3xStateChamp

First off I always enjoy the event, 19th straight year either being on press row or sitting in a suite.  I am spoiled and unfortunately that time is coming to an end.
I did a preview of each weight where I picked a winner, upset and toughest matches.  I won't get into my toughest matches but let's say I had plenty correct and missed on a few.  I only picked 6 out of the 14 Champs which is very crappy BUT 9 of my upset picks won out of 14.  I believe I can spot the diamond in the rough (probably because I find my golf ball there frequently) but I need to expand my "vision" and start to believe that wrestling does exist outside of Central Indiana....sorry Evansville, East Chicago and Fort Wayne.
106
3 Seniors, 4 Juniors, 3 Sophomores, 6 Freshman
FINAL 8 -- New Castle 3, Evansville 1, East Chicago 2, Fort Wayne 2 // ALL RANKED
FINAL 4 -- New Castle 3, East Chicago 1
CHAMP -- Jacob Moran, ranked #1 - East Chicago (Regional Champ, 3rd at Semi-State)
Question -- Will Moran bump to 120/126 to prepare for College?
113
3 Seniors, 8 Juniors, 3 Sophomores, 2 Freshman
FINAL 8 -- New Castle 3, Evansville 2, East Chicago 2, Fort Wayne 1 // ALL RANKED
FINAL 4 -- New Castle 2, East Chicago 1, Fort Wayne 1
CHAMP -- Brayden Curtis, ranked #1 - Fort Wayne (Regional Champ, Semi-State Champ)
Question -- Curtis is the favorite next year so will the other 7 juniors avoid him to get their state title?
120
3 Seniors, 5 Juniors, 5 Sophomores, 3 Freshman
FINAL 8 -- New Castle 3, Evansville 3, East Chicago 1, Fort Wayne 1 // ONE UNRANKED
FINAL 4 -- New Castle 2, Evansville 1, Fort Wayne 1
CHAMP -- Hunter Watts, ranked #1 - Fort Wayne (Regional Champ, Semi-State Champ)
Question -- Will Watts make it 3 Final appearances in a row or will one the many underclassmen knock him off?
126
8 Seniors, 3 Juniors, 3 Sophomores, 2 Freshman
FINAL 8 -- New Castle 3, Evansville 4, Fort Wayne 1 // ALL RANKED
FINAL 4 -- New Castle 1, Evansville 3
CHAMP -- Asa Garcia, ranked #1 - Evansville (Regional 2nd place, Semi-State 2nd place)
Question -- Will Garcia, Rooks, Viduya choose the same weight again to battle for the top spot?
132
3 Seniors, 9 Juniors, 4 Sophomores, 0 Freshman
FINAL 8 -- New Castle 2, Evansville 2, East Chicago 2, Fort Wayne 2 // ALL RANKED
FINAL 4 -- New Castle 1, Evansville 1, East Chicago 1, Fort Wayne 1
CHAMP -- Graham Rooks, ranked #1 - Evansville (Regional Champ, Semi-State Champ)
Question -- Big class of Juniors, which one has a terrific summer/fall and takes over the drivers seat for their 1st state title next year?
138
13 Seniors, 2 Juniors, 1 Sophomores, 0 Freshman
FINAL 8 -- New Castle 1, Evansville 3, East Chicago 2, Fort Wayne 2 // ALL RANKED
FINAL 4 -- New Castle 1, Evansville 2, East Chicago 1
CHAMP -- Kristian Rumph, ranked #5 - East Chicago (Regional Champ, Semi-State Champ)
Question -- Losing 13 seniors and many state appearances, what underclassman seizes the opportunity to make a name for themselves next year?
145
5 Seniors, 7 Juniors, 2 Sophomores, 2 Freshman
FINAL 8 -- New Castle 2, Evansville 3, East Chicago 1, Fort Wayne 2 // ALL RANKED
FINAL 4 -- New Castle 1, Evansville 2, Fort Wayne 1
CHAMP -- Jordan Slivka, ranked #3 - New Castle (Regional Champ, Semi-State 2nd place)
Question -- Slivka has a great room and motivation to be a 2x but can he withstand the barrage of returning underclassman to keep the title?
152
7 Seniors, 3 Juniors, 5 Sophomores, 1 Freshman
FINAL 8 -- New Castle 2, Evansville 3, East Chicago 2, Fort Wayne 1 // ONE UNRANKED
FINAL 4 -- New Castle 2, Evansville 1, East Chicago 1
CHAMP -- Brayton Lee, ranked #1 - Evansville (Regional Champ, Semi-State Champ)
Question -- Now that Mr. Lee has vacated his permanent spot (winners circle) who realizes their dream of winning a title?
160
8 Seniors, 6 Juniors, 2 Sophomores, 0 Freshman
FINAL 8 -- New Castle 3, Evansville 2, East Chicago 1, Fort Wayne 2 // ALL RANKED
FINAL 4 -- New Castle 2, Evansville 2
CHAMP -- Nick South, ranked #5 - Evansville (Regional Champ, Semi-State Champ)
Question -- 1/2 of the wrestlers are gone but the champ is not; will South continue his tear and dominate the division?
170
11 Seniors, 4 Juniors, 1 Sophomores, 0 Freshman
FINAL 8 -- New Castle 4, East Chicago 2, Fort Wayne 2 // ALL RANKED
FINAL 4 -- New Castle 1, East Chicago 2, Fort Wayne 1
CHAMP -- Noah Warren, ranked #1 - New Castle (Regional Champ, Semi-State Champ)
Question -- Highest returning place was 5th place Mahan; weight class is wide open and who has the summer that puts them over the top?
182
12 Seniors, 1 Juniors, 3 Sophomores, 0 Freshman
FINAL 8 -- New Castle 1 , Evansville 3, East Chicago 1, Fort Wayne 3 // ALL RANKED
FINAL 4 -- Evansville 2, Fort Wayne 2
CHAMP -- Conner Graber, ranked #4 - Fort Wayne (Regional Champ, Semi-State Champ)
Question -- Allred is the only returning wrestler from the Final 8; will he finish on top of the podium?
195
12 Seniors, 4 Juniors, 0 Sophomores, 0 Freshman
FINAL 8 -- New Castle 2, Evansville 3, East Chicago 2, Fort Wayne 1 // ONE UNRANKED
FINAL 4 -- New Castle 2, Evansville 1, East Chicago 1
CHAMP -- Lucas Davison, ranked #1 - East Chicago (Regional Champ, Semi-State Champ)
Question -- Final 8 were all seniors, which is usual, but it gives many wrestlers a great chance to win next year.  Who will emerge from the summer as the favorite?
220
12 Seniors, 4 Juniors, 0 Sophomores, 0 Freshman
FINAL 8 -- New Castle 3, Evansville 1, East Chicago 2, Fort Wayne 2 // ONE UNRANKED
FINAL 4 -- New Castle 2, Evansville 1, East Chicago 1
CHAMP -- Mason Parris, ranked #1 - New Castle (Regional Champ, Semi-State Champ)
Question -- Similar to 152 this weight class was decided when Mr. Parris picked it; Elwood's Kyle Cornwell is the highest returning placer will he excel this summer to be the odds on favorite?
285
13 Seniors, 2 Juniors, 1 Sophomores, 0 Freshman
FINAL 8 -- New Castle 3, Evansville 1, East Chicago 4, // TWO UNRANKED
FINAL 4 -- Evansville 1, East Chicago 3
CHAMP -- Eli Pokorney, ranked #2 - East Chicago (Regional Champ, Semi-State Champ)
Question -- Mr. Pokorney will be the returning champ and the 'heavy' favorite to repeat as the Champ, will anyone be able to knock him off?
 
