Listed below are state results for pwa members from Mo and KS. 37 reached the state finals, with several being first time placers. For info on purler wrestling, contact Tony at tony@purlerwrestling.com, http://www.tonypurler.com.
MISSOURI
6U
Andrew Gamble-55# 1

8U
Weston DiBlasi-45 1
Ty VanSickel-50 1
Brandon Musselman-80 2
Tom Wedgeworth-85 1
Justin Diaz-55 4
Micheal Hummer-60 3
Hunter Vanlue -65 3
Austin Heldenbrand-70 4

10U
Colston DiBlasi-65 2
Joe Villequette-70 1
Mac Diaz-75 1
Mike Olsen-85 1
Ethan Koan-55 3
Clayton Fenzl-55 6
Cartland Allen -60 6
Cameron White-65 3
Cole Foley-70 3
Dalton Tipton-75 3
Seth Hummer-75 5
Jake Benson-80 4
Dalton Brinegar-95 5

12U
Slade Stiles-60 1
Noah Teaney-65 1
Jaret Singh-70 2
Trevor Feagans-70 1
Daniel Lewis-80 1
Jake Crawford-105 2
Cody Lindsey-115 2
Chase Gray-125 2
Anthony Barker-65 5
Bryce Mercer-70 5
Cody Hummer-75 3
Skyler Wood-80 3
Tyler Mann-80 5
David Miller-95 6


15U

Colton Howell -70# 1
Seth Buhman-100 2
Ethan Davis-110 1
Colbey Skaggs-115 1
Jared Love-145 1
Chattan Goodson-155 2
Taylor Bogle-75 3
Brandt McMillan-85 4
Briar Ginther-85 6
Tyler Powell-90 3
Nathan Kelly-90 5
Tanner Minder-100 6
Josh Aguilar-125 6
Brian Haynes-130 4


KANSAS
8U
Tom Lisher-64# 4
Alan Clothier-80# 3

10U
Tanner Madl-64 2
Dustin Williams-79 2
Tyler Hensley-58 1
Zak Hensley-67 1
Jon Pratt-64 4
Reece Cokely-64 6
Connor Wagh-95 4

12U
Reece Conklin -120# 1
Jake Elbrader-68 2
Austin Hood-68 1
Cullen Hood-76 1
Hunter Haralson-80 2
Bryce Shoemaker-72 1
Connor Middleton-110 1
Tommie Williams-72 4

15U
Ryne Cokely-110 1
Cole Cannon-105 2
Bryce Hood 2
Channing Hosey-95# 3
Zack Tannenbaum-105 3
Symon Seaton-110 3

Tony,

I am sure your camp is great. But be sure to give credit where credit is due. I know for a fact several of those kids (at least in Kansas) started and put in a majority of time with other clubs. Paola, Olathe East, Pittsburg, Matside Acadamey (Eric Akin), Bonner Springs, KCWC, and many others. I do know that some people can help take kids to the next level. But you have to have something to work with in the beginning and I know these clubs and coaches above have accumulated many many hours with these kids before you got them.

Sean McCarthy

I have to slightly disagree with you smokeycabin... these kids on this list aren't just kids who go to a camp or 2 here and there that he runs, they're kids who go to his weekly sessions and put in time in his workout rooms which are filled with great talent! Tony doesn't tear down what kids have learned from other coaches and try to rebuild them into what he wants, he takes what the kids have, evaluates them and spends time watching video of them, and shows them things that they can do to fine tune what they already know... and on top of that, he will show them what to do to get themselves out of bad situations (such as working through bad shots). It's not that he's taking credit for turning them into state placers or champs, he's showcasing what kind of talent he has the pleasure of working with on a weekly basis and gives them public congratulations for their hard work. We took my son to his sessions in Ray-Pec last year for a few months, and just having the level of workout partners to work out with every week made a huge difference in my son's skill level... then add the guidance from Tony, and it expanded his knowledge twofold! I would highly recommend giving Purler a try if you would like for your wrestler to exceed his expectations... he made a believer out of me, and I'm sure he could do it for you too.

Chris Goff

I have to slightly disagree with you TCSW Dad... I have seen 14 or 15 of those 22 on the Kansas list that go to other practice rooms in order to get partners and instructions along with pwa.
KCWC spring and summer wrestling program at Saint James Academy on Monday and Wednesday and at St. Thomas Aquinas on Thursday has about 75 to 80 very talented wrestlers of all ages. The coaching, techincal instruction, and training that Coach Akin is giving is outstanding.... he made a believer out of me, and I'm sure he could do it for you too.

Sean McCarthy

Steel sharpens steel! Good kids will be willing to put in the extra work and time where ever there is great opportunity. Fortunately. Kansas wrestling has a bright future thanks to the great kid's club coaches and parents. The Tony Purlers and Eric Akins have been recent great additions to what has been established here by the Mark Slyters, Sean McCarthys, Kit, the Flynns, Harris.Isenberg,Klems,Philiips, Sharps,Knox,Gentzler,Ecks etc...

