Coach McCormick

Updated Roster (as of Sunday, June 3, 2012) 8 OPEN SPOTS REMAINING * --- Asterisk indicates wrestler newly added to camp roster WILL ACCEPT APPLICATIONS UNTIL CAMP IS FULL (100 CAMPERS) AS WE GET CLOSER TO FIRST DAY OF CAMP (JUNE 13), CONTACT COACH MCCORMIC FOR APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS We have a nice mix of skill level attending our camp this year. I will note some of the accomplishments for some of the wrestlers below who I personally know. If you know of a state or national accomplishment for any of the listed wrestlers, please feel free to make a post to that effect on this thread. I certainly don't mean to leave anyone's accomplishments off of this post. Thank you -- Coach McCormick Wrestler Home Town/County Grade Weight Accomplishments * Noah Baker Indianapolis 7th 75 Alex Barr Yorktown 6th 75 Zack Bartosz Greensburg 8th 93 Logan Belleville Ft. Wayne 7th 92 Dru Berkebile Anderson 6th 120 State Placer Logan Bohman Franklin County 6th 90 Michael Bohman Franklin County 6th 110 Ryan Borders Princeton 5th 70 * Alara Boyd Winchester 6th 125 Anthony Breedlove Alexandria 5th 70 Adam Brinkman Milan 8th 130 Steve Browning Franklin County 6th 80 Derek Bryant Elwood 9th 150 Adam Bundy Knightstown 9th 105 Jacob Cavins Milan 9th 185 State Placer Cade Cooper Brazil 5th 75 Blade Corpe Elkhart 9th 110 Brayden Curtis Parker City 5th 75 Xayvier Curtis Parker City 6th 90 Jake Davis Ft. Wayne 8th 135 Peter Deaton Kalamazoo, MI 7th 95 State Placer Conor Dilts Anderson 9th 154 Austin Dobbins Camby 7th 123 Garrett Eich Evansville 8th 128 David Eli Elkhart 7th 145 Sam Fair Indianapolis 6th 68 State Placer Tyce Freije Clayton 6th 80 State Placer Julius Gerencser Elwood 3rd 60 State Placer Blake Green Gaston 8th 98 State Placer Logan Gurr Henryville 8th 98 Bryce Gutierrez Anderson 9th 145 Brody Hardcastle Converse 8th 135 Mason Hehe Gas City 8th 155 State Placer * Jake Henderson Mt. Orab, OH 7th 112 State Placer Jonah Holdman Lebanon 8th 117 Christin Horton Goshen 9th 145 Christian Hunt Yorktown 6th 80 State Placer Zachery Huse Lebanon 8th 200 Seth Jackson Yorktown 8th 135 Evan Jones Lebanon 8th 145 Noah King Converse 8th 125 Cody Klettheimer Lapel 5th 95 State Placer Brad Laughlin Yorktown 7th 102 State Placer Evan Lawhead Brownsburg 6th 90 Ryan Lawlor Elkhart 9th 120 Connor Liford Rushville 8th 141 Johnny Loos Brookville 9th 112 State Placer * Brandon Lucas Mt. Orab, OH 7th 80 State Placer Austin Marlow Goshen 8th 130 Mark Maze Franklin County 7th 100 Cael McCormick Yorktown 8th 104 State and National Placer Matt McCoy Franklin County 9th 120 Richard Mendoza Brownsburg 6th 72 Mason Miranda Avon 7th 78 State Placer Max Naselroad Alexandria 3rd 70 State Placer Levi Oswald Union County 8th 140 Keegan Padgett Kirklin 6th 70 Joey Pier Yorktown 9th 175 State Placer David Pierson III Indianapolis 4th 55 Eli Pokorney Chesterton 6th 110 State Placer Vince Prescott Winchester 8th 105 David Rambo Alexandria 8th 140 DJ Rambo Alexandria 6th 80 Tyler Redd Liberty 8th 125 Seth Rench Yorktown 8th 132 Tyler Reynolds Anderson 6th 70 State Placer * Cole Ridgeway Converse 8th 80 Jeivan Ross Indianapolis 4th 60 Jake Ruberg Lawrenceburg 8th 115 State Placer * Colt Rutter Yorktown 7th 95 Gabe Saalfrank Huntertown 8th 75 Andrew Sanders Camby 8th 115 Kaleb Sanders Camby 8th 130 Corey Shie WestChester, OH 7th 110 State Placer and National Champion Jackson Sigler Yorktown 7th 100 Dawson Smith Knightstown 7th 85 Jack Smith Knightstown 7th 75 Trevor Smith Yorktown 8th 97 Zane Standridge Ft Wayne 8th 97 Evan Suding Franklin County 8th 115 Grant Suding Franklin County 5th 85 Andrew Todd Yorktown 3rd 65 Zach Todd Yorktown 7th 70 Skylour Turner Greenwood 8th 105 State Placer Josh Vaughn Indianapolis 8th 70 StatePlacer * Blake Wharton Brazil 7th 97 * Braeden Wharton Brazil 4th 60 Benjamin Wilkerson Columbus 8th 113 Nathan Williams Elkhart 8th 145 Mason Winner Ridgeville 5th 90 Ethan Wymer Mooresville 7th 95

