Wrestling Dad

Looks like ATM and Brinson are on opposite sides of the bracket and would not meet until the finals. I wonder if Coach Henson will be there to see his stud recruit pull the upset!!!

I have been involved in wrestling in Missouri, Kentucky, Tennessee, Florida and North Carolina for almost 50 years now. Holy Smokes, this is the first time I have ever known a state tournament cancelled or postponed. Absolutely Extraordinary!!!!! My issue is not just the weight control, because teams that have a full squad will have plenty of workout partners in the wrestling room. However, match-level conditioning will be a challenge. IMO, An even bigger issue than that will be the time lag between competitive matches - and the risk that some kids will not be as sharp as they would have been with a series of competitions leading up to the show. Still, part of being a champion is adapting. Good luck between now and state, guys.

I noticed they show Saul Ervin with a loss. Was this at the Super 32? I was not aware of any in-season losses by Saul. At 113 or 106. ?????

Results?

Jeff: My heart goes out to you. I COMPLETELY understand your feelings right now. I have three sons who wrestled in high school. One was a senior at a high school in Tennessee - ranked #1 in the state - undefeated. Got in a car with kids who were drinking and was suspended the week before the Regional tournament. I was the Tournament Director for that Regional Tournament and had to face the coaches and explain why my son wasn't wrestling. That was over 15 years ago and it still hurts to think about it. People will tell you that he will get over it...and he will. People will tell you that YOU will get over it...and you will to some degree. However, the disappointment you feel, that I felt, hurts a father. I was more disappointed FOR him than I was IN him. My only advice - I took my son to the state tournament and he coached and cheered for his teammates. He and I spent a lot of time together that weekend. The stuff of life... Praying for you, Jeff.

CrazyHorse: Where can we find information on the Missouri Border Wars? Rosters, date, etc. Congratulations to ATM. Just one of many honors yet to come. Can't wait to see the threads on this site when he is wrestling in the big show for West Virginia. I personally know Sammie Henson from St. Louis, he is as dedicated to the sport as any kid I ever saw. ATM is the perfect fit for his program...great decision.

We haven't talked that much about Saul Ervin. He has beaten many of the best 113 pounders in Kentucky. He also won the Mater Dei tournament at 113, has gone undefeated at 113 at dual tournaments in Indiana, and won tournaments in Tennessee and St. Louis at 106.. He wrestled the first half of the season up a weight class to toughen up for the second half. He reminds me of a young Kyle Ruschell. Very solid basic skills, smart and very dedicated to the sport. I personally think he is one of the top ten wrestlers right now in Kentucky, of course well behind ATM, Lampe, etc., but a young gun who loves wrestling and doesn't mind traveling and wrestling good competition. He has represented Kentucky extremely well so far...

Looking over the results it appears that Kentucky Blue held its own in most matches. Congratulations and thanks to the kids who went and got valuable national experience that will make them far better next year. There is one name I should mention, and it's undoubtably the best returning wrestler in Kentucky, and that's ATM. Frankly, it is unlikely that going to the Scholastic Duals was going to make ATM a "much improved" wrestler. He is already one of the best in the nation at 220. The fact that he sacrificed to make the trip and help Kentucky be competitive at that level is highly appreciated. Tarzan - I for one thank you. ATM did not have to go with the team, he could have done track or spring football. Most of us in the wrestling community are proud of ATM and very appreciative of what he has done to represent the state at a national level. Thank you, sir. And for all of you who went, kept your weight in check, maintained your conditioning and competed against some of the best in the nation...thanks for representing Kentucky!!!

When will the brackets be released to see how our Kentucky guys line up in brackets? Also, any idea of what Cozart will be seeded?

How does Stephen's bracket look for him?

I assume neither Ervin or Fahy are in the Illinois lineup for the Big 10 tournament?

Just curious, Cozart was one of those highly touted kids coming out of Brandon, Florida. How did he end up at LW? Not a criticism, because I think they got a steal in getting some very good kids - and I think they have a chance to place very high as a team if the brackets line up favorably for them.

