Coach Burton

With so many of the same teams at the top year after year, we often forget that there are many new and newer teams that are trying to build and grow programs. I know of a couple schools that had their first ever qualifiers: Bethlehem George Rogers Clark What other schools had their first ever qualifiers?

The random draw tables are up on the KHSAA site 2022-2023 State First Round Random Draw | Kentucky High School Athletic Association (khsaa.org)

Still looking to add a couple teams to the Thomas Nelson Invitational on 1/7. It is an individual tournament at Thomas Nelson High School in Bardstown. We will be running on 4 mats. if tyou are interested, contact Coach Burton josh.burton@nelson.kyschools.us

Having matches tomorrow 11/26 at Thomas Nelson High School. Had some teams drop out last minute and have space if anyone would like to come. No fee. If you're interested, text or email Coach Burton 859-338-9650 josh.burton@nelson.kyschools.us

Having matches tomorrow 11/26 at Thomas Nelson High School. Had some teams drop out last minute and have space if anyone would like to come. No fee. If you're interested, text or email Coach Burton 859-338-9650 josh.burton@nelson.kyschools.us

Thomas Nelson is still looking for a couple teams to fill a 6 way dual for November 26. Contact Coach Josh Burton josh.burton@nelson.kyschools.us if you are interested.

I know it's the summer and more officials will renew their licenses as we get closer to the season, but right now there are only 16 licensed officials in Kentucky. We had less than 90 officials state wide last season, and I know of some that aren't coming back this season. This should demonstrate just how precarious our situation is with officials, especially experienced officials. We, as a community, need to actively do all we can to ensure that we keep the officials that we do have and convince people to become officials.

I've got a home mat from them. It's decent.

Someone is going out of their way to put on an even to showcase out sport and people want to complain its during football season? Who cares if it's during football season? It's a preseason wrestling event. It's wrestling preseason right now. If you don't think it's right, then shut up and put on your own event some other time. Every sport goes all year in some capacity, so why does wrestling have to worry about stepping on anyone's toes. This event says growth to me...putting it on in the spring so we don't interfere with anyone else says to me that wrestling isn't important.

Thomas Nelson is Hosting the following evens and has open spots: Nov 26, 2022 -6 way Duals Dec 17, 2022- 8 team Dual Tournament Jan 7, 2023-individual tournament Jan 21, 2023- 6 way duals Contact Coach Burton if you are interested: josh.burton@nelson.kyschools.us or 859-338-9650

Thomas Nelson in Bardstown is looking for teams for the following dates/events: 6 way duals on 11/26/2022 Thomas Nelson Duals Tournament on 12/17/2022 Thomas Nelson Invitational Tournament on 01/07/2023 6 way duals on 01/21/2023 Contact Coach Burton if you are interested email: josh.burton@nelson.kyschools.us text: 859-338-9650

Thomas Nelson in Bardstown is looking for teams for the following dates/events: 11/26/22: 6 way dual meet 12/17: 8 team dual tournament 01/07/23: teams for individual tournament If your are interested, email Coach Burton: josh.burton@nelson.kyschools.com

I am getting ready to purchase a scale for our wrestling teams. What does everybody recommend? Any brands or specific scale models to stay away from?

Has anybody heard any information on the BGSG? Dates, location, or even if it is going to happen this year...

Thomas Nelson in Bardstown is looking for some assistants for HS and MS. You can contact Coach Burton at josh.burton@nelson.kyschools.us

My program is a relatively new program and none of my kids have any experience with Freestyle and Greco. I only had one wrestler go, the rest were apprehensive about their first experience with these styles being the "state tournament."

No, because the KHSAA, the governing body of the sport in our state, says it's the first round of the state tournament. Since they have full and total authority on the matter, it is the first round of the state tournament, regardless of format. It is their discretion on if team points carry over or not. It is their discretion on whether a wrestler can lose in one round and still win the tournament. You don't have to like it, but since it is their tournament, they get to dictate such matters.

Yeah, but we've never had to make changes to the state tournament because of a pandemic either. Regardless, if the KHSAA says it's the first round of the state tournament then it's the first round of the state tournament. They can make it any format they wish. It's their tournament. Just think of it as the qualifying heat, like in track or swimming. The top eight advance regardless of who beat who.

I was just pointing out another reason for why you guys were wrong and how there is precedent for tournaments that allow competitors to lose and then come back and win the title.

John Smith lost a match in the Olympics in 1992 and still won gold. Is his medal invalid?

If the governing body says it the first round of the state tournament, then it's the first round of the state tournament. If the governing body says it's the first round of the state tournament then it's the first round of the state tournament. That's pretty cut and dry.

1. It is the KHSAA's tournament. They can format it anyway and consider it anything they wish. 2. The KHSAA always plans out years ahead with a plan, even if they have no intention of keeping that plan. It is one thing they do very well. The hope is to go back to 32 man brackets in one arena, but they plan out a few years with the semi-state format incase that can't happen. 3. The only reason the KHSAA hasn't gone back to the one arena 32 man bracket format this year is because they are broke. Losing the sweet 16 last year killed their budget for years. Not one year, but multiple. When they get financially straight again, things will return to normal. That's what everyone wants, even the KHSAA. 4. Not committing to an arena/format right now gives them options if they finally sanction girls wrestling. It can be a combined event, much like track. That will give them a lot more options on venue.

They aren't trying to go back to a 16 man state. They don't have a "everybody deserves a trophy mentality." They are broke. If they had money, the state tournament would be in an arena somewhere with 32 man brackets like it was. That's what everyone wants, even the KHSAA. They can't can't just split the normal tournament in half because the way the match ups are made and the way brackets cross. Teams would have wrestlers at both semi states. So yeah, it's a little different, but they're trying to do right by the kids and keep 32 wrestlers in the post season after region. It's not ideal, but it's not permanent either.

It happens on occasion, when they are both good enough to be ranked. This is not the first time and won't be the last.

They are both good enough to be ranked.