The 2018 All Star Classic will be held on Sunday, October 7 @ Moore HS. Similar to the last 3 years, the will be a great event to kick off the upcoming season. The dual will feature a number of great matchups with many of the best wrestlers in our state. 

Immediately preceding the dual will be a clinic by 2x NCAA champion and current Cornell Assistant Coach Gabe Dean. Cost for the clinic will be $25 and will include entry to the All Star dual. 

Huge thanks to Coach Joe Burroughs (No-Ox) and Isaac Knable (Invicta) for their continued support of this event. Two great coaches and even better men who do amazing work to build great young men and women through this sport. 

Coach Josh Johnson and the John Hardin crew were unbelievable hosts the last 3 years.  Many thanks to them as well as to Coach Mike Thomas at Moore for hosting this year.  

Details including schedule and matchups will follow in the coming days and weeks. 

If you need someone for 160lb class, Will Baber from Bourbon County is willing to wrestle 

Love this event. Can someone stream it over facebook?

Matchup announcements will start rolling out next week

Last year we kicked off the event with some our young studs in freestyle competition. Likewise, we will start off with a freestyle match, but this time showcasing two tough as nails girls. 

Olivia Messerly (Raiders) vs Lauren Walton (Carr Wrestling)

We are seeing more and more girls competing around the state and these two have competed well in and outside our state. 

Next match announcement:

182: #1 Braden Mulcahy (Walton-Verona) vs #2 Chase Blanton (Harrison Co)

These two battled in a close one during the sectional duals finals. Now they go at it to see who goes into the season as the top dog at 182. 

All Star Matchups:

GFS - Messerly v Walton

182 - #1 Mulcahy v #2 Blanton

How might one sign up, at least for the clinic.  My son was a state qualifier at 182, though would be in 220 now.

Just show up at Moore HS on Sunday, October 7 for the clinic. It will begin at 1:00 with the dual set to begin at 3:00. 

This a great event to get everyone ready for the season. Cannot thank Ranger enough for his time and commitment to make this happen. Also, this event wouldn't be what it is today without the help from Dutch as well, not to forget my man Gameface for his help as well. Both Great men that have helped grow this event. THANK YOU.

Coach Roth

Next match features a couple young guys who had good runs in the post season last year and are poised to move higher on the podium. 

113 - #2 Gage Fowler (Christian Co) v #4 Gavin Andreoni (Woodford Co)

15 hours ago, Bearcats Coach said:

This a great event to get everyone ready for the season. Cannot thank Ranger enough for his time and commitment to make this happen. Also, this event wouldn't be what it is today without the help from Dutch as well, not to forget my man Gameface for his help as well. Both Great men that have helped grow this event. THANK YOU.

 

Coach Roth

This year will have some great match ups. I love how we’re having the female hammers competing. These 2 are pound for pound, some of the toughest wrestlers in the state!!  I’m looking forward once again to providing the music and MCing the event that Ranger,Dutch(in spirit), Coach Joe,Issac and Mike are putting together. What a awesome way to showcase this great sport and athletes!!

On August 30, 2018 at 11:20 AM, Ranger123 said:

Next match features a couple young guys who had good runs in the post season last year and are poised to move higher on the podium. 

 

113 - #2 Gage Fowler (Christian Co) v #4 Gavin Andreoni (Woodford Co)

Is this a preview of new rankings?

4 hours ago, DrBaker said:

Is this a preview of new rankings?

Yes, sort of. I will post new rankings in the next week or so. Seeing a lot of weight changes on the IHPO registration plus what I am getting in setting up the All star matches. 

The next matchup should be action-packed and exciting.  In a matchup of top ranked wrestlers we will see the #1  wrestler at 145 Nathaniel Lawrence of Franklin County square off against the #1  wrestler at 152 Wyatt Andreoni of Woodford County.  

