soms

Hey - Brother of Ralph, have TNKO call me sometime. My treo crashed, I did a hard reset and lost some phones #'s prior to my synching up. I have wanted to pick his brain on something. I may see you March 3rd. Dave

Oh, let's not forget the school must appreciate and think the sport and it's participants are cool and something they can be proud of. I think most successful programs have this overall support by peers, teachers, admin and parents. In school matches will help this popularity, especially if you start this in middle school. It also helps to raise funds at the gates and concessions.

I have been to practices around the state and many are varied in there level of hard work and daily routine. Coach Bill Kennedy of our Blackman Middle school is the closest I've seen of all teams I've witnessed in practice to a Bradley and other tough teams. Their (Bradley's) practices are so hard that a tournament is a Huge break for the boys. These boys drill and work out so hard that they have to peel their clothes off after practice ...and the mats and walls, even the rafters look like a tropical storm just blew through. (Water is dripping everywhere). They turn decent athletes into studs by their sophomore years. It's like a machine, but theyr also have decent talent with experience coming up from middle school. Hamm,,, get ready!!! 7 or so is coming your way this upcoming season and many more as this team of 100 or more is reloading as we speak!!!! This will add to region 5's strength along with Tullahoma and what they're building K-8th and beyond. Off season wrestling helped my son be competitive and he was from region 8 and didn't start wrestling till 9th grade. I took him to other teams' practices when possible and let him experience what it takes to be as good as these true champs that are usually getting their hands raised when it matters most. He also had a dedicated and caring coach and some tough partners on the mat like some tougher Smyrna alum and Angelo Giasanti (former state champ) that was able to beat all of those great ones coming from the powerhouses. He knew what it took to get the job done and that helped to get close to their level in a relatively short time even with serious injury and setbacks. It takes more hard work, years of great coaching and dedication to that coaching than just talent, and I believe that was the difference between 1st and 2nd at 215 this year

Yeah, but you were a TN boy and didn't care way back then!!

The Gesslers too!! Loads of enthusiasm and support from all fronts (including football and admin)... Oh and even daddy Cleveland is still in there when he's not at UTC.

He has a fine example to follow in his dad too. Bono will love this recruiting class for sure! BTW - Joe, congrats on Dan doing what we all expected! Good luck the next four of five years in the blue and gold!!

Rigger is sold!!

Primarily, yes; but opinions of voters/officials will be influenced by past history and how familiar they may be.

Something the left side can be most proud of and congrats to Lewis and crew!!

Bump ...for Nashville to let their voices be heard.

I'm not sure about all of this but I'm surprise Joe didn't score by reviewing that Chattanoogan.com picture of 130. Pix's of D-2 finals What a fabulous single against Johnson that went no where. Agile kid huh?

And Kelly Felix and everyone else.

This reply seems to remind me of three years ago with soph. Bundy buzz sawing through the toughest competition in the state to beat 3X state champ Danny Coleman in the finals by 6+ pts. Quinn Gibson did what was expected (like Kelly) and won the award, but Bundy got most of the buzz on the boards and a little press, at least in Chattanooga.

I agree with a lot of what you are saying, but everyone ran from Kelly. UNLESS THEY HAD THE GUTS TO GIVE IT A SHOT!! Guys who certified and could have dropped didn't and many others dropped to 140. Hey, last year was quite similar except for Ben Scott and Jarret Toney and we all saw what eventually happened there. My own boy wanted to do his very best by dropping/running as well and would have never taken Kelly to a 4-2 deficit in the third, only to lose 5-4 to eventual champ Kellen H. He knew he was no match for this beast and so has many others,,, even 4 years ago. He's earned this award over the 4 years, but I sure am impressed with Matt taking his 2X state champ and schooling him!! Most big men don't get the votes. Based on that alone, it would not be an easy vote between these two great ones. Note: I'm glad I wasn't in the stripes to make that decision. Johnson and Wright could have easily have won the award this year given their great ones in the finals - IMO.

And Bradley and Kelly Felix and others are working hard to keep it that way!!

3X OT. Bottom guy wins!!

He never competed with the red head gear on in HS, 'cept in blue, I think he may have practiced a couple of days across the river though. As far as the dad and all... are we talking SD's disappointing loss at 140 where Bond Davis' little brother, Wiley, sent shock waves through the whole arena? My hat's off to thei fine talent for charging back, sort of like Overton's 103.

You feel better today?

Congrats to a fine Big Red squad ...once again. Note: I thought Joe did an exceptional job against a powerful BJ. And what's up with TJD's head gear thing?

YOU BE RIGHT!!

Not to poke fun on something probably somewhat sensitive right now. BUT... I'm sure the dad's will always be good buds for years to come, although this was certainly a tough loss for one of TN's best wrestlers. Good luck Hunter!! We have one coming up too (a Hunter that is)

Yeah, I think you're right, and looks like a body builder?

Hey, have you heard of an 8th grader by the name of Luster down there? I heard he may be looking at a TN school or two. He knows where the beast in southern wrestling is!!