National rankings are a very subjective thing. The two things that lend credibility to the rankings are inter-state competition of teams and individual national rankings.
The big national two national tournaments are the Iron Man and Beast of the East. Also there are other significant events.
But of course KSHSAA will not allow Kansas teams to travel to events like these. So the people who vote or make up the rankings don't see teams like Aquinas or Bishop Carrol. So Aquinas is lucky to get any votes at all. Yes, a Kansas team might make a short excursion to Oklahoma or Missouri and wrestle an Oak Park or Ponca City. If you want real respect in the rankings, go to the big shows. National guys don't really care if you're whipping up on the Wichita City League or the East Kansas League.
The promoters of the Ironman or Beast would love to have Bishop Carrol or Aquinas at their tournament. If they did, do you think they could place a kid or two?
Second I looked at the rankings. I looked at USA wrestling and WIN magazine. Really didn't see any Aquinas kids ranked. Think I saw on Carrol kid. Maybe I missed them. You can say the rankers show a little more bias to the Eastern kids, but if the Kids place at Fargo and others, they will get recognition. If you have 2 or 3 nationally ranked kids, you will have a good chance at improving your ranking.