All Star Matchups:

 GFS - Messerly v Walton

 113 - #2 Fowler v #4 Andreoni

145/152 - #1 Lawrence v #1 Andreoni

 182 - #1 Mulcahy v #2 Blanton

Sorry for missing a couple days of matchups. Been down with injury and waiting on confirmations from a couple kids. But I do have some great news. DUTCH will be leaving his new comfy home on the beach and flying back to Ky to join us for the event. The gang will be back together for an awesome event. 

Great news. Like he never left! 

Going to double up tonight to catch up from my slacking over the holiday weekend.  And the double up will include a tough set of twins who have hit a big growth spurt this off season and we will find out quickly how they match up moving up a couple weights. 

First is Jacob Grandstaff who had a great run at state at 120 and is moving up to 132.  He will match up against a returner at 132 in Jakerion Merritt who wrestled about everyone extremely tough at this weight last year.

Second is a matchup of returning state champs.  Always awesome to have a couple champs going at it.  Samuel Grandstaff was a champ at 106 last season, but will move up to 120 or 126 this year.  He will battle with last year’s champ at 113 in Thomas Deck.

All Star Matchups:

 GFS - Messerly v Walton

 113 - #2 Fowler v #4 Andreoni

120/126 - #5 Grandstaff v #1 Deck

132 - #2 Merritt v #4 Grandstaff

145/152 - #1 Lawrence v #1 Andreoni

182 - #1 Mulcahy v #2 Blanton

The next matchup puts the #2 ranked 145 pounder and returning state finalist at this weight Alex Rivera of host Moore HS against #3 ranked Nate Wheeler of St Xavier who was a top contender at 132 last year and now moved up a couple weights for his senior season.

All Star Matchups:

 GFS - Messerly v Walton

 113 - #2 Fowler v #4 Andreoni

120/126 - #5 Grandstaff v #1 Deck

132 - #2 Merritt v #4 Grandstaff

145 - #2 Rivera v #3 Wheeler

145/152 - #1 Lawrence v #1 Andreoni

182 - #1 Mulcahy v #2 Blanton

Another lightweight match of some tough young guys.  After a great run to finish last season Cole Thomas of Ryle is the top ranked 106 in the state.  His opponent wrestled up at 113 in the post season last year and while they haven’t wrestled each other in a few years, this match will give us a feel for where Spencer Moore of Walton-Verona stacks up at 106.

All Star Matchups:

 GFS - Messerly v Walton

106 - #1 Thomas v #14 @ 113 Moore

 113 - #2 Fowler v #4 Andreoni

120/126 - #5 Grandstaff v #1 Deck

132 - #2 Merritt v #4 Grandstaff

145 - #2 Rivera v #3 Wheeler

145/152 - #1 Lawrence v #1 Andreoni

182 - #1 Mulcahy v #2 Blanton

Another cross-weights match, with a couple guys with a lot of athletic potential.  Ranked #2 @ 152 from host Moore HS is senior Isaiah Newberry who will face our most recent Fargo All American in Triston Brooks from Woodford Co who is ranked #5 @ 160. 

All Star Matchups:

 GFS - Messerly v Walton

106 - #1 Thomas v #14 @ 113 Moore

 113 - #2 Fowler v #4 Andreoni

120/126 - #5 Grandstaff v #1 Deck

132 - #2 Merritt v #4 Grandstaff

145 - #2 Rivera v #3 Wheeler

145/152 - #1 Lawrence v #1 Andreoni

152/160 - #2 Newberry v #5 Brooks

182 - #1 Mulcahy v #2 Blanton

A lot of great action and competition at IHPO today. At 141 (138+3) we saw a great quarterfinal match between Chase Yost and Jake Insko. We will get an instant rematch at the All Star Classic as #1 ranked Chase Yost will look for some revenge against #3 ranked Jake Insko. 

