BuckLateral

Stoneman Douglas wrestlers mourn their coach, then wrestle in his memory http://www.espn.com/espn/story/_/id/22532373/marjory-stoneman-douglas-wrestlers-remember-chris-hixon-competing-memory

Bear Kittie, yes, I am out on parole thanks to an early Christmas gift by the Board of Pardons and Paroles. Don’t know about Mosely. Neither he nor his wife visited me behind bars. I think EFT finished 15 out of the 41 teams, with the Holloway kid winning his weight class. The results of the tournament are posted on Trackwrestling.com. If I can figure a way to get this ankle bracelet that limits me to Davidson County off, I hope to make it down to Nooga on Sunday, the 21st, for the matchup between EFT a/k/a Gods Team a/k/a TRGI and TFPI a/k/a The Purple Team from Nashville. I understand they plan to attend Mass together before they beat each other up........nice to see a return to old Irish Catholic traditions. TFPI and TMBA appear to be in rebuilding years up here. From what I have seen in the Nooga fish wrap, it looks like your second favorite team , the one that recruited your son so heavily years ago, TBSFBAG , may be lagging behind the EBE this year. We could be looking at an EBE v. The Purple Bros. from Memphis duals and EBE might be the early favorite for the Traditional State as well.

Whimper Concludes Prep Career With National Title Baylor Senior Named Outstanding Wrestler Twice In Past Two Weeks Tuesday, February 28, 2017 - by John Hunt Chattanoogan.com Baylor School has quite a storied past when it comes to excellence in prep wrestling circles. It all started a long time ago with the late, great Luke Worsham and it’s continued in generations since by guys like Jim Morgan and Schack Van Deusen. Ben Nelson is currently the Baylor head coach and he’s kept the ball rolling like the others when it comes to racking up state and national honors. The Baylor wrestling room has pictures on one end of young men who excelled on the wrestling mat. All were state champions and several won more than once. Down on the far end of the display are pictures of guys who wrestled for the Red Raiders back in the early days when Baylor was still military and members of the Mid-South Association. Long before the school joined the TSSAA, Baylor wrestlers worked toward qualifying for the National Prep Championships, which were held at Lehigh University in Pennsylvania. That’s where some of the nation’s best young grapplers gathered to determine who really was the best at their respective weight classes. There are photos of nine Baylor individuals won earned prep national titles, including the Healy brothers – Rob and Chip – who won national titles twice. Others on that wall of fame include guys like Ralph “Mo†Trail, Lane Headrick, John Hannah, Randy Weinburg, Albert Wilson, Charlie Moore and Alex Roberts. Wilson was the last one to earn such a prestigious post-season honor and that was back in 1970. They can now add another picture to that wall as 17-year-old Khamari Whimper won a national prep title last weekend after winning the 170-pound class with five straight wins. And that came on the heels of his winning his second straight Division II state title in Franklin where he defeated Father Ryan’s Anthony Hagey in the championship finals by a technical fall. That win improved his season record to 47-1 and he was honored as the Outstanding Wrestler for the private school division. He then won five straight matches at the national tournament and was again named Outstanding Wrestler after beating a young man named Dale Tiongson from Maryland by a 9-5 final. Whimper’s wrestling career didn’t start until the seventh grade. He also played football for several years before suffering an injury that kept him from wrestling when he was in the ninth grade. He’s really a quiet young man who speaks in a soft tone and is very laidback in his approach to life. But once he’s inside that familiar circle known as a wrestling mat, he turns into another person when the whistle blows. The man has a Tiger in his tank. And what starts out as a likeable young man turns into an athlete who is willing to do anything to be the best in the sport. He thought he was ahead in the final minute of his most recent championship match until one of the Baylor coaches yelled that the score was tied and time was winding down. Whimper didn’t panic, but in the space of about 10 seconds, he threw his opponent to his back for a takedown and back points to win, 9-5. “I had a really good season and accomplished all the goals I set for myself,†the senior from Social Circle, Georgia said when asked about his favorite sport while relaxing in the Worsham Lounge located right outside the Baylor wrestling room. “I finished third at the national tournament last year and really wanted to win it this year. And being named the Outstanding Wrestler was really big. I wasn’t expecting it and was talking to friends and not paying attention when they called my name,†he recalled last Saturday’s big moment. Whimper will graduate in a couple of months and his two-year time at Baylor will be over. He’s heading to the University of Pennsylvania where he will be a member of the wrestling team. He leaves Baylor with a career record of 89-3 in two seasons. “I’ve really enjoyed my time at Baylor. I love wrestling as it’s a rigorous sport and I like the challenge. It seems like wrestling is all that I do, but I just enjoy working out and reading in my spare time. I just want to keep getting better as my plan is to do the best I can." “I have pretty good athletic ability and I’m faster than most, so that is where I get my advantage, but winning that national title last weekend was the most meaningful for me,†he added. Coach Nelson is just happy that Whimper has been part of the Baylor program for the past two seasons.“He’s done really well and he just joined a pretty elite group of Baylor wrestlers,†Nelson said Monday afternoon. “He has a unique style of wrestling that’s really explosive and fun to watch. He’s been a real workhorse for us and one of those guys you can count on for a big when when the team needs it most. And he’s a great role model for other guys on the team." “He works just as hard in practice as he does in a match, but it’s hard for him to find a workout partner because he’s so physical. We always put him with the heavier guys to make them work harder and they always got better as a result." “He’s excited about going to Penn where he will be part of an outstanding wrestling program in addition to being part of an academic program at an Ivy League school." “Khamari is almost legally blind and has a tough time seeing the numbers on the scoreboard in a match. He thought he was ahead in that match last Saturday, but we yelled to him that the score was tied and that time was running out. He had dominated the match from the beginning, but when he had to go, he made a nice throw to win." “Some guys are explosive while others are quick and strong. Khamari has a great combination of all three and is strong enough to finish anything he starts,†the coach concluded. Khamari Whimper’s time at Baylor wasn’t very long, but what a mark he made in his two years there. And now as he prepares for the next step in his life, he’ll have a lot of positive memories to think about. Winning two state titles and one national title will surely be at the top of the list. And to think he was Outstanding Wrestler in his last two high school tournaments is just icing on the cake. (email John Hunt at nomarathonmoose@gmail.com)

