russianbear

What Father Ryan has done so far this year is impressive. Though I haven't seen them wrestle yet, up to this point, they obviously have dominated the state of Tennessee. The coaching staff is top of the line, first class in character, teaching technique and overall preparedness. It always has been for as long as I can remember. They have the machine in place and as far as I know, they aren't going away anytime soon. But to say money doesn't play a part is ludicrous. "Money answereth all things". The scripture doesn't say if you'll get a good answer or a bad answer, but you'll certainly get an answer. To simply 'get through' (not including coaching salaries) a high school season without any elaborate travel requires approximately $10.000. Realize that in Hamilton County Public Schools (not sure about the rest of the state) the budget is ZERO. How much do you think the parents of the wrestler's contribute? I would say the average would be ZERO. The coaching stipend for a head coach is 10% of their salary. Assistant 5%. Besides that ALL money has to come from somewhere. It actually costs the head and assistant coaches money to coach (not to mention an enormous amount of their time) just to keep the program afloat. If you add in an off season it's closer to 30K. Personally, I don't care. I like the idea of having to compete against those that have more. That's what life's about. I hate the loud and clear message the TSSAA sends to the kids "well, if they don't use the same rules, it's ok, we'll pamper you". It drives me nuts. But, that's the way it is and I've learned to make the most of it. Point being, the entire reason the Divisions are split up is because money DOES play a part. A huge part.

Back in the day the d2 and d3 national Champions qualified for d1 Nationals. The only two that Im familiar with that placed was Carlton Haslerig from Pitt Johnstown that won it (I think) at Heavyweight and Tim Wright from SIUE (.4 time d2 champ) that placed 3rd. I'm sure there are probably more but the competition is worlds apart. UTC 126lb conference Champ (Scott Corcoran) beat the D2 National Champ first round of Nationals in 1988 and had a 700 winning percentage at best

Seeds?

"f we, as a country, want to take a step forward onto the mainstage with Russia and Iran then dropping folkstyle all together is the best solution. You can still have collegiate wrestling and it not be folkstyle. Have say 6 greco matches and 6 freestyle matches to make up a dual meet, idk just a thought." Will never happen. Sorta like trying to get Americans to convert to the metric system.

Henry Cejudo chose to forego college and train in Colorado Springs for the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, China. He was the youngest ever US wrestler (to the best of my knowledge) to win an Olympic Gold Medal. Now what?

bump

This just in. Possible referee appearance by Jeff Rufolo. For those wondering Jeff wasn't let go by the TSSAA, but suffered a catastrophic racquetball injury that's kept him off the mats. Could he be back? Also rumors of a Guy Harris siting.

Red Bank Preseason Open When: 11/14/2015 Where: Red Bank HS Entry Fee: $10 per wrestler up to $150 Format: 3 1.5min periods All weighins conducted at your school. All coaches email names, weights and school to Turner_shane@hcde.org by Thursday 11/12/2015. Please confirm immediately if you plan to come so logistics may be planned for.

Darren, Blake would love to do this, but over these dates he will be competing in a dual meet tournament in Colorado (Paonia duals). As much as I love Freestyle it's back to Folkstyle and then a much needed rest. Good luck to Mason and the rest of the guys. Love to watch him compete.

Michael Murphy of the Baylor School was a double medal winner placing 3rd in freestyle and 2nd in Greco at 138 lbs. Also placing was Gabriel Mcduffie Champion 145lb Greco, Devin Crawl, Champion 182lb Greco, and Blake Reichel 4th 106 lb Greco, all of Red Bank high school.

Can we email in weights?

From the 2014/2015 TSSAA Handbook under the "Wrestling calendar" Dead Period Rule – No coaching, observing, or contact between coach and players in sport involved. There is no practice, no open facilities, and no weight training/conditioning. The Dead Period, which is to be observed by all schools, is the week of the 4th of July and the preceding week – 14 days.

