D1 Fan

Here is a link to some photos for Austin at the Michigan State Open! Hope the Meyers family enjoy! http://www.bluegrasswrestling.com/Wrestling/20151115Meyers/i-Wkbd772

take it from one person that knows Mark very well... his comments were accurate. Given the talent in the room at PS it was understandable he chose that direction.

Anyone interested in photos from State Tournament can find them at http://www.bluegrasswrestling.com/StateTournaments/2015-State-Tournament-1 The photos are arranged in folders by group or school. In addition to Region 6 schools, there are photos of all the Finals Matches and all weights on the medal stands. Other groups include KHSAA Staff, volunteers, table workers, referees, and some of various coaches! Hope you find a few photos of you or your favorite wrestler! If you do, I'd appreciate hearing which ones you liked, downloaded, or any feedback... either on the site or at bluegrasswrestling@gmail.com. Thanks all and see you next year !

You guys never disappoint! No one likes the situation or the terrible roads and we are all sick of the snow! While waiting a couple weeks isn't ideal, KHSAA had to make a decision quickly (since we are only a day away from people traveling to Lexington) in an effort to best insure the safety and ability of all competitors to compete. I don't like the change any more than anyone... but I also don't know how much snow every city or county is dealing with. I know my yard has about 14 inches of snow as of about 30 minutes ago and it is still snowing here. While I may be able to get to Lexington, I don't have mountains and back roads to contend with and am only 45 minutes from the Park. KHSAA is trying to do the best they can in a really bad and ridiculously abnormal situation. It is done ... complaining isn't helping. Let's be adults, show kids that shit happens and it's how you deal with it that determines a person's character... and ultimately makes the difference. Let's look for ways to try to help the kids maintain their weight and stay in shape. I think some open mats where ever possible would be the way to go. Can't have competitions/duals/tournaments and take a chance kids get hurt and can't complete at state... that would really become an issue. I am more concerned that kids without opportunities to work out won't be in their best shape at state and could get hurt. Let's hope the Athletic Directors find gym time for the teams to practice between now and March 9th. On another note... the youth tournament is not a state or school sponsored/sanctioned organization. If they choose to continue their event that's their organization's leadership decision. Comparing the decisions they make to decisions regarding a high school state tournament is apples to oranges... move on... please! Also... just for the record... not all schools have buses take their kids to competitions... many have parents and coaches drive the kids. Another argument that makes no difference in the decision or discussion. Just one Mom's opinion!

So very proud of Kyle Ruschell! Today he wrestled in the Men's Senior World Team Trials in Fargo and placed 3rd. This puts him on the US National Team! He will workout and wrestle with the World Team on a regular basis... wrestle overseas... This is an amazing accomplishment and I could not be more proud! He wrestled so well and represented UW, Kentucky, and his family so incredibly! Another goal achieved! Congrats buddy!

Actually he is a US National Team Member... World Team is still a goal he is working toward!

So Very Proud of Kyle! Today he wrestled in the Men's Senior World Team Trials and placed 3rd. This puts him on the US National Team! He will workout and wrestle with the World Team on a regular basis... wrestle overseas... This is an amazing accomplishment and I could not be more proud! He wrestled so well and represented UW, Kentucky, and his family so incredibly! Another goal achieved! Love you buddy!

Hi Folks... Ryle will again hold a wrestling camp July 10th through July 12th. This camp will be led by Kyle Ruschell - University of Wisconsin Assistant Coach and Kentucky's most decorated Big Ten/Division 1 wrestler. He will bring 3 current UW wrestlers with him - Isaac Jordan (4x Ohio State Champ), Jessie Thielke (4x Wisc State Champ and Greco World Team Member), and TJ Ruschell (Kentucky State Champ and 4x State Placer). Attached is the camp brochure and application for your information. Please come out and learn some new techniques and develop some new skills... and have some fun too! If you have any questions, please contact Coach Tim Ruschell at 859-760-4977. Thanks! Kyle_Ruschell_camp_brochure21.doc

Reminder the camp starts Thursday! Come out and learn some new techniques, improve your skills, or just have fun... and bring a friend!