Yogi Anderson did that once in a similar situation when he was the head coach for Notre Dame. He had his injured kid go back to center mat, get in the start position with the other wrestler and told the ref to blow the whistle. As soon as the ref blew the whistle, Yogi called time, stopped the match and forfeited, giving the win to the other kid. If the reports of what happened on this board are true (and, as we all know sometimes they are not, though this has gotten better since Bear Cat Brown retired), the Smyrna coach is really bush league.

Judge Beans in Breantwood , up I-65 towards Nashville, has some pretty good Texas style brisket along with ribs,

Interesting point Soms. Martin Francis is, and given the current state of affairs is likely to remain, the only four time champion when both public and private schools wrestled for the traditional title together. Francis was the first in TSSAA history to do so. It was 19 years later, 2001, before Phillip Simpson became the second . If durdon's list is accurate, in the 14 years since 2001, during the split era, 9 wrestlers have done it--- -----six from D-II and three from D-I.

I will see you there Bear Kittie----I'll be sitting with Keefejams and Stovepipe-----but plan to come and cheer for EFT, and will stick around for the anticipated D-II match-up of TFPI and TBSFBAG-----look for me.

Good catch Soms. Ol' Tex23 would be proud...................... The article, by wrestling guru BB Branton, contains these quotes from Helton and other information pertinent to this Board...........was not aware of the East Ridge side of Helton's family wrestling tree..... ..................................... Wrestling and Football: “My days as a wrestler have been a tremendous help with my football career both mentally and physically,†Helton stated. “Wrestling teaches you how to defend your feet and how to use your hands to fend off the opposing players. As a linebacker, I look at football as a series of one-on-one plays and doing my best to take the ball carriers off his feet which is one of the goals as a wrestler.†All in the Wrestling Family: The extended Helton family has seven state wrestling championships ... David has 3 ... Uncle Jimmy Hennen (Notre Dame) won his at heavyweight at the inaugural state tourney in 1961 and later played football at West Point ... Jimmy is the brother of Helton's mom, Mary ... two other uncles - Charlie and Lynn Goss - won state crowns for East Ridge in the 1960s ... Charlie at heavyweight in 1964 and Lynn in 1966 and 1967 and led the Pioneers to team titles those two years as well.

From The Tennessean: Stratford wrestling coach resigns By: Sam Brown December 10, 2014 Stratford wrestling coach Doug Newman resigned Tuesday after four years as head coach. Stratford shut down its wrestling program in 2004 due to lack of support and in 2010 Newman was hired and tasked with the responsibility of reviving the program. Newman’s coaching career spans 43 years and he said none were as trying as his last four with Stratford. “Reviving the program at Stratford has been the biggest challenge in my 43-year coaching career,†Newman said in his resignation letter Tuesday. Newman previously coached at Goodlettsville, Hunters Lane and Hillwood before coming to Stratford. In his time as coach Newman coached 24 state medalists, one state champion and was a 2009 inductee of the Tennessee Chapter of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame. Newman was also the first director of the TSSAA state duals in 1987 and served as director of the tournament from 1987-1990.

