karelin

If the Coach truly believes he saw something the trainer missed and didn't believe his wrestler could go on and believed his safety was at risk  and truly believes in his decision then he has nothing to apologize for. I know the trainer said he cold go but Ive been coaching for almost 30 years and ive seen trainers more wrong than they are right.  They are basically making judgement calls and most times in 2 minutes or less , I  have a hard time ordering lunch in 2 minutes or less let alone access a possible serious injury.  just last year I had trainers telling me and my son he just pulled something  in his shoulder and just need physical therapy next Friday he goes under the knife to hopefully repair it. A few years Back I had a kid that if he went out of bounds he fell to the ground as if he got shot by a sniper ,  you really never know. I  feel bad for Russo and  Im not saying the Coach was right or wrong but in his eyes he was right.  As far as being reprimanded - for what?  He didn't break a rule. the only illegal thing was the slam,  deemed so by the ref.  What Administrator is going to reprimand a Coach making a personal decision for the safety of a student/athlete.  An unfortunate tragedy but no matter how much people complain and debate the issue, you cant go back in the past and change what has already been done. I congratulate Mr Russo on his ability to shake it off and continue wrestling to third.  A lesser man would have walked away from it all after he had blown a fit, swore, thrown head gear , kicked over a chair etc..  Russo made a mistake and then faced adversity and overcame with class.  Even though he is not a three timer that young man is going to go far in life

 Coach, you miss the point, even if he truly thought his kid was hurt, the honorable thing to do is start-stop the match and Russo be allowed to continue to the quarters.

 Several things have made this whole scenario a tragedy, most of which have been mentioned, but one other point here is that Sells, the 160 champion, didn't get to wrestle Russo, consequently tainting his win in the eyes of some who said Russo was denied being a 3xer,

kind of like the 1984 Olympic champs who didn't get to wrestle the boycotting Soviet countries.

  Incidentally, I watched the slam on video; the call should not be contested. Everything else is totally on the coach and him alone. Surely, he is now regretting his actions; 

MBA vs Ryan ?

New incentive-all volunteers will paid $30/session ($120 potentially)

I've been asked to find 12-16 volunteers to man mat side cameras (used for video review and for Flo-casting). If interested, reply to me via email with your name and phone number. It's the best seat in the house; you will rotate with another person allowing for breaks and provided food. Next to the NCAA tournament, this is the toughest NCAA event of the year.

gconnell@mccallie.org

Schedule

Jan-1-starts at 9:00am, ending approx 8:30pm

Jan-2-starts w/quarters at 9:00am; finals at 7:00pm

match-ups?

Pa has only 2 divisions and both tournaments are 16 man brackets, and they have 6x the number of programs in their state. Their district 3rd placers, who don't qualify for even the next qualifier, could beat most of our state champs. Point being, if you are saying good kids are left home then your assessment of good is quiet liberal; I don't care what region you are in, in Tennessee, if you don't place in the region then you are not very good. 16 is all we had in the 80's when there was only one division, and only 4 places.

All it takes is one lawsuit proving that a case of skin disease was traced to the site in question, and your wish is done, Mersa(sp) preferably. And we may have such a case, flesh eating sore on a wrestlers finger.

 The winner gets $1500, so Michael had a steak dinner last night instead of Ramen noodles, like a scene right out of 'Foxcatcher'. This win could open some doors for Michael, such as more coaching from the Nat'l coaches and possible overseas tournaments; he will definitely benefit in many ways.

Michael is wrestling Greco at 71 kg for Army; he beat 3rd ranked wrestler, Bo Beckman, then defeated Ortiz (who had pinned Michael in their 2 previous matches). He faces a tough Kendrick Sanders in the finals, but he is on a roll, and has vastly improved in Greco while training with Army in Colorado Springs. William Simpson and he are teammates there; William won a couple of matches today as well. Match is live on Flo at 6:30 EST.

The absence of dual meets has really hurt the interest in HS wrestling. It is the dual meet that creates a fan-following, especially the students. No one but parents will seat through an entire tournament, leaving as their kids are eliminated. This is true in college as well. Alabama is the worst, with kids having as many as 80 matches in a year, 10 matches per weekend sometimes.

Sigh!!!!

