Sommers

If girls are going to wrestle they need to have their own team. A guy could not go and join the girls volleyball team. Why should girls be allowed on the boys wrestling team. I am curious what father would allow his daughter to wrestle. Knowing that guys purposely grope and abuse girls on the mat for entertainment. I have seen some very talented female wreslters, but htey should not wrestle guys. If there is not enough interest for an entire girls team then no girls wrestling. Just like there is not a guys volleyball team. Besides the fact that when a guy wrestlers a girl, if he wins, then he beat a girl, and if he loses then he lost to a girl. It is a lose lose situation for most high school boys mentally.

Thank you,

NOW this one is not for chit-chat, THIS IS FOR THE SERIOUS MINDED, TRADITIONAL WRESTLING SUPPORTER:

With the way our world has promoted equality AND STRIVING TO BE politically correct in every sport, every way/everyday, and at the same time, to avoid sexual harassment: all of this considered, we have a very difficult situation here. With a few girls wanting to wrestle. What about a few guys wanting to be on the girls soccer team, basketball, or softball, etc.? That could be interesting.

BUT as far as girls on the mat, who really wants their daughter (in front of 100's-1000's, or even one person-alone) on their backs, forced into a Saturday night ride or honey-mooner, a figure four on the head or visa-versa? How about a bannana-split? Does a wrestler have to think a move rather than instinctively do the high-crouch or a bear-hug?

Why shouldn't a wrestler be able to use his muscle memory (instinctive moves) without fear of being emotionally humiliated or crushed (in the back of his mind hearing,,, you did it to, or manhandled a little "girl," or ...you lost to a little "girl?") and as a result feeling limited, out of due respect remembering which long ago his parents taught him about "how you treat a lady? "

I ask: Why did we change the order of weight-classes in a dual meet? Was it concern over unfairness or discomfort to some wrestlers, like the 103 pounder almost always being first to begin THE BIG MATCH and feeling greater pressure on him?

I have known Ronnie Carter for 25 years and I know what kind of man he is. I've aways felt that he is fair and a man of character. I really wonder if this pressure, or even humiliation, is healthy for the girl wrestler, and considering the motive behind this afore mentioned rule change, are we being consistent in our approach to this sport and its participants?.

I feel in the name of decency, Mr. Carter and others around the state needs to correct this problem and not let it sit. I think it plainly distracts wrestlers, causes discomfort and frustrates the girls that want to compete at the highest level.

It's truly is a lose-lose. I hope this can develop into more than another topic on the message board.

Soms

sommers. Was your previous name Iorn man, of Hixson?

No, Blosser is my family name, but my legal name is Sommers. I had two outstanding wrestlers follow me in the eighties. The last few days are my first posts ever.

Soms

Johnny,

I admire the idea and fully understand why everyone would want to see something of this magnitude, but there are some things to consider.

 

1. To address the hopes of starting the finals @2:00 and having a Dual @ 4:00.

DI Wrestlers would have just completed 3 days of competition along with the DII Wrestlers competing for 2. From a physical and emotional perspective it is not practicle and we all know it is not going to happen.

2. Coaches and Athletes are working to PEAK at the right time just for this tournament and to go again the next weekend is going to be tough. Remember how exhausting this tournament really is and how it takes days to just recover and heal up. The Wrestlers will be battered and physically exhausted after this tournament and to try and prepare for even a more intense situation the following weekend is asking a little much. Imagine an NCAA DI Champion having to prepare the very next week for a tournament w/ the other Divisional Champions. Do you honestly think they would be ready for that? I feel for this event to even have a chance, it would need to be held at a later date.

3. I am all for ONE Tournament, but it's not going to happen! This is a "Dead Dog" topic going no where.

4. This is a great idea, I just don't know where it can fit in.

 

You really are impressive! I love the way you are constantly working to develope our sport. Not by draining it, but always trying to find a way to give something back. Good for You!

Steve Henry

Who's Johnny?

Soms

Rumor has it that Brandon Feurebacher from Riverdale(103) has moved to Smyrna....Is there any truth to the rumor that he may be wearing Purple and Gold.  I'm sure Gonyea will be thrilled if he is.  103 has been a weak spot for Smyrna this year.

It's true and he was at practice today and looking strong. He'll be wrestling this week and this weekend in Purple.

Soms

AMEN!!

dont forget hendersonville. I Also dont think smyrna will be anywhere close to 2 place i will give them 5 at the most..

Yea, we were hoping to (maybe) break into the top ten, in this one.

Sommers

Smyrna

The prefeered style in the 50's and 60's in the Chattanooga area and accepted by others around the state. Also, less injuries in folkstyle.

