WCWC Coach

This thread has definitely battled back and forth the subject of "who's better, Hinkel's boilers or Ersland's Boilers". I'm not sure if this weekend B1G Championships prove that one way or another, but putting all that aside I want to give a quick shout out to our Boilers! 5 on the podium, 5 wrestlers placing above their seeds and 8 to the NCAA's is leaps and bounds better than they have done in quite some time. 8 qualifiers ties an all-time high at Purdue! Still tremendous room for improvement in the area of team placing and getting our athletes higher on the podium, but again a much better showing. There were numerous highlights from the weekend for sure.

Great article. I don't disagree that 'ignorance' and fear of the unknown is the reason a lot of folks don't wrestle greco. With that said, can you recommend an online resource for folks who would like to learn more about greco?

HYWA is the Enemy?

A bump for Sunday. Please send me your registration info ASAP. I do want to throw out there that we will have an IHSAA licensed official for all high school matches. Hope to see you there!

As would Streck vs. Big Wes!

Wabash County Wrestling Club thfield High School, Wabash Indiana Sunday, March 1st 2015 All wrestlers are encouraged to pre-register on or by Friday evening at 10:00 pm. Email the wrestlers name, club, age as of 12/31/14 and actual weight on an excel spreadsheet to spenningtonjr@yahoo.com . Clubs will be charged $2.00 for a no show wrestler. For those who can’t pre-register, there will be a weigh in the morning of the tournament from 6:30-8:00 am. Closing PROMPTLY at 8:00 am. Wrestlers that pre-registered must be checked in by 8:00 am Sunday morning!! Medals ~ 1st – 3rd Place Wrestling starts at 9:00 a.m. HYWAY Members $12.00 Non-Members $15.00 $2.00 Adults, $1.00 Child (12 and under) $5.00 Family A wrestler’s age on December 31, 2014 will determine their age group. Proof of age will be required if wrestler is challenged within the first two rounds of competition. A birth certificate is the only form of validation that will be accepted. High School Rules Must be in grade 12 or under ALL brackets will be 3-5 man round robin. All matches will be three, 1 minute periods Singlets or t-shirt and shorts are required. If less than three wrestlers are in a weight class, the tournament has the right to move them up or down one weight class (in the same age group) except for heavyweight. 5-6: 37, 40, 43, 45, 47, 49, 52, 55, 58, 62, 70, Hwt (max 90) 7-8: 43, 46, 49, 52, 54, 56, 58, 61, 64, 67, 72, 77, 85, Hwt (max 125) 9-10: 47, 51, 55, 59, 62, 65, 68, 71, 76, 81, 86, 90, 95, 100, 110, 122, Hwt (max 160) 11-12: 61,66,72,76,80,85,90,95,100,105,112,119,126,135,147,165, HWT (limit 200 lbs.) 13-14: 77, 82, 86, 92, 96, 101, 107, 112, 118, 124, 132, 140, 147, 157, 167, 177, 187, 212, Hwt (max 252) 15-18 106, 113, 120, 126, 132, 138, 145, 152. 160 170, 182, 195, 220, HWT (limit 285 lbs.) (All wrestlers must be 12th grade and under) ***Always looking for officiating help! If you will officiate (and you are capable) I will let you in the tournament for free and I will let your son wrestle for free!**** Scottie Pennington spenningtonjr@yahoo.com Cell # 260-571-6819

To me the Boilers wrestled much better than I saw in the last couple duals. They were a few close ones but most were understandable. Unranked Chad Welch wrestled his butt off against #15 Jackson and ended up with a nice upset win. I also feel that Gelen wrestled very against the more experienced Goldman and unfortunately lost that one in OT. The other OT match was Atwood/Sheridan. Not sure if that match necessarily should have went to OT, but Braden really turned it on at the end and ended up winning his last ever match at Holloway and on senior night as well. The Robinson/Walsh match was the last match of the evening and going in to it the team score was 30-3. Walsh went out there like a man on a mission. He was doing EVERYTHING he could to ensure a pin, heck he even tried a head and arm hip toss! It was clear that he would settle for nothing less. One other match that sticks out was 133. I realize Shephard has had a rough season, but Danny was on fire. He looks to definitely ready for the REAL March Madness!!! I can't wait!!

