Classification Smackdown

[Mark E. Schmidt]

First of all I'd like to congratulate all participants, place winners and state champions at this past weekend's state tournament.

Are you ready for some real classification smackdown? This coming March Colorado USA Wrestling will be hosting the First Annual Classification Smackdown Duals. The duals will be held at Florence High School in Florence, Colorado, March 6, 2010. If all goes well next year it will be at a different site. The way this will work is we have chosen 12 coaches, 3 from each classification. Their job is to come up with the best team in their classification, be it 14 state champs or 2 and
bar-b- que at state. Entry fee will be $20.00 per wrestler, each wrestler must have a USA card. The winning classification will receive bragging rights for the year and a case of Mtn. Dew. The entry fee will be earmarked for our Cadet and Junior Teamsfor the summer of 2010, to help with costs. It will be a round robin format, 1A/2A vs 5A, 3A vs 4A etc. If you are chosen you need to be sure and purchase your USA card. There will be a 7 pound weight allowance.

The Coaches that have been chosen to represent your classification should be contacting state champions and state placers to get their team made up in time for the smackdown.

The following coaches have been selected based on their qualifications, obviously it's not their looks!!

1A/2A Due to other commitments Coach Pipher and Coach Journey will be replaced by Doug Duell, Burlington High School
Andy Pipher - Paonia High School 1A/2A Coach of the Year
Mike Journey - Rocky Ford High School
Duane Stroh - Holyoke High School

3A
Randy Keys - Centauri High School 3A Coach of the Year
Bob Masse - Florence High School
Cal Cherrington - Middle Park High School

4A
Barry Himmelman - Conifer High School
Jerry Sisneros - Pueblo South High School

5A
Corey McNillis - Ponderosa High School 5A Coach of the Year
Billy Gable - Pine Creek High School
Lawrence Gurule - Grand Junction Central high School

This is only two weeks away so let's get busy. Any questions please call me at 303-898-9759 or 303-465-4772.

[Mark E. Schmidt]

Here is a list of commitments that are coming in for the smackdown. I will post more as they come in to me.

1A/2A
135 lbs. - Chad Stroh Holyoke State Champ

3A
119 lbs. - Ben Polkowske Centauri State Champ
135 lbs. - Kalen Keyes Centauri State Champ
Hwt lbs. - Vinny Chacon Centauri State Champ

4A
119 lbs. - Courtland Hacker State Champ
171 lbs. - Josh VanTine State Champ
140 lbs. - Travis Himmelman State Champ

[Mark E. Schmidt]

1A/2A
112 lbs. - Mark Edmonds Holyoke State Champ
130 lb Watson Wiggins State Champ
135 lbs. - Chad Stroh Holyoke State Champ
171 lbs Kohl Knutson Wiggins State Champ

3A
119 lbs. - Ben Polkowske Centauri State Champ
125 lbs. - Clay Flot Platte Valley State Champ
130 lbs. - Nick Adams Discovery Canyon State Champ
135 lbs. - Kalen Keyes Centauri State Champ
160 lbs. - Matt Addington Florence State Champ
171 lbs. - Elliott Copeland Bennett State Champ
189 lbs. - Clint Meyers Salida State Champ
Hwt lbs. - Vinny Chacon Centauri State Champ

4A
103 lbs. - Emilo Martinez Greeley West State Champ
112 lbs - Tim Urenda, Pueblo South, State Champ
119 lbs. - Courtland Hacker Broomfield State Champ
125 lbs. - Joseph Martinez Greeley West State Champ
130 lbs. - Nick Babcock Broomfield 2nd in State
135 lbs. - Casey Lynn Cortez State Champ
140 lbs. - Travis Himmelman Conifer State Champ
145 lbs - Nathaniel Garcia, Windsor, State Champ
152 lbs - Dan Barringer, Lewis Palmer State Champ
160 lbs - Blake Nygren, Roosevelt, State Champ
171 lbs. - Josh VanTine Broomfield State Champ
189 lbs - Jordon Passehl, Montrose, State Champ
215 lbs. - Braxten Franz Montrose 2nd in State
Hwt. - Scotland Coyle Longmont State Champ

