Over 3,000 wrestlers competed in Columbus, Ohio over this past weekend in the Ohio Tournament of Champions. This is one of the biggest one day tournaments in the nation. The tournament takes place in the Columbus Convention Center on 30 mats. I have been to this tournament and can say that is truly one of the best run and most competitive tournaments in the nation. 31 Kentucky wrestlers made the trip to compete with four placing in the top 8. Below is a list of Ohio Tournament of Champions placers since 2001. As you can see, there are 19 State Placers including 10 State Champions. Tournaments like this in the summer help build Winter Champions. The proof is in the number of State Placers and State Champions who participate in these big time tournaments. It is very important that more wrestlers give these caliber of tournaments a try to help build the competition in the State of Kentucky as well as building a name for yourself.
Ohio Tournament of Champions Placers
2001 - Brad Cooper - Cadet 124 - 3rd*
2002 - Brad Hitchings - Junior 90 - 6th*
2002 - Curtis Dages - Junior 160 - 3rd
2003 - Trey Morlatt - Schoolboy 108 - 7th
2004 - Justin Pitcher - Schoolboy 105 - 5th
2004 - John Wolsiefer - Schoolboy 140 - Runner-up*
2005 - John Wolsiefer - Cadet 152 - 7th
2005 - Stan Stone - Elite 190 - 6th
2005 - Dale Stone - Elite 220 - Runner-up
2006 - Matt Fahy - Junior 68 - 4th
2006 - John Fahy - Junior 74 - 4th*
2007 - Brock Ervin - Junior 71 - 4th
2007 - Matt Fahy - Junior 80 - 7th
2007 - Daniel Wolnitzek - Junior 165 - 3rd
2007 - John Fahy - Schoolboy 84 - 3rd
2007 - Josh Johnson - Cadet 130 - 5th*
2007 - Luke Ervin - Cadet 140 - 7th*
2007 - Mitch Ervin - Elite 160 - 5th*
2008 - Brock Ervin - Schoolboy 75 - 4th
2008 - Garth Yenter - Schoolboy 80 - 7th
2008 - John Fahy - Schoolboy 100 - 3rd
2008 - Kevin Cooper - Schoolboy 120 - 6th
2008 - Jordan Murphy - Cadet 138 - 4th
2008 - Tanner Wedding - Elite 171 - 7th
2009 - Kevin Cooper - Schoolboy 126 - Runner-up
2009 - Cecil Clardy - Cadet 92 - 4th
2009 - Garth Yenter - Cadet 98 - 7th
2009 - Dee Leavell - Elite 119 - 6th
2009 - Jake Ilg - Elite 220 - 3rd
* KHSAA State Champion
Upcoming National Tournaments
ASICS / Vaughan Junior & Cadet National Championships
http://www.themat.com/events/default.php?page=default&EventID=19998
U.S. Army Midwest Nationals
http://www.statefarmmidwestnationals.com/
Super 32 Challenge
http://www.super32.com
This year I have decided to get my wrestlers more involved with wrestling Freestyle. Freestyle provides many great attributes to wrestling Folkstyle. One, it helps you be better on your feet. You have to be aware of throw situations and work to get your opponent to the mat so you can begin to score with gut wrenches, etc. Two, it makes you more aware of your back. In Folkstyle there is a two count if your back is exposed before the pin is called. In Freestyle if your back touches, it is match over. Finally it helps build your five point moves and learn how to defend them. Five point moves end a Freestyle match so you have to work to avoid them. There are several other reasons Freestyle is important. The other day in club practice, a wrestler from another team came up to me and said, "Coach, why are you having your kids learn Freestyle? They will never use it?" I understand his concern because most of the tournaments in Kentucky during the summer are Folkstyle but read the excerpt below from Zeke Jones and you will understand the importance of this style.
WHY WRESTLE FREESTYLE?
Zeke Jones
Head Coach, 1999 World Cup Team
Head Coach, 2001 USA World Team
Head Coach, 2003 Pam American Games Team
Former Assistant Coach, West Virginia University
Head Coach, University of Pennsylvania
WHAT WILL FREESTYLE WRESTLING DO FOR YOU?
1. Freestyle wrestling is Fun. It is very exciting, creative, and dynamic because you can score points from almost anywhere. You will receive more points for a spectacular throw, 5 points, than you do a normal takedown, 1 point. Freestyle takes less control of your opponent to score points. Flip him to his back and get two points. You don't even have to hold him on his back to score but if you do you will get more points. Throw a guy over your head, which is legal, and you will score 5 points for grand amplitude. Many wrestlers that we have spoke to love freestyle because its fast, exciting, and it was easier to score points. Most freestyle matches also are mostly on your feet in the neutral position. Everyone loves to go takedowns. That's 80% of freestyle wrestling.
2. If your goal is to be a state champion or state placer, (or a great referee or coach) and a lofty goal I might add, freestyle increases your chances dramatically. If one wrestler is getting 40 matches a year in the high school or junior high season and 30 matches in the freestyle season whom do you think is going to get better at a faster rate? More matches will improve your technique, skill, and mat strategy. More minutes on the mat = more wins. Are your high school or junior high opponents going to these tournaments and getting ahead of you? The best wrestlers in the state are going to these tournaments. Are you going?
3. Freestyle wrestling allows the best kids in the state a chance to compete against the best in the nation. Most of the best tournaments in the nation are freestyle wrestling. Now, with the addition of freestyle wrestling in our state, West Virginia wrestlers will be able to compete with the best in the nation.
