wrealwrestler101

Looking back on the 2015-16 season, I must say it was a wild and crazy ride for wrestlers, coaches, and fans alike. There were surprises, upsets, and deep runs from the underdogs. All in all, who would you say impressed you this season with a run to the bank? I have three nominees that stood out to me. 1. Kris Rumph (Portage) - For a kid who's only been wrestling for a few years, placing fourth in a weight class led by nationally ranked studs is pretty impressive. He went toe to toe with Red, and about stopped the building if he finished the blast double. I hope to see more from this guy soon. Coach Vega has a great one on his hands. 2. Daniel Brookbank (Perry Meridian) - Brookbank is solid, and I'm sure coming up in a legendary room full of All-State wrestlers year in and year out really helped him grow into the gift I witnessed this season. He caught fire at the New Castle Semi-State when he put out a returning 37-1, Zach Melloh, and Saturday morning, he threw Nick Lee to his back. That's pretty impressive and I wish him luck in the future. 3. Isaiah McWilliams (South Bend Washington) - He by far had the best Friday night match out of the big guys. A nimble competitor who finished fourth at the state tournament in a game weight class. He upset Perkins Friday night, and York Saturday morning with persistence and determination to win. Fourth place is quite an accomplishment for a sophomore at a man's weight class. He (along with the Perry Hwt.) really represented well for the short guys at 285, and I hope to see this kid on top of the podium in the future.

Alfred Warren from Mooresville. He was the younger brother of '06 state champion, Alex Warren. Alfred was 37-0 his senior year and ranked #4 but was upset in the ticket round. He also had one loss his junior year and I believe four his sophomore year.

After reviewing the many arguments, data, statistics, and other states' state tournaments, I believe class wrestling can grow the sport of wrestling in Indiana. I was initially overlooking the entire sport based upon the atmosphere of Bankers Life during the finals anticipating Red and Lee, but then I thought, "It would be awesome if a team like Prairie Heights was in contention for a state championship." The crowd eruptions I was previously pointing towards has nothing to do with us being a single class. I remember watching the 1A team fans going nuts at the IHSWCA Team State watching their teams go back and forth in wild dual meets. Small schools rarely appear in our finals, and when they do, they have the crowd behind them. I would love to see MORE small schools in the IHSAA State Finals. The argument of being THE state champion is kind of overrated and overused. I understand population is a slight factor, but we have enough depth in Indiana for talent to be spread out and for kids to wrestle great matches. I don't think a kid like Mason Parris would feel any different winning a 2A state title vs. a 3A title. Classing wrestling would grow the sport in smaller schools, see more events pop up, and it would be a regular thing in Indiana. I'm all for it.

At next year's IHSAA finals, I want to challenge for the title in between rounds in a TLC match.

LOL Agreed... Both 4-time champions, everything is on the line. Even the vacant BCW World Heavyweight Title.

I posted in an earlier thread about the top Indiana teams of all-time. Of those ten teams listed, I have a couple of dream match-ups I would pay any price to see, and a slew of individual match-ups as well (unrelated to the team match-ups). Team #1 '03 Mater Dei vs. #1 '10 Mishawaka - Two teams with ten state qualifiers a piece. #1 '05 Lawrence North vs. #1 '12 Perry Meridian - Two of the most dominant dual teams the state has ever seen. Individual #1 '14 Stevan Micic (Hanover Central) vs. #1 '16 Chad Red (New Palestine) (126/132) #1 '05 Angel Escobedo (Griffith) vs. #1 '15 Nick Lee (Evansville Mater Dei) (132/138) #1 '04 Alex Tsirtsis (Griffith) vs. #1 '12 Jason Tsirtsis (Crown Point) #1 '15 Blake Rypel (Cathedral) vs. #1 '13 Mitch Sliga (Fishers) #1 '98 D.J. Radnovich (Gibson Southern) vs. #1 '14 Gelen Robinson (Lake Central) #1 '03 Jake O'Brien (Franklin Central) vs. #1 '16 Mason Parris (Lawrenceburg) #1 '06 Dexter Larimore (Merrillville) vs. #1 '16 Shawn Streck (Merrillville)

I personally agree with this statement here. The atmosphere inside Bankers Life Fieldhouse was incredible. All eyes on one mat watching one match. I understand the classed system would give a somewhat better chance for smaller schools to compete for a state title, but imagine having another or maybe two state championship matches going on during Red vs. Lee or Garcia vs. Murphy. The building wouldn't erupt like it did, and it would look rather awkward. I'm sure champions like Chad Red, Mason Parris, Asa Garcia, and place-winners/qualifiers like Brycen Denny and Dristin McCubbins feel great knowing they went toe-to-toe with Indiana's best in the wildest atmosphere with all eyes on them at most times, in comparison to facing lesser quality opponents and calling themselves state qualifiers because it was easier to make it to the big tournament. At the end of the day, the class system would effectively diminish the sport in Indiana.

