macdaddy

Too early! Don't even know what weight these kids will be at. I know mine just keeps growing.

I know CP has a deep program, but the entire top half of their line-up from last year graduated. I believe 145 and up, not sure though. I do know that 152#, 160#, 189#, 215# & Heavy all graduated. They had a very Senior laden team. They do have some studs at the lower weights though. Halsted, Hawkins, Shurg, Tsirtsis and Roach all return.

What I would like to see is 1) bump up 103 to 107 2) add another weight class in the upper weights. They may have to shuffle the upper weights to accomplish this, but it would be very easy way to eliminate all the criteria. If 2 teams end up tied at the end of a dual, with 15 weight classes, someone had to win 8 matches. No other criteria necessary.

There are alot of good points being brought up here. I know that my son did not make the trip due to a couple of factors, none of which were cost (injury/brother home on leave from Iraq) but the cost are very high. When I've gone to national tournaments in the past, I've had the opportunity to talk to many parents from other states. I can honestly say that the costs of sending an Indiana kid to Fargo is significantly higher than any out-of-state parent that I have talked to. These include Michigan, Illinois, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Maryland, New York, New Jersey, Missouri and Florida. In some cases our costs were triple what they paid, but all were at $500 less. As I said this was all "word of mouth" from parents in the stands, but it seems as if all the other states have found a way to fund all or part of the trip to insure that they can get their best on the mat. I think the only way Indiana is going to close the gap is 1) find a way to help wrestlers financially and 2) reverse the trend and correct the freestyle/greco season. I don't have the answers, but obviously other states have figured it out. Indiana needs to!

I don't think it's same as moving from a public school to a public school. I know that the private schools in our area cost quite a bit, and I am sure Cathedral is no different. The IHSAA shouldn't have a problem with it unless they want to pick up the tab. Just an opinion.

All I have to say is "You guys must be really bored"!

For me personally, it was my son winning #2. But to be honest, 3 matches stand out. Wright vs. Tsirtsis @ the Traicoff, McMurray vs. Estrada @ Team Regionals and Tsirtsis vs. Quiroz @ State. Awesome matches that stick out in my mind!

When you are talking team tournaments, I don't think individuals matter. It's how many ranked teams that are in the mix. I think that's where the Traicoff & North Montgomery excel. For instance, North Montgomery had Portage, Perry Meridian, Carmel, New Pal, Warren Central & Delphi. They were all ranked at some point this season, that's 6 out of the 8 teams there. And the Traicoff, I won't even begin to count up the ranked teams there out of the 32 present. As for individual tournaments, I think the Al Smith is head & shoulders above all the others. Just an opinion!

Friday & Saturday, April 17th & 18th @ the Toyota Center in York, PA!

