MR TWISTER
04-08-2006, 11:28 PM
Well it has been a while since I penned a column. I stated in the very beginning of this column I won’t write or post unless I feel I have something to say. As of recent others have had some good things to say. This time I want to take excerpts from certain post from the past couple of months and just share them with you. These particular posts caught my eye the last few days.
Throw45 posted:
The 2006 Dave Schultz High School Excellence winners announced for 48 states
National Wrestling Hall of Fame
04/06/2006
STILLWATER, Okla. -- The National Wrestling Hall of Fame & Museumin Stillwater, Oklahoma has announced its 2006 state winners of the Dave Schultz High School Excellence award. This annual award is bestowed upon high school seniors who demonstrate excellence in wrestling success, scholastic achievement, character, citizenship and community service.
The award, named in honor of Olympic and World Champion Dave Schultz, has recognized 528 wrestlers since its inception in 1996.
125wrestler responded
Congrats to Jimmy (Kennedy of Grant). He really deserves it. He is a really hard working kid. Good luck to him in college.
John H posted:
Illinois will not surpass any state if our top kids do not wrestle nationally. Every year we bring a second rate team to Delaware, and not many of our Seniors wrestle at Senior Nationals. Pennsylvania, Ohio and California have much better off-season turnouts than Illinois does...These states know how to organize great teams and individuals in the off-season to attend national events. It is very unfortunate that Illinois top wrestlers cannot get together and wrestle more out of state events. I am not sure who is to blame but after looking at the Delaware team I would have to blame the coaches. Seems to me that they pick kids based on politics and not on overall talent.
If you look at the teams Pennsylvania is bringing to Delaware, I predict that their second team beats Illinois by 15pts and their first team will beat Illinois by 20-30pts. Illinois will be lucky to place in the top 5-6 in Delaware.
What actually happened:
Illinois lost to both Penn. Teams as John H. predicted by as many points as he said and placed 5th.
Lauden Swain posted
Welcome home, Tom Brands?
Fefox responded:
I agree with Lauden, Tom Brands will return to his roots... What better place to teach the IOWA STYLE than the University of IOWA??
Tofurky also responded:
Does this mean that Misters Metcalf, Slaton, Ratley and Staylor will be following their coach to Iowa City? It would make most sense for Slaton and since the coach has left, they're under no obligation to continue there. Those four would boost that room like crazy!
THE LOCK posted:
Right now Illinois has 3 in the QTR's in this bracket... Now lets think about it... If Jimmy Kennedy was here also, that would most likely be 4 in the QTR's, most likely 1 Illinois wrestler in each of the QTR final matchs... Thats something impressive right there...
Mr Twister responded:
The guys (Mario, Kyle, Vince and Dalton) are really putting on a show. I have never seen them look this good against this level of competition. EVERYONE is a multiple state champ and they are taking them out the tourney left and right. You guys should be really proud of them. And they are all pulling for each other too. It is awesome.
Warrior88 posted:
Who would win this one. The fact that Kennedy wears headgear is a serious disadvantage for Tyson due to a hampering of the ear biting strategy but I would still have to go with Tyson by at least two and those two would be stalling points for Kennedy backing up.
Dragonmaster responded:
Tyson would bite Kennedy's ear then go get another face tatoo....while looking for Chappelle.
Mr Twister responded:
I am entering BRUCE LEE on the other side of the bracket. Now what? Kato wins it all after beating OJ in the prelims, Jackie Chan in the quarters, ALI in the semis and Kennedy in double OT after benefiting from the guest ref -THE LOCK.
Achilles responded:
Chuck Norris once round housed kicked Bruce Lee in half, creating Jet Li and Jacki Chan
Mr. X posted:
So show of hands who here has a myspace?
Pin2win105 responded:
The whole state of illinois has them, hell the whole nation of wrestlers has them.
Lets go down the list:
Mario Morgan, Bill Putman, Sean Kinney, Joey Kotowski, Zach Taylor, Matt Collum, Ryan Nallen, Jimmy Kennedy, Brandon Precin, Matt Walters, Jeff Bybee, Tyler Clark, Cort Lawton, Vinny Alber, Matt Wenger, Darren Olsen, Tyler Johnson, Jeff Burdorf, Eric Tannenbaum, Josh Kratovil, Jimmy Duffy, Caitlyn Chase, Mark Shultz, Tony and Vince Ramos, Izzy Montemayor, Joe Barzack, Aldo Flores, Dalton Bullard, Jordan Johnson, DJ Bruce, Justin Hale, Jake Oster, James and Josh Simpson, Caleb Walk, Jon Henslee, Scott Penny, Carson Beebe, and many others. It is an endless list.
