I do think it's something to look at but a problem with the summer wrestling and the way the rules are towards the coaches they are restricted from working with their kids until after flag day. I do beleive we have some great coaches helping the kids with folkstyle but are very limited themselves with knowledge and their ability to coach summer styles of wrestling. I'm at loss myself. I have wondered if folkstyle wasn't available after HS State more would move into summer wrestling if that was all that was offered. But I still yet wonder what coaches would be available to help them. Our kids club has a tremdous technition in Mark Slyter. Mark and Russ complement each other in teaching the summer styles of wrestling and my feelings they are a couple of the better technicians around. That's why we transferred Matt to Paola. Again although Russ's part-time job of coaching is done after HS State there seem to be many that don't think he should be working with the kids until the school season is over, after memorial weekend.
I think we might get a couple more wrestlers if the season ended for Highschoolers after State.
If the season ended early as their suggesting what shape does that leave us for the Brute Nationals, the Mid American Classic is the next big folkstyle tourament just around the corner drawing National Competition. What kind of shape would any be to particpate in that tournament if the folkstyle season ended. before High School State.
One last thought again on the Brute Nationals. Ks. wrestlers competed extremely well at this tournament. If memory serves me right and stumbling around the CRS syndrom. Our Kansas wrestlers placed or were ranked the best of all classes combined. Juniors were ranked first, Sophmores ranked second and Freshman were also ranked 1st in their class. I don't feel we did this or could do this if the folkstyle season was done before or shortly after HS State. Clubs will be scrambling now to get started in FS/GR. I feel we can do this and compete well with what 3 1/2 months of wrestling before we hit the National tournaments. I have never worked in promotion but I think thats what we need. More promotion, more incentives to build up our summer numbers. Realistically people don't accept change well. I think for many they are understanding the folkstyle system and that CHANGE to summer wrestling in holding more than just a few back. We will be competing with Baseball and summer vacations, especially those who feel they are on summer vacation and aren't going to do anything. Some of these kids are looking at slacking the summer away. These are the ones I worry about getting on a wrong road altogether and not being able to get off of it. To much freedom to try things they have no business trying until their in their thirties or something. I truley don't have the answers and can only speculate. How much differance does it make Southern Plains is in Carlsbad,New Mexico. Even though they can still compete and qualify in Junction City @ the FS/Gr State Tournament. I could only suggest we continue to do what we can to support & promote summer wrestling and then try to do a little more.
We need to keep competing in the National Tournaments drawing attention to our Ks wrestlers. Pushing for more college programs in Ks. That to needs promotion and incentives.
I've got to get thanks for asking Vince. Feels like I'm kind of rambling and getting a little sidtracked. I do think these topics will help with open comunications. Surely can't hurt anything with many sharing their experiance, strength and hope. But about all keeping an open mind. Thanks again for allowing me to take some time. Hope to see you all around the mats soon.
