base

New York just went to class wrestling 2004.  

 

Here is their state tournament attendance before and after the split to two divisions

2009 ? 15,154 (Albany)

2008 ? 15,473 (Rochester)

2007 - 15,034 (Albany)

2006 - 17,755 (Long Island)

2005 - 17,323 (Albany)

2004 - 10,599 (Buffalo)

2003 - 9,401 (Syracuse)

2002 - 8,505 (Syracuse)

 

In California there has been significant talk about classing wrestling there too.  If California were to go to a classed individual format, would you agree that Indiana should?

The statistics do look pretty impressive, however you probably also have to consider that along with the change to a classed tournament, there is also a change of location, and a change in venue which may hold more people.  If an Indiana change to a class system happened in conjuction with a move of the tournament from Evansville to Indiaanpolis, I woudl also expect a large jump in attendance.  Buffalo for sure is at the extreme northern end of the state, I doubt if very many NYC/Long Island peole made the drive for that.  Albany is very central within the state.

With regards to the question about California, I wouldn't say that their change shoudl automatically signal a change in Indiana. 

Y2, you're a great statesman for the pro-classing group.  I am interested in hearing what you consider the main reason for going to the class system, so far you've thrown out there:

attendance

level the playing field

more participation at the HS team level

what other ones you got?

Why do 40+ other states class their individual tournament then?  Even a state like Wyoming has 3 classes for only 47 schools and began classing wrestling in 1974.  Idaho has four divisions with just under 100 schools and began classing in 1963.   

 

To me these states are telling me they recognize the differences in big and small schools and wanted to level the playing field. 

I think that classing individual tournaments may have made more sense in prior decades.  Then, it was likely that a high school wrestler was solely a product of his high school (and maybe middle school) wrestling programs.

Now, however, many wrestlers are a product of youth clubs, lessons with individual instructors, summer camps, and other available training opportunities.  The high school they attend is not as much the sole determinant for individual wrestling success that it used to be.  A small school that can encourage kids at a young age to attend a good youth program (even one that might be in a neighboring high school district) has a good chance to field a good team of athletes.

Again to the team point, based on average size of high school age kids, it is less likely that they will be able to fill all the weight classes like a larger school would, and for that reason I would side with class wrestling for the team event.

I compare them because as an individual tournament (whether on national or state level) there is no consideration given to what school-type or club-type or wrestling program background to make it more fair.  Some of the kids (Pennsylvania, Ohio, New Jersey) may come from states with lengthy wrestling traditions and be dominant, but there is no call or reason to create separate classes in order to give states with lesser programs any advantage.  Each wrestler must stand alone.

Likewise with Indiana state tourney.  I won't argue the point that it may perhaps get more kids to come out for wrestling programs -- I'm undecided on that one, but cant' argue against it -- but other than hoping for an up-tick in participation, I see no reason to change the current individual tournament format.

Team state -- yes, makes sense to me.  Individual --- no.

A debate point in favor of class-less wrestling in Indiana:

Take a look at any of the major non-state-run tournaments.  Fargo, Tulsa Nationals, etc.

When a wrestler goes there they are entered in the individal tournament.  No thought is given to what size school, or what background they have, or anything like that.  The tournament's purpose is singular -- to determine the single best wrestler at the given weight classes.

In my opinion, splitting the individual tournament into classes would be a mistake.  Last year, Cody Phillips and Michael Duckworth from Union County were the BEST at their weight class in the state.  They were given an opportunity to prove that, and they did it.  Given the hypothetical scenario that yes, they won the 1A or 2A or whatever class they would have been in state championship, but Atwood won at another class, and maybe Stein from a third class.  In my opinion, that would REALLY take away from knowing that one is a true state champion.

I'm unclear as to the format of this team tournament.

Does the winner (based on team points) from each of the individual sectional tournaments gain entry?  Or does every IHSAA team get entry?  Or what?

Gracias!

