Is there something that can be done differently with the Senior Classic? It was kind of frustrating to sit through 3 hours of wrestling and only get a few matches worth actually watching.

Saw a lot of wrestlers who didn’t look like they committed the time they should’ve towards conditioning. If you want the college coaches who were in attendance (i.e. Coach Thompson, Renfro, and Peterson) to give you a look you better put in the same kind of work you would during the regular season as you are in the post season. Remember it doesn’t get easier in college, it gets harder.

I’d say Maple v. Napier was the highlight, but if it’s college Napier gets the W because of the out of bounds rule. Also, college refs won’t let you ride a whole period like Maple did in the second without trying to work a turn.

Another match that could’ve been aided by the college out of bounds rule was Lawrence v. Frye.

Cox v. Geist was a little surprising. I didn’t see it ending that close and Geist should’ve had the W but over exerted himself on that single leg trip.

Were weather conditions too bad for Watson, Furches, and Peters to make it up to Topeka from the Wichita area? I think KDOT tries to do a pretty good job of keeping the roads clear, especially the Turnpike. They could’ve caught a ride with many of the Wichita area wrestlers (i.e. Houlden, Fulbright, Cox, Beard, Maples, Caldwell, Detmer).

And what’s the deal with everyone leaving after the quote unquote match of the night with Beard v. Kriss? I would wager to say that 2/3’s of the crowd left after this one minute and forty-five second match. Didn’t they know there was one match left? It was however the most exciting near period of a match of the night with both getting good takedown attempts ending out of bounds. It ended when Kriss funked out of a deep low single by Beard and ended up on top with a reverse half.

Overall it wasn’t too bad considering the conditions outside. I definitely would have liked to see fewer matches and more switching of weight classes like Beard and Kriss to find the best matches to attract fans. After all, this is an “exhibition” but, if we’re going to grow the sport make it more appealing to the fans.

P.S.
Next year put in the college out of bounds rule for the Senior Classic (unless it gets changed in the rules anyways). If these boys want to wrestle in college let them have a little taste of what’s like to always be on your toes and not let up just cause your on the edge.

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