Kansas Wrestling
Posted By: maximus Who's the best wrestler in the state? - 11/18/03 03:26 PM
Kansas lost a lot of good wrestlers last year, but out of the people remaining, who is the best?
I would have to say Kyle Potter is the best around
Posted By: BigPin22 Re: Who's the best wrestler in the state? - 11/18/03 05:11 PM
I think you would have to go with:

1.Zousas
2.Kreigbam
3.Eirsman
4.Grater
5.Taplin
6.Garcia
7.Cornejo
8.Baldridge
9.Knox
10.Hill

Honorable Mention:

Terrel
Desazher
Bowman
Gilliand
Payne
Bedore
Devoe
Top 6 Seniors:

Gilliland, Kreigbaum, Zouzas, Bedore, Terrell, and Garcia
Posted By: oldfan Re: Who's the best wrestler in the state? - 11/18/03 10:23 PM
top ten seniors;
Gilliland, Kreigbaum, Zouzas, Bedore, Terrell, Garcia, Hill, Devoe, Kelly Heincker, Knox.
Could this be the year Knox breaks through and gets a state title.
Has any one of these kids signed or committed to any college yet.
Posted By: Rhino Re: Who's the best wrestler in the state? - 11/18/03 10:57 PM
Jordan Bedore has committed to Kansas State to play football.
Here are some of the returning state champs from the west part of the state that certainly bear mention:
103 Madden of Norton
112 Younkin of Oakley-really close with LLoyd of St. francis
119 Baker of Hoxie--freshman champ capable of 4x
125 Annon of Norton
130 Matt Gilliland of Hoxie going for 4
135 Schippers of Hoxie
171 Dennis of Oakley
215 Horenik of Atwood
275 Honas of Ellis ; close with
sprigg of Norton
Thaose are from 3A, Then you have Lewis from
Ulysses and Bedore of Goodland , Taplin, Kriegbaum from abeline , Grater from Clay in 4a.
Also in 4a some really good ones that hven't won yet, prater from Pratt, Schyler sharpe from Colby. hard to say who is absolutely the best but those guys I listed are the ones that I have watched in the last couple of years that have little to prove.
Everyone watch out for "Big Phil" Manuel out of The Hat.
Posted By: someoldguy Re: Who's the best wrestler in the state? - 11/19/03 12:42 AM
Ten Best I Think (no particular order):

Kreigbaum
Taplin
Zouzas
Grater
Bedore
Terrell
Garcia
Hill
Baldridge
Erisman
Posted By: Coachjt Re: Who's the best wrestler in the state? - 11/19/03 12:53 AM
I think one person everyone is overlooking is Daniel Prater of Pratt:

