Who is the most improved class 4 wrestler this year and why?

[sar231]

Just wanted to spark conversation about who the most improved wrestler is from last year.

[fudge tunnel]

Bailey

............or Winn.

[Brady]

Miles Bolin

[Greg]

Fudge are you saying Bailey and Winn are most improved or best? Best I have no quarrel with, however I am not sure they are the most improved this year. They were great coming into this season, and still are great.

[fudge tunnel]

Come on, Greg. It's called "trying to be funny". Guess it didn't work.

[Greg]

Sorry Fudge, it just teaches me I shouldn't watch football and post at the same time. Great football game by the way.

[fudge tunnel]

Great game. I predicted 41-40 earlier today......close.

[sar231]

good call with miles bolin.

[Louden]

Todd Porter.

[Brady]

I know he has always been good placing 3rd at state but this year it seems he's stepped it up a notch. Best of Luck to him.

[tiger1306]

Kyle Campbell

[QuIcKpIcK05]

JACOB GUERNSEY

[Greg]

I agree about Miles Bolin. You could see at Freestyle State this past May that he was ready to step it up this season.

[Louden]

iI'll elaborate on Todd Porter. The kid was a freshman on varsity last year, while tough, was only above average. This year, as a sophmore, he is something like 20-3 with a lost by major to Bailey, and then two out of state top ranked Illinois kids. Other than Bailey, Porter has controlled and/or dominated everyone else and is setting the stage for a high finish at State. It's a bit early, but he has been doing superb.

Another wrestler worth mentioning is Joey Wolfrum.

[haleybop]

DITTO FOR WOLFRUM { JOEY }

[Chocolate Starfish]

Brent Haynes. Pretty good lats year, this year a beast.

[Mayor McCheese]

I first saw the difference in Miles Bolin during the Desmet dual last year. Something happened to him in the middle of that match and he got a viscious streak that he has rode since then. His aggressiveness has improved tremendously.

Sean Morrisey and Mike Mattli for FZW has improved a lot also. Morrisey is "wrestling" better this year and Mattli is wrestling a lot better than I have seen in the past. Both of those guys are fearless.

I'm anxious to hear of more non-district 3 wrestlers to watch for come state time.

[Bob Pollock]

[mat wench]

Bob. I second your second nomination for Haynes he is pound for pound the most improved wrestler in the state.

[Athlete07]

Ditto for Haynes.
He went from being a little Kid to someone with Tree Trunks for Legs.

He is impressive.

[Mid-South Wrangler]

Another wrestler worth mentioning is Joey Wolfrum.

DITTO FOR WOLFRUM { JOEY }

Isn't Joey Wolfrum a freshman?[/quote]

[Mid-South Wrangler]

Boy I fudged that one up bad enough. ^^

[Takedown06]

Kevin Smith~Really worked hard over summer and showing great performance on the mat

Jourdan LaMear~ Now ranking in at 8th, Kid is an incredible athlete, stunned the Sluh crowd with an amazing backflip.

[PorkChop]

How about the kid from Lafayette at 189 Matt Brewer. Only a sophmore. I think he was a 500 wrestler on varsity last year and is now ranked 3rd. Beat the 2nd place kid in state from last year and a couple of other ranked opponets.

[proudmama]

What ever happened to Jacob Wolfrum? He was such a good wrestler in little league.

[obnoxio]

Da Clown votes for Brent Haynes.

How many kids has he sent to the ER this year? I know of one at the GCHT.

[Mid-South Wrangler]

I think Rico Williams HC deserves to be mentioned. Undefeated thus far after placing 6th @ 45lbs last year.

I would personally choose Brent Haynes, though, if I was on the voting committee and this was an official award. This kid got bigger in about 10 months than some HS kids do over their 4 year tenure. I'm also pretty sure, though, that he doesn't struggle to make weight and at this point is the frontrunner in a class w/ some very talented wrestlers.

[legrider]

I didn't realize we had a 45# weight class, let alone having 6 wrestlers in it to place@! :smt043

[Bob Pollock]

[Randy B]

Joey Wolfrum is a sophomore. I think that Jacob is wrestling on the freshman team this year after taking a break from wrestling the past few years.

[Warner]

I would have to say that Brent Haynes deserves it. He not only performed well as a freshman but has moved up in weight and has been very dominate. Keep in mind, he is only a sophmore. Won Lee Summit in dominate fashion and then followed up with more of the same at Granite City Christmas tournament. Brent will be in the state finals(my opinion, State Champ).
Miles Bolin has done very well. He is wrestling much more aggressive and that with his technical skills will carry him a long way this year. Hope to see Miles in the state finals.

