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GBaldwin

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  1. Like
    GBaldwin reacted to BrodyHardcastle in Rep Your Regional   
    Peru regional 4 life. 
  2. Like
    GBaldwin reacted to TightCradle in What Leasons Are Being Taught Off The Mat   
    I actually feel like a lot of good things are happening off the mat.  
     
    This weekend was high emotion, and that breeds tension. 
     
    I saw kids that were finished staying to watch placement matches. Many of these kids weren’t from the same school, club, region or semi-state. I saw kids that don’t know each other talk and interact and support each other. I saw parents hug their kids and tell them how proud they were. I saw coaches tell a kid how much they’ve grown. 
     
    I would argue there is more of that than the opposite. Bad things get a lot of attention, but I think we should focus on all of the good stuff instead. 
     
    The future is bright in Indiana for wrestling. This tournament seems to get tougher every year, and that’s awesome. 
  3. Like
    GBaldwin reacted to maligned in State Day 1: Results and Discussion   
    Thru Session 1:
     
    Evansville 17
    New Castle 15
    East Chicago 13
    Fort Wayne 11
     
  4. Like
    GBaldwin reacted to UncleJimmy in Zach Davis Update   
    We often lose track of of these wrestlers after high school, but it’s comforting to me knowing while I sleep that Zach and his brothers, Jacob and Adam, are protecting me and our country. 
     
    Thought this was pretty cool and wanted to share. 
     
     
  5. Like
    GBaldwin reacted to Unknown Caller in Gorillia Radio   
    When is the first episode?
  6. Like
    GBaldwin reacted to casualwrestlingfan in Fort Wayne Semi-State Preseason Preview   
    Very frustrating! The weight classes for the NFHS are ridiculous for 12, 13, & 14 weight class options. I'd actually like to see 15 with weights back to the last round of 14 we had & adding a 250lb class.
  7. Like
    GBaldwin reacted to Caleb Spires in Fort Wayne Semi-State Preseason Preview   
    The time has finally arrived. It is officially wrasslin’ season, and I know you’re all begging me to just get on with the actual rankings. But first I’d like to cover what goes into the initial set of rankings, given there’s not yet season data to go off of. In no particular order:
     
    1 - Last year’s Fort Wayne tournament. Those 14 brackets are virtually engraved in my brain by now, and the final point of last season for most of the wrestlers in these rankings plays arguably the biggest role.
     
    2 - IHPO results. It will generally be the preseason tournament with the largest gathering of Indiana guys, especially within the Fort Wayne region.
     
    3 - Trackwrestling profiles. Yeah, it’s obvious, but for good reason. It’s incredibly helpful. Did a RQ/SSQ first round exit compete in 20+ offseason tournaments and gradually show improvement through the offseason? Has there been a massive jump in weight or are they still staying around their weight class from last year?
     
    4 - Rich parents. Every person has their price. Help me find mine and your child can find their way to #8 of their weight class. (Haha just kidding, unless…)
     
    With all that being said, my weights are still going to be ridiculously off. Luckily I’ve been receiving a lot of messages over the last week to help me move some guys around, but there is still much information I’m not privy to. And I’m sure there will be at least one deserving guy that I somehow missed altogether. So if you see a mistake, feel free to correct me. I also want to acknowledge that you will see differences between mine and the state rankings. This is surprisingly normal. Mike and I do not share the same brain(aside from that one weekend I asked to borrow his in 2021), and will see some things differently, especially early on in the season.
     
    One more thing to note; there has been a shake-up in the teams in the semi-state, and because the Fort Wayne semi-state apparently isn’t allowed to have nice things, last year’s team champions Rochester have been moved to East Chicago. While a tough loss for us, we get back a solid Wawasee team returning three state & three semi-state qualifiers in exchange. 
     
    Okay. Let’s do this.
     
    106:
    1 - Jensen Boyd - Delta (9th)
    -Boyd will start off his high school career absurdly decorated for a freshman. With a 2022 middle school state championship, 2023 ISWA triple crown, IHPO runner-up, and Fargo 3rd place honors in Greco-Roman this summer, amongst many other national accolades, Boyd immediately becomes the front runner at this weight. Throw in excellent practice partners in Delta’s lower weights, and Boyd should continue to improve as his season goes on. He’s a legitimate state champion threat, if not the favorite, at 106.
     
    2 - Julianna O’Campo - New Haven (11th) - SQ @ 106 (44-3)
    -Here is a list of all female Al Smith placers in Indiana history:
    Julianna O’Campo
     
    Here is a list of all female Al Smith *winners* in Indiana history:
    Julianna O’Campo
     
    Here is a list of all female 2x state qualifiers in Indiana history:
    Julianna O’Campo
     
    If you haven’t caught on yet, she’s pretty dang good. Through two seasons, she has already made a name for herself as another Indiana wrestling lady trailblazer, and in her third campaign I would imagine she’ll make a strong run for more history as a state placer.
     
    3 - Javier Henry - Fort Wayne Bishop Dwenger (10th) - SSQ @ 106 (28-13)
    -Assuming Henry is back down at 106 for his sophomore season, he would be one of very few returning semi-state qualifiers in the field. That experience and likely extra weight could help catapult him further after being eliminated in the first round last season.
     
    4 - Daigan Barbosa - Cowan (11th) - RQ @ 106 (27-6)
    -While his season ended at regionals last season, Barbosa was in a brutal 106 regional bracket featuring a state 3rd placer, two ticket rounders, and a 2x SSQ. Looking like he’ll stay at 106 this season, he could be primed for a great junior season in a Cowan program that has been steadily coming up the last few years.
     
    5 - Nathan Spears - Muncie Central (11th) - Sect. Q @ 106 (31-10)
    -Also a victim of the grueling Delta 106 lb. bracket for, Spears was sadly the first one out of the top 5. Another year of experience and filling out, and he is likely to take the step to break through from sectional and beyond.
     
    6 - Charlie Fleshman - Central Noble (10th) - RQ @ 106 (22-11)
    -Fleshman is returning to 106 this season after a season-ending regional loss. He put in some work over the offseason and could take a big step up as a second-year lightweight.


     
    113:
    1 - Ayden Bollinger - Delta (11th) - 3rd place @ 106 (42-1)
    -Bollinger has made it to the final dance in both of his previous seasons, but last year he took a huge step from just qualifier to semi-state champion and state 3rd placer. His only loss of the season came in the state semifinals to the soon-to-be-champ Revin Dickman, and with Dickman likely at 113 as well, Ayden will be looking to avenge the loss come February. With terrific coaching and drill partners, he may be able to take the necessary steps to give Delta a realistic chance at the first two champions on Saturday night. 
     
    2 - Levi Johns - Bluffton (11th) - SQ @ 113 (39-4)
    -Very hot on Bollinger’s trail is another 2x state qualifier through two seasons. Johns placed 8th at 106 lbs his freshman season but fell short on Friday night last season in an attempt to get another medal. No doubt Johns should bounce back this season and be a favorite to step on the podium once again. He could very well come out of this weight on top at the Wayne. While Bollinger was undersized at the time, Johns defeated him 8-0 at regionals while they were freshman. There’s no reason to believe he couldn’t do it again.
     
