jphillips

Okay so the basic point I'm seeing being made here is that the best 2 guys in each weight class should be the ones duking it out in the finals...correct? If that was always the case, what would be the point in having the tournament in the first place? Just grab the top 2 guys and have them wrestle for the state championship. I like the 32 man bracket. Wrestling is about one thing, and one thing only: the wrestlers. Talk to a few of the "mediocre" guys who "don't belong in the tournament" because they placed 3rd of 4th in their region. They may not medal; they may not even win a match. But the oppurtunity to wrestle in the state tournament is an experience of a lifetime, and it's something that these kids will remember for the rest of their lives, win or lose. You can't take that away from the kids.

Dude there's no reason to get all upset over something like that...I was just going by what the results said up top...my bad...

I think the most surprising performance of the day was Danville's 130, David Harlan...he only lost to Parker by 2, and from what I heard (I wasn't there) wrestled tremendously the whole day.

Eh...a dual meet at Danville never really was a big deal, because we would be giving up so many weight classes. I think it was easier to get pumped for a tournament match, because you have time to sit by yourself, concentrate, strategize, get focused, etc.

Ahhh those kneepads...quite possibly the hardest thing to get the funk out of. As for still checking my weight every time I go the bathroom...I'm guilty of that one.

I never was a big fan of cutting weight. My junior year I tried to cut from about 132 down to 119...I ended up wrestling the first tournament of the year at 119, but I couldn't keep the weight off. I wrestled at 135 for the rest of the year, ended up having a decent year and went to state. Cutting a lot of weight, like I tried to do (10 or so pounds may not seem like a lot, but when you were skin and bones to start with it's tough) is not a good idea; it basically depends on the wrestler's size, body fat %, etc.

Something that I noticed over the years pertaining to this is that doctors tend to exaggerate injury times, in order to protect themselves from any type of liablity should the injury be re-aggravated before the time period is up. In my opinion, the best thing you could do is to be examined by your school's athletic trainer; an athletic trainer is more well-versed in athletic-type injuries, and therefore would be able to make a more accurate estimate as to when an athlete can return. I jammed my finger really bad during a practice a couple of years ago; the athletic trainer said it could be broken, but she couldn't say for sure because they are not allowed to diagnose injuries, only examine and give their opinion. I went to the doctor, had an x-ray, etc. and the finger was not broken, only badly jammed. I could have practiced the next day, but the doctor advised me to stay out of action for 2 weeks. That was 2 weeks of non-contact that I had to experience, 2 weeks that could have made me a better wrestler, because the doctor was covering his you-know-what. In the end, an athletic trainer is without a doubt your best bet.

In past years it's been Dixie Heights, Seneca, Dunbar I think, Wayne Co., Henry Clay, Anderson Co., Holmes, several others...you have to remember that I'm trying to remember over the past 4-5 years, so there's a possibility that none of these teams will be there.

I went to Danville, and while the program isn't as good as it used to be, there have been a lot of good wrestlers to come out of there. As far as the best while I was there, I would have to say Justin Johnston (4th at State at 112 junior year, 3rd at State at 119 senior year). Overall would be a tough one as well. Joedy Burke was great (2nd junior year in double OT, state champ senior year) and still helps out with the program every now and then. Todd McAnly was a 2 time state champ in the 70's. John Clay also won a state title back in the day, and Nick Barker was the first state champ ever at Danville. I know these stats don't match up to places such as Woodford, etc., but I would like to know who you guys think are the best to ever wrestle at your respective schools.

The Anderson County coaches have done a great job making that program what it is today. They've come a long way in just a short time.

I know this is totally off-topic, but that kind of parental support is one of the many things that make this sport great. I don't know what I would have done or how I would have stuck it out if it hadn't been for my own father helping me to make weight, and encouraging me to stick it out even when it got hard. I tip my hat to you.

I agree with AllAmericn. A stand up was my best move from the bottom position, and my favorite as well, because there are so many things that can be done from a stand up. A lot of times when I would hit a stand up I would end up with a standing switch, and get two for a reversal. My best neutral move was a high crotch, and my best move from top was something that we called a JJ, basically a chicken wing while your opponent is on his base...it's really complicated to explain, but I'm sure some of you have seen Danville guys using it.

Graduation demolished Danville. The only returning state qualifier is Philip Mathis, he'll probably be in the 160-171 area, I'm not sure because I haven't talked to him in a while. Jeremy Turner (sophomore, probably 112) has a lot of potential, but was hurt the week before regionals last year. He's a tough kid, works his butt off in the room. The guy that wrestled 130 at regionals last year is as strong as an ox...I can't remember his name though. As far as new guys, I have no clue...I'll have to get up to practice in the next couple of weeks to see.

There was a college wrestler at I think Cornell, he wrestled in the national finals like the last two years at 125 and 133...Travis Lee I think his name was...he had a really good snap-down, he scored with it in the finals like 3 or 4 times one year. I honestly think it was the only offensive move he used the entire match.

I wrestled at Danville for 3 1/2 years. I quit halfway through my senior year, something I'll never forgive myself for. Even now, almost a year later, I'll get an adrenaline rush when I think about wrestling, or when I watch my old tapes. I wasn't really a great wrestler, mediocre at best, but I took pride in the fact that I worked my butt off every day. Some of the best times I've ever had were on a wrestling mat, or hanging out at practice or tournaments with my teammates. Qualifying for the state tournament my junior year was without a doubt one of my proudest moments, and something I'll never forget. For you guys that are still wrestling, please don't take it for granted. It all goes by too fast.

"Just wrestle" was one that my wrestling partner and I always loved. While the whole team had a brotherhood type atmosphere (I'm talking Danville here, while there may not have been many of us, we always stuck together), Chris and I really were like brothers. Before matches we would always say "just wrestle," to remind each other that you have to let everything else go when you step out on the mat. Whatever else is bothering you, you have to forget about it and...well...just wrestle.

How much do refs normally get paid on average?

It's a shame that while the Region is going up, the Danville program is going down. We haven't fielded a full team since my freshmen year (4 years ago) and all but two of the starters from last year graduated. I was at Danville for four years, there's not interest in wrestling whatsoever. What I wouldn't do for the glory days of the '70s...but I wasn't even thought of then! lol

I'd be all for Centre College getting a wrestling program, mainly because I used to wrestle at Danville and a collegiate team in town would give the team the spark it definitely needs. I don't see it happening at Centre however; I've been to a couple of their football games, and they have a really good team, but there is absolutely NO fan support whatsoever. There would be just no interest.