gsmith58
-
Posts
431 -
Joined
-
Last visited
-
Days Won
7
Content Type
Articles
Coach
Teams
Team History
Wrestlers
Wrestler Accomplishments
Dual Results
Individual Results
Team Rankings
Individual Rankings Master
Individual Ranking Detail
Tournament Results
Brackets
College Signings
Media
State Bracket Year Info
Team Firsts and Lasts
Family History
Schedule-Main
Schedule-Details
Team History Accomplishments
Current Year Dual Results
Current Year Tournament Results
Forums
Events
Store
Downloads
Everything posted by gsmith58
-
There are also archived Yearbooks that go way back. They list results down to the sectional level, but I don't recall whether they have the full brackets at any level.
-
I agree with the majority of your post. But, I do, however, know from simple observation, anecdotal as it may be, kids and parents do get humiliated and upset. We've all seen blow-ups at youth tourneys; getting tossed around by another human being is a pretty personal thing. And, not every parent grew up as a wrestler or even an athlete; nor do they all have the "fight through it" mental model. Having that life experience is good thing, and I am absolutely on point with you, but the gist here was about about retention and keeping them around so they learn that focus. I certainly know every kid has to go through it, all I am saying is when it happens they need more attention and awareness than the better or more experienced kids. And it doesn't always happen. And, retention in any context is built one person at a time. As an example, we both watch and admire coach Red and his remarkable energy. That guy makes it a point to get around to every kid in that room every single day (and nearly every drill or go). Every one of them gets a personal conversation and a little of his "love." He's a great example of what I mean.
-
To the retention point it would seem to me 2 to 5 youth athletes a year could be doable. I can think of a couple things that might help. I've noticed in multiple setting (clubs, camps, rooms, academies, tourneys, duals) that the lesser kids don't get the attention that the more experienced and gifted kids get. Hardly insightful, but I think its important if were talking about a handful of kids. I am not saying they are being ignored and getting no attention. What I am saying is they and their parents need 'way more' encouragement and 'way more' attention than the better more experienced kids. I know that is not natural in any sport, but I can't think of many sports that can be more difficult and "humiliating" for beginners and their parents. I can't tell you how many times I have had to talk first and second year (and sometime later) parents off the cliff during a tourney because some up and coming academy wizard took down, cut, took down, cut, etc, etc. their 11 year old beginner son. Its darn hard for everyone those first couple of years. That in itself does not encourage retention.
-
My mistake. I missed the details. My next question is do they have that rate by state over time (don't tell me it's in the doc)? That would be informative. It appears that to me that we are at or near the top third and even within that group, for the most part, we are within a point or two. There are only 3 or 4 60+ states (more northerly, less hoops driven?) and within that upper third for the most part we're clustered within a 2 to 4% range. I suppose that would be on average a retention of 2 to 4 more youth athletes/year or are you thinking something more dramatic? How much do you believe that rate could be realistically pushed?
-
I always enjoyed weeknight match ups. The more efficient the matches-up the better. The Ohio Tourney of Champions does it right (I know it's not completely applicable to local youth tourneys, but...); it's one period of a hybrid folkstyle/freestyle and they tell you when to show for your mat. The mat is only one or two weight classes/age groups, and you're on deck about every 15-20 minutes. It flyes. Having only one period helps. I might be showing my age, but the the more statistics & publicity posted about the athletes the better; (even at the youth and middle school level); online, in the rooms, in local papers, in the school publications, etc. Look how folks love the magazine and rankings on this site. How do you get more High School matches like Brownsburg and Avon? My son and I both love going because the atmosphere is similar to a high school basketball rivalry. Perry is similar. It's a lot of fun and it's something young kids enjoy particular when they know the wrestlers.
-
Do we have in state comparison data?
-
It's my observation that those little "ISWA" fella's become darn good wrestlers 8 years later (many start making the top of the ladder 1 to 2 years later). It's the kids that enter late middle school and freshman year that struggle a bit.
-
Mr. Miller, I'm just shaking my head just like I used to do. Why is it always you...and you know what I mean.
