Posted on Thu, Feb. 09, 2006

Goddard, Valley get one more 'practice'

BY JEFFREY LUTZ
Wichita Eagle correspondent

Goddard and Valley Center have a chance to win the Ark Valley-Chisholm Trail League Division II wrestling title tonight.

But the title is something both coaches could do without.

Valley Center coach Brian Shelton said duals, including tonight's final one against Goddard, are "practice" for the upcoming postseason, and Goddard coach Ryan Jilka is sitting five wrestlers so they'll be healthy for regionals and state.

"Everything we've wanted to do has revolved around winning (the Class 6A championship)," Jilka said. "You hate to put all your eggs in one basket, but we know with the team we have, if we're healthy, that's the only goal we should really be focused on."

Regional tournaments are next week and the state tournaments Feb. 24-25.

If any teams can afford to look ahead, it's these two. They're both undefeated in league duals and among the favorites for state titles.

When they met in a tournament at the start of the season, Goddard beat Valley Center, which is 5A, by more than 30 points, though the Hornets were battling injuries at the time.

Now it's the Lions who are beat up. Three of the five wrestlers out for tonight's dual are ranked in their weight class, though Jilka said they would wrestle if it were the postseason.

Valley Center will be at full strength for the first time.

"Bar none, they're the best team in the state," Valley Center coach Brian Shelton said. "It's David and Goliath, and we're the little guy, so we're going to go out and try to do our best."

Goddard sitting 5 guys? They get beat up in the last 2 months? I am rooting for Valley Center.
Why doesn't Goddard just forfeit?

Goddard may be a Goliath, but Valley Center is no David. They are red hot right now after winning Chanute and Rose Hill. Their JV team is better than most teams. I would love to see these two match up both with full lineups. I can see where State is more important than league and I would rather win a state title than a league title but surely, with this dual deciding the league championship, one would put their best foot forward if they could.

With eight or nine days until the next match I would think you could put your best foot forward for a league championship. But I'm just just a oldfan and not a coach.

Yes, it would be nice to be at full strength, and anyone that knows me knows I'm going to put everyone out there that we can. They would also know that I'm not going to sacrifice a kid's shot at doing well at state for a league title. Win or lose, it should have some great matches. And I agree that V.C. is no David. I think they have 10 guys that have been to state or placed at state on the starting 14. That's more than us.

January was not kind to us, and we are injured. When we wrestled VC earlier this year, they were in the same boat that we're in now. I won't appologise for being careful with injuries, though.

Have a good one,
Ryan

Who is sitting out tonight?