Can you give me an idea how you would market a program that has little chance of winning sectionals and gets a kid to state once every five years.  While the basketball team competes for sectional and regional titles year in and year out.  Say for instance I have a powerhouse in my sectional like Perry Meridian or Mishawaka, and honestly it would be a 1 in 20 years team that everything would have to fall into place for the team to win.  How do you honestly market that?

Joe, that is a good question.  Here is my take on it.

I think post-season success is only one factor of marketing a wrestling program.  I'm not the coach at a small school, so of course all my ideas are from "theory" only.  I realize you are out there working in the real world as a small program coach, and you may legitimately say that these ideas are good in theory, but not practical.

Here's just some ideas off the top of my head how I would approach it:

1.  DEFINITELY begin with the youth/feeder program.  The best way to ensure a strong high school program is to shore up the feeder program.  Having some little kids myself, I can tell you that at the elementary age, they have absolutely no concept of whether or not the high school program is qualifying kids for state, or whether or not the team is advancing out of sectionals.  I would work with the other local youth athletics (football, soccer, baseball, even basketball) and build a good relationship with those coaches/league directors.  Ask them to encourage kids to come out and try wrestling.  They know the kids, the kids usually trust them.  They can be a huge ally for steering more kids to give wrestling a shot.

For the youth wrestlers, I would have several clinics that are free for any kids to come out and try wrestling.  I think many parents would be willing to take the kids to try it out if there wasn't an immediate upfront financial commitment like many of the youth clubs seem to be (you have to join USA wrestling and the local club) Make the clinics a lot of fun, mixing in wrestling-related games while you are showing the kids a few moves.  I think that the majority of 2nd-5th grade kids LOVE the idea of having the knowledge to grab another kid and be able to wrestle them to the ground.  I would personally not make these free clinics overly-technical.  But I might have a couple of your skilled high school wrestlers to come in and do some live wrestling (and they better be VERY active) while you explain briefly how points are scored, what are the three periods, etc.  Can you get some time in the local elementary school PE classes to have a couple of wrestlers come with you and give a demo, then show all the PE kids how to do a double leg and a half nelson to pin someone?

Do some creative promotions to get the kids to come out and watch the high school matches.  You can pick up little marketing gimmicks online (oriental trading company) in bulk prices for next to nothing.  Make up some tie-dye tshirts and throw them out into the audience.  Anything to get people to talk about it the next day at school and come back for more.  What do high school kids want -- somewhere they can go for cheap, hang out with friends, and act like a fool.  Look at how many college basketball programs have attracted a rowdy student section -- they have a designated section like the Paint Crew (Purdue) or the Cameron Crazies (Duke).  Buy them some hair paint, again have t-shirts made up, give them something "cool" to be a part of.  Can you think of any way to have a "halftime" or some break in the action, and invite elementary kids to come down on the mat and do something (not sure what) -- like they let kids shoot freethrows at halftime of basketball?

Have one match a year (preferably one that you are pretty sure your team will win) where you have a "pack the house" night.  Reduced or free tickets or let them in free if they bring a can of food for a local food pantry.  Offer that your assistant coach will shave his head if the team wins by a set amount of points, heck let some elementary kids take clippers and buzz the hair right there in the gym.  If you can dim the lights in the gym and put a single lamp down over the mat (similar to the state finals), do it -- that is a cool environment.  There's got to be some kids out there that will see one of the kids on your team score a pin, hear the crowd hopefully go WILD for him, see his hand raised, and think to himself "woah, I want to be a part of that!"

Again, just throwing out some random ideas

2.  Marketing.  Basketball is still the king in Indiana, why do wrestling programs try to compare themselves in terms of crowds/attendance to basketball or football.  Football games are once a week, on a weekend night (Friday) and are therefore an "event" much more so than a weekday wrestling meet would be.  If you are familiar with any of the semi-pro teams around Indiana, what do they do to set themselves apart and develop a following?  Marketing, is my opinion.  Have a "pack the gym" night with free admission, strobe lights, heavy metal music....whatever it takes to develop a following at your school.  I see it as the only way to get non-wrestling fans introduced to the sport, and hopefully they will learn to love the excitement, energy, and adrenaline rush of a great wrestling meet.