I'm glad D-2 is looking to have their tournament apart from the others.

IMPORTANT WRESTLING DATES

Rules Meetings are held in September & October, the dates of which can be found on the TSSAA Website (www.tssaa.org).

First Practice Date .................................................... Oct. 27, 2014

First Contest Date .................................................... Nov. 17, 2014

Deadline to File Eligibility & Schedules .................... Nov. 17, 2014

DI Dual Regions (Must Be Completed By) ................Jan. 23, 2015

DI & DII State Dual Meets ................................... Jan. 30-21, 2015

DI Regions (Must Be Completed By) ......................... Feb. 7, 2015

DI State Championships ..................................... Feb. 12-14, 2015

DII State Championships .................................... Feb. 13-14, 2015

Dead Period ................................................ Jun. 21 – July 4, 2015

It looks like it's been moved to the Ag Center.

Great work Ben; keep your foot on the accelerator. Two quick points, our guys always shower after a wrestling at tournaments, including Brentwood.

Also, Pa has 2 divisions in their state, both 16 man brackets (toughest HS state in America).

Attended the meeting shortly before the quarters Friday afternoon, approximately 80 coaches in attendance; there was an overwhelming sense of support for Tennessee to gain 1 qualifier/ wt class for next year. I was surprised by the quality of the wrestling; obviously we expected Blair and Wyoming Seminary to be tough, but there is some very good wrestling beyond those guys. Our boys represented the state well, even though both lost heartbreakers that prevented them from placing. The venue was awesome, such a step up from the embarrassment we use for our state tournament. Too bad we couldn't represent our schools; but our boys looked okay in their team Tennessee uniforms.

Hate to continue the negative feedback, but it is all relative; the pictures taken of the finals were taking by someone with no wrestling experience. No real good action shots of scoring moves etc.; what bothers me is that for years we always had a photographer who would sit with us matside and take great pics for our wall of champions. Once again, because of money greed (thru giving lone rights to Action Pics) no one is allowed to take any closeups of the wrestlers in any form -during match, victory stand, etc. TSSAA, quit being so dollar conscience and do what's best for all (wrestlers, coaches, parents, etc); listen to the complaints, most are valid.

Before we leave the venue to come home, McCallie showers at every tournament they enter that has facilities.

I have been in the BIG MAC more times than you would know. My uncle ran the gym during the late 80's and mid 90's until his passing. All showeres were locked up because of different access through the gym. Dont know when you showered there but in the late 80's to mid 90's - it was not in the BIG MAC .

 

I just wondered how many teams shower during the season at tournaments?

 

COach Blair- how many teams shower at your tournament?

McCallie?

Soddy?

Coach mann?

BlackHorse?

Ryan?

First time in over 50 years no photo was taken of champs, also no program with Tn wrestling history printed. Is it the money? Being a traditionalist I find this omission simply one more questionable decision made by the TSSAA. I sure miss the McClellan/McKenzie era.

Suggestions-

-Move the girls to the State Duals weekend

-Use the Ag Center for State Duals only!!!!!!!!!

-Please find a suitable site worthy of the 1-A-AA, 1-AAA, and D-2 tournaments (anywhere other than the present site)

sad truth (like last year) the TSSAA will simply ignore the outcries, and let it die out as we move onto Spring sports

My last post was hijacked; I didn't send what was credited to me, but in reference to the Ky venue, look:

http://www.kyhorsepark.com/events/available-facilities/facility-rentals

Yes I do, do you? If they change the name to Williamson County Arena it's ok???? Both have dirt floors, both hold livestock, both have same open floor space around mats.

 

http://lightyinfocus.wordpress.com/2013/12/16/rodeo-and-a-bonus/

 

 

Artie is truly one of the 'good guys' in sport and life. Artie, enjoy retirement, Lord willing I'll join you next year. See you this weekend.

G Connell

It won't scroll down, so brackets are not available to A-AA or D-2 interested parties, after 3x restarting site.

Happening to anyone else?

D-II wrestlers are not seeded top guy in west goes to the bottom half of the bracket

The term seeded is incorrect, however the placement, as promised at the State Duals, was to be based on previous State placement, and that they would not be arbitrarily placed as they have been. (echos with "and you can keep your health care policy, doctors, etc with Obamacare")