Our boys had a good showing at Regionals on Saturday. Obviously I would have liked to get more through and win the dog gone tournament, but we were up against some very tough competition and to get 9 out was an accomplishment in my opinion. I am proud of how we wrestled and conducted ourselves throughout the day. I felt that the reffing was a bit suspect but I have seen worse. The tournament was run well although I thought we'd get out of there a little sooner than we did. We saw some good matches. Travis wrestled very well in his two matches. I don't think Oleson knows what to do with him. He is wrestling at a completely different level. Ryno had great 3rd place match. He grinded out a good win that he should be proud of. I felt that Jose wrestled tough against Rosenberg but still has some work to do in order to beat him. We've got 4 days to get that work in which should be enough. Trent went toe to toe with a giant of a young man and almost came out on top. A few things to clean up and I think it's a different outcome. Hopefully we get the chance on Saturday. Koty had a decent tournament as well. He decided to make things a little more difficult for himself by loosing in the first round, but got his head right and won his next two. It can be hard to rebound from a loss like that and he found a way to do it. Wes had a good tournament, again facing 2 ranked kids. He wrestled outstandingly against the Wilmington kid and if he could of stayed out of a 5 point move, he would have beat the Lisle kid as well. Both were quality opponents and will have to be delt with if he wants to make it down to Assembly hall.
All in All it was a good tournament for us. I tip my hat to Wilmington, they are quality. It's frustrating that the best team we've had during my tenure has to see the best team in the state for the first time in regional competition, but it motivates me to get this program better. Wilmington has kids just like ours, and has coaches just like ours. The only difference that I really see is that they are a bit stronger, and more disciplined in their technique. They are tough kids as well and like to get into a fight. My guys are young but if I've learned anything about them this is its been that they are not afraid to fight either. We are not there yet, but we are closer than we've ever been. Come out and support the boys this weekend. Sectional wrestling starts on Friday at 5:30pm and continues Saturday at 9:00am. Come out and see Shaun, Jose, Koty, Travis, Wes, Kelby, Pickett, Ryno, and Trent do their best to make it down to Assembly hall.
