RedShirt

Didn't realize the Brownsburg feeder system was so strong. Hard to build such a good dual meet team so fast without transfers.

Stupid idea. The only places where it might make sense is regional or semi-state.

How much worse could the state runner up feel? "Hey, you just lost the championship. Now get ready to lose again." You'd have to keep all sharp objects and ledges away from these kids.

Mishawaka's old room was about 3/4 of a mat and a large post in the middle of it.

Merrilville has 4 full size mats with a coaches office and room on the side for a small set of bleachers. Biggest room I've seen, including colleges.

This is entertaining, but I'm more focused on making sure no one deflates the mats this weekend. With the cold weather someone might be looking for an advantage.

Isn't the point of a discussion board to generate discussion? Get thicker skin.

I rarely post on this site. I have too much fun reading the comments and wit of others. But after watching yesterday's event, I wanted to add a thank you to the young men that make this sport what it is.

As usual, those who have done thousands of push ups and sit ups, ran hundreds of miles, passed on Taco Bell for a salad, ignored pain and injury, and listened respectfully to criticism have managed to put on another great show at the State Finals. The dedication and sacrifice that it takes to get to the final day of the season is only imaginable to those who are part of this great sport. No matter how your season finished take pride in the fact that you are the Special Forces of high school athletics, putting yourself on that island of competition chasing an immeasurable goal greater than any medal or trophy. Actors and directors spend countless hours and millions of dollars trying to evoke half of the emotion from an audience that you can do in mere seconds. Be proud of the fact that you can move complete strangers to cheering, tears, and even booing, with your efforts. No matter what transpired, everyone (even your critics) respect what you've done to get to this level of your sport. Thank you for stepping into that long line of wrestlers who have created the great tradition that is the IHSAA State Wrestling Championships.

Now, don't just sit there. Start training for next year's Finals. 

When you know the mascot and location of every obscure school in the state....and the name and favorite move of their last state finalist.

How often has a top 4 kid been knocked out of the tournament due to this? Not that I am against wrestle backs, but our sport gets way more worked up about this than others. It's one and done in many IHSAA sports...baseball, football, etc... If you are a Marion county team in football, you might be the 4th best team in the state, and you can't even get past round 1 of your sectional. I'm not sure about individual sports like tennis, cross country, track, and swimming. Maybe they have something similar to a wrestle back.

I guess it's unfortunate for the individual, but otherwise, we might be turning semi state into the regional, which is a real yawner in most cases.

I always thought some of the best matches of the season were the 3rd place matches in the old regional format.

Either....

Mauer v Dolly

or

Cameron Smith (Ben Davis) v Eric Douglas (Valpo)