All Star Matchups:

 GFS - Messerly v Walton

106 - #1 Thomas v #14 @ 113 Moore

 113 - #2 Fowler v #4 Andreoni

120/126 - #5 Grandstaff v #1 Deck

132 - #2 Merritt v #4 Grandstaff

138 - #1 Yost v #3 Insko

145 - #2 Rivera v #3 Wheeler

145/152 - #1 Lawrence v #1 Andreoni

 152/160 - #2 Newberry v #5 Brooks

 182 - #1 Mulcahy v #2 Blanton

16 hours ago, Ranger123 said:

A lot of great action and competition at IHPO today. At 141 (138+3) we saw a great quarterfinal match between Chase Yost and Jake Insko. We will get an instant rematch at the All Star Classic as #1 ranked Chase Yost will look for some revenge against #3 ranked Jake Insko. 

 

All Star Matchups:

 GFS - Messerly v Walton

106 - #1 Thomas v #14 @ 113 Moore

 113 - #2 Fowler v #4 Andreoni

120/126 - #5 Grandstaff v #1 Deck

132 - #2 Merritt v #4 Grandstaff

138 - #1 Yost v #3 Insko

145 - #2 Rivera v #3 Wheeler

145/152 - #1 Lawrence v #1 Andreoni

 152/160 - #2 Newberry v #5 Brooks

 182 - #1 Mulcahy v #2 Blanton

Who's ranked number 1? Lol. 

I have a feeling this weight could be interesting all year. Throw in the possibility of a Tom KC and we are back to 138 as the weight to watch without a doubt. 

And to address your question somewhat seriously, Yost has the accolades to hold the top spot even after a close loss. He has won it all in Lexington and was just in the finals last year. This weekend just showed us that a few others want to make sure we know they are going to have a little say in how this goes down. In fact Chase and Jake have had a few barnburners through the years. 

A lot of great wrestling in Ft Wayne (although the 2-1-1 periods SUCK!!!). 

Will be very interesting and I agree with the decision, but if he does it again.... 

41 minutes ago, DrBaker said:

Will be very interesting and I agree with the decision, but if he does it again.... 

Yep. Jake has always had the ability to beat anyone. He just needs to put it all together through the entire season and he will be more than a handful. 

To finish off our 138 matchups, our recent IHPO champ and #2 ranked Gentry Deck will face a former state placer who is coming down a weight from 145 last year in Tristan Spalding.

All Star Matchups:

 GFS - Messerly v Walton

106 - #1 Thomas v #14 @ 113 Moore

 113 - #2 Fowler v #4 Andreoni

120/126 - #5 Grandstaff v #1 Deck

132 - #2 Merritt v #4 Grandstaff

138 - #1 Yost v #3 Insko

138 - #2 Deck v #5 Spalding

145 - #2 Rivera v #3 Wheeler

145/152 - #1 Lawrence v #1 Andreoni

 152/160 - #2 Newberry v #5 Brooks

  182 - #1 Mulcahy v #2 Blanton

Also, coaches, parents, wrestlers please do me a favor. Please let me know if you/your kids plan to attend the clinic with Coach Dean prior to the dual. I just need to get a general head count to make sure we are prepared and make it the best experience for you all. So post below with how many your are bringing/are coming or contact me offline for those of you who have my contact info. 

126-138 is consistently the deepest weight range in the state.  Here is another good 126 matchup for the All Star Classic with returning state placers in #3 ranked Seth Lutes of Scott taking on #4 ranked Dylan Preston of Woodford Co.

All Star Matchups:

 GFS - Messerly v Walton

106 - #1 Thomas v #14 @ 113 Moore

 113 - #2 Fowler v #4 Andreoni

120/126 - #5 Grandstaff v #1 Deck

126 - #3 Lutes v #4 Preston

132 - #2 Merritt v #4 Grandstaff

138 - #1 Yost v #3 Insko

138 - #2 Deck v #5 Spalding

145 - #2 Rivera v #3 Wheeler

 145/152 - #1 Lawrence v #1 Andreoni

 152/160 - #2 Newberry v #5 Brooks

   182 - #1 Mulcahy v #2 Blanton

Sometimes we like to include a match in the All Star Classic to give a young up and comer a shot to show us where they may stand in the pecking order.  Such is the case for this match at 160.  Brayden Giannone has been a hammer coming through the MS ranks and is sitting at #4 right now for Lafayette, but we haven’t seen him in HS competition just yet.  In a few weeks we will see him tested against one of the highest returning state placers at the weight in #3 ranked Clayton Boyd From Conner.  

