Who Would We Have Missed?

[ctdad]

In the now locked weight thread, Mr. Twister stated that his son would not have continued wrestling had he not been the varsity starter as a freshman. Illinois wrestling would have been poorer on many levels had that happened, and luckily it did not.

But it got me wondering, what other podium type wrestlers would we have missed out on seeing had they had a similar mindset of varsity or bust as freshmen? Guys who had state and national success?

Twist mentioned Fanthorpe in that thread, so there's one. Two I thought of were Jahwon Akui and West Cathcart, both of whom had varsity matches as frosh but were not the starters at St. Rita and Geneseo and both of whom medalled twice before having their senior seasons cut short.

I'm sure there are many other examples; let's hear some.

[Greenskin]

In the now locked weight thread, Mr. Twister stated that his son would not have continued wrestling had he not been the varsity starter as a freshman. Illinois wrestling would have been poorer on many levels had that happened, and luckily it did not.

But it got me wondering, what other podium type wrestlers would we have missed out on seeing had they had a similar mindset of varsity or bust as freshmen? Guys who had state and national success?

Twist mentioned Fanthorpe in that thread, so there's one. Two I thought of were Jahwon Akui and West Cathcart, both of whom had varsity matches as frosh but were not the starters at St. Rita and Geneseo and both of whom medalled twice before having their senior seasons cut short.

I'm sure there are many other examples; let's hear some.

Why would you be interested in ego maniacs who didn't feel they needed to go through the same process 99.99% of all other wrestlers had to go through? While I understand the thought process I don't agree with it. If you feel that you are too good to go through the process then aloha, farewell and good luck at football or baseball or basketball where you will also have to go through the process. Don't let the door hit you on the butt on the way out. All glory is fleeting. There is always someone coming up to take that kid's place.

Wrestling offers an avenue to excel to many athletes that lack the height, weight and overall size to similarly excel at other sports. Embrace and be thankful for the opportunity. Your time will come. Patience is an attribute that serves us well. Acquiring it may take a little discipline but it is worth it.

[Truth is Out There]

Why would you be interested in ego maniacs who didn't feel they needed to go through the same process 99.99% of all other wrestlers had to go through? While I understand the thought process I don't agree with it. If you feel that you are too good to go through the process then aloha, farewell and good luck at football or baseball or basketball where you will also have to go through the process. Don't let the door hit you on the butt on the way out. All glory is fleeting. There is always someone coming up to take that kid's place.

Wrestling offers an avenue to excel to many athletes that lack the height, weight and overall size to similarly excel at other sports. Embrace and be thankful for the opportunity. Your time will come. Patience is an attribute that serves us well. Acquiring it may take a little discipline but it is worth it.

Just lock this thread now and avoid the Christmas rush.

[wrestling mom #12]

Of the 6 State Champions at Lake Park High School the only one that started on Varsity as a freshman was Sam Geraci.

[ctdad]

Don't misunderstand me. I'm interested in names of guys who did, as Greenskin put it "go through the process". Many state placers were 4 year starters. But there are many others who weren't. Fanthorpe, Akui and Cathcart are names many would recognize that fall in this latter category. I would think many of the traditional powers (the teams that reload every year) would have several who fall into this category. Who are some of the notables that were NOT 4 year starters?

[Greenskin]

Sorry. I understood you wanted the names of kids who would have quit had they not wrestled Varsity as a freshman. I had no idea how those kids could be identified anyway. My mistake.

[Truth is Out There]

Sorry. I understood you wanted the names of kids who would have quit had they not wrestled Varsity as a freshman. I had no idea how those kids could be identified anyway. My mistake.

That's a club of one as far as I can tell.

The other side of the coin to this is the four year varsity starters at some schools (all weights included) who never make it to State or have any chance of wrestling on the next level.

Being a four year varsity starter doesn't mean a hill of beans for their chances to advance to the next level so I severely doubt it would ever damage the chances of a kid who simply wrestled well as a Senior.

They might need another kind of street agent/scout beyond what I know to be out there.

[ctdad]

That's a club of one as far as I can tell.

The other side of the coin to this is the four year varsity starters at some schools (all weights included) who never make it to State or have any chance of wrestling on the next level.

Being a four year varsity starter doesn't mean a hill of beans for their chances to advance to the next level so I severely doubt it would ever damage the chances of a kid who simply wrestled well as a Senior.

They might need another kind of street agent/scout beyond what I know to be out there.

Let's try to stay on topic and not turn this into a weight thing. If it does, I urge the moderators to lock or delete the thread.

[Mr. White]

Don't misunderstand me. I'm interested in names of guys who did, as Greenskin put it "go through the process". Many state placers were 4 year starters. But there are many others who weren't. Fanthorpe, Akui and Cathcart are names many would recognize that fall in this latter category. I would think many of the traditional powers (the teams that reload every year) would have several who fall into this category. Who are some of the notables that were NOT 4 year starters?

Correct me if I am wrong, but I believe Akui was pretty much a starter as a freshman. His ideal weight would have been 152, but Zimmerman was there. No problem bumping and adjusting your lineup for most of the season, but the trouble came when Akui had to make 145 for the state series and blew weight.

At least that is how I remember it.

[Truth is Out There]

Let's try to stay on topic and not turn this into a weight thing. If it does, I urge the moderators to lock or delete the thread.

Uh, okay... the topic is "name really good kids who weren't four year varsity starters?"

There's a lot. Some schools are so sparse in particpation/talent (or, conversely, loaded with it) that it makes the question a bit pointless.

Maybe I should go rank bantams instead...

[FishArt]

Maybe I should go rank bantams instead...

I don't have a problem with that !!!

[doc]

so what you are really saying

What you are really saying, who is in wrestling for themselves, and who is in it for the team?
Solid wrestling programs may have a spot for a unique freshmen, but it speaks vloumes about your program when there is no spot for freshmen because of quality.
In our schools case, we have 4 place winners from IKWF last year wrestling JV. Simply no spot for them and they don't have the strength or ability to beat older team mates. I don't think they are asking for a pity party, just reality- unfortunately their only competition is in the practice room, I think as JV and frosh matches each is something like 20-0, But they know they are ready if someone goes down and their time will come.

Look at a team like Montini. with that attitude of "I don't start, I don't wrestle" they would never have a freshman class!

[ctdad]

Correct me if I am wrong, but I believe Akui was pretty much a starter as a freshman. His ideal weight would have been 152, but Zimmerman was there. No problem bumping and adjusting your lineup for most of the season, but the trouble came when Akui had to make 145 for the state series and blew weight.

At least that is how I remember it.

Since the Geneseo tournament was this past weekend, I was looking at the brackets from 08-11 the other day. I noticed Akui entered the tournament with a 3-0 record and left it 8-1 (3rd place). So he obviously hadn't done much varsity prior to that tournament.

Can't speak much for the postseason, but I'll take your word for what happened.

[Truth is Out There]

I don't have a problem with that !!!

Thank you for the endorsement

[pete friedl]

I didn't start as a freshmen. I had some varsity matches, but my team was stacked with seniors and great talent. I didn't win the spot at the end of the year, when it counted. Never even considered quitting though.