The Yorktown WC will be hosting their 18th annual freestyle wrestling tournament on April 7. The New Zealand Cultural Exchange team will be visiting Indiana during that time and will be competing at the Yorktown event. Notes for event: 1. Satellite weigh-ins are available. Contact Amy Wales for satellite paperwork at amwales_cm@yahoo.com 2. There will be at least 5 full wrestling surfaces at this event. Further details may be found at www.iswa.com. Coach McCormick 765-282-9136 tmccormick@yorktown.k12.in.us

Mr. Faulkens called me yesterday, and we had a good conversation about weigh-ins and wrestling schedules. He was emphatic that he wanted our IHSWCA Team State Duals Championships to be a success. He said he had received some calls from coaches and AD's who were concerned about violating their 18 scheduling points or "over booking" their schedule. He made it clear that the most important thing is that each wrestler on a team stay at or under their 18 "in-season" competition points. He also clarified with me that the rule book should be interpreted such that a school may only enter 1 team into the post season. He said he (IHSAA) understands there are situations that arise where wrestling teams must be creative in scheduling to meet the needs of their program during "in season." For example, people have posted about the situation where a school with 90 wrestlers on their team sends 2 varsity teams out to 2 separate tournaments on the same day. Mr. Faulkens said he has no problem with this scenario, because although they may have "overbooked" their schedule, the coach's intent is to get his kids matches. We discussed other unique situations, including our Team State Duals event, and he again assured me that he was supportive of coaches/AD's being creative with their scheduling in order to meet the needs of their wrestling team during the "in season." The primary guideline to follow is that each wrestler on your team must not exceed their 18 competition points prior to sectionals. For new coaches, or anyone else that is interested, a wrestler may not exceed 18 competition points during the season (prior to sectionals). Any multi-team event that a wrestler competes in counts as 2 competition points and a dual meet counts as 1 point. Example: A wrestler on a team wrestles in 1 JV tournament, 2 varsity tournaments, 1 JV dual and 1 varsity dual. His cometition points total for himself would be 8 points at that point in time. Mr. Faulkens also went as far as to say that he would draft up a document which would give further guidance on this topic and send it to me. Thank you, Coach McCormick

UPDATE ON TEAMS FOR 2012-13 IHSWCA CLASSED TEAM STATE DUALS Updated --- Thursday, April 26, 2012 8 Large Division teams (3A) have accepted their invitation at this time. 8 Middle Division teams (2A) have accepted their bids at this point. 8 Small Division teams (1A) have accepted at this point in time. Coach McCormick IHSWCA President % = denotes teams that have accepted their spot and have committed to participate in this event. Class 3A (Large Division) % - Bloomington South % - Perry Meridian % - Evansville Mater Dei % - Cathedral % - Penn % - Elkhart Memorial % - Franklin % - Center Grove Class 2A (Medium Division) % - Jimtown % - Evansville Memorial % - Yorktown % - Culver Academy % - Southmont % - Danville % - Heritage Hills % - Muncie Southside Class 1A (Small Division) % - Adams Central % - Milan % - Lewis Cass % - Churubusco % - South Putnam % - South Adams % - Bremen % - Prairie Heights

