321-A Stories of Interest

The Ellis High School Web Team is looking for stories of interest involving wrestlers or coaches for the 321-A wrestling website. Anything you can offer is appreciated.

Thanks
Craig Amrein
camrein@usd388.k12.ks.us

An interesting story for you one of Norton's top upper weights and returning 3rd place finisher at state last year #4 state ranked sophomore Jacob Green suffered a season ending torn ACL two weekends ago at the Panther Classic in Phillipsburg

That will certainly shake up the team race.

It will hurt not having him in the line up but the rest of BlueJay wrestling team is ready to go and I know will step up at all cost to win another state title....the Jays had 5 kids out of the line up at the Panther Classic and only finished I think not 100% sure like 20 points out of first. They will be ready for regionals and state

That will definitely make a difference team-wise. Norton was 44 points out of 1st at Phillipsburg, though, but did have several kids not wrestling at the tournament. Regardless, we will learn a lot this weekend!

Must of learned alot won by 104 points and are taking 10 to state

I'm not sure if you're upset, BlueJay Pride? I was simply stating that it is always tough to win a team title, especially if you lose one of your top returning wrestlers. Norton always proves that they have what it takes.

As far as the actual topic of stories of interest, definitely Dalton Brand of Russell being legally blind but having a tremendous year would be a great story.

Not upset I'm just saying that having one of there good wrestlers out and having 10 kids qualify and winning by over 100 points shows alot and the Brand story is amazing it's definitely an E60 story

How about 3 regional champion brothers from Hoisington wrestling at State? Also, Brandon Ball is a 3-time state champion and has lost just 3 matches in high school, but may actually be an underdog to repeat

Caleb Austin of Greeley Co is a five-time state qualifier. In Kentucky they allow 7th & 8th graders wrestle high school.

The @KSontheMAT Podcast 321A State Preview is posted online.

Find out about a couple of standout wrestlers who are actually playing basketball this season, too.

I don't know if this is a story of interest, but it stood out to me. Looking at front side 2nd round of the 182 bracket. I couldn't help but notice some stellar records. I did not go through the rest of the brackets to see how they compare, but the combined records of these 8 wrestlers is 253-21 on the season.

Thanks a bunch for the leads. The website has been updated with some new stories and videos. Take a look. www.321wrestling.org

Also let us know of any other possible story leads.

Thanks
Craig Amrein
Ellis High School
camrein@usd388.k12.ks.us

Many new interviews and stories. A special Ball vs Austin rematch video for viewing right before finals. www.321wrestling.org

Craig Amrein
Ellis High School
camrein@usd388.k12.ks.us

The Ball boys are class acts. Caleb Austin could learn a few things...

I must have missed something. Don't know either of the warriors. The 138 final was worth the price of admission for both days. Austin handled himself as good as anyone would expect considering the intense wild finish! Shame on Kandy for talking trash on a kid behind the anonymity of a screen name. Might check the rules of the forum. Btw, Austin was working with kids in the hallway on moves. That sounds very classy to me.

My name is Kandy.. I watched three Ball boys wrestle, and only one win. Funny thing is, they all acted the same. Well mannered boys who were respectful. I saw alot of that from a ton of teams today, but not all.

It was a great match, the podium behavior, was different...

Patrick, you did miss something. Austin unfortunately would not complete a handshake with Hoisington's coaches following the match. then, halfheartedly accepted his medal and shoved it in his pocket before jumping off of the podium before pictures are even complete. When the crowd called him out on it, he flipped off the crowd with both hands. Just no sportsmanship.

Kandy, if you are going to make negative comments about a group or individual you MUST give your true full name per forum rules, Especially with a youth. Changing your profile and removing ottowacountywrestling doesn't help your case either. Like I said I don't have a dog in the fight. My son is Alex Cavanaugh and wrestles for Rossville. No secrets here and no agenda. Good night.

My name is Kandy Reed. I hadn't updated my profile in years, so I removed a dead link. Caleb Austin was a poor loser...no problem saying it. I don't have a kid wrestling in State. I'm in it for the sport! If only others were...

FHSU, your right I did miss that. Shaking hands with a coach? Whatever. Flipping off the crowd would be and ass whipping at my home. Thank you for the clarification. I think all the hand shaking is overrated but obscene gestures need to be handled swiftly. Next generation is watching.

Thank you!

