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November 27, 1997
From: Austin Weser
email: yostburncycle@yahoo.com
comments: I would like to hear a little more about the upper weight classes. All you hear about is 189/Sharp 215/Zebuhr and
275/Kerns. Personally from what I know, Daggett has the best shot at 189. I don't think people remember that he was just a sophomore, and was very light. I heard he was around 170lbs. at the state tourney. Yes, Zebuhr is probably the most experienced wrestler at 215, but there are others that have been working real hard in the off season. Such as Ochap, Ashby, Blair, and myself. At 275, it sounds like the only person at the weight class this year is Kerns. There has to be another contender.
November 27, 1997
From: J.C. Chirgwin
comments: I do not usually get on the internet or anything, but guys on my
team were telling me that my name was in a couple of the polls.
I was looking at these polls and wondering how and why anyone would make a poll before the season started. I am not complaining about these polls, since I am picked to win the state in most of them but I question the point of them. I also don't see why wrestlers from CM and HHS get on here and talk about beating each other. I am sure we will find out who is better soon
enough. That is all. Thank You.
November 23, 1997
From: Vicent Longshanks fan
comments: I would like to strongly agree with Mr. Longshanks predictions, even though his name my throw you off he seems like he really knows what he is talking about. I hope that we have alot of fans at the State this year! I know I will be there cheering on my team. And it is not the Knights!! (thank god) Well I hope to see some more predictions. Later.
November 21, 1997
From: Buffalo Bill Cody
comments: In response to the matmaid's comment, that is great to hear about your love for wrestling. It is true a lot of them are just interested in getting dates, but I think there are a lot who want to be there that give up their free time, and yes I like your ending - GO HIGHLANDERS.
I too will say that and I hope Huntington High's wrestling team has the same kind of sucess as their football team against Midland's football team. So good luck to the matmaids that are not there just to pick up dates. And response to fan down south, Thorpe can compete with the big boys. I think he could do well in the states at even 135 lbs but will probably not wrestle there. I would pay just to see Thorpe vs Gorby. Well good luck highlanders!!!!!!!!!
till next time this is buffalo bill cocy riding off
November 21, 1997
From: Ken Chertow
email: kchertow@vicon.net
comments: Camp of Champs at my Olympian Wrestling School in Huntington is filled for this weekend. However, I am welcoming all comers of all ages who just want to come for a live wrestling scrimmage at 1 pm Sunday. There is no fee. Your parents must be present to fill out a waiver of liabiltiy form. You must call 304-522-9623 to preregister on Saturday if you plan to attend and get mat time on Sunday. Also, I only have a couple home wrestling mats left for sale in my gym. Last chace to save $100 shipping fee that you will owe if you order direct from manufacturer. A brand new 30x30 is also available. The Olympian Wrestling School is located 2 miles off the I-64 exit #15 (29th street exit).
November 21, 1997
From: AA FAN
comments: I heard yesterday that Jason Hayhurst from Ritchie Co. transfered to
Parkersburg High. If anyone knows if this is true give some information please.
November 20, 1997
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November 18, 1997
First of all, Scott Moore coached a freestyle wrestling team this summer,
and for their first year I think everything went well. One of the
champions, Josh Dearth, is a junior at South this year and, barring
unforseen circumstances, should easily make first string. Speaking of
South, all you non-South fans out there will enjoy this tidbit. I found
an old article from 1994 that asked the question, "When will the state
wrestling title be taken from the city of Parkersburg?" Among a couple
of answers that were the literary equivalent to "When Hell freezes over"
was this answer: "When Marshall and WVU meet in football." Hmmm.....
And while we're on the subject of the city of Parkersburg, I don't like
to make predictions, but I just want to say that I think the Parkersburg
Big Reds will shock a lot of people this year. They've got some good
kids returning and some great sophomores coming in. Now if they could
just grab some of those football players and field a complete team...
As for individual predictions, I know none of us can really make serious
predictions until the season starts, but it is interesting to see whom
everyone's come up with. I think enough has been said already on the
subject of AAA, so I'm not going to rehash that, but I will give my
opinions on top returning wrestlers in A/AA.