    3 - Kaleb Salazar - Wawasee (12th) - SQ @ 106 (36-6)
    -Welcome to da Fort, Wawasee. First up in the rankings is Kaleb Salazar, who has made a next step progression each year thus far. He’s gone from a first round semi state exit as a freshman, to a ticket round appearance the next year, and finally cracked through last year for his sweet Indy trip. Patterns suggest Salazar will be in hot pursuit of a placement this season, though he’ll now have to run with the big dogs in Fort Wayne in order to get back.
     
    4 - Rex Moore - Manchester (10th) - SQ @ 106 (23-6)
    -Moore ended off a good year #1 with a state qualification, following a regular season with multiple high quality wins from guys within his bracket. Up one weight, Moore will continue to work toward his first semi-state championship and/or grabbing a state medal.
     
    5 - Abrum Swathwood - Garrett (9th)
    -A good example of how much IHPO can help your initial ranking, Swathwood had a wonderful tournament. He took down two ticket rounders on the day, including a quick pin over Woods of Portage one round after Woods knocked off Levi Johns. Add in an 8th place medal from middle school state last season, Swathwood looks to be one of the quickest impact freshman in the semi-state for this upcoming season.
     
    6 - Karrington Cooper - New Haven (12th) - TR @ 113 (39-7)
    -Two seasons ago, Cooper was a regional qualifier at 120. One year and 7 fewer pounds later, Cooper came into the postseason as a long, lanky 113lber and looked very impressive on the way. His season drew to an intense close in the ticket round with a 2 point loss, and Karrington will be tough for any Fort Wayne 113lbers who he comes across.
     
    7 - Kealen Fuller - East Noble (11th) - TR @ 106 (25-7)
    -Fuller spent a good portion of the season in the the top 4 of the ranking, but suffered a slight upset to Aden Hartman in the regional championship last year. While he still competed in the ticket round for a second consecutive season, Fuller’s chances at pushing through would have been better had he taken care of business at regional, which is something he’ll attempt to right the ship on.
     
    8 - Alex Delacruz - Angola (10th) - SSQ @ 106 (33-10)
    -A semi-state qualifier at 106 as a freshman, Delacruz heads up one weight class. After getting some offseason work in, Alex should be able to replicate, if not improve, on last year’s escapades. 

     
    120:
    1 - Jalen May - Kokomo (12th) - 7th @ 113 (45-2)
    -May captured both his second semi-state championship and state medal this last season, making it through to Gainsbridge without any marks in the L column. Jalen hasn’t been bested by any of his semi-state opponents in the last two seasons as he looks to be the clear favorite for his third semi-state championship. For the final go-round in high school, he’ll look for that third state medal to be his first gold one.
     
    2 - Braylon McIntire - North Miami (10th) - TR @ 113 (39-2)
    -McIntire had a fantastic freshman campaign that ended on a rather sour note. After starting the season 38-0, he lost to eventual champ May in the regional finals, and drew into runner-up Johns for the ticket round. McIntire had a conference and sectional victory over Brayden Raber, who managed to punch his ticket. North Miami looks to be on the rise, and McIntire should be improved from his freshman year looking for his first date with Indy’s podium.
     
    3 - Kamaron Straw - Angola (11th) - SSQ @ 113 (35-3)
    -Straw took a tough loss in the first round of semi state last season following a ticket round appearance the previous season. His bracket was brutal last year, and things are looking the same this season, but he squared off against a plethora of great wrestlers last season and should be prepared for a tough road to his first state appearance.
     
    4 - Blake Byerley - East Noble (12th) - Sect. Q @ 113 (20-2)
    -Byerley was probably the toughest kid in this whole semi-state to rank. There’s no other way to put it other than Blake had a super tough day at sectionals for his standards, coming into the day undefeated on the season but leaving without a regional qualification. Prior to sectionals, Byerley had victories over a lot of tough wrestlers in this field, including two wins over state qualifiers and at least three more over ticket rounders. After qualifying for semi-state his first two seasons, Blake should likely use last year’s early exit as extra motivation to make it even further for his final run.
     
    5 - Cameron Senter - Wawasee (10th) - SQ @ 113 (31-11)
    -Senter came on strong as his freshman season went on, qualifying for the state finals out of the East Chicago semi-state. Cameron didn’t have the greatest results last season vs. Fort Wayne guys, but now he’ll need to be getting through them if he wants to make another trip back to Gainsbridge.
     
    6 - Hunter Douglas - Norwell (10th) - SSQ @ 106 (30-4)
    -Douglas had the curtain close on a great freshman campaign with a first round semi-state loss to Rex Moore. He heads up two weights and will be in the mix to punch his first ticket in an incredibly deep weight class to navigate.
     
    7 - Cole Hinkel - Goshen (12th) - SSQ @ 113 (39-6)
    -Hinkel made vast improvements last year by qualifying for semi-state for the first time in his high school career. Hinkel had wins over a plethora of others in his bracket and while tough, Cole will look  to make his first stage finals appearance for his last dance.
     
    8 - Bowen Keith - Cowan (12th) - SSQ @ 120 (24-9)
    -Keith pulled out some magic in 2022, navigating through his semi-state quarter bracket as a regional 4th. While he couldn’t replicate the success last season, his heroics two seasons ago should remind us all that Bowen is dangerous, no matter his regional placement.

     
    126:
    1 - Tanner Tishner - Western (12th) - 5th @ 120 (33-2)
    -Tishner will come into his senior season searching for something nobody else in these rankings has a shot at; his fourth straight semi-state championship. A two-time state  placer with an 8th place medal as well in 2021, Tishner is the clear front-runner at what may be the deepest weight out of Ft. Wayne. While not the highest returning placer at the weight, Tanner handily beat the soon-to-be state 4th placer for his semi-state title and will be in hot pursuit of his first Gainsbridge semi-finals appearance this season.
     
    2 - Neal Mosier - Delta (12th) - 4th @120 (40-3)
    -Mosier has qualified for the state finals each of his last two seasons, and came away with a 6th and 4th place medal for his efforts. Mosier has made steady improvements each year of his career and would like to cross off both a semi-state & state championship off of his to-do list as a senior. Neal is a key cog in the brutal Delta machine for this season, and it stands to reason that iron is going to keep sharpening iron in that practice room. There is also a possibility Mosier returns to 120 this season, where he would be equally as big a threat.
     
    3 - Brayden Raber - Maconaquah (12th) - SQ @ 113 (36-10)
    -Raber made his first semi-state showing as a sophomore and was bested in the ticket round. He made it back last season, and this time was not held up by the ticket round. Brayden peaked at the perfect time last year, but will now being more of a target as he comes into his senior year a returning state qualifier.
     
    4 - Lane Snyder - Eastside (10th) - TR @ 113 (27-8)
    -The ticket round victim of Raber’s solid day last season, Snyder captured his first regional championship last season following a sectional 4th place as a freshman. If Lane makes a similar jump heading into this year, his ceiling is definitely higher than a ticket round exit. 
     
