Clint Gard

I was told yesterday at our Super 8 that Mr. Faulkens has "interpreted" two rules and instructed officials to call them in the following manner: #1 if a wrestler is injured and has a possible concussion, the injury time is not supposed to start until a trainer or doctor can get to the mat to diagnose that it is a possible concussion. #2 if shoelaces come untied at any point during the match, even if they were properly secured at the beginning of the match as stated in our rule book, injury time will begin until the laces are secured and the opposing wrestler will be given 1 point for a penalty. Apparently there was an email sent to all officials with the instructions to interpret these two rules in this manner. I was also told all coaches should have received this same information. Two questions: Has anyone else heard this? How can Mr. Faulkens change the rules with 2 weeks until sectional?

The last email Faulkens sent said the Alpha report trumped any other document. I'm bringing the Alpha report that shows the 6 qualifying weigh-ins.

Please keep Jordan Shafer, Cole Dowd, and their families in your prayers. Jordan and Cole were involved in a car accident yesterday. Jordan was thrown from the car and killed. Cole was wearing his seatbelt and survived with minimal physical damage. Jordan wrestled HWT for the Zebras and placed 8th this year. Cole wrestled 113 and won a conference title this year. This is a tough time for a lot of people.

Pretty proud of this kid! Proof that you don't have to be the best to do special things! http://www.keloland.com/newsdetail.cfm/cwr-rocky-burkett-named-northern-state-head-coach/?id=178895&utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=facebook

I didn't think it was that hard to understand...

But were you better or did you get there because your sectional, regional, or SS was weaker and thus got out more kids as compared to those that went through a tougher route? I'm not saying you did or didn't but that is a valid question. The IHSWCA has set up a good system but it doesn't truly represent a true state champion because not all sectionals, regionals, and semi-states are the same difficulty. There are teams that make it to team state that don't face nearly as tough as competition as others. 2nd paragraph...we will just have to agree to disagree. I don't think we need a special tournament but a fair and equitable one could be argued. Yes, 33 teams. They have further to travel and they have less populated areas. It's a little funky in SD. They travel 3-4 hrs sometimes just for a dual meet. Crazy! Yes, the NCAA argument does hold water because back in the day, there was one champion. My college coach, Tom Jarman, was an NCAA Champion back when everyone was in the NCAA or whatever it was called back then. He was from Wheaton College. Somewhere along the way, that changed to Div. II and III. Why? At some point, they realized that not all schools could compete because of resources, etc. There is a big discussion right now on how they are doing the national duals and NCAA tournament. There was/is talk of giving teams points for the NCAA Individual tournament for winning/competing in the duals portion. The outcry from the bigger schools is that none of the small schools would even have a chance to place if they did that because they don't even have a chance to be invited to the national duals...so how could they have that chance to score points. Even the DI coaches recognize there is inequity at their level and they are fighting to keep it from being more inequitable. Clint

The point I was trying to make was why do you deserve it more than the Penn Varsity B (JV) Squad? You made reference multiple times about why a small school doesn't deserve recognition over bigger schools based on their times. You said you didn't understand it. Penn probably was a bad example since they would be in a big class, but I could argue there are schools in 1A that deserve it more than Busco or another 1A school. Why do you deserve it and they don't...just because you scored more points in the tourney? So what...if you say the Culver Relay team or my daughters team didn't deserve it based on their scores, then you can't say you do based on some score. Listen, I agree Indiana puts on a very good state championship. I was out in SD this week watching one of my former wrestlers take 2nd with his team. Was our show better, yes. Was our wrestling better, not always. Their Class A took place in a different venue than the Class B. Next year they are combining them. Class A drew about 4,000 per day (remember they only have about 33 schools in Class A) and their Class B (small schools) drew about 6,000 per day. The Class A was a good show and there was some good drama for the team title! They even had cheerleaders! Rocky and I talked a lot about the class side of things and he thinks we are nuts for not going to class. There are numerous guys that I went to college with or that wrestled for me here in Indiana and they have all experienced class formats in other states. They all say the same thing...wrestling should be classed in Indiana. I would say 100% of them felt that we had the best format but when they went to other states with class, 100% changed their mind. As I read through many of the comments, it just baffles me at how closed minded people can be when the data and examples are so glaring. In reality, Sam, the argument you use could be used to show that the NCAA Div II and III programs should be done away with. Their should be no NAIA. Everyone should be in Division I because every kid has the same chance to become a Division I national champion. It has nothing to do with resources, coaching, $$, etc. Clint

And I would argue that less kids in a program does put each individual at a disadvantage. I'm just using Penn because we are close to them and we see them at regional. But them having 75 kids in their roster is an advantage over Rochester with 22 kids. Yes, as a team and an individual. My Hwt who went to state had only the 220 and 195 to practice with. While I'm sure at Penn, their HWT had numerous partners...it makes a difference. You can't use the argument that the team is at a disadvantage and then say it doesn't affect the individual. And their varsity B team would probably win the class A title so my point stands. Why do you deserve it more than they do?

Sam, Then why do you deserve recognition for going to team state? Why should you get to go...why not take Penn's Varsity B Team? Why do deserve it more than them? Clint

Lol...still am. 2 day event. Started at 10am this morning. The team race is tight. Kids, coaches, and teams are fighting for everything. Great celebrations, disappointing heartbreak...the whole thing you'd expect from a great wrestling event. Guys I'm telling you right now, that Rocky Burkett and the Aberdeen Central Eagles don't give two craps that this is a classed event. They want to win their 2nd state title! Its a great venue. Very similar to bankers life...I'm enjoying life in a suite as I type this. Fans are great and into following their teams.

