Is there anyone out there who can make a legitimate argument that any league other than the NWKL is the toughest league in the state? I am not talking single wrestlers but teams as a whole. Hoxie, (ask Manhattan and Garden in 6A) Colby, Goodland, Oberlin,Atwood, St. Francis etc. The teams as a whole here are incredible. People from back east argue and then look at the team titles from the past 20 years. Sometimes the facts hurt.

I think the toughest league is the NCKL. Last year Clay Center won state but didnt win league. we have clay center(currently ranked #1 in the 4A), Concordia(ranked #3 in 4A), and Abilene(ranked #5 in 4A). And Marysville is a strong team too. We also have Chapman and Wamego.

NWKL

There have been years when several leagues or conferences from across Kansas have had outstanding teams, and at the various state tournaments could make their case for being a dominate league.

However, if you start in the the 30s, and go decade by decade, and add it up... however you want;... individual champions, state placers, or team titles,... the NWKL will stand the test of time. Each school in this league has had at least two state titles. Hoxie has dominated this year against some of the best programs around the state. (Manhattan, Clay Center, Norton) I coach at Colby and trust me, we have seen more of Hoxie than anyone. They are incredible... however... this has happened several times with teams from this league. St. Francis in the 50s, Norton in the 60s (back when they were part of the NWKL), Oberlin and Hoxie in the 70s, and now Hoxie again in the 90s. There is a tradition here that can't be ignored.

I have to speak up for the Ark Valley League. I'm a little biased, but I think it has been one of the most competitive leagues this year. We have Ark City (#1 in 5A), McPherson (#8 in 5A), Hutchinson (#1 in 6A), and Derby (#7 in 6A). Also, throughout the course of the season, Campus, Winfield, and if I'm not mistaken, Newton have all been ranked at some point this year. I haven't seen a blowout in any of the duals this year. It will be interesting to see how these teams finish the season in their respective classes. Good luck to my fellow AVL schools and coaches. See you at state.

Jason Halling
El Dorado High School

Personally i think things like this are a waste of time. The best league in the state or best classification 6A, 5A, 4A or whatever, it doesnt matter. There is no way to say which league is better, and what class is better. I wrestled in the AVL in 5A, which had tough competition, but i can in no way say that those are better than any other leagues, especially the ones that i have not seen.

fronteir league, paola, spring hill, baldwin, anderson county, prairie view, wellsville. not the toughest but tough enough.

KCK

Jason,
It seems to me that the Ark Valley dual scores are never in the Eagle that I recall. I realize the Eagle doesn't cover wrestling but do the AVL coaches not call them in or what?

I think that the AVL is very competitive, im not saying that its the best but it always has a lot of great wrestlers.
-Hey bulldog13 hows the academy?

Its doing alright Chris, good luck at regionals.

The NWKL has been the toughest league over time in Kansas. The history of the league is impressive and the present is pretty good as well. NWKL ---without a doubt!!!!