    5 - Taye Curtis - Jay County (12th) - SSQ @ 120 (32-5)
    -Curtis has qualified for semi-state every season to this point, though last year he had to pull out of competing at the tournament following a 2nd place finish at regionals, so we’ll never know if he could also have a state qualification under his belt. Taye’s name has been floating around the rankings for what seems like an eternity to me. For his final season, Curtis will look to find that extra gear to get him over the semi-state hump.
     
    6 - Calix Truex - Northwood (11th) - SSQ @ 120 (23-6)
    -Much like Curtis before him, Truex has qualified for semi-state every time possible yet could not compete this last season after an injury default in his 3rd place regional match-up. As a freshman, Truex made it all the way to the ticket round before having his season end and will attempt to break through to the state finals for the first time.
     
    7 - Matthew Senn - Fairfield (11th) - TR @ 120 (32-10)
    -Senn is another in this bracket who has yet to have his season end at regionals or earlier. He made a step-up in between the seasons though, going from a first round exit to a ticket rounder last year. The only way to improve in his junior season would be his first (paid for) ticket down to Indy. 
     
    8 - Raef Keith - Cowan (12th) - SSQ @ 113 (24-6)
    -Another tough lighter weight out of Cowan, Raef Keith qualified for not only regionals but also semi-state for the first time in his junior campaign. Up two weight classes, Keith will try to extend his season yet again and go out in the final weekend this time around.

     
    132:
    1 - Carter Fielden - Garrett (10th) - 6th @ 120 (34-10)
    -Fielden continually showed improvement as his freshman postseason went on. After taking some bumps on the regular season, Fielden went on a tear at semi-state. After a dominating ticket round pin over a senior, Fielden would go on to avenge a regional loss in the third place bout, flipping a 13-5 loss the week prior into a 2-0 win for himself. Things didn’t slow down for Carter there, winning two matches in Indy for a 6th place finish in his first season. This year, Fielden will no longer be under anybody’s radar, instead he will be an early favorite to come out with his first semi-state championship.
     
    2 - Cody Rowles - Jay County (12th) - SQ @ 126 (37-4)
    -Rowles is a 2x state qualifier with a sophomore ticket round season in between. While he has yet to come away from any of his seasons with a state medal, he has consistently been a mainstay toward the top of my rankings over the last three seasons. With the great coaching and practice partners around him at Jay County, Rowles should finish off his senior season as his strongest. No matter which weight he ends up going, Cody will be a strong threat to come away with his first state finals placement.
     
    3 - Drew Waldon - DeKalb (11th) - SQ @ 113 (34-3)
    -Waldon followed up his freshman ticket round season with a state qualification as a sophomore. He’s put on some weight this season, but should adjust to a higher weight just fine. Waldon kicked it into high gear as soon as the postseason hit, avenging his only regular season loss (8-0) with a 13-5 win at sectionals, and followed things up with a regional championship. If Waldon’s progression continues like this, just qualifying for state again may not be satisfying enough for the Barons.
     
    4 - Tye Linser - Western (12th) - SSQ @ 132 (31-5)
    -Linser was a regional champion last season and received the pleasure of drawing a regional 4th placer who ended up being a state qualifier. Tye has been at semi-state to end each of his seasons so far, but he’s been highly competitive with the top guys at his weights. Returning to 132, he has a fantastic shot at finally getting the 800 lb. gorilla off his back and punching his ticket to the state finals.
     
    5 - Sam Mosier - Delta (9th)
    -Fresh off a runner-up finish at middle school state last, Mosier 2.0 comes in as one of the top freshmen across the semi-state. Delta’s lineup, especially in the lighter weights portion, should keep Mosier battle tested and constantly improving. If Neal ends up dropping to 120, Sam would then slot in at 126 and perhaps be an even bigger threat to kick off his high school career.
     
    6 - Cole Stuffel - Yorktown (12th) - SSQ @ 126 (30-9)
    -Stuffel started the postseason off hot as can be. He started things off by giving Jackson Bradley his first loss(by fall, no less) in pursuit of a sectional championship. He suffered a very minor semi-state upset in round 1 but spent the entire season in the rankings and certainly hadn’t been dropped from the radar. He’s one of a few Yorktown seniors vying for their first trip to the Artist Formerly Known as Banker’s Life.
     
    7 - Alex Ousley- Maconaquah (12th) - SSQ @ 126 (27-9)
    -Ousley qualified for semi-state for the first time last season. He lost a 9-8 squeaker in the first round, and will be primed to improve upon that for his senior season.
     
    8 - Bradin Daniels - Union City (11th) - SSQ @ 126 (28-9)
     -Daniels also qualified for semi-state for the first time one season ago. Placing 4th in a brutal regional bracket, Daniels ended up with semi-state champ Schlaback in round 1. He’ll be back this season hoping for a more favorable draw.

     
    138:
    1 - Tony Wood - Jay County (12th) - 7th @ 138 (43-2)
    -Wood is a 3x state qualifier who captured both his first semi-state championship and placement last season. While 7th in state is nothing at all to scoff at, I can imagine Tony was disappointed not to place higher after coming into the state finals undefeated. Wood is coming off an impressive 9-win, 4th place performance at IHPO in recent months, and he will be highly battle-tested entering the season. While a tough task, and another state placer at the weight to compete with, it’s not unbelievable to say Tony could threaten for the top spot on the podium for his final season.
     
    2 - Jackson Bradley - Cowan (10th) - 8th @ 126 (31-5)
    -Bradley made it through his initial regular season campaign without any losses entering the postseason. After a sectional hiccup, Bradley righted the ship with a tough regional championship, taking out 2x state qualifier Rowles in the semifinals before avenging his sectional loss to Cole Stuffel. Jackson kept his hand hot by punching his ticket and then winning a super tight Friday night match-up for his first state medal. Bradley is on the right trajectory to be a 4x placer, and will look to keep things rolling in pursuit of his first semi-state championship as well.
     
    3 - Linkin Carter - Eastside (10th) - SQ @ 120 (35-10)
    -Another sophomore coming off a state qualification in year #1, Carter has packed on some weight. and could even be a big 138 after competing at 147 for IHPO. While he didn’t place last season, Linkin gathered wins over 6th place Carter Fielden for both sectional and regional championships, proving that he is capable of getting on the podium himself if he’s on his top game. Linkin Carter is another young name Ft. Wayne semi state fans will be seeing a lot in the future.
     
    4 - Justin Boone - Yorktown (12th) - TR @ 132 (31-6)
    -Boone came onto the scene strong last season and didn’t slow down. After a regional exit as a sophomore, Justin came back a much stronger wrestler the following year and made it up to the ticket round. Boone’s trackwrestling profile is filled with tournaments since the postseason. He’s clearly been putting in some extra work and will likely have some of the guys ahead of him sweating at some point this season.
     