[Stupid the Kid]

I'd like to see a Haynes/Winn match. :idea:

[RP-in-Nebraska]

I'd like to see a Haynes/Winn match. :idea:

Maybe next year they'll both be at 215?

[Bob Pollock]

[Judge Ito]

I think Brent will still be undefeated at that point .

I think Bowman will take him.

[RP-in-Nebraska]

I know Haynes has wrestled 189 already this year, but do you think that he would go up to wrestle Winn knowing that Winn naturally outweighs him by about 15 to 20 pounds of muscle? Also, would the OP coaches want/allow that to happen? I know I'd love to see it.

[mat wench]

I'm not sure if its 20lbs of muscle? Deron used to work at a ice cream store.

[RP-in-Nebraska]

Okay, maybe some of it is table muscle.

[Mid-South Wrangler]

Joey Wolfrum is a sophomore.

Thanks. He more than qualifies in that case.

Maybe next year they'll both be at 215?

I think a more likely scenario would be seeing them both at 89lbs next year.

Bob Pollock wrote:
I think Brent will still be undefeated at that point .


I think Bowman will take him.

Should be the 'Tonka final and a great match to see.

[RP-in-Nebraska]

Maybe next year they'll both be at 215?

I think a more likely scenario would be seeing them both at 89lbs next year.


While I am uneducated on this topic, I was under the impression that Winn had to cut a lot of weight to get to 189 this year. But, as I said, I am uneducated on this topic but I would think that it could be a great match-up.

[Mid-South Wrangler]

You could be right. Not knowing Deron Winn personally, I assumed from his height that he wasn't naturally much more than 190lbs. I can't see Brent Haynes though, getting ANOTHER 30-40lbs bigger by next year.

[COMPDADRBC]

Brent haynes op and david webber has looked good also.Hope to see david at state. can you leave him out ?

[Carl Brutananadilewski]

can you leave him out ?

Unfortunately yes. With Bailey back in the lineup, there's no spot for him.

[Louden]

A lot of people are choosing Haynes. I wouldn't because even if he is that much better, he is a third place finisher, and beat a 4 time medalist for 3rd.

When I think of most improved, I think of someone who was a no one until this year.

[underrated east]

First of all I think Brent Haynes trying to wrestle up to get Winn would not be a wise decision. Winn is far too good for Haynes, don't get me wrong Haynes is a great wrestler but did you not see what Winn did over the summer at nationals against some of the best wrestlers in the country at his own weight. In my opinion he would handle Haynes pretty good.

For most improved wrestler I would definately go with Miles Bolin and Joey Wolfrum. Miles has made a dominating improvement from last years 3rd place finish. Joey Wolfrum did not even have a varsity spot but has come in extremely tough and has had a ton of close matches against many state placers. I think Joey is almost over the hump to beat some of these guys, once he gets that bit of confidence then he will be a much more dangerous threat.

[wrestlefan19]

Joey beat Kelly of FHC this weekend at gacs
but Miles Bolin was mentioned I dont agree with that but how about Eddie Rodgers?
He has a win over Reid Garcia this year and was VERY close to beating Bolin...Bolin got all he could handle in that match

[Bob Pollock]

[Troy Wrestling Fan]

Well if you Look at Graham from Troy He only wrestled once before the GAC's. That was a loss to Joey Wolfrum in a very good Match. Then he goes to the GAC's Wrestles the #2 seed Knickmyer from Washington. He completely controlled that match and then Pinned him. Then he wrestled the #3 seed Kelly from FHC although Kelly was ahead Graham pinned him. Then going up against John Van (Sorry John don't want to slaughter your name) Loses by 1 point in OT. I know Graham was a State Qualifier last year but this is quite impressive for his 1st tourny of the year. All those wrestlers are top notch wrestlers in my book. I think he shows quite an improvement in maturity this year and should do well at State.

[Troy Wrestling Fan]

I just wanted to say that Graham has made another impressive jump. He had an honorable mention before GAC's and he had never really wrestled before that. Then he goes to GAC's and is ranked 3rd, holy crap that is amazing. Last year he did not even get an honorable mention.

[magilla_160]

another person that has improved to me is ryan johnson of HC he went from not starting to being 8th at 135 this year and taking the desmet tournament

[Mayor McCheese]

I would have to put Brian Oeschner in the conversation too. Even though he was expected to follow up placing in state last year with a good performance, he has really been impressive. He is very quick and his strength and stamina have been unmatched thus far. I'm anxious for him to have a chance to wrestle Wiest this year. I guess it won't be until districts.

State should be great. Nay, Weist, Diekhaus, Oeschner....I hope the bracket allows those guys to get a little momentum and meet in the semis.

