I most definitely believe that the stalling call which ultimately decided the Victor in the 4A 189 lb. Quarterfinal match between defending 2X State Champ Jacob Strait from Concordia vs Jake Weishaar, Atchison was likely one of the most absolutely terrible calls I have witnessed in the 20+ years I've been associated with this sport. Not only was it one of the worst calls I've seen there were 2 other instances of questionable judgement which occured in this match. I have viewed this match on tape repeatedly and am in disbelief of how the match was Officiated. I would be absolutely glad to share this taping with anyone who wishes to challenge to the contrary. Right off the bat in this match it seemed as though a tone was set : as the first point which occured was assuredly questionable resulting in a penalty point awarded from a wrestler mule kicking out of a single leg attempt by the other. The wrestler who was penalized started the kick at the edge of the inner ring circle and in kicking out and stepping away from the takedown attempt did in fact have one foot step over the outer circle edge and quickly turned right back toward his opponent without actually fleeing the mat which was the call. That IS a FACT. It is on tape. At the end of Regulation with the score tied, it was quite clear that the defending 2X State Champ was fatigued as was the other wrestler. It is clearly on the tape how eye contact was made from the young official and Concordia coach Doug Moore who was seeking injury time which was granted. The injury time was close to 1 and 1/2 minutes. I honestly am not for sure the nature of the injury. But I am sure that a rest period was much welcomed in a match of such signifigance. I might also add that Coach Moore was not only on the edge of the Mat but inside the wrestling circle several times during the match and many times not for giving instructions to his wrestler but to let the Ref know the way he saw things. This also can be seen on the tape. And I was both amazed and appalled at how the match was decided.
Is it not known by wrestlers that in 2nd period Overtime and you are the top wrestler your objective is first and foremost to keep the bottom wrestler from escaping or reversing and that those things are your goal as the bottom man ? So you would most assuredly not want to let the bottom man escape in this overtime scenario, right ? And exactly how long is this period in that there was one restart and that upon the second with Strait attempting to escape and evade to outer edge of the mat resulting in the wrestlers hitting the mat from standing it was (within 2 1/2 seconds)** that the STALL call which DETERMINED the WINNER happened. Has anyone who wrestled not released a bottom man long enough to determine what his next movement would be so as you could see if he would turn towards you and you would gather him up in cradle or stick your head in ribs or such. I don't know what Weishaar intentions were as that is clearly speculation but it was doubtedly a stall and **I'm sorry but a STALL call within 2 secs of hitting the mat. ** ??? The tape can allow you to see what you think as I honestly thought that the call would be on Strait as the call against Weishaar earlier went. (But really), unless it is a blatant NO BRAINER call, ..this match should have been determined by the WRESTLERS THEMSELVES. I also hope that this tape could serve as a training tool for officials so a positive light can come from these circumstances. Officials are human and not free of mistakes and there were a few young officials that seemed to be a little overzealous in becoming central to matches at times. I have worked both Football and Wrestling and was taught by the seasoned refs I worked with that a good ref merely blends in rather than sticks out. Your job is to remain calm and neutral in judgement without outside influence and call the action as it occurs. There is no need to become bigger than the match or game. I was thankful for this advice as these were Refs who many were 20+ years my senior and had been asked repeatedly over years to work State Events. .. Kevin Calhoon