Hi Folks... Ryle will again hold a wrestling camp July 10th through July 12th. This camp will be led by Kyle Ruschell - University of Wisconsin Assistant Coach and Kentucky's most decorated Big Ten/Division 1 wrestler. He will bring 3 current UW wrestlers with him -- Isaac Jordan (4x Ohio State Champ), Jessie Thielke (4x Wisc State Champ and Greco World Team Member), and TJ Ruschell (Kentucky State Champ and 4x State Placer). Attached is the camp brochure and application for your information. So come out and learn some new techniques and develop some new skills... and have some fun too! If you have any questions, please contact Coach Tim Ruschell at 859-760-4977. Thanks! Kyle_Ruschell_camp_brochure21.doc

Reminder the camp starts Thursday! Come out and learn some new techniques, improve your skills, or just have fun... and bring a friend!

The format was a little bumpy... I thought using the 16 man pool for weight class with 16 or fewer wrestlers than leaving them in an 18 man pool to keep wrestlers wrestling rather than having many byes. Unfortunately it causes issues with the 45 minute wait time and some confusion in how the two different pool formats worked and how they were different from each other. We still managed to finish earlier than in the past couple years even with 18 teams... thanks to using 6 mats... Hope it didn't cause too much confusion or frustration. Thanks to all who came and all the teams that participated. It is a very early tournament that affords wrestlers the opportunity to see where they are against some very good competition, get 3 to 5 matches, and identify areas to work on between now and February. Hope to see you all back next year.

You are correct! I did a little Googling and found he was an All American in 1984 with an 8th place finish. Below is a paragraph from an article about his coaching and wrestling accomplishments on NIUHUSKIES.COM... "In 1983 Grant transferred to the University of Northern Iowa from the University of Kentucky after the Wildcats dropped their program. He gained All-America status for the Panthers in 1984 with an impressive 32-11-1 record and an eighth-place showing at the NCAA Championships as a 158-pound competitor. He followed that successful campaign with a 20-4-1 mark at 167 pounds as a senior and completed his collegiate career with an 86-37-4 (.693) ledger."

Well folks... unfortunately Caleb had a tough draw and lost 2 at the NCAA's. Gave it his best shot and I'm sure he learned a lot from his trip to the big show. I've posted a few pictures on BluegrassWrestling.com so I hope you will take a look if you get a chance. It would be great to give the guy a little encouragement and let him know how much we appreciate his efforts... Thanks! http://bluegrasswrestling.smugmug.com/Wrestling/2013NCAAsErvin If you didn't have a chance to check out the pics from his Big Ten Tournament... those pictures are here: http://bluegrasswrestling.smugmug.com/Wrestling/2013-Big-Tens-Ervin

I can confirm Barnes, Black, and Kyle Ruschell -- 2 time D1 AA and highest placer (so far) from Kentucky with a 3rd and a 4th place finish. Not sure about Grant... but I'm sure Barnes or someone out there can confirm!

Here is a link to photos of the other three Kentucky Wrestlers from this weekend... just a couple of each TJ and John on the floor helping their team mates prepare for their upcoming matches... and of Garth in the stands watching the action. ... and one of TJ and Kyle after the BigTens were over... http://bluegrasswrestling.smugmug.com/Badger-Wrestling/2013-BIGs/20130309/28394157_qnq9rk#!i=2404536527&k=f4mrLjz

Interesting and fun day at Big Tens. Today all 4 Big Ten wrestlers were on the floor at the Big Tens. Caleb Ervin wrestled... but John, Garth, and TJ were workout partners for their respective school's competing wrestlers. I'll post photos of those guys later... but wanted to let anyone interested know that I've taken photos of Caleb and you can find them on my web site at the following link. Hope you enjoy them. I've posted the ones from his first match... the others will follow soon. Caleb wrestled really hard and tough. Fun to watch! http://bluegrasswrestling.smugmug.com/Badger-Wrestling/2013-BIGs/2013-Big-Tens-Ervin

KEEP OLYMPIC WRESTLING -- Resolutions supporting Olympic wrestling are currently being considered in the U.S. House and Senate in Washington, D.C, and similar resolutions are being considered in state legislatures across the nation. As part of this project, Olympic wrestling hopefuls and legends will be on hand when these government groups vote on the wrestling resolutions. One of the first products of this project was held today, when the Kentucky legislature passed an Olympic wrestling resolution. Kyle Ruschell, an Olympic freestyle hopeful who grew up in Kentucky, was on hand along with other wrestling leaders from USA Wrestling in Kentucky, for this important vote. Kyle was recognized and there was a very nice round of applause for him, his accomplishments, and in support of keeping wrestling in the Olympics. To help and support KEEP OLYMPIC WRESTLING, please visit the Save Olympic Wrestling facebook page.