    5 - Cam Dews - Elkhart (12th) - TR @ 132 (19-6)
    -Dews came into the postseason relatively under my radar and made a fool of me. He knocked off a very game Dallas Davidson in the first round of regionals and defeated Fremont senior Kamer for 3rd place, one weekend before Kamer navigated his way to punching his ticket. Cam made it to the ticket round himself, but sadly ran into the semi-state champion while the other three from his regional punched their tickets. Now viewed as more of a frontrunner than a darkhorse, Dews will try to end his senior season at Gainsbridge.
     
    6 - Dallas Davidson - Angola (10th) - RQ @ 132 (38-4)
    -As stated above, Davidson was knocked out in the first round of regionals, but not before having an impressive freshman season, including a win over Brody Hagewood who made it to state. As the fifth best wrestler in a regional with four ticket rounders, Davidson’s season likely ended earlier than it would have under different circumstances. He’ll look to bounce back as a sophomore and challenge for a trip to state.
     
    7 - Dalton Tuttle - Delta (12th) - SSQ @ 132 (28-11)
    -Tuttle returns for a senior season after being eliminated in round 1 of semi-state in his last showing. Delta’s coaching, schedule, and partners will keep busy and prepared for the postseason.
     
    8 - Graysen Beasley - Northridge (12th) - SSQ @ 126 (32-8)
    -Beasley nearly pulled off a huge round 1 upset of Cody Rowles in his first trip to the semi-state. Despite coming up short, the close result shows that Beasley will be a threat at the weight this year.

     
    144:
    1 - Easton Doster - New Haven (11th) - 5th @ 132 (25-1)
    -Doster enters his junior season as the 144 favorite coming off a year including a semi-state championship and state placement. Easton suffered his sole loss of the season in the state quarterfinals before bouncing back for two straight and claiming 5th place. Doster is attempting to go 3/3 on state qualifications this season, as well as climb up some extra spots on the podium this go-round. 
     
    2 - Kolten Rhonemus - Delta (12th) - SQ @ 145 (36-7)
    -Rhonemus qualified for semi-state as a sophomore and then took it one step further as a junior by making it to the final dance. Not to beat this drum too much, but with the way Delta has been on the rise and with excellent practice partners all around him, Rhonemus could be fixing to make another leap this season and take some hardware home with him. Kolten was a tough out for anybody he wrestled last season, and this year should be no different.
     
    3 - Brody Hagewood - Prairie Heights (11th) - SQ @ 132 (35-7)
    -Hagewood also clocked in his first state finals appearance last season following a ticket round exit as a freshman. Hagewood wrestled a very tough schedule last year given his regional weight class, but he peaked at the right time and knocked off a former state qualifier in the to punch his ticket. Brother Brock, also a state qualifier last season, and Brody will help push each other to make the necessary adjustments to get on the podium.
     
    4 - Ethan Fike - Eastside (10th) - TR @ 126 (33-13)
    -Fike was another great example of a freshman gradually improving through the season last year. Despite the 13 losses, he faced off with plenty of decorated wrestlers and kept the scoring margin razor-thin in many losses. After giving 4x state qualifier Hayden Brady everything he could handle at sectionals & regionals, Ethan’s season ended in the ticket round. Fike bumps up a few weights but was incredibly tough to score on last season, and with a year of experience under his belt he’ll be gunning for his first of hopefully multiple Indianapolis trips.
     
    5 - Taiden Chambers - West Noble (12th) - TR @ 138 (32-7)
    -Chambers went under my radar for most of last season but finished off his year strong with a trip to the ticket round, preventing Briar Munsey from making it back for a second year. Taiden may no longer be under the radar, and will attempt to go out with a bang for his first finals appearance on his last try.
     
    6  - Wyatt Hoppes - Yorktown? (10th) - RQ @ 132 (30-6)
    -Disclaimer: Apologies to Hoppes and Eastern (Greentown) if he is still attending school there, but his track profile switched to Yorktown in the offseason so I’m just trying to put 2 and 2 together. Regardless of where he is wrestling, Wyatt captured a sectional championship in his freshman season, though he did not wrestle at regionals for one reason or another and may be slightly forgotten about due to it. Hoppes looked great as a freshman and should build on it as a sophomore.
     
    7 - Blake Luginbill - Bellmont (12th) - SSQ @ 144 (19-16)
    -After a ticket round appearance at 126 lbs. as a sophomore, Luginbill jumped up to 145 last season. While he didn’t make the ticket round again, Blake still navigated his way to semi-state while bumping three weight classes. Another year more acclimated at 144, and Luginbill will look for his best season to date.
     
    8 - Tyson Kendall - Oak Hill (12th) - SSQ @ 138 (32-6)
    -Kendall has made it to semi-state every season he’s been in high school, but has yet to make it to the big show, or even the ticket round. Tyson has been challenged by great wrestlers for three years now and will enter his senior year prepared.
     
    150:
    1 - Cameron Clark - Jay County (12th) - SQ @ 145 (36-3)
    -Clark comes into his senior campaign with 3 trips to Gainsbridge to his name already, including a semi-state championship and a 7th place medal during his sophomore season. Clark took a slight step back last year, but has been a threat to everybody in his Wayne weights since entering high school. He’ll be the early favorite to grab his second semi-state championship and hopefully go even further the following week.
     
    2 - Luke Teusch - Huntington North (12th) - SQ @ 145 (43-3)
    -After two unsuccessful semi-state trips, Teusch carried a 41-0 record into Fort Wayne as a junior and broke through to the state finals for the first time. He did not place, but has a great shot to do so as a senior, in addition to capturing his first semi-state championship.
     
    3 - Brock Hagewood - Prairie Heights (11th) - SQ @ 138 (33-5)
    -Hagewood’s freshman outing ended in the first round of semi-state, but he bounced back strongly last season with an overtime thriller victory in the ticket round. Brock additionally has two Al Smith placements to his name so far, an impressive feat for anybody yet to enter their third season.
     
    4 - Aidan Elkins - New Haven (12th) - TR @ 145 (32-8)
    -Elkins made a massive leap last season, going from an 11-18 sophomore record to 32-8 and a legitimate ticket rounder. If he can replicate another jump like that, Aidan will be a certified threat to not only his semi-state, but to Indiana 150 lbers as a whole. Smack-dab between Doster and a very game Ian Amstutz in the New Haven lineup, Elkins will get plenty of good looks just in practice to help keep him sharp for the season. 
     
    5 - Teegan Clouse - West Noble (11th) - TR @ 145 (38-10)
    -Helping Chambers give West Noble ticket rounders back-to-back, Clouse improved from his first round exit the year prior. Teegan will enter his junior season with assumedly high expectations for himself, and could capture his first of two qualifications to state.
     
    6 - Jayden Jett - Cowan (12th) - RQ @ 132 (28-4)
    -A ticket rounder in 2022, Jett was knocked out of a tough regional bracket by a returning state qualifier. Jayden has packed on some extra points for his last hurrah, and will be a tough out for anybody trying to prevent him from returning to the ticket round.
     
