Indiana High School Athletic Association

9150 North Meridian Street, Box 40650, Indianapolis, Indiana 46240-0650

Phone: 317-846-6601 Fax: 317-575-4244 Website: www.ihsaa.org

Blake Ress, Commissioner

_____________________________________________________________________________

MEDIA INFORMATION February 15, 2005

Contact: Jason Wille, Sports Information Director

E-Mail: jwille@ihsaa.org

STATE’S BEST WRESTLERS MEET AT CONSECO FIELDHOUSE THIS WEEKEND

A total of 224 wrestlers in 14 weight classes will converge on Conseco Fieldhouse in Indianapolis this Friday and Saturday (Feb. 18-19) for the pinnacle of high school wrestling – the 67^th Annual IHSAA Individual State Finals.

Five returning state champions, all seniors, are in the field, including a pair who will look to etch their names into the history book of Indiana’s all-time best prep wrestlers while 19 participants are among those sporting an undefeated mark this season.

Headlining this year’s finals is Griffith senior Angel Escobedo who enters the tournament 45-0 in the 135 pound class. Escobedo will attempt to become the seventh four-time state champion in Indiana high school wrestling as well as the third in the last two seasons. If he does, he’ll not only help Griffith become the first school with two four-time champs, but he’ll join the elite list which includes Estil Ritter of Bloomington (1924-27), Willard Duffy of Muncie Central (1930-33), Howard Fisher of South Bend Central (1949-52), Lance Ellis of Indianapolis Cathedral (1986-89), Alex Tsirtsis of Griffith (2001-04) and Blake Maurer of Evansville Mater Dei (2001-04).

Escobedo comes in with an incredible 219-1 mark for his career after winning the 130 pound crown last year at 52-1, 125 pounds as a sophomore at 64-0 when he helped Griffith to a state runner-up finish as a team and 112 pounds as a freshman in 2002 at 58-0.

Also in search of big things this weekend is Lawrence North senior Reece Humphrey in the 130 pound bracket. Humphrey also brings in an unblemished mark at 44-0 this season and will be in search of the third IHSAA state championship of his career and hopes to join 21 others, including Escobedo, to accomplish that feat. He won the 125 pound crown a year ago and led the Wildcats to the Team Wrestling state championship a week later to finish 55-0 and went 45-2 in winning the 112 title as a sophomore. For his career, he is 161-8. He’ll again lead Lawrence North in search of its fourth title in the Team State Finals on Feb. 26 at Center Grove High School. Humphrey defeated Bellmont’s Matt Irwin, 7-2, in last year’s final and could face him again in the semifinal round this Saturday.

Other returning champs include: Warren Central senior Jon Lloyd in the 119 pound bracket. He comes in at 43-4 on the year after winning at 103 last year. He finished as the runner-up at the New Castle Semi-State last Saturday. Matt Coughlin of Evansville Mater Dei at 152 pounds is the only one of the five returnees in the same weight class as last year. Coughlin is another one of the unbeaten bunch with a 38-0 record. Rounding out the group in the 275 pound bracket is Winamac’s Chris Kasten who won the 215 class in 2004. Kasten enters the weekend at 42-1 suffering his only loss last weekend in finishing third at the Merrillville Semi-State.

The 152 and 189 pound classes are the most populated with undefeated wrestlers with three each. In addition to Escobedo, Humphrey and Coughlin, there are 16 others who have reached this point in the year unscathed. They include: 103 – freshman Eric Galka of Hobart (43-0), senior Justin LaFlower of Indian Creek (45-0); 112 – sophomore Ethan Harris of Beech Grove (38-0); 125 – senior Scott Kelly of Carmel (42-0), junior Alexander Warren of Mooresville (32-0); 130 – freshman Andrew Howe of Hanover Central (44-0); 140 – junior Nick Walpole of Perry Meridian (49-0); 145 – junior Kurt Kinser of Bloomington South (46-0), senior Thomas Johnson of Lawrence North (45-0); 152 – senior Eric Howe of Hanover Central (42-0), junior Bryan Deutsch of Columbia City (39-0); 160 – senior Jason Martin of Randolph Southern (37-0); 189 – senior Kenneth Caldwell of Union County (44-0), senior Orrin Kleinhenz of Columbus North (45-0), senior Eric Jones of Peru (45-0); 215 – senior Lynn Panko of Avon (42-0).

Lawrence North tops the state with eight participants in the meet followed by Portage with seven and Avon, Bloomington South, Evansville Mater Dei and Merrillville with six each. Bloomington South had the most first place winners at semi-state with five. Lawrence North and Portage will meet in the first round of the team finals on Feb. 26. In fact, a total of 43 wrestlers this weekend will participate in the team competition a week from this Saturday.

