Justin Ratliff

Double B (6 years old) definition of Freestyle to Single B (8 years old) - "It's where you can hurt the kid and not get in trouble", strangely enough, that's why he likes it. But definitely working on changing that perception on the local level.
 
I'm thinking of offering fight shorts or some type of reward to every kid in my club that qualifies and participates in Folk/Freestyle/Greco next year. 

I see very, very few people forcing kids to focus on one sport. Most of the coaches I know, including wrestling coaches, encourage other sport participation. But not all kids want to play multiple sports.
I have twins. They both wrestle. They both played football and baseball as freshmen as well. The next year one decided he has more fun wrestling and working to get better at wrestling year around. For him, it's not about a college scholarship or anything. He genuinely loves wrestling and wants to improve. He quit football and baseball and now solely focuses on wrestling.
His twin wrestles during the season, but also plays baseball, and football. He gets destroyed on the mats by his brother, but he doesn't care because he loves baseball and football and has fun with all three sports. In the end though, both made their personal choice on what they like. Some want to wrestle year around, others don't.

Here is what I am understanding from all of this.....
 
The ISWA screwed up last year by allowing waivers!
The ISWA screwed up this year by not allowing waivers!
The qualifier requirement is a good thing!
The qualifier requirement is a bad thing!
Our kids should not be penalized for wrestling in a "National" Tournament (one of the 176 "National" Tournaments currently being conducted)
Our kids should wrestle FS/GR and not Folkstyle if they want to compete in Fargo!
If you don't agree with the poster then something is wrong with you!
If you want to express your opinion to the ISWA, attend a meeting, email them or call them.
If the ISWA was concerned about our opinions they would read this message board.
 
Lastly, what I really get out of this is the people who are passionate about our sport can't agree what is best for the sport. Maybe, just maybe, we should stop trying to prove "my idea is the best" and start working together to get this right before it's too late.
 
I have seen organizations split. I am old enough to remember the AAU/USWF battles. Good people on both sides were lost because they couldn't work together. Don't allow that to happen here.

Although I am no longer a member of the board... I was at the time when the two tournament rule was made. Hindsight is always 20/20. The rule was put into place with good intentions. Now if we had more of you guys at the meetings on a Sunday (most likely when the colts were on), to tell us what to do.... Then whole situation could have been avoided.

With all of that said (and all that has been said over and over on this board). FREESTYLE AND GRECO ARE DYING HERE!!!

Enough belly aching, and more solutions. By the post on this thread, we have a group of guys that are passionate about freestyle. I would love to hear ideas that the ISWA can put into place to help save these dying styles. Ok... I get it. The two tournament thing is bad. But... What can we ALL do to bring freestyle back??? If we get rid of the two tournament rule, it will go back to slowly dying. What can we all do to get it going again?

We at Avon Wrestling Club have been kicking around the idea of week night tourneys next year. Although, many think that this years week night tourneys are not legit, I think that they could be an awesome way to get kids loving freestyle again. Please..... Let's here some ideas.

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

Update:  We had a sit down discussion last night between the two of us and felt a lot of good came from the talk.  He mentioned one of the biggest reasons he doesn't want to focus on wrestling too much after the season is he doesn't want to worry about trying to control his weight.  He wrestled 182lb during the season, but currently is up to 197lbs, my response to this was to just wrestle up in weight and use these tournaments as getting better, which he agreed.  The second reason, is that football is his main sport and one that he would like to play at the next level if given the chance, he mentioned that wrestling is his "fun" sport and doesn't ever want it to be anything other than that. 
 
Great feedback from the board.  This is the reason I love wrestling so much, is the "family" feel you get from the majority of the people you come across in this sport. 

Thank you all for the comments.  Reading these comments make me feel that maybe I'm trying to push him too much to do as much as possible, just don't want him to look back on his high school athletic career and wish he had done more, like myself.  I will definitely sit down with him and have a discussion tonight.

Hey man I commend you for reaching out for opinions. That's solid, I hope others read this and it helps them also. 

I was just responding to whoever was using "getting mat time" as an argument. I don't even know who it was. 
 
Go get mat time and support local clubs and the ISWA. 

Joe send in 150 and get a qualifier.
 
I agree, hats off to the Indy guys for going outside the box and getting kids matches and a chance to qualify for Freestyle State. 

Perhaps someone can help me understand something. I am by far not the sharpest pencil in the box.
 
Last year the ISWA said no waivers for Freestyle State and then the week of the event they retracted that policy and allowed waivers. I agree that was handled poorly. This year the ISWA again states no waivers. I have been told by the ISWA State Chairman and other Board Members that they are standing firm with no waivers and will not bend whatsoever. I don't agree with that, but that's the way it is.
 
