I am appalled that Minneapolis is not ranked as one of the top ten teams in the state. They have beaten Ellis at three tournaments now. They won the Minneapolis and Ellsworth tournaments and took second at Osborne. And I am pretty sure that their only dual loss is to Concordia, and that one was close. I think that this "Top Ten" seriously needs to be reevaluated, don't you? Unfortunately, they are in a tough regional and won't send as many kids as some teams in the weak regionals. I think we all know which ones those are.

They took second in the perennially tough Osborne tournament, good lord, they are better than top ten, they're top 3! Actually since they took second at the incredibly tough Osborne tournament, let's just give them the state trophy.

bigkneepads alls the coach was saying is that, they should be in the top ten due to them beating a top ten team several times, no where in that post did it state they are the team to beat number one in the state. before we reply with such a stupid post maybee we should use our brain and think a little.

Thanks wrestlerfan4ever. You are exactly right. I wasn't saying that they are winning the toughest tournaments in the state. I just meant that they have proven several times that they are better than several "ranked" teams.

Yeah, but the rankings are based solely on who will do the best at state and if they don't send as many people, regardless of how hard their regional is, then they won't do as well.

I'd like to discuss The Coach's comment about weak 3-2-1A Regionals. I'd be interested to hear which regional(s) he is calling weak.

Here is some historical data since 1998 that shows which regional the eventual state medal winners competed in.

While its not exactly the same from year-to-year because of changes in classification and also because boundaries for regionals are tweaked each year. But I think it still demonstrates a track record.

legend = (# of state champs,2nds,3rds,4ths,5ths,6ths = total state medals from that regional that year)

2002
Western Regional - (4,5,6,4,3,4 = 26)
Central Regional - (8,5,2,1,6,4 = 26)
Northeast Regional - (2,4,6,7,3,2 = 24) - ACCHS, Rossville and Wellsville had 12 of those 24 medals
Southeast Regional - (0,0,0,2,2,4 = 8)

2001
Western Regional - (5,6,8,8,4,3 = 34)
Central Regional - (3,6,2,4,4,7 = 26)
Northeast Regional - (6,1,3,2,6,4 = 22) - ACCHS 4 champs and 8 medals
Southeast Regional - (0,1,1,0,0,0 = 2)

2000
Western Regional - (6,4,5,8,3,4 = 30)
Central Regional - (4,8,3,4,5,3 = 27)
Northeast Regional - (2,2,3,2,1,5 = 15)
Southeast Regional - (2,0,3,0,5,2 = 12)

1999
Western Regional - (8,7,7,7,6,2 = 37)
Central Regional - (5,6,2,6,7,6 = 32)
Northeast Regional - (0,0,1,1,0,4 = 6)
Southeast Regional - (1,1,4,0,1,2 = 9)

1998
Western Regional - (10,8,10,6,5,1 = 40)
Central Regional - (4,3,2,7,3,3 = 22)
Northeast Regional - (0,2,1,1,4,5 = 13)
Southeast Regional - (0,1,1,0,2,5 = 9)

Obviously there could be a number of comments on these figures, but here are a couple I came up with.

1998 was the year they divided the western half Kansas along I-70 with those teams on the north side going to Phillipsburg and those teams on the south side going to Ellis. I left Phillipsburg as the western regional because that is where most of the MCL and almost all the NWKL (except Oakley) went.

Ellsworth's arrival in the 3-2-1a ranks has helped maintain the central region's totals.

Caney Valley's jump to 4A hurt the southeast's numbers, although Fredonia stepped in for them one year.

The resurgence of the Northeast regional's performance appears attributable to ACCHS' renewed success - and also Rossville's and Wellsville's outstanding performance in the 2002 meet.

ACCHS' improved performance appears simultaneous to Coach Flores' arrival. And Leoti's success for the Western regional fell following Coach Flores' departure - which likely has lowered the state medal count for the Western Kansas Regional.

Norton's jump to 4A last year likely lowered the western regional medal count.

Going into this year, one would probably have to give the nod to the central regional for its strength, but we'll finalize those numbers in March.

So.....which regional(s) were you calling weak?

Les, Very well said!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

To The Coach:

Where would you place Minneapolis at State?
1st thru 10th?
How about none of the above?
Please advise

I would say that they have the potential to finish between 7th and 10th. But I guess we'll just have to wait and see. I'm looking forward to Beloit because that will be a big test and a fair indicator I think. They did however beat Ellsworth tonight in Dual competition. Who knows they could be a sleeper and finish really strong or fall flat?

To: The Coach
After your school’s showing at the Beloit Tourney I would definitely rank Minneapolis in the top three (instead of the top 10 as you suggest) in the State of Kansas 321a. You have definitely proved your prowess on the mat.

Now those are some interesting posts and reply's. Now after some of the bigger tournaments out of the way, and after seeing everyones performances who do you say are your top 10 teams. And just to add a little fun to it who are your champs at each weight class? Just trying to have some fun and compare everyone's ideas.

Thanks Dalefish,

They certainly did wrestle well. I think They lost a few matches that they could have and should have won. Probably wouldn't have put them any higher in the team standings though. They still have a ways to go, a dual against beloit, which they should win, and regionals. They have a tough league this year.

To: Les
Point well taken. In recent years the two eastern regionals have held their own, historically not as difficult though. There are great wrestlers in every regional and the cream will rise to the top. I don't think that anyone would dispute that the central and western regionals are pretty stacked. Thanks for the medal breakdown.

To: jrob1982
It's tough to say these aren't in order but in the top ten. Hoxie, Smith Center, Ellsworth Beloit, Minneapolis, Sabetha(Low numbers Great wrestlers), Norton, ACCHS, Wellsville? Concerning champs at each weight. After seeing some of the finals matches at Beloit I am not about to guess. It's all up in the air. And after seeing some of these "ranked" wrestlers it's true rankings don't matter at all, especially at 171.

I am of the opinion that the only rankings that matter are those put out after the state tournament.
We all know rankings don't mean anything, so why have you all invested so much time in this post?
Just curious.