Kansas Wrestling Forums General Discussion Kids Folkstyle Camp for Tyler

I have been involved in Ks wrestling for 21 years and now to give back, it blesses my heart.I have never met little Tyler, but he has been, and will continue to be in the Taylor familys prayers.

God Bless

Kenny, thanks so much for you and everyone else that participated. It was a great evening for Kansas wrestling and Tyler was the insperation that helped it all happen. Thanks to Kake Television, and KFDI for helping tell Tyler's story. There are so many others.

Danny Hodge and our own Aaron Sweazy were there signing autographs until the last person left, Aaron even stayed after that for the television story that was broadcast from the High School. There are so many that we could thanks and I do thank all of you for participating. From Bo Maynes to Eric Akin who has helped so much. From Mike Garcia to Kenny Taylor Jr. and of course from Skip Herrington to Danny Hodge. For those not there, you missed something special. For the items that has not arrived, they will be made available for auction as soon as they get here.

Last note here, we raised close to $3,000 tonight for Tyler and his family. More will be coming in. District 2 you came through, but not just District 2 all of Kansas. Tonight we truly were team Kansas, team Kansas for Tyler.

I would encourage each district to help in setting up a clinic, I'll be glad to help and do what I can if needing help. Thanks again, thanks to Tyler and thanks to all of those who attended and participated.

Thanks Mike! It truly was a great evening. I only wish we could have more time to hear more of Danny Hodges wisdom and that our HS wrestlers could have enjoyed the evening as well. Thanks again.

Ms. Jenni

Just a note, that new photo's of the event are up at the http://www.tylergraebner.com web site. Please make sure to visit them and leave a comment in the guestbook for Tyler.

Ms. Jenni, it would have been nice to hear more from Danny Hodge. It was something to see the kids flocking to him, knowing of what he has done in the sport. For those not there you missed an incredible evening.

I want to also comment on the comment regarding our High School and Jr. High wrestlers. Something has to be done to allow them to participate in events like this, even if it means they can only go and watch. It is a shame that this many legends and great wrestlers can be in a room and our Jr. High and High School Wrestlers can't even be in the room to meet the very people they have had posters of on their walls for years.

I love Kansas, I hope people here know that by now. I love it enough to see that certain things change that hinder our wrestlers and participants in other sports like Track, Swimming and others. Rules that prohibit a athlete from going and watching legends of the sport are crazy. Imagine if Dr. J., Michael Jordon, Shaq, LeBron James and others came to town to do a $10 basketball clinic to help a kid with cancer and our high school and Jr. High athletes couldn't go. We have had the equivalent of that twice now for wrestling and our kids couldn't go and just watch, we are not talking about “participating” we are talking about “watching”. I hate to say it, and don't want this to be a soap box at this point, but I truly have to wonder if the KSHAA in the implementation of some of these rules really have the best interest of our kids at heart. Enough for now on that subject which will get me going about as strongly as I have with issues regarding Tyler.

Mike,
You are right on with your comments regarding the KSHSAA guidelines. I heard Steve Martin of Granby wrestling fame state that he could not believe the rules that our governing organization(KSHSAA) has ..during the clinic he held for KS Wrestling Coaches Assoc. in Salina in October. Kansas Wrestling is beginning to parallel that of other front-runner states in terms of success and placing collegiate wrestlers but we are lagging behind in what should be some no brainer philosophies of what is best for our kids who are developing in this sports future and thus future successes because of the hinderance of the KSHSAA. Let's pray they understand our conviction behind our thought proceeses in this and will do what is the right thing for Kansas Wrestling youth.
Happy New Year to all and a Gr8t Big Thank U goes out to Tyler for making the future of Kansas wrestling better through his bravery in fighting this and to all who are acting on his behalf..
P.S. Hang in there Tyler, and continue to fight like a Champion wrestler.
Kevin Calhoon -- Atchison, KS