Coach Brobst

If we look at fixing either sectional with just a couple moves to neighboring sectionals the options are as follows: Avon Sectional: Option 1) Move either Pike or Brownsburg to Zionsville Sectional/North Mont Regional Foreseen issues: Moving Pike doesn't help that much since they traditionally are not strong. Moving Brownsburg makes the Zionsville Sectional instantly better, but trades a really tough regional at Mooresville for a really tough Regional at North Mont with HSE, Fishers, Westfield, Carmel, Zionsville and Brownsburg all in the same Regional Option 2) Kick Avon, Plainfield or Ben Davis to Mooresville Sectional Foreseen issue: Somebody would need to leave the Mooresville sectional, which in my opinion, is already tougher than the Avon Sectional in overall depth (top end is better at Avon, but overall depth is usually better at Mooresville). Would it be Martinsville to Bloomington? Decatur to Avon? Franklin or Whiteland head north/east to Perry/Southport/Shelbyille (would involve a semi-state change too). You also have to send some smaller schools to Avon then from Mooreville. Option 3) Send Ben Davis to either Lawrence Central or Southport Sectionals. Foreseen issues: Probably the best option of the 3 as far as simplicity, but, again, Ben Davis hasn't exactly been a killer since Lydy graduated and you still have all the other schools sitting in the same Regional. Really just trading problems out. Frankfort Sectional: Option 1) Kick Lebanon and Carmel/Westfield (one or the other) to Zionsville Foreseen issue: Just pushing the depth issue a week. Instead of 4 6A teams in 1 sectional, you end up with 3 in one and 2 in another, but still 5 meeting up in Regionals Option 2) Kick 1-2 of the 6A schools up to Elwood. Likely combinations would be HSE/Fishers or Carmel/Westfield only because IHSAA hates splitting schools from the same district. Foreseen issues: May be best option of ones I've come up with other than there's no logical team to move to Frankfort except maybe Hamilton Heights/Tipton? Gives some size to the Regional currently dominated by Cathedral, but still has Lawrence North, Lawrence Central and North Central. When those 3 are rocking (all were down this past season, but they'll cycle back up), having either HSE/Fishers or Carmel/Westfield in the same Regional is just, again, trading an old problem for a new one. I'm not opposed to any of these ideas, but the only way to balance all of this, in my opinion is to split the Indy area 3 ways at the semi-state level. Any of the options above are far more likely to occur than mass restructuring of the semi-states.

Our sectional at Frankfort has HSE, Fishers, Westfield, and Carmel plus Lebanon Sheridan, and all of Clinton County. 4 6A football schools too I want to say there may be one in the Region that has at least 3, but could be wrong. They definitely do not see it as an issue. You’re right about football, but those get redistributed significantly every couple of years due to being classed.

I'm not trying to pick on Ft. Wayne for currently being the weakest semi-state, it's just a fact. As I mentioned having McClurg at Warrior RTC will help and as more coaches have the ability to invest in the area overall, it'll bounce back. That day is several years down the road though. Here, we are in agreement. The Mooresville Regional is ridiculous. I would hope it is divided in some regard. At the Sectional Level, having Avon and Brownsburg in your sectional is challenging to say the least. When I coached at Mooresville, I had A LOT of talented athletes not even make it to Semi-State some years because of Avon, Brownsburg, Center Grove, Ben Davis, and throw in 4-5 studs from each Greenwood, Franklin, Whiteland, Plainfield, Monrovia (was unreal for a small school at that time), Martinsville, and Indian Creek and you got yourself a party. They tried to lessen that by moving Indian Creek to Bloomington and kicking Plainfield to the Avon Sectional to balance the two sectionals, but as you know, didn't do a whole lot to make the regional any less tough. There are a few other sectionals and Regionals that are unbalanced as well that I hope are looked at by the committee. Unfortunately, when I was looking to solve that problem, I couldn't find a way to keep most of the sectionals/regionals the same and split some of the biggest schools due to their proximity to each other. Perhaps a committee of people could see some creative solutions that I could not that are less extreme than my map. You are 100% correct it's about getting those kids the opportunity to compete at Banker's Life, in whatever way we can get it done. Overcrowding Sectionals/Regionals/Semi-States while others are lagging behind causes disparity in which schools are able to get their programs rocking as farther advancement in the state series garners more interest in potential athletes in a program. I'm very interested to see how this actually plays out.

