backtothemat

I heard he graduated and joined the Navy. Best wishes to him.

That is correct. However, I heard that his back up was pretty good all year, so he probably would have been seeded higher than #6, so I can't see why they would enter Lee if he was actually not going to wrestle.

Central Sectional at 145 (Lee, Bethel, Wilson, and Burke)
Central Sectional at 285 (Klem, Ripple, Fleck, Libby)

Wrestlers - Josh Hardy/Princeton  Adam Doherty/Jeffersonville  Robert Rosbottom/Jeffersonville  Marcus Shontube/Lowell & David Maldonado/EC Central
Coaches - Trent McCormick/Yorktown  Ed Hamant/Greenfield Cen  Jim Binkley/New Albany
Contributors - Bob Morris/Beech Grove  Chuck Barnett/Valparaiso  John Weaver/Elkhart-Hammond-Fairfield-Northridge
Family - Deters Family/Castle
Billy Thom Award - JD Minch/North Montgomery-IHSAA & USAW Official-ISWA Officer-IHSWCA Officer
Dr Shelbourne Honorary Member - Jon Fitch/FW Carroll
Mumby OW Award - Tommy Cash/Lawrence North
Coach of Year - Not selected yet
Asst Coach of Year - Not selected yet
ISWA John Hurrle Award - Dave Errett/Martinsville
 
IHSWCA Hall of Fame Banquet - Sunday, February 21, 2016 @ Jonathan Byrd's Cafeteria - Greenwood, IN.  just off I 65 south exit99 - 1:00 pm

I don't disagree at all with you Backtothemat.
 
But it's going to be a grind for everyone to make it to Semi State out of this regional this year. The Castle and Central sectionals are loaded with some great individuals. This year's regional will be the most competitive we've had in a long time from 106 to 285.

MD will have solid favorites not only at the Evv Central Sectional but also at the Castle Regional at 106, 120, 132, 138 (maybe only slight favorite here at the Regional), 145, 152, and 195.  That's half of the weight classes.  They will be hard to beat at Regional because of this.  Not unbeatable though as in past years.

145-Eville
Joe Lee M. Dei
Chase Wilson Princeton
Austin Bethel Mt. Vernon
Nick Burke Ev. North
 
 
Got to be the best four at any weight!  All capable of punching their ticket to the state finals....These four will all advance onto semi state...,as the other sectional doesn't appear poised for the upset.

List of ranked wrestlers that can potentially meet up at Sectionals
 
Avon
106 - #8 Asa Garcia 25-3 (9) Avon vs. #2 Ty Mills 23-4 (10) Brownsburg
126 - #1 Brock Hudkins 33-0 (12) Danville vs. #10 James Pritchett 11-2 (12) Ben Davis
 
Calumet
113 - #5 Tyler Triana 4-2 (10) Hobart vs. #14 Colin Poynter 24-7 (10) Portage
132 - #4 Brendan Black 24-1 (11) Hobart vs. #7 Kris Rumph 22-8 (10) Portage
145 - #15 Kasper McIntosh 28-4 (10) Portage vs. #16 Dante Colza 28-4 (10) Hobart
 
Crown Point
113 - #1 Colton Cummings 32-0 (11) Lowell vs. #13 Rehan Uribe 26-2 (9) Crown Point
120 - #14 Jonathan Moran 26-1 (11) Crown Point vs. #16 Ian Dembowski (10) 25-9 Valpo
138 - #8 Daylan Schurg 27-1 (12) Crown Point vs. #11 Tristan Dembowski (12) 30-4 Valpo
220 - #12 Alex Kukurugya 30-4 (12) Valpo vs. #13 Justin Akers (11) 23-4 Crown Point
 
Elwood
152 - #4 Dru Berkbile 20-0 (10) Frankton vs. #15 Trezdon O'niell 30-2 (12) Hamilton Heights
 
