whiskeyjoe

How will Coach C. shuffle his lineup? Will there be ANY forfeits? Will Shuford and Silberman be in the lineup? How rusty will those vets who've been out all season be? Will Hooker fight Doster or Hayes? Will team scores be posted on the clock? Will anybody lose his shoe at a critical point in his match? Will CupCake be sporting his read sweater vest? I don't remember this much suspense since the 2005 match. I assume there will be an intimate pre-match meeting at some hole-in-the-wall near Missionary Ridge and a massive post-match victory throw down at the home of someone from the red team. If anyone knows the locations of same, please advise.

Tommy: Tee's beat Bailey and other state champions, but wasn't able to bring home the gold himself at State. Certainly doesn't seem fair, and I both feel bad for you two guys. But, there's life after wrestling, so they say, and Tee may have grown more through his few disappointments than through his many victories. Your always-positive and almost always-funny posts have been a joy to read over the past three years. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that you're back next season. W.Joe

Rigger: The rule seems pretty straight forward to me. It prohibits a school from filming another wrestler, but it doesn't prohibit me, a mere parent, from filming another wrestler. But out of an abundance of caution, I ran the rule by my friendly lawyer and asked him for his take on it. He quoted that old legal maxim expressio unius est exclusio alterius (the inclusion of one is the exclusion of others) and told me to film away. When I told him one of my Father Ryan buddies said I could go to jail for filming, he said nonsense - I would have no mens re or scienter and furthemore de minimis non curat lex (the law cares not for trifles). I felt like I'd been in a Harry Potter movie after talking to the guy.

Gentlemen: Thanks for your comments on Bailey. The last four years have been a blast! He learned a lot from Baylor wrestling, and we in his family learned much from him. Hard to believe it's come to an end! But they all gotta grow up and move on, right? Bailey owes his success to great coaching -- Schaack and Coach Morgan and a number of assistants (and also a certain guru who's the father of another 4-timer and always had the right tip just before state each year). Bailey also owes much to a bunch of Baylor parents, teachers and alums who took an interest him and encouraged him all along the way. I've become a fan of Jeff Francis. He was a gentlemen toward me on the few occasions we talked even though he probably had no interest in speaking to his adversary's father. I could tell he was bitterly disappointed not to bring home the gold this year. I'll be following him next year and pulling hard for him against all opponents not wearing red leggings. Can't wait for next year. Without my own flesh and blood on the mat, I'll be able to watch Baylor wrestling without having to take a handful of Pepcid ACs and Tums before and after each meet! Best to all! -Philip Whitaker

FYI, TSSAA says no one will be allowed to bring food or drink into McKenzie Arena during the state traditional tournament. But the TSSAA will be providing wrestlers with free squeeze bottles and water and Gatorade stations where they can fill up during the tournament. As for food, wrestlers will either have to cache their bagels, Subway subs, etc. outside the Arena, or dine on hot dogs, popcorn and nachos from the concession stands.

According to your logic, a Hooker-Bauke match at state duals should mean nothing, because Hooker's seeding should mean nothing, because Hooker's the best 112 in the state and will win 112 at state traditional regardless of how he's seeded, right?

Anybody know why the team scoreboard wasn't illuminated in the McCallie gym Friday night? Were all the bulbs in it burned out? Were team scores posted somewhere else? If so, I could not find them, and I looked everywhere. Even had Cupcake's girlfriend (in her tight red sweater straining to contain its fleshy cargo) check the ladies room to see if the team scores were posted in there. No luck. Fortunately, the math wasn't too complicated (12 times 6 equal 72, and 4 plus 4 equal 8).

Let me collaborate with the social chairman and get back to you.

Agreed, and the Westbrooks boy may have lots of guts and a desire to fight in that environment. But unless Big Blue's coaches have been infused with a sudden perception of the essential nature or meaning of competition, there won't be anyone from McCallie at 103 on Friday night.

"Facenthecrowd" has gotta be Irish Dad.

Wow. GoIowa or JMF, you look like the jerk to me. I'm not a doctor, but I'm prescribing either a sense of humor transplant for you or some alone time at Leonard's, Yesterday's, the Brass Register, the Frosty Mug, the Varsity - take your pick.

McCallie has moved the start time of the match from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm as an accommodation to those of us who must attend a pre-match meeting that day. Many thanks, Big Blue. BCB, where shall we meet? N. Chatt. Cat?

lame

What's the name of the middle school where the GIT is held?

Good video. Watched it over the internet, and it went without a hitch. Only disappointment is that the announcers, who did a fine job, got me pumped up to see a match at 125 or 130 that never materialized.