Bear Tracks 2025 Ed 4 AA/A 165 - 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:
165 AA/A
1 Preolitti, East Fairmont, Runner Up, Sophomore Big 10
2 Sullivan, Berkeley Springs, Fifth Place, Senior, QOP 16 Idle
3 Eden, Hoover, Fourth Place, Senior, QOP 25 Cardinal Conf
4 Dauch, Point Pleasant, Fifth Place, Senior, QOP 16 Idle
5 Bush, Ravenswood, Third Place, Senior, QOP 12 LKC
6 J. DeFelice, Weir, Outsider, Sophomore QUAD
7 Miller, Cameron, Freshman Extraordinaire Idle
8 Rotruck, Keyser, Shaft Level 1, Junior, QOP 15 Idle
9 Hart, Independence, Q1, Sophomore, QOP 14 Coalfield Conf
10 Lephew, Midland Trail, Outsider, Senior Coalfield Conf
11 Harlow, South Harrison, Q, Sophomore, QOP 4 LKC
12 Simmons, Shady Spring, Q, Sophomore, QOP 10 Coalfield Conf
13 DeMoss, StM, Outsider, LKC
14 Bodkin, East Hardy Idle
15 Deaton, Tyler Consolidated, Outsider LKC
16 Ferguson, Webster County, Q, Senior, QOP 13 Coalfield Conf
17 Bryant, Clay County, Outsider LKC
18 Poe, Lincoln, Outsider, Junior Big 10

REGION 1
1 Preolitti, East Fairmont, Runner Up, Sophomore Big 10
2 Sullivan, Berkeley Springs, Fifth Place, Senior, QOP 16 Idle
6 J. DeFelice, Weir, Outsider, Sophomore QUAD
7 Miller, Cameron, Freshman Extraordinaire Idle
8 Rotruck, Keyser, Shaft Level 1, Junior, QOP 15 Idle
13 DeMoss, StM, Outsider, LKC
15 Deaton, Tyler Consolidated, Outsider LKC

REGION 2
11 Harlow, South Harrison, Q, Sophomore, QOP 4 LKC
14 Bodkin, East Hardy Idle
17 Bryant, Clay County, Outsider LKC
18 Poe, Lincoln, Outsider, Junior Big 10

REGION 3
3 Eden, Hoover, Fourth Place, Senior, QOP 25 Cardinal Conf
9 Hart, Independence, Q1, Sophomore, QOP 14 Coalfield Conf
10 Lephew, Midland Trail, Outsider, Senior Coalfield Conf
12 Simmons, Shady Spring, Q, Sophomore, QOP 10 Coalfield Conf
16 Ferguson, Webster County, Q, Senior, QOP 13 Coalfield Conf

REGION 4
4 Dauch, Point Pleasant, Fifth Place, Senior, QOP 16 Idle
5 Bush, Ravenswood, Third Place, Senior, QOP 12 LKC

GENERAL COMMENTS & COMMENTARY ON THE TOP 1 THROUGH 4: Preolitti is the returning state runner up. He is undefeated in WV AA/A action. He has defeated Sullivan. I watched Sullivan defeat Eden, Dauch and Rotruck all on the same day. A week later, Sullivan lost in overtime to Rotruck. Eden has defeated Rotruck twice. Eden has lost to Sullivan by 2. Preolitti is 1. Sullivan is 2. Eden is a solid 3. Preolitti and Sullivan are in the same region along with 3 others in the top 10. Once again, region 1 will have top 10 wrestlers staying home. This is one of the tougher weight classes!!!