Evansville Central
145 - #3 Joe Lee 19-1 (10) Mater Dei vs.*** winner of  #14 Chase Wilson 30-3 (10) Princeton vs. #6 Austin Bethel 32-3 (11) Mount Vernon
285 - #2 Cory Klem 30-1 (12) Gibson Southern vs. #3 Wade Ripple 33-1 (11) Mount Vernon
 
Jennings County
285 - #5 Sean Galligar 30-3 (12) Columbus East vs. #8 Brendon Sutton 26-4 (11) Jennings County
 
Lawrence Central
182 - #1 Blake Rypel 32-0 (12) Cathedral vs. #1 (*195) Cameron Jones 31-3 (12) Lawrence North
 
Mishawaka
152 - #8 Kassius Breathhitt 35-4 (12) South Bend Riley vs. #9 Denzyl Prentice 32-4 (12) Penn
160 - #9 Tavonte Malone 34-3 (11) South bend Adams vs. #10 Jarod Swank 19-2 (11) Penn
 
Mooresville
160 - #5 Cayden Whitaker 31-1 (12) Martinsville vs. #7 Burk Van Horn 31-1 (11) Franklin Community
170 - #16 Ethan Runyan 21-3 (11) Martinsville vs. #10 Jonah Hays 30-5 (10) Center Grove
220 - #6 Clayton Scroggs 28-0 (11) Martinsville vs. #7 Dristin McCubbins (28-2 (12) Monrovia
 
New Haven
#5 - Drake Rhodes 34-0 (12) Homestead vs. #8 Owen Doster 33-3 (12) New Haven
 
Shelbyville
113 - #2 Alec White 33-0 (11) New Palestine vs. #3 Skylour Turner 32-1 (11) Warren Central
120 - #8 Dylan Culp 28-4 (11) Warren Central vs. #13 Ethan Smiley 32-3 (10) Beech Grove
132 - #1 Chad Red, Jr. 29-0 (12) New Palestine vs. #15 Tim Wright 29-9 (12) Warren Central
138 - #4 Matt McKinney 33-2 (12) Warren Central vs. #6 Nick Ellis 25-3 (12) Roncalli
145 - #2 Jared Timberman 33-1 (12) New Palestine vs. #4 Jordan Vaughn 33-2 (12) Franklin Central
 
I apologize if there are any I missed. Good luck to all the wrestlers & coaches this weekend!

Blue Bolt .... if your really complaining about the parking you just fell a couple of notches with me.  Luckily you were way up there so you didn't fall to far haha.  I visit the Ford Center quite often and while we do not have a parking garage, the parking situation is just not that bad.  I go to MLB, NFL, and NHL games in Nashville, Cincy, St. Louis and Chicago, and have been to the NCAA Wrestling finals in Detroit, Oklahoma City, Omaha, St. Louis and Philly, and can park IN the parking lots or garages and STILL walk farther to the doors at those venues than I ever have to walk at the Ford Center parking in one of many random but available lots or spaces.  Just because there isn't a "Lot" or Garage, doesn't mean is a longer walk. 

Anytime I see a kid sitting the bench in football, basketball or baseball, I always ask them if they are practicing hard. If the answer is yes, I always advise them to immediately quit. The coach, the system, the man or all three are keeping them down. 
When a kid (sucker) is in a game because a "better" kid is hurt or sick, I point out that as soon as the star is healthy, the coach will show their abject lack of appreciation by landing him back on the bench. Don't be used: quit!
 
Offensive linemen are the biggest suckers of all--down in the trenches, doing the hard work so a pretty boy tailback can hog the glory. I always make a point of telling those guys to wise up and drop out.
 
Wrestling is the worst, hiding under the guise of a "fair" wreslte-off. The coach ALWAYS has his favorite and instructs his referee to call the match so that the "right" kid wins.
 
Again, parents need to be more involved. Coaches need non-stop criticism and instruction from parents so that their kid is treated fairly. That's the only possible way for change to be affected. Otherwise, kids should simply quit. If enough do this, soon, many schools would not have enough players to field a team. That would also be a great way to draw attention to a chronic problem.

