SharkBit

Kyle...prayers for you and your family. Sincere condolences from the Sandefers and the entire Mishawaka Wrestling family.

Just curious what other Holiday Tournament Team entry fees may be, and what we all consider a reasonable team entry fee? I know that we participated in several Team Dual events over the Summer and a few were extremely reasonable IMO $200 range....and a few were a bit more pricey IMO $695 range? Obviously several factors are different: Summer vs In Season....HS sponsored event vs club....club fundraiser vs Sanctioning body event...lets have fun & wrestle vs business aspect...etc. So in regards to - In Season - HS sponsored Holiday Tournament - what would you consider reasonable?

Lisa and I had a great time last night. Drove from Mishawaka to Kokomo to support our son's Middle School team in a Triple Dual and ended up scoring and running the clock. What made it even more enjoyable was working with and talking to JD Minch who happened to be officiating. Nice to catch up and reminisce with him. While doing so he mentioned several guys from our area that don't seem to be able to step away any more than he can. Guys like Henry Wilk, Jeff Colburn, the legend himself Al Smith. Got me to thinking, earlier this week I saw Tom Dolly coaching at Grissom Middle School to add another. We are blessed in Indiana at all levels to have individuals that have spent most of their lives advancing our sport. I have always believed that the level of satisfaction and contentment that you are able to realize in your own life is a direct result in the difference that you make in the lives of others. To the gentlemen mentioned....and many more....thank you for everything you do for our sport. It was great seeing you last night JD! Please share others that have inspired you with lifelong service. I guess it hit me most watching one of your own transition into a new phase of giving back himself and realizing the impact that individuals like these had early on in that development. Steve & Lisa Sandefer

#4 Seed - State Champs?

We have met so many great families that have become great friends through this sport. Wrestlers, coaches, officials and their families that became part of your journey as you became part of theirs. Our own family did not always understand the commitment, the practices, the travel, the expense, the sacrifices that were made....but our wrestling family did. Because they were making those same sacrifices. State is a special time to catch up with our wrestling family and pick up right where we left off years ago. The kids are grown and many still involved and giving back to the sport, just another confirmation the sacrifices were worth it and maybe we did something right! Our time has come and gone and left us with so many precious memories, but for those in the arena now....remember to take the time and ENJOY every aspect of your journey with your family and your wrestler. Good luck to all the participants and families that are taking a few extra steps in your journeys this weekend, for when you look back years later as we do now, you will realize how great this moment really is! Look forward to seeing you all there. Steve & Lisa Sandefer

Wawasee program....agreed! Commented at Regionals and again at Semi State about the how impressive these guys were wrestling. Well prepared, aggressive and passionate. Great Job Coaches!!

Eleven years ago we were the center of controversy and criticism as a result of a family decision to build a new home that happened to be in the School City of Mishawaka district. Previously we lived in Penn District a mere three miles distance. This was not a spur of the moment process, it was in process for six months. During that six months we told NO ONE of our intentions. We contracted the construction and bought the land for our new home, leased temporary housing (within the SCM boundaries) and contracted for the sale of our home in Penn Twp. During this time I also sent all of the information of our move: current address, temporary address and final address once the home was complete, with time frame to Blake Ress at IHSAA. There was no formal ruling at that time he simply confirmed that we were meeting ALL of the requirements of a BONA FIDE FAMILY MOVE according to the guidelines established by the IHSAA. Six months later, in one weekend we vacated our home (moved absolutely every item) and moved into our temporary townhome while the new house was completed. Monday morning after moving, I again emailed Blake Ress and the IHSAA to keep them comprised of our progress. AT THIS TIME I also CC'd the Atheletic Director at Penn High School Ben Karasiak all of the correspondence that had b previously been sent to Mr. Ress and the IHSAA. Approximately around 11am I went to Penn High School and filled out the appropriate paperwork to dis-enroll Steven from Penn. From Penn I drove directly to Mishawaka High School and enrolled Steven at MHS. Next I stopped in to the Athletic Office and spoke with Athletic Director Kirby Whitacre to discuss the appropriate process for Athletic Transfer procedure. KEEP IN MIND, UP TO THIS POINT....NO ONE OUTSIDE OF OUR IMMEDIATE FAMILY KNEW WE WERE LEAVING PENN....AND NO ONE KNEW WE WERE COMING TO MISHAWAKA. So Mr. Whitacre was very professional but I must admit the look on his face was priceless when I walked in that morning. The request for release paperwork was faxed to Penn and I left. Before I got back to my office which is only 10 minutes from the High School, my phone rang and I saw that it was Mr. Whitacre. He informed me that he had just received a fax from Mr Karasiak from Penn....signing off on the athletic transfer. This is the first time I have shared this publicly in eleven years. My point for sharing this now is to possibly help someone that may consider a move or transfer in the future. I don't know the circumstances of the Moran's, but sure don't like to see kids not being able to do what they love. So the advice for everyone else....is simply do it the right way. Meeting all the requirements of a bona fide family move is as close to a 100% guarantee you can get in this situation. To all of those that mention, said or whispered that we moved purely for athletic reasons....Steven was at MHS three short years......eleven years gone by and we still love our Mishawaka home and community. As a family we continue to support our Mishawaka Schools, all of the atheltic teams and extra curricular student activities. We moved to Mishawaka to be part of this community, and proudly are! Best wishes for the Moran boys, hope to see both back on the mats. Steve & Lisa Sandefer

