Copyright 1999, Reproduction of this material for profit without written
consent is prohibited.
The object of these annual reports encompasses two basic goals. First is to acquaint everyone with the basic character of each weight class and identify the participants who are likely to play a major role in its resolution. In addition, each district is examined as to whom its' representative might be. Second is to stimulate interest in the whole State tournament process throughout Ohio. Naturally, accuracy is also of primary concern, so care is taken to develop the most comprehensive list possible of outstanding wrestlers, though of necessity, the evaluation of their final place is, in part, subjective. This report was written during a seven-day period ending January 28, based on the information available at that time. It's kind of a snapshot in time, with a picture that will surely change in many ways by tournament time. Certainly many of those listed at weight classes where they are currently certified will move up for competitive reasons or because they cannot make the new 50% rule. In fact, some of those moves may well be precipitated by information contained within this document.
The bitterly cold wintry weather during the first half of January has made the compilation of this report even more difficult than in the past for two reasons. First, a number of very important tournaments were canceled (such as the Gorman and "A" Classic) reducing the amount of significant information that can be used as input in each weight class analysis. At the same time, the long layoff undoubtedly led to a large number of upsets that have confused the overall picture. For that reason we can anticipate a lot of results against forecast in 1999.
One last note, the most important person in the production of this report has been my longtime assistant Kim Manning. She hasn't seen a high school wrestling match in 25-years, but she has done almost all the typing of this report over the last 28 editions. If you saw the written drafts, you would realize that she is a genius in her chosen profession. Also deserving of praise is my employer East Ohio Gas who prints a batch of these documents as a community service. It is only one of a myriad of things that this company does to improve the quality of life in this area.
There are several ways you can help make this report more accurate. First by sending me bracket sheets for tournaments you enter either by fax or mail -- I'm especially interested in sectional and district bracket sheets this year and any tournaments for next year. Also, phone calls, or better yet, e-mail messages are gratefully received dealing with results, weight class selection, or whatever. I especially appreciate coaches who provide a honest overview of their squad and superior wrestlers they've seen in competition. Already I get messages and information from too many people to name individually, but I appreciate it all. I particularly covet information in the Southwest District where newspaper coverage is often minimal. Next year -- should all go well -- I will begin writing on January 21, which means information you think is relevant needs to be to me on or shortly thereafter that date. My address is:
Brian Brakeman
The East Ohio Gas Co.
P.O. Box 5759
Cleveland, OH 44101-0759
Fax No.: 1-216-736-5340
E-mail: Kim_M._Manning@eog.cng.com
This report will also be available on the Internet about mid-February on Ned Heminger's Ohio Wrestling Sport Page at
http://www.infinet.com/~heming
copyright 1999 -- Reproduction of this material for profit without written consent is prohibited.
And remember, my usual fee is a wrestling T-shirt -- XL.