Ranger123

Yes, that was an awesome match. Wouldn't call it an upset. They literally split great matches at state just back in February.

Still a number of teams with incomplete or unposted weight assessments. So still a LOT of question marks on weight. The first couple weeks with a number of dual competitions also leave question marks as a number of kids are wrestling up to fill out lineups. So I say it takes until Christmas before we have a decent view on how many of these weight classes will shake out. There have already been a few results, but not much is reflected here, but I would assume we will start to see some movement after next week and definitely after the Raider Rumble in 2 weeks. Rankings_22_23_1126.pdf

The season is officially here! In celebration of October 15 here are the final "Pre" season rankings as we kick off high school practices. Over the coming weeks we will get a much better view of weight classes as team complete their assessments. A few notes as we begin the 2022-23 wrestling season ... 1) Will Union County continue their streak? They have reloaded like every other year, but there are a handful of teams bringing a squad with the potential to knock them off. Paducah Tilghman will begin the year at the top of the rankings with Johnson Central close behind (note I have less info on JC than any of the other contenders). Trinity has the firepower to score with Union as well. The cinderella story of the season could be Great Crossing. Still a young program, Coach Murdock has put together a deep lineup that has the potential shock the state. 2) We are returning almost half of the state champs and state runner-ups. We have a couple weights where it appears as though a bunch of these guys will converge. That could make for some excitement when we get to the money rounds. 3) well I'm getting too old and forgot what my other note was going to be. oh well. Rankings_22_23_1015.pdf

That is correct. But some teams don't compete the first week out and then not all kids test and get on the mat early. So we will see how it plays out. Some tests have started to roll out this week.

If we get enough fat tests posted in the next 10 days I would like to update over Thanksgiving.

I don't see an Ervin on the roster. Looks like we won't have an Ervin competing this year thus ending that streak. They have had an amazing run and I'm sure we will see more in the future.

That is pretty crazy. But the margin I have calculated from 1st to 4th is pretty small. Also, it is quite crazy to think there are other teams with: Paducah Tilghman - 3 champs, 5 top 3 Johnson Central - 4 top 3, 7 top 5 Trinity - 3 champs, 4 finals All 4 teams have the potential to be really, really close.

Yeah, I believe he moved to Texas maybe. Had a couple people confirm he moved, but can't recall exactly where.

Be on the look out over the next couple days and weeks for additional details to be released on this event. But right now put October 8 on your calendar. The dual will take place at Legends in Louisville. Thanks to Mike Sullivan for the effort he has already put in to make this event possible. 106 lbs #1 ranked Ren Birk of Great Crossing versus #2 ranked Roman Valera of Central Hardin 113 lbs #2 ranked JaRi Campbell of Christian County will face #3 ranked Jonah McCloskey of Simon Kenton 120 lbs #2 ranked Sebastian Vega of Conner will battle #4 ranked Ethan Davis of Grant County 126 lbs #2 ranked TJ Meyer of Walton-Verona will battle #3 ranked Amari Hardin of John Hardin 132 lbs R1: #1 ranked Jayden Frazier of Paducah Tilghman will face #3 ranked Rider Trumble of Ryle, #2 ranked Leland Reeves of Taylor County will face #5 ranked Rowder Benner of Great Crossing; later the winners will face off 138 lbs R1: #4 ranked Mason Kellett of Christian County will face #5 ranked Ayden Lehman of Trinity. The winner will wrestle #2 ranked Isaac Johns of Woodford County.At 144 we will have 144 lbs #2 ranked Nick Armentano of Great Crossing is wrestling #4 ranked Hunter Isaacs of Walton-Verona 150 lbs R1: #1 ranked Nolan Banfield of Montgomery County vs. #4 ranked Malachi Harris of Trinity, #3 Mason Schweitzer of Walton-Verona vs. #5 Braedon Herron of North Hardin; later the winner will face off 157 lbs #3 ranked Jasitin Kubwimana of Lafayette will wrestle #4 ranked Justin Krebs of St Xavier 165 lbs #1 ranked George Ferree of Trinity will face #6 ranked Logan Dingus of Harrison County 175/190 lbs #5 ranked @ 175 Brandon Burchett of Fairdale will face #8 ranked @ 190 Joshua Strayer of Great Crossing 215 lbs #6 ranked Samuel Bertin of Fairdale will take on #7 ranked Omarion Wimberly of Christian County

