WrestleSBA

From a talk with both of them they also felt that Fargo was going to be Demetrius's concentration this year. I know that TN will certainly be glad to have him there as well as hopefully on the junior duals team.

Since this topic has resurfaced I will mention that Darius Williams is headed to Harper College in Chicago. I believe he will also be joined there by Chris Reynolds of Cordova.

Right now in my fat and happy state I weigh in around 179 - 183. I would easily make it back down to the lower 170 weight, I think it would be 174 at most tourneys. However, once I get back running 165 isn't out of shot because I did it two years or so ago but I was only coming down from the mid 170's then. More than likely I would end up in the 174 range.

It's good to see that more people are showing interest in the senior / open divisions. If I can get my shoulder back to the point of not risking injury again then I will likely be competing as well.

Grinder, Try going to the following link: 2006 - 2007 Chartered Clubs This is the list of the currently chartered clubs. You can look through and find those that are located in nashville and get some contact information. However, those are just the currently registered clubs and there is general an increase in the coming months as many schools register their clubs when the freestyle season starts.

Ellie, Are you working the tournament again this year? I am going to try and come up in a non-coaching capacity and see if I can give some help. I can't make any gaurauntees though as I may have some family coming in to town and if they do I will need to stay in Memphis.

Ha maybe that is what I need next time I have to roll with him in practice for Team TNT of Team Memphis... I certainly didn't hold my own too well!

Absolutely! No knock on Coffey but it was great to see Shane so excited for Matt. Blood Sweat & Tears, I think you said it perfectly, Shane did look like a kid on Christmas morning. That is what you hope to see out of every coach!

Drew, Don't do it don't do it. You must resist the temptation! But then again that weight advantage does come in handy when you have to roll with some of the guys doesn't it Ronnie

I think we were talking personality similarities not physical traits. On that end yes I would give you Israel pretty much nails it right on the head... or at least as close as any coach I can think of. Of course I wonder how long you have been thinking that one to yourself... hmm...

At the same time how about Shane Turner hoping around like his feet were on fire and then raising his hand to signal a pin. Definitely not a knock on Shane though... I have been known to get the same way and there is no beating his enthusiasm. But a few people in the stands around me definitely got a kick out of it.

I definitely like Monk as well but have been really liking Psych lately as well. Oh not to mention House which I own the first season of. Many friends say I bear a resemblance to both Monk and House as well.

Haha, Chris Lewis = Adrian Monk. That is absolute classic usfjim!

McLain, I just wanted to say that it was nice talking with you on Thursday afternoon. You seem like a very good young man with an excellent head on your shoulders and an even better outlook on life. I know it was tough to lose for a second time in the finals but I think you looked at wrestling with the right attitude based on our conversation and you are still happy with how you wrestled. I wanted to wish you luck in the future, I am sure you will do well. Enjoy the rest of your time at Baylor and continue your success in college. Garrett House

