8 and Under 46# in 1996 Kids State had a who's who of wrestling success if you look back the last couple of years nearly every wrestler that was on the podium at that weight and age became a high school champion or finalist.

1st Brett Bahe

2nd Donny Altman

3rd Russell Weakley

4th Ryan? Salyer (I think that is the right one...Richard help out on that, don't want to give credit to the wrong son and not have my facts straight)

5th Larry Perez

6th Rusty Wickham

Talk about a grand state bracket back in the day... musta been dog fight!

I don't have any idea on what the scores where but I know Larry and Mr. Salyer frequent the boards if they can remember 10 years back is the trick though.

Swayz who is Russell Weakly though, that name is the unknown to me...

Was from Chapman, now up in Iowa and ranked pretty high in fact he's the 3rd ranked 119 lb senior wrestler in the nation according to Intermat. 2x Iowa Champ. I believe he has like 90 wins or something (don't quote me on that)

What have all these guys gone on to do? Should be a long list.

4 years fast forward to today....

14 & under 95 pounds:

1st- Conner Crumblis
2nd- Tristen Deshazer
3rd- Aaron Ellison
4th- Clay Madden
(theres 4 state champs righ there, two mulitple state champs and two potential multiple state champs)
5th- Travis Connell
6th- Rusty Wickham

Man Rusty Wickham always coming up on the short end of a full house!

That's what she said. Ha.

Looks like Rusty had the same luck in 2003!

14 / 110 … 1st … Tristan Deshazer, TOHK
14 / 110 … 2nd … Peter Eck, Brawlers
14 / 110 … 3rd … Cody Stein, Salina
14 / 110 … 4th … Aaron Bird, Turner
14 / 110 … 5th … Sean Flynn, Lansing Slammers
14 / 110 … 6th … Rusty Wickham, Hays

And again in 2004:

120 1st Bobby Hurd Jr. Team of Hard Knox
2nd Joe Bonner Baldwin
3rd Matthew Montoya Dodge City
4th Wes Barrett El Dorado
5th Jeff Ferguson East Kansas
6th Rusty Wickham Hays

I recognized most names until you put up the 2004 results.

Bobby Hurd was unknown to me, he was a State Placer in 5/6A I forget which for one of the wichita schools. He was pretty good. Joe Bonner now wrestles for Neosho CC. Wickham will be back for another year and hoping for another medal in high school. I too was in this bracket, but unfortunately you can tell how I did based upon my name not being in the ones mentioned.

Alex

Hurd started wrestling as a freshman and won the kids state title as a sophomore. He is a senior now. He has tremendous ability and potential. Should be a contender this year. He has several quality wins from last year.
McReynolds-Columbus
Eberhart-Labette Co.
Buhler-Lansing
Schridde-Great Bend
Orr-W.West
Sallee-Valley Center
Johnston-Kapaun
Meng-Royal Valley
Fleming-Washburn
Defeated in the off season
Fisher-Andale
Freeman-Goddard
Placed ahead of Livengood-BVN at 2 tourneys
Lost to 6A champ Elliott-South by 1 point at league
Lost to 6A RUP Woodford-Manhattan by 1 point at regionals
Not Bad.

Coach, so where will Mr. Hurd wrestle weight wise this year?

Bobby is a very good wrestler. He is very smart and very strong, he will be a contender for a state title in 6A this year.

Aaron — you mentioned Russell Weakley...

CLASS 3A — PRESEASON
119
1 Russell Weakley (sr.) Fort Madison — 3A 112-STATE CHAMP LAST YEAR
2 Nate Moore (soph.) Iowa City West
3 James Nicholson (sr.) D.M. Roosevelt
4 Mike Millie (jr.) Waverly-Shell Rock
5 Brent McDoungh (sr.) D.M. Lincoln
6 Josh South (soph.) Johnston
7 Lars Ellingson (jr.) Decorah
8 Jon Simmonds (sr.) Clinton
9 Ryan Halverson (soph.) Fort Dodge
10 Aaron Sturtz (sr.) C.R. Prairie

130

If Hurd is at 130, he may run in Deshazer (if he's not 125). I think it would be a pretty good matchup.

Hurd ran into Deshazer two years ago and got somewhat handled although it was an exciting match. At that time, Hurd was just a second year wrestler with TD already quite seasoned and crafty. I am not saying that Hurd could beat TD now, but the match would definately be much closer. One thing is for sure, it would be a barn burner. They are both great athletes that can go and go.