Which weight class do you think was the deepest at state this year?

29 minutes ago, 18904 said:

Which weight class do you think was the deepest at state this year?

I really don't know, but just guessing 126 and 144. 

144 was pretty deep

144 or 150. 126 just seemed even through out. Everyone was pretty close to each other. 

I look at it a few ways.

126 was the toughest to get on the podium.  The quality of the 5/6 and 7/8 matches were higher than in other weight classes in my opinion.

144 and 150 probably had the best top 3, but in my opinion it was a sharp drop after that. 

132/138 were the toughest to win (if your initials aren't JR), but they lacked depth since most top guys didn't want that smoke...  Which is why you see 126/144/150 with so much talent.

McCloskey and Evans most definitely wanted the smoke, and they got it. Props to them for not ducking and taking their opportunities and losses like young men.  Respect.

132/138/144/150 were not deep. 

132 - Raney and McCloskey were a tech fall above the rest.

138 - Same with Evans and Raney.

144 - Three quality kids (I still think Kaygen should've had nearfall)

150 - Johns / Jenkins / Birk. 

36 minutes ago, Regional Qualifier said:

132/138/144/150 were not deep. 

132 - Raney and McCloskey were a tech fall above the rest.

138 - Same with Evans and Raney.

144 - Three quality kids (I still think Kaygen should've had nearfall)

150 - Johns / Jenkins / Birk. 

 

144 was the deepest weight this yr. 

7 minutes ago, FCfalconwrestling said:

144 was the deepest weight this yr. 

 

 

Maybe between 1/2/3 which was acknowledged... can you elaborate on who outside of the top 3 make it the deepest?  I'll wait...

I think you could say the deepest might actually be 120. Some quality kids 1-8. 

On 3/5/2025 at 2:27 PM, Regional Qualifier said:

Maybe between 1/2/3 which was acknowledged... can you elaborate on who outside of the top 3 make it the deepest?  I'll wait...

the simple fact you had kids place that were middle of the pack all yr ranking wise. I get the argument rankings do not mean anything however, this was as wide open of a weight as any. Everyone beating everyone. top 3 were no question... from 120-150 it was the case. I am not debating the top 3. totally agree. It was a fun weight to watch.

Thanks Carson for making the brackets with rankings. This was one of the craziest state tournaments in recent memory of "upsets" as I can remember since I came to KY in 2009.  

On 3/5/2025 at 1:40 PM, Regional Qualifier said:

132/138/144/150 were not deep. 

132 - Raney and McCloskey were a tech fall above the rest.

138 - Same with Evans and Raney.

144 - Three quality kids (I still think Kaygen should've had nearfall)

150 - Johns / Jenkins / Birk. 

 

The lack of respect for Smith is CRAZY. Johns first score was off Smith in DEEP split the middle and Johns second takedown was again off of Smiths attack. Smith was in deep with hands locked 3-4 times vs. 1 for johns(off a reattack). Smith is learning how to finish away from dominating some of these top guys. Flip side of that Johns has some great defense and his reattack on the second takedown was sweet.

24 minutes ago, itsBoston said:

The lack of respect for Smith is CRAZY. Johns first score was off Smith in DEEP split the middle and Johns second takedown was again off of Smiths attack. Smith was in deep with hands locked 3-4 times vs. 1 for johns(off a reattack). Smith is learning how to finish away from dominating some of these top guys. Flip side of that Johns has some great defense and his reattack on the second takedown was sweet.

I don't think it is lack of respect for Smith... the kid is a four-time placer with one year to go - can't knock him at all.  I think it is rather a higher amount of respect for the others.  An out-of-shape Ren showed out against Smith at All-Star classic, so imo the outcome is likely the same or worse at state.  That being said, Smith capitalized on a golden opportunity and I applaud him for that, but in no way is he on the other three's level... yet. 

But c'mon now, are we really putting a kid on a pedestal for being able to grab a leg?  Lol.  Tons of kids can get to a leg(s), finishing is the key, and like you said, he is learning to finish.  Once he does, then maybe he is in my top 3 at the weight.  Should also be mentioned in P4P talks next season with his resume.

BTW, I was rooting for Smith in the finals because I like the young man and he puts in an extreme amount of work.

17 minutes ago, Regional Qualifier said:

I don't think it is lack of respect for Smith... the kid is a four-time placer with one year to go - can't knock him at all.  I think it is rather a higher amount of respect for the others.  An out-of-shape Ren showed out against Smith at All-Star classic, so imo the outcome is likely the same or worse at state.  That being said, Smith capitalized on a golden opportunity and I applaud him for that, but in no way is he on the other three's level... yet. 

But c'mon now, are we really putting a kid on a pedestal for being able to grab a leg?  Lol.  Tons of kids can get to a leg(s), finishing is the key, and like you said, he is learning to finish.  Once he does, then maybe he is in my top 3 at the weight.  Should also be mentioned in P4P talks next season with his resume.

