Aaron Patton from Wellsville High School at 112lb 321A 31-2. 1st at League and regional.

Most freshmen are 14-15 years old. How many High school freshmen wrestlers are already 16 years old?

Bo Beard and " T Money" Caldwell both undefeated and regional champs

check out 112 lbs in 3-2-1 A state bracket
http://www.kshsaa.org/WRESTLING/3-2-1A/1-3statebrk003.htm

This freshman class is very, very tough. My opinion is that there are going to be several freshman win their respective state tournaments, be it 123, 4, 5, or 6A, and several place as well. It would suprise me most if they did not place. They are a reflection of the terrific kids clubs in the state.

The moms point of view

Doesn't Nathan Furches fall into the 16@under Freshman category?

Yes, we decided when he was in Kindergarten to red shirt him so he would have a better chance at a state championship in High School. Of course, he had never wrestled yet, and despite the fact that he had had so many serious health issues since birth that he was abnormally small, and in fact was a miracle that he was alive, the teachers� advice to hold him back was like music to our ears because it fell into our great plan for sports achievements for our son.

I could have used the face, but this debate is old and it is important to smile sometimes. ltrain, not against you, you seem like a decent coach and person from your past posts. A huge part of my comments above are true, some are not, those that know Nathan, and our family can figure out the true from the bull.

I KNEW IT!!!!

Mike - Your response was right on target. Thanks for a good laugh! We all need to be reminded that there isn't always a conspiracy or plan that we control. Sometime life just happens!

Thanks Lancer. I have an issue with holding a child accountable for the actions that many may take, like parents who know their children, even actions that are within the rules.

There are numerous great kids that are 16 years old and wrestling as freshman. I am perfectly fine with that, and believe that as long as the child is within the rules of the system, this is a mute argument or debate. People talking about 16-year-old freshman may not realize it, but every underhanded negative comments often speak out against some great kids, some like Nate, that had no say in their being in the age and grade they are in. If having an issue with this, take it up with the parent of the child, face to face. If unwillling to do that, then be quite on the issue. Next thing you know, some people will be talking about the months that a kid is born in, then again, they already have that debate going. Sportsfan02 had a great comment here, what do we do with leap year babies? Nathan has always wrestled up a weight or age when possible. We were just notified for example today that he was named the Division 5 Oklahoma Series Wrestler of the year at 110 pounds. Did you see that 110 pounds. Nathan right now is having no trouble making 103 and if he don�t grow much will wrestle that again next year. He is a small 103, but he wrestled up in this division to face tougher comp in Oklahoma. If you have the chance to watch him this weekend, notice again, that he will be one of the small 103-pound wrestlers. Nathan is not afraid of getting beat; he goes where he can to wrestle the best, despite age. I will assure you that the 16-year-old freshman that are doing well, are doing well not because they are 16-years-old, but because they work their butts off and wrestle the best competition they can. I could mention many names here but won�t, but rest assured, most of the great wrestlers that are 16-year-old Freshman have been great wrestlers long before now

To Mike Furches: Thanks for the happy face and answering the question as a proud father should, with pride and dignity. I look forward to meeting you this weekend, trust I will find you in the Derby section.

Also, any thoughts to Mary Jane singing the Nat'l Anthem, she has a beautiful voice and would be a nice introduction to the first match of the day...

Before I forget...back to the topic!

Bracket Man, I'll be working the pass gate both mornings and then will be in the Derby Section or working the floor. As to her singing the Anthem, I'm sure they already have that worked out with someone else. She kind of got onto a little wrestler for Derby at 103 that volunteered her for regionals.

Regarding freshman, there are many great Freshman out there, and many more in the lower weights that have had a tough year because of being light. Kids like Jeff Vesta, Sharky Slyter and others that just haven't grown yet. We look at wins and losses but these are great kids on and off the mat. There are many others, many that have been mentioned. I think we also forget about great Freshman who had to wrestle JV because they wrestled behind someone. At Derby there was Alex Fieldcamp and others. I know that these kids often get left out of the discussion and it is a shame. There are the obvious choices for me, Tyler Caldwell may be the best 112 pound wrestler in the country, bar none, at any age or class, there are others out there. Who are the best? Who deserves the credit? Let's see how they finish their career, not just their season, then I can tell you more.

Mike Furches: That kid of yours is okay in my book, knows wrestling AND a talented voice. See you soon...

That is a great comment about 103lbers, as well. I can remember Nathan McCormick (BVN) as a freshman, would have needed steel-toed boots and a shot put in his singlet to weigh 103. It is very difficult to project what 4 years of high school athletics can do to these smaller (weights) wrestlers. Some will be wrestling at 135+ when they are Seniors. Someone can correct me here, but Stewart Bogart wrestled 103 as a Freshman and wrestled 140? as a Senior. So you never know...

Brian Noller from Russell is doing pretty well for a freshman. He may not be undefeated like all the other ones out there, but for him only wrestling since 7th grade and now a state qualifier this year, I would have to say that is pretty good.

Dan Weigel from Plainville has had a solid year. Dan's record is 29-3 at 103lbs. He looks to be a very tough competetor at state.

I don't believe anyone ever mentioned Colby Crank of Hutchinson in this thread. Colby Crank is a 135 pound freshman who I know has won a couple of Kids State titles and he was 29-14 going into the 6A tournament. Yesterday he had a great day at State and he will be in the finals tonight. Great job, Colby Crank! That is quite an accomplishment for a freshman.

Goddard placed four freshman today in the state Tournament. Caldwell 1st Beard 1st Means 4th Houlden 6th

Mitchell Means came in 4th and that is an excellent performance for a freshman at 140 at 6A State. Congratulations to all four of you freshmen winners and placers from Goddard.

Two wins, a 4th and a 6th place from their freshmen class is an incredible showing for Goddard. Looks like they are going to be the team to beat in 6A for the next three years.

How about freshman Zac Bainter of Norton losing by 1 (15-16) to Nash Burton in the finals at 3-2-1A.?!?! Bainter takes down in the second and gives up nine (9!) points on cheap tilts and is behind, if I remember correctly, 12-3 to start the third period. (Won't even get into whether the second of the three tilts met near fall criteria). Five more seconds in the third and Bainter wins.