John J Harris

We just got back from the the John J Harris Tournament held in Corning Iowa.  This was the first time we have been to this tournament.  Last year we went to the Herb Ingres tournament instead.
Here are a few of my thoughts about the tournament.  I thought the seating was better than the Herb Ingres, it was tight but better.  The format was something we were not used to.  First off if you were in a pigtail you had to win to make the tournament.  If you lost you were done.  Next if you lost the first round you may also be done you have to wait to see if the guy that beat you won.  If he did then you move on if he did not you were going home.  This took out four of our guys the first night.  So we came back on Saturday with 7 guys.  Out of our 7 guys we lost 4 the first round.  So three guys placed.  One champ, a 3rd place and 5th place finisher  for the weekend.  As a team we placed 11 out 22 teams.  Which is not to bad considering only 4 guys scored us any team points.
It is crucial for the time of year that we do what we can to move on, not just as an individual but as a team.  I think a few guys have decided to through in the towel on the season.  Which is sad and disturbing.  I hope we can get them back and ready to go and I hope it is not to far gone.  Right now the guys that are wrestling well are doing the right things with their training.  Some guys have some tough bumps to get through.  Conference Tournament is this weekend as well.  Some guys get to see if they have improved or stayed the same.  I think we have a good chance of placing in the top half of the conference but it is not going to be easy.  We got to get some upsets as well as get some guys in the lineup to win.