While Norton is the favorite and St. Francis has received some love, Silver Lake has quietly moved up the rankings to Number 2 in 3A. Can Silver Lake contend for a State Championship? They've got some guys like LaMar and Mellies who are capable of making the finals. But who else will go far in the state tournament? No doubt Silver Lake will qualify a lot for state but the 1st round may set the tone for the Eagles. Thoughts on Silver Lake placing in the top 3 or being a sleeper (despite their #3 ranking) to win it all?

number 2 ranking

They look good on paper (i haven't seen them live yet) and they have the benefit of not having to qualify out of the nw regional where teams tend to beat the heck out of each other and you can have kids who would score pts at state get beat out. (how's that for a run on sentence.) What if Sainty and Norton eliminate enough of each others teams (with the help of others)? Could SL sneak by? maybe.

Can they win? Anyone can win!

I think Silver Lake can do very well as a team. Just look at the fact they were supposed to go to the St. Mary's tournament which was cancelled and showed up on a day notice to the Basehor Linwood Bobcat Tournament and did very well for themselves. I think that in a nutshell established why they are getting some much needed love in the state when it pertains to their ranking. I think if they don't come home with top 3 trophy it will be a bit of a disappointment.

They are top 3 if they perform. My opinion is that they are the second best team in 3-2-1A if Smull of Sainty is really out for the year.

I still believe the 1-2-3A state team champ hinges solely on what happens in WaKeeney. Norton & Sainty or anyone out of there, has to advance a lot of their team to Hays to have a shot. Otherwise, with a smaller team, due to the toughness of the regional, diminishes their chance of winning the team title.

Not that I'm saying anything bad about Silver Lake or any other teams, but you do have to see how much of the TEAM qualifies before you can determine their shot at the team title.

MY money is still with Norton though...

Seems year in and year out Silver Lake is ranked higher during the year than they ever finish at state. However this year they do seem legit. I agree that those in the NW regional will (once again) be hampered because they will be knocking each other off. Norton will be no.1 but I think the fight will be 2 through 5 With Silver Lake, St. Francis, Oakley, Oberlin, Hoxie, Phillipsburgh and Plainville all in the hunt. Interesting how many of the above mentioned teams are in the same regional.

Sooooooooo...

Are you saying I'm not correct in my earlier assessment of that Regional? Or are you just saying that NW Ks. in 1-2-3A wrestling is just that stacked?????

Either, you made great points and I agree with your final analysis, predictions too...but since you've not made yourself or place known to anyone...I can't give you the credit I'd like to give you!!!

Try using your name or at least where you're from...

Coach williams said it well when he summed up St. Francis's hopes-- without those points at 160 they will not be able to make a run at Norton. The Bluejays are so deep in so many weights that a team with two or three great wrestlers shouldn't have an effect on their ability to win-- Last year Manhttan, Turner, and Scott City won without a champion because they took nearly their whole team to state, and at least in the case of Scott, won almost entirely with points scored on the back side. Those first round matches are important, but it is possible to lose several of them and still win the tournament by having a whole bunch of majors and pins in the consolation side. Having not seen Silver Lake wrestle, I can't say that they will be able do that. They have two premier wrestlers, but so do Norton, Sainty, Oakley, Halstead, Cimmarron, and possibly some other schools. I reckon 10 guys scoring two or three rounds deep in the back side would be required for a team with only 2 guys in the finals to beat the depth that I think Norton will have.

Mike F is on target with his analysis. Five, six (seven, eight--the memory is slipping again) years ago Norton had five in the champ finals and won four, but finished second to Saint Francis. Norton scored no points on the back side. Front side for the show, back side for the dough. . . or something like that.

All great points!!! I've only seen Norton at Newton. I haven't seen any of the others except on paper (or the computer screen...)

We'll just have to see: 14 days until it all comes down to the mat action!!!

Luvksu: your memory must be fading in your old age , I beleive the year you speak of was '97. Norton put 5 in the finals, 4 champs, but only won a few (3 I think but I'm not for sure) back side matches.

Coach Twink-- I will have to concede to your more youthful recollections (besides that you were a member of that team, (again, if my memory does not fail me!).

Norton also did it in '98 winning 3, but once again no points out the back door. You must have a complete team to take home the title.

Why does everyone hate Silver Lake.....perhaps scared?

Silver Lake has 7 guys who have been scoring for them and could score well at the state tournamant: Hase-103, Deiter-112, Taylor-125, Corwin-135, LaMar-140 Mellies-152, Hamilton-215. Don't know if that's enough to overtake Norton or St. Francis.

I prefer to use the word "respect" for Silver Lake. Strong team with some unknowns who don't draw attention to themselves who might just sneak in at State with everyone wondering ..where did they come from???