i know this is my 175th last post lol, just thought i would give you guy's and gal's somthing to read on here. no thanks needed lol.

Hutchinson wrestlers to compete at state
By The News staff

Ten Hutchinson youths will compete at the 20th annual kids wrestling state tournament this weekend in Topeka.

The two-day event will feature more than 1,600 wrestlers and will be held at the Kansas Expocentre.

"This is a big deal," said Hutchinson assistant coach Curtis Edwards, a former high school wrestler from Nickerson. "These kids have worked hard to get here. This is a five-month season. They have made a commitment and put in their time."

Edwards and his son Braxton, a 10-and-under 55-pounder, made their entry into Kids Wrestling last year after the father stories of the fun he had competing in high school.

"I heard that Hutchinson had a program and asked him if he wanted to try," Curtis Edwards said. "He loved it."

After a year of learning the sport, Braxton has embraced it - as is evidenced by him finding his way to Topeka this weekend.

Other Hutchinson wrestlers competing this weekend include Izaiah Del Valle (8-and-under, 58 pounds), Ryan Henderson (8U, 73 pounds), Carter Henderson (10U, 58 pounds), Garrett Starks (10U, 79 pounds), Riley Smith (10U, 95 pounds) and Kale Mog (10U, 110 pounds).

In addition, high school wrestlers Darryon Cushinberry (155 pounds), Jonathan Peterson (125), Terrance Wise (135 pounds) and Brad Wagner (171) will also find their way to the Expocentre.

Kids State has age and weight-class specific divisions ranging from 8-and-under to high school and 40 pounds to 265 pounds. There is also a 6-and-under division that competes at a different time.

Riley Smith finished third at Kids State two years ago and will look to improve on that, while Ryan Henderson was a 6-and-under state champion two years ago, while Del Valle finished sixth two years ago.

"We want them to have fun," Edwards said. "We want to make them want to come back next year and win a medal. Maybe they will medal this year. They all have the potential to do it."

The Hutchinson team's head coach is Jeremy Smith, while Jason Henderson is the club's president. Other coaches on the team include Josh Henderson, Christian Manuzo and Jose Garcia.

If it's the 20th annual then I'm not for sure what I was competing in 30 years ago. My kids never did believe me when I told them I had won kids state a few times back in the day.

It is probably 20th year in Topeka but before that it was in Salina.

Well, back when I was a kid we had State in Hays.

Just for the record, I wasn't anywhere in that article....lol

you guys are too young! The first true "Kids State" was in 1974 in Manhattan (Ahearn), Ben Bennett was the state director. In 1975 and 1976 it was at Wichita (wichita State's Fieldhouse. Dont remember after that, because I got too old!

Good luck to all at state this weekend!

Our sports writer here is a little green,But we were glad to get something in the paper about it. R.Smith placed #rd at Witchita Classics 2years ago not state but still a very good notch on his belt,coach Manuzo is spelled "Munoz".And he or she also forgot our conditioning coach Robert Starks.And they musta not come on a open room practise or Tracy Peterson would be in the article- With a picture . ,...Congrats to Team Lightings Kyle Miller 119hs 2nd place and Johnathan Peterson 125 HKWC hs 1st place,-Im not sure if Tracys related Roger but you can just assume -.lol