If you want to advance the sport of wrestling, I still contend that you need to make it a program that kids at the high school and middle school level want to be a part of the action.  There needs to be a buzz created about wrestling.  It needs to be the "cool" thing to do.

Otherwise, I think the majority of today's attention-deficit, texting/video game playing teens are going to find better, easier ways as an outlet of their energy than working their butt off in the wrestling room night after night.

My personal opinion is that the state team tournament should be classed, but the individual tournament should not.

I think there are some other factors that have kept the participating numbers down for wrestling that haven't been mentioned yet:

1.  Tradition/knowledge.  Most fathers know how to play baseball/football/basketball.  A good coach will have a technical expertise far beyond the normal dad on all of these sports, yet many parents consider themselves "armchair experts" because they've understand the basic rules and have grown up around these mainstream sports.  Most parents do *not* possess a good working knowledge of wrestling -- neither technique or rules/scoring.  A non-wrestling parent is highly unlikely (in my opinion) to enroll a youngster into a youth wrestling program, while they are probably highly likely to at least try little league baseball or soccer.

2.  Marketing.  Basketball is still the king in Indiana, why do wrestling programs try to compare themselves in terms of crowds/attendance to basketball or football.  Football games are once a week, on a weekend night (Friday) and are therefore an "event" much more so than a weekday wrestling meet would be.  If you are familiar with any of the semi-pro teams around Indiana, what do they do to set themselves apart and develop a following?  Marketing, is my opinion.  Have a "pack the gym" night with free admission, strobe lights, heavy metal music....whatever it takes to develop a following at your school.  I see it as the only way to get non-wrestling fans introduced to the sport, and hopefully they will learn to love the excitement, energy, and adrenaline rush of a great wrestling meet.

3.  One concern I have of putting the schools in classes -- to me, this is no guarantee that more people would come out for the small school programs.  And really, would a meet with both teams having 6 forfeits be any less exciting than one where one school forfeits 6 matches to a large school?

Just random thoughts, thanks all for the ideas expressed and it's clear everyone really does want to continue to improve wrestling in Indiana.

Ian Hinton

Rulon Gardner

US Olympic hockey victory over Soviet team

Growing up in this sport and coaching it for the last 20 years I have had 1 thought on line brackets.  It does not matter what the draw is because you have to beat everyone to be the champion, which is the ultimate goal.  I don't even show my kids the brackets, just ask them.

I can understand your perspective as a coach or parent of one of the wrestlers.  No sense having the kids get overconfident or building up unnecessary stress due to seeing their draw.

However, for the rest of us casual (or sometimes not-so-casual) fans out here, we just want to see the brackets to see some of the various matches around the state.  I'm not as familiar with many of the kids in Northern Indiana, so I'd like to see it to see who to look for advancing out of each of the sectionals.

On the top step of the podium after you've been crowned State Champ.

Nicely played, sir!  Accept this wahoo.

A dramatic re-creation of the Crown Point brackets arriving at Indianamat.com headquarters in the morning...

I was told  from Ducks Dad via a Dixie cup and some string that Duck was so freaked out by 189 that he was 2 good poops away  from  Phillips having to go 112.

I nominate this for post of the century.  Wahoo for you, sir, wahoo.

How about Ditka versus the team of Duckwood, Atwood, Sliga, Stevenson, Thatcher and Johnson-Jones?

Gotta go with Ditka in a first period fall.

Surma?  You have Surma possibly dominating Roach?  Hmmmmm.

