slp2269

You are lucky to be taking over the Bolton program right now. Good parent support. Solid kids,mostly upperclassmen, with several returning state qualifiers. Couldn't be a better time to take over a program. Hats off to Coach Bosch! He did a great job coaching, supporting and developing the wrestlers with little support from the administration. Several state placers and almost a state champ in Josh Bourland. As a parent, I wish you good luck filling the shoes that are being left behind - they are bigger than they appear.

Watch out for Zach Herndon from Bolton HS. The kid is a goer!!! Don't know if he's been wrestling very long, but he is very tough!!!! I don't think he lost as a 112 pounder all year. He could definitely pull a big early upset!!! I'll be surprised if he doesn't place! Division I State Champions: Soddy Daisy Runner Up: Bradley Central 103 1) Talon Noman (Overton) 2) Justin Hammons (Soddy) 3) Jeremy Miller (Greenback) 4) Matt King (Greenville) 5) Jason Kilby (Cumberland County) 6) Zach Shelton (Springfield) Others to watch: Brett Dial (Collierville), Kelby McAlister (Bradley) 112 1) Josh Jadoobersingh (Cleveland) 2) Hunter Randolph (Bradley) 3) Tee Boone (Notre Dame) 4) Gary Sluder (Greenback) 5) Dustin Stewart (Soddy) 6) Chris Bradbury (Ooltewah) Others to watch: Alex Kuball (Ravenwood), Chris Pipkin (Cheatham Co), Chase Beazely (Independence), Louis Aguilar (East Lit) 119 1) Demetrius Johnson (Brighton) 2) Jay Adamson (Notre Dame) 3) Wes Brett (Soddy) 4) Blake Brittcliffe (Collierville) 5) Logan Biddy (Bradley) 6) Chris Livingston (Houston) Others to watch: Casey Welch (Warren Co), Dupaul George (Kenwood), Jordan Harless (Karns) 125 1) Caleb Myers (Greenville) 2) Dustin Ortiz (Franklin) 3) Cody Hood (Ooltewah) 4) Sean Ford (Ravenwood) 5) Jacob Henley (Rhea Co) 6) Rene Karterton (Tullahoma) Others to watch: David Graham (Bradley), Taylor Witt (Soddy), Josh Proctor (Blackman), Tony Corley (Hunters Lane), Matt Alred (Cookeville) 130 1) Blake Ridenour (Maryville) 2) Mikey Fuller (Soddy) 3) Ty Zarbo (Franklin) 4) Tanner Johnson (Bradley) 5) Kent Johnson (Collierville) 6) Jeff Price (Mont Cent) Others to watch: R.J. Rayborn (Overton), Andy Siler (Red Bank), Hunter Daniel (Rhea Co) 135 1) Ulric Winesburg (Soddy) 2) Tanner Withrow (Bradley) 3) Ryan Konz (Franklin) 4) A.J. Farinella (Farragut) 5) Dustin Smith (Germantown) 6) Brett Usary (Science Hill) Others to watch: Anthony Grady (Clarksville), Clay Bunch (Cleveland), Eric Heider (Notre Dame), Matt Craig (Cordova) 140 1) Jason McCroskey (Soddy) 2) Nic Shields (Maryville) 3) Dean Pavlou (Bradley) 4) Kerry Dowell (Hunters Lane) 5) Wiley Davis (Franklin) 6) Chris Reynolds (Cordova) Others to watch: Robert Boebert (Kenwood), Isaac Legg (Seymour), Shawn Garrett (East Lit) 145 1) Kelly Felix (Franklin) 2) Brett Shields (Pigeon Forge) 3) Alex Spletzer (Soddy) 4) Richey Ward (Ravenwood) 5) Lucas Shuler (Seymour) 6) Josh Disney (Bradley) Others to watch: J.D. Alexander (Mont Cent), Tim Stephens (Ooltewah), Caleb Proctor (Blackman), Dustin Jones (Springfield) 152 1) Justin Spain (Bradley) 2) Jarriett Toney (Soddy) 3) Kyle Jones (Springfield) 4) Joel Brimer (Greenville) 5) Justin Scott (Hillwood) 6) Morgan Abrigo (Forrest) Others to watch: Ben Heacock (Franklin), David Williamson (Science Hill), Adam Hebda (Clarksville) 160 1) Brandon Wright (Houston) 2) Travis Creagan (Bradley) 3) Danny Tolbert (Red Bank) 4) John Warren (Ravenwood) 5) Daniel Harden (McGavock) 6) Jacob Jordan (Clarksville) Others to watch: Taylor Fortune (MLK), Harold Gage (Cleveland), Kyle Frazier (Smyrna), Daniel Harden (McGavock) 171 1) Jake Young (Ooltewah) 2) Monterrace Reams (Glencliff) 3) Brad Robbins (Jeff Co) 4) Patrick Flynn (Notre Dame) 5) Brendan Gipson (Cordova) 6) Steven Geyer (Germantown) Others to watch: Matt Watson (Bradley), Charlie Arrington (Greenville), Josh Patton (Blackman), Rhees Oakes (TSB) 189 1) Tyler Roberson (Soddy) 2) Landon Hall (Maryville) 3) Chris Wolfe (Ravenwood) 4) Cameron Croy (Brentwood) 5) Cody Quick (Tullahoma) 6) Austin Marcum (FRA) Others to watch: Jesse Watkins (MLK), Brett Jaeckel (Hendersonville), Zack Hanson (Bartlett), Spencer Jennings (Greenville) 215 1) Matt Lettner (Soddy) 2) Courtney Coffee (Centenniel) 3) Frankie Morgan (Union Co) 4) Shane Reveiz (Farragut) 5) Aaron Birman (Cookeville) 6) Cody Graves (Rhea Co) Others to watch: Jon Paz (Warren Co), Cory Smith (Tullahoma), Carter McPhee (Franklin) 285 1) Cody Sliger (Ooltewah) 2) Ben Murray (Science Hill) 3) Robert Mycyk (Kenwood) 4) Zach Potter (Elizabethton) 5) Bill Zimmerman (Soddy) 6) G.L. Waynick (Friendship Christian) Others to watch: Chris Hays (Dickson Co), Enoch Hill (Clarksville), Caleb Leonard (Halls), Matt Mercy (FRA)