    7 - Isaiah Meyer - South Adams (10th) - RQ @ 138 (23-4)
    -Meyer qualified for regionals to end an impressive freshman season, as he did not actually compete at the regional tournament. Meyer very well could have been in the ticket round had his season not ended prematurely, and will hopefully end his sophomore year on a higher note.
     
    8 - Ethan Rodriguez - Wawasee (11th) - SSQ @ 138 (29-10)
    -Part of the Wawasee infiltration upon our pure semi-state, Rodriguez is one three returning semi state qualifiers who didn’t make it further. Ethan had some good wins over kids from our semi-state last year and should make the transition just fine.

     
    157:
    1 - Michell Betz - Western (12th) - 3rd @ 152 (40-2)
    -Betz ended last season as unquestionably one of the top P4P guys in the semi-state, and this year should be no different. After getting bounced at regionals as a freshman, Mitchell went to work in the offseason and never looked back. After two straight seasons of semi-state championships and state medals, those may not cut it anymore. Betz will have his sights set on his last IHSAA match taking place under a spotlight. 
     
    2 - Gavin Davis - Bellmont (11th) - SQ @ 152 (41-7)
    -Davis was incredibly battle-tested this season with all 7 of his losses being to very quality opponents. Davis qualified for the state finals and was a hair away from placing as well, losing on Friday night by only a point while the wrestler he beat in the semi-finals a week prior won his Friday match. It’s highly likely Davis will make it back as a junior and come away with a new friend in the podium.
     
    3 -  Kevon Russell - Fort Wayne Snider (12th) - TR @ 152 (12-4)
    -Russell didn’t have a high match count last year, but made the matches he did wrestle count, improving on his previous SSQ season by making the ticket round, arguably as the best non-qualifier in his bracket. With only one more season to go, Russell will be one of the top dogs at this weight seeking his first state trip.
     
    4 - Colton Bollenbacher - South Adams (12th) - RQ @ 152 (23-13)
    -2022 semi-state qualifier Bollenbacher jumped from 132 to 152 last season, and despite a solid season his year ended at regionals. Now with a year more acclimated to the weight jump, Bollenbacher will try to get back to semi-state or better.
     
    5 - Luke Gleave - Fort Wayne Bishop Dwenger (12th) - RQ @ 160 (26-13)
    -A regional qualifier coming down just a few pounds, Gleave could be looking at his best season to date. With all the seniors at 152 last year, it leaves plenty of kids to make a bigger name for themselves this season, and Gleave could be a big beneficiary.
     
    6 - Ty Korporal - Eastbrook (12th) - RQ @ 152 (40-6)
    -Korporal had a rare regional exit with 40 wins on the season. He will look to bounce back strongly from the early exit, and thankfully has a schedule loaded with matches to help get more experience throughout the year.
     
    7 - Cam Freedline - Elkhart (12th) - RQ @ 160 (21-12)
    -Freedline also saw his season end at regionals last year, but returns battle-tested and ready to make the next jump.
     
    8 - Ian Amstutz - New Haven (12th) - RQ @ 152 (24-19)
    -Amstutz lost the first round of regionals by one point. After an offseason of work and with two studs below him in the lineup to train with, Amstutz could be primed for a breakout year.


     
    165:
    1 - Duke Myers - Bellmont (12th) - 7th @ 170 (43-5)
    -Myers feels like one of those names I’ve been tanking for the last seven years, making an immediate impact as a freshman and never falling off. The Grand Duke of Bellmont has ended each season at state with two medals in his trophy case. Myers won his first semi-state championship last season, and will be hungry for more as a senior. The Battling Brave will be one of the stronger 165 lbers and could be threatening for a state championship come February.
     
    2 - Chase Leech - Garrett (12th) - TR @ 160 (37-2)
    -After qualifying at 152 as a freshman and sophomore, Leech just missed out on a Gainsbridge trip for the first time last season, dropping an overtime heartbreaker in the ticket round. Chase’s only other loss on the season came in the finals of the Al Smith, which is about as understandable of a regular season loss you’ll ever see in Indiana. Leech will have to navigate an incredibly tough 165 weight to add a third state qualification to his resume, but he will be one of the favorites to do so and perhaps bring home his first bit of hardware.
     
    3 - Levi Abbott - Cowan (12th) - SQ @ 160 (33-5)
    -Another returning state qualifier at this stacked weight, Abbott will come in no longer a dark horse like last year. He’s improved from regionals, to semi-state, and finally state last season. Natural progression says that Abbott should be in contention to finish off his career on the final Saturday of the year rather than on Friday night.
     
    4 - Deaglan Pleak - Western (12th) - TR @ 160 (27-7)
    -Pleak has made it to the ticket round in each of his last two seasons but fell short. Last season, he had already defeated his blood round victor earlier in the season, showing he is more than capable of hanging around the top guys in his weight. Pleak will be hoping the old saying “third time’s a charm” rings true for him in his final year.
     
    5 - Reazon Davenport - Daleville (12th) - SSQ @ 160 (23-7)
    -Every season for Davenport to this point has ended with wrestling at semi-state. Unfortunately he has yet to get over the round 1 hump, but this is a new season, and as a senior, it stands to Reazon that just making the ticket round would not be an acceptable ending for Davenport’s career. 
     
    6 - Kaeb Stebbins - Delta (11th) - SSQ @ 152 (31-6)
    -Stebbins made a big jump in weight last season from his 126 lb freshman days, but it certainly didn’t negatively affect his performance, improving from a regional exit to a semi-state qualifier. If Kaeb takes another leap reminiscent of the previous year, he could have a ticket to Gainsbridge with his name written all over it. 
     
    7 - Will Warnock - Oak Hill (12th) - SSQ @ 160 (31-7)
    -Warnock managed to make it to semi-state for the first time last season, thanks in large part to an impressive first round regional match-up with Manchester senior Jordan Ayres, who spent a majority of last season in my top 8. He Will get one more shot to extend his season one extra week.
     
    8 - Dominic Dunn - DeKalb (11th) - SSQ @ 170 (21-17) 
    -Through two high school seasons, Dunn has already captured 2 sectional championships and broke through to semi-state last season. Dominic seemed to kick it into an extra gear starting at sectionals last year and will continue this season as he seeks asylum in the confines of the Fieldhouse.
     
    175:
    1 - Braxton Russell - Delta (12th) - 8th @ 170 (35-8)
    -Russell managed his second consecutive appearance at the state finals last season, though took home a medal unlike the year prior. Russell has noticeably improved each year of his high school career, and he’ll be looking to climb much higher on the podium for his final season, including standing atop his semi state podium for the first time.
     
    2 - Ethan Farnell - Maconaquah (11th) - TR @ 170 (36-7)
    -Farnell made the jump from freshman regional exit to sophomore ticket rounder, in the process holding the bracket’s champion to a 2-point decision. With another year bulking up, Farnell will be dangerous at 175. He’s long, somewhat funky, and has a lot of strength to match the length. He could he closing in on his first trip to the state finals.
     
