H.B.

Curious to know before IndianaMat, was everything run by the coaches’ association? I only begun following wrestling closely in 2008-09 when Chalfant was the big name in the state. Thankfully, this website and the IHSAA’s DVDs have allowed me to catch up in the best way possible on the many years I missed. Good rankings, articles, and information this website has especially when you have to pay for info from states like CO, MN, and MO. Kudos to you guys.

7 minutes ago, FCFIGHTER170 said:

had Jose escobedo , david martin and adame too!

You were apart of some good New Castle teams weren’t you? Didn’t Coach Peck snag a few semi-state titles and make a few Team State appearances?

13 minutes ago, TeamGarcia said:

Where is this record ? 

It’s an unofficial record. The IHSAA didn’t score the state tournament in 2003 because the official team champion was determined in the dual tournament the next week. Mike Goebel, however, in an interview with the Indianapolis Star took the results of that year’s individual state tournament and scored them according to how it’s scored today, and the team unofficially scored 158.0 points.

24 minutes ago, Ian Heath said:

How bout the 2004 Griffith team w Escobedo tsirtsis and Hernandez 

I think this opens the door for best teams to not win a team title. This doesn’t mean a program as a whole, but a specific year or season where a team was stellar and didn’t take home the IHSAA team title 

2 hours ago, QuinnHarris said:

Is this based on a dual meet team or tournament scoring. Would love to see how some old teams would fare against these schools lineups this year. Avon’s 05 07 and 14 and 15 teams were pretty solid dual wise but wouldn’t be able to beat this years in a state tournament. (would love to see the duals though I’m biased so I’m taking the 14 and 15 teams in a dual) Perry had a senior heavy team in 14 that was a very solid dual team would probably compete to be their best lineup. Would also throw some old franklin community dual teams in there they used to always do well. Who wouldn’t love a dual tournament of all the best mater dei teams to see who’s best I’m taking that mater dei team in 03. Cant forget that Lawrence North dual team of 05 believe it was Humphreys senior year that team was legit as well I agree. Can someone from the region give some info on the best teams from up there in the past from , Mishawaka, penn, portage, merrillville, crown point, Hobart and others? 

This is based on a combination of dual meet strength and team scoring. The 2014 Perry Meridian team you mentioned was a very talented group. The 2014 squad went 23-2 that year, suffering a shocking loss at the hands of Franklin Community, 27-26, followed by a foolish loss to a game Penn squad, and finished 4th at both the IHSWCA State Duals and IHSAA Finals with only three placers in LeCount, James, and Elliott, among eight total qualifiers. Not to mention, they led the majority of the tournament with just those three making it through Friday, consolation rounds allowed Cathedral, Franklin, and Yorktown to pull ahead of them. The Cathedral team that won the title that year won in one of the most unconvincing fashions. They finished 5th at IHSWCA State Duals and had six losses on the year losing to about every other top squad in Indiana. The best team from top to bottom that year was Franklin Community, in my opinion. Losing Petrole Friday night really hurt their chance at a team title. 20-0, Traicoff champs, IHSWCA State Duals champs, IHSAA Runners-Up. The following year, Perry Meridian, Mater Dei, and Penn returned as the big three of 2015. Mater Dei won IHSWCA State Duals over Perry Meridian, 31-27. Perry beat Penn 33-32 to get to the finals in a death match of a dual. That squad went 19-1 and Mater Dei went 23-0 that year if I remember correctly. EMD had secured the #1 dual ranking, but Perry Meridian was the #1 team in the power rankings heading into the postseason, but they had the most nightmarish semi-state meltdown I’ve ever seen. They were predicted to get about 8-9 through and they dropped like flies in the ticket round after advancing 13 through to New Castle. Also, another squad that was very good that I don’t think gets enough credit was the 2013 Warren Central team. At one point, I thought they were gonna figure it out and push past Perry, but injuries plagued the squad and my boy Georgio Blades had the unfortunate draw of Wes Bernard in the ticket round. They finished sixth that year at the IHSAA Finals, and don’t forget my 2011 Roncalli boys! Had the misfortune of Perry in the first round of Team State in 2011. Lost 35-27.