Freshman - 3rd - lost to Kreigbaum

Sophmore - 2nd - lost to Charbonneau

Junior - 3rd - lost to Jones

Senior year, I think he will go 135?
It will probably be between Prater & Bowman?
Prater beat him in the semi-finals their Sophmore year.
Posted By: mouse Re: Who's the best wrestler in the state? - 11/19/03 02:01 AM
I would have to say Prater and Zouzas are two of the best wrestlers in the state.
P to the izz otter is Nelly in Kansas.
I heard on the radio tonight that Zouzas committed to Fort Hays. Always glad to see good Kansas wrestlers stay in state. I just wish we could offer a division 1 program.
saw on the net that Jeff horinek has committed to play football at Colo. state where his brother was a kicker a few years back. net site said that he had previously been recruited by UCLA, among others
Posted By: dhayes135 Re: Who's the best wrestler in the state? - 11/21/03 02:45 AM
wat about cody bell??? he will win state at 119 this year (if he makes weight) he would have won 112 last year did everyone forget about him??
Posted By: dhayes135 Re: Who's the best wrestler in the state? - 11/21/03 02:59 AM
also nathan payne is pretty good.....two consecutive undefeated seasons right??
Kreigbaum and Gilliland Will win no.4 this year if they don't get upset, and that sets them a
level above due to the fact that they have won every time they had to, not just this year. Zousas or maybe grater or possibly erisman could be better pound for pound this season only, but long term records are a bigger factor than short term ones. Dan Gable was not the best wrestler in his weight class his sr. year, but no one would say that Larry owings was a greater wrestler. I think you can limit the contest to the three time and 4 time guys.
Posted By: BigPin22 Re: Who's the best wrestler in the state? - 11/21/03 04:22 AM
That is one way to make sure someone from Hoxie is on the list! HAHAAHA
Why is no one mentioning Kyle Potter on this list!?!?!?!?!?!
Posted By: wrstler07 Re: Who's the best wrestler in the state? - 11/24/03 04:26 PM
I am definatly the best wrestler in the state. Ha.
1. Erisman
2. Zouzas
3. Kriegbaum
1. Potter
2. Zousas
3. Taplin
4. 1998-1999 Jhris Cennings, 1-8 at Eisenhower Middle School
Erisman gets my vote. One loss (in OT)as a Freshman at a very tough weight and then the Cadet Freestyle National Champion. Doesn't get much better than that.
Posted By: BigPin22 Re: Who's the best wrestler in the state? - 11/27/03 01:32 AM
One could make a strong case for any of these five guys:

Eirsman
Grater
Taplin
Zousas
Kriegbam
Potter, Potter, Potter, Potter, Potter........I am partial to him because his man-crush on me is quite large, and I must look out for my own.
BEST 2004 HIGH SCHOOL ALL-CLASS RANKINGS
By Dan Fickel, National Editor
Wrestling USA Magazine
10757 Woodrun Dr.
Strongsville, OH 44136
E-Mail: dfickel@msn.com
Fax: (440) 878-1150
Updated 11-23-03

Editor's Note: Here are rankings of the Nation's Best 2004 High School Wrestlers. These rankings represent wrestlers regardless of year in school. Several factors were considered in determining these rankings. They include: (1) accomplishments at the state high school championships (folkstyle) (2) National Junior Freestyle and Greco-Roman success (3) Cadet National placement (4) performances at prestigious high school tournaments (5) information from coaches and parents (6) state from which nominees hail. An update will be forthcoming.

103 lbs.
27. Seth Metzler, 11, (Newton, KS)

125 lbs.
27. Cody Garcia, 12, (Hutchinson, KS)
28. Jake Kreigbaum, 12, (Abilene, KS)
30T. Josh Baldridge, 11, (Wichita Haysville Campus, KS)

130 lbs.
14. Joseph Cornejo, 11, (Wichita Haysville Campus, KS)

140 lbs.
22. Luke Zouzas, 12, (Salina South, KS)

145 lbs.
15. Danny Grater, 11, (Clay Center, KS)

152 lbs.
15. Neil Erisman, 10, (Desoto, KS)

160 lbs.
5. Ross Taplin, 11, (Abilene, KS)
30T. Sean Pietrzyk, 11, (Salina South, KS)

189 lbs.
30T. Nathan Payne, 12, (Paola, KS)

215 lbs.
13. Jordan Bedore, 12, (Goodland, KS)

275 lbs.
30T. Michael Sprigg, 11, (Norton, KS)
Posted By: n4cer_jr Re: Who's the best wrestler in the state? - 11/28/03 07:22 PM
what about butler, jason butler what do u think about him
Posted By: kolat03 Re: Who's the best wrestler in the state? - 12/09/03 10:05 PM
i dont see many people mentioning gilliland for hoxie, he is going for a 4x state champ, and he is coming from if not the best, one of the best programs in the state, i think he should be at the top of many lists
I will agree with you kolat03 that gilliland is not getting the respect he deserves, however now you have to listen to Chris Jennings when he says that Kyle Potter is one of the best wrestlers in the state. He's a stud, and one to be reckoned with.
Posted By: Finish Re: Who's the best wrestler in the state? - 12/12/03 11:22 PM
Haselwood... Aaron Haselwood...
Posted By: DCHS103 Re: Who's the best wrestler in the state? - 12/14/03 02:58 AM
Chance Harman, Brett Keck, Logan Glaze, Matt Coleman
Posted By: Marbla Re: Who's the best wrestler in the state? - 12/14/03 06:25 AM
the answer is obviously prant garker.
Prant Garker is not currently located in the state.
Posted By: coachtwink Re: Who's the best wrestler in the state? - 12/15/03 03:15 AM
What about Strawn from Holton?????
Posted By: Marbla Re: Who's the best wrestler in the state? - 12/15/03 04:42 AM
well his legacy will live on.
Posted By: ABartels Re: Who's the best wrestler in the state? - 12/16/03 02:36 AM
Joseph Cornejo (Wichita Haysville Campus, KS)

