Slap the Mat

I was there.  Didn't see anything like that. I can't see how an action like that was allowed to get by.  The fans got pretty loud and animated for several matches in the 3rd/4th and 1st/ 2nd rounds, but nothing out of the ordinary.  VA High ran a great tournament, very well organized and it ran smoothly.  Next Saturday should be very competitive also.  Both the SWD and the M7 have some really good wrestlers and teams.  Should be interesting.

Graham edged out Richlands today at VA High to win the Southwest District Wrestling Tournament.  Team Scores:  Graham 169.0, Richlands 163.0, Lebanon 146.0, Marion 101.0, VA High 76.0, Tazewell 16.0
The G-Men had four 1st placers, three 2nd placers, four 3rd placers, and one 5th placer.  The Region D Tournament will be held at VA High on 2-10. Wrestlers will be competing from the Southwest District and the Mountain 7 District.  The top three wrestlers in each weight class will then advance to the Class 2 State Tournament held at the Salem Civic Center on 2-16/17.

There was a lot of discussion about what to do as far as Districts & Regions with combined 1A/2A format.  Two ways of doing it were talked about. 
#1:  Each Region have District Tournaments for Regional Seeding, then an All-In Regional with 1A & 2A wrestlers.  Top 4 from each Region to the State/16 Man Bracket
#2:  Use Half State Format. Each Region use Districts Date for All-In Sub-Regional.  Top 8 from Sub-Regionals advance to Half State.  A & B together & C & D together.
Half State will use 16 Man Bracket as 8 advance from each Sub-Regional.  Top 8 from East & West Half States advance to State using 16 Man Bracket
This format was used for a few years when the VHSL used Half States and worked very well with 6 from each Half State advancing to State Tournament.  1A still uses this format.

Region D made an impressive showing at the 2A State Tournament in Salem this weekend.  Region D accounted for six State Champions and twelve Top Six Place Winners  The Mountain 7 had a State Champion at 145 lbs. Jonah Phillips of Wise Central and four Top Six Place Winners.  The Southwest District had five State Champions:  152 lbs. Justin Fritz of Graham, 160 lbs. Jacob Puckett of Richlands, 170 lbs. Gage Richard of VA High, 182 lbs. Logan Smith of Lebanon, and 195 lbs. Luke Martin of Richlands.  The Southwest District also had eight Top Six Place Winners.  Great showing for the wrestlers of Southwest Virginia and Grundy added another State Title at 1A to complete the weekend.
This was Justin Fritz's third straight State Championship.  He was State Champion at 132 lbs. in 2018 and 145 lbs. in 2019. I believe he is the only three time State Champion in Tazewell County Wrestling history.  Please let me know if there are any others.  Dylan Cook had back to back State Championships at 195 lbs. in 2014 & 2015.  The other four Graham State Champions each had one State Championship.
To go along with his three State Championships Justin also has three Region D Championships.  His record for the 2019-2020 season was 51-1.  His career record is 141-13. 

Region D made an impressive showing at the 2A State Tournament in Salem this weekend.  Region D accounted for six State Champions and twelve Top Six Place Winners  The Mountain 7 had a State Champion at 145 lbs. Jonah Phillips of Wise Central and four Top Six Place Winners.  The Southwest District had five State Champions:  152 lbs. Justin Fritz of Graham, 160 lbs. Jacob Puckett of Richlands, 170 lbs. Gage Richard of VA High, 182 lbs. Logan Smith of Lebanon, and 195 lbs. Luke Martin of Richlands.  The Southwest District also had eight Top Six Place Winners.  Great showing for the wrestlers of Southwest Virginia and Grundy added another State Title at 1A to complete the weekend.
This was Justin Fritz's third straight State Championship.  He was State Champion at 132 lbs. in 2018 and 145 lbs. in 2019. I believe he is the only three time State Champion in Tazewell County Wrestling history.  Please let me know if there are any others.  Dylan Cook had back to back State Championships at 195 lbs. in 2014 & 2015.  The other four Graham State Champions each had one State Championship.
To go along with his three State Championships Justin also has three Region D Championships.  His record for the 2019-2020 season was 51-1.  His career record is 141-13. 

