Kansas Wrestling
Posted By: Kainisable 4A, 5A & 6A State Championship Thoughts - 02/26/12 02:12 PM
I am curious what people's thoughts were that actually attended the tournament in person or watched it online. I was only able to watch some of the matches on Friday and then during the championship only through 138. It would be great to get perspective from those of you in the know on highlights, controversial matches, surprises, etc.

Also does anyone know if Metro Sports KC will be airing the 5a & 6a championship matches today or sometime this next week? I would enjoy seeing it in its entirety.
The 4a #120 was outstanding, as was #145 and #160. The announcing was HORRIBLE, and the two people should NEVER be allowed to announce a state tournament again.
Posted By: doug747 Re: 4A, 5A & 6A State Championship Thoughts - 02/26/12 03:19 PM
ditto on the announcers. Though they got better with mispronouncing names, they still manage to mispronounce names of kids that are very well known as top tier kids.

During the first round, they announced the wrong winner probably 1 out of 4 times.

Talking down to the kids "we shouldn't have to tell you every time to come down and get lined up for medals ceremony". They liked hearing themselves talk, so what was the big deal if they would have simply said this instead: "XYZ lb class, please report for the medals ceremony"
Posted By: ReDPloyd Re: 4A, 5A & 6A State Championship Thoughts - 02/26/12 03:59 PM
The 5A/6A tournament at Hartman was very good for the most part. I thought the way they did the individual weight class medal procession was neat. The announcers did a very good job throughout with the exception of pronouncing one particular four letter name in four different ways. Food and drink prices, yea I get that. Parking is great. Facility is top notch for this event. Team scores could have been kept up and updated on the big board or the scrolling side boards more often, but that doesn't help advertise their upcoming events (again, I get that). I still wish that breaks in between rounds could be shortened as it makes for a very long day. Overall, I like this venue a lot.
Posted By: chewie Re: 4A, 5A & 6A State Championship Thoughts - 02/26/12 04:20 PM
There were many little things wrong with the 4a tournament.
Originally Posted By: doug747

During the first round, they announced the wrong winner probably 1 out of 4 times.

Does anyone recall if they used to announce the winners at the Coliseum when all three classes were together? I don't remember that being the case. I think with that added to their duties the announcers are over-burdened with 4 mats and likely need to just stick to calling the next match to the mat. That would provide them with more time to find notes on correct pronunciations of names.
Posted By: doug747 Re: 4A, 5A & 6A State Championship Thoughts - 02/26/12 05:15 PM
Or just announce the winner when they received the bout sheet, with the winner's name circled, at the announcers' table. I think they have time to do it, but need to take their time to get it right.
Posted By: gymmom Re: 4A, 5A & 6A State Championship Thoughts - 02/26/12 05:33 PM
Our only issues with 5A/6A at the Hartman Arena is how they deal with the wrestlers food and drink. All of the food and drink had to be left in a designated area. It could not be taken out of that area, not even a gatorade that our son wanted to drink in between matches. The second day we bought gatorade from the concession stand but sent an EMPTY lunch box cooler with him to be brought up into the stands to keep the gatorade that we bought from the concessions in. He wanted to keep it cold. The food/drink nazi standing by the stairs where the boys food was kept would not allow the EMPTY lunch box out of that area. I understand not allowing spectators to bring food in but the wrestlers should be allowed to have THEIR drinks/food with them. What harm could an EMPTY lunch box have had? I think KSHAA needs to negotiate something different with Hartman regarding how the wrestlers food/drink is handled. The breaks in between rounds were long and should/could be shortened. I personally was not crazy about the star wars music. Its old and out dated but... other than those issues, we felt it was great!
in my opinion, i thought the best match of the weekend, was when perez defeated mies in the 113 final, absolutely amazing.
Posted By: doug747 Re: 4A, 5A & 6A State Championship Thoughts - 02/26/12 05:39 PM
Us Andale folks didn't think that match was good at all........!!!!!
Posted By: ath618 Re: 4A, 5A & 6A State Championship Thoughts - 02/26/12 05:44 PM
The breaks between rounds were long. They could have a bit of entertainment if they want us to sit there for 30+ minutes. At least play some fan based music. The bright spot during the breaks was the SHIRTLESS (for a bit of time) Olathe Northwest student that was trying to get the crowd going.
Originally Posted By: ReDPloyd
The 5A/6A tournament at Hartman was very good for the most part. I thought the way they did the individual weight class medal procession was neat. The announcers did a very good job throughout with the exception of pronouncing one particular four letter name in four different ways. Food and drink prices, yea I get that. Parking is great. Facility is top notch for this event. Team scores could have been kept up and updated on the big board or the scrolling side boards more often, but that doesn't help advertise their upcoming events (again, I get that). I still wish that breaks in between rounds could be shortened as it makes for a very long day. Overall, I like this venue a lot.