Wasn't Helton a D-II state champ for The Baylor School For Boys and Girls several years back----at 215? From the Chattanoogan.com: Former Baylor Standout David Helton Is Campbell Trophy Winner Wednesday, December 10, 2014 David Helton, Duke linebacker and previous standout at Baylor has been selected as the Campbell Trophy winner. The Campbell is often called the Academic Heisman. Mr. Helton is a senior and the leads the ACC in tackles this year. Nominees numbered 160 nationwide and 17 semifinalists were named and awarded at the Waldorf Astoria in New York City tonight. Mr. Helton, a Psychology major, was selected by the committee from the National Football Foundation. Mr. Helton follows other notable Campbell winners as Peyton Manning, Tim Tebow, Danny Wuerffel and Barrett Jones.

Tournament just ended. Final results from Trackwrestling site---I am sure BB Branton will put some more meat on these bones with an article in tomorrow's Chattanoogan.com that he will probably post tonight----in the meantime Soms and Company can gnaw on these: 106 Results 1st Place Match Eli King (Father Ryan) over Gabriel Elkin (Montgomery Bell Academy) (TF-1.5 5:32 (16-0)). 3rd Place Match Jack Reynolds (Baylor) . over Stanton Davis (McCallie) (MD 10-0). 5th Place Match Hunter Anderson (Brentwood Academy) . over Kolton Grimsley (Battle Ground Academy) (Dec 9-5). 113 Results 1st Place Match Michael Murphy (Baylor) . over Trey Chalifoux (Father Ryan) (For.). 3rd Place Match Michael Elkin (Montgomery Bell Academy) over Justin Becci (Brentwood Academy) (For.). 5th Place Match Alex Linthium (Franklin Road Academy) over Addison Cornell (McCallie) (For.). 120 Results 1st Place Match Ethan Dendy (McCallie) over Jared Frazier (Father Ryan) (MD 11-3). 3rd Place Match John Michael Glover (Montgomery Bell Academy) over Christian DiLucchio (Brentwood Academy) (For.). 5th Place Match Cannon McCullough (Battle Ground Academy) over Andy Atchley (Baylor) (For.). 126 Results 1st Place Match James Westbrooks (McCallie) over Kirby Simpson (Father Ryan) (Dec 8-1). 3rd Place Match Caleb Canada (Baylor) over Sam Bellet (Montgomery Bell Academy) (Dec 5-2). 5th Place Match Jonah Neuman (Battle Ground Academy) over Jack Davidson (Ensworth) (Fall 0:47). 132 Results 1st Place Match Chris Wesnofske (Father Ryan) . over Brock Herring (McCallie) (Inj. 3:49). 3rd Place Match Braxton Kinney (Battle Ground Academy) over Blake Solarek (Montgomery Bell Academy) (For.). 5th Place Match Caleb Powell (Baylor) over Vance Lipsey (Brentwood Academy) (Fall 3:31). 138 Results 1st Place Match Adam Connell (McCallie) over Michael Eckhart (Father Ryan) (Dec 1-0). 3rd Place Match Stephen Johnson (Montgomery Bell Academy) over Drake Mitchell (Franklin Road Academy) . (Dec 7-2). 5th Place Match Rob Butler (Brentwood Academy) over Nick Savas (Battle Ground Academy) 1 (Fall 3:48). 145 Results 1st Place Match Griffin Davis (McCallie). over Ryan Simpson (Father Ryan) (Dec 3-2). 3rd Place Match Will Tansil (Franklin Road Academy) over Mark Floyd (Montgomery Bell Academy) (Dec 5-2). 5th Place Match Turner Troxel (Baylor) over Mina Adeeb (Pope John Paul Ii) (For.). 152 Results 1st Place Match Donovan Sutherland (Baylor) over Marcello Morrice (Father Ryan) (Dec 6-3). 3rd Place Match Will Patton (McCallie) over Samuel Stallings (Ensworth) (Fall 2:07). 5th Place Match Ben Barton (Montgomery Bell Academy) over Chad Young (Franklin Road Academy) (Dec 7-1). 160 Results 1st Place Match Bryson Popp (Baylor) over Nick Naughton (Father Ryan) (TF-1.5 6:00 (18-3)). 3rd Place Match Michael Ethan (Franklin Road Academy) over Justin Badgett (McCallie) (Fall 4:09). 5th Place Match Jake Keen (Montgomery Bell Academy) over Max Mullen (Brentwood Academy) (Dec 9-4). 170 Results 1st Place Match John Hagey (Father Ryan) over Cayman Seagraves (Baylor) (Fall 3:46). 3rd Place Match Ridley Wills (Montgomery Bell Academy) over Ariel Bong (McCallie) (Fall 4:08). 5th Place Match Sam Scruggs (Brentwood Academy) over Seth Horton (St. Andrews) (Fall 1:41). 182 Results 1st Place Match Ryan Parker (Baylor) over Nathan Hoodenpyle (McCallie) (Fall 2:00). 3rd Place Match Blake Patton (Montgomery Bell Academy) over Hunter Duff (Father Ryan) (Dec 7-3). 5th Place Match Ryan Sealy (Brentwood Academy) over Jake Simpson (Battle Ground Academy) (Fall 2:42). 195 Results 1st Place Match Trel Phillips (McCallie) over Jacob Cretin (Brentwood Academy) (MD 14-4). 3rd Place Match Houston Hooker (Father Ryan) over Jack Byrd (Franklin Road Academy) (Dec 7-2). 5th Place Match Emory Norred (Baylor) over Ben Kelly (Montgomery Bell Academy) . (For.). 220 Results 1st Place Match Ben Stacey (Father Ryan) over Jon Schmissrauter (Baylor) (For.). 3rd Place Match D`On Coofer (Montgomery Bell Academy) over Jonah Reels (Brentwood Academy) . (Dec 5-2). 5th Place Match Jay Roberts (McCallie) over Chris Corsi (Franklin Road Academy) (Fall 2:34). 285 Results 1st Place Match Will Thomas (Baylor) over Tucker York (Brentwood Academy) (Dec 13-7). 3rd Place Match Miles Douglas (Ensworth) over Conner Eli (Franklin Road Academy) (Fall 2:50). 5th Place Match John Kelly (Montgomery Bell Academy) over William Boardman (McCallie) (Fall 0:57).

