en-us Copyright 2006-2008 Flocasts Inc Thu, 20 Nov 2008 04:28:19 -0500 http://www.flowrestling.org/assets/portal/simple30/images/logos/flowrestling-logo.gif http://www.flowrestling.org/blogs/blogger/Vhsalum/5094-2008-2009-fl-all-class-state-rankings-preseason Also posted on HSwrestling.net 103 Earl Hall – Frosh, South DadeJR Lopez – Senior, Flagler Palm CoastRicky Rodriguez – Senior, Belen JesuitMarco Gomes – Junior, DouglasRichard Bliss – Sophomore, SpringsteadVictor Fugate – 8th, Tampa Bay ChristianDryden Dennis – Frosh, Northside ChristianJeremy Hall – Junior, LincolnBrandon Jorge – Frosh, Lake GibsonTimothy Locksmith – Frosh, OsceolaTerry Tran – Junior, EdgewaterDan Dunwald – Junior, Niceville 112 Dustin Soto – Senior, SpringsteadKevin Norstrem – 8th, Tampa Bay ChristianQuintavian McPherson – Junior, South DadeRyan Renkey – Senior, BrandonTerry Dawson – Junior, BrandonTravis Laxton – Junior, SuwanneeMike Hess – Frosh, Jensen BenchAlex Chiricosta – Senior, DouglasKyle Salone – Soph, Palm Beach CentralTony Milanes – Junior, AlonsoJoey Hefley – Soph, OviedoBlaine Ison – Soph, Palmetto RidgeTravis Fulk – Soph, Manatee 119 Rossi Bruno – Frosh, BrandonGabe Chandler – Senior, BraddockCody Singletary – Junior, Palmetto RidgeMauricio Villanueva – Senior, South DadeTravis Berridge – 8th, Tampa Bay ChristianArmani Harris – Junior, AmericanMatt Noffo – Junior, ColumbusCody Ross – Frosh, SpringsteadDomingo Simmons – Senior, Cardinal GibbonsNick Hynes – Junior, ZephyrhillsJacob Green – Senior, NicevilleLuke Granerio – Senior, Charlotte 125 Eric Chandler – Senior, BraddockKyle Grueninger – Senior, CountrysideTyler Liberatore – Frosh, BrandonJacob Gregory – Senior, ManateeNick Soto – Soph, SpringsteadJake Rio – Senior, ColumbusMatt Jones – Senior, OsceolaRobert Herrera – Senior, SarasotaAlex Parashuck – Soph, RiverdaleMatt Barrera – Senior, Miami SpringsDaniel Pritz – Junior, HernandoPaul Marcello – Senior, Cardinal Gibbons 130 Clark Glass – Frosh, BrandonGeorge Gulesian – Senior, ColumbusJoe Locksmith – Junior, OsceolaMatt Nereim – Junior, Winter SpringsTre McCollough – Soph, WakullaAlex Abramat – Senior, Cypress BayAustin Brown – Junior, SarasotaJordan Frease – Senior, CountrysideJeffrey Pitts – Soph, MosleyDavid Gonzalez – Senior, JesuitRobert Rojas – Frosh, South DadeHugo Espinoza – Senior, Edgewater 135 Eric Grajales – Senior, BrandonWilson Mettellus – Senior, South DadeGarrett Soileau – Senior, ClayPete Baldwin – Soph, OsceolaAlex Doran – Soph, ManateeLouis Nodar – Senior, ColumbusGunnar Magliocca – Senior, St. Thomas AquinasHerman Hernandez – Senior, RiverviewLeo Santibanez – Junior, AmericanZach Boyer – Senior, RobinsonJosh Burgess – Senior, BelleviewHans Rasmusson – Junior, Jupiter 140 Ray Parrado – Senior, GolemanBrent Jorge –Senior, Lake GibsonUxsunn Ramirez – Senior, SouthwestDustin Paridon – Senior, MosleyChase Gordon – Junior, OviedoNick Hutchinson – Senior, BrandonScott Varner – Junior, WakullaMardel Gabriel – Soph, DoralWilfred Perez – Junior, Miami SunsetBilly Ortiz – Senior, Cypress CreekDavid Isme – Senior, LelyCamden Grimes – Senior, Deland 145 Shakendrick Sanders – Senior, South DadeJoe Cozart – Junior, BrandonGabriel Bird – Junior, OsceolaKevin Timothy – Senior, BrandonCarlos Montero – Senior, BloomingdaleFrank Pettineo – Senior, Cardinal GibbonsNick Rex – Senior, Lake GibsonKyle Mills – Senior, ClayTucker Raich – Senior, Jupiter ChristianDillon Dennis – Senior, Northside ChristianBryce Neff – Senior, CharlotteDaniel Dykes – Senior, Manatee 152 Alex Eggers – Senior, OsceolaWally Figaro – Soph, BrandonFrank Cousins – Junior, St. CloudAllen Pena – Senior, ColumbusGeordan Speiller – Frosh, St. Thomas AquinasAntonio Starr – Senior, Hialeah Miami LakesLee Wildes – Junior, OviedoZach Pincus – Senior, WellingtonJulian Eddie – Senior, South DadeTyler Hayes – Senior, OkeechobeeDerek Johnson – Senior, RidgeviewGrant Wood – Senior, Deltona 160 Didley Weche – Senior, Miami PaceLuis Montalvo – Senior, South DadeChris Figari – Senior, BloomingdaleIsaac Riley – Junior, ManateeLuke McGurrin – Senior, BollesJohn Nichols – Senior, LakelandLuis Alba – Junior, Cypress CreekErin O’Dell – Junior, OviedoKyle Koziel – Frosh, BrandonJames Bland – Senior, Avon ParkAdam Lessor – Senior, Ocala ForestDavid Richardson – Frosh, Lake Gibson 171 Jacob Harmer – Senior, GainesvilleLevi Clemons – Junior, OsceolaZaq Berridge – Senior, BrandonTJ Sturgeion – Senior, UniversityJulian Martinez – Senior, Miami PaceMichael Ducre – Senior, Dr PhillipsDavin Morris – Senior, OviedoJC Velasco – Senior, Coral SpringsMax Piasecki – Junior, Jensen BeachDominick Pierre – Junior, Coral Springs CHRyan Kuell – Junior, Lake GibsonTronic Williams – Senior, S Ft Myers 189 Caylor Williams – Senior, Palm BayAntonio Talley – Senior, DunedinKendall Ivy – Senior, AlonsoJay Taylor – Soph, OviedoChris Ferrito – Senior, SeabreezeMatt VanScoy – Senior, GainesvilleMike Ettore – Soph, BrandonScott Wern – Senior, SpringsteadBilly Kartsonis – Senior, EpiscopalTravus Webster – Senior, South DadeJustin Wilson – Junior, WesternTrevor Dunn – Junior, Riverdale 215 Willie Wiggins – Senior, South DadeDavid Castillo – Senior, AmericanMike Miller – Senior, Orange ParkMichael Albadin – Senior, ColumbusAriel Klein – Senior, Cooper CityWilder Rislin – Senior, PoincianaCasey Hines – Senior, BradfordDylan Gamret – Junior, Palmetto RidgeJohn Sennett – Senior, Miami PaceShawn Henderson – Junior, Coconut CreekLouis Gonzalez – Senior, LelyEmilious Davis – Senior, South Miami 285 John Dixon – Junior, Ridgeview Henry Chirino – Junior, AmericanEugene Scott – Senior, UnversityCaleb Rainwaters – Junior, Palmetto RidgeCody Barton – Senior, BaysideDonovan Green – Junior, Timber CreekByron Dames – Senior, Jupiter ChristianBrenton Clayton – Senior, LakelandAlex Wethy – Junior, ColumbusJosh Wofford – Senior, Palm BaySteven Jacques – Senior, South BrowardGeorge Mills – Senior, Winter Springs Vhsalum http://www.flowrestling.org/blogs/blogger/Vhsalum/5094-2008-2009-fl-all-class-state-rankings-preseason Tue, 18 Nov 2008 10:07:00 -0500 http://www.flowrestling.org/blogs/blogger/Discman/4587-maryland-at-lehigh Alright guys, the season has begun and we got our first taste of wrestling from the super 32, the Buffalo Open, and the Iron Horse. Now this Sunday we bring you the first dual of the year. We could not be more excited to kick off the dual season with Maryland traveling to the Lehigh Valley to wrestle the Mountain Hawks. Besides that fact that two great teams will be stepping on the mat to battle through ten weight classes head to head, this dual has an interesting background story. Pat Santoro was the assistant coach for the Hawks for nine years before he took over the head coaching job at Maryland for five years. During those five years, Santoro coached the Terps to its first ACC title in 35 years, entered the national rankings for the first time since 93, and produced Maryland's first All-American since 97. During his last two years at Maryland, the team finished with a 33-9 dual meet record. Now Pat Santoro will be squaring off in his first dual meet back at Lehigh against the team he coached for the past 5 years. If this is not enough, Marylands head coach, Kerry McCoy, spent time on Lehigh's coaching staff. Before becoming Stanfords head coach and coaching the Cardinals to their second highest finish ever. McCoy also coached along side Santoro at Lehigh. He helped 14 wrestlers at Lehigh earn All-American honors and two national champs. Finally, it may be noted that while McCoy was wrestling at Penn State, Pat Santoro was on staff at Penn State. We hope to be LIVE on Sunday Nov. 9th for the Maryland at Lehigh dual 1:00 P.M. ET. SEE YOU THEN!!!! Discman http://www.flowrestling.org/blogs/blogger/Discman/4587-maryland-at-lehigh Wed, 05 Nov 2008 14:44:00 -0500 http://www.flowrestling.org/blogs/blogger/Vhsalum/4540-super-32-the-aftermath And thus, the biggest, earliest and best preseason tournament of the year is concluded. What's left after a long, great day of wrestling? Movers and shakers! Some wrestlers staked their claim as greater than anyone realized, while others pronounced themselves verified, and still others may have hurt themselves in the wake of their placement (or non, as the case may be)sheesh, that was wordy. 103:1. Alex Cisneros (Selma, CA)2. Jacob Crawford (Milbrook, VA)3. Joe Orecchio (Don Bosco Prep, NJ)4. Jon Fahy (Trinity, KY)5. Jake Smith (Robinson, VA)6. Shyheim Brown (Central Dauphin, NJ)7. Brandon Jeske (Poquoson, VA)8. Nathan Kraisser (Centennial, MD)Right: Cisneros, Kraisser, OrecchioWrong: Hall and Ralston didn't place, although Hall was one match away.Wash: Francaville didn't show up and Wilbourn moved up.Best Job Award: Definitely Cisneros, the CA stud traveled across the country and got the job done.? Just a freshman, he has a bright, bright future.? He should place himself in the rankings after his performance. 112:1. Devin Carter (Christiansburg, VA)2. Robert Dyar (Vestavia Hills, AL)3. Jerome Robinson (St. Ignatius, OH)4. Bryan Whitt (Norfolk Academy, VA)5. Brian St. James (Centennial, GA)6. Josh Fisher (Roane County, WV)7. Terry Dawson (Brandon, FL)8. Narcisco Inchaurrequi (Lorain Southview, OH)Right: Devin Carter BABY! (Yes, on a technicality, but a big technicality!) Jerome Robinson.Wrong: Stephen Spradlin, Kory Mines and Ryan Renkey did not place. Mines was two matches away.Wash: Megaludis, Throckmorton, Boylan did not show.Best Job Award: Robert Dyar. Showing that there are other sports in Alabama other than football, Dyar defeated OH State Placer Jerome Robinson in the semis.119:1. David Klingsheim (Liberty, CA)2. Frank Goodwin (Mt. St. Joseph, MD)3. Camden Eppert (Anderson Highland, IN)4. Shane Gentry (Colonial Forge, VA)5. AJ Schopp (Tyrone, PA)6. Alan Waters (Park Hill, MO)7. Tyler Cox (Campbell County, WY)8. Mitchell Port (Bellefonte, PA)Right: Gentry.Wrong: I had Klinghsheim too low. Waters and Cox finished much lower than I predicted. This will probably put to rest any argument for Cox as a viable #1. At least until further notice. Wash: Frank Cagnina and Zach Neibert moved up (Niebert to 130??!!). Sean Dolan didn't show up. Evan Warrington was a match away from placing.Best Job Award: Has to be Klingsheim. Beat Waters 10-2 in the semis and finished the deal to take home a Belt.125:1. Tucker Armstrong (St. Paris Graham, OH)2. Frank Cagnina (Queen of Peace, NJ)3. Michael Garofalo (Colonial Forge, VA)4. Nathan Pennessi (Greater Latrobe, PA)5. Kyler Killian (Middletown, PA)6. Nikkolas Pena (Selma, CA)7. Ryan Fillingame (Sultana, CA)8. Eric Dunnet (Eastern, NJ)Right: Armstrong, Cagnina.Wrong: Jamie Franco, Raymond Borja (match away), Tony James, Tyler Liberatore and Brandon Westerman all did not place.Wash: Jimmy Chase didn't showBest Job Award: Tucker Armstrong. I told you the kid was tough. What a tuneup for the gauntlet that is the Ironman.130:1. Zach Neibert (St. Paris Graham, OH)2. Sam Sherlock (West Mifflin, PA)3. Joey Lazor (Union Grove, GA)4. Corey Mock (Chapel Hill, NC)5. Jacob Walters (St. John, MI)6. Taylor Walsh (Camden Catholic, NJ)7. Chris Dardanes (Oak Park-River Forest, IL)8. Erick Spjut (The Woodlands, TX)Right: Mock, Dardanes, Spjut.Wrong: Anthony Curcio, Daniel Osterman(match away) did not place.Wash: Schenk and Harper did not show. Squires moved up.Best Job: Zach Neibert moves up two weight classes and wins a pretty tough tournament. What a great job. The only question now, is, what does the do to the St. Paris Graham lineup?135:1. David Taylor (St. Paris Graham, OH)2. Josh Kindig (Blue Mountain, PA)3. Ellis Coleman (Oak Park-River Forest, IL)4. Josh Dziewa (Council Rock, South)5. Kodi Silvestri (Walkill Valley, NJ)6. Stephen Dutton (Rocky Point, NY)7. Wilson Metellus (South Dade, FL)8. Ian Squires (Colonial Forge, VA)Right: The top FOUR baby! (and in order)Wrong: NoneWash: Joe Lospinoso moved up. Best Job Award: David Taylor. Silences the naysayers and routinely wrestled and beat (and sometimes dominated) much bigger opponents. His riding is uncanny, and dangit, he's starting to look like his future coach, Cael Sanderson. His ankle pick is eerily reminiscent of his future coach, too.140:1. Andrew Alton (Central Mountain, PA)2. Taylor Massa (St. John, MI)3. Drake Houdashelt (Fort Zumwalt West, MO)4. Ben Dorsay (Cox, VA)5. Mark Hartenstine (Easton, PA)6. Cody Combs (Sussex Central, DE)7. Colin Shober (Schuykill Valley, PA)8. Philip Marano (Northampton, PA)Right: Alton, Massa, Shober and CombsWrong: Troy Silver (1-2, ouch) and Mike Nevinger Wash: Colin Palmer and Steven Sandefer did not show.Best Job Award: Massa. Proved that he is ready to battle on the high school level. The middle school phenom is talented in all three styles.145:1. Jackson Morse (Lowell, MI)2. Joseph Napoli (Cumberland Valley, PA)3. Dylan Alton (Central Mountain, PA)4. Joe Cozart (Brandon FL)5. Ryan Dunphy (Passaic Valley, NJ)6. Nick Waldrop (Freesom, CA)7. Blake Roulo (Matoaca, VA)8. Harrison Hightower (University, OH)Right: Morse, Napoli, Alton, Cozart, Roulo (kinda), HightowerWrong: Gabriel Bird, Kaleb Friedley Wash: David Habat moved upBest Job Award: Jackson Morse. I told you this was the toughest weight class and Morse proved he is one of the nation's best. The Michigan state champ defeated the #1 or #1A ranked JUNIOR in the nation, in the semis.152:1. Marshall Peppelman (Central Dauphin, PA)2. Brandon Rolnick (Lawrencevill School, NJ)3. Taylor Knapp (Collins Hill, GA)4. David Habat (St. Ignatius, OH)5. John Hayden Countryman (Prattville, AL)6. Matthew Spataro (Bergen Catholic, NJ)7. Chris Moon (Fauquier, VA)8. Jimmy Vollrath (Council Rock South, PA)Right: Peppelman, Rolnick, KnappWrong: Glenn Cannici, Alex Eggers, Issah Meade, Wally FigaroWash: Adam Miller moved upBest Job Award: Peppelman. He handled the move up in weight classes quite amicably. Only close match was Rolnick.160:1. Justin Armstrong (Bishop Lynch, TX)2. Adam Miller (Sparta, MI)3. Corey Lear (Benton, PA)4. Ed Shupe (Council Rock South, PA)5. Mike Dessino (Middlesex, NJ)6. Tristan Warner (Cumberland Valley, PA)7. Daniel McGillivray (Fauquier, VA)8. Jack Roberts (Union Gove, GA)Right: Armstrong and LearWrong: Stephen West (match away). Zach Berridge and John Nichols. What can I say? I'm a Florida Homer.Wash: Jason Luster, Derek Felton and?Briar Runyan did not showBest Job Award: Armstrong. Beats Lear and Miller consecutively. 