walkenvol

Boro - You present yourself to be a ref who attempts to discourage stalling more then the norm, but notice your own description of stalling compared to the rule book; "Each wrestler is required to make an honest attempt to stay within the 10-foot circle and wrestle aggressively". Doesn't say an honest attempt to score, actually the word "score" is never used in the rule book concerning stalling - always says "wrestle aggressively". Please, read the rule book and call it accordingly for very few are doing so. If I'm winning late in a match, no where I read does it state I have to attempt to "score". I do have to attempt to wrestle aggressively in the 10-foot circle. Wrestle aggressively means hold/improve your position, pummel, attempt to create scoring opportunities, defend your opponent's shots, etc. By wrestling aggressively the chances of scoring are certainly increased, but wrestling aggressively is not always synonymous with "scoring". I'm dying if I'm lying if 90% plus of TN officials won't call you for stalling late in the match when you have the lead if you don't take a shot. There is another stalling call that is constantly iqnored in TN which is rule 7-6-4. "It is stalling when the contestant in the advantage position..holds an opponent's leg with the use of two hands on two legs or two hands on one leg..to prevent an escape or reversal". Never seen this one called unless it is obvious and repetitive. Bottom man is trying to get away, scramble ensues, bottom man is close to gaining a reversal, top man has arms locked around bottom man's leg hanging on, progress stalls.....ref calls it stalemate every time. Am I not right? It is a stalemate from neutral but not from top/bottom. Same as one can lay on his back without both shoulders touching from neutral or top, but from bottom back points are awarded. Until the bottom man secures an escape, the top man cannot utilize the same tactics during a scramble as he could during a scramble from neutral.

WOW, you must of heard a Lou Holtz (ND will go 10-2) pep talk on ESPN. With the expection of skin diseases, stalling is the biggest problem facing this sport. It's an aquired spectator sport anyway, but if one of the guys is stalling it becomes terrible to watch. Why do you think in free style they have changed the rules to in event of a tie, the last one to score wins? The rules as they are currently written need to be enforced so that the aggressor who stays in the center of the mat is awarded. Most of the refs think stalling is what happens in the last minute of a match by the guy who is ahead. The very first sentence in the rule book on stalling states, "Each wrestler is required to make an honest attempt to stay within the 10-foot circle and wrestle aggressively". The 10' circle is that center circle. By the rules, if you are started in the middle and take 2 steps back you are then out of the 10' circle and are stalling. When was the last time you saw that called except at the end of a match? If its your "style" to back and circle, then sorry - you can't play this game as that "style" is illegal (not my opinion - stated in the rules 7-6-1) and should be penalized. It would help if the coaches would take their rule books to the table during these type of matches to inquire of the zebras as to why they are not enforcing the rules of staying in the center circle. I'm continually surprise how some of the coaches never get out of their chairs? Come on, you guys are your team's advocate. Hard to do that job well if you never object.

#3 - Mrs. Walkenvol #4 - Mrs. Raider 76 #5 - Saucy, long and lean #6 - Mrs. Harry Thorton #7 - Mrs. Coach J #8 - Hardcore #9 - pipe job or whatever his name was from last year #10 - all of Bradley county last year #11 .....not enough time to finish this list today, I've got to get back to work.

Where is 2 time finalist Francis of MBA?

I can answer that one for ya...since Bear Cat Brown is himself a team mom to his beloved Irish, moms are always a part of BCB's meetings. Of course your level of tallent will determine your ability to remain a member in good standing. Contact BCB in person to discuss the skill set required to be a successful MAM (meeting attending mom). Good luck! With a lot of desire and hard work you can make it happen.

I didn't see that. It was definately a hungry Raider squad so maybe you're right.

Congrats to the other Raiders as BCB and Walkenvol got their $5 worth just from the excitement imported to Ooltewah from Cleveland. The home team was flat. flat. flat while the visitors were PUMPED. PUMPED. PUMPED. A classic example of the old sports adage of "who wants it more". While some of the Owl individuals fought hard and looked good, some of the others have some soul searching to do. Keep it going Cleveland! I'll pay to watch you again. I wouldn't make much of the team penalities. The first one was for the Raider 112 losing control of his headgear as he jumped into his teammates arms celebrating his upset win - not what the rule book means by "throwing the headgear" IMHO. The other was for the Raider coaching staff questioning a stalling warning that was called right in front of their bench. The ref was only about 5' away from the coaches who were in their chairs so I guess he overheard their private discussion concerning the appropriate application of the stalling rule and it was not to his liking? Unlike 2seam and bradley8, I didn't see any blatent problems with the officiating. There are always going to be close calls that can go either way - nature of the sport. I still find it amazing that an official 1' away can't see a pin as well as a fan up in the bleachers. Sorry bout those elbows BearCat....all part of the excitement. I hope Saucy Long and Lean doesn't get upset with you when you get excited.

Looks like the new poll came out...here's what 's in the chattanoogan; "Baylor, Ooltewah and Notre Dame all jumped spots in the second state wrestling poll released on Monday. Baylor moved from fourth to second just behind Father Ryan. Ooltewah moved from fifth to fourth and Notre Dame jumped from 12 to eighth. Bradley Central dropped one spot and Soddy-Daisy dropped two. McCallie also fell to 11th. Father Ryan is the top ranked team in the state."

