CoachSmith

Does anyone have complete results from this tournament yet?? Team Finishes: Larue North Hardin Trinity Conner Overall it was a smoothly ran tournament, besides the glitch in the computer that got the day started off late. Some things I gathered from the tournament is UHA has some tough lower weights, anchored down by Trae Blackwell. He bumped all the way up to 103 (heard he was going 89) and lost by two 8-6 to Ian Kahl of Trinity. There 82 pounder gave Wiley all he could handle and their 96 pounder looked like a hammer as well. Larue had decent kids all the way around, definitely not the team they were a few years back but still good and well coached. North Hardin surprised me a bit. Didn't notice any real studs but just a quality team from top to bottom. Biggest surprise thou was that Fahy is still in middle school and wrestling 124. I was not impressed with him either. It would be nice if they could get the scores and individual placers up.

Listen i'm not saying Courtney wasn't dominate cause he was. I just remember watching Ruschell wrestle and just being "wowed". In high school wrestling esp. in Kentucky i never seen anyone so fluid and explosive and technical and smart. Kyle never seemed out of position. Same way with both Murton brothers. I just remember watching Kyle wrestle and being like he is going to be Big time one day.

Courtney didn't dominate like Ruschell did, like Murton did, like Cooper did (didn't mean to forget him, he should be in my top 5) or like Starks did there last two years. Yeah he had a steller career no one can argue that but he didn't dominate in the manner the 4 previous mention did their last two years of high school. Just my opinion so don't crucify me.

Murton had definently the best High School Career. Ruschell though has had the best College Career. Just in high school though I would go: Murton Ruschell Starks Murton J. Davis

Depending on what Sean and I decide to do, Wiley will more than likely be at 82. We dont want to make the kid cut more than a pound or two and right now he is holding steady at 78, we also want to see where the most competition will be for him and want him to wrestle that weight class...So we'll see once the season gets underway. But he'll be either 82 or 75

I think this is a great idea!! It gives schools that dont have big numbers a chance to compete with some of the bigger schools. Great job with this and hopefully all 16 teams will be there and will compete

With David Barnes leaving to start a program at Walton who is going to now take over Coopers program? Also is Mr. Higgins, who lives in Walton, going to start Walton's program and if he does who runs Coopers team?? Lots of questions anyone have any answers?

When Stellmen was still the head coach he encouraged a lot of football players to wrestle and many of them turned out pretty well. The deal is with Trosper is he believes that football players are made not only in the summer months, but the training period begins the day football is over. Now I don't see anything wrong with that way of thinking cause I believe the same is true for every sport. It's not Trosper, I think it is his staff. No one on his staff gives a darn about wrestling at Conner. Badida is spinning his wheels trying to get kids out cause Trosper's boys will not support the program.

Davis, Zarth, Shotwell all lost their first matches... 171 Hitching's wasn't at all close to placing but little brother came up a match short in 103. Any word on Bradfords match? His match was the only one not filled out

From what I remember: Kevin Cooper: 7-0 All-American Logan Wedding: 6-1 All-American Brock Ervin: 6-1 All-American Jayce Carr: 6-1 All-American Sam Preston: 5-1 ( I think he was hurt for one the matches and had to forfeit) Other than those guys I can't remember how everyone else did...I do know everyone won at least one match thou. Also Wedding had atleast 4 matches come down to the last second and he won all of those matches, they were sweet. The team finished 10th overall and lost to IKWF Bronze in the finals 38-36.

Wasn't able to make the practice this week but would anyone on here inform us on how the team is looking and how you think they will do at nationals?? Thank you

Wow...I was just curious as to how the team was shaping up, I didn't think that there would be anything else discussed on this topic other than people offering positive support. It is Team Kentucky. No one should come on here and bash any one kid who has worked his tail off and made a spot on the roster. If Fern Creek's coaches were involved and they didn't invite the 89 pound state champ to represent them then that is their fault for being idiots. Lampe won his state title and because of that he is the 90 pounder on the teams lineup. Bottom line. Believe me I think Binder is tough as nails and if there was a 70 spot on the roster he would do really well. I'm not on here to put him down in any sense but even if you were to wrestle of Wiley or Blackwell there sheer size would do you in. I watched Binder's match with Wiley at Mt. St. Joes and although he is tough as nails, Derek's size, strength, speed, and athleticism was just too much. And talking with his dad after the first practice for Team Kentucky, Derek didn't even win one match at practice against Blackwell and who ever else he wrestled against. No way does Binder beat anyone there to make the line up. I'm sorry but that is the truth. All everyone on this site and everyone involved with Team Kentucky can ask is that the whole state show an ample amount of support for the team and wish them the best in their quest for gold.

Another tournament going on the same weekend for everyone in Northern Kentucky is the Southern Ohio Classic at Carroll High School in Dayton. Also for everyone who is grossly out of shape since they graduated high school can wrestle too cause they have a senior and university division. Usually 400 + show up and t shirts go to winners. It is only $15 and its an Ohio tournament so you know every kid you wrestle against is going to be a battle. It is only 1 hr north of NKU's campus, so anyone from the Northern Kentucky area I encourage you go. I'll be up there probably wrestling and so will Derek Wiley.

