- What sets Valley sports scene apart? The mat is where it's at - gives a brief history of wrestling and focuses on the impact Lehigh's founding of the sport had on the area. The one event that was omitted and probably had a big impact on the area gaining a national reputation from the public and national media was the Valley Youth House Duals. This event, begun in the late 1980s, brought nationally ranked teams from around the country to the Valley to compete against teams like Easton, Nazareth, and Northampton. Many teams with gaudy records and long unbeaten streaks left without winning a dual meet - and many struggled even to win individual matches.
- The Selection Process/Criteria - the article notes what was considered (this ultimately boils down to number of medals won) and what wasn't (for example college accomplishments)
- The Ultimate Wrestling Room - this article includes weight by weight with first wrestler being listed the All-Area Scholastic Wrestling Team and others that were considered. Congratulations to Tim Darling and Joe Caramanica who were both listed first team.
- A Photo Gallery of the All-Area Scholastic Wrestling Team.
Caliber of competition, depth of competition, qualification process were a few of the factors not considered in these rankings - and as a result the list is skewed to more current wrestlers.
It is difficult to watch two wrestlers independently and determine which one would win if they wrestled one another (Of course everyone thinks they can do this;-), but it is even more difficult to make this determination across eras.
For fun - what would an All-Nazareth Team look like? I'm going to throw some names together and post on the Sports section tomorrow or Wednesday - give it some thought yourself as I'd love to hear your thoughts and opinions as well.
2 comments:
Brian Tashner was a State runner-up in 1995 and his brother Dan a State Champion in 1994. In 1993, Dan lost to Bobby Crawford of Milton in the state finals after pinning him in the 1993 Regional Championships utilizing "intense, legal, pain". To 'defeat' Tashner, Crawford virtually avoided contact in the rematch and won his fourth State Championship (2 in AA, 2 in AAA).
Let us correct a few errors in the above. First, Brian Tashner did NOT pin Bobby Crawford in the Northeast Regional Finals. Tashner did win on a defensive takedown in OT. Second, the state finals match was won by Bobby Crawford 6-0 in a match that included 2 offensive takedowns, an escape, and a penalty point for hooking the mouth by Tashner. Hardly "avoiding" contact. And lastly Bobby Crawford was a AA state champ as a freshman, and a three time AAA State Champ.
Old post, older memory;-)
I'm sure you were referring to the post on the Nazareth Squad.
Yes, I had the recollection of Dan Tashner and Bobby Crawford incorrect. Tashner had Crawford on his back, and won a decision in Regionals. I have to admit when he turned Crawford it was the loudest I'd ever heard Liberty's Memorial Gym.
And, please, don't think this was any knock on Bobby Crawford. He was an outstanding wrestler and a good person from the occasions I had to interact with him.
I do believe he did what he felt he had to do in order to win his fourth title, and that was pretty much not getting underneath Tashner, where Tashner could use his quarter nelson.
From Crawford/Milton's perspective, that is obvious and smart wrestling. Of course from the opposing team's perspective, that would be avoiding contact.
No hard feelings, thanks for the updates and best wishes!
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