Thanks Tom. This is such a busy time of the year. Glad I was able to get the chance to profile Bob Smith. He is so deserving of the recognition and I'm guessing a lot of folks around the area didn't realize we had a sports agent right here locally. I plan to be in Normal in April for his induction and that of a strong Class of 2012. I hope to compile profiles on some of the others with area connections prior to the ceremony. The induction date coincides with the annual Illinois Marathon, but I am hoping it starts early enough to allow me to make it over to Normal.

Hi Tom. This is a strong year for local and area qualifiers. I believe we have 29 from the area Class 1A schools still in contention and nine from four local Class 2A schools. It will be a fun -- but long -- three-day tournament. I am anxious to see how it works out by expanding the competition days to three. It's unlike anything most wrestlers have faced during the season, needing to make weight three days in a row. I hope there are no championship-match forfeits because someone didn't make weight on Day 3. I do like having the semifinals as the showcase on Friday night instead of early on Saturday morning. I expect to see numerous area athletes on the awards stand Saturday night and I'm thinking several of those will be participating in championship bouts. Urbana's Cameron Mammen opened some eyes with his two third-period comebacks for wins at sectional, including one over the senior who was previously unbeaten (43-0) and ranked first in the state, Triad's Jake Tindle. While it was a significant win, no one won a state title at sectionals. That can only happen this weekend, so it's important for all the qualifiers to stay focused and realize their biggest step is upon them. There will be 16 competitors in each of the 14 weight classes. Winners will need to compile a four-match winning streak over three days. It's certainly a realistic goal for Mammen, as well as some of our other area qualifiers -- especially the nucleus from Class 1A LeRoy -- but there are going to be plenty of opponents who will be doing their best to win titles themselves. This promises to be a great weekend. By the way, I hear too many hot dogs aren't good for a person!