WOW!!!! Those two weights have some good kids in there. Who does everyone think is going to win between Neil Erisman, Alvin Metcalf, Justin Wiscombe, Schyler Sharpe. It looks to me that Wiscombe has the upper hand on Sharpe, and Metcalf. We will see how Wiscombe does against Erisman sometime I think they are in the same league.
160- It looks like Taplin is doing pretty good this year. And Strawn is too, I thought I seen it somewhere where strawn has like a ton of takedowns. He must have worked hard this summer because I thought he was not that good on his feet when I watched him last year. Do you think that the match will be the same as last year where Taplin beat him or does anyone think that Strawn will get Taplin this year.

Oldtimer, Taplin will win 160 at state. Its just a matter who he wrestles. Ross is waiting for a rematch with Strawn when and if it comes. As for 152lbs., Its anybodys guess. Justin will see Neil a couple times this month and it should be a good match but I thought Eden would give Neil a good match last year. Didn't happen! As for him having the upper hand, it depends on which Justin comes to wrestle. Their first meeting will be Tues. Jan 27th in a Triangular at S.F.T. This is Metcalf and Sharpe's last chance to win a title so they will lay in on the line. Should be some serious fun!

Metcalf will see Neil at Paola this week-end. It should be a good match.

January 31st, Baldwin Tournament

Taplin vs. Strawn (Yes, Strawn is filling an empty bracket)

Wiscombe vs. Erisman

Should be some great matches!

What do you mean that Strawn is filling an empty bracket? I don't see Holton on the list of teams? Is he coming as an individual? Fill me in. I'm getting even more excited about a potential pre-state match up.

Yes, Strawn will be there. Baldwin runs an excellent tournament, they do their best to fill the 10 man pools so every wrestler will get 5 matches. Holton is bringing a couple of kids who missed a tournament earlier in the year due to illness. Last year Abilene had some JV kids who wrestled in addition to their varsity. It was an all Abilene final at 125 last year. This year the tournament looks even tougher. Rumor has it, Baldwin is interested in Columbus joining next year.

Thats great that Strawn is coming down. Thats what I call CHARACTER! Don't forget about our little Overbrook boy going to Baldwin.(Derek Lang) He is tough too but I heard he is kind of love sick!

Taplin bumped up a weight class tonight against Concordia and took care of business in :58 seconds.

Great dual by the way as the final was 39-31 with Abilene prevailing and Lavoie of Con getting a team point deducted for faulty headgear on the way to the table. Lot of calls made that most refs are afraid to make as well I saw Abilene give up points on 2 occasions for when the bottom guy stood up from bottom just grabbing around the waist and by the judgement calls running the Concordia guys out of bounds. Also saw a warning about bringing the hand around slowly on top to decieve the bottom man. Great Dual with 9 ranked wrestlers in it and 13 contested matches with Abilene winning one by forfeit. 11 of the 13 matches were bonus point wins. Abilene had some guys stepping in I've never heard of as well.