michael.geasley

For what it's worth...The Independence High School website shows them participating in the FRA Duals this weekend.

I'm undecided on this one. I know Georgia has a lot more "State Champions" then we do, but there are a lot more people (i.e. wrestlers) in Georgia. I wish I knew the ratio of wrestlers to champions in each state. I'd love to have RMC's input on this subject. At what point do you get too many champions?

Oneblindref, reftn, tnsmokediver, and whoever else that is on here that is a referee: I endorse the earlier comment that tnsmokediver made about respect. In my opinion, no one should address a referee (or hardly anyone else, for that matter) in a disrespectful manner. (Although some may consider my tendency to point out the rules from the stands to be disrespectful, I do not intend it to be disrespectful, just informative…I don’t call the referees names just because they didn’t recall a particular rule at the time). I do not think any of the referees would cheat for one wrestler against another, nor do I believe that they would consciously favor one school against another (with the exception of the halo effect some coaches may subconsciously have on some referees). However, this year alone I've witnessed many erroneous calls that were avoidable.* With this in mind, I ask you as referees, how should we in the wrestling community provide feedback to the referees? V/R, Hardly Anonymous. *I didn't list details here because I assume each of you would agree with the general statement that there are referees that make avoidable erroneous calls. Although I wouldn't name names (see point one, above), I can give you situations I've observed and let you decide if they were avoidable erroneous calls.

You're correct, there were double forfeits at 103 and 145. Franklin had a wrestler that was at the correct weight for 145 but weighed in for the 152 weight class, so he could not take the 145 forfeit. To his credit, the Franklin coach did not make a big deal about it. Of course, at the time he probably didn't expect that the match would be so close at the end. The match was not quite as exciting as it might have seemed because Franklin actually had a seven point advantage before the last match. I'm pretty sure at least one Heacock wrestled for Franklin that night, but there may be two that normally wrestle for them. In other words, I don't know the answer to Sommer's question concerning Heacock's injury status.

Franklin beat Page by 1 (30 something to 30 something + 1) Franklin beat Centennial DK score Page beat Centennial DK score

Was there a best match and/or best wrestler award?

How funny, this argument comes up each year on this board and the same points are made by the opposing sides. To summaries prior years' arguments: Chattanooga area does an excellent job of running the tournament. Don't fix it if it isn’t broke. Vs. It's not fair that Chattanooga has the tournament in their back yard each year. Are there any new points I missed?

This is one of the coolest ideas I've seen in a long time.

Xertan, I know it is frustrating when referees don't call matches the way we want, but I don't think it is helpful to single out a particular referee by name. If you read REFTN's post on this thread, you'll agree that he gave honest, straightforward, non-defensive answers. However, if fans like you and I attack the referees with anonymous posts, then we will not receive any helpful answers from the referees. I have loudly "helped" many referees during matches. Many of these referees have not appreciated my "assistance" and have let me know. However, I have not been abusive to them. Verbal abuse of the referee will rightly result in my expulsion from the gymnasium. However, non-abusive language at least has a chance to get my point across to the referee.

REFTN, thank you for again providing a straight forward, non-defensive answer. I agree with everything you said. I can not fault a referee for simply not seeing the wrestler "tapping out". However, in this case I had the impression that the referee did not recognize that the wrestler had the "prerogative" (to use the rule book's terminology) to default during the match, or he did not recognize "tapping out" as a sign of defaulting by the wrestler. When I get a chance, I'll try to ask the referee that made this call exactly how he interpreted the situation (if he is willing to discuss it with me).

REFTN, Thanks for your honest, straight forward answers on this thread. Above is part of my earlier post. Would you mind providing your evaluation of this situation? I hope I've explained it well enough for you to make a comment. If any other referee or otherwise knowledgeable person has a comment, please feel free to do so. However, be advised that if you disagree with me and prove me wrong I'll be forced to defend myself with vicious personal attacks on your character and family bloodline. Okay, just kidding.

Independence Page

Sorry, this subject was way off the intent of this string. To explain: "Offspring56" responded to a post I made last season in which I forgot to list Centennial as a participator in the "Battle of Independence" tournament. In responding to Offspring's post, I took the opportunity to chide Centennial for being a last minute drop out from that same tournament when it was held this year. My comments had nothing to do with BA or the McCallie tournament. In fact, BA played a huge part in making the "Battle of Independence" tournament a success this year by bring such a large group of talented wrestlers. Thanks BA, I hope to see you here again next year.

I agree with those who say that wrestling referees are to be commended for their dedication to the sport and that the referees do not choose to do this job for the small amount of money they earn. I am very glad that there are men that are willing to take on the duties of a referee. However, it appears to me that every time a negative comment about a referee’s call is posted on this message board several people choose to ignore the problem that was brought up and instead criticize the person that pointed out the problem. Here are a couple of situations I've seen recently that indicate to me that not all referees are meeting the standards that should be required to do the job: So far in this short season I seen a referee award near fall points to a defensive wrestler and then bet the coach $50 that it was the right call. (Rule 5, § 9, Article 2, & 2b) The coach missed out on an easy fifty bucks. I've also seen a wrestler, who is being held in a guillotine. moan in pain and rapidly tap the mat (many would recognize it as "tapping-out), yet the referee didn't recognize the wrestler's gestures as a default (Rule 5, § 5, also see Case Book and Manual Rule 5, § 5 situation, as well as Rule 6 § 4, Article 4), nor did the referee choose to stop the match and award 2, 3 or 4 near fall points. (Rule 5, § 9, Article 2, f through i). Luckily for this wrestler the second time he moaned and tapped the mat it was at the end of the period. It just doesn't seem safe, legal or fair to make a kid continue to wrestle in agony when he doesn't wish to. (Although I would disagree, some might judge that the offensive wrestler was intentionally and illegally inflicting pain. Even so, I feel the match should have been stopped). Okay, so now I'm the messenger, I'm ready to take my shots. P.S. Someday, when I'm down to just one job, I may very well take up your challenge and don the black and white jersey (if I'm not black-balled first!).

...And was a last minute no-show this year. Gee, thanks