MR TWISTER
05-07-2006, 09:46 PM
Freestyle State - I just love it. It is so much fun to be back in the room with the IKWF / IESA kids and watch the interaction between the two. The two days was not so bad since we were done by 12:30 on Sunday. Nice job Mike Urwin, Don Reynolds and the rest of your staff. I personally have two complaints in my role of Devil’s Advocate for the wrestling people. One is we cannot have freestyle state on the same day as Northern Plains. There was a scheduling snafu and so be it for this year but in the future we can’t do it this way again. Wrestlers lost an additional opportunity to qualify for Nationals and were forced to make a decision as to where to go. My other complaint is really minor but as a wrestling fan when I hear two big name wrestlers called, If I don’t know what they look like I would like to know what mat they will be wrestling on so I can watch. There has to be a way to call out the mat they will be wrestling on. Like I said a minor issue but I heard some Schoolboy names I wanted to check out but didn’t know where to go. Other than that a great tournament, except for my guy getting hurt but he will be okay and back in action in two weeks.
Rules, rules, rules - I think everyone is puzzled by the new rules. It may take some time to get use to. I also feel the officials are still struggling a little with the rules just like the wrestlers. I like the stepping out rule but the two throws - three point rule is stupid. I could be winning 10-5 but if I give up two three point throws in the match I lose. UGH! Still trying to understand the purpose of this rule.
Final National Folkstyle Rankings – Illinois came up big as the Illini state had 17 wrestlers ranked nationally in the All Class www.Intermatwrestle.com (http://www.Intermatwrestle.com) final who’s who led by Grant’s Jimmy Kennedy in the three spot at 125. In fact Illinois dominated what was considered the toughest weight class nationally this year - 125 pounds with three ranked wrestlers, Mario Morgan (Mount Carmel) # 7 and Kyle Hutter (Providence) # 12. The junior class of 2007 is well represented led by St. Rita’s Albert White in the top spot at 145, Montini’s Mike Benefiel second at 152, Providence's John Starzyk at number 7 and Orien's Tyler Clark fourth in the 119 weight class.
College signing’s are blooming – The nation’s colleges are filling out their rosters and Illinois is getting their share of both scholarship and non scholarship spots. A quick check of Intermat’s college commitment’s page shows that the Illini state is developing wrestlers for the next level. This just proves that you can wrestle on the next level if you take care of business in the classroom and on the mat.
Coach of the Year - Congrat’s to Sandburg’s Mike Polz National High School Coaches Association Coach of the Year. Polz in his 17th year led the Eagles to their second consecutive state title and a number three national ranking - the highest public school ranking in the country.
Illinois Hall of Fame Congrats to Glenbard North's Mark Hahn and Providence's Keith Healy inducted into the Illinois Wrestling and Officials Coaches Association Hall of Fame.
Wrestler of the Year – Congrats to the Dave Schultz Award winner for Illinois wrestler of the year, Jimmy Kennedy of Grant. Kennedy won his second state title at 125, finished ranked third in the country and has signed to wrestle at the University of Illinois. In addition Kennedy has secured the I.H.S.A. record for most wins in a career.
New Head Coach – Congrat’s to new Mount Carmel Head Coach, former MC state champ and Northwestern grad Jason Erwinski. He takes over for Ben Gerdes who after three years is moving to Marion Catholic to assist Joey Gilbert with the Spartans.
Junior – Cadet Duals are coming – I am so excited about the Illinois Junior Freestyle Duals team headed to Oklahoma in late June. The team headed by Sean Bormet (Overtime) and Don Reynolds (Providence) is really loaded this year. All of the big names are on the team. Brandon Precin, Jimmy Kennedy, Jordan Johnson, Christian Brantley, Mario Morgan, Tyler Clark, Mike McAullife, B.J. Futrell, Jerome Ward, Albert White, Mike Benefiel, Kyle Hutter, Matt Cusik, and John Dergo. The team is a who’s who of our studs and Illinois has a great chance to win it all. Last year Illinois finished third I believe but the team is returning a lot of experience and should be a force to deal with. Look out Pa., N.J., Ohio, Cali. and whomever. And the Cadet team is forming real nice too. If you have a chance to follow this national event or to go to Oklahoma to see these kids wrestle together for one last time you won’t be disappointed.
