Postby Bearhugger » Mon Nov 12, 2018 1:58 pm
When the regions were realigned two seasons ago, the concerns for state tournament byes aka Thursday Night Vacancies (TNV) became a talking point. The potential was there but no solution was provided.
The 2017 season might have produced one TNV. I recall an intercepted memo stating something about there were no byes at the state tournament. They were forfeits. Bye, forfeit..........its still a TNV to some of us. The potential threat became more imminent. Still, no solution was provided.
Finally, the 2018 season gave us some many TNVs that the word on the street was that the theme from Rocky was going to be replaced with "Bye, Bye, Miss American Pie".
Now, a solution has been provided. Let's let the solution solve (the best it can) the problem.
If a regional fifth place winner is needed for a TNV, let's not fool ourselves that this is a tough choice between three top ten ranked wrestlers, coming out of three brutally competitive regions, that are vying for the winning lottery spot to enter into the state tournament.
Here are some facts to illustrate where we are:
1. Practice begins today. AAA 220 is the number one weight class under suspicion for a TNV in 2019. Although some 220s might appear on some rosters, the word on the street is Parkersburg South is the only school with a named 220. The other 28 AAA schools are either keeping their 220 top secret or he(she) plans to enter the region under a mask.
2. Here is a summary of the 2018 AAA regional 5th place winners at 220:
Region 1 had a freshman finish 5th at 220. His record was 9 - 15. There was no 6th place wrestler.
Region 2 did not have enough wrestlers to have a 5th or 6th place finisher.
Region 3 did not have enough wrestlers to have a 4th, 5th or 6th place finisher.
Region 4 had a freshman finish 5th at 220. His record was 4 - 5. There was no 6th place finisher.
3. Using the 220 results from 2018 above, there would only be a decision to make between two wrestlers. Both had losing records. One had 9 wins while the other had only 9 matches.
If figuring this out stumps the coaches, stumps the WVSSAC, stumps the principals.................then I suggest a committee of 20+ strong Hall of Famers are assembled to figure this out.
If this fails, then Gator................under the close supervision of Frank, TruesouthfaninPBurg and Shemailman, can flip a coin.
Let's also keep in mind that Weir had a regional fifth place winner get a call and entered the state tournament. He placed 5th in the state!!!!!!
Holy smokes. Braxton Amos works out with a landmine now!!!!!!