This year’s state tournament was a low scoring affair for the champs in comparison to the past three years, but nonetheless this Cathedral team went through hell and came out on top. While I think last year’s team was the best Cathedral team of all-time, this year is in the top three as it is a state title team. What other teams do you guys think showed the best versions of themselves? I’d give a nod to Avon. A program that’s been on the come up for years and after wrestling above their seed at IHSWCA Team State, I thought the state finals was their breakout performance that showed the true heart of the Orioles and that they belong in the conversation of powerhouse programs in Indiana. I’ll give some more teams a shout out below. Who do you guys think is the best version of a specific team?

Avon - 2019 IHSAA Team Runners-Up, 72.0 points (2 Champs, 1 Runner-Up, 1 5th Place, 7 Qualifiers; 5th at IHSWCA State Duals)

Brownsburg - 2017 IHSAA Team Champions, 100.0 points (1 Champ, 2 Runner-Ups, 1 3rd Place, 1 4th Place, 1 5th Place, 1 7th Place, 8 Qualifiers; IHSWCA State Dual Champs)

Cathedral - 2018 IHSAA Team Champions, 108.0 points (1 Champ, 3 Runner-Ups, 1 3rd Place, 1 4th Place, 1 7th Place, 10 Qualifiers)

Evansville Mater Dei - 2003 IHSAA Team Champions, 42-23 score, would have scored unprecedented 158.0 team points at individual tournament (4 Champs, 1 Runner-Up, 2 3rd Place, 10 Qualifiers)

Perry Meridian - 2012 IHSAA Team Champions, FINAL, 43-14 score (1 Champ, 2 Runner-Ups, 2 3rd Place, 1 4th Place, 2 7th Place, 9 Qualifiers)

Warren Central - 2016 IHSAA Team Champions, 109.5 points, RECORD (1 Champ, 3 Runner-Ups, 2 5th Place, 2 7th Place, 8 Qualifiers; IHSWCA State Dual Runners-Up)

Other teams I’m thinking of... Lawrence North, 2005; Crown Point, 2009; Penn, 2015

That Mater Dei squad... Just typing that gave me chills. Were they that scary?!?!?!?

1 hour ago, Jimtown 138 said:

You do all of this pointless wrestling to have a college take notice of you and bless you with a scholarship.

It was sarcasm. I’m saying the IHSAA doesn’t care about wrestling. If it’s only purpose is to crown champions, everything else is irrelevant to them. If the participants and fans mattered, we would see change.

I apologize for my high volume of posts, but I have a rare free day and am a little fired up. I saw on an earlier thread a poster made the remark that “the IHSAA only cares about crowning the champion.” It really ticked me off, not because he said it, but because it’s true. If crowning the champion is the only thing that matters, what do we do all of this pointless wrestling for? I say forget it, if that’s how they want it. Just allow top four placement for the sake of advancing to the state finals and when it’s time to be downtown, the tournament is single elimination. No wrestlebacks or consolations. Just the winner of the finals being recognized. Since that’s all that matters. The IHSAA doesn’t care about wrestling and it sucks.

I remember the Indianapolis Star doing these years ago, last I remember 2012, but I’m not sure if these are a thing anymore. It’s been awhile since I’ve followed wrestling and this was the first state tournament I’ve seen top to bottom in years. With that being said, here’s my crack at it.

