Given how the other thread on the Bobcat has turned into one primarily about chokeholds I thought I would start a new one to focus on the tournament on the whole.
Before I get to thoughts on weight classes I wanted to weigh in with a few general notes on the tournament. Let me start by saying I thought it was well run for the most part. However, the stoppage and restarting of wrestling in the consolations (due to the weather announcement meeting to the coaches) could have been handled a bit more smoothly. Also the announcer drove myself and I am sure the crowd a bit nuts at times. Now onto my thoughts looking back on the tournament.
113 - Cheney's come from behind win over Justus Seaton right at the end of the 3rd period with a reversal provided for a dramatic ending to this grind out it out match.
120 - Mies was nothing short of amazing. His performances over Himpel, Elbrader then Leach in the finals were great. Even though the finals match was 8-5 he controlled the match more than the score would let you believe.
132 - What a fabulous win by Tucker Clark in the semis against Will Steltzlen of Collinsville from start to finish. I think Clark might have been a bit spent from that semi-finals match when he faced Dickman in the finals. Still that has to rank as one of the best wins in Clark's high school career and should give him some great confidence for the rest of the season.
138 - This weight class had 3 of the best matches in the tournament including the semi-finals in Dulgarian-Lewis and Harding-Shoemaker. Even though Lewis & Shoemaker ended up in the finals it could have very well been Dulgarian and Harding, or one or the other making it. Both matches had you on the edge of your seat and it is too bad they were going on simultaneously. The other match to note was the Tujague - Shoemaker quarterfinal that went into overtime as Tujague almost took him down for the win. Hats off to Lewis though for winning one of the most difficult weight classes in the tournament as well as to the other 3 guys for providing some entertaining wrestling.
145 - I was very shocked this ended up in a first period pin between Lapaglia & Lambotte as I thought this one would go down to the wire. Seeing how Lapaglia was upset 3-1 by Grant Leeth of Kearney recently in a dual I think he is out to prove something. Wanted to make mention that it was good to see Durosette of Fort Scott back on the mat wrestling well taking 4th after dealing with injury issues this season.
152 - This match provided another surprise with Cain Salas pinning Randy Boerner. The way the match was going it appeared Boerner was going to take it.
170 - Guillen is a pure machine and he showed it in his 8-0 finals victory over Zach Abkemeier of Collinsville.
182 - After Eck's takedown of Pixley fairly quickly I thought he set a good tone for the match. I didn't see it coming that he would be pinned a short time later. Congrats to Spencer Wilson for his 4th place finish in his first action of the season.
195 - The finals match was fun to watch between Coat and Kelly. I have to give props to Jadon McGaha of Olathe North who nearly beat Houser of Columbus, losing in overtime on the front side of the bracket and managed an 8th place finish.
220 - Big tournament title for Ben Ewing over Austin Reyes of Blue Springs. By winning it he ensured Topeka Seaman won the tournament but had Blue Springs won this match decisively they could have conceivably won the tournament. Ewing wrestled smart on his feet doing a good job of doing just enough to remain active and avoid the takedown in the 3rd.
Curious what other people’s thoughts were on this great tournament?
