Twofdr

Rosters up on Track

Ben has seemed to make it clear...at least to me...that if there is a “legit” reason the kid can’t make it...just let him know 5-10 days ahead of time. Somehow, people have been giving the impression that Ben, and the board, are out to screw kids over....I just don’t get where this is coming from? It has never been my experience. I get that it may “ appear” to be “power play” thing by an individual....but, I also think some of the complaining is just wild speculation. If you know your kid can’t make it to State Tourney....reach out now...let them know why...if you get a response that you can’t live with...THEN, get back to the site and fill us in. AT this point, this wild speculation is just that...speculation.

Okay....come on... It is crystal clear....just wrestle in the darn State tourney and stop the whining. He has highlighted his position in red, multiple times....you have stated yours... Scott, the point is clear...it’s not your call! You want it to be your call...try take his position. I get his position, and I get your point, but truthfully...why not just wrestle in the darn tourney. Beating a dead horse, at this point....no matter how right you “think” you are...you just don’t/can’t trump his “highlighted red” point. Great Greco performance by Em....very impressive.

Or....it could mean that they thought everyone was “sharp” enough to simply google it.....I did it for everyone...above...you’re welcome, guys.

This took all of 2 seconds to look up.... What the heck people.....are you guys really so ridiculous that you can’t use “google?” Now you know......now what? Looks like every area is well represented, and looks like the meeting was well attended. Can not see any reason to doubt the Region Directors commitment to bettering TN Wrestling....some of the best, and most dedicated coaches and people I’ve found in my 6 years of TN wrestling. heck, I noticed Scott was even a non-voting attendee......that means ALL you that have complaints will be involved next time, right? Better yet....contact your Region Director with your concerns. NATIONAL TEAMINFORMATION FIND ACLUB Minutes of the TWF Annual Meeting 2017 September 17, 2017 8pm CST Attendees: Voting Members 1.Ben Bowers Chairman 2. Derek Harrison Vice Chairman 3. Jerry Teaster East Region Director 4. James Torres South Region Director 5. Nelson Shirley West Region Director 6. Peter Miller Middle South Director 7. David Isbell Middle North Director 8. Doug Badon Woman’s Wrestling Director 9. Junior Hernandez Knox Elite 10. Vic Martin Wolfpack 11. Hagee Tri City 12. Chad Laxton Higher Calling Wrestling 13. Shawn Weller Baylor 14. Longo Bartlett 15. Mark Beckwith Bluff City 16. Brian Bauke West Tenn. Takedown 17. Jeremy Doty Elite 18. Israel Cordero Mid South 19. Brandon Isbell Clarksville 20. Mrs. Isbell Knuckleheads 22. Jeramie Welder WOSBO 23. Denny Butler Spartan Note: 24: Garrett House Membership Director Submitted his Proxy Votes to Members of the Board. Non-Voting Attendees: 25. Jake Yost 26. Scott Taylor 27. Matt High Schoolboy National Team Coach 28. Al Miller 29. Shane Chittum

Scott, Chase still narrowing his options down....think he has it down to a few. Decision time, soon. Hope Em is back at it.

Pretty sure she is going to Campbellsville.

There are no “real” qualifications for SE’s....just sign up online, like most every other tourney. As for exemptions....Ben and crew are terrific with them. Yes, everyone prefers that you participate in the state tourneys...yes, it’s great if you can....but, each state has a certain number of spots, at various weight classes. That said, I have never heard of Ben denying any kid wanting to go...mainly because we never have enough kids going. Finally, and this is just my opinion.....I will never get why HS parents spend a lot of money to go to Fargo, when their son has no business out there. Chase did not compete in the Fr/Gr State tourney’s, but we competed at SE Regionals and NC qualifier...Chase finished 5th in Fr and Gr at SE’s, and 5th and 7ish in NC. Ben gave Chase an exemption with no problems....we opted not to spend the money for Fargo, though....cane up with a calf injury. If you can’t win or runner-up TN, and can’t place top 4 at SE or any of the numerous qualifiers around the SE....you are wasting money...stay home and keep training. I never could get all that money spent, just to watch your kid go 2 and out. That said, my advice is to not get so bent out of shape about this....go wrestle where YOU, and your coach, think YOUR kid should wrestle/train to prepare for Fargo....then, when the time comes, shoot and email to Ben....if there are spots open, you will get the exemption...pretty simple and very easy.