106 - Alex Cottey of Perry Meridian

113 - Zeke Seltzer of Cathedral

120 - Brayden Littell of Center Grove

126 - Ray Rioux of Avon

132 - Asa Garcia of Avon

138 - Tyce Freije of Roncalli

145 - Alex Mosconi of Cathedral

152 - Elliott Rodgers of Cathedral

160 - Jordan Slivka of Cathedral

170 - Elijah Mahan of Roncalli

182 - Carson Brewer of Avon

195 - Nick Willham of Greenwood

220 - Lawson Aiken of Brownsburg

285 - Dorian Keys of Brownsburg

A pretty solid squad I’d say, don’t ya think? 6 state champs, 6 runner-ups, a third, and a fourth place. I’d like to see this team against like a Team Indiana from every area. If anyone could put one together, please do.

On 2/21/2019 at 12:47 PM, Kookie953 said:

I just simply don't think it will matter...but it will make the Indiana tournament less meaningful.  It's the same arguments as class basketball, except basketball is actually a team sport.  

The Indiana state tournament series already doesn’t mean much with the way it’s ran. The lack of seeding or wrestlebacks kills our potential. You want to see a good single class tournament? Watch the CIF State Championships. Excellent from top to bottom.

7 hours ago, TeamGarcia said:

I just got done watching (CIF) California State Finals, been watching it the past few days. Love wrestling, check it out . I love their seeding, brackets, and even their State Series in general. Double elimination up to 3rd. Wrestle backs . They added Girls division to go right along side Boys Finals . Flo picked up the coverage, without a hitch . Which I was surprised. Excellent coverage. Watched every match if you want. Worth every penny I paid for Flo . Yes it’s 4 days but it’s like the NCAA’s, always interesting matches going on, split screen was awesome. 

Indiana can take a page from this tournament. We know our format is tough, but after watching CIF tournament. ITS TIME to #Evolve IHSAA . 

I was very happy to read this. I’ve watched California’s tournament finals the past few years and have yet to be disappointed, but the coverage from Flo this year was phenomenal. I am with you in saying it’s time for Indiana to evolve.

While our state tournament is pretty special, it overall isn’t perfect. We hear arguments of wrestlebacks, classes, etc., so how would you go about formatting the state tournament?

For me, I’d probably seed the state tournament, add wrestlebacks, and drop placements to six. I feel as if it would create a better atmosphere and tournament that ensures the best matches. In the current system, a bottom-ranked, ten loss semi-state champ could make the top four while the second-ranked, one loss guy, who could’ve done no more than injury default/MFF a match at semi-state, could possibly draw the #1 in the quarters and have to settle for 5th when he’s one of the top two wrestlers there. 

As for placement change, it just seems odd to me that you can have a state medalist in Indiana with only one win at the tournament (8th place wrestler goes 1-3). That hardly seems fair to first round losers who could wrestle back and earn their spot. Nowhere else in the United States do you find a state medalist with only one win at their tournament. By dropping two placements, it would ensure that the bottom placer, assuming they were beaten first round, would have at least two matches won en route to a medal.

These are just my thoughts. Give me some of yours.

2 hours ago, SIACfan said:

First I want to congratulate young Mr. Brewer on a state title & a great career. I have appreciated watching him wrestle. Second, I also want to say that I don't believe the head butt tarnished what he accomplished. Wrestling is a physical sport & these sorts of things are going to happen especially in such high stakes/highly intense matchups. Furthermore, I don't believe for a second there was any malicious intent.

But, I am going to have disagree with the majority here in that I didn't care for the PB&J exhibit. He did this in Evansville as well. Now don't get me wrong, I don't think this was some horrible/atrocious act. I just don't see it as appropriate given the setting. The introduction of the two finalists is a moment to recognize both wrestlers that have gotten there. Pulling a stunt like that, while it might be all in good natured fun, is at best an attempt to say 'look at me' while at worst ,IMO, a little disrespectful to your opponent. It's his moment too & you're making light of it. Now while a big majority may not mind it at all, there could be some that would be offended by it. Like it is a statement that you have little to no respect for them & what they have done to get there. JMO

