MattM

Thanks for the update. Nice work ladies you have always represented Indiana well. well done Sarah Hildebrandt on a wonderful college career and good luck as you as transition to focusing on your Olympic aspirations full time. As well, congratulations Coach Miracle on your teams quick rise in women's wrestling. We knew you had the visions of what was needed and the drive necessary to get these ladies to the highest level. I'm sure you are already looking for some ways to climb one more step further next year.

Lost to B. James in finals.

Bethel moved out to a huge lead very quickly. B. Lee made what was looking like a very impressive comeback effort to give him a chance to pull off the win. But in the last few seconds Bethel was able to get the fall as Lee was trying to find some more points. By all accounts an impressive effort shown in that match.

Not to mention 3 EMD wrestlers ran into the Trio of Griffith studs during state. A. Escobedo over Macke in semis (only person to beat him that year besides the St. Paul Graham match) A. Hernandez over Coughlin in finals (only person to beat him that year) A. Tsirtsis over Scott in semis. Worth noting that these guys weren't just a few good state champs taking out the three EMD wrestlers. Those three statistically go down as some of the best wrestlers in Indiana wrestling history. You place about anyone else into their spots and its likely the count of EMD finalist and champs would been even more impressive in 03.

Hook n Half had it listed at 39-15

I'm just shocked the possibly of additional revenue for classing individual sports hasn't atleast enticed the IHSAA to look into things further. Seems like if it is done in the right way they could pocket more and that seems to help drive some of the IHSAA decision making. Guessing the team sport basketball fiasco may have made them rethink that though.

Thanks for at least digging into the data information dec. it at least helps people take a different look at what may have been under a different system.

I think a few factors are at play in why none are available for IU this year. But, from what I've read/heard a few of the factors can be traced back to some poor planning and relying on wishful thinking that never materalize.

Michigan State 26, Indiana 16 The FF at 125 still hurting a lot in dual matches. IU and Maryland fon't face each other so both will end the year without a Big10 win. http://m.iuhoosiers.com/m/sports/m-wrestl/recaps/021315aab.html

Well that would work if they were the same issue. RadioShack as a buisness at this point has very few customers interested in their product due to past decisions of the company. As a result they have few people frequenting their stores. This was causing people to search father and longer if they want a product from them. If you want to compare that to the Freestlye/greco programs in the north thats fine. But based on all the complains and length of the thread it sure sounds like there is still much interest in the wrestling product (unlike RadioShack). So the problem isn't interest as much as product availability. It sounds as if the product has become harder to find based past decisions of either the customers (participants) or the buisness (schools/clubs). So finding ways in make a quality product available may help fill the needs of the customers. However, if you are saying instead that their is no interest (like RadioShack) then there is no need for the complaints since the people do not intend to use the product even if it was available. So is there no interst in the events and thus it doesn't matter? Or is there just lack of quality available options for those interested? My suggestion is that if the interest is truly there then maybe it's time to try providing more events to capitalize on that and ensure they are done in a quality way in order to attract repeat customers.

Or maybe the northern area will find a way to host some more qualify event in order to boost interest in participating. As I mentioned before something has had to occur in the area over the last several years (like lack participation) to cause many clubs/schools to cancel or stop hosting events all together. If more events had remained available (over multiple dates and proximity wise) in the area Im guessing their would be far less backlash towards the qualification process.

Wrestling Article http://www.indystar.com/story/sports/high-school/2015/02/09/indiana-high-school-wrestling-evansville-mater-dei-best-ever/23118865/ Other Sports http://www.indystar.com/story/sports/high-school/2015/02/09/all-time-great-indiana-high-school-teams-sport-by-sport/23121467/

Kemper took 3rd. I believe you have named them all except for Koontz.

Yes, season ending injury.

