KingLuke

Is the guy that beat Blackmon legit? Anyone know what he has done other than beat Blackmon? Where is that school?

Silverbullet: Thanks for the jinx...Baylor was hoping to stay below the radar for most of the season.

Tuesday 12/9 Baylor visits Cleveland. We should be treated to a Danny Coleman v Corey Manson matchup. These may the two best 112 lb'ers in the state. Manson is 5-0 with 5 falls so far. I suspect that Coleman is undefeated, as well.

171- Doug Vaughn ( dec Matt Letner 5-4 189- Paul Campbell (SD) pinned Houston Holt 215-Derek Walker ( dec Drew Henderson 6-1 275-Brandon Hufstetler ( pinned Dameon Shelby 103- Ben Johnson ( dec Jason Mccroskey 5-4 112- Corey Manson ( pinned Jarrett Toney 119-Jake Geismar ( won by tech. fall Andy Highlander 125-Kyle James (SD) pinned Chris Wang 130- Tim Manson ( dec Ryan Fuller 5-1 135-John Lane (SD) dec Jordan Leen 4-2 140-Tyler Ferris (SD) dec Rankin Morgan 13-6 145-Craig Potter (SD) dec Cross Doster 6-3 152-Timothy Moore ( dec Tyler Hicks 7-2 161-Philip Spitalny ( dec Brandon Thurman 8-0

CORRECTION: The Paulson twins are redshirt freshmen...and outstanding.

leads area mat stars By Ward Gossett Assistant Sports Editor The 2002-03 state wrestling duals were bittersweet for Kyle James. The Soddy-Daisy 119-pounder got pinned for the first time as a high school wrestler and only the fourth time in his career. He couldn’t choke back the tears that streamed over his cheeks. They dribbled onto his singlet and into the towel he used to bury his face as he struggled to regain his composure. They weren’t tears of self-pity, but rather tears of embarrassment, frustration and rage. "I was furious," he recalled. "Then I got over it. I lost — got pinned — but we won the match." James avenged the pin in the traditional state tournament, posting a 17-5 major decision over Science Hill’s Allen Aiken on the way to his second state championship. "He handled that pin very well — with grace and dignity," Soddy-Daisy coach Steve Henry said. "He was hurt and angry, but he didn’t embarrass himself or the program." James instead went back to work and polished off a 48-3 junior season. This year he has been projected as the area’s best wrestler in a preseason coaches’ poll. "James is a very dedicated and very talented wrestler," East Ridge coach Brad Jackson said. "The reason he is so successful is that he has dedicated his life to the sport and thrives on learning more. He will represent our state well in future tournaments and in college." As a third-grader, James was a student of three sports, but he gave up football after one season and baseball after four. Wrestling not only remained but became a daily constant. "A fter the junior nationals, I usually take a couple of weeks off, but no more than that," he said. The other 351 days he can be found in a gym working on his moves, on the road running to enhance his conditioning or in front of a TV looking at tapes for ways to improve his knowledge and skill. "The other day, he worked out before school and worked out after school," Henry said. "He was talking about going back to the gym that night. I told him if he had to do something, to go out and run." James’ motivation is simple. Only his love of winning would top his passion for the sport he practices 4-6 hours per day. "I love the sport," he said. "It’s hard work, but I work out to get better, and sometimes I work out just to lose a few pounds. More than anything, though, I guess it is the desire to win that keeps me going." There are more than 100 championship medals strewn about his room from TSSAA and summer freestyle tournaments. His high school record — TSSAA-sanctioned events only — is 137-15, and 12 of the losses came as a 90-pound freshman wrestling at 103 pounds. He was 48-0 as a sophomore. "He has become a very powerful wrestler," Henry said. "He’s ranked as the seventh-best 125-pound college prospect in the nation, and much of the reason beyond his own desire and ability would be Shane Turner, who works with us as a volunteer coach. He has worked with Kyle since Kyle was in elementary school." James has earned All-America status four times in the U.S. Junior Nationals — three times as a cadet and this past summer in the open division, where he placed fourth by going through the defending champion and two state champions from Pennsylvania. He was 7-2 in open matches as a 119-pounder. He appears destined to join the collegiate ranks with other Tennessee standouts such as Bradley Central’s Rusty Blackmon (Oklahoma State), Matt Keller (Nebraska) and Michael Creagan (Duke); Red Bank’s Darren McKnight (Michigan State) and Josh Ward (UTC); Clarksville’s Matt McCarty (Michigan State); MBA’s Phillip Simpson (Army); Clarksville’s Josh Pennington (UTC); and Soddy-Daisy’s Kevin Ward (Oklahoma State) and Jake Yost (UTC). "Jake was a two-time state champion and Kevin was a threetime champ and a runner-up as a freshman. Kyle is right there with them," Henry said. "Kyle could go to the next two levels — college and international. He has proven himself in collegiate and freestyle wrestling. "He has the ability to see a move and take it and apply it without practicing it. He may not yet be a master in either collegiate-style or freestyle wrestling, but he has proved himself in both." The quiet, unassuming James may have proved himself in his coach’s eyes, but not in his own. "Kyle’s biggest problem may be confidence. He doesn’t understand how good he is or how good he can be," Henry said. "All he knows is that there is always room for improvement, and he is always looking for it — the hardest worker in the room." Asked to name the best wrestler in the area, James reeled off several names: teammates John Lane and Ryan Fuller; Bradley’s Jake West, Shawn Cordell and Quinn Gibson ; McCallie’s Ryan Scott and Spencer Manley; and Baylor’s Jordan Leen, a three-time state champ and his former workout partner. His name surfaced in jest, almost as if he were testing the waters, wondering if his skill as a single-leg takedown artist were acknowledged. "Kyle is great on his feet. He’ll attack the legs from any angle. He is a complete wrestler with each of the physical and mental skills," Henry said. "If Kyle had a flaw, it would be that he doesn’t have enough confidence, that he doesn’t always believe enough in himself. He’s humble and quiet. "But he’s the kind anybody would be proud to call their son." E-mail Ward Gossett at wgossett@timesfreepre