New training organizations – Out in force at freestyle state this week were three new options for those that want to go the training technique for pay route. Top Gun run by the legendary Joey Gilbert was very visible with lot’s of numbers. Equally as legendary, Isreal Martinez was everywhere, sandals and all with his Izzy Style Wrestling and the Gomez family is also on the scene with Gomez Wrestling. It is great to see these young former great wrestler’s giving back to the community.
Strength in numbers - Several teams had large numbers in the Huff Gym at Univ. of Illinois, Son’s of Thunder, Tinley Park Bulldogs, Orland Pioneers, Overtime and of course the Harvey Twisters. And people wonder why these teams are on top every year. Proper Preparation Prevents Poor Performance.
Rules, rules, rules - I think everyone is puzzled by the new rules. It may take some time to get use to. I also feel the officials are still struggling a little with the rules just like the wrestlers. I like the stepping out rule but the two throws - three point rule is stupid. I could be winning 10-5 but if I give up two three point throws in the match I lose. UGH! Still trying to understand the purpose of this rule.
Final National Folkstyle Rankings – Illinois came up big as the Illini state had 17 wrestlers ranked nationally in the All Class www.Intermatwrestle.com (http://www.Intermatwrestle.com) final who’s who led by Grant’s Jimmy Kennedy in the three spot at 125. In fact Illinois dominated what was considered the toughest weight class nationally this year - 125 pounds with three ranked wrestlers, Mario Morgan (Mount Carmel) # 7 and Kyle Hutter (Providence) # 12. The junior class of 2007 is well represented led by St. Rita’s Albert White in the top spot at 145, Montini’s Mike Benefiel second at 152, Providence's John Starzyk at number 7 and Orien's Tyler Clark fourth in the 119 weight class.
College signing’s are blooming – The nation’s colleges are filling out their rosters and Illinois is getting their share of both scholarship and non scholarship spots. A quick check of Intermat’s college commitment’s page shows that the Illini state is developing wrestlers for the next level. This just proves that you can wrestle on the next level if you take care of business in the classroom and on the mat.
Coach of the Year - Congrat’s to Sandburg’s Mike Polz National High School Coaches Association Coach of the Year. Polz in his 17th year led the Eagles to their second consecutive state title and a number three national ranking - the highest public school ranking in the country.
Illinois Hall of Fame Congrats to Glenbard North's Mark Hahn and Providence's Keith Healy inducted into the Illinois Wrestling and Officials Coaches Association Hall of Fame.
Wrestler of the Year – Congrats to the Dave Schultz Award winner for Illinois wrestler of the year, Jimmy Kennedy of Grant. Kennedy won his second state title at 125, finished ranked third in the country and has signed to wrestle at the University of Illinois. In addition Kennedy has secured the I.H.S.A. record for most wins in a career.
New Head Coach – Congrat’s to new Mount Carmel Head Coach, former MC state champ and Northwestern grad Jason Erwinski. He takes over for Ben Gerdes who after three years is moving to Marion Catholic to assist Joey Gilbert with the Spartans.
Junior – Cadet Duals are coming – I am so excited about the Illinois Junior Freestyle Duals team headed to Oklahoma in late June. The team headed by Sean Bormet (Overtime) and Don Reynolds (Providence) is really loaded this year. All of the big names are on the team. Brandon Precin, Jimmy Kennedy, Jordan Johnson, Christian Brantley, Mario Morgan, Tyler Clark, Mike McAullife, B.J. Futrell, Jerome Ward, Albert White, Mike Benefiel, Kyle Hutter, Matt Cusik, and John Dergo. The team is a who’s who of our studs and Illinois has a great chance to win it all. Last year Illinois finished third I believe but the team is returning a lot of experience and should be a force to deal with. Look out Pa., N.J., Ohio, Cali. and whomever. And the Cadet team is forming real nice too. If you have a chance to follow this national event or to go to Oklahoma to see these kids wrestle together for one last time you won’t be disappointed.
New training organizations – Out in force at freestyle state this week were three new options for those that want to go the training technique for pay route. Top Gun run by the legendary Joey Gilbert was very visible with lot’s of numbers. Equally as legendary, Isreal Martinez was everywhere, sandals and all with his Izzy Style Wrestling and the Gomez family is also on the scene with Gomez Wrestling. It is great to see these young former great wrestler’s giving back to the community.
Strength in numbers - Several teams had large numbers in the Huff Gym at Univ. of Illinois, Son’s of Thunder, Tinley Park Bulldogs, Orland Pioneers, Overtime and of course the Harvey Twisters. And people wonder why these teams are on top every year. Proper Preparation Prevents Poor Performance.