Nothing against Roach at all.  I'm sure he is favored.  When I chose my predictions for state champs this year I picked Surma for no particular reason, and I believe him to be a "pinner".  So I'm more or less giving him a good chance to get a pin in the finals should he make it (versus whoever his opponent is, not singling out Roach)

1. Phillips

2. Surma

Not going with Tsirtsis/Wright/Duckworth cause I'm guessing they tend to be more high-scoring than pinning.

Choose one wrestler.  Who will be the most dominant in their FINAL match at state (not the entire state finals, just the championship match).

DOMINATOR award will go to wrestler with the fastest pin in their championship match.  If there are no pins in the finals, then the award would go to the winning wrestler with the largest point spread for their final match.

2009 DOMINATOR:

1.  Cody Phillips, Fall 2:34 (103)

2.  Daniel Young, Fall 5:32 (145)

3.  Jason Tsirtsis, 16-3 (125)

2008 DOMINATOR:

1.  Andrew Howe, 22-9 (160)

2. Brennan Cosgrove, 13-5 (145)

3. (tie) Cooper Samuels, 7-0 (171)

    (tie) Justin Woods, 9-2 (215)

2007 DOMINATOR:

1.  Cooper Samuels, Fall 1:22 (160)

2. Chico Adams, Fall 2:50 (285)

3. Andrew Howe, TF 26-9 (152)

2006 DOMINATOR:

1.  Chad Biddle, Fall 2:22 (145)

2.  Javier Salas, Fall 3:18 (119)

3.  Dexter Larimore, 12-1 (275)

24-14 Colts

There was a thread on here saying that 112 Gonzalez lost to Todd in OT

With all the rules about forfeiting in the team tournament after you've won, it makes coaching in those matches that much harder I bet.

 

As long as no one pulls a Peru, it should be a great Wednesday of wrestling.

Dane, can you explain both of these?  I'm not that familiar with the team state championship rules/format.  And what happened with Peru?

103 - 2010        Phillips and Brooks of this year are both capable of beating 2009 Phillips

112 - 2009        I'm going to go with last year's Hawkins here, although I think it's a tossup -- Beck, Ayresman and others could win it

119 - 2009        Big Camden Eppert fan.  Throw him and last year's Wright into the mix, and I think they still both reach the finals

125 - 2009        VERY tough call -- 2009 Tsirtsis vs 2010 Wright.  Wright would also have to get by 2009 Quiroga if they faced off

130 - 2010        This year's Tsirtsis over Frankie Porras last year.

135 - 2009        Seems like this weight class has been wide open the past couple of years.  I liked the way Taylor March wrestled in the state tourney last yr

140 - 2009        Frankie Porras is here this year, along with several others.  My opinion is that Sandefer would top them all

145 - 2010          Another tossup.  Daniel Young was fantastic last year.  This year has Roach, Surma, and a pretty strong field -- I'll take one of them to beat Young

152 - 2009        Sean McMurray from last year, I'm going to pick him over the field this year with some pretty strong competition - Bennet and Welch

160 - 2009        This would be an awesome weight class.  Take 2010 McMurray, Willis, Vlahos, Quiroz.  I'll take Runyan here, but not sure about this one at all

171 - 2010        Got to pick this year's Duckworth over last year's Duckworth

189 - 2009        Shrewsbury is winning at the D1 level this year.  I don't think anyone from 2010 defeats him

215 - 2010        Cleveland and Lentz -- one of them still find a way to get it done with Billy Baker thrown in the mix

Hvy - 2009      Chalfant just too quick, too strong for this year's field.  He was completely dominating last year

Ok, just for the heck of it....how would last year's state champions fare if they were thrown into this year's weight class?

Would Sandefer be able to beat all the competition at 145?

How would last year's Tsirtsis do versus this year's Wright?

Would Briar Runyan be able to go undefeated at 160 or would this year's crop of talent knock him off the pedestal?

Give me your 2 cents on the subject!

