Post by colanowski on Feb 19, 2024 8:04:22 GMT -5
Man oh man…what a season it was! This weekend we crowned 105 state champions (7 team and 98 individual…LOL am I right!!!)
So before I get into my review…I had an epiphany this weekend while sitting on my couch watching day 1 of the state championships…hear me it out
It takes about a $1M investment (if you value homes in your area at $350k) to win a team state championship. Ya. I said it. Cuz nobody is doing it with 100% homegrown talent. You need to bring in ATLEAST 3 transfers to do it. Now if you’re in a ritzy are it could be 2-3M to win a title team title. Pretty wild to think of it this way.
One thing I also noticed this weekend. One of the side effects of the 7 classifications is more classes=more need for officials=more bad officials @ the state tournament…
Now one last note before I get into the rasslin…
I had boots on the group on Saturday at 4-6 championships…
Where was the buzz in the arena? The energy was that of a local youth event. Maybe a few more fans and a PA announcer…but I’ve been to TWENTY-ya that’s right 20 VHSL championships in my 30 years of life and this was the worst energy I’ve ever felt in the arena. Just saying…
After this weekend I can undoubtedly say Staunton River and Mountain View are the two best teams in the state. Now, let’s get em together for a dual. I know I can call coach Fike right now and he’d say “let’s do it”. Not sure who the MV coach is but if you’re reading this HMU let’s make it happen!
My biggest shocker this weekend in terms of team champs was how dominant Cox was. I’m not shocked that they won…but how they won. Big props to the Head Brothers. They uprooted their lives about five years ago to build a program down in VB and they’ve done a fantastic job. Congrats to Dalton Head on a fantastic season. I believe with the support of the community Cox might be sticking around as a title contender in future years.
6A 106 was worth the price of admission. Royce Wetzler is a DAWG! Came out and punched Peyton Van Hoven in the mouth and didn’t slow down as he dominated his semifinals to set up a highly anticipated match w Carter Shin. Carter is savvy. Positionally this was a D1 level match. Shinn came out on top in a 3-0 victory.
5A 157 - Caleb Neal vs Carson Main was gritty. Tough hand fighting and really impressive riding on top. Neal is a gamer. You could tell when it was time for OT he put his foot on the line and was ready to rock. Neal took the first shot and finished cleanly to send him to the finals where he’d ultimately claim his third state title. Best of luck to this young man in claiming #4!
4A 132- Braden Henderson is a cold blooded killer. Stone cold. He had a burn burner semifinals w Kadin Smoot where he won in OT. Electric Match. Then in the finals he was down 1-0 to Luke Wells and w 4 seconds to go he gets a reversal to win 2-1. Ice in his veins.
4A 113- Bryce Shnelzer got some payback against Waylon Rogers reversing last years final in the semis. But here comes Derek Bush to be the spoiler!!! Bush wins the weight as a freshman and Shnelzer leaves as a runner up for the second year in a row.
3A 120- Parker Withers takes out 2x state champ Kyle Gibson in the semis before dominating in the finals. Great tournament for the sophomore.
2A 106- Xaiden Wynn gets his second title in what I’ve heard was controversial fashion? (I’ll be honest still haven’t watched the match). But I’ve heard some buzz it was a bad pin for Harrell. Regardless of the result - I guess we can celebrate the fact that Wynn got to celebrate with his dad this year. AM I RIGHT!!!
3A 175 - I was impressed with Armbrust every time I saw him this year. Think this Young Buck has a bright future ahead of him...But it is not the future. It is the present and Josh Kelly is a seasoned vet. I don't expect this kid to roll over. He’ll be back.
2A 126- Jared Goodson. Man. I think this kid has a bright future. 2x State Champ now for Poqouson. Every time I see him compete he matures physically and mentally. I think one day he can be a big name nationally. I’m a big fan of Goodson. Congrats to him on his second title.
6A 157- I was pretty mad the official called Weader for a slam and ruined one the best potential finals in the state. Poor Cassidy moved from PA and didn't have a state finals match. Hope Charlesworth heals up fast and is OK!
NOW…The moment youve all been waiting for…Coach of the Year…I changed my mind. It’s not going to a vote. I made up my mind this weekend on who the coach of the year is…Drum Roll Please…
Your ‘VAWA FORUM’ Coach of the Year is…FRANK W. COX DALTON HEAD!!!
Congratulations Coach Head on a fantastic season and a job well done. I hyped up Indy and Coach Grinups ALL SEASON all for Cox to spoil my hype train. I believe this is a well deserved honor.
NOW….Truly the moment you’ve all been waiting for… I was thankful that a lot of people this weekend asked about what I’ve got in store…and unfortunately…I can’t tell you YET! We’re about a week out, but I promise that my team and I are working diligently to bring the best product to Virginia since the settlers of Jamestown brought tobacco from England. This is going to change VA Wrestling. There’s two things everyone wants and I can promise you its one of the two. #2 will come in the future. You may say our idea won’t work…and if you do, well this isn’t for you and I hope the cheetos you eat on your uncomfortable couch are as stale as you are!!!
Stay tuned…Next week the announcement is coming…I promise!!!