What is with Indiana and them being against kids having a little fun? It’s a sandwich. It’s not him taking away from his opponent at all by eating it. It didn’t affect the outcome of the match in any way. Trent Hidlay literally ate a hoagie after Who’s #1 and it was celebrated as a great celebration by a great wrestler. The kids here can’t do anything spontaneous or out of the ordinary without being called classless. Chad Red got criticized for dancing after winning, same with Deondre. I can only imagine how much excitement runs through someone after winning a state championship or even being in the match.  Brewer ate a sandwich during the face off most likely because he was hungry. It didn’t hurt anyone. They’re kids. Let them have fun. Not everyone has to have these stale facial expressions. We should want some spontaneity.

9 minutes ago, luv2compete said:

I really think you are missing the big picture here.  What makes this event the BEST HIGH SCHOOL EVENT in the state is everything about it!  Think about how many wrestlers each year try to get to state?  Over 6,000+ from all over.  Then they go through sectionals, regionals and semi-State hoping to be one of the 224 wrestlers to compete for what they probably have been dreaming about all their lives!!!! Then, once they get to state, they hope to survive the that aweful FRIDAY NIGHT DRAW.   If they win that match, they are guaranteed a spot on the podium!!! Now we are down to 112 wrestlers Saturday morning.  And to make things more exciting, we all hope for those wrestlers that are not highly ranked to make a run at it! Not everyone is going to be a nationally ranked wrestler, which makes the drama even better!!! How boring it would be if every wrestler was nationally ranked.  So now we have these 112 wrestlers battling their butts off to get the top prize!!! Nothing is more exciting to watch every year than the finals, under the light, no matter who it is.  There’s nothing like it!

I think having a nationally ranked wrestler in the field makes it more exciting because often he’s looked at as the best or one of the best guys in his weight, and the chance of him advancing is 50/50. For example, last year, McIntosh was the #1 and nationally ranked combatant who went down to a game Slivka and a fast-improving Graves. This year, 220 was the most fun weight this year for me. We saw previously nationally ranked Cornwell go down Friday night, nationally ranked Irick get pinned, #1 Bolte go down, and eventual champ Fowler make a huge comeback pin. The stakes were incredibly high for a weight that could have so many different champs from quality wrestlers. Watching Slivka beat Washington was also exhilarating. When we see competitors with a strong national presence go down in Indiana, it makes me excited about our talent pool.

I know we often say, “Indiana is on the come up,” but ironically, this year seemed like a down year. For starters, you could see attendance was down compared to years’ past, and those I sat with and talked with afterwards also took notice. Also, the depth of this class seems down in comparison to previous years. For example, in 2014, we had multiple nationally ranked wrestlers at a majority of the weights or lots of returning state qualifiers/placers at a lot of the weights. In 2015, we had someone ranked in every weight. I remember looking at Flo and InterMat religiously throughout the season checking for names and headlines. We had lots of depth. In 2015, most of those wrestlers were already ranked, but some became nationally ranked after the state tournament due to the recognition of their talent.

2014

106 - Konrath

113 - Pepple

120 - Red, Glogouski

126 - Micic, Lee

132 - Wilson, James

145 - LeCount, Forte

160 - Corsaro

220 - Robinson, Miller, Tolley

285 - Bernard, Hemmelgarn, Streck, Oglesby

2015

106 - Cummings

113 - Pepple, Hildebrandt, Konrath

120 - Hudkins, Bailey

126 - Red

132 - Lee, Coy

138 - Cash, Lee, James

145 - Covaciu

152 - Forte

160 - Hughes

170 - Lydy 

182 - Osborn

195 - Rypel

220 - Woods

285 - Streck, Trawick, Oglesby

2019

113 - Jacob Moran

120 - Brayden Littell

132 - Asa Garcia

138 - Cayden Rooks

145 - Matthew Lee

160 - Donnell Washington

170 - Nick South, Graham Calhoun

182 - Carson Brewer

195 - Silas Allred

Big difference. If you looked in the state finals programs, you’ll see outside of 126, 145, or 152 there was no depth. A lot of the participants were first time competitors. At heavyweight, outside of Watts, it was everyone’s first appearance. A lot of the wrestlers we had ranked in years’ past were also in the middle of near the top. It didn’t look too good this year. No disrespect to any of these amazing athletes. I’m just unsure as to if other states are just better this year or if we’ve had an off year, but I have faith in our state especially with this exciting freshman class. Hope to see more and more of our guys on the national level this summer.

