jomar132

Westfield fans were great to be around at state. Nice people, and very respectful. I will say though..... Go Army! Beat Navy! (active duty, going on 13 years now...). Best of luck to Mr Schaffer and Mr Campbell at USNA. Great future leaders of our Armed Forces. Glad to know good young men will be leading our Soldiers/Sailors/Airmen/Marines in to the future.

Some of my favorites: American Badass by Kid Rock (when he hollers "I. Am. American badass!" I really hit it hard in my runs..... And I hate running) Are we the waiting by Greenday The Realest Sport by TP & Esco Triumph by Wu Tang Clan the Pot by tool ("who are you to raise your finger....?")

What's up with the back? I thought they made Joe Gallegos look like a Ninja Turtle.

2 all session passes: $40 Intermittent food purchases: $35 Lunch at Old Spaghetti: $40 My 7 year old daughter telling me to leave her alone while she watches a match, and then turning to me seconds later to tell me she's going to be like Kayla Miracle and Brendan Campbell: you betcha, priceless. This was a profound experience for her. She's talked about nothing but the tournament since we got home and has begged her mom at least three times to sign her up for wrestling this summer and to send her to camp.

I liked the Yorktown singlets they wore in the finals. Simple and classy. I'm partial to the NEw Castle Trojan head singlet as well. My favorites for the weekend were the Alexandrias Striped singlet and Evansville Central Argyle singlet I really didn't care much for the North Mont camo singlet.

If Todd had survived the pin attempt, the score would have been 8-0. Petrov was beastly yesterday. I don't think Ive ever seen a returning champ get so dominated.

I had a guy rudely tell me "excuse me, I'm trying to take pictures!" as I'm standing there trying to find a seat that wasn't "reserved", with my 7 year old daughter Begging to sit and watch some action. He was met with an equally abrasive retort (I don't respond well to anus's). I found a grouping and took two seats by force, just like we did in Nam. Ill say, the worst fans for me were the Hobart fans. I'm glad they got excited for their kids, but they stood for about ten minutes, and the hugging and slapping of hands made it hard to enjoy Friday night around the 126 and 160 matches. We finally moved up top and found our hometown people and had no issues seeing

Soup, Your spot on. Match of the night. Two kids putting on an electric match, and a lot of emotion from the entire arena. The boos were unwarranted. I'll agree, I thought BC was knocked a little silly, he didn't seem like himself. But like you said, no excuses, it all happens for a reason no matter what the events that transpired before it. Thanks to you and your family's hospitality to me and my daughter, she had a blast, and went on and on about going to matches and camps this summer (now to convince mama) . It was great to finally meet you all and BC. What a great kid, who I look forward to following throughout college. Special shout out to the Ragle family! Great to see you all as well after so many years (wow, it's been 8 years since I've seen a NC match....) Regards, Joshua M. Richey

Ok, before I start, YES, I know Coach Peck personally. I do take the comments made in his direction as offensive, but only because of my interpretation. Yes NC wins alot of matches, and yes alot of NC kids have enormous records....... their state titles, or lack of, has nothing to do with peck "inflating" the schedule. Peck and the AD build their schedule in order to develop kids skills on the mat, and in order to get the most out of each kid and improve his potential. Records be damned, NC kids know how to compete. Some years back, I met Peck when I was a College Sophomore, on holiday break. I asked if I could come in and work with his kids over break, as I was a wrestling for my junior college, and needed to stay in shape over the holidays. Peck invited me and my brother in to work out, and we became friendly. Shoot, we learned a few things. After transferring to Ball State, I approached peck about volunteering my time, to come in and work out, and hone my skills as a coach, and to learn a thing or two about a thing or two. Being a Coaching Minor, and having heard about how great NC was from my uncle, i figured this guy must know something. over the next few years, i got to be very close to Peck. I learned that he had not only coached many a kid to a successful season, but that he had even done the unthinkable with some. Kids who became state qualifiers during the most unlikely of times; Peck taught me that it wasnt about how many matches a kid won, or state titles he brought home, but how they applied themselves to be a solid contributor to their society and to be a stand up citizen. Go to New Castle, and ask around. Pecks name isnt one that you hear and people say "oh, yeah, isnt he the wrestling coach?' or "oh yeah, he can get a kid to the finals, bu he cant win it!" No, hes just as recognizable in NC as any other indiana towns head basketball coach, and not because of his stature, "inflated" record, or the Die Nasty. No, hes respected as a member of the community, for having mentored countless young men to better lives. No they may not be state champs, millionaires, or even all college graduates (although Im sure many a NC wrestler has gone on to graduate college at the advice of Peck), but plenty of them are doing quite well- within society. IT managers, Professional MMA Fighters, Coaches, Teachers, Military veterans, and business men. I never wrestled for peck as a HS kid, but I learned more in my short apprenticeship under his tutelage than most will in a lifetime. Last I heard, most coaches arent in the sport to win titles, or to become immortalized, but to make a difference, give back to a sport that gave something to them, and to influence young men and women to become something more than they are or think they are. Peck not only tries to help these kids, he succeeds. Hes been there for births, weddings, military homecomings, (he was at my wedding, and was one of the first non-family members to hold my daughter when she was born, and my first homecoming from Iraq). he is a father to many, grandfather to their kids, and many a parent, even my parents who have probably only spoke to Peck on the occasion they run into each other in town consider him as one of the most influential persons in their kids lives. He serves the community, and many are thankful for the positive influence peck has on New Castle and its residents. I would put a good bottle of Dr Pepper...... ok, Jamesons... that Peck would trade every victory, every record, every state qualifier, just to ensure that his kids have the skills and tools necessary to go out and be productive in life, ready to tackle any task head on, and prepared for success. Love Ya Peck! Hope to see y0u soon!

isnt Goldman the son of IU Coach Duane Goldman? Good stock...

James "Bubba" Dickerson, New Castle, Pinned the field as well. 1:20 in the finals

J, Im with you there...... I was a little disheartened. but the true test is being able to shake hands and walk off with your head held high. Glad I was able to watch from afar. thanks IHSAA, you made my weekend. Greek, Well put.

I was impressed with Jakaki from Leo. He steamrolled Mofield (and im a NC supporter!).

Jakaki vs Seaman. Jakaki had his way with a very strong Mofield, and Seaman looks HUGE

Michaela Hutchison was a runner up as a Freshman, State champ as a Sophomore, 4th as a Junior, and 5th as a senior for Skyview High School. She made history in 2009 as the first female to wrestle a varsity college match against a male. even more so historically, she is the first female to ever win a college varsity match when she won a Major Decision against Tyler Kinslow of Bacone, 13-4. I am lucky to know the family, wrestling her brother, and watching her brothers and cousins win state titles , and even got to watch her wrestle when I was stationed in Alaska. She nearly set the Alaska Single Season pin record the year she won state. just this past December, Hope Steffensen, a sophomore at Homer High School in Homer, AK won the 103 Lb State championship, beating the top seed who had pinned her in 1:59 earlier in the season, 2-0 in Over time And as far as it "being Alaska", the state has come a long way. there are several Alaskans wrestling in college, with quite a few all americans the last few years. A