I think the answer is YES. But I feel as if Coach Ersland needs more than a few months to do it or to have people judge him as to whether he did or didn't! I feel the real indicator as to whether he will make a transformation cannot be truly answered until the team is more "his" team. Right now we are seeing his ability to coach, lead and improve kids that were/are a product of the previous coaching staff. He has already attracted some great recruits for next year and he will for the following I'm sure. For me, I'm excited to see what kind of team he builds in the next couple years, then we will be able to call it a transformation if the shoe fits. Just my $.02

That would be pretty great! On a different note, with one exception I though the Boilers looked much better and quite a bit more aggressive in their 22-13 victory over the Spartans Sunday. I was really glad to see it. I'm looking forward to the butt whipping they will hand the Hoosiers Friday night!

That's disappointing. Thanks for checking into it for me.

Have you heard anymore about the possibility of getting this dual moved?

I must admit, I was very disappointed yesterday as well. The Boilers had 8 stalling calls against them which is pretty hard to swallow. (I won't bash any of the athletes by name, I don't like it when people do that) I do agree that they have had some HUGE bright spots this year and I would also agree that they are better than last year's team, but to me 7 or 8 of them should have came off the mat unhappy with their effort, not because they won or lost...but I have to believe when the watch the film they will be equally as disappointed with what all they didn't do out there. On a side note their singlets were BAD A$$!!