I had the pleasure of watching this young man wrestle this past weekend. WOW. Not much more I can say except FREESTYLE maniac.
But if Prant Garker were in the state he would be the best in the state...him or his sibling Pamon Darker
Posted By: maximus Re: Who's the best wrestler in the state? - 12/16/03 03:40 PM
What weight is Cornejo at? Who are some of the bigger names he's beaten this year?
cornejo pinned chaz hill (6a state runner up) at the SMNW tournament
Boach clack, I can't say I disagree.

However, I think in my absence, Abilene has the two best wrestlers in the state in Kriegbaum and Taplin. (Sorry to get your hopes up, Nigel, but it's not you.) I don't know how dominant Kriegbaum will be now that he's a fatty, but I have no reason to doubt him, so he's still either #1 or #2 until proven otherwise.

Of course, Gilliland is also ma-ohny, as is Erisman. (But Gilliland is a traitor, and Erisman is a wee child, so his time will come.)

P.S. Seriously, Hoxie- Mike Miller, Kyle Potter and a wrestler to be named if you trade us Gilliland.
Has anyone heard or seen that Homeier kid from Russell, I hear he is pretty good. He is there 171# and he is supposivly going to state and winning it. Let me know what you think.
what about nick figgie? mike steinmetz?
I follow the whole state of kansas wrestlers and the two best in the state would have to go to danny grater from clay center and ross taplin from abilene. i dont believe either of these two wrestlers will be touched in the state, plus there ranked nationally. they are both highly talented and seem to preform at a higher level than high school ages usually do. good luck danny and ross i wish u the best
id also like to recognige a talented wrestler in trails own justin wiscombe. he will make some noise at 152 this year . he has already defeated sharp and has his goals set high. i have seen him in action throughout hs, and he has grown to be a very high impact wrestler watch this kid boys hes the real deal. he works hard summer and winter.good luck pudge from your daddy T.MAC
I would have to second that taplin an grater are two high quality wrestlers an have great intensity on the mat.
National rankings, as has been spelled out in past posts, take into consideration competition that some competitors do not choose to participate in. It doesn't make them any less potent in KSHAA competition. Last year at regionals, for instance, Taplin lost by 3 points or so to Schyler sharpe from Colby. If 'ol schyler had just paid attention to the national rankings, he would have just rolled over and Taplin would have won. Sickness the next weekend kept Sharpe from wrestling as well as the week before, but on that day he was better. wait until after state, and the champion in each weight class is the best. Taplin, Erissman, Kreigbaum, Grater, and the others all have some losses in freestyle or greco or high school somewhere in the last year or so. apparently that doesn't tarnish their image too much, but to come up with the one best is pretty rough-- you have to ignore some massive accomplishments by a lot of people to eliminate them and just come up with 1 or two or three guys. Most years there are a number of "bests", based on that year's competition, after present accomplishments, you would (I would think) have to go with history. Kriegbaum and Gilliland have three championships going for 4, and no one else does. also total matches won in High School folkstyle competition should be a primary factor. some competitors don't have the money or the opportunity to go all over the country wrestling who knows where and they should not be diminished for that if their record in High School competition is better.
Thank you and well said Mike! I could not agree more.
WISCOMBE BEAT SHARP LAST WEEKEND WHATS THE EXCUSE FOR THAT MORE SICKNESS. PLUS ID LIKE TO SEE TAPLIN WRESTLE THEM NOW. AND THE BEST WRESTLERS IN THE STATE ALWAYS WRESTLE YEAR ROUND AND ARE DEDICATED. I DIDNT GO TO A WRESTLING TOURNAMENT THIS SUMMER WERE I DIDNT SEE GRATER OR TAPLIN. MAYBE WE SHOULD JUST SIT BACK AND LET THE WRESTLERS PROVE MY POINT.
Posted By: kolat03 Re: Who's the best wrestler in the state? - 12/19/03 02:37 PM
i would have to agree with you on grater cuz he has everything to back up the argument but i would go with gilliand over taplin.. gilliand i'm sure is at all those summer camps as you'd say. he has 3 state titles, going for a 4 at very well spread out weights so hes proved that he can win at the lower and mid weights.
Posted By: Boogy Man Re: Who's the best wrestler in the state? - 12/19/03 03:52 PM
Mark Fairleigh; posted December 18, 2003 06:37

