B. Alan

So you think if we split the state into two classes that there would be dozens of teams opting to move up to 2A? No way

There would be dozens of individuals wanting to.

Here we go!!! Can't wait for next week.

IMO, Hudkins will prevail. That pounding he put on Egli yesterday convinced me.

It seems exposure and participation are the main arguments in support of a classed system. Am I right in declaring this? 

Would everyone agree that numbers in ALL sports have taken a hit in the last ten years? I have no data on this, but, based on casual observation, I'm thinking you'll find it to be true. 

So that is why we have classed our other sports?

 

Our state tournament is dominated by the bigger schools, and by your assessment we should have went to class wrestling when Mater Dei won 10 straight titles since they are a catholic school that dominated.

If there were five other schools just like them, and there were three public school powerhouses, and they were all located in the same corner of the state. Then, yeah, that's what I'd be saying. 

When Catholic schools start dominating we will need a class system????

That's not what I said. I said a class system is necessary in a state like Illinois because there's a handful of ridiculously good programs (almost all near Chicago, btw) that would consistently sweep, or come very close to sweeping, a single class tournament. I wish I had some data that showed the number of large schools near Chicago compared to the rest of the state.

In Indiana we don't have that problem. Indiana is nothing like Illinois as far as population and population density variances are concerned. All parts of the state are well represented. Yes, we have our better programs, and there is no doubt more state qualifiers come from 3A schools, but our 2A(four state champs last year) and even 1A schools still have plenty of kids making deep runs and placing. We don't need a class system and never will.

Glenbard North and Sandburg would not agree with your statement.

You're right. You'd have to throw Washington, St. Rita, and Marmion in there as well. The number of nationally ranked kids coming from this handful of schools is staggering, making a class system necessary.

40+ states have these "crying shames" as you like to put it. Amazing that none of these "crying shames" are reverting back to single class wrestling. Within the last 10 years Illinois has added a class along with New York actually going from single class to two classes.

 

IL and NY are more or less dominated by private/parochial schools when it comes to wrestling(with the exception of OPRF). These schools go all over the country to wrestle. Their state tournament isn't as big of a deal to them.

If IL wasn't classed three teams would very likely have ALL of the state champions. OPRF, Montinni Catholic and Marist. 

Indiana doesn't have that problem.

So you admit that it could help small school programs, but are so fascinated with having a "true" champion that you will sacrifice more kids wrestling for the one champion.  

 

Yes. Again, I am simply a fan. As I said, my perspective will differ from that of someone more directly involved.

It wouldn't encourage kids to move to bigger schools any more than it does now. 

 

Yes it would unless the IHSAA allowed kids to wrestle up individually in the sectional. If I'm the best kid in the state, it'd be a crying shame if the size of my school kept me from proving it.

Also one factor you are missing is if more kid are qualifying for state or coming close(semi-state), they will also be more inclined to do more offseason things like clubs and tournaments, thus getting better and thus increasing the QUALITY. 

 

I absolutely understand what you're getting at here, and for the most part, I agree with you, but I think it would work both ways. Yes, a kid getting the chance to go deep in the tournament, and getting hungry, would promote more offseason work, which would of course be great for quality. On the other hand, a more gifted kid wrestling for a small school might not have to work hard at all to make deep runs in the tournament, which would likely deter them from putting in offseason work, thus keeping them from reaching their full potential, a potential that might've been reached had they been forced to put the time in due to wrestling better competition.

On top of that more kids at state will help their exposure for college wrestling. More kids wrestling in college is great as they are also likely to come give back to the sport after they are finished with school. I would love to have more guys with college experience helping out coaching or reffing in the state.

 

More kids at the state tournament would not mean more kids wrestling in college. Colleges aren't going to expand their programs just because Indiana has twice as many kids at the state tournament. 

Y2 has converted me over the years. My only concern is will the IHSAA let a small school elect to wrestle up like Mater Dei does in the IHSWCA Team State duals? They are a 1A school in size but choose to wrestle with the larger schools. Is this permitted in other classed sports?