5A
103: Geo Martinez (PIne Creek)
112: Josh Martinez (P.C)
119: Jeremy Schmidt (Rocky Mountain)
125: Carter McElhany (Coronado)
130: Undecided
135: Undecided
140: Tanner Hirstine (Cherry Creek)
145: Jacob Snider (Pondo)
152: Steven Kelly (Pondo)
160: Jon Crowley (Regis)
171: Austin Gabel (Pondo)
189: Max Wessel (Boulder)
215: Connor Medberry (Loveland)
HWT: Gage Boyd (Pomona)

Looks like 5A could be the team to beat!! Wrestlers and coaches we are going to be "wrestler friendly" there will be a 7pound weight allowance example 103 will need to weigh 110!

4A team is set and ready to go! The tentative schedule is starting at 9:00am: round 1: 1A/2A vs 4A, 3A vs 5A, round 2 immediately following: 3A vs 4A, 1A/2A vs 5A, final round immediately following: 4A vs 5A, 1A/2A vs 3A. This looks like it's going to be a barn burner. Thanks to the coaches for helping organize this so quickly!

Mark Schmidt

[whatadude]

nice to see so many commitments from 5a's best! Come on other classifications put up your best. I am looking forward to this event! This could truly evolve into what we all want to see...a TRUE Colorado State Champion.

[NorthernSprings]

WOW, if 2A, 3A and 4A can get a few more, I just might blow off my kids track meet that day to come watch this. Way to go 5A!

[152wrestler]

WOW, if 2A, 3A and 4A can get a few more, I just might blow off my kids track meet that day to come watch this. Way to go 5A!

You CAN'T be serious!?!

[Adam Keiswetter]

Will the matches be 6 minutes?

[dstroh]

Here's an update:Coach Duell is working on several others as am I
1A/2A
112 lbs. - Mark Edmonds Holyoke State Champ
130 lb Watson Wiggins State Champ
135 lbs. - Chad Stroh Holyoke State Champ
171 lbs Kohl Knutson Wiggins State Champ

3A
119 lbs. - Ben Polkowske Centauri State Champ
135 lbs. - Kalen Keyes Centauri State Champ
160 lbs. - Matt Addington Florence State Champ
Hwt lbs. - Vinny Chacon Centauri State Champ

4A
119 lbs. - Courtland Hacker Broomfield State Champ
130 lbs. - Nick Babcock Broomfield 2nd in State
135 lbs. - Casey Lynn Cortez State Champ
171 lbs. - Josh VanTine Broomfield State Champ
140 lbs. - Travis Himmelman Conifer State Champ

5A
103: Geo Martinez (PIne Creek)
112: Josh Martinez (P.C)
119: Jeremy Schmidt (Rocky Mountain)
125: Carter McElhany (Coronado)
130: Undecided
135: Undecided
140: Tanner Hirstine (Cherry Creek)
145: Jacob Snider (Pondo)
152: Steven Kelly (Pondo)
160: Jon Crowley (Regis)
171: Austin Gabel (Pondo)
189: Max Wessel (Boulder)
215: Connor Medberry (Loveland)
HWT: Gage Boyd (Pomona)

[Backpoints]

1A/2A
112 lbs. - Mark Edmonds Holyoke State Champ
130 lb Watson Wiggins State Champ
135 lbs. - Chad Stroh Holyoke State Champ
171 lbs Kohl Knutson Wiggins State Champ

3A
119 lbs. - Ben Polkowske Centauri State Champ
135 lbs. - Kalen Keyes Centauri State Champ
160 lbs. - Matt Addington Florence State Champ
Hwt lbs. - Vinny Chacon Centauri State Champ