You’re right about classing and wrestle-backs—far better solutions in my opinion. I also agree that Faulkens and the rest of IHSAA would never agree to restructure due to competitive balance. I’m just saying it would lead to a better tourney overall in my opinion. But you’re right, it’s a pipe dream. I do think splitting Indy up makes it more even at all levels if wrestle backs aren’t going to be implemented. Wrestle backs at the semi-state level allow for the same solution with much less work so I’d be more in favor of that of course! As to why it’s a big deal now, I can’t speak for anyone else, but I think semi state imbalance has been a big deal for 20ish years, and though they try to even out sectionals and regionals, there’s never been any serious consideration given to really shaking up the semi-states. Why? Unsure. Maybe because we like tradition? Maybe because our venues are so good at most of the semi-states? Maybe because nobody can agree what changes should be made because everyone is inherently selfish and wants the easiest path for their schools (not lost on me that the school I coach at would be in Ft. Wayne in my redraw, which is why committees do it, to eliminate bias) Who truly knows, but the numbers have certainly shown that drawing into the Ft. Wayne semi-state right now is the easiest path to a medal more often than not. I’d be lying if I told you that’s not what we hope for every single time we qualify a kid. I don’t know how strengthening that would ever be considered a bad thing. Ultimately, if the Ft. Wayne area improves overall, it’s a moot point. Perhaps Coach McClurg heading to run the Warrior RTC will help the area. I’ve also seen a couple other posts online about a training center called “The Fort” that could make an impact. As coaches and entrepreneurs see the opportunity to grow the area it will even out. I’m just having fun kicking around hypotheticals that could solve the unbalance now. No matter how far-fetched they are. I always appreciate others perspectives!

The following words are not meant to offend, I really want to have an active discussion regarding it, I'm just using Rochester vs Frankfort as an example to illustrate a point. I guess it's easy to say that it's not a big deal that they're unbalanced when you benefit from it. Curious as to whether you'd feel the same way if you were the coach at Clinton Central or Rossville? Heck, Frankfort is open! Would you want that job and compete with us, Carmel, Westfield, and Fishers just to make Regionals? Please don't mistake my theory for wanting to hurt small schools, I'm in favor of classing and always have been, but under the current system if the goal is to get the best 16 athletes to Banker's Life, we can do better by balancing the semi-states. I don't have a problem working to make ourselves better to compete with the best in our area. It is what it is for us. We have 3600 students so ultimately, if we don't achieve success regardless of where we're placed, it's on us. I'm working to build a program that lives up to its size. I don't think we'll see a major restructuring this year, but I do think it benefits our state to have as close to the best 16 athletes in each weight make it to Indy. Whatever way that happens, be it wrestle-backs, redistricting or another way, I'm going to be in favor. Just my 2 cents, probably worth less than that.

I think there'd be no way to have the "Evansville" Semi-State in Evansville with this redraw. IT's nearly 4 hours from Attica to Evansville. Bloomington maybe? New Castle may not be the best location for the that semi-state with this redraw either. It's almost 3 hours from Floyd Central to New Castle. Albeit the only logical other gym would be Seymour and that'd be a hike for say Jay County. It's all for fun, there's no way in heck the IHSAA would ever go for this redraw, but just something I was messing around with. Here's the updated version with some schools I was missing. Caused a few changes. Semistate redistribution Idea.docx

