After watching TOSU get all the glory at the NCAAs this weekend I started to wonder, Are we closing the gap on the other states? After looking at this years data in both highschool and NCAA D1 level, my conclusion is no. We have certainly had better years than this. With that said I think we have some younger talent in the d1 levels that are waiting for their shot.

NCAA qualifiers by state

PA 48

OH 38

NJ 30

IL 26

CA 19

IA 16

MI 15

VA 11

MO 10

FL 9

IN 9

NY 9

MN 8

CO 7

NC 6

OK 6

OR 5

TX 5

WI 5

Ncaa AA by state

Pa 13

Oh 11

NJ 9

The same can be said over the highschool level. How can Ohio have 7 ranked teams(2,16, 24, 24, 29, 31,37) and we have 0. Indiana also has 2 ranked teams (46,50). The individual class ranking say the same thing.

What can be done to stop this? Are we just in a slump? Thanks for any feedback.

What about Division II, III, and NAIA?

 

How did Ky boys do there?  Its a growing process.  You don't just jump into D1 you make your way up.  This is true as a state.  

 

It's also where a kid can get a scholly.  If DII and NAIA are offering full scolly's to our Ky boys you can't blame them for taking them.  

 

I would also warn about thinking that all D1 qualifiers are better than all D2 and NAIA qualifiers.  Its like saying that in states like Ohio who have more than 1 divisions that the big school division is always better than the smaller school division champs.  

What about Division II, III, and NAIA?

 

How did Ky boys do there?  Its a growing process.  You don't just jump into D1 you make your way up.  This is true as a state.  

 

It's also where a kid can get a scholly.  If DII and NAIA are offering full scolly's to our Ky boys you can't blame them for taking them.  

 

I would also warn about thinking that all D1 qualifiers are better than all D2 and NAIA qualifiers.  Its like saying that in states like Ohio who have more than 1 divisions that the big school division is always better than the smaller school division champs.

You're right there are more options than d1. Yes, their are exceptions to every rule but its safe to say that the best talent goes d1.

I understand ky doesnt have a d1 school, but plenty of kids go to school out of state. If we are good enough (boston, faye, ervin, blackwell etc) we can go wrestle d1 schools. I do agree with going wherever you can get a fullride because in the long run education is key.

It is a work in progress, but whats holding us back. We have good coaches and programs. Is it a lack lf participants/participation, dedication to off season work? Whatever it is, we have a lot of catching up to do.

LOTS of D2, D3, or NAIA kids could compete with top D1 kids.

I would say there are several factors which enter in the issue.

1) Population : (Ohio 11.6 million) ( Ky 4.4 million) ( Penn 12.8 million)

2) popularity of the sport: some areas excell at different sports. Hocky is bigger in Wisconson than New Mexico. The Big 10 conference and the east coast are power wrestling areas, drawing more interest than in the South where the Whole Southeastern

conference has abandoned Wrestling.

3) income: there are many large areas of Kentucky that are depressed let's face it. it does cost to travel, attend camps, pay for facilitys

and equipment.

and I'm sure there are more pieces to the puzzle than I could come up with. but I do not believe we have to DO SOMETHING like we are behind and have to catch up with someone else.

        P.S. Arizona has a low level of professional anglers.. they need to increase their rainfall and make more lakes and streams.

LOTS of D2, D3, or NAIA kids could compete with top D1 kids.

YEAH WHEN YOU SEE NAIA True Freshman Beating Ranked D1 guys in the same weight class it opens your eyes a bit to how life really is , Some kids are where they are at because of locale or or other reasons and there are plenty of NAIA kids who can and do beat ranked D1 guys .Ky has two NAIA schools that can beat some D1 schools in a tournament .

NOTRE DAME .Ohio was an NAIA school now long ago and now is the king of D2 wrestling who can and does beat a majority of D1 schools .IT would be No Different for Lindsey or Campbellsville .

