What are the individual predictions for winning elementary states?
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elementary states
Topic ID: 5156 | 86 Posts
Well these are little kids so trying to predict winners is a little pathetic for one and I'm sure a large majority of people don't even know who most of the kids are for two.
Im actually talking about 11 and 12 year old weights like 70,75,80,85, and 90 because they might put each weight in a bracket for 11 and 12 year olds.
I'm with ya pin 12.. No it's not a big deal to guess on who you think will come out on top...My son's younger than 11-12 and I have no problem with it! It's not like you're throwing rotten tomatoes at the loser!!
Why does everyone assume that just because this is the elementary level that these boys are little children? My son is 12, but he is 5'7' and 150 pounds. He is a great wrestler. He has practiced with the high school team and even pinned a few guys who wrestle 185 pounds and heavy weight in the middle school. True enough there were some little fellas there just getting started but if you payed attention you would see that there are larger boys who wrestle elementary and who are very good. We need to stop acting like this level is just a bunch of tiny toddlers play wrestling. Give these boys the praise they deserve, they work just as hard as the older boys so lets stop treating them like babies, and more like the great wrestlers they are.
Tucker and Trey Martin from wofo are sure to be champs.
I'm not sure who they are but I hope they do well at state.
I'm not sure who they are but I hope they do well at state.
im their uncle, just tryng to be a little cocky to get em pumped. i love the fact that they have a elementry program that competes at the state level. these kids are going to be amazing if they stay with it.
I replied yesterday but once again I want to say THANK YOU...to those of you who are acting "real"..my son is 8 years old and yes he's young...yes he's a child but you better believe that he wrestles like a champ...Instead of saying oh they're little kids why so much competition...pump them up and really work w/ them! B/c if you're gonna treat them like "babies" you take them anywhere away from here and let them wreslte and they'll get stomped on the mat by someone the same age regardless of whether they're 5 or older..Again thank you!!
Could probably use the state tournament as a qualifier for the Kentucky elementary dual team.
There's another thread started earlier.
Here is the link to the National tournament.
Top wrestlers are Johnny Meiman, Tyler Francone, David Rich, Jon Belk, and the kid from Fren creek at 100 pounds.
Why does everyone assume that just because this is the elementary level that these boys are little children? My son is 12, but he is 5'7' and 150 pounds. He is a great wrestler. He has practiced with the high school team and even pinned a few guys who wrestle 185 pounds and heavy weight in the middle school. True enough there were some little fellas there just getting started but if you payed attention you would see that there are larger boys who wrestle elementary and who are very good. We need to stop acting like this level is just a bunch of tiny toddlers play wrestling. Give these boys the praise they deserve, they work just as hard as the older boys so lets stop treating them like babies, and more like the great wrestlers they are.
Your son is about 15 lbs lighter than my son and the same age. He sounds a lot like my boy achievement wise. He placed 2nd last year at state.They could possibly be in the same bracket the way heavy weight is set up. What program does he wrestle for? Good luck Saturday.
I have been enjoying some of the posts on this site, but could not keep quite anymore. Wrestling is one of the most difficult sports I have ever been involved in, but it is even more difficult watching my son participate. He is 9 and has been wrestling for the past 3 years. He works very hard and has goals. Here is my issue: We tell our kids that ANY sports they want to try, we will support them. However, if they are going to try something, they are NOT allowed to quit. In addition, if you are going to do something, do it to the best of your ability. Win or lose, if you put in your best effort. I have a hard time accepting the people on this site that say winning and losing doesn
Your son is about 15 lbs lighter than my son and the same age. He sounds a lot like my boy achievement wise. He placed 2nd last year at state.They could possibly be in the same bracket the way heavy weight is set up. What program does he wrestle for? Good luck Saturday.
He wrestles for Madison County he went to state last year and won the 140 pound weight class. Best of luck to your son on Saturday I hope all the boys have a great day win or lose.
No weighins. They are using weights from regionals. Whatever they wrestled at regions is what weight they will wrestle.
5 to 8 year olds start at 8 am so they need to be there no later than 7 am.*
9 to 12 year olds start at noon, so they need to be there no later than 11 am.*
*You might want to get them there maybe even a half hour earlier than that just to be safe.
Someone correct me if I'm wrong. I got my info from Stan Martin. Should be correct.
I have been enjoying some of the posts on this site, but could not keep quite anymore. Wrestling is one of the most difficult sports I have ever been involved in, but it is even more difficult watching my son participate. He is 9 and has been wrestling for the past 3 years. He works very hard and has goals. Here is my issue: We tell our kids that ANY sports they want to try, we will support them. However, if they are going to try something, they are NOT allowed to quit. In addition, if you are going to do something, do it to the best of your ability. Win or lose, if you put in your best effort. I have a hard time accepting the people on this site that say winning and losing doesn
Its hard to predict who is the best wrestler at the Elementary State tournament due to so many weights and brackets. But I will say this, there are bunch of kids in these youth programs are a lot of fun to watch. I give my hat off to all the coaches out there that make this sport FUN for these kids. Its about the kids and keeping them involved. To many kids come from broken up homes, no fathers in their lives and being a positive coach/role model is what its all about. Keep these kids of the streets and involved. Great job Coaches!!!!!!!
Now for my predictions LOL::: These kids will be fun to watch down state. I'm from the Northern Ky area, so I'm a little bias towards these youth programs and kids.