171: 1. Andrew Clement (Grassfield, VA)2. Stephen Doty (Kirkwood, MO)3. Anthony Saulle (Delran, NJ)4. Ryan Callahan (Wallkill Valley, NJ)5. Jacob Harmer (Gainesville, FL)6. Jamie Westwood (Queen of Peace, NJ)7. Braden Carter (Christiansburg, VA)8. Willy Crawford (Fluvanna, VA)Right: Saulle, Harmer, CarterWrong: Ethan Blackstock, Levi Clemons (match away)Wash: Tanner Eitel, Ed Ruth, and Nick Milano did not showBest Job Award: Clement. As far as I can tell, Clement did not wrestle last year. I heard it was due to injury. He is a two-time VA state champ, and it looks like rust will not be a factor as he establishes himself as a national-caliber wrestler.189:1. Derrick Borlie (Millbrook, VA)2. Nicholas Mills (University, OH)3. Nicholas Ruggear (Oxford, PA)4. Josh Smith (Octorara, PA)5. Caylor Williams (Palm Bay, FL)6. Harrison Honeycutt (Lake Norman, NC)7. Ben Brooks (Oak Park-River Forest, IL)8. James Nicholson (Upper Moreland, PA)Right: Mills, Borlie, Smith, WilliamsWrong: Piro (match away)Wash: Dallas Brown, Dillon Kern and Billy Kurling did not place.Best Job Award: Derrick Borlie. Beats Smith (PA State Placer) in semis and Mills (OH State Placer) in finals.215:1. Antonio Giorgio (Warwick, PA)2. Christian McLean (Southwest Guilford, NC)3. Nicholas McDiarmid (Fowlerville, MI)4. Ryan Nelisse (Elyria, OH)5. Willie Wiggins (South Dade, FL)6. Fred Moses (Argo, IL)7. Christopher Penny (Frank W Cox, VA)8. Zachery Walker (Lassiter, GA)Right: Giorgio, Wiggins, McDiarmind, NelisseWrong: CJ Collins, Vinny Campanile, Pierce EmbryWash: Preston Willared did not showBest Job Award: Antonio Giorgio further cements himself as one of, if not the best upper-weights (189 - 285) in the country. 285:1. Sam Brownlee (Canon-McMilan, PA)2. Joe McElhinney (Cochranton, PA)3. Adam Peters (Cleveland, TN)4. Andrew Severson (St. Benedicts, TN)5. Zach Hanson (Parkersburg South, WV)6. Patrick Quinn (Gray's Creek, NC)7. Greg Clarke (Franklin County, VA)8. Peter Codella (Collins Hill, GA)Right: BrownleeWrong: None (I only picked Brownlee to win)Wash: NoneBest Job Award: Brownlee. Repeats as Super 32 winner.Most Outstanding Wrestler of the Tournament:Jackson Morse. There is no other way to put it. The kid not only shows he is one his state's best (MI) but proves he is worth a look by every school in the nation. Biggest Surprise:Technically is Jackson Morse, but he has an award already. In that case, it has to be Zach Neibert. The supposed 119lb starter for Graham, jumps up two weight classes and wins convincingly. Vhsalum http://www.flowrestling.org/blogs/blogger/Vhsalum/4540-super-32-the-aftermath Sun, 02 Nov 2008 01:01:00 -0500 http://www.flowrestling.org/blogs/blogger/Rollie/4508-on-mentors Over the years, I’ve been blessed to be surrounded by truly great people who have taught me many lessons. My mentors have come in all shapes and sizes, and there are a few things I’ve tried to remember to make the most of them. Seek out the best The best way to learn is from those who have “been there”—someone who has already navigated successfully through the peaks and valleys of life’s journey. These are the best kind of mentors. Many people claim to be experts, but almost nothing can compare to first-hand experience. No one reaches triumph without tribulation, so odds are whatever it is you are struggling with, someone has been in your shoes before and succeeded. Follow their lead. Learn from everyone Just because someone doesn’t have a Nobel Prize or Olympic gold medal, doesn’t mean they can’t be a mentor. Everyone has a nugget of wisdom to offer, the hard part is finding and extracting it. Two summers ago, I worked landscaping with a bunch of tough, blue-collar guys. During the day, we busted our asses hauling timber and seed bags, and on the lunch breaks we did push-ups. Not only did I get stronger that summer, but I learned a lot from the guys. They worked hard all day and never complained. I still admire that. You can find inspiration in the most unexpected places, from the most unexpected people. It’s always good to get a different perspective. Keep in mind that everyone has their own area of specialty. Observe what not to do Although I believe everyone has something to teach you, not all lessons are positive. Sometimes the best thing a person can offer is what not to do. If you learn from the mistakes of others, you can avoid repeating them yourself. In his Meditations, Marcus Aurelius reminds, “Say to yourself in the early morning: I shall meet today inquisitive, ungrateful, violent, treacherous, envious, uncharitable men.” This is a recurring topic and he constantly tells himself to rise above and learn from these nuisances. Some of my best lessons have about come this way. People will make mistakes, they will be lazy, they will wrong you. If you don’t make a note of it, you may find yourself walking down the same dark alleys. The sooner you identify what you don’t want to be, the sooner you will get to where you want to be. More here. Rollie http://www.flowrestling.org/blogs/blogger/Rollie/4508-on-mentors Fri, 31 Oct 2008 23:23:00 -0500 http://www.flowrestling.org/blogs/blogger/Martino/4461-get-to-the-substance With the upcoming election politics is around us to the point where it is insane. Just like everybody else Im pretty sick of it. I was sitting with Mark Disalvo from Central Michigan and watching the third and final debate and I marvel at how the media makes two dudes talking over dry complex issues a Superbowl event. In the post-game analysis they had like 10 analysts lined up giving their perspective. The media is pretty darn good at making whatever they want into an event and then making it exciting. The thing I like about wrestling and sports in general as opposed to politics is that you cant really take results out of context and turn them around and manipulate a situation. In sports someone wins and someone loses and the clarity of it is obvious. The impact is real and final, you don't need to take a poll to see how things played out or wait 10 years. I also like this aspect about business. In most cases if you put out a product and make sure you take care of all the necessary details to get that product to market, the results are pretty telling. If people like the product you tend to do good, and if people don't, well you go back to the drawing board and tweak some part of the process. It is amazing, however, how politics tries to seep into everything from sport to business. Most of you know that my brother helps run a site called Flotrack. It is based off the same concept as Flowrestling. Well I have learned a little bit about Track and Field since we started this business together. In Track and Field there was one coach who dominated the NCAA Track and Field world like no other...his name was John McDonnell. An Irish immigrant, he came over to the USA and got into coaching. To make a long story short he went on to win 42 NCAA titles in XC, Indoor, and Outdoor Track and Field during his coaching years at the university of Arkansas. Coaches tried to stop him anyway possible by accusing him of cheating and inciting investigations that always left him clear. It didn't really effect his results as he always produced the top caliber teams. He won championships which made others mad. They didn't like him for one reason or another, maybe because they didn't like the way he ate or talked to them or the way he dressed....who knows. You can bet if he didn't win 42 NCAA titles he wouldn't have gotten the same criticism. For people that don't want to look at the results because they are too painfully obvious we get all kinds of distractions and drama that they incite. They point to arbitrary rules that are open to interpretation, they bring their ego or other peoples ego into the equation (often out of context). These people will rely on everything but results. They will say things like "John McDonnell puts out a great team but has to learn to follow the rules more." These same people out of spite may vote against John McDonnell for coach of the year or decade (as if he cares) even when it was painfully obvious that no one matched his performance. The fact is that John McDonnell wasn't cheating or going against the principles that the NCAA holds for its student Athletes. That is probably why after his retirement last year they made an award for him. When you met him you might have liked him or disliked him but you have to judge him as a coach by the results and athletes he produced. He did great things for his teams. I hope one day we at Flowrestling can be the performer that John McDonnell was at the University of Arkansas. But unlike John McDonnell I don't want to do it for a team I want to help do it for the sport of wrestling. And unlike John McDonnell Im not running a business against other wrestling businesses, like he was competing against other schools. Wrestling is too fragile a state to be fighting over a shrinking pie. The focus is on growing the pie. Some people may want to bring drama to the table because of their damaged egos by the fact of how adamant we are at forwarding wrestling in spite of their personal interests. Id rather focus on bringing results and repeated success with growing the wrestling pie. We started this company as a different kind of company. We had the belief that as a basis we would do what was right for the wrestling community first and foremost. This is our founding principle and will never go against it. This goes even before making money, which for some is the sole purpose of a business. Why do we do that? We do this because we full heartedly believe that in the long run wrestling's interest and Flowrestling's interests are completely aligned. If wrestling benefits in the long run, then Flowrestling will benefit in the long run. "In the long run" is a key point because a lot of decisions we have made are not popular in the short run. However we believe these decisions are necessary for the long term success of the sport and will continue to make decisions that may hurt us in the short run to benefit wrestling in the long run. It is a lot easier making tough decisions when you observe the Brands brothers day after day holding to what they know is true no matter how fierce the critics, or watching the calculated intensity of John Smith in a practice, or seeing the way Coach Tom Borrelli can see the bigger picture and weave through bureaucracy. I see guys like Jon Stutzman finding a way to make it work from the ground up and get pumped UP. Im observing the process first hand and learning everyday. These guys keep me in check in my own head because there is no way in the world I would do something for my own gain at the expense of wrestling which would in the end hurt them. So the next time you hear someone calling foul on Flowrestling or myself, look at the results of all our actions and ask yourself "Is anything inherently wrong with the product or the way the product was produced?", If your common sense says "no" than you should probably take their words with caution, it may be fear, their damaged ego, an inability to face the truth or a combination of all three talking. In the mean time we will be working night and day for wrestling, THE greatest sport in the world. On another note Gear Up because this year is going to be an awesome YEAR! We will be at Super 32 on Saturday for our first big event of the wrestling season. Martino http://www.flowrestling.org/blogs/blogger/Martino/4461-get-to-the-substance Sun, 26 Oct 2008 17:17:00 -0500 http://www.flowrestling.org/blogs/blogger/Vhsalum/4403-the-ten-unanswered-questions-of-the-2008-2009-season-florida-part-1 I have been, and will always be, a glutton for information. Much to my chagrin, wrestling is not like football, baseball and other mainstream sports, which means that good journalistic information on our sport is sparse. That being the case, I scour the IInternet looking diligently for articles worth reading. In my zeal, a few years ago, I happened upon this site:ohiowrestlingsite.com I am not sure who maintains this site, but without a doubt, when it comes to intelligent, intriguing and thorough journalism as it relates to wrestling, this site is the best hands down. New articles aren't produced often enough, although I am sure that is an issue of quality versus quantity. Considering the site is obviously dedicated to Ohio Wrestling, I often thought of the same questions being asked for my home state of Florida. So, without further ado, and hopefully, the blessings of my journalistic compadres -The Ten Unanswered Questions of the 2008-2009 Season: FloridaWho is Florida's 3rd Best Wrestler? The state, and the rest of the nation recognizes the names of Eric Grajales and Kendrick Sanders. Sanders is a two-time Junior Greco National Champion, with an Outstanding Wrestler award to boot. Sanders is a two-time State Champion and is unlikely to be tested this season. Grajales, who recently to commited to the University of Michigan, is a former USA Wrestling Greco Athlete of the Year recipient, multiple-time Fargo Champion, and undefeated in his high school career. A year after beating Jordan Oliver at the Super 32 tournament, the wrestler ranked #1 in the nation at 135 lbs (over the much-hyped David Taylor) has nothing left to prove, and after not entering in the Super 32 this season, his first test probably won't come until Dapper Dan Classic (yes, I am assuming he gets the invite). So beyond those two who exactly, is, or will emerge as the third best wrestler in the state. At first glance, the names are:Gabriel Bird (Osceola; Junior)Joe Cozart (Brandon; Junior)Wilson Mettellus (South Dade, Senior)Alex Eggers (Osceola; Junior)Jacob Harmer (Gainesville, Senior)Eric Chandler (Braddock, Senior)It is possible that Florida's third best wrestler will not come from this list, however, it is very unlikely. Consider this, 5 of the 6 are participating in the Super 32 tournament, where they can cement themselves among the elite. Bird is a three-time state placer (4th, 5th) and recently placed 3rd at the nation's toughest tournament - the Junior Freestyle National Championships, held annually in Fargo, ND. Undoubtedly, he made himself a lot of money, scholarship-wise, and a strong showing at the Super 32 could catapult him to the top. He is in the rugged 145lb bracket along with another of Florida's elite - Mr. Joey Cozart. Son of Russ, brother of Rocky (what, no 'R' to begin his first name??), Joey is also a multiple-time placer at Fargo. Albeit, in the less-folkstyle style of Greco, this two-time state champ has great folkstyle skills. He has just two losses on his folkstyle record, both coming in his freshman year, to defending state champ Anthony Jorge. He avenged those two losses by defeating Jorge in the state finals. Cozart has a huge gas-tank and his plethora of upper-body attacks makes him dangerous to anyone he wrestles. Make the wrong decision, get too careless, attack uncautiously and you will be on your back.Mettellus, who transferred to South Dade a year after finishing as a State Runner-up at Monsignor Pace, has really reaped the benefits of workout partners Tico Baez and Kendrick Sanders. He has not won a State Championship, but after placing at the NHSCA Junior National tournament, defeating, among others, New York's Ian Paddock, Mettelus has jumped on a lot recruiting boards. A phenomenal athlete, who is not a typical South Dade wrestler, Mettelus, it seems, simply needs a platform, and he will do well. Registered at the second toughest weight at the Super 32, if he performs well on that platform, and makes it to the finals, or can manage to upend some of the top names in the bracket, he might be Florida's 3rd best wrestler. Braddock Senior Eric Chandler was destined to become Dade County's first 4x State Champion until being de-railed by a game Kyle Grueninger in the State Finals.  