Yea, I guess My Space is pretty popular.
Tofurky responded:
We addressed this thing in practice once, too. Kids were putting stupid photos and comments up and it came to the head coach's attention that admin was coming across these sites.
One other thing that amazes me is that you place controversial or illegal things out there in a PUBLIC forum for everyone to see and expect that there would be no back lash? Parents mystify me sometimes with their desire to defend their kids on such issues, but not give them the necessary guidance ahead of time to tell them that things such as could possibly work against them in ways they cannot begin to perceive. I guess I wouldn't be so concerned about school officials coming down on my kid if he or she knowingly placed photos out there of some nature that could have them expelled, but I would have a long talk with the kids for thinking that sort of thing is okay to do.
Jaguar responded:
As someone who is routinely involved on the administration side of school affairs, I can say that all schools have a policy against drinking and illegal substances, and most schools' policies extend to drinking and illegal drug use off school grounds and even during the summer. A school probably cannot expel a student for drinking (away from school), but athletics is considered a privilege, and most schools will not allow a student to participate in sports if they have been involved in drinking or illegal drug use. Some schools have a "three strikes your out" policy; other schools allow you one violation before taking away sports; but other shcools have a "no tolerance" policy - one strike, and you are out. If a kid is putting pictures of himself/herself on the Internet drinking, it is basically an admission. The hearing would be a formality. The only issue would be the punishment. ANYTHING that anyone puts on the Internet is the public domain. There is no privacy on the Internet. I could name a handful of prominent high school athletes off the top of my head who had their high school careers cut short by getting caught drinking or even at a party where underage drinking is going on. It is foolish to drink or do illegal drugs as a teenager. It is even more foolish to admit it and post pictures on the Internet
Japwhizzer posted:
with all the possible two time state champs plus two possible 4 timers and Add Tyler Clark from class A. Does this class rank with "glory Days" of the late 80's and Early 90's? Just wondering what people think?
We never really got a true answer to this. What do you think?
Warrior88 posted:
Due to the fact that Kennedy beat Precin and Precin pinned his way to the finals and dominated in the finals and Kennedy had two matches that were won by 3 I would say 125 was the toughest weight class in the state. 103 seems tough but is always young and because of that more inexperienced. Remember allot of the 125 seniors and juniors were 103 as freshman so now they are just better than they were then. And to add to all this look at how well they competed nationally and Kennedy wasn't even there. There would have been 4 Illinois kids in the quarters! 125 was definately the toughest weight class this year.
Mr Twister responded:
Of course I agree. I am pretty sure they were the best group of 125 's in the country. And I bet that some of the best 130's would of done well also. The Illinois lighter weights are fun to watch. But while we are in love with our kids as we should be the national board has an over and under list that might ruffle some home feathers. And here comes freestyle next. I can't wait because the 125's all wrestle freestyle. I wonder how they will do nationally and how will they be respected coming off of the Sr. Nationals showing. No time off for the "little guys".
Mickey Spiwak responded:
As much as i hate to admit it as a 119 pounder, 125 was definately the best, it seemed like at the sectional level (at least at the barrington sectional) there was less depth at 125 but more 'superstars', causing the state tournament at 125 to be loaded with depth and outstanding wrestlers. matt boggess and bobby joyce both could've placed at 119 (boggess lost to allenstein from graslake in the wrestlebacks 5-0 i think and joyce got cement-mixered for 3rd while winning 4-0)
Grapplinfan responded:
215 was crazy as well, the 5th place guy, Goebel, beat Blair's starter, Platt whose ranked 9th in the country (by WUSA and Intermat), ended up 2nd at the Ironman to Gardner (#1)
All these guys were nationally ranked, at least temporarily, in the past year, some still are:
Fagiano
Brantley
Everhart
Trinka
Goebel
Walker
Nicholas Single A (lost 5-2 to consensus national #1, Gardner)
Winterhalter (A)
Johnson (before he moved to 275)
Winel (before he went 189)
That's ten guys in one state at one weight. (all WUSA rankings) I can't remember anything like that happening before
Throw45 posted:
The 2006 Dave Schultz High School Excellence winners announced for 48 states
National Wrestling Hall of Fame
04/06/2006
STILLWATER, Okla. -- The National Wrestling Hall of Fame & Museumin Stillwater, Oklahoma has announced its 2006 state winners of the Dave Schultz High School Excellence award. This annual award is bestowed upon high school seniors who demonstrate excellence in wrestling success, scholastic achievement, character, citizenship and community service.