4A
103 lbs -
112 lbs - Tim Urenda, Pueblo South, State Champ
119 lbs. - Courtland Hacker Broomfield State Champ
125 lbs -
130 lbs. - Nick Babcock Broomfield 2nd in State
135 lbs. - Casey Lynn Cortez State Champ
140 lbs. - Travis Himmelman Conifer State Champ
145 lbs - Nathaniel Garcia, Windsor, State Champ
152 lbs- Dan Barringer, Lewis Palmer State Champ
160 lbs - Blaye Nygren, Roosevelt, State Champ
171 lbs. - Josh VanTine Broomfield State Champ
189 lbs - Jordon Passehl, Montrose, State Champ
215 lbs -
285 lbs -


5A
103: Geo Martinez (PIne Creek)
112: Josh Martinez (P.C)
119: Jeremy Schmidt (Rocky Mountain)
125: Carter McElhany (Coronado)
130: Undecided
135: Undecided
140: Tanner Hirstine (Cherry Creek)
145: Jacob Snider (Pondo)
152: Steven Kelly (Pondo)
160: Jon Crowley (Regis)
171: Austin Gabel (Pondo)
189: Max Wessel (Boulder)
215: Connor Medberry (Loveland)
HWT: Gage Boyd (Pomona)

[wrestling_advocate]

looks like 4A is stepping up as well. hopefully they would use these results for the All-Colorado selection, rather than opinion.

[Ghengis Khan]

There's only one 103 lber in the state can go with Geo and I do believe if the 4A can get Emilio to do it, they might have a chance. This is going to be an awesome event! Great job CUSAW and high school coaches for coming together to get this done.

[Mark E. Schmidt]

Here's an update as of 6:41pm 2/23/10

1A/2A
112 lbs. - Mark Edmonds Holyoke State Champ
130 lb Watson Wiggins State Champ
135 lbs. - Chad Stroh Holyoke State Champ
171 lbs Kohl Knutson Wiggins State Champ

3A
119 lbs. - Ben Polkowske Centauri State Champ
125 lbs. - Clay Flot Platte Valley State Champ
130 lbs. - Nick Adams Discovery Canyon State Champ
135 lbs. - Kalen Keyes Centauri State Champ
160 lbs. - Matt Addington Florence State Champ
171 lbs. - Elliott Copeland Bennett State Champ
189 lbs. - Clint Meyers Salida State Champ
Hwt lbs. - Vinny Chacon Centauri State Champ

4A
103 lbs. - Emilo Martinez Greeley West State Champ
112 lbs - Tim Urenda, Pueblo South, State Champ
119 lbs. - Courtland Hacker Broomfield State Champ
125 lbs. - Joseph Martinez Greeley West State Champ
130 lbs. - Nick Babcock Broomfield 2nd in State
135 lbs. - Casey Lynn Cortez State Champ
140 lbs. - Travis Himmelman Conifer State Champ
145 lbs - Nathaniel Garcia, Windsor, State Champ
152 lbs - Dan Barringer, Lewis Palmer State Champ
160 lbs - Blake Nygren, Roosevelt, State Champ
171 lbs. - Josh VanTine Broomfield State Champ
189 lbs - Jordon Passehl, Montrose, State Champ
215 lbs. - Braxten Franz Montrose 2nd in State
Hwt. - Scotland Coyle Longmont State Champ

5A
103: Geo Martinez (PIne Creek)
112: Josh Martinez (P.C)
119: Jeremy Schmidt (Rocky Mountain)
125: Carter McElhany (Coronado)
130: Undecided
135: Undecided
140: Tanner Hirstine (Cherry Creek)
145: Jacob Snider (Pondo)
152: Steven Kelly (Pondo)
160: Jon Crowley (Regis)
171: Austin Gabel (Pondo)
189: Max Wessel (Boulder)
215: Connor Medberry (Loveland)
HWT: Gage Boyd (Pomona)

Looks like 5A could be the team to beat!! Wrestlers and coaches we are going to be "wrestler friendly" there will be a 7pound weight allowance example 103 will need to weigh 110!