With much of my extra time these past few months (bits here and there) I was kicking around the idea of rotating the semi-states clockwise about a county so it is more like true quarters of the state in order to rebalance the schools coming from each semi-state. I'm attaching what I cam up with here in case anyone cares to peruse. Semistate redistribution Idea.docx A couple caveats: 1) The purpose was to rebalance the semi-states and maybe rebalance some regionals. 2) Don't get caught up in who is "hosting", I just did that for ease of identification of sectionals 3) There's some big changes in this and I know people who get moved into a "harder" sectional, regional, or semi-state will think it's a dumb idea, but I do think it solves a balance issue and would lead to a better state finals overall. 4) I did this solo, so good chance there are some errors with teams either not mentioned or being repeated on accident, just let me know if you find them. 5) Obviously, I had to get creative with Regional Pairings to make them as even as possible. One comes out pretty weak overall, but the other 15 are pretty even overall given geographical constraints. The final breakdown of Team state eligible teams in each semi-state if we redrew the lines would be as follows: East Chicago: 4A-8 3A-14 2A-20 1A-26 Total: 68 Ft. Wayne: 4A-9 3A-13 2A-21 1A-23 Total: 66 New Castle: 4A-10 3A-17 2A-19 1A-20 Total: 66 Evansville: 4A-8 3A-16 2A-21 1A-22 Total: 67 This is MUCH more balanced than our current semi-states. Let me know what you think! Possible? Dumb Idea? Does it help solve a problem we currently have? Are there better solutions with less upheaval to traditional sectional rivalries? All items for discussion.

Does that disqualify him since he was D1? just a thought!

I think I've gone every year for at least a day since this tournament started. It's crazy to look back at the kids who placed at it the first few years and see how many ended up at state or placing in the IHSAA finals. Haven't done the math, but it's a who's who of HS wrestling. A few thoughts overall: -Sheridan has a couple young big boys in Johnson and Cross that are going to make an already tough sectional even tougher at those upper weights. -Owen Valley really impressed me. I haven't seen too many OV singlets the past several years, but they not only came out in full numbers but also had several bigger guys that were very talented and tough! Someone's doing something right over there for sure! -Rider Searcy from East Central (138) is a little less technical than his teammate Bryar Hall, but every bit as dangerous. Kid just does things and doesn't know the meaning of "half measures", only full sends from him. He'll be right in the thick of state qualifications/medals these next couple of years. -Columbus East is not a flash in the pan program (I think that was obvious given the past 6-7 years, but thought I'd reaffirm it). I think as long as that staff is there, Columbus East will have multiple placers and young men under the lights. Brought double digit kids and placed nearly that many. -Trevor Hott of Martinsville was lights out all weekend at 113. He wrestled our very talented 106 when we dualed in the regular season and handled him pretty easily. I was shocked that he didn't qualify this year. He'll be there the next two. -There were a TON of super athletic heavy weights at the event, but as is usual at that age, most were fairly obviously new to the sport. But give them another year or 2 in their rooms working and we could have one of the most talented HWT classes in a long time when you take into account Brownsburg's Leighton Jones is also a Sophomore. -Speaking of which, the Hoosier Crossroads Conference will continue to be a hotbed for Heavyweights. 2019- Dorian Keys (BB) wins state title, Crae Kunkleman (HSE) qualifies (actually beat Keys at conference) 2020-Andrew Irick (HSE) is state runner-up, Dorian Keys takes 3rd, Antone Alexander (Franklin Central) qualifies, Ke-tre Dickens (Avon) qualifies 2021- Leighton Jones (BB) takes 3rd, Alexander takes 6th, Mihailis Platomov (Westfield) takes 7th, Next year: Jones and Platomov return, at least a 50/50 chance that Aataeveon Jordan of Franklin Central (8th at 220 this year) is at HWT next year, Dom Burgett (HSE) won Frosh/Soph State and was a ticket rounder this year as a Sophomore, and Ben Decker from Noblesville was a Semi-State qualifier as a Sophomore as well. I saw many many more talented wrestlers that I didn't have time to look up who they were, but those were some things that stuck out to me over the weekend. The state is certainly not starved for talent moving forward.

Unsure why they're charging us (better than at Indy Nats, where they charged us for both the Coaches lanyard ($20) AND for admission ($10), then didn't even bother to enforce having a lanyard for those in the corner...but I'm not bitter) BUT I can say that Mark told me we didn't need to purchase an afternoon session ticket for Saturday, just one to get in Saturday and one for Sunday. Still, $20 to coach them this weekend and $30 last weekend, plus having to have a USAW card and such.....adds up quickly. I for sure don't think that venues and administrators should be gouging coaches who are just trying to help kids.