Jeffersonville Regional Breakdown 9 teams represented the Jennings Co. Sectional 8 teams represented the Jeffersonville Sectional Both sectionals were almost exactly even on total team placement distribution. Jennings Co. Sectional accumulated close to 100 more team points compared to the Jeffersonville Sectional. However, a major chunk of that was thanks to Jennings Couny's team winning regionals by almost 50 points. Top 8 Teams 5 - Jennings Co. Sectional (1st JC, 3rd CE, 5th Mad, 6th GB, 7th BC) 3 - Jeffersonville Sectional (2nd NA, 4th FC, & 8th NW) Individual Champions This category was dead even between the two sectionals. 7 -Jennings Co. Sectional 7 - Jeffersonville Sectional Note: New Albany's team had the most champions going 4 Champs out of 5 finalist. Finalists Slight advantage Jennings Co. Sectional 16 - Jennings Co. Sectional 12 - Jeffersonville Sectional Note: Jennings County's team had the most finalists with 8 finalists and 2 becoming Champs. All Jennings Co. Sectional finals 106, 126, 195, & 220. All Jeffersonville Sectional finals 113 &132. Top 4 Individual Placers Some advantage Jennings Co. Sectional 33 - Jennings Co. Sectional 23 - Jeffersonville Sectional Note: Only weight class swept was 220 by the Jennings Co. Sectional.

Northern folks please also note the time difference. The Evansville area is an hour behind most of the state.

Kelly does his spladle well in that video. After putting the move on he starts to lean in so the pressure is going in. That is balling his opponent up more rather all the focus bring about on pulling the leg down. By having the far side of your body slightly turned in it helps to ensure one of your shoulder blades is off the mat and helps to drop your opponents shoulder blades down off his rib area and onto the mat. keeps him out of danger and allows a greater oppertunity for a pin fall. Just like on certain leg riding finishes or even cradle variations it is not good practice to lean back to try and pull something on your opponent further down when your back is also exposing the mat. It is much safer to direct the pressure is a slightly different direction that allows you to prevent a self pin and in the event of losing the hold to recover without getting yourself danger.

I was referring to his previous Sectional runner-up seasons.

Both wrestlers from Columbus East. I recall Stillinger as a Junior and after looking back at the IHSAA results page Schuler as a Sophomore. Wilson was always at a slightly higher weight than Partee I believe.

It would seem like at least the HS spring sport athletes may have an argument for a exemption, due to other mandatory HS sports requirements. But, who knows where the line will be drawn, if certain exemptions are given.

But in the same token if a kid has any of the conflict you listed, as well as, several others he may not be able to make the weigh-in day or the competition day of Freestyle/Greco state either. It really a matter of how the calender falls for each event on if each kid and his family are able to attend. So it seems to come down to a calendar conflict issue with anything the kid has going on rather than a matter of the qualification system being implemented. The other part of the issue sounds more like a matter of that area northern area needing to offer more local events for those wanting to participate. I'm guessing the area used to have more events, but would assume it has declined over the years as a result of low attendance. Figuring out ways to remedy that matter, the qualification system being one, may help to encourage more events to occur.

I've pointed out before the idea of setting up a semi-state system (maybe 4 or possibly more locations) to act as a state qualifier. I've not worked out all the details of how that would work in reality but it was worth thinking about as a jumping off point. A wrestlers qualify for that semi-state by participating in at least one local tournament. Around the top 4-6 placers (depending on how many semi-states we would have) from each semi-state weight class are then qualified for the state tournament. With the top 3 semi-state placers being given separation criteria for state. If some kids don't show at state there is still enough for a multi-man bracket of decent size that event organizers can plan for ahead of time, instead of several having only a few kids while others numbering in the 30's or higher. It maybe even a way to better highlighted finals event for each age group at semi-state and state. If local semi-state participation is high it would even be conceivable that the initial entrance fee of that event also doubles as your state tournament entrance fee too. Positives The more localized semi-state would encourage a larger group of local participants to try the event who otherwise may always pass on the travel cost and difficulty of the state tournament. Those placing in the semi-state tournament would be more encouraged to attend the state event since it becomes a more exclusive event by saying you qualified for state. The claim of a semi-state placer and state qualifier also sounds great to promote local clubs in the news. More relatives would be willing to attend the semi-state locations because of their location compared to the longer drive and over night stay of the state event. That will increase attendance and concession sales. Being that state is more exclusive of an event some relatives may also be encouraged to make that next trip too. The semi-state provide a better overall separation criteria for competing in the state tournament than the current carry-over model does. The carry-over model may be beneficial for a determining semi-state separation criteria however. More local sites benefit from hosting the event through entrance fees, vendor, and concession sales. If local participation is high the ISWA benefits by being able to fund the state event through the larger overall participation at the semi-state. Encourages more local tournament participation to qualify for semi-state and a better quality of competition at the local semi-state tournament due to the talent level trying to advance to state. Draw-backs Having a tournament that participants must attend on back to back weekends. Or two out of three weekends if their is a week separation between events. Finding enough locations available for multiple semi-state's, along with officials and workers for each event. To only have one tournament entry fee (which I believe would help encourage more to continue on to state), the local participation at the semi-state would have to be high enable to to ensure the revenue covers both semi-state and state event. If not two separate fee's would have to be incurred which would put more on the fence about attending the state event where it may be a difficult and short day. Another option is to figure out what some of the other state are doing to get participation at local and state events. I'd say between states who have always maintained large participation and those state who have in recent years made great strides at increasing participation may have a few good ideas of what could work.

