Flowing Wells Invitational.

AZ_wrestlinFan#1

Well-Known Member
Well here are my thoughts on Flowing Wells. Sunnyside runs away with the title scoring 299 points. 131 points more than Queen Creek for 2nd place. Would this have happened if those other schools that used to go to FW INVITE? Probably not. Denen Fernandez from Queen Creek looked dominant with a TF and 3 pins. Walden Grove from Sahuarita came in 3rd place with 156 points. Congratulations to Coach Danny Vega for having 3 of his Tucson Cyclones in the finals for WG. Out of the 5 Cyclones for Walden Grove 4 Of them placed and 1 was a Champion. I drove from PHX to watch this not so prestigious tournament. Get it together Weber and Flowing Wells staff.
 
Not so prestigious? There were ten undefeated wrestlers coming into it with 8 of them remaining undefeated. There were a total of 11 State Titles, 37 State Medals, 5 National Titles, and 12 All-American Titles. Totally a weak tournament.
 

AZ_wrestlinFan#1

Well-Known Member
Not so prestigious? There were ten undefeated wrestlers coming into it with 8 of them remaining undefeated. There were a total of 11 State Titles, 37 State Medals, 5 National Titles, and 12 All-American Titles. Totally a weak tournament.
5 of those National titles belonged to 2 wrestlers. This tournament has lost 5 schools in 2 years. 3 of them now go to Temecula Valley for Battle for the belt. FW would be a totally different tournament if Zack Kvavle, Aaron Gandara, Marcus Castillo, Jeremiah Hollen, Tommy Mommer, Jacob Frias, Juan Sierra, Chris Kelly were there. SS probably still would’ve won it, but would not have had almost 300 points! Try again buddy!!
 

chingon76

Well-Known Member
Staff member
It would be an amazing thing if the top teams in our state (regardless of division)were actually trying to test themselves against the top teams in our state too. As the old adage goes, "Steel sharpens steel."
 

chingon76

Well-Known Member
Staff member
I know teams go out of state and that is super important but... there is some stiff competition here in Az for all Az teams
 

East Valley

Well-Known Member
First off give SS credit they haven’t won FW since 2013! 299 is still great without those teams. That makes Mesa Mtn Views 316 in 2015 (with those teams) even more impressive.

It seems some of the AZ tournaments bank more on tradition than making it family & team friendly. (Or affordable). That can keep you from trying to make your tournament better. 3 days in a hotel in CA is almost the same cost as AZ. I love the kids winning Caballero’s. I like the tradition but I understand why teams aren’t going.
 

chingon76

Well-Known Member
Staff member
First off give SS credit they haven’t won FW since 2013! 299 is still great without those teams. That makes Mesa Mtn Views 316 in 2015 (with those teams) even more impressive.

It seems some of the AZ tournaments bank more on tradition than making it family & team friendly. (Or affordable). That can keep you from trying to make your tournament better. 3 days in a hotel in CA is almost the same cost as AZ. I love the kids winning Caballero’s. I like the tradition but I understand why teams aren’t going.
I can definitely understand that
 

jmhartman

New Member
I love Flowing Wells and Peoria, both are top notch tournaments and have amazing traditions. Mile High was amazing this year and Prescott Valley has the facilities and hotel rooms to accommodate a lot of teams and spectators. Doc Wright (Winslow) has amazing facilities. A huge gym with seating for a couple thousand and plenty of room upstairs for fans and teams to relax. They also have a masseuse upstairs for both wrestlers and fans. They open their cafeteria and bring in a BBQ company with an awesome onsite smoker so fans and wrestlers dont have to leave to get a good meal. Not a lot of Hotels available but have Holbrook and Twin Arrows Casino both about a 25 min drive. Trophies and Champion Brackets are second to none. I'm glad we have great tournaments from down south, Phoenix and Northern Arizona.
 

SPRAWL

Well-Known Member
I love Flowing Wells and Peoria, both are top notch tournaments and have amazing traditions. Mile High was amazing this year and Prescott Valley has the facilities and hotel rooms to accommodate a lot of teams and spectators. Doc Wright (Winslow) has amazing facilities. A huge gym with seating for a couple thousand and plenty of room upstairs for fans and teams to relax. They also have a masseuse upstairs for both wrestlers and fans. They open their cafeteria and bring in a BBQ company with an awesome onsite smoker so fans and wrestlers dont have to leave to get a good meal. Not a lot of Hotels available but have Holbrook and Twin Arrows Casino both about a 25 min drive. Trophies and Champion Brackets are second to none. I'm glad we have great tournaments from down south, Phoenix and Northern Arizona.
I agree, glad that we do have the tournaments that we do. There will always be complaints about the varying tournaments held throughout the state, especially the larger ones. Like "PEORIA does't use Trackwrestling" or "Flowing Wells doesn't have the top teams" or "Sal Pointe's facilities are too small", but what it comes down to is the kids and the sport of wrestling. Kids are given the opportunity to test their skills regardless of what level they are against kids from all over including many other states. I agree that it would be great to have ideal facilities with every tourney using Trackwrestling and plenty of hotels and restaurants where ever they are held. But keep in mind that the tournaments are about the kids and the sport. Most wrestling parents know that watching their kids wrestle and compete is jr. high and h.s is a relatively brief experience, so make the most of it!

