Kansas Vs. Oklahoma Jr. High & High School Wrestling Featuring Silvis from Augusta - 03/13/03 02:48 PM
Hope the topic starter got you to look anyway. Just received this article from yesterday's Daily Oklahoman. Notice the comments by Silvis from Augusta, KS. Not trying to start any controversy, just continue to show the need to change Kansas policy on Jr. High and High School policies.
Copy of article follows:
James, UCO eye repeat
2003-03-12
By Bob Colon
The Oklahoman
EDMOND -- Can Central Oklahoma repeat as NCAA Division II wrestling champion?
• UCO wrestling
David James, the longtime UCO coach, has heard that question often as the Bronchos prepare for the national tournament Friday and Saturday in Wheeling, W.Va.
James says UCO is among a group of five contenders for the title. The Bronchos have seven qualifiers and have been ranked No. 1 nearly the entire season.
"We just have to see how everything goes," James said. "We've got to go one match at a time. We can't get caught up with what everybody else is doing as far as the contenders and the team race. We need to continue to advance and get bonus points.
"We have to realize other guys in the brackets had good years and that's why they are in the national tournament."
James expects the primary challengers to be the four teams ranked below UCO: No. 2 Nebraska-Omaha, No. 3 Nebraska-Kearney, No. 4 Pitt- Johnstown, Pa., and No. 5 North Dakota State.
UCO's favorite for a national title is 133-pounder Cole Province, who is going for his third straight championship. Three others have won titles: Matt Dodgen (141), Mark Dodgen (125) and Shawn Silvis (165).
Silvis, a junior from Augusta, Kan., was overpowering as a sophomore with a 31-2 record. This year he hurt his left knee in the Central Missouri Open in November and then had a letdown during the National Duals in January, losing a couple of matches. He has a 28-6 record.
"I feel good, excited about going to the national tournament," Silvis said. "We want to go up there and take care of ourselves. Coach says you've got to be selfish as an individual and team points will take care of itself. If we do our job, we should win the tournament.
"Everything we do all year is to prepare for the national tournament."
Silvis says high school wrestling in Oklahoma is tougher than in Kansas.
"It's unbelievable how different things are in Oklahoma," he said. "The rules in Oklahoma allow teams to work with college teams and travel more."
UCO had two big winning streaks at national tournaments. It claimed five NAIA titles in six years between 1984 and 1989. Then the Bronchos won four straight Division II championships between 1992 and 1995. Last year's Division II title was the first since.
"Of the seven we've got going, they have combined for 162 wins and 80 to 82 bonus point wins," James said. "That is a good sign."
James thinks a conservative approach late in the season may have hurt some of the Bronchos. Matt Dodgen was ranked No. 1 at 141 after beating former University of Oklahoma All-American Nate Parker and Oklahoma State backup Ronnie Delk in the Oklahoma Open.
Dodgen lost his final dual match and slipped to third in the ratings.
"We haven't opened up as far as getting takedowns," James said. "We've talked to Matt, and others, about going and getting takedowns. I am confident that will happen in the national tournament."
Copy of article follows:
James, UCO eye repeat
2003-03-12
By Bob Colon
The Oklahoman
EDMOND -- Can Central Oklahoma repeat as NCAA Division II wrestling champion?
• UCO wrestling
David James, the longtime UCO coach, has heard that question often as the Bronchos prepare for the national tournament Friday and Saturday in Wheeling, W.Va.
James says UCO is among a group of five contenders for the title. The Bronchos have seven qualifiers and have been ranked No. 1 nearly the entire season.
"We just have to see how everything goes," James said. "We've got to go one match at a time. We can't get caught up with what everybody else is doing as far as the contenders and the team race. We need to continue to advance and get bonus points.
"We have to realize other guys in the brackets had good years and that's why they are in the national tournament."
James expects the primary challengers to be the four teams ranked below UCO: No. 2 Nebraska-Omaha, No. 3 Nebraska-Kearney, No. 4 Pitt- Johnstown, Pa., and No. 5 North Dakota State.
UCO's favorite for a national title is 133-pounder Cole Province, who is going for his third straight championship. Three others have won titles: Matt Dodgen (141), Mark Dodgen (125) and Shawn Silvis (165).
Silvis, a junior from Augusta, Kan., was overpowering as a sophomore with a 31-2 record. This year he hurt his left knee in the Central Missouri Open in November and then had a letdown during the National Duals in January, losing a couple of matches. He has a 28-6 record.
"I feel good, excited about going to the national tournament," Silvis said. "We want to go up there and take care of ourselves. Coach says you've got to be selfish as an individual and team points will take care of itself. If we do our job, we should win the tournament.
"Everything we do all year is to prepare for the national tournament."
Silvis says high school wrestling in Oklahoma is tougher than in Kansas.
"It's unbelievable how different things are in Oklahoma," he said. "The rules in Oklahoma allow teams to work with college teams and travel more."
UCO had two big winning streaks at national tournaments. It claimed five NAIA titles in six years between 1984 and 1989. Then the Bronchos won four straight Division II championships between 1992 and 1995. Last year's Division II title was the first since.
"Of the seven we've got going, they have combined for 162 wins and 80 to 82 bonus point wins," James said. "That is a good sign."
James thinks a conservative approach late in the season may have hurt some of the Bronchos. Matt Dodgen was ranked No. 1 at 141 after beating former University of Oklahoma All-American Nate Parker and Oklahoma State backup Ronnie Delk in the Oklahoma Open.
Dodgen lost his final dual match and slipped to third in the ratings.
"We haven't opened up as far as getting takedowns," James said. "We've talked to Matt, and others, about going and getting takedowns. I am confident that will happen in the national tournament."