AND DON WORRY ABOUT D1 qualifiers for to long wildcat Campbell County is about to fix that problem here before to long Just be a little patient a couple already there knocking and Keep an eye out on NHSCA Flo Regionals and Fargo ATM is going to be standing High on so many podiums in every style that You and the rest of the wrestling world will be left with only anticipation. Of when and how high He gets on the Podium at NCAAs ,

HE OUT WORKS AND OUT COMPETES EVERY KID IN EVERY WEIGHT IN THE COUNTRY AND SHATTERS THE MYTH OF INFERIORITY ABOUT KENTUCKY THAT PEOPLE LIKE YOU TRY TO PERPETUATE BEHIND slightly and not so slight veiled negative posts like this one .

AND YES IT ALWAYS COMES BACK TO HIM BECAUSE YOU ALWAYS INCLUDE HIM WHEN YOU SPEAK ABOUT KENTUCKY WRESTLING AS A WHOLE .

I believe three Kentucky guys AAed in NAIA, both Thomas brothers and I think one more.

In regards to D3 myself and Will Bryant were the only two in this division for awhile until I got hurt and I don't know what happened to Bryant. Not sure if there are any Kentucky people left

I know of Ki Ryder competing (not starting yet) in D2, and I think there is more, but no AA's

And do you know how that list handled the Blair kids? I saw one list count Blair kids by their home state while others have counted Blair kids as NJ

A GOOD POINT You get a Ky kid who has D1 potential and is recruited by Ohio Pa and NJ schools , If they had left they would have left and done the same nationally everyone would be talking about how many X's they were going to AA in college but after staying in KY some talk like they will never make the lineup in D1 , lol

Sure, there are a handful of NAIA guys that can compete with top DI guys but not many. You'd see more mediocre DI wrestlers beating NAIA all Americans though. Let's face it, NAIA is just not where it's at in terms of exposure. Kudos to NAIA wrestlers who work as hard as anyone chasing their dreams. Ky has FOUR great NAIA programs. Hopefully one can go NCAA DII like Notre Dame and several others have.

I agree it would be neat to see one jump to D2 as they compete well with those schools every year .But naia has its advantages as well scholarships and rules are a bit more advantageous to the wrestlers themselves so I actually think it's better to stay Naia and compete against the good teams in D1 2 and 3 Like Lindsey Wilson and the others do and chase being one of the top Naia schools like they are and have been for most of the last decade .

Rather than cry over not having a D1 school simply encourage and cheer on what you have as they are always knocking on the door of being the best in their division or organization .Not many states have powerhouse D1 teams to begin with none in the south and 1 sec that isn't even sec in wrestling .it's always confusing to me when I look at a map and see no strong wrestling teams in the lower half of the country it's a shame really .

Clemson used to have a pretty decent program, it's where the man the myth the legend Sammie Henson went.

WELL ATM just beat a natuonally ranked new England Champ who is a 3 X state champ with over 220 wins in high school his states record 7_3 and a number 2 nationally ranked 3 X state champ.from Georgia who was also a 3x national champ and last yr ow winner .So Austin will take his four state titles and undefeated high school streak 3 national titles his one state ow and two national ows and his Fargo AAs and go wrestle for the Silver medalist and former wild man of wrestling Sammy "The Bull" Henson at West Virginia .

BUT HE'S NOT DONE RUNNING THE GAUNTLET YET .AND HOPEFULLY HE CAN AT LEAST DUPLICATE AND MORE HOPEFULLY IMPROVE ON HIS PLACING AT FARGO THIS YEAR .

AND HE'S GOING TO NATIONAL DUALS AS WELL ON THE FREAKIEST TEAM EVER ASSEMBLED LOL

After reading the topic of this thread and some comments all I can say is I do not think there has been many years that kids have done better maybe depth but 2 Nat champs a runner up and a placer in every div at nationals is pretty darn good as for all the last four yrs of bs about well your wins in ky don't mean much I am glad my son is the persistent type as am I he just showed and shut up everyone and his persistence and passion have been rewarded by the flo guys .Have to say they are some cool dudes and do work for the sport .