Perseverance

Mendez (Cadet 120) and Allred (Cadet 195) undefeated and into the semi-finals tomorrow morning. Penola (Junior 195) guaranteed placement and still wrestling.

Calhoun undefeated and into the semi’s in the sophomore 160 division. Great kid. Outstanding job young man! Get it done!

Agreed. Especially Junior 160. Calhoun lost an absolute war to eventual champ Slivka. And Jacob Laplace wrestled like a man on a mission. Knocked off Elliot Rogers in the quarters, Graves in the semi’s and was narrowly defeated by Slivka in the final 1-0. It was obvious he was there to prove a point after falling short of his goals a few weeks ago. Very impressive weight class and showing from all these hammers. Other notable results I personally found interest in........ -Bailey vs Casebolt was a great semifinal match. Lowery defeated Bailey in the J 120 finale. -Brewer looked solid and won J 182 soundly. -Irrick wrestled real well and won J 195. -Cornwell was relatively unchallenged from what ai seen at J 220. -Allred repeated as Cadet Champ (182). And Mendez didn’t disappoint (126). Plenty of other great matches and performances. These were just a few that sparked my interest and stood out to me personally. Always a long weekend.....but also always very enjoyable. Davison did a solid job running the show in his first major event as president.

Shenandoah open mat will begin next Tues at 6 p.m. and continue each week. Look forward to seeing you! Let's work together and get better!!!

@Y2CJ41 or @Wrestling Scholar........Or any other stat guru for that matter. Any idea on the State record for Team points? Any possibilities that it may be in jeopardy?

Prayers being sent with a heavy heart. This tragedy resonates deeply within us whose affiliated with Shenandoah Wrestling. We lost Levi Black to the same circumstances 2yrs ago. I've reached out to the Black Family and made them aware. Expect to hear from them with support and encouragement that the Combs family will be able to directly relate to.

Genuine prayers being sent for their comfort and perseverance through this temporary adversity. If any sites or GoFundMe accounts are created to raise donations....please post on this thread.

Great point Jeremy. It aligns with Silas and I's philosophy to a "T". Being fairly new to the sport of wrestling compared to many on this site (7yrs). I would grow a little more perturbed every year as I would hear parents/coaches/wrestlers complaining about draws, or hoping they had an easy road through. I can tell you this......that was rarely an issue with the Doah coaches. Slivka, Gary Jr & Sr each had a "bring it on mentality". Being cut from that similar cloth, is a major factor of our growing so close off the mat as well. I'll only add that Coach Barbosa has carried on that same approach. It comes natural for him being from the south side of Muncie. ? Assistant Coach Walker is no different. The Allred outlook is simple......Those who worry about the draw are entertaining fear & self doubt. Hoping for an easy path is reserved for individuals whose bartering for podium spots. Not for those whose goal is its peak. Cressel & Walton are both very deserving of all the recognition and success they've worked so hard for. They're well coached and their college commitments speak for themselves. However.....these are matches we've wanted all season. But we'll focus on beating Moore Friday night first. Bottom line......We love the draw. Awesome opportunity to make a LOUD statement! And they'll be dealing with a hungry youngster whose well prepared, well studied, unafraid to lose.....and wrestling free with no pressure. The best 182lb'er in the State will stand on top of the podium this weekend regardless of their bracket pairings. And it could be any 1 of 16 young men in the bracket. We genuinely wish everyone competing a great week of practice, continued good health and to just enjoy the moment. Go to war, have fun and score points. Never lose sight of how much of a blessing it is to be there.