Baylor is a private boarding school, in D2. He will be eligible. Different rules for private schools...this is precisely why they have separate divisions. I know we all would love to see one division at the state tournament....but, as you can see here.....not quite the same, level playing fields, right? Not sure why we couldn’t keep the team state’s separate, and combine the individual state, though.

Chase is Wrestling with his Knoxville/Heritage area squad. I can tell that all the A teams are loaded. We won it last year....it must of really pissed Higher Calling, Bradley/Svience Hill (Appy Elite), Nashville, and Ga Misfits off...because they are LOADED this year. Higher Calling squad and Ga Misfits look like the obvious pool winners, with Us being 2nd behind HC, and I’d say Appy Elite edging out Nashville for 2nd to Ga. Based on the rosters I’ve seen. As for who is Wrestling, I can tell you that if your guessing/hoping for certain wrestlers to be representing certain areas in TN...I’d venture you’d be very pleased. Most all the guys you’d hope for seem to be here. I haven’t seen a Memphis, or NC roster. If you ask me, I can give you some names....don’t know how to post rosters, nor do I have them all, sorry.

Just a thought,...because I only voted on the kids that I actually was familiar with....and had a strong opinion. you could take all 14 winners....and seed them based on total votes....then bracket them. The top two vote getters could get a bye into quarters. maybe?

Agree completely about Alex. The thing I think most D2 people miss out on completely concerning the AAA State tourney is the 3 days of weigh-ins....it is just ridiculously brutal. Both physically, and mentally. To say that a kid would surely make the final is just impossible. heck, everybody said it about Rippey, two years in row....the flu happens. i know these conversations are for fun.....but there is just no way to know who the heck would make the finals..... heck....before you even start talking about this.....you’d have to see what ridiculous unseeded draw that the kids would get....not to mention, what region these kids would be in....heck some might be in same region and 2nd or 3rd place finisher. Now, if we are just talking about Grand Championships, that another matter. Just can’t compare, the results of an 8-man bracket vs 32-man. Should go back and check everyone’s pre-tourney picks...that will tell how crazy things can be. Congrats on you stud, Scott. Chase and I were super proud of him! Good luck at upcoming tourney.

I did stop at the 7:34 mark... thanks for pointing that out...either way, would never blame Gabe, the way things spiraled out of control. Also, thanks for introducing yourself at the tourney, and thanks for your kinds words for Chase....it really meant a lot. We banter on here, so much....but deep down....we all wants best for the sport we all love.....and you taking the time to find us, was outstanding. You will have us in your corner, anytime.

Again, to be completely fair...I just re-watched the 113 match...Gabe most definitely refused to shake WCs hand. I still won’t indict the young man, here....I will put the blame on asst coach’s antics and say Gabe just caught up in it moment, as well....and simply followed his lead. This may be just what I want to believe, lol

To be fair...from the Halls cheering section.....it was the antics of the asst coach...ripping off his jacket...stomping his shoes onto the mat, as if he was about to go after the referee, slamming his butt down in his chair, then, jumping up again...like he had a new epiphany on something that he just realized would change the minds of the call on the mat.....that got the crowd riled up. Most were yelling at him....he flat out lost it, embarrassed himself (or at least should have felt that way). Trust me, no one believes in fighting for your wrestler, more than me.....but....it needs to be the Head Coach OR the Asst Coach...not both....which ever coach that is able to keep his composure the best. Whichever coach that can lead his wrestlers, and young men, by example, should be the one arguing. We all lose it, once in awhile...but that wasn’t a pretty display. I guess we can give him a pass, this time..big stage, and all...but a little self-reflection may be in order. Gabe did exactly what he was told to do, and frankly, exactly what he should have done....until it was final. I thought Gabe handled it just fine. He was in a horrible position, for a young man. Well done, Gabe. If he didn’t shake his hand after all of that...and I thought for sure he did....earlier.....it was simply and oversight, not a conscious act. Again, just my opinion.

