All,
Was very disappointed to hear that the executive body voted to retain the policy that the Kansas Southern Plains Camp is a requirement for Kansas wrestlers to participate in the Southern Plains Regional Tournament.
Just reviewed the thread from head to toe and there are some heavy hitters that voiced concern of making the camp mandatory.
- Shawn Budke Head Coach of Leavenworth County (105 kids with 30 more high school wrestlers on the way from Lansing, Leavenworth, Tongi, and Pleasant Ridge).
- Tom Baughman - Coaches Slammer Wrestling (Slammers won over 30 Freestyle and Greco State Titles, multiple Southern Plains Championships, and several All-Americans in the last 5 years.
- Will Cokely and Eric Ackin -- MatSide Wrestling Academy producing some of the best freestyle/greco wrestlers in the state.
-- Chief Renegade (Eric Johnson), Mike Pursel, McCormicks, Flynns, ...
Basically, those opposed on this thread all said the camp was a good idea, just don't make it mandatory. By making it mandatory will cut down on Kansas Kids participating because of time and money. What I read as the primary reason for having the camp is to build a "team".
I hope I am wrong, but this decision may drastically reduce Kansas numbers.
Think the USAW Kansas leadership may be a little out of touch with the wrestlers, coaches, and parents in which they serve.
The decision to make this camp mandatory is simple a bad decision.
Having said that, I will do my best to make the Southern Plains Camp and the Regional tournament a success. The Leavenworth County Spartans will figure out a way to get our kids wanting to attend a ride up…and look for some ideas to reduce cost.
For my son Nick, it is about time. He plans an aggressive spring summer schedule and will have to decide if he wants to commit 5 days to Southern Plains or use that time toward other venues.
This will be my seventh year coaching and parenting through a free style season and for what it is worth…I am not happy with this decision.
Mike Flynn
