I have no problem stating I was wrong, when I am. First off, the scoring on the clock did not indicate the takedown was waved off. So, from a fan perspective, it appeared they started in the wrong position. So if I was wrong about my interpretation of the score on the clock vs. what actually transpired on the mat, so be it. I was wrong. I thought I was paying attention, I guess I wasn't.

As for the 189 lb match, not knowing the score from the previous matchup, I have to go with what I saw. At no point in time did I imply a "mercy killing" and I'm sure that when the coaching staff met with the wrestler, the first thing they worked on was trying to get the wrestler to stop grabbing over the top as a counter to a takedown. Now knowing the score of the previous meeting, I'm lead to believe this was not the best match the SE wrestler has wrestled. I'm sure he was frustrated after leaving the mat, knowing he can do better.

Lastly, the quality of the tournament as a whole was down, for a variety of reasons. At no point in time did I say they were horrible. I do think the officiating was bad, but not the wrestlers themselves. Perhaps I had a jaded view of the quality of wrestling there, having spent two years at SE and witnessing some of the best wrestling I've seen at the high school level.

I'll just give the names I remember.....

South had Calvin, Fox, and a host of other studs.

Carroll had Maze, Johnston, and many more

Heights had Tapler, a 112 lb state placer and a couple of others

West was stacked.

Kaupun had Hoover and Kline with a few others.

My last year at Southeast, the last state champ didn't even place. In the finals were Cline and Calvin. 3rd and 4th were one of the twins from West and (I can't remember, forgive me) and I think someone from Carroll.

I remember watching the tournament and thinking to myself, this is one wicked league. Knowing a little bit more than the average bear about the caliber of wresters from the city league, I was bummed out based on the matchups this year as compared to the matchups in year's past. Maybe I set the bar too high.