Now we have a few folks finding a way to give more athletes an opportunity to compete by hosting an event and people are opposed to that. If they sanction the event through the ISWA/USAW what is the problem?  It's an option we didn't have a week ago.
 
I really don't understand the issue.

Why reserve a gym? Just do it in the practice room then you don't need to move mats. 

Kudos to those who are thinking outside the box!

"Northern" wrestlers do not need to drive long distances to get their two tournaments in.  South Bend this Saturday and Penn next Saturday should allow all the northern wrestlers to qualify for state and not have to spend the weekend driving hours to find a tournament.  Harper and I have the blue shirts, excellent pairings people, and the facilities to get some good freestyle and greco wrestling done and be out the door in a decent time.  The opportunity is there.  Take advantage of the situation presented.
 
Bill Flatt
South Bend Riley

I would suggest this.... All you guys that can. Get a gym reserved within the next two weeks. Put out four surfaces. Have two sessions (from 5 to 7 and 7 to 9). Charge $15 bucks or so. Put the kids in groups of three or four. Let them wrestle round robin for three rounds. Pop some corn and get a cooler of pops to sale. Then...... Bam! You got your kids a second qualifying tournament and you walk away with a couple thousand for your club!!!
 
As matter of fact.... I'm going to try to make this happen if I can. Seems like the same people are always on here poo pooing everything. Spend your energy to try to make something happen.

Alex Dieringer is not the current World or Olympic Champion. Jordan Burroughs is and to date has lost 2 international matches in his career. Burroughs would be my only automatic pick.
As of Sunday evening, J'Den Cox does not posses a US Passport. He can get one in a day or so, no problem.
 
There is NO comparison to Jordan Burroughs success with anyone else on our current Olympic Team.
 
I am by no means selling any of our other athletes short. Those who made and those who didn't. Again, I am saying until things change a guy like Burroughs should get a free pass. The other countries do it without hesitation.

They aren't crowning a champion.  They are selecting who would best represent their country at the sport's most elite competition.  Just because a guy has a good day doesn't mean he will compete better against the rest of the world.
 
A better comparison would be a returning state champ not having to wrestle-off for the spot on his high school team the next year.

Back in early December of 2008 three guys conjured up an idea to give Indiana a website dedicated to the sport of wrestling. Looking around other states we saw what could be and knew Indiana fans would absolutely love a similar website. We had no clue where the adventure would take us, but as they said in the Field of Dreams, if you build it they will come.
 
Eric McGill and Chad Hollenbaugh were telling me to pull the trigger, I balked at it. I said it would be too much time and effort. They pestered me into submission. Eric, even while going to college in New York, said he’d do the rankings. Chad said he’d write articles on events he attended. Others joined up with us within in the next few days.
 
We quickly added people to our “staff” that volunteered their time. Dane Fuelling was on top of the team rankings, while we had guys like Zach Pierson, Mike Reiser, and Dustin Bentz handle semi-state rankings. I also extended the olive branch of peace with longtime messageboard rival Dingo Brigade aka Cameron Drury to write some articles.
 
The first big time exposure was at the Triacoff that year. Chad Hollenbaugh made up some lineup cards with almost every team’s projected line-up with their IndianaMat rankings. These cards were a hit as they ran out of them twice during the event. Even more importantly it got IndianaMat a lot of exposure in da region and across the state.
 
Chad came up with the 800lb Gorilla slogan, saying that no one can stop an 800lb Gorilla and he was spot on with that. We received some backlash from groups of people, people with a lot influence within the state. We kept plugging along, even while others thought we’d be a flash in the pan. We kept doing what we thought was right and soon those doubters became supporters.
 
We have changed up the look of the website many times with our biggest and best change coming in 2014 when we did a total redesign to incorporate wrestler and team profiles along with many other unique features. Go ahead and find a website with those types of features and you will come up empty handed. These types of features along with an extremely dedicated staff and loyal supporters have made this website the best in the country. What we have here in Indiana is very unique and it amazes me it has been eight years this December. Think about that, incoming freshmen were in first grade, seniors were in 4th grade. That means most of the wrestling community ONLY knows IndianaMat!
 
This past weekend at the Olympic Trials we were recognized as the National Wrestling Media Association’s Website of the Year. Being recognized by our peers as we were this past weekend was very humbling. Hearing things said about our website and talking to others opened my eyes to what we have done not only on a state level, but a national level. It really makes the work, the long hours, the trials and tribulations worth it when you hear the things we did this weekend.
 