8pm at central, or central time?

Don't count Chase Wilson out at 45 he beat Bethel this last weekend at the Big 8

Region Sports Media is proud to announce that all three local rounds of the 2016 state wrestling tournament will be available for viewing on regionwrestling.com.
 
2016 marks the second straight year Region Sports will provide live telestream coverage of the state tournament. Whereas in 2015 the coverage was limited to one camera covering four mats during two rounds (sectional & semi-state), this years coverage will include two cameras covering two mats each on all three Saturdays. The additional cameras allow fans to access to a second live video screen, thereby enhancing the viewing experience.
 
I have been asked to join the announce team with Bill Hawkins of RWA.

Those who shoveled out their driveways were treated to uncrowded bleachers, ZERO lines at the restrooms and concession stands—and a great day of wrestling.
 
The team race was terrific, entering the final, Castle held a one-point advantage over Mater Dei.
 
106-  Mater Dei’s Clay Egli dominated, scoring a fall, a tech fall en route to a major over Castle’s Devon Casebolt for the top podium spot.  Casebolt should get another shot at Egli for the regional title.
 
113-  Castle’s Baxter Annakin faced Memorial’s Seth Horty in a match-up that will likely have ramifications for a state berth.  Annakin has been hobbled by season-long injuries and was sure to be tested by the 31-3 Horty.  Annakin came out guns a blazin’, scoring a couple of first period takedowns and a 9-5 win.  Was there anyone in the building quicker and slicker than Annakin?  Don’t overlook Horty,  he will get another shot at Annakin in the sectional.
 
120-  Give Castle’s , Neal Bealmer credit—he was not a bit scared of Mater Dei junior, the fifth-ranked Kyle Luigs.  Bealmer went after Luigs hard, but at the end of the day, Luigs was too much for the freshman and scored a fall.  I expect to see Bealmer and Luigs meet again for the regional title.
 
126-  Carson Willis of Castle won the title with a 5-2 decision.  Although Willis dominated, he has a formidable offense that he mostly held in reserve.
 
132-  Mater Dei’s team title turned on two upsets—one at 132, when Kyle Embry scored a win over Castle in the semifinal.  Embry met North senior, Josh Elpers, at the center mat.  Elpers wrestled a brilliant tactical match, scoring a takedown with five seconds remaining in the first period.  Embry scratched his way back into the match to force overtime.  After a stalling warning, Elpers was able to muster one last push to score a takedown, and an SIAC title.  This gets my vote for the best finals match.
 
138-  Mater Dei’s Blake Jourdan had no easy route to the final.  Jourdan had a very competitive race with North’s Nick Burke, before scoring a third period fall.  Jourdan’s much anticipated match-up with Castle’s Austin Ramsey initially looked like a let-down.  Jourdan was able to get to Ramsey’s legs and was on his way to a win, when Ramsey slithered out of a bear hug and put Jourdan flat on his back.  The Castle faithful roaring, Jourdan dug deep to finally bridge out of a desperate situation.  With Jourdan trailing by two, he was able to turn a scramble into a third period fall.  Burke, Jourdan and Ramsey are legitimate State Qualifiers; the regional should be a doozy.
 
145-  Mater Dei sophomore, Joe Lee, spent 2:33 on the mat.  I noticed a small cut on his hairline and asked him how he got it.  “One of the matches,” he said, shrugging.
 
152-  The opponents of Lee’s team mate, Mitch Lehman, did not fare much better, as the senior won his first SIAC title with two falls and an injury default.
 
160-  Who wants to wrestle Mater Dei’s 0-3 Hunter Carr?  Apparently, only Castle’s Jacob Farmer.  Carr was the Cinderella story of the tournament, defeating the two and three seeds, earning a date in the final with Farmer.  After scoring the initial takedown, Carr’s magic ran out and Farmer held on for a 4-2 win.
 