A sandwich that produced four state champions? Incredible. The PB&J of Power is officially my favorite thing of the state tournament.

Now that the pairings have been revealed, these are the titans I believe will complete their mission in Bankers Life this weekend with the exception of 152, 170, and 220, with those being the hardest weights to pick from.

106 - Cottey

113 - Seltzer

120 - Littell

126 - Mendez

132 - Viduya

138 - Rooks

145 - Lee

152 - Noehre

160 - Washington 

170 - South/Mahan

182 - Brewer

195 - Allred

220 - Bolte/Webster/Irick

285 - Watts

While 220 is the most wide open weight class and should be fun to watch, 152 is absolutely brutal and whoever makes it from that bottom half to the finals will truly earn it. Also, at 170, I expect to see Calhoun from Plymouth in the finals, but that bottom half featuring South, Walker, and Mahan is vicious. I believe South only beat Walker by a point at Al Smith and Mahan has been wrestling lights out. Whoever emerges here will know they earned it.

Team Champions

Cathedral - It’s going to take everyone, but they can do it. If Walendzak can catch fire and put together another performance reminiscent of his semi-state run, I would imagine the Irish take it with a potential five finalists.

Champions by Semi-State

East Chicago - 2

Evansville - 4 (6?)

Fort Wayne - 0

New Castle - 6 (8?)

I predicted it earlier this week, but Roncalli has won the New Castle Semi-State with one wrestler remaining. Cathedral and Warren Central have no wrestlers left, while Perry Meridian has two left but not enough to catch up. If Harris doesn’t beat Watts, Roncalli will literally be champions by one point off of the strength of Mahan’s pin.

106: Cottey, Chundi, Perry, Carrender 

113: Seltzer, Pierson, White, Simone

120: Lowery, Stewart, Eldred, Moseley

126: Wagner, Walendzak, Slivka, Ross

132: Viduya, Bailey, Johnson, Brown

138: Freije, Smith, Phillips, Wilkerson

145: Mosconi, Hall, Graves, Warren

152: Noehre, Rodgers, Fair, Otto

160: Slivka, Lowe, Davis, Lohrey

170: Mahan, Klettheimer, Saez, Coffman

182: Bacon, Filipovich, Morgan, Sterrett

195: Allred, Lane, Roudebush, Bynum

220: Irick, Webster, Cornwell, Burton

285: Watts, Harris, Kunkleman, Keller

Team Race

1. Cathedral

2. Roncalli

3. Perry Meridian

4. Warren Central

Although Warren Central won the regional title last week, I don’t have them as heavily favored as Cathedral or Roncalli who left Perry Meridian with six champions. While Cathedral is my  pick to walk away with the team title, Roncalli is my sleeper pick. The Rebels are up to something.

On 1/31/2019 at 2:55 PM, TeamGarcia said:

Here.... We.... Go... 

I’m not understanding the humor.

New Castle 138 - Rowlett vs. Wilson first round hurts Warren or Cathedral for team points. A state qualifier vs. state qualifier match-up.

I’m just wondering about how long would the duration of our tournament series be if we had full wrestlebacks or wrestlebacks of any sorts? For example, if at semi-state only quarterfinalists can wrestle back and at State all participants are allowed to wrestleback. I don’t see them adding a whole day, but would starting earlier be a possibility?