Also of note late Tuesday, an injury to Sheridan senior Ryan Gibbons (22-2) has forced him to withdraw from the 275 pound competition. In his place will be Carmel senior James Wood (35-9).

THE 67^TH IHSAA INDIVIDUAL WRESTLING STATE FINALS

Dates & Times:

Friday, February 18

Session I -- First round begins at 6 p.m. EST (Gates open at 5 p.m.)

Saturday, February 19

Session II -- Quarterfinals begin at 9:30 a.m. EST (Gates open at 8:30 a.m.) followed by semifinals (Conseco Fieldhouse will be cleared following semifinals).

Session III -- Consolations at 5 p.m. EST (Gates open at 4:30 p.m.); Finals at 7:30 p.m. EST.

For a complete set of brackets in PDF, click here.

Admission: $8.00 per session; $18 all sessions. All tickets are general admission.

Location: Conseco Fieldhouse, 125 S. Pennsylvania St., Indianapolis.

Conseco Fieldhouse | Seating Chart | Driving Directions | Parking | Indianapolis Accomodations

Public Entrance -- The public may enter from Pennsylvania Street or Delaware Street into a common lobby on the north side of Conseco Fieldhouse. Ticket office windows are located there.

Media Hosts: IHSAA Sports Information Director Jason Wille and Communications Director Joe Gentry will be on hand to assist in your coverage of the state meet.

Media Work Room -- As in previous years, the media workroom at Conseco Fieldhouse will be open both days and be available to working media members throughout Friday evening and all day on Saturday. The work area contains complimentary phones that will accept credit card and 800 calls. Soft drinks and snacks will be available.

Media Entrance -- To gain admittance, the 2004-05 IHSAA State Finals Media Pass is required. The entrance is in the southeast corner of Conseco Fieldhouse adjacent to Delaware Street. The door is marked Media and Employee Entrance and is located at the opposite end of the building from the public entrance. Please allow a few extra minutes to pass through security. Media credentials left at will-call are to be claimed at this entrance.

Media Credentials – Media credentials are available to this event to legitimate, working members of the media. Credentials are not transferable person to person. Broadcast media should contact Mark Higdon of Associated Sports Productions at 317-633-1462 to make arrangements immediately. Print media and approved broadcast media should make their credential request on company letterhead and fax it to IHSAA Sports Information Director Jason Wille at 317-575-4244. No e-mail requests will be accepted. Approved requests will be left for pickup inside the Media Entrance (see above) at Conseco Fieldhouse.

Mat Access – As has been the practice in recent years, Conseco Fieldhouse will have the hockey boards set up around the perimeter of the wrestling mat area. During the championship round only on Saturday night will credentialed photographers be allowed inside the hockey boards to shoot action mat-side. Other than that, only participants, coaches and fieldhouse workers will have access to the mat area. Thanks for your continued cooperation.

Programs – Copies of the official program containing each weight class bracket along with some tournament history will be available in the Media Work Room free of charge.

Results -- Will be updated continuously throughout both days of the tournament on the IHSAA website at www.ihsaa.org. Copies of the updated brackets will also be available in the media work room throughout the two days.

VALPO OFFICIAL TOM LAMBERT TO BE RECOGNIZED THIS WEEKEND

A licensed official for 26 years, Valparaiso resident Tom Lambert is this year’s recipient of the Interscholastic Athletic Official Association Award for excellence in the sport of wrestling.

Lambert will be honored in a special ceremony during this weekend’s state finals in Conseco Fieldhouse. Including this season, Lambert has 24 sectionals, 22 regionals, 16 semi-states, and eight individual state finals to his credit. In the team tournament, Lambert has worked five regionals, three semi-states, and two state finals. Overall, he has 24 sectionals, 27 regionals, 19 semi-states, and 10 state finals to his credit. Lambert worked at the individual state finals for the first time in 1989 and at his first team state finals in 1996. Lambert has worked consecutive individual state finals four times during his officiating career.

Lambert was inducted into the Indiana Wrestling High School Hall of Fame in 1998.

Each year, the Indiana High School Athletic Association, in cooperation with the National Federation of Interscholastic Officials Association, recognizes and honors an outstanding official in each of 11 sports during the school year.