For entertainment purposes only....this is from http://www.trackwrestling.com

Look at some of the winners/matchups from the Indiana Middle School state championships 2 years ago (2007-2008).  This year's sophomores were 8th graders then.  Also interesting to me to see the names of some of the kids who will likely be freshmen next year (6th graders back then) who could make some noise next year.

PS:  Check out the 150lb weight class top 4!

MS - 75.00

1st Place - Cody Lecount of Madison - Grant JHS

2nd Place - Evan Loe of Team Champion

3rd Place - Nathan Boston of Lawrence TWP MS

4th Place - Brandon James of Lawrence TWP MS

5th Place - Max Buckley of Grimmer MS

6th Place - Michael Thomas of Center Grove MS Central

1st Place Match

1st Place Match - Cody Lecount (Madison - Grant JHS) won in overtime over Evan Loe (Team Champion) (OT 4-3)

3rd Place Match

3rd Place Match - Nathan Boston (Lawrence TWP MS) won by injury default over Brandon James (Lawrence TWP MS) (Inj.)

5th Place Match

5th Place Match - Max Buckley (Grimmer MS) won by injury default over Michael Thomas (Center Grove MS Central) (Inj.)

MS - 80.00

1st Place - Jarred Brooks of Warsaw

2nd Place - Chandler Carroll of Yorktown

3rd Place - Zach Wise of Pendleton Heights MS

4th Place - Levi Moss of Ben Davis

5th Place - Jacob Sebahar of Grimmer MS

6th Place - Santo Marciano of Wilbur Wright MS

1st Place Match

1st Place Match - Jarred Brooks (Warsaw) won by decision over Chandler Carroll (Yorktown) (Dec 6-0)

3rd Place Match

3rd Place Match - Zach Wise (Pendleton Heights MS) won by decision over Levi Moss (Ben Davis) (Dec 2-0)

5th Place Match

5th Place Match - Jacob Sebahar (Grimmer MS) won by decision over Santo Marciano (Wilbur Wright MS) (Dec 3-2)

MS - 85.00

1st Place - Brian Harvey of Doe Creek MS

2nd Place - Mason Todd of Pendleton Heights MS

3rd Place - Sam Ferdig of LaSalle

4th Place - Jack Bolin of Northridge MS

5th Place - Tom Gettinger of Fayette

6th Place - Alonzo Shepherd of River Valley MS

1st Place Match

1st Place Match - Brian Harvey (Doe Creek MS) won by decision over Mason Todd (Pendleton Heights MS) (Dec 6-4)

3rd Place Match

3rd Place Match - Sam Ferdig (LaSalle) won by injury default over Jack Bolin (Northridge MS) (Inj.)

5th Place Match

5th Place Match - Tom Gettinger (Fayette) won by decision over Alonzo Shepherd (River Valley MS) (Dec 5-2)

MS - 90.00

1st Place - Kyle Ayersman of Kahler MS

2nd Place - Robert Boston of Lawrence TWP MS

3rd Place - Todd Batt of South Adams

4th Place - Troy Willsey of Center Grove MS Central

5th Place - Jake Lannert of Mater Dei WC

6th Place - Isaiah Bradley of Wilson MS

1st Place Match

1st Place Match - Kyle Ayersman (Kahler MS) won by decision over Robert Boston (Lawrence TWP MS) (Dec 4-0)

3rd Place Match

3rd Place Match - Todd Batt (South Adams) won by injury default over Troy Willsey (Center Grove MS Central) (Inj.)

