eville dad

Anyone know the out of state teams attending? Isnt this the same weekend as the Beast? Whos going to the Beast?

Any schedules posted yet?

Great site, lots of potential! Like the master schedule link. Thanks Coaches!

This worked extrememly well in Indiana, back in the day, not sure if they still operate this way or not, would be interesting to hear from someone in the hoosier state. Regardless we need to find ways to get more kids participating at the high school level.

After reading all the post I agree with most as to why they MS kids are needed and that some are very capable. I think the point I am trying to make is why arent we getting more HS aged kids to participate to fill out the rosters, not just in wrestling but in all sports. How can the schools develop incentives for kids to participate in hs sports. We know that sports are crucial to the development of kids, to keep them active and out of trouble. How can we motivate kids to stay involved? I thought the idea of academic credits could be one incentive to offer. How about varsity practice to be last period of the day for all varsity participants as Phys Ed so they dont practice so late into the night. What else could be developed to make it more beneficial to kids to be involved in school sports? Free tickets to varsity events, dances etc....? Any other ideas?

I cant argue with with Ranger, the examples he gave, all those kids were very successful in wrestling high school while still in middle school. But realize my comments apply to all high school sports and I still say the real problem is not enough high school kids are are participating in athletics. If the numbers were better I believe the oppportunity for middle school athletes would diminish because the overall quality of the high school sports would improve greatly. If this were to happen middle school athletics would also greatly improve. I would like to see the school board award an academic credit in PE for all High School students participating in Varsity and Junior Varsity sports. This would be a great incentive for kids to participate in athletics. Additionally, it makes no sense for students participating in athletics to have to participate in Phys. Ed during season. The demand on the body of two extremely physical activities every day allows great protential for overstressing the body. Additionally kids will learn so much more competing on a team than in a Phys. Ed class. There are to many high school age kids are willing to sit out rather than step up and compete.

I havent heard anyone mention the possibility that this could improve high school sports. I have always believed that allowing middle school kids to compete in high school sports ultimately hurt the caliber of high school sports, regardless of the sport. I understand GOO's argument about the gifted students being allowed to study and play at advanced levels, but I believe this is the exception to the norm. Most MS kids are in HS sports to fill out the rosters, not because their skills are exceptional. The real problem is why arent there enough HS kids willing to participate in HS sports? Could this change motivate schools, coaches and parents to recruit more High School aged kids to fill out their rosters?

Congrats to Mark Hall! Myron's wins during the season and at state seem to only get bigger with every win by Mark Hall

An article in the Cincinnati Enquirer today explained how Northern Kentucky University was delaying their decision to advance from DII to DI. The article explained the pressures on the school's budget along with the State's budget problems had delayed this decision but that it was still the right decision and one they would continue to pursue. The article also explained how the University would need to add a Men's sport when they go to DI. This sounds like a great opportunity for the wrestling community of Kentucky to pursue NKU to add Men's Wrestling as the additional Men's sport needed when the decide to go DI. A DI Mens Wrestling program is badly needed in the state to further the develop of the sport in Kentucky. It is also more importantily needed to be able to offer in state young men opportunity to pursue higher education while participating in their sport and utilizing their athletic skills to augment their education.

Thanks for posting the contact information. I believe this is a relatively new Athletic Director at NKU. The timing couldnt be better for a concentrated effort from the Wrestling community to show the state's support and need for a state sponsored D1 Wrestling program. Could the states USAW officers petition USAW National to petition for this program? A grass roots and national campaign could go a long way.

Congratulations Brad, a worthy recipient! I know your family and all your coaches thru the years are proud of you.

GOO, I dont think this is the only reason for lack of interest among HS kids, but one obvious problem I have seen in my brief experience with JCPS. My kids used to comment how hard it was to lift in PE and then comeback later in the day and have to lift for conditioning, they did it and enjoyed it, but not all kids are that way. I personally was also a little concerned about safety for the kids and not the best way to train. It just seems to me the idea of MS kids playing HS sports has gone overboard and for the wrong reason. More HS's are beginning to rely on MS kids because they need the numbers to field teams. I think one of the earlier post mentioned a HS softball team had 7 MS kids. We need to get more HS kids playing sports.