Thanks so much for the kind words...as a father, I couldn’t be more proud of his response. It is why we love this sport.

First, let me thank you guys for the well wishes for my son. We banter back and forth...in good fun...on here all the time. I thought I’d post my son’s written response to his OT loss, in the finals..to his good friend, and Champion, Cam Henderson. I think after reading this, we can all agree that the TSSAA Wrestling...through it’s amazing coaches and leaders..are STILL molding young boys, into men. Please....no comments about my son please...I’m already know he is a Champion....just wanted everyone to see.....THIS IS WHY WE LOVE OUR SPORT! Let’s work together build up our sport, in TN....it is the greatest sport there is. Again, this not a post that is self-aggrandizing...just wanted everyone to see, that we have a special thing here, despite some of our concerns. Chase Brown “Wow” is the only word that comes to mind when I think about these last 7 years. It has been a wild rollercoaster of a ride. The sport of wrestling takes you to extreme highs, as well as the lowest of lows. I will never forget everything that the sport has done for me, whether it is meeting new friends (who turn out to be the best of friends), how to be a man, and face adversity. The brothers and coaches I have met will never be forgotten and you all have no idea how much I appreciate all of the time and effort you all have invested in me. I finish my high school career as a State Runner Up, with a 143-24 record, 3 Division 1 AAA State Medals, and a whole new outlook on life. Although 2nd place isn’t the result that I was gunning for, I’m not disappointed in myself one bit. Thank you to all the men/women that have been so influential to my life and wrestling career: Shannon Sayne, Tim Harp, Hamm Bone, John Kramer, Houston Qualls, Bart Freidenberg, Jack Reynolds, Lee Varnell, Benji Gray, Jeff Price, Jeramie Welder, Ben Smith, Joe Kemmerer, Miron Kharchilava, Joe Drennan, Jerry Teaster, Cody Humphrey, Edward Holland, Nick Spatola, Pete Miller, Derrick Harrison, Thadd Little, James Scott Brady, Shelley Brady, Bing Fu, Jim Ahern, Martin Frye, Tanner Justice, Caleb Leonard, Brock Herring, Tom Herring , Josh Bosken, Chris Vandergriff, Stephanie Sayne, and countless of others who have helped mold me into the man I am today. Special shoutouts to the Wilson Central, Heritage, and Bradley Central teams/communities for always taking care of me, and taking me in and always having an open door to me without a second of hesitation. Thank you most of all to the Halls family, I am, and always will be proud to have represented the Red Devils. I hope you all know that I did everything in my power to represent our team and community with excellence and class, and I apologize I couldn’t bring home a state title.

Fargo....thanks for introducing yourself today, and I really appreciate the kind words. You’re a good man.

Thanks so much...should be a good one.

Bump....I guess I meant my chalk, lol. I have followed this weight class with a little more interest, I guess. Keep in mind, Chad M was unranked for a lot of the season....majored Henderson and Hamm vaulted him up to number 1. He is definitely tough, but he gives up a lot of points, and seemed to gas. I also wondered about that State Duals fall down the steps, and trip to the hospital. Never got a real answer on what kind of injury he sustained. I had Pendley (2), Klingensmith (3), and Chad M (4)....when draws came out, the current semi’s were my thoughts. Very concerned with the upcoming semi.

132 still chalk....top 4 kids in semi’s. All seem to be in good form. Should be a coupe of nice matches.

Day 1 complete.... Might be the “chalkiest” bracket in the tourney. Did not see one surprise. The top 8 kids, all, wrestled well. anybody see any surprises?

Well.....then, lack of “want to” is more magnified, then.

Broken Collar bone

2 and out, no less. I looked at the people I was with and said...”state runner up, senior, losing first rd...wouldn’t be shocked if he were done, tonight. Tough to “want” to battle 2 more days, when the finals were your goals. I get it.