Wrestlingaddict101

I believe Fabio is talking about the mulkey match where mulkey got hit for stalling late in the match in the semifinals

Burford/Mosconi match was really good. I was impressed with Burford the whole tournament 

I agree but it sucked the way the brooks/bailey match ended

I agree but it sucked the way the brooks/bailey match ended

Burford/Mosconi match was really good. I was impressed with Burford the whole tournament 

Geremiah Brooks was a fun one to watch. Had a good upset over Bailey in the semis and his final with Gimson was exciting. 

Since I was a first timer at the Al Smith, I have a few more thoughts about Day2:
1. The tournament was run incredibly. Done with wrestling at 5pm yesterday and 4pm today. There were NO breaks (outside of a short faceoff organization after the 7th/8th round matches). When do the Cavemen eat? Are they super human? Was it to be done in time for the ND kick-off? If so, that was a waste  Great job to all of you. I spent about 20 years at Connersville as a competitor, coach, and fan. Night and Day. 
2.  Hands to the face calls were frequent. Cathedral lost a couple very close matches to this, but it was called very liberally across all teams. Makes me nervous for the IHSAA state series. The heavy hands attack is an important one and even more subjective than stalling calls. 
3. Conditioning of every contender. I kept waiting for a squad to show some cracks in conditioning, but every program seemed to put a premium on their wind. Almost zero "sucking wind" in injury time. 
4. Gym was awesome. Felt like the Hoosiers' version of wrestling at Hickory. 
5. Cathedral - I don't like prognosticating about my squad, but they wrestled 4 out of 5 very solid rounds. They were pretty shaky in the Blood Round this morning, but pulled it together for placement matches. Nice job, Irish! 
6. The Region teams were very formidable. Merrillville and Crown Point would not go away. Sounds like Penn had a couple individual issues at weigh-in and medical scratch, but as I mentioned yesterday, they wrestled solid. (PS. I've decided Coach Harper is the doppelganger of Nick Nolte and Gary Busey. Props to him on a nice program). 
7. Columbus East could have 2 champs and two high place winners. Will be dangerous at Bankers!  
I'll try to discuss some weights, but I did try to drive back to Indy for the 2nd half of the ND-Clemson game. I missed 195 - Heavy Finals. I am regretful I left that great environment to witness that embarrassment on the gridiron. 
106 - Cottey was the class of the weight. He did play it a little close in the finals, but Malik Hall wrestled him tough. 
113 - I know Mendez is the talk of the state, but no one can say Zeke Seltzer wasn't arguably the OW too. He dismantled Martin Cruz in a incredibly active, high scoring final of 17-6. Not sure if Zeke or his dad were more happy with the W. 
120 - Match of the Day! Wherever Crown Point got Riley Bettich, he was great. 4 undefeated wrestlers in the semis at this weight. I thought Littell left a little on the table after he scored early, but he was my favorite to watch all tourney long. His strength and hips for a 120 pounder are impressive. Hoping he might make it under the lights with Boarman. What a final that would be! 
126 - Deepest weight in my opinion. Mendez vs Watts was a close second for match of the finals. Hunter certainly didn't back down from Mendez. In fact, I thought he was gonna pin Mendez for a fleeting couple second on a scramble. That will be a fun rematch at Bankers. Walendzak avenged his loss to L. Wagner. 
132 - Lotta drama in the semis here, but Geremia Brooks is the real deal. He does not take his time on his feet! Congrats to Matt Gimson. His fireman game is super strong.  
138 - Rooks is a beast. I feel like he was challenged the least of the small and mid-weight champs all tourney. No one really got close. 
145 - Mosconi vs. Warren was a great dual. Good action in the first and two kids that play to their mean streaks. Warren tried a few 360 spins to a double that cost him big.  
152 -  Rodgers is just wrestling great right now. It was an unimpressive W for him in the finals, but I felt like he was sleep walking a bit. And, by the way, Schonegge has a little Jim Varney look about him. Hey Vern!! Great wrestler though. Tolin gave Rodgers a good test in the semi. 
160 - What can I say about Jordan Slivka?! He might never win a match by more than a point for the rest of his high school career, and I think I'm great with that. Gamer and superior mental toughness. 
170 - More semi-final drama with a stalling call and a late takedown that even surprised the ref in the Blubaugh-Walker match, but Derek kept it too close. Not sure he was beating Nick South though. He's thicccc. And, can I say Nick South is the greatest porn name of all time without getting this post removed? If not, just edit it Y2/OTR/etc. 
182 - Weaker weight, but LaPlace was the class of it. 
195 - I am shocked Rockne Hurley lost. He is a giant at 195. Both he and Austin Lane will be podium guys at Bankers. 
220 - Love the Fowler legacy wrestling history at Calumet. If Jacob Bolte continues to master his Russian tie attack, he could score some big points for CE in the IHSAA Finals. 
Heavy - Man, this weight class is wide open without Portoney. Congrats to Devault and all the Penn heavies. Not sure who is working with them, but it is noticeable. 
All for now, lads and lassies. The NCAA Semi-final football games are so terrible, I needed to take my mind off of the TV. See you at IHSWCA Team State! Go Irish! 
 

