galloppingghost77

Jefferson, GA 71 William Blount 12 Wilson Central 77 Univ Heights, KY 3

The Halls Middle School Wrestling Team, led by Cody Humphrey, went 5-0 on the day to claim the Tiger Dual Wrestling Championship Saturday at Pigeon Forge High School. In the Championship round-robin pool of three, Halls defeated the Highland, VA and the Gibbs, TN wrestling teams. Science Hill took home the JV Dual Championship by defeating Pigeon Forge in the final! Thank You to all the teams who attended this event and on behalf of the Pigeon Forge Wrestling Family, we wish you all a very Merry Christmas! Also, if you happen to be coming to Pigeon Forge this weekend to do a little shopping, stop by the Smoky Mountain Dual's and watch the battles take place. We have 14 teams ranked in the top 6 in their states and 2 more ranked in their states top 10 so the competition should be tremendous! Jefferson, GA will be returning to claim the title but there are several teams that seem to be ready to wrestle the title away from them!

For those teams competing in this years Smoky Mtn Duals: Please shoot me an email if you are wrestling on Thursday, December 20. This would allow for a weight allowance and I want to get the word out to all the teams well before hand. my email is: seaauwrestling@gmail.com

First of all I agree with the comment that there are a number of factors they play a part in the success or failure of any athletic program; Coach, athletes, knowledge, supports, etc. However, the larger the pool of athletes you can draw from the more likely your team numbers will be up and the number of more/better athletic people will have. Now the greater the pool or the more select a pool also plays a part in the success of a program. Schools like Baylor and McCallie have built tremendous programs that attract athletes to their program. This has not been a easy or short term process, this has been created over many years and goes back to the start of these programs and the high quality of people who laid they foundation of their success. With that said, this discussion will never end with 100% of the people for or against the split. he same to be said with the split from private and public. If an Athlete wins the A/AA individual State title they are a state champion and for ANYONE who speaks out against that young persons accomplishment should be ashamed. No way this division should be compared to any political statutes that establish free things for a certain portion of the population.

I did not see anywhere in Coach Blair's post that stated they were doing away with the Dbl Elim. format. Why would they have to drop the Dbl Elim with the new divisions? As for schools with large enrollments not having an advantage over schools with smaller enrollments, I disagree. Much larger pool of athletes to draw from, more kids on the team and more competition in the room. Yes I know there are those small schools that can go toe to toe with anyone, but if you look at the list of state champion teams for the past, you have to go back to the 1970's to find a public school with lower enrollment tha won the state title. In a few years we shall see if the decision was good or bad for wrestling. Something tells me that no matter what, this conversation will not change. Anyway, Good Luck to eveyone this season! GOOD LUCK TO THE MOCS TONITE!!! I will be wearing UTC Hat, My Iowa Shirt, and my my UT Wrestling Club jacket or vest. ALL ABOUT THE WRESTLING! THANK YOU SHOUT OUT TO THE MOCS AND COACH ESLINGER AND COACH BRANDS FOR PUTTING THIS THING TOGETHER!

Updated Team List 1. Pigeon Forge, TN 2. Gibbs, TN 3. Jefferson, GA 4. Allatoona, GA 5. Gilmer, GA 6. University Heights, KY 7. Beech, TN 8. Cherokee High School, NC 9. Heritage, TN 10. Manassas Park HS, VA 11. William Blount, TN 12. Wilson Central, TN 13. Notre Dame, TN 14. Harpeth, TN 15. Seymour, TN 16. Clay County, WV 17. Holy Innocents, GA 18. Dutch Fork, SC 19. Walnut Hills, OH 20. Dalton, GA 21.Trion High School, GA 22. Woodford County, KY 23. University Heights, KY 24. Centennial High School TN 25. Chapin, SC

All i have to say is: GO MO WEST!! Well I have one other thing to say: I hope for both teams that the officials crew hat called the Seymour v SCHS game last week does not call this one. If they do it will be a LONG night!