Derek Wiley - Conner, this kid is the real deal and fun to watch. I predict him winning a state title at the high school level someday. He's very good and he'll be a problem for many kids once he really starts to mature as he gets older. You can run, but you'll wont be able to hide from this boy. He's good people!!!!
Blake Roth - Ryle, he's only in the 3rd grade, one of his coaches told me he's like 25-0-0 a two time state champ already, and he usually wrestles up in weight classes and age, he too is a neat little guy.And he's a great kid off the mat. He has an older brother Colin Roth that is pretty good also. A good wrestling family, his dad is John Roth---Good Family and People!
Michael Martin - Ryle, this is coach Stan Martins kid, very good kid, both on and off the mat. This kid will be talked about at the high school level someday, I'm sure of it.
Joey Scaggs - Ryle, this kid is awesome. He wrestles hard and has a lot of talent. Not sure what high school he'll go to, but wherever it is, they are going to get a real special wrestler.
David Rich - Ryle great kid, comes from a good family and is very very good. He's fun to watch.
Tanner Yenter - Campbell County this kid is very good and has a lot of potential. He'll be hard to beat.
Johnny Meiman - Ryle, the only words that come to mind when talking about this kid is---Wrecking Machine. Johnny has a great amount of talent and he'll be an asset to the Ryle High School team. This kid is for real.
There are so many more kids from this area that I could go on about. But the ones I've mentioned are ones that really stand out to me, just my opinion.
All the programs throughout the state have done a great job. Keep it real and fun for the kids!!!!
GOOD LUCK TO ALL THE WRESTLERS THIS WEEKEND AT STATE....Remember, just HAVE FUN!!!!!
Any idea of how many kids will be there this year? I look for it to be bigger than last year.
WE also need to remember Jake Burroughs,he will be going for his 5th state title.Good luck Jake.
Way to go Fern Creek. The Elem. State was wonderful. This is a great way to increase wrestling in KY. I do however think that having three or four state champs for a weight class is kind of demeaning to the title of State Champ. I think that KY ought to reconsider the way that is done. I also think that it would be better if 2 region champs do not face each other in the first round. Yes I am talking about seeding.
Congratulations to Jake Burroughs, a true go-getter.
Way to go Fern Creek. The Elem. State was wonderful. This is a great way to increase wrestling in KY. I do however think that having three or four state champs for a weight class is kind of demeaning to the title of State Champ. I think that KY ought to reconsider the way that is done. I also think that it would be better if 2 region champs do not face each other in the first round. Yes I am talking about seeding.
Congratulations to Jake Burroughs, a true go-getter.
I agree with this 100%! I hear about all these good wrestlers to watch at state and would have loved to keep up with them, but I obviouosly couldn't because of the amount of wrestlers at the tournament! It was impossible! I love going to Middle and High School State and just sit back with my brackets and enjoy watching the best in the state! I applaud Fern Creek for handling a tournament of this magnitude as well as they did! My son won state last year his first year wrestling and he was on cloud 9 not really knowing that there were 3 champs in his weight class! This year he won again and it was not nearly as magical for him. He didn't even crack a smile getting his hand raised and I feel bad for him! He spent all season long working his butt off so he could share the title is the way he put it! I see nothing wrong wih having a qualifier for Elementary State! Top 4 from each weight class out of each region! I applaud everyones time and energy for youth wrestling in Kentucky!
This is unpopular because the truth hurts. Since this is so uncomfortable we should do something to make this a meaningful title. Let the best be the Best and let the rest have something to work harder for!Enthusiast that is good but very unpopular opinion on this forum.
Amen...everyone's going to think your one of those crazy parents that get kicked out of tournaments. LOL
I've heard people say on hear that the youth state tournament is suppose to be about participating and helping the sport grow within the state! I was talking to a parent on my son's team who grew up wrestling in Oklahoma and even wrestled college in Oklahoma! He can't believe there's not a true CHAMPION even at the elementary level! He bluntly said to me "youth wrestling in Kentucky is pampered"! My friend's son wrestled yesterday too and he became a paper champion, because there was no one for him to wrestle at his weight class. He's 10 and he wasn't allowed to wrestle any 11 or 12 year olds where there were kids at his weight! Luckily they live in the local area, because I would have felt sorry for them if they drove all the way across the state and not even wrestle! my son wrestled 2 matches to win the title when there were plenty of other kids at his weight! They were just in A, B, or C bracket!
I've heard people say on hear that the youth state tournament is suppose to be about participating and helping the sport grow within the state! I was talking to a parent on my son's team who grew up wrestling in Oklahoma and even wrestled college in Oklahoma! He can't believe there's not a true CHAMPION even at the elementary level! He bluntly said to me "youth wrestling in Kentucky is pampered"! My friend's son wrestled yesterday too and he became a paper champion, because there was no one for him to wrestle at his weight class. He's 10 and he wasn't allowed to wrestle any 11 or 12 year olds where there were kids at his weight! Luckily they live in the local area, because I would have felt sorry for them if they drove all the way across the state and not even wrestle! my son wrestled 2 matches to win the title when there were plenty of other kids at his weight! They were just in A, B, or C bracket!
I'm not going to comment on the "my son is not a true state champion" dilemma, but for what it is worth, Fern Creek notified the coaches of the kids that did not have matches so that the above situation (ie. traveling all the way across the state without getting to wrestle) did not happen. I have heard the Fern Creek did an outstanding job running the tournament. Congrats to them and all of the kids!