Yes, go back and check out the video on Alex Green's Facebook page. He did a fabulous job on the stream. Really appreciate him traveling all the way in for the event. Everyone should check out his State Championship review series. Overall, a tremendous event. Mike Sullivan had a perfect setup in the venue at Legends and there was awesome energy throughout the night. I have heard a LOT of positive feedback and appreciate all of the kind words from coaches, parents, and fans. We had a full house and saw a lot of very competitive matches; most of the matches that ended with falls were very tight battles up to the end. Just a few words on the bouts... Kellett over Lehman (injury default) - good battle back and forth until the injury happened; all indications are that Ayden is fine Harris over Banfield (pin) - Banfield came out fast and looked slick on his feet, but Harris pushed the pace and it got to Banfield Herron over Schweitzer (dec) - good back and forth match trading takedowns, but Herron was just a little better in this one Strayer over Burchett (pin) - recovering from summer surgery and right off the football field the bigger Strayer had the edge Birk over Valera (pin) - proving to be the top dog Birk was a little too much, but Valera showed he isn't quite as far behind as we thought Krebs over Kubwimana (pin) - Kubwimana led most of the way before a wild scramble changed things late Wimberly over Bertin (pin) - these guys let it fly from the opening whistle; not what I expected at 215, but that was a fun scrap Isaacs over Armentano (pin) - one of the more decisive wins on the night, but we could see this one again a few times late in the season McCloskey over Cano (dec) - very exciting, tight match that came right down to the end Faucett over Dingus (pin) - crazy, crazy match; late scratch by Ferree resulted in Faucett coming out of the stands to fill the opening; Dingus seemed in control until a late exchange put him on his back Reeves over Benner (dec-OT) - really, really exciting match; Rowdy went up late, but Reeves stormed back to force OT and won it with a takedown in OT Davis over Vega (dec) - points were hard to come by as these guys have wrestled each other a lot this summer; hated to see it decided on a stalling point Meyer over Hardin (dec) - definitely expect to see this one again late in the bracket at state Johns over Kellett (dec) - good, hard battle; I wasn't sure how much Kellett would have in the tank after a tough prelim; he competed well, but Johns was just a little better Harris over Herron (pin) - Harris solidified himself as the favorite at 150 with an MOW performance There were a number of pins, but a number of those were by the guy losing the match on late comebacks or in very competitive matches. Will be interesting to see how these matchups are previews of big time matches late in the season.

Big day is tomorrow. 6:00 pm start time at Legends in Louisville, 4300 East Bluelick Rd. A couple of last minutes scratches/changes due to injury/weight change/other stuff... The first 132 prelim will be scratched as both Frazier and Trumble are out. 132 will only be 1 match now. Campbell is out at 113 and Trent Cano from Great Crossing is stepping in to face McCloskey.

Agree 1000%. Seems like a no brainer that the 1st class would include all of those phenomenal wrestlers. I wouldn't want the job of sorting through the 3x winners to fill out this class. A lot of amazing wrestlers in that group as well.

It is funny, until you realize people like this are serious about their position. Explains a lot about the direction of our country.

Hey I'm being an optimist. We have a new team at the KHSAA and maybe some new opportunities to take steps forward. I'm keeping my fingers crossed, but not holding my breath.

Let us know what you think!

Maybe I can't. But it looks like the crowd would like you to take a walk.