Lambert was nominated for this award by his peers from the Calumet Athletic Officials Association, one of 26 associations located throughout Indiana comprised of men and women who give up much of their personal time to assist in providing wholesome, worthwhile and healthy activities for the student-athletes of our state. This honor comes as a result of Lambert’s selection by a committee representing those 26 associations. Statewide, there are more than 8,000 officials licensed by the IHSAA in 11 sports.

A 26-year member of the Calumet Athletic Officials Association, Lambert served as an IHSAA clinician in 2001 and 2003.

Lambert is a 1961 graduate of Valparaiso High School. He earned a bachelor’s degree from Ball State in physical education and history in 1966 and a master’s degree plus 30 hours from Indiana University.

Lambert coached wrestling and football numerous years at the varsity and middle school level in Michigan City and Chesterton.

Following a 32-year teaching career, most recently at Chesterton High School, Lambert now works as a car and classroom instructor at Excel Driving School.

He and his wife of 36 years, Linda, have two children, Michelle and Stacy, and five grandchildren: Isaac, Kyla, Ashton, Lauren, and Blake.

FORMER IOWA COACH DAN GABLE TO SPEAK AT COLUMBUS NORTH

Dan Gable, former University of Iowa wrestling coach and 1972 Olympic gold medalist, will be coming to Columbus North High School on Wednesday, Feb. 16, at 7:30 p.m., to speak. The event is free of charge and anyone is welcome to attend.

TEAM WRESTLING STATE FINALS ON FOR FEB. 26

Date: Saturday, February 26, 2005

Time: 10 a.m.

Admission: $8.00

Where: Center Grove High School, 2717 S. Morgantown Road, Greenwood, IN | Map | Directions

Media Credentials: The 2004-05 IHSAA State Finals Media Credential is good for admission.

Quarterfinals

10:00 a.m.

Match 1

Portage vs. Lawrence North.

Match 2

Mishawaka vs. Evansville Mater Dei.

Match 3

Bellmont vs. Columbia City.

Match 4

Avon vs. Warren Central.

Semifinals

30 minutes following the conclusion of the quarterfinals, at approximately 12 p.m.

Match 5

Winner of Match 1 vs. Winner of Match 2.

Match 6

Winner of Match 3 vs. Winner of Match 4.

State Championship

30 minutes following the conclusion of the semifinals, at approximately 2:30 p.m.

Match 7

Winner of Match 5 vs. Winner of Match 6.

GIRLS BASKETBALL

GIRLS BASKETBALL REGIONAL TOURNAMENTS THIS SATURDAY

The regional level of the 30^th Annual IHSAA Girls Basketball State Tournament Series will play out this Saturday at 16 sites around the state. Several notes related to the regionals and sectionals are listed below. Also of note, the location of each semi-state game will be announced this Sunday, Feb. 20 following the results of the regionals.

Date: Saturday, February 19.

Times: 10:00 a.m., 12:00 noon, 8:00 p.m.

Tickets: Single Session $6; Season $9.

Home Team: Second team listed.

Media Credentials: Please make requests immediately to host school’s athletic department. For broadcast media, contact Mark Higdon of Associated Sports Productions at 317-633-1462 to make arrangements.

CLASS 4A

1. VALPARAISO

Gary West Side (20-4) vs. Elkhart Memorial (17-6).

Valparaiso (21-1) vs. South Bend Washington (20-3).

2. HUNTINGTON NORTH

DeKalb (18-4) vs. Huntington North (20-2).

Anderson (18-4) vs. Kokomo (17-5).

3. SOUTHPORT

Indianapolis Cathedral (23-1) vs. Franklin Central (22-2).

North Central (Indpls.) (16-7) vs. Ben Davis (15-8).

4. BEDFORD NORTH LAWRENCE

Martinsville (17-6) vs. Jennings County (14-8).

Castle (21-3) vs. Columbus East (21-2).

CLASS 3A

5. TWIN LAKES

West Lafayette (19-3) vs. Hammond (15-6).

South Bend St. Joseph’s (21-1) vs. Kankakee Valley (12-11).

6. PERU

NorthWood (18-4) vs. Norwell (12-11).

Elwood (20-3) vs. Fort Wayne Bishop Luers (21-2).

7. MOUNT VERNON (FORTVILLE)

Mt. Vernon (Fortville) (17-6) vs. Rushville (12-10).

Brebeuf Jesuit (18-5) vs. Indianapolis Bishop Chatard (16-6).

8. JASPER

Jasper (18-6) vs. Corydon Central (21-2).

Evansville Memorial (19-3) vs. Brown County (19-2).

CLASS 2A

9. RENSSELAER CENTRAL

Wheeler (17-7) vs. North Montgomery (13-9).