Tarzan: Did ATM ever wrestle Chalmer Frueauf? A preview article of the Ohio state tournament has him (out of Moeller) "projected" as the Ohio state champ at 220. Just curious if ATM had wrestled him in the past.

Heck, Tarzan, I'm surprised, since the freaking refs took forever to get down to slap the mat...should have been plenty of time for pics!

...but don't forget Randy "Macho Man" Savage!!!! I still think the chair would be an equalizer!!!!!

Tarzan: Frankly, I think your logic here is correct. I agree that Nathan, Brock and Austin are absolutely top dogs. Joe Jr. had an incredible record and I don't believe he lost a match his last 3 years of high school until the Dapper Dan Classic after the season had ended. I agree those 4 are probably without peers in Kentucky. Really, folks, I can't remember a crop of wrestlers - very highly nationally ranked - like we have had this year. If you throw in Trae and Sean, along with current wrestlers including Nathan, Brock and Austin...an incredible year for Kentucky wrestling, and a higher national quality than we have ever seen before in one year. Tarzan, your list is spot on correct. The best ever in Kentucky? Tarzan, when ATM graduates I have no doubt he will have a very good case for that accolade. And, I agree with Tarzan that this debate so soon is tending to take away from the almost unbelievable accomplishments of the Top Dogs he mentions. Let's enjoy the moment - which is that we were just able to witness, without question, the greatest single crop of Kentucky wrestlers this state has ever seen at one state tournament. And ATM should keep that going... I have only one point of disagreement, Tarzan...I think the Macho Man may have grabbed one of the chairs from the scoring table and made it an interesting match with ATM...LOL!

OK, so with no seeding where are the toughest quarterfinal matches? By the way, Agnew of Caldwell County was upset in the Region 1 final - and now finds himself on the opposite side of the bracket from Lampe. Who can figure?

Just ask for pictures and select all of the best mullets in each weight class! Although I personally like Tarzan's comment and I might go for the bleached hair look as podium photo-ops!!!

14- Nathan Boston (120) 13- Brock Ervin (132) 12- ATM (220) 11- Sean Fausz (138) 10- Kegan Agnew (152) (This is my stretch pick for points!) 9- Devin Morrow (195) 8- Trae Blackwell (126) 7- Dominic Lampe (160) 6- Bryce Sheffer (113) 5- Clay Brown (145) 4- Zac Lawson (285) 3- Saul Ervin (106) 2- Wyatt Courtney (182) 1- Johnny Meiman (170) Team- Union County (180.5 Points)

Didn't say he wasn't a tough kid, however he was seeded second (with 6 losses) behind Keenan with one loss. My point was that the loss kicked Keenan on the opposite side of the bracket from the kid from St. X, Lampe, who I would personally consider the favorite to win at 152. Strange how that can sometimes happen. Not a knock on Bussell.

Don't count out Lannum. He could be Danville's first semi finalist since Johnston. And he's capable of making the finals with 3 of the tougher kids on the other side of the bracket.

I will personally be shocked...if ATM wrestles an complete six minute match for the entire state tournament. He is not a national top ten rated kid for no reason. He is more likely a top 3 nationally. He will pin his way to a championship. In this tournament I believe there are some strong favorites - but four "locks". Boston, Ervin, Fausz and ATM. My opinion.

IMHO if Brock wins the state title this year, along with a lofty national ranking and a D-1 scholarship to a Big 10 school, he has to be considered the best wrestler in the history of Kentucky. No other 5 time champ in the history of our state. 5 state titles - Unprecedented! Good luck at state, Brock.

And ATM should be rated higher!

I have said this several times on this forum, however Tennessee does about as good a job seeding their state tournament as I have seen. It rewards returning placers and separates them in the bracket. It is about as fair and objective as I have seen and does prevent most great match ups until the semis.