eville dad

Rumors are that UL is looking at a wrestling program. Anyone have anything to add to that rumor or any input about other KY Schools considering adding the sport?

Wolverine, I dont know much about Tennis and I'm sure its just as competitive between its participants as any other sport. Im sure its quite an accomplishment to qualify for state. But for the sake of discussion doesnt each team have a #1 player a #2 player and so on. Do they all compete at your the qualifying event for Tennis or is it just the #1 players for each team?

Just thought of a way to beat the Title IX issue, add mens and womens wrestling!

I understand your pessimism, but Title IX could actually work in the favor of wrestling. As more womens sports are added as is a current trend mens sports have to be added to stay in compliance. So when you hear about the new womens sports being added it creates an opportunity for a mens sport to be added. If the alumni at a school want it and the money comes in to support it, a school will find a way! I like to be a little more optimistic. I understand its a long shot but so were a lot of things, it has to start somewhere. What can be done to help this happen in a state school in KY? Does anyone have an update on the effort to get more KY colleges on the wrestling mat?

So a UK mat does exist or is it just legend? Does anyone have a picture of the UK mat?

Lucky, I went to Indianas finals last year in Conseco Field House. You have to understand its a lot bigger facility and alot more people attend but ours is very similar only on a smaller scale. They have a really cool mat they use for the finals, it has a flag as the circle so you have alot of color red, white and blue under the mat light. They did alot of recognition for their multi X champs. Escobedo was 4X er last year and the announcer went on and on about his career and the crowd gave him at least one standing ovation, they kind of did a slide presentation on the screen for him using pictures from years past etc... and read some prepared script about him. They also did this for a few other kids but on a lesser scale relative to their achievements. They also mentioned the colleges these kids had signed with or were considering. Other than those two things, the two events are very similar. I think our tournament is awesome and is done very well! The kids love it and it gives lesser experienced wrestlers a chance to experience a great atmoshpere because we do let 32 kids per wt class in the event. I would just suggest that the tournament stay the way it is but continue to enhance it when good ideas come along. Maybe a professional announcer to add some energy to the finals and a little more recognition of outstanding kids. We had 3 3X champs this year, Starks, Murton, Scherer. I like the idea of a State Finals Mat - who has the best mat to be used under the lights for finals? Do any schools use mat lights for their wrestling events?

Organized Chaos! Love this tournament, most wrestlers in the least amount of time of any tournament anywhere and the competition is national caliber, pulls kids from east coast from midwest, south, north. Remember to bring your lawn chairs and blankets so you can camp out in between matches!

I expect this tournament will attract alot of top kids. There will be alot of really good wrestlers from all states who will not place. But when you consider the caliber of the competition, you have to realize its an honor just to be competing at the same level as the best. As corny as it sounds and youve heard it over and over you have to beat the best to be the best and the only way you can beat them is to show up when the whistle blows. Good Luck to all!

Does it really matter which sport is more difficult to qualify for the state tournament? Why dont you guys pick a friendly neighborhood bar and discuss this over a few beers. It sounds like the ultimate bar argument: Who was better Ruth or Mays? Would would beat who Marciano or Ali? I dont think the bragging about getting to state in any sport is as important as being able to brag about what you did when you got to state. I think thats true in any sport. I dont want to make Mr. Wolverine mad because he has helped with the coverage of our sport and for that I thank you? He deserves honorary membership in the KY Wrestling Club for helping with the coverage of the sport. I also happen to know that the 119lb State Champ this year was a State Champion Cross Country Runner too! We have quite a few kids from our team that run Cross Country to keep in shape before the season and they can run, but their times arent really that outstanding. I have a lot of respect for top runners in Cross Country, not saying its harder than wrestling but in its own way like all sports it has its technical aspects that some athletes excel at, the same as swimming, track, basketball, etc.... I dont want to make Mr. Smith mad because he provides alot of leadership in the state and has an obvious passion for the sport that is badly needed in KY. So you guys pick a location and we'll let Pioneer or Grappler pay for the first round, haha!

John Wolsiefer will be there!

No format will satisfy everyone. Think the KHSAA Wrestling Tourn. is a marathon, check these state tournaments out (read about Georgia's): http://themat.com/index.php?page=showarticle&ArticleID=14032

I am impressed that the refs are able to work a tournament of this duration. They are out there from beginning to end and thats a lot of matches. They get an incredible workout at this tournament. Do the refs work in shifts like so many hours on until relieved by another ref or crew or are they out there all day? I noticed when they were out there they were rotating so they do get a break every so many matches but it appeared that they are still out there on the mat all day and all night. The fatigue has to be tough! Overall a great job, I know there are always some mistakes they are human, but with a few exceptions it was well officiated. I thought the tournament was well run, but the late Friday night and the early Saturday morning weigh-in is tough. It would be nice if they could: a) allow the kids to weigh in Friday night before they leave so they dont have to be back so early if they dont have a match early Saturday or keep the scales open all morning for kids who dont have early matches so they can sleep a little longer and come in mid morn and weigh in as they get there. How bout that Ervin girl singing the national anthem is she awesome or what! They need to book her now for next year before she gets to busy with other engagements. Great Job!

I was impressed with Ben Greco, South Oldham, 152lbs, beating: Wheeler, Hooper, Sanders and Valdez to finish 3rd. He came in ranked below those guys but stepped it up big time as a Sr. at state.