All Star Matchups:

 GFS - Messerly v Walton

106 - #1 Thomas v #14 @ 113 Moore

 113 - #2 Fowler v #4 Andreoni

120/126 - #5 Grandstaff v #1 Deck

126 - #3 Lutes v #4 Preston

 132 - #2 Merritt v #4 Grandstaff

138 - #1 Yost v #3 Insko

 138 - #2 Deck v #5 Spalding

 145 - #2 Rivera v #3 Wheeler

 145/152 - #1 Lawrence v #1 Andreoni

 152/160 - #2 Newberry v #5 Brooks

160 - #3 Boyd v #4 Giannone

 182 - #1 Mulcahy v #2 Blanton

Due to injury we have a substitution. Our 182 bout will now feature #3 Zach Chandler from Male, so still a great matchup there. 

All Star Matchups:

 GFS - Messerly v Walton

106 - #1 Thomas v #14 @ 113 Moore

 113 - #2 Fowler v #4 Andreoni

120/126 - #5 Grandstaff v #1 Deck

126 - #3 Lutes v #4 Preston

 132 - #2 Merritt v #4 Grandstaff

 138 - #1 Yost v #3 Insko

 138 - #2 Deck v #5 Spalding

 145 - #2 Rivera v #3 Wheeler

 145/152 - #1 Lawrence v #1 Andreoni

 152/160 - #2 Newberry v #5 Brooks

160 - #3 Boyd v #4 Giannone

 182 - #2 Blanton v #3 Chandler

Final matchup for the event. A good battle of big guys.  Prior state champ and 2-time finalis Bryan Pratt of Meade County will be challenged by Niko Bussell of Christian County. 

All Star Matchups:

GFS - Messerly v Walton

106 - #1 Thomas v #14 @ 113 Moore

113 - #2 Fowler v #4 Andreoni

120/126 - #5 Grandstaff v #1 Deck

126 - #3 Lutes v #4 Preston

132 - #2 Merritt v #4 Grandstaff

138 - #1 Yost v #3 Insko

138 - #2 Deck v #5 Spalding

145 - #2 Rivera v #3 Wheeler

145/152 - #1 Lawrence v #1 Andreoni

152/160 - #2 Newberry v #5 Brooks

160 - #3 Boyd v #4 Giannone

182 - #2 Blanton v #3 Chandler

220 - #2 Pratt v #4 Bussell

Can anyone stream these to Facebook or periscope? 

 A live stream would be an awesome addition, especially for those of us out of state (Cleveland now).

4 hours ago, ukpridewrestler11 said:

 A live stream would be an awesome addition, especially for those of us out of state (Cleveland now).

Got eat some sandwiches at Melt for me

14 hours ago, FalconWrestling said:

Got eat some sandwiches at Melt for me

No way I can even finish one of those, yet alone multiples!

Jason, can you post the schedule and times of events for Sunday. I didn’t know if you had a flier. 

Schedule of events:

12:00 gates open for competitors/coaches only

1:00-3:00 clinic

3:00 All Star dual

Also for those of you who have never been to Moore HS, enter through door 32. 

9 minutes ago, Ranger123 said:

Also for those of you who have never been to Moore HS, enter through door 32. 

To make it really simple you're going to want to be in the main parking lot which is behind the school, follow the road on the right going around the school and bam you're there, no problem.

Sorry for the late update, but Coach Dean has a family conflict on Sunday, so Coach Jacob Murton will be running the clinic on Sunday. Start time will be 1:00 at Moore HS. 

Good luck to everyone tomorrow. Should be a great day of wrestling. Anyone want to make some predictions? I’ll start out.

