
Posted on Fri, Jan. 13, 2006
Street tough:Two of 6A's best 103-pounders are neighbors
BY DUANE FRAZIER The Wichita Eagle
In a typical neighborhood, Dante Rogers would easily be the toughest 103-pound wrestler on his street. But Rogers doesn't live on an average street. Two doors down is Nate Furches. And Furches could easily claim that he's the best 103-pound wrestler on Crawford Street in southwest Wichita.
It would be difficult to argue with either person. The neighbors are two of the best wrestlers in Kansas.
Furches, a freshman at Derby, is ranked No. 1 in Class 6A at 103 pounds, the lightest weight in Kansas high school wrestling.
Rogers, a Northwest senior, is No. 2.
And this weekend, the close friends may finally get to decide who's better. Both are competing in the Newton Tournament of Champions today and Saturday.
But meeting on the mat doesn't seem to mean much to these two right now.
They're quite happy spending time playing video games together, listening to music and hanging out at the mall.
A battle on the mat isn't so important.
"We don't really talk about it much," Furches said. "Lately, we've heard about it a lot more. But, whatever happens, we'll still be friends off the mat."
Furches and Rogers have been friends for nearly a year. The two met at a tournament after the high school season ended, and they realized they had a lot in common.
Along with being in the same weight class, both had similar interests.
Furches, whose father, Mike, often transports wrestlers to out-of-state meets, invited Rogers to a tournament in Iowa.
All Rogers needed was directions to Furches' house.
And that's when their common bond became even greater.
"When I got directions to his house, my mom said, 'That's the street we're moving to next month,' " Rogers said.
Only one house separates to them. And not much has separated them since Rogers moved in in May.
"It was really unbelievable," Mike Furches said. "Nate and Dante hang out all the time. I have full confidence that they'll always get along."
Furches and Rogers live in the South High district, but Rogers preferred to complete his final year of high school at Northwest.
Furches moved to Wichita four years ago. He attends Derby, where his mother is a teacher at the middle school.
Despite their similarities, Furches and Rogers have different wrestling backgrounds.
Furches began competing as a 5-year-old. He has traveled to tournaments across the country, and he has won six national titles.
In his first season at Derby, he is 14-1 with eight pins. His only loss is to an out-of-state wrestler.
"He's very technically sound and awfully quick," Derby coach Bill Ross said. "And the really good thing about Nate is that he really doesn't know how good he is. He still gets nervous before every match."
Rogers' wrestling career isn't nearly as long. He joined Northwest's team as a freshman after hearing an announcement at school.
After one season on the junior varsity, he was promoted to the varsity. Last season, he won the City League title.
This season, he is 15-1 with 13 pins.
"He's becoming more of a technician wrestler," Northwest coach Eric Prichard said. "But his strength and his mental toughness are still the most important parts for him."
There is a chance Furches and Rogers could meet for the first time this weekend. If it doesn't happen, the two could still meet at next month's state tournament.
And that's one meeting that seems to interest these two friends.
"I still think other people talk about it more than we do," Rogers said. "But it would be fun to meet. From what I've heard, we're both pretty fast and aggressive. It would be a good match."
Mike Furches would certainly like to see it.
"We hope they're in the state finals together," he said. "And both families can sit together and watch it.
"Of course, I'll be pulling for Nate. He's my son."