I give Fern Creek the up most respect for running the tournament! I thought they did a outstanding job for the amount of kids! I just don't understand why it can't be run like the Middle School State! Those kind of tournament are so much more enjoyable to attend! I acknowledge how great of a job Fern Creek did! They have an outstanding program and awesome parents to run that tournament the way it was run!
I give Fern Creek the up most respect for running the tournament! I thought they did a outstanding job for the amount of kids! I just don't understand why it can't be run like the Middle School State! Those kind of tournament are so much more enjoyable to attend! I acknowledge how great of a job Fern Creek did! They have an outstanding program and awesome parents to run that tournament the way it was run!
In time it might change to a one champion per weigh class format. This event has grown from a few hundred to several and our sport is going in the right direction. I applaud all the volunteers from all the local schools that worked tables ect... They had qualified referee's that did a great job from what I say, no kids got hurt in the little gym that I'm aware of.
The BIGGEST item to point out is Look at the top 5 teams then look at the middle and high schools; see a connection of success. :? Participation by parents, coaches (MOSTLY Volunteer) and strong successful programs.
Currently, I think those involved are trying to grow the sport for all the right reasons. I didn't see one KID unhappy they weren't the overall champion. They took the medal and went home to play outside (it was a great day) :-D
This opinion has merit; but if Mom's and Dad's are unhappy and feel their little wrestler is being cheated as a paper champion or not getting to wrestle the best get over it or attend any of the numerous national tournaments throughout the country they can attend.
Fern Creek and staff hosted a great tournament :-D
I thought that Fern Creek did a great job with the large number of kids that participated. A few things I took away from Saturday: A few officials, just a few, ether had a hard time getting down on the mat or "didn't feel like it". Now I understand that there were several kids wrestling, however at times, it simply looked like laziness to me. I saw several kids pinned and it took coaches to point out the obvious to the refs. Second: When we arrived in the late morning, I was told a few parents had been asked to leave due to crowding the mats. Once the afternoon began, eventhough several announcements were made and I found myself several times yelling "down in front please". Don't get me wrong, I'd love to be on the floor next to the mats, but we followed the rules. It just did not seem like enough was done to keep the mats free of "clutter" so to speak for the people in the bleachers. Third: I understand both sides of the argument about scoring for teams. The long wait until the score were read was, well, ugly!! But, what I will say is that for the teams waiting, I don't think I saw more kids pumped up at once waiting for those team scores. It proved my earlier post about the fact that the team titles do count in the kids eyes regardless of all of our diffrent opinions. Both the Cougar & Raider programs did Region 3 proud. Finally, I was talking to a high school coach that was in attendance. He has coached his team for close to 20 years, with a ton of success. He said one of the reasons for the growth of this sport was due to the second generation kids, who along with new kids/parents that has turned Kentucky wrestling into what it is starting to become. I still to this day am proud of the 4 years of mat time I received, but I am even more proud that my son (at a young age) can learn some of those great life lessons too. Every stage of development is now in place in Kentucky. In 20 years we may be like Ohio is now and hopefully one day my son can bring his future kid/kids into this and reflect on how much better it has become for them.
I just wanted to give all the boys and girls that competed one more pat on the back for the outstanding day of wrestling they gave us! Job well done!
Thanks to all FC parents for making this tournament a success! A special thanks to all the teams that provided workers, Larue, South Oldham, Ryle, Johnson Central, River City, and North Hardin (I apologize if I missed anyone). Special thanks to Stan Martin for the support and fielding questions or exceptions during the tournament. I spent countless hours on the phone (which is still on going) reviewing tournament criteria with Stan and I know he has been fielding questions from the other 30+ teams that attended. I appreciate the time you and the other board members have put into the program to get us headed in the right direction. I am sure there are days when it seems you hear nothing but complaints, but when you see the results at the end of year and you are able to pull it all together it makes it worth wild. You have done a great job as president and I only hope your successor has the same passion!
Where can I find results from the elementary state region 2?. I have two students that competed and wanted to see how they placed.They promised me they placed on the top 3
Its Tyler FrankroneTop wrestlers are Johnny Meiman, Tyler Francone, David Rich, Jon Belk, and the kid from Fren creek at 100 pounds.
Top wrestlers are Johnny Meiman, Tyler Frankrone, David Rich, Jon Belk, and the kid from Fren creek at 100 pounds.
Where did the idea come from for having multiple brackets for the same weight class at the state tournament and why is it looked at as a positive by whoever is in agreement with it?
Mouse - This was all gone over last year (you can still read last years posts on page 9-10 I think) and had been hashed out again this year. Please read the threads and you will get everyone's opinion. There is no reason to drag this out of the closet again this year! All anyone wants to do is get the kids involved in wrestling and if this is how we have to do it then that's the way it is. If you want a single champon wrestle in another state. This is KY not Ohio, Michigan, etc. We have to do what is right for our state at this point. Maybe in 10-20 years down the road wrestling in KY will be big enough to have a mulitple day tourny with one single champion. Remember you have to walk before you can run.
Congratuations to all the winners this year. Fern Creek did a great job hosting the tournament and it was run efficiently and ended at a reasonable time!
All anyone wants to do is get the kids involved in wrestling
If you want to get kids involved in wrestling you run more frequent "Open" and "Novice" type tournaments with 8-man brackets and "1st year wrestler divisions." Dumbing down the State Tournament so that kids feel encouraged to keep wrestling is a joke. It renders the "State Championship" meaningless. You might as well hand out the "State Champion" medals at the door.