That match is on Flo for everyone to see, and let's just say that I do not agree with the officiating of that match.  It is an official's job to be invisible, and that match was really taken away from the competitors.  Chandler has rarely been tested in Florida, and has placed at FILA Cadets and Juniors.  Included in that, is a win over PA AAA State Champion Billy Chamberlain, who is now wrestling for Old Dominion.  Chandler seems likely to win a State Title this year, probably at 119 or 125.  He is not wrestling at the Super 32 tournament, but I would imagine he will compete at NHSCA Senior Nationals.  If he does compete at that tournament, he will place, and my personal hunch is top 4.Former State Champ Alex Eggers, also has a chance to make waves at the Super 32. A specimen unlike most, Eggers was a State Champ as a sophomore, and was on track to capture a second, but moved up two weight classes to help the team (and his brother), and run into buzzsaw Ivan Lopuschanksy. Between Eggers and Bird, one will have to contend with Kendrick Sanders, either at 145 or 152 at the State Championships in Lakeland. Finally, my personal favorite, Jacob Harmer. Ever the bridesmaid, Harmer is a two-time third-placer finisher at the Florida State Championships. His losses have been close battles with two-time champion Vince Maul. However, Harmer is one bad call away from winning at least ONE championship, after the Zebra decided it was possible to stall TWICE in a span of 13 seconds. Don't let his lack of Freestyle/Greco achievements fool you, Harmer is a pinner who has put some of our nation's best wrestlers on their back. Included in that is a 4-2 loss to Blair Academy's Ed Ruth (where he did turn Ruth) and a first-period pin of Georgia's Ethan Blackstock. If he can manage the shark-infested waters at the Super 32 and defeat Ruth, as I have predicted, he will be Florida's 3rd best wrestler.Will David Craig Fulfill His Vast Potential?Considered one of, if not the greatest wrestler to leave the Sunshine State, Brandon's David Craig left with one of the largest, brightest and most complete resumes any recruit could possibly want. Four State Championships? Check. Undefeated Record? Check. Ironman Championship? Check. Beast of the East Title? Check. Fargo Double Champion? Check. Dapper Dan Winner? Check. Ranked as consensus No. 1 recruit? Check. I am sure I am missing more accolades, but the point is, Craig could do no more to cement his legacy as a potential 4x All-American and future NCAA Champion. Being the great teammate that he is, Craig wrestled up a weight at 184 lbs and still managed to make the round of 12. Fast-forward to sophomore season, and a beefed-up Craig is losing close matches to good wrestlers (Rocco Caponi, 1-3; Christian Sinnot, 2-5) and decent wrestlers (Dave Sullivan, Pitt, 2-6; Phil Bomberger, Penn State, 5-9), but not showing the improvement one would think would come from year 1 to year 2. His sophomore year was marred by October knee surgery, which, I am sure had a lot to do with lack of improvement, and after academic issues, Craig was forced to sit out the second semester. Now, as Craig enters his Junior year, Craig is either ranked outside of the top 15 or not ranked at all in most preseason polls. Will Craig AA this year, and possibly bring home Florida's next NCAA Division I wrestling championship? Right now, word out of the Lehigh camps, Craig looks ready to go. After getting his academics in order, changing his major, and letting his knee heal, Craig is excited to wrestle for the new regime. Remember, Pat Santoro is the new head coach, and if he can do for him, what he did for Hudson Taylor at Maryland, look out world!Who Will Inherit The Throne?Upon the graduation of the current crop of seniors, who then, will take the crown as the state's crown jewel. I've already mentioned Joe Cozart and Gabriel Bird, and right now they are the front-runners. But who else? Other than the two I just mentioned, the most likely candidates will come from my list - Levi Clemons, Earl Hall, Rossi Bruno, Clark Glass, Chase Gordon, Wally Figaro, Mike Ettore, Geordon Speiller, Matt Nereim, Lee Wildes, and Tyler Liberatore. It is true that I place an awful lot of credibility on the Junior and Cadet National Freestyle/Greco Championships. But as the saying goes, "It's where state champs go to die." This is not meant as a diss to my brethren who compete in folkstyle year-round, but it is hard to judge talent based on in-state results. That may be not be the case in the future, as the NHSCA Freshman, Sophomore and Junior Nationals continue to improve in competition and quality. This past summer, Florida cemented its status as great Greco state, as Clemons, Bruno and Figaro all reached the Cadet Finals. But in reality it all starts with the Brandon Wrestling Club and their program. Glass, Bruno and Liberatore are rising freshman, Ettore and Figaro, Sophomores. Glass won a state championship as a 7th grader, but could not repeat that feat up two weight classes, at 119lbs a year ago. Brandon has a pretty complete weightlifting program, and once Glass's strength catches up with his skills, he will be mentioned as a elite national prospect. Bruno finished second in Greco Cadets, and also has a state ring to his claim. Ettore finished 6th in Greco Cadets and is a hard-charging bull of a wrestler. Finally Double All-America Figaro. A transplant from Puerto Rico (a la Franklin Gomez), Figaro is a great athlete who placed third at states a year ago, losing to three-timer Richie Dehnz of Palmetto Ridge in the semis. Finally, Tyler Liberatore is the third middle-school state champ to enter the lineup for the Eagles this season. Word out of Brandon, is that out of the three, Liberatore may end up being the best. Earl Hall is a former schoolboy double national titlist, who did not compete at Fargo, but still has an impressive resume. He was an undefeated state champion as a freshman, and has a win over Blair's vaunted Mike Grey. Placing high at Super 32 is must, if he wants to ascend to the throne. Gordon, Wildes and Nereim of the JETS Wrestling Club, (Nereim wrestles for Winter Springs High, Wildes and Gordon for Oviedo) are also Cadet Greco All-Americans. Gordon did not place this past summer as a first year junior, but if he can recapture the form, he has the ability to win a State Championship. It won't be easy, depending on what weight class he competes, as Mettelus, Bird, and Sanders are anywhere between 135-145, and so is he. Wildes is a JV State Champion who is definitely a greco specialist, but we will see if his folkstyle skills have improved enough to step on the podium in Lakeland. Nereim, also, a Cadet Greco placer is also state placer, losing in the finals to South Dade's Three-Timer James "Rat" Williams. He will most likely end up at 130lbs during the season, and if so, should be the favorite to win his first State Title. Clemons won a Cadet Greco title this past summer, and the junior to-be only placed 6th at a loaded 160lb bracket a year ago. He is the clear favorite in 3A at 171lbs this year. My pick? After Bird and Cozart, I really like Earl Hall, with his toughness and athleticism. Should he compete in Fargo next summer, he will stake his claim as Florida's prize wrestler. Will South Dade defeat Brandon Again? No doubt this will be the season's best dual. A year ago, South Dade stopped Brandon's national-record dual match win streak. This year the favorites in their respective classes will battle at the super-tough District 16 Duals, just before Christmas break. South Dade returns 9 state qualifiers, while Brandon also returns 9 state qualifiers and ADDS 4 former state champions. I have not been able to confirm Earl Hall's transfer to South Dade, and at present, it seems unlikely. Nonetheless, the Bucs did add Andres Montero, Isaiah Varona and Robert Rojas. I'm not sure where these guys fit into the lineup, but this dual is going to be a barn-burner from the start. Here are some of the great, possible matchups, and remember, even though some of the Bucs do not have great national credentials, they are senior-laden, athletic and well-coached.Maurico Villanueva vs Ryan Renkey/Terry Dawson/Sean PadgettQuintavian McPherson vs Rossi BrunoJosh Williams vs Tyler Liberatore/Clark GlassWilson Mettelus vs Eric Grajales/Nick Hutchinson Elyse Fontaine vs Eric Grajales/Nick HutchinsonKendrick Sanders vs Joe Cozart/Kevin TimothyLuis Montalvo vs Zaq Berridge/Mike Ettore/Wally FigaroStephon Moore vs Zaq Berridge/Mike Ettore/Wally Figaro The dual meet will be decided in the light weights, as a classic match-up of youth vs experience will play itself out. Who won't make Brandon's line-up?Brandon has a problem that only a few wrestling programs in this nation have (and that includes college). How do you fit 14 good wrestlers into 9 weight classes? Here is what Brandon returns:Ryan Renkey (AZ state champion) 112Sean Padgett (State runner-up) 112Terry Dawson (State runner-up) 112 Rossi Bruno (State Champion) 119Tyler Liberatore (State Champion) 125Clark Glass (State Champion) 130Eric Grajales (Everything) 135Nick Hutchinson (State Runner-up) 140Tom Timothy (State Champion) 145Joe Cozart (State Champion) 145Wally Figaro (State Third) 152Keith Koziel (State Fifth) 152Zaq Berridge (State Third) 160Mike Ettore (State Qualifier) 160 At first glance, it will be interesting to see if any of Brandon's great 112lbers can even make 103. My bet is on Renkey. So now a battle ensues between Padgett and Dawson for the spot at 112. That's one State Runner-up will NOT be in the lineup. Next up is the logjam and 145 and 152. Between Cozart and Timothy, I like Cozart's chances at 152 better. Not by a large margin, but Cozart will be able to handle all the state's 152lbers save one, Kendrick Sanders. I think Berridge wins the spot at 160, and even if Ettore moves up to 189, either Figaro or Koziel will be out of the lineup and severely under-weight at 171lbs (and so, for that matter, will Ettore). Coach Cozart will do what's best for the team, and, unfortunately, some very talented, accomplished and deserving wrestlers will not be wrestling in the postseason.How many State Champs will Brandon Have?Brandon seems to be a shoo-in to at least match their own state record of six state champions in one year. The question is, can they beat their own record (which they've set twice)? Best case scenario:Renkey - 103 Padgett/Dawson - 112Bruno - 119 Liberatore - 125Glass - 130Grajales - 135 Hutchinson - 140 Timothy - 145 Cozart - 152 Berridge - 160 That's a possible 10 champs with 5 automatics, in Renkey (if he gets there), Bruno, Grajales, Timothy and Cozart. Padgett/Dawson is pretty close to automatic, while Liberatore, Glass, Hutchinson and Berridge will wait to see what the rest of Class 2A brings to the table. Vhsalum http://www.flowrestling.org/blogs/blogger/Vhsalum/4403-the-ten-unanswered-questions-of-the-2008-2009-season-florida-part-1 Wed, 22 Oct 2008 13:13:00 -0500 http://www.flowrestling.org/blogs/blogger/Vhsalum/4404-the-ten-unanswered-questions-of-the-2008-2009-season-florida-part-2 Who will win Class 1A?A year ago, Scotti Sentes and his Riverdale teammates ran roughshod through the Class 1A bracket. A senior-laden team, the likelihood of them taking home another championship seems near-impossible. This year, the smallest division in Florida's 3-class system seems to be more wide-open than at any time in recent memory. The clear favorite is Clay High (Green Cove Springs) who may add a second State Championship trophy this decade. They return the 7 State Qualifiers, more than any other team. They also added transfer State Qualifier Jason Wojcik. They are led by perennial Bridesmain Garret Soileau and the athletically gifted Kyle Mills. With 5 returning State Qualifiers, Panhandle Wakulla returns 5 state qualifiers, led by State Runnerup, and current sophomore Tre McCullough. Coach Frank Pettineo and Cardinal Gibbons return 4 State Qualifiers, but that is just the start. Expect them to bring at least 8 to Lakeland. State Runner-up Frank Pettineo leads the Chiefs on their quest to bring home another State Team Title. Suwannee's biggest loss comes from losing Hall of Fame Coach David Laxton. Returning 3 state qualifiers, Laxton's son Travis, and returning 3rd-placer is the headliner on a depleted Bulldog squad. A healthy middle school program does exist, however, so it will interesting to see who steps up. Clay, while the favorite, has a semis jinx. A year ago, they had four state semi-finalists and none made it to the finals. If they can find a way to get 4 in the finals this year, however, they may run away with the title. Who Will Finish Second in 2A and 3A? It's a foregone conclusion that the races for the Team Titles in 2a and 3A are complete with Brandon and South Dade, respectively, returning too much firepower for any other team to compete. Brandon, in fact, will win a State Title for at least the next 4 years, as they continue to replenish themselves through the Brandon Wrestling Club, which annually produces kids' State and National Champions. In fact, Brandon's next great (Grajales, Gomez, Craig, etc) may in fact be the Lucas Brothers, who, I believe are about 4 years away from competing for Brandon High School. Re-load the pistol Cozart! Contenders for second place in 2A are Manatee, Springstead, and Palmetto Ridge. Manatee and their Head Coach Andy "Gug" Gugliemini have been doing the hard work these past years, establishing a strong and numerous kids wrestling club. A club that produced its first State Champion in Alex Doran. The Hurricanes only return 5 state qualifiers, but don't let that fool you. A senior-laden team a year ago, Manatee's kids club will fill in nicely. As Rome was not built in a day, Springstead has been building. Much in the same way Coach Gug has made the kids club a priority, so too has Head Coach Eric Swensen. He will have two Fargo All-Americans on this year's squad, in brothers Nick and Dustin Soto. Incoming freshman Cody Ross is a former Kids' National Champion and should be a 4-time state placer. Palmetto Ridge also has a large kids club and it will be interesting to see who replaces former State Champs Zack Mastro, Richie Dehnz and Elias Rey. State Champion Cody Singletary returns, and is pretty big from what I hear. Expect a Singletary-Bruno match in the finals. In 3A the chase for second is led by Osceola, Oviedo, American and Columbus. Osceola is the clear favorite for the Second-Place trophy. Consider, besides, the aforementioned Bird, Eggers and Clemons, they return State Champ Pete Baldwin, State Placer Matt Jones, and State Qualifier Robert Strader. They also picked up two transfers in the Locksmith brothers, with the eldest, Joe, being a returning