My name is Kandy Reed. I hadn't updated my profile in years, so I removed a dead link. Caleb Austin was a poor loser...no problem saying it. I don't have a kid wrestling in State. I'm in it for the sport! If only others were...

FHSU, your right I did miss that. Shaking hands with a coach? Whatever. Flipping off the crowd would be and ass whipping at my home. Thank you for the clarification. I think all the hand shaking is overrated but obscene gestures need to be handled swiftly. Next generation is watching.

Thank you!

Hand shaking is still respectful. What he did was BEYOND disrespectful. I assumed everyone had seen/heard of what he did. My bad.

Regardless, Brandon Ball and the entire Hoisington team have my respect. Their coach and their wrestlers have always been good winners and losers in every match I have seen. I applaud their sportsmanship.

My apologies for attacking Kandy profile change. Cheap shot and I'm trying really really hard not to be that guy. Bottom line, these are kids that have been trained to compete and fight! And if you make the State finals you've trained really hard for a really long time and things happen. I went thru this last season with my son which was very public on this forum. Thankfully my son chose not to let that ONE incident define him. Hopefully this fine athlete will do the same. After all, he is a bad ass wrestler. You have to be going against his opponent that he had. Now, good night.

It was a great match. The ending at the podium is what made me lose all respect for him. I honestly think that was the best match of the tournament, but the podium behavior ruined it all.

Definitely. And Patrick, you are right. Also, your son is a phenomenal wrestler. Best of luck to him next year. As for Caleb Austin, it is just disappointing that he acted that way after a great season. Both he and Ball are extremely talented, but Austin is already posting non stop negative feedback on social media. Then, there are other people who are supporting his statements. There is just something to be said about winning AND losing the right way. we need to make sure this great sport has positive moments for people that know nothing about wrestling, and also to keep young people enticed and wanting to wrestle! Great job to all wrestlers this weekend.

At first I was very disappointed in him but the more I thought about it my heart broke for the kid. His world was crushed It was very bad sportsmanship on both parties involved at the podium. And I am in no way condoning it. But give the KID a break

Coach,
I seen this incident and I have to say I am confused on what you mean by bad sportsmanship by both parties. Who was the other party.

The crowd.

I agree that the crowd boooing didn't help the situation, as they were reacting to the sportsmanship displayed for the podium act. I was not sitting with the hoisington crowd so I know it was not only their crowd boooing but many other towns reacting to this situation. Myself personally feel this incident took a moment away from a young man that should of been enoying his 4th state title.

Correct. And you hit it right on the head. No booing took place (from more than just Hoisington) until after Austin prematurely abandoned the podium and acted with no class. He responded with double middle fingers to the crowd. That is unacceptable. It was a poor situation after a great match with two phenomenal talents.

After the match yesterday you could hear people asking, should there have been back points for Caleb at the end. I just finished watching that match again on TV. And I would say i believe it was called correct. It looks like he got 2 one counts, and honestly Ball could have just as easily been awarded back points at the end, as he was awarded the the reversal with 3.7 seconds left and Caleb was on his back. I think this match was called correctly. Great match by two stellar wrestlers, that was tarnished by the antics later.

It was definitely called correctly by a great official in Ron Haag. I reviewed the video as well several times and frame by frame at different angles. Ball was on his back for a one count. Then was off his back, then was briefly on his back for again and rolled through for a reversal and putting Austin on his back. A definite victory for Ball. I hope that everyone can appreciate the match for what it was and the talent of both these kids. Also to recognize the accomplishment of another 4 time champ.

Ok so a teenage kid made a bad decision to hop off the podium early. I thought it was even more unsportsmanlike for the parents in the crowd to boo a teenage kid who made a bad decision after he lost one of the most important matches of his career. An Mr. Cavanaugh, my little brothers name is Riley Tubbs an before his wrestling season started we all herd of the Alex Cavanaugh horror stories. As the season went on an Tubbs an Cavanaugh matches became a rival type of match I seen your boy as a dedicated wrestler who is very passionate about what he does. Most importantly I seen a GOOD KID. Wrestling is a great sport where we teach our kids to fight for every advancement as if your future depends on it, and to be the alpha male/female out on the mat. That being said emotions will get the best of most kids an they will make a bone head mistake. We as fans an family need to remember they are KIDS. So Mr. Cavanaugh I wanted to let you know it was a real pleasure to see Alex wrestle this year. He is a very special kid.

On a similar subject, I was impressed with how Jonathan Ball handled himself at the end of the final OT when he lost. An impressive wrestler and impressive young man.

Also, despite the negative aspects after the match, I am thankful to have gotten to watch the Ball / Austin match. For me, it was worth the price of admission all by itself. Certainly, two excellent wrestlers whom I wish the best in their futures.

I appreciate the kind word ryno. I believe Riley as well as a new school with excellent coaches got Alex to be passionate about wrestling again and for that I am very grateful.