1) The pressure at State is the most underated aspect of the competition. 2) State is the toughest competition all year because: A) # of participants Duration of the meet is gruelling c) 3 days of weigh ins 3) Its easier to climb the stairs to the top of the convention center than it is to climb the never ending ramp. 4) I cant think of another facility that can match the convention center for this event.

I thought he was a 4x but 3x is worth recognition too! I think Murton was most deserving of MOW. I just think they missed an opportunity to recognize some outstanding achievements!

I thought Murton looked awesome definitely the most dominant wrestler at his weight class. But I think anytime a wrestler goes 2x, 3x or 4x they are deserving as well. There were some outstanding champions yesterday: Sullivan, SO. 103 2X undefeated Scott, SR 125 2X, undefeated, Murton, SR. 135 3X, Cooper, SR. 160 undefeated Starks, SR. 189 4X, Undefeated Scherer, SR. 3X Its hard to believe that a 4xer doesnt get some kind of special recognition for his accomplishments. These kids are awesome! The seniors will be missed, good luck to them next year!

This 32 man format has its flaws but its still really cool. Look at all the kids that get to participate, and if you think the tournament is watered down, maybe so but ask the kids that didnt qualify what they think. The 32man bracket has detractors because of its size but it also has its supporters that say the more wrestlers the bigger the accomplishment of the winner. I think the best wrestler still wins, regardless of who they meet and when they meet em if they dont get it done on the mat then they arent the better wrestler. Thats the beauty of this sport win or go home!

Brother Happy Pappy, Quite a post, straight from the pulpit. I am glad you have God ranked first, what weight is he by the way, we want to avoid that one in the future! Great post!

Why did they get kicked out? Did Phillips get beat or was he DQ'd?

103 Zeppa NO dec Burkett FC 112 Luna, EAS dec Zeppa NO 119 Murner SO over Wood FC Forf 125 Scott SO (MOW) dec Warner OC 130 Marks EAS dec Theoatrous SO 135 Weldon FC WBF Kraft EAS 140 Stewart FC dec Hayes Jeff 145 Barger FC Pin Ford SO 152 Wolsiefer FC over Greco SO Forf 160 Weiss FC WBF Taylor SO 171 Rupp Eas dec Houchens SO 189 Wenniger OC dec Chaney FC 215 Scherer SO dec Martinko OC HVY Young OC pin Butler SO

119 Wood and 152 Greco SO both forfeited the finals to reduce risk of re-injuring nagging injuries. They are still trying to fully recover and want to be as healthy as possible for state next week.

This is how the region is ranked per the Rebel Rankings. 5 Fern Creek 6 South Oldham 8 Oldham County 14 Eastern 103 NO Andre Zeppa 10 FC Josh Burkett 10 112 Eas Joaquin Luna 9 NO Antonio Zeppa 11 SO Steve Vaughn 9 119 FC Caleb Wood 11 SO Daniel Murner 12 Old Co Eric Warner 12 Bal Kendrick Jones 11 125 SO Derek Scott 12 Old Co Ben Warner 11 FC Derek Branch 10 130 FC Malcolm Jackson 11 Eas Paul Marks 11 NO Tom Kusnir 11 Old Co Trey Morlatt 135 SO Cody Hall 11 FC Tyler Weldon 12 Eas Blake Kraft 11 Old Co Nate Rousseau 140 FC Kevin Stewart 11 Jeff Aubrey Hayes 12 Bal David Burks 145 SO Bryan Ford 12 FC Ben Barger 10 Jeff Phillip White Bal Mike Armstrong 12 Eas Mikal McNealy 10 152 FC John Wolsiefer 10 SO Ben Greco 12 Bal Howard Brim 160 SO Andrew Taylor FC Cody Mann / Alex Weiss Eas Brian Banbury 12 171 Eas Ben Rupp 11 SO Ryan Houchens 9 Old Co Peter Golemboski 12 FC Kyle Hardin 10 Bal John Doctor 12 189 Old Co Alex Wenninger 12 FC Deon Chaney 10 SO Cameron Hartman Bal Lane Ackman 12 215 SO Taylor Scherer 12 Old Co Daniel Martinko 12 Eas Aaron Wise 12 Bal Navee Safi 10 275 Old Co Josh Young IMO: 103: Zeppa vs FC/Ball, who wants it the most 112: Luna vs Zeppa, should be good match! 119: Woods return makes it tough! 125: Warner vs Scott, rematch! 130: Jackson vs ? rest of the field 135: Hall vs Weldon, good matchup! 140: Stewart vs Hayes, always close! 145: Ford vs Barger, I think Barger has won before 152: Wolsiefer vs Greco, another SO/FC matchup 160: Taylor vs Weiss 171: Rupp vs Houchens, Rupps to strong! 189: Weninger vs Chaney 215: Scherer over Wise/Martinko HVY: Young over ??? Teams should be between SO and Fern Creek, (if healthy) otherwise SO runs off with it.

I think Murton could take Indiana's 135 class this year, now last year would definitely have been a tougher match against Escobedo. Murton has proven he is very good, his performance at nationals last summer and at the Beast this season establishes him as the best in KY this season, no one from KY has accomplished so much this season.