UPDATE ON TEAMS THAT HAVE ACCEPTED OR DECLINED Only 1 team has declined their invitation at this point in time. All 6 of the Middle Division teams have accepted their bid. All 6 Small Division teams have accepted at this point in time as well. Most every coach I have contacted has been enthused about the event. There are several coaches still trying to work out creative measures, so they can accept their invitation. I just wanted to give everyone an idea of who has accepted at this point in time. I expect to have responses back from the other schools listed below by the end of this week. Despite the recent hurdle put in our way, things are moving along nicely. Coach McCormick IHSWCA President % = denotes teams that have accepted their spot and have committed to participate in this event. # = denotes teams that have declined their automatic bid. Class 3A (Large Division) % - Bloomington South Perry Meridian % - Evansville Mater Dei % - Cathedral Crown Point Elkhart Memorial # - Merrillville *still 2 wildcard to be voted on for selection Class 2A (Medium Division) % - Jimtown % - Evansville Memorial % - Yorktown % - Culver Academy % - Southmont % - Danville **still 2 wildcards to be voted on for selection Class 1A (Small Division) % - Adams Central % - Milan % - Lewis Cass % - Churubusco % - South Putnam % - South Adams **still 2 wildcards to be voted on for selection

The IHSWCA's timeline for extending bids to Indiana wrestling teams was planned for March 15. Last week, the IHSAA decided to throw a curve ball at the association and withdraw their prior blessing to allow the IHSWCA to utilize an "additional weigh-in" for this event. IHSWCA officers, regional reps and the event selection committee met this past Saturday evening in Indianapolis to address this issue and make decisions surrounding the event. We did decide that the IHSWCA will push forward and support our Classed Team State Duals project. Contact has been made with those schools who have already "locked" a position in the event. Our thought was to contact the "locked" teams to 1) extend them their official bid into the event and 2) see if they are willing and able to adjust their schedule to participate in the event next season. So far, I have heard back from 9 of the 19 teams contacted and all but 1 have eagerly accepted their position and are willing to adjust their schedule in order to participate in this event. I expect to hear from the other schools over the next few days regarding their decision. The IHSWCA would like to apologize to those schools/teams who are on the bubble for a bid. Our plan is to finalize the remaining wild card teams by our spring clinic which falls on April 20. This will give us time to 1) receive the responses from the "locked" teams, 2) identify any additional wild card positions that may open up and 3) meet again as a committee to finalize the remaining bid offers. Again, we apologize for this inconvenience, but some of this has been placed out of our control by the IHSAA. I have a number of e-mail correspondence between the IHSWCA and the IHSAA over the past couple of weeks. The best way to convey what has transpired during this time frame is to simply share with you the final few e-mails that took place between Bobby Cox and I. I have included those e-mails below, so those people throughout the wrestling community can evaluate the situation for themselves and weigh in on the situation. Start from the bottom and work your way up. Sincerely, Trent McCormick IHSWCA President ======================================================== Mr. McCormick, I have ready your plea and I have not changed my position. I have no doubt that the IHSWCA will move forward with this event and IHSAA member schools will make programmatic decisions as to the events they choose to participate in. Providing an exemption to the sport of wrestling in this matter is problematic and as I stated earlier, I will not support. Sincerely, Bobby Cox Commissioner Indiana High School Athletic Association, Inc. ---------------------------------------- From: McCormick, Trent [mailto:tmccormick@yorktown.k12.in.us] Sent: Wednesday, March 14, 2012 9:53 AM To: Bobby Cox Cc: Robert Faulkens; ndean@baugo.org; ExecStaff; noble@fayette.k12.in.us; 'Cale Hoover'; Danny Struck; Trent Staggs; 'mwhitten@warrick.k12.in.us'; 'diagostinoj@hendricks.k12.in.us'; 'nancy_alspaugh@mcs.k12.in.us' Subject: RE: IHSWCA Team State Duals Event Mr. Cox, I have received your response below, and I have some concerns. We (the IHSWCA) began planning our Team State Duals event last fall after our officers met with Assistant Commissioner Faulkens in Indianapolis. At that meeting the IHSAA Assistant Commissioner over wrestling gave us the IHSAA?s blessing to move forward with a very positive project for Indiana high school wrestling. There has been a tremendous amount of excitement generated around this event across the state, and we have continued working hard on this event over the past six months based on Mr. Faulkens? directive that we could utilize 1 additional weigh-in for the teams participating in this event. Our IHSWCA officers and regional representatives from all over the state have met on numerous occasions in Indianapolis and Columbus in planning for this tournament. We are at the point now of sending final invitations to the qualifying teams and selecting a facility. I sent