I have been a dedicated subscriber to "Amateur Wrestling News" since the late '80's. It is my favorite wrestling publication. In the last two issues Bob Preusse, the "High School Insider" columnist and Ironman tournament runner, has asked several prominent high school coaches and a DI coach what makes hs wrestlers successfully transition to college and how important are the international styles and Fargo. I encourage anyone reading this post to check his two latest columns out.
Several years ago Brian Wolfe won two 4A titles for White Knoll beginning his junior year. Prior to that he was a relative unknown as he had not yet qualified for the state tournament. If you were to ask Brian or his father, who trained him during the off-season, what the biggest single reason for him going from a non-qualifier to champ in a year should be credited to, they would tell you that it was the number of freestyle matches Brian wrestled after his sophomore season.
A couple of years ago I had the privilege of housing a current DI coach, and very accomplished competitor, for a month while he was between coaching jobs. Every single day I harassed him with all manner of questions concerning wrestling - that was his rent lol. One of the many things I learned from him was how important Fargo was to DI recruiting. Just about every coach goes there. They want to see which kids are year-round dedicated, how they do against nationally ranked kids, and how they handle themselves after wins AND losses.
Countykid:
1) Not sure what you are saying as it seems you are validating the point for me. I won't share my opinion about the majority of coaches in SC whether well-intentioned or just looking for an extra supplement.
2) Not talking about hs clubs. In the video the majority of training is done at Hardell Moore's for profit club. HS coaches work long hours and sacrifice a lot during season. They want to spend time with family afterwards; not train full bore. The only independent club I am aware of is in Charleston.
3) Not talking about a few kids. I'm talking about SC's best. That's the only way we make an impression - a Jordan Wigger at every weight.
4) I really can't comment on current goings-on in SCUSA Wrestling, but I believe other states have a qualifier(s) to choose the team and then raise money for the trip. I think that would be a better use of funds than sending officials on junkets.
5) I did not clarify here - I meant DI programs. Big fan of what Coach Valek has done at Newberry, but I'm talking about DI as we all know that is the "pro" league for our sport. And if you think Clemson and USC should figure in this conversation you should think again. Trust me on that.
PA doesn't have to worry about sending kids to Fargo if they don't want. Their wrestlers are known. SC wrestlers are unknown and not "respected" by the "wrestling states." Almost every coach makes a yearly pilgrimage to Fargo - Disney not so much. But hey, don't take my word for it. Brian Dolph has an interview on Flo where he discusses why Fargo is more important than Disney.
I am far and away a bigger supporter of folkstyle as I believe it is the closest style to "true" wrestling, but I have long known how important the international styles are to recruiting/rankings and in the last decade have grown to appreciate how these styles can help better develop folkstyle wrestlers. Your original question, in regards to the Flo video entitled "Oklahoma Resurgence" was, "Can we do this?" No, you have to have a "surgence" to then, after some down years, have a "resurgence."
Unfortunately, SC is an afterthought in the world of wrestling. There are a great deal of areas we can improve on (some mentioned in my initial post) but most are difficult if not unlikely to happen. One area we do have the power to make a change over the next several years is to get our best to train in freestyle/greco, go to Fargo and National Duals, and be competitive. Not easy, but with work doable.