KY is probably the only state in the wrestling world that runs a state championship tournament this way.
Mouse - This was all gone over last year (you can still read last years posts on page 9-10 I think) and had been hashed out again this year. Please read the threads and you will get everyone's opinion. There is no reason to drag this out of the closet again this year! All anyone wants to do is get the kids involved in wrestling and if this is how we have to do it then that's the way it is. If you want a single champon wrestle in another state. This is KY not Ohio, Michigan, etc. We have to do what is right for our state at this point. Maybe in 10-20 years down the road wrestling in KY will be big enough to have a mulitple day tourny with one single champion. Remember you have to walk before you can run.
Congratuations to all the winners this year. Fern Creek did a great job hosting the tournament and it was run efficiently and ended at a reasonable time!
All the negative talk about the elementary state is getting very old. No one wants it dragged back out, but if people don't like the way things are ran they are going to complain on this site. Most parents are not going to go to the coaches meetings. Are they even allowed to attend, and would you even want them there? Their only venue to vent is this site. These parents are not going to move away to another state that does the tournament the way they want it. They are going to get online and rip the coaches and association to shreds. That's how it goes. All the coaches and officers can at least listen.
First PD, I don't want to "Dumb Down" the state tournament. I am just pointing out the fact that KY is still working out the bugs for the state tournament and that this isn't high school. They are children. I have an idea - let them be children and when they are in Middle School lets start treating them like the are adults. Everyone seem to be in such a hurry to make the elementary kids high school kids.
Second, Pioneer Pride, I don't know Stan Martin personally, but I'm sure if you wanted to come to a coaches meeting he'd let you know when and where it is at. There are regional contacts for the parents and coaches to contact also. This not the only place to "vent" your concerns.
To all the jackasses that don't like 8 man brackets. GET A LIFE, YOUR TIME IS OVER, DON'T LIVE YOUR TERRIBLE CAREER THROUGH YOUR KID. What do you want, a 10 year old kid to wrestle a 24 man bracket? You guys who complain are idiots.
Second, Pioneer Pride, I don't know Stan Martin personally, but I'm sure if you wanted to come to a coaches meeting he'd let you know when and where it is at. There are regional contacts for the parents and coaches to contact also. This not the only place to "vent" your concerns.
I have no concerns about youth wrestling whatsoever. I have a 5 year old who thinks every tournament is either "state" or "nationals". My point of my post was that there has been arguing on this site regarding the same stuff for 2+ years. Why are people surprised to see posts on here about people complaining about the 8 man brackets? Some people like them, some people don't. People are going to complain on this site. The idiots are the ones who are surprised by this.
To all the jackasses that don't like 8 man brackets. GET A LIFE, YOUR TIME IS OVER, DON'T LIVE YOUR TERRIBLE CAREER THROUGH YOUR KID. What do you want, a 10 year old kid to wrestle a 24 man bracket? You guys who complain are idiots.
No not all the people complaining on here are parents. I would like a real state tournament for two reasons, one because I would like to see who the real state champion is. Also some of my kids, one a "state champ", have mentioned the same thing, that they would like to see who the real state champ is as well.
I'm wondering if any other parents, like myself have stopped letting their children read the posts? I'm not sure if we as "adults" realize the impact of our words. We shouldn't take anything away from any program, wrestler, or coach. If you are unhappy with how the association runs things, step up, volunteer, and change it, each region has regional reps who are to be the mouthpiece of that region. Contact them...... this site is for encouragement of the sport, not degrating it. To the issue with the "real" state champion.....meet up this summer and wrestle.....there is always the Bluegrass Games
For the record I agree that there should eventually be one state champion but what was said before about walking before you run is right on target. If you look at the progression the state tourney has made just in the past year ( 1 session broken into 2 sessions; this year adding required participation at the regional tourney, which by the way regionals never even existed) you can see things are on the right track. Maybe next year the top 2,3, or 4 wrestlers from each region only qualify for state. I forget how many regions are at the youth level. Then things start rounding into form that maybe people from both sides of the argument can live with. I do think however, that at this point on the growing process we are doing fine because we ARE growing and we ARE progressing and improving!
I agree with jpizar83! I heard three different kids mention that they didn't like the multiple champion thing! Everyone underestimates these kids! They think their just repeating what they heard their parents or another adult complain about, and that's so not true! They can think & comprehend what's going on on their own! Now I understand 5, 6, 7, 8 year-olds thinking that every tournament seems like the State Championship, but some of our kids the older ones 9, 10, 11, 12 year-olds are more aware of whats going on, and actually do speak their mind without any influence! They have single champions in every other sport! Basketball, Baseball, Boxing, Football and whatever else that a child plays at the youth level! My son has one more year left for the elementary division and he's already said that he does not wanna wrestle State next year because of this (WITHOUT MY INFLUENCE)! If it's just about participation why not use other tournaments throughout the season to promote participation of the sport?
I understand that it is difficult to accomodate everyone and it would take a lot of planning and work for one true state champion but that doesn't mean it shouldn't be strived for.
