TNKO2

530 in West Region and the other three regions averaged 275..... Middle TN wrestling had zero tournaments for little guys 5-6 years ago... you had to travel every weekend to east TN to get matches. great to see all the middle TN parents getting their kids interested in wrestling before 7th grade. Chattanooga area may always bring in an average of more medals for their area but Im certain in the future that gap will close greatly.

He is a great wrestler and Im sure a good kid. He has a bright future ahead of him. Of course I wish him the best!

In Division 1, Jeremy Miller couldnt even leave the state for weeks and come back and wrestle for Greenback because of D1 rules and this kid can live out of state for the whole 5 years and wrestle for TN. Does that really seem ok people???? Not sour guys, just telling it like it is. TN has some backwards ways in their sports rules.

Yeah, kid comes across state lines only because he can be recruited by a private school so not only can he wrestle out of his district but out of his own state as well. TN sure has some crazy rule differences for D1 and D2. And I know for sure had he wrestled D1 he would have been far from state champ 5 years in a row. Maybe 2. He is a great wrestler but some of these 5 and 6 timers might need an * by they're accomplishments because there just arent too many true state champions anymore. I mean come on, theres only like 16 schools in the division.... put that in Sports Illustrated.

I think I saw BCB wearing that same black dress downtown that night after the state and I believe he was hanging out with the FR Head Coach who was wearing a wedding dress as well.... good times....

"LIKE SANDS THROUGH THE HOUR GLASS, SO ARE THE DAYS OF OUR LIVES".....

People can definatley say 2 things about Chatt-area fans who read these posts year in and year out from you guys.......... 1. Chattanooga wrestling is really really good 2. There may be as much drama down there as there is really really good wrestling

189 Scotty Boykin of Riverdale was a surprise non-medalists being ranked second all year and I believe undefeated until state. A tough quarter match loss to Jones of Cleveland landed him a match with Mt Juliets Blake Biggs in the early Consoles. Either one or the other was not gonna medal after this match. Tough draw for both with them being ranked in state all year at that weight class. Just goes to show that you never know who might get a medal. I think 189 had some tough kids with about 9 equally top guys fighting for a podium spot.

Blackman has always had great wrestlers in thier upper-weights.... I dont know of any head coaches that break a full practice 100% sweat with their guys day in and day out like Coach Hamm did. Thats why they always have really good big boys.

And Ken "MATMAN" Hammonds from The Blackman School. Without his help this school would not have produced 3 State Champions in 6 years....(posssibly a 4th with #1 undefeated 215lber Josh Patton injured in 09.) some people in the school system (and you know who you are) that get paid good livings because of our kids just dont know how much time and love these guys put into our guys for little to no money.

Dr. Garner... The MAD SCIENTIST!! (better check my sp? on that one) lol. congrats!

Everything about the Ag Center screams "SAVE MONEY!" Wrestlers wrestle,thats what they do.... they will show up and perform on the beach nowadays to wrestle. The TSSAA and the spectators are saving money so everyone wins! At least you travled to see it... I had to work all weekend and Im just down the road and I couldnt come but in the end I really like the venue

Your only allowed to comment about the state tournament venue if you actually live in this state...

I would have to say the Woodlock I gave Eric for his toe this season was the biggest factor in him winning a state championship.... congrats to a good kid and Im really happy for his parents, I know they are proud. Chris, are you reffing with the TSSAA now? And I thought I heard a rumor about your moving to East Tennessee... is there truth to that? I think I remember the old lady is from that side of the state

The refs with the TSSAA are a great group of guys! I would love the chance of possibly working with them one day. But for now my passion is with the lil ones... I'll take a compliment from some ex-Chatt-town wrestlers anytime!

Yes, you are right, the TSSAA does do more to prepare their refs for the mat and its a good thing because they are dealing with much older boys with college stakes as well. In my 5 years with these younger kids I have found that its not just knowing the rules by the book but using good common sense, caring about the kids, time on the mat and most importantly owning up to and learning from my mistakes whether it be pointed out to me or realizing it on my own. (OJT) or on-the-job-training is key. The money is only a bonus to the great time I have just being apart of a sport I love.

I think its awesome that the State was moved to the Ag Center. No more parking tickets to pay in chatt-town, and double and triple fees for leaving your parking spot to go eat. Bringing in my own cooler and food which means no more $4.50 nachos and cokes and $2.50 bag of M&M'S at the concessions. All the room to sit and relax without being elbows and @$$holes all around you. And this crew finally got room to get double elimination in to find the true 1st-6th place. Great job Blair! Oh did I mention that its 20 mins from my crib????? Daddy gets to sleep in a little thursday before the backroads drive to Franklin!! Only one thing to make it even more perfect.... could we get those oriential guys from Cool Springs Mall to come and do massages???

Just though you would like to know that most all officals in the TSSAA and the AAU are dads.(Though I wouldnt mind seeing some "Moms" step up and put the stripes on) Come on and try it out for yourself, you might be good at it. Cause you see it doesnt matter if you make great calls or not... many times someones gonna have a problem with it. Thats wrestling.

Well considering that a ref make about $240 for a 1 day tourny, I guess that the 4 or so hundred for a 3 dayer doesnt seem like much. But still if you had to choose between the honor and the hospitality room or the free lodging and the money which whould you choose???? Sign me up X!! lol But seriously, I do love to eat free food from the moms....

Not only do the referees recieve excellent pay for the Dual State and Individual State but they also recieve free hotel rooms and a per diem allowance for food everyday as well. If I were them I'd pocket the cash and make me some PB&J's and shove em in a cooler!