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Region Wrestling Academy has continued to get better and better, the coaches are SUPREME. The rooms (little tykes, middle schoolers, and High Schoolers) are stacked with talent. Congratulations!

Big shout out to RWA for finishing 5th as a team at Cedar Falls, competing with 17 wrestlers. Not too shabby boys!
 
Congratulations to the wrestlers and coaches!
 
RWA PRIDE!! 

Region Wrestling Academy has continued to get better and better, the coaches are SUPREME. The rooms (little tykes, middle schoolers, and High Schoolers) are stacked with talent. Congratulations!

Thanks for taking the time to give that insight Mr Tucker.  I think it's easy for ppl on the board to bash a family for doing something out of the ordinary, but it's easier to overlook all of the behind-the-scenes decision making that goes into it.  I have been as guilty as others in the past, but I continue to live and learn.
 
Best of luck to Jake, you and your family with your wrestling and academic futures!

It's a family decision, IMO. Others will have their opinions either way but it all comes down to the wrestler's decision. In Jake's case, he made the decision himself. He shadowed at MC and it's an hour up to Chicago from Lowell so his school days for 4yrs have been: up at 5:15am (up at 4:45am on morning practice days) and back home at 8pm at night, every night. I assumed and totally expected him to say "thanks but no thanks" after his shadow day. I made him go through a typical day of getting up early and coming home late, etc. so he would know what it was going to be like for 4yrs. I figured after the shadow day it would be put to bed. The first thing that came out of his mouth when I picked him up was "that's where I am going, that's my school". There was absolutely no pulling or tugging from me or my wife, he made that decision on his own and we love the decision he made. It's not for everyone but it was best for him. We love our friends in Indiana and we spent all of his formative years in wrestling in Indiana and we wrestled a lot in Illinois and all across the country. As for the actual wrestling part of it? Jake would have been fine if he stayed in IN or went elsewhere because of the nature of our sport, it's all about national tournaments and who you are competing against and defeating/staying close with. Jake's coach at MC is a 4x AA and an NCAA D1 National Champion. He coached at Overtime for 11yrs, he coached Andrew Howe, Alex Tsirtsis, Angel Escobedo, etc. and is probably one of the best technicians in the country. With that said, Bobby Howard at Lowell is also a great technician and Jake would have succeeded under him as well plus Jake has always been an RWA kid, working with Tsirtsis, Hawkins, and the gang for years. There are so many people involved in the success of a wrestler, it's just not black/white on any decision to attend a school. One of the many aspects that I loved about IL was the culture for wrestling and the dual team series. We are going to Dual Team State this weekend and after coaching 3 straight undefeated middle school teams at Lowell, the team aspect of our sport really appealed to me personally and for Jake. Being ranked nationally at #12 is a thrill and I wish there was some way for IN to bring back the dual team series in the IHSAA. Finally, I would be remiss if I didn't include my wife in this conversation. She is a South Side of Chicago girl, grown up and raised in IL. MC was very important from the faith-side of it (we are catholic), it's a big deal for her son to go to a school like MC and it may mean nothing to most people but it meant a lot to her and her family...but she still left the decision up to Jake. She was like me, she never thought he'd be able to keep a strict regimented schedule of getting up so early every day and getting home late, etc. 
I could go on but it's safe to say that we love our friends/wrestlers in Indiana and we also love the decision Jake made by going to MC. I hope this answers your question. 