Just now, 1prouddad said:

Kudos to Red for his 4 titles but Red will never beat Lee again. Shouldn’t have in the first place had the ref  forced the action. College is a little different in that the refs won’t allow the dancing around as evidenced in today’s match. 

This has got to be a joke. He had him beat today. He didn’t get a stall call in the neutral position. He got them while he was on TOP CONTROLLING LEE. I seriously do not understand what you all have against CJ. The fact that he does a little dance to celebrate after big wins? Reece Humphrey literally break dances after matches and it’s all fun. CJ does a dance in good spirit after people doubt him and it’s, “Have some class, act like you’ve been there before.” The hypocrisy when it comes to this kid is ridiculous and it’s a shame you all hate to see him succeed.

With the postseason six days away, who are some of your favorites to win the team championship? I’ve got a few schools that could make a claim for the title with some heavy hitters.

1. Cathedral – My biggest favorite to win. They are the defending champions and probably have a lot they want to prove following their State Duals loss. I could see them put four under the lights in Seltzer, Mosconi, Rodgers, and Slivka, along with high placement from Bailey and Walendzak.

2. Evansville Mater Dei – Always expect EMD to bring the heat. They never make any tournament easy. With wrestlers like Freeman, Ross, Boarman, Egli bros, Lee, Dickens, and Parkinson, I’m sure we’ll see high performance and placement downtown.

3. Columbus East – A big threat to Cathedral’s run for dominance at Bankers Life. Cayden Rooks, Nick South, and Jacob Bolte all hold #1 rankings and the always tough Schnoegge could make a deep run and score lots of points for the Olympians.

4. Brownsburg – The returning runners-up showed that this year is far from a down one in Fort Wayne some weeks ago. I always expect quality from this team and while they may not have as many potential finalists, they could definitely bring in a high volume of players to rack up points.

5. Avon – The second best team in Hendrick’s County has a shot to be the best team in Indiana come February. The Orioles have heavy hitters in two-time champ, Asa Garcia, and nationally-ranked Carson Brewer along with Rioux, and Nathan and Tyler Conley. Stranger things have happened in Bankers Life. 

6. Perry Meridian – A team who has sat upon the pinnacle of dominance along with the likes of EMD for quite some time now. Perry Meridian has had a down year to say the least but can really come alive should they get their guys to perform in the postseason. With Cottey being a clear favorite to win 106, we could also see him joined under the lights by Aiden Warren who has been nothing short of excellent this year. A couple of close encounters with Mosconi have been his only blemishes while being the only loss on what has been an otherwise phenomenal year for Cayden Rooks. Returning state runner-up Sam Fair and placewinner Brooks Davis could make deep runs at Bankers should everyone be healthy, not to mention Gabe Smith and Austin Lane who have been wrestling great.

7. Roncalli – The Southside Rebellion has come alive in recent years and I wouldn’t be surprised to see them in the hunt for the IHSAA Championship in February. Returning state champion Alec Viduya has one loss this season, but otherwise has wrestled great. Brayden Lowery is looking to finish on top this year. His pin last week over Walendzak proved he could go with anyone, bumping up a weight class and scoring six for his team. Tyce Freije, a returning placer, can also score lots of points for this squad. Heavyweight, generally one of the more coin flip weights has John Harris who could really turn in a high performance at Bankers should he make it. Last but not least, the always creative Elijah Mahan can beat anyone and make a huge run for the 170 crown and help the Rebels to win an IHSAA championship.

50 minutes ago, hook and half said:

Loved it when Lee climbed up on the rail at Rec Hall and flexed to the audience.  How about when Lee’s dad ran in front of the TV camera and posed?

 

Exciting!

You’re seriously going to try and compare a win at a dual meet in Rec Hall to a win that capped off an undefeated career and fourth state championship in front of a hostile Bankers Life crowd that was 90% against him?  Get real. The C. Red hate is real and I don’t understand it.