If you are talking about the Brute Scholastic Duals in York, PA, the criteria is the highest placing undercassmen at each weight class (granting that they want to go): I believe the teams are set, Icopied this off a post from JDMinch. So here goes: INDIANA GOLD WT NAME GRADE SCHOOL ACCOMPLISHMENTS 103/108 CODY PHILLIPS 9 UNION COUNTY 1ST STATE 112/117 ANTHONY HAWKINS 10 CROWN POINT 1ST STATE 119/124 DEREK BEVANS 11 YORKTOWN 6TH STATE 125/130 JASON TSIRTSIS 9 CROWN POINT 1ST STATE 130/135 FRANKIE PORRAS 11 HOBART 1ST STATE & 2ND STATE '08 135/140 ERIC ROACH 10 CROWN POINT 4TH STATE / 2ND STATE '08 140/145 RYAN STAHL 11 ELKHART MEMORIAL 2ND STATE 145/150 SAMMY BENNETT 11 ANDERSON HIGHLAND 3RD STATE & 2ND STATE '08 152/157 SEAN McMURRAY 11 PORTAGE 1ST STATE - 1ST STATE '08 - 7TH STATE '07 160/165 TYLER WILLIS 9 CATHEDRAL 7TH STATE 171/176 MICHAEL DUCKWORTH 11 UNION COUNTY 1ST STATE & 2ND STATE '08 189/194 AARON STEVENSON 10 INDIAN CREEK 3RD STATE 215/220 NATHAN CLEVELAND 11 LOWELL 3RD STATE 285/290 JAMES TRAVIS 11 MERRILLVILLE 5TH STATE / 2ND SEMI-STATE J.D. MINCH NORTH MONTGOMERY HS TEAM LEADER BRIAN SELTZER ELKHART MEMORIAL COACH ROB PETYKO MERRILLVILLE COACH INDIANA BLUE WT NAME GRADE SCHOOL ACCOMPLISHMENTS 103/108 DUSTY KIEF 10 FRANKLIN COMM. 2ND STATE 112/117 BRANDON NELSEN 11 LAWRENCE NORTH 3RD STATE / 3RD STATE '08 / 4TH STATE '07 119/124 JUSTIN KIEFFER 10 RONCALLI 7TH STATE /7TH STATE '08 125/130 MASON BERRYMAN 11 ANDERSON HIGHLAND 4TH STATE 130/135 BROCK NORTON 11 FW CARROLL 3RD STATE 135/140 DOUG WELCH 10 CASTLE 5TH STATE 140/145 JOHN SIMS 10 MATER DEI 4TH STATE & 6TH STATE '08 145/150 ZACH CORPE 11 ELKHART MEMORIAL 5TH STATE 152/157 ANTHONY QUIROZ 9 CHESTERTON 2ND STATE 160/165 JACKSON BRATCHER 10 EASTBROOK STATE QUALIFIER / 2ND SEMI-STATE 171/176 BRADEN ATWOOD 11 DELPHI 5TH STATE & 4TH STATE '08 189/194 MICHAEL JOHNSON-JONES 11 WARREN CENTRAL 7TH STATE 215/220 ANDY JACQUET 11 CLINTON CENTRAL 5TH SEMI-STATE 285/290 DYLAN McBRIDE 11 CRAWFORDSVILLE STATE QUALIFIER / SEMI-STATE CHAMPION TERRY O'NEIL WESTFIELD TEAM LEADER MIKE ATWOOD DELPHI COACH BRANDON TAYLOR CASTLE COACH Pretty good teams! Gold finished 2nd last year, losing to PA in the finals.

I would agree. We have been to both and I feel that if you are a Cadet & below or a Sophomore or below that Iowa is a better stepping stone. If you are a Junior or Senior in high school, I feel that Va. Beach is the better choice. But the bottom line is get out and wrestle!

Both Indiana teams placed last year. "Gold" was Runner-Up and I believe the "Blue" was 7th. I may be wrong about the "Blue", but I know they both did well. No doubt they look solid this year!

Sorry I was not off topic, someone ahead of my post stated that Tsirtsis had lost at semi-state. I was only correcting them, now I see that post was deleted.

Jason Tsirtsis won the Merrillville Semi-state! His only losses were to Cashe @ the Traicoff and to Napules @ Team Regionals!

These are all entertaining posts, but I think were losing sight that Andrew Howe is special. I've watched this kid since he was 11. He comes from a wrestling family, he traveled all over not just to wrestle, but to train. He used to come to Portage 2X a week to work with Coach P's Region Elite. He drove to Illinois 2X & 3X a week to train at Bormet's Overtime. He made the trip to Vega's on many occasions. If there was a training opportunity, he took it. Running, lifting & wrestling everyday! He is truly work-a-holic. A machine. He may have alot of god given talent, but he is training monster. Anyway back to the subject, it is nice to see our Indiana wrestlers so well represented. Angel, Reece, Andrew, Alex and all the other who don't get the publicity but are working hard to the state on the map. Thanks to all of you, we are proud!

