rlwest40

Ever see an old man sitting alone talking to himself? Give him a keyboard and a coacht pass and you get Soms.

Thank you, it's bitter sweet to watch his final state championship. He has a tough road ahead with highly ranked Strawn LaRue and Russell.

I agree, considering the numbers there's really no need for a qualifier or placing 6.

Correct, diagnosis including treatment only if necessary as you said. I would be heartbroken, very unfortunate.

Which finalists were kicked out Soms?

Cannot leave weigh in area and you must have doc note with you at weigh ins. The doc note is to show the ref that the condition has been diagnosed and has been treated for so long and the condition is no longer contagious. How could he get a doc not in a matter of minutes providing all of that info? Especially proving that it had been treated for so many days and now cleared?? It's sad news that they weren't prepared. It's not much different than making weight though.

A wrestler should always have a dr note with him at weigh in if he has any questionable medical conditions. It's sad news but I'm most surprised with how they weren't prepared. I would be heartbroken if I were him or his parent. Someone dropped the ball and now he has to suffer.

31 Returning State Placers - 15 Lower Weights/16 Upper Weights 106 - 0 113 - 4 120 - 1 126 - 1 132 - 3 138 - 3 145 - 3 152 - 1 160 - 2 170 - 3 182 - 2 195 - 2 220 - 3 285 - 3

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I haven't went back and looked at brackets from last year. I remember that bracket being lop-sided and I thought the winner came from the other side. My mistake, I take your word that 2,4,5,and 6 were on one side and 1 and 3 on the other and 5 won. I thought it was the other way around like I said. That champion overcame great odds to win that weight. You make a good point that it can go either way in an unbalanced bracket. Anything can happen, and I'm not trying to belittle anyone or their accomplishments at all and I apologize if it came across that way. I just don't agree with the current system. I agree that those big gaudy records don't mean a lot especially if you haven't seen any tough competition all year. I do believe that head to head results do mean something when it comes time to seed a tournament. Obviously I'm not alone because its done thousands of times a year in every state by thousands of coaches. If what happened 3 months ago in November doesn't mean much as you suggest then surely whatever the other wrestler did 12 months ago shouldn't either. The current system rewards accomplishments from a year ago and ignores current season accomplishments. I haven't seen a meaningless tournament yet.

Miller majored Wells by 13 points almost a TF. That's impressive at HWT where its usually a close match settled by an escape or a slip-up leading to a pin. I think Miller is the most athletic HWT besides Bruno but size is an issue.

I agree it should be a fun match. Solomon's side of the bracket does not seem that tough, maybe one returning state qualifier. I believe he has a pin over Brown (BC) but won only by decisions against Baltz and Raulston. Raulston and Yunis depending on who makes it could give him a good match in the finals.

I'm sticking with Miller but I'll keep an eye on Ring. Maybe they will meet in the quarters.

At 152 I believe Garrison on the top of the bracket is undefeated and has some significant wins this season including a win over Warren. Warren is also very good as is Williamson from SD who defeated Hager. Oliver also defeated Hager and Williamson. I see at least 3 wrestlers on the top of the bracket that would probably beat Hager. At 160 Cotton had a great region tournament and has a win over Alexander and Begley. Dooley and Wilson are on the same side of the bracket and both have wins over Cotton. Him and Wilson split matches actually. Not to mention the return of Sells, depending on how healthy he is. His match with Croy was very close and he also lost to Klingensmith. He would have to have another great tournament and get past three tough contenders to make the finals.

Its not an exact science, just my favorites. Which of these might not make the finals? 120 - Cyree, Fuller, Lee? Cyree is the favorite over Fuller but I'm not ruling him out, it should be close. 152 - Warren, Garrison, Binns, Oliver? Garrison and Binns are probably the favorites but these other two a very even with them so its a toss up. 160 - Dooley, Alexander? 182 - Solomon, Yunis, Raulston? Yunis and Raulston should be a very close match. 220 - Kramer, Kennedy, Filbey, Shotts? I said Kennedy would have to get past Kramer and Filbey which is also possible since he's already beat Kramer. 285 - Reagan, Miller?

Whichever team scores the most points in each division. Whichever wrestler dominates his weight class, strength of bracket considered.

106 Haney (WV) vs Hernandez (HER) in the semi's McElhaney (BC) vs Carter (COR) in the 2nd round I'm guessing these 2 matches will determine your finalists. I'm picking at least one of our county's wrestlers in the finals and also bringing home the gold. 113 Navarro (BC) from the top Blansit (CHS) vs Huling (KH) in the quarter's - winner faces Crawford (HER) in the semi's. Whoever wins this one will be in the finals on the bottom. I'm picking at least one of our county's wrestlers in the finals and also bringing home the gold. 120 Cyree (TUL) vs Fuller (BC) in the semi's Whoever wins this one will be in the finals on the top. Lee (FRA) from the bottom I'm picking the winner from the top to win it all, either Tullahoma or another wrestler from Bradley County. 126 Debien (CHS) vs Dickeson (WC) I'm picking another hometown champ. 132 Richard (WC) vs Holcomb (SD) in the semi's Whoever wins this one will be in the finals on the top. Stevison (CHS) from the bottom. Another possible all region 4 finals, I'm picking another Bradley County champ. 138 Russo (SD) vs Taylor (CHS) Yet another all Region 4 finals, again I'm picking a hometown boy. 145 Richmond (SD) vs Hamilton (BRE) Another Region 4 finalist. Hamilton may have the edge after his last two performances. 152 Warren (RW) vs Garrison (BLK) in the semi's. Oliver (CHS) vs Binns (WC) in the quarter's. I'm guessing these 2 matches will determine your finalists. Possibly another Bradley County finalist. Garrison seems to be the favorite. 160 Dooley (FRK) vs Alexander (SD) Region 4 finalist and possible champ. Alexander is hungry to make up for region and take gold his senior year but Dooley has momentum. Should be very close. 170 Hamilton (CHS) vs Kennedy (RIV) I'm picking another Cleveland champ in a close match. 182 Solomon (MAR) from the top. Yunis (KW) vs Raulston (WV) Whoever wins this one will be in the finals on the bottom. Another close match. Possibly another Bradley County finalist. I'm guessing Solomon wins in a close one. 195 West (CHS) from the top. Kennett (WV) vs Russell (CLK) Whoever wins this one will be in the finals on the bottom. It should be very close. I'm picking another Cleveland champ in what could be another all region 4 finals. 220 Kramer (WC) vs Kennedy (CHS) Whoever wins this one will be in the finals on the top. Another close one. Shotts (RW) from the bottom. Another possible Cleveland finalist if he can get past Filbey and Kramer again but Shotts seems to have the edge. 285 Reagan (CLK) vs Miller (WV) Bradley County boy in the finals again but I believe Reagan wins this one. I admit I may be little biased but these are my picks and I don't think they are too far fetched. Our locals boys should make a good showing with many in the finals and some falling short in the semi's. I doubt we will have a region 4 rep in every weight class but it could be close. Maybe 10? Looks like there will be several great matches just like any year filled with some upsets and surprises.