Ok, finally got back in the swing of things after a quick little vacation and ready to post this. There are obviously still a LOT of weights in question. In the next month we will be kicking off official practice and shortly after we will start to see some fat tests get posted. Team notes: - I have a virtual dead heat with the top 4 teams going into the season (with lots of lineup questions outstanding) - PT is looking really really good if they can settle the top of their lineup and fill a couple holes down low - JC has the most question marks as I know nearly all their guys play football and they have a big logjam up top - UC, seems crazy to rank them 3rd any time, but that's just the way the math is working at the moment. Would not be at all surprised to see them win again. - Trinity has the chance to make a run this season. They don't have quite as much room for error as the other teams, but they have some big guns that will have them in contention Individual notes: - a couple weights are shaping up to be really exciting - BUT a couple of other weights look a little soft, so we could see some shifting even after fat tests start to give us a more clear picture I'm sure many of you will have feedback after seeing this. Shoot me messages with school changes that were missed and weight adjustments that need to be reflected. I've been digging into summer results and talking to as many coaches and fans as possible to get a sense on weight, but a lot will still be missed. Rankings_22_23_0907.pdf

Good point that space is fairly tight at GRC. But my guess is this is an issue that the KYWCA could help work out with KHSAA. Similar to the officials seating area I'm sure some space could be found for a dozen or so chairs to accommodate college coaches hospitality.

I won't share any personal information about Kiser, but nothing major. Just needs to address it before the season.

Jayden now ranked #1 in the country on Matscouts (by far the best ranking service). Will be good to see him defend that spot and solidify himself as the best in the country at the weight.

Unfortunately we have to announce our fist substitution of the event. And interestingly enough, a football player will be stepping in and is excited to step up and pull double duty. Joshua Strayer of Great Crossing will be taking Lane Kiser's spot at 190.

Whatever dude. If you love the sport so much then actually do something more productive than your worthless posts about how horrible people like me are for the sport. Statements like that show exactly how truly ignorant you are about the topic. If you want to continue this nonsensical tangent regarding this event destroying the foundation of Ky wrestling, start another thread.

Well, let's think about this for a second. There are essentially 2 reason for criticism. One is to provide constructive feedback and help improve. Two is to just be a pain. Given your level in really getting involved and helping this event I feel pretty safe in assuming you aren't all that interested in the first option. The Union situation has been covered. Timing is fairly simple as well; football is busy starting in mid July so should we do this in June?

Quite an interesting view of our wrestling world. Our only hope for survival is conflict. I prefer to have a more positive outlook. If we can instead work together to generate more interest in the sport and yes, even sometimes working with people and agendas we don't always agree with, that we might actually be able to grow the sport a little. Speaking of coaches association, I was the president of the MS association for a number of years. Tim Lange from Oldham County was doing a great job before me, but I decided rather than just be a keyboard hero with all of the criticism and doing little of the work, I ran for the office and feel like myself along with John Roth and Adam Lantman did a pretty darn good job of helping build MS wrestling in the state. Tyler Baines took over after and did a fantastic job as well. I didn't agree with everything the board did to change things up, but they did what they thought was best and I wasn't willing to be in there making something else happen, so in my opinion the last thing I should do is publicly criticize the guys doing all the hard work. The bottom line is this. Yes it is a public forum and people are virtually free to say whatever they want behind the screen. But conflict just for the sake of conflict is pretty dumb to me. And to be honest that is what will likely eventually run me away from this. This site likely represents 90% of the conflict in my life and maybe 1% of the value added. Maybe the people who know me and all that I have going on are on to something when they ask why in the world I continue to do this. I'll tell you why. It is the private messages I regularly receive of appreciation. The kids, parents, and fans who take it for what it is and not a reason to be mad at the world.

There is a difference between providing feedback and just being a pain in the backside. Another major difference is the the KHSAA guys are collecting a big fat paycheck to provide a service for our kids. I have volunteered hundreds of hours a year on this stuff for the last 20+ years. If someone wants to shoot me a pm and really discuss ideas for improvement I am 100% open to it. It happens nearly every day. Open fishing for an argument about "leaving out" Union County or the timing is not trying to do anything constructive for wrestling in the state.