And as for St. Edward's B team, a lot of Division I teams around here used to see them four or five times in a season. They'd complain, so we stopped inviting (St. Edward). Then the Division I teams didn't come back. |
He's wrestled in those situations so many times in tournaments, and that's something not a lot of parents or coaches understood when they watched him. He's experienced those big-type atmospheres. |
It's a tremendous venue. I was telling Chandler there's nothing I can say or do that can prepare you for coming out of the bullpen there that first time, looking up and seeing 10,000 fans. |
It's getting harder and harder to get teams to commit to a two-day tournament. Their kids -- especially the weaker ones -- can get more matches in at the one-day, 10-team pool tournaments. |
That's definitely something we hope works in our favor. But it's going to be a tough weekend. Five of the top eight seeds (including No. 1 West Jefferson and No. 3 Grandview) are coming here. I guess the good thing is that if a kid can make it through here he's got a pretty good shot at going all the way to the state tournament. |
We have a good nucleus of kids coming back and another solid group coming up behind them. We'll be a challenge, no doubt. Kids like Wolf and (sophomore) Guy Price and some of the others, they will augment Chandler at the lighter weights. My assistant, Bo Ramsey, has done a wonderful job bringing all of them along. |
You can't miss it with all the pictures we have hanging on the walls (at school) of our (34) state finalists. |