"Also total matches won in High School folkstyle competition should be a primary factor. some competitors don't have the money or the opportunity to go all over the country wrestling who knows where and they should not be diminished for that if their record in High School competition is better."

Mr.Farleigh point well made. Some kids have to work during the off season, and have to struggle to make time and money to attend only one or two local camps. If they are lucky enough to live in eastern kansas they may get to go to a few local Freestyle, Greco tourny's.
I cant believe all of these lists that are leaving out Matt Gilliland!!! baring any MAJOR upsets Matt will do something unheard of, win 321A state 4 years in a row! Look at who he beat his freshmen year for the championship J.B Harding who was deffinitly considered one of the best and "figuired" to be a definite 3 timer. This wrestler is beyond good
Posted By: Boogy Man Re: Who's the best wrestler in the state? - 12/20/03 05:37 AM
Like Gilliland has never been mentioned on this forum ever...
he has ceartainly been left out of this topic alot
i dont care if people say gilliland has not been mentioned or not.....please give credit where credit is due. the kid is for real everyone talks about how good underclassmen are, they have started out well no doubt, but gilliland and kreigbaum have obviously proved themselves as outstanding wrestlers and need to have some acknowledgment. kansas has alot of great wrestlers at all classes but how many are up for a 4X, so its not an argument about who is the best. you have to look at how astounding the quality is and that the ones that have worked hard need to be recognized before a standout gets named as a top wreslter (meaning underclassmen)
Posted By: BigPin22 Re: Who's the best wrestler in the state? - 01/18/04 10:42 PM
The Beliot tourney will be a great test for Gilliand to prove he belongs on this list.
I am looking forward to seeing how this match unfolds.
Hey guys...in only 2 post did i see any one mention NOrton....you forget what about annon...and sprigg..and here soon madden wil be healthy and he will be a contendor (i hope)
Posted By: Dingbat Re: Who's the best wrestler in the state? - 01/19/04 06:58 AM
me
I took Dingbat down once, and it was the most glorious event ever, in the history of the world.
who is dingbat?
Posted By: Nigel Isom Re: Who's the best wrestler in the state? - 01/19/04 02:03 PM
You have no arguement with me Prant, Kriegbaum and Ross are two great wrestlers and definatly some of the best to come out of Abilene, and are deserving of such titles. I have alot of respect for both of them. But it would be hard to compare me to the two of them since we wrestled 4 years part from each other, different opponents, differnt weight classes, you know the drill. I look forward to seeing the two of them at the state tournament in Abilene, and then again at the rematch in Wichita
Posted By: Dingbat Re: Who's the best wrestler in the state? - 01/19/04 03:37 PM
Jhris, that takedown you speak of took place in a dream. That doesn't count in real life.
I agree with Bigpin 22 that the Gilliland and Zousas match will be a great one-- hard to say how that turns out, but suffice it to say that its got to be one of the finest matchups statewide. Grater and Shippers should be pretty exciting, too. the home stretch is starting and it will be interesting to see how the guys that have wrestled 20 or 25 matches in tough tournaments will do against the guys that have only wrestled 10 or 12 matches, also in some tough tourneys. I don't know if you can burn out or not, but it seems to me that 20 matches or so should get you ready and the only ones that really count are regional and state. I reckon it will all play out soon.
Looks like we can take Kreigbaum off the list....
Knox , too.
Posted By: Marbla Re: Who's the best wrestler in the state? - 02/22/04 06:36 AM
lets wait until next week, shall we?
Posted By: BigPin22 Re: Who's the best wrestler in the state? - 02/22/04 01:30 PM
Fairleigh, that's pretty quick to write them off after a lifetime of domination by both of them.