Furthermore, will the IHSAA permit an INDIVIDUAL to wrestle up during the state series while the rest of his team is competing in a different sectional? It just gets really messy when you class an individual sport.

I know I'm late to the party here, but I don't like the idea of classing individual state, at all. Team state, love it. Individual, no. I'm sure it's been covered at some point in here (I'm not going through the entire thread), but, what happens when an elite kid from a small school is arguably, or even unquestionably, the best kid in the state? Why should he have to settle for a "small school" state title when he is the best? Yes, I agree getting more kids to qualify for state could be good for a program, and possibly for the entire state(from a numbers perspective), but why dilute what it means to be a "state qualifier" or "state placer" or "state champion." Our state tournament series is fantastic as is. Why change or take away from it?

Most top-notch kids get to that level because of the off-season training they do with clubs and such, so the size of school doesn't make much difference. Kids will get out what they put in, regardless of the school they are attending. I know it already goes on to certain degree, but a move like this would even further encourage high level kids to leave their small town schools and attend bigger "top class" schools in pursuit of the best competition and more distinguished honors. Classing individual state would increase numbers, somewhat, but it definitely wouldn't increase the quality of wrestling throughout our state. I understand my perspective, that of a fan and only a fan, will certainly differ from that of a coach, parent, or, most importantly, a wrestler. I also understand that my opinion holds no bearing, whatsoever, and that I probably sound like a broken record, but I'd hate to see our state go in this direction.

Some speculation that Konrath may wrestle his first two matches and then forfeit to 4th place to try and be as healthy as possible going into next Friday. One of the Semistate champs isn't going to be happy with their draw if that does happen. Potential #1 vs #2 Friday night.

I wouldn't be surprised if that's what he does. Either way, he's still going to have to get through a couple tough kids this weekend.

This year's 120lb class is the deepest weight I can recall in recent years.

If Ferguson is 100%, I'll still take Egli.

Egli will win by decision or by injury default so Ferguson can save himself for semi state and wrestle enough to make it to state and then he goes for broke. At least that's my opinion and after seeing Simms do it a couple years ago I think it's a good possibility.

I was pulling hard for John up in Indy that year. Nothing against Chad, but I wanted to see Simms get it done so bad. I see the Ferguson situation playing out exactly as you've described it. At 120, I'd definitely want to take a 1 seed up to state, though. 

I can't believe Tyler Graff is making 57kg. He looked huge at 133lb last year.

Tsirtsis just got beat by Sorenson.

Micic wrestled Zahid a few years back. It was actually a pretty good match.

Not surprising at all. If i were a football coach, I'd want guys that are as team-oriented as possible, obviously. Playing multiple sports can definitely help cultivate that sort of mindset. I know it's brought up every year, but who are some of our elite wrestlers that also participate in other sports, other than bigger guys that play football? Any baseball players? Tennis? Soccer?

add this to your list hook:  new policy  bans tailgating with alcohol on warrick county school property.

 

bunch of party poopers.   why can't we enjoy a busch light (or 2, or 3, or...) in the parking lot in between rounds then cheer on our favorite wrasslers?

 

http://www.14news.com/story/27896133/new-policy-in-warrick-co-ends-tailgating-with-alcohol-on-school-property

If there happens to be someone enforcing this at the regional, I'm going to have problems.

Ferguson sighting: Confirmed

Hanging out at the concession stand in street clothes with a young lady. 

With Hudkins, Egli and Ferguson coming out of Evansville......Reitz, Black and Hatch coming from Mville.......Bailey and Elliot coming from NC, imagine the possible 3 vs 2 Friday night match. Good match for the fans but rough Friday night draw for a couple of wrestlers.

Who are the top two from FW?

Who are the top two from FW?

Never mind. I forgot we have this awesome site with that information being just a click away.

I hope they bounce back in the next couple years. Their feeder/club program was so solid 10-12 years ago. It'd be a real shame if it has started to dwindle. 

Mater Dei win all 14 matches to defeat Reitz 70-0 ...

Did a Reitz wrestler even score an offensive point?

Bc of Da Regions superiority complex?

Of course.

An All-Region squad would beat the brakes off of this year's MD team. Why is this even a thing?