170-  Evan Dowell was calculating and under control, winning the title for Bob Harmon’s Castle Knights.  Bosse’s Raymond Garnett was the Bulldogs lone entrant in the final and provided a stiff challenge for Dowell.  With an unorthodox stance and sure foot movement, Dowell was wary of Garnett.  Lookout for Central’s Kiave Guerrier.  Guerrier is raw, but dangerous.  Dowell managed a 1-0 semifinal victory over Guerrier.
 
182-  Castle’s Carson Mohler and Memorial’s Conner Brown had the makings of the “Best Match” in the finals, before Brown had to retire on account of injury.  I look for a rematch in the Castle sectional.
195-  Mater Dei’s Kurtis Wilderman was the class of the field at 195, beating Reitz’s overachieving Andrew Shaw 6-2 for the gold medal. 
 
220-  How many more wrestlers named “Boots” can Mater Dei produce?  Well, at least one more.  Greg Schaefer’s sophomore, dominated with a fall, major and a 1:00 fall in the final.
 
285-  Central’s Jordan Libby shook off an earlier loss to Mater Dei’s Austin Fleck and decisioned Fleck 6-3 for the top podium spot in Paradise. 
 
The Good, The Bad & The Ugly
 
Let's get The Ugly out of the way.  The referees were nothing short of atrocious.  Because of his substantial belly, bad knees or both, one of the referees did not have the ability to get to the mat.  A number of times, I saw him call falls while hovering over the grapplers; nor did he slide his hand under the shoulder blades.  Evidently, he has x-ray vision.  Yet another ref needs a refresher course. When the top man has his arms wrapped around the bottom man’s ankles it is not a stalemate, it is STALLING.   I also saw a kid get DQ’d on a specious call.  As a result, is his season over?  I sure hope not.
 
Is this really the best available?  In the toughest avenue a high school athlete can pursue,  SIAC wrestlers are owed more than the lazy and/or incompetent officials they were offered.
 
The Good:
 
Give the Wildcats credit.  Mater Dei graduated five 2015 SIAC champs and were missing a State Placer and State Champion from their line-up.  With upsets and dinged-up wrestlers, Saturday saw their best production of the year.
 
The young Castle team was very fit and wrestled with tremendous enthusiasm.  Harmon’s Knights have some great years in front of them.  Typically, southern Indiana wrestling fans do not endlessly promote their teams/kids on Indianamat.com.  I believe this hurts Castle.  I have been to the IHSWCA Team State Duals every year since its inception.  Without equivocation, this year and last, Castle is a top ten Indiana dual team.  Their exclusion from this event makes it weaker, not stronger.  Castle fans:  if Castle does not receive an automatic bid, petition for a vote-in slot.   CASTLE BELONGS IN THE 2017 CHAMPIONSHIPS.
 
Speaking of Harmon…did anyone see him carrying around the infant and speaking softly to him?  The Hall-Of-Fame boss/tough-guy looked like a big old cuddly teddy bear.  On the other hand, he may have been discussing takedowns, mental preparation and strategy.
 
Reitz surprised with their strong, third place finish.  They did it the hard way, overcoming higher seeds and placing ten of their grapplers.
 
Although they finished seventh, I liked Harrison’s enthusiasm.  There was great effort on the Warriors’ part and they brought a dialed-in fan base.  If they can get healthy, they will make a dent in the Castle sectional.  

MD:  1st- 7, 2nd- 3, 3rd- 3, 4th- 0
 
CAS:  1st- 5, 2nd- 5, 3rd- 3, 4th- 1
 
 
MD 257 Castle 243. 
 
Pretty Damn good Hook!  Wish you were exactly right though!

