Hey guys,
I am moving to the kc area this coming up summer, my son is a an eighth grader, good ability, has been a multiple state and national medalist, competes year round, we really want to make the right choice for him, we can go either side of the state line, i am a former coach as well and would like to associate with a club and help out with summer wrestling, any advice,,,

kansas. schools r better and the wrestling is just strong as mizzou.

I would contact Gonz Medina; He is very familiar with the metro area clubs and is a National Freestyle and Greco coach for Team Kansas. I know my boys enjoyed working with him. I’m sure he would be a wealth of knowledge around the KC area when it comes to summer wrestling. And he’s a pretty good all-round guy. E-mail gmedenia@bluechipathletic.com or call him at work (816) 471-2499

East Kansas is the club to go to. It has produced alot of wrestlers for the Metro area. Simply the best there is.

I would argue that Kansas wrestling isn't "just as tough" as Missouri's. I would say it's a lot better.

And if you want your son to learn the art of witty banter and proper spelling/grammar, send him two hours west to Manhappenin', Kansas.

Depending how far you are wanting to get out of the metro, Paola is a solid team and will be getting better in the next couple years. Some of the names that are in Jr. High: Sharky Slyter, Triple Crown Winner Last year, Buzz Hermreck, VanTrece, Matt Noblet, Underclassman this year at the heavier end would be Jimmy Stewart, and the Payne boys.
For a kids club I dont know anything about East Kansas any more but the Paola kids club is good as well.
I went to school at a League Foe of Paola and talking to the kids they seem to enjoy the atmosphere at Paola.

I've wrestled at Paola in a few tournaments...and I think that would be an excellent school...I've also know that there is a newer school in Mill Valley but don't know how far from KC it is....heard good stuff about Gardner Edgerton as well.

Plenty of the kids from Paola go to the East Kansas Wrestling Club. I've seen Jimmy Stewart, Sharky Slyter and a couple of others there.

Too bad You could't commute to Norton or Hoxie-- but any one of several 6a programs in the KC area are really good. But Prant is correct about Manhattan--- It may be the best program in the Western Territories.

Up until this year the East Kansas club would undoubtedly be the best program for you to join, However their head coach, Kevin Klemm has moved to coach for Stanford.

Does anyone know who has taken over this club?

I don't know which high school would be best to go to, but the East Kansas club has been responsible for producing most of the star wrestlers from the surrounding KC area. The club has also produced numerous All Americans and National Champions!!

This link is a little old but you can check it out
http://www.midwestwrestlingreport.com/eastkansas.html

Mike Fairleigh,

Would agree with your assessment of Prant's assertion -- if you would narrow it to 6A programs; Manhattan is not any better than Hoxie, Norton, Oakley, St. Francis in regards to turning out quality wrestlers year after year.

I also would take issue with the inclusion of Manhattan in the Western terriories. But, this topic has been discussed and cussed already . I do know. however, that Manhattan is almost 3.5 hours by car to the EAST of my home in WESTERN Kansas!

As much as i hate to say it, spring hill consistently has a pretty good club and they are only about fifteen minutes from olathe.

Uh-oh, we have a couple comedians in the house, ladies and gents. Egg and mike fairleigh- you crazy, crazy guys.

I was simply stating that Manhattan has been known to churn out good (if annoying) wrestlers, many of whom have the ability to engage in witty banter as well. But you guys were probably too busy Capitalizing unnecessary words and adding. extra periods. to notice. My bad.

While Mill Valley may be a new school, as of right now, their program is middle of the pack at best. If you send your son there, make sure he has a hard head, as assistant coach Male Kann will be pounding on it relentlessly. Plus, if memory serves, they're 4a. (If you want your son to win an individual state title, you may want to enroll him in a 5a school such as Olathe North, KC Turner, or Wyandotte.)

Now if you'll excuse me, I think I'm going to go to bed...still on the Western half of the state in terms of population, as always.

(There are so many swishes in that post! See, illegalhold? I don't lie about the witty banter stuff.)

Mill Valley is, in fact, a 5A school this year.

Now Prant, I don't know what Male Kann has done to you (lately) to deserve such public deriding. Mill Valley has excellent coaches from all over the state, A former college wrestler (at Labette), an Ark City Grad who was a finalist, A missouri 3x finalist, and a pretty salty coach from Norton who made a pit stop in Manhattan.

Also the kids program is new, but growing fast. It would be a great opportunity for someone who would like to help out.

As far as the head pounding Male Kann have retired the club, except for on special occasions (liability issues. It seems everyone has a lawyer these days!) Besides, it didn't seem to have hurt you any ... or did it. Now that I think of it Male Kann may actually be responsible for the "witty banter" you are so proud of!

Coachtwink- I believe you should have a question mark after "or did it." Also, your last sentence ended in a preposition. It should have read something like, "Now that I think of it, Male Kann may actually be responsible for the witty banter of which you are so proud."

Don't send your kids to Mill Valley for the education. (I hear they added someone to their science department who isn't the best...)

As you can see, witty banter is something that comes to all who grow up in Manhattan. Then again, you only had a "pit stop" here, so you probably didn't catch it.

Olathe North is only 5A in football.

http://www.eteamz.com/millvalleywrestling/

Mill Valley would be as good as anywhere else to both live in the area and send your son to wrestle. Travis Keal (High School Head Coach) wrestled for one of the best coaches in the country, Coach Thompson (former Labette CC Head Coach and Hall of Fame Inductee)and took away what it took to be successful and classy at the same time. Travis is building a program that will benefit from him and his assistants time and know how of doing things the right way. Depending on the size of your son, they have very strong 103lb that should contend at a state title that is a sophomore. I am sure you could contact Travis, very personable. He will be around for the long haul, a set of twin boys in the 2-3 age range. You couldnt go wrong with Gonz Medina either but if wanted to settle in a area that could work with same club and High School, Mill Valley would be worth looking into.

My son will be a 171lb to 275lb wrestler for his high school career for sure, I will be teaching in the kck or kcmo school district next year. I am looking for a stable coach, good group of kids and the ability for my son to be able to compete and contribute a couple years in to the program. He is a smart kid, good grades and fits in well.
He also is a heck of a football player as well. He has wrestled in the Nebraska, Kansas, California kids program and has had success in all three styles. I am just trying to make the best informed choice, for once in my life, i have the flexibility to do so. Any help is appreciated

I thought this forum was intended for wrestling talk. It seems Garker has this forum confused with some type of grammer,spelling,english forum. The witty banter as he likes to call it is one thing, but the rest of the afore mentioned is getting awful tiring and worn out. Garker maybe you should start a new forum on spelling , grammer and the use of proper english. Sorry for getting away from wrestling talk folks. I just had to get that off my chest.