Ready to Rumble

I got a call from Tinsley Baily on Tuesday asking if I could officiate wrestle-offs for Eastside. I gladly excepted with expectations of some great wrestling, and one last warm-up before the season opens on Friday. I am sure I have hit the 200 mark on matches called so far this preseason. I am ready to rumble.
The girls running the matches did a great job, and kept me honest when I awarded an escap to the wrong collor. The wrestle-offs had a wide variety of skill levels, and conditioning levels, so I got to call a variety of matches. There were wrestlers who looked capable of challenging for state titles as well as wrestlers who were in one of their first matches. After wrestling concluded, the coaches called me over to talk to the wrestlers about what an official expects from them. I pointed out a few needed shaves, and haircuts and impressed the need to wrestle aggressively for the entire match. I think you will see a much higher percentage of stalling calls this year, and I don't want wrestlers, or coaches to be caught by surprise.
I will be working some JV duals on Saturday as the head official. I am very anxious to get my first official GHSA 2009-2010 match underway.
On a side note, Eastside is proof that it does not take big money to be successful in wrestling. How many sports do you see it possible to have three current alumni competing at the college level while your high school team practices in the gym lobby.
Thanks for having me out Eastside.