Wow I didn't know Kentucky set the bar for Elementry wrestling.All these other states must have a bunch of, well as Mike said it Idiots.I know Ind. had 37 kids in their 70lb class, darn how big of idiots they must be,them along with Iowa,Ohio etc.I also seen were Kentucky dominated the NCAA nationals this past weekend.Mike I guess everyone that wants to bring Ky up to the level of these other states are idiots.People have every right to get on here and try to help improve wrestling in our state.Louisvillewrestling is dead on, when he said a lot of kids themselves and not the parents don't want multipule brackets.I guess the 10,11,12yr olds that have been wrestling for years and get in a bracket against a kid thats been wrestling for 1 month and pin them in 20 sec. are not smart enough to figure things out for themselves.What good did a match like that do for either kid ? NOTHING.But I am not bashing the system we are trying to move forward.So here is an Idea to throw out there- -We have 4 regions,-8 man brackets are needed at this time-we need to promote participation-young kids like to get awards to keep them involved.So why not take the top 2 in each region, I am an idiot but I think that is 8.Put them in 1-bracket so you have the kids with the most experience together.Call them the Elementry State Champ.All the rest of the tournament is keep the same but the kids that win the other brackets are called the JV Elementry state champs.If the kid is new to wrestling he will not care his medal said JV,and the other kids,parents ,coaches etc will know the true state champ.But its just an idea and it don't mean much to me because my son is finished with elementry.
KY doesn't set the bar for elementary wrestling but that doesn't mean we shouldn't strive to be the best. I have all the confidence in the world that KY can be the best wrestling state in the country, but it will take A LOT of hard work by our coaches and wrestlers. If you aren't interested in being the best then I say get out of the sport because wrestling is too hard of a sport to just be in it for fun. If you want to just have fun then go play basketball. However if you want to be a "gladiator" and know that you're a badass then come join my team because I'm going to push you to be the best you can be. This training will in turn help the kids later in life when it slaps them in the face and they learn that they have to work their asses off to get what they want.
The kids on my team worked their butts off all season and at the state tournament some of them, on their own, asked me how they could be a "state champion" when there was more than one bracket per weight class. These kids want to be the best and they aren't afraid of competition. I got a couple of them some exhibition matches but it wasn't the same. My point is that we should be working towards the goal of having one bracket per weight class. I understand that it may not be possible right now considering the resources and the level of wrestling in our state but that doesn't mean we shouldn't be striving for it. If your kids can't handle a loss or are satisfied with a "half or third" of a state championship then they need to try another sport because my kids are coming for you next season and they want to be the best, bar none.
KY doesn't set the bar for elementary wrestling but that doesn't mean we shouldn't strive to be the best. I have all the confidence in the world that KY can be the best wrestling state in the country, but it will take A LOT of hard work by our coaches and wrestlers. If you aren't interested in being the best then I say get out of the sport because wrestling is too hard of a sport to just be in it for fun. If you want to just have fun then go play basketball. However if you want to be a "gladiator" and know that you're a badass then come join my team because I'm going to push you to be the best you can be. This training will in turn help the kids later in life when it slaps them in the face and they learn that they have to work their asses off to get what they want.
The kids on my team worked their butts off all season and at the state tournament some of them, on their own, asked me how they could be a "state champion" when there was more than one bracket per weight class. These kids want to be the best and they aren't afraid of competition. I got a couple of them some exhibition matches but it wasn't the same. My point is that we should be working towards the goal of having one bracket per weight class. I understand that it may not be possible right now considering the resources and the level of wrestling in our state but that doesn't mean we shouldn't be striving for it. If your kids can't handle a loss or are satisfied with a "half or third" of a state championship then they need to try another sport because my kids are coming for you next season and they want to be the best, bar none.
(If your kids can't handle a loss or are satisfied with a "half or third" of a state championship then they need to try another sport because my kids are coming for you next season and they want to be the best, bar none.)
What kind of a statement is this? Please let me know when you're coming to my town. I'll be sure to bar the windows and lock the doors. Isn't that what EVERYBODY does when the big, bad Woodford comes to town. Get a grip.
KY doesn't set the bar for elementary wrestling but that doesn't mean we shouldn't strive to be the best. I have all the confidence in the world that KY can be the best wrestling state in the country, but it will take A LOT of hard work by our coaches and wrestlers. If you aren't interested in being the best then I say get out of the sport because wrestling is too hard of a sport to just be in it for fun. If you want to just have fun then go play basketball. However if you want to be a "gladiator" and know that you're bad then come join my team because I'm going to push you to be the best you can be. This training will in turn help the kids later in life when it slaps them in the face and they learn that they have to work their butts off to get what they want.
The kids on my team worked their butts off all season and at the state tournament some of them, on their own, asked me how they could be a "state champion" when there was more than one bracket per weight class. These kids want to be the best and they aren't afraid of competition. I got a couple of them some exhibition matches but it wasn't the same. My point is that we should be working towards the goal of having one bracket per weight class. I understand that it may not be possible right now considering the resources and the level of wrestling in our state but that doesn't mean we shouldn't be striving for it. If your kids can't handle a loss or are satisfied with a "half or third" of a state championship then they need to try another sport because my kids are coming for you next season and they want to be the best, bar none.
I was starting to listen to you a bit until this post. Wow, a little overboard if I would say. I'm right there pushing my boy(s) to be the best as well. But have you forgotten that this is wrestling and elementary wrestling at that. There are many way more important things in this world.