SIAC Finals:
 
106 Results
1st Place Match
Clay Egli (Evansville Mater Dei High School) 18-3, Fr. over Devon Casebolt (Castle High School) 31-4, Fr. (MD 10-0).
113 Results
1st Place Match
Baxter Annakin (Castle High School) 8-0, So. over Seth Horty (Evansville Memorial High School) 33-4, Jr. (Dec 9-5).
120 Results
1st Place Match
Kyle Luigs (Evansville Mater Dei High School) 24-1, Jr. over Neal Bealmear (Castle High School) 22-4, Fr. (Fall 4:20).
126 Results
1st Place Match
Carson Willis (Castle High School) 32-1, So. over Caleb Craig (Evansville Reitz High School) 28-8, Jr. (Dec 5-2).
132 Results
1st Place Match
Josh Elpers (Evansville North High School) 33-1, Sr. over Kyle Embry (Evansville Mater Dei High School) 18-7, Sr. (SV-1 5-3).
138 Results
1st Place Match
Blake Jourdan (Evansville Mater Dei High School) 22-2, Sr. over Austin Ramsey (Castle High School) 32-3, Sr. (Fall 5:33).
145 Results
1st Place Match
Joe Lee (Evansville Mater Dei High School) 19-1, So. over Clay McNutt (Castle High School) 18-7, Jr. (Fall 1:01).
152 Results
1st Place Match
Mitch Lehman (Evansville Mater Dei High School) 21-7, Sr. over William Nunn (Castle High School) 14-5, Fr. (Fall 2:27).
160 Results
1st Place Match
Jacob Farmer (Castle High School) 29-5, Jr. over Hunter Carr (Evansville Mater Dei High School) 2-4, Sr. (Dec 4-2).
170 Results
Evan Dowell (Castle High School) 30-3, Sr. over Raymond Garnett (Evansville Bosse High School) 19-3, Sr. (Fall 3:38).
182 Results
1st Place Match
Carson Mohler (Castle High School) 32-3, Jr. over Conner Brown (Evansville Memorial High School) 20-5, Jr. (Inj. 1:46).
195 Results
1st Place Match
Kurtis Wilderman (Evansville Mater Dei High School) 25-1, Jr. over Andrew Shaw (Evansville Reitz High School) 26-10, Sr. (Dec 6-2).
220 Results
1st Place Match
Michael Boots (Evansville Mater Dei High School) 23-9, So. over Blake Huggins (Evansville Reitz High School) 25-7, Sr. (Fall 1:00).
285 Results
1st Place Match
Jordan Libby (Evansville Central High School) 27-7, Sr. over Austin Fleck (Evansville Mater Dei High School) 19-11, Sr. (Dec 6-3).

 

Moving on....who?

i hear doug annakin is in charge of the highly-regarded castle concession stand...  tater up!
 
btw-  my station wagon is, of course, rear wheel drive.  if anyone has some chains they can loan me for my tires, it would be greatly appreciated.  also, i need to update my photo.  i installed some neon spinning wheels.  they look awesome.

It all depends on the draw:
106 Rooks Mills Murphy and Garcia. I think one of these kids will win
113 Cummings
120 Hildebrant Glogouski and Mulkey. I think one of these kids will win.
126 Hudkins or Bailey
132 Red or Lee
138 Lee
145 Lee Timberman Laughlin Vaughn Bethel and Eicher. Ok, easy to say one of these kids will win
152 Lawrence Pruitt McCormick Dunn and Johnson. One these will win
160 Covaciu
170 Hughes
182 Rypel or Davison
195 Jones
220 Woods Parris Larson Ellis Hipple and Scroggs are all undefeated at this time. Woods Larson and Ellis have been Indiana Mat Gorilla's. That means they have been coached by J. Caprino, which gives them a slight edge. :-) 
285 Streck

I also have him winning, but the Woods vs Parris match-up is one of my most anticipated match-ups.

So any more match updates from The Wild Bill?

Not sure about your Dakota Erickson prediction. He lost to mater Dei's reserve 106. Evv SS is STACKED at 106.

Biddle from Plainfield is out and Evv SS still has 6 of the top 8 ranked 285lbers?  Oh, and also the 16th ranked 285. 
 
Holy Ford Center!
 
BTW, nice updated State rankings from last night ontherise219!