Herndon then pinned him in the first period of the Bolton Invite final. Advantage Herndon!

The orignal poster was correct the refs in Memphis do get on here and obviously they get defensive. Hey the "punk" as you call him is just stating the obvious. Memphis refs do not get to the mat to count back points 100% of the time, they do not call stalling, they call far too many positions potentially dangerous because they do not subscribe to aggressive tactics and they do play favorites. Hey don't hate the kid because he is right. Make the improvements so that these posts are no longer valid.

I think you have to call a spade a spade and by saying that the Memphis referees leave something to be desired would be an understatement. I brought up this topic last year and unfortunately the issue is still an issue, they are easily the worst refs in the state - bar none and yes the good Memphis coaches know it, but these same guys ref every match or just about every one and they happen to be brothers or cousins. I was at a match last night and a takedown was called on the edge with no control, but because it was a state ranked team -vs- a mediocre team the ref gave the takedown to the ranked team's wrestler. The same ref called potentially dangerous when the bottom wrestler stood up on the top man with leg in - all four feet and the bottom man's two hands were on the floor, but he called potentially dangerous. Wrong call - yes - most definitely and he knew it after he made the call because I said that's not right very loudly and he just shrugged. Nothin has been done to correct mistakes so I don't think the blame can be passed only to the refs, as I feel that the state has to take some responsibility. I think we are beating a dead horse. Bitching about it won't change a darn thing. Until the coaches or former elite wrestlers from Memphis don the stripes and call it like they see it nothing will change.

I am not trying to put on a badge, just trying to make a point that you can understand. Freedom of speech is one thing, talking smack about the kids/minors participating in a sport is another. Believe me, if I'd lost my temper I'd call Trey to point you out. You still haven't let us know if you've ever wrestled before. Is that what your "been there done that" quote means? Come on I bet you were a stud at Heavy big boy.

Obviously you didn't get the gist of my response the first time.... 1.Based upon your lack of response, I think we can all assume that you haven't ever wrestled so your comments and criticisms have little basis. 2. If Super 32's are just another tourney then Bartlett could keep a match with Blair Academy to within 12 points. 3. Probably most importantly, be the better man and quit talking about the success or failures of these kids. 4. If you want things to change, get off your butt and do something besides typing on your computer. Go to the TSSAA office and get a rule book and become a ref.....

I guess my first question is - have you ever wrestled before because my guess is no..... What is your point talking about a kid who is, in my opinion, the best overall wrestler in the Memphis area; putting him down because he didn't win/place @ the Super 32's. Do you have a clue how hard that tourney is? Dangerous Holds - name them - heck the refs around here don't let the kids run a legit double arm bar to completion. What illegal holds are you referrring to? Sportsmanship issues should be controlled/managed by the coach or if excessive disqualify the competitor, but what has been so outrageous that would call for a DQ? Punching the crossface? That could be an issue the coach needs to react to but if your kid can't take a crossface there's always tennis - that was your sport - right? Now why not let the kids wrestle and you try to give positive reinforcement going forward. Remember these are kids, 14-18 years old. They are young and impressionable so let's try to set a good example, because they read this stuff too. Ken

You obviously have not seen the outcomes or the multiple calls in one match that I am referring to. Sour grapes no... just facts. I wrestled in grammar school, high school Jr. Nationals and college. I agree with your point sort of. I liked wrestling because if I trained harder I'd get better and wi9n - and better yet I only depended upon myself to get the job done. The difference is that when you have 2 guys who are closely matched in skill and effort, a non-experienced referee should not be the one making questionable calls, or not knowing the rules on correct or incorrect moves and should have the confidence to stand up to coaches after they have made a decision on a match. Period - No exceptions! In those cases - you can blame a ref.

