Ranger123

Glad to hear the good results. I'm sure these guys are representing the state well. I have to disagree with DrCradle. It's not sad for the state that more kids couldn't afford to make the trip. It is sad for the kids. Wrestling in KY will continue if we send 20 kids or none, but there are only so many opportunities for the kids to showcase their talents on a national level.

Just looking at TheMat.com it appears that team KY has no representatives.

I would also add, as usual a great showing for Wayne County. They always show up with most of their varsity lineup. FYI, if any of you kids want to have a shot at competing with Travis Sullivan I would suggest showing up and getting on the mat with the guy. If the state tournament is you first exposure to him, it will be tough to pull the upset. He shows up at a lot of these off-season events.

I agree. The middle weights were pretty deep. There were a number of top quality kids competing. It looked to me like a better turnout from northern ky than I have seen in the past, but other areas were light as mentioned. Any ideas for improving the numbers? Does the timing (which can't be changed) impact many kids, ie, football has started?

I don't see any harm in putting the numbers next to the names. If that's the weight a guy ends up wrestling that's where I think he will be. If he bumps up or cuts down, then I can adjust when we know for sure. But waiting until early season doesn't really solve much because so many guys move around before the season starts and some even after when they see some of the competition. Plus, as we have said, it gives us so much more to discuss.

Well let's see those Harrison County boys come out this weekend and prove me wrong. My guess is you will see 2 or maybe 3 of them and 1 winner. I don't disagree that good old farm work is better than playing golf, but I was responding to your comment that they are involved in 3 other sports. And don't get me wrong, I am a huge Harrison County fan, but right now I don't see them getting ready for a "monster" season.

After the Bluegrass Games I will update the rankings, but in response to your question.. Right now I have both Higgs and Lile in the top 15 at 112. I have Bradbury in the top 8 at 119. And Lundy in the top 25 at 125, based on his weight this summer so far.

A big thanks to Coach McCoy and all of those who are helping out. Now it is up to the kids to take advantage of this opportunity and SHOW UP!!! Call up all of your buddies and make sure they are coming as well. If nothing else it is a good opportunity to see where you stand with 3 months left until practice starts.

I don't know that anyone thinks our system is "screwed up", but there can always be improvements. My three biggest issues with our very good system are: 1) having an active, cooperative coaches association - enough said there already 2) maintaining balance between the regions - I don't want to see realignments every other year, but I do think it should be reviewed every couple of years to make sure every region is competitive 3) letting the best wrestlers compete in the finals - seeding so that #1 and #2 don't meet in the quarters (this has been beat to death, and I give in on it)

I know a couple of guys that do stay pretty active, but overall the team does not. And I definitely have to question your "estimate" of 3 sports besides wrestling. I know some of those guys pretty well and they are not participating in 3 other sports. And from what I hear about their own workouts, they are not well attended.

Basically - 1) they have not been wrestling much to my knowledge this summer and 2) they have some work to do to be mentally tough enough to get more than 1 or 2 placers this upcoming season

I assume this is sarcastic in response to some of the posts above.

OK. I was just looking at the team finishes, which is based on those rankings. With 3 top 10 teams in Region 8 (which implies a pretty solid lineup top to bottom) that only leaves one spot in most weights for a guy to squeek through.

I guess in the end you win, because I don't think it will ever happen. BUT, I still say I would hate for a "clash of the titans" type matchup like the Cooper vs. Metzger to be in the quarters.

I think Harrison has some issues to deal with. Yes, Woodford will be tough as usual. But top to bottom, there is a big drop off after Woodford.

I think Reid is #2 going into the season, assuming he and Rupp are at 171. And I have Barger at #3.

I understand. Especially given that they have lost some sponsorship money, they want to get it in their hands as soon as you get it. And I'm sure having Friday night to prep all of the brackets is one reason this event has run so smoothly since Coach McCoy has been handling it.