Hand shaking is still respectful. What he did was BEYOND disrespectful. I assumed everyone had seen/heard of what he did. My bad.

Regardless, Brandon Ball and the entire Hoisington team have my respect. Their coach and their wrestlers have always been good winners and losers in every match I have seen. I applaud their sportsmanship.

My apologies for attacking Kandy profile change. Cheap shot and I'm trying really really hard not to be that guy. Bottom line, these are kids that have been trained to compete and fight! And if you make the State finals you've trained really hard for a really long time and things happen. I went thru this last season with my son which was very public on this forum. Thankfully my son chose not to let that ONE incident define him. Hopefully this fine athlete will do the same. After all, he is a bad ass wrestler. You have to be going against his opponent that he had. Now, good night.

It was a great match. The ending at the podium is what made me lose all respect for him. I honestly think that was the best match of the tournament, but the podium behavior ruined it all.

Definitely. And Patrick, you are right. Also, your son is a phenomenal wrestler. Best of luck to him next year. As for Caleb Austin, it is just disappointing that he acted that way after a great season. Both he and Ball are extremely talented, but Austin is already posting non stop negative feedback on social media. Then, there are other people who are supporting his statements. There is just something to be said about winning AND losing the right way. we need to make sure this great sport has positive moments for people that know nothing about wrestling, and also to keep young people enticed and wanting to wrestle! Great job to all wrestlers this weekend.

At first I was very disappointed in him but the more I thought about it my heart broke for the kid. His world was crushed It was very bad sportsmanship on both parties involved at the podium. And I am in no way condoning it. But give the KID a break

Coach,
I seen this incident and I have to say I am confused on what you mean by bad sportsmanship by both parties. Who was the other party.

The crowd.

I agree that the crowd boooing didn't help the situation, as they were reacting to the sportsmanship displayed for the podium act. I was not sitting with the hoisington crowd so I know it was not only their crowd boooing but many other towns reacting to this situation. Myself personally feel this incident took a moment away from a young man that should of been enoying his 4th state title.

Correct. And you hit it right on the head. No booing took place (from more than just Hoisington) until after Austin prematurely abandoned the podium and acted with no class. He responded with double middle fingers to the crowd. That is unacceptable. It was a poor situation after a great match with two phenomenal talents.

After the match yesterday you could hear people asking, should there have been back points for Caleb at the end. I just finished watching that match again on TV. And I would say i believe it was called correct. It looks like he got 2 one counts, and honestly Ball could have just as easily been awarded back points at the end, as he was awarded the the reversal with 3.7 seconds left and Caleb was on his back. I think this match was called correctly. Great match by two stellar wrestlers, that was tarnished by the antics later.

It was definitely called correctly by a great official in Ron Haag. I reviewed the video as well several times and frame by frame at different angles. Ball was on his back for a one count. Then was off his back, then was briefly on his back for again and rolled through for a reversal and putting Austin on his back. A definite victory for Ball. I hope that everyone can appreciate the match for what it was and the talent of both these kids. Also to recognize the accomplishment of another 4 time champ.

Ok so a teenage kid made a bad decision to hop off the podium early. I thought it was even more unsportsmanlike for the parents in the crowd to boo a teenage kid who made a bad decision after he lost one of the most important matches of his career. An Mr. Cavanaugh, my little brothers name is Riley Tubbs an before his wrestling season started we all herd of the Alex Cavanaugh horror stories. As the season went on an Tubbs an Cavanaugh matches became a rival type of match I seen your boy as a dedicated wrestler who is very passionate about what he does. Most importantly I seen a GOOD KID. Wrestling is a great sport where we teach our kids to fight for every advancement as if your future depends on it, and to be the alpha male/female out on the mat. That being said emotions will get the best of most kids an they will make a bone head mistake. We as fans an family need to remember they are KIDS. So Mr. Cavanaugh I wanted to let you know it was a real pleasure to see Alex wrestle this year. He is a very special kid.

On a similar subject, I was impressed with how Jonathan Ball handled himself at the end of the final OT when he lost. An impressive wrestler and impressive young man.

Also, despite the negative aspects after the match, I am thankful to have gotten to watch the Ball / Austin match. For me, it was worth the price of admission all by itself. Certainly, two excellent wrestlers whom I wish the best in their futures.

I appreciate the kind word ryno. I believe Riley as well as a new school with excellent coaches got Alex to be passionate about wrestling again and for that I am very grateful.