WingMan

I go with Lynde at 152...the kid has the tools, the respect for his competition and the drive. T has lost to some of the best and beat some of the best and he has learned from each match. T is the "sleeper" at 152. Nothing against any of the other 152lb wrestlers...

D2D, this was a cruel post...Trust me, I know the biggest Jets fan in this area and there is not enough Kleenex for the tears. I kinda liked the break from wrestling since we are counting down the days to State (everyone is so serious and the smack talk is getting old). The Jets' loss saved me a lot of money as the RV would have rolled to Miami had they won!

I know I started this post, but I have to give a boost to the Delphi 215 pounder. Roy Anderson has been getting the job done and wrestles with passion. Sometimes (especially with all of the talent out there) we miss those kids who are giving everything they got out on the mat, and who started late (no USA or AAU background) and sometimes they slay giants. Looking forward to watching Roy at sectionals and hopefully, beyond. The kid's heart is in his eyes when he is on the mat...fun to watch and who doesn't like a good match? Apparently, with all of this feedback, the post should have been sleepers for all weights.

Please note, the purpose of this post was not to "dog" wrestlers or discuss why they are not ranked (not being ranked is actually an advantage for the wrestler). Please keep it positive.

Just curious as to how many different geographical locations struggle with local newspaper's coverage on wrestling. I am located right in the middle of the state and local coverage for wrestling sucks. It appears that a Jr. High basketball game gets more coverage than some of the top level (ranked) wrestlers in my area. Do other areas struggle with the same issue? How do you promote your programs and build feeder programs when you have to go to section "B," page 5 to read about big wins in wrestling? Is the press just missing an opportunity? Are they even aware of the wrestling fans through-out Indiana? Nothing against the basketball players, but it seems (especially from this forum) that Indiana has progressed from the "Hoosier's" Era and that some of us want to read about wrestling. Am I alone in this question/disappointment/concern? How was it/is it addressed in your respective area? And yeah, when these respective "bandwagon" reporters do finally show up at sectionals, regionals, semi-state and state for the "story," how do you deal with them and who gets to ask them to leave?

Hilarious...I happen to know one of these wrestlers very well. Hard to believe he was once little! So many of the kids are names now in contention for sectionals, regionals, semi-state and state. Funny part is, that many of these "now" high school competitors who will be wrestling each other, are great friends due to their prior engagements. Great stuff.

Commenting on the Twin Lakes Sparks/Lynde match...a few more seconds and Sparks could have won? T allowed the takedown that Sparks scored on as the lesser of two evils as T knew that Sparks couldn't turn him...(he also knew the clock time and how the official was calling the out-of-bounds and as it was the last match of the day, both boys were a little gassed - sounds like excuses, but I consider it good wrestling to know you competitor, official and the clock). other than that (and the fact that this was the second time in two weeks that Lynde beat Sparks) a few more seconds would not have mattered. Also heard from Spark's team mates that he commented on the fact of how brutal T was on top. I watched both matches and there was never a question. Sparks is a great kid and great wrestler, but I have to go on the record that I believe T managed both matches quite well.

Both are great wrestlers and great young men. However, drive can never be estimated. Doesn't the anticipation of a state match-up make the Conseco food prices look like Crack-Donald's dollar menu? Sounds like both young men are pushing hard, and isn't that why we pay admission?

There is another thread on "Sleepers" that capture some of this young talent.

Another thread on this site was on under-rated wrestlers...someone responded that many of the wrestlers listed on this site day-in and day-out are "over-rated." Give these sleepers some publicity and encouragement. Everyone loves a "Cinderella Story."