What does this say about the quality of the high school programs if there have been so many opportunities for middle school kids? I dont think this situation is a result of an over abundance of super talented MS kids. I thinks its more likely because HS kids are losing their interest in sports for various reasons and the MS kids are used to fill the void. JCPS indicated this ruling would help build up MS programs, but it seems to me they really need to focus on quality HS programs. If the HS kids were interested enought to compete then this issue would resolve itself. They dont recognize that PHYS ED and TEAM SPORT are the same type of activity. Because of this they require kids to take PE even if they are participating in a sport. This creates a schedule for athletes that requires two workouts a day, PE and then practice for their Team Sport. This leads to burnout and dangerous situations of overwork. My kids attended JCPS and they both had to attend PE classes during the day and then practice later in the day. Sometimes not leaving the practice till 5-7PM. They would be exhausted, partly because they had worked out twice. They had a PE teacher telling them do things with no concern for what they would be expected to do later in the day during practice for their team. One way they could get more HS kids interested is to make a varsity sport qualify as a PE credit, not requiring a PE class during the day. They could all begin their practice during the last period of the day (making Adv.PE/Team Sports their last class) and finish practice that much earlier leaving more time for family and homework. This is how Indiana HS operated when I was in school (long time ago), it worked very well.

I agree the singlets look great! It's great to hear that Makers is a sponsor. I disagree that no one outside of the bluegrass will know what the wax dripping represents, I think there are more Makers fans than given credit. But I also think the ones who dont know what it is will think its blood dripping down. Its fun to think of other potential sponsors, how about Lousville Slugger Wreslting?

Congrats to Josh and his family and good luck!

Has anyone confirmed this yet? If true what is the reason for the change?

I saw online that Richards Starks is 19-1 on the season, his only loss to Simaz top10 ranked, yet Im not seeing Starks in any of the rankings for 197. Does anyone have an update on him?

Congrats on a great career, its been fun to follow his sucess.

I hope there is no real effort to establish divisions. Theres just not enough kids. State is watered down enough already by allowing 4 kids from 8 divisions, approx 1/2 of all wrestlers qualify now. Divisions would further diminish the achievement of qualifying and placing at state. Give em all a trophy if you must, but dont divide into divisions.

Jeffersonville wrestling is well established but if hes that set on football not wrestling it could make it tough to field the same teams year in year out. Who is the new football coach at Male? This may be the perfect time to try to get a new program started, I think the new prinicipal is Mr. Ted Boehm, a strong supporter of wrestling while he was at Fern Creek.

Russ Hellrickson (sp) used to preach hips during his clinics at St. X. He was great at explaining the benefits of keeping your weight in your hips and using it to your advantage. He would actually wrestle during the clinic without using his arms and just pushing people around with his hips. Of course he was an Olympic Medalist and coached how many NCAA Champions, so he knew how to teach and preach the hips very well!

JTC that is an awesome off season program, no wonder your program continues to improve! It's good for young wrestlers to get exposure to different techniques and strategies. The more variety the more likely they will find one that fits them well. I mentiioned that watching video of matches is important to learn but I should have also mentioned the importance of watching video of your own matches. Get someone to tape your matches and then spend the time to watch them with someone who can offer unbiased analysis of the match. Nothing better than watching yourself and identifying faults and opportunities to work on at practice.

Thats great advise Hawk! It seems there is more and more video available today and watching other accomplished wrestlers is a great way to learn, just study the film and imitate.

The Fahy final wasnt close but was fun to watch him work the tilts!

The biggest surprise to me was see how good Brock Ervin was in his finals match. I had heard about his accomplisments thru the season but had not seen him wrestle. I expected him to be good, but not that good, very impressed! I thought he was going to give up a take down early in the match when he stepped over and put the opponent on his back to take control of what up to that point was a close match. He went on to dominate from there, he will be a force for years to come.