5th Place Match

5th Place Match - Jake Lannert (Mater Dei WC) won by decision over Isaiah Bradley (Wilson MS) (Dec 4-0)

MS - 95.00

1st Place - Cody Phillips of Union County

2nd Place - Jared McKinley of Perry Meridian

3rd Place - Stefan Harry of Selma MS

4th Place - Jordan Judy of Danville JHS

5th Place - Levi Hess of Martinsville Artesians

6th Place - Bobby Keuneke of Bellmont

1st Place Match

1st Place Match - Cody Phillips (Union County) won by decision over Jared McKinley (Perry Meridian) (Dec 4-2)

3rd Place Match

3rd Place Match - Stefan Harry (Selma MS) won by decision over Jordan Judy (Danville JHS) (Dec 4-3)

5th Place Match

5th Place Match - Levi Hess (Martinsville Artesians) won by pin over Bobby Keuneke (Bellmont) (Pin 3:14)

MS - 102.00

1st Place - Connor Mullins of New Castle MS

2nd Place - Devin Jackson of Yorktown

3rd Place - Cameron Halsted of Vega

4th Place - Trever Appell of Mater Dei

5th Place - Neal Molloy of Danville JHS

6th Place - Collin Campbell of Lebanon

1st Place Match

1st Place Match - Connor Mullins (New Castle MS) won by decision over Devin Jackson (Yorktown) (Dec 6-0)

3rd Place Match

3rd Place Match - Cameron Halsted (Vega) won by decision over Trever Appell (Mater Dei) (Dec 3-0)

5th Place Match

5th Place Match - Neal Molloy (Danville JHS) won by decision over Collin Campbell (Lebanon) (Dec 6-0)

MS - 110.00

1st Place - Brenden Campbell of New Castle MS

2nd Place - Brooks Faurote of Bellmont

3rd Place - Dustin Schurg of Vega Wrestling

4th Place - Joey Kelly of Chesterton MS

5th Place - Patrick Manning of Hobart

6th Place - Josh Jennings of Doe Creek MS

1st Place Match

1st Place Match - Brenden Campbell (New Castle MS) won by decision over Brooks Faurote (Bellmont) (Dec 6-1)

3rd Place Match

3rd Place Match - Dustin Schurg (Vega Wrestling) won by pin over Joey Kelly (Chesterton MS) (Pin 1:30)

5th Place Match

5th Place Match - Patrick Manning (Hobart) won by pin over Josh Jennings (Doe Creek MS) (Pin 0:57)

MS - 117.00

1st Place - Charles (charlie) McGinley of Fighting Irish

2nd Place - Andrew Mitchell of Fountain Central

3rd Place - Joey Engle of Fountain Central

4th Place - Austin Bowman of Franklin Community MS

5th Place - R.J. Fellers of New Castle MS

6th Place - Joe Kieffer of Indy Southside Rebels

1st Place Match

1st Place Match - Charles (charlie) McGinley (Fighting Irish) won by decision over Andrew Mitchell (Fountain Central) (Dec 9-5)

3rd Place Match

3rd Place Match - Joey Engle (Fountain Central) won by decision over Austin Bowman (Franklin Community MS) (Dec 8-4)

5th Place Match

5th Place Match - R.J. Fellers (New Castle MS) won by injury default over Joe Kieffer (Indy Southside Rebels) (Inj.)

MS - 125.00

1st Place - Jason Tsirtsis of Vega

2nd Place - Kirk Johnson of Perry Meridian

3rd Place - Dane Maurer of Mater Dei WC

4th Place - Kaden Newcomb of Paul Hadley MS

5th Place - Joe Zigler of Vega

6th Place - Connor Robinson of Doe Creek MS

1st Place Match

1st Place Match - Jason Tsirtsis (Vega) won by decision over Kirk Johnson (Perry Meridian) (Dec 5-0)

3rd Place Match

3rd Place Match - Dane Maurer (Mater Dei WC) won by decision over Kaden Newcomb (Paul Hadley MS) (Dec 10-4)

5th Place Match

5th Place Match - Joe Zigler (Vega) won by pin over Connor Robinson (Doe Creek MS) (Pin 3:08)

MS - 132.00

1st Place - Tanner Lynde of Delphi

2nd Place - Blake Rueger of Reitz WC

3rd Place - Austin Neibarger of CIA

4th Place - Jordan Gast of Jennings County

5th Place - Shelby Griffin of River Valley MS

6th Place - Spencer Hessman of Franklin Community MS

1st Place Match

1st Place Match - Tanner Lynde (Delphi) won by decision over Blake Rueger (Reitz WC) (Dec 4-1)