And to the multiple bracket discussion. I don't think anyone supporting multiple brackets is opposed to a single state champion, when the state is ready to make that progression. Right now we are not ready for a state qualifier. And we didn't really grow participation at the state tournament as much as many expected. I really don't care. My boy was in an age/weight where there were many brackets (6). His was by far the stacked bracket. He wrestled tough, but didn't even make the final. But he won a medal and we were pretty happy with his performance. Since state, he pinned one of the "state champs" and another finalist. He was very likely the 3rd best out of the 40 kids at state. 5 of those other kids were state champs. He wasn't. He is learning and progressing and that is what counts at this point. WE don't care about the multiple brackets. It is what it is. Wrestle the guys in your bracket. That's all you can do. Besides, how does having multiple brackets hurt any kid. I think it is obviously more fair to do this and have an efficiently run tournament. If you and the kids can't handle having multiple state champs, how are you going to be able to live with yourselves in middle school when you have to forfeit after you hit the 5 match limit at state.
And as has been said on many, many occassions for all of those keyboard complainers... If you don't like the way the system is working, get in there and try to fix it.
Well said Ranger. I thank you for your perspective.
I was starting to listen to you a bit until this post. Wow, a little overboard if I would say. I'm right there pushing my boy(s) to be the best as well. But have you forgotten that this is wrestling and elementary wrestling at that. There are many way more important things in this world.
And to the multiple bracket discussion. I don't think anyone supporting multiple brackets is opposed to a single state champion, when the state is ready to make that progression. Right now we are not ready for a state qualifier. And we didn't really grow participation at the state tournament as much as many expected. I really don't care. My boy was in an age/weight where there were many brackets (6). His was by far the stacked bracket. He wrestled tough, but didn't even make the final. But he won a medal and we were pretty happy with his performance. Since state, he pinned one of the "state champs" and another finalist. He was very likely the 3rd best out of the 40 kids at state. 5 of those other kids were state champs. He wasn't. He is learning and progressing and that is what counts at this point. WE don't care about the multiple brackets. It is what it is. Wrestle the guys in your bracket. That's all you can do. Besides, how does having multiple brackets hurt any kid. I think it is obviously more fair to do this and have an efficiently run tournament. If you and the kids can't handle having multiple state champs, how are you going to be able to live with yourselves in middle school when you have to forfeit after you hit the 5 match limit at state.
And as has been said on many, many occassions for all of those keyboard complainers... If you don't like the way the system is working, get in there and try to fix it.
Ranger when are the pre season elem. rankings coming out?? j/k :-D
I started to post them and decided there wasn't any point. My boys are #1 at every age/weight.
Sorry if I came off a little harsh but my intent was to say that the key in developing wrestling in our state is the youth programs. If you get the kids involved early (like 5, 6, and 7) then it will pay off serious dividends in 15 years. If more kids are wrestling at a younger age, the more competitive they are and therefore the more they want to be the best. Coach Carr always told me the best thing about Harrison Courtney was his hatred of losing and how easy it was to channel that energy into getting better, I think they said the same thing about Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant. I think this competitiveness is developed at an early age so therefore we should start our wrestlers off at earlier ages. I'll bet you that almost every single NCAA champion this year started wrestling when they were less than 10 years old and almost all of their states had youth state tournaments where the the kids had to qualify and the state champion was the "true" state champ.
KY doesn't set the bar for elementary wrestling but that doesn't mean we shouldn't strive to be the best. I have all the confidence in the world that KY can be the best wrestling state in the country but it will take A LOT of hard work by our coaches and wrestlers. I understand that it may not be possible right now considering the resources and the level of wrestling in our state but that doesn't mean we shouldn't be striving for it.
Again I never said that Kentucky is at this level now; like I said before it will take time to develop this.
ML,
Ranger when are the pre season elem. rankings coming out?? j/k :-D
I know you meant this as a joke but they have national rankings for youth wrestling so why not state rankings. I want to take KY wrestling to a place we've never been before, where we're competing on the national level with multiple national champs, World Team members, Olympic medalists, etc. I guess my frustration is with those who say that KY is ready for this now (which I agree with) and therefore should accept defeat on the national level for our youth. Who knows your cousins could be the first NCAA champs from KY.
By the way I want to make it clear that as a coach my emphasis is not about winning at all. This doesn't mean that I don't want my wrestlers to win, obviously I would love gold medals for every kid every weekend. However the most important thing to me is that he is a better wrestler after the match than before the match, that he learned something. With this mindset I am not shooting for the elementary, middle school or even high school state champioships. I would rather have a kid who is successful in life rather than every wins one wrestling match because ultimately "hard work overcomes talent when talent doesn't work hard". If a wrestler puts this sort of effort forward then they are undoubtedly get results because wrestling is that kind of sport, you get out of it what you put into it. They will in turn be able to use this work ethic in whatever profession they choose in life. I only give them an avenue in which to learn what it takes to be successful. I guess that's why wrestling is such a special sport.