There are many thanks that need to go out and I hope I don’t miss anyone. The first big thanks goes to my wonderful wife and family. I can’t tell you how difficult it is to leave for a weekend in Pittsburgh, Iowa City, Fargo, or wherever I decide to go. Without that support and understanding this website would only be a fraction of what it is today. The next time you see her tell her thanks as she is as big of a part of the success of this website as anyone.
 
Second in line is Chad Hollenbaugh. He’s the type that will take little to no credit, but about 90% of the ideas we have for the site come from him. His articles are top notch and you can always sense the educator in him when he adds the closest river or town nickname to his articles. He is a behind the scenes type of guy, but his impact on this website is undeniable.
 
Eric McGill, while he has stepped aside, is still one of the biggest influences on the website. He took on the rankings task from the beginning while being at an Ivy League school over 500 miles from Indiana. The task of doing rankings is an immense undertaking especially from scratch. Eric is still one that has great ideas and offers advice on the future of this website. He did an outstanding job on the rankings and set the standard for Mike when he took over.
 
Since the beginning of the website Mike Reiser did the Merrillville Semi State rankings. A few years ago he added to his list of tasks the statewide rankings. I didn’t know what to expect, Eric did an outstanding job and following him was not going to be easy. Mike has hit a home run with the rankings since he has taken over. The accuracy of his rankings is mind boggling and his knowledge of kids throughout the state borders on being insane. One of my favorite stories is from last year when I was at an event and I texted Mike, “hey this kid should probably be ranked, probably 14-16 area.” He replies, “he is ranked 14th.” Mike has not only done an outstanding job on the rankings, he has become one of my closest friends and I am very appreciative of all his work.
 
There are many, many others that deserve credit for the success of this website. Dane Fuelling has done a stand up job with the team rankings. His knowledge of the top 30 teams in the state and their lineups is beyond comprehension. His rankings are up to the minute and have been an outstanding contribution to the site. Dustin Bentz has been with us from the beginning as the dirty south rankings guy. Add to that his awesome semi state preview that combines his wit and wisdom with his knowledge of the southern hemisphere of the state. Zach Pierson started as our New Castle rankings guy and did a great job until he moved out of state. He passed on the job to Howard Cottey and he has stepped in nicely the past two years. Zach has one of the best lines from doing rankings I have ever heard. He said, “don’t worry about getting them right, if they are wrong someone will tell you!”
 
Our rankings are awesome, but what I think sets us apart from the other sites is our articles. Cameron Drury’s articles are top notch. He can make the most boring match sound like an epic match between two titans. On top of that his articles have a feeling of genuine love and respect for all the athletes on the mat. We have also added two weekly features over the past couple years. Jeremy Hines came to me asking about doing a weekly article. It didn’t take long for him to start churning them out. This past season we also added another talented writer to the staff in Steve Krah. He has over 30 years of experience in the business and his articles are of the highest quality. All three of those guys have talents I only wish I had and their efforts are greatly appreciated.
 
One thing I know that has put us over the top is our top notch photography. Whenever I upload pictures to Facebook I prepare myself for hundreds upon hundreds of notifications. Paul Tincher is a very talented photographer and has helped tremendously to get us to the highest level. I know the kids, parents, coaches, and others absolutely adore his photos. It makes it a lot easier for us to get photos for our magazine or any other graphic we need when we have as many great photos to choose from as we do.
 
There are many behind the scenes things that go on with the website that most do not realize. We have two other computer nerds that have helped keep the site online and running. Nick Weisjahn and Andy Oberlin have been very helpful especially since we converted to the new site. They have an immense knowledge that have helped keep the site up to date and as good as possible.
 
Lastly, we wouldn’t be where we are without our fans and supporters. You are the ones that make this site so great. Many of you have contributed rankings information, results, posts on the forums, amongst other things. Without that support we do not have the presence we do. Whether you agree with class wrestling or not, you can’t disagree that our state has some of the most passionate fans in the country. Thank you for all your support as this award was something that is for the whole state of Indiana.
 
Here is the award presentation and acceptance speech. Note I do a lot better with a keyboard.

 
Click here to view the article

And the results are in for the two IN kids that were going for the Trinity Award.............................................
Nate Rioux 1st place finish at Reno and Trinity award winner 
Parker Reynolds 1st place finish at Reno and Trinity award winner
Both appear to be in a category of a select few or alone depending on how you want to look at things.  Taking nothing away form anyone before them or away from the extremely rare accomplishment they have both achieved it appears IN wrestling is getting some young talent out there nationally and that is the MOST IMPORTANT thing to take away from this. 
Congrats to both boys & their families, Contenders Wrestling Academy, Coach Ryan Parrish and #TheCounty

The IHSAA winter sports meeting took place Thursday at Primo's in Indianapolis. Wrestling was a hot topic of conversation. Here are the results.
 