3rd Place Match

3rd Place Match - Austin Neibarger (CIA) won by decision over Jordan Gast (Jennings County) (Dec 10-4)

5th Place Match

5th Place Match - Shelby Griffin (River Valley MS) won by decision over Spencer Hessman (Franklin Community MS) (Dec 5-3)

MS - 140.00

1st Place - Jonathan Decker of New Castle MS

2nd Place - Michael Halloran of Hobart

3rd Place - Sean Mappes of Center Grove MS North

4th Place - Jacob Underwood of Martinsville Artesians

5th Place - Charles Martin of Perry Meridian

6th Place - Kc Corey of Blackhawk MS

1st Place Match

1st Place Match - Jonathan Decker (New Castle MS) won by pin over Michael Halloran (Hobart) (Pin 3:35)

3rd Place Match

3rd Place Match - Sean Mappes (Center Grove MS North) won by pin over Jacob Underwood (Martinsville Artesians) (Pin 3:01)

5th Place Match

5th Place Match - Charles Martin (Perry Meridian) won by decision over Kc Corey (Blackhawk MS) (Dec 5-3)

MS - 150.00

1st Place - Tyler Willis of Fighting Irish

2nd Place - Anthony Quiroz of Vega

3rd Place - Kyle Riedling of Doe Creek MS

4th Place - Mitch Sliga of Fishers JHS

5th Place - Dalton Brandenstein of Mater Dei

6th Place - Austin Striggle of Whitko

1st Place Match

1st Place Match - Tyler Willis (Fighting Irish) won by decision over Anthony Quiroz (Vega) (Dec 5-2)

3rd Place Match

3rd Place Match - Kyle Riedling (Doe Creek MS) won by pin over Mitch Sliga (Fishers JHS) (Pin 2:06)

5th Place Match

5th Place Match - Dalton Brandenstein (Mater Dei) won by decision over Austin Striggle (Whitko) (Dec 9-2)

MS - 160.00

1st Place - Joe Schoolcraft of Martinsville Artesians

2nd Place - Darryl Peppers of Pierce MS

3rd Place - Matthew Hurford of Culver Middle

4th Place - Brett Simmons of Dragon WC

5th Place - Andre Richards of Perry Meridian

6th Place - Keanu Cooper of Perry Meridian

1st Place Match

1st Place Match - Joe Schoolcraft (Martinsville Artesians) won by decision over Darryl Peppers (Pierce MS) (Dec 6-5)

3rd Place Match

3rd Place Match - Matthew Hurford (Culver Middle) won by pin over Brett Simmons (Dragon WC) (Pin 1:55)

5th Place Match

5th Place Match - Andre Richards (Perry Meridian) won by injury default over Keanu Cooper (Perry Meridian) (Inj.)

MS - 175

1st Place - Iyan Bass of Jennings County

2nd Place - Isaac Birch of Bellmont

3rd Place - Keith Knura of Franklin Community MS

4th Place - Jesse Kozub of Batchelor MS

5th Place - Jordan Wallace of Wallace

6th Place - Jordan Bedan of Center Grove MS Central

1st Place Match

1st Place Match - Iyan Bass (Jennings County) won by pin over Isaac Birch (Bellmont) (Pin 1:27)

3rd Place Match

3rd Place Match - Keith Knura (Franklin Community MS) won by decision over Jesse Kozub (Batchelor MS) (Dec 3-1)

5th Place Match

5th Place Match - Jordan Wallace (Wallace) won by injury default over Jordan Bedan (Center Grove MS Central) (Inj.)

