This weekend EJ Walter of Aquinas took first at Kids State 16&U 215. EJ did not wrestle for Aquinas this year. I believe he had a football injury at the start of the year and probably made the decision not to go out later since previous year state placer Mike Hammer was already at 215. EJ had qualified for 5A State the previous year 2006 as a sophomore at 189. Alex Lopez an Aquinas senior who had also qualified at the previous year at 285 for 5A State at heavyweight wrestled the majority of the year at JV after he lost in his last two wrestling challenges to my son after winning the first challenge for the heavyweight spot. Basically between 189 and 280 (91 pounds) there were only two spots available for four probable State placers at Aquinas.

I consider only two classes over 91 pounds to be a real lack of opportunity for the heavier athletes. I know our Aquinas team is an extreme example this year but think of how many quality heavier athletes are on your football teams and not even giving wrestling a try. I really think if there were more varsity spots available and they did not have to drop so much weight to make a spot that we would get more of them out.