From I-75 or I-59 you can find Baylor by following I-24 and taking exit 178 (U.S. 27 North). After crossing the Tennessee River, take the 5th exit, (U.S. 127, Signal Mountain). Proceed under the overpass, moving to the left turn lane. The entrance columns to the campus are located on the left at the second light. If we can help with any of your travel plans (hotel reservations, dining recommendations, or sightseeing information), please give us a call at (423) 267-8505.

November 14, 2003 Josh Keefe Scores Upset Over No. 1-Ranked Wrestler in Oklahoma State Dual STILLWATER, Okla.---Wrestler Josh Keefe scored an 11-9 victory Friday over Oklahoma State's Johnny Thompson, the nation's top-ranked collegiate wrestler at 133 pounds. The Mocs lost the overall dual match 29-9 to the No. 1-ranked Cowboys in the season opener for both squads. Keefe, a redshirt freshman from Ringgold, Ga., was behind 7-5 after two periods. His escape with 1:45 remaining in the match proved to be the difference in the upset victory. Keefe's win snapped Thompson's 18-match win streak. Thompson, who was 28-2 in 2002-03, is a two-time NCAA Champion and three-time All-America. The Mocs took an early 6-0 lead in the match. Matt Pitts edged No. 17-ranked Cody Stiles 6-5 at 125 pounds before Keefe's win. A Pitts takedown with one minute left decided the match. OSU's Ronnie Delk cut into the lead with a 20-15 decision over Michael Keefe at 141, and the Cowboys, the defending NCAA Champions, took the lead for good on fourth-ranked Zack Esposito's technical fall over Robert Buckhaults at 149. OSU added victories at 157, 165 and 174 before UTC's John Davis out-pointed Brett Munson 5-4 at 184 pounds. The Cowboys closed out the match with a pin from Rusty Blackmon at 197 and a 14-6 major decision from heavyweight Willie Gruenwald, ranked sixth nationally. The Mocs will compete at the Missouri Open next weekend. 125 - Matt Pitts (UTC) dec. Cody Stites (OSU), 6-5 133 - Josh Keefe (UTC) dec. Johnny Thompson (OSU), 11-9 141 - Ronnie Delk (OSU) dec. Michael Keefe (UTC), 20-15 149 - Zack Esposito (OSU) tf. Robert Buckhaults (UTC), 15-0, 2:17 157 - Kevin Ward (OSU) dec. Jake Yost s(UTC), 4-3 165 - Tyrone Lewis (OSU) dec. Jon Sioredas (UTC), 9-5 174 - Chris Pendleton (OSU) tf. Josh Ward (UTC), 16-0, 5:50 184 - John Davis (UTC) dec. Brett Munson (OSU), 5-4 197 - Rusty Blackmon (OSU) fall. Drew Roberts (UTC), :41 285 - Will Gruenwald (OSU) m.d. Jason Pennington (UTC), 14-6

