Heard through the rumor mill that Ben Gilliland is out at 135 for the Irish and that Ben Smith will make his return at the Abilene Regional after suffering an injury earlier in the year. It appears that Smith beat Gilliland in the challenge match and will be ready to go for tommorrow...but we will have to wait and see I guess.

What's going on with Gobber, does he have a good chance in this? What about Irvine?

I think the world of Gobber and Irvine being that both of them live next door (Gobber directly west) and Irvine (diagonally NW)Ok so that was pointless, but nevertheless here's my take on those 2 guys.

Irvine is at 152 as a freshman, I was 160 as a freshman and got killed at regionals, I don't think that will happen to Irvine. He's to strong and smart for a freshman and fun to watch. He has 3 state ranked guys in his weight in #2 Justin Wiscombe of SFT, #4 guy in Schyler Sharpe, and the #5 guy in Chris Sutton-Kearn who Will wrestled extremely well against in a prior meeting. I think depending on seeding Will might still be alive and on the front side come day 2 but he has to wrestle his rear off in his 1st 2 matches...possibly a semi-finalist. I think though place wise if he should qualify for state I put him at 3rd or 4th.

Gobber- he joined wrestling to stay in shape for football...his mom was not a big fan of wrestling until his pin in the Abilene dual. 275 is too big for Gobber and I'll be surprised if he makes it to day 2....I'd be more surprised if he makes it out of round 1 depending on matchups. He has some of the most dominating big men in the state for all classifications in a defending state champion in Jordan Bedore ranked #1 from Goodland, and #3 ranked Danny Lavoie of Concordia who I was impressed with in the one occasion I saw him. Gobber might go 2-2 but I'd be shocked if he does much better, not that he isn't capable but because of his smaller size. Should he be back next year he could be a very dominating 215 pounder.

Chapman Who??????/

I do hope all goes well today in day 2! I know that we have some semi qualifiers, and they did very well! I would hope that Gobber would also wrestle next year, as you said he would be very good in 215! He isn't even 275, and shouldn't be wrestling that! I hope all goes well for Irvine in day 2!!!

I think Gobber has another win in him...haven't scoped out Irvine's bracket yet. Riffel has a tough match to start the morning. Semis haven't been the Irish's best friend in years past...I believe 3 of the 4 semi matches are against Clay Center too, so it should be interesting. Irish might get quite a few pins on the backside of the bracket today, but a lot of guys are going to start falling for many teams.

Yeah, I just hope that all goes well!

I just saw the buss go by to pick up the team....we have an hour and a half countdown...GO IRISH!