Walton dec Messerly

Moore maj Thomas 

Fowler dec Andreoni 

Deck dec Grandstaff

Lutes dec Preston 

Merritt maj Grandstaff

Insko dec Yost

Deck dec Spaulding

Wheeler maj Rivera

Andreoni dec Lawrence

Newberry dec Brooks

Boyd dec Giannone

Blanton dec Chandler

Pratt fall Bussell

Messerly TFall Walton

Thomas Dec Moore  

Fowler Dec Andreoni

Deck Dec Grandstaff

Lutes Dec Preston

Grandstaff Dec Merritt

Yost Dec Insko

Deck Fall Spaulding

Wheeler Dec Rivera

Lawrence Dec Andreoni

Newberry Dec Brooks

Giannone Dec Boyd

Blanton Fall Chandler

Pratt Dec Bussell

Walton Dec Messerly 

Moore Dec Thomas

Fowler Dec Andreoni 

T Deck Tech Falls Grandstaff

Preston Dec Lutes

Merritt Dec Grandstaff

Yost Dec Insko

G Deck Major Dec Spaulding 

Wheeler Dec Rivera

Lawrence Dec Andreoni

Brooks Dec Newberry

Boyd Dec Giannone

Blanton Dec Chandler

Pratt Dec Bussell 

Well...how did it go?

Great day of wrestling. Probably the most competitive All Star event so far. A ton of tough, hard fought battles with a lot of action. Give me a couple hours to grab my clipboard and I will post all the match results. 

I'll let Ranger verify but these are the unofficial results I had...

GFS 6-3 Messerly over Walton

220 5-2 Bussell over Pratt

106 4-2 Thomas over Moore

182 7-3 Blanton over Chandler

113 5-4 Andreoni over Fowler

152 9-5 Newberry over Brooks

126 11-6 Lutes over Preston

160 9-8 Boyd over Giannone

132 Fall in 2nd Merritt over Grandstaff

138 5-0 Deck over Spalding

145 8-4 Wheeler over Rivera

126 15-0 Deck over Grandstaff

145 Fall in 2nd Andreoni over Aldridge

138 6-5 Insko over Yost

Perfect

MOW (voted on by college coaches) was Ja’kerion Merritt

Restate a bunch of thank you’s

Joe Burroughs (No-Ox) and Isaac Knable (Invicta) have supported the event every year with donations and helping facilitate wrestlers participating. Great, great men. I encourage everyone who lives in their area to reach out to them and work with these guys. 

The great officials who volunteer their time to help build our sport. Garrett Pikul, Joe Cattan, and Jason Sidoras all did a fabulous job yesterday. 

My wife Amber does a ton behind the scenes to help keep me sane as I prepare for this stuff, but also jumps in to work the gate with little ones running all over. She is the best.

The Moore HS crew did a very good job hosting.  It’s not easy to get a gym, but then get help to set up, work the table, then clean.  Very good job.

Robert Tucker has saved me many hours on the road by helping out and also helped a lot with nailing down the bouts.

Darren Thomas is a great announcer and takes care of all the music which is much more complicated than you could imagine.  

Thanks to the college coaches who support this every year.  Appreciate them being there and hope the event helps them snag a couple extra wrestlers.

Thanks to Brandon for flying in from his new sunny home in Florida to see this event.  

Wrestlers were amazing yesterday.  A lot of exciting action.  We lost a great class of seniors, but still have a lot of hammers in KY.

Thanks to all those who came out to support the event and these kids.  But this is an area we need to improve upon.  There were 87 paid spectators.  Is that really all the interest we have in watching the best kids in our state compete?  I understand that “coaches” built up the number in the gym, but if we can’t get 100 people to spend a couple hours watching our all stars then it is tough to see it growing in the future.

The attendance frustrated me as well, we were in the middle of the largest city in Kentucky, we gotta do better. I am frustrated with myself as well since I had told so many people in our community about the event and none of the students who gave me an affirmative showed up, no teachers showed up, and a huge chunk of our team didn't even show up what could I have done differently to get them there? So I get it, it's hard to get people to come out from  your school community but I'm always trying to come up with ideas to get more people out, it could be an issue of we need to push more marketing.on our end. Wrestling, in my opinion, is a very poorly marketed sport at all levels and we gotta do what we can as fans, coaches, parents, wrestlers, etc to fix that.
 