State Qualifier. Younger brother Timothy should qualify and at the least score some points in Lakeland. American returns 4 State Qualifiers three of whom placed a year ago. The fourth, David Castillo was a potential placer but forfeited his first two matches after injuring himself at Regionals the week before. Former 4-time defending State Champs, Oviedo are also an enigma. The potential is there, with 5 returning State Qualifiers, including State Placer Davin Morris. The Lions also add transfers Joey Hefley and Jay Taylor. Taylor will place high at 189. The all-boys school, Columbus, coached by Hall-of-Famer Jim Husk return 5 state qualifiers, with Placers Jake Rio and George Gulesian. In the battle for 2nd, expect Manatee (2A) and Osceola (3A) to take those trophies. Bridesmaid to Bride?Four seniors alway seem to be one step away from the podium, and this is their last year to taste and savor a State Championship. Jacob Harmer, Wilson Mettelus, Jacob Gregory and Soileau all seem to find the top spot at Lakeland to be their unicorn. Harmer is two-time 3rd placer, each time losing to eventual State Champion Vince Maul. Mettelus is a two-time Runner-up first as a sophomore at Monsignor Pace, losing to Michael Calafiore; and last year at South Dade, losing to the talented Michael Nates of Hialeah. Gregory is also a two-time runner up, losing as a sophomore to Florida King Eric Grajales, and as a junior to Wade Consul.Soileau seemingly started the semi-final curse that currently plagues Clay High. As a rising freshman, it was assumed he would win 4 titles, and each year he came agonizingly close. He has lost in the state semis every single year he has competed. First, as a freshman, being pinned by Merrit Burrus of Suwannee after trying to roll through a cradle (a kid he had beaten the week prior by technical fall). As a sophomore he ran into current Michigan State Wrestler and 2x State Champion Colby Borchetta. His junior year, he was bested by Daphilo Success of Glade Central. Harmer will march to a title with no problem, as I see no one in the state of Florida who can beat Harmer (and that includes 189). He was close to pinning all of his opponents a year ago, and I imagine will come close, if not achieve that feat this year. Mettelus may have a tougher road, although its not clear who may challenge him. Possible candidates include Osceola's Joe Locksmith, Winter Springs Matt Nereim, Columbus' George Gulesian, Countryside's Austin Figari, and Oviedo's Chase Gordon. While he may have more POTENTIAL challengers, I don't see anyone stopping Mettelus from winning his first State Title.Gregory competes in class 2A with his Manatee brethren, and as such, will have to contend with either Bruno or Liberatore of Brandon.  He has a tough road between either of those wrestlers.  I'm not sure how much separation there is between the two, in terms of ability, but I would venture to say that Gregory's experience could deliver him that elusive State Title.  Gregory should have a couple of chances to wrestle Bruno/Liberatore during the season, for sure at the District 16 Duals, and possibly at the Ippolito Tourney, if Manatee attends.  The sentimental part of me wants to believe Gregory will ascend to the top of the throne, but he will have a battle from either of the two Brandon kids.Last, we have my good friend Garret Soileau. I've watched him wrestle since the 8th grade, and you just knew he would be a multiple-time state champ. His father was a State Runner-up himself, and the genes passed on quite well. Each year, however Soileau just seems to either make a mistake or not wrestle at his best in the semis. His freshman year, it was a costly mistake, and his sophomore and junior seasons, he wrestled that guys, that I think, he beats 9 out of 10 times, if they wrestle. It just so happened that that one time was on the night it meant the most. Soileau has no true challenger at this point, and will probably wrestle 135. My heart says pick Soileau to catch his elusive State Title, and my head says he will. Who is the best wrestler in 1A?This throne was vacated by Central Michigan signee Scotti Sentes. The first name that comes to mind is Soileau and after that - Kevin Norstrem (Tampa Bay Christian), Travis Laxton, Frank Pettineo, and Tre McCollough seem the likeliest of candidates. Norstrem, of the Brandon Farm System will wrestle one year as an 8th grader at Tampa Bay Christian. The FILA Cadet National Champion will win state if he competes at 103, putting him in line to be a 5x State Champion. However if he wrestles at 112 he will have a rough time with Laxton. Tough, ornery and a great rider, this battle might be the match of the night in 1A. Pettineo and McCollough return as state finalists, with McCollough loss in the finals coming to Sentes. Just a freshman, after the graduation/moving ons of the other names, McCollough, with the possibility, of three state titles could be the best wrestler in Class 1A. In the end, I believe Soileau will ascend to his rightful place as not only State Champ, but as the best wrestler in Class 1A. He is great pinner, and this being his swan song, expect a banner year as he leads his Clay High teammates on a quest for a Team State Title. Vhsalum http://www.flowrestling.org/blogs/blogger/Vhsalum/4404-the-ten-unanswered-questions-of-the-2008-2009-season-florida-part-2 Wed, 22 Oct 2008 13:13:00 -0500 http://www.flowrestling.org/blogs/blogger/Vhsalum/4347-super-32-preview I know this is REALLY early, but unless someone withdraws due to injury, I'm not going to change my mind between now and November 1. Also, I'm not sure if the current entries has the wild-cards added or not, and if they don't please let me know so I can change my rankings accordingly. Super 32 is without a doubt the BEST preseason tournament. So much so, that national rankings are actually affected by a tournament with less than normal match times. Personally, I'm a big fan of the 2-1-1 format.I reserve the right to be wrong, however, I will gloat evilly and maniacly if just one of my predictions come true! 103 1. Terrell Wilbourn (Francis Howell Central, MO)2. Uland Ralston (Lorain Southview, OH)3. Earl Hall (Robert Morgan, FL)4. Alex Cisneros (Selma, CA)5. Nick Francaville (High Point, NJ)6. Joe Orecchio (Don Bosco Prep, NJ)7. Nathan Kraisser (Centennial, MD)8. Taylor Whitt (Norfolk Academy, VA) Ha! Ha! I knew you guys would bail me out! Now, I can act as if I am the omiscience wrestling guru. Fargo AA Wilbourn should be at the top of the podium, but he is going to have stiff competition from the rest of this light field (yes, pun intended). I'm still taking Earl Hall high, and personally (that means the rest can't act like you even partially believe me, because when I am proven right, I will be the ONLY one right, making me your superior). I have high hopes for Nathan Kraisser, having seen him beat Mark Grey (on FLO of course. Everybody aloud now: THANK YOU FLO!). Cisneros is probably too low, but other than his parents, family, coaches, teammates and fans, who cares? 112 1. Nico Megaludis (Franklin Regional, PA)2. Cameron Throckmorton (South Western, PA)3. Devin Carter (Christiansburg, VA)4. Nick Arajau (St. Anthony's, NY)5. Sean Boylan (St. Mark's, DE)6. Stephen Spradlin (Camden County, GA)7. Kory Mines (Maple Heights, OH)8. Ryan Renkey (Brandon, FL) Now we're talking! This isn't a loaded weight, but the quarters should be fun. There are about 8 or so really high level kids. There are some stud freshman and 8th graders that are going to get beat up at this tournament and not place, at what is normally a good weight for the younger ages. Everything starts with Nico Megaludis, a kid I think was the second best 103 in PA last year. I'm anxious to see how NY state champ Arajau fares in this top-heavy weight class. Stephen Spradlin of GA is really good wrestler, but is really hot/cold. If he's on, he places. If he's off, he could easily go 0-2. Not indicative of his true talent, but it is possible. 119 1. Tyler Cox (Campbell County, WY)2. Alan Waters (Park Hill, MO)3. Zach Neibert (St. Parish Graham, OH)4. Frank Cagnina (Queen of Peace, NJ)5. David Klingsheim (Liberty, CA)6. Sean Dolan (St Mark's DE)7. Shane Gentry (Colonial Forge, VA)8. Evan Warrington (Henry County, GA)Me like! Me like! I hope after Cox wins this thing, the rankers do him justice and rank him NO. 1! I don't know how you punish a kid who beats Ryan Mango in Folkstyle & Greco, IN THE SAME SUMMER, and rank him below. He couldn't go to Fargo because he was too busy training for the JR World Greco Team, a team he made after beating Mango. :( Oh well. Waters Neibert in the semis should be tremendous. I get to fall in love with Flo all over again! Don't know much about Klingsheim, but winning states in CA is no easy feat, so I give him a lot of credit. Cagnina is a junior?! Wow, I didn't even realize that. Don't be surprised if the Garden Stater ends up in the finals. 1251. Jimmy Chase (Glenbard North, IL)2. Tucker Armstrong (St. Paris Graham, OH)3. Michael Garofalo (Colonial Forge, VA)4. Jamie Franco (Monroe Woodbury, NY)5. Raymond Borja (Hayfield, VA)6. Tony James (Weintzville, MO)7. Brandon Westerman (McEachern, GA)8. Tyler Liberatore (Brandon, FL)Jimmy "Greco at Binghamton" Chase is the headliner, and should storm through a decent bracket. I'm pretty high on Armstrong, but I'm also an unabashed fan of Jeff Jordan and that Graham program (I guess being defending national champs will do that). In all honesty I probably have Missouri State Champ Tony James too low, but hey, this is my predictions dadgummit! Garofalo is a great talent and pretty fun to watch, is consistent, and I think he does well here. My buddy Raymond Borja, runner-up to Garofalo at VA States a year ago is due a breakout. Westerman is looooong... and long wrestlers tend to give anyone fits. Liberatore will have to do some serious work to place at this weight, but I like what I've seen from Brandon's next 5-timer (just an aside, I think Clark Glass becomes the first, considering 4 years from now, I think Liberatore will be noticably bigger than Glass) I also reserve the right to say that this will be super-frosh Jason Tsirtsis' coming out party! You heard it here first. 1301. Anthony Curcio (Washington Township, NJ)2. Corey Mock (Chapell Hill, NC)3. Nick Schenk (St. Marks, DE)4. Eric Spjut (The Woodlands, TX)5. Ian Squires (Colonial Forge VA)6. Joshua Harper (Mishawaka, IN)7. Daniel Osterman (St. John's, MI)8. Chris Dardanes (Oak Park River, IL)Yeah, I know. I placed three nationally ranked (AWN) guys under a NJ runner-up. I just like Curcio (yes, in a man-love kind of way, but not THAT way, just blame FLO, otherwise I'd never have seen the kid wrestle and fell in love), and believe he will make it to, and ultimately win, a Super 32 Championship. With that said, Mock is probably going to prove me wrong, and further validate his status as a wrestler to be reckoned with. North Carolina is not known for its wrestling and Mock has a great chance to prove that some Tar Heels know how to RASSLE. Chris Dardanes only placed 5th in Illinois, but I have a high view of him, obviously. In the end, expect the semis to fierce and tight. The top 4 is easily interchangeable. 1351. David Taylor (St. Paris Graham, OH)2. Josh Kindig (Blue Mountain, PA)3. Ellis Coleman (Oak Park River, IL)4. Josh Dziewa (Pennsbury, PA)5. Wilson Mettellus (South Dade, FL)6. Joe Lospinoso (David Brearley, NJ)7. Kodi Silvestri (Wallkill Valley, NJ)8. Stephen Dutton (Rocky Point, NY)What a weight! Honestly, you get to the quarters and ALL of these guys are capable of beating each other. I say this only because, logic states that Taylor is going to have a rougher, tougher time jumping up so many weight classes. However, I have to believe that a summer spent with Cael Sanderson and Iowa State Camps is going to have a great effect on Taylor's ability to wrestle up. That, and I'm sure Cael gave let him a eat a bowl or two of the Sanderson-covered Wheaties. It sounds like he is actually cutting to get to 135, so one has to only wonder if strength came with his size. Kindig must have slipped his Fargo roommates a love potion, because both of the Altons are (finally) a weight above him. I don't see either of the Altons making 135 ever again though. Ellis Coleman earned my respect by taking Eric Grajales to the wire in the Junior Greco Finals. I know that's Greco, but this kid is a phenom - strong, fast and a brawler. I don't see returning champ Dziewa leaving North Carolina with a belt, and it's more because of his competition than my lack of belief in his ability. Wilson Mettellus will surprise some people at this weight, but don't be. An athlete who placed at NHSCA juniors a year ago, this Florida kid can wrestle with the big boys. Now New Jerseans and New Yorkans can agree on something and try to murder me - STATE-RUNNER-UPS 6TH AND 7TH?! Yep, sorry. And i'm not sure who's better between Dutton and Paul Ligouri, so I flipped a coin! (Yes, it was two-headed, but that's not the point, I really just don't care)1401. Andrew Alton (Central Mountain, PA)2. Collin Palmer (St Edward, OH)3. Taylor Massa (St. Johns, MI)4. Troy Silver (Bishop Lynch, TX)5. Collin Shober (Schuylkill Valley, PA)6. Mike Nevinger (Letchworth Central, NY)7. Steven Sandefer (Mishakawa, IN)8. Codey Combs (Sussex Central, DE)It says a lot about the talent of the Alton brothers, that this would not be that much of an upset. Collin Palmer is the destructive-leg-riding Ohio Force, and Alton the technical, strong, gritty typical PA kid. I have to think that the summer that Andrew had is going to carry over. Taylor Massa is the nation's best freshman, and I think he adds to his impressive resume by placing just behind two of the best wrestlers at any weight. Shober will have a lot to say about that, and so will Nevinger, but this wouldn't be much fun if i always chose experience over youth! I'm probably selling Sandefer and Combs short, but they'll get their chance to prove me wrong.1451. Dylan Alton (Central Mountain, PA)2. David Habat (St. Ignatius, OH)3. Joey Napoli (Cumberland Valley, PA)4. Gabriel Bird (Osceola, FL)5. Kaleb Friedley (Park Hill, MO)6. Joey Cozart (Brandon, FL)7. Harrison Hightower (University, OH)8. Jackson Morse (Lowell, MI)9. Daniel Domanico (Lovett, GA)10. Emmanuel Ajagbe (Bogota, NJ)11. Derek Olson (Muskego, WI)12. Justin Martinez (Wyoming Seminary, PA)13. Kevin Timothy (Brandon, FL)14. Calib Rought (Fremont, MI)15. Taylor March (East Noble, IN)16. Blake Roulo (Matoaca, VA)First, I know Super 32 only places 8, but this weight class is the best, the deepest and the toughest. 