I believe it will be six placing.

Looks like the number of entrants for each classification has been set by the VHSL for the State Tournaments 2017-2018.
 
3A to 6A will have four per weight class per Region for a total of 16 in for the State Tournament.
 
1A & 2A will have three per weight class per Region for a total of 12 in for the State Tournament.
 
I guess with 30 teams statewide in 1A and 40 teams in 2A neither has the number of teams to allow four entrants per wight class.
 
Please correct me on this if I have it wrong.

Looks like the number of entrants for each classification has been set by the VHSL for the State Tournaments 2017-2018.
 
3A to 6A will have four per weight class per Region for a total of 16 in for the State Tournament.
 
1A & 2A will have three per weight class per Region for a total of 12 in for the State Tournament.
 
I guess with 30 teams statewide in 1A and 40 teams in 2A neither has the number of teams to allow four entrants per wight class.
 
Please correct me on this if I have it wrong.

Looks like the number of entrants for each classification has been set by the VHSL for the State Tournaments 2017-2018.
 
3A to 6A will have four per weight class per Region for a total of 16 in for the State Tournament.
 
1A & 2A will have three per weight class per Region for a total of 12 in for the State Tournament.
 
I guess with 30 teams statewide in 1A and 40 teams in 2A neither has the number of teams to allow four entrants per wight class.
 
Please correct me on this if I have it wrong.

Looks like the number of entrants for each classification has been set by the VHSL for the State Tournaments 2017-2018.
 
3A to 6A will have four per weight class per Region for a total of 16 in for the State Tournament.
 
1A & 2A will have three per weight class per Region for a total of 12 in for the State Tournament.
 
I guess with 30 teams statewide in 1A and 40 teams in 2A neither has the number of teams to allow four entrants per wight class.
 
Please correct me on this if I have it wrong.

Yes, both Tazewell and Richlands have youth programs in the past.  They were quite good, but had fallen off over the years.  It is great that both are actively involved again.  It has been my experience with youth wrestling that many come out, but the number that stick with it dwindle as they grow older.  Too many distractions and competing sports.  Wrestlers are a different breed, tough, driven, and hard nosed.  Some kids don't like the the one on one competition or how physical the sport can be and drop out.  The ones that stick are there for the long haul.  Wrestling is not easy.  Like the T-Shirt says:  "Wrestling is not easy.  If it was, everybody would be doing it".

Yes, both Tazewell and Richlands have youth programs in the past.  They were quite good, but had fallen off over the years.  It is great that both are actively involved again.  It has been my experience with youth wrestling that many come out, but the number that stick with it dwindle as they grow older.  Too many distractions and competing sports.  Wrestlers are a different breed, tough, driven, and hard nosed.  Some kids don't like the the one on one competition or how physical the sport can be and drop out.  The ones that stick are there for the long haul.  Wrestling is not easy.  Like the T-Shirt says:  "Wrestling is not easy.  If it was, everybody would be doing it".

Congratualations to Graham Wrestlers: Dylan Cook, Kyshon Lee, Jacob Lester, & Alex Hicks.
 
Dylan Cook won his second 195 lbs. 2A State Championship.  Dylan was also a two time 2A West Regional Champion, two time 2A West Sub-Regional Champion, & a two time Agie Skeens Champion.  He was 50-1 this past season, 101-3 over the past two seasons, and his Career Record was 150-20.
 
Kyshon Lee was 170 lbs. 2A State Runner-Up. Last season he finished 3rd at 170 lbs.  Kyshon was 2A West Regional Champion this season and Runner-Up last season.  He was 44-7 this season, 91-13 over the past two seasons, and his Career Record was 152-24.
 
Jacob Lester was 285 lbs. 2A State Runner-Up. He was 2A West Regionl Champion and Agie Skeens Champion this season.  Jacob had a 46-4 season record.
 
