Bear Tracks 2025 Ed 4 AA/A 144 - WHO is #1??

[Bearhugger]

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:
144 AA/A
1 Ringer, East Fairmont, State Champion, Junior Big 10
2 Brown, Cameron, Freshman Extraordinaire Idle
3 Coste, Point Pleasant, Third Place, Senior, QOP 12 Idle
4 Whittaker, Independence, Fourth Place, Junior, QOP 21 Coalfield Conf Inv
5 Lamb, Oak Glen, Third Place, Senior, QOP 12 QUAD
6 Fox, Berkeley Springs, Q1, Junior, QOP 9 Idle
7 Philyaw, Ripley, Q1, Junior, QOP 12 Cardinal Conf
8 Coleman, Clay County, Sixth Place, Sophomore, QOP 12 LKC
9 Bush, Lewis County, Outsider, Junior Big 10
10 Newlon, Williamstown, Sixth Place, Junior, QOP 25 LKC
11 Hines, Nicholas County, Outsider, Junior Coalfield Conf
12 Dye, Wirt County, Outsider LKC
13 Painter, Greenbrier West, Q1, Senior, QOP 6 Coalfield Conf
14 Pillus, Moorefield, Blood Round, Senior, QOP 12 Idle
15 White, Chapmanville, Q1, Senior, QOP 23 Idle
16 Bauserman, East Hardy, Q, Junior, QOP 3 Idle
17 House, Keyser, Outsider, Idle
18 Lance, Roane County LKC
19 Coombs, Logan County, Shaft Level 2, Junior, QOP 5 Idle

REGION 1
1 Ringer, East Fairmont, State Champion, Junior Big 10
2 Brown, Cameron, Freshman Extraordinaire Idle
5 Lamb, Oak Glen, Third Place, Senior, QOP 12 QUAD
6 Fox, Berkeley Springs, Q1, Junior, QOP 9 Idle
17 House, Keyser, Outsider, Idle

REGION 2
8 Coleman, Clay County, Sixth Place, Sophomore, QOP 12 LKC
9 Bush, Lewis County, Outsider, Junior Big 10
14 Pillus, Moorefield, Blood Round, Senior, QOP 12 Idle
16 Bauserman, East Hardy, Q, Junior, QOP 3 Idle
18 Lance, Roane County LKC

REGION 3
4 Whittaker, Independence, Fourth Place, Junior, QOP 21 Coalfield Conf Inv
11 Hines, Nicholas County, Outsider, Junior Coalfield Conf
13 Painter, Greenbrier West, Q1, Senior, QOP 6 Coalfield Conf

REGION 4
3 Coste, Point Pleasant, Third Place, Senior, QOP 12 Idle
7 Philyaw, Ripley, Q1, Junior, QOP 12 Cardinal Conf
10 Newlon, Williamstown, Sixth Place, Junior, QOP 25 LKC
12 Dye, Wirt County, Outsider LKC
15 White, Chapmanville, Q1, Senior, QOP 23 Idle
19 Coombs, Logan County, Shaft Level 2, Junior, QOP 5 Idle

GENERAL COMMENTS & COMMENTARY ON THE TOP 1 THROUGH 4: Ringer is the returning state champion, undefeated in WV AA/A action and the current undisputed #1. Brown is the current #2. He shares at least two common opponents with Coste. Brown performed better against both opponents. However, Coste and Brown have not wrestled each other. Coste is a returning state third place winner. Whereas Ringer and Brown are both in region 1, the pill will separate them. Coste holds at least two wins over #4 Whittaker. Whittaker is the returning state fourth place winner and recently pulled off a come from behind win over #5 Lamb. Lamb finished third in the state tournament last season. Four of the top six are coming out of region 1.