Randy,

I think that we should still be riding the high from last years NHSCA Nationals and the tremendous showing we had there. I am happy and proud that I was able to be there and be a part of a team that represented the state of Kansas so well. I do so enjoy your company and those of the Kansas coaching fraternity---27!

As to answer some of the other questions about improving, I am working towards adding freestyle/greco to this area this year, we now have a coach! At Sabetha we passed a bond and the program will have a wrestling room, a new gym, and a new locker room which will only be an improvement after 40 years without a room! Those around my area have all expressed a deep intrest in the mixing of our teams during the kids fed and freestyle seasons.

You spoke of "core strength" luckily last year Matt an Jason Pyle showed me many core exercises with a med. ball...we have been doing 2-3 morning conditioning practices each week with the balls, resistance bands, and circuit training with free weights. I think, an my athletes do too, that it has made a tremendous impact. I watched Akin using resistance bands with Cokely and Slyter doing shots, stance an motion, and using plyometrics-I do as well!

On a weekly basis we work on relaxation an visulization, goals, and getting in the "zone". It does not always take hold with every athlete, some cannot let their mind relax and "see" what they need to accomplish, but when they come tell me they are dreaming about matches it is hard to argue against the mental aspect.

Finally a last little tid-bit someone told me once. "They will never love wrestling as much as you do!" coach Lee Woodford.

Hope to see ya soon buddy, and I hope you are doing well, the knee is fine by the way, but now I dislocated a pinkie!

Brown