Wrestling Fans,
Sitting here in Fort Hood, Texas and had a quick moment to check out the internet. Wanted to share two good articles from a "Slammer Wrestling Club" perspective from the Leavenworth Times and Lansing Current.
Also wanted to tip my hat to JASON NICHOLS, Leavenworth Times Sports Editor and CHRIS WRISTEN, Lansing Current sports reporter for their continued coverage of Wrestling.
Finally, I wanted to wish Team Kansas all the best at the Cadet and Junior Duals. Don't think I will be able to catch the Cadet Duals but will be able to make it up for the Junior Duals.
Mike Flynn
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http://www.leavenworthtimes.com/articles/2006/06/13/sports/sports1.txt -------------
Slammers capture eight titles
By JASON NICHOLS, Times Sports Editor
Published: Tuesday, June 13, 2006 12:30 AM CDT
Wrapping it Up — Photo courtesy of Jeff Butler — Recent Lansing High graduate Sean Flynn wraps up an opponent during the USA Wrestling Kansas State Tournament on June 3. Flynn claimed his fourth title in Greco-Roman and his second freestyle championship. Bo Pursel, Tyler Baughman and Brock Budke also won double state titles.
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Most wrestling fans are familiar with folkstyle wrestling, the style used in high school and collegiate wrestling in the United States. Most fans — and many wrestlers, as well — would be confused watching Greco-Roman matches, in which competitors are only allowed to use their upper bodies.
For the members of the Slammer Wrestling Club, however, any style of wrestling seems to fit.
The Slammers claimed eight state championships and 16 second- or third-place medals during the USA Wrestling Kansas State Tournament on June 3 in Junction City.
“It can be a challenge, especially for some of the older guys who haven’t done it before,” said coach Shawn Budke, who runs the summer program with Jeff Butler. “The value of being open to wrestling all three styles is it makes you a more well-rounded wrestler.”
Brock Budke, Bo Pursel, Tyler Baughman and Sean Flynn won state titles in both Greco-Roman and freestyle to highlight the day for the Slammers, who took 14 wrestlers to the event and came home with 23 top three finishes.
Pursel, who wrestled in the novice division at 80 pounds, added two more notches on his championship belt. The 12-year-old from Leavenworth claimed his fourth state championships at both levels. He won all of his Greco-Roman matches by technical fall, then cruised through the freestyle bracket, winning all of his matches by fall or technical fall.
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Slam — Photo courtesy of Jeff Butler — Leavenworth’s Bo Pursel upends an opponent during the state tournament. The 12-year-old from Leavenworth won his fourth straight state championships in both freestyle and Greco-Roman. The Slammers took 14 wrestlers to the state tourney and returned with 23 medals.
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Flynn was impressive as well, claiming his fourth state championship at the high school level in Greco-Roman. He won all of his matches in the 160-pound junior division by fall or technical fall, then claimed his second freestyle state championship.
Baughman, a Lansing Middle School student, won his second Greco-Roman championship by defeating Slammers teammate Cullen Demarest in the 130-pound Schoolboy title match. Baughman made it a double by winning the freestyle competition for the second time as well.
The Slammers’ fourth double champion, Budke, was the biggest surprise.
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Locked Up — Photo courtesy of Jeff Butler — Leavenworth’s Phil Witt locks up an opponent during his runner-up finish in the Greco-Roman competition at the USA Wrestling Kansas State Championships June 3 in Junction City.
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The 7-year-old from Fort Leavenworth didn’t plan on competing in the Greco-Roman competition. But as he and his father-coach, Shawn, drove through McLouth, Brock said he wanted to give Greco-Roman a shot.
A few hours later, he was mobbed by his teammates after claiming the championship with a pin. Later in the day, he claimed the freestyle championship in the 50-pound Bantam division.
Whether he won a championship or lost all of his matches, Shawn Budke said the tournament showed the character of the Slammer wrestlers.
“While a lot of kids were wrapping up the school year and messing around, playing with their friends, these kids were paying the price in the wrestling room,” he said. “They have the dedication and the discipline it takes. That’s going to pay dividends for them in the long run, whatever they do.”
In addition to the state championships, the Slammers got runner-up finishes in the Greco-Roman competition from Daniel Butler (60 pounds, Bantam division), Nathan Butler (120 pounds, Novice), Jared Johnson (100 pounds, Novice), Brett Johnston (215 pounds, Cadet) and Phil Witt (152 pounds, Junior). Coming in third were Nick Flynn (135 pounds, Cadet) and Tyler Strouhal (215 pounds, Cadet).