#8 Nebraska 46, Portland State 3 157 B.J. Wright (NU) by fall over Kainoa Casco (PSU), 1:00 NU 6, PSU 0 165 Jacob Klein (NU) by fall over Josh Gustafson (PSU), 4:21 NU 12, PSU 0 174 Trevor Hill (NU) by fall over Devin Mair (PSU), 0:53 NU 18, PSU 0 184 Jason High (NU) by tech. fall over Nick Gomeza (PSU), 15-0 (3:02) NU 23, PSU 0 197 B.J.Padden (NU) by fall over Matt O’Conner (PSU), 4:14 NU 29, PSU 0 HWT Nathan McClain (NU) maj. dec. over Eric Mustoe (PSU), 15-3 NU 33, PSU 0 125 Zac Enoch (PSU) dec. over Doug Hoover (NU), 16-13 NU 33, PSU 3 133 Matt Keller (NU) maj. dec. over Lucas Hambleton (PSU), 18-10 NU 37, PSU 3 141 Matt Murray by fall over Josh Carroll (PSU), 1:31 NU 43, PSU 3 149 Travis Shufelt (NU) dec. Eddie Dahlen (PSU), 4-3 NU 46, PSU 3 #8 Nebraska 33, Oregon State 9 157 B.J. Wright (NU) maj. dec. over Brian Duhrkoop (OSU), 17-8 NU 4, OSU 0 165 Jacob Klein (NU) dec. over Matt Ellis (OSU), 2-0 NU 7, OSU 0 174 Jed Pennell (OSU) by fall over Jason High (NU), 1:53 NU 7, OSU 6 184 Travis Pascoe (NU) major dec. Dan Pitsch (OSU), 21-8 NU 11, OSU 6 197 B.J. Padden by fall over Jed Lowe (OSU), 6:21 NU 17, OSU 6 HWT Mitch Manstedt (NU) dec. overTy Watterson (OSU), 8-6 ot NU 20, OSU 6 125 Jason Powell by fall over Eric Stevenson (OSU), 2:39 NU 26, OSU 6 133 Tim Norman (OSU) dec. over Matt Keller (NU), 13-10 NU 26, OSU 9 141 Matt Murray (NU) maj. dec. over Mike Unger (OSU) NU 30, OSU 9 149 Travis Shufelt (NU) dec. over Tony Hook (OSU), 9-4 NU 33, OSU 9

Wrestling Opens Season With Third-Place Showing At Brockport Oklahoma Gold Classic Phillip Simpson Wins 157-Pound Weight Class Nov. 15, 2003 BROCKPORT, N.Y. - The Army wrestling showed it can compete with the nation's elite, placing third at the Brockport Oklahoma Gold Classic Saturday, behind only No. 15 Oklahoma and No. 14 Ohio State. Phillip Simpson won the 157-pound title to lead the Black Knights to the third-place showing. Simpson won all four of his matches Saturday, including defeating Oklahoma's Rafael Maturino by majority decision, 11-3 to win the 157-pound title. In his first career bouts at 157 pounds, Simpson went 4-0. He opened his run with a 7-1 decision over Rutgers' Jim Rosimski. He followed that with a pair of 9-2 decisions over Buffalo's Dave Edwards and Amir Khan of Rutgers.