I heard it was an awesome practice too! I'm curious as too how this team will stack up against teams in the past. I know with kids like Wedding, Ervin, Lampe, Cooper, Jones, Brummett, and the Vanover brothers this team looks really really good

I am actually a mixed on this. On one had you got the way it has been done the past couple of years, with the state champion getting his spot. And I am totally for that since this year I have a young man who planned on going since he won the 75 pound weight class but now on top of wrestling at youth state he has to take on all challengers too which I'm not to fond of. But like thebrick said if your the best then you should have no problem beating who ever they throw in front of you. But to be quite honest, there are several weight classes that Kentucky doesn't have like 80 pounds and I think those weight classes should be the ones they wrestle off for. Not the one awarded to the champions at the state tournament. That is just my opinion on it thou.

From Conner: Derek Wiley (1st @ 75) and maybe Darian Wolt. (4th @ HWT) Derek will probably be wrestling 75 although he could very easily cut and make weight at 70. and Darian if he goes for sure, will probably wrestling 185. Now this is just going by what I'm hearing. I'm not 100% sure on Darian thou,you would have to talk with his father, but I believe that in the end both of these young me will be going. I think both will have a great chance at placing if not winning there.

Ten Biggest Things to Come out of State: 10. Largest 3 day attendance ever for the Kentucky state tournament: 11,000 + 9. Union County comes up short on a bid for the 3rd straight state title 8. Woodford County doesn't finish in the top 3 for the first time in over 15 years 7. Defending state champ Josh Johnson gets upset by none other than someone from the Ervin clan 6. Justin Davis might be one of the most athletic state champs in the past 10 years 5. John Fahy is Kentucky's next Harrison Courtney, and whats scary is he may be more dominating than Harrison. 4. We are starting to see a direct result of the middle school programs having huge success at state. The 2006 middle school state champion team was Trinity Club Team. Which included, Hitching brothers, Bradbury, Lewis, Olhmann... 3. Seems like Henry Clay is always in exciting finals matches when they have a kid in the finals. 2004 Andrew Cooper vs Luke Metzger and 2009 Micheal Osbourne vs Matt Zarth 2. More Ervin's/Carr's won state this year than any 1 team had state champs. 1. Harrison Courtney will always be remembered as one of the greatest wrestlers in Kentucky History. Congrats on your fourth state championship. I also want to congratulate Kevin Cooper on finishing third in state as an 8th grader. I started getting a little worked up when he took down Zarth in the semi's. For the first time in a long time I thought the ref's were very consistent, rather that be consistently bad or good; I thought they called a very good state tournament. Is there anything else you guys seen that I missed?

I have to agree with Ryledad, cause it seems like every year Ryle is on the cusp of pulling it off. Remember this year they lost to Trinity by 4 at the Rumble then they beat Trinity at Dragon. They are losing a big one in Bradford and depending on how much Osbourne gains he might be there only legitimate shot at a champion (No disrespect to Palmer). I was actually really pulling for Ryle, cause I know last year they had a pretty wild after party and if they would have won this year only God knows how they would have celebrated. Another thing Ryle dad forgot to is that Ryle has had a state champ every year since 2003, when I believe Derek Fosenbernder won state. Ryledad can you confirm this? Sorry for the horrible spelling of the name lol You guys are also right with your statement of Johnson Central. They are going to keep reloading every year and with a wrestler like JJ Jude to build around you know they are going to be tough. And the Carr's/Wedding's/Ervin's are all cousins. At least that is what I was told by some of the Union County parents at state.

I think maybe you guys are misinterpreting what I was saying earlier. I agree that their isn't a single person in the state that is on John's level, but what I was saying is that the second best 103 in the state currently wrestles for Union County's Middle School team. I was saying it is a shame not getting to see him wrestle against the like's of Fahy in the state tournament. That's all. I don't think he is on John's level at all, but he is the closest in the state to being there.

In my opinion the only person in the state who would be competitive against Fahy would be Logan Wedding of Union County. Unfortunately he is only an 8th grader and word has it he wont be even attending school in the state of Kentucky next year. Now before all of you get on her and go crazy about what I just said, ask anyone who has watched Wedding over the past couple of years and they will tell you he is the real deal. Now do I think he would beat Fahy? Hell no, but would it be a better match then he will see at the high school state? I believe so. Wedding is going to damage next year when he is a freshmen in Indiana, just wait and see. Along with that I think Fahy's best match is going to come against Willen, and the only reason i say that is because Willen gave Wedding a good match at state. In my honest opinion and I'm from Northern Kentucky so there is no bias here, but between Willen, Canter, and Wedding all three of these boys could place top 8 in state this year at high school. Just my thought

In region 6 which is really all I am familiar with Past: Wayne Badida- 19 state champs from 1976-1996 2- 4 time finalist 2- High School All Americans 1983 State Championship Team 1981 Runner Up Only 4 time state champ from Northern Kentucky I don't think you can really argue those numbers Present: Tim Ruschell and Rich Barker Not too sure of there stats but every year it seems like Ryle is getting better and better. I'm so glad I don't have to wrestle Ryle anymore cause they are quickly turning into one of the elite programs in the state. Middle School: No brainer: Keith Ruschell- They have a great program going on over there and they are the reason the high school is becoming more and more successful. Year in and Year out they are the team to beat in Northern Kentucky. Other Coaches: Rob Holbrook, and Steve Kaiser really have made their middle school teams tough as nail and they are a pain to dual against.