For those of you who don't follow A/AA, you've been missing some great
wrestling lately. (I'm lucky that I live in an area where I can see some
of the best of both divisions.) Jimmy Johnson proved to everyone last
year that a freshman 103-pounder can beat up on the best of them,
regardless of age. He only lost one match last year and is well on his
way to a four-time state championship. Mike Miller of Wirt County is
just two years away from the same feat. David Drennen of Wirt could have
easily been in the same position. He was DQ'd his freshman year on a
very questionable illegal slam call. He later pinned the same oponent
and placed third in the tournament. Instead, if all goes well, he'll
"settle" for a three-time state championship this year. The heavyweights
should be interesting to follow this year. Luke Salmons defeated Alex
McClung in overtime for third place last year. Jeremy Boatright
registered three pins in under 60 seconds, only to be beaten by both
McClung and Salmons, so we'll see how things go this year.
Well, the season is fast approaching, and I can't wait to make the trip
to Ona to see South and Cabell Midland battle it out. Until then, good
luck (and good grades) to all of this year's wrestlers!
November 18, 1997
November 18, 1997
November 17, 1997
November 17, 1997
November 17, 1997
November 17, 1997
November 17, 1997
Updated November 20, 1997
From: Jason Ward
comments:
From: MATMAID
comments: I thank whoever said "Thanks" to all the matmaids.... and I agree
that each team should be able to send thier own matmaids to the state....
as a former team statistician, and a lover of wrestling, I hated
working the state tourney and WSAZ with a bunch of girls who were
only interested in getting a date!!!
The entire state tournament would be improved drastically if girls
who understood what was going on were working the tables.
Also good luck to all those wrestlers out there as the season is
getting under way!!!! I won't make any predictions, because as we
all know.... no one can predict how February will turn out!!! I have
seen some crazy things before!!! But, I will say, GO HIGHLANDERS!!
comments: I think it is great experience to have freshman wrestling seniors.
However, having a talented freshman on your team may put schools that
are only 10-12 at a disadvantage in team tournaments. So, perhaps
they should be allowed to have the ninth graders come up and wrestle
for them!!!! Also, if Jason ward from CM ever reads this, or if anyone knows
... how did he get so big!!!! From what I can tell he will be pressing
it to get to 152. I think wrestling in heavier weights will be
more challenging for him. It looks like he may be brawling it out
with another Bexfield all year!!!!!
From: Jason Ward
comments: In response to the question about my performance in Fargo, ND....I had a decent one. Cutting very little weight, I wrestled 165, perhaps I should have dropped to 154, a little late for that now. Anyways, I went 2-2, losing to a 3x Texas State Champion at 160 lbs. and a 3x Minnesota State Champion at 171 pounds (an early signee at Oklahoma State). Both were close matches. In my second loss to the Texas wrestler, I was leading 5-4, and was thrown into a questionable touch fall, ending my tournament. Oh well, I shouldn't have let myself get tossed. However, I learned a lot from the experience, and I believe that I will definately be a contender for All-American status next summer, after tuning up my freestyle skills. I believe I had around 100 guys in my weight class, making this probably the toughest tournament in the world.
From: vincent longshanks
comments: Dearest unidentified
... (I noticed that) .. you left half of your poll blank. (Additionally) Bonasso will be at 112 most definately. If he were going to 119, I think you were over estimating him. There is another person who will remain nameless, that would be ranked ahead of him.
From: Parkersburg South Fan
comments: Yes I saw the fan's comment about, what I said about Cabell Midland.