What are they not far enough west for you to consider them some of the best?
I believe that it will take an undefeated state championship to win the honor of best in the state this year--there are several of them all over the state, erisman (undefeated in Ks.) Jennings, wiscombe, etc. they would still be on my list, I think Cornejo is still undefeated, Grater, Taplin, and the like, in fact, the only unbeaten guys out west are bedore, dennis, and prater if you want to call Pratt west. In an earlier post you indicated that the outcome of Gilliland's performance at Beloit would determine his worthiness---- using that criteria, you seemed to be pretty quick to eliminate his years of hard work from the roster. The best may be an eastern wrestler, or a wichita area guy, or a westerner, but I think it will be an undefeated one, which certainly eliminates Kreigbaum and Knox. ( by the way, I omitted Horenik from Atwood and Burtin form Eureka -- sorry to all the other undefeated guys that are out there.)
I just skimmed these replie's and nobody that I saw has even mentioned Matt Middleton!! I mean Jeez, he's beat a lot of the guys on the list. Come on, he beat Bowman, right, he would do it again to. And how is Knox even on the list, of course he was good back in the day, but I beat him this year, and I'm not even that good. Don't forget Middleton, it's just not fair.
What about Herrera from Emporia, he's not bad. You guys forget he beat Cornejo in the finals.
Grater hands down. He made Hill look mediocre at Newton.
Posted By: Skelly Re: Who's the best wrestler in the state? - 02/23/04 02:36 AM
Right now I'd have to say Zouzas and Cornejo will be one of the best if not the best matchup at the state tournament. When are they slated to meet up? Hopefully they are on opposite sides.
Id have to put my money on Cornejo, but thats probably just cause I've seen him a number of times this year.
Gilliand almost got beat last year in state by Brady Lamar he only won buy a point, Another 5 sec and he would not have been on this list.
Posted By: lutker Re: Who's the best wrestler in the state? - 02/23/04 03:51 AM
i think zack camacho is one of the best
Posted By: Dingbat Re: Who's the best wrestler in the state? - 02/23/04 04:22 PM
As much as I hate to admit, Jennings is lookin' good as an undefeated 215...But we can conclude this post next week...
Posted By: ms Re: Who's the best wrestler in the state? - 02/23/04 04:30 PM
what do you mean cody bell will take state at 119
if he makes weight!
Thats the same reason he did not go to state last year!
I dont see him taking the 119 bracket.
and as far as 112 there again it's easy to say when you didn't even wrestle.
Posted By: DFOSTER22 Re: Who's the best wrestler in the state? - 02/23/04 08:15 PM
I heard that Cornejo and Zousas are on the same side of the bracket that would suck because joe would have his toughest match in the semis but i think that joe can do it
Posted By: Old Boy Re: Who's the best wrestler in the state? - 02/23/04 11:52 PM
Lucas Baker,