I was rooting for Mendez to win but Watts made a strategic error early on and threw himself to his back. Dictated the rest of the match imo. 

The stalling should have been called earlier anyway. The last 45 seconds was all Walker’s offense.

They called stalling and awarded a point and then gave 2 for the takedown 

First Day Thoughts: 
Tournament flew by today! There were no dedicated consolation rounds. All wrestlers no matter the round wrestled simultaneously. And, everyone was done by 5p. Bravo. 
Biggest surprise: Penn - Big boys carried them all day. Couple big quarter final swing matches. Second place after Day1. Great day. Harper is a maniac walking the floor coaching. Great stuff.  
Strugglebus: Perry - Losing Fair to injury and missing a couple others, they were off all day. Warren has nasty edge. Cottey is a stud. 
Spent much of the day in the small weight gym, but a few wrestlers that stood out: 
Littel 120 (CG) - sooo smooth. Whether upper body or shots, he makes it look effortless. 
Watts 126 (Jimtown) - Furious pace. Workmanlike. 
Gimsons - Fireman Carry clinic all day.
L. Wagner 126 (Zionsville) - Super conditioning and good motor. Beat a tough Walendzak in the quarter. 
Berta 220 (Penn) - Good position and nice shots for a biggun. 
Mendez 126 (CP) - super frosh great on top with tilts. 
Cathedral has a decent lead, but plenty of contenders loom. Also, Mishawaka gyms are a mile apart, but the history oozes from the old initial gym. Looking forward to a great final day tomorrow. Some excellent athletes and an injury free day from what I saw. 

Big match for Blayze... Not going to lie, thought he would be pinned in 1st or 2nd period. That match may have been a career changer of confidence for the young man! Looking for him to win a few in the wrestle backs and place!

Threw #1 Jacob Decatur off his game plan.  Wrestled tough ! Showed a lot of composure. Very proud . It’s a win in my book ! Forward progress both large & small. 

Few more days we’ll see . Maybe I’m wrong, maybe I’m right . Whatever right.  That’s why the topic is called predictions . 
 
The Notorious 

Four out the top ten were at 106 last year. Just because your small and able to do well as freshmen does not mean you are better then the bigger kids.

They changed the broadcast to CP ca Chesterton on regionsports.com 

Cp doesn’t allow live broadcasts it will be on tape delay 

Angel graduated in 05 I believe he won NCAA in 08 his sophomore year (I think he redshirted)

Mike and Joe discuss the off-season, the preseason rankings, schedule changes, and much more!


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Thanks to everyone involved in Indiana wrestling for providing a great competitive environment.  I have enjoyed high school wrestling very much and have improved my skills over the past 3 years by competing with the best.  My family and I are moving to Baton Rouge, Louisiana at the end of July and I will be wrestling there my senior year.  Thanks to my coaches for preparing me for success on and off the mat, especially Coaches Brad Harper, Chad Hershberger, and Taylor Hart and the many volunteer coaches involved in making Penn wrestling such a great program.  Thanks also to some of the great wrestlers I have had the honor to wrestle, especially Trevor Penrod, Brayden Lowery, Jacob Moran, Jose Diaz, and all the other great competitors who kept me “on my toes” so to speak. I look forward to keeping up with all of you next year as I continue to strive to reach my own personal goals.  Good luck next season.

Can’t wait to see mason and gable wreslte. It will be so much closer than you guys think. Gabor struggled earlier this year with a 220 who bumped up who mason would beat. Gable won like 4-3. Can’t wajt let’s go mason! 

Can’t wait to see mason and gable wreslte. It will be so much closer than you guys think. Gabor struggled earlier this year with a 220 who bumped up who mason would beat. Gable won like 4-3. Can’t wajt let’s go mason! 