Alex Hicks was 182 lbs. 2A West Regional Runner-Up.  The One-Day Format at the 2A State Tournament didn't give Alex the chance to wrestle back in the Consolations, he was eliminated after losing his first match.
 
The Bad News for Graham Wrestling is that Dylan & Kyshon are both Sr.'s.  The Good News is Jacob & Alex will be back next year for the G-Men.

Thanks to futbolking and UVA fan for the mention of Graham's Wrestling Team in their posts.  Wrestling is a sport that gets very little recognition and at best is an afterthought during the winter sports season.  The G-Men Wrestlers have done very well at the 2A State Tournament over the past three years.  2014: 5th Place Team - Dylan Cook State Champion, Kyshon Lee 3rd, Hunter Cook 4th, & Jon Jennings 4th.  2015: 4th Place Team - Dylan Cook State Champion, Kyshon Lee 2nd, Jacob Lester 2nd.  2016: 5th Place Team - Jacob Lester State Champion, Alex Hicks 3rd, Tristen Evans 4th, Mason Raley 4th, Tracy Hagerman 6th.  Over the last thirty years 65 Graham Wrestlers have qualified for the State Tournament and 20 have placed in the Top Eight.
 
Good Luck to the Basketball Team as they play Gate City today!!!!!

Congratualations to Graham Wrestlers: Dylan Cook, Kyshon Lee, Jacob Lester, & Alex Hicks.
 
Dylan Cook won his second 195 lbs. 2A State Championship.  Dylan was also a two time 2A West Regional Champion, two time 2A West Sub-Regional Champion, & a two time Agie Skeens Champion.  He was 50-1 this past season, 101-3 over the past two seasons, and his Career Record was 150-20.
 
Kyshon Lee was 170 lbs. 2A State Runner-Up. Last season he finished 3rd at 170 lbs.  Kyshon was 2A West Regional Champion this season and Runner-Up last season.  He was 44-7 this season, 91-13 over the past two seasons, and his Career Record was 152-24.
 
Jacob Lester was 285 lbs. 2A State Runner-Up. He was 2A West Regionl Champion and Agie Skeens Champion this season.  Jacob had a 46-4 season record.
 
Alex Hicks was 182 lbs. 2A West Regional Runner-Up.  The One-Day Format at the 2A State Tournament didn't give Alex the chance to wrestle back in the Consolations, he was eliminated after losing his first match.
 
The Bad News for Graham Wrestling is that Dylan & Kyshon are both Sr.'s.  The Good News is Jacob & Alex will be back next year for the G-Men.

Over the past four seasons Graham Wrestling has had a group of wrestlers who worked hard and accomplished a lot on the Mat. The following wrestlers made significant contributions to the team's success:  Dylan Cook, Kyshon Lee, Jacob Lester, Alex Hicks, Dustin Hagerman, Heath Browning, Larry Hagerman, Hunter Cook, Robert Compton, Colin Beavers, T.J. Evans, Everett Vest, Jon Jennings, Levi Stroupe, & Tristin Evans.
 
The Stats of the last four seasons tell what these wrestlers and other team members accomplished:  2012-2015 Team Record 107-7, 4th 2A State 2015, 5th 2A State 2014, 2A West Regional 2nd 2015, 6th 2014, Region C 4th 2012, 5th 2013, MED Champions 2012 & 2013, Two Time 2A State Champion, Dylan Cook, 11 Top 8 A & 2A State Place Placers, 3 2A West Regional Champions, 10 Team Tournament Championships, & 10 Wrestlers with 100+ Wins for their careers.
 
Congratulations to all the G-Men wrestlers of the past four seasons.  They have left big shoes to fill for the future teams at GHS.