That was a Schippers that almost lost to LaMar from Silver Lake.
Posted By: bswitz171 Re: Who's the best wrestler in the state? - 02/24/04 12:04 AM
I havn't seen Kyle Flory on any of these lists. He's been in the state finals the last two years and has beat many good wrestlers. I know that he has beat Payne twice this year which is an acomplishment in itself. I've had the priveledge to wrestle him a few times this year and I know he is the best technical wrestler I have ever wrestled.
Posted By: D Kretzer Re: Who's the best wrestler in the state? - 02/24/04 04:41 PM
I think Cody Garcia is the best wrestler in Kansas this year.
Posted By: BigPin22 Re: Who's the best wrestler in the state? - 02/24/04 05:13 PM
wreslter06, you are wrong and Lucas is right. Lamar did almost beat Gilliand (ALMOST)!!!
Yes dut cornejo and zouzas are on the same side and joe will beat him bt cornejo has also pinned chaz hill and jermey terrel.

and dut hopefully u can come back 2 campus next year dude and be on the state champ team
Posted By: kansas123 Re: Who's the best wrestler in the state? - 02/25/04 09:30 PM
Cody Bell,Kyle Grape, Jake Kriegbaum,Cole Garcia,Zack Camacho, Daniel Prater, Danny Grater, Ross Starcher,Chad Roberts, Alvin Metcalf, Neil Erisman,Justin Wiscombe, Jesse Strawn, Ross Taplin, Kyle Flory,Leif Goleman, Kyle Davis, Josh Barr

just a few in 4a that have impressed me
Posted By: Ex-tong189 Re: Who's the best wrestler in the state? - 02/25/04 11:14 PM
Cody Bell, Kyle Grape, Jake Kriegbaum, Daniel Prater, Danny Grater,Ross Starcher, Neil Erisman, Justin Wiscombe, Derek Lang, Kyle Flory and Ross Taplin have made my list of impressive wrestlers this year...there is probably more but I can't think right now so here ya go!
Posted By: Ex-tong189 Re: Who's the best wrestler in the state? - 02/25/04 11:15 PM
Oh yeah also Switzer from Osowatamie(sorry for spelling) at 171 has wrestled Flory tough...I must add him to the list
Posted By: ron jeremy Re: Who's the best wrestler in the state? - 02/26/04 01:50 AM
WHICH GARCIA ARE YOU TALKIN ABOUT!?!?! CODY OR COLE?
Posted By: KSGRM Re: Who's the best wrestler in the state? - 02/26/04 02:26 AM
My vote for one of the tops in state would have to be Baldridge 130 lb. from Campus. Undefeated this year. Won state as Freshman defeating Knox. Won again as soph. defeating Cornejo.
Posted By: DONT KNOW Re: Who's the best wrestler in the state? - 02/26/04 02:53 AM
what about the little guys...what about Tanner Dawson From Abilene...Blayze Bahe from Goodland or Larry Perez from Topeka High with a 32-0 record???
Posted By: Old Boy Re: Who's the best wrestler in the state? - 02/27/04 05:38 AM
BIGPIN22
No that was Schippers there slick. Gilliand is 2 much of a bad a$$ for Lamar.
How many of these guys are undefeated this year? Pretty hard to make a case for "best wrestler in the state" if someone else was better this season. Zousas, Baldwin, Perez, Jennings, Taplin, Grater, Prater, horenik, Bedore are some of the guys that have been the best every time all season long, and that puts them in the group that I would consider. in order to be the best, I believe that it would be obvious that if you get beat, you are not the best. no excuses, you just are not the best. Some may say that you have to look at who they beat or lost to, but I think winning state and being undefeated would constitute a primary criteria. I really don't know how you would consider an out of state loss like erisman has, Because the topic stipulates "in the state" oh well, no system is perfect.
Wrestler 06
I am not sure what you are thinking but you can go to the 2003 results and see that Brady Lamar lost to Matt Gilliand by a point. they both wrestled 130 last year Matt is the red haired kid he is alos a three time state champ and if brady had another 6 sec he would only be a two time champ check your stats there Slick
2003 results
130 LBS.: 1. Matt Gilliland, Hoxie; 2. Brady LaMar, Silver Lake; 3. Cody Lambotte, Rossville; 4. Tyler Bell, Herington; 5. Tracy Jordan, Beloit; 6. Trevor Lambert, Minneapolis;