1. John Fahy (103) 2. Harrison Courtney (160) 3. Caleb Ervin (170) 4. Myron Bradbury (112) 5. Jordan Whiting (HWT) 6. Brad Hitchings (171) 7. Jacob Bradford (189) 8. Corey Shotwell (140) 9. Josh Johnson (135) 10. Aaron Carr (125) 11. Grant Olhman (145) 12. Issac Ervin (152) 13. Ozzy Osbourne (119) 14. Ryan Kelly (215) Trinity- 235.5 Dark Horse- Supe (112)

To Greg Jones and Mark Cooper, I would like to say that you two are raising excellent wrestlers but even better young men. Your two boys are classy and disciplined and very talented wrestlers. This weekend at state they proved to me that they are something else too, and that is a role model. For many young kids around the state they look up and idolize some of the better wrestlers they see. Derek Wiley looks up to both these young men as if they were wrestling GODS. He constantly asked me this weekend if Lane and Kevin could beat David Taylor. He honestly believes that these two would beat the top ranked wrestler in the nation, and nothing meant more to Derek than when both Kevin and Lane came up to him before his semi-finals match with Gilkey and wished him luck. They told Derek he was better at every area of wrestling than Gilkey and that he better win. I must say that in my two years of coaching Derek, he has never been more relaxed and confident than he was for that match. I think that a lot of that has to do with Derek's wrestling idol's (Kevin and Lane) taking there time to wish him luck. Both did the same thing for his finals match and it really helped him out. So thank you both Kevin and Lane for really making a positive impact on a little kid moments before the biggest match of his life. Good luck to both of you and all your future endeavors. I've long been a fan of both Kevin and Lane it was unfortunate they had to meet each other in the finals cause either one would have ran though other weight classes at state. But good luck on the high school season boys I'll be there to support you. Coach Zack Smith

Alright... Usually I do not see the need to get on public internet forums and voice my opinions on other wrestlers or what not. But after being told what was being said I felt the need to get on here and defend my 10 YEAR OLD wrestler. Note, he is only 10. I am Zack Smith, Derek's Middle School wrestling coach. First I want to give you my take on the singlet incident. Derek loves his singlets like many of us when we were 10 loved our favorite football, baseball glove, or basketball. He gets singlets for christmas from his dad. This is what he wants and he has a collection of them. Obviously you have never been to a big national tournament where you see kids exchanging singlets like there going out of style and wearing them in the finals, while they are suppose to be representing their state. Hell, I remember going up to Jeff Jordan's my sophmore year and kids exchanging North Carolina singlets with Ohio singlets and then them kids wearing those same exact singlets for the finals of like Fargo or Tournament of Champions. I always had an alternative finals singlet when I was in high school. I understand most old school coaches frawn upon singlet changes but talk to Mr. Badida, who is about as old school as you can get, and he'll tell ya, why does it matter?? If the kid wants to do it let him, he is a kid. But back to what I was saying, Derek came up to me and asked me if he beats Erdmen can he wear his new singlet in the finals. What was I suppose to say, "NO". Your crazy, I told him "Hell yeah" now first lets go out there and beat Erdmen. He lived up to his end of the deal so I had to live up to mine. I do not see anything wrong with it, and I can assure you that if he makes it to the semi's or the final's at state he will be wearing what ever singlet he wants and I will encourage that. Next Derek and his attitude. A big saying that I love to preach in the wrestling room and outside the room is, "the harder you work the harder it is to lose". I must say Derek has completely bought into that statement. He bust his butt in the wrestling room and in the off season and it shows on the mat. Him along with a few others makes all the time I spend coaching worth it. He is always listening, working hard, and trying to get better. He is not the least bit cocky, and if he every became that way his dad would quickly put an end to it. He called me up the other night and asked me if I thought he was good enough to win state. For this only being my second year as a coach, and to have a kid who I really enjoy call me up and ask me if I think he could win state shows how humble this kid is at such a young age. (By the way I told him I think he can) Just ask Mr. Wolnitzek who has spent countless practices and mat time with Derek, Derek knows he is good how could he not. He has completely dominated CWY which is no easy task and he has not lost to the same kid EVER more than once. Anytime someone has beat Derek with the exception of Sean Fausz, Derek has laid it on them the next time and the next time and the next time. Still after all the success he has had he has yet to let it affect his attitude, and his work ethic. Anyways I have said enough, on saturday all the talk goes out the windown and the best kid will win. Wish everyone a safe trip down to state and "LETS...GET IT ON!"