KEEP OLYMPIC WRESTLING -- Resolutions supporting Olympic wrestling are currently being considered in the U.S. House and Senate in Washington, D.C, and similar resolutions are being considered in state legislatures across the nation. As part of this project, Olympic wrestling hopefuls and legends will be on hand when these government groups vote on the wrestling resolutions. One of the first products of this project was held today, when the Kentucky legislature passed an Olympic wrestling resolution. Kyle Ruschell, an Olympic freestyle hopeful who grew up in Kentucky, was on hand along with other wrestling leaders from USA Wrestling in Kentucky, for this important vote. Kyle was recognized and there was a very nice round of applause for him, his accomplishments, and in support of keeping wrestling in the Olympics. To help and support the KEEP OLYMPIC WRESTLING, please visit the Save Olympic Wrestling facebook page.

The resolution was passed this afternoon by the Kentucky State House of Representatives. Kentucky is the first state to pass this resolution and support the cause to "KEEP OLYMPIC WRESTLING." Kyle attended the vote and presented Representative Riggs with a tee shirt.

Hi all... I have finally posted all the photos from State Tournament. I've also set them all up in individual folders by school, KHSAA, Referees, Fans, Finals, Medals, Misc., etc. Hopefully anyone interested will be able to find any pictures they are interested in of their favorite wrestler, coach, worker, etc. If you have any trouble finding what you want, let me know. I'd also appreciate hearing from you if you downloaded any photos or ordered any prints. I have no way of knowing if people are interested in the photos or not... and if there isn't any interest I won't continue taking them. I wish the website kept track of how many downloads were done, but no such luck. Thanks! Pam (bluegrasswrestling@gmail.com or you can leave me a message on the guestbook on www.bluegrasswrestling.com) Here's the link to the State Tournament folder: http://bluegrasswrestling.smugmug.com/StateTournaments/2013-Kentucky-State-Tournament

Hi all... Photos I took of Northern Kentucky Wrestlers are posted from Day 2 of the State Tournament. In addition to photos of the championship and console matches leading up to the placing matches you will find the placing matches, finals, and podium photos of all weight classes. You will find photos of the wrestlers, coaches, referees, table workers, etc. I still have Day 1 photos to post and will get those on the site in the next couple days. You are welcome to download or order prints... or just check them out, whatever works for you. Once I have all the photos loaded from Day 1 I'll load them again in folders by school or group to help you locate them even easier. Please let me know if you have any questions or are looking for anything or anyone specific and I'll do what I can to help you out. You can always email me at bluegrasswrestling@gmail.com Hope you find a few you like/enjoy! Pam Ruschell Here's the link to the photos: http://bluegrasswrestling.smugmug.com/StateTournaments/2013-Kentucky-State-Tournament

KHSAA has posted the medal stand and special award photos on their website for free download. Here's the link... http://khsaa.zenfolio.com/wrestling2012medalists http://bluegrasswrestling.smugmug.com/StateTournaments/2012-State-Tournament has many photos also... primarily Region 6 teams, Larue, some opening ceremony shots of all the kids, as well as photos of KHSAA Staff, Workers, and Referees. All the photos are in various folders by group or school. Enjoy!

He initially accepted a position with West Point before the opening at UW. After much consideration and discussions with both West Point and UW Head Coaches, family, and friends, he decided to remain at UW. It was an opportunity he couldn't pass up. He and Joe Heskett remain very good friends and Kyle actually went there to train before his trip to Russia.

Kyle Ruschell -- Only Kentucky wrestler to earn 2x D1 AA honors and highest placer at D1 NCAA's (3rd) is Assistant Coach at University of Wisconsin! Thanks for letting me brag a bit!