Bear Tracks 2025 Ed 4 AA/A 126 - WHO is #1??

[Bearhugger]

BEAR TRACKS 2024 – 2025

2025 Edition – 4 WHO is #1??

Date of Issue: February 13th, 2025
NEW BUSINESS AND MESSAGES:
1 When you seed a wrestler #1 in a tournament, we must know why. When we rank a wrestler #1, 2, 3 and so on in the state, we must know why.
2 In a little over one week, the regional tournaments will happen. Pay close attention to each wrester’s state ranking and then how it breaks down into each region. How many wrestlers are not in the top 10 statewide but they might be #1 in their region?
3 After the regional tournaments are complete, the coaches’ committee will select the clear cut #1 and #2 wrestlers in the state and separate them in the state tournament pairings. When doing so, the coaches know WHY. No why, then no separation
4 FOR THIS EDITION of Bear Tracks, I will provide commentary as to who I have in the top 3 and WHY. If needed, I will provide needed commentary as deep as the top 4. Every weight class is different. The sport of wrestling is too dynamic to settle for a “one size fits all” approach. If needed, I can explain WHY.
5 The Bear Tracks rankings have always been a reflection of what has happened and not a prediction of the future. These rankings are based on the best available information. If you see a wrestler ranked BELOW somebody he has beat, then as usual, please comment. I obviously do not know about the match result you do.
6 A wrestler is not responsible for his school’s schedule. If a wrestler has not wrestled anybody in the top 10 of his weight class, it doesn’t mean he cannot do well at the state tournament. It does mean his WV schedule is weak. A wrestler is not responsible for his schedule.
ENJOY!!!!

Wrestler information is listed as follows: Name, School, State Tournament Place/Designation, Grade, QOP, Event on February 15th

Weight Class:
126 AA/A
1 Swingle, Keyser, State Champion, Sophomore Idle
2 Clark, Berkeley Springs, Q1, Senior, QOP 12 Idle
3 Birch, Cameron, Runner Up, Sophomore Idle
4 Durst, Ripley, Outsider, Freshman Cardinal Conf
5 McKinney, Braxton County, Blood Round, Senior, QOP 10 LKC
6 Cole, Smith, Williamstown, Third Place, Sophomore, QOP 12 LKC
7 Willett, East Fairmont, Fast Climber, Senior Big 10
8 Vaughn, Frankfort, Outsider, Senior Idle
9 Morris, Philip Barbour, Outsider, Big 10
10 Winland, St. Marys, Shaft Level 1, Junior, QOP 19 LKC
11 Siders, Hoover, Outsider, Freshman Cardinal Conf
12 Mullins, Independence, Q, Junior, QOP 18 Coalfield Conf Inv
13 W. Nichols, Roane County, Outsider, Freshman LKC
14 Jenkins, RCB, Outsider, Senior Big 10
15 Fenton, South Harrison, Q, Junior, QOP 11 LKC
16 Lane, Sissonville, Q, Junior, QOP 14 Cardinal Conference
17 Jarvis, Clay County LKC
18 Norris, Lewis County, Outsider, Junior Big 10

REGION 1
1 Swingle, Keyser, State Champion, Sophomore Idle
2 Clark, Berkeley Springs, Q1, Senior, QOP 12 Idle
3 Birch, Cameron, Runner Up, Sophomore Idle
7 Willett, East Fairmont, Fast Climber, Senior Big 10
8 Vaughn, Frankfort, Outsider, Senior Idle
10 Winland, St. Marys, Shaft Level 1, Junior, QOP 19 LKC

REGION 2
5 McKinney, Braxton County, Blood Round, Senior, QOP 10 LKC
9 Morris, Philip Barbour, Outsider, Big 10
13 W. Nichols, Roane County, Outsider, Freshman LKC
14 Jenkins, RCB, Outsider, Senior Big 10
15 Fenton, South Harrison, Q, Junior, QOP 11 LKC
17 Jarvis, Clay County LKC
18 Norris, Lewis County, Outsider, Junior Big 10

REGION 3
11 Siders, Hoover, Outsider, Freshman Cardinal Conf
12 Mullins, Independence, Q, Junior, QOP 18 Coalfield Conf Inv

REGION 4
4 Durst, Ripley, Outsider, Freshman Cardinal Conf
6 Cole, Smith, Williamstown, Third Place, Sophomore, QOP 12 LKC
16 Lane, Sissonville, Q, Junior, QOP 14 Cardinal Conference

GENERAL COMMENTS & COMMENTARY ON THE TOP 1 THROUGH 4: Swingle is a returning state champion. Undefeated in WV AA/A this season. Holds two wins over Clark. Clark holds a win over Birch. Birch is a returning state runner up. All three are in Region 1. The pill will do it all. To add, Willet is a returning state runner up from two seasons ago. Winland got 5th in region 1 last season and did not qualify. The two wrestlers that beat him in the region went on and placed in the state tournament. Please review the distribution of wrestlers across the regions. We should be able to improve our great sport each year. Let's worry less about singlet straps being up or down and improve the state tournament qualification process.