by Peter Dewey

It is difficult to compare State tournaments. But we do it anyway. While 2006 did not have the “star power” of 2004 it seemed to me to be the deepest field ever assembled in Austin. With each passing year it grows harder and harder to win a State title meaning it is more coveted than ever. Congratulations to all State Champions, Place-winners and Qualifiers. You have worked hard and deserve to be recognized as elite.

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By Peter Dewey

Coppell was fresh off an upset victory over Highland Park in District 16. Arlington Bowie was on a high after a dominating performance in tough District 13. Azle had blown through District 12 and also looked ready for a run at a regional title. But the team that once again lifted the Region 2 Championship trophy and advanced the most wrestlers to State was Highland Park.

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by Peter Dewey

The Arlington District is undoubtably the toughest in the State with four top caliber programs in Arlinton, Bowie, Lamar and Martin and some quality individuals in the other district programs. This year looked to be a barn-burner finish with Arlington favored by most pundits on the ITW forum. But it was good day to be a Bowie Volunteer as they destroyed the tough field, had the District title secured before the finals (if not mathematically as least practically) and advanced eleven wrestlers to Regionals where Highland Park and Coppell await, among others.

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by Peter Dewey

Coming into the State Duals a couple teams thought they had a good chance to dethrone Highland Park as Dual State Champion. One was Arlington Bowie who had wrestled HP close two weeks ago succumbing 38-29 in a dual that went down to the final match. The other was Azle who had won just about everything on their schedule this season. They would both get their chance.

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By Peter Dewey

To absolutely no one’s surprise the Bishop Lynch mob ran away with the team title at the the Lamar Invitational placing 7 in the finals and winning 6. And this without the services of Johnny Koepp. The only reason the team scores appeared close for much of the day is because finalist points are not added until after the semi-final round is completed. As soon as they were added, the champion was apparent. If these guys were in UIL, they would dominate the State tournament and likely win 5 to 7 individual state championships.

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by Peter Dewey

Grapevine Duals is one tough tournament. As in up to 10 dual matches in 2 days. Absolutely brutal. Is this the best possible preparation for Dual State two short weeks later or is it too much of a grind? This would seem to be a debatable proposition. But for the teams that are returning each year to the Grape, including TWHSCA Dual State Champion Highland Park, it appears to be a price worth paying.

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by Peter Dewey

The Grapevine Duals has been a showcase for some classic wrestling matches between New Orleans Jesuit and Highland Park. In 2003, the dual came down to the final match between two sophmore heavywieghts. NOJ won the match 10-9 when time ran out with the NOJ heavywieght flat on his back. Final NOJ 37 HP 32. In 2004, HP led 33-22 with 4 matches remaining and Gallatin, Mason, Hobar and Lake yet to wrestle. They all lost. Final NOJ 34 HP 33. In 2005, HP had a team that would win UIL State and THSWCA Dual State titles; expectations were high. Final NOJ 50 HP 21. This rivalry seemed to have just about everything between the best teams in Texas and Louisiana … everything that is except a Highland Park victory.

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by Peter Dewey

ITW Exclusive Interview with J.D. Robbins head wrestling coach at Oveido (FL) High School

ITW was fortunate to catch up with Oviedo Head Coach J.D. Robbins as his team prepares to depart for the Lone Star Duals. Even in a short conversation it is obvious that Coach Robbins has great passion for and dedication to the sport of wrestling. With his wrestling roots in California and after coaching at different levels for many years, Coach Robbins took over the Oviedo wrestling program 5 years ago when his oldest son Jason was a freshman.

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By Peter Dewey

Returning to the 2006 Grapevine Duals are some of Texas’ top dual teams, including Highland Park, Arlington Bowie, Dumas, The Woodlands, The Colony, Houston Westside and St. Mark’s. Each of these 7 teams has an excellent chance of being included in JR’s top 10 dual teams in the state. And if they don’t make the initial list, a good showing at the Grapevine Duals will get them ranked.

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This is part one of our LoneStar Duals preview. Today we will cover the high schools in the meet. Friday will come the college preview.

By Peter Dewey

High School Division
The Lone Star Duals organizers are saying this is the best high school field in their 9-year history. And, they are right. Two nationally ranked programs – AWN #10 Bishop Lynch (TX) and AWN #20 Oveida (FL) are the class of the field. The two teams are put together differently but if they meet in the finals we’ll have a battle royal.

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