135 and 119 may have more top-level guys, but pound for pound, this weight is going to battle after the 3rd round on. Consider, I have a MICHIGAN STATE CHAMP ranked 14th, and a Cadet Freestyle Second-Placer 16th. Is that too low? probably, but this is my blog and and I do what I want. Obviously Dylan Alton is valedictorian of the class. (and probably local heartthrob, to boot) The Fargo Double Winner just might be the best wrestler in high school. David Habat is a dangerous, dangerous wrestler. I think he manages to upend Napoli, if he meets him. Bird finished a super-suprising 3rd at Fargo Freestyle. He's a realy complete wrestler and a kid I've watched for the last 6 years or so. If he gets hot he'll make the finals. Friedley's current highlight is placing 3rd at Cadet Freestyle. One of my favorite wrestlers, Joey Cozart, I have ranked lower than his talent-level. Much in the same way his brother, I think his lack of willingness to committ to leg-attack offense is going to cost him. Especially with the format. A brawler with a gas tank, Cozart won't have the full six minutes to wear out opponents. Athletic NJ State Placer Ajagbe could burst a few bubbles too. (although I would like to see more than his recent Academy Award Performance on FLO - titled Daddy Don't Go. The scene where he holds his father leg in the fetal position and cries the tears of the African Slave Trade is forever etched in my silver-screen mind.)http://www.flowrestling.org/videos/coverage/view_video/110-2007-super-32-challenge/5363-emmanuel-ajagbe-vs-alex-eggers1521. Marshall Peppelman (Central Dauphin, PA)2. Brandon Rolnick (Lawrenceville School, NJ)3. Adam Miller (Sparta, MI)4. Taylor Knapp (Collins Hill, GA)5. Glenn Cannici (Queen of Peace, NJ)6. Alex Eggers (Osceola, FL)7. Issah Meade (Caesar Rodney, DE)8. Wally Figaro (Brandon, FL) UGH... this is the most boring weight class. Even though 285 may not have top-line talent, at least that weight is a toss up. Peppelman will walk through this tournament. Rolnick is a National Prep Winner, and I have to imagine will be game to make it to the finals. Taylor Knapp, a veteran of Collins Hill's annually tough schedule, will place and it wouldn't be beyond him to make it to the finals. Meade isn't as strong as his brother, but a similar talent is there. Alex Eggers is a phenomonal athlete and should place, as well as Brandon's (possibly JV) Wally Figaro. 1601. Jason Luster (Woodberry School, VA)2. Corey Lear (Benton, PA)3. Stephen West (Buchanon, CA)4. Justin Armstrong (Bishop Lynch, TX)5. Derek Felton (Corona Del Sol, AZ)6. Briar Runyan (Martinsville, IN)7. Zaqueray Berridge (Brandon, FL)8. John Nichols (Lakeland, FL)More of the Geriatric Derby, than Kentucky, 160 isn't loaded with a lot of thoroughbreds, but it'll be nice to see the development of now-freshman, former junior-high-phenom Jason Luster. Surprisingly absent through this last summer, we'll see how much he's developed. I probably have Armstrong too low, but Lear is probably the best guy at this weight. I like upsets, what can I say? 1711. Jacob Harmer (Gainesville, FL)2. Ed Ruth (Blair Academy, NJ)3. Tanner Eitel (Bishop Lynch, TX)4. Ethan Blackstock (Alexander, GA)5. Anthony Saulle (Delran, NJ)6. Nick Milano (Cathedral Prep, PA)7. Braden Carter (Christiansburg, VA)8. Levi Clemons (Osceola, FL)At the risk of angering my Facebook buddy, and giving bulletin-board material for Ruth and Blair Academy, I really think Harmer wins. Brutal on top, Harmer should get the 2 seed, and at the least, I hope, will be on the opposite side of the bracket of Ruth. They had a close, close match at NHSCA Duals, and I see the same thing here. Eitel and Blackstock should battle it out for third, but in retrospect, I probably have Saulle and Milano too low. Oh well. 1891. Joey Piro (Northhampton, PA)2. Dallas Brown (Delone Catholic, PA)3. Josh Smith (Octorara, PA)4. Nicholas Mills (University, OH)5. Caylor Williams (Palm Bay, FL)6. Derrick Borlie (Millbrook, VA)7. Dillon Kern (Fowlerville, MI)8. Billy Kurling (Great Bridge, VA)Due to injury, Jon Fausey (who is listed on the current entries, having paid before the deadline) is out.  So, expect an all PA semis. Of course, Mills and Williams may have something to say about that. Williams is as athletic as they come, especially at such a high weight class. 2151. Antonio Giorgio (Warwick, PA)2. Willie Wiggins (South Dade, FL)3. Nicholas McDiarmid (Fowlervile, MI)4. Preston Willared (Cox, VA)5. Ryan Nelisse (Elyria, OH)6. CJ Collins (Collins Hill, GA)7. Vinny Campanile (Lenape Valley, NJ)8. Pierce Embry (Kempsville, VA)Ech! I spit this weight class out with the stench and taste of a dead baby on Christmas Eve. Who can argue with a sophomore state runner-up from PA? Not you, not me, not LIMARTIN. Wiggins gets a chance to show the nation just how athletic he is. Don't know a thing about the rest of these guys! 2851.? Sam Brownlee (Canon-McMilan, PA) Honestly. Do you want me to be honest? No friggin clue!? Apparently, defending Super 32 champion Sam Brownlee is entered.Well, wrestling fans, until another absolutely mind-numbingly boring day at work, I bid you adieu. Feel free to destroy my person and send hate mail. Vhsalum http://www.flowrestling.org/blogs/blogger/Vhsalum/4347-super-32-preview Fri, 17 Oct 2008 08:08:00 -0500 http://www.flowrestling.org/blogs/blogger/Vhsalum/4273-scientific-approach-to-and-how-to-peak-wrestlers With the season upon us, and many programs in some phase of the "preseason" process, I think peaking is on the minds of every coach and athlete. In the past, I've been very disappointed with the lack of scientific research available with regards to the sport of wrestling. Currently, we, as a sport are severly lacking in ability to apply scientific evidence to our training programs, and what evidence is available is not easily located. If you have not been indoctrinated in a good program, with good, knowledgable coaches or do not have the funds to purchase the plethora of books and vhs/dvds available, it is really hard to increase one's knowledge of our sport. This site has broached the subject of peaking, and this blog is more of a how to - not specifics, but a base from which to build on. From both an athlete and coach perspective, hopefully I can shed some light for those who have the willingness to learn. Also, for those able, I highly recommend attending a Bronze Level Wrestling Clinic, available through USA Wrestling and your State (USA Wrestling) Office. This will give you a great base and if you feel passionate and have the time and resources available, attend the Silver Level Coaches College. Here, you will be able to rub elbows with and learn from some of the best and brightest in our sport. Enough shameless USA Wrestling plugging! On with what I promised: What is peaking? 4 keys to Peaking Recovery vs arousal Scheduling and Honesty Purpose of Preseason Peaking is the maximization of an athlete's physical and psychological ability. It is achieved through a systemic approach to acquistion of skills and increased work capacity. To achieve "peak" levels, an athlete must progress through consistent training states, each with varying degrees of difficulty and length. The higher degree of training, the higher degree of effectiveness. (This concept is my basis on the Purpose of Preseason) Every coach knows an athlete that seems to "turn it on" when the lights are brightest. Guys like Mark Perry, who despite any odds, wrestle at their best when the pressure is the greatest. Does this mean that other competitors are not "peaking?" Of course not! What it means is athletes like this trained physically and mentally to be at their best at the time they need it the most. The psychological factors i will get into a later date, after I have done a much more significant amount of research on the subject. The 4 keys to peaking are: Potential vs Recovery Near-perfect Neuromuscular Coordination Supercompensation Correct Unloading 1. Potential vs Recovery is simply put as, can a wrestler wrestle the maximum amount of time possible, with the ability to recover every time necessary? If your wrestler can wrestle triple overtime matches, in every round, and with 45 minute rest, wrestle again at the same level physically, you have reached this delicate balance. You must be in supreme phsyical shape, which is achieved only through a rigorous and intelligent training regimen. 2. Near-perfect Neuromuscular Coordination - Can an athlete perform his set of skills near perfectly, under duress and throughout a competition? Wrestlers must drill consistently and, in practice, near perfect, every time. They must do it when they are tired, they must do it when they are perfectly rested, they must do it without thinking, no matter the circumstances! This is why it is so important drill, drill constantly, drill hard and drill perfect. Also, coaches, you must drill "situations" in practice on a regular basis. The best practice I usually have is our "situation" practice. Pick any scenario you want and make it live (near-live is fine too). Example: Wrestler A is down 10 points and on his back, and he has 1min 45 secs to win the match, either by points or pin. Now your wrestler is actively thinking, under duress and hopefully, wrestling with great technique. 3. Supercompensation - Is your wrestler's body responding to each workout by being at a higher level? When you workout, your body recovers and increases its ability, to compensate for the previous strenuous activity. If you do not push your body consistently, it will decline, because it has no reason to "compensate" for physical activity. This is why varying your workouts and increasing the intensity is so effective. Your body is an adjustable organism, and if you don't give it a reason to adjust, it will plateau. Coaches - do whatever is necessary to change the way practice is structured. You can still cover the same things, but something as simple as changing the order will reap rewards. 4. Correct Unloading - Is a wrestler rested correctly? There is no exact science here, however, there reaches a moment when you can train no harder. You body is at its peak, physically. A wrestler can wrestle 5 (or six, whatever the magic number is) overtime matches at the same, high, level. At this point, it is absolutely necessary to rest the body. This means shorter practices, less intensity and ultmately day(s) off. A great example is what I call, "the descending week." Say a tournament is on saturday. On Monday we train intense for 2.5 hours. Tuesday train intense for 2 hours. Wednesday train light for 1.5 hours. Thursday light for 45 mins. Friday no practice (check weight, and train only to lose weight). Obviously, you can vary what your descending week is, but I highly recommend at LEAST 1 off day (other than a typical day) in that time period. A coach is solely responsible for correct unloading. He must communicate the whats and whens of resting as a means of training. Recovery vs Arousal - Is your wrestler excited about competing? A wrestler who is going to perform well, is a wrestler who is excited to compete. As a coach it is important to monitor and communicate with a wrestler how ready he is to compete. When talks about state, does he have noticeable excitement in his voice? When he talks about the state duals, does he talk about how excited he his to help the team win? When he talk about the Big Ten tourney, does he SOUND ready pin everybody he wrestles? In order to reach this level of awareness, there must be a trust between a wrestler and coach. A trust where the athlete will tell you if he DOESN'T feel like competing. At this time, it is important a coach figure out why. A coach must weigh outside pressures (friends, family, girlfriend, academics, drugs, alcohol, expectations, etc) vs the sport-specific (weight-cutting, proper rest at night, proper recovery between training, technique acquisition, etc.) A coach who can help enable his wrestler reach his or her own peak level of arousal will have an athlete capable of performing at his/her best (if all the other factors are included, of course!). This is where a coach must communicate through body language, emotion, speaking and actions in a manner that says you, yourself are excited. This is when it is vastly more important to disguise whatever frustrations or imperfections that are in your life, or your athlete's ability. Your athlete will believe it, because you believe it. This is the time when you must make your best speeches, be at your most excitable and be relaxed. In that descending week, play a lot of games! They are still training, the team is bonding, and there is no pressure. It's as if the most important competition of all doesn't exist! Coaches, find out if your wrestler likes you to get them riled up before walking on the mat. Maybe they like for you to go over the game plan before walking on the mat. I've had great success with telling a joke before they walk on the mat! Wrestler's need to have perspective and they need to be focused. Scheduling and Honesty - Do your wrestlers know when they are going to be competing and training? Be honest with your wrestler about the competition schedule and the training schedule. You don't have to give them the detailed practice schedule, and that doesn't mean you can't surprise them, but let them know ahead of time what type of practice will be instituted. If "Hell Week" is the next week, prep them. Let them know to be ready, prepared and focused for the pain that will come in the coming workouts. And more importantly, tell them WHY it's "Hell Week." Tell them what they are going to get out of it. This is what athletes want to hear. Earlier, I touched upon the idea that the higher degree of training, the higher degree of effectiveness. Now, there are those who will disagree with me, but I do not believe in "wrestling into shape." Scientifically, the athlete will not be able to function at a capable level, one that is indicative of his true ability. You do not make the same mistakes when you are in shape as when you are not. It is better to have as much important and specific information as possible. When a wrestler competes, what areas can he improve? As a coach, I believe it is impossible to know what areas my athletes truly need to improve on, if they are not able to wrestle at a high level (notice, not "peak" level). This is why preseason is so important. Through a combination of "open mats" and conditioning workouts, use the preseason to get your athletes at a level where they can wrestle 5 matches in one day. Not necessarily overtime matches, but physically, your wrestler can recover and compete, match after match at a high level (notice, not "peak" level). Now, when you do see them in actual match you will have a much better gauge on what an athlete truly needs to improve on, versus saying "he needs to be in better shape." Use the preseason as a means in which, you can focus in-season on drilling near-perfectly and live situations. Ultimately, a coach, just like an athlete, must progress and increase his knowledge and effectiveness as a coach. Read literature on leadership, research articles on the body, the effects of training on the body, learn the newest techniques, watch matches, talk to other coaches, go to coaches clinics, etc. Much in the same way a wrestler will reach a