gnome

Do schools give out rings for a 2nd place finish at the individual state meet? One thread I always thought would be cool is if people took pictures of their state championship rings and posted it on here. I've seen a few but none more "bling" than Lawrence North's from their back-to-back years. I'm assuming it's up to the school on how much to spend. Anyone with more info, please post.

So are you saying the boost in state champions, placers, qualifiers, etc. is attributed to Vlink's coaching? I don't want to put words in your mouth but you didn't answer Rankings Guy's question when he asked why CP's accolades have gone through the roof since Tsirtsis and Roach moved there a few years ago.

There is nothing wrong with changing schools even though I think we all know wrestling played a part in those families decision to move to CP or M'ville. As long as it was done by the books, there should be no debate about it. CP hit the jack pot with Tsirtsis & Roach a few years ago with those two being the main reason they were able to get past Cathedral and PM at team state. Now you have the Fuqua brothers taking them from a good team to a great team. Personally, I would rather win with kids from my feeder program but that's just my opinion. CP wins handily on Wednesday night...20+ points.

I thought Hawkins and Tsirtsis started their own wrestling school? Is this what you were referring to or are they specifically working with the CP feeder program?

I believe his closest match was against Southmont's 112lber...5-2 last Saturday at the Traicoff.

I think "da region" has gotten plenty of love on this site. Numerous ranked teams and wrestlers so I'm not sure where the "non-love" comes from. As for CP, they are pretty stacked this year. I bet a lot of coaches would love to have the move-ins they have had the past few years (i.e. Tsirtsis, Roach, Fuqua bros.) They take the Dogs from a good team to a great team.

Didn't Cook get beat 20-5 by Young? Doesn't sound like he was state caliber getting beat that bad. These schools out in Timbuktu come into semi state with great records but more times than not, end up buying their ticket to Conseco.

Interesting to see many of the CP wrestlers are products of Vega wrestling. Pretty impressive!

Jumping from 112 to 119 is a big jump competition wise.

Vlink has been coaching for 30+ years and didn't get his first individual champ until last year. Does that mean he's not a good coach? Of course not so let's afford Maldonado the same fairness who, by the way, has 3 or 4 individual champs in less than 10 years at m'ville. Going by DuneFan's logic, Vlink would not be a "great" coach without last year's trophy which wouldn't have happened if it not for Roach and Tsirtsis moving into the district. Bottom line, I don't think you can gauge the "greatness" of a coach on just state championships (individual or team).

Hot shot lawyer-to-be! I know I'm impressed.

Ruggeri (sp?) at HWT could have easily made the list as well. Overall, great list maligned.

thatguy, Excuses are like buttholes...everyone has them and they all stink. For some reason, you can't help yourself when it comes to making excuses for why Hawkins lost. He got beat fair and square and no excuse is going to change that. Some other comments I disagree with: "...this weekend meant nothing." I doubt Bradley feels the same way. "...because he really had nothin to gain by winning the Carnahan..." Ridiculous comment! Is Hawkins now a professional boxer? Does he choose which matches are worthy of his ability? In the words of former Jets coach Herm Edwards, "YOU PLAY TO WIN THE GAME!".

Maybe my eyes are deceiving me but is he not ranked in the pre season rankings?

Boot, great post. The other saying I love is, "Wrestling is what MEN do during BOYS basketball season."