What a night of wrestling! Hollywood screenwriters could not have scripted a better event from start to finish. I could not have dreamed how packed or loud it would be when I first started planning the event.
The Indiana guys came out ready to scrap and defend their home turf. When looking at the match-ups I thought a few matches would be ugly and we might give up a couple pins. Instead our kids didn't back down and were in all but one match. That just shows the progression of our state as a whole that our best guys CAN compete with the best in the country.
The fans were the best! Cheering for our guys and that place got as loud as ever a few times. It was awesome to see everyone cheering for our guys and not being split up by cheering for kids from only your team or area. There is nothing better than a standing ovation in appreciation of the work these kids have put in over the years in this great sport.
Brownsburg was a great host for the event. Coach Darrick Snyder and Athletic Director Kelli Waggoner went above and beyond to make this event a success. They rolled out the red carpet and many of the USA guys were extremely impressed with not only the new wrestling room, but the gym and everything at the event.
A big thank you goes to our host families who took in kids for the weekend. I know the kids enjoyed themselves and it sounded like the families enjoyed it also. Thanks to the Lee's, Jean-Baptiste's, Cookerly's, Koonce's, Conley's, and Brewer's for stepping up and housing the kids. Also thank you to Nick Wiesjahn for hosting me.
Thank you to our superb referees Jim Russell and Eric McGill. Russell seems to be quite popular with the Flo guys right now, so tune in to FRL tomorrow to hear what they have to say about the event.
We had great support also from our sponsors the ISWA(yes that is not a typo), KC Battlegear, and Invicta Wrestling Academy. Make sure to support these companies as they are here to help Indiana wrestling.
Also thanks to Cody Bryant and Wrestling USA for organizing the USA guys, being an ear for complaints and suggestions, and many behind the scenes help. Cliff Keen athletic did a great job with the gear and I know I have extra that we may give out soon, so be on the lookout.
It was a great night of wrestling to showcase Indiana wrestling and our kids blew the roof off the Bone Zone. I am just hoping I don't get a bill for repairing that roof!

Since there is a lot going on about the whole Rooks and Mulkey situation here are the facts.
Wednesday the 11th
Graham Rooks contacted me asking what time weigh-in was with me responding any time from when you get there until after practice is over. Later in the afternoon he sent me a message saying he was having trouble with the weight. He asked how official the weigh-in was. I responded to be on weight.
Thursday the 12th
On Thursday night he contacted me saying he was 7 over and was trying his best to make weight. After calling coach Cooper to get the scoop he went to Graham's house to talk to him. During the same period of time I responded to Graham stating I am going to have Blake Mulkey try to make the weight. I stated that is neither makes weight the lighter one gets the spot. Graham also stated he would probably be able to get within 5lbs.
Friday the 13th
On Friday at noon Graham sent a message to Blake saying "Don't know how much you are over..but if you are less than 5 then I'll just let you take the spot.."
Friday I arrive at the school and kids are working out and weighing in. Coach Snyder and I were the ones doing weigh-ins. Kids weighed in as they arrived and/or were on weight. As everything was going on myself and the AD were organizing things like where to setup tables and the bleachers to pull amongst other logistical priorities. I was in and out of the wrestling room during that time.
I did weigh-in a few kids including Graham Rooks. Around 4:20ish he stepped on the scale at 144.4lbs. He said he was done cutting and began to drink some water. As I left the wrestling room I ran into Mulkey walking into the school. He stated to me that he was about 5 or 6 over. I told him Graham had just weighed 144.4lbs and that if he's lower he's in.
After some more running around I went back to the wrestling room and saw Blake. I asked him what he weighed and he said about 5 over. I told him to try to get another couple pounds off and the spot was his because of what Graham weighed and he would obviously be lower. At that time I told Graham that Mulkey was in because he would weigh lower.
Around 5:30 Blake weighed in and was 142.4 and he officially had the spot on the team.
Now to answer a couple questions.
Why was Blake Mulkey selected?
On short notice I knew he would be in attendance and I had access to him and his coach's contact information. This was not a situation of call a coach and wait a day. This all took place on Thursday evening/night within about an hour, so there was no time to wait. There was no time available for a process such as I had for 285lbs and 120lbs when kids declined.
Why didn't I talk to Graham afterward?
I simply did not see the message until he was gone. My phone was going crazy with texts, calls, etc about the event. I didn't see him after he weighed in. At the point in the day when the final decision was made I was trying to figure out if all the wrestlers had showed up, where some of the USA guys were, along with talking to Flo and the AD in organizing setup.
Does my opinion of Graham Rooks change?
Not at all, Graham was very forward with me the last couple days when it became apparent that the weight was not coming off. He even wished Mulkey good luck later that evening.
 
The last thing I would ask is when you get information, get it from people who were there. Chris Cooper, Tony McGinley, and Ben Rooks were not present at the practice. If you ask people who were in the room on Friday during the workout what they saw they would have agreed that Blake Mulkey was the right choice. Make sure you talk to people who were in the room and saw both Rooks and Mulkey “working” out.