plateau, so will you too as a coach if you are not constantly and consistently learning and applying new knowledge. Vhsalum http://www.flowrestling.org/blogs/blogger/Vhsalum/4273-scientific-approach-to-and-how-to-peak-wrestlers Fri, 10 Oct 2008 11:11:00 -0500 http://www.flowrestling.org/blogs/blogger/Discman/4264-in-the-iowa-room I am sitting in a cafe thinking about the one day I have spent with Iowa. It has been amazing. Growing up, I had this idea about how intense and tough Iowa wrestling was. My brother and I used to watch Gable Supreme before school. My Dad would tell us about the "in your face" Iowa style of wrestling, and I would see them at tournaments pushing the pace. It was not until yesterday that I truly understood, and even now I am only beginning to understand because I am watching from the side with a camera in my hand. What am I thinking? Maybe the only people who understand are out there on the mat, some getting crunched over and over again, and some dishing out ass whippings as if that is what they were born to do. Before practice coach Brands did his pre practice speech, and he had me turn the camera off. I wish he would have let me film. His speech got my blood boiling, and I wished that I were still wrestling. I could have run through a brick wall after that speech. If this is what it is like before every practice, I can see how those wrestlers put themselves through this pace over and over again. The camera could have stayed on three groups, in particular, the whole time. The hand fighting and sense of urgency that was running through the room was at an amazing level. Coach Schwab and Brent Metcalf were going and going and going. Both of them looked hungry. Coach Brands was putting the wrestlers through what I thought was the toughest practice I have ever seen. I don't know if it was what he was putting them through or if it was the way the wrestlers turned a practice room into battleground, it seemed as if every short go was the last 15 seconds of the national finals. Coach Brands seemed to have ways to work these wrestlers incredibly hard while raising them up at the same time. He has a definite way with words. I know that many of the wrestlers were struggling. I could hear it, but they kept on going. After practice, the mats were like a pool. Many wrestlers just sat there; I wish I knew what they were thinking. I wonder if they had enough energy left to even think. Coach Brands stuck around the room for a long time after practice. Many wrestlers came to him for advice. He would tell them what he thought in a way that would make them think, too. In my mind, the members of this team go through more demanding workouts everyday than the toughest workout of most people's entire life. Discman http://www.flowrestling.org/blogs/blogger/Discman/4264-in-the-iowa-room Thu, 09 Oct 2008 10:18:00 -0500 http://www.flowrestling.org/blogs/blogger/Vhsalum/4179-2009-world-team-predictions 121 - Matt Azevedo (Sunkist Kids) 132 - Shawn Bunch (USOTC) 145.5 - Schwab (Hawkeye WC) 163 - Ryan Churella (Overtime) 185.5 - Andy Hrovat (Overtime) 211.5 - Kurt Backes (Sunkist Kids) 264 - Steve Mocco (Hawkeye WC) Now some discussion: 121 - Cejudo has his Olympic gold, does he now try to make money? He's hiring an agent for a reason people, and it ain't to go to college or wrestle for Turkmenistan. Azevedo is obviously next in line, and as long as Henson is his coach, he's the man. Nick Simmons will surprise some people and do damage, but what's next for this weight class. I don't see Cejudo wrestling in 2009. I definitely think he will come back for the next season, however. It all depends on how much money he can make with his Olympic Gold success. Does he make enough to live comfortably, does he get an endorsement deal or two, where he only has to make a commercial or two a year and appear at Corporate Yearly Awards Ceremony? 132 - Shawn Bunch is next. He is living in Colorado Springs now, and I really see him evolving into the next great athletic phenom. Under Zeke Jones he'll learn how to wrestle on top as well. I don't know if Zadick is done, but if he's not going to wrestle internationally, he needs to be. Gallick is still there as well, but same goes for him - his head coach is still making international trips, why isn't he? 145.5 - Schwab doesn't look to be done, and I hope he wrestles more international matches this year. Now begs the question - we know that Terry Brands will be HC of the Hawkeye WC, but does that mean they guys are actually going to list them as their club? Meaning, is the Hawkeye club going to be footing the bill for these guys? Everyone wants to talk about the return of the Hawkeye WC, but that won't happen until they start paying some money to these guys. 163 - Churella is my surprise pick. Kevin Jackson has high thoughts of him, and he placed 3rd at Seniors and 4th at the Olympic Trials. That is surprising success for a first timer, and Bormet has proven he can develop world team members (believe me, Hrovat does not beat Lawal without Bormet). Also, Travis "Muscle Boy" Paulson is right there as well, but I'm anxious to see how well he develops while coaching at Nebraska (i.e. no cael sanderson as a daily influence/coach). I understand Tyrone Lewis isn't done, but I think he has reached his ceiling. The fact that he couldn't beat a 6 month freestyler (askren) doesn't give me much confidence in his ability to improve. 185.5 - Hrovat is slowly turning me into a believer. His almost win against Adam Saitiev at the World Cup showed he has a lot of ability. Also, if he doesn't folkstyle in the waning seconds of his match at the Olympics, I think he makes it to the semis, and ultimately medal contention. Varner will finish second behind Hrovat these next few years I think. I hate Varner so much. Wrestling-wise, I think he has more talent than anyone except for his head coach. But he doesn't exert himself to dominance in any form. Without passivity, hey, freestyle is going to be great to Varner, and I think he beats Hrovat for the 2012 Olympics. 211.5 - Backes is definitely next. Now here starts an interesting dynamic as well. Sunkist Kids has a ridiculous roster and, year in and year out could be named the best club in the US. Does new Head Coach KJ make Sunkist Kids club members train at the sprawling Riches Wrestling Complex? Doubtful, unless mr. martori can afford to give living expenses to the guys that are coaching. Also, does KJ push his guys to train at the USOTC, like he did while the HC there? Doubtful, but none-the-less interestling, considering how much he wants the US to be best freestyle nation in the world (which will take much more dedication to year-round freestyle training). 264.5 - Mocco is doing the right things. He wrestles internationally, and will follow Brands to Iowa. Brands is a proven coach at the international level, I just hope that living in Iowa City will not be a setback to Mocco's development as a freestyler (I think it will be). Scott Steele is an interesting case. After graduation does he enter the Navy or Army? If he enters Navy, they don't have a program where he can train solely on wrestling, a la the WCAP that Dremiel Byers and the rest of the Army guys have. Tervel Dlagnev has to discussed as well; light in the butt with great movement, he's fun to watch. He's a member of the Sunkist Kids and I think he would develop well under Kevin Jackson. Vhsalum http://www.flowrestling.org/blogs/blogger/Vhsalum/4179-2009-world-team-predictions Wed, 01 Oct 2008 10:10:00 -0500 http://www.flowrestling.org/blogs/blogger/Martino/4178-terry-brands-goes-to-iowa So it is official, Terry brands, Henry Cejudo and Steve Mocco are off to Iowa. Those two along with Mike Zadick and Doug Schwab make four 2008 olympians training at one school. Don't forget about the slew of other contenders starting with Jared Frayer. NCAA wrestling is again facing the black clowd of Iowa hawkeyes that seem to hang in the background of everyone's conciousness. This black clowd leads to tenative 18 year old boys hesitating to the wrestlers in the black and gold with a determined Brands coach in their corner, check that, two determined brands coaches. Both will be expect total domination. These perceptions leads to an increased confidence and expectations for Iowa wrestlers as they slowly morph into what people view them as: trained killers that the brand brothers specifically sculpted. It becomes a self fulfilling destiny for their competitors. This does not imply that the Iowa hawkeyes don't deserve what they get afterall they work their butts off. Nor does it imply they couldn't win without this wave of confidence and by the aura of the brands brothers.Terry brands is off to a school where he can live without the politics that are so abundant at the otc. Its not really suprising that he makes this move as Terry Brands might be the worse bureaucrat of all time. He doesn't like to play games nor kiss ass. It is against his nature. God bless him. With him goes his faithful following of Mocco and Cejudo who were the most successful of the Olympic freestyle team in 2008. This leads a baren otc that Zeke Jones takes over.Rich Bender, the president of USA wrestling is in the buisness of producing Olympic gold medalists. Rich benders problem, or a symptom of it, is that one of his biggest assets is moving away from freestyle and into NCAA wrestling where the politics aren't nearly as thick. Making matters worse is that He takes along loyal disciples who happen to be America's best freestylers.If there were to be only one truth in this world that I know it is that Terry brands loves wrestling. He lives his life like it were a wrestling match, intense, pure and full of his free will. Sometimes this is to his detriment as life isn't a wrestling match. These are insignificant details to Terry Brands. He pushes forward away from the otc and back into college wrestling.At Iowa you can expect Terry Brands goals to be to create a dominating dynasty that sets him up for the next Big 10 or Big 12 head coach opening. If and when this happens he will leave to have something of his own. Afterall this is his wrestling match and his free will, not his brothers.When Terry does have a program of his own the collegiate wrestling nation as a whole will breathe a collective sigh of relief. After all, at that time you will have the Brands brothers competing against each other and splitting top recruits that are more likely to train in that Iowa Style and culture. Martino http://www.flowrestling.org/blogs/blogger/Martino/4178-terry-brands-goes-to-iowa Wed, 01 Oct 2008 09:09:00 -0500 http://www.flowrestling.org/blogs/blogger/Vhsalum/4181-2009-gr-world-team-predictions I would be amiss if I didn't give a preview for my favorite style of wrestling! 121 - Sam Hazewinkel (Gator) 132 - Spenser Mango (USOEC) 145.5 - Jake Dietchler (MN Storm) 163 - TC Dantzler (Gator) 185.5 - Brad Ahearn (Army) 211.5 - RC Johnson (Sunkist Kids) 264.5 - Dremiel Byers (Army) 121 - Although I am going to miss the Hazewinkel vs Mango battles, this is what's really best for the country. Hazewinkel has a ton of international experience and actually defeated the Olympic Champion overseas. (I can't remember if it was University's or another tournament) Hazewinkel will not be challenged here for a while. A true student of the game, I am glad he didn't make the switch to freestyle as was rumored a couple of years ago. My heart wants to put Eric Grajales as a future challenger for this weight class, but I don't think he'll make the weight. Jimmy Chase has bright future and with the support of the Binghamton coaches, it sounds like he'll receive a LOT of Greco training. 132 - Spenser Mango is the man, and Betterman will be a continual third placer, too.... Teyon Ware! A dirty little rumor, yes, but I hope it does come to fruition. Ware and Haze are best buddies, and I think Ware moving to Greco gives Mango a challenge here. Here is where I plug in Eric Grajales, a Florida Boy who is an intense wrestler who loves to score. 145.5 - Jake Dietchler will cement himself as the nation's best at this weight class. Training at the USOTC year round, look for Dietchler to medal in his first year competing at the Worlds. Mark Rial, the last US wrestler to beat Dietchler will have a thing or two to say about that, however. Also, Jacob Curby, wrestling for the USOEC will have an impact at this weight as well. Coaches Ivanov and Gruenwald have proven that no one should overlook a wrestler coming out of that program 163 - I think Dantzler will give a go another year, two at max. He's an incredible athlete, you just wonder when age/injuries will finally catch up to him. He is obviously in a great situation, with a business that homes in Colorado Springs, so he trains daily at the USOTC. I think 3 years from now Harry Lester makes a comeback at this weight (remember, you heard it here first!). This weight class has a lot of talent as well. Jake Fisher, Andrew Bisek, Talan Knox and Marco Toledo are names to look for in the future. 185.5 - Brad Ahearn takes over at this weight. After defeating Brad Vering at Senior Nationals, I really thought Ahearn would become an Olympian. Unfortunately, breaking his hand at the University World Team Trials really affected his ability to wrestle at his best. No such luck for the nation this year. I'm not sure how much international wrestling Ahearn has done, but I certainly hope the Army program allows to him to get at least 25 international matches. 