    3 - Ethan Smith - Fort Wayne Snider (12th) - TR @ 160 (27-6)
    -Smith followed the same format I’ve covered on many other descriptions so far; currently coming off his first ticket round appearance following a 2022 regional exit. Nevertheless, Ethan made a big jump last year and was a constant challenge for even the top guys of the weight class. Look for him to finish his career in Indianapolis.
     
    4 - Ethan Freedline - Elkhart (12th) - TR @ 170 (29-8)
    -Freedline had a bit of a mixed bag of a season last year, taking a few head scratching losses while also capturing wins over very tough guys. He came into his second semi-state showing with a regional championship, but was ultimately defeated in the ticket round by a soon-to-be state placer. Our third consecutive Ethan from a different regional has just as great a shot as the two ahead of him.
     
    5 - Will Jeffries - Carroll (11th) - SSQ @ 182 (25-8)
    -Jeffries returns for his junior season following two semi-state exits prior to this season. He started out at 170, moved to 182 last year, and Will now finds himself in the happy middle with our new high school weight class changes(that totally don’t look at all redundant when compared to the heavier college weights). Jeffries will hope attempt #3 is the breakthrough.
     
    6 - Hartley Hoover - North Miami (10th) - TR @ 145 (34-7)
    -Hoover managed to track down some Whey Protein powder in the offseason, moving all the way up from 145 lbs as a freshman, where he ultimately fell short in the ticket round. While a 30 pound weight jump can be difficult to adjust to, I think Hoover’s technique is solid enough to make the transition.
     
    7 -  Peyton Wagoner - Yorktown (12th) - SSQ @ 170 (31-9)
    -Joining Stuffel & Boone as Yorktown seniors gunning for their first state qualification, Wagoner’s first semi-state run ended in the first round last season. The field won’t be much easier this year with most 170 lb qualifiers returning, but a state finals appearance for Peyton would not at all be surprising.
     
    8 - Matt Levitz - Prairie Heights (12th) - SSQ @ 160 (16-10)
    -Levitz, the fourth most uncommon last name around the Prairie Heights parts, made it to semi-state for the first time in three years as a starter, despite running into a very tough Ethan Smith in the first round. Levitz will try to shake last season’s ending off though and become the first Levitz in Prairie Heights history(just guessing, haven’t fact-checked) to make the state finals.
     
    190:
    1 - Laish Detwiler - Goshen (12th) - 8th @ 182 (43-7)
    -After sniffing the ticket round in 2022, Detwiler came back even stronger for his junior campaign, ending his season with an 8th place medal. The road was not easy, as he placed 4th at semi-state and had to take down EV champion Brewer on Friday.  All 7 of his losses last season came to other state placers, including a 3-1 series with Kaden Lone. The top 3 from 182 last year are all gone, leaving Laish as the initial top dog of the weight, though he could be getting some company from previously-195-lbers.
     
    2 - Trevor Currie - Adams Central (12th) - TR @ 195 (39-5)
    -Currie has been bothering heavier weight upperclassmen since he was a freshman, qualifying for semi-state the past three seasons. After two years of falling in the ticket round, Currie has come so close but has yet to capture a spot on the podium, in Indianapolis or Fort Wayne. Trevor has been making life difficult for his opponents all throughout high school, and it’s likely this is the year everything pays off for him.
     
    3 - Donovan Blair - Wawasee (12th) - SQ @ 195 (29-14)
    -Blair has an excellent run at semi-state, working all the way up to a second place finish. He enters a loaded bracket at 190 and will be put to the semi-state grind quickly. 
     
    4 - Mickey Daring - Fort Wayne Bishop Luers (12th) - TR @ 195 (36-4)
    -Daring was on a roll last season, capturing a regional championship en route to his second straight semi-state appearance. Unfortunately he fell short in the ticket round in a positively stacked 195 bracket. While still some tough returners, the field has thinned out quite a bit from last year, leaving Daring as one of the favorites to make his Gainsbridge trip on a team bus.
     
    5 -  Austin Ringeisen - Maconaquah (11th) - TR @ 182 (40-3)
    -Ringeisen won his regional bracket last season, and was awarded with a quarter-bracket including two 2x SSQs and a near-future state medalist. Ouch, talk about a rough run. Austin was competing at semi state for the second time and made it a match further than in 2022. One more go at it, and he’ll try to make the most by ending things at state.
     
    6 - Bryce Wenk - Jay County (12th) - SSQ @ 182 (30-7)
    -After spending time at 195 earlier in the season, Wenk dropped to 182 prior to the postseason time. He failed to make the ticket round for a second year due a nail-biting OT match with state placer Detwiler in round 1. Punching his ticket will still be difficult for Wenk, however there are many fewer land mines to worry about this season.
     
    7 - Elias Cressell - Wabash (12th) - SSQ @ 220 (24-9)
    -Cressell competed at 220 last year and made it to semi-state. Now competing thirty pounds lighter than last year, it will be interesting to see how much of a difference it will be for Cressell
     
    8 - Eli Coolman - Leo (12th) - SSQ @ 195 (29-10)
    -Coolman is a returning semi-state qualifier looking to change that sentence  to “Eli Coolman is a state qualifier.” 

     
    215:
    1 - Julante Hinton - Fort Wayne Northrop (12th) - 8th @ 220 (39-4)
    -Hinton has qualified for state all three of his previous high school seasons, though last year was the big jump in which he grabbed his first semi-state championship and state medal in consecutive weeks. Hinton has a scary balance of strength and athleticism that can give anyone in the state a fright. His biggest competition from last season has moved both up and weight, and to a different semi-state, so Hinton will look to be the frontrunner to start the year off. 

     
    2 - Keagan Martin - Bellmont (12th) - SQ @ 220 (46-3)
    -Martin made his second trip to the Wayne count last year, qualifying for state for the first time. While Hinton is the favorite to repeat winning the weight, Keagan won’t be making it easy on him. Martin has shown tremendous progression over the last two years and will make every 215-lber in the state work their fullest to try and get a win off of him.
     
    3 - Chad Washburn - Kokomo (12th) - SQ @ 195 (46-6)
    -Washburn qualified for the state finals as a freshman, failed to return in his sophomore season, but bounced back last year to make it back to the main event for a second time. No doubt Chad will be gunning for that 3rd qualification, and along with rhat he’s still seeking his first semi-state championship and state placement.
     
    4 - Travis Henke - Northridge (11th) - TR @ 220 (38-1)
    -Henke suffered one of the biggest pains I could imagine for an Indiana wrestler: enters ticket round 38-0, leaves 38-1. Just a brutal ending to an otherwise perfect season to the point. Henke will likely use this as fuel and make his third trip to Ft. Wayne the one where he breaks through.
     
    5 -  Jaxon Copas - Central Noble (12th) - SSQ @ 195 (32-4)
    -Copas had a wonderful season end in the first round at semi-state, due to the ridiculously loaded 195 bracket. He wrestled 220 as a sophomore and will likely be going back up there to finish his career, preferably leaving with a medal around his neck.
     