Sorry smokey, I misread your first statement... I'll agree with you on getting better by traveling to different clubs to get different partners and instruction... we've done it ourselves for a few years and it does make a big difference! I wasn't taking anything away from what the other clubs have done for these kids over the years, but I don't think we should take away from what Purler does for these kids also, and that's why I responded. I've seen many kids over the years blossom under the instruction from coaches and clubs outside of their own (including my own son), and I applaud those clubs who allow others to come in and work out with their teams... it just goes to show you the type of commitment some people have to make wrestling great throughout the whole state and not just their hometown! I'll agree with you that those outside clubs also deserve some credit for developing talent, but in the end it's all about those kids using what they've learned and having the heart and dedication to take it to the mat!

Tony is a great coaching asset. He isn't trying to take total credit for anything but he is doing what every great businessman in America does. He is promoting his services. I am a total believer in his teaching approach. Ryne and Alan Waters are perfect examples of his motto, "Those who stay will be Champions." The kids who go to his sessions consistently get better. A club doesn't offer year round training but Tony does.

Soon Eric will offer year round sessions and all of us in District 1 should be grateful for these opportunities. Without Tony, Eric, and the dedicated parents/club coaches who take their kids to his sessions wrestling would not grow to higher levels. Tony has always stated that his sessions are to be supplemental to a kid's club practices. He encourages kids to get coaching from Eric Akin or whoever. Instead of worrying about who gets credit for what we should all take our kids to one or both of these guys. We should be happy to pay them for their services and cherish the improvements that come along with the dedication.

Many parents and clubs are against paying a coach but if you consider that if Eric or Tony were basketball or football players they would be making millions for being at the level they have achieved and their instruction would be super valuable. My middle son started with Tony last fall. He had failed to qualify for state in three attempts so I talked him into adding a Purler session to his practice routine. This year he placed at state. I am a believer and you will be too if you stay to become a Champion.

I am probably going to chastised for opening my mouth again, but I can't help it. Gunner and I are two of those parents who send our son to Tony, but we also send him to Eric, we also do a great deal for our club, KCWC, by coaching, doing the paper work, etc. We do all of this because our son wants to wrestle with the best, which he does. He had started out wrestling with a terrific club (OE). He learned a great deal from Rick, which he will always take with him. But he wanted more and needed more. That is why he wrestles with several different coaches, to continually improve his skills. I can honestly say that our son values what he learns from every coach he works with: Tony Purler, Eric Akin, Darrin Davis, Mike and Gonz Medina, his dad, who puts extra sessions in with him and even you smokey!

Here is my two cents on this subject...I am one of those parents that does not send my kid to extra coaching. He met his expectations for the season simply by working out hard with good partners in the wrestling room, good coaching and a little God given talent.

Wrestling is not unlike other youth sports such as baseball, basketball, gymnastics...there is a pressure to be the best. And to be the best, parents think that the extra coaching such as private basketball or private pitching/hitting lessons will get their kid to that level. Trust me, I have been there with baseball...pitching/hitting lessons, expensive bats, making the BEST teams...thousands of dollars, thousands of miles in travel, later my boys chose to give baseball up in high school. I spent that money thinking college baseball was the "next level" and it didn't happen. That was totally out of my control but I learned a valuable lesson.

With my third kid, I'm sitting back and waiting to see what sport HE CHOOSES for high school...that is when I will spend money on the extras...maybe even Purler, who knows. But at this time this is not what he needs to get to the "next level" whatever that means for a 10 year old. He met his goals and after this weekend wrestling will be done and he will play baseball. No pitching lessons, no hitting lessons...just practicing hard with his team.

Just my humble opinion from the other side!

Sharon Henes

We value your opinion. Sending our son to these coaches is something that he has asked us to do. Unlike most kids his age, he has decided that wrestling IS his main sport, he has tried many other sports and continues to play other sports, such as soccer, but wrestling is his "main" thing. We did not choose wrestling as his main sport, he has chosen it. HE is determining his own path, NOT us. If he decided that he no longer wanted to wrestle, then so be it, but we will never regret paying for great coaching. Just as our daughters choose their goals, we are there for them. We are only there to help guide them in finding the best path they chose. I'm not saying that everyone should do what we do. We go year to year, we really aren't looking at the college level, or even the high school level, we are just doing what our son loves and wants to do. Every child is different. Those of you who know our son well, know that he has a determination, and we really thrive on it as a whole. We have many friends who have stated that they refuse to pay for coaching for this sport, that working with their club is enough, and we respect their opinion. So it is unfair for others to judge how we choose to support our son. We love seeing him, as well as his sisters, happy and enjoying life. Isn't that what being a kid is all about?

Sorry Ginny if you felt I was judging you...that was not my intent at all. Just giving an opinion from the other side. I have been questioned by other parents as to why I don't send my son to Purler...just thought I would explain our reasoning. At times I feel that people think I am doing a disservice to my son by not going this extra step...

Sharon, Luke is a terrific wrestler, and as I stated earlier, we do value your opinion. I guess I was re-acting because we often get questioned why we do. You are not doing a disservice, and I'm sure if he stated that he was ready for whatever the next step would be for any sport, you would help provide that. Again, every child is different.....all we can do is be there when they need us. Take care.