Speaking solely from a 1A selfish standpoint. If wrestling became classed......I'd likely transfer my son to a larger school. Because in my opinion.....without a "Tournament of Champions", most of the time kids from the larger schools would be perceived as better. Yes......I realize national accolades would separate a wrestlers worth to recruiters. However....I personally feel a 1 class system is one of the beauties of this sport here at home. In regards to a wrestler becoming more successful......they simply need to have the hunger & drive to accomplish those things. My personal feeling......is that there is no difference between a kid at a small school vs a kid at a larger school in regards to becoming "elite". You have the same opportunities at open rooms, club training, ISWA events, national events, etc. Ultimately it's a choice. How hard is a kid willing to work on & off the mat at ALL the attributes that define a great athlete.....and not just someone whose athletic. Now, becoming "good" is a different story. Having better practice partners in season, larger room (more partners), wrestling a tougher schedule, etc., will all play a factor in kids who primarily wrestle from Nov to Jan/Feb. in distancing themselves from peers at smaller programs. But that's a much different animal than truly pursuing future wrestling goals. Ill be the first to admit I don't have all the answers. And I'm sure it could possibly help grow the sport some on a lower level. But I'm fairly confident that "classing" things would create an influx of your better wrestlers (including youth) beginning to gravitate more towards larger programs. Again....this is just my perspective on one facet of "class wrestling". I understand that there are other angles that I've not spoken on. But ultimately.....this is an individual sport within a team concept. So weakening competition so more kids can be successful who aren't putting in the work.....seems counter-productive to everything this sport stands for. Of which....is a major reason an old baseball guy like me has fallen in love with it. No excuses....and nobody to blame but the man in the mirror.

Apologies.

Nice catch on the extra at 145. EV should only have 1. All other numbers appear to be correct.

Broke down by weight........ Top 5's NC. EV. FW. EC. 106- 2. 1. 0. 2. 113- 2. 1. 1. 1. 120- 3. 0. 0. 2. 126- 2. 2. 0. 1. 132- 2. 1. 0. 2. 138- 1. 2. 1. 1. 145- 2. 2. 1. 1. 152- 1. 2. 0. 2. 160- 1. 2. 0. 2. 170- 1. 2. 1. 1. 182- 1. 2. 2. 0. 195- 1. 2. 1. 1. 220- 3. 1. 0. 1. 285- 0. 1. 1. 3.

Top 5's by Semi-State New Castle) 22 Evansville) 21 Ft Wayne) 8 East Chicago) 20

Your support of Silas is extremely appreciated brother. Yeah.....most are unaware that this could legitimately be his freshman year and that he'll graduate at 17. I just couldn't justify keeping him back for athletic purposes in middle school because of how much he excels in the classroom. Just didn't feel right. He won't reach the age of his classroom peers until his potential freshman redshirt in college. With that said.....his work ethic has eliminated the age factor. Winning or losing is now just a matter of out working everyone, executing, and being better than someone that day/match. I strongly encourage you to follow the national scene closely as well. He has the potential to do some pretty special things at the Cadet level this year. And due to his youth, he'll actually have the opportunity at FILA Cadet to make the world team all the way up through the summer before he starts his senior year. Lots of other genuinely elite youngsters that'll be representing Indiana wrestling and continuing to raise our state's respect level on the mat as well. Thanks again man.....any and all support of my son is fully recognized and won't be forgotten.

Very capable young man. In fact.....as capable of getting it done as anyone in the field. And yes.....that includes my son Silas. Apart from wrestling, Noah is a great young man who deserves all the good that life & the sport of wrestling brings his way. Ironically, Noah & Silas roomed together in Fargo and forged a friendship. My opinion....North Dakotah State got a serious steal in signing him. Noah flying under the recruiting radar until last summer really benefits that program in a big way. Excited to follow his development at the next level. I usually avoid the prediction conversations when they involve my son. But realize....I appreciate the luv, acknowledgement and confidence a great deal. Yes....I'm very bias and don't know many wrestling dads who aren't. So the only thing Ill share regarding Silas and State is this......He has plenty of great opponents to wrestle before even matching up with one of the other top ranked guys. And fact is.....while he's humble off the mat, they'll be no respect towards ANY opponent once they're in the circle. Because at this point in the season.....We don't care if you're ranked #1.....or if you're a first year guy whose forfeited your way to this stage. You'll be prepared for and taken very serious.

I'd use caution in overlooking Smiley from Beech Grove in the 126 conversation. The Viduya vs Smiley record this year is 2-1 in favor of A.V. And they both will likely wrestle each other at least twice more at Regional and Semi-State. I think Alec may have turned a psychological corner on him....but I expect 2 more great matches. Admittedly.....I'm partial to Viduya and Asa due to relationships built between parents & wrestlers through national competitions. But Smiley is a very capable young man as it pertains to podium predictions. And obviously his commitment to Purdue speaks for itself. Fully agree.....deepest weight class and worth the price of admission by itself at the Bank.

