Bear Tracks 2025 Ed 4 AA/A 215 - 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:
215 AA/A
1 Martin, Wheeling Central, State Champion, Junior ?????
2 Watson, Roane County, State Champion, Senior LKC
3 Van Meter, East Hardy, Sixth Place, Sophomore, QOP 25 Idle
4 Trent, Williamstown, Blood Round, Senior, QOP 17 LKC
5 Cowger, Shady Spring, Q, Junior, QOP 2 Coalfield Conf
6 Hill, Point Pleasant, Blood Round, Junior, QOP 6 Idle
7 Roop, Midland Trail, Outsider Coalfield Conf
8 Burns, Wirt County, Outsider, LKC
9 Varney, Independence, Outsider, Freshman Coalfield Conf
10 Hardbarger, Lewis County, Outsider, Freshman Big 10
11 Collins, Hoover, Q, Junior, QOP 19 Cardinal Conf
12 Cruthers, Greenbrier West, Outsider Coalfield Conf
13 Alt, Moorefield, Outsider, Sophomore Idle
14 Workman, Elkins, Freshman Extraordinaire Big 10
15 Gudino, Oak Glen, Outsider QUAD

REGION 1
1 Martin, Wheeling Central, State Champion, Junior ?????
15 Gudino, Oak Glen, Outsider QUAD

REGION 2
2 Watson, Roane County, State Champion, Senior LKC
3 Van Meter, East Hardy, Sixth Place, Sophomore, QOP 25 Idle
10 Hardbarger, Lewis County, Outsider, Freshman Big 10
13 Alt, Moorefield, Outsider, Sophomore Idle
14 Workman, Elkins, Freshman Extraordinaire Big 10

REGION 3
5 Cowger, Shady Spring, Q, Junior, QOP 2 Coalfield Conf
7 Roop, Midland Trail, Outsider Coalfield Conf
9 Varney, Independence, Outsider, Freshman Coalfield Conf
11 Collins, Hoover, Q, Junior, QOP 19 Cardinal Conf
12 Cruthers, Greenbrier West, Outsider Coalfield Conf

REGION 4
4 Trent, Williamstown, Blood Round, Senior, QOP 17 LKC
6 Hill, Point Pleasant, Blood Round, Junior, QOP 6 Idle
8 Burns, Wirt County, Outsider, LKC

GENERAL COMMENTS & COMMENTARY ON THE TOP 1 THROUGH 4: Returning state champion Martin is #1. Returning state champion Watson is #2. They have not wrestled yet. Returning state sixth placer Van Meter is #3. To my knowledge, both Martin and Van Meter have not wrestled anybody in the top 10 this season. Please advise.