luv2compete

They should just reserved the sections that the same schools sit at each year. It seems each year that the same schools get their same spots.  Instead of “running with the bulls”, just let the schools go to their areas that they always go to. 

We are wishing Breyden a victory!!!!!! No one deserves it more!!!~!!

White was profusely bleeding from his head on Saturday which is why he had that overtime match and I believe he would have beaten Slivka in the finals if it hadn't been for the injury. This is really the worst draw I think I've ever seen considering they are both seniors and they are both D1 level guys.

Don't think White, injury or not, would have beat Slivka.. Jordan was on fire!!!!!! If White decides to wrestle with a bandage on his head, then you cant make excuses.  Jordan by far was the better wrestler.

Congrats to Breyden Bailey for his 4th semi-state championship.  Hope to see him at the top of the podium Saturday night.

Congrats to Brayden for also being a 4x sectional, 4x regional and 4x semi-state champ!!! Who does that????? This is your year Brayden!!!!!! GO IRISH!!!!!!

Nice job on the magazine and I am sure its hard to get all the information correct.  I am so proud of my son, Jordan Slivka's accomplishments and your magazine says he finished 4th, when he actually finished 3rd in state. I am so proud of his 3rd place finish.  Just a proud mom.

One of the hardest matches to watch at New Castle Semi State was the ticket round match between Sam Fair and AJ Black.  I love both of these boys and they are very good friends.  AJ was probably the one most were cheering for, not because of his awesome undefeated record, but because he lives in New Castle and the tragic loss of his brother Levi in November.  Shenandoah brought a huge crowd to cheer on the Raiders and AJ.  Even Sam told me that he was cheering for AJ.  So you can imagine when it was their turn to wrestle in the ticket round, knowing someone was going home.  I felt this was AJ's year to shine and wrestle in honor of his brother. But Sam had the same family tragedy happen to him.  So emotions were running high as they began to wrestle. Great match for both boys.  But Sam came out winning the match.  I cried for AJ, Sam cried for AJ, and probably  most fans shed a tear.  We are so proud of Sam for doing was he was taught to do.  Wrestle hard and win.  We are also so proud of AJ for battling hard till the end.  Its not a loss for AJ!  He will only build on this and become a top notch wrestler!!!! Kudos to both Sam and AJ, for showing respect to each other.  They will be friends forever!!!!!

Good luck Cathedral!!!

I agree on the small crowd at the end of the night but I am sure the IHSAA wont change it because they get there admissions anyway and I dont think changing the order they wrestle would bring in any more paid customers. 

Waiting to HANGOUT at 8:30.  I see no video?

I miss Levi everday.

I am so proud of the Shenandoah Raiders.  The pain these kids felt when Levi died.  It was truly unbearable to see.  No kids should feel so much pain.  But these kids stayed together, prayed together and created such a strong bond.  We knew they would continue wrestling but we didn't know if they really wanted to.  Coach Black Jr. and Coach Black Sr. came back into the room and realized that they had to keep Levis Legacy alive in and out of the wrestling room.  And that they did!!!! With brother AJ Black, the team just got stronger.  I know Levis spirit is with the team and I think they can feel it.  There season has been awesome and they are wrestling their hearts out.  This season is definitely dedicated to Levi and we know Levi is smiling at them all the time.  Keep up the good work!

I am making this post under my wife's user name. I would like to go on the record, I have discussed this topic before ( see post in youth last year). I agree with people suggesting no change in individual state. Through Christ all things are possible! I so believe it is possible as my buddy  ( Rasslerforlife) has been challenged in a earlier thread. I would be willing to help any small school with my skills. I would be happy to run a practice and talk with your boys and coaches for no charge. I will work with you along the way in building a team that can compete at any level. If you would like to take me up on this offer ( just call)

John Slivka

AKA Papa John

317-903-8511

Yes Warsawwrestling, it was truly the most exciting, entertaining, thrilling day of wrestling that I have seen this year! Especially sitting next to my husband and betting on matches with each other.

I was in "wrestling heaven"!!!!!!! I am a mom who has become a big big fan of wrestling. Watching my older boy wrestle was just the beginning and now I am watching my freshman. He has wrestled since kindergarten and now I am enjoying not only watching him, but all the other boys he has wrestled in the past. I thought the venue in Ft Wayne was awesome. It was filled with non-stop action all day!!!! For the first time, I saw teams like Bellmont, Prairie Heights and a few others from the north all under one roof and wrestling at the same place. I just went with the flow. If my sons team moved, I moved right with them and when it was his turn to wrestle, I found a place to watch him. There was so much energy in the room how could you not be excited!!!!!! It was an unbelievable day of wrestling with some of the BEST WRESTLERS in the state. I can't wait till next year!!!!!!!