Results Tri Match at Graham 1-21-15
 
Graham 47 Richlands 33
 
Graham 58 Tazewell 18
 
Richlands 48 Tazewell 15
 
Graham Record:  26 - 2
 
Weather Permitting Graham Invitational Duals Tournament @ GHS Gym  - 12 Teams - Wrestling begins @ 9:30

Honaker 35 George Wythe 3 -final

:) Region 2A West has approved a regular season and post season format.
 
In February a committee of wrestling coaches was formed to create a new format for next season. The committee had a coach from each of the conferences. Tim Woodward-Graham, Luke Owens-Central, David Street-Appomattox, Tim Jennings-James River.
 
The plan has been approved and here is brief overview:
 
The coaches main point of emphasis was an all-in Regional Tournament (19 wrestlers qualifying).
 
The region has been divided into East & West Sub-Sections. Each Sub-Section has been divided into two Divisions (D#1 & D#2)
 
East Sub Section-D#1-James River, Appomattox, Chatham,
Martinsville, Randolph Henry
D#2-Graham, Glenvar, Marion, Floyd Co., Grayson Co.
 
West Sub-Section-D#1-Tazewell, Richlands,Grundy, Central
D#2-John Battle, VA High, Lee, Union, Lebanon
 
Each Division will have a Super Quad during the regular season to determine seeding in that Division.
 
A Sub-Section Tournament will take the place of the District Tournament.
D#1 vs. D#2 wrestlers in each Sub-Section. This tournament will determine: East-E#1 to E#10 & W#1 to W#9.
 
Sub-Section Tournaments will determine seeding for the Regional Tournament
 
The Regional Tournament will use a 16 Man Bracket with Pig-tail wrestle-in matches for weight classes with more than 16 wrestlers. The same brackets will be used for all weight classes. Format: E#1 & W#2 in one half of the bracket and W#1 & E#2 in the other half. This eliminates #1's meeting in the semi-finals.

:) Region 2A West has approved a regular season and post season format.
 
In February a committee of wrestling coaches was formed to create a new format for next season. The committee had a coach from each of the conferences. Tim Woodward-Graham, Luke Owens-Central, David Street-Appomattox, Tim Jennings-James River.
 
The plan has been approved and here is brief overview:
 
The coaches main point of emphasis was an all-in Regional Tournament (19 wrestlers qualifying).
 
The region has been divided into East & West Sub-Sections. Each Sub-Section has been divided into two Divisions (D#1 & D#2)
 
East Sub Section-D#1-James River, Appomattox, Chatham,
Martinsville, Randolph Henry
D#2-Graham, Glenvar, Marion, Floyd Co., Grayson Co.
 
West Sub-Section-D#1-Tazewell, Richlands,Grundy, Central
D#2-John Battle, VA High, Lee, Union, Lebanon
 
Each Division will have a Super Quad during the regular season to determine seeding in that Division.
 
A Sub-Section Tournament will take the place of the District Tournament.
D#1 vs. D#2 wrestlers in each Sub-Section. This tournament will determine: East-E#1 to E#10 & W#1 to W#9.
 
Sub-Section Tournaments will determine seeding for the Regional Tournament
 
The Regional Tournament will use a 16 Man Bracket with Pig-tail wrestle-in matches for weight classes with more than 16 wrestlers. The same brackets will be used for all weight classes. Format: E#1 & W#2 in one half of the bracket and W#1 & E#2 in the other half. This eliminates #1's meeting in the semi-finals.

:) Region 2A West has approved a regular season and post season format.
 
In February a committee of wrestling coaches was formed to create a new format for next season. The committee had a coach from each of the conferences. Tim Woodward-Graham, Luke Owens-Central, David Street-Appomattox, Tim Jennings-James River.
 
The plan has been approved and here is brief overview:
 
The coaches main point of emphasis was an all-in Regional Tournament (19 wrestlers qualifying).
 
The region has been divided into East & West Sub-Sections. Each Sub-Section has been divided into two Divisions (D#1 & D#2)
 
East Sub Section-D#1-James River, Appomattox, Chatham,
Martinsville, Randolph Henry
D#2-Graham, Glenvar, Marion, Floyd Co., Grayson Co.
 
