michael.geasley

Although I see both sides of this argument, I think those that propose "Nothing counts until February" are referring to situations like Nic Bundy's success last season. Although Nic did not go undefeated during the regular season and was picked to finish around fifth going into the tournament, in February he showed what he was made of. As a result he was crown State Champion. I would think that for Nic, any loss he suffered during the season was used as motivation then forgotten when he got on the championship podium. They all count, but that last match is the one that counts the most.

wrestlinman49, who are some of the contenders at 135?

It appears the Region five 119 pound weight class will be a real dog fight this year; Pair (P), Ortiz (F), Cope ©, Prisayne (S) (112 or 119?), Knight (T), Pappas ® plus I understand the Blackman, Smyrna, Forrest and Independence (no bias here, lol) 119 pounders are solid performers as well. I'm sure I've left off someone who deserves to be listed here. Let me know who. I didn't try to rank these wrestlers and I'm certainly not trying to stir up controversy. I just wanted to remark that 119 appears to be a tougher than normal weight class in the region this year. Any comments or additions?

Thanks for that one Bear...I'm an old Buff (B-52) guy and we had to know that movie by heart! lol

No problem coach, don't get your panites in a wad over someone adding to your post. I'm happy if your happy.

Page was 6th last year with 4 going to state, has everyone back, a year older and wrestling better than ever. But whatever.

Good point. It seems that Grassland Middle School (one of Franklin’s main feeder school) was down quite a bit this year (compared to their usual showing at the Sonic Invitational). It is my understanding that neither Matt Oddo nor Rodney Cash are coaching at GMS. (Please correct me if I'm wrong). That could signal potential problems for Franklin in the near future. Any thoughts on this? (As a FHS alumnus and friend of many FHS wresters' parents, I wish them well).

The weigh-ins will be at 8:30 AM. The schools' tournament entry fee will be $75. The cost for spectator admission will be $6 for adults and $4 for students. Coach Scott Smith is the tournament director and is Independence High School's head wrestling coach (Some may know him as IHS' head football coach and formerly at Ezell Harding). During school hours he can be reached at 615 472-4600. His email address is scotts@wcs.edu. Wrestling on three mats so all six teams will be wrestling each of the five rounds. Overton Kenwood Franklin Road Academy Brentwood Academy Hume-Fogg Independence

Coach, and all other concerned parties: According to the information I received about two minutes ago, (so you may have received by now), the weigh-in will be at 8:30 AM. The schools' tournament entry fee will be $75. The cost for spectator admission will be $6 for adults and $4 for students. I am not a wrestling coach and I'm not the tournament director. I am the father of an Independence wrestler, Blake (and a Page wrestler, Grant). Coach Scott Smith is the tournament director and is Independence High School's head wrestling coach (Some may know him as IHS' head football coach and formerly at Ezell Harding). During school hours he can be reached at 615 472-4600. His email address is scotts@wcs.edu. Obviously I read this website often, so if you are unable to reach Coach Smith, feel free to ask me and I'll get an answer for you (but try to contact the Tournament director first, I don't want his job. lol).

Looks like we got us a sow instead of a boar.

Have we done this one yet? The path of the righteous man is beset on all sides by the inequities of the selfish and the tyranny of evil men. Blessed is he, who in the name of charity and good will, shepherds the weak through the valley of darkness, for he is truly his brother's keeper and the finder of lost children. And I will strike down upon thee with great vengeance and furious anger those who would attempt to poison and destroy my brothers. And you will know my name is the Lord when I lay my vengeance upon thee.

Thanks RMC! Let's post this on some of the HS Football coaches' bulletin boards.

Maybe this is something so basic that most of you already knew it, then again, maybe I'm just completely wrong: I'm starting to believe that a team's result in a dual tournament is based on how weak their weak spots are. Where as, in an individual tournament, the teams stars can carry the teams. For example, one of my sons' team didn't come close to filling a complete line up so they had trouble winning dual matches. However, the few wrestlers they had were pretty good so they were sixth out of twenty plus teams in the region tournament. When we talk about what team is the best in the state, I wonder if Franklin will have trouble living up to expectations at the state dual tournament, but prove to be the best team at the traditional state tournament. Any thoughts?

Rigger, I concur. My brother is a wrestling coach at a large high school in Georgia (Lovejoy). Many Division I head football coaches recruit at his school. His wrestlers that are being recruited for football often introduce him to these coaches. Numerous times the coaches get a big grin on their face when they find out that the recruit is a wrestler. These D-I coaches realize the benefits you listed above. It would be nice to have a list of some of the successful football players that were wrestlers. Wasn't Univ. of Tenn. Knoxville's Fred Ware a state champion wrestler from Georgia? (I could have this completely wrong, correct me if you know). I've heard that Lorenzo Neal, the Titan's former full back, was an NCAA wrestling champion.