Returning state qualifier as a common opponent, any state placers? Raulston from WV should be right there with these two as a contender. Looks like all three are very even, hard to pick.

Personally I believe the dual divisions are great just the way they are right now. The current three divisions provide an even playing field for each member school. 1. The private schools can compete with each other to determine the champion of their sector without any of the disputes between public schools and private schools. This is their prep state championship with some great rivalries. Should the region and state duals be reformatted using different qualification and seeding methods? 2. The small division public schools can compete with each other for a championship without being at a disadvantage to much larger schools. This will increase participation at the high school level within the smaller schools. Should the region and state duals be reformatted using different qualification and seeding methods? 3. The large division public schools can compete for a championship with other equal sized public schools without having the advantage over smaller schools or being at a disadvantage to the alleged 'recruiting' private schools. Should the region and state duals be reformatted using different qualification and seeding methods? Tennessee high school wrestling does not have the participation numbers to warrant any additional dual championships. The TSSAA has done a great job in my opinion in regards to the latest dual classifications and meeting the needs of everyone involved. There may be a need to adjust the qualification and seeding methods in some of the divisions though.

Poll Topics: Traditional Divisions Dual Divisions State Championship Venue Championship Event Details State Seeding Criteria Individual Championship Awards Traveling Restrictions Competition Dates

In addition, Contact CoachT and lobby for this thread to be permanently pinned to the top of the forum. Inquire about the ability to add a voting poll to this thread in the near future.

My Suggestions: 1. Compare and analyze possible proposals to improve high school wrestling in TN. Basically brainstorm and suggest improvements. 2. Selection. Deciding which of these ideas benefit the sport the most and are actually feasible. Basically narrowing down the choices. I've seen the ability to set up voting polls in other forums, not sure if it is available here. Fantastic tool though IMO. 3. Collecting and prioritizing all of the ideas that are agreed upon by the majority. Be realistic about how many proposals to submit at once. Ideally this should be done in waves probably once each year. Yes it will take time but the progress will be rewarding. 4. Organizing the proposal. This should be a joint effort by qualified individuals. Allow proof reading and constructive criticism by everyone involved. Make necessary revisions and acquire final approval. Should the proposal include a petition or at least reference a documented petition? 5. Submit the proposal through the proper channels within the required time frame. Post a copy of the finalized proposal on this board for public record and reference.

In response to RSantos423, I forgot to quote. I was considering him as a possible finalist wondering whether he could get the upset but I remembered last year he came into state with a similar record that was very impressive but he failed to even place. Does he have any significant wins this season? What are Solomon's significant wins? Any common opponents? It would be interesting to see these two in the finals and see how they stacked up.

I honestly admire your effort and wish you nothing but luck with your letter. I've learned that this TN forum is a completely different beast than most other states'. You must be prepared for attacks. Trash talk is much more preferred than thoughtful debate, I've recently been experimenting with pairing the two methods in an effort to get a point across to a larger demographic. If you make suggestions on this board to stimulate thought and conversation on how the sport can be improved then you will be attacked for whining by those who feel threatened by change or those who do not want things to change or improve because of selfish reasons. You will be told to stop whining and step up and do the work yourself to make the change you want to see. If you step up and try to actively make a change and unite the wrestling community into one voice to represent the many ideas that are suggested on this board then you will be criticized as well for your efforts. This thread is an example and proves that. My suggestion is to expect this type of response and hopefully you won't be discouraged. I also suggest creating a new thread to invite thoughtful debate and discussion on ways to improve the sport in TN. It could serve as a tool to collect ideas and recruit help in proposing the message to the powers to be. I would not submit the proposal in haste. Hopefully that thread would break Sommer's copy and paste thread records since it has the potential to bring much more value to the sport. It would be nice to see the theme of this forum make a turn in that direction.

Has the Murphy Center been considered? It is home of the TSSAA boys and girls basketball state championships. Possible reduced rates for multiple events? Have college coaches at UTC or MTSU had any luck negotiating the cost of renting out facilities with their respective schools? It would be a great fundraiser for the college wrestling programs if the school was willing to waive the rental fees and allow the wrestling program to host the event and split the revenue with the TSSAA. The college could still collect revenue from concessions and parking. The college wrestling program could split the gate with the TSSAA. The TSSAA could also make money from additional vendors such as merchandising and programs as well as the live broadcasting of the events. Distribute the cost and the revenue and in turn help support high school and college wrestling in our state.