NickS

Actually, I could care less about weighing 103. In fact, that would look pretty freaking gross if I did. What bothers me is the fact that 25% of the teams couldn't field a 103 lber (Y2, post those stats for sectional participants from last year to clarify that please). Anyone else find that slightly disturbing? But hey, if you like seeing forfeits, then 103 is for you. Who knows, with how kids growing at the rate they are. We'll be seeing forfeits at State in about 10-15 years for 103.

Yes, keep working hard all 20 of you 103 lbers. ;D

Better yet, combine it with 112 so there would be matches (non-forfeitted) consistently.

That we should get rid of it. ;D

Wonder which would have higher tv ratings?

Ah, gotcha.

When you look at Indiana, Mater Dei has been the dominant team the past 15 years or so. Ohio, it's been St. Ed's and Parish Graham then Blair Academy in New Jersey. Even at the college level, it's been Iowa and Oklahoma State. You don't see this with other sports. Sure, certain teams when consistently, but state or national titles seem to get spread out to more teams than with wrestling. What is the reason (theories) for this? or is this monotonous perception not true at all?

Certain programs are struggling because their in a single-class system or is it because of the coaching staff quality and/or lack of culture? Walsh Jesuit was a national powerhouse during the mid-90's in Ohio Division 1. Since then, they've dropped to Division 2 and is still a strong program but not NEAR where it was during the mid-90's. Why is that? Is it simply because they're Division 2 now? I find that hard to believe.

Read on themat.com Andrew won his debut match as a Badger 9-3 over Oregon State kid. Anyway we can get a hold of this match online?

When did I ever state that single-class makes us better than the states with multi-classes? I'm insinuating that it boils down to CULTURE, not classes being the reason we can't compete with the top tier states. Going to a 2-class system would result in us getting thumped by Ohio just the same as staying with a single-class system. I'm not saying we should just give up and be complacent with being around the 10-15 ranked state. I'm just saying that in order to get better, we have to change the culture. Which is a steep challenge considering the state we're in. On the weight class topic. Most schools are going to have their difficulties filling certain weight classes. Some schools are going to be able to fill 103 consistently. But if you look at the overall numbers, 103 is BY FAR the toughest weight class to fill. Most of the time, it being filled by underclassmen on top of that. The numbers that I've seen suggested by Y2, numbers I've looked at from Fargo and high school nationals has proven this to be the case.

That's all well in good if your goal is to just get more state qualifiers for the "little guys." Hypothetically speaking, how's being a division 2 state champion going to improve the wrestling skills of Wresler X vs. being a single-class state 8th placer? Wrestler X is still going to have the same workout partners, coaches, and schedule either way. Only thing that changes are his "achievements." Like I've stated before Ohio, Pennsylvania, Illinois, California, New Jersey are strong wrestling states because of culture. Their state associations and high schools are probably MUCH MORE dedicated to their wrestling programs compared to Indiana. So what good would it do for a small high school to have more state qualifiers when that high school doesn't give their wrestling program any recognition?

One way of adding participation, at least at the varsity level, is to eliminate the 103 lb. weight class and reorganize the weight classes. How many schools can actually field a 103 lber? Y2 had some data on the old board that showed the weight class being forfeitted like 25% of the time I think? Change the weight classes to something like: 112, 118, 124, 130, 136, 142, 148, 154, 160, 168, 176, 189, 215, 285. The real change would be splitting 171 into 2 weight classes, 168 and 176 lbs. Which would free up a lot more spots than having 103 lbs. I'm also with AJ on that I'm not sold on the belief that class wrestling, at the individual level, won't increase the quality of wrestling in Indiana. Look at the best wrestling states in the country. Are they the best because they're classed or because they have strong wrestling culture. Personally, I lean towards the latter. One of the arguments I hear for a 2 class system is because it creates more participation at the State Tournament. Well duh, since there would be double the State Qualifiers. You could achieve the same goal by increasing the weight class participants from 16 to 32 while staying a one class system. If there's an instance that I feel class wrestling would benefit is at the team level. There's this mindset that wrestling is an individual sport and should be left at that. Well it is in the since it's you and you're opponent. But I feel we got it wrong that way on a marketing standpoint (I'm kind of going into college now). In my opinion, fringe fans don't gravitate to certain sports because of just the individuals. Tim Tebow is good, but I would watch Florida not him. Tyler Hansbrough is good, but I watch North Carolina not him. So why should we expect any difference with wrestling? NCAA Finals is the "BIG MOMENT" for wrestling to showcase itself on ESPN. You think people (not the die-hards) will keep watching just Coleman Scott, Angel Escobedo, Jordan Leen, or the great Brent Metcalf. No, IF they were to stay and watch, it would be for the team. Sorry, but most of the time the team title is locked up by the finals. On top of that, you only see a couple of those team title members in the finals maybe. We need to market the team, not the individual, if we want wrestling to grow.

Someone say party? "http://lolcat.net/d/2239-2/party_hard_cat.gif"

Did Eppert look like he filled out 125 well or no? 125 isn't the same as beating up on them 103 and 112 underclassmen huh? JUST KIDDING!!! Seriously though, did Eppert look small for 125 compared to Cashe?

awood probably would have a shot for State if this were set up by class. Figured I'd get that reference out of the way early.