Raven27

I am guessing this would never happen, but I really like the idea of having the small schools having a regional qualifier.  I am assuming that finding 10 1A schools from each region would not be that difficult to do.  I would also guess that finding a school to host it wouldn't be that difficult either.  I think that it would do wonders for small schools. I think it would increase the amount of kids that would take an interest in wrestling as well as bring more attention to the wrestling team within their school.  Take the top 4 from each region and that becomes your state dual.  I love the sport of wrestling because it seems to me to be that most fair sport there is.  Everything that you get you've earned.  I think determining state teams isn't comparing apples to apples.  I appreciate the effort that goes in to try to make it fair but it's not.  Have teams go head-to-head and earn their spot.  Set criteria for entering the tournament.  Must have 11 weight classes filled.  I think that would knock out most of the small schools and it would be easy to select the ones for the regional tournament.  Break the regionals up by Semi-States.  If a 1A School goes through East Chicago and has 11 weight classes filled then they are eligible to enter the tournament.  I also think that would be a great tournament to wrestle in anyway regardless if that team qualifies for State or not.  Then the teams like Frankton, Cascade, Alexandria, Winimac, Faith Christian, Sheridan, Indianapolis Lutheran, Southmont, Freemont, Bremen, South Adams ect...  I think the list could go on.  Let them earn it head to head.  I would guess most teams wouldn't have a problem with wrestling two weekends in great competitive tournaments.  Just a thought   

Then Alexandria should be considered for 1A because they beat a really good Delta team.  

By JEREMY HINES
Thehines7@gmail.com
 
Twin sisters Cailin and Catie Campbell wanted to follow in their brother’s footsteps and take up wrestling. Their dad, Brian, wasn’t too keen on the idea.
 
Brian had been around the sport for a long time. He even coached wrestling for several years. But the idea of his daughters taking up the sport was not one he wanted to consider.
 
So, Cailin and Catie did what any young girl does when their dad says no. They went to their mom.
 
“At first I think my dad just wanted to be done with coaching and wanted his daughters to do more girly things,” Catie said. “We were like, oh no, we’re wrestling. Mom convinced him to let us.”
 
Cailin is glad her mom stepped up.
 
“I just don’t think dad wanted us to get hurt,” Cailin said. “He didn’t know if we would be able to keep up with the guys. But mom said to let us do the sports we want to do and told him he might be surprised how it turns out.
 
It has turned out quite well.
 
The Campbell sisters are both two-time Indiana High School Girls Wrestling state champions. They both have claimed varsity roster spots on the North Montgomery high school team. In fact, not only are they varsity wrestlers, they are the ones leading much of the drills in practices.
 
“They are both just very determined,” first-year North Montgomery coach Mike Boesch said. “They are great workers. They are very coachable. Anything I bring up, they try. It’s great to have people like them on a team. They are great leaders. They lead us in warmups and before the matches. They have made my job so much easier.”
 
In a slight twist of irony, Brian Campbell was Boesch’s first wrestling coach when he started in the sport back in fourth grade at Clinton Prairie.
 
“It’s cool that now I get to coach his kids for their senior year,” Boesch said.
 
Catie was the first sister to win a state title. In 2019 she earned the top spot in the 126-pound class. Cailin finished second at 120 pounds.
 
In 2020 it was Cailin’s turn to win a title. She won the 120 -pound class. Catie finished second at 132.
 
Last year the twins finally went home with a title at the same time. Cailin again won the 120-pound class and Catie took top honors at 126 pounds.
 
“State last year was my favorite wrestling memory so far,” Catie said. “Not only did I win, but so did my sister and several of my friends.”
 
The two have made a lot of friends through the sport and really love going to the girls tournaments. They see the sport growing and they have a lot of younger girls asking them questions about wrestling and showing interest in getting involved.
 
“I see a huge difference in girls wrestling now even to where it was my freshman year,” Cailin said. “My freshman year at girls regional I only had to wrestle twice. Now the classes are stacked, and it’s grown three to four times since then. There are so many more girls that are trying out for wrestling, and it makes me really happy.
 
“I think the stereotypes are going away and opportunities are being presented in the state of Indiana. It’s way more welcoming than it was. More girls are willing to give it a try now.”
 
The sisters have the same goal for this season. They both want to go out on top in the girl state meet and they both want to get better in the sport.
 
“My main goal is to just get to my full potential and be the best I can,” Catie said. “The accomplishments aren’t as important as getting a really good experience out of it.”
 
The journey has certainly not been easy for either girl. Their dad’s fears about the sport had merit in their case. Catie broke a vertebra in her back last season and had to take time off to recover. Cailin tore three ligaments in her shoulder and has developed arthritis in the same shoulder and must wear a brace. Still, their love for the sport outweighs the toll it has taken on their bodies.
 
“Wrestling makes people really disciplined,” Catie said. “It’s a mental sport and it’s very rewarding once you put the work into it.”
 
Although the two have similar styles on the mat, they have different moves they prefer.
 
“We have different specialties,” Cailin said. “Catie is really good at the fireman’s carry. She hits it just about whenever she wants to. My bread and butter is a slide-by or an elbow pass to a low single.”
 