I certainly do. We have kids as young as 4 in our program. We had one this year who only attended practices. That whole extra season being exposed to the sport will give him an advantage over 1st year 5 year olds next season when he actually competes. He will be a 1st year wrestler with 1 year of experience. We have another 4 year old (now 5) who wrestled in the CYW all season and did pretty good but was too young to compete in the state tournament. He was able to compete in regionals and finished 3rd in the 5 & 6 division. He will have 2 years experience next year with 1st year status at state. That kinda jump on the competition at that age is huge. We are able to make it fun and also teach a competitive spirit. All of our kids know how to score and the importance of being ahead going into the 3rd period. They also like to play kangaroo & bulldog as well as other games in practice. The key to success is coaching the kids at their level. Most will mature to into a good competitive wrestler very quickly if they enjoy what they are doing and look foreward to going to practice. So I can see what you are talking about. Some kids are ready for the hard competition and can handle the agony of defeat. Most of those kids were born into the wrestling family or some kind of competitive atmosphere. We will definitely get to that point in Kentucky. When you have a vision for the future time passes too slowly. Hang in there.
blake nelson is the best wrestler in elemtary school. from richmond.What are the top two wrestlers at each weight class for 11 and 12 year old's?
blake nelson is the best elemtary school wrestler out there. from richmond
Which wt. class?
i think between 145-170. he is around there but i dont know for real sure. but no matter what weight class he is the best.
jp - glad you clarified. I think we can all agree with your last statements.
Good, but if we all strive for this then we should be striving to have "true" state champions at the elementary level like OH and PA. I may seem like I am complaining about this but I don't mean to. Rather I am interested in what it would take to make this happen. I am willing to volunteer my time and host the tournament next season if need be. I'm sure we can find a venue here in Lexington if we start looking now. So what exactly the problems and more importantly how can (they) be addressed?
Good, but if we all strive for this then we should be striving to have "true" state champions at the elementary level like OH and PA. I may seem like I am complaining about this but I don't mean to. Rather I am interested in what it would take to make this happen. I am willing to volunteer my time and host the tournament next season if need be. I'm sure we can find a venue here in Lexington if we start looking now. So what exactly the problems and more importantly how can (they) be addressed?
Mr. Martin will have to address what ALL of the issues are. I think the biggest one is that it is still an open tournament and that can result in some large brackets. This presents numerous concerns (5 match rule, organization/errors). A lesser issues is likely team scoring. Plus, a point I already mentioned, who does it really hurt to have multiple brackets? Would it be any different if they broke 40 kids weighing between 60.5 and 65 into 5 8-man 60 pound brackets (5 state champs) or set them up as 60.5-61.4, 61.8-62.3, etc (still 5 state champs, but technically different weights)?
No I think the better idea would be to have a qualifying system, just like middle and high school. It would be entirely possible because we had the regional tournaments anyway. If a region had only one kid at a certain weight then he/she would automatically qualify. If another region had a lot of kids at that weight then those kids could fill in the bracket for the state tournament to get the kids more matches. I'd say have a max of 16 kids per weight in a specific age group.
No I think the better idea would be to have a qualifying system, just like middle and high school. It would be entirely possible because we had the regional tournaments anyway. If a region had only one kid at a certain weight then he/she would automatically qualify. If another region had a lot of kids at that weight then those kids could fill in the bracket for the state tournament to get the kids more matches. I'd say have a max of 16 kids per weight in a specific age group.
I haven't been reading much of this thread, I might be putting myself on the chopping block putting my opinion out but, I really do not agree with this. Elementary qualifying system is the worst idea if we are trying to build Kentucy wrestling. Kids at this age do it for fun, there should be competitiveness but to deny kids, willing to wrestle at this age, the chance of wrestling at the state tournament is ridiculous. At this age it is all for fun and I say the more willing to come out and wrestle the better!
Now our youth program and the area surrounding programs did not attend this years elementary state tournament probably for various reasons. One being distance, most likely. We are about 3 to 4 hours away from most of the major cities and having 50 parents carrying their kids for 3 to 4 hours in a car to go to a wrestling tournament just doesn't seem worth it. We see just as good of competition from the Tennessee area come to some of the local tournaments. Like I've always suggested maybe for a better turnout and a little bit of a better playing field we should move the tournament somewhere more centrally located.
But to add on to what I was saying before this is elementary, having kids come out at this age should be good enough to qualify them for the better of the state. Now middle school and high school have a great system, except high school needs a seeding system, but elementary it just seems a little much.
Mr. Martin will have to address what ALL of the issues are. I think the biggest one is that it is still an open tournament and that can result in some large brackets. This presents numerous concerns (5 match rule, organization/errors). A lesser issues is likely team scoring. Plus, a point I already mentioned, who does it really hurt to have multiple brackets? Would it be any different if they broke 40 kids weighing between 60.5 and 65 into 5 8-man 60 pound brackets (5 state champs) or set them up as 60.5-61.4, 61.8-62.3, etc (still 5 state champs, but technically different weights)?
Ranger, What you are proposing about the multiple weight classes within a weight class (60.5-61.4 etc.) is already being done very successfully in Southern Ohio. Heavy83 mentioned using that system in another thread. It would make the most logical sense because it moves the tournament along faster, It gives you "true" champions at almost every possible age and weight class combination and everyone can be satisfied that what they won is legitimate. This year the open classes were done better than any other year. That tells me that progress is being made every year and the powers that be are listening and encouraging our ideas. The regional tournaments will eventually be qualifiers. That is one of the reasons we set them up, For the future. How long have Oh, Pa, Mi, etc. had an elementary level state tournament? Did they make changes? Did they organize before their 1st state tournament? Our biggest problem, and it is the fault of no one person or people is that we had a state tournament before we had an organization. We should have had a master plan in place with a board, officers and bylaws before the 1st state tournament. It was very crude at best. Now we are using reverse engineering to solve the problems. This process is slow but it will be the strongest and best in the country when everything is tweaked out. Hind sight is 20/20 and every year I see something else we can improve on, Just like all of you and it gets better every year. I wish we could all make the meetings so we could sit face to face and discuss all of the great ideas coming out on this website. We cannot all attend, unfortunately. I do not know most of the people on here because of the mysterious names that are used. Some I know and didn't even realize it. One thing I do know, is everyone is here for what they perceive, is for the good of the kids & the sport. The powers that be will listen and will continue to improve the process. We are still making history.
outstanding post. thank you
If you are refering to my last post, Thank you for reading it. If not i'm sorry. I get going and the thoughts keep coming, and I ramble on & on! Lol!