West Sub-Section-D#1-Tazewell, Richlands,Grundy, Central
D#2-John Battle, VA High, Lee, Union, Lebanon
 
Each Division will have a Super Quad during the regular season to determine seeding in that Division.
 
A Sub-Section Tournament will take the place of the District Tournament.
D#1 vs. D#2 wrestlers in each Sub-Section. This tournament will determine: East-E#1 to E#10 & W#1 to W#9.
 
Sub-Section Tournaments will determine seeding for the Regional Tournament
 
The Regional Tournament will use a 16 Man Bracket with Pig-tail wrestle-in matches for weight classes with more than 16 wrestlers. The same brackets will be used for all weight classes. Format: E#1 & W#2 in one half of the bracket and W#1 & E#2 in the other half. This eliminates #1's meeting in the semi-finals.

:) Region 2A West has approved a regular season and post season format.
 
In February a committee of wrestling coaches was formed to create a new format for next season. The committee had a coach from each of the conferences. Tim Woodward-Graham, Luke Owens-Central, David Street-Appomattox, Tim Jennings-James River.
 
The plan has been approved and here is brief overview:
 
The coaches main point of emphasis was an all-in Regional Tournament (19 wrestlers qualifying).
 
The region has been divided into East & West Sub-Sections. Each Sub-Section has been divided into two Divisions (D#1 & D#2)
 
East Sub Section-D#1-James River, Appomattox, Chatham,
Martinsville, Randolph Henry
D#2-Graham, Glenvar, Marion, Floyd Co., Grayson Co.
 
West Sub-Section-D#1-Tazewell, Richlands,Grundy, Central
D#2-John Battle, VA High, Lee, Union, Lebanon
 
Each Division will have a Super Quad during the regular season to determine seeding in that Division.
 
A Sub-Section Tournament will take the place of the District Tournament.
D#1 vs. D#2 wrestlers in each Sub-Section. This tournament will determine: East-E#1 to E#10 & W#1 to W#9.
 
Sub-Section Tournaments will determine seeding for the Regional Tournament
 
The Regional Tournament will use a 16 Man Bracket with Pig-tail wrestle-in matches for weight classes with more than 16 wrestlers. The same brackets will be used for all weight classes. Format: E#1 & W#2 in one half of the bracket and W#1 & E#2 in the other half. This eliminates #1's meeting in the semi-finals.

:) Region 2A West has approved a regular season and post season format.
 
In February a committee of wrestling coaches was formed to create a new format for next season. The committee had a coach from each of the conferences. Tim Woodward-Graham, Luke Owens-Central, David Street-Appomattox, Tim Jennings-James River.
 
The plan has been approved and here is brief overview:
 
The coaches main point of emphasis was an all-in Regional Tournament (19 wrestlers qualifying).
 
The region has been divided into East & West Sub-Sections. Each Sub-Section has been divided into two Divisions (D#1 & D#2)
 
East Sub Section-D#1-James River, Appomattox, Chatham,
Martinsville, Randolph Henry
D#2-Graham, Glenvar, Marion, Floyd Co., Grayson Co.
 
West Sub-Section-D#1-Tazewell, Richlands,Grundy, Central
D#2-John Battle, VA High, Lee, Union, Lebanon
 
Each Division will have a Super Quad during the regular season to determine seeding in that Division.
 
A Sub-Section Tournament will take the place of the District Tournament.
D#1 vs. D#2 wrestlers in each Sub-Section. This tournament will determine: East-E#1 to E#10 & W#1 to W#9.
 
Sub-Section Tournaments will determine seeding for the Regional Tournament
 
The Regional Tournament will use a 16 Man Bracket with Pig-tail wrestle-in matches for weight classes with more than 16 wrestlers. The same brackets will be used for all weight classes. Format: E#1 & W#2 in one half of the bracket and W#1 & E#2 in the other half. This eliminates #1's meeting in the semi-finals.