Starlight, starbright, first star I see tonight.............sorry, but that Madonna dittie keeps ringing in my head when your name comes on the board.......maybe its something BCB said........... Anyway, it is my understanding that D2 East/Middle regional will be held at Baylor, beginning on Friday at 11:00 a.m. They hope to go through and finish it on Friday because Baylor has a home basketball game on Saturday that creates a conflict, but will not know for certain until the seeding meeting Wednesday night at Sewanee. If it goes as planned it could be a one day event on Friday.

Indeed it did Hoosierdad. But after Friday's match with Baylor, I'm not sure McCallie regrets that call. McCallie came within one point of beating Baylor, with two much discussed and, some would argue contoversial, calls giving Baylor two wins. If either of those calls goes in McCallie's favor, McCallie wins the match. So one might wonder if McCallie doesn't feel like it has a better shot of beating Baylor and getting to the championship final than being in MBA's position of having to face Ryan in the semis to get to the final. If I am McCalllie right now , I'm thinking that Ryan presents a tougher hurdle to the final than Baylor and don't have any regret that I ended up in the bracket opposite Ryan as a result of that loss to MBA.

Now that is more like it. The TSSAA does have some small amount of good sense. Sets up a potential McCallie vs, Baylor rematch at 7:30 pm on Friday ( though I'm sure the Bros will have something to say about that first). Wonder how big of a crowd will cross the mountain to come up to see that one? On the other side of the bracket, based on this past weekend's results, Ryan would seem to have a fairly easy path to the final.

Seahawk: There has already been some chatter about this under the D-I AAA topic. The information currently on the TSSAA website provides a link to the Trackwrestling site where the brackets/results will be posted. Right now, if you try to view the brackets, nothing comes up. But, taking a tip from CoachPeck, if you hit "print" it pops up a set of brackets that currently has CBHS v. BA ( Match 1) and MBA vs. SBA ( Match 2) in the top half of the bracket and Baylor v. McCallie ( Match 3) and FR v SBA ( Match 4) in the bottom half of the bracket. If it stays this way, then the winners of Match 1 and Match 2 would face each other in the semifinals with the winners of Match 3 and Match 4 facing eacing each other in the other semifinal ( unless they do something unusual and cross-bracket the semis). The bottom half of the bracket would seem to be overloaded with what most I think would consider to be the "championship" match. If the brackets stay this way, they are sure to be the topic of much chatter, questions and consternation as the week progresses. In fairness, I should add that CoachPeck's tip came with the following user warning which I am sure will be ignored: "Please note that these are not final as the brackets have yet to be released... I'm sure they the do release them there may be some changes.... for all I know they aren't even right, just random. I just was playing around with track and thought I'd share... I wouldn't get too excited over anything until the brackets are released publicly."