It's a family decision, IMO. Others will have their opinions either way but it all comes down to the wrestler's decision. In Jake's case, he made the decision himself. He shadowed at MC and it's an hour up to Chicago from Lowell so his school days for 4yrs have been: up at 5:15am (up at 4:45am on morning practice days) and back home at 8pm at night, every night. I assumed and totally expected him to say "thanks but no thanks" after his shadow day. I made him go through a typical day of getting up early and coming home late, etc. so he would know what it was going to be like for 4yrs. I figured after the shadow day it would be put to bed. The first thing that came out of his mouth when I picked him up was "that's where I am going, that's my school". There was absolutely no pulling or tugging from me or my wife, he made that decision on his own and we love the decision he made. It's not for everyone but it was best for him. We love our friends in Indiana and we spent all of his formative years in wrestling in Indiana and we wrestled a lot in Illinois and all across the country. As for the actual wrestling part of it? Jake would have been fine if he stayed in IN or went elsewhere because of the nature of our sport, it's all about national tournaments and who you are competing against and defeating/staying close with. Jake's coach at MC is a 4x AA and an NCAA D1 National Champion. He coached at Overtime for 11yrs, he coached Andrew Howe, Alex Tsirtsis, Angel Escobedo, etc. and is probably one of the best technicians in the country. With that said, Bobby Howard at Lowell is also a great technician and Jake would have succeeded under him as well plus Jake has always been an RWA kid, working with Tsirtsis, Hawkins, and the gang for years. There are so many people involved in the success of a wrestler, it's just not black/white on any decision to attend a school. One of the many aspects that I loved about IL was the culture for wrestling and the dual team series. We are going to Dual Team State this weekend and after coaching 3 straight undefeated middle school teams at Lowell, the team aspect of our sport really appealed to me personally and for Jake. Being ranked nationally at #12 is a thrill and I wish there was some way for IN to bring back the dual team series in the IHSAA. Finally, I would be remiss if I didn't include my wife in this conversation. She is a South Side of Chicago girl, grown up and raised in IL. MC was very important from the faith-side of it (we are catholic), it's a big deal for her son to go to a school like MC and it may mean nothing to most people but it meant a lot to her and her family...but she still left the decision up to Jake. She was like me, she never thought he'd be able to keep a strict regimented schedule of getting up so early every day and getting home late, etc. 
I could go on but it's safe to say that we love our friends/wrestlers in Indiana and we also love the decision Jake made by going to MC. I hope this answers your question. 

It's a family decision, IMO. Others will have their opinions either way but it all comes down to the wrestler's decision. In Jake's case, he made the decision himself. He shadowed at MC and it's an hour up to Chicago from Lowell so his school days for 4yrs have been: up at 5:15am (up at 4:45am on morning practice days) and back home at 8pm at night, every night. I assumed and totally expected him to say "thanks but no thanks" after his shadow day. I made him go through a typical day of getting up early and coming home late, etc. so he would know what it was going to be like for 4yrs. I figured after the shadow day it would be put to bed. The first thing that came out of his mouth when I picked him up was "that's where I am going, that's my school". There was absolutely no pulling or tugging from me or my wife, he made that decision on his own and we love the decision he made. It's not for everyone but it was best for him. We love our friends in Indiana and we spent all of his formative years in wrestling in Indiana and we wrestled a lot in Illinois and all across the country. As for the actual wrestling part of it? Jake would have been fine if he stayed in IN or went elsewhere because of the nature of our sport, it's all about national tournaments and who you are competing against and defeating/staying close with. Jake's coach at MC is a 4x AA and an NCAA D1 National Champion. He coached at Overtime for 11yrs, he coached Andrew Howe, Alex Tsirtsis, Angel Escobedo, etc. and is probably one of the best technicians in the country. With that said, Bobby Howard at Lowell is also a great technician and Jake would have succeeded under him as well plus Jake has always been an RWA kid, working with Tsirtsis, Hawkins, and the gang for years. There are so many people involved in the success of a wrestler, it's just not black/white on any decision to attend a school. One of the many aspects that I loved about IL was the culture for wrestling and the dual team series. We are going to Dual Team State this weekend and after coaching 3 straight undefeated middle school teams at Lowell, the team aspect of our sport really appealed to me personally and for Jake. Being ranked nationally at #12 is a thrill and I wish there was some way for IN to bring back the dual team series in the IHSAA. Finally, I would be remiss if I didn't include my wife in this conversation. She is a South Side of Chicago girl, grown up and raised in IL. MC was very important from the faith-side of it (we are catholic), it's a big deal for her son to go to a school like MC and it may mean nothing to most people but it meant a lot to her and her family...but she still left the decision up to Jake. She was like me, she never thought he'd be able to keep a strict regimented schedule of getting up so early every day and getting home late, etc. 
I could go on but it's safe to say that we love our friends/wrestlers in Indiana and we also love the decision Jake made by going to MC. I hope this answers your question. 