Coach Boesch has four girls on his team this year at North Montgomery. Three will likely fill spots on the varsity roster. He also has some girls-only meets planned for the season.
 
“They are really excited about the meet at Lebanon this weekend,” Boesch said of his female wrestlers. “That gives them their first look at some of the other girls around the state this season. I’m really hoping I can help them win their third titles this year. I don’t know how much I can teach them that they don’t already know.”
 
The sisters are both considering wrestling after high school, but they are uncertain where they will attend college at this point.
 
“Outside of wrestling they are just great kids,” Boesch said. “They are doing everything they need to in school and they are just all-around great people.”

View full article

Then Alexandria should be considered for 1A because they beat a really good Delta team.  

Then Alexandria should be considered for 1A because they beat a really good Delta team.  

Then Alexandria should be considered for 1A because they beat a really good Delta team.  

I told you it was going to be hard to keep up with the Jones.

I agree with everything!  It's frustrating when you don't compare apples to apples.  I don't know of a better way to go about selecting the teams for team state but I'm not super happy about the current way either.  I think making it into a larger bracket and having it be two tournaments would be my pick.  I'm assuming most smaller schools wouldn't mind this either.  Top two from each region having top 10 teams from each area compete in a regional qualifier would be great.  Doubt that would ever happen.  Sectionals and regionals aren't the same across the board.  I do truly appreciate the effort that people put into this process.  It can't be easy. I realize that someone is upset every year.   I do think team state is a way to grow small wrestling programs and it's vital to continue having it.  

I agree with everything!  It's frustrating when you don't compare apples to apples.  I don't know of a better way to go about selecting the teams for team state but I'm not super happy about the current way either.  I think making it into a larger bracket and having it be two tournaments would be my pick.  I'm assuming most smaller schools wouldn't mind this either.  Top two from each region having top 10 teams from each area compete in a regional qualifier would be great.  Doubt that would ever happen.  Sectionals and regionals aren't the same across the board.  I do truly appreciate the effort that people put into this process.  It can't be easy. I realize that someone is upset every year.   I do think team state is a way to grow small wrestling programs and it's vital to continue having it.  

I agree with everything!  It's frustrating when you don't compare apples to apples.  I don't know of a better way to go about selecting the teams for team state but I'm not super happy about the current way either.  I think making it into a larger bracket and having it be two tournaments would be my pick.  I'm assuming most smaller schools wouldn't mind this either.  Top two from each region having top 10 teams from each area compete in a regional qualifier would be great.  Doubt that would ever happen.  Sectionals and regionals aren't the same across the board.  I do truly appreciate the effort that people put into this process.  It can't be easy. I realize that someone is upset every year.   I do think team state is a way to grow small wrestling programs and it's vital to continue having it.  

Dec 2 Update: Colin passed his swallow test today and was able to eat a cheeseburger and fries. The plan was to have at Riley by the end of the day (where his sister, Ashlyn, is recovering). 
 
Both Colin and Ashlyn continue on the path to recovery. They continue to need your prayers. Thank you to everyone, especially the members of the Wrestling Family, who have helped exceed the GoFundMe fundraiser (search Gillespie family) goal. It is still open if you wish to donate. Your emotional and financial support has been truly heartwarming. Proud and humbled to be a part of this community.
 
 

+625 on draft kings 

I know there will be several wrestlers this weekend playing at Lucas Oil Stadium.
 
I would like to recognize our Adams Central wrestlers who will be competing for a state championship this weekend. As a Dad, Uncle, and coach of these young men, I am super proud of their hard work, attitude, and dedication that has put them into this position.
 
AC football kids that have wrestled on our HS team: Blake Heyerly, Alex Currie, Keegan Bluhm, Trevor Currie, Gavin Cook, Braydon Moon, Zac Wurm, Lain Lengerich, Ryan Black, Trace Sonnigsen, Keagan Combs, Cody Lautzenheiser, Gavin Arner, Jackson Becher, Wyatt Smith, Max Kaehr, Matt Heiser, Holden Schumm, Lucas Rumple.
 
Be thankful, compete to your abilities, and enjoy the experience.
 
Good Luck, Coach Currie

They moved so they could go through the Fort. 😅 🤣 😂

It's hard keeping up the Joneses

Why the IHSAA needs to recognize this and have it exactly like the football tournament. All in for teams that have 7+ weights filled.

It's hard keeping up the Joneses

It will be decided in December after lineups are more clear. Your placement at Team State in one year is not a ticket to the event the next year, unfortunately. 1A is very competitive at the top now. Having 5 seniors and 2 forfeits in your sectional lineup is very hard to make up for in the following season and the qualification scoring reflects that--favoring full lineups and favoring teams with most guys coming back. You had the second highest qualification score that didn't get in yet and the kids you did bring back are solid, so you'll be clearly considered and analyzed thoroughly those first few weeks of the season to see where you are.

It's hard keeping up the Joneses

It's hard keeping up the Joneses

It's hard keeping up the Joneses

It's hard keeping up the Joneses

Even worse is there are two Jackson Todd's wrestling and they are in the same weight range. They even wrestled at folkstyle state this year.

It's hard keeping up the Joneses

In 3 weeks we will be discussing match results! Super excited for this season!