MS - 195.00

1st Place - Tyler Kral of Taft MS

2nd Place - Scotty Whitehead of New Castle MS

3rd Place - Khalief Williams of Perry Meridian

4th Place - Zack Burke of Schmucker MS

5th Place - Austin Taylor Lee Wilson of Jennings County

6th Place - Tyler Newsome of Whitko

1st Place Match

1st Place Match - Tyler Kral (Taft MS) won by pin over Scotty Whitehead (New Castle MS) (Pin 0:35)

3rd Place Match

3rd Place Match - Khalief Williams (Perry Meridian) won by pin over Zack Burke (Schmucker MS) (Pin 3:12)

5th Place Match

5th Place Match - Austin Taylor Lee Wilson (Jennings County) won by pin over Tyler Newsome (Whitko) (Pin 3:47)

MS - 220.00

1st Place - Tracii Doolin of Perry Meridian

2nd Place - Wesley Rogers of Belzer MS

3rd Place - Daniel Bunner of New Castle MS

4th Place - Kyle Babb of Pendleton Heights MS

5th Place - Brandon Minton of Kokomo

6th Place - Joseph Coachys of Greenwood MS

1st Place Match

1st Place Match - Tracii Doolin (Perry Meridian) won by pin over Wesley Rogers (Belzer MS) (Pin 3:24)

3rd Place Match

3rd Place Match - Daniel Bunner (New Castle MS) won by decision over Kyle Babb (Pendleton Heights MS) (Dec 1-0)

5th Place Match

5th Place Match - Brandon Minton (Kokomo) won by injury default over Joseph Coachys (Greenwood MS) (Inj.)

MS - 275.00

1st Place - Mark Pankonie of Perry Meridian

2nd Place - Kaden Suter of Martinsville Artesians

3rd Place - Justin Gates of Beech Grove MS

4th Place - Jason Hackett of Paul Hadley MS

5th Place - Damien Higgins of Franklin Community MS

6th Place - Fabian Durant of Scott Middle

1st Place Match

1st Place Match - Mark Pankonie (Perry Meridian) won by decision over Kaden Suter (Martinsville Artesians) (Dec 4-3)

3rd Place Match

3rd Place Match - Justin Gates (Beech Grove MS) won by pin over Jason Hackett (Paul Hadley MS) (Pin 1:12)

5th Place Match

5th Place Match - Damien Higgins (Franklin Community MS) won by forfeit over Fabian Durant (Scott Middle) (FF)

May as well get in on the fun!

103 - Cody Phillips  He's won it before, he's dominating again this year.  Someone will have to knock him off the pedestal.

112 - Kyle Ayersman My favorite wt. class this year -- it's like a Battle Royale!  Just have a feeling about Ayersman.

119 - Tony Lovejoy Not many returning 119s here.  Many coming up from 112.  Lovejoy drops down from 125 and is too strong.

125 - Brandon Wright He's been here.  He's lightning fast.  This would be my shock of the tourney if he loses.

130 - Jason Tsirtsis Some good competition, but I think he's on another level than the rest of the field.

135 - Andrew Hiestand All the extra wrestling work Yorktown's putting in (disney duals, vs. Missouri) pays off for Hiestand.

140 - Frankie Porras No offense to anyone but this doesn't seem to be a deep field.  Porras moving up 2 classes from last year, returns to the stand.

145 - Alex Surma He and Roach will battle all the way to Indy, and this is a strong field.  Surma squeaks out another medal for the Region.

152 - Sammy Bennet Fairy tale ending to his career, wins gold for the last year of the Scots wrestling team.

160 - Sean McMurray WWE-like hype for this wt class.  Wins his 3rd gold, half the fans cheer, half boo him.  He attempts to repeat Sandefer's breakdancing routine but only manages to spin around once, slowly.  The crowd turns ugly.

171 - Michael Duckworth  Wins in dominating fashion.

189 - Braden Atwood Finally sheds the spectre of Duckworth and climbs to the top step.

215 - Christian Lentz The Cavemen finally get one atop the medal stand.  Their team will see gold the following week.

285 - Ross Janney He's just too much for the undersized J Travis.