BlueBolt

That was my first time in the building. The only actual complaint I have is in no way specific to the Semi-State, and that is the complete lack of planning for parking when the place was built. Was it cold in the building, yes and for the reasons noted. Food was expensive, but the quality was actually pretty darned good. There isn't a bad seat in the house! You could see every mat from every section and the sound system didn't sound like its was under 8 feet of water. Personally I would like to see the scoreboard used to display the current match scores for the 4 mats

As you have taught so many over the years, Wrestling IS Life. And Coach you have taught many of us more than you know.

And just who now has their ticket punched? No disrespect to Hoehn. Tough tough kid with a fantastic career!

I know this is not important to anyone, so if you have anything "cute" to say just please keep it to yourself. Two years ago this coming weekend was the last time I saw my father healthy. He sat next to me at the Evansville Semi-State watching the very best the state has to offer battle it out. Two days later, he was in the ICU of Deaconess Gateway Hospital, and fighting for his life. Not explanation, not reasons why. His hearth and breathing stopped twice, but he kept coming back to the amazement of his doctors. He refused to quit This started 17 months of watching a mild mannered, honest, and God Fearing, man slowly slip away, one day at a time. I can't count how many weeks were spent in the hospital during that time. Or how many times his heart stop, and started again with explination. He just clawed his way back with a fight and determination that defied all belief. The most unbelievable thing is he never complained once. Dialysis, surgery after surgery, no answers to any questions, he just pressed ahead with his life. On 28 July 2011, while he slept, his struggles ended. He was in his home, asleep, and peacefully left on his terms. I share this with you because he was a wrestling fan from the time of my first match. He never fully understood the science of the sport, he never set foot on a mat, but his heart and determination he showed in his fight showed the characteristics of a champion. As a teacher of 34 years, he appreciated what our sport taught not only his son and his son-in-law, but all the kids he would go and watch wrestle long after we had graduated. So this weekend, as you watch the incredible efforts of the kids, know that the lessons these young people are learning are lessons worth learning, and that heart and determination are the product of character.

Your first lesson on the sport, it's not normally acceptable to kiss your opponents. We normally just shake hands.

Have I not been to enough matches with you? Lol. I am still not sold on Wrestleman ever actually having seen a live match before. ;-) And ski, seriously? Isnt that what they drank on Fear Factor? Good luck to your boys this weekend. It is going to be a hell of a weekend!

Seriously, I have no idea why this has you all torn up, but free king relax! The Reitz kids have presented themselves very respectfully and have earned their place in Saturdays Semi-State. What ever happens here is just talk. Means nothing in the grand scheme of life. I can appreciate you being upset, but honestly it is what it is. Opinion and ultimately guesses. If they want to rub it in over picks made during a high school event then so be it. Let them have their moment in the "limelight" of this message board. I have been just as bad at times. It's like a black eye, it heals and you move on. Relax, enjoy the efforts of the kids and pray for continued success for both sides! These kids are a great group of representatives!

I will always say congrats to those who advance out of this Regional, the realistic side of it is it is about the kids, no matter where they are from. As for the Kool aid. Thanks but no thanks, we drink big people drinks over here. ;-). Good luck to all the south western kids!

And how might you know I don't? Have you seen Judy wrestle? The most interesting part of it all is how the fact I have stated I would love to see Hoehn win out hs been completely lost in all this. As for the Castle sectional's performance, it is what it is. Bitter? Are you serious? These are teenage kids in a high school sport! I am not posting flipping spreadsheets and pie charts full of stats And what have you. Whose taking all this far to seriously? Good luck to all our kids. It is going to be a wild one that is far tighter than it has been in recent years. It is really fantastic to see the talent pool leveling out and some of the best representative for our semi state come from various places. It's just better all around for the sport.

Which goes to show how little you know about, much less respect, anyone outside your little world. Thank you for proving my point so completely...

And BTW, Judy was eliminated last year by Rueger, and the year before by Micheal Brown of Castle... Lannert and Hoehn are tough kids, but it's just not the same.

I never said I wouldn't LOVE to see Hoehn go...But once again, be realistic about it and look at the bracket closely...

Judy is the favorite in that class. If nothing else for the draw alone. His expirences, quality of opponents, not to mention he gets a daily dose of Neal Malloy's presence in the wrestling room. Could I be wrong? Sure, just the same as you could. But can you come up with a reasonable argument against the reasons I have just given that don't have anything to do with bias based on location?

Whew, it's a great thing no one really cares what you think either. I'll just put your opinion right next to the rest of them and assign te same value they have. But hey, thanks for taking the time to not bother my one else and focusing me.

Shepard and Welch meet early too. Man that is nuts!

Have you ever seen Judy wrestle? Know who his drill partner is? Go ahead, take a guess. The 120 bracket is serious stupid.

You have to be honest. 138 there is a heavy favorite and then there is 2-4 to be determined. Mooresville's regional may very well take that one.

The most evenly matched Semi-State I have seen in many many years! The Mooresville regional is going to be be bringing some really tough competition, and Jeffersonville and Bloomington South will both take their shares of ticket holders to Indy. This may be one for the scrapbook!

Looks like a solid group heading to the Ford Center to represent. I hope they come ready to wrestle next week. The other regionals are looking strong too!

What I would say is Congrats to those who made it theought from 106 - 160 at that point. Represent our regional well!

While losing the sectional is never a happy thing, I agree that the quality of other programs stepping up and a more balanced field is critical for our sport. Take a look at Heritage Hill's program as an example. 20 years ago it didn't exist! They have improved each year they have fielded a team and honestly impressed me a great deal watching their kids wrestle with a great level of intensity and pretty darned good technique. The same can be said for Boonville and a few others. Of course I am a Castle fan, always will be! Those kids are walking the same path I did many years ago. They are the kids of my friends! But it is pretty obvious this years team is green and learning. I know that they give it their all and that's what the sport is all about! But to sit here and ignore the fact that Hertiage Hills, Boonville, Princeton, Gibson Southern, and Tell City are bringing some REALLY note worthy competition is just plain stupid. I have to wonder what kind of message this sort of thing sends to an Evansville sectional kid who gets beat in the first round by one of these schools that apparently don't meet others standards? "Gee Timmy, nice season but now you are worse than that kid from Podunk Tech!".

The stick was jammed into a burlap bag and beaten with a sock full of nickels, then driven back to the west side.

PM by a comfortable margin.

Truth being told...The thing about all this that actually does tear me up is the fact so many adults seem to think its perfectly ok to belittle and berate the kids and their programs. Do I have my alligences? Of course...but I have had the stones to point out there are some really great kids coming from some programs that have shown signs of remarkable growth. Sorry if that is "wrong" but I have been around this area most of my life and remember the days when wrestling was king because it was all about each 6 minutes. I will gladly acknowledge the accomplishments of these programs and their coaches, kids, and parents. The truest sign of knowledge of our sport is the ability to comprehend the FACT that their are no "locks" or "sure things". Every year we see kids who are beaten by the scales, grades, disciplinary problems, family problems, (God forbid) injuries...you get the picture. To sit here and discount a kid because they aren't from your area or someone you know is the height of stupidity. You want honesty? The arrogance of some of these posts belittles kids who are doing the best they can with why they have and programs that are doing all try can just to get their kids in the position to show up Saturday morning. Pitiful if you ask me.