-
It appears to me their JV is going to be a Top 20.
-
I can say without any hesitation, Kyle would win well over 30 matches as a 106 right now. He is going to be a beast in High School.
-
He was a shorter for sure, but he's been pretty muscular for few years even as a younger kid.
-
You need to be promoting that Dillon Graham kid instead of monkeying around promoting Freshman. Seems that Graham kid has beaten several of the kids that made the list. On a related note have you seen the size of Mr. Ocampo? He used to be in my son's weight class for years. He's a tad bigger these days
-
Petition to the NFHS: NFHS Petition Against the Change to 12 Classes
-
I wouldn't disagree that cliches and anecdotes can be helpful motivation, but fact-based evidence is more important for actual results. Of course, upsets happen, but for every upset, there are tens, if not hundreds that that didn't happen. Upsets stick in our mind, because...well they're upsets...and less frequent. Seeds matter; otherwise they wouldn't be so prevalent across all sports. Pick any particular bracket, at say, the NCAA DI finals this year. Count up how many they got right and how many they got wrong. For example, look at the 125 bracket. I believe the higher seed won 28 of 29 matches. That's fact-based evidence.
-
Oh no you don't. I'm keeping my eye on you. You're suspect!
-
No, I wouldn't want that. It is what it is. I think your proposed jump is too drastic, and would simply reallocate, what you perceive, as 'unfairness.' I thought wrestling prided itself on being a level playing field where the outliers could compete. While there are no doubt a number of very good upperclass wrestlers sitting because of circumstances (Brownsburg, Perry, Mater Dei, etc), I would bet they're a number sitting simply because they have not put in the time and effort that their varsity counterpart has. I am only pointing out it depends on your perspective, and asking you to recognize there are a number, not just my son, of smaller underclass wrestlers that have some talent, have put in as much, if not more, time and effort, and are equally deserving as any upperclass backup. And, I'm pretty certain that if one could to equalize weight, Cernus and Cotty could compete with, say, the HWT finalists. As far as cutting, you and I are of like mind, but I don't see that changing anytime soon.
-
I have a small 106 son and so I'm, admittedly, biased and a bit prickly about this. Being that he's in a room(s) year-round, I'd sure like the idea of my son being able to compete against kids 'nearly' his size before he's a senior. Not that I think it's a swell idea, but couldn't we apply this logic and similar 'generalization' to the heavyweight class?
-
Depending on how far back you want to go, throw in Delta and Bloomington South.
-
I stand corrected. Nevertheless, he was a lot of fun to watch. He talked about in the same way the four-timers are today.
-
I don't know how widespread it was, but Bloomington South didn't have freshman wrestle in the early 70s, otherwise, Randy May would have been on the list of four-time champs. Freshmen were wrestling at least by 74.
-
McKinley, LeCount, or James
-
I get your point, but I think the degree of difficulty is different. It's my observation that a talented freshman 171 can hold his own with 'most' upperclassmen, but I agree he is likely going to take some lumps. Southridge has a 90lb freshman. I could tell from watching he had some skill, and if he sticks with it he'll do well; but, I don't believe he was able to win a match all year. As mentally tough as a youngster may be, that's hard. I do agree with your larger point and although it was hard, it was a good experience for my son. My main point was and still is, "I" wouldn't do it differently, but I certainly understand why some parents consider it.
-
Yeah, you're probably right. I hadn't really thought of it in that way.
-
There are probably 5 or 6 middle schoolers I know of that could arguably fit in the top, lets say, 30. There are also several that have been held back and are soon to be in that top 12 list. I also know of about 4 or 5 freshmen that fit into that category; outside of Evan Dickey (New Castle Semi-State), they're invisible.
-
Nope. That's why we didn't hold him back. It wasn't even a consideration; I couldn't justify it developmentally or academically. That said, I get why folks whose sons (and daughters) are very small do. Of course, I want him to do well, but wins and losses are secondary to just being able to compete and compete safely. It may just be my perception since my son is training at academies, but there are a lot of kids being held back. And, I haven't noticed the social stigma. It is certainly feasible, but I haven't noticed.