Every year around this time wrestling fans in Fort Wayne flock to Snider High School to watch a little wrestling.  The old greats will gather to talk about the old days.  Rico Talamentes shall be at hand and there will be a Tony Elkins Sr. sighting.  Mr. Woodson will be present if time permits.  Hopefully stalwart Terry Burton and the legendary Russ Isaacs are in attendance.  However these festivities will have a somber” tone” without the raspy presents of Hall of Famer: Fred Tone.  It’s nostalgic for me every time I’m in those hallowed halls.  Troy Bahler, Goshert, Elbert Starks. James Starks, Jermaine Brooks, The Talamentes Bros., Greg Wagner, Jason Woodson, Oliver Richmond, The Lovejoys, Will  Ragle Jr., Tony Vaughn,  Erique Early sr., Lil E………… For the first time in a long time my Alma Mater, Snider, is not the favorite.  The Cadets from Concordia are.  Northside is poised to strike in an upset bid.  Parity has found its way to Fairlawn Ave. and I think this one will be a barnburner!
106.  Its no secret who the favorite is here. Led by Russ Hartman, Northside’s senior Ben ”State” Streeter is the Juggernaut here.  Strong, tough, and experienced, you’d be a fool to go against him. Already a state qualifier,   Streeter is focused on a medal so he has no time to play with the younglings.   If he is to be challenged it will be by feisty  Soph. Josh “Go Hard” Goheen -Smith.   The rest of the pack will fight for third expect Bishop Luers’s   Ben ”The Wrecker” Frecker to make some noise.
Sleeper: NONE
113. Again this one is a culmination.  He’s come a long way from being that 82lb freshman. Wayne’s  Geoffrey “Tiltmaster” Davis, led by Josh “Colossus” Grider, already has seen Banker’s Life once and left with some hardware, a fourth place medal.  Speed and tenacity are his assets, along with a been there done that approach. Freshman, Concordia’s Luke “The Force” Aumick will use his Jedi powers to take the rest of the field.
Sleeper: NONE
120. Snider’s Jaydon “Raidan”Nance, Led by Dave “Gimme Some” Mohr, has wrestled 120 all four years on varsity.  He has been in the conference finals twice losing both times.  This is his weight to lose.  He shall be challenged by Dwenger’s Jacob “journeyman” Robinson. Southside’s Jamarri”Blitz” Price and Luers’s Gage “The Mallet” Mallot can upset any of the top two if they are not poised and ready.
Sleeper: PRICE
126. Your guess as good as mine. Snider’s Zeran”The Sultan” Couter is the favorite but Dwenger’s Michael” I don’t live in” Garrett has the pedigree to upset the field.  This is a very wide open weight with no incumbents.
Sleeper: THEY ALL ARE
132.  Early on this one looked easy. Woenker from Bishop Luers.  Woenker had a growth spurt so again it’s on.  Northside’s Ketan” I am” Braun was a conference champ last year.  So was Snider’s Jordan Pace.  Concordia’s Tre King can beat them both under the right circumstances.  I’ll take Braun.
138.  This may be the SAC’s most intriguing weight.  Bishop Luer’s Chandler “Cerebro” Woenker, led by Rodney” one man team” Bolden, is the favorite but there is all type of chaos amongst the head to heads.   Northside’s Matt Magana dec. Northrop’s improved Austin "Taz” Ochoa.  Ochoa Pinned Ben”The Hulk” Macias from Southside twice.  Macias Teched Ochoa.  Ochoa dec. and pinned Concordia’s Murfield.  Woenker majored and pinned Ochoa.  Ochoa pinned Woenker. Woenker hasn’t face Magana, Macias, nor Murfield.  So they all have better records than Ochoa, yet Ochoa has beaten them all except Magana in a close dec. earlier in the year.  Carry the 1 divided by the 9 plus the 7 negative times pi= Woenker.
