Bear Tracks 2025 Ed 4 AA/A 132 - WHO is #1??

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BEAR TRACKS 2024 – 2025

2025 Edition – 4 WHO is #1??

Date of Issue: February 14th, 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 state wide 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:
132 AA/A
1 Price, Point Pleasant, State Champion, Sophomore Idle
2 Hess, North Marion, Fourth Place, Senior, QOP 25 Big 10
3 Morgan, Berkeley Springs, Runner Up, Junior Idle
4 Wolanski, Oak Glen, Fast Climber, Junior QUAD
5 Kelly, Braxton County, Q, Junior, QOP 8 LKC
6 K. Hensley, Chapmanville, Fifth Place, Sophomore, QOP 16 Idle
7 Andrick, Ravenswood, Q1, Sophomore, QOP 14 LKC
8 Bellanco, Cameron, Freshman Extraordinaire Idle
9 Freed, Williamstown, Q1, Sophomore, QOP 4 LKC
10 Smith, Poca, Q1, Junior, QOP 12 LKC
11 Brittingham, Frankfort Idle
12 Swingle, Keyser, Outsider Freshman Idle
13 Thomas, Ripley, Outsider, Sophomore Cardinal Conf
14 McKinney, Independence, Freshman Extraordinaire Coalfield Conf Inv
15 Tolley, Roane County, Freshman Extraordinaire LKC
16 Myers, Hoover, Q, Junior, QOP 13 Cardinal Conf
17 Boyce, Wirt County, Outsider, Junior LKC
18 Padgett, Lewis County Big 10

REGION 1
2 Hess, North Marion, Fourth Place, Senior, QOP 25 Big 10
3 Morgan, Berkeley Springs, Runner Up, Junior Idle
4 Wolanski, Oak Glen, Fast Climber, Junior QUAD
8 Bellanco, Cameron, Freshman Extraordinaire Idle
11 Brittingham, Frankfort Idle
12 Swingle, Keyser, Outsider Freshman Idle

REGION 2
5 Kelly, Braxton County, Q, Junior, QOP 8 LKC
15 Tolley, Roane County, Freshman Extraordinaire LKC
18 Padgett, Lewis County Big 10

REGION 3
14 McKinney, Independence, Freshman Extraordinaire Coalfield Conf Inv
16 Myers , Hoover, Q, Junior, QOP 13 Cardinal Conf

REGION 4
1 Price, Point Pleasant, State Champion, Sophomore Idle
6 K. Hensley, Chapmanville, Fifth Place, Sophomore, QOP 16 Idle
7 Andrick, Ravenswood, Q1, Sophomore, QOP 14 LKC
9 Freed, Williamstown, Q1, Sophomore, QOP 4 LKC
10 Smith, Poca, Q1, Junior, QOP 12 LKC
13 Thomas, Ripley, Outsider, Sophomore Cardinal Conf
17 Boyce, Wirt County, Outsider, Junior LKC

GENERAL COMMENTS & COMMENTARY ON THE TOP 1 THROUGH 4: Price is a returning state champion and undefeated in WV this season. Hess is a returning state fourth place winner in 2024 and state champion in 2023. Morgan is a returning state runner up. Morgan has lost to both Price and Hess this season. Currently, Price should be 1 and Hess 2. Hess and Morgan are both coming out of region 1 along with current #4 Wolanski. IF YOU REVIEW, the State Duals results for AA 132 in relation to this reginal breakdown, you will see how the current state tournament qualification process needs to be improved.