bid packets out several weeks ago to high schools in the Indianapolis area as well as one university that requested a facility bid packet for this event. I would also like to point out your quote from an IHSAA press release that was printed in a number of newspapers across the state this past November: Taken from November, 2011 IHSAA Press Release -- ?The Indiana High School Wrestling Coaches Association (IHSWCA) has expressed interest among their membership to sponsor a dual meet tournament in January. This opening will allow the coaches association to garner much needed revenue in their efforts to promote the sport, provide recognition to student-athletes and further professionalize their ranks through clinics and other educational opportunities. Executed properly the decision will prove to be a win-win for Indiana high school wrestling and the over 8,000 youngsters that participate in the sport.? --- From Bobby Cox Approximately six weeks ago, I e-mailed Mr. Faulkens regarding our duals event to keep your office in the loop with our progress, and I attached our event flyer for his review. I did not receive any alternative directives from this correspondence, so we have continued to operate under the premise that our event could move forward with the additional weigh-in. We have been transparent and forth-right in our communications with your office regarding this event at all times. If the IHSAA had concerns with granting an additional weigh-in, why wouldn?t Mr. Faulkens, or someone from your office, have responded to my earlier e-mail? Why have you waited until now to question our plans for this very positive event? With regard to your position on regular season contests, we are merely adding three dual meets for 24 schools across the state. I will again attach our event flyer for your review. This is the same document that I sent Mr. Faulkens roughly six weeks ago. Additional items to note: ? There are many coaches, wrestlers, schools and fans across our state that enjoy the dual meet championship atmosphere. Many people are looking forward to our planned IHSWCA Team Duals Championship event slated for next season. The excitement grew even more after wrestling fans across the state read your November press release. ? One of our coaches? survey questions at the 2011-12 sectional sites across the state asked, ?if you were to be invited to the IHSWCA Team State Duals Championships, would you bring your team?? ----- 91% of the coaches responded that ?yes, I would bring my team to this event.? ? We have selected December 22, 2012 for this event as that date is ?clear? for most every wrestling program in the state due to how the calendar falls next season. ? We have also included a component where small, medium and large school wrestling teams alike can showcase their skills and have their team in the spot light. ? You will also find in the event document that we have guaranteed representation across the state, so every semi-state will be represented by at least one team. Again, we have put a lot of thought and planning into the design of this tournament. ? The IHSWCA has gladly done all of the work to this point and will run the actual event as well. We are not asking to place any further burden on the IHSAA other than to grant 24 teams 1 additional weigh-in for this event. In closing, I implore you, Mr. Cox, to reconsider your position on the additional weigh-in for the teams participating in this event. We (the IHSWCA) would not have put all of the weeks and months of work into planning this event if not for the blessing that your Assistant Commissioner over wrestling gave our officers last fall coupled with your press release last November. Again, I would ask you to reconsider your position on this matter given the circumstances. Trent McCormick Yorktown High School IHSWCA President Cale Hoover Center Grove High School IHSWCA Past President Danny Struck Jeffersonville High School IHSWCA Vice-President Trent Staggs Martinsville High School IHSWCA Secretary-Treasurer ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ From: Bobby Cox [mailto:bcox@ihsaa.org] Sent: Monday, March 12, 2012 2:15 PM To: McCormick, Trent Cc: Robert Faulkens; ndean@baugo.org; ExecStaff Subject: IHSWCA Team State Duals Event Trent, I am in receipt of your message to Assistant Commissioner Robert Faulkens regarding the potential IHSWCA team state duals event. I appreciate the IHSWCA and their efforts in providing this opportunity for Indiana schools that choose to participate in the event. My sense is that the IHSAA Executive Committee also supports your efforts and wishes you every success. Having said that I will not support nor will I encourage our Executive Committee to exempt this event from the normal computation of wrestling events for a season. Quite honestly, I believe many of our sports have too many regular season contests. Additionally, I cannot be responsible for decisions made in other sports decades ago, as you reference in your Hall of Fame example for basketball. I am certainly not comfortable granting such an exceptions for all sports and should I allow this in wrestling, it is my sense that other sports would be lining up for similar consideration for whatever causes they feel worthy. It is simply something I will not support. Sincerely, Bobby Cox Commissioner Indiana High School Athletic Association, Inc.