18 December 2004, Battle of Independence Independence High School, Franklin, Tennessee. Dual team tournament Kenwood Overton FRA Hume-Fogg Brentwood Academy Independence Wrestling on three mats so the teams will wrestle five streight matches I-65 exit #61, Hwy 248 west (3.2 mi), Hwy 31 south (.6 mi): I-65 south of Franklin, exit #61 onto Highway248 west (Goose Creek -Peytonsville Road exit). Travel approximately 3.2 miles on Highway 248 west to the stop sign for Highway 31 (past one traffic light). Continue straight through the intersection which will allow you to merge onto Highway 31 south. The school is on the right-hand side of the road, about .6 of a mile from the intersection and just before the bridge for Highway 840 (this section of Highway 840 is still under construction).

BB, Your first paragraph: (I numbered your paragraphs for clarity) It would not be productive for me to address your comments. Second paragraph: Is it fair to say that we have fewer 103 pounders in the state than we had any of the previous couple of years? Can we agree that we are seeing more 103 pound forfeits and double forfeits this year than in the previous couple of years? I agree that next year we will have more guys cut down below 7% body fat in order to certify for the 103 pound weight class. However, I don't think (key term here is think, because I don't know) that the number will be significantly higher. This year the kids had more than a month to lose the weight and yet many did not, or we would have more 103 pounders, (if we agree that there are fewer 103 pounders this year). I agree that the more wrestlers you have in your wrestling room increases your chance of having a 103 pounder. However, my question deals more with what percentages of team have a 103 pounder, rather than, do the strong teams have one. Your third paragraph brings up a very interesting point. When I wrestled, 30+ years and 40+ pounds ago, we had a 98 pound weight class (I think that was the weight, but I know it was less than 103). Was that weigh class done away with because of the general high school population getting larger or was it for the reason you, BB, listed above in paragraph 3? I don't know and would love to hear more comments on this. Your last paragraph: My sons are closer to the lower weights so I more closely follow these weight classes. I don't know much about the heavier weights. But I'm opened to opinions on them as well. Lastly, a few programs, and I would guess that Bradley is one of them, could field a competative team even if the weight classes were spaced every 3 pounds. That would speak well of the programs that could pull it off, but it wouldn't make for a very interesting dual match against most other programs. Please don't misunderstand, I think Bradley does it right. They know what it takes to win and they make sure they have the weight classes covered. I'm just not sure that much of the rest of the state is keeping up (especially at the 103 pound weight class).

Sad, just sad.

Earlier in this post I defended the current weight classes. However, I'm starting to change my mind. Consider this match: 145 J Konz (F) dec over Fuller 4-0 152 Spain (BC) dec over Heacock 7-2 160 B Davis (F) fall over Crisp 171 Heffington (BC) fall over McPhee 189 Kirn (F) fall over Brooking 215 Sivley (BC) fall over Acorn 275 Grady (BC) fall over Cathey 103 Randolph (BC) won by Forfeit 112 R Konz (F) maj dec over Johnson 12-4 119 M Ortiz (F) fall over Mang 125 Withrow (BC) dec over Zarbo 7-0 130 Culbertson (BC) dec over Davis 5-3 135 K Felix (F) fall over Ensminger 140 Creagan (BC) maj dec over B Felix 9-0 Bradley 36 Franklin 30 IMHO, it's sad that the difference between two of the strongest wrestling programs in Tennessee is a forfeit at 103. Many of the matches I've seen this year had a double-forfeit at 103. I would think that a lot of teams are fielding a 103 pounder that has no wrestling experience, just so they can avoid a forfeit or better yet, pick up a forfeit. What do you guys think? Is having a l03# class good for the sport or bad?

Wow, what a great close match. I thought Ty Zarbo usually wrestled 119. Did Franklin have someone out at 125 or is Ty the usual starter?

I would just as soon hit an iceberg as admit I know from where this quote came. LOL

K........: I like this General Custer. A.....: He was a murderer who fell in love with his own legend. And his troopers died for it. K........: I think this is a very good death. A.....: Well, maybe you can have one just like it someday. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ocean's Eleven

Is this Days of Thunder?

What does this mean?

I actually saw a fleeing the mat call last night at the Page v Blackman match. I think it is the first time I've seen it called (and I've watched thousands of matches over the last six years). In this case it appeared the offending wrestler would have been taken down had he not flee.