Bear Tracks 2025 Ed 4 AA/A 285 - 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:
285 AA/A
1 Neal, Ripley, Fifth Place, Junior, QOP 16 Cardinal Conf
2 Schmidt, Oak Glen, Fourth Place, Junior, QOP 25 QUAD
3 Facemire, Hoover, Third Place, Senior, QOP 12 Cardinal Conf
4 Asbury, Wheeling Central, Outsider, Sophomore ????
5 Anderson, Keyser, Q1, Senior, QOP 18 Idle
6 Toler, Braxton County LKC
7 Rush, Grafton, Outsider Big 10
8 Cross, Philip Barbour, Outsider, Junior Big 10
9 O'Callaghan, East Hardy, Fifth Place, Senior, QOP 8 Idle
10 Sites, Berkeley Springs, Blood Round, Senior, QOP 12 Idle
11 Rogers, North Marion Big 10
12 Lockhart, Williamstown, Outsider, Sophomore LKC
13 Canterbury, Point Pleasant Idle
14 Burleson, Independence, Q, Sophomore, QOP 21 Coalfield Conf
15 Ball, Logan, Outsider Idle
16 McCune, Ritchie County, Q1, Junior, QOP 14 LKC
17 Hans, Weir, Outsider, Idle
18 Fordyce, RCB, Outsider, Sophomore Big 10
19 Acord, Liberty Raleigh, Q, Junior, QOP 3 Coalfield Conf
20 Cross, St. Marys, Outsider, LKC
21 Jones, Moorefield, Q, Senior, QOP 13 Idle
22 Pahl, Wirt County LKC
23 Sayne, Buffalo, Outsider LKC

REGION 1
2 Schmidt, Oak Glen, Fourth Place, Junior, QOP 25 QUAD
4 Asbury, Wheeling Central, Outsider, Sophomore ????
5 Anderson, Keyser, Q1, Senior, QOP 18 Idle
10 Sites, Berkeley Springs, Blood Round, Senior, QOP 12 Idle
11 Rogers, North Marion Big 10
17 Hans, Weir, Outsider, Idle
20 Cross, St. Marys, Outsider, LKC

REGION 2
6 Toler, Braxton County LKC
7 Rush, Grafton, Outsider Big 10
8 Cross, Philip Barbour, Outsider, Junior Big 10
9 O'Callaghan, East Hardy, Fifth Place, Senior, QOP 8 Idle
16 McCune, Ritchie County, Q1, Junior, QOP 14 LKC
18 Fordyce, RCB, Outsider, Sophomore Big 10
21 Jones, Moorefield, Q, Senior, QOP 13 Idle

REGION 3
3 Facemire, Hoover, Third Place, Senior, QOP 12 Cardinal Conf
14 Burleson, Independence, Q, Sophomore, QOP 21 Coalfield Conf
19 Acord, Liberty Raleigh, Q, Junior, QOP 3 Coalfield Conf

REGION 4
1 Neal, Ripley, Fifth Place, Junior, QOP 16 Cardinal Conf
12 Lockhart, Williamstown, Outsider, Sophomore LKC
13 Canterbury, Point Pleasant Idle
15 Ball, Logan, Outsider Idle
22 Pahl, Wirt County LKC
23 Sayne, Buffalo, Outsider LKC

GENERAL COMMENTS & COMMENTARY ON THE TOP 1 THROUGH 4: Neal defeated Schmidt. Schmidt defeated Facemire. Facemire has not wrestled Neal. These three are the top returning state place winners at 285. Neal has not been defeated in WV AA/A this season. Schmidt’s only AA WV loss was to Neal. Facemire’s lone AA loss was to Schmidt. Schmidt defeated Asbury in UTB. Neal is #1. Schmidt is #2.