All Indiana wrestlers present and accounted for. Just finished team picture shoot. Indiana warms up at 12:30. I have been told that the "AA" dual will be the live feed with commentary. The "A" dual will have scrolling/live results as they happen (something of this nature). Coach McCormick

No, did not get a 4th.

Filled 145 pound position at this time. Thank you, Coach McCormick

Jeff McClane (confirmed) Jim Ledbetter (confirmed) Jon Millard (confirmed)

The 145 pounder from Columbus East contacted me first. I am waiting for final confirmation from him right now. I will contact those of you who have e-mailed me as soon as I here back from him on his final answer. Coach McCormick

We have had one of our 145 lb participants get injured this week, so we need to fill this position at this time. Please find the criteria to fill this position below: 1. Must be a senior. 2. Will give first preference to 145 lb. semi-state qualifiers/placers (all state qualifiers at this weight have been contacted already) 3. There is a 7 lb. weight allowance for this event. 4. If a 138 lb. semi-state/state placer or qualifier is interested, please e-mail me. 5. If a lite 152 pound semi-state/state placer or qualifier is interested, please e-mail me. 6. I hope to solidify this position by tomorrow (Thursday) by noon. 7. This wrestler will be included in the varsity line-up wrestling for team points at this event. Event is Sunday (March 11) beginning at noon (central time). It is being hosted at Dekalb HS in Dekalb, Illinois (west of Chicago). After candidate is selected, I will send more detailed information about the event to that wrestler. Please e-mail Coach McCormick at tmccormick@yorktown.k12.in.us if interested in being considered for this spot. Coach McCormick IHSWCA President

We are in need of 4 referees to represent Indiana this Sunday to work the IN-IL Senior All-Star Duals. I would like officials who have worked a semi-state or state event during the high school season over the past couple of years. This year's event is being hosted by Dekalb HS in Dekalb, Illinois (west of Chicago). The IHSWCA will provide a stipend to each of these four officials to be put toward fuel, food and/or lodging. Wrestling will begin Sunday at 1pm (Central Time). If interested, please e-mail Trent McCormick at tmccormick@yorktown.k12.in.us. Thank you, Coach McCormick

Chandler Carroll Yorktown High School 10th 126 2012 - 5th place (2011 - 3rd place) contact Trent McCormick tmccormick@yorktown.k12.in.us

1. Illinois' 3 divisions do give them a little more of a logistical challenge. There are weights where they have several seniors that would like matches, so we look at this as an opportunity for more Indiana seniors to have an opportunity to participate. At this point there are roughly 4 "extra" matches throughout the line-up, and we do believe we are going to evenly distribute those matches into the 2 dual meets and have them count toward team points for the duals. 2. All 126 pound Indiana placing seniors were given the opportunity to compete. When that list was exhausted, I offer positions to placing seniors who have contacted me with an interest to compete. 3. All Indiana spots were offered to seniors starting from the highest placer and working down in order as wrestlers declined positions for various reasons. Coach McCormick

From Illinois Coordinator: The 2012 Illinois/Indiana Classic Dual will be streamed live on www.ihigh.com/barbs. Please spread the word If you have anyone that is interested in doing commentary, etc., please contact me or Dan Jones at djones@dist428.org. Joe Cliffe

All "top 2" seniors in each weight class were contacted yesterday (Monday) with final invitations. Some coaches/wrestlers are getting back to me today (Tuesday) with their answer. Tuesday evening I will begin contacting the next seniors in line to compete at this event. Several seniors who placed at state have already taken the initiative to contact me with their desire to wrestle in this event if a spot opens up in their weight class. The teams should be set by Wednesday evening. Coach McCormick

First, I want to thank the "formula guys" who put countless hours of time into entering data and verifying stats for every wrestling school in Indiana! Job well done. 1. 3rd Wildcard position: This will need to be discussed at our next IHSWCA meeting. I'm not sure any of us knew how this would all unfold. We will have to confer with the selection committee to decide on the most fair and reasonable criteria to decide this. 2. Seeding: Again, this has not been finalized yet. As someone suggested already, my guess is that we will seed the event based on current (next season) criteria and standings. 3. Yes, official invitations will be sent to coach/AD. I believe that is scheduled to happen by March 15.