The award, named in honor of Olympic and World Champion Dave Schultz, has recognized 528 wrestlers since its inception in 1996.
125wrestler responded
Congrats to Jimmy (Kennedy of Grant). He really deserves it. He is a really hard working kid. Good luck to him in college.
John H posted:
Illinois will not surpass any state if our top kids do not wrestle nationally. Every year we bring a second rate team to Delaware, and not many of our Seniors wrestle at Senior Nationals. Pennsylvania, Ohio and California have much better off-season turnouts than Illinois does...These states know how to organize great teams and individuals in the off-season to attend national events. It is very unfortunate that Illinois top wrestlers cannot get together and wrestle more out of state events. I am not sure who is to blame but after looking at the Delaware team I would have to blame the coaches. Seems to me that they pick kids based on politics and not on overall talent.
If you look at the teams Pennsylvania is bringing to Delaware, I predict that their second team beats Illinois by 15pts and their first team will beat Illinois by 20-30pts. Illinois will be lucky to place in the top 5-6 in Delaware.
What actually happened:
Illinois lost to both Penn. Teams as John H. predicted by as many points as he said and placed 5th.
Lauden Swain posted
Welcome home, Tom Brands?
Fefox responded:
I agree with Lauden, Tom Brands will return to his roots... What better place to teach the IOWA STYLE than the University of IOWA??
Tofurky also responded:
Does this mean that Misters Metcalf, Slaton, Ratley and Staylor will be following their coach to Iowa City? It would make most sense for Slaton and since the coach has left, they're under no obligation to continue there. Those four would boost that room like crazy!
THE LOCK posted:
Right now Illinois has 3 in the QTR's in this bracket... Now lets think about it... If Jimmy Kennedy was here also, that would most likely be 4 in the QTR's, most likely 1 Illinois wrestler in each of the QTR final matchs... Thats something impressive right there...
Mr Twister responded:
The guys (Mario, Kyle, Vince and Dalton) are really putting on a show. I have never seen them look this good against this level of competition. EVERYONE is a multiple state champ and they are taking them out the tourney left and right. You guys should be really proud of them. And they are all pulling for each other too. It is awesome.
Warrior88 posted:
Who would win this one. The fact that Kennedy wears headgear is a serious disadvantage for Tyson due to a hampering of the ear biting strategy but I would still have to go with Tyson by at least two and those two would be stalling points for Kennedy backing up.
Dragonmaster responded:
Tyson would bite Kennedy's ear then go get another face tatoo....while looking for Chappelle.
Mr Twister responded:
I am entering BRUCE LEE on the other side of the bracket. Now what? Kato wins it all after beating OJ in the prelims, Jackie Chan in the quarters, ALI in the semis and Kennedy in double OT after benefiting from the guest ref -THE LOCK.
Achilles responded:
Chuck Norris once round housed kicked Bruce Lee in half, creating Jet Li and Jacki Chan
Mr. X posted:
So show of hands who here has a myspace?
Pin2win105 responded:
The whole state of illinois has them, hell the whole nation of wrestlers has them.
Lets go down the list:
Mario Morgan, Bill Putman, Sean Kinney, Joey Kotowski, Zach Taylor, Matt Collum, Ryan Nallen, Jimmy Kennedy, Brandon Precin, Matt Walters, Jeff Bybee, Tyler Clark, Cort Lawton, Vinny Alber, Matt Wenger, Darren Olsen, Tyler Johnson, Jeff Burdorf, Eric Tannenbaum, Josh Kratovil, Jimmy Duffy, Caitlyn Chase, Mark Shultz, Tony and Vince Ramos, Izzy Montemayor, Joe Barzack, Aldo Flores, Dalton Bullard, Jordan Johnson, DJ Bruce, Justin Hale, Jake Oster, James and Josh Simpson, Caleb Walk, Jon Henslee, Scott Penny, Carson Beebe, and many others. It is an endless list.