I agree Red. One thing I did find annoying was the BRIGHTNESS of the 'ever changing, lighted banner' that was way up high in the area. The banner that was near the 6a mat. It was so BRIGHT at times (it ran on a cycle) that it even changed the color of the mat! This happened about every five minutes, all night long. Kind of annoying. Tone that thing down and save on the electric bill!
Posted By: WillyM Re: 4A, 5A & 6A State Championship Thoughts - 02/26/12 06:06 PM
Was not there but have watched a lot of big tournaments: Bobcat classic, Lv Challenger, BIT, etc. Half the stands are taken up with coolers, lunch bags, gym bags, wrestlers laying on the bleacher seats, etc. Limiting some of the baggage to areas outside the seats make for a more comfortable area and pleasing tournament for the fans--may even clear enough space to allow having a 6a5a4a state tournament again. Yes, concessions are expensive--just one of the things you half to accept---plus the arena owners rely on concessions to make a profit. If we are going to complain do it on a real problem (three different sites for state, no live streaming for 4A, real time live TV broadcast for state tournaments, plus many more relevat issues!!.
Posted By: GregMann Re: 4A, 5A & 6A State Championship Thoughts - 02/26/12 06:43 PM
4A had live streaming. It was provided by OpenSpaces out of Colby, same group that did 321A.
Posted By: gymmom Re: 4A, 5A & 6A State Championship Thoughts - 02/26/12 06:52 PM
Contrarian, I think it is fine to have the wrestlers put their coolers/food/bags in a designated area. It does free up space. However, they should be able to carry a sandwich/drink out of that area to where they are sitting. I did not EVER say I had a problem with concessions being expensive. I DO accept the prices as my pocket book would prove if you saw it right now! Ive been to many big tournaments as well and many other sporting events. No problem with the cost of concession or entry fee. Wrestling is cheaper than the other sport we have been involved with! These are OUR thoughts about the 5A/6A Championships. Just because they are not YOUR thoughts does not make them invalid or irrelevant
Ok, everyone is a little right about Hartman Arena. The lighting was strange on the 6A side, the food situation was something to work around and the breaks were to long. But the biggest problem was the zebras. To have two per mat and still be that inconsistent, was terrible to the fans and definitely to the wrestlers. Most of them should feel like thieves for being paid for the weekend(Not all). Hope everyone enjoyed there tournaments, some more then others.
Oh yeah, I forgot the prices for everything was a problem. I understand that concessions are mostly profit, but 12 dollars a day for 5 adults and 8 dollars for a student, get to be a large number for some families. I think they should have a discounted two day pass.
Posted By: ReDPloyd Re: 4A, 5A & 6A State Championship Thoughts - 02/26/12 07:28 PM
I agree with the two day pass discount. You do get one heck of a lot of entertainment value though with all the incredible matches. As for the food/drink prices, I am sure that they would sell more in volume and profit more if their prices were more reasonable.
Posted By: WillyM Re: 4A, 5A & 6A State Championship Thoughts - 02/26/12 07:45 PM
OK. Agree with carrying A sandwich and A drink to the stands---IF they were allowing fans to take food and drink purchased at the concessions to their seats--just don't carrying a whole buffet to the fan area!!!!
There was no hospitality room for coaches. Where the room was they had a concession stand set up selling hotdogs, candy bars, Chili and other cheap stuff. Wish they would at least give us options rather than treating coaches as merely people to make money off of.
Congrats to Andale for winning the second straight title. Too bad the coach is not eligible for coach of the year. His name was not on the list of coaches to vote for.
Posted By: doug747 Re: 4A, 5A & 6A State Championship Thoughts - 02/26/12 09:37 PM
Another reason coach of year, OW, etc., should be voted on AFTER the competition is over. I'll guarantee you that after Friday's matches were over, lots of people counted Andale out of the team race. Coach Lies, and his two assistants, Nash and Cline, did an outstanding job of regrouping and getting everything and more out of what was salvageable from Friday. After losing a ranked kid to a broken arm a few weeks ago, and still pulling it off is COY worthy. I'm sure they aren't losing sleep over it, the team trophy is what matters to them most.
Andale did a great job coming back on the back side. Very impressive. Each coach has until March 4th to turn in their ballots. Their was a list of coaches and schools who were eligible to be voted on, and his was not on it. I assume he is not part of KCWA?
Posted By: doug747 Re: 4A, 5A & 6A State Championship Thoughts - 02/27/12 12:41 AM
That is possible, but like has been pointed out many times on this forum over the years: How can you vote for a coach of the year, when the year wasn't over..........

And you must have meant Feb 4th, correct?
The coach award announced before the finals is the officials choice for the Sportsmanship Coach of the Year Award.

The KWCA Coach of the Year award for each class is finalized after the annual KWCA meeting this upcoming weekend, or at least that is how the routine used to work, it may be changed now.

And I also believe that once a coach wins the award, they are off the ballot for two years, again that may be different now...??
On my first trip to 5A/6A State I thought it was an awesome experience. I thought it was neat how 5a was on one side and 6a on the other, I was told it was vice versa last year. I had a great seat for 6a, but not that great to view 5a, which I would have liked to been able to have a better view of. I could still go view the other mats though without to much of a problem.

Saw the cooler and food problem right away. One room with 60-80 coolers and a coach standing there saying, "Your telling me nobody put out name on our cooler!" lol. I didn't see an area where wrestlers could sit and eat food in a sanitary manner. Sitting in the stands eating a sandwich seems better to me then sitting in the back area against the wall.

