Region 8 Individual regionals predictions?

[JTWrestler]

Any one have any of the individual predictions for region 8? I would like to see them.

[Nainten]

I don't have any predictions per se but I am interested in a couple weights like 145 where Kris Bledsoe has wrestled once or twice this season and Grayson Young has been wrestling since coming back to the mat in January.  That should be a good finals match should they end up at that weight.  At 160 Chris Cara and Sean Srock will probably meet in the finals in a rematch of their earlier meeting.  That should be good too.  Dave Thomas and Travis Arthur should meet at the 126 final.  Thomas has been wrestling really well as late so I am hoping it will be close. At 182 Dowell and Johnson have had competitive matches despite both meetings ending in pins by Dowell.  A third meeting in the finals should be fun to watch again.  At 120 I'd be interested in watching Briant and Cockman go at it.  I don't know if they've wrestled already this season.    It's hard to see anyone mounting a serious team challenge to Arlington, but  I think Bartlett and Houston will have a good battle for second overall.  I'd like to include Cordova but the team they have matted in January resembles nothing like the team they started out with this season which is too bad.  Don't know what happened there.  

[JTWrestler]

Cordova's 160 and 152 had to resign from the team for personal issues. Also, their 132-138 were injured, however the 138 only recovered. Cordova's 138 and 170 are the only returners.

Edited February 10, 2016 by JTWrestler

[Sommers]

Cordova's 160 and 152 had to resign from the team for personal issues. Also, there 132-138 were injured, however the 138 only recovered. Cordova's 138 and 170 are the only returners.

sorrytohearthatabout Cordova. I Wondered what happened

[JSamson7]

I would have liked to have seen the Jones twins from Houston if the varsity coach hadn't run them off. From what I understand they may be back next year if he is gone.

[Nainten]

Houston's lineup took a huge hit this season.  These are the projected starters for this year that qualified for states last year yet missed all or most of this season.  106- Ewen, 113- Smolin, 132 - Jones, 138 - Jones, 145 - Young, 170-Sanders.  That would have been half their starting lineup.  Only Young at 145 has made it back just recently.  I won't go into or speculate about the reasons for the absences but it's just a shame to see a program go through that.   

[JSamson7]

Houston's lineup took a huge hit this season. These are the projected starters for this year that qualified for states last year yet missed all or most of this season. 106- Ewen, 113- Smolin, 132 - Jones, 138 - Jones, 145 - Young, 170-Sanders. That would have been half their starting lineup. Only Young at 145 has made it back just recently. I won't go into or speculate about the reasons for the absences but it's just a shame to see a program go through that.

I am close friends with Daddy Jones and I'll say there are ample reasons why those kids aren't coming back. You're right though, they took a huge hit this year and it's a shame that they're not as good as they should be.

[memphiswrestling171]

Shame cause those boys are natural athletes and wrestlers... Hate to say it but being around Memphis wrestling for over 14 years this is prob the worst I've seen Memphis as a far as teams not filling a entire team and not really having anybody who could really compete for a title or place.. Not saying we don't have good wrestlers but the Memphis wrestling community is way down.. Looking at the black horse this year for that tournament not to fill complete brackets is crazy

[Sommers]

Maintaining pipelines take head coach's oversight, k-8th family PR & interest, and an overall area tradition. Working the press helps.

 

Watch and see how many Boskin young bucks accompany those freshmen and sophomores Blue Raiders are bringing to traditionals. The most successful programs do this.... Can see Science Hill, Baylor, Bradley forsure, Father Ryan no brainer, Beech can, Clarksville should, Soddy Daisy probably, Wilson Co. Just a little annual field trip, I often see Cook and his future Cavaliers, as well as Tennessee, Pigeon Forge, Halls, Greenville, Blount Co., Red Bank, Hixson, Rocco's future eft's, that McCallie Blue of course, Boro & Williamson Co. area feeders with a 25-30 min commute, and now this newer power with a Simpson at the helm... likely Arlington.

 

Wonder what that surprising Gibbs future may be like? They've done something there... Very good example to Memphis area how older schools can resurge.