135 LBS.: 1. Matt Schippers, Hoxie; 2. Kenyon Badsky, Oberlin-Decatur Comm.; 3. Kalen Oswald, Effingham-Atchison County Comm.; 4. Spencer Burns, Cimarron; 5. Matt Wright, Beloit; 6. Kyle Castle-Berry, Herington;
Maybe he is not as bad @## as you thouhgt
or maybe you just underestimated my lil brother
I'm confused...who is your brother? Why didn't he jump ship over to Abilene?
I think that Dennis of Oakley, Horenik of Atwood,
Prater of Pratt,Bedore of Goodland, Cornejo of Campus, Metcalf of Chanute, Taplin of Abilene, Grater of Clay Center, would all qualify in this category. There were some other undefeated guys as well, but those are the ones I am thinking of. Cornejo looked good in the finals, but all of these guys and anyone else that stayed undefeated deserves to be in that group, and others that didn't don't . Don't know how you'd pick just one, though, except by counting pins , wins, etc. I know that there are those who don't agree, but I give extra points to the wrestlers that have been gracious to their opponents, don't trash talk or make excuses when they don't wrestle well. a true champion leaves something to the sport that brings him note, and the little kids that will be here in years to come get the wrong message from jerks and whiners. That is why I pick Daniel Prater of Pratt-- that guy lost some tough matches to Kriegbaum as a freshman, Charbaneau as a soph, and Jones last year I never once heard him say "I was sick", or
"was injured" on those occasions. I am sure that Daniel has won over 120 matches in High school, couldn't tell you the exact figure, and this year since the season began he has been quiet and good, beating every opponent and going on about his business and letting other guys who were doing well do all the talking. his wrestling this year spoke for itself, he beat some of the other candidates this summer in freestyle, and his work ethic was the most intense I have ever seen. I will always remember this season coming into the practice room after practice to see Daniel jumping rope, or running, or raising and lowering barbels or dumbels and just staring quietly ahead, showing no humor or emotion, when everyone else was going home. There are others this season that have done as well as Daniel, but I have never seen anyone with the dedication and focus that Prater showed me this season, and I have been around quite a few pretty good wrestlers. Who has he beaten this year? Everyone he wrestled.
Posted By: Ryan Jilka Re: Who's the best wrestler in the state? - 02/29/04 02:46 PM
I'll throw Tommy Edgmon's name out there. Had another very good year. Although he was not undefeated, his only loss came 0-1 to a guy who was ranked #5 in the nation at the time (Ashmore from Bishop Lynch). I think the undefeated arguement is bogus. Was Gable not one of the best because he lost one match?
Kyle Davis, 171, from Rose Hill. Kyle took the championship from Kyle Flory, an excellent tactical wrestler. Just goes to show that old fashion tough, and a big heart can pull it off!!
Joseph Cornejo pinned his way to the 5A State Title, defeating previously undefeated, and returning State Champion Lukas Zouzas.

No question in my mind it is shared between two teammates, Cornejo and Josh Baldridge.
I bet 15 dollars that Cornejo would stick Zouzas. I've seen Cornejo doing freestyle and greco but i haven't seen zouzas.
After hearing that Cornejo stuck Zouzas, you have to put him right up there. Baldridge is going to be a 4x champ next year, I believe, so you have to consider him, too.

But my vote for this year goes to Jordan Bedore. He may be a fatty, but he can throw anyone in the state. (Except me.)
Posted By: chewie Re: Who's the best wrestler in the state? - 02/29/04 04:45 PM
After seeing the 456A state tournament here is who i would say makes my list.
Grater
Bedore
Harding
Baldridge
Cornejo
Posted By: Dingbat Re: Who's the best wrestler in the state? - 02/29/04 04:49 PM
Does Kreeeeegbomb not fit into your list?
Posted By: chewie Re: Who's the best wrestler in the state? - 02/29/04 05:16 PM
Yeah, forgot to put him on there. so add him to the list
No, Kriegbaum does not fit onto my list.