My Two Cents: 1. Schools should interview individuals regardless of their age and respond appropriately to the individual who applies for the job, whatever the position. There are middle-age creeps out there, just read the papers. Does a clean "back-ground check" give them a free ride to be a part of a program? There are also a lot of dads who are on coaching staffs who don't really contribute to the team, as they only take up space, cheer/coach only for their wrestler, eat up the free admission and hospitality food. Why are these individuals approved? 2. Believe it or not, there are some very young kids out there who are squared away and who would excel at such an opportunity. I truly believe the school policies are out there to protect everyone. But many times, their intentions have the opposite effect. Blanket policies are equivalent to "group punishment" in my book. See comment #3 which is my "two cents"/opinion on how this should be handled. 3. Can said "squared away" athlete contribute in camps, middle-school or elementary programs which are crucial to the buiding of a competitive Varsity/high school program? Wouldn't this remove the issue with relationships with high-schoolers? 4. Schools could benefit in bringing back good role models for their programs. The age of this particular kid could benefit the school immensly as young kids will associate with him. Believe it or not, it's not only professional athletes that young kids idolize, many time it is the high-school football quarterback, captain of the basketball team or volleyball team and as much as I hate to say it, the cheerleading captain. Every school should be concerned about getting young kids into programs (whether they are sports, FFA, drama...). They should capitalize on young talent who have proven themselves to be good role models. 4. Failure to give these "squared-away" young people a fair chance could result in seeing them do very well for another team. It sucks to see talent on the other side of the mat. Especially if he/she wanted to coach/contribute to your program. Bottom line, give the kid a chance at the feeder programs and watch the progress. Once he/she has proven how responsible they are, then give them more opportunity in the upper grades. This would show how serious the school is about the kid and give the kid a chance to show the administration, parents and coaches that he is serious. Last comment, if a high school girl or boy is spending time with a coach in a relationship that is other than coach or mentor, then the parent is not doing their job and the administration is not doing their job. If this is an unacceptable rule for any applicant, then don't apply for a position in a high school. I personally would like to believe that this doesn't happen very often. Also, this topic applies to every sport and extra-curricular activity schools offer...has anybody looked at how substitute teachers are hired anymore? A school I pulled my kids out of recently had every "bad seed" I went to high school with (same school) on the sub list. Many of them were eventually pulled after several parent complaints. Each school administration needs to control who is around "our" kids both during school and after. Good judgement goes along way, however common sense does not always prevail. To the originator of this thread, ask you school about their substitute teaching policy and see how hard it is to get on that list. It may fire you up even more. My feedback is based on my being a former coach, my spouse has been a varsity coach for over 14 years and I have three children (two in high school, one in middle school) who are all multiple sport athletes. I have seen this crap many times...

I truly appreciate Sean's honestly, but have to disagree about "past" matches not driving kids. Lessons learned in past decisions or wrestling matches often drive anyone (including wrestlers) to never make the same mistakes. This applies not only in high school, and sports but in life in general. Once again, I appreciate Sean's consistent defense on wrestlers as that truly shows the type of young man he is. Sean, you will do well in the world, continue with your honesty, and for those (of us) who don't want to hear it...just continue as it is the right thing to do if you believe it. Some will question you, but some of us (like me) will appreciate the input and re-think our positions.

I have actually spoken to several wrestlers about this potential match-up. They consistently say Corpe is the better wrestler. I only seen them at Chesterton and with all of the stalling calls it was difficult to tell. I also heard Surma is going to 145 from a pretty good source. I hope they look ahead to the road to this match-up at the state level as there are some pretty determined and talented wrestlers at this weight. I also heard Quiroz is out for the year due which I hope is not true.

The Mavs smoked Delphi at Chesterton, but as far as having the best individuals in the area, I have to say they are limited. Depth and numbers bring a lot to the table when going for a "team" effort and the Mav's have that. Going "toe-to-toe" as individual wrestlers is another thing. Glad to hear David is wrestling at Harrison, as I heard a lot of "smack" talk about his eligibility being pulled. Thanks for the update.

Did anyone see Brandon Campbell or T Lynde wrestle this weekend? Clearly, these two are not in the same weight class, or the same tournaments...but I am curious.

Did Graves try anything on Lynde at Chesterton, and he is the Mav's varisty starter? History there as Lynde dominated Graves with a purpose...and the Mavericks don't have the level of atheletes (other than the two "Dales") in any weight to carry this team to the level of "team state or as individuals." Did the 189 do anything on Atwood? Both Mavericks ( 152 and 189) were shut down upon stepping on the mat with Lynde and Atwood. Different level of athletes all the way around (and not in favor of the Mavs). Thank God for the Cheney boy's, but they are the only two (hear they have a Miller who is decent as well, but haven't heard anything other than he is tough) so, is it true the the Mav coach is the one who led the "Don't let David Cheney wrestle at Harrison crusade? " If what I hear about the Mav coach in regards to David Cheney is correct. Then the shame is on him as dis-allowing one of his JV wrestlers from participate at a new school. Can't cheer for the Mav's on any level.