Yes, I agree that the primary goal is to crown a state champion, but that includes a team state champion as well, and for that every match counts. Plus, the state (khsaa) has made a committment to have as many kids as possible a part of the state tournament. So I interpret that as everyone matters. I think the number of times you have a Josh Ashbrook (who beat Griggs) lose to Murton in the semis and miss the chance to wrestle under the lights will far outnumber the times that the seeding appears to cheat a kid. I agree it presents some early excitement in the tournament when the top 2 guys in a weight class meet in the quarters or semis, but it can also create some less than exciting finals matches. And from my point of view that is the only less than perfect part of our state championship. In my opinion, nothing can match the excitement of Saturday night in Frankfort. I just think seeding would give a better chance to have the best matchups possible in the finals.

I somewhat agree, but with no Saturday weigh-ins I think it discourages some participation. For example, a northern ky or Louisville kid (the majority of our wrestlers in this state are in these two areas) has to drive almost 2 hours to Lafayette on Friday night to weight in. Then 2 hours home. Then 2 hours Saturday for the event. Then 2 hours home. With the price of gas, I can see a lot of parents frowning on that for the average wrestler.

I have Region 4 and Region 6 in the next group. Region 4 has top 10 teams in Trinity and Seneca and St Xavier likely to return to top 20 form. Region 6 has no top 10 teams, but Ryle, Scott, and Campbell Co. are top 20 teams. Union Co. will be carrying the banner for Region 1. Region 3 is a tough pick, but Bullitt Central will likely be the team to beat. With those kids gaining some experience last season maybe they can take the next step and have a few high placers at state.

Right now I have to go with Region 8. I have Wayne Co., Sheldon Clark, and McCreary Central all as top 10 teams plus Johnson Central a top 20 team. Next, I have Region 7, Region 5, and Region 2 in a dead heat. Region 7 with Woodford Co. the only top 10 team, but very good teams in Dunbar, Harrison Co., and Henry Clay. Region 5 with Fern Creek the only top 10 team, but very good teams in Eastern, Oldham Co., and South Oldham. Region 2 with strong teams in Larue Co. and North Hardin and tough teams with John Hardin and Central Hardin. I see Region 6 still rebuilding this upcoming season.

I say only region winners are considered in the seeding to keep it simple. The upset guy would likely not be one of the top 4, depending on how big an upset it was. If you look at Region 6 145 last season, Aylor and Wilson, it doesn't matter. But if you look at the Coty Lewis situation (losing to Frasier) Lewis goes from a likely top 3 guy to not seeded. Frasier would likely not be seeded as well. I disagree, the regular season does matter. If you go into regions with a horrible record you will have to wrestle your butt off to get to the finals. And by seeding it would matter even more, especially with a well thought out clearly defined seeding criteria.

I'm just saying 4 because I think that would eliminate a lot of the battles. I think there is often an obvious #1 and #2 in many of the classes. Where the battles would begin is getting the last couple of spots. I don't think it is something that has to be done, but I think it would help. For example, let's assume both Courtney and Banks end up at 145 (or even 152) next season and are the obvious #1 and #2 in the class. Wouldn't it be a shame for those two to meet in the quarters rather than a likely finals rematch? This can be avoided. This could also impact the team as the loser has to rebound from a devastating loss and wrestle a long way back for 3rd (to be equal).

I think it could work, but only seeding the top 4. First, I say only region champions are considered. The others (2-4) fall into place after that. With only champs considered, we're only talking about 112 kids, probably from only a handfull of schools (Woodford and Larue both win 8-10 weight classes). Plus, some of the region champs (coaches) will know that their guy isn't one of the top 4 and won't present any issues with the meeting. Yes, there will be some arguing and fighting, but if the majority think it is worth it, I think it can happen. I think the state would be involved as well. With Jullian Tackett moderating the meeting, I think it could be successful. grappler - I think we could develop a system like "Brakeman" like Ohio. I try to attend as many meets as possible as a fan and gathering info for my rankings. Plus, I research as much as I can find in the papers and hear from fans and coaches. Where I would disagree with you big time is 2nd or 3rd doesn't matter. Being out there under the lights is a completely different story than being one of the six guys out their battling for 3-8 places. Same story here, I had "bad luck" that left me in consolations every year. 3rd place was nice, but walking out in the finals would have been so much bigger. Plus, think about team points. You never know how pins and things will work out and how much difference 2nd and 3rd make, but as a coach I think I would rather have the guy in the finals and have those point secured. So it could affect team scores.