One of the things I have been drilling into the heads of the young men going to Brute Nationals is the lack of respect that Kansas wrestling seems to get. It seems that year, after year, after year, Kansas gets no respect. We hear about Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Nebraska, and on, and on, and on. I remember Mike Juby responding in an article I wrote awhile back that Kansas likes to prove it on the mat. Well I would encourage wrestlers to understand that when they go to events out of state, or wrestle wrestlers from other states, they are at a point that they can help prove it on the mat. I love this time of year, we in wrestling are one team, we are KANSAS!
There is a thread going on the
http://www.themat.com discussion boards on wrestling and strong wrestling states.
http://www.thematforums.com/myforum/?show_topic=18509&forum_id=3 On that thread there is an individual breakdown of number of All American’s based on a per capita basis for individual states that made AA status in the NCAA D1 Tournament. It looks like this:
AA/M_cap # AA
1 Kansas 2.19 6
2 Oklahoma 1.70 6
3 Iowa 1.02 3
4 Penn 0.81 10
5 NJ 0.80 7
6 Ohio 0.61 7
7 Michigan 0.59 6
8 Wisconsin 0.54 3
9 Indiana 0.48 3
10 Colorado 0.43 2
11 NY 0.42 8
12 Maryland 0.36 2
13 Arizona 0.35 2
14 Illinois 0.16 2
15 California 0.06 2
Here is my challenge, let’s increase the lead, let’s work hard to drive the nail flush into the coffin that Kansas knows wrestling. The guys in the Wichita room have heard about that, we have worked hard to represent Kansas with pride at Brute Nationals. I believe many of those taking that commitment seriously will do well. I would encourage all of the wrestlers to give Freestyle Greco a go of it. You will be surprised at how much it will help you next year when you are in the hunt for a state championship. I believe that is especially so with the new rules. It is time to get involved. For those going to Brute, remember you are representing the Great State of Kansas. Wrestle hard, never give up, and walk on and off the mat like champions, no matter what.