It's a family decision, IMO. Others will have their opinions either way but it all comes down to the wrestler's decision. In Jake's case, he made the decision himself. He shadowed at MC and it's an hour up to Chicago from Lowell so his school days for 4yrs have been: up at 5:15am (up at 4:45am on morning practice days) and back home at 8pm at night, every night. I assumed and totally expected him to say "thanks but no thanks" after his shadow day. I made him go through a typical day of getting up early and coming home late, etc. so he would know what it was going to be like for 4yrs. I figured after the shadow day it would be put to bed. The first thing that came out of his mouth when I picked him up was "that's where I am going, that's my school". There was absolutely no pulling or tugging from me or my wife, he made that decision on his own and we love the decision he made. It's not for everyone but it was best for him. We love our friends in Indiana and we spent all of his formative years in wrestling in Indiana and we wrestled a lot in Illinois and all across the country. As for the actual wrestling part of it? Jake would have been fine if he stayed in IN or went elsewhere because of the nature of our sport, it's all about national tournaments and who you are competing against and defeating/staying close with. Jake's coach at MC is a 4x AA and an NCAA D1 National Champion. He coached at Overtime for 11yrs, he coached Andrew Howe, Alex Tsirtsis, Angel Escobedo, etc. and is probably one of the best technicians in the country. With that said, Bobby Howard at Lowell is also a great technician and Jake would have succeeded under him as well plus Jake has always been an RWA kid, working with Tsirtsis, Hawkins, and the gang for years. There are so many people involved in the success of a wrestler, it's just not black/white on any decision to attend a school. One of the many aspects that I loved about IL was the culture for wrestling and the dual team series. We are going to Dual Team State this weekend and after coaching 3 straight undefeated middle school teams at Lowell, the team aspect of our sport really appealed to me personally and for Jake. Being ranked nationally at #12 is a thrill and I wish there was some way for IN to bring back the dual team series in the IHSAA. Finally, I would be remiss if I didn't include my wife in this conversation. She is a South Side of Chicago girl, grown up and raised in IL. MC was very important from the faith-side of it (we are catholic), it's a big deal for her son to go to a school like MC and it may mean nothing to most people but it meant a lot to her and her family...but she still left the decision up to Jake. She was like me, she never thought he'd be able to keep a strict regimented schedule of getting up so early every day and getting home late, etc. 
I could go on but it's safe to say that we love our friends/wrestlers in Indiana and we also love the decision Jake made by going to MC. I hope this answers your question. 

It's a family decision, IMO. Others will have their opinions either way but it all comes down to the wrestler's decision. In Jake's case, he made the decision himself. He shadowed at MC and it's an hour up to Chicago from Lowell so his school days for 4yrs have been: up at 5:15am (up at 4:45am on morning practice days) and back home at 8pm at night, every night. I assumed and totally expected him to say "thanks but no thanks" after his shadow day. I made him go through a typical day of getting up early and coming home late, etc. so he would know what it was going to be like for 4yrs. I figured after the shadow day it would be put to bed. The first thing that came out of his mouth when I picked him up was "that's where I am going, that's my school". There was absolutely no pulling or tugging from me or my wife, he made that decision on his own and we love the decision he made. It's not for everyone but it was best for him. We love our friends in Indiana and we spent all of his formative years in wrestling in Indiana and we wrestled a lot in Illinois and all across the country. As for the actual wrestling part of it? Jake would have been fine if he stayed in IN or went elsewhere because of the nature of our sport, it's all about national tournaments and who you are competing against and defeating/staying close with. Jake's coach at MC is a 4x AA and an NCAA D1 National Champion. He coached at Overtime for 11yrs, he coached Andrew Howe, Alex Tsirtsis, Angel Escobedo, etc. and is probably one of the best technicians in the country. With that said, Bobby Howard at Lowell is also a great technician and Jake would have succeeded under him as well plus Jake has always been an RWA kid, working with Tsirtsis, Hawkins, and the gang for years. There are so many people involved in the success of a wrestler, it's just not black/white on any decision to attend a school. One of the many aspects that I loved about IL was the culture for wrestling and the dual team series. We are going to Dual Team State this weekend and after coaching 3 straight undefeated middle school teams at Lowell, the team aspect of our sport really appealed to me personally and for Jake. Being ranked nationally at #12 is a thrill and I wish there was some way for IN to bring back the dual team series in the IHSAA. Finally, I would be remiss if I didn't include my wife in this conversation. She is a South Side of Chicago girl, grown up and raised in IL. MC was very important from the faith-side of it (we are catholic), it's a big deal for her son to go to a school like MC and it may mean nothing to most people but it meant a lot to her and her family...but she still left the decision up to Jake. She was like me, she never thought he'd be able to keep a strict regimented schedule of getting up so early every day and getting home late, etc. 
I could go on but it's safe to say that we love our friends/wrestlers in Indiana and we also love the decision Jake made by going to MC. I hope this answers your question. 

Jose and Jake made history by becoming the first Indiana residents to win an IHSA-Illinois High School State Wrestling title. (Jose placed 3rd in 2A last year, Jake placed 5th in 3A as a Soph two years ago...these were also first time feats).
 
These Indiana boys fared pretty well in Illinois. Great job! 
 
Carlos is super talented, I can't wait to watch him in the future. 
 