211.5 - With the retirement of Justin Ruiz, a greco young RC Johnson should take over at this weight class (26). I think his toughest challenge will come in the form of Robbie Smith and Justin Millard 264.5 - Dremiel Byers is another ageless wonder, to go with Mr. Dantzler. He hasn't lost any of the ability he showed in winning a World Title back in 2002. An inexplicable performance at the Olympics will be the motivating force behind Byers returning to the medal stand at the 2009 World Championships. Younger guns Timothy Taylor and Russ Davie will continue to push Byers, but I don't see Byers vacating his spot atop the ladder until after the 2012 Olympics. High School Young Guns: 121 - Tyler Cox, Ryan Mango, Jimmy Chase 132 - Kyle Dake, Eric Grajales, Ellis Coleman 145.5 - Zach Clemente, Kendrick Sanders 185.5 - Brent Haynes Vhsalum http://www.flowrestling.org/blogs/blogger/Vhsalum/4181-2009-gr-world-team-predictions Wed, 01 Oct 2008 01:01:00 -0500 http://www.flowrestling.org/blogs/blogger/Rollie/4107-the-mountain Here is a quote from a book called Rules for Radicals by Saul Alinsky. The book itself has nothing to do with wrestling or even athletics, but I found this passage particularly inspiring. He illustrates better than I can the concept of Jumping Levels through his image of a mountain. In his flowrestling blog, Matt Valenti says he pictures The Comfort Zone as a box to be stretched; I picture it as a mountain, waiting to be climbed. Enjoy the hike. “If we think of the struggle as a climb up a mountain, then we must visualize a mountain with no top. We see a top, but when we finally reach it, the overcast rises and we find ourselves merely on a bluff. The mountain continues on up. We now see the “real” top ahead of us, and strive for it, only to find we’ve reached another bluff, the top still above us. And so it goes on, interminably. Knowing that the mountain has no top, that it is a perpetual quest from plateau to plateau, the question arises, “Why the struggle, the conflict, the heartbreak, the danger, the sacrifice. Why the constant climb?” Our answer is the same as that which a real mountain climber gives when he is asked why he does what he does. “Because it’s there.” Because life is there ahead of you and either one tests oneself in its challenges or huddles in the valleys in a dreamless day-to-day existence whose only purpose is the preservation of an illusory security and safety. The latter is what the vast majority of people choose to do, fearing the adventure into the unknown. Paradoxically, they give up the dream of what may lie ahead on the heights of tomorrow for a perpetual nightmare—an endless succession of days fearing the loss of a tenuous security.” PS: Anyone who has ever climbed the Cog Trail in Colorado Springs, knows exactly the feeling of reaching the "fake" top. Rollie http://www.flowrestling.org/blogs/blogger/Rollie/4107-the-mountain Thu, 25 Sep 2008 00:19:00 -0500 http://www.flowrestling.org/blogs/blogger/Matt.valenti/4019-the-comfort-zone The "comfort zone." The place that 99.9% of people spend 99.9% of their time. It's that area where everything in life is relatively easy and exertion is minimal. Not necessarily an area of complacency or carelessness, but that zone where life is set on cruise control. If things get too difficult people back off. If things get too easy they step up a little bit. It's a place where mediocrity is most prevalent and where average is the norm. Some challenges are faced, but the risk is minimal and people are rarely over-extending themselves in any direction. This includes simple everyday tasks, but can be applied to life in general. The "comfort zone" is where most people spend most of their time. I'm not saying this is a bad area. Everyone, myself included, spends time in this "comfort zone." It's an area that I would characterize as basic sanity. We all need to spend time essentially being normal, and that is where this area of our lives comes into play. Wrestlers, and all elite athletes for that matter, tend to spend less time in the "comfort zone" than the average person. This is what separates us from the rest. Obviously I cannot speak for all athletes, and since I'm not yet included in the elite, Olympic athlete category I can't claim to have competed at the highest levels of the sport. That being said, this is something that consumed a lot of my wrestling career. I believe that it is something that has shaped who I am and has had a significant effect on the success of my training. That is, to put it simply, getting outside of the "comfort zone." I like to think of the "comfort zone" as a flexible box. Everyone, at some point or another, hits the walls of the box. Some people even begin to stretch the wall a little bit. They may feel some mild discomfort and everything gets a little bit tougher. Yet when it really starts to get difficult, when things are the most trying, most people simply bounce back to the center of the box. Again they return to the "comfort zone." Those people who stretch the wall of that box to it's limits, and then keep pushing until they break through - those are the exceptional people. Wrestlers spend almost all of their training time stretching the walls of the "comfort zone" box. Many stretch it to it's limits but eventually return to the middle. Some manage to breakthrough. Those wrestlers that break that barrier, who push themselves after they weren't supposed to go any further, those are the most successful. This is the guy who runs so hard that he can't keep down breakfast, gets sick, then gets up and runs even harder. The wrestler who is having a bad day, gets pounded in practice, is so tired that he can't stand, but fights back to his feet and earns that last takedown. The nut who does their max number of squat repetitions, who's legs have failed, but calls up something from deep inside and screams through one last rep. Hitting that moment where every bone, muscle and tendon in your body hurts, where the sport seems awful and miserable, where you want to quit, but you find that spark deep inside and turn it into a raging fire. The wrestlers that break through that barrier are the ones that people look at in a funny way and everyone thinks is crazy. These are the wrestlers who truly succeed. Perhaps it's a temporary insanity. Maybe it is just flat out nuts. Yet I would bet that any of the world's top wrestler could share a story about stretching the comfort zone and breaking through the barrier. We all will bounce off the walls of the box at some point. It is only human. Those who manage to breakthrough to the point of discomfort, and then keep pushing - those are the truly successful. Matt.valenti http://www.flowrestling.org/blogs/blogger/Matt.valenti/4019-the-comfort-zone Wed, 17 Sep 2008 17:26:00 -0500 http://www.flowrestling.org/blogs/blogger/Mister74kilo/3951-message-81-face-the-giants-in-your-life We all Have Giants to Over come in Our Life...I'm Dealing With Some Right Now...We Must However Face Them in Order to Defeat Them. Giants are the difficult things (or they could be failures) you are dealing with in your Life right now! What ever they are...These are your Giants! If you're an athlete and your giant was a bad performance, then in order to understand what really happened, you must face it "head on" with honesty and humility. The same is true no matter what your giant is. You may have more than one giant in your life. You've got to fact them though..."head on"...no matter how difficult. If you don't face them then you'll never defeat "the Giant" and have a break through. To break through something there's got to be some force applied. So if you want a break through you're going to have to apply some force. The bigger the giant...the more force that's needed. A Break Through can only occur by facing the challenge ("the Giant") with with honesty and humility...and remember to CARRY A BIG STICK! Mister74kilo http://www.flowrestling.org/blogs/blogger/Mister74kilo/3951-message-81-face-the-giants-in-your-life Sat, 13 Sep 2008 12:56:00 -0500 http://www.flowrestling.org/blogs/blogger/Rollie/3950-jumping-levels As I move back into school this year, it brings me back to a harder time: the beginning of my sophomore year. My roommate, Thomas, and I had to completely repaint and fix up our new room, which was debris-laden and disgusting at best. Due to an error in the housing arrangements, we were forced to live in the basement of the house. The only problem was that it wasn’t actually a room, but the former kitchen. We hauled bag after bag of trash out before we could even move our furniture in. Upon moving in, we found three dead rats (one was cleaned to the bone) and scores of dead cockroaches. On top of all this, the rigorous academic year had just started, and preseason wrestling was as grueling as ever. We were lifting three times a week and running more 400s that I could count on my fingers. Day-in and day-out, it was exhausting on the mind and body. Needless to say, I was very stressed out. When all aspects of my life seemed dismal, suddenly there was a glimmer of light. That glimmer came when Thomas returned home one day with an Xbox and the game Guitar Hero. I’ve never been crazy about video games, and I had not played this one before, but I figured, what the hell, it’ll help pass the time. I was hooked immediately. For those of you who’ve never played Guitar Hero, you’re missing out. Like I said, I have never enjoyed video games, but this one was different. Instead of a classic Nintendo controller, players use a near life-sized electronic guitar to simulate real play. You have to strum it and hit the right frets to play along with popular songs on the screen. I started off on Easy mode. I’d like to say that I was a natural—that I took to it like a fish to the sea—but that would be a lie, I was horrible. I played on Easy mode for a long time, learning the ropes before trying the harder levels. A few times, I tried playing Medium, but failed right away. So I stayed in the kiddie pool, refusing to jump into the proverbial ‘deep end’. The game started to consume me and I played it incessantly, but I wasn’t getting any better. Then one time Thomas called me out, “You’re never going to get better unless you stop messing around on the easy levels.” It was as if he had challenged my manhood. Was he calling me weak? I’d show him. So I took the plunge into Medium…and failed…then I failed again…and again. Determined to succeed, I must have failed 15 times before I could complete a song on Medium, but once I got there it was a breeze. Looking back, the Easy level was almost laughable. How could I have ever been that bad? So I played on, trying to master Medium. Another time, my friend Rodrigo challenged me to a head-to-head match on Hard. I tried backing down, “No way, I’ll get my ass kicked.” “Come on, man. You gotta try it sometime.” “But you have to use all four fingers on Hard, there’s no way I could do that.” Eventually he convinced me to play and proved me right—I got crushed. But I played on, and eventually I could manage on Hard. Looking back, the Medium level was almost laughable. How could I have ever been that bad? So I played on, trying to master Hard. You get the point. Sometimes, the level above us seems daunting, so we avoid it. It is the Unknown and Unfamiliar, and it’s a little frightening. I was comfortable playing Easy, and winning. It is always comforting to know you can succeed without any challenges. The price of that comfort is that you never progress. When you stray from your comfort zone, it is not easy. There are new challenges and overwhelming obstacles you will have to face, but it is these struggles that define and sharpen your resolve. This applies to all aspects of life; when you push yourself past your comfort zone, you are forced to adapt, quickly. In the process of ‘jumping into the deep end’ you perform on a higher plane and eventually make a distinct jump to a higher level. Think of the first time you did something scary and how uncomfortable you were. Push past it and it’s no longer a challenge. Take the jump. Jump levels. Rollie http://www.flowrestling.org/blogs/blogger/Rollie/3950-jumping-levels Sat, 13 Sep 2008 11:11:00 -0500 http://www.flowrestling.org/blogs/blogger/Mister74kilo/3909-message-80-focus-on-the-win-not-the-opponent Visualize the VICTORY not the PRESSURE you feel... You have to completely embrace the idea that with all accomplishment there is PRESSURE. In fact the greater the accomplishment...the greater the pressure...I agree with Billie Jean King, perhaps the greatest female tennis player ever, that "Pressure is a Privilege". I'll take it a step further. "PRESSURE IS THE PRIVILEGE OF CHAMPIONS". If you really want to be a champion...start accepting the pressure that comes as a privilege.."a sort of right of passage". Typically when you feel pressure it's because you're thinking about an opponent. Think about it for a moment....The more you think about your opponent the more you feel the pressure. The opponent doesn't matter really. If you really want the victory you're going to have to beat everybody anyway. When I competed I didn't think about my opponents too much...What I did however is spend a lot of time thinking about how I was going to win. Mister74kilo http://www.flowrestling.org/blogs/blogger/Mister74kilo/3909-message-80-focus-on-the-win-not-the-opponent Tue, 09 Sep 2008 23:30:00 -0500 http://www.flowrestling.org/blogs/blogger/Rollie/3905-valhalla There was a day when it was noble to die on the field of battle, clutching your sword until your last breath sputtered out. In ancient Norse mythology, only those who died bravely in battle were sent to an afterlife in Valhalla. This was the warrior’s ideal end—not a thing to run from, but to seek. At tournaments, often you hear, “I hope I don’t have to wrestle so-and-so…he’s a state champ.” There is nothing wrong with the fear of losing, as it is something that gives nightmares to even the best wrestlers. But to allow your fear of losing to overshadow your competitive drive is worse than losing. It is cowardice. The competitor who fears competition runs from the inevitable. Just as the warrior believes that death is inescapable and it is better to end gloriously, losing is a given. There will always be someone, someday, who will beat you. The sooner you get over that the better. The true competitor doesn’t run from this, but tries to find his or her own Valhalla. I have never had an undefeated season, and I don’t plan on it. Every year, I have had someone challenge me, push me, and beat me. And I have come out better because of it. Whether it’s up a weight class or at a national tournament, there is always a way to lose. It’s better to go down swinging against a good opponent than to breeze through a mediocre one. This doesn’t just apply to big matches and screaming fans. The easiest and most painless way to do this is in the wrestling room, every day. Look around, find the best guy, and go catch a beating. You will be better for it. The original piece can be found here: http://masswrestling.com/rollie/archives/valhalla. Rollie http://www.flowrestling.org/blogs/blogger/Rollie/3905-valhalla Tue, 09 Sep 2008 13:13:00 -0500 http://www.flowrestling.org/blogs/blogger/Baskren/3745-signing-off Well I figured I would wrap up the whole experience, even though I havent wanted to think about it much lately. Then tell you where the future is going to take me. So I lost, I didnt live up to the guarentees I put forth. I have to keep being reminded that making the Olympics in the first place is a great accomplishment. It isn't the first time I haven't lived up to a guarantee I put out and it probably wont be the last. When asked a question I will tell you exactly what I think without pulling any punches and I hope you can appreciate that. I always saw the pressure Cael was under and imagined what it would be like, I have no idea of knowing what 159-0 pressure is, but I have gotten to the point in the sport where I have to win everything all the time. This pressure is inflicted by myself, but it can really wear me out, I can understand why Cael wanted to be done. As far as my future goes I am not sure about it yet, I know two things for sure. I will be going on two vacations in September, they are well needed and deserved. Secondly I will be at the University of Missouri until Max graduates. It is a promise I made him when he came to Mizzou is that I would