Soms

Each Wrestler has his individual coach, but there is a D1 and DII Head coach or coordinator to be the point of communication with the officials and overall team strategy OF THE DUAL. If the number one wrestler pulls out then number two is invited or down the line and this could become a MUST TAKE PART EVENT as the years go by. What a showcase for all to see.

Kenwood is in Clarksville.

Sommmers/Blosser

I believe we may be at the level now where coaches could offer a mini girls team for the girls rather than having girls on the mats with our teenage boys. I would encourage Ronnie Carter, if possible, to look into Texas that has it's own girls division of wrestling now, which includes the state tournament. Talk about logisical problems like geography, but it may be easier for us to manage here in Tennessee.

Sommers/Blosser

Smyrna

No Cleveland is not at the same level as Harding or St. Benadict by any means. However, with all starters I believe Bradley will beat CHS just as bad as CBHS would beat Harding/St. Benadict (my opinion). Also, what good does a minute and a half of wrestling do a Varsity starter, when a younger less experienced kid can have a tough match. Wrestling JV against certain teams in matches that don't hurt you in your division allows kids who would normally get no matches some mat time and experience. Of course you are giving the other teams a better chance to win and God help us if our state rankings are hurt. WHO CARES. Good luck to both teams.

Withour Al Miller, I wonder if wrestling would have been where it was in Bradley county for Turner and Steve to take to the next level? WOULD PUBLIC SCHOOLS HAVE AS MUCH TO BRAG ABOUT WITHOUT THE INSPIRATION OF CLEVELAND TN?

SOMMERS/BLOSSER

SMYRNA/HIXSON

Coach,

 

You may need to check with the TSSAA before you do this. By only inviting the top 4 finishers in D1 and D2 it would probably be considered an All-Star Tournament and therefore only seniors would be eligible to compete. Let's be careful so that some of the underclassmen are not ineligible for the 2004-05 season. I would require a letter from the TSSAA with Coach Carter's signature clearing the underclassmen before I allowed underclassmen in the tournament. Other than that I feel that it is a great idea.

good point. Who is cbg? You know your stuff.

Soms

Look at Region 7 resutls at the Father Ryan Tournament last weekend. I would say if you are a top four placer there you are probablya top four placer in the state. Rosssview had good showings with CJ Rouse at 215(4th), David Johnson at 152(5th) and Josh Allen at 119(5th). Kenwood looked good with Shelton taking 2nd at 103, Sammy Cox taking 2nd at 119, Pat Walsh at 145 taking 3rd,

Clarksville had Tim Minwell take 3rd at 160, Jim Weakley took 3rd at 171 Tim Pease taking 1st at 189, and Nathan Jones took 2nd at heavyweight.

The fourth team from region 7 that attended was Clarksville Northeast. Their heavyweight Williams took 5th. There is a lot of tough competition going on in Clarksville. Region 7 overall is very tough, and is only getting stronger.

I agree on the the level of competition, but I believe Clarksville will end up on top again with Kenwood on their heels.

Soms

I suspect it was more for the matchup itself.

Smyrna is coming and I heard Soddy may be there as well.

Soms

Coach,

 

I think some of it has to do with exactly what you stated. There are divisions now that were not there before. In the past a state champion was undisputed. Becasue we remember the history of the former way of doing things, we would like to be able to say, "he wrestled them all and came out the champ".

 

The other thing is that true competitors want to measure themselves with the best. I may be wrong here, but as an example, I was impressed that the wrestler from CBHS, he moved up a class to wrestler last years state champ from Bradely in the Cleveland Duals. I think it was Marable vs. Gibson at 160. That is what wrestling is about to me. He wanted to measure himself with another wrestler and was willing to go up to get that chance. Very impressive.

 

That is my answer to you last statement or question of "so what".

Excellent response!!

Yes. Memphis is the only area in West Tennessee with wrestling (assuming that Clarksville is considered Middle Tennessee).

Yes, Clarksville really is Middle TN, and we'll claim them and Kenwood and a few others up that way as our own.

I'm proud for them that they have began building a mini-Chattanooga over the last 10 years or so.

Sommers

Usually the coaches will post their names. Almost all the topics here are opinionated anyway. I'd say that most of the time, identity isn't relevant, but most people would be willing to tell you who they are if you asked them. It's kind of weird, because, as long as I have been on Coach T, nobody has ever suggested that everyone reveal who they are. You seem to be the only person who thinks this is "cowardly". As for me, I don't really have any credentials to back up my comments. I'm just a regular old fan who likes talking about wrestling.

You're too honest!! But I've enjoyed watching your comments the past few months and thought you were actually an assistant or parent/coach like I am.

