Ranger123

It's not all that complicated. As I have said before and if you took a few minutes to research LOTS of Union County kids have been invited to this over the years. They have chosen not to participate. Reach out to Robert Ervin and he will confirm there is absolutely no beef. As for pushing it back another month? How about this. If we push it back just another week the season has officially started and this becomes a scrimmage or possibly at an even later date an official weigh in for each of these teams. Imagine how that goes over trying to get all of the coaches and teams to accommodate this event in the schedule for possibly 1 kid. Yeah, that's likely not happening. Not sure what Flo being national has to do with anything. If kids are playing football, kids are playing football. And yes a good number of national level kids are playing football. And you know what? Even flo has some top ranked kids turn them down and you know what they do? They still show up and have the event.

All I can say is if you want to do something better knock yourself out. Flo literally just did the same thing in the middle of football season and I've seen a couple other states as well. Not sure when a better time would be. Maybe you can hold your event in April? And Union is what Union is. They have many top guys, but if they choose not to participate the rest of the state isn't going to just lay down and quit.

With all the matches finalized and we can start thinking about some of these battles, I have to give a few big thank yous to some guys who have helped a ton over the years and continue to support the event this year. Chad Greenwell has helped with fliers and great graphics Joe Burroughs is always the largest donor each year; one of the best all around coaches to walk the planet who has been critical to the growth of FCA wrestling in Ky. Everyone should check out FCA camp each summer and the No-Ox wrestling club. Isaac Knable another faithful supporter of the event. Check out Invicta wrestling club and the Footwork trainer. This year Nathan Boston and the ETC crew really proved to be the key in reviving the All Star classic Mike Sullivan at Legends stepped up huge this year with the facility and handling all of the gear And finally, if you are looking for a place to grab a bite to eat while in Louisville, my favorite burger spot in the world is WW Cousins on Dupont. Owned by a great wrestling guy Marty Johnson (father of Trent and Josh).

I was dead from a busy long weekend in Chapel Hill. Will try to get them posted tonight or tomorrow.

I will add it is interesting to see over 2k views on this thread in just 10 days. Hopefully, we see that interest manifest itself with a great crowd showing up in Louisville on October 8 for the event.

I'm going to finish off the ticket with one last post. Our last 2 matches will be at 175/190 and 144. Football and injuries made the upper weights particularly hard to pull together, so we are doing a combined matchup at 175/190 with #2 @ 190 Lane Kiser of Trinity will face #5 @ 175 Brandon Burchett of Fairdale At 144 we will have #2 Nick Armentano of Great Crossing wrestling #4 Hunter Isaacs of Walton-Verona That will be all of the matchups as we currently have them. Over the next week or so we will lay out the bout order and share more information about the event.

A couple weights were very difficult to get a matchup and will not be contested. At 215 we had plans for a 3 man group, but a late change impacted this one. So we are still giving a couple guys a chance to showcase where they are at this weight. #6 Samuel Bertin of Fairdale will take on #7 Omarion Wimberly of Christian County

Union is simple. They have 100% not participated in the past. A couple guys who did accept invites over the years dropped out before the event. So until I have reason to believe anything different will happen I don't waste what little time I have on tracking them down.

Let's just say, distance is NOT an issue. I'll leave it at that unless people want to make it into a deeper personal issue as in certain schools were passed on. My goal is plain and simple, get #1 and #2 at each weight. That's not always possible so we work down for the best matches we can get.

At 165 we will see #1 George Ferree of Trinity wrestle #6 Logan Dingus of Harrison County

Another great weight for the All Star event will be 150 where we will do another 4 man group. Round 1 will feature #1 Nolan Banfield of Montgomery County vs. #4 Malachi Harris of Trinity #3 Mason Schweitzer of Walton-Verona vs. #5 Braedon Herron of North Hardin winners will battle at the end An awesome weight where we have 4 of the top 5 ranked kids at the weight to see who will go into the season at the top of the rankings.

yes, this is a sort of preview before the updated rankings come out next week.

Bonus second announcement today, 120 lbs #2 Sebastian Vega of Conner will battle #4 Ethan Davis of Grant County

There is a slight allowance, but less than some events where kids are stepping on the scale at another weight class.

Should be getting them out about Labor Day

you would be correct. based on results i have seen this summer and input i have received from lots of folks so far this summer.

One of the toughest weights to project to begin each year is 106. Who will make it back down to weight? Very few do. What new youngsters will emerge? It is so hard to predict who will grow into the weight and we has jumped levels in those critical MS years and as they move into HS. For the all star event we will see #1 Ren Birk of Great Crossing versus #2 Roman Valera of Central Hardin

At 138 we will also have a preliminary matchup. In round 1 we will have #4 Mason Kellett of Christian County vs. #5 Ayden Lehman of Trinity. The winner will advance to a match with #2 Isaac Johns of Woodford County.

Next matchup is at 157 lbs where #3 ranked Jasitin Kubwimana of Lafayette who was 3rd at 144 last year will take on #4 Justin Krebs of St Xavier who was 4th at 150.

By popular demand … IMG_3875.MOV

Next match to be announced is at 126 lbs #2 ranked TJ Meyer of Walton-Verona will battle #3 ranked Amari Hardin of John Hardin This is a matchup with the runner-up and 4th placer from 120 last year; these guys had a battle at state duals as well

Generally yes. Ideally, we would have #1 v #2 at each weight with 14 matches. But as you will see there will be some deviation from that format; some with very good reasons and some just for a little extra entertainment value.

I was going to wait another day or so to start putting the matchups out, but why not go ahead. This will also provide a little sneak peak into the next round of preseason rankings that will be posted some time around Labor Day. The first big match to be announced is ... 113 lbs #2 ranked JaRi Campbell of Christian County will face #3 ranked Jonah McCloskey of Simon Kenton JaRi is the returning state runner-up at this weight and Jonah was 3rd at 106. I know both kids have been working hard this off season and it should be a great match.

How about that commitment from the ETC guy. Who is up to the challenge?

A little slow coming, but finally posting the summer rankings after removing seniors. This is a ver very preliminary look at next season with no weight adjustments or considering how ms kids moving up may impact lineups. Rankings_22_23_0520.pdf