    6 - Breckan Maran - Fairfield (11th) - TR @ 220 (29-8)
    -Maran qualified for semi-state for the first time as a sophomore and picked up a nice win over a tough Homestead’s Caleb Evans before falling in the ticket round. He wrestled Henke very tough at regionals as well, and will be another threat to join the Walk of Champions. 
     
    7 - Keegan Bluhm - Adams Central (12th) - TR @ 220 (38-6)
    -Another returning ticket rounder, this weight seems full of them, Bluhm will be right back in the fold as somebody with as good a chance as anybody else in the weight.
     
    8 - Gabe Harty - Muncie Central (11th) - SSQ @ 195 (39-6)
    -Harty finished off his sophomore season at semi-state, taking a round 1 loss in the aforementioned hellish 195 bracket. Now up at 220, an upperclassmen, and a lot of last year’s competition out of the picture, Harty is surely going into his best season yet.
     
    285:
    1 - James Hartleroad - DeKalb (10th) - TR @ 285 (31-11)
    -Hartleroad came into semi-state last year as a freshman and pulled an “upset” in the first round over Juan Cruz before falling in the ticket round. Well, fast forward a few months and it turns out it wasn’t an upset at all, as Hartleroad leaves Fargo with a Greco-Roman championship. He’s seemingly been improving over the last year, and has to be considered the favorite coming in after his Fargo performance.
     
    2 - Zac Wurm - Adams Central (12th) - SQ @ 285 (39-7)
    -The only returning qualifier at the weight, Wurm looked great at semi state last season, gathering a 2nd placement in (I believe) his first trip to the Coliseum. As a returning senior state qualifier, Wurm will likely still be able to give Hartleroad everything he can ask for. There’s definitely a case that Wurm could be ranked #1 here to start the year.
     
    3 - Juan Cruz - Bluffton (12th) - SSQ @ 285 (36-3)
    -As previously mentioned, Cruz had a very great season that ended in round 1 by the DeKalb freshman, to the surprise of most. He spent the entire season to that point looking like an easy top 4 in the semi-state, and despite last year’s hiccup it’s very possible to accomplish that this season.
     
    4 - Parker Hennessey - Heritage (12th) - TR @ 285 (28-8)
    -Hennessey’s season ended one match away from being a state qualifier. Parker had been on the radar all season without ever taking a bad enough loss to take him off. This year, Hennessey will attempt to win that extra match to extend his season a week.
     
    5 - Trevi Hillman-Conley - Peru (11th) - TR @ 285 (33-8)
    -Another returning ticket rounder of two years running, Conley will look to end his third season one step further. 
     
    6 - Ethan Dodson - Fort Wayne Snider (12th) - Injury
    -Dodson had been a top guy the whole season, but unfortunately suffered an injury before sectionals. He should not just be forgotten about due to not being in the postseason last year, he will likely be in the ticket round at minimum.
     
    7 - Isaac Moss - Delta (12th) - SSQ @ 285 (25-15)
    -Moss made his first trip to semi-state last year, though he did not come away with any victories. With an extra year under his belt, expect to see Isaac taking it a step or two further this season.
     
    8 - Collin Grayless - Homestead (12th) - SSQ @ 285 (16-16)
    -Returning semi-state qualifier from Homestead, who wrestled a tough schedule for the 16-16 is misleading. Grayless will be itching to improve on the season and go further for his final season.


     
    There you have it, I would love to give you all a proper outro, but I need to stop typing and and ignore my word documents for at least a few days of recovery. I will probably format things better later. Thank you, everybody, for your patience and information.



     
  8. Like
    GBaldwin reacted to Y2CJ41 in 23-24 season preview magazine   
    It will be out tomorrow, Sunday, hopefully in the early afternoon. 
  9. Like
    GBaldwin reacted to decbell1 in High School Wrestling Weekly kicks off this Sunday with Media Day   
    Please join us for a new and expanded version of High School Wrestling Weekly on Sundays this season at 7 p.m.
     
    Our first show is this Sunday, on the eve of the opening boys practice, and ahead of our first wrestling broadcast, when Jay County takes on North Miami and Blackford in girls wrestling. 
     
    We will have our HS Wrestling Media Day from 4-6 p.m. at Cross Creek in Decatur and then the show will start at 7 p.m.
     
    Our expanded format has a more local focus at the start of the show, but around 7:45 to 7:50 each week we will switch over to a state-wide show. This change will be reflected in our podcast options for those who listen to the show via the pod. 
     
    You can stream WZBD live by going to wzbd.com and clicking on the listen live link.
     
    We want to thank all our partners, including those in Fort Wayne and Evansville, who have stepped up and allowed us to make this expansion. 
     
    Attached is a promo from one of our wonderful radio personalities, Wolf Rover, our long-time Z-Team roving reporter. 
    1039a.mp3
  10. Like
    GBaldwin reacted to Coach T in 2023-2024 Coaching Changes   
    Maconaquah Bob Freije out Bill Tabler steps in
  11. Like
    GBaldwin got a reaction from Coplen187 in Just curious   
    Horn and Beck have been dominant in the events I have seen.  Horn at 20 Beck at hwt.
  12. Like
    GBaldwin reacted to Clint Gard in Breaking News!!!!!!!!   
    Rochester will not be leaving the TRC.  
  13. Like
    GBaldwin reacted to 3H3 in Arguments for Best Wrestlers in Indiana hx to not SQ   
    -(Out of respect for the wrestlers discussed herein I will not name drop)
     
    I was informed by my buddy that spent 20 in the Core that multiple times throughout the years my name has appeared here in discussions for Best ever to not go to State. Those who think that may or may not be right but I feel I'm certainly in the argument.I have not been on this discussion forum in over 20 years but saw those today and wanted to give my thoughts about that as well as other thoughts in regards to my career and the way its remembered
     but first here's why I think I can be considered:
    -I defeated the State Champion 3x with Noone else beating him that year. He dominated the State Tournament 
    -I set the Jeffersonville High School Single Season Takedown Record and Career Pins record, even as I humbly state, accruing more than many past State place winners and even State Champions. That is how I wanted to leave my legacy behind in my own way. People look and say he didn't win the State but what's this, he has two school records he must have been really tough. 
    - I defeated in ISWA competition both of the individuals I lost to my Senior year. One I tech falled and beat by several points on a few occasions and the other I beat 9-1
    -The guy I lost to my Freshman year of ticket round I also pinned later on in ISWA competition. I was in ticket round 4 years in a row
    - Senior year I beat the guy who took Fourth 12-1. I beat a State Qualifier who bumped up after wrestling me 8-1, another 8-1, another 5-1. Overall, I can't count how many SQ's or Placer I beat but it was well over 10
    - I pinned a 4x Kentucky State Champion, who ranked number one in the State of Kentucky and I number 1 in Indiana when we faced each other, twice that season
    -Overall, something like 70 or 80 percent of the losses that I had. I had also beaten that wrestler
    -I won an AAU Ironman National Title and beat out two previous State Champions, one a 2 time, for that title 
    -ISWA State Champion and multiple time Fargo team with some wins
    -Member of maybe the first ever Cadet National Duals Champions team in 1998 where I won multiple matches and some key ones
    -I walked on at IU after 4 years in the Marines and was on a team of 2 NCAA Champions and multiple Qualifiers and proudly can say I started as a freshman and garnered pins and a pin in Assembly Hall and going through four years in the Marine Corps and returning to the mat accomplishing that, was significant to me. I was in a newspaper article for IU in the Hoosier Spotlight. I know that most of the guys I pounded with on a daily basis know I'm tough and some of them are really Elite wrestlers
    -I won four conference titles which jas inly been done one other time in the history of my hs, 2 regional, one of those defeating the State Champion. 2 Sectional and every other seasonal tournament at least twice including the 32 team Spartan Classic
    -Today I've place in Folkstyle Nationals getting third place within the last few years and am still active wrestling and able to beat a lot of good to great wrestlers. I plan to keep wrestling till I can't anymore. I also practice Shotokan Kaeate and have a long resume of service I'm proud to say. I'm a winner in life and a Champion on the mat. 
     