It seemed like they wanted to stretch out the tourney with long breaks. I liked that they tried to keep on a schedule but it seemed like we could still get people out of there around 7 pm if they wanted to.

Thought the announcers did a great job, anouncing wrestlers before each match, at the awards stands, and in the finals. I liked that they had one announcer for 5a and one for 6a.

Brackets seemed to be updated on the wall, but not always on the internet....trackwrestling!

Food was expensive, but I still paid for it. State shirts weren't that great, but not bad.

I think having 4A state at the same location would have been great. It's probabaly just a wish though that will never happen.

Just my thoughts, I have more but can't think of them...still recovering from my kids first HS state tourney!
Posted By: doug747 Re: 4A, 5A & 6A State Championship Thoughts - 02/27/12 12:58 PM
That makes sense. Now I recall the referee giving it away. I was in a Nyquil induced coma all weekend............
The 5a/6a State Tournament at the Hartman did not impress me at all! The wrestling was the only thing that was sub-par. I have to be honest and say that this is the first Kansas State Tournament that I have ever attended,and it was quite abit differrent than what I am used to. I was not impressed at all!!! I have attended The Oklahoma State Tournament the past 16 years straight and desided to try a new venue and scout some new wrestlers in new areas.I beleive it's time that maybe the Kansas Directors attend different venues and addapt to some new ways. First things first,It's all about the kids!!! This is the biggest stage of the year for these incredible athletes and they have earned the right to be reconized in the most celebrated way possible. About all I got out of the tournament was a money trap, and the worry that someone might eat or drink something that wasn't purchased at the concession so they could get the SWAT team after them! Wrestlers know what they need to eat and what is really wrong if they want to bring in a bag of grapes or a parent of a young child with a snack bag of crackers? I mean, REALLY!!!! Thats just a start. How about going to two regionals that makes 8 man brackets and being able to have all classes at one venue to where all the state participants of all classes can be reconized and watched on the same stage. That would give the exact same amount of wrestlers in all classes as there is just in the 5a/6a tournament. I just think it takes away from the kids not getting to be seen by all on one stage. One other huge problem I felt was not to great, was that credit wasn't given were credit was do!!! A 4 time state champion was crowned people!!!!!!!! Not ever day does this happen!! This is an ELITE group to be in, and 4 state titles don't just get handed out and given away. I'm sure any 4 timer will vouch for that! I just felt that there could of been something alittle more special than just,"And takeing home his 4th state title"! Really!! At least play some kind of special music and try to make a big deal out of it.BECAUSE IT IS!!!!! And for all the fans, next time show alittle more class and give the kid a standing ovation for his incredable acomplishment! And for the few that did, I applaud you! I don't know the kid and that was the first time I got to watch him live,and I just want to give credit where credit is due!GREAT JOB 4 Timer! With that being said I rest my case for now. And please find a different place than the Hartman next year!!!!!!!!!
Posted By: dfrank Re: 4A, 5A & 6A State Championship Thoughts - 02/27/12 04:45 PM
Sounds like you need to stay in Oklahoma.
Go back to okie you pokie!
Posted By: badbo Re: 4A, 5A & 6A State Championship Thoughts - 02/27/12 05:12 PM
I am hopeful he had a typo and it should read the only thing NOT sub par was the wrestling...

OK Wrestling Fan can you clarify?
I will! And thats why Kansas wrestling will always be known as Oklahoma's little step sister! Oklahoma just crowned their 27th and 28th 4 Timers! Just trying to help the greatest sport ever, and maybe get all the kids seen at once to help get recruited, but like your lack of attention, like when a 4 timer wins it and everyone sits there,your true sportsmanship shows!!!!!!!! Truth Hurts!!
Yes badbo. Sorry! Although the first round is kind of a bore.
Originally Posted By: Kit Harris
The coach award announced before the finals is the officials choice for the Sportsmanship Coach of the Year Award.

The KWCA Coach of the Year award for each class is finalized after the annual KWCA meeting this upcoming weekend, or at least that is how the routine used to work, it may be changed now.

And I also believe that once a coach wins the award, they are off the ballot for two years, again that may be different now...??


Also, for a coach to be on the Ballot for KWCA Coach of the year, they have to be a member of the KWCA. While I am not trying to open a can of worms, you have to pay your $40 dues.
Originally Posted By: bigdaddy650r
Go back to okie you pokie!


Roger that.

I was standing. The people around me were standing and I heard and saw an excited, loud gym after Bo won.
Posted By: badbo Re: 4A, 5A & 6A State Championship Thoughts - 02/27/12 09:59 PM
Whatever was done for Bo was perfect!! Honestly, he was so happey/releived/proud he was in another world anyway.

Mike Pursel
Originally Posted By: badbo
Whatever was done for Bo was perfect!! Honestly, he was so happey/releived/proud he was in another world anyway.

Mike Pursel


Thanks for sharing. Yeah, what a tremendous amount of pressure for a young man to be under! Congrats to him and his family and his coaches and teammates. Iron sharpens iron (and so does riding bulls apparently - grin).
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