March 11 (Sunday) Dekalb High School Dekalb, Illinois

TEAM 1 "AA" TEAM 2 "A" 106 - # Kevin Condo (Franklin Co.) # CJ Whitten (Ben Davis) 113 - # Adam Brodie (Merrillville) # Tyler Stock (North Posey) 120 - # Paul Petrov (Hanover Cen) # Mason Todd (Pendleton Hts) 126 - # Kyle Ayersman (Lake Cent) # Robert Boston (Lawrence N) # Alonzo Shepherd (Jeffersonville) 132 - # Jared McKinley (Perry Mer) # Todd Batt (South Adams) 138 - # Devon Jackson (Yorktown) # Alex Griffin (McCutcheon) 145 - # Jason Tsirtsis (Crown Point) # Nolan Feller (Franklin County) # Tim Shuler (Columbus East) 152 - # Adrian Brown (Lafay Jeff) # Ryan Ntende (Goshen) 160 - # Brian Harvey (Cathedral) # Connor Robinson (New Palestine) # Kirk Johnson (Perry Meridian) 170 - # Sean Mappes (Center Grove) # Matt Irick (Hamilton Southeastern) # Darryl Peppers (Merrillville) 182 - # Tanner Lynde (Delphi) # CJ Martin (Perry Meridian) 195 - # Ian Early (Greenfield Cent) # Taylor DeLong (Westfield) # Bo Butler (Kokomo) 220 - # Tyler Kral (Crown Point) # Joe Gallegos (SB Clay) 285 - # Abraham Hall (Bremen) # Brandon Daniels (Goshen) # Brian Snyder (Avon) # indicates that this wrestler's bio sheet has been received by Coach McCormick ** Those wishing to secure a spot on one of these two teams should fax in the bio. sheet

The IHSWCA would like to secure a venue for our 2012-13 Classed Team State Duals Championships next season. The bid packet/application is ready to be distributed to those facilities/schools that may be interested in hosting this inaugarul event. The location should be somewhat centrally located in Indiana as there will be 24 teams travelling from across the state to this event. Schools/facilities that apply should be able to put down 8-9 full size mats with reasonable seating for spectators. If interested, e-mail Trent McCormick at tmccormick@yorktown.k12.in.us with your name and address. An application packet will be sent to you. The IHSWCA would like to finalize the location/venue for this event in the next two months, so preparations for the event can move forward. Thank you, Coach McCormick

There are a number of criteria that can be considered in recognizing good coaches who coach (or have coached) in our state. "Championships won" is certainly one litmus test that can be applied. I had the opportunity to wrestle for Coach Patton at Delta. He was always a very caring and genuine person in addition to being a championship caliber coach. If we are looking past championships, there are a number of other coaches who deserve recognition as they certainly carved their name into Indiana wrestling history. Ron Anderson (Winchester) - Influenced many young men over his decades long coaching career. In a "classed" system he had teams that would have definitely won state championships. Coach Anderson was extremely giving of his time and wisdom to many other coaches. John Smith (Muncie South) - Lead Muncie South to a state title in 1990. He, himself, was a two time state champion, and one of the most technically sound coaches in Indiana wrestling history. IMO Bill Robertson (Wes-Del) - Approximately 12-15 years ago, Wes-Del HS would also have won a couple of "classed" team state championships. Coach Robertson put together some rock solid teams from light to heavyweight at his small school. He still helps out with Wes-Del's program today. Kelly Cronk (Shenandoah) - Again, 12-15 years ago, Shenandoah was a force to be reckoned with. For a very small school, there were years they didn't have a hole in their line-up. Coach Cronk was very good about mentoring young coaches who were trying to learn the profession. Many of his teams were not recognized as they fell in the shadow of New Castle's strong program in its hay-day. Rex Peckinpaugh (New Castle) - Indiana's winningest dual meet coach. There are certainly many others out there. These are just some who came to mind as I read through this thread.