Congratulations to Andrean 152lb wrestler Mike Krzyston and his family. It was also announced today that the 2014 State Qualifier, and as of last week 2015 Regional Champion has committed to Coach Fleeger and the University of the Cumberlands to continue his academic and wrestling career at the NAIA institution in Kentucky. Mike and his family will be a great addition to the program. .

Congratulations to Cory Christman of Penn High School. Cory has signed his NLI to attend and compete for the University of the Cumberlands.in Williamsburg KY. Cory will be in good company as he joins former Indiana wrestlers: Jake Sinkovics-Mishawaka, Tristan Macri-Mishawaka, Gabe Dunham-Avon, Josh Berger-Mishawaka and joining the team at the break, Derrick Suttles-Valpo. Mentoring these young men are former Purdue All All American Chris Fleeger and former Mishawaka wrestler Steven Sandefer. Congrats to Cory and his family! We are very proud to have you.

Jake Sinkovics - NAIA National Wrestler of the Week In addition to his conference honor, Jake was also named the NAIA National Wrestler of the Week. Jake had a strong showing at the Missouri Valley Open with two technical falls, a major decision and a win by pin in the finals. Jake avenged a previous loss to the Missouri Valley wrestler that had edged him out at the National Duals in Fort Wayne earlier this month. This honor was probably a direct result of the finals match as Jake left no doubt this time extending his lead to 14-1 prior to the pin in the 3rd period. http://www.naia.org/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=27900&ATCLID=209876211

Jake Sinkovics is also competing well for a true freshman. Jake has one three Opens this year wrestling in the 125 lb weight class. His most recent win at the Missouri Valley Open also earned Jake the honor of being named the Mid-South Conference Wrestler of the Week this week. University of the Cumberlands on a roll with back to back honorees. We can be proud that our Indiana boys are representing so well. http://www.mid-southconference.org/article/3745.php

Tristan Macri big win! Tristan who has wrestled all year at 149 bumps up to 157 and upsets the returning National Champ! Joe Cozart of Lindsey Wilson was ranked number #1 at 157 and was the retuning National Champion at that weight. In addition, Cozart a red shirt senior had not lost a match to an NAIA opponent since 2012-13. The match score was 2-1. Congratulations Tristan on a great match! The following week Tristan was named the Mid-South Conference Wrestler of the Week. http://www.mid-southconference.org/article/3727.php

A Little Indiana Flavor - The University of the Cumberlands in Williamsburg Ky is sprinkled with a few Indiana boys. A trio of Mishawaka wrestlers in Jake Sinkovics, Tristan Macri and Josh Berger are all freshman at UC. Gabe Dunham of Avon is a Sophomore. In addition to the wrestlers, coaches in their inaugural year are Head Coach Chris Fleeger - Purdue and another former Mishawaka wrestler Steven Sandefer in his 1st year as an Assistant Coach.

Congrats to Coach Fleeger on his new appointment. Indiana will be well represented this year at the University of the Cumberlands. In addition to Coach Fleeger, three student athletes from Mishawaka have accepted scholarship opportunities to wrestle at UC. Jake Sinkovics is projected to wrestle at 125, Tristan Macri has signed on to wrestle at 149 next season and Josh Berger will project as a 141/149 for the Patriots. Mishawaka graduate Steven Sandefer will have the honor of working with all three hometown boys as an assistant to Coach Fleeger as he finishes up his undergrad and moves forward with his Graduate studies. Best of luck to all!!

