A dilemma
I know what you're thinking when you saw the O-R's All District Team in the paper and on this blog.
There were a lot of names missing. And you're right.
I don't ever remember a season where there were so many quality wrestlers - I had five on my list - who had their season cut short for various reasons. So what to do with them for the All-District Teams?
We had 21 wrestlers qualify for the state tournament, one of the easiest and time-honored ways to make one of the two teams. We had three open spots after the state qualifiers and WPIAL champions. And I had five wrestlers who probably deserved a spot who never made it out of the WPIAL tournament or even into the postseason. And yes, Michael Hull, was on the list.
In the past, we have put an injured wrestler on the team if I felt he was good enough. That was always problematic for me because I don't see every bout of every dual meet.
Now, we have five for three spots. Who do I put on? Who do I leave off? Suddenly, it becomes an arbitrary process and the selection process should not be arbitrary. Why? How do you determine whether wrestlers are deserving when they compete in different weight classes and classifications?
You can't.
So, I decided to let the wrestlers choose themselves. Whoever advanced further in their weight class got the nod. It's certainly open to debate and I welcome that. And I can assure you, it was not an easy process.
There were a lot of names missing. And you're right.
I don't ever remember a season where there were so many quality wrestlers - I had five on my list - who had their season cut short for various reasons. So what to do with them for the All-District Teams?
We had 21 wrestlers qualify for the state tournament, one of the easiest and time-honored ways to make one of the two teams. We had three open spots after the state qualifiers and WPIAL champions. And I had five wrestlers who probably deserved a spot who never made it out of the WPIAL tournament or even into the postseason. And yes, Michael Hull, was on the list.
In the past, we have put an injured wrestler on the team if I felt he was good enough. That was always problematic for me because I don't see every bout of every dual meet.
Now, we have five for three spots. Who do I put on? Who do I leave off? Suddenly, it becomes an arbitrary process and the selection process should not be arbitrary. Why? How do you determine whether wrestlers are deserving when they compete in different weight classes and classifications?
You can't.
So, I decided to let the wrestlers choose themselves. Whoever advanced further in their weight class got the nod. It's certainly open to debate and I welcome that. And I can assure you, it was not an easy process.
posted by Joe Tuscano at
7:28 PM
12 Comments:
"So, I decided to let the wrestlers choose themselves. Whoever advanced further in their weight class got the nod."
Joe,
Exactly where is 112, 130, and 171 on that first team?
Selections did not go weight by weight. A wrestler made the team by how far they advanced in their own weight class. The reason for that is because you could have two 52-pounders make the state finals and not have a state qualifier from, say, 140.
Still doesn't make sense. What 140lber did better than Mizia and Toth? What 189lber? Also what 119? They all did the same thing.
Mizia got his head beat off the mat by martelotti and cried. Hence, second team.
Burgettstown Fans
I am a little confused by your Dilemma post. If you have 5 wrestlers that deserved a spot --include them on your all-district team. If a wrestler gets hurt he should not be penalized. If you feel a wrestler deserves recognition-- include him. Do you have a rule that states you have to pick a certain no. of wrestlers? You had three state champs--- why pick one for wrestler of the year? Why not have all three? This is very simple-- any wrestler you think is deserving of recognition regardless of classification or injury include them on your team. This was an extraordinary year for Washington County wrestlers. Do something extraordinary---expand your list!
Don't expand your list, that just waters it down. the only problem i have is that if you get hurt you get punished. Garcia and Ellis should be there, take off Thorpe and Carl.
How can you say that by expanding the list you would be watering it down? My point is Joe seems uncomfortable leaving some wrestlers off the team who he obviously thinks is deserving. That in itself is reason enough to include them.
any expansion is watering down, just invite everybody. That way no one's feelings get hurt.
so it is better to say that some wrestlers should be on the team but they are not. We obviously do not agree. Thanks Joe, for welcoming our opinion.
Hull doesn't deserve anything he chose football over wrestling. Secondly, who cares about one mans opinion of an all district team. If this was by committee or something more official then you could take it a bit more seriously. There are no rules to follow just an opinion. Everyone has one of those so why bother. Joe, you need to make criteria for the all district team and post it. Also, you need a few more judges than just yourself.
Hull does not deserve anything is a strong statement. He is a gifted athlete who chose to risk further injury so his team would have a chance to win a W.P.I.A.L. title. When he walked on the mat there were no guarantees he would win. In C.M. wrestling circles his effort will be remembered as legendary. If you think he should not be on the list[ which he is not] that is your opinion. He will be remembered for helping to win a wrestling title for his teammates, school and coaches. For not deserving anything- I think the W.P.I.A.L. wrestling title is enough.
Then you said it yourself Mr. Hull got what he deserved. He is gifted and could have gotten so much more. He did not deserve this award though. He did not wrestle for half the season and his legend is based on one match. He gave up on wrestling. So why should wrestling reward him?
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