Westview (20-3) vs. North Judson (19-3).

10. SOUTH ADAMS

Cass (8-14) vs. Taylor (18-4).

Garrett (18-6) vs. Harding (20-4).

11. SHENANDOAH

Cambridge City Lincoln (20-4) vs. Heritage Christian (12-11).

Shenandoah (18-5) vs. Southwestern (Hanover) (16-8).

12. FOREST PARK

Forest Park (15-8) vs. South Putnam (23-0).

Charlestown (19-5) vs. North Knox (20-5).

CLASS A

13. CULVER COMMUNITY

West Central (16-7) vs. Fort Wayne Canterbury (18-4).

Morgan Township (16-7) vs. South Central (Union Mills) (16-6).

14. LAPEL

Clinton Prairie (18-4) vs. Indianapolis Lutheran (18-5).

Tri-Central (15-7) vs. Randolph Southern (12-8).

15. SOUTHWESTERN (SHELBYVILLE)

South Central (Elizabeth) (19-6) vs. Northeast Dubois (17-5).

Hauser (12-10) vs. Jac-Cen-Del (14-8).

16. NORTH DAVIESS

Attica (16-6) vs. Oakland City Wood (9-15).

Loogootee (21-2) vs. Bloomfield (16-7).

SEMI-STATE PAIRINGS

Date: Saturday, February 26

Times: 1:00 p.m., and immediately following

Ticket Information: $7.00

Home Team: Winner of odd-numbered regional is designated as home team.

Please Note: Teams will be assigned to semi-state sites after the results of the regionals.

ELKHART CENTRAL

Game 1 –

Game 2 –

PLYMOUTH

Game 1 –

Game 2 –

SOUTHPORT

Game 1 –

Game 2 –

SOUTHRIDGE

Game 1 –

Game 2 –

TOURNAMENT NOTES

LOOKING FOR FIRST REGIONAL TITLE -- 4A: DeKalb, South Bend Washington; 3A: Brown County, Elwood, Indianapolis Bishop Chatard, Kankakee Valley; 2A: Cambridge City Lincoln, Cass, Harding, North Montgomery, South Putnam, Westview, Wheeler; A: Hauser, Indianapolis Lutheran, Randolph Southern, South Central (Union Mills), West Central.

LOOKING TO BREAK REGIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP DROUGHT (Five or more years) -- 4A: Anderson (last title in 1994), Columbus East (1999), Elkhart Memorial (1993), Franklin Central (1988) Gary West Side (1993), Huntington North (2000), Jennings County (1993), Martinsville (1998); 3A: Corydon Central (2000), Hammond (1981), Mt. Vernon (Fortville) (1991), NorthWood (1999), Norwell (1977), Rushville (1995), West Lafayette (1998); 2A: Charlestown (1993), Forest Park (2000), Taylor (1983); A: Bloomfield (1998), Jac-Cen-Del (1982), Morgan Township (1998), Northeast Dubois (1998).

ACTIVE REGIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP STREAKS -- 2 – South Bend St. Joseph’s 2003-2004, Tri-Central 2003-2004.

No other school with more than one year at a time.

REGIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP LEADERS (Year of last title) -- 11 – Valparaiso (2004); 10 – Ben Davis (2002), Kokomo (2003), Scottsburg (1995); 9 – Bedford North Lawrence (1992), NorthWood (1999); 8 – Anderson (1994), Columbia City (2000), Fort Wayne Northrop (2002), Huntington North (2000), Mooresville (2004), Rushville (1995); 7 – Benton Central (1992), Crown Point (1997), Fort Wayne Bishop Luers (2004).

BEST RECORDS IN THE FIELD – South Putnam (23-0); Indianapolis Cathedral (23-1), South Bend St. Joseph’s (21-1), Valparaiso (21-1).

LOSING RECORDS IN THE FIELD -- Cass (8-14), Oakland City Wood (9-14).

RANKED TEAMS STILL ALIVE (ICGSA Poll) – 4A: 2. Indianapolis Cathedral, 3. Franklin Central, 5. Valparaiso, 6. Castle, 8. Huntington North, 9. Columbus East; 3A: 1. South Bend St. Joseph’s, 4. Evansville Memorial, 6. Fort Wayne Bishop Luers, 7. Corydon Central, 8. Brebeuf Jesuit, 10. Brown County; 2A: 1. Harding, 3. South Putnam, 7. Shenandoah, 8. North Judson, 10. Charlestown; A: 1. Fort Wayne Canterbury, 2. Clinton Prairie, 3. Loogootee, 4. Indianapolis Lutheran, 5. Northeast Dubois, 6. Tri-Central.

