I don't think Gilliand is underated. I think Gilliand is a great wrestler, but the reason many people do not give him the respect that most 4x'ers get, is in two of the years he won state titles there were several others at the same weight from 4A,5A,& 6A that could beat him.
for example:
2001 119lbs.
123A- M. Gilliand
4A- A. Devoe
5A- D. Hoover
6A- M. Bradley
I think most people agre that he would not have won state at any other class besides 123A.
2002 125lbs.
123A- M. Gilliand
4A- E. Jones
5A- D. Hoover
6A- B. Trullinger
I think most people would agree that 6A is the only other class he would have won state at.
I believe Gilliand won state in double overtime against Lambotte this year.
2003 130lbs.
123A- M. Gilliand
4A- E. Jones
5A- J. Ashpole
6A- D. Seilert
Gilliand had good chances of winning 5A and 6A this year, however he had his hands full winning his match against B. Lamar in 123A.
2004 140lbs.
123A- Gilliand will win
4A- J. Terell
5A- L. Zousas and J. Cornejo
6A- S. Hill (I think Hill is at 145lbs?)
This weekend is a great chance for Gilliand to prove himself against Zousas. I would also like to see how he would do against Terrel, Cornejo, or Hill.
In any case I think anyone who said Gilliand is not a great wrestler is dead wrong. Hopefully we will get to see him wrestle Zousas and one of these other guys in the Senior Classic.