Sleeper: Macias
145. Northside’s Logan "the leg” Capps has been knocking on that door for a while now.  A conference runner-up and Semi-state qualifier last year he was poised to dominate this year.  Slowed by an injury, coming back nearly a month late, Capps still has a little rust.  Don’t think that’s going to stop him from winning conference.  Wayne’s Oberto Solis is dangerous, so is Concordia’s Chad "Vlad” Grover.
Sleeper:  Dwenger’s David “Neverfail” Obergfell.
152.  Snider senior Nick “Miller Time” Miller is a hard worker poised to capture another conference crown and earn that elusive trip to Banker’s Life.  He “did the rounds” so all he needs to do is beat whomever comes to that line.  His challengers are Concordia’s Jack "Stack” Adair and Wayne’s Javi “Jaguar” Johnson.  Miller is solid. Adair is a grizzled veteran with a cheat code it seems.  Johnson has the pedigree and  is simply cat quick. This will be an entertaining semi-final.
Sleepers: Gonzalez Northrop/ Garrett Dwenger
160.  Wayne’s Bryson “Tyson” Mckee was a surprise semi state qualifier last season with a .500 record.  Normally with those credentials you would be the favorite in our conference.  Not this year.  There are at least four guys who could take it here.  Luke "Hook’em” Fisher from Bishop Luers lost to McKee earlier in the year.  Concordia’s Harris has been having a fine year but was pinned by Fisher.  Toss Northside’s Logan "I don’t go to” Snyder in there and now we have an issue.  McKee hasn’t separated himself from this pack so it’s a tossup.
Sleeper: Dalton Harrington Snider
170 Concordia’s Zach "not him” Davis is used to winning.  He put in the time and did the rounds. Indiana Tech especially.  He had a trip to the Mecca called Banker’s Life Fieldhouse last year.  That gave him confidence.  They won’t stop him on Saturday. 
182.  Northrop’s Heath “Beef” Ault, led by Bruce "Lee” Ojeda, won’t quit.  He wants to be the best.  This is his chance because he has already beaten the field.  He just has to do it again.  In his way are Dwenger’s Stephen “Fleetwood” Nix and Concordia’s Dominic Perugini who have traded victories.  Southside’s Nate Garcia was poised to challenge but my insiders say he’s out. With the top three battling it out, Bishop Luers’ Mitch “Flip the Switch” Gigli is poised to conquer the rest of the field. Sleeper: Mitch Gigli.
195 is a mystery. Concordia’s Joey “Sweet as a” Rucsinski is the favorite here. He shall be challenged by the field. Not a lot is known about 195; it is wide open. Sleepers: Ricardo Talamantes Snider.
220 Concordia’s Noah “Turn You To” Asher is the class of this field. Trevor Thomas Snider was a Conference Champ last year. Northside’s Tyson Whitner, Wayne’s Dom Snyder, and Northrop’s Ta’Vonne Johnson are poised to challenge. Snyder is strong as an ox. Whitner is a veteran. Johnson has big moves and powerful throws. Asher possesses all of those qualities. This is Asher’s. Sleeper: Dom Snyder.
285 again this was supposed to be a culmination. Unless Bishop Luers’ Daemon Williams pulls a Willis Reed, this race is now Dakota “Rushmore” Ault’s to lose. Ault has had big victories. winning the Connersville Invite. Landon “Hold the Soup” Campbell is his number one rival. Campbell won the Garrett Invite. Wayne’s Jacob “Sir Isaac” Newton is poised is take the rest of the field. Sleeper: Campos Southside.