I never asked if Milton had any state champs which I know they have. I also know Mr. McCracken was the first champion at his high school and up until Mike Ball in 1986, all the other wrestlers you mentioned won the state while Milton was a double a school. Mike Ball was the first triple a champion for Milton, thank you. Mr. Milton fan -- yes I checked my stats. (In regards to) Midland not having a state champion, I guess you don't remeber Jason Ward winning in 1996? Did barboursville ever have a state champion that came up thru the Cabell County school system? Oh I rember that article Jenny Sullivan was talking about about hell freezing over. The last I heard it was pretty warm down there so lets go Patriots and "show us the title yet again." We are the champions my friend and we'll keep on fighting till the end!!!!!!!!!
show us the
title!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Editor's note: Er, um, lest there be any more animosity stirred up here, Jenny was quoting from a newspaper article from a few years ago
which asked the question "When will the AAA State title leave Parkersburg." Possible answers given a few years ago concerned climate changes in the netherword, and "When WVU plays Marshall in Football ...." So, who knows .......
From: Down South Fan
comments: I think that 125 will be a very tough weight class. In the rankings I saw in one that Frazier from CMHS was ranked first and some one brought to attention that Walters would be wrestling 125. I think that a lot of people are over looking Thorpe. If I recollect he beat Frazier twice last year, both were close matches but he did win. I agree that Gorby is a tough wrestler but just cause Thorpe missed half a season don't count him out of it. If I'm not mistaking in an earlier forum he said he beat Rhodes of Sheldon Clark and Frazier in an off-season tournament, and Buffalo Bill Cody said that he was 20-0. But I do agree very much with Mr.Longshanks predictions, it looks like he really knows his wrestling.
From: AA FAN
comments: Does anyone know what weight class Josh Cross will be in? He is a tough
wrestler and I'm looking forward to watching him wrestle.
From: vincent longshanks
comments: It seems that people are already predicting individual state
champions, so I will do the same! This is how it will
really go!! LOOK CLOSELY!!!!
Team champ: Parkersburg South by a hair.
Runner-up: John Marshall,North Marion, Huntington,
Cabell Midland, and Fairmont Senior will
all be up there but I am not going to pick
anyone yet.(especially in fear of HHS or CM
getting angry with me!!!!)
From: Buffalo Bill Cody
comments: regarding all the previous polls why did someone leave Jason Ward off
of some of the earlier ones? Jason Ward is a two time state finalist and 1996 135 pound state
champ,
nationally ranked, he will be back in the finals again!
Another wrestler I was wondering about - NATHAN BEXFIELD-HHS, defending regional
champion.
BEX had a good year should have placed at the states, but he did have 2 wins over state runner
up
William Steele Roane County, and also wrestled up in weight a few times and beat Olson from
Cabell Midland,
the 152lb regional champion. Even though Nathan may not have the reputation as Jason Ward
he will make noise this year and I would not be supised to see him in the state finals!!!!
buffalo bill cody riding off!!!!!!!
comments: I was just wondering how Jason Ward did out at Fargo, ND.
From: Scron
comments: In regard to freshman wrestling seniors, as a freshman who moved to the varsity level
after the WSAZ tourney, I can say that it is tough; but if you can't hack it don't wrestle varsity!
The whole point of of moving to the varsity level is to get some good wrestling experience, and
that includes wins and loses.
comments: Here are my predictions on the AAA state championships.
103 Regalbutto HHS
112 Bonasso FSHS
119 Open
125 Frazier CMHS
130 Gorby NMHS
135 Hedrick FSHS
140 Cinalli FSHS
145 Craddock RC
152 Besedich NMHS
160 Ward CMHS
171 Nibert CMHS
189 Conaway NMHS
215 Zebur BU
275 Kerns Elkins
Team Champions
1 Cabell Midland
North Marion
2 Fairmont Senior
3 Parkersburg South
4 Huntington
5 Roane County
6 Wheeling Park
7 Parkersburg
8 Jefferson
Remember Just predictions so write back and tell me what you think.
Thanks.
From: Joe Cool
comments: Angelo and Matman were close on their AAA individual rankings, but this is how it
is going to go:
103 Reed PP
112 Bonasso FS
119 Chirgwin HHS
125 Gorby NM
130 Newberry PHS
135 Chaplin JM
140 Craddock RC
145 Johnson PSHS
152 Ward CM
160 Wilson JM
171 Rickard PP
189 Sharp EHS
215 Zebuhr BU
275 Kerns EHS
Team Champion: Parkersburg South
(But not by much)
look for teams like John Marshall, Huntington, and North Marion to give stiff competition.