I probably shouldn't but I am going to take a stab at it. I will attempt to give reasons where I can. 103 - Daniel Baucke by dec In a close one I think Daniel takes it. He is a smart wrestler who gets the job done. I think they have some past matches but I don't remeber the specific outcomes other than it being close. I think maybe at the state freestyle tournament last year... I do think Miller has an advantage in bring a little bigger. 112 - Josh Jadoobirsingh by dec This would be another close one but I think Jadoobirsingh takes it. Whitaker doesn't lose big to anyone so it will defintiely be a decision but my gut (yes I know I am pulling a Soms) tells me this goes the way of the Cleveland kid. I can't come up with any matches / common opponents to draw on although I would imagine there are some. 119 - Demetrius Johnson by maj I have to take D by a large margin in this one. Looking at a common opponent in Ryan McKenzie this year tells all the story I need. McKenzie kept it even with Duncan (I think they were tied with about 30 seconds to go). On the other hand Demetrius majored McKenzie this year and McKenzie is mroe than familiar with Demetirus as they have been wrestling for a few years and knows how to attempt to keep it close and Johnson still majors him. To be honest I wouldn't be shocked to see a tech fall here if Demetrius was on that day... oh and note to mention the senior preparing for college versus an 8th grader! 125 - John Michael Simpson by dec I think this one is close but I am going with the senior 2x state champ over the sophomore at this point. Although I have to admit I am impressed by Graham. 130 - Ben Johnson by dec Tanner is the real deal but I have to take Ben in the battle of the Johnson's. I just don't think anyone was beating Ben Johnson this year. He controls the match so well... 135 - Will Young by dec Did we see this match anywhere during the season? I can't seem to remember and am too lazy to look. Once again Young is very good at wrestling his match. Winesburgh is capable of a big move to give him the lead to hold off Young but if Young scores first I think he takes that lead to the bank. 140 - Mike Bell by dec Man I am just not sure on this one. I think the big match experience pays off for Bell. Not much I can say but would be interested. I see this similar to Winesburgh / Young. 145 - Kelly Felix by dec I think I have personally seen this match maybe 3 times in the last year. I think twice at Freestyle / Greco state last year and the finals at Ryan this year. I believe all the wins were one point decisions for Felix so I would have to once again give him the one point decision. But with a match that close it is never out of Baucke's reach. 152 - Justin Spain by dec Another fantastic match but I just don't think that Reed has the arsenal that Justin does. Look for them to trade maybe two TD's each in the first two periods but Spain to get the deciding one in the 3rd. 160 - Brandon Wright by dec In what could be the match of the duals I think Wright gets a 1 - 2 point. Brandon has shown an affinity to win the close ones and I think he took a one point decision over Waddell at the Best of the Best Duals in freestyle over the summer. Different style so the results don't necessarily translate but I think they traded pushouts with Wright getting the only takedown. Darn good match here but look for Brandon to get an early lead and control. 171 - Aaron Bateman by dec Aaron Bateman is just flat out a gamer when it is all on the line. Hard to argue with a 3x state champ but then again Jake Young may be able to pull off the same feat. Once again I am going to go with the senior in what is sure to be an absolute physical battle that stays close because I think Jake Young may actually be the better technician. Watch out for that patented Bateman lateral drop though! 189 - Tyler Roberson by dec This is a match we saw at the state freestyle / Greco tournament as well. Roberson came out on top in two close battles. Back then Roberson seemed to be the larger of the two and I am certain that is true now. While Tyler is a true 189lber Dede is wrestling up at 189 and is much closer to a true 171 if he were cutting. This would be one of the more entertaining matches of the night as their previous battles have been and I believe they would both be looking to put on a show. Since I know they are close (have trained together at things like Junior Duals Camp) I think they both would be willing to let it all hang out. As a total side note I would take Darius against either at 171! 215 - Matt Lettner by dec This is another match I could see the DI guys picking up some bonus points (maybe a major) if Lettner is on (say the way he was against Coffee) but I think Bartholomew is strong enough to keep it close. I think he was just going to be unstoppable this year and while Bartholomew is a terrific athlete I do not believe he is the wrestler that Lettner is, yet... 285 - Sliger by dec This is another match that I could see bonus points for DI depending on how match goes. Stylistically I like Sliger to take this one from Hermann. Hermann's style is very much a underhook, bodylock type that I would think conflicts with one like Sliger who seems to move well on his feet and is big and strong enough to finish shots on the strong Hermann. Of course Hermann defeated Still in the finals who also moves well but I don't believe he had the strength or size that Sliger has. Should be an interesting on on the feet but I could see someone ending up on their back in this match (as often happens when the big boys really go for something). Now lets see that makes the dual meet score: DI - 25 DII - 18 with DI getting 8 wins and DII taking 6. Swing matches I see are: 112, 130, 135, 140 (whoever gets hot here really helps out, can't go out of the way on calling a pin at any of these matches either as they are all pinners so if someone makes a mistake they could be counting the lights...) Bonus point possibilities at: 119 (DI, but I called this one), 171 (DII), 215 (DI), 285 (D Like I said I probably shouldn't have done it but I did so go ahead and have at it.

Kevin, It was a pleasure to have an opportunity to sit and talk with you and your wife on Friday. You all have my respect as does all of the Bradley program (not that you need it!). I think we can all respect you wishes to enjoy the other things in life as you have earned it, but please don't be a total stranger. At least come back and update us on what Hunter decides as far as college and how he does there. He is a great kid and will have tons of people in TN wishing him the best! Garrett House

I too will throw out my congratulations to both the Baucke brothers. I have coached against and for both kids in the past years and they are an absolute pleasure to be around. Brian has worked hard for his boys over the years but no harder than he works for all the other kids he coaches. Their parents are very, very proud as many people are. Let's also not forget the work their current coach Chris Lewis has done for them! I was able to talk to both their parents yesterday after their matches and I think both were at a lose and things hadn't quite hit them yet. The trio of Simpson, Manley, and Baucke could be quite interesting in the next few years. I am very pleased for Josh to finally have won it, he has worked for a long time and Daniel will seek to continue his work and hopefully earn another.

Dang ask and you shall receive. I will have to remember that for future occassions where I need to know something!

Yeah that is why you have to ask around! All those people and their coordinated pride!

Not a problem Kevin. I know the state tournament is always a bit hectic for a lot of people but we should find some time to chat. Oh and thank you for the compliment. It is easy to be knowledgeable... all that takes is following the results and doing a little homework. The true challenge is attempting to be helpful, insightful, useful, not terribly biased (tough one), supportive, and witty (and I think we all fall short here in comparison to usfjim, BCB, Harry, BRB, and a few others).

If you look at the formatting of the DI section and then compare to the DII section you will realize that Hamm is not making predictions for DII finishes, those are just his rankings, even though some kids are in the wrong weight classes.

Mr. Randolph, I will be there. Just look for the younger coach with the Saint Benedict crew. If we haven't found each other I will make my way over to the Bradley section on Friday. I was actually sitting right next to the Bear faithful at the finals of State Duals, we likely missed a golden opportunity then. I have actually met Hunter a few times and enjoyed it (I helped him hand out awards at the Frosh / Soph state tournament two years ago, he was showing off his state championship ring at the time ). He is a fantastic kid. What are his plans for after graduation? I am not sure if Best of the West will be able to get to the tournament as he should be in class. I don't know if usfjim will be there either as he likely has to work. I am sure he would kill to be there if he isn't... I just can't remember him being at the last couple.

Brad, I would be willing to try and contribute to the magazine as well.

Small suggestion but you could take a look at last year's brackets on the TSSAA website and that would show you the convention for how people drop and flip. Sorry I was too lazy to go look up your answer myself.

Funny that you should ask. Hamm sent in the final predictions at about 2:00 A.M. this morning. I swear the guy never sleeps. I will post them to the website when I return home tonight.