Baldridge would destroy Jake.

I did forget the very quiet, and dangerous Cody Garcia.
Posted By: nclayton Re: Who's the best wrestler in the state? - 02/29/04 08:14 PM
Does anyone know Cody Garcia's overall record in his high school career? And who has he lost besides Knox and Gardner.
Kriegbaum should be on the list...he is tough with a capital T
Posted By: someoldguy Re: Who's the best wrestler in the state? - 03/01/04 05:08 AM
My predictions for Senior Wrestlers of the Year!

321A: Horinek, Atwood - 2X State Champ for sure
4A: Bedore, Goodland - 3X State Champ
5A: Payne, Paola - 3X State Champ
6A: Garcia, Hutchison - 3X State Champ

These are seniors that didn't lose this year (exluding Payne who was the was the winner in an impressive weight class)!
Posted By: D Kretzer Re: Who's the best wrestler in the state? - 03/01/04 04:17 PM
Cody Garcia, lost the first match he wrestled in high school to Chris Curl from McPherson.
Posted By: someoldguy Re: Who's the best wrestler in the state? - 03/01/04 09:37 PM
If it was this season then i didn't realize that, oh well!
If I was a recruter I would start my team off with

Grater & Cornejo. Baldridge would be right up there and so would Taplin. Cornejo is very exciting to watch. Never out of a match til the last second ticks. And of course I would Tell coach Snyder to give up on Bedore and take him. Then I would take the "All American Kid" Blayze Bahe, just to make our team look better. I've never had the privilage to watch Cody Garcia but Justin says he is very good. That would be a good start.
I practice with danny grater everyday and im hear to tell u that theres no one that deserves to be mentioned as the best in the state as danny does because he works hard and then he just shows his stuff in a match its crazy to have a list of greats and not have him on it.

Taplin the rebel that everyone boos is another great.

Watch that jacob marrs too hes grown up a lot the last couple years and turnin into quiet a wrestler. just a thought
If he chooses to do so, I think Daniel Prater will contribute to whatever college system is lucky enough to get him. Hopefully, he will participate at the Senior Nationals, I think he will do well there. He is also pretty good at freestyle, having a win over Kriegbaum last summer, a feat not too many people have.
Posted By: Dingbat Re: Who's the best wrestler in the state? - 03/02/04 04:20 PM
still me
Not to beat an old drum to death, but matt Gilliland, 4x senior from Hoxie. quiet, non-controversial guy that wins when he has to. The loss to zousas seems to have taken him out of contention, but a lot of guys that have lost to lesser wrestlers than Zousas seem to be on the list so Matt, and for that matter the schippers boys , Clay Madden, and James Annon ought to be on the list. 321 a has some guys , too.
Looking to Mr. Wiscombes view of being a recruiter, I would definitely start with Joe. Next with my boy Cody Garcia. Then you pick up Grater, Taplin, and Bedore. And top it off with Baldridge and Kyle Davis. But that doesn't fill a team so you take fisher at 103 and Deshazer(spell?) at 112, Bahe at 119, Prater 135, throw in Erisman at 152 (although he lost he is still young and Justin is a Bad A$$) 189 would have to be Marrs and 215 Ryan Sponsel. Reserves:
103-Larry Perez
112-Tommy Edgmon ( I know he beat Tristan, But I like Tristan's style. Reminds me of Rhodes who is the mack daddy.)
119- Devoe
125- Jud Schroeder
130- Jake
135- Bowman
140- Zouzas
145- Chad Roberts
152- Wiscombe or Metcalf
160- Dut Foster
171- Cisper
189- Open
215- open
Hwt.- Lewis or Spring from Norton

Majority is from 4a i know, But that's because it's tougher. I mean common Joe pinned his way to the championship. Cisper pinned his way to the championship. I know they are good, but you didn't see anyone pinning there way to a championship in 4a. Because it too tough. Although i think some have done it in the past.
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