Lock, What are your thoughts on this Mikey Benefiel stuff? I know your pretty close to the Montini organization. You must know something? Was it legal? Do you think he got permission from the IHSA? Would they grant him permission if he asked?

The Former wants to know....will benefiel be a 4 time IHSA state Champ (like predicted) or a 3 timer becuz of this mess?!?!

I realized this WAY BEFORE it ever hit the public!!! I kept my mouth shut, hoping he gets his shot at being a 4 timer... Just ask Flashy Classy, I made him swear not to say a word about it and he didnt... I dont know what to think... I am in SHOCK!!! It "APPEARS" to clearly be a violation.... I have looked into it all day, I DID NOT CALL THE IHSA... I didnt want to risk this kids chances at being a 4x State Champ.... Do I think he got permission... Not sure!!! Would the IHSA grant permission??? Most likely not... I am just kind of sitting back guessing how this all will unfold... But just ask Flashy Classy if I knew about this way earlier he will tell you The LOCK gets the scoop!!!

I'll back you up on that Mr. Lock! You messaged me earlier in the night about this. It will be interesting to see how it plays out. I personally think that the 5 wrestlers would not have wrestled if they would have known their eligibility would be blown. I first would like to congratulate the 5 Illinois wrestlers who did place in this tournament. It's a great thing we had such great reps there to proove Illinois is a powerhouse in this sport.

I don't think the IHSA would give permission to these guys without letting the rest of the wrestling community know about this. I agree with the warLOCK that once this does unfold, we will either sit back and complain some more, or we will just complain some more!! LOL, thats what these message boards are used for!!

It will be interesting!

Chances are I will have many thoughts on this subject... I think this will open the eyes of the IHSA and many wrestling fans... The outcome of this will result many things that happen this year... I think if he is told he cant wrestle the state series it will hurt Mike, and the IHSA is here to help young athletes... But on the other hand, they try to make everyone follow the same rules... This kid could be a 4 time STATE CHAMP!!!!

No matter what the outcome, some people will disagree... its a lose lose situation for everyone!! Including you.. A fan of wrestling!!!

I think it would help if the IHSA would make a page of tournys that are acceptable in off-season and IN-SEASON...That way NO IF's AND's or BUT's about it!!!

This will hurt more than Mikey... It will hurt Montini.. they are a great team, but they need this kid... They really do...

Mike isnt the only ILLINOIS HIGH SCHOOLER to attend... Their are 5 in total.. What will happen to them....

Atleast our Illinois Boys represented US WELL!!!! You have to be proud of that...Whether they broke the rules or not, its not for us to decide, thats between these wrestlers and the IHSA... But Congrats for now Mike, Mark, Matt, Eric and Kyle!!!!

Can the IHSA reverse their decision on Kenny Jordan from just last year, after all he was a great wrestler and had a shot at a title and 4 medals?

What about other great wrestlers that are just a notch below these guys that would love to get in some National competition during the season to better prepare for a local conference opponent?

Then there is the whole issue of these programs like Overtime. Do they influence the kids more than the high school coaches? Are they completely in tune with the IHSA rules? Do they think because they attract great kids that the IHSA rules don't apply to their program?

Lock, you say the IHSA should publish a list but how do they draw the line?

Lock also remember the IHSA is not around to protect the best athletes ina given sport. If they wanted to do that you wouldn't see guys every year not make state because they were 4th in sectional and probably also 4th in state.

I have a bad feeling about what is going to happen here and my heart will go out to one kid in particular that is a senior and I would love to see him do well at state this year.I hjust have this sinking feeling that a coach has the best of intentions to show off his stable of talent to the nation but forgot to let the people from his home state know that he was going to do that in advance? Time will tell.

I feel for that senior right now... I really do... The IHSA will do what is right, and it is up to them to decide what is right... It will be a very interesting begging of the season....

Who are the other 4 wrestlers? What are their names, and where are they from? We know Mike Benefiel is one of them, but who are the other 4? Mark, Matt, Eric, and Kyle? Who are they, and i know lock knows! I think we are all very interested in this!

The others were Mark Friend who would be a state placer in AA at 160... Matt Cusick a freshman from the Orland area that would do very well this year... Kyle Jahn who will have a great year, and make a run for the title... and the other kid I am not real familar with him....

Apparently they will be fine with the IHSA. Who knows if this is true, but it has been posted on the other board. I wish someone from the IHSA would let everyone know.

on matmen a montini coach says it is legal cause there season doesnt start till the 26th. so isnt it over

I do not agree with the "Montini Coach". According to Montini Coach Gananway said, "It's O.K. for them to wrestle because their season doesn't start until the first competition." That is inconsistent with previous years. The season is defined as "season limitations" in the IHSA handbook. The rule states that the season began on Monday, Nov. 10. If Ganaway said this, does it open up the ability for all sports to compete unassociated (not with your team) prior to your first competition? Can football players compete in an all-star game prior to their first game? I can't believe these wresters had Ganaway's approval prior to the tournament. It goes against everything I have been told in the past 10 years.

it seems to me there should be a letter from Gannaway or something from the IHSA on this topic, but not just some unknown Montini coach saying what he claims Gannaway said?

I will state this for the last time. All of the IL wrestlers who competed at Tulsa are ELIGIBLE for the upcoming season. It is clearly stated in the by-laws that the beginning of the season is when your team competes in an interscholastic event. We received written documentation of this from Dave Gannaway. I also had a conversation with him on this matter. This may be different than in the past, but that doesn't matter now. Good luck to all wrestlers this upcoming season (which doesn't start until your first meet).

ha i was right