If you're a wrestling fan, it is anyway.

Welcome to Pinheads, The Bakersfield Californian's blog for the state wrestling tournament this Friday and Saturday at Rabobank Arena in Bakersfield.

We're hoping this becomes a place for state wrestling news both for Kern County wrestling fans and those around the state who are converging on Rabobank.

To start us off, here's a list of local state qualifiers. I've put the top 12  in order of how what I think their chances are at earning a top-eight medal this weekend.

Travis Rasmussen, 145 pounds, Bakersfield High — Kern County's best chance to win an individual title, hands down — 99 percent chance of earning a medal
Brad Carls, 171, Bakersfield — 90 percent
Marc Collier, 103, East Bakersfield — 85
Peter Gonzalez, 112, East — 85
Jonah Cruz, 140, BHS — 70
Edgar Diaz, 103, Arvin — 65
Timmy Box, 125, BHS — 55
Antonio Hernandez, heavyweight, East — 50
David Travis, 215, Foothill — 45
Bryce Hammond, 152, BHS — 40
Jose Ramirez, 160, BHS — 35
Brent Willis, heavyweight, North Bakersfield — 20
 

And then, in no particular order, the rest:
John Musquez, 171, Centennial
Seth Hicks, 140, Centennial
Derik Rizo, 119, Foothill
Bryan Magno, 130, Ridgeview
Brian Schoene, 215, Bakersfield
Anthony Padilla, heavyweight, Bakersfield
Joey Thomason, 189, North
Eric Matthews, 152, Stockdale
Rene Medina, 160, Shafter
Joseph Ames, 171, Shafter
Sergio Martinez, 119, Tehachapi
Marcus Abarquez, 189, Tehachapi
Vince Rivera, 130, Liberty
Gabe Kapler, 135, Liberty
Robert Rios, 145, Liberty

Of course, there are always surprises at a tournament like this. But if you're looking for hometown placers, keep an eye on that first group first. Anybody in the bottom group would have to pull a couple of big upsets to reach the podium.

Keep an eye out Thursday for capsules of all local wrestlers, which will include their record, performance at state last season and how they've done at tournaments this season. The incredible thing about these kids is that at this level, all of them have won a ton of matches and lost very few. There are no gimmes.

— Posted by Zach Ewing