Sorry guys I left a couple off. The list has been updated. The list of teams are are on a 2 page word document and I simply did not check page 2. Also, I noticed that Seymour was on the list twice. So as it stands we have 25 teams

here is a list of Teams thus far and we are waiting to hear from 4 others. 1. Pigeon Forge, TN 2. Gibbs, TN 3. Jefferson, GA 4. Allatoona, GA 5. Gilmer, GA 6. Spain Park High, AL 7. Beech, TN 8. Cherokee High School, NC 9. Heritage, TN 10. Manassas Park HS, VA 11. William Blount, TN 12. Wilson Central, TN 13. Notre Dame, TN 14. Harpeth, TN 15. Seymour, TN 16. Clay County, WV 17. Holy Innocents, GA 18. Dutch Fork, SC 19. Seymour, TN 20. Walnut Hills, OH 21. Dalton, GA 22. Trion High School, GA 23. Woodford County, KY 24. Chapin, SC 25. University Heights, KY 26. Centennial High School TN

The University of Tennessee Wrestling Club will be selling drinks along the Pedestrian Walkway on the University of Tennessee Campus this Saturday, Sept. 22, 2012. We will have Wrestlers and Coaches selling drinks from Coolers on Wheels at each end of the walkway and in the middle of the walkway. Your support and help is appreciated! The wrestlers should be wearing their Tennessee Wrestling T-shirts, so they should be easy to spot! also, Thank You to all wonderful people who stopped by and ate with us last Saturday!

What day? September 15, 2012 This Saturday! Florida v. Tennessee! 9:30 till we are SOLD out!! We are also planning a speical Tailgate gathering for the Tennessee Wrestling Reunion. The Date, Time, Site, and opponent will be named as soon as I find out. We have a Former UT Wrestler who said he would matcthe funds we raise up to $5,000, so we are working hard to hit that mark!

What time? Good Question: We will begin setting up at 8:30 and we should be ready to serve shortly after, so I will say 9:30ish. Our schedule has improved and the funds are needed, so please come by and help out the program! Some of our wrestlers will be wondering around handing flyers that have a coupon on it. If you are a UTor any area College or University wrestling Alum, and you come by we will extend the coupon discount to you! Or if you are a Member of theNational Wrestling Hall of Fame! COME ON DOWN ANIMAL and bring Mama Huggie with you too!

I have never smoked Gator! I sure hope the Vols do this weekend!!! FOr really Good Grilled or Blacken Gator: Bayou Bay on Chapman HWY! ANIMAL, YOU ARE MORE THAN WELCOME TO COME AND HELP US!

The Univ of TN Wrestling Club will have a BBQ tent set-up on the Univ. of TN campus, on the Pedestarian Walkway. Will be offering Pulled Pork BBQ, Smoked Chicken Legs, Smoked Bologna, and side dishes. Please stop by and support the Wrestling Club of UT and GO BIG ORANGE!

On the Pedestrian Walkway, on campus, the Univ. of TN Wrestling Club will have a couple of tents set up selling BBQ, sides , and drinks. This our first fundraiser of the year and we really need your support! We have several returning wrestlers and several new faces with alot of talent! We will be offering Hickory/apple wood smoked pork and chicken! Also, if Coach Lauderdale has time, will have Smoked Chicken legs on hand as well. Please come out and and support us! Coach Lauderdale will also have on hand several of his homemade sauces, including his Old Number Seven Caribbean Sauce!

runtheball you are correct! I have coached both and I believe there are 2 - 3 basic reasons why "some" football coaches do not want "their" players to wrestle. Some wrestling coaches go to an extreme with their athletes cutting weight. No tonly cutting weight but do it quickly. The last thing a football coach wants is a 205 pound LB cutting down to 171 because a wrestling coach needs to fill a weight class. The new Wrestling Weight certification has addressed this issue, for the most part, quite well. Some football coaches are still under the impression that bigger is better. Some football coaches want a kid who weighs 270 one year to weigh 300 the next, regardless of the fact it is unhealthy for the kid and the kid can't move. There is a difference in strength gain and weight gain. Focus of off-season workout should be to get stronger, faster, more explosive, more flexible, and more athletic. Weight gain will happen, but some football coaches focus on gaining weigh and their belief that is so important. and lastly, some football coaches are just territorial and just simply do not want to "share" "their" athletes. They want the focus to be football and football only. Now with this said, football coaches are not the only ones who are territorial. Baseball and basketball are just as bad if not worse.

What coaches are crying? The TSSAA asked for their input. The coaches gave their input. Input was ignored, or so it seems. 5 classifications was the better plan for travel and money for each school and a playoff system that EVERYONE could understand easily. However, it would have cost the TSSAA money.