But I’ll leave you with this
January 20, 2025 I HAVE A DREAM!!!!
So before I get into my review…I had an epiphany this weekend while sitting on my couch watching day 1 of the state championships…hear me it out
It takes about a $1M investment (if you value homes in your area at $350k) to win a team state championship. Ya. I said it. Cuz nobody is doing it with 100% homegrown talent. You need to bring in ATLEAST 3 transfers to do it. Now if you’re in a ritzy are it could be 2-3M to win a title team title. Pretty wild to think of it this way.
One thing I also noticed this weekend. One of the side effects of the 7 classifications is more classes=more need for officials=more bad officials @ the state tournament…
Now one last note before I get into the rasslin…
I had boots on the group on Saturday at 4-6 championships…
Where was the buzz in the arena? The energy was that of a local youth event. Maybe a few more fans and a PA announcer…but I’ve been to TWENTY-ya that’s right 20 VHSL championships in my 30 years of life and this was the worst energy I’ve ever felt in the arena. Just saying…
After this weekend I can undoubtedly say Staunton River and Mountain View are the two best teams in the state. Now, let’s get em together for a dual. I know I can call coach Fike right now and he’d say “let’s do it”. Not sure who the MV coach is but if you’re reading this HMU let’s make it happen!
My biggest shocker this weekend in terms of team champs was how dominant Cox was. I’m not shocked that they won…but how they won. Big props to the Head Brothers. They uprooted their lives about five years ago to build a program down in VB and they’ve done a fantastic job. Congrats to Dalton Head on a fantastic season. I believe with the support of the community Cox might be sticking around as a title contender in future years.
6A 106 was worth the price of admission. Royce Wetzler is a DAWG! Came out and punched Peyton Van Hoven in the mouth and didn’t slow down as he dominated his semifinals to set up a highly anticipated match w Carter Shin. Carter is savvy. Positionally this was a D1 level match. Shinn came out on top in a 3-0 victory.
5A 157 - Caleb Neal vs Carson Main was gritty. Tough hand fighting and really impressive riding on top. Neal is a gamer. You could tell when it was time for OT he put his foot on the line and was ready to rock. Neal took the first shot and finished cleanly to send him to the finals where he’d ultimately claim his third state title. Best of luck to this young man in claiming #4!
4A 132- Braden Henderson is a cold blooded killer. Stone cold. He had a burn burner semifinals w Kadin Smoot where he won in OT. Electric Match. Then in the finals he was down 1-0 to Luke Wells and w 4 seconds to go he gets a reversal to win 2-1. Ice in his veins.
4A 113- Bryce Shnelzer got some payback against Waylon Rogers reversing last years final in the semis. But here comes Derek Bush to be the spoiler!!! Bush wins the weight as a freshman and Shnelzer leaves as a runner up for the second year in a row.
3A 120- Parker Withers takes out 2x state champ Kyle Gibson in the semis before dominating in the finals. Great tournament for the sophomore.
2A 106- Xaiden Wynn gets his second title in what I’ve heard was controversial fashion? (I’ll be honest still haven’t watched the match). But I’ve heard some buzz it was a bad pin for Harrell. Regardless of the result - I guess we can celebrate the fact that Wynn got to celebrate with his dad this year. AM I RIGHT!!!
3A 175 - I was impressed with Armbrust every time I saw him this year. Think this Young Buck has a bright future ahead of him...But it is not the future. It is the present and Josh Kelly is a seasoned vet. I don't expect this kid to roll over. He’ll be back.
2A 126- Jared Goodson. Man. I think this kid has a bright future. 2x State Champ now for Poqouson. Every time I see him compete he matures physically and mentally. I think one day he can be a big name nationally. I’m a big fan of Goodson. Congrats to him on his second title.
6A 157- I was pretty mad the official called Weader for a slam and ruined one the best potential finals in the state. Poor Cassidy moved from PA and didn't have a state finals match. Hope Charlesworth heals up fast and is OK!
NOW…The moment youve all been waiting for…Coach of the Year…I changed my mind. It’s not going to a vote. I made up my mind this weekend on who the coach of the year is…Drum Roll Please…
Your ‘VAWA FORUM’ Coach of the Year is…FRANK W. COX DALTON HEAD!!!
Congratulations Coach Head on a fantastic season and a job well done. I hyped up Indy and Coach Grinups ALL SEASON all for Cox to spoil my hype train. I believe this is a well deserved honor.
NOW….Truly the moment you’ve all been waiting for… I was thankful that a lot of people this weekend asked about what I’ve got in store…and unfortunately…I can’t tell you YET! We’re about a week out, but I promise that my team and I are working diligently to bring the best product to Virginia since the settlers of Jamestown brought tobacco from England. This is going to change VA Wrestling. There’s two things everyone wants and I can promise you its one of the two. #2 will come in the future. You may say our idea won’t work…and if you do, well this isn’t for you and I hope the cheetos you eat on your uncomfortable couch are as stale as you are!!!
Stay tuned…Next week the announcement is coming…I promise!!!
But I’ll leave you with this
January 20, 2025 I HAVE A DREAM!!!!