SeanMcMurray

Portage folks got chills when Eric Keith finally got to the top of the podium! Amazingly, he was ranked #1 his first three years of high school and lost friday night. He finally got it done, and I don't think he was even ranked #1 that season! That's the best example my coaches have ever used to explain that the rankings don't mean squat!!

Twisted Sister, Thank you, not only for commending me, but for voicing your opinion. I'd like to clear some things up with you and I'd like to start by saying this is not a response full of hostility or attitude. This post is meant to be sincere and help me voice my opinion.. For one, I said that I did not mean to be disrespectful or do any harm to anyone. It will not happen again. That's a promise to the coaches, wrestlers, and fans of Indiana high school wrestling and that includes you. Next, to be honest, I do not care who cheers for me when I wrestle against anyone, no matter the stage. I haven't worked hard to try to win for them. I've worked hard for myself, my family, my school, and my community. Finally, once anyone completes a high school wrestling career there are people for and against them. As a matter of fact, those opinions are what make this board great. I am not worried about how I will be remembered. Whether I am loved, hated, or anything in between, I am passing the torch to those younger Portage wrestlers to keep a rich WRESTLING tradition intact. I'm sure there will be awesome Portage wrestlers to come that will have their own personalities. I am nothing more than another Portage wrestler. There are many just like me and many more to come but each one will act a little differently. I emphasize wrestling tradition because that does not mean a tradition full of unsportsmanship. My actions in the past do not support the way I feel about sportsmanship. That is why I have made a promise to you to fix these issues. I can only blame my self for my actions on and off the mat. Off the mat I try to be as kind and friendly as I possibly can. As I have matured in the last couple years, I have learned to use the constructive criticism of others as a tool to motivate me to improve myself as a person and a wrestler. This situation is no different. I do not look at anyones posts about me as negative, although others might. I look at them as another possibility to try and make myself a better person in the future, again on and off the mat. Sincerely, Sean

but Any wally world in da region can help ya catch onto da region lingo!! ;D

I think yours would be more like... Da Region got its share of snow fall all da time! Jay County dont got dem plows like us do! We got lots of dem four wheel shovel machines. I tink da roads'll clear and dare will be some mitty fine wrastlin in da region dis weekend. hahaha

1. 112 2. 160 3. 2010

Indeed.. It's rubbed off on a few more studs too. Overtime has produced some very good recruits for the past few years.

That's a very valid question... I think they just kind of 'wing it' every year. lol

Vega used to always say, "what did you do today to become a champion?" I remember after practices when I was a little guy, coach pendoski would say, "you dont have to go home, but you can't stay here!"

I like this video.. Towards the end they talk about how each younger Smith sibling is more successful then the last..

Josh Garza, you may remember him from the battles with Merrillville's English. Josh is going to med school. He'll be a doctor in a couple years!

Da Region has it's fair share of snow every year. Odds are Jay County doesn't have many plows... Up here, we got lots of dem! I think the roads will be cleared and we'll be wrastlin on time Saturday.

Thanks! That ole Quiroga looks pretty darn good for a Boiler dont he!! He should have gone to MSU!! lol

I wish to offer you (anyone offended) my most sincere apology for my actions. The actions were uncalled for and unacceptable.. I will say that in no way did I mean any harm. I respect every wrestler, coach, and fan of the sport. I do understand the opposing point of view. I feel that a part of me is on the mat when each one of my teammates is competing. I get frustrated when my teammates lose and I often release my emotions when I shouldn't. I can assure you it has nothing to do with attention, the opposing wrestler, or anything else. Too often I replace potential with expectation. The only resolution to this problem is to contain myself. I have consciously made bad decisions, but I plan to consciously avoid these in the future. The best I can do for you is learn from my mistakes and move forward... This has been added to my list of goals. That being said, I'm going to continue to work towards accomplishing my goals, on and off the mat. Sean

How about Nicholas Hill of Gary West Side making it at 152? That'd be awesome.

I think acedemic all-state is much higher of an honor. Oddly enough, I look up to alot of the kids that look up to me for this reason... Even more impressive is some of our best wrestlers were even better in the class room!! Taylor March, Eric Galka, Marcus Shrewsbury, Eric McGill... they are a different breed!

I'm sick of hearing, "So and so is on a mission." EVERYONE IS ON A MISSION. If you weren't you wouldn't put it in the blood, sweat, and tears it takes to wrestle.

I'm sure if you were to ask Darren he'd say he was ONLY a 1 time state champion.

You want an FYI? Ok, Quiroz started talking with about 6 seconds left... I replied with a crossface.. I REPLIED WITH WRESTLING. Then I got off of him and HE walked over to me. I pushed him away and yes we had our words. He was also the last person to talk in the whole disagreement. I shook his coaches hands and went to my coaches. It really wasn't as big of a deal as a lot of you make it.. The funny thing is, you people who are bashing me have no idea who I really am.. You haven't even spoken to me..

Caliboy, I for one, have never booed you.. Remember your private messages to me? I have no problem with anyone having a pick to win state. Esp when you have good reasons for your pick! All I can do is wrestle.. And I wrestle with emotion because I love this sport.. Everytime I step onto the mat I get into a mind set.. It's my choice, it can be me or whomever I'm wrestling... I prefer for it to be me. So, in my head I'm running through all of my training and telling myself that I've worked too hard to lose. I have given Anthony rides to practice and even hung out with him some in the past year.. We don't like eachother on the mat, that's it. I hope the kid has a good career.. Heck, he's already began a better one than mine.

Acuna was knocked out cold during the 1st period against Shurg.. The kid doesn't remember the rest of the match! Now that's INDIAN TOUGH!

I love wrestling math. 1992**

No one, I learned in English class to start your paragraphs with a bang! That was my bang! hahaha. My point is as follows: My freshman year, I wrestled like a freshman. So, to me, it is impressive when I see a freshman step up and roll around like he is a junior or a senior..

No need, bro.. It's all in good fun. You can't expect people to like you without others disliking you.. I think if Phillips made or makes 103, he will wrestle it in February. But, either way, the kid has the heart and skill level to defend his state championship. And even though I picked Phillips over Campbell, I understand that Campbell can beat anyone in the state... It's just that Phillips and I are good friends, and he is a champ.. Until I see it, I have to go with the guy I've seen wrestle (and win) dozens of times.

A summary of the dual can be precisely described in one sentence.. MERRILLVILLE WANTED IT MORE They came out ready to battle and I give kudos to their wrestlers and coaches. This is the TOUGHEST Merrillville team I have competed against.. Maybe not the best, but definately the toughest. The only swing match that washed out for Portage was the King/Berry match and Berry gave it all he had! Every Pirate that was involved in a swing match wrestled with authority and knew what they had to do. The Pirates showed hustle and class. They ran back to the center of the mat and Coach Maldonado had them ready to wrestle. They were thirsty(metaphorically) and we were thirsty(literally). I can't say enough good things about this Merrillville team. I wish the Pirates and Coach Maldonado the best of luck this season and I can't wait for the next battle.