Classification cut offs

[wrestling observer]

The Class A enrollment maximum is now 689 Students...Harvard squeeked by with the maximum enrollment, so we wont be losing Flashy ...But we will lose IVC, Canton, Sandwich, Joliet Catholic, Herrin, Rantoul....

Enrollments can be found at http://www.ihsa.org/Schools/Enrollme...rollments.aspx What it doesnt take into account is enrollment of Coop agreements. You must find the school in the agreement and add in their students for the total...

[Wow Coach]

I am not 100% sure about how factual this is, but I think Blair Academy is not allowed to compete in their state tournament. Anyone know if this is correct?

If I am remembering that correctly, why are similar schools allowed in Illinois?

Is the multiplier supposed to take care of that situation? If it is, it seems to be doing a poor job in 2A.

I wrestled for a school that was good because our class had all wrestled together since elementary school. We didn't recruit. Ideally it seems to me that is how teams should be.

[1Awrestler]

Originally Posted by Wow Coach

I am not 100% sure about how factual this is, but I think Blair Academy is not allowed to compete in their state tournament. Anyone know if this is correct?

If I am remembering that correctly, why are similar schools allowed in Illinois?

Is the multiplier supposed to take care of that situation? If it is, it seems to be doing a poor job in 2A.

I wrestled for a school that was good because our class had all wrestled together since elementary school. We didn't recruit. Ideally it seems to me that is how teams should be.

"Success is it's own recruiter." If you have a successful team, more kids will look at that as a perk and want to go there, plain and simple. I don't think Montini recruits; I think they have awesome IKWF feeder programs and kids constantly wanting to wrestle in a practice room full of studs and wrestle for a genious coach like Izzy. Don't be tryin to open up this can of worms cause it's really getting old.

[golden eagle 157]

Originally Posted by Wow Coach

I am not 100% sure about how factual this is, but I think Blair Academy is not allowed to compete in their state tournament. Anyone know if this is correct?

If I am remembering that correctly, why are similar schools allowed in Illinois?

Is the multiplier supposed to take care of that situation? If it is, it seems to be doing a poor job in 2A.

I wrestled for a school that was good because our class had all wrestled together since elementary school. We didn't recruit. Ideally it seems to me that is how teams should be.

Blair does not compete in the NJ state tournament because they are a prep academy. Therefore, they compete at the National Prep Championships instead. Other top programs such as Bishop Lynch (TX) and Wyoming Seminary (PA) are part of this prep high school association as well. I believe Lake Forest Academy competes in this tournament as well because they are only an Associate Member of the IHSA and are a boarding school.

[Wow Coach]

Originally Posted by 1Awrestler

"Success is it's own recruiter." If you have a successful team, more kids will look at that as a perk and want to go there, plain and simple. I don't think Montini recruits; I think they have awesome IKWF feeder programs and kids constantly wanting to wrestle in a practice room full of studs and wrestle for a genious coach like Izzy. Don't be tryin to open up this can of worms cause it's really getting old.

I didn't say anything about Montini. I was just asking a question not trying to bring up some taboo topic. I just thought while we were talking about the new way schools were broken into classes that I would ask a question I had. You seem very defensive about Montini.

Thanks for helping answer my question golden eagle.

I'm originally from Iowa. There aren't a lot of private schools there. Iowa breaks up their classes a lot different than Illinios. Largest 64 schools are 3A and then the remaining schools are split evenly between 2A and 1A. In Iowa I would say that the skill level in classes is pretty equal. At any given weight who knows who would win between the 3A, 2A, or 1A champ. People in Illinois don't seem to have that philosopy.

I'm not saying the way that Iowa handles classes is the best way, just a different way. I am saying I don't think Illinois neccisarily does the splits the optimal way.

I would be interested in what you think classifies as recruiting.

[caped crusader]

Originally Posted by Wow Coach

I am not 100% sure about how factual this is, but I think Blair Academy is not allowed to compete in their state tournament. Anyone know if this is correct?

If I am remembering that correctly, why are similar schools allowed in Illinois?

Is the multiplier supposed to take care of that situation? If it is, it seems to be doing a poor job in 2A.

I wrestled for a school that was good because our class had all wrestled together since elementary school. We didn't recruit. Ideally it seems to me that is how teams should be.

Comparing Blair academy to the schools like Montini in Illinois, is like comparing a mercedes to a big wheel. First of all Blair acaedemy is a boarding school that is openly allowed to recruit athletes and more importantly-GIVE SCHOLARSHIP MONEY FOR VARIOUS SPORTS. They have national recruiting budgets, sponsorships, and programs that rival some Division I colleges and universities. I have talked extensively with Coach Jeff Buxton, and he has told me that his wrestlers have special academic schedules and train twice a day during the season, and because they travel so much, they have academic advisors and tutors again much like Division I college athletes. Parents and athletes seek out the best opportunities for their kids, and great coaches like Jeff are able to provide those opportunities year round for them. Those programs are a far cry from schools like Montini, Marist, and Mt Carmel. Even though some people acuse these schools of recruiting, they still are tuition driven and parents must come up with nearly 10,000 a year for tuition, and they certainly cant suspend school operations so a hand full of wrestlers can train twice a day and not have to go through a full course load like all of the other students. I know-I know some peoples next arguement will be that private schools offer financial aid, and stud wrestlers can be given tuition breaks. Even if you believe that happens, imagine if private schools were able to openly recruit and scholarship athletes like the prep-schools, then you can compare them to the Blair Academy's of the world. Obviously that is not the case and so a few schools both PUBLIC and PRIVATE,(Glenbard North, Oak Park, Montini, Sandburg, ect) continue to dominate because they have the magic ingredients 1) longevity in the coaching staffs, and committed year round coaches who are mainstays in the schools and communities, and who quite frankly work harder than many other coaches 2) ties to one or several feeder programs that can continually attract kids to those feeder programs and ultimately the high school level 3) a culture and tradition that has been established that draws transfer students to that HS, and makes parents want to relocate if they have to (Public School) or drive some distances (Private Schools) to be a part of that program. It's not rocket science, check out every HS program and you will see these ingredients.