It would be great if a school with a nice facility would put together and Invitational tournament, inviting only the top 8 schools from each of the 4 divisions previous years state tournament. A great tournament for all the top teams in the state!

BTW, Doc Wright was a great tournament, great competition and great experience for some of the newer wrestlers with the NET wrestling matches. Kudos!
 

whenndoubtchokemout

"when in doubt, chokem out"
I agree, glad that we do have the tournaments that we do. There will always be complaints about the varying tournaments held throughout the state, especially the larger ones. Like "PEORIA does't use Trackwrestling" or "Flowing Wells doesn't have the top teams" or "Sal Pointe's facilities are too small", but what it comes down to is the kids and the sport of wrestling. Kids are given the opportunity to test their skills regardless of what level they are against kids from all over including many other states. I agree that it would be great to have ideal facilities with every tourney using Trackwrestling and plenty of hotels and restaurants where ever they are held. But keep in mind that the tournaments are about the kids and the sport. Most wrestling parents know that watching their kids wrestle and compete is jr. high and h.s is a relatively brief experience, so make the most of it!

It would be great if a school with a nice facility would put together and Invitational tournament, inviting only the top 8 schools from each of the 4 divisions previous years state tournament. A great tournament for all the top teams in the state!

BTW, Doc Wright was a great tournament, great competition and great experience for some of the newer wrestlers with the NET wrestling matches. Kudos!
C’mon, everyone knows why CHANDLER, CIBOLA, MOUNTAIN VIEW MESA and CORONA left Flowing Wells. BAD VENUE, BAD SEEDING, seating sucks, one restroom, one sided officiating, and history of skin diseases after tourney. Most of the teams mention above left to Battle for the Belt (GREAT VENUE, top notch competition, great seating, several restrooms, seeding) and they dont nickle and dime you like Moon Valley and Peoria. I spoke to some of the top teams last night at FW and they are not returning next year. Flowing Wells NEEDS to make some serious changes (start w/venue) if they want the top tier teams back in Tucson.
 

Coach Pat

Well-Known Member
When I was in high school, Flowing Wells was held at the TCC. It was awesome as a wrestler. Not sure if its a logistical nightmare to run, but I think something like that would/should/could be an option
 

East Valley

Well-Known Member
C’mon, everyone knows why CHANDLER, CIBOLA, MOUNTAIN VIEW MESA and CORONA left Flowing Wells. BAD VENUE, BAD SEEDING, seating sucks, one restroom, one sided officiating, and history of skin diseases after tourney. Most of the teams mention above left to Battle for the Belt (GREAT VENUE, top notch competition, great seating, several restrooms, seeding) and they dont nickle and dime you like Moon Valley and Peoria. I spoke to some of the top teams last night at FW and they are not returning next year. Flowing Wells NEEDS to make some serious changes (start w/venue) if they want the top tier teams back in Tucson.
Amen.

I appreciate people putting effort into the sport of wrestling but teams don’t have to accept not being treated well when they have other options. To be clear it’s not the people it’s the product being offered! Teams/Coaches need to feel it’s of value & families/fans need to be able to attend.
 

TUMBLEWEED

Well-Known Member
I have always liked FW and was bummed to see the comp go down. I like the close quarters.. builds strong bonds and rivalries.
The scholarships are great rewards for the chosen wrestlers.
As for facilities there are about 8 urinals (no walls, be ready for sword fight)and 3 toilets.. I never had to wait. LoL

Main complaint my opinion is host / director.
I blame them for the decline in comp.
They have another gym they could have used..
running matches on the tennis courts wasn’t the worst, and helped open up floor space while adding another mat,but was to little to late.
You could tell Weber was trying harder then years past,
BIG complaint was they decided to change the start time of 1/4 finals round from 6 to 5 last minute. Effected many families who planned around the schedule.
And not all teams heard, SS kid was running in from van to mat in singlet.
Make a schedule and stick to it!!
 
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