As usual the rankings represented 106 out of the 112 in the Final 8....incredible.

Then beats a very took Rooks. Congrats on the season Asa

He’s got athletic skills you can’t teach - if he opens the throttle a little more, look out

The secret is out about Asa Garcia.  To beat him at State, you have to let him win Sectional, Regional & SS!
2016
Sectional - 2nd Place
Regional - 2nd Place
Semi-State - 2nd Place (all losses to Mills)
State - Champion
2017
Sectional - 1st Place
Regional - 1st Place
Semi-State - 1st Place
State - 3rd Place
2018
Sectional - 2nd Place
Regional - 2nd Place
Semi-State - 2nd Place
State - Champion

The pattern has been set!

Yea... that was a tough one! Proud of my guy had a solid run. Just wrestled a bad match. Mahan did great. Back to the drawing board and practice on Monday! Good luck to all the placers! 
Feel bad for Tiranas too. Great family. 

Pistol Pete wears Cowboy Boots, Cowboy Hat, OSU bandit to whip off all the blood, not to mention foot long mustache tentacles for extra cushion when Pistol face hits the mat . 
Pistol Pete says “If you look good you wrestle good”  
 
Pistol Pete 

Pistol Pete wears Cowboy Boots, Cowboy Hat, OSU bandit to whip off all the blood, not to mention foot long mustache tentacles for extra cushion when Pistol face hits the mat . 
Pistol Pete says “If you look good you wrestle good”  
 
Pistol Pete 

I read he Died a Muted, Censored voice by the Man . RIP 
 
 
 
 
 

I predict there will be talks of wrestle backs, class wrestling and refs after the State Finals are complete.  
 

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.

Pistol is “blind” in one eye cause of that rascal Wyoming Cowboy mascot shot my eye out with a with a 357 magnum. That’s way Pistol always mean mugging everybody.  Pistol was quick on the trigger with a quick “draw” Custom made Colt 45 (not the drink fellas, I’m quick at that to) shot that wannabe fake mascot rascal of Pistol drop dead. Woooooo .... Bang ! Bang ! Bang !
The Great John Smith says Congrats and Goodluck to all the IHSAA State Finalists ! 
Pistol Pete 

Wooooooo...... Columbus East  Olympians bring the BANG ! BANG ! BANG ! down here in Evansville. Pistol loves their 2 piece singlets colors . All they need is Cowboy Hat & 2 six shooters Colts . DemBoyz bring it Wooooooooo....  
The Great John Smith was a 2x Gold Medal Olympian btw. Pistol thinks that’s why they named Columbus East after The Legend John Smith. 
Pistol Pete 

I'm a sucker I'm at the Tropicana!

Getting thrown out of Banker Life when ol’ Pistol Pete start Mean Muggin Security. Security Telling Pistol Pete to sit down cause he’s rooting on All Indiana Wrestlers at State 
Woooooooooo.... Bang ! Bang! Bang! 
Even the Great John Smith didn’t see that coming. 
 
Pistol Pete

Great Read ! 
 
Pistol Pete 

I’m going to stick to the chain restaurants on the east side.
With that said, those wanting to go to the casino... I will save you some time. Just swing by my hotel... I will take your money, kick you in the nuts, and send you back to your car... that would be the same feeling that you will have walking out of the Casino. 
Btw.. looking for a place to hustle some darts.
Bang Bang Bang