OSU 29 Michigan State 12 Results 125- Cody Stites (OSU) dec. Craig Trombley, 8-3 133- Johnny Thompson (OSU) m.d. Tony Greathouse, 13-4 141- Andy Simmons (MSU) dec. Ronnie Delk, 11-5 149- Zack Esposito (OSU) m.d. Darren McKnight, 8-0157- Kevin Ward (OSU) m.d. Matt McCarty, 11-3165- Tyrone Lewis (OSU) fall Arsen Aleksanyan, :51 174- Chris Pendleton (OSU) t.f. Anton Hall, 20-5, 5:00 184- Nate Mesyn (MSU) dec. Brett Munson, 7-0 197- Rusty Blackmon (OSU) dec. Jeff Clemens, 6-0285- Mike Keenan (MSU) fall Will Gruenwald, 3:55

103 Dunning +3 112 Hiller +3 119 Cordell +3 125 James +4 130 Cleveland +3 135 Leen +3 140 Blair +3 145 Manley +4 152 Scott +4 160 Gibson +6 171 Blackmon +4 189 Campbell +3 215 Bailey +3 275 Forte +3 D I 23 D II 26

I know that this is a Big 12 thread, but it seems to morphing into a thread on college wrestlers in general from Tennessee, let me just say two additional words: Phillip Simpson.

Re: Leen And, three consecutive McCallie Inv against better competition than in the state tournament.

From the Greeneville HS web site: 1996 Baylor 291.5 pts Athens 238.5 pts 1997 Woodford Co 316 pts Ringgold 226 pts. 1998 Baylor 297.5 pts Woodford Co 288 pts. 1999 Baylor 284.5 pts Woodford Co 262 pts. 2000 Baylor 308.5 pts Woodford Co. 283 pts. 2001 Baylor 275.5 pts Clarksville 215 pts. 2002 Baylor 310.5 pts Woodford Co. 220.5 pts 2003 Baylor 298.5 pts Woodford Co. 243 pts

The McCallie is 10x tougher than the Greneville Invitational. Baylor has won the GIT six years in a row, and seven of the last eight years. http://www.gcschools.net/ghs/wrestling/GIT...mpion%20History

I think that you have Baylor seriously underrated (7 - 8 returning seniors). Dan Waddell (125) will likely wrestle in either the finals or consolation finals. Can Cody Cleveland cut to 119? I don't see that happening.

Look for a HUGE potential matchup between John Lane and Jordan Leen on December 4.

The TSSAA State Tournament Program also left Jeff Geismar from Baylor off of their multiple state champion list. 1st 2001 1st 2000 1st 1999 3rd 1998 (lost to Phillip Simpson in the semis 4-3)

You know, when I read JustWrestle's post on page 1 (about Bradley) I would have bet $100.00 that there would soon be a post from a Bradley fan crying about being mistreated. I won. You folks have the thinnest skin I've ever seen.

Takedown03 I'm a BIG Jordan Leen fan but to say that he EASILY beat Kyle James at McCallie might be a bit of an exageration.

No way Bird dec Silberman. Otherwise, no dispute.

I can't wait, Luke. BTW my name has nothing to do with yours.

Are you kidding me? The last issue does not project Baylor to finish ahead of Notre Dame and CBHS. That's gotta be a joke. I know it hasn't been a great year...but ND & CBHS, come on.

Violating the quota rule was cheating. McCallie did it. Not all private schools did it. There was a meeting 7 years ago between several Chattanooga private schools. Spencer McCallie and Bill Cherry were FLABERGASTED when Baylor's represenatives denied violating the quota rule. They (McCallie) assumed everyone was doing it. Baylor steadfastly denied violating this rule. And, I know with a relative degree of certainty that Baylor did not violate this rule. Too many good kids were not allowed to participate. I know this firsthand. These kids today are allowed to participate. For this reason alone, the split is the next best thing to no split with no quota rule. What is recruiting? If I, a supporter not a faculty member, encourage a parent to send in an application to a private school, is this recruiting. Is it wrong?