It looks like my theme today is "the best." The recent IHSAA State Finals sparked many questions in my head, and while Chad Red and Nick Lee tore the house down Saturday night, it makes me wonder what everyone has in their mind as the best high school match they have ever seen. This weekend garnered two match of the year candidates, Chad Red v. Nick Lee, and Drew Hildebrandt v. Blake Glogouski. In terms of some of the best matches I've ever seen though (Didn't witness Vega/Schaefer unfortunately), I'll give a quick rundown of my top five. 5. Reece Humphrey (Lawrence North) vs. Andrew Howe (Hanover Central) - 2005 IHSAA State Finals - 130 lb. Championship 4. Chad Red (New Palestine) vs. Nick Lee (Evansville Mater Dei) - 2016 IHSAA State Finals - 132 lb. Championship 3. Andrew Howe (Hanover Central) vs. Nick Walpole (Perry Meridian) - 2006 IHSAA State Semifinals - 140 lb. - One of the most underrated matches ever. 2. Blake Maurer (Evansville Mater Dei) vs. Alex Dolly (Mishawaka) - 2003 IHSAA State Finals - 171 lb. Championship 1. Paul Petrov (Hanover Central) vs. Brenden Campbell (New Castle) - 2012 IHSAA State Finals - 120 lb. Championship - About as perfect of a championship match you can ask for.

I'd add Kirk Johnson from Perry Meridian too. 4th 2X, and a 3rd his senior year if I'm correct.

106 - Colton Cummings over Asa Garcia - Dec 6-3 ... Cummings is great no doubt about it, but Garcia will compete, and I don't believe he'd give up a major. 113 - Garrett Pepple over Colton Cummings - Dec 5-4 ... Both solid mat wrestlers here, but Pepple has the advantage due to experience. 120 - Brock Hudkins over Drew Hildebrandt - Dec 3-1 126 - Chad Red over Brock Hudkins - Dec 4-0 132 - Nick Lee vs. Chad Red ... http://s400.trackwrestling.com/tw//predefinedtournaments/MainFrame.jsp?newSession=false&sport=wrestling&TIM=1456261260053&pageName=&ie=false&frameSize=657 138 - Brayton Lee over Tommy Cash - Dec 10-5 145 - Joe Lee over Jacob Covaciu - MD 17-5 152 - Tommy Forte over Trent Pruitt - MD 12-2 160 - Drew Hughes over Jacob Covaciu - Dec 6-0 170 - Drew Hughes over Dylan Lydy - Dec 5-0 ... Too good on top 182 - Blake Rypel over Chase Osborn - Dec 8-4 195 - Blake Rypel over Jake Kleimola - FALL 220 - Kobe Woods over Mason Parris - Dec 7-6 285 - Shawn Streck (2016) was about as physically dominant as they come.

A stellar career, no doubt about it. Is there any way I can watch the 2011 or 2012 finals? I'd really like to see the 2011 finals match and replay the 2012 match.

Campbell had an explosion of a match in 2012 with Petrov. One of the best I've ever seen.

After watching Steven "Bam" Lawrence's career come to an end this Saturday (a valiant one I must add), it made me wonder, who are some of the best to never win state? I know this topic comes up frequently each year, but would anyone add Bam to the list? A few that come to mind immediately are Craig Macke, Tyler Willis, Vincent Corsaro, Brandon James, and the aforementioned Lawrence.

Three NCAA All-Americans on that team.

I guess in the most basic terms, yes. I was just looking in terms of the overall dominance each team held in their respective seasons.

I haven't seen as much as I thought I would about it, but after the conclusion of the IHSAA State Finals, the Warren Central Warriors were crowned your 2016 Team State Champions. Jim Tonte has done a tremendous job over the years at Perry Meridian, and instantly made his mark at Warren with a team title. Hats off to him, but more importantly, the Warriors looked dominant and broke the IHSAA team points record previously held by Tonte at Perry Meridian just three years ago. It made me think, this could be one of the best teams Indiana has ever seen. They boasted a 12-1 record, and dominated pretty much every individual tournament. So, I compiled a list of my personal favorite teams over the years to watch. Please feel free to post your favorites. What would some match-ups between these teams look like? 10. Lawrence North, 1992 (Based upon the individual strength of the "Fab 4.") 9. Warren Central, 2016 8. Perry Meridian, 2013 (28-0, 8/14 Qualifiers, one 7th place, two 5th place-winners, four finalists, three champions.) 7. Crown Point, 2009 6. Lawrence North, 2004 5. Perry Meridian, 2012 (27-0, 9/14 Qualifiers, two 7th place-winners, one 4th place, two 3rd place, two runner-ups, one champion.) 4. Lawrence North, 2005 (29-0, an unstoppable run led by 3-time Champ Reece Humphrey.) 3. Mishawaka, 2010 (10/14 Qualifiers, 10 All-State, 2 runner-ups in Beck and Lentz.) 2. Evansville Mater Dei, 2002 (Four finalists, one champion.) 1. Evansville Mater Dei, 2003 (NO QUESTION. 10/14 Qualifiers, two 3rd place-winners, five finalists, four champions.)

