.  Where are the stars in our sport? Fortunately we get a chance to catch a glimpse of them this year. They normally come around every 4 years and this year they're in August.  Imagine for a split second if everyone in your room were programmed/training/wanting/dedicated to win the Olympics.  Olympics too scary? Okay, how about national champion?  That's better. What type of athlete and mindset does that take?  What steps does that take or path does that follow? I haven't done it but I can study those individuals and programs who have done it before. IF you had a room full of kids bought into a national title, you think winning state will be an issue? No, it's how many state titles can/do/will you win.  However, most Indiana coaches are only focused (or capped) on the state, and that's why we get state placers and semi-state qualifiers (hopefully).  No different when competing.  If my hope is to make it to state, chances are I end up a semi-state qualifier.  If I am focused on winning it on the other hand, then chances are I will at least place and probably high.  Aim for the stars and at least you'll hit the clouds.
 
Ok, so you opt in. How do you do it?  Right now, send your kids to Fargo if you can. Going to Grand River instead, or somewhere else? Good job, keep wrestling because Freestyle and Greco season are over anyway. Summer workouts, strength and conditioning? Awesome.  Now throw an Olympic wrestling party the night Burroughs is going for the gold. Start pushing your kids now. Plant and water those seeds to watch the Olympic wrestling event in August. Print out a schedule when you find it of what days and times it's on TV.  Pass it out to your kids, put it on your Facebook page, tweet it, whatever.  Just push watching it.  That's the first step and it's perfect timing, Rio.  Now go about your business, train for the Indianamat Hoosier Pre-Season Open (plug for you Y2), but as the season approaches start collecting and hanging posters and information of World and Olympic Champions, USAW posters, etc. to get your room ready.  Every wrestling room in Indiana should have an Olympic flag hanging up and you won't even have to say another word about it if you don't want.  Your kids will take note, and so will you.  
 
Now, and here is the tricky part, once ISWA Folkstyle State is over, start training Freestyle and Greco.  Go to the RTC's if you aren't comfortable or know how to teach it.  Push your kids to go.  Partner with a coach who has one and push your kids, take your kids, there and everyone learn together.  To you guys going out to Iowa and Flo, at least start mixing it into your practice schedule.  Believe it or not but if you stick with the program it ultimately doesn't affect each style because it forces you to be smarter.  But push these styles, even if you're lying to them and/or yourself about the benefits of F/G participation and training.  Yes, participate in as much F/G as possible, even if the local competition is shoddy for the time being, because believe me it gets better.  Take advantage of it and build your confidence.  The local tournaments are home work,  Central and Southeast Regionals are your pop quizzes, Schoolboy, Cadet and Junior Duals are your tests, and UWW Cadets/Juniors and Fargo are your final exams.  
 
This is where we need to be pushing our kids to not only experience but sell them the dream of winning these tournaments.  Folkstyle tournaments are practically year-round now, so if and when any and all F/G opportunities come up, we have to take advantage of them.  It's going to take some work, most if not all coaches are going to have to get out of our comfort zone, but that's the point: getting better.  Like I said, even if you can't teach it or have the time for it, hang those posters and Olympic flag in your room and you will at least have done your part.  If you want to buy in, push the Olympics.  If you want to get serious then make it a game.  Quiz kids on who did what to who, from where, with what move, what habits did you see, how did USA look, how did the other countries look, what are some differences, etc. If you end up being sold, start implementing as much as you can after ISWA Folkstyle State.
 
Either way, I am minutes away from leaving to take our Junior National Dual Team to Oklahoma.  It will be a great experience for these guys.  Indiana is not as strong as we could/should be, we lost some commits to whatever, many kids aren't interested or have other obligations, but I can promise our team will go out there and take advantage of this opportunity.  We have a great staff of coaches so I don't do much coaching on the mat, and actually prefer coaching the bench, but I guarantee Indiana as a team and as individuals will come back better....just like the teams in Disney.  I hope everyone follows our/YOUR results and see where we are at as a state versus where we could be.  This post just a cat call to us as coaches.  Raise your expectations.  Indiana needs it.  You need it.  Your kids need it. We need it.  #getbetter

My two cents...
 
 
I can't speak for most other programs, but this isn't a vacation for Brownsburg. Yes, I allow my wrestlers to have a little more fun than normal. I'd never let them swim on an overnight during the regular season but do here, etc. Make no mistake, though, we came here to bang it out. We trained to be champions here. We had a thrilling dual with Perry Meridian. I can assure you it wasn't a vacation feel for them either. In our dual with Central Dolphin in the Semi-finals, we can back from 20 down. Won the last 5 weights. Slick Rick aka Rickie Clark wins by one to the decide the outcome. We were jacked up and then crushed after being hammered in the finals. Our team got better and Indiana looks impressive based off of our performance and that of other Indiana schools here.
 
Some college coaches here...I'm sure more at other events. I have never had any problem getting my guys looked at to continue their careers to the next level. There are ample opportunities to be recognized nationally these days. I'm not getting into the freestyle vs. folkstyle thing. I always say focus on training hard and getting better. That's what matters. We and the other Indiana teams here got better just as those at other tournaments did.
 
I wouldn't change our experience here for any other tournament. We made memories for a lifetime. We grew as a team. What people don't often understand is now my guys will train harder individually because of their love for th TEAM.
 
Nick aka Fabio jr. - Can you post your video of Slick Rick sealing the deal? That's what it is all about.
 
Snyder

I think I saw Vince McMahon there! #knowingwheretheactionis!

Why don't you go through the rosters of the top teams there and do the work for yourself?

Is there a big group of coaches and nationally ranked wrestlers wrestling in/following the red and blue pools? As benign as your request is it seems to insinuate in someway a comparison between tournaments. Truly if we want to push Indiana forward we need more Coaches coaching in the off season. This petty argument is fine and all, but the real issue here are the coaches who lack an off season and don't volunteer their time away from family to better their kids. Instead we are saying a tournament or rise of tournaments giving kids more options to improve is what's declining the State in general. I know we have been approached by Newberry's recruiter here and we have a few other kids who are getting college looks as well. Are they Big D1 programs no bit these kids are not at that level.

Maybe 1-5. Jesse for sure. But the caliber of competition at schoolboy duals was no joke. The kids who competed wrestled their butts off. Forfeits killed them. They are killing the cadet teams as well. Regardless of what anyone thinks, we need to get better at freestyle and Greco as a state. If that means getting qualifiers in, so be it. If not, we need to scrap it all together on duals, and the kids who truly love it, train it, can turn focus on Fargo/kids nationals and invest in those kids. We can't embarrass ourselves much longer as a state with these incomplete dual teams. There are many variables to address to fix it, but filling the spots themselves has nothing to do with qualifiers. There were plenty of able bodies to fill the spots. Head coaches are not doing their jobs, clubs are not stepping up, kids are not stepping up to represent our state.