I think the part you seem to be grossly missing is that it's not about next year. Or the year after that. Wrestling, as a funded High School sport, won't die in the next 2-5 years. It's in the next 10+ that it may be in trouble. I think all class wrestling supporters would concede that you're correct, not too many non-wrestlers will suddenly decide to come out just because the tournament is classed and then place that year (though there would probably be a handful). HOWEVER, now we have a situation where success breeds desire to be a part of something. Let's play a hypothetical: Indiana goes 2 classes for this past season and Cael Albaugh of Clinton Central qualifies and places (made it to semi-state this year, won his sectional, so not too much of a leap). Those other Clinton Central Bulldog football players see this about him and think to themselves "That looks fun, I like Cael and I think I could make it that far as well." Not all of them, mind you, but 2-3 of them. The following season, 2 Bulldogs make it to state and place. 3-4 others are in the semi-state. Then 3-4 new kids want to come out, and maybe one of them has a little brother or 2, then suddenly those kids are in club, where they would usually just be playing basketball. This sets up Clinton Central for some long term success that they can point to. In 3-4 years, a small school that has 1-2 semi-state qualifiers every 2-3 years, suddenly has a program that can fill most, if not all, weight classes with competitive wrestlers instead of just bodies. The whole sport is better off for it. Will there be programs that struggle no matter what? Yes. And will this scenario play out at every school? No, for sure, not. BUT, if it happens at 1-2 dozen schools in cycles it helps grow the sport in places it's not been flourishing recently. There will always be exceptions of small school kids that overcome the odds and small school programs that find success. But Geography plays a HUGE role in which of those programs find massive success too. But that's a post for another time.

That's probably true as well. Mats getting cleansed between rounds probably helped with this as well.

Way less. And we couldn't even make them shower after practice at the facility because of distancing. I wonder if all the hand washing and hand sanitizing helped eliminate a lot of it.

Ha! His dad runs the Krav Maga studio here in Indy and one of our assistants is an Instructor in Krav as well. A couple of our JV kids do it too. Definitely not something I’ve ever been around before but am better for having learned some of it for sure!

HSE 106- Wrestling, Rugby 113- Wrestling 120- wrestling, Track 126- Wrestling 132- Wrestling, Krav Maga 138- Wrestling, baseball 145- Wrestling, Lacrosse 152- Wrestling 160- Football, wrestling, baseball 170- Wrestling 182- Wrestling 195- Wrestling, Rugby 220- Football, Wrestling 285- Football, Wrestling, rugby as you can see, even big schools have kids split time, but we have far more just wrestling than I ever had at previous schools

Logan. Wagner. Kid is non-stop and ALWAYS trying to score! His matches are always crazy fun to watch.

Perry regional also sent 3 at 106 all 4 Frankfort 106 pounders won over Richmond in rd 1, and all Perry 106s beat the Pendleton regional opponent with the exception of Dickey. Then Dickey and the Perry 106s all won. And all but Dray of Warren return next year. Will be interesting to see how much they all grow if they can spread out

States?

Hoosier crossroads has Brownsburg and Avon at Evansville while Fishers, HSE, Noblesville, Zionsville, Franklin Central, and Westfield are at New Castle. I know the north central conference has teams in 3 semi-states with Richmond, Arsenal Tech and Anderson at New castle, the Lafayette schools, Logansport at East Chicago and Marion, Muncie Central at least at Ft Wayne as well. I know I missed some schools in that conference.

Jake also had split matches with 3rd placer Giovanni Diaz that year at IHPO. Basically only lost to numbers 1 and 2 then didn’t qualify because of our system.

Maybe I’m wrong, but pretty sure I’ve never started the work week without knowing who we had the next weekend. Really no reason to hide it after all the regionals are finalized

HSE is taking 10 as well

Does anyone know the reason they do this every year? It seems they always unlock it early, like Monday it seems, but just curious what the reasoning is.