[Troy Wrestling Fan]

I have to agree that Oeschner has really improved. He is really tearing it up this year. Although we all expected it. Anyone who watched him come through the little league. He improved every year and I think he will do the same in High school. I think he will have his work cut out for him in the 145lb bracket at state. Placing in the top 4 should be no problem for him. There will be some very exciting matchups at state in the 145lb bracket.
Good Luck Brian

[Louden]

A lot of these names are of wrestlers who have improved, but I find it funny that some of these are being mentioned as most improved.

Okay so Oeschner or Haynes, or those like them are better now, but how do they qualify as most improved when they placed at State last year? Haynes for example... took 3rd at state, yet he is nominated for most improved? At the very best he can now take 1st. That's not a huge improvement. His skills may have become a lot better as well but still, he was a top notch wrestler before hand...

I think most improved should go to someone who was average or a nobody and then this year they are making major noise. You can't say that Oeschner or Haynes improved as much as someone who-for example had a record of 22-18 last year and this year are at 35-5. Of course wrestlers like that may not be as big of names as a Brent Haynes, but that's not a criteria for most improved.

[The Godfather]

A lot of these names are of wrestlers who have improved, but I find it funny that some of these are being mentioned as most improved.

Okay so Oeschner or Haynes, or those like them are better now, but how do they qualify as most improved when they placed at State last year? Haynes for example... took 3rd at state, yet he is nominated for most improved? At the very best he can now take 1st. That's not a huge improvement. His skills may have become a lot better as well but still, he was a top notch wrestler before hand...

I think most improved should go to someone who was average or a nobody and then this year they are making major noise. You can't say that Oeschner or Haynes improved as much as someone who-for example had a record of 22-18 last year and this year are at 35-5. Of course wrestlers like that may not be as big of names as a Brent Haynes, but that's not a criteria for most improved.

I agree with that. The example of most improved that I always consider when looking at these is Ben Smith (98 Howell graduate). Ben was 13-13 as a Sophomore and didn't make it to state. His junior year, he was something like 35-4 and took 2nd at state, then was a state champion as a senior. There aren't alot of cases like this, but it does happen.

[Louden]

My fellow O'fallonian is agreeing with me? Mark this day!

[The Godfather]

My fellow O'fallonian is agreeing with me? Mark this day!

Yes'sir. It's too bad that our 1 agreeance/year had to come so early in 2006, but that's how it goes. :D

[Louden]

Well, back to the usual then... :smt062

[wrestlefan19]

A couple nominations
R.J McCravy FZW-was JV most of last year and is now ranked 4th (I think) with an easy major of #6 Plaggenburg...score was 18-10 after Plaggenburg caugh RJ on his back for 3(or 5 not sure if it came off a reversal)
Eddie Rodgers FHC-Two and out at state last year currently ranked 6th with wins over Reid Garcia and class 3 #2 Stamp
Jimmy Pepper-not sure if he qualifies but is currently dominating and looks to improve on his finish last yr(5th? 4th?)
Terrel Smart-I had never heard of him and he recently beat Reid Garcia and finished ahead of a tough chandler at the HC tourney-still early to call him Most improved though...

[The Godfather]

Well, back to the usual then... :smt062

:partyman:

[Louden]

Well, back to the usual then... :smt062

:partyman:

Hey! Now that's more like it! :smt078

[Mid-South Wrangler]

Okay so Oeschner or Haynes, or those like them are better now, but how do they qualify as most improved when they placed at State last year? Haynes for example... took 3rd at state, yet he is nominated for most improved? At the very best he can now take 1st. That's not a huge improvement. His skills may have become a lot better as well but still, he was a top notch wrestler before hand...

I think most improved should go to someone who was average or a nobody and then this year they are making major noise. You can't say that Oeschner or Haynes improved as much as someone who-for example had a record of 22-18 last year and this year are at 35-5. Of course wrestlers like that may not be as big of names as a Brent Haynes, but that's not a criteria for most improved.

I get your drift. But take into account that Haynes wrestled @ 40 lbs last year while placing third and is DOMINATING at 71 lbs this year. Thats a pretty big improvement if you ask me.

Its a good thing people can post opinions on a website without feelling like they made a bad decision. :(

BTW Louden, which wrestler from NW gets your vote for most improved wrester? :D

[Mid-South Wrangler]

oops...missed it initially, but you did nominate a NW grappler on the first page of the thread. Sorry and thank you.

[Bob Pollock]

[Louden]

Todd Porter got my vote. He is something like 34-5 this year with losses to the likes of Bailey, a close match with Graham, Winning of Il, etc.
Ron Porter is also a lot better as well coming from a one-move wonder to a 30+ win wrestler where he rarely ever uses that one move anymore. I think he was finally talked out of going for it all of the time and is now winning matches with his other skills that he never really showed outside of the practice room.