I decided to take a 'stab' at a preview and I must say I have much more respect for the guys that do this regularly. This was no easy task, but admittedly lots of fun! Fellas this is just my opinion and if I don't have your kid in the top four I promise that doesn't mean I hope he loses!! I just wanted to toy with writing a preview and I did enjoy it. Good luck to everyone tomorrow!! 106 This class showcases a couple of strong young men at the top and bottom of the bracket in Deardorff from North Miami and Lechner from Western. They will meet in the finals and a year more experience will give Lechner the advantage. The 3rd-4th place match should be a good one between Marion’s Herring and Oak Hill’s Ridgeway. Lechner Deardorff Herring Ridgeway 113 This weight class has 3 Semi State ranked kids (all from the OH Sectional) and should be a good class to watch. The finals will once again be a battle between Kokomo’s Wright (SS #8) and Oak Hill’s Davenport (SS#7). This time a little closer match but Wright will once again get the best of the Golden Eagle. The 3rd-4th match will be a good one between a tough Lechner from Western (SS#9) and last week’s champion from North Miami Gipson. The elder Gipson should come out on top of this one. Wright Davenport Gipson Lechner 120 There will be another Oak Hill championship rematch at 120. Semi-State 10th ranked Elmore will once again lead this field of underclassmen. The 3rd-4th place match will be between last week’s Peru sectional champ Dyson and Turner from Eastern with my pick being Turner. This is a very young group with the exception of Elmore and this was a tough one as the young men at 2-4th places could do some flip flopping easily. Elmore Shelton Turner Dyson 126 Oak Hill champ Gunter (SS#7) has wrestled 132 quite a bit this year and is wrestling hard and should take this weight class. The semi –finals match between Maggard of Marion and Kellogg of NW should be a great match for sure. Maggard lost a very close one to Gunter last week and Kellogg looked strong in the finals against Clark of NF last week at Peru. Tough one to call but I’m going with Maggard in a tight one to see Gunter in the finals again. Then for 3rd-4th I’m going with a rematch of the Peru finals last week between Clark of NF and Kellogg. Gunter Maggard Kellogg Clark 132 Caleb Maddox of Western (State ranked #20 and SS #6) brings a lot of experience with him and that will serve him well as he will take the top spot in this fairly tough class. Skyler Hall of Wabash has been wrestling very well and will see Maddox in the finals and will give him a great match but will come up short. This class has a couple of REAL battles in the first round. The Parsons/Bratcher match and the Mikesell/Allen match could both honestly go either way and are both tough ones to call. The four boys combine for well over 120 wins and each have single digit losses and all 4 deserve to advance in this tournament. I’m going with Parsons and Mikesell in the 3rd-4th place match with Mikesell winning it. Maddox Hall Mikesell Parsons 138 One-loss returning state qualifier Clayton Moore (State ranked #20 and SS ranked #2) is looking very strong this year but will be seriously tested in his first match as a last week’s 2-loss (#1 sectional seed) Will Bratcher (SS #5) had a tough day, lost twice and ended up 4th at Oak Hill. This will be by far one of the toughest first round match ups you will see all day. The two wrestled earlier in the season and Moore ended up winning 8-2 and he should once again end up on top but it will be close. The first semi match here between Roberson and Hetzner will be a barn burner too. These guys are county rivals and this match could go either way. At sectional Hetzner had the seed advantage but Roberson had a great tournament and won the bracket and I see him making it to the finals to see Moore. The 3rd-4th match will be a good one too as it will likely be a tight one between Hetzner of Eastern and Curtis of OH. Hetzner will come out on top the way I see it, but barely. Moore Roberson Hetzner Curtis 145 Brody Hardcastle (SS#8) from Oak Hill seemed unstoppable last week as the sophmore pinned his way to a sectional championship. He will have his hands full in the finals against the hard-nosed champ from Peru Bayless. Hardcastle will continue his winning ways and will be at the top of the podium again Saturday. In the first round a really great match will be Strickler form Wabash and runner-up Sholty from Taylor. Strickler is lost a tough one in the semis last week and will be on a mission to earn a trip to Ft. Wayne and I see him winning this match Saturday. The other first round match was a tough one to call as well. Gable from Manchester looked good last week earning a place in the finals but Heady from Western fought hard for his spot in the bracket and I see him edging Gable slightly. For 3rd-4th Strickler and Heady will be a good match, my nod is Strickler. Hardcastle Bayless Strickler Heady 152 The field at 152 will belong to State Ranked #12 and SS #2 Peyton Sturgill. He won’t have an easy day by any means as Mullinix from Oak Hill (SS #6) is a very strong wrestler and will certainly make this a GREAT finals match for sure! The two runner ups in this class, young Moore of Manchester and Turner from Eastern should make for some good semifinal matches and they both will certainly battle for 3rd-4th. I see the elder Turner coming out on top in a great match. Sturgill Millinix Turner Moore 160 The Peru Sectional Champ Jordan Rader (SS#7) is having a fantastic freshman campaign. He is aggressive and for his age very technically sound for sure. His semi match against Wickline from Eastbrook will be a great test for him for sure. I see the young Rader coming out on top and earning his first trip to the regional finals in as many tries. The closest first round match will be Enyart from SW and Barbary of Kokomo. I’m going with youth once again and I see Barbary earning a chance to redeem himself in a semifinal rematch from last week with yet another young wrestler in King the Champ from Oak Hill. That will again be a very close match for sure but King will not allow the redemption and will earn a trip the finals to see Rader with Rader earning the nod and climbing to the top of the podium once again. The 3rd-4th place match between Wickline and Barbary will end with Wickline one spot higher on the podium than Barbary as he was last week. Rader King Wickline Barbary 170 SS#7 ranked Luke Elliot from Eastbrook was on FIRE last week as he was only on the mat for barely over 2 minutes in 3 matches in route to an undisputed sectional title. I think he will be on the mat a little longer Saturday but still will hardly be contested and will be on top once again this week. He should see the Peru champ Greer in the finals. The rest of the field is very even in my opinion and the next two pick are purely speculation and they are almost a coin toss. It’s basically ‘who shows up’ kind of thing. But my “guess” for 3rd-4th is a matchup of Fox of Kokomo against Lapetina of Taylor with Fox getting the win. Elliot Greer Fox Lapetina 182 Mr. Hinkle (State Ranked #2 and SS Ranked #1) will certainly own this weight class as he did last week. He just might come out again and pin his way through the bracket as he did last week. The semi match between Nash of MG and Hough of Wabash will the ‘one to watch’ in this bracket. This is another one that could go either way for sure. I’m giving the nod to the elder Hough Saturday in a close one. Landon Tharp from Manchester is a strong ‘scrapper’ and will win in the first round to earn a trip to see Mr. Hinkle. For 3rd-4th it will be Nash over Tharp Mr. Hinkle Hough Nash Tharp 195 This bracket doesn’t really have a dominant clear favorite that stands above everyone else. Eckrote from North Miami (SS #9) is a big strong tough competitor and I believe he will get past Bush from Eastbrook in the semis and take one spot in the finals. On the other side I see Biddle from OH in a great match with Clark from Northwestern with last week’s champ Biddle coming out on top to see Eckrote in the finals. That will provide for a good final with my nod going to the brute Eckrote. For 3rd-4th the sophs will battle it out and I see Clark coming out of a tight one. Eckrote Biddle Clark Bush 220 Evan Ellis (State Ranked #8 and SS#2) is a BEAST! The SUPER SOPH’s only loss this year is to Mr. Hinkle. He could possibly pin his way through this bracket as he did last week. He will see Hobbs from Peru in the final who is a BRUTE in his own right that also pinned his way through his sectional bracket. In their last meeting it was Ellis on top by fall and this weekend’s result will likely be the same. Keep your eye on Little from Eastbrook and Hobbs in the semifinals, it will be a great match but I feel Hobbs will come out on top. The remaining matches will be a handful of ‘dogfights’ for those last two tickets to the Coliseum. I see Little from Eastbrook and VanMeter from Taylor in a rematch of their semifinal match last week where Little came out the 3-2 victor. In a coin toss I see him repeating his victory this weekend and earing the 3rd place spot on the podium. Ellis Hobbs Little VanMeter HWT Owen Perkins (State Ranked #5 and SS #2) is the clear favorite but he won’t win without a fight. Last week in the finals Hodge form Marion gave him a great match that ended 8-5. The likely semifinal match between Beech of NM and Hodge will be a GREAT match for HWT fans in my opinion. In a close one I’m going to give the nod to Hodge in this one. The other semifinals match will likely be Perkins and Graham with Perkins on top in that one. The rematch in the finals between Perkins and Hodges will again be a good match with end result being the same. The 3rd-4th place match will again be a good one with the big man from Western coming out on top. Perkins Hodge Graham Beech

