Newestguy

"Being able to "go out and get" kids (as opposed to having to use the kids in your zone) is an advantage" Ya think?

Of course D2 is going to have overall better quality. They recruit. Besides the Clevelands, Bradleys, Wilson Centrals, etc. MOST D1 schools have virtually no feeder programs. The ones that do lose their good kids to recruiting from the D2 schools when the good kids zoned for their schools are in 8th grade. MOST D1 schools have to spend the first 4 weeks of practice teaching their kids the rules, and technique. Not only is this time consuming, but it hurts the juniors/seniors that finally know the basics by holding them back in practice teaching the new kids. MOST D1 schools have virtually no if any help coaching. It's a one, or at most, a two man show. D2 schools have 4,5, even 6 people on staff, many of whom have wrestled in college. If there are new kids, they can be instructed separately from the experienced ones. Obviously the kids in D2 also have great drill partners. The overall result is exponential. The rich get richer. Who should we have more respect for? A D2 school with a staff of 6 who wins the state by recruiting the best kids around when they are in 8th grade, or a D1 school with a staff of 1 or 2 that taught their kids (with no parents or money) how to wrestle their freshman year who winds up to be at least competitive?

Why would some 8th graders be able to compete and not others simply because the buildings touch, or they have a common Principal or they're in a small town? That makes zero since. Either allow all 8th graders to be eligible or none.

Already closed. Both sold out by 4:30 the day it opened

Yes, plus 3. It shows up when you go to register

Why would you be shocked? anytime there's vote to split to water things down they vote yes

I agree with you CBG. Even the World Congress Center in Atlanta where USA Wrestling host the Southeastern Regional would be a vast improvement. Major airport, plenty of affordable hotels within walking distance and a first class facility thats apparently affordable for USA Wrestling. The only drawbacks are it's not exactly centralized and spectator seating isn't optimal. But Fargo North Dakota? Come on man

I'm not exactly sure why USA Wrestling keeps the biggest tournament in the country in a far away, expensive, remote location. It seems that if they wanted to promote and grow the sport it would be centralized or at least in a place with a major airport/hotels. Perhaps the facility is free?

The problem isn't lack of opportunities to make the team. In fact on this post there was a plea asking for anyone that wanted to inquire. The problem is lack of interest. And a lack of organization and ability to fund raise. Even with Hatcher it would still cost kids over $500. To go to Fargo would probably be close to $2,000. I believe this to be the biggest obstacle.

How are the kids insured?

Why host a tournament the exact same date as the TN State Tournament? Why not the week before, or the week after? Or any other week for that matter.

"Look I'm probably the biggest cheerleader for TeamGa and the way they operate things during folk season but they have not figured out how to take free/Greco to the next level. " As compared to who? Pennsylvania? Considering 1) they take a National team (I believe 4 deep) on a chartered bus every year to Fargo 2) They pay the way for the top 2 or 3 kids each year to go to Fargo 3) They have a structured competition schedule (besides just 1 tournament) to see exactly who those scholarship recipients would be 4) They host the prestigious Southeast Regional each year (this used to be at UTC btw) 5) They host FS/GR tournaments weekly from the 1st of April to mid May and, 6) They provide an intense training grounds for their Fargo competitors 3-4 weeks out I'd say they have just a bit of an edge over us. Other than that though, your right, it's about the same as TN. After all, we host the Ironman each year and the Greco and Folkstyle divisions have almost as many participants as the Georgia Games.

I was there. The registration before it closed Thursday night for FS/Greco was at 733. I was assuming there were a few more registering for Folkstyle on Sunday afterwards. I personally know at least 2 kids who missed the deadline, petitioned to get in and were turned down. They wrestled on 10 mats. 6 in one gym for highschool and 4 in another for MS/kids. The smallest HS weightclass was HWY which had 6 entrants. Although they combined 100 with 106 they may have had 6 or 7. Were you there? My original point is why don't we attempt to follow the Georgia model. Georgia has weekly tournaments from April 1 through mid May, highlighted with the SE Nationals. They are all FS/Greco with the only Folkstyle being Georgia Games on a Sunday and MS/kids for SE Nationals. Almost impossible to get less than 8-10 matches each week (provided you wrestle both styles). Thats nearly 60 matches in the offseason all being FS/Greco.

The problem is the mentality. After 3/31, AAU should completely cease running tournaments. AAU should be for middle school and under only. Let USA Wrestling take over beginning 4/1. Why not follow other models of success? Last weekend was also the Georgia Games in Atlanta. Freestyle and Greco on Saturday. Folkstyle was on Sunday. There were almost 800 entrants. Hosted by none other than USA Wrestling.

Back in the day there was no freshman/sophomore, Cadet/Junior Divisions. However, now there is. Are you saying if he wins Fargo (assuming he's still Cadet) it's only a good accomplishment, not a great one? Since he's wrestling against people his own age.

Soms, I hope you meant $10 a month is NOT a problem. If it is, then don't go or just pay $3 for one session. It's $3 for crying out loud. If you can afford $35 for a USA card then surely $3 won't break the bank. If it is still a 'problem' maybe coach Varnell will let you hang around after to mop the mats for 3 bucks (scholarship opportunity)

The NCWA has come a long way (Thanks to Title 9) in a short time. Would like to see the DII AA's against the NCWA AA's. Would be some interesting match ups.

Using process of elimination I would assume (although I hate assuming) that you are referring to the 160lb weight class. Despite where either wrestler attends school, the student athlete on the first team is far superior to the 2nd team. I conclude this by the caliber of competition (both in and off season), watching both wrestle, and just plain common sense. Admittedly politics plays a role, but the fact is McCallie and Baylor wrestle better competition, compete in the offseason, have better work out partners (especially from a numbers standpoint), and have superior coaching staffs. Facts are facts.

Tim, if you want freestyle/greco, I'd suggest to go to: http://www.teamgeorgiawrestling.com/tournaments Not sure where you're located, but most Chattanooga area teams participate there. There's a different tournament close to Atlanta (usually a bit north) literally every week. Kids get 7-10 matches each Saturday and because it's in Georgia they get to see different competition. Nothing like wrestling the same 2 or 3 kids over and over again in the TN tournaments. This is one reason Georgia is worlds ahead of TN in freestyle/greco. Also pay attention to how well they've done at Super 32 and Fargo the last couple of years.

$3500 a day. Thursday, Friday, Saturday = $10,500 And that's assuming the setup on Wednesday is free

The reason Austin Peay has been suggested is because apparently the AD really wants it there and rumor has it the facility will be free. Municipal Auditorium would come with a 10K plus price tag.I suppose if a private donor were willing to cough up the rent, the TSSAA wouldn't have much of an excuse not to switch. If not, then they've got about 10,000 reasons to keep it where it is.

the ones that are good and of course they get exponentially better by traveling. Like most things in life, the rich get richer, Constantly having new gear, a team bus and full time kids coaching is a tremendous recruiting tool

none of the public schools in Chattanooga are allowed to compete in non sanctioned events outside of Hamilton County until late March

Is Bradley a prep school?

Did you catch what was said by one of the commentators towards the end of the broadcast (around 37-38 minute mark)? "You know they must have some backdoor deal with this rodeo" Interesting