4A team is set and ready to go! The tentative schedule is starting at 9:00am: round 1: 1A/2A vs 4A, 3A vs 5A, round 2 immediately following: 3A vs 4A, 1A/2A vs 5A, final round immediately following: 4A vs 5A, 1A/2A vs 3A. This looks like it's going to be a barn burner. Thanks to the coaches for helping organize this so quickly!

Mark Schmidt

[Backpoints]

1A/2A
112 lbs. - Mark Edmonds Holyoke State Champ
130 lb Watson Wiggins State Champ
135 lbs. - Chad Stroh Holyoke State Champ
171 lbs Kohl Knutson Wiggins State Champ

3A
119 lbs. - Ben Polkowske Centauri State Champ
135 lbs. - Kalen Keyes Centauri State Champ
160 lbs. - Matt Addington Florence State Champ
Hwt lbs. - Vinny Chacon Centauri State Champ

4A
103 lbs - Emilio Martinez, Greeley West, State Champ
112 lbs - Tim Urenda, Pueblo South, State Champ
119 lbs. - Courtland Hacker Broomfield State Champ
125 lbs - Joseph Martinez, Greeley West, State Champ
130 lbs. - Nick Babcock Broomfield 2nd in State
135 lbs. - Casey Lynn Cortez State Champ
140 lbs. - Travis Himmelman Conifer State Champ
145 lbs - Nathaniel Garcia, Windsor, State Champ
152 lbs- Dan Barringer, Lewis Palmer State Champ
160 lbs - Blake Nygren, Roosevelt, State Champ
171 lbs. - Josh VanTine Broomfield State Champ
189 lbs - Jordon Passehl, Montrose, State Champ
215 lbs - Braxton Franz, Montrose, Runner up State Champ
285 lbs - Scotland Coyle, Longmont, State Champ


5A
103: Geo Martinez (PIne Creek)
112: Josh Martinez (P.C)
119: Jeremy Schmidt (Rocky Mountain)
125: Carter McElhany (Coronado)
130: Undecided
135: Undecided
140: Tanner Hirstine (Cherry Creek)
145: Jacob Snider (Pondo)
152: Steven Kelly (Pondo)
160: Jon Crowley (Regis)
171: Austin Gabel (Pondo)
189: Max Wessel (Boulder)
215: Connor Medberry (Loveland)
HWT: Gage Boyd (Pomona)

[TigerMan McCool]

Somebody tell Stroh to go up to 140 and have a round robin with Hirstine and Himmelman!

[Lone Wolf]

No need, I think he will have his hands full with Lynn & Keys. Thought I read somewhere wigginsfan wanted his boy to wrestle Wessel, it appears this would be his chance.

[Foz]

This is brought up every year but 1A and 2A athletes are pretty much expected to do a sport each season and Track and Baseball just started this past Monday. It is different then big schools in that if you do not have a lot of cross over athletes you do not have teams. I would love to see Pollock and Davis match up against some of the bigger kids, even though he lost he was a classy young man who competes at a high level.

[Travislefever]

I hope they both get the chance to compete as well....Kyle beat the 4A champ...didn't see any of the others....and I really think that Davis could hold his own against anyone in this state. It will probably be difficult for them to attend though....as they are both standouts in Track....Kyle is a returning state placer in the discus i believe...and Tyler was ranked all year last year...only to scratch 3 times at regionals! Should be really fun though....I hope the turnout stays strong!

[Adam Bomb]

If they really wanted to wrestle these matches I'm sure no one would be upset with them missing an early season track meet.

[HEGES]

I think Lynn will handle his weight easily.

[T-VOR]

Kudos to CUSAW for getting this done!