For those of you who asked about the services for Levi Black, here they are.

Monday, Nov. 16th, 2015 - The Church Of the Nazarene located in Middletown, IN

                                          Viewing is from 4-8 pm

 The funeral services will be on Tuesday, Nov. 17th 2015 at the same church at 11 am.

Thank you so much for all your prayers and support!!!!!! The wrestling family is so awesome!!!!!

Levi Black was an avid wrestler at Shenandoah High School.  He lost his life on November 11, 2015.  He will be so missed in the Shenandoah community as well as the wrestling community.  We have set up a "GO FUND ME" page so we can help the family with any funeral expenses and set up a scholarship fund in Levis name.  The Black family along with Levi want the community to know and understand that Mental Illness is REAL!!!! Its in every community, school, work place etc.

They want people aware of the struggles that it brings to family, friends classmates and team mates.  They also want young adults to be open with what they are dealing with.  Talk to your parents, teachers, coaches,pastors and especially your friends.  It only takes one conversation to start awareness.  Levi was a beautiful young man with a HUGE heart.  He was also willing to help anyone or just be a friend to lean on.  LEVIS LEGACY needs to live on in all of us.  The life loss we have faced can not be replaced, but if this loss saves one person, then LEVI has a legacy we can all remember. 

No dollar amount is too small, and if you can not donate we understand.  Just the kind words and prayers are so greatly appreciated.

Please go to https://www.gofundme.com/4q9zz82c

We have also made special t-shirts in honor of Levi.  All proceeds will go directly to the Black family.

They are $10 each and come in black with the saying "We Are TEAM LEVI"  If you are interested, please call (765) 387-7090.  

We can mail the shirts also.   

The Shenandoah Community lost one of their own yesterday.  Levi Black was a sophomore at Shenandoah High School and a wrestler.  He took his own life and we are all devastated. Words can not express how we are all feeling.  Levi loved wrestling and has made so many friends through wrestling.  It was his life. He will be so missed and each day will be a battle for all of us who are coping with this terrible loss.  Please pray for the Black family.  This is so hard for the young kids to understand.  All we can do is battle each and every day. We must carry on for Levi and I pray for all his fellow team mates he left behind.  It just sucks!!!!!!!

What a great night of wrestling!

What a great night of wrestling.  It was a battle from bottom to top!!!! Raiders wrestled their butts off!!!!!!!

Kudos to all the staff at middle school state including the officials. Proof that hard work pays off. While on the subject of hard work, I had the pleasure of seeing and talking with many of the great coaches that Indiana has to offer. My hats off to the large schools that can train and educate wrestlers and parents about the great sport of wrestling. I feel that we at small schools may not realize the advantage that we have over larger schools. We do not have to educate as many parents and motivate as many wrestlers as the large schools. We can provide the necessary attention to the young men that really want to train and work to compete at a high level. So to all who love the sport of wrestling as much as I do, please always look at the glass half full and not half empty. See you all at the state high school finals! I am sure this will start an interesting conversation. All your thoughts are welcome.

Papa John ( hobby coach)

Great job to Perry and Avon! I am also so proud of team Shenandoah who came in 3rd! They had an unbelievable day of wrestling, bringing 16 wrestlers (some for the very first time) and each one of them wrestling at a high level. These boys gave it their all!!! Some winning big matches and some losing by just a point. Either way, it was one enjoyable day watching the Raiders all day long!!!! I was also extremely proud that the whole team stayed till the end to watch 2 of their wrestlers in the championship matches and 4 more wrestlers wrestling to get on the podium. Great job Raiders!!!!!!

What a great night of wrestling!!!!

Fantastic!

This was a very well-run tournament.  We were proud parents of a State winner yesterday!  When my son won, we rewarded him with a custom made hoody from the vendor that was there.  Maybe next year all the winners could get a free shirt/hoody for a job well done.  Just a thought!

All I have to say to everyone involved in the folkstyle tournament at Perry meridian middle schooltoday  that I applaud you for an excellent day of wrestling.  This has to be one of the best this year.  WOW!  It first seemed a bit overwhelming when we got there, but once we knew where we were wrestling, we stayed there the whole day.  Who can say they would get in 6 matches and be out of there by 3:00.  We really enjoyed the awesome competition.  We will definitely come back next year.  The whole day was smooth sailing.  We give you guys an A+!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!