Yea, I guess My Space is pretty popular.
Tofurky responded:
We addressed this thing in practice once, too. Kids were putting stupid photos and comments up and it came to the head coach's attention that admin was coming across these sites.
One other thing that amazes me is that you place controversial or illegal things out there in a PUBLIC forum for everyone to see and expect that there would be no back lash? Parents mystify me sometimes with their desire to defend their kids on such issues, but not give them the necessary guidance ahead of time to tell them that things such as could possibly work against them in ways they cannot begin to perceive. I guess I wouldn't be so concerned about school officials coming down on my kid if he or she knowingly placed photos out there of some nature that could have them expelled, but I would have a long talk with the kids for thinking that sort of thing is okay to do.
Jaguar responded:
As someone who is routinely involved on the administration side of school affairs, I can say that all schools have a policy against drinking and illegal substances, and most schools' policies extend to drinking and illegal drug use off school grounds and even during the summer. A school probably cannot expel a student for drinking (away from school), but athletics is considered a privilege, and most schools will not allow a student to participate in sports if they have been involved in drinking or illegal drug use. Some schools have a "three strikes your out" policy; other schools allow you one violation before taking away sports; but other shcools have a "no tolerance" policy - one strike, and you are out. If a kid is putting pictures of himself/herself on the Internet drinking, it is basically an admission. The hearing would be a formality. The only issue would be the punishment. ANYTHING that anyone puts on the Internet is the public domain. There is no privacy on the Internet. I could name a handful of prominent high school athletes off the top of my head who had their high school careers cut short by getting caught drinking or even at a party where underage drinking is going on. It is foolish to drink or do illegal drugs as a teenager. It is even more foolish to admit it and post pictures on the Internet
Japwhizzer posted:
with all the possible two time state champs plus two possible 4 timers and Add Tyler Clark from class A. Does this class rank with "glory Days" of the late 80's and Early 90's? Just wondering what people think?
We never really got a true answer to this. What do you think?
Warrior88 posted:
Due to the fact that Kennedy beat Precin and Precin pinned his way to the finals and dominated in the finals and Kennedy had two matches that were won by 3 I would say 125 was the toughest weight class in the state. 103 seems tough but is always young and because of that more inexperienced. Remember allot of the 125 seniors and juniors were 103 as freshman so now they are just better than they were then. And to add to all this look at how well they competed nationally and Kennedy wasn't even there. There would have been 4 Illinois kids in the quarters! 125 was definately the toughest weight class this year.
Mr Twister responded:
Of course I agree. I am pretty sure they were the best group of 125 's in the country. And I bet that some of the best 130's would of done well also. The Illinois lighter weights are fun to watch. But while we are in love with our kids as we should be the national board has an over and under list that might ruffle some home feathers. And here comes freestyle next. I can't wait because the 125's all wrestle freestyle. I wonder how they will do nationally and how will they be respected coming off of the Sr. Nationals showing. No time off for the "little guys".
Mickey Spiwak responded:
As much as i hate to admit it as a 119 pounder, 125 was definately the best, it seemed like at the sectional level (at least at the barrington sectional) there was less depth at 125 but more 'superstars', causing the state tournament at 125 to be loaded with depth and outstanding wrestlers. matt boggess and bobby joyce both could've placed at 119 (boggess lost to allenstein from graslake in the wrestlebacks 5-0 i think and joyce got cement-mixered for 3rd while winning 4-0)
Grapplinfan responded:
215 was crazy as well, the 5th place guy, Goebel, beat Blair's starter, Platt whose ranked 9th in the country (by WUSA and Intermat), ended up 2nd at the Ironman to Gardner (#1)
All these guys were nationally ranked, at least temporarily, in the past year, some still are:
Fagiano
Brantley
Everhart
Trinka
Goebel
Walker
Nicholas Single A (lost 5-2 to consensus national #1, Gardner)
Winterhalter (A)
Johnson (before he moved to 275)
Winel (before he went 189)
That's ten guys in one state at one weight. (all WUSA rankings) I can't remember anything like that happening before