The tag team that all has been reading about will happen at state. Here are some of the details.

The Tag team Wrestling will happen Saturday afternoon. The Group needs to be ready by 1:30 pm.

I felt it good to list the rules and encourage people to attend. These High School Champions are giving their time on behalf of Tyler because they realize what all he has done for our state. It is an opportunity to talk about Tyler plus give a demonstration of how wrestling can be fun, yet, serious at the same time. Those seeing the demonstration in the past have had nothing but positive things to say. Positive as to the wrestling that takes place and the fun that is involved. The style that was developed for Tyler is not only competitive, but it is also a great training tool and you will see why at state. Here are things to look out for and the rules.

• Notice how wrestlers will use their positioning on the mat to gain an advantage.
• Notice how wrestlers will try to take advantage of the other wrestlers weaknesses.
• Notice how that exceptional wrestlers can still have fun and wrestle hard.

Now the rules:

• Standard High School Federation Rules with the following differences.
• There shall be no fleeing the mat if getting away from your opponent is being done in order to make a tag. Stalling will be called otherwise and points awarded accordingly.
• A tag can be made at any time during the match but the wrestler being tagged has to have both feet outside of the circle.
• Tags can be made on any whistle stoppage.
• Once a tag is made, the wrestler being tagged is the live wrestler.
• If a tag is made in the course of live action and the tagged wrestler covers his/her opponent while his teammate is in a down position. A 2-point reversal will be awarded. If the person in control releases the person and goes to their feet to a point of neutrality once a tag has been made a 1-point escape shall be awarded.
• In the event of overtime, a 1-minute period shall be wrestled starting in the point of neutrality. The period shall be wrestled in its entirety unless a pin occurs.
• Period durations are as follows. The 1st period starts on feet, and is 2 minutes. 2nd period, wrestlers are given choice and 1 1/2 minutes. 3rd period 1 1/2 minutes wrestlers choice.

None of us can thank the state committee enough for this, they are allowing this because Tyler Graebner is such a great kid and has done so much for wrestling. All of you who have participated in the past, know what this is all about. This will be an incredibly fun event that I hope that many of you can attend. Again, thanks to the state committee and those involved in seeing to it that this gets to take place.

Mike Great Job on getting this done. I know all of the parents and kids really enjoyed this at the Novice Championship in Derby. It was a blast for everyone involved. Kansas wrestling is truly blessed to have you involved in its community. What you have done for one of our youths is not to far from a miracle. Thanks
Coach Jeff

When will we be able to see this in action? I loved it in Beuhler, missed it in Derby and can't wait to see it in Topeka.

Jeff thanks for the comment, I appreciate it, especially coming from you, one of the men I respect the most in this state. I should make clear though, it is not what "I" have done but what "we" have done. Each club hosting a clinic, Eric Akin, Team Lightning, Sooner Mom, and I could go on and on. The state committee has also come through and I am grateful for their efforts, people like Jess Keith and Mike Juby have been there all along. Everyone in the wrestling community has come through, but we should not forget the ones who inspired us all. Tyler, Christina, James and brother Patrick and sister Amber.

I know that from here on out, when we see a coach or parent not loving on their kids or being brutal to them, we just need to ask them, "Did you ever hear of Tyler Graebner?" I don't mean don't get on to kids but our first purpose should be to love and care for our children. God knows I have struggled today with the reality that I am tired of society being taught of the need to love on the backs of innocent and loving people. There has been far too much tragedy this year in the wrestling community. Tyler is really a symbol of the good that can come about, that good will benefit us all and truly benefit the wrestling community of Kansas. We need to remember though, it is not the organization, or the tournaments or clubs that make Kansas Wrestling great, it is the people, it is the children, coaches, mom, dad, grandma, grandpa and so many others that sacrifice to make this world a better place. Too bad we sometimes have to have tragedy to help drive that point home.