be there as long as he would. I knew I needed him to reach my pinnacle and I want to do the same for him. He has been a big part of any title run I have made in my life. A lot of people insist I should go elsewhere to train, but I gave him my word and keeping my word is more important than anything tangible could be. I might fight, I might wrestle, I am not really sure right now. Lets get one thing straight though, MY decision isn't based on monetary gain, I am doing pretty well for myself wrestling. Sure I am not getting rich, but who does wrestling to get rich? Would my life be easier if I got more than a measley $7,500 stipend from USA wrestling for the whole year for being the #1 guy? Of course it would, but I really dont know if that would translate into me being a better wrestler. I have wanted to fight for a long time and it isn't because of the money, it is because I think it would be fun and it would be a great challenge. Am I upset because there is a chance I will have a large monetary gain from it? You must be crazy. So I will drive home to Columbia today, I am so excited to be back, China just wasn't for me. I hope you appreciate that fact that I share my innermost thoughts with you and you can refrain yourself from childishly deriding what I think. Have a great day, I will. Ben Baskren http://www.flowrestling.org/blogs/blogger/Baskren/3745-signing-off Wed, 27 Aug 2008 05:41:00 -0500 http://www.flowrestling.org/blogs/blogger/Mister74kilo/3742-message-78-olympic-wrestling-champ-henry-cejudo-embodies-the-american-dream I've Watched This Man Work and Train...He Also Embodies an Incredible Work Ethic, Incredible Discipline and an Incredible Desire to Win and Succeed!CONGRATULATIONS HENRY!Henry is also the youngest American to win a Olympic or World Championship!? Congratulations Again Henry! http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/more/06/05/cejudo0611/index.html http://www.latimes.com/sports/olympics/la-spw-olywrestling20-2008aug20,0,6050221.story Mister74kilo http://www.flowrestling.org/blogs/blogger/Mister74kilo/3742-message-78-olympic-wrestling-champ-henry-cejudo-embodies-the-american-dream Tue, 26 Aug 2008 23:23:00 -0500 http://www.flowrestling.org/blogs/blogger/Martino/3718-my-2008-olympic-experience So I'm sitting in s Tokyo airport watching USA vs Brazil gold medal match in volleyball with only a blackberry in hand and I thought I would do the impossible of writing this whole blog with my thumbs..... Overall china did OK with the Olympics, their wrestling logistics and organization was outstanding, getting into some of the other venues like the birds nest was a nightmare.....like 40 minute waits to just get inside the green, not even the stadium, and although security was the reason they had these delays I wasn't impressed with it. Taxis could be an absolute nightmare as well, and they were getting more greedy and a little more shady as the Olympics went on, like taking the long way around to a destination. Sometimes getting into a taxi would be your biggest problem, could be an hour long ordeal outside the Olympic green, doing this every time was a little old .....overall these are details in the big picture of a successful games. China has invested 40 billion into the games and I really want to know what is going to happen after this whole thing is over. I loved smiling and high fiving with the top Chinese commy guards because I know they never remotely have that happen by their mannerisms before and after I approach them. I have to let them know that they are human to and their shit stinks just like the rest of us. I wouldn't do that without the games going on though. The Chinese were basically correct about the pollution rolling out, but for the first 6 or 7 days it hurt my eyes and breathing. The fireworks at the opening ceremonies you saw on TV were fake, or preshot, because the smog was so thick on that day you wouldn't be able to see them. That along with the girl lip syncing because the real 10 year old singer wasn't beautiful enough doesn't really go along with the Olympic spirit. Many would argue a lot of things china does wouldn't go along with the Olympic spirit but this aint a political blog by any means so let's get back to the wrestling. For the USA we secured 3 of the 72 distributed medals in wrestling and 1 of the 18 gold medals. I think everyone can agree this was about as low as we have gotten as a wrestling country. Terry brands had a pretty good showing as his two proteges, Mocco and Henry Cejudo did the best out of the whole freestyle team, But Mocco didn't get a medal as he couldn't convert in the clinch. If the freestyle team had a dismal showing the Greco team had a horrible showing. One bronze medal out of 7 weight classes isn't acceptable for the USA. The women's freestyle team had Decent showing as 3 of the 4 weight classes were in the medal round. That's not bad but still only one bronze medal to show for it means they missed out on key opportunities. Things ain't getting easier: This is our worst showing in wrestling probably ever. There are many reasons for this but I'm going to focus on the major problem facing USA wrestling in the next couple of years. Unless a major change is made these Olympic games results in Beijing may be considered an outstanding showing for the USA relative to 2012 and 2016...... A scary thought. The people that USA wrestling cannot lose as we start a new Olympic cycle are a wide variety of personalities and view points..... they are all important pieces of the bigger puzzle. They are symbolic and represent a lot of different people out there. Their decisions will be followed by others and their absence will have ripple effects. 1. Terry brands - If there is a person or such a thing that is incorruptible it is Terry brands. He was the mastermind behind Henry Cejudo.....USA s lone gold medal. USA wrestling needs his drive and his leadership for all the wrestlers that fit his mentality and style. Furthermore he is a person who if he doesn't believe in the system he can't put his heart and soul into it. USA wrestling needs Terry brands to believe in them because if he does than they know they are on the right track. Now I don't mean to suggest that USA wrestling has to be run with only all the ideals of Terry brands, but they have to have a system where a guy like Terry brands can work his art. The only way for Terry to truly work his art with enjoyment is if he believes in USA wrestling. If Terry brands has to work his art without enjoyment because he can't speak his mind, or even if he does it has no impact or he won't speak up for any other political reasons, he won't be at that organization for long. 2. Ben Askren - Before USA wrestling had a monopoly on anyone wrestler wanting to follow their athletic dreams. For people to express themselves creatively and use their talents to reach ultimate flo they had to try out for the Olympics where the best competition was. Now people can tweak their wrestling and become successful in MMA and still reach that flo. Furthermore they do not have to deal with relatively low recognition and salaries that would make any college graduate forced to take second jobs simply to be able to live like they lived in college. Even if you love wrestling it is hard not to be lured to this new promise land of freedom and opportunity. As Ben alluded to in his post Olympic performance, he may be heading in that direction. If a 4x finalist, 2x NCAA champ who lost a total of one period between the us open and Olympic trials on his way to becoming an Olympian, won't stick around for wrestling than USA wrestling, and his competitors at 74kg.....Tyrone Lewis and Ryan Churella are in serious trouble. If this happens USA wrestling and his competitors just lost a steel tool to help them get to the next level and get a gold medal in 2012......again steel sharpens steel. 3. Mo Lawal - The people that may need mo best, besides USA wrestling, are his USA competitors at 84 kg. Mo is a bundle of talent and he is a raw specimen bursting with potential. Furthermore he has a personality that is hard not to love. He is a media persons dream bc he always has something funny yet insightful to say... Which is a bonus to his wrestling skills. Steel sharpens steel on any level and you can't see better examples of that than in Russia, where they ritually leave world and Olympic champs sitting at home to watch the Olympics and wcs. The reason USA wrestling may lose Mo, is not because he doesn't love the sport but because of pure capitalism. Mo Lawal is starting to train for a career in MMA where he won't have to struggle for financial existence if he has the same type of success that he has had in wrestling. The Russians are set for life with a gold medal, furthermore the 2, 3, 4 and 5 guys are not trying to justify to their family members and ultimately themselves to follow their dream because they can't afford to buy an automobile. They are admired and revered by society and the guys ranked at 6, 7 and 8 want to move up the ladder. Mo doesn't come from a lot of money and wrestling should allow him a way up in societies economic ladder. If USA wrestling can't convince a guy like mo Lawal to stick around where he is all but guaranteed a spot in the top 3 for USA, then they lost any edge that they have had. 4. Steve Mocco - Steve didn't have the showing he wanted in the Olympics, for competitors that drives them to come back better and stronger in the next performance. Steve is a competitor if you have ever seen one. He also won't stay on a boat in turmoil to be a martyr as we saw with his transfer from Iowa to OSU in college. He understands what is needed to reach his full potential and isn't afraid to try other sports like he did in college with football. If Steve can't have the resources of Terry brands than he may just decide to make a departure move. Another huge reason to find a way to keep Terry Brands. 5. Adam Wheeler - Adam wheeler is a guy who has tasted Olympic glory but should want more. He is a surprise medalist with a bunch of future potential. Does he feel that USA wrestling can hold his future potential, or will it constrain it? Will he end up romping up his training for the gold or will he walk away from the table while he is ahead and move to something more promising? 6. Clarissa Chun - Here is a beautiful bright woman who is a fierce competitor ie.....very marketable for the sport. She reached the semifinals and was real close to becoming a finalist and medalist. This was her first Olympics and USA wrestling needs to find a way to keep athletes like Chun around. I doubt Chun is considering going to the MMA, but a person like Chun can be successful at a lot of things......wrestling needs to be one of them. 7. Sean Bormet - Like him or hate him, I guess he has as many haters as me, Sean does good work on many different levels of wrestling. His most powerful feature is the way he can connect all the levels together. His nationally recognized club was originally modeled after Ernie Monaco s, the edge in nj.....a club that USA wrestling saw as a threat and battled in the early days of its existence. Lucky for Sean he is on USA wrestling's good side, or maybe I should have it the other way around. Sean has started a trend in Illinois with iwrestling clubs and Illinois is one of if not the best states around come Fargo. He holds a lot of power in Illinois with his influence and knowledge.....not just in wrestling but in biusness know how on making a club economically feasible. At the end of the day we have to make wrestling self sustain and Sean is showing that it can be done. Sean is meticulous at constantly studying the sport and is rising the ranks of wrestling coaches fast at the national level. He was the mastermind behind Olympian Andy Hrovat yet still has to pay his way out to the Olympics because he is not formally an Olympic coach. Sean Bormet's loyalty to the top athletes, his ability to prepare the top wrestlers and his business know how make him someone USA wrestling needs to keep. Note: another variable for USA wrestling to be on guard is that Sean also trains some top MMA athletes. 8. Henry Cejudo, youngest US Olympic gold medalist in wrestling......enough said. The day has come where the athletes and coaches have real options. The athletes that have been brought up in mans toughest sport are no longer at the mercy of it. They can get their fix elsewhere. This may seem like the doom for wrestling but I hope it becomes its savior. What is going to occur this next Olympic cycle is totally unique than what we have ever seen: free and open competition for USA wrestling to partake: all at the athletes and coaches benefit. Its an exciting time. USA wrestling to survive at an elite level will have to change its thought. The leaders will have to find ways to make Terry brands happy, not the other way around. They will have to convince the likes of Lawal, Askren, Mocco, wheeler and chun to go down the wrestlers path and not MMA or something else. USA wrestling will have to cut the fat out of their organization and change their perspective. Change is exciting and should be embraced. So a couple hours later with two worn out thumbs, a USA sealed gold medal in volleyball, I'm halfway to LAX. Time to get some sleep!!!!! Martino http://www.flowrestling.org/blogs/blogger/Martino/3718-my-2008-olympic-experience Sun, 24 Aug 2008 16:16:00 -0500 http://www.flowrestling.org/blogs/blogger/Matt.valenti/3697-are-the-winds-blowing First and foremost, congratulations to Henry Cejudo on his inspiring performance in Beijing. He has dedicated his heart and soul to the goal that he just accomplished, and it showed in his wrestling. A gold undoubtedly well-deserved. Congrats also go out to Adam Wheeler and Randi Miller for representing with honor and pride, and for bringing back the hardware. As I watched these three wrestle over the past week I couldn't help but feel my sense of pride in US wrestling as I yelled at my computer like a fool. As those hands were raised, one in Greco, one in women's Free and one triumphantly in men's Free, I had chills and I was pumped. Yet somehow now that it is all said and done, there is a sour feeling in my mouth. I know that I'm not alone, and I'm not going to be the first to point this out. It doesn't take an Ivy degree to see this one... U.S. wrestling needs to change. I am not going to venture the reasons why or how at this point because at the moment I'm an outsider looking in. No one person is to blame, nor is any organization, style, or training method. I can't put my finger on it and maybe that is because I'm not in the mix, but it doesn't seem to me that anyone else has put their finger on it just yet either. I don't know that anything is broken, but something needs to be fixed. Medals at the Olympic level are not easy to attain, but the United States has enough wrestling talent that we should be doing better than one medal in each style (Women, Greco,