[MemphisTiger14]

Based on the brackets, this is who I've got qualifying for state:

 

106- 

1) Cannon, Arlington 

2) Kimble, Collierville 

3) Bozarth, Bartlett 

4) Bowden, Houston

 

113-

1) Morgan, Arlington

2) Longo, Bartlett

3) Briant, Collierville

4) Terry, Bolton

 

120-

1) Cockman, Bartlett

2) Kerns, Arlington

3) Manuel, Houston

4) Knight, Southwind

 

126-

1) Arthur, Houston

2) Thomas, Bartlett

3) Hernandez, Cordova

4) Thomas, Arlington

 

132-

1) Phillips, Arlington

2) Ensell, Houston

3) Ridling, Bolton

4) Johnson, Kingsbury

 

138-

1) Mowery, Arlington

2) Taylor, Cordova

3) Smith, Bartlett

4) Simpson, Collierville

 

145-

1) Hulley, Arlington

2) Young, Houston

3) Jackson, Southwind

4) Taylor, Bolton

 

152-

1) Bledsoe, Bolton

2) Johnson, Germantown

3) Dale, Houston

4) Baudoin, Arlington

 

160-

1) Cara, Bartlett

2) John, Kingsbury

3) Laub, Arlington

4) Lynn, East

 

170-

1) Moore, Arlington

2) Patterson, Bolton

3) Bayakly, Cordova

4) Flemming, Houston

 

182-

1) Dowell, Arlington

2) Johnson, Bartlett

3) Graham, Bolton

4) Kelfer, Houston

 

195-

1) Hardin, Arlington

2) Fairley, Bolton

3) Larkin, Houston

4) Finnie, Southwind

 

220-

1) Roaten, Arlington

2) Cara, Bartlett

3) Scardino, Collierville

4) LeGrand, Houston

 

Hwt-

1) Hawkins, Bartlett

2) Holcomb, Collierville

3) Metcalf, Arlington

4) Buford, Munford

 

OW- Arthur (Hou.), especially if he wins in convincing fashion over Thomas in the finals.

 

Best Match- These figure to be some intriguing matches. Arthur/Thomas in the 126 finals, Hulley/Young in the 145 finals, or maybe even Ridling/Ensell in the 132 semis.

 

Freshman of the Year- I think this could go to Cockman (Bart.), Longo (Bart.), or Cannon (Arl.)

[Nainten]

Based on the brackets, this is who I've got qualifying for state:

 

106- 

1) Cannon, Arlington 

2) Kimble, Collierville 

3) Bozarth, Bartlett 

4) Bowden, Houston

 

113-

1) Morgan, Arlington

2) Longo, Bartlett

3) Briant, Collierville

4) Terry, Bolton

 

120-

1) Cockman, Bartlett

2) Kerns, Arlington

3) Manuel, Houston

4) Knight, Southwind

 

126-

1) Arthur, Houston

2) Thomas, Bartlett

3) Hernandez, Cordova

4) Thomas, Arlington

 

132-

1) Phillips, Arlington

2) Ensell, Houston

3) Ridling, Bolton

4) Johnson, Kingsbury

 

138-

1) Mowery, Arlington

2) Taylor, Cordova

3) Smith, Bartlett

4) Simpson, Collierville

 

145-

1) Hulley, Arlington

2) Young, Houston

3) Jackson, Southwind

4) Taylor, Bolton

 

152-

1) Bledsoe, Bolton

2) Johnson, Germantown

3) Dale, Houston

4) Baudoin, Arlington

 

160-

1) Cara, Bartlett

2) John, Kingsbury

3) Laub, Arlington

4) Lynn, East

 

170-

1) Moore, Arlington

2) Patterson, Bolton

3) Bayakly, Cordova

4) Flemming, Houston

 

182-

1) Dowell, Arlington

2) Johnson, Bartlett

3) Graham, Bolton

4) Kelfer, Houston

 

195-

1) Hardin, Arlington

2) Fairley, Bolton

3) Larkin, Houston

4) Finnie, Southwind

 

220-

1) Roaten, Arlington

2) Cara, Bartlett

3) Scardino, Collierville

4) LeGrand, Houston

 

Hwt-

1) Hawkins, Bartlett

2) Holcomb, Collierville

3) Metcalf, Arlington

4) Buford, Munford

 

OW- Arthur (Hou.), especially if he wins in convincing fashion over Thomas in the finals.

 

Best Match- These figure to be some intriguing matches. Arthur/Thomas in the 126 finals, Hulley/Young in the 145 finals, or maybe even Ridling/Ensell in the 132 semis.

 

Freshman of the Year- I think this could go to Cockman (Bart.), Longo (Bart.), or Cannon (Arl.)

Thanks for posting these.  My eyebrows raised at 145 where I think Young a solid favorite to win it.  Also I think you will see Cara v Laub in finals at 160.  Agree with just about everything else including the post tourney awards.  

[Nainten]

BTW, when was the last time Region 8 had a two page string going that was calling for some coach's head?  Progress!