4. Freestyle wrestling will increase your opportunity to earn a college wrestling scholarship. Because most of the NCAA Division I college coaches recruit at The Junior Nationals, a freestyle and Greco-Roman event in Fargo, ND, the need to learn and excel in freestyle wrestling, is even more important. Unless you are a multiple high school state champion from Pennsylvania, Ohio, or New York you will need to wrestle freestyle to gain the exposure so college coaches will believe you can compete at a national level. Beat a state champion from Pennsylvania, Ohio, or New York in a freestyle tournament and you will receive strong consideration for a college wrestling scholarship. In other words, if you are a West Virginia, Arizona, or Nevada State champion your chances of getting a wrestling scholarship is minimal to none. Wrestle freestyle and increase your chances of earning a scholarship dramatically. We, at West Virginia University, need to know that you can compete against the best in the nation before we will feel comfortable offering you scholarship money. If you want to earn a scholarship to WVU learn to wrestle freestyle. We want wrestlers that want to wrestle beyond college to try to become World and Olympic Champions here at WVU. That helps our program. Freestyle and Greco Roman are the only wrestling done in the Olympic Games.
The time is now to learn freestyle wrestling. Whether you just want to improve your wrestling technique and skill, want to become a state placer or champion, or even want to become a World and Olympic Champion, freestyle wrestling is mandatory to become successful. If you have high wrestling goals freestyle wrestling must be a part of your yearly wrestling plan. We are committed to helping you learn freestyle and you, we're sure, will find it exciting. We look forward to seeing you at the freestyle tournaments!
Sincerely,
Coach Jones
Besides all of the reasons to help you as a wrestler, Freestyle matches are very exciting to watch.
Every week I plan to post a video showing technique tips provided by several great resources from my personal collection and found on the internet. The first technique I chose deals with Freestyle since it is Freestyle Season. In this clip from Kolat.com, Cary Kolat demonstrates how to hit a inside grip hip toss from a single leg.
The 2009 National High School Coaches Association (NHSCA) National Championships took place earlier this month and Kentucky left Virginia Beach with three All-Americans including the states first National Champion with Caleb Ervin (Union County) at 135 lbs. in the Sophomore Division.
Since the NHSCA began the Senior Championships in 1990, Kentucky has had 11 All-Americans. This places Kentucky tied for 37th with Nebraska, Nevada, and Oregon. Idaho is the next state above us with 15 All-Americans. Georgia and New Hampshire are right on our heels with 10.
Kentucky NHSCA Senior Nationals All-Americans
1990 - Mike Migliaccio (Tates Creek) - 140 lbs. - Runner-up
1992 - Tony Condi (Henry Clay) - 125 lbs. - 7th
1992 - Rob Rickman (Lafayette) - 152 lbs. - 5th
1993 - Frank Wolnitzek (Holmes) - 275 lbs. - 5th
1994 - Stephen Kaiser (Simon Kenton) - 135 lbs. - 5th
1996 - Jason Talbott (Oldham County) - 119 lbs. - 8th
1996 - Jason Walls (Union County) - 152 lbs. - 6th
1997 - Joe Carr Jr. (Woodford County) - 145 lbs. - Runner-up
1999 - Chad Hayden (Franklin County) - 103 lbs. - 5th
2005 - Kyle Ruschell (Ryle) - 112 lbs. - 3rd
2009 - Kary Goff (Seneca) - 103 lbs. - 7th
Kentucky has also been well represented in the NHSCA Junior, Sophomore, and Freshman National Championships. Since the Junior Nationals began in 2005, Kentucky has had 2 All-Americans. In 2006, the NHSCA began the Sophomore Nationals and since than Kentucky has produced 6 All-Americans in this division. The Freshman Nationals began in 2007 and Kentucky has produced 4 All-Americans in this division.
Kentucky NHSCA Junior All-Americans
2007 - Elliot Martin (Seneca) - 103 lbs. - 8th
2008 - Dusty Brown (Campbell County) - 140 lbs. - 8th
Kentucky NHSCA Sophomore All-Americans
2006 - Bryan Peace (Ryle) - 130 lbs. - Runner-up
2006 - Josh Ashbrook (Harrison County) - 135 lbs. - 8th
2006 - Beau Sanders (Harrison County) - 140 lbs. - 8th
2007 - Harrison Courtney (Woodford County) - 145 lbs. - 3rd
2008 - Myron Bradbury (Louisville Trinity) - 103 lbs. - Runner-up
2009 - Caleb Ervin (Union County) - 135 lbs. - National Champion
Kentucky NHSCA Freshman All-Americans
2007 - Josh Johnson (John Hardin) - 125 lbs. - 5th
2007 - Korey Shotwell (Campbell County) - 135 lbs. - 5th
2008 - Connor Coyle (Ryle) - 152 lbs. - 6th
2009 - JJ Jude (Johnson Central) - 152 lbs. - 3rd
Welcome to Kentucky Wrestling News. My name is Chris McCoy and I am the Head Wrestling Coach at Lafayette High School. I also work very closely with USA Wrestling and the KHSAA to help build wrestling in the commonwealth. The purpose of this blog is to provide daily updates and thoughts on Amateur Wrestling in Kentucky and Nationwide. I hope all that visit, enjoy the site and share the passion that I have for Kentucky Wrestling.
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