I'm Eric Allred....#3 at 182 Silas' dad. First off, really appreciate your support and confidence in my son @wchew20. He's undoubtedly turned a lot of corners and distanced himself from a lot of guys. The extra training, national competitions....and quite honestly just no longer being 14 has really allowed his strength to catch up to his athleticism and technique. In regards to Elijah Mahan cutting to 170lbs. There's a lot that went into that decision. I stay in periodic contact with Elijah and his family due to my line of work (Evangelism/mentoring/etc). Elijah was a little discouraged after losing to Walton 10-0 and then Silas 20-2. However.....those are his only 2 losses this year, and much more than just those tough matches went into his decision making. In fact.....no disrespect to the other 182's that will be in NC in a couple weeks.....but he likely would've punched a ticket had he stayed put. He's already won matches against a couple of really solid wrestlers in the rankings at 182. Fact is.....I have full confidence that he'll get the job done at 170 as well. Outside of #1 Warren.....I don't think Elijah has an unwinnable match there. Where he lacks the overall strength to compete with top tier 182's.....he'll actually have a strength advantage in a lot of cases at 170 in my opinion. He's an unbelievably great kid on and off the mat. Has a tremendous future in his first love (football).....and in full confidence I can assure you it's not a matter of him dodging anyone. He just wants to place himself in a position that he feels is best for "him". The Allred's are fans of Elijah's and a couple other of the Roncalli wrestlers whose been offseason teammates of Silas'. Great kids, great program, and great parents. We wish them all good health and the best of luck in their pursuit of their goals.

Genuine prayers sent.

I think the IHSAA should just begin allowing wrestle offs at seeding meetings. I kid. Just trying to lighten the load gentlemen. Stressful, but very fun time of year. Enjoy the ride.

Thank you brother.

Shenandoah wins Team title by a landslide. 9 in the finals and finish with 6 Champions. -Champs- 120-Blake Alfrey (junior) 132-Justin Hummel (freshman) 138-Dallas Pugsly (junior) 145-#8 Hayden Lohrey (junior) 182-#3 Silas Allred (sophomore) 220-Colton Walls (junior) -Runner Up- 126-Gavin Ricard (freshman) 170-Jake Webster (junior) 195-Coleson White (sophmore) Addmittedly.....competition was far from elite for many of our top tier guys. However....definitely a nice accomplishment collectively for our 1st year in conference. Especially for some of the younger talent looking to build confidence/momentum for State Series. Congratulations to the Champs and place winners from the other teams as well! Definitely were a handful of solid kids that can fly under the radar and ruin someone's day if overlooked in their perspective Sectional/Regional.

I think the most awesome part of this post is the absence of 126lb'ers. Deepest class in the state in my opinion......and all of them are banging each other up! As partial as I am to 182......it's going to be special watching the adjustments these guys make, and the guts they show in their pursuit of the podiums peak!!!

(145) #10 Hayden Lohrey

Great points made in nearly all the above posts. I would only add that strictly from a legality standpoint......private sessions are in fact legal. This came from Assistant Commisioner Robert Faulkens himself, in a response to an email our AD & I sent. He paralleled privates (paid) to more of a clinic. Obviously no other athletes from separate schools can be involved, the clinician can have no direct contract or be coaching at another in-state high school, and also that you can't have the individual instructing multiple kids at once. He referred us to rule 15-1.4. It states........ a. Students may not attend a non-school sponsored clinic in a team sport, but may attend a non-school sponsored clinic in an individual sport (note: wrestling is considered an individual sport).b. If a clinic is conducted over more than 1 day, students will be limited to 3 hours of sports instruction or daily practice.c. a Clinic must be conducted during non-school time and no school practices or contests may be missed. Apart from answering the "legal" aspect of your question. Certain preferences come into play with various coaches. In fact, I know of a couple coaches who prefer their kids train absolutely nowhere else! And yes....that includes the off-season. While that wouldn't be the right fit for me personally.......I can tell you this. Those guys resume's speak for themselves. They've produced (or helped produce) multiple State Champs. I'd simply encourage you to hit all the angles with the current coach. Allow him to thoroughly explain himself to you in person. Not saying this is the case.....but I've found that in many cases the greatest problems between Coaches/Parents/Wrestlers come down to an overall lack of communication. Genuinely hope things work out positively for you & your son brother.

Had Levi Black not met a very tragic, untimely death......He & AJ would be right there at the top of that list in my opinion.