April 29, 2008...4:11 pm
April 29: Four Points
Because of the nature of Monday’s Four Points blog here on InterMat, Tuesday’s will be relatively short, mainly due to the fact I feel the points brought up on Monday’s topic are pertinent for more than one day.
Quick updates. Weather has cooled off, it’s in the mid-50s and breezy. I can still sport the windbreaker, but can still sport shorts if I wish. Checked out Opening Day of the Lancaster Barnstormers for about two innings on Friday before walking the entire 100 yards back to my house in downtown. We saw an elephant, played Guitar Hero and skipped around town.
Saturday, I donned my “Horace N. Buggy” persona and announced a riveting roller derby bout between the Barn Razors and the Distel Finks as part of the Dutchland Rollers. The Finks, the defending league champions, won 95-90.
Anway, here’s the update
Weather: 55 and breezy
Gas: Down to $3.59 (which is still weak, took me $68 to fill my tank up on Saturday).
Checking out “The Streak”
Pretty much a no-brainer here as ESPN2 will show “The Streak,” a documentary on Brandon High School’s storied wrestling program and the legendary and nationally-renowned win streak which dated back to the 1970s. South Dade put an end to the Eagles’ streak last winter and ESPN was there to witness it.
While I have no idea what is going to be displayed, this goes back to those things that will get wrestling more exposure nationally. This is “The Deuce,” … pretty big. This will get more viewers tonight than many web sites get in a year.
Check it out at 9 p.m. Eastern.
Harry Geris passes away
A few days ago, I read a few stories about an assistant wrestling coach up in Canada passing away while setting up for a tournament. It was a name I knew … and completely by accident.
A few years ago, I had one of my InterMat Live Text crew for nationals bail out on me at the last minute due to some unforeseen family issues. I made a plea on the message boards and low and behold, a guy named Harry Geris said he’d be willing to fill in.
He wasn’t the fastest guy on the computer, but he had a smile on his face as he keyed in descriptions from the 2006 NCAA Championships. He gave me his card and I thought, “I really should write a story on wrestling up in Canada.” That’s still on my to-do list, but then I read a few more articles.
This guy was good. It almost confused me. Being somewhat of the younger wrestling generation, the names of the past don’t always jump out at me and throw that little light bulb above my head. The big names, of course, but guys like Harry Geris … you would have never known this guy was an All-American.
The last time I spoke with Harry was in Las Vegas at last year’s 2007 World Team Trials. I’ll be honest, if it wasn’t for the large InterMat shirt (one of 12) he was wearing, I probably would have not recognized him. We chatted about general things, the job, the live text crew the following year … a good chat.
A few weeks later, Harry “facebooked” me … probably the oldest facebook friend, in the literal sense, I had. I didn’t know him well, but I’m sad to hear of his passing. I’m sure many that knew him much much better were as well. Condolences to the family and friends of Mr. Geris.
Signing notes
Big classes were announced by Southwest Minnesota State and Newberry today. Newberry, off its best season ever, added some serious firepower to its line-up via the Junior College ranks. New Jersey natives Vinny Salek and Randy Moore will head down to South Carolina, while Sheridan Moran will transfer in from Virginia Tech and the younger Moore, Dakota, will come in from Camden Catholic in New Jersey.
SMSU adds 17 to its program, including seven transfers. In Division I, the biggest official information came from former Junior Freestyle runner-up Nathaniel Holt informing InterMat he has received a release from Central Michigan and will enroll at Boise State. It was also learned Alex Ortman of Bedford, Mich., will be heading to Eastern Michigan. Speaking of Michigan schools, Marcel Dubose officially signed with CMU after shifting his verbal commitment from Michigan State to Central earlier this month.
Congrats
While I’m sure there will be a few more wrestlers being awarded in the coming days, the first official mention came from Missouri. The NCAA awarded two-time All-American Tyler McCormick a post-graduate scholarship. McCormick’s senior year was one many wrestlers hope to never deal with, but while he limped into the NCAA tournament, he did pick up a win over eventual NCAA Champion Coleman Scott in the Big 12 semifinals. Theoretically, had McCormick not beaten Scott, he might have been sitting home. But he does have a 3.95 GPA, which makes a parent proud, maybe equally as much as a couple of All-American plaques.
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