Deadlift, I have some news for you. Call me tomorrow at your convenience. 423-432-2514

I agree with you Deadlift. Why not Austin Peay? I've heard nothing but great things. I tried to reach out to the AD but so far to no avail. Perhaps you may have better luck. To find out more detail about getting it done on 8 mats, I'd suggest contacting coach Joe Blair. He's the one that told me it could be done and he was more than willing to help. Also, apparently Floyd at Beardon is a math whiz and he is adamant it can be done on 8 mats as well. If we can all unite on a location, if it won't cost the TSSAA extra money, and if it doesn't require more work, then they'll be out of excuses.

Cody, I applaud you as well for taking the initiative to do this. I'm assuming you will forward it to the TSSAA. If it's ignored, I'd recommend to send it to the Governor's office. I telephoned them last year and DID receive a call back. The person I spoke with was flabbergasted about the situation but he suggested to meet with Mark Reeves. Obviously Mr. Reeves has his own ideas about the situation. I got some good advice today to try and contact Mr. Van Der Merwe, the AD at Austin Peay. He is a huge wrestling supporter (wrestling background) and apparently has approached Mr. Reeves about hosting. It's been rumored they would host it for free. However, it's also been rumored that because it will only hold 8 mats, it won't be moved there. The FACT is the tournament CAN be done on 8 mats. Same start and finish times, double elimination and keeping 32 man AAA bracket. So to say it can't be done on 8 mats is simply not being truthful. If Mr. Merwe does contact me back, I will attempt (with the help of a whole lot of other people) to put together some type of proposal. I'll need help.

I suppose the reason that I'm so passionate about this is because of my own personal experience. I had the opportunity to compete in Market Square Arena (where the Indiana Pacers used to play) my sophomore, junior and senior year of high school. This after visualizing and dreaming about it through middle school. I've never been into recognition and accolades, but I can assure you I was extremely motivated by the opportunity to compete in this facility. Looking back (with the exception of getting married and the birth of my son) it was probably the single most exciting experience of my life. That includes three trips to the D1 NCAA's at the University of Maryland, Oky State and Iowa. The experience I had as a 15 year old kid was indescribable, almost magical. The saddest thing is it isn't just the 'big wrestling states' that allow the wrestlers to compete in first class facilities for the state tournament. Is Alabama a 'big wrestling state'? How bout Georgia? Or North Carloina? Mat 73557, you seem to be saying "since our kids don't know any better, it doesn't matter". I would have to disagree. It matters. Kids are a whole lot smarter than you think they are. They know exactly how important what they do is to those that host events and those that watch the events and those involved. The proof is in the product for the kids and everyone else around the country to see. How does TN rank the importance of high school wrestling? At least 40 states wrestle in a first class arena (honestly don't know about HI, RI, NH, etc). But not in TN. We wrestle on a dirt floor used for pig auctions. I would like to mention the volunteers that work the event are outstanding. Friendly, professional and do a tremendous, first class job. The problem certainly has nothing to do with the workers, but the facility itself.

http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/sports/preps/story/2015/feb/15/tssaas-reeves-says-state-event-stay-franklin/288428/

You make a good point Lutte, but you're missing something very important. Have you been to the AG Center during an event it's designed for? Do you realize what is in the soil? The only thing between the wrestlers and cow and pig manure is a thin carpet and duck tape. That's not an exaggeration. Not to mention whatever is in the soil is in the air. Have you been on the floor during the tournament? I wore black shoes. When I got home, they were light brown from dust. Not having showers just adds to it.. How ironic is it that 50% of the TSSAA October coaches meeting deals with skin infection. On top of that there were at least 2 wrestlers(Chatt Central 220 pounder, Gilley 106 pounder, there may have been more) that weren't allowed to compete due to skin infections despite having doctors notes.