Brought to you by EI Sports
 

 
By JEREMY HINES
Thehines7@gmail.com
 
Randy May’s name deserves to be in the mix when talking about Indiana’s all-time best wrestlers.
 
May went undefeated as a sophomore, junior and senior at Bloomington South High School in the 1974-76 seasons. He won three state championships during that span.
 
Perhaps the only thing keeping him off the podium his freshman season was that he was too small (he weighed right at 84 pounds), and he was behind the brother of three-time state champion Jim Cornwell for a spot in the varsity lineup.
 
“I was just too little to make the varsity team,” May said. “My coach, Kay Hutsell, had already won four state championships as a coach. Bloomington had a tradition back then like Evansville Mater Dei does now. And it was almost as hard to crack our varsity lineup as it was to win a state title.”
 
Hutsell had coached Bloomington to team state championships in 1969, 70, 71 and 72. During that span Bloomington had seven individual champions.
 
In 1973 Bloomington split into Bloomington North and Bloomington South. Hutsell became Bloominigton South’s coach, and led them to another state championship in the 1973 season.
 
That season May lost just one time in the reserve matches – to a varsity junior from Owen Valley.
 
“I got beat by him,” May said. “It was a good match. He ended up being one win away from going to the state tournament.”
 
May hurt his back his freshman year and coach Hutsell sent him to help coach the feeder system at Smithville Middle School.
 
“I was mad,” May said. “I wanted to be with the team. I had so much energy for the sport. Eventually coach let me travel with the team on dual meets. That was a privilege. I got to be on the team bus with everyone and I was sort of brought up under their wings. I was with guys like Marty Hutsell and Doug Hutsell (both were two-time state champs).”
 
May knows living in Bloomington when he did was the best possible place for him to grow as a wrestler. He vividly remembers being allowed to go to Indiana University during their clinics and camps.
 
“I had great coaching,” May said. “Everyone thought I would one day go to IU. I was able to go there anytime I wanted and I was able to wrestle kids from all over the country that came in for the clinics and the camps.
 
“In 1975-76 money was very tight and there was a gas shortage. I’d drive to IU after I got off of work and I’d go to one of the wrestling clinics where kids would stay for the whole week from across the country. You would get a new batch of kids each week.”
 
May would bet the kids that he could take them down. If he took them down, they had to pay him a dime. If they took him down, he would pay a dollar.
 
“I took all their candy money,” May said. “That always paid for my gas.”
 
May dominated his foes on the mat during the high school season much like he did at the clinics. He never lost a varsity match.
 
After high school he chose to wrestle at Cleveland State University, which at the time was a national top 20 program.
 
“I had dreams of being a four-time National champion,” May said. “I had my whole future mapped out. I wanted to be an Olympian and then I wanted to coach wrestling.”
 
Things didn’t work out as May had planned. He developed a debilitating disease that changed his life course and took him away from wrestling. He was only able to wrestle one college match.
 
“The disease shuts down the central nervous system,” May said. “It can kill you. But I worked my ass off. They told me I should have been on bed rest, but I didn’t stop working. When I couldn’t stand, I’d pull myself up. I still went to practice every day.”
 
May eventually realized his wrestling career would have to be over.
 
“I was walking with the aid of a cane at the time,” May said. “I was struggling with guys that I knew I should have been able to kick their ass. I wrestled one match against a four-time state champion from West Virginia. He took me down and I said, ‘you have got to be kidding me’. I came back and tied the match and won on riding time. But I knew I wasn’t myself anymore. I knew wrestling was over for me.”
 
May had to refocus his life goals, and his career. He didn’t want to coach the sport he could no longer participate in. He now runs a business in underground utilities and lives in Florida.
 
His son, Randy Jr., took up wrestling in high school and quickly found success.
 
“He was a natural and I loved watching him,” May said. “He took fourth in state his junior year and as a senior he was ranked No. 1 and got very sick and ended up finishing sixth. He won over 100 matches and I was at his practices every day. The team won state his senior year and I was able to travel with the guys.”
 
Six years ago, Randy Jr., passed away.
 
May has suffered more than most his age. But he remains positive. He credits his outlook on life on his upbringing.
 
“I was brought up with a good work ethic,” May said. “We had tasks and chores. My parents wanted them done right. I’d complain, but then I realized if I worked hard and did them right the first time, with a good attitude, I was going to get a reward. I could go play in the woods or go swimming.
 
“I guess I carried that attitude over into life. I always try to have a good work ethic and a positive attitude. That will make you successful in anything you do.”
 
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