Ask Legman how he feels about not being willing to reveal who you are, or at least share school affiliation/history on thie message board.

Sommers

I'm guessing that Sommers is the same guy I went to school with at Hixson that was a crazed Dallas Cowboy fan and now has 5 kids.  I think you also had a brother that was a state champion.

 

Am I close?

You've got a good memory and probably went to Hixson too, right? I havn't followed Dallas much since they canned Landry. I still enjoy wrestling, but with 10 kids it's hard to spend the time I would like. We have another generation of wrestling with our sophomore, Spencer Sommers wrestling at Smyrna. It's exciting.

bopper1 or other unknowns: As far as privacy, if you have some insecurities or things to hide, please continue to, but if you enjoy the reunion/discussion of 25 years of wrestling like I do, it's fun to catch up. Heck, our kids may be wrestling each other?

Sommers

Why don't we all reveal who each of us are? Shouldn't we be prepared to back our positions with our names?

Sommers/Blosser

Smyrna/Hixson

Outside of injury,,, I see no other reason for the champions "NOT" to prove who is really the number one wrestler in the state... Unless the champion of either division feels insecure and/or that this is a big risk they can't/won't face.

This would be exciting, no doubt, and add more luster to the champion of Tennessee in each weight class,,, instead of the big multi-ringed circus we normally have, EVEN during the finals. (I miss the big match ups we once had and now with Soddy, Bradley, Franklin and Clarksville, private and public is more interesting than ever in the past 25 years)

Sommers/Blosser

Smyrna/Hixson

By the way, why don't we all reveal who each of us are? Are there some us even feeling insecure or afraid to back our positions?

I was always grateful for his coverage as far back as the early 70's. He's in my prayers!

Sommers/Blosser

Smyrna (former Hixson wrestler '75-79)

Congrats to Steve and this fine program!!

Soddy Daisy won the team title over second place Gateway and third place Belle Vernon. The Tennessee school's 135- pounder, John Lane, was named Most Outstanding Wrestler of the lower weights, winning his championship match by technical fall.

How's John doing since the Baylor/Leen/Bro. Martin losses? I'm impressed with the Baylor kid, but can't see it happening again with a 100% Lane. I'm curious if Lane is injured, slumping or is he facing stronger wrestlers now? Also, as where did Derek Walker came from? years wrestling and where?

Dave Sommers/Blosser

I predict Bradley to kick tail in this one as well!!

Just a side note, Logsdon (legman) may be the toughest wrestler in the state. During practice, on New Year's day,,, I had the opportunity (@ 190 lbs.), or painful stupidity (@ 43 yrs. old), to roll around on the mat with this young fellow (38 yrs. old) and about to retire from coaching @ 167 lb. He was,with out question, stronger than our graduated "break-you-in-half" 215 James Turner of Smyrna, as well as 189 Kenny Meredith of Blackman, hey Steve even reminded me of wrestling my own brother Mike Blosser (hard as a rock). I also watched Steve work over every wrestler on his team which includes his OW, Quinn Gibson. This shows the potential for these older muscles of ours, if we "use 'em and not lose 'em.."

That's one good reason Bradley has become what they are, they now have had over 20 years of head coaches (2), with Turner J., that can "walk the walk, not just the talk." Some of us older "has beens," may have to depend on our alums to work the studs over in practice.

Congrats and good luck to Steve and his new successor, Chad Laxton, another one that will put the hurt on ya!!

Dave Sommer/Blosser

Smyrna

Guys,

Back in the seventies, us wrestlers at Hixson took on other athletes from other sports and we all learned that there are different kinds of conditioning. Granted we got tired playing basketball, football, soccer and boxing, but none of us got sick like the other athletes got on the mat; And may I add, sick like throwing-up after 30-60 seconds. We all agreed the most challenging and physically demanding sport was wrestling, perhaps some of us saw swimming and boxing as a close second, at the highest level of competition.

Another note regarding popularity: Many times, we got nearly as many fannies in the stands as our basketball team and I believe it was due to mutual respect and school tradition encouraged by the coaches and even at student level, and was strongly supported or even promoted by administration. Ronnie Carter can help in this area and of course has in the past.

One other thing that could bring more luster to the sport would be to allow the winners of each division wrestle a post season duel (perhaps only for the sake of fun and unofficial comparison). Perhaps the coaches agree as to the terms and conditions which could include, weight, refs, location and whether a particular DI (or DII) wrestler participates when they previously transferred over on scholarship, and most especially after learning the sport at the other school's feeder program?

By the way, I watched Eddie create this kind of controversy when I lived in Chattanooga in the eighties. He still loves this stuff, but this is includes all sports.

Dave Sommers/Blosser

Smyrna