    I want to say as a bit of my own defense then. I don't look back on my career with thoughts of failure. Now, today, I look back as a success. Well, because it was, I won 130 something matches and set school records. I went on to become a successful man in large part bc of wrestling. So, the way people may remember me isn't the way I remember me. Although it's endearing to be considered in that discussion. Im way more actually.I'm actually very much proud of my career over all for the otherwise stated information herein. However, it is what it is, I remain humble as well in that I did come up short. But I also had many triumphs. I'd say if I had some more building foundation in the approach mentally to every match and how to deal with pressure, which I later learned, I may have been at least a one timer. I feel I could beat anyone in the State on any given day my Junior or Senior year. However, no excuses, and I take nothing away from those men that earned it. Now, I've said my peace On the matter. 20 years later. Thank you for your time and considering me in that discussion I humbly say. It's endearing. Though it's not like how I'd want to be remembered. As I now train my young son. I will want him to know who his father is and was which is not someone who failed but is a triumph in many ways.
    I know I was on par or even better than some guys who won the State because behind the scenes and on the mat both I won against a lot of them. The difference is that a lot of those guys had brothers or fathers or some type of very experienced guide to help them psychologically as well as mentors. I didn't really have that. Not to teach me some of the lessons I've learned that I needed back then. I was largely left on my own to learn all my lessons. When the State tournament came around and I was undefeated and ranked in the top of the State. Guys were watching film of me and scouting me and talking about how to beat me. I know that for a fact. They had mentors to tell them this is how you need to think about this come tourney time and maximize their potential Me, I had all this skill and potential but I didn't Hone it in the way that sort of close mentor can teach a kid. Ive since learned that and learned from that. So those that I mentor I won't let that happen to them. I know I was on par or even better than some guys who won the State because behind the scenes and on the mat both I won against a lot of them. The difference is that a lot of those guys had brothers or fathers or some type of very experienced guide to help them psychologically as well as mentors. I didn't really have that. Not to teach me some of the lessons I've learned that I needed back then. I was largely left on my own to learn all my lessons. When the State tournament came around and I was undefeated and ranked in the top of the State. Guys were watching film of me and scouting me and talking about how to beat me. I know that for a fact. They had mentors to tell them this is how you need to think about this come tourney time and maximize their potential Me, I had all this skill and potential but I didn't Hone it in the way that sort of close mentor can teach a kid. Ive since learned that and learned from that. So those that I mentor I won't let that happen to them. 
  14. Like
    GBaldwin got a reaction from BrodyHardcastle in Frosh/soph   
    I don't see anything in track so I'm assuming we pay at the door, but it's been a few years since we went to this event.
  15. Like
    GBaldwin reacted to Disco in 2024 Finals Location   
    If so….Ford Center…. Will they be serving pulled pork nachos? 
  16. Like
    GBaldwin reacted to Y2CJ41 in 2024 Finals Location   
    To summarize multiple statements/questions
     
    Where will it be held?
    Most likely it will either be the War Memorial Coliseum in Fort Wayne or Ford Center in Evansville. Per some conversations a couple others have expressed interest, but it sounded like they were not likely to be a choice.
     
    Why not move it to another date?
    Per Robert Faulkens, wrestling is smack dab in the middle of championship season and would create issues with having IHSAA support staff at two state events on one weekend. Also(not per Faulkens) many of the IHSAA brass LOVE the wrestling state finals and everyone wants to attend. It honestly is one of the best IHSAA events they put on.
     
    Why not have it at Lucas Oil Stadium?
    It is being used for All-Star festivities.
     
    Why not at Indiana or Purdue?
    Big Ten schedules are all but set in stone and released in the fall, so thus it would be a late scramble to organize if one or the other could not host.
     
    Why not at Ball State, Indiana State, etc?
    Three likely reasons
    1. They have not "thrown their hat in the ring"
    2. They are likely not big enough
    3. They also have schedule issues
     
    Why not have it at the Farmers Coliseum?
    Too small
     
    When will the announcement be made?
    From my interactions at the bracket reveal show they had a venue that was likely the choice, but are working on things such as contracts, deposits and all the fun stuff that goes with renting a facility. I am guessing they were in the last stages of negotiation with the facility to get the best experience they could get. They were talking as if it would be a couple weeks away from an official announcement.
  17. Sad
    GBaldwin got a reaction from Imthatmom in **Rankings Update** Fort Wayne #1   
    That sucks good kid hate to see it end like that. 
     
  18. Like
    GBaldwin reacted to Trinedad in State Pickems   
    I predict a lot of sleepless nights tonight.
  19. Like
    GBaldwin got a reaction from coachnabb in Semi-State Upsets and Key Matches!   
    He is
  20. Like
    GBaldwin got a reaction from MUSKEEWRESTLER in State tickets   
    I'm to old for that run, this is better by far.
  21. Like
    GBaldwin reacted to 285BlueRaider in State tickets   
    It should not be this difficult for friends, fans, coaches, admin, and family to sit next to one another. Everyone already has so much on their plate this week and worrying about seating is ridiculous. 
  22. Like
    GBaldwin got a reaction from manchwrestlingdad in State tickets   
    I do wish more tickets were available for the families, 4 tickets just don't cut it for some. Now we have to pick and choose who gets the 4 seats and who gets thrown to the wolves on Weds when general admission opens up.  With any luck they can get the same area my four tickets are. 
  23. Like
    GBaldwin got a reaction from oldfat119 in State tickets   
    I do wish more tickets were available for the families, 4 tickets just don't cut it for some. Now we have to pick and choose who gets the 4 seats and who gets thrown to the wolves on Weds when general admission opens up.  With any luck they can get the same area my four tickets are. 
  24. Like
    GBaldwin got a reaction from Anthony Snyder in State tickets   
  25. Like
    GBaldwin reacted to Y2CJ41 in Drawings   
    5pm Eastern Time
    https://www.ihsaatv.org/?B=523435
     
    Or you can download the IHSAATV app on Roku and other streaming platforms to watch on your TV
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