In the freestyle competition, Strouhal, Daniel and Nathan Butler, Johnston and Aaron Ely (125 pounds, Junior division) earned runner-up honors, while Nick Flynn and Demarest finished third.
While the youngest Slammer wrestlers now await the next season and a switch back to folkstyle wrestling, most of the big winners in Junction City are headed to national competitions.
Sean Flynn, who has had an impressive summer already with a win at the Southern Plains Regional and a third-place finish at the Western Regional, will wrestle for Team Kansas at the Junior National Duals in Oklahoma City. Ely, who was second in Greco-Roman at the Southern Plains Regional, will join Flynn on Team Kansas, then head to Fargo, N.D., for the Junior National Tournament in July. Ely, a two-time All-American in both styles in the Cadet ranks, will try to earn honors in the Junior division this time. Witt will also compete in Fargo in Greco-Roman.
Johnston and Strouhal will be at the same weight in competition at the Cadet National Tournament in Fargo and Nick Flynn will be there as well, along with a chance to join Team Kansas for the Cadet National Duals in Kansas City. Pursel plans to compete in the Kids National Championship in both styles in Green Bay, Wisc.
Baughman recently competed in the National Schoolboy Duals in Indianapolis this weekend. Though Team Kansas went 1-5 in Greco-Roman competition, Baughman was strong. He finished 4-2 with wins over Missouri, Illinois, Florida and Virginia. Two of his wins came by fall. Baughman went 2-5 in the freestyle competition, beating Oklahoma and Illinois. Team Kansas fared better in freestyle, however, going 3-4.
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http://www.lansingcurrent.com/news/2006/jun/15/slammers_win_8_titles_state_tourney/ Slammers win 8 titles at state tourney
Current staff reports
Thursday, June 15, 2006
Fourteen Lansing Slammers participated in the USA Wrestling Kansas State Tournament on June 3 in Junction City. Eight of them brought home state championships.
The tournament featured two Olympic wrestling styles: Freestyle and Greco-Roman. While Freestyle is similar to American Folkstyle/collegiate wrestling, Greco-Roman is not. In Greco-Roman, wrestlers are not allowed to attack legs or use their legs to defend.
The Slammers set the tone early. The tournament began with Greco-Roman, and the Slammers quickly collected four state titles. Eight more Slammers placed second or third. Leavenworth County’s Brock Budke won the bantam division 50-pound state title by fall. Leavenworth’s Bo Pursel captured the schoolboy division 80-pound title. For Pursel, who won all of his matches by technical fall, the title was his third in Greco-Roman. Tyler Baughman of Pleasant Ridge edged teammate Cullen Demarest in the schoolboy 130-pound championship match. For Baughman, it was his second Greco-Roman title.
Sean Flynn, a 2006 Lansing High senior, captured the 160-pound championship in the junior division. Flynn won all of his matches by fall or technical fall. The title was his fourth in Greco-Roman.
In addition to Demarest, three other Slammers — Daniel Butler, Nathan Butler and Jared Johnson— all placed second in their respective divisions.
In the Cadet Division, Lansing High junior-to-be Nick Flynn placed third at 135 pounds. Leavenworth High’s Brett Johnston placed second at 215 pounds and Lansing High sophomore-to-be Tyler Strouhal placed third at 215. Leavenworth High’s Phil Witt placed second in the junior division. All three qualified for the Cadet National Tournament.
The second half of the state tournament was the freestyle competition. The Slammers won four more state titles and posted eight additional top-three finishes. Sean Flynn, Baughman, Pursel and Budke all won state titles. Aaron Ely, Strouhal, Johnson and the Butler brothers all earned second-place finishes. Demarest and Nick Flynn each placed third in their respective classes.
The Slammers will continue to practice through July. Many of the wrestlers will attend different Team Kansas camps and national tournaments. Pursel will wrestle for Team Kansas in the Kids National Championships in Green Bay, Wis. Baughman will compete at the National Schoolboy Duals in Indianapolis. Nick Flynn will wrestle for Team Kansas in the Cadet Duals in Kansas City. Sean Flynn and Ely will wrestle on the Junior Dual Team in Oklahoma City. Strouhal, Johnston, Ely and Witt will finish off the season at the Cadet/Junior National Tournament July 23-30 in Fargo, N.D.