Just curious if anyone has compared GPA with our state's great wrestlers. How important is it that some of Indiana's best wrestlers are poor students or good students (if at all, and how can they be classified)? No student names here (good or bad). Bottom line, are academic wrestlers better than those who are barely slippling by? Isn't wrestling a physics sport (not to be confused with Phys. Ed)?

Any individual results or shockers at Chesterton?

Anyone have anything on the predictions out of Chesterton this weekend? Who is there and at what weights. Heard Lowell pulled out due to their football team still being in the Big Game.

Where's Atwood in Duck's future? With the injury Atwood had at Conseco last year (and leading the match) and losing while taking the offense on a match he was ahead of (if it was in Atwood's mind-set to stall...I think there would have been a very different result, but stalling is not his style)... and the fact that he beat him in PA...has anyone considered him as Duck's biggest foe? Atwood is a monster and very, very determined this year. Sorry, but if Duck is at under 215 I have to say "there's a new sheriff in town, and his name is Braden Atwood." As far as Mr. Duckworth's commentary on cutting weight. Don't we all feel it. Well said...Look forward to watching them and have to agree, there is more to wrestling than the "W's" and "L's" on the mat...the chance for a college education (even if it is based off of the "work on the mat" they have loved as young men) will make them great adults and society contributors, and I look forward to hearing from both Duck and Atwood as they pursue their college educations (and wrestling careers).

Being ex-military what can one say...I wish Travis Good Luck and I appreciate your service.

Have to wish Vaughn luck. He has been in this sport a long time and deserves some wins and kudos. Wrestle hard Brett, protect your legs and never under-estimate the effectiveness of a well executed, hard snap (directly followed by the "spin drill)."

Never under-estimate the drive of young T. Lynde. Since the kid was a freshman he has been a varsity multi-sport athlete for Delphi and conditions weekly at a wrestling club (I have also heard he has his own mat at home!). Missed the NW match-up last year that was supposed to be the deciding match of 'who was the best" in the area (and rumor was he was disappointed). Dedication, work-ethic and physical conditioning will be the deciding factor in the match up this year. Not to mention how deep your "bag of tricks" are, as in moves, both offensive and defensive and Young Lynde has been competing since the age of four. Young Lynde has scored on some of the BEST in the state as well as defended himself well among the same. You got to give it to him, the kid has battled giants (as in state-placers) and has performed well. I look forward to this match-up, but wish them both "Good Luck." (I refer to Tanner Lynde as "Young Lynde" since his dad is also a coach. Word has it that the dad was a South Dakota state winner in the 80's and stepped into the role as the varsity coach and developed the Rossville wrestling program in the mid-90's taking two kid's to the "big dance" his first year. I hear he was there for about 9 years and when the family moved to Delphi and he was given the position of assistant coach... this guy knows the sport, and it shows in Tanner). So, I guess I have to sit on the side of Young Lynde against anyone in the area.

No offense taken on the last comment made to my post. I agree with not being part of the problem and suggesting solutions. So, here goes... 1. When you have an event where there are uncertified officials (even certified officials for which we have a couple from our area, who never officiate the local team matches at the Conference, Sectional, Regional, Semi-State or State matches) they must all publish the following prior to being accepted as an official for said tournament. a. Said officials should make team/club affiliations known up front. b. Officials hometown should be published next to the wall charts (no contact info or anything like that.) 3. In the event, that the match will be delayed, and the only available official (to avoid delays) has club or family ties, this should be made known at the time the wrestlers check-in at the table. 4. Both wrestling teams ( at the time of disclosure of the officials position) have the right to accept or refuse the official. We have good officials (and I have been in this business for over 11 years), we need to protect them as well as protect the "home-cooking" that we see far too often.

Great feedback on the last comments. And, I agree that there are situations in which "Dad's/Coaches" are on the mat officiating, and many times they don't want to be there, but are merely stepping up. Unfortunately, I have seen several instances where the sister is the official on her brother's match (more than a couple of times). And, he is right about the solution to the problem, quite complaining if you have no solution. I know many coaches/dad's/officials who have either excused themselves or at least made the connection known to the opponents. That is doing it correctly. But it doesn't happen all of the time. Personally, we are sending three of our family members in November to get their credentials. I REALLY appreciate the input as to what high school kids can and cannot officiate in, as I have such questions into the "Ask the Official" portion of this site. But once again, the question is do the stripes matter? If you teach your kid's to respect authority...does it matter what that authority is wearing? Thanks for being honest.