Originally Posted by ODH I sure that those same people don't think much about Vermont wrestling and deservedly so. I help out a little with a Vermont team a few years ago and went to the States. Mount Anthony is a legitimate team and all the finalists were solid wrestlers, but I think there were only a few other teams in the state that even had a full lineup. Some of the wrestlers in the 3/4 place bouts would be average wrestlers at best in other states. |
That is true, I wrestled in Vermont my whole life(minus my college career in NY) and will end my coaching career in Vermont this weekend at New Englands. Vermont lacks the wrestling resources at this point (clubs, qualified coaching, supportive schools) to become a wrestling power but it is gaining. More clubs have formed the last year or two including the Vergennes Club that has great coaches, theres a club starting up in the burlington area which is great. Not enough people in Vermont support wrestling but again it is gaining. As a coach here I can tell you that it is hard to push kids to the next level because parents and administrators do not understand what it takes to be a wrestling power. In Mt. Anthony they have that support, I coach at Otter Valley (3 state champs this year, 2 3rd place finishes and a 4th) we have a hard time keeping kids because of how hard we practice and what we demand, but our results show, we took 10 kids to the state meet, 2 of which were in reality JV wrestlers. At OV we would rather take 6 kids that are prepared to a meet than take 14 kids who we have to baby everyday to make sure they stay on the team. I'm moving to Iowa next week, but I hope that Vermont wrestling keeps gaining year after year after year. So before everyone trashes on Vermont wrestling just realize that there are great wrestlers in Vermont that don't wrestle for Mt. Anthony. Look for Robert Hamlin in the next few years at Lehigh where he has signed, Scott Legacy II will be at a D III power etc etc etc. Also watch our for the class of Juniors here in VT. Jordan Gray of Essex a 2X champ will transition to college great, Jesse Bilodeau of OV is 50-1 this season and will be a great college recruit. Thanks for the time.
Good Luck To All Vermont Wrestlers This Weekend At New Englands