Jake is excited to join his longtime club/middle school teammate--Drew Hughes at Michigan State. Exciting times ahead!

Jose and Jake made history by becoming the first Indiana residents to win an IHSA-Illinois High School State Wrestling title. (Jose placed 3rd in 2A last year, Jake placed 5th in 3A as a Soph two years ago...these were also first time feats).
 
These Indiana boys fared pretty well in Illinois. Great job! 
 
Carlos is super talented, I can't wait to watch him in the future. 
 
Jake is excited to join his longtime club/middle school teammate--Drew Hughes at Michigan State. Exciting times ahead!

Jose and Jake made history by becoming the first Indiana residents to win an IHSA-Illinois High School State Wrestling title. (Jose placed 3rd in 2A last year, Jake placed 5th in 3A as a Soph two years ago...these were also first time feats).
 
These Indiana boys fared pretty well in Illinois. Great job! 
 
Carlos is super talented, I can't wait to watch him in the future. 
 
Jake is excited to join his longtime club/middle school teammate--Drew Hughes at Michigan State. Exciting times ahead!

Congratulations to Lowell's Drew Hughes on his verbal commitment to the Spartans of Michigan State. Drew has worked very hard since the age of 5 to be one of the best in the country, he's certainly done that. Now he joins New Head Coach Roger Chandler next year to start a new chapter in Michigan State Wrestling.

Great job, Drew! You a have a wonderful future ahead of you.

Congratulations to Lowell's Drew Hughes on his verbal commitment to the Spartans of Michigan State. Drew has worked very hard since the age of 5 to be one of the best in the country, he's certainly done that. Now he joins New Head Coach Roger Chandler next year to start a new chapter in Michigan State Wrestling.

Great job, Drew! You a have a wonderful future ahead of you.

Congratulations to Lowell's Drew Hughes on his verbal commitment to the Spartans of Michigan State. Drew has worked very hard since the age of 5 to be one of the best in the country, he's certainly done that. Now he joins New Head Coach Roger Chandler next year to start a new chapter in Michigan State Wrestling.

Great job, Drew! You a have a wonderful future ahead of you.

Congratulations to Lowell's Drew Hughes on his verbal commitment to the Spartans of Michigan State. Drew has worked very hard since the age of 5 to be one of the best in the country, he's certainly done that. Now he joins New Head Coach Roger Chandler next year to start a new chapter in Michigan State Wrestling.

Great job, Drew! You a have a wonderful future ahead of you.

Congratulations to Lowell's Drew Hughes on his verbal commitment to the Spartans of Michigan State. Drew has worked very hard since the age of 5 to be one of the best in the country, he's certainly done that. Now he joins New Head Coach Roger Chandler next year to start a new chapter in Michigan State Wrestling.

Great job, Drew! You a have a wonderful future ahead of you.

Congratulations to Lowell's Drew Hughes on his verbal commitment to the Spartans of Michigan State. Drew has worked very hard since the age of 5 to be one of the best in the country, he's certainly done that. Now he joins New Head Coach Roger Chandler next year to start a new chapter in Michigan State Wrestling.

Great job, Drew! You a have a wonderful future ahead of you.

Congratulations to Lowell's Drew Hughes on his verbal commitment to the Spartans of Michigan State. Drew has worked very hard since the age of 5 to be one of the best in the country, he's certainly done that. Now he joins New Head Coach Roger Chandler next year to start a new chapter in Michigan State Wrestling.

Great job, Drew! You a have a wonderful future ahead of you.

Yes there is, especially when a top kid loses in the ticket round or in the quarters at state and might be the 2nd or 3rd best.

Y2 I couldn't agree more.
 
As for IL vs. IN, you can draw your own conclusions, I am just commenting on the events and the participants. If you feel "threatened" or "sensitive" about the issues, that's your problem. Anyone who has read my posts for years will know that I have always said that IN's top end talent was outstanding, it is a sheer numbers game in a lot of cases with the depth. 

You guys may think you are joking about Brandi Cash but I'll tell you right now, she could put together a team like NO ONE! If I was IU, I would hire her! She could put a dual team together that would challenge anyone in the nation! She's done it for little tykes, Middle schoolers, High schoolers, and I am sure she could do it for College. No kidding. Give her the control, $$$, and authority....sit back and watch her go!!!
 
 

Brother Rice might have had a 4th Champ if not for Rudy Yates transferring to Carl Sandburg this season. Johnson, a Harvey Twister, is tough along with both Blanco boys. Congrats to them. REP'ing the CCL! (Chicago Catholic League)