Entering the Post-Season
Improve Everyday
Weekly Updates on KWK’s Progress Throughout the Season
January 23, 2024
Week 8
Further Updates Below the Results!
Milford Open Results
Before I list the results, I want to shout out a few wrestlers from this weekend on their own. We had a bunch of champions and winners but there were performances I thought really stood out that I want to highlight.
Owen Boyle and Ryan Thrasher both won their brackets as first year wrestlers! But, what impressed me so much was watching how aggressive they both were. Owen really stepped up this weekend and turned a corner. Ryan got super aggressive as well! In wrestling aggressiveness is confidence. Seeing kids initiate contact, shooting takedowns and attempting techniques is a huge step and shows a lot of work being done getting ready. Both kids stuck to simple techniques but did them with great confidence which in this sport can lead to a lot of success!
And for the older kids it was Mace Bancroft and Nathaniel Robin who stood out to me. I think Mace caught fire this weekend. Things started clicking and he found his new love. After his first couple matches on Sunday he stood taller, his chest looked like it grew 3 inches as his shoulder pushed back and that grin was ear to ear!
Nathaniel was tough all day. But his finals match was something to see. Seriously, though I had to send it to the Massachusetts head official because they had to see it! AND I NEVER DO THAT!!!! Ask any parent, I NEVER do that.
Nathaniel wrestled almost perfect! He was wrestling a kid with the better part of a decade experience and Nathaniel was taking it to him. Before a headlock was thrown Robin was up 6-1 but that quickly changed to 7-6 going into the third. Nathaniel on top was not going anywhere and began forcing in a half nelson. When his opponents head came up Nathaniel forced it back down. His opponent was hurt and the ref called unnecessary roughness. Mom sends me the video and asks “what did he do wrong? How can he improve?”
Nothing. He did everything perfectly. At no point do I want things to change. It was a bad call and I would hate for that to change the way he wrestled that match.
All things told we had a great weekend! I had fun, and I hope you did too!
K-4 Results
Ben Nagelberg - 1st Place
Cole Moroney
Dylan Denoncourt - 2nd Place
Geoffrey Burgess - 1st Place
Landen Ivory
Lawson Gregory - 3rd Place
Owen Boyle - 1st Place
Rory Moroney - 2nd Place
Ryan Thrasher - 1st Place
Rye Lasalle - 2nd Place
Teddy Decoursey - 3rd Place
5-8 Results
AJ Silverstein - 4th Place
Aschiwat Dempsey - 3rd Place
Dylan Oldmixon - 3rd Place
Gavin Shedd
John Nagelberg
Jonel Cruz - 4th Place
Kevin Chawan - 3rd Place
Kieran Couture
Landen Roderick
Mace Bancroft - 2nd Place
Max Hull
Nathaniel Robin - 2nd Place
Nick Natale - 4th Place
Nolan Roderick
Omar Peterson - 4th Place
Phin Keating - 4th Place
Ryan Gill - 3rd Place
Simon Nasif
Going Into The Post Season
I talk a big game about not caring about wins and losses. I talk a lot about how coaching on this team is all about making better people. But we want to win too! That’s so important as well. That’s fun. It’s why we do it! So let’s be honest, I want our kids to win, I want them to reach the top. Is it the most important aspect of wrestling, no, but if it wasn’t important there wouldn’t be a scoreboard!
So as we enter the postseason let’s put EVERYTHING into perspective, this is meant to be a fun, competitive, learning environment, and the kids have the opportunity to really push themselves against some tough competition. Every now and then look around and remind yourself where you are, a kids event, so as we go into giant rooms full of yelling screaming adults we can maintain our composure in high pressure environments (I’m talking to us adults btw). Cheer on our kids, loudly, proudly and without any thing holding you back, hope for the best and ultimately enjoy the process! I’m very excited about the next few weeks. You’ll see all kinds of stuff these next few weeks. But if I can give you one piece of advice, if your son/daughter falls short, remember these words “I love to watch you compete.” It’s the truth, and it’s exactly what they need to hear.
Remember at the end of the day, this is what it is all about:
I posted the entire postseason schedule. Check it out with links to registrations, and weight classes, locations, times and more information than you may need!
What to Expect
Wrestling is apparently growing and growing FAST! I have never seen two weekends in a row of 500+ athletes competing. If this is your first season, I apologize for the rude awakening. Those are long days, that no one expected.
The good news is that less athletes will be competing in our state tournaments. So they should be quicker days (should! Ugh I’m kicking myself as I type that!!!)
This year our U10 division is in Chelmsford and the U15 Sectionals are in Somerset. The U10s can qualify for New Englands by placing top 4, while the U15 Sectionals advance to States if they place Top 6.
We host satellite weigh-ins for both U10 States and U15 Sectionals on the Thursday before the events. That means you come to practice on Thursday and step on our scale after practice! No need to travel to another location.
We will also have Jen Hoyle come back for more wrestling specific nutritional advice heading into the postseason!