Also, Matman, Frazier is going to 130 for sure.
Walters will be at 125.
Also, who is Kotzen of JM?
At 152, Ward may not be there, he is a little heavy!!!
From: Homer Southwood
comments: I noticed PHS is trying to see how committed the loyal South fans are by
scheduling the PHS-South duel on Thursday, Dec 19th where South's schedule has it on Wed.
Dec 17th. My calander shows Dec 19th to be on a Friday...
Don't forget Roane County's Steele and Craddock when predicting state title
contenders.
South's title chances goes with performances of their upper weight classes. If their upper
weights can't produce at states, don't expect the lower weights to carry them.
Another suggestion for the State Tourny: Honor the Mat Maids.
The Mat Maids around the State do a great job in supporting the sport. They dedicate a lot of
free time and are very knowledgable. Each School should be allowed to submit their
outstanding Mat Maid to be a volunteer worker at the State Tournament. Being able to work
the State Tournament would be like making the All-State team for the Mat Maids. The State
Tournament should be represented by the whole State, not just the Huntington area.
Editor's note: Hmmmm, some sort of typo on the schedules, no doubt. I'm sure someone out
there can help us sort this out.
From: AA FAN
comments: Thanks for the AA indiv. poll but I think Johnson will move up to 112 and Prather
will stay at 103
to win the 103 Championship that he lost last year. But they have problems. Ashley Gandee 103
and Adam
Schindler 112.
From: Jenny Sullivan
E-mail: reklus@juno.com
I've had limited access to the Internet lately, and boy have I had a lot
of catching up to do with you guys!! Let me just say that it's so good
to have Mexicano back in top form. Your comments always make me laugh!
I wanted to make a few comments of my own on some topics I've seen appear
in the last few weeks.
103 Jimmy Johnson (Calhoun County)
112 Nick Prather (Winfield)
119 Jason Hayhurst (Ritchie County)
125 Mike Miller (Wirt County)
130 David Drennen (Wirt County)
135 Jason Miller (Wirt County)
140 Denny Lebec (Oak Glen)
145 Jerry Crow (Oak Glen)
152 Justin Underwood (Braxton County)
160 Adam Blevins (Iaeger)
171 Mike Toothman (Ritchie County) or Kris Villers (Wirt County)
189 Whitney Vanater (Winfield)
215 John Clyburn (Liberty Raleigh)
275 Luke Salmons (Ravenswood), Alex McClung (Oak Glen), or Jeremy
Boatright (Calhoun County)
Other names to watch for: Michael Davisson (South Harrison), Eric
McCartney (Calhoun), Morgan Sisk (Petersburg), Chad Purpura (Bishop
Donahue), Joey Haynes (Ritchie), Josh Kuykendall (Frankfort), Keithen
Branch (St. Marys), Brandon Kupfer and Garrett O'Neil (both from
Cameron).
From: unidentified
comments: Hears my predictions for the individuals
103-Regulbuto Hedgesville high
112-Ford FSHS
119-Bonasso FSHS
125 don't know yet
130 don'know yet
135 Cinalli
140 Hedrick
145 johnson
The rest I don't know yet but for the team title it will be between Midland and FSHS
From: Ken Chertow
email: kchertow@vicon.net
comments: I will be conducting a Camp of Champs this weekend at my Olympian Wrestling
School in Huntington. Lots of out of state studs will be there.
Some of the mats I used for Olympian Summer Camp are still available at low prices. I have
them stored in Huntington. I also have 10x10 home mats available as well.
Contact me if you are interested in learning more details about this weekend's camp or buying
mats. 814-466-3466.
From: Patrick Morrison
email: morris45@marshall.edu
comments: Response to Matman: I don't believe I was ever beaten by
this Chaplin (JM) fellow. However, in the state tourney last season I was spanked by Josh
Whipkey (JM). That must be who you are talking about. I agree he will be very competitive.