"He told me it was a ridiculous site to host a state tournament and he couldn't believe how inadequate the venue was." Cody, the term 'disbelief' comes to mind. When I coached at Ohio U, I visited state tournaments in Michigan, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois. The last couple years I've researched via internet other venues. The only thing that even comes close to comparable to the Cow Palace is Kentucky's. I've worn myself out complaining and trying to bring attention to this. The only thing that puts me in more disbelief than someone actually deciding to put a state tournament there is the insistence to keep it there. I've come to conclusion that the only way to get it move is to either: 1) Convince the TSSAA beyond a shadow of a doubt that it's unsanitary OR 2) Have the people that matter become so embarrassed by it, that it can no longer be hidden OR 3) Some type of legal reason The biggest obstacle I've found to organize is people think there is some ulterior motive other than being about what the kids deserve.

"The uprising will never be as big as it was last year" I agree with you. The only foreseeable way to get it moved is for the media to expose the unsanitary conditions for all to see (embarrassment) or for some type of legal reason.

I'd agree one reason there aren't as many complaints is because it's just the same redundancy falling on deaf ears. I was told directly to my face (I won't name names) by someone with intimate knowledge of the situation that 2015 would be the last year the event would be at the Cow Palace. Looking back perhaps that was just a short term solution to quite the noise. Last spring (after the tournament) WRCB News Channel 3 in Chattanooga did an excellent story about the conditions of the TSSAA State Wrestling Championships. The last part of January (a few weeks back), I was contacted by Vince Lennon (newscaster who did the story last year) about visiting the site in advance and doing a follow up story. Unfortunately I was informed just prior to the event that his 'superiors' cancelled, citing no particular reason as to why. As for the allergies not being as bad, I'd have to disagree. I still have a headache as do several parents and spectators that attended. One difference being people know what to expect, but there was a slight improvement with the floor covering. Apparently every three years or so the AG Center replaces the covering with new. 2015 fell at the right time. There also seemed to be a slight improvement with the temperature, especially Friday morning. Of course it's about money, that's the only reason the event is held where it is. Maybe people are either completely naive or honestly believe non profit organizations don't make money.

First off, I agree with you about saying "good ridance" to the so called fans that won't attend the state tournament because of location or facility. A true fan (if realistically and financially possible) would want to watch regardless of where the event took place. I also agree that Ronnie Carter did a tremendous job. I also applaud Marc Reeves. So far he's taken a great interest in our great sport and has moved things forward. There are many people that complain about the 'Cow Palace'. Rightfully so. I was and still am one of those people. When I realized I was only complaining, I tried to do something. I'm not going to gather numbers, statistics, investigate venues or do any of the things that the TSSAA should be doing to change venues. Maybe somebody else will. But, what I will do is make the public aware of the unsanitary conditions. I might (I know I already have) acquire some haters along the way. I don't care. It's worth it to me. The venue is unsanitary and needs to be changed.

The only conceivable reason (unless someone just isn't sane) to justify the event being held where it is, is money. The problem is everything has a price. Unfortunately the price comes at a once in a lifetime experience for the kids. The venue is unsanitary. Once the public is aware of the unsanitary conditions, then they will be forced to change it. As for the carry format, it CAN be done with virtually the same time schedule with 8 mats. This was confirmed by several sources. The only difference would be adding 1 session and staggering the time schedules for the referees. This wouldn't extend the start or finish time and you could still run all 3 divisions and the Woman's together.

Actually anywhere else in the known universe would be better than there. I was told to my face by a very informed administrator last spring that this would be the last year at the Cow Palace. But I'm beginning to lose faith in that statement. I'm personally going to see to it that air and soil samples are taken there this year. I'm even willing to incur any expense myself. I'd would also like any and all coaches/parents that have a kid come up with a skin infection just after competing there to contact me. If anyone is interested in helping please contact me. Ben Reichel 423-432-2514

UTC has been very fortunate that there has been very good support among the administration and alumni. Several years back (9 or 10 years ago) they actually dropped baseball and soccer in favor of wrestling to supposedly comply with Title 9 as well. I'm surprised they still weren't completely before this recent news.