I feel as if lots of kids these days are getting caught up in the idea of being Division I athletes. While being a Division I athlete is stellar, it isn't the only level. I feel as if being a Division I athlete is something you should shoot for and to train like, but you don't have to become one. You see kids with their social media bios saying "D1 dreams" or "D1 bound", or something of that nature, but I wouldn't want my kids getting caught up in the idea of that. You should use collegiate athletic scholarships as a stepping stone into the next phase of your life and to help you earn an education. Some Division I institutions don't offer the things you're looking for in life. When you choose a college, you should choose one that you are most comfortable with. I don't care if you're a state champion, placewinner, semi-state, regional, or sectional qualifier. If you want to continue to wrestle in college, you should do as you wish, and you should still work hard. Kids who were semi-state qualifiers and don't necessarily get that shot at being a Division I athlete for a top program shouldn't be down and out. You can be a semi-state qualifier in high school and continue to wrestle in college at a D2, D3, NAIA, or Junior College and still train hard to win something big. You may want it even more then because you didn't have it in high school. You can still train and become a national champion. I hear kids too often who love the sport that don't make it out of semi-state or regionals and quit the sport because they believe they're no good. Sometimes, it's just not your time, but in college you can still train at a higher and more intense level to become an All-American or champion. If you become a Division III national champion, you're not any less of a national champion than a Division I or Division II or any more of a national champion than an NAIA or Junior College. I just don't want my kids to believe that they have to quit doing something they love because they didn't get a big time shot or get as far as they hoped.

A common question amongst Indiana wrestling fans: How can we raise our participation numbers in the state finals? Some say we should introduce class wrestling to allow smaller schools to receive a chance at the big show down at Bankers, but there are (obviously) other options. In my opinion, looking at the New Jersey single class route, one option is that we can eliminate semi-state, keep our 32 sectional sites, and drop 16 regional sites to eight. If population is an argument, it shouldn't be necessarily, as Indiana only has 2.4 million people less than the Garden State. Whether or not that makes a big difference is for you to decide. Another option I see is making the first round of the semi-state championships the ticket round. If we were to eliminate Semi-State, following the New Jersey format: Sectionals (1-2 day | Thursday/Friday, Saturday) - 8-man bracket - Top 3 advance in each weight Regionals (3-day | Wednesday/Thursday, Friday, Saturday) - 16-man bracket - Top 3 advance in each weight State (3-day | Thursday, Friday, Saturday) - 32-man bracket - Place 8, Wrestleback to 3rd (maybe 5th, and semi-final losers wrestle for 3rd/4th like at Michigan State Open) - Seeding meeting four days before state tournament. If we are to keep our state tournament system with a few adjustments: Sectionals (No Change) Regionals - Eliminate first round advancement - Full wrestlebacks to 3rd Semi-State - First round ticket round - Place 8, Wrestleback to 5th State (3-day) - Logical pairings (Seed / Draw method instead of the random 1-4, 2-3 draw) | Semi-State Champions earn 1-4 seeds based upon best record, 2nd to 4th place winners follow same method. 5th to 8th fall into slots. - Full wrestlebacks to 5th place (Possibly 3rd) I see both of these methods increasing attendance and excitement surrounding the Indiana state tournament. The only way we can push forward with it is if our Coaches' Association's relationship with the IHSAA is as strong as other states around the nation. Just some thoughts.

In both of these fellow wrestlers Cadet year, they won a national championship at Fargo at 132 pounds. Both took charge of their respective fields, with Lee posting technical falls through the whole tournament, making a clear statement of the beast he is. In your opinion, who would win the bout between the two as Cadet 132 pounders?

Dylan Stocker from Pike High School. Regional Qualifier. Lost to Brandon James in Sectional finals, and Jordan Vaughn in Regional quarters. Competed at the 2014 IHPO and was a Disney All-American.

If we see Stevenson at 182 pounds this season, how would he match up against Rypel? My guess is Rypel in a controlled match with something close to a 6-2 decision.