mouse35

Thanks for the response Giorgio, I remember you were always a class act and respected in the district.

So what's your point for the shoulda, coulda, woulda? The topic of the thread is best never to win state.

Another great wrestler never to win was Troy Nichols from Caldwell County. Placed 2nd, 2nd, and 3rd in the mid 90s.

True, however my team back in the day always displayed good sportsmanship. And so did most of the teams in our district. Even as teenagers, those traits should be important. I coach middle school, assist with high school, and also coach freestyle and greco. And all of my wrestlers shake the opposing coaches' hands after matches. There's no kicking furniture, profanity, or throwing things after matches. It shows a lack of class for the wrestler, the coaches, and the school. Granted, I didn't see much of this in Western KY, and I could count on one hand the times it did happen. But it lasts for years. Again, kudos to Coach Smith and the job he's doing. Christian County was a strong program during the late 80's and early 90's and Hoptown was a monster back then.

lol burr in the bonnet, that's good stuff. It's nice to hear that Coach Smith has been touched by the maturity bug and is giving back to the sport. When I think of the best to never win state, it's the overall person. Not just the skills, but the right attitude, heart, and sportsmanship. In his high school years, and I haven't heard anyone disagree, he had a bad attitude. I wasn't slamming the man, just the wrestler I remember. And if he has taught his kids how to win well and lose with integrity, then my hat's off to him. As far as maturing myself, I was already there in the late 80's. lol

Very good, maybe he can teach the his kids the perception about throwing headgear after a loss. lol

Brian Branson from the now extinct Webster County wrestling team. He wrestled the 87-88 season and beat then #1 ranked Giorgio Hiatt from Fort Campbell. He won the district and region. Then got illegally slammed at Atherton which disqualified his opponent. As a result, Branson couldn't continue due to injury and ended up getting 6th.

I'm sorry, is this the same Anthony Smith who threw a tantrum when he lost and had a rotten attitude? May have had some strong skills in wrestling, but the guy wasn't a class act. Shaun Cecil was a strong technical wrestler who just couldn't get past the semis. Kid placed in state every year since 8th grade.