;D From all his friends in Mishawaka 8) :-* ; We are all kinda partial to: Cody down for LeCount

I have seen both teams and lineups multiple times already this season. So without any hype or bias, I will offer my humble neutral opinion on this match. Both teams are solid and wrestling well. Penn with their massive depth is coming off a good run at the IHSWCA Team State, and a great showing at the Al Smith where they further demonstrated how team depth continues to propel their program. Their quest to continue to garner the respect of the rest of the state as one of the top teams in the state can only be valid for debate provided there is victory over their cross town rivals. Mishawaka, on the other hand, is settling in nicely with a new coach in a transitional year for them. He was not left with a bare cupboard as we were made aware by four Mishawaka wrestlers making the Al Smith finals, ending up with three champions. Mishawaka also had a good team showing at the Al Smith placing 3rd, only 17 points behind 1st place Penn while wrestling without an entry at 182? Now down to the prediction. Again this is my best non bias, neutral, tell it like I see it, prediction. I see a 7 match to 7 match split. Not going to give you my match for match, because I don't think that is fair to the boys that get on this board. But I will say the biggest determining factor will be the line up that night. If Penn shows up with what is expected, then I expect that will put pressure on Mishawaka to chase some bonus points. If Penn does not have their absolute best lineup, which I hear is not a sure thing, then the pressure and burden may shift. Either way folks this one is going to come down to bonus points. Margin of victory could be 6 or less either way. One thing is for sure....If you are a wrestling fan.....you do not want to miss this one!!!

Pretty sure the origination of this rumor has to do with an upcoming summer tournament. I believe there are a few more individuals along with Mr Crume who have offered their services to fill a team made up primarily of Mishawaka wrestlers. Because of that, I think they have even entered as Northern IN ? Just an opportunity for guys to get matches in.

In an attempt to steer this back toward the topic: Last week, Mishawaka's Clint Proctor was tentatively the #3 guy on the depth chart at 160#. This week he was asked to step up, because he was needed, but the need was at 170#. With a 0-0 Varsity Record he was entered in the toughest of all regular season tournaments in a very tough 170# Weight Class where he finished in 8th place. The additional two factors that make this a great story is that he probably never weighed more than 161# and some change which was obvious when you watched him on the mat against his fully hydrated 170# opponents. The second factor which I did not realize until today......he was the ONLY opponent that "Outstanding Wrestler" Sean Mappes did not pin!!

The Meet between Mishawaka and Lowell, MI has been cancelled. Steve Sandefer

The wife and I enjoyed watching some good wrestling on Saturday. A lot of great matches for early in the year and a very well run tournament! Mason Todd did look very impressive, he is going to be fun to watch this year. Mrs. Sandefer became a huge fan of Brian Harvey after Saturday's performance, before and after the bleacher surgery to reattach a huge portion of the back of his scalp. Gutsy kid, but she was more impressed by his demeanor throughout the day...outstanding young man.

Bump

I was very impressed by the sportsmanship shown by both of these fine young men following the match. Yes, there was a lot of hype about this match and everybody had an opinion. In the end, both handled themselves with class and dignity. Funny, you ever notice that in most conflicts or differences involving young people, that if the adults would stay quiet and out of it, the young people are usually able to find peace in a situation. Seems like we should be able to learn by watching them! Good Luck to both of these both of these young men in the future. I know the future will be bright for both!

"Re: Returning State Champions in trouble of losing their titles" The Topic Headline is what caught my attention.....The greatest thing about winning a State Championship is that no matter what happens after that, the rest of your life, you NEVER lose the "title" of being a State Champion. Best of Luck to all the Champs. It's going to be a great show!

I also had to finish reading the article through the tears. Mike is, and always has been one of my personal favorite wrestlers to watch compete in this sport. Going all the way back to the club days and Middle School it has been inspirational to watch the progress Mikey has made to one of the top wrestlers in the state in his weight class. A great example of dedication, hard work and the results from both. Mikey and his family are prime examples of this "family" and "fraternity" we speak of...genuine, great people who make a positive impact on all they come into contact with. Mikey will continue to lead his team from matside, the respect and admiration that he has earned from those around him speaks for itself....and I too believe that God has great plans for Mike Witous. The Sandefer Family

According to d1collegewrestling.net: http://d1collegewrestling.net/Recruiting_Rankings2009.html