BTW, I was rooting for Smith in the finals because I like the young man and he puts in an extreme amount of work.

Rider Trumble got controlled by Micah at the all star. During season Rider then pinned him twice and then beat him 7-0 at state. Ethan Davis Tech pinned Valera in the first period then had a one takedown match with him at state. Using the all star as a measuring stick is irrelevant imo. Im not putting him on a pedestal for getting to a leg, but It wasn't some dominating match. I am more so saying Smith is closer to the others than people give him credit for. 

27 minutes ago, Regional Qualifier said:

I don't think it is lack of respect for Smith... the kid is a four-time placer with one year to go - can't knock him at all.  I think it is rather a higher amount of respect for the others.  An out-of-shape Ren showed out against Smith at All-Star classic, so imo the outcome is likely the same or worse at state.  That being said, Smith capitalized on a golden opportunity and I applaud him for that, but in no way is he on the other three's level... yet. 

But c'mon now, are we really putting a kid on a pedestal for being able to grab a leg?  Lol.  Tons of kids can get to a leg(s), finishing is the key, and like you said, he is learning to finish.  Once he does, then maybe he is in my top 3 at the weight.  Should also be mentioned in P4P talks next season with his resume.

BTW, I was rooting for Smith in the finals because I like the young man and he puts in an extreme amount of work.

I don’t think you can say Ren was out of shape at the all star. He grapples year round. He was the first in there for weigh ins sunk in cheeks and white lips. He looked like he was probably 10 pounds heavier than smith there. Smith gained weight as season went and still wasn’t cutting weight at state which is kinda crazy. But ren did beat him there so he gets the nod but it was a closer match than the score. I’m sure Smith learned to defend Rens drag or not to take the bait. 
My my opinion Smith was 1 take down away from the finals last year and the year before. 

46 minutes ago, itsBoston said:

Rider Trumble got controlled by Micah at the all star. During season Rider then pinned him twice and then beat him 7-0 at state. Ethan Davis Tech pinned Valera in the first period then had a one takedown match with him at state. Using the all star as a measuring stick is irrelevant imo. Im not putting him on a pedestal for getting to a leg, but It wasn't some dominating match. I am more so saying Smith is closer to the others than people give him credit for. 

Not really sure i would say Rider was controlled, but you're right, Micah did get him.  At state, Ethan wrestled cautiously, which I can't blame him, but still controlled the match - had a cradle locked up and bellied out with :01 second left, other than that it's an 8-2 match with the 2 coming from escapes, not really close. 

Smith can keep it close with anyone, and sometimes that's all it takes to be able to pull one out.  Again, I am in no way dissing him as he has put together a GREAT resume and is right there, especially next year.  Ren, Isaac, and Hunter were just a class above the rest.

40 minutes ago, PPmothman said:

I don’t think you can say Ren was out of shape at the all star. He grapples year round. He was the first in there for weigh ins sunk in cheeks and white lips. He looked like he was probably 10 pounds heavier than smith there. Smith gained weight as season went and still wasn’t cutting weight at state which is kinda crazy. But ren did beat him there so he gets the nod but it was a closer match than the score. I’m sure Smith learned to defend Rens drag or not to take the bait. 
My my opinion Smith was 1 take down away from the finals last year and the year before. 

Exactly my point, sunk in cheeks and white lips, a far cry from "fighting" shape and feeling good at the weight. 

1 minute ago, Regional Qualifier said:

Exactly my point, sunk in cheeks and white lips, a far cry from "fighting" shape and feeling good at the weight. 

That’s his biggest asset though. Ren can and does cut a tremendous amount of weight. Even though it wasn’t as much as years past he was by far the biggest 144. And was still a big 150. 

On 3/7/2025 at 2:58 PM, Regional Qualifier said:

Not really sure i would say Rider was controlled, but you're right, Micah did get him.  At state, Ethan wrestled cautiously, which I can't blame him, but still controlled the match - had a cradle locked up and bellied out with :01 second left, other than that it's an 8-2 match with the 2 coming from escapes, not really close. 

Smith can keep it close with anyone, and sometimes that's all it takes to be able to pull one out.  Again, I am in no way dissing him as he has put together a GREAT resume and is right there, especially next year.  Ren, Isaac, and Hunter were just a class above the rest.

I'll agree to disagree on the Ethan match. (Maybe because it seemed like an unclosable gap he got beat so bad at All-Star lol) Roman had multiple close scores and Ethan's takedowns were both off reattacks. It was 3-1 to start the third. I don't call that a controlled match. Plus you can't say 8-2 without giving Roman the takedown because the 8th point was Roman letting him up with 5 seconds left lol. 7-5 then let him up to make It 8-5. 
 

As far as Ryan I could see him getting a title next year at 157-165 if he can put some height on.