PeaceMaker

Where is St. John's Academy?

Well, duh! Actually, we live in the "ghetto" outside of Union; Verona to be more specific. I really am a Poeta fan. Never had the opportunity to watch the Leed kid before this past week. He was inspiring.

I was just thrilled to see a very pale kid from an Ivy League school win. There's hope yet!

To those parents who may see this sport as a financial hardship, take note: My family may be in an affluent school district, but we are by no means affluent. The affluent moved in on us. My children are the sixth generation to live in this little valley. That being said, I don't begrudge one dime I have spent on the thirteen years that my sons have wrestled. They have been afforded the "luxury" of travel and seeing parts of Kentucky, Indiana and Ohio that they may never have been in the position to experience. I've gotten a geography lesson, myself, driving all over the region. For my family, the investment has paid off. For all the sacrifices, both financially and with our time (my most valuable commodity), my family has grown as a very solid and cohesive unit. Sure, the focus may be on Bryan's next match, but the hours in the car and sitting in the stands over the years has bonded us as no other activity could. I don't regret one tournament, one day of bleacher-butt, or one new pair of jeans I may have had to give up to spend time with my children or buy a new pair of wrestling shoes. Give them the tools, and thank your lucky stars when one of them uses them. My son is going to be wrestling at Princeton, yeah, the one in New Jersey, next season. Now the real investment starts. I won't be able to attend even half of his bouts, but it's not about me. It's about contributing to his growth and development as a young man. I have no worries about his going so far from the Commonwealth, because his years as a wrestler has taught him discipline, a strong work ethic and a desire to succeed. Not all of your children will be champions on the podium, my oldest wasn't, but they will be champions of your heart. I have worked extra jobs and seen a tremendous "return" on my investment. Please do all you can to support all of our young wrestlers. This is not only a sport, it is an extended family born of sweat and cauliflower ear, headgear lost and too many second place medals. Pay it forward and the dividends you reap will be boundless.

MOW is for that particular tournament. It is awarded to the best wrestling performance of that event, not for an entire high school career and the win/loss record of that career. Harrison Courtney gave the best performance of the entire tournament; pinning in the finals was the deal closer on that one. No other weight class was so thoroughly dominated by one individual, throughout the three-day event.

true dat

We'll have a new program in region 6. Cooper High School should have a team.

Oh, you didn't just! Mason was excited, for crying out loud! Look, we're not talking about figure skating, here. For the most part, these guys are considerably understated. And remember, this was in his house, among his family, friends and classmates. He had every right to be jubilant. Something else to consider: Mason Reid is quite possibly one of the youngest senior wrestlers in the state, especially in the upper weight classes. All of you bigger boys, who are not yet in the 12th grade, should thank your lucky stars that you won't have Mason Reid to contend with next year. As late as his birthday is, most parents would have held him back a year, especially an athletic family. Not only is he an accomplished wrestler, he's an honors student at one of the most academically prestigious public schools in the commonwealth.

Yup, he weighed in last night at 111.7.

isn't there a defending state champ missing at 171?

Ruschell lost in the finals 5-1. Still, not too bad for a freshman from Kentucky. As for Mena's antics, Escobedo was in on a head inside shot, split the middle, and when the Iowa wrestler leached onto his back, he stacked him back on his shoulders. He was flat a few times but not long enough for the fall. Escobedo lost the match and Mena shouted at the ref, probably offering a few choice words, stamped off the mat, pushed over a gatorade cooler, and kicked over a training bag. He proceeded to go out to the middle of the mat for the next match at 133 (on the same mat) to slap his wrestler in the face a time or two and offer some extra motivation. That Iowa intensity...

Good luck Brad!! Your Northern KY wrestling family is rooting for you to bring home the gold.

Kyle Ruschell just beat the #1 ranked guy to make his way into the finals of the Big Ten Wrestling Tournament in East Lansing, MI!!! :-D :-D :-D :-D It was a very decisive victory and aside from Mena's theatrics about the most interesting match of the session. Keep showing the nation what our Bluegrass boys are capable of, Kyle! You're our hero!!!!

Peace will compete at Junior Nationals for sure, it's still up in the air with Reid. All of the wrestlers who plan to compete, or just some top level guys that want to get a good workout in but don't plan on competing, should all train together somewhere in the weekends preceding nationals. Maybe I could get Barnes to supervise. It could change to different locations each weekend... just a thought. If anyone's interested let me know.

FROG = Fully Rely On God