In High School Brooks Black was the #2 HWT recruit in the nation two years ago behind Adam Coon. He didn't get the win but showed he was competitive with only a short preparation time. If Gelen is able to hang with Black, who had a full redshirt year, he should be able to do the same with several of the younger HWT in college right now.

I feel it would be nice at most major tournaments (both jarge in-season events and the IHSAA tournament series) if a certified medical person available for at least an hour in-case of any concerns during weigh-ins. In these major events that can have a decent impact of the wrestlers season, it seems fair that an effort should be made to acquire the services of a doctor, nurse practitioner, or whatever other medical professional is given the authority to examine and clear any questionable issues. We had a situation a few years back where one of our senior wrestlers was not allowed to compete in a major in season tournament because the weigh-in official was worried about a raised redish/pink splotch on the wrestlers chest. We had the official form filled out at the start of the years by his family doctor documenting our wrestler has eczema flair ups occasionally. We also had a second official form documenting the doctor had seen the wrestler a day prior because the wrestler had a residual raised redish/pink splotch on his chest due to a recent eczema flair up that was still noticeable after most of the rest of the eczema at cleared up. However, the official still questioned the area and would not allow our wrestler (who had a decently high seed) to compete without clearance from an on sight doctor since he suspected the spot may actually be ringworm. We asked the tournament director if an on-site doctor was available, but he said no they did not have one for the event. We pointed out one or two other small areas of eczema that could faintly be seen around his elbow joint and neck, but I guess that wasn't noticeable enough for the ref to take into consideration. We asked if we could call his family doctor for confirmation and the tournament director and referee said that would not be good enough. During our hustle to try and remedy the matter someone working at the event identified themselves as a nurse and offered to assist in the matter, but we were directed she was not qualified to make the final call on the decision. She then informed us that their was a immediate care medical clinic about two miles down the road that we could take the wrestler too in order to get the proper documentation. When we asked the tournament director if we could go the the clinic in order to get the clearance prior to the event starting, he said no that since the medical professional was not of staff to talk to the ref about the matter that this would not be accepted and they were going to move forward with the event. Luckily this was/is not a regularly occurring issue and the wrestlers often get to compete with the proper documentation. However, it did matter at the one event as the head ref and tournament director were set in the decision and it cost our wrestler a chance to compete in a major in-season tournament. I do understand the caution the ref's must take to ensure other wrestlers are not exposed to potential season ending issue, and thus have to make tough decisions even if they are not medical experts. As such I am not completely blaming the ref for the issue, as his hands were somewhat tied by not having someone with better medical qualification to look to for a better opinion. Yet, had the tournament director had the proper medical person available for just the hour weigh-in's I'm positive this would not have been an issue. Or if he had had been slightly more open to alternative solutions to solving the situation since an hour still existed before the tournament was to start.

The wrestle back for alternate and additional team points at regional and semi-state only lasted one year, somewhat due to some locations complaining the extra rounds took too long. As listed above the current determination of an alternate is the the wrestlers eliminated in round 1 by the champion. Also, as listed above this almost always ends up being a Sectional 4th place wrestlers. While the alternate spot is not a major factor in the State Wrestling Series it would seem somewhat appropriate to ensure the best wrestlers advance based on their proven ability in the event. I lieu of a true wrestle-back option being off the table, the best option for choosing an alternate looks to be giving it to the highest sectional placer who was eliminated in the quarter-finals (Round 1 of Regional). In the event of two guys with the same sectional placement are eliminated in that round, then the alternate position should falls to the wrestler who was eliminated form the regional champions sectional. This criteria does a better job of selection an alternate based on their prior accomplishments in the state tournament series rather than just their draw.