I figured that I'd get a poor response, but I am surprised that there wasn't anyone in agreement. Mr Callaway - no offense intended - there must be another Carlos reffing in West TN, but I am pretty sure that Carlos is the name. Funny that the Houston coach responds when I watched a kid put a Sullivan, on one of his guys and he called it an illegal move. I know the rules, my butt has been on the line before, and I am surprised that as a more experienced coach in the region, you aren't demanding more from the officials? I'll reserve comment from here on out, obviously it's a bitter pill.

I have commented on a couple of strings regarding the refs in West TN over the course of the last couple of months. The region championships at Cordova earlier in the week were a great representation of what I have brought up in the past. There is a ref, Carlos - last name unknown, and I hope that he is reffing in Chattanooga. He is horrible!!!! The examples of his lack of experience and overall wrestling knowledge are too apparent to have him as the #1 ref or match assistant in dual meets, region matches or championships - Didn't call back points in the 189 final when Bourland had Powers wrapped up for a while in a cradle in the first period - turned him for at least 2 backs as a minimum. Was influencial in the 103 final which was a bad call to put the match into OT.(Called a takedown off a front headlock with no hip control behind.) Stopped two double arm bar turns because he thought it was potentially dangerous, when the kid bottom kid groaned as his elbows were locked up by the top wrestler.... the list goes on I actually watched the other refs shake their heads during the 89 final because his calls were so bad. Just horrible stuff and I think Ronnie Carter should get more involved in evaluating the talent/experience of his refs. More than that, I hope Ronnie brings him to Chattanooga so that all of you folks can experience Carlos..... I'd look forward to the coments that this string generates..... and I hope Mr. Carter reads this and evaluates his performance and discusses it with Region 10 coaches.

I hope you are kidding..... Great example you are setting. Forget sociology this is a wrestling board.

If you want to dominate a sport then you need to start young and do it all year long - as a rule TN wrestlers don't do that. NJ, PA, OH are all states that offer youth clubs with year round practice facilities and good coaching for the dedicated individual. Check out www.edgewrestling.com as an example. Great coaching year round makes for elite competitors and awesome results, and it's what turns a sub par freshman/sophmore into a state placer in 2 years. Do that in Chattanooga, Clarksville, Oakland, Munford, wherever. You give me 15 athletes in the sixth grade, and I do mean athletes, wrestling year round and in 4 years you have a state placing team. I do not care what part of the state you are in, you could have a state championship team.........It has nothing to do with geography. It's all about coaching, desire and athletic ability - not in that order.

I have to agree with Hardball03 - not only have I witnessed potentially dangerous calls not called because the ref didn't know what to look for, I have had one of my kids get hurt because of a neck wrench that wasn't called a dangerous move. Add to that - here in W-TN there is a certain ref who won't get on the mat unless the pin is evident because he had a hip replacement, and I have also counted a slow 4 seconds watching him get in position to make a call. Add to that I watched him not make 2 unsportsmanlike calls bacuase he was affiliated or had been affiliated with the program of the kid who was being way too aggressive striking the back of his opponents head. I am not whining, but I have seen this behavior and it speaks to the orignal point of the e-mail string. I agree with the sentiment - call em as you see em - but it is very frustrating when that is not done and preferencial treatment is passed by a ref. I think the point of the string is not to say that everyone is bad or everyone is good - the essence of the message is that we (I am just speaking for my area, W-TN) needs better and more consistent referees. I am sorry if that hurts some feelings, but that is the truth as I see it. The best 2 refs in the Memphis area that I have come across in my 3 years here are both former wrestlers. One a former collegiate wrestler from Wilkes who used to coach at Christian Brothers and the other is a former state champ. Never have I utterly disagreed with a call that either ever made. Questionable maybe but still nothing like I have seen this year. I haven't seen either one of them this year, unfortunately; they are definitely needed. I would hope that MTN and E TN are better off than W-TN, heck they have to be......

I have to agree with the post, refs here in TN, at least here in Western TN are pretty bad. There are several refs who start counting back points and looking at pins from their feet, standing straight up. Honestly - is that acceptable? Never have I witnessed a such a lack of stalling calls when stalling is the obvious tactic being used to win a match. I don't think the intent of this string is to implicate a person, but some of these guys really need to pick up their game. No matter how much better we make our kids, the refs still need to make better, more consistent calls and be in the proper position to make the right assessment of the match. CBHS Duals officials were pretty bad, just as a case in point. To many unneccessary roughness calls that were resulting in points. Mostly due to inadvertent tie ups or tap and goes. I watched the Father Ryan, Hoover and W TN coaches just shake their heads at some of the calls that we see every day here in West TN. You can say that the shortage of refs is a problem, but there are plenty at almost every tournament I attend.