wrestlejoe

Anyone have the final results from yesterday's Middle School Tournament? Team and Placers?

Actually... what happened at Ryle was Mr. Meyers showed up during a practice and asked to speak to Coach Ruschell about his boys transferring. Coach Ruschell politely told him him, according to KHSAA rules, was not able to speak to him. He explained he meant no disrespect, however not only was he not able to talk to him about his boys, he did not appreciate the interruption during the team's practice as his responsibility was to his team during this time. Coach Ruschell was asked by one of the parents at a later date if he would let them wrestle for Ryle if they came and he said any kid that is a student at Ryle can join the team. He doesn't decide who can enroll in the school and he doesn't turn anyone away that wants to wrestle, but this late in the season the team was set. It would not be fair to the guys that have wrestled all year and earned their spot, this close to Regional, to allow someone to come in and bump them out. Someone else may think different, but this is a coaches decision and he wouldn't change the lineup. Now I know someone is going to ask how I know this and I'll tell you I personally witnessed some of it and heard from a very close friend the rest. One more point about Mark Hall. Mark joined Gray Middle School near the beginning of wrestling season and earned his spot. I agree it's time to move on... Coach B made a decision and it is what it is! Just wanted to set the record straight.

I think NKU is too far for the southern teams and doesn't feel "fair" to make them travel 3 to 4 hours to get to the venue. Lexington... the Horse Park... in my opinion would be the best location. I'd like to see it stay at 3 days... start with 6 mats and drop to 4 after the first 2 to 3 rounds... if you continue to run 6 mats you will have a real issue with several wrestlers from 1 school on multiple mats at the same time. I know with 4 there were several times I saw Union County, Trinity, Ryle, and other schools with 2 to 3 wrestlers wrestling at the same time. On another note... the cost of the venue will likely determine the ultimate location. I have heard... and it is definately 3rd or 4th hand... that the current location is provided at no charge to the KHSAA... hard to compete with that!

There are issues with the venue. Floor is too small for even 4 mats now that they have put in the rails, fans should not have to walk on competition floor to get their seats, no adequate warm up area for competitors, logistically not a suitable location, etc., etc., etc. I have no issue with the 3 days and think the closeness of the fans make it a great atmosphere (but there is a difference between close to the competition and too close). Saturday night is better every year. I have been to a couple other state tournaments and nothing compares. That is something we have to make sure is perserved and continues! The Horse Park does sound like an interesting idea and it is centrally located...

It is my understanding that Gabe Ervin was injured in a field fire and is currently in the hospital. I do not have any details so if anyone has more information, please share. Wishing Gabe a very speedy recovery.

I've heard Kyle is only the 3rd or 4th to reach All American status from Kentucky... does anyone know who the other 2 or 3 are and if any of them were two timers or is Kyle the first?

I've never been a big fan of big celebrations... I find them disrespectful of the opponent. That guy just lost a match and I'm sure is feeling very bad... this just rubs it in their face. I understand emotion and excitement of winning... particularly a State Title... and understand if there is a raised fist, number one, ect. but throwing headgear, etc. is unacceptable. I applaude Coach Brown for having Myron apologize to Hall and the Ryle Coaches... good lesson for Myron and what a class act Coach Brown. Congrats to Myron... I am quite sure he has worked hard for the title. Congrats also to Mark Hall. What an impressive kid. 12 years old, moves away from his friends and from what I understand has fit in really well with his teammates, demonstrates only maturity and class on and off the mat. Great job Mom and Dad!

I've never been a big fan of big celebrations... I find them disrespectful of the opponent. That guy just lost a match and I'm sure is feeling very bad... this just rubs it in their face. I understand emotion and excitement of winning... particularly a State Title... and understand if there is a raised fist, number one, ect. but throwing headgear, etc. is unacceptable. I applaude Coach Brown for having Myron apologize to Hall and the Ryle Coaches... good lesson for Myron and what a class act Coach Brown. Congrats to Myron... I am quite sure he has worked hard for the title. Congrats also to Mark Hall. What an impressive kid. 12 years old, moves away from his friends and from what I understand has fit in really well with his teammates, demonstrates only maturity and class on and off the mat. Great job Mom and Dad!

I suggest that whomever is responsible for making the decision on the concessions, whether it is one person or a committee, that they and their staff have to eat from the concession for each of those days. I don't mind paying a higher price for good/decent food and a decent size bottle of water... you can make a lot of money if you provide good food and reasonable prices. Kroger has their water on sale and they could have made a killing on selling that for a $1 a bottle

I would have to give my vote to Kyle Ruschell. He was a 4 time state placer, 2 time state champ, Division 1 All American and the highest NCAA Division 1 placer ever in the state of Kentucky... if my facts are correct. How does anyone else beat that? Right D1 Fan?

I too am aware of these individuals given ultimatiums.... but let's be clear about how the ultimatium worked. They were not told they needed to quit, but if they chose to continue to wrestle they were immediately moved from starting positions to backup or bench. This many times meant that an athlete like Bryan Peace sat the bench rather than starting. He was probably one of the quickest players you would find on the field and yet would find himself on the bench or playing only a few minutes per game. So... you can take the list to the coach and he will tell you he did not make them quit... which he didn't, but I doubt he will own up to telling them they had to make a choice. Each of the individuals above... over several separate years/occasions, have said the same thing. I believe the biggest concern is the "cutting weight" aspect... but the coaches haven't taken the time to learn how the conditioning, training, and the overall body strength... the total body control this sport gives an athlete. If they did, they would understand that a well conditioned wrestler would be one of the biggest assets on their football team. Used to be a student could and was encouraged to participate as many sports as possible... sometimes 3 or 4. Now they are discouraged to participate in more than 1. These kids are only kids once and their opportunity to participate in these sports many times ends after high school. We as parents, teachers, administration, coaches, etc. are really doing these kids a huge disservice.

I would suggest however that Rushell walked through his Junior and Senior year... no one challenged him to any extent. I recently saw a video on YouTube where a Woodford Co. kid got a take down and you would have thought he just won the match and the dual for them.

High school accomplishments... makes the call tough. Murton and Courtney's accomplishments have been mentioned and they were very tough. Ruschell 4 time placer, 2 time champ... and his junior and senior years he dominated everyone... he won either most or quickest pins and was MOW. His senior year he had no competition... As for a career... no contest... it's Ruschell. No wrestler from Kentucky has placed higher on the D1 National level. My vote goes to Ruschell... hope his senior year is even more successful than his junior year...

anonymous... don't want anyone to know who I am and this one seemed to be the most generic...

First lighten up and give yourself a break. It's the off season and you should do what you are doing, but relax... if you stay so intense you will burn yourself out before the season starts... and it's not a short season. You should work on conditioning and focus on basics... basics should become second nature... something you don't even think about... just automatic. The best advice I can give you right now is work mostly on conditioning... that's what will get you through the tough matches and make sure you can go the full 6 minutes. HAVE FUN!!!