He was definitely gassed yesterday against the big kid from Illinois but my God is he BIG. Wow, quite a difference in the last year. He is going to do great stuff if he sticks with it no doubt.

That's a pretty good source!! Illinois HWT isn't ranked either so this will be a great way to start his career off for the boilers! I can't wait to see him wrestle Sunday!

He's listed as probable and has both HWT's on the roster. Do you know for sure Coach Ersland will use him over Tyler this weekend?

The Boilers travel to OSU tonight and then are at home against Illinois on Sunday and they have Gelen listed on their probable line up!! I will be very anxious to see if they will use give him the nod over Kral.

I want to give a shout out to the Whitko Staff for running one of the better youth wrestling tournaments I've ever been too. 100% of their 'stuff' was together and ready to well before start time and the trackwrestling was so nice. Again, really great tournament. Frank and Casey, very well done!

Heckathorne/Moore will be quite a match at 132. I'm gonna have to go with Moore on that one.

That's funny stuff right there!

Agreed...Quite a team effort and a great win. Atwood and Sabatello did look fantastic and I must admit, Kissel handling Sliga the way he did kind of surprised me as well.

I was sure hoping that this winter would be different than last year. We haven't had school for 3 days and Superintendent said it's a "no".

Friendofrunningwriter Thank you for that. I fell into that category that would have taken kids not knowing...

I too was disappointed to see the dual scheduled on the Friday night of our State tournament. Just doesn't make sense

Yes, I was very young when it came out and I learned Mr. Swain's excellent strategy to burn a quick 200 calories.