But, with powerhouses like Thorpe (Huntington) and Hedrick (FS) in the middle-weight range,
he will have a very difficult road to win the State (but he is quite capable).
As for the debate over an age limit for 103 and 112 lb. weight classes. I believe for a Freshman
or Sophomore to call himself a High School State Champion, then he should defeat Junior and
Senior wrestlers. If you think it is an unfair system, maybe we should re-evaluate whether or not
freshmen should be allowed at the varsity level. I know my freshman season in the State
tournament I was pinned in the first round and "tech-ed" in the second; and it provided valuable
wrestling experience for me to go out and do just about the same thing my Senior year.
From: EB
comments: In regards to discussion on the importance of a coach:
In youth wrestling, I believe the ingredients for success are a knowledgeable coach, a dedicated
wrestler, supportive parents, strength training (chin-ups and pushups), and good competition in
the practice room and at tournaments. Once a student gets to high school however other factors
enter the picture...girlfriends, grades, and other obvious cultural activities that adolescents
encounter. If these "outside" factors affect the student athlete in any way, he will never be as
effective on the mat as he could be. The individual that can transcend the traditional role of
"coach" and can mentor an athlete in all aspects of his life, will send a wrestler out on the mat
that is ready to grapple his opponent, not all the other troubles that teens encounter. The truly
successful coaches that win year in and year out have acquired the personal skills necessary to
coach technique and psychology!!
From: Homer Southwood
comments: Suggestions on Improvements to the State Tournament.
1) Reserved Seating. It is unfair to the fans who spend dollars and vacation time for three days
at the state tournament to lose their seats to fair weather fans who come only to the finals.
2) Move Semifinals to the far mats. Since the hockey arena has taken out many front row seats
and the mats are pushed against the walls, it is impossible to see the action that is happening
near this wall from the stands.
3) Let Marshall University Student Trainers handle injuries. MU has been providing student
trainers for years. If a preexisting injury is known, it can be relayed to the student trainers in the
staging area so that the trainer can accompany the wrestler to the mat. Too many times I have
seen wrestlers and coaches abuse the injury time and use it for a water break and catch their
breath. With student trainers being provided, they should be taken advantage of and allowed to
use their knowledge on injuries. Coaches should not be allowed near the athlete during injury.
Leave the injuries to the professionals.
From: AA fan
comments: Can someone give an individual poll on AA-A please, and does anyone have
any information on Scott Bush from Ravenswood.
From: Buffalo Bill Cody
comments: I agree to a point about Lemaster's comment about it is the kids that make the coach
greater. I can take a look at the place winners board and name at least 5 wrestlers in the last 8
years that were not the greatest of athlete but they made all-state and some great wrestlers that
had more talent than some of the other place winners but did not make all-state. Keeping in
mind about great coaching and the kids, I mean the coaches are there to teach them moves,
techniques, etc, etc -- but this applies to any wrestler or any person in sports or any walk of life
-- even teachers. A very smart and talented man once said "KNOWING IS NOT ENOUGH -
WE MUST APPLY. " What he ment by that is, it is great to learn knowledge, to study and
everything, but if you don't do anything with it (the knowledge) it is useless. A coach is one who
ultimately motivates the athlete (as long as the athlete is then willing) into applying the
knowledge they have learned . And the same great man also said, and once again this applies to
people in all walks of life, for the people who say they wish they would have done this our that
"WILLING IS NOT ENOUGH - WE MUST DO." What this means is "that it is fine to wish for
things (like a championship) to want for things to hope and to dream, but if you don't do
anything about realizing your dreams they are not going to happen. So good luck to the
Highlanders, and see you guys in 2 and a half weeks!!!!!
as buffalo bill has 2 and a half more weeks left here, I have seen some pretty good wrestling
down here, in my 2 and a half years but can't wait to see"the mountain states best" on a regular
basis!!!!!
buffalo bill riding off again
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