The current system is all about $. Has nothing to do with helping in travel distance or rival's. To prove that point,had they gone with their plan for 5 classes, look at the AAAA in the Knoxville area: Halls, Karns, West, South Doyle, Seymour, Gibbs, and I believe 2 others. All these schools are about 45 minutes apart. Each Region game would have drawn huge crowds compared to what some of them draw now. For those of you that believe that the TSSAA listens to the coach's, no way. The listen to the few, who have their own key people in place to cast a vote that improves their schools situation and the heck with everyone else.

I have now also added: Clay High School, WV Centennial HS, TN

Should be able to find results on the Middle School National Duals on the AAu National Web site. www.aausports.org

Wilson Central has been added! I am glad you guys are coming back!!

Smoky Mountain Duals Pigeon Forge, TN December 21 & 22 , 2012 Location : Pigeon Forge High School 414 Tiger Drive Pigeon Forge, TN 37863 Entry Fee: $285.00 Admission: $10.00 adults, $5.00 students, u-5 free / Day Schedule: 12/21 12/22 Weigh ins: TBA Weigh in: 7:30 - 8:30 am Coaches Meeting:TBA Coaches Meeting: 8:45 am Wrestling:TBS Wrestling: 9:00 am Awards: 1st – 6th Team Plaques “OW†Lower Weight Wrestler (voted by officials) “OW†Upper Weight Wrestler (voted by officials) “NEW: All-Tournament Team Medals†Tournament: 9-10 mats, 20-25 Teams (first 25 to send in signed contracts). • 7 - 9 matches!!! • Send in last years and this years team accomplishments to separate the top teams, or will be randomly drawn. • Hospitality for Coaches, table workers, & officials. • Each team must provide a score keeper per table (2 / table). • Round robin / pool format, each day. • Great place for TEAM / FAMILY vacation and for CHRISTMAS SHOPPING! Championship Criteria / Pool Tie Breaker: Same as National Federation rules! Contact: Darrell Lauderdale 865-755-7872 or darrelllauderdale@sevier.org Or seaauwrestling@chartertn.net Or Greg Foreman 865-577-1950 or 865-256-4734 School fax 865-774-5798 Hotel Information & Tourism Office (for special discount prices, packets, cabin rentals, and attractions are available upon request; contact Darrell Lauderdale). Here is a list of those teams that have committed thus far: 1. Pigeon Forge, TN 2. Gibbs, TN 3. Jefferson, GA 4. Allatoona, GA 5. Gilmer, GA 6. Spain Park High, AL 7. Beech, TN 8. William Blount, TN 9. Heritage, TN 10. Manassas Park HS, VA 11. William Blount, TN 12. Notre Dame, TN 13. Wilson Central, TN

yes it has. As a matter of fact several times this past weekend. That site and several others that have similar facilities have also been discussed.

Your anonymity does not bother me it just seems to me that that if you believe in what you are stating that you would NOT hide behind an alias. Other have posted on here who I know. I respect their ideas and opinions. As far as your comment "and your unwillingness to correct past errors" I am the first to admit when I have made a mistake and when I can and should do things better. MY UNWILLINGNESS TO CHANGE! It is obvious you do not know me and have not been here for the past 14 years. During that time I have heard all the complaints and each year I , we, try to address them. If you think what you have stated is harsh, by no means Do I consider them to be harsh. If you BELIEVE that I am not open to new ideas, it is real obvious that you do not know me. I also need to point out, that I no longer am the director of TeamTN, and have not been for the past 2 years. However when I was, I listened to all suggestions, complaints, and ideas. Did I agree with all of them no, but they were all discussed and addressed. Again, I have given you my contact info. I am interested in hearing your suggestions and ideas. It seems that you believe you were ignored last year by someone, so I am here to tell you that I AM HERE AND I WILL LISTEN! I WILL TAKE NOTES! I WILL SHARE YOUR OPINIONS AND IDEAS! BY ALL MEANS, I ENCOURAGE ANYONE WHO WANTS TO BE A PART, TO STEP FORWARD, AND BECOME AN ACTIVE PART OF THE LEADERSHIP. JUST LET YOUR REGIONAL DIRECTOR KNOW THAT YOU ARE WILLING AND ABLE! SO PLEASE HUMOR US! GET INVOLVED!

Oh yeah, a venue where the temp control can be easily adjusted