Hey Bayou - since you guys have that huge gym, would you take any last minute entries or is it all full up?

tnko - what did they show you going 1-4 in Atlanta to make you move them up from 10 to 6?

Have heard you Ktown folks repeatedly complain of the lack of wrestling coverage in the city rag. On the day of the SEC championship football game they had a reporter at Knox Catholic for an article on Porkchop. He hunted down the renowned Walkenvol for the inside scoop on the chop. How about someone posting the article to CoachT?

Your days of mocking the Red uniforms are through. Coach told me yesterday they had gotten new uniforms this season. I can't wait to see what they look like as I believe they quit making their old ones in 1972.

Speaking of collecting on bets, have Mrs 76 check her calender and call me for when she wants that dinner. Does she have a curfew or can I keep her out as late as we like?

I'll second that observation 76. There is currently a fuel crisis in Red Bank. I know from experience Coach E runs a tough practice and his guys appear fit so there must be something beyond the simple "those guys aren't in shape". Maybe cutting too much weight or doing it incorrectly? Maybe nerves? Hope they get it figured out. I learned something new as I didn't know it was possible to win the takedown battle 6 to 1, not get reversed, not get on your back and not win the match.

Is it half off on the price of admission since you are only fielding half a team? I think the 189 lb match has a chance to be a good one also, Toon vs (I won't butcher the spelling)

Deano - Can I suggest Bear Cat Brown as the play by play man and Coach Shane as the honorary color commentator. Review the 125 lb match from last year, about 10 seconds from the end you will see Coach Shane in the white shirt doing the one leg victory dance from the Soddy bench (doesn't get much more colorful than that). Review the 103 lb match and you will notice Bear Cat on the corner of the mat filming (that's real life experience). This pair will make a great duo, both are very knowledgeable of both teams, and of course Bear Cat's filming prowess is widely known.

Any thoughts on this region match? Will Red Bank have their football players available? Who's your pick at 171? Should be worth the price of admission.

Not so fast my friend. Ranking a team without consideration of the strength of new wrestlers to the lineup would be incomplete. Each year there are wrestlers who were highly accomplished in the middle school leagues that make a huge contribution to their high school teams. Ranking Baylor without consideration of Zack Watson, Stuart Dostor, and Cole Hayes would not accurately reflect the strength of their team. Most likely there are other teams in a similar situation. Rankings are just for fun anyway and in the next few weeks things will start to sort out.

Check out BB Branton's take on things on the Chattanoogan. http://www.chattanoogan.com/articles/article_117591.asp

I can see it now, Bear Cat Brown ATW Sports Chattanooga reporter / camera man.

Soddy on Saturday: 103 Dustin Gardner (SD) 112 Peyton Pelfrey (SD) 119 Dustin Stewart (SD) 125 Jake Gamble (SD) 130 Taylor Witt (SD) 135 Alex Ford (SD) 140 Mikey Fuller (SD) 145 Brandon Lane (SD) 152 Taylor White (SD) 160 Colby Lewis (SD) 171 for 189 Ben Young (SD) 215 for 285 E. Richmond (SD) Where's Hammonds, McCrosky, and Zimmerman? No 171?

If I recall correctly, it was on www.schoolsportsradio.com. Contact that site to show your interest and maybe it will happen again. Porkchop - It starts at 5:30 at Baylor

Since you appear to be open minded on this topic consider this; No other wrestling program in this state has as many coaches as the blue team. Is it really a situation of limited resources such that only the few "worthy" athletes with the desired tallent / attitude can receive coaching support since there simply isn't enough coaching to spread around to all? If a coach gives up on an athlete and withholds coaching/encouragment from the athlete, then the coach in reality does pick and choose. I challenge you to dig a little deeper to figure this out instead of accepting the "easy answers" of blaming it on bad kids. The lower school program continues to prosper with both numbers and success (didn't they win the tourney this weekend). The class of 2005 sent over 20 kids from the lower school into the high school program. Only 1 stayed to graduate along with 2 boarders. Is this year an aberation or the norm? Repeat disclaimer: my comments are directed toward your statements and not the blue team as I have no knowledge of the current state of affairs there.

90 - I challenge you to rethink your position. I know nothing about the current atmosphere in the blue room and these comments are not directed toward their staff, only toward your above stated position. Do you think those parents writing the $18,000 checks are paying for a "why waste your time on a kid" staff or a staff that inspires and motivates young men beyond teenage apathy? Which teenager doesn't hit an occasional bump in the road and a caring adult directs them back on the right path? What coach wouldn't prefer to only work with gifted self motivated athletes with years of youth experience? Isn't it the young man who battles through adversity and self doubt who really gains the most from wrestling? The BS'ing bearcat's Irish (along with many other schools) couldn't field a team some years if they only utilized self motivated, passionate, more then lackluster talented wrestlers. We probably all can remember sport seasons where we played in spite of the coach and others where we played because of the coach.

Enlighten us then. If BearCat is accurate, what could have happened that would prompt 5 previous starters to quit the program?