1) Proposal to offer three classes was presented by Bobby Cox. The proposal involved reintroducing the team state series as well. No decision was made, but it is planned to be voted on at the May 23rd meeting.
 
2) A consideration was brought up about weight cutting, with Alan Jackson proposing no wrestler be allowed to move more than one weight class above or below their weight on November 15th.
 
3) The topic of singlets came up, and research will be done on the cost of switching to a more "basketball-like" uniform.
 
4) Spladles, headlocks and jumping on the opponents back when he is getting up from the down position, trying to get a potentially dangerous call, have been outlawed effective immediately.
 
5) Mater Dei wrestlers have to wrestle up one weight class automatically.
 
6) The terms "get up", "be aggressive" and "don't reach back" have been banned for coaches and fans. If those phrases are audible, a team point will be deducted.
 
7) Wrestlers requesting injury time will now be required to jump rope, or run in place while the trainer looks at them. This will prevent the injury timeouts used for catching one's breath.
 
8) Fans who clap and yell just because a top wrestler throws the bottom guy back to the mat, resulting in no points at all, will be banned.
 
9) Wrestling season will begin August 3rd and end August 2nd.
 
10) Obviously I am bored and it's April Fool's Day. Of course none of this jibberish is true.

I'm surprised that there's been hardly any talk about this kid since this weekend. Too much focus has been on one wrestlers mistake and not Jake's accomplishment. He goes in and beats a nationally ranked stud and looked very impressive doing it. So congrats Jake Kleimola on a great weekend

I'm no longer an iswa board member so I'm out of the loop. With this said... Has anyone actually called a board member. To be honest... Very few board members get on this site (with exception to my brother Jmill). Also... I have been at every ISWA freestyle and Greco state for over a decade. Very few people if any actually walk up to the state chair or vice chairs and discuss stuff like this man to man. I'm not taking sides on this issue, but I would like to see some of the people that are crazy vocal on this message board, pick up there phone and call the powers to be. Or.... Better yet talk to them person to person. I can not say without a doubt that this will help or solve the problem, but.... I assure you that it will solve more issues than getting on this board a spewing venom. Again, I'm not taking sides in this matter, but if people feel this passionate about the issue I would love to hear how a conversation goes between them and a chair at the iswa.
 
Btw... That's how I became a board member to start with. I had concerns and ideas. I went to the iswa with my ideas, and they thought they were good. They then asked if I could give of myself to make wrestling better here, and I gladly stepped up and did what I could.
 
This message is not geared to anyone.... So, please do not take it the wrong way. The bottom line is this... Don't talk about it be about it!

Can't say this enough. Also, if you are a parent, please watch your children during the day, or at least check on them. I don't know how many were sneaking off into back hallways, jumping on stuff they didn't need to be on without a parent in site. If you can't watch them, please find someone to watch them while you attend. It is out of courtesy and respect to the school, the ISWA staff and volunteers.
 
I was coaching one of the last matches Saturday night in the main gym with the Cadets. I can't believe how much trash people leave sitting behind without putting it in a trash can. I know their are custodians paid to clean, but isn't it just common courtesy to throw your own mess away?

15 minutes was not set by the ISWA.  It has been a USAW rule for quite a few years now.  It was researched and determined to be safe by the insurance company that covers the sports insurance for the wrestlers and the liability insurance for the tournaments.  It's also the way the Olympics and World Championships operate, and they have a lot more intense matches with less 30 second pins.
 
If the IHSAA (who follows the NFHS rules) ever hosted a tournament with 2100 wrestlers and over 20 mats, they would run into a huge problem with the 45 minutes wait time causing longer tournaments with idle mats at the end of the day.  Some sectionals have to take a break after the first pigtail round to make sure they get 45 minutes.  To me, that is "ridiculous".

My oh my, I can remember the very first Folkstyle state and I can remember the old "All juniors to staging area"  system.  Times have changed and times have changed for the better. 
 
Common complaints that the ISWA has fixed:
 
1. Too much wait time between matches:  The complaint use to be we show up wait around for 6 hours and only wrestle 3-4 times.  Now the complaint is not enough time?  Jeeze get a grip, 15 min is plenty of recovery time for someone who truly is trying to win or place in a state level competition. 
 
2.  I never know where my wrestler will wrestle next, making is difficult to find a good viewing area and the viewing area is way too crowded:  Fixed, same weight class on same mat all day, you never have to worry about being in the right spot.  Also good for spectators who know the kids they want to watch.  this is the one of the BEST improvements for our sport I've seen in 20 years. 
 
As far as injuries, I noticed very few considering the number of contestants (2100 I believe)  and the number of bouts.  I would hypothesize the wait time had next to nothing to do with the ones that happened.