This will mark the 19th year for the IN/IL Senior All-Star Duals event. This year's event will be hosted at Dekalb High School in Dekalb, IL on March 11. Invitations (and info letters) will be dispursed at individual state during the finals. Since 2004, Indiana is 7-9 against Illinois. More recently though (since 2008), Indiana is 4-2 against our neighbors to the west. Having attended this event the past few years, this is truly a fun event to watch. Certainly, the competitors aren't at tip top fighting condition in March, as most have taken a much needed break after a long high school season, but they aren't far removed from it. This event pits some of Illinois' finest wrestlers against Indiana's finest, and it is a treat to watch. Last year saw Indiana's #1 team defeat Illinois' #1 team 32-23. Indiana's #2 team defeated Illinois' #2 team 39-18. Wrestlers get a 7 lb weight allowance for this event when they weigh-in in front of the Indiana coaches on Saturday evening (the night before the event takes place). The invitations will be put in the coaches' hands at state. There is a deadline to accept the invitation. Each wrestler's high school coach is welcome to attend the event and coach his wrestler. If the coach cannot be in attendance, another Indiana coach in attendance will sit in the chair for that wrestler. The only cost to the wrestler for this event is getting to Dekalb HS (in Illinois) and securing a hotel room. Any questions may be directed to Coach McCormick (Yorktown HS) and/or Al Hartman (SB Clay HS). Coach McCormick

Although I am flattered that some people think the IHSWCA has massive power in Indiana, I would point out that the IHSWCA is an association of volunteers that offers programs for wrestlers and coaches across our state and acts as a liaison between the IHSAA and the Indiana wrestling community (at the IHSAA's leisure). Please do not lay Indiana's wrestling woes on the back of the IHSWCA. I would re-emphasize that the IHSWCA is not in charge of the IHSAA. Although we make proposals and suggestions to the IHSAA from time to time, the IHSAA does not have to use our suggestions and many times they do not. We (the IHSWCA) cannot control the IHSAA, nor is it our responsibility to do so. I do find it disturbing that people are permitted to degrade other people, and organizations, on a public forum without even signing their name to it. I also find it humorous that some "contributors" to this forum try to bolster their status with testimonials of how they coached for long periods of time (thereby insinuating that they must have been good at what they did) just so they can be critical of others' efforts. The easiest thing to do is simply sign your real name to your comments and then other readers will be able to assess if your criticism is accurate and/or warranted. What I have typically found though is that those who are most critical were/are the least involved and simply enjoy sitting on the sidelines (with a fashionable screen name) and spend their time being critical of others rather than attempt to make a positive contribution themselves. I, for one, would like to thank the IHSWCA officers and regional representatives for their expertise and hours of volunteer service on behalf of the wrestlers and coaches across our state. This is a hard working and committed group of gentlemen who many times put the needs of their own team(s) aside in an attempt to offer opportunities for other programs around the state. Coach McCormick

I can certainly understand from the spectator's point of view why someone might not understand why a school would bring a partial team to Team Regionals. I would point out though that the first flaw in the system is that an "individually" based scoring system was being applied to a "team" concept at sectionals. Just because a team won sectionals, doesn't necessarily mean they are a solid dual meet team. There are numerous examples through the years of teams who won team titles in post season events but really only had a handful of good wrestlers in their lineup. I don't say this to be disrespectful, but it is simply a reality. A good solution to this team dilemma would have been for the IHSAA to implement a "classed" Team Duals event like many other states have in place. In Indiana we are assuming that schools of all sizes and demographics can compete year in and year out at an extremely high caliber, and this just isn't realistic to expect. With respect to "team", our sport is no different than say... football. Do we expect our small (1A) schools to play against our state's large (5A) schools in the post season? Most people would immediately say, "well of course not... the big schools have more kids, better weight rooms, nicer facilites, etc, etc." But for those exact same reasons, it is almost impossible for a small/mid size school wrestling team to compete with their large school counterparts each year. Head coaches (and some assistants) of teams also understand the myriad of issues that can quickly arise with a team as well such as illness, injury, academic issues, etc, etc. during a season. Again, due to school size and demographics, not all teams have the luxury of having a full JV squad to fill holes in the varsity lineup when adversity strikes a team. It is easy to make assumptions about why a team wasn't at full strength, but again, until you have been at the helm of a high school team, I don't think it is fair to pass judgement. Coach McCormick