I've got about 50 billion ideas floating in my head in how to improve "marketing" for the sport but there's always room for more ideas

2 hours ago, Ranger123 said:

Restate a bunch of thank you’s

 

Joe Burroughs (No-Ox) and Isaac Knable (Invicta) have supported the event every year with donations and helping facilitate wrestlers participating. Great, great men. I encourage everyone who lives in their area to reach out to them and work with these guys. 

The great officials who volunteer their time to help build our sport. Garrett Pikul, Joe Cattan, and Jason Sidoras all did a fabulous job yesterday. 

My wife Amber does a ton behind the scenes to help keep me sane as I prepare for this stuff, but also jumps in to work the gate with little ones running all over. She is the best.

The Moore HS crew did a very good job hosting.  It’s not easy to get a gym, but then get help to set up, work the table, then clean.  Very good job.

Robert Tucker has saved me many hours on the road by helping out and also helped a lot with nailing down the bouts.

Darren Thomas is a great announcer and takes care of all the music which is much more complicated than you could imagine.  

Thanks to the college coaches who support this every year.  Appreciate them being there and hope the event helps them snag a couple extra wrestlers.

Thanks to Brandon for flying in from his new sunny home in Florida to see this event.  

Wrestlers were amazing yesterday.  A lot of exciting action.  We lost a great class of seniors, but still have a lot of hammers in KY.

Thanks to all those who came out to support the event and these kids.  But this is an area we need to improve upon.  There were 87 paid spectators.  Is that really all the interest we have in watching the best kids in our state compete?  I understand that “coaches” built up the number in the gym, but if we can’t get 100 people to spend a couple hours watching our all stars then it is tough to see it growing in the future.

 

I’d love to make the event but it’s kinda hard to make the 3 1/2 hour hike after football, weights, and church from eastern Ky. If it could be held in the Lexington area “2 hour hike” I believe you’d get a few people from eastern Ky make the trip and take in the event. I know it’s hard to please everyone but this is a great event that everyone would enjoy. 

2 hours ago, Bluesdad said:

I’d love to make the event but it’s kinda hard to make the 3 1/2 hour hike after football, weights, and church from eastern Ky. If it could be held in the Lexington area “2 hour hike” I believe you’d get a few people from eastern Ky make the trip and take in the event. I know it’s hard to please everyone but this is a great event that everyone would enjoy. 

When Blues a State Champ and down there wrestling in the All Star, I bet you and Mrs. Blues Mom will be downtown at the Hyatt in Louisville making a weekend of it!That boy will be there along with Levid from JC!! STUDS

The great officials who volunteer their time to help build our sport. Garrett Pikul, Joe Cattan, and Jason Sidoras all did a fabulous job yesterday. 

*Jason Sedoris ;)

55 minutes ago, thegreatgatsby said:

The great officials who volunteer their time to help build our sport. Garrett Pikul, Joe Cattan, and Jason Sidoras all did a fabulous job yesterday. 

*Jason Sedoris

Darn it. I knew that from our old region 3 days. 

6 hours ago, Bluesdad said:

I’d love to make the event but it’s kinda hard to make the 3 1/2 hour hike after football, weights, and church from eastern Ky. If it could be held in the Lexington area “2 hour hike” I believe you’d get a few people from eastern Ky make the trip and take in the event. I know it’s hard to please everyone but this is a great event that everyone would enjoy. 

Then those from Westerm Ky will have a hike on our hands... plus we lose a hour. There will always be someone having to make a drive. 

13 hours ago, pin2win said:

Then those from Westerm Ky will have a hike on our hands... plus we lose a hour. There will always be someone having to make a drive. 

Has union ever sent a guy to this? I know Christian County has shown up recently big time.

18 hours ago, gameface said:

When Blues a State Champ and down there wrestling in the All Star, I bet you and Mrs. Blues Mom will be downtown at the Hyatt in Louisville making a weekend of it!That boy will be there along with Levid from JC!! STUDS

Let’s take it one step at a time lol. But you’re probably right lol.