2004 STATE CHAMPIONS ALIVE (3 of 4) – 4A: North Central (Indpls.); 3A: Brebeuf Jesuit; A: Tri-Central.

2004 STATE FINALS TEAMS ALIVE (5 of 8) – 4A: North Central (Indpls.); 3A: Brebeuf Jesuit, Fort Wayne Bishop Luers, 2A: Heritage Christian; A: Tri-Central.

FORMER STATE CHAMPIONS ALIVE – 4A: Ben Davis 2000 (4A), 2001 (4A); Huntington North 1990, 1995; Indianapolis Cathedral 2000 (3A), 2001 (3A); Kokomo 1992, 1993, 2003 (4A); Martinsville 1997, 1998 (4A); North Central (Indpls.) 2004 (4A); 3A: Brebeuf Jesuit 2004 (3A); Fort Wayne Bishop Luers 1999 (2A), 2000 (2A), 2001 (2A), 2002 (3A); NorthWood 1999 (3A); West Lafayette 1998 (3A); 2A: Shenandoah 2003 (2A); Southwestern (Hanover) 2002 (2A); A: Bloomfield 1998 (A); Clinton Prairie 1999 (A); Tri-Central 2003 (A), 2004 (A).

SMALLEST SCHOOLS IN THE FIELD (from 2004-05 IHSAA School Directory) – Randolph Southern (172 students), Morgan Township (183 students).

LARGEST SCHOOLS IN THE FIELD (from 2004-05 IHSAA School Directory) – Ben Davis (3,969 students), North Central (Indpls.) (3,368).

FIRST-TIME SECTIONAL CHAMPIONS (4) -- 4A: None; 3A: Indianapolis Bishop Chatard; 2A: None; A: Attica, South Central (Union Mills), West Central.

SECTIONAL CHAMPION DROUGHT BREAKERS (Five or more years) -- 4A: Anderson (first title since 1994), Columbus East (1999), DeKalb (1997), Franklin Central (2000), Martinsville (1998); 3A: Elwood (1976), Hammond (1985), Kankakee Valley (1997), Norwell (1996); 2A: Westview (1978); A: Bloomfield (1998), Hauser (1982), Morgan Township (1998), Oakland City Wood (2000).

REPEAT SECTIONAL CHAMPIONS (34 of 64) – 4A: Castle, Elkhart Memorial, Gary West Side, Huntington North, Kokomo, North Central (Indpls.), South Bend Washington, Valparaiso; 3A: Brebeuf Jesuit, Corydon Central, Evansville Memorial, Fort Wayne Bishop Luers, NorthWood, Rushville, South Bend St. Joseph’s, West Lafayette; 2A: Cambridge City Lincoln, Garrett, Harding, Heritage Christian, North Knox, North Montgomery, Shenandoah, South Putnam, Taylor, Wheeler; A: Clinton Prairie, Fort Wayne Canterbury, Indianapolis Lutheran, Jac-Cen-Del, Northeast Dubois, Randolph Southern, South Central (Elizabeth), Tri-Central.

ALL-TIME SECTIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS

23 – Rushville; 20 – Bedford North Lawrence, Valparaiso; 18 – Ben Davis, Kokomo, NorthWood, Sullivan; 17 – Columbia City, Crown Point, Huntington North; 15 – Center Grove, Connersville, Jasper, New Castle, Terre Haute South, Twin Lakes, Warsaw.

ACTIVE SECTIONAL TITLE STREAKS

6 – Shenandoah; 5 – Castle; 4 – Garrett, Gary West Side, South Bend St. Joseph’s, Valparaiso.

Latest State Rankings

Compiled by the Indiana Coaches of Girls Sports Association. Feb. 7 Poll (End of Regular Season).

State Scoring & Rebounding Leaders

As reported to the IHSAA through games of Feb. 12, 2005

A complete list of the state’s top scorers and rebounders is available at: State's Leaders

Names in bold indicate teams still participating in State Tournament.

Top 10 Scoring

Player	School	Class	Grade	Games	Total	Avg.	High
Jodi Howell	Alexandria Monroe	2A	12	22	631	28.7	52
Megan King	Fort Wayne Canterbury	A	10	20	521	26.1	40
Samantha Stahl	Owen Valley	3A	10	21	547	26.1	41
Amanda Stull	Rushville	3A	11	21	503	24.0	41
Stefanie Gerardot	Fort Wayne Bishop Luers	3A	12	23	550	23.9	38
Ashley Barlow	Pike	4A