I think that we are talking about the NHSWCA Brute Scholastic Showcase! It is in April the Toyota Center in York, PA. It is made up of the highest placing under-classmen (junior, sophomore or freshman) in your states high school championship. My son went last year (and is going again this year) and said it was awesome. Team Indiana Gold finished 2nd losing to PA's 1st Team! They beat some really good team's (NY, NJ) in route to their runner-up finish. I thought it was on April 17 & 18, but on the web it says April 10 & 11. Maybe some of the coaches could shine some light on the exact dates.

I don't usually respond to posts about Sean but I feel compelled. I really don't see where you (CanOpaint7) come off attacking my son, a 17 year old kid. In ways maybe Sean hasn't proven himself, but let me just say that as his Dad, I know he works his ass off all year. During the high school season he practice every morning before school, every evening after school and has at least 3 other private workouts a week besides his meets. Also 2 high schools state titles, 9 various ISWA state titles, a middle school state title plus he has placed at Va. Beach, Tulsa, Cedar Falls & Fargo. Not to mention that while wrestling on various Team Indiana teams (Middle School Duals, Schoolboy duals, Cadet Duals & High School duals) he has a combined 3 losses. He has beaten nationally ranked kids, and he has been beaten by nationall ranked kids. Last time I counted he has 8 All-American certificates. Also last year Sean beat all ranked kids in route to his title & this year he beat the #2, #4 & the #9. He also beat the #3 (2X). So Mr. CanOpaint7 you must be hard to impress. I am very proud of my son. He has worked hard and it has not come easy. He has overcame injuries and wrestled with injuries & through sickness! Don't get me wrong I know he is no different than other top wrestlers. That is what sets them apart, Hard Work, Drive, Determination & a little cockiness. Unless you(CanOpaint7) are willing to come on the board and be positive, you should stay off. I guess that is why you choose to remain anonymous. I would be willing to discuss all this Face to Face with you. Anyway, Sean or any other of the 13 IHSAA State Champs don't deserve your insults.

The NHSCA High School Nationals are the same High School Nationals from PA. They just moved tournament to Va. Beach. It is a High School rules Folkstyle tournament!

There were quite a few at Va. Beach last year. They were there for the Juniors and Seniors mostly (obvious reasons).

Now that the IHSAA season is over, I was just wandering " what national tournaments everyone is going to. And Coaches; "Which National tournaments do you feel is most important?" NHSCA @ Va. Beach? Brute Scholastic Duals @ York, Pa? FILA Cadets @ Akron, OH? USA Folkstyle Nationals @ Cedar Falls, IA? USA Freestyle & Greco Nationals? Fargo? I probably missed some, but i am just thinking. I know we are considering Va. Beach, York, FILA's & Fargo. I wanna know wheat everyone's opinion is.

I agree about Quiroz. Very good defense. Tough!

Oil Refinery Operations Shift Supervisor and a proud Marine Corps Veteran! :)

I personally would rather have a round of wrestlebacks than 4 from regionals. Merrillville took forever in a small crowded gym. Definitely need a new venue!

You know it would not be that bad if they allowed the wrestlers to bring in coolers, or maybe even 1 large one per team! Their concession stand sucks. No healthy food at all. But their (Merrillville) wrestlers get coolers & hospitality room. It's almost unfair. I can understand not allowing coolers for fans. This semi-state needs to be at a neutral venue like the ones in Fort Wayne & Evansville!

;D It was a great match. Estrada is a great athlete, there were some great scrambles. Estrada is unbeleivable on the mat, he did not take Sean down, but he can almost get a reverse out of any position. I won't comment on the fall, all I can say is Sean got caught in a headlock and put to his back. He then managed to reverse Estrada and come out on top. They both scored back points, Sean had some takedowns and a reverse. Estrada had some reverses. It was an awesome match. Sean was so pumped before & after the match. He is looking forward to re-match. It was the kind of match that you live for. Good luck to Estrada. I'm sure we will see this re-match again.