Checking to see if it works for me and we still haven't received the survey at Rochester after multiple contacts with Faulkens asking for it.

I don't usually get into many discussions on here, especially about class wrestling. I just feel like we are too divided and no matter how I express my point, I'm never going to convince those that believe "if it ain't broke, don't fix it". I for one love our individual state finals and I really enjoyed our experience at team state this year. But...our individual finals is broken. When you have the disparity we have in SQ and place winners that we have, something is wrong. I'll give you an example that is not wrestling related. My daughter qualified with her 200 relay team for the swim state finals this year. She's a fine swimmer and works her tail off, so did her teammates! They were seeded 32 and finished 29th. Rochester was the smallest school represented at state in ANY events! Twin Lakes was the second smallest. Everyone one else were 4A and 5A schools. If it was classed my daughter and her team would have been state champs in the 200 free relay. No other times from small schools were even close. They, our school, and her mom and I would have been just fine with that because they put in the work to be that good. The issue is we don't have the same resources that the Carmels, Penns, etc have. We just don't. That's not a matter of opinion...its a fact because I live it. We provide her with every opportunity we can but we can't provide her with what the Carmel Swim club can provide its' kids. If you think sports like wrestling and swimming shouldn't be classed, then you just dont get it or you don't care to. Tomorrow Rochester will play Tippy Valley for the class 2A semi state bball title and I'll bet anyone we have more fans in attendance for the little ole 2A game then you will for any other game in the state. Over 5,000 tickets have been pre sold and they are not sure there will be enough parking at Warsaw HS (5A) school. Class all sports, give the small schools a chance to build their brand, and I think you'll see some great stuff happen in Indiana Wrestling. As an association we can get this done if we get on the same page!!

Zebra Folkstyle Open Rochester Wrestling Club Date: Feb 8th, 2015 Location: Rochester High School 1 Zebra Lane Rochester, IN CONTACT Chad Morgan (574)835-1392 chad.morgan@rtc1.com Clint Gard (574)835-1732 clint.gard@zebras.net SANCTION - ELIGIBILITY Tournament is sanctioned through the Indiana State Wrestling Association by USA Wrestling and is open to all 2014-2015 USA Wrestling members. ENTRY FEE $15 (pay at door/check in) AGE DIVISIONS: PW-JR REGISTRATION & WEIGH-INS: UPDATE You can now register online via www.trackwrestling.com. Search Rochester Zebra Folkstyle Open. Still pay at door/check in. You still are required to send the typed Satellite Weigh-ins (including card #, DOB, Name, Weight, Age Group, willingness to move up) for clubs to Chad Morgan. If you do not have the spreadsheet, please contact Mr. Morgan. Typed satellite weigh ins for clubs due by Saturday at 7:30pm. MUST BE A SANCTIONED CLUB COACH OR HIGH SCHOOL COACH TO REGISTER YOUR TEAM BY SATELITE WEIGH IN. Please do NOT weigh in before Thursday night. Wrestlers may also weigh in and register Saturday night at Rochester from 6-7:30pm. CHECK IN Check in starts at 7 am and closes at 8 am. Tournament begins at 9:00 AM AWARDS: Medals 1st-2nd-3rd SPECTATOR FEE: $5 adults, $3 students/senior citizens $15 family ADDITIONAL INFORMATION Concessions available on site. Cooler charge $2 No coolers in gym. NO USAW cards on site, purchase at www.usawmembership.com

John Hunting has a win against Strawsma at 132 but probably won't affect his ranking at 126. Josh Heckathorn beat Krintz 4-2 and Lost to Lukazka 12-10 in 3OT's.

J. Heckathorn is no longer wrestling for the Zebras. Quit 2 days before the first tourney.

Clint Gard Rochester High School

Guess I should have looked at the entire thread...Rochester will get there's updated year by year. Give us a little time.

Wanted to give a little shout out to one of my former wrestlers, Rocky Burkett. Rocky was one of the first kids I coached and graduated in 2000. He was a regional qualifier for Rochester and went on to wrestle at Manchester College, where he was a NCAA Div. III Qualifier. He later helped me coach and then went on to Northern States University (Div. II) and was a coach there for a few years and was responsible for coaching a few All-Americans and one National Champ. Rocky was never one of the well known Indiana wrestlers and doesn't have all of the accolades but he sure is doing it now... Rocky is now the head coach at Aberdeen Central HS in Aberdeen, SD. In his second year of coaching he led them to their first state title in 53 years. All 14 of his kids qualified for state and he had 1 state champ. During his first year at AC, they placed 4th and had numerous place winners and 1 state champ. A few days ago he was named South Dakota Wrestling Coach of the Year. Just goes to show you that you don't have to be a stud to make a difference and do good things in the sport. Seems like this board does a lot of talking about the studs but we forget to talk about the guys out there doing big things that weren't the "great ones". http://rapidcityjournal.com/sports/local/class-a-state-wrestling-tournament-central-stevens-pine-ridge-crown/article_f95ac17b-4477-5c4c-a6f7-638961b75d74.html

Mishawaka is December 30-31...I just talked to Faulkner.

I think Brian would be a good fit and do a very good job, but I might be a little biased. Having said that, I'm not sure he would want the job. He has a very good set up at Wabash and has it rolling and I don't think Purdue is willing to do what it takes to rise to the top...from an administrative stand point. Going from a DII, DIII, or NAIA to DI would be tough...especially to the Big Ten. Tom Jarman did it in the late 70's when he went from Taylor University to Northwestern. Seems to me that Mark Cody or Mark Manning went from a DII school to Div. I but I'm not sure. Clint