I am all for reg. qualifiers when the state participation warrants it. Some of the things I think needs to happen. 1.More balance of numbers kids thru most of ages and weights to be able to have predetermined weight brackets. 2.Have the season thru whole state be aligned with middle and high schools. Start in nov.-dec. end in feb. What would be awesome is have tourn. day after high school's at Frankfort. I think it will take a few more years to do this. As long we don't rush it to fast the numbers and interest will grow. This is by far the toughest but most personally rewarding sport there is. The kids learn more about themselves without realizing it.
Ranger, What you are proposing about the multiple weight classes within a weight class (60.5-61.4 etc.) is already being done very successfully in Southern Ohio. Heavy83 mentioned using that system in another thread. It would make the most logical sense because it moves the tournament along faster, It gives you "true" champions at almost every possible age and weight class combination and everyone can be satisfied that what they won is legitimate. This year the open classes were done better than any other year. That tells me that progress is being made every year and the powers that be are listening and encouraging our ideas. The regional tournaments will eventually be qualifiers. That is one of the reasons we set them up, For the future. How long have Oh, Pa, Mi, etc. had an elementary level state tournament? Did they make changes? Did they organize before their 1st state tournament? Our biggest problem, and it is the fault of no one person or people is that we had a state tournament before we had an organization. We should have had a master plan in place with a board, officers and bylaws before the 1st state tournament. It was very crude at best. Now we are using reverse engineering to solve the problems. This process is slow but it will be the strongest and best in the country when everything is tweaked out. Hind sight is 20/20 and every year I see something else we can improve on, Just like all of you and it gets better every year. I wish we could all make the meetings so we could sit face to face and discuss all of the great ideas coming out on this website. We cannot all attend, unfortunately. I do not know most of the people on here because of the mysterious names that are used. Some I know and didn't even realize it. One thing I do know, is everyone is here for what they perceive, is for the good of the kids & the sport. The powers that be will listen and will continue to improve the process. We are still making history.
I agree completely and understand about rambling lol.
I am all for reg. qualifiers when the state participation warrants it. Some of the things I think needs to happen. 1.More balance of numbers kids thru most of ages and weights to be able to have predetermined weight brackets. 2.Have the season thru whole state be aligned with middle and high schools. Start in nov.-dec. end in feb. What would be awesome is have tourn. day after high school's at Frankfort. I think it will take a few more years to do this. As long we don't rush it to fast the numbers and interest will grow. This is by far the toughest but most personally rewarding sport there is. The kids learn more about themselves without realizing it.
Kenny,
Wouldn't it be cool if we could have high school, middle school & elementary simultaneously in Frankfort? Eventually of course, Not in the too near future. That would tie us together the way we should be united.
Simon Kenton had a dual with Connor this year at SK. Twenhofel duelled their middle school and we duelled their youth program. We were on three separate mats wrestling simultaneously. It was the coolest thing we did all year. It brought us all together as a single unit. The big guys got to see the little guys wrestle for a change. It really moved my spirit. I would like to do it again next year with Campbell and Raider youth also at whatever facility that they happen to be wrestling at when they dual this coming year. It is really cool. Some of you may already be doing it.
Some of the wt. classes may never fill to what we need for a qualifier. My son is 10 and weighs 49.2 lbs. before he is 11 I hope he has a couple of growth spurts. I think there are just enough at that size to keep it a round robin.Lol! I agree that the numbers will grow. I think AAU & USA Wrestling should go to all of the elementary schools and promote youth wrestling with a presentation and information about whatever local youth program the kids could contact. They could point out the myths and advantages of youth wrestling.
I think the idea of USA or AAU getting involved in the elementary schools is excellent. I know that would be a very tall order considering how many elementary schools there are in the country. But I do think that wrestling could and should be taught to some degree in the PE classes. They teach the basics about basketball, baseball, football, and soccer don't they? I think if we could somehow get this incorporated into (or at least some sort of exposure )in the PE classes.... then I think we REALLY see some explosion in the amount of participation we get in the sport of wrestling!
I think the idea of USA or AAU getting involved in the elementary schools is excellent. I know that would be a very tall order considering how many elementary schools there are in the country. But I do think that wrestling could and should be taught to some degree in the PE classes. They teach the basics about basketball, baseball, football, and soccer don't they? I think if we could somehow get this incorporated into (or at least some sort of exposure )in the PE classes.... then I think we REALLY see some explosion in the amount of participation we get in the sport of wrestling!
Yes, We would all reap the benefits in a short period of time. The professionalism of organizations that size would out do anything our clubs could come up with. Films presentations, live wrestling presentations to show kids how fun it can be. Some kids will never get past having to wear a singlet!Lol! I have been told by numerous kids that there is no way in hades they would put that @#$ looking thing on!Lol! I am quoting actual kids that would be excellent wrestlers. I could not persuede them or their macho dads.
Moore High school has intermediate and advanced wrestling for an advanced PE class at the high school level. I thought that was pretty cool and a good start.