I received this private message yesterday from Coach Robert Bovaird of Washburn Rural. There is no way I could say this better than this:


Vince --

I had three Washburn Rural seniors sign to wrestle collegiately yesterday:

Aaron Freeze signed with Baker. Freeze wrestled 189 this year, winning the Shawnee Mission South Invitational, leading the team with 18 falls, receiving the Most Improved Wrestler award (he began as a sophomore), and having a 23-19 record. He was also a member of the Cross Country team and Honorable Mention Academic All-State in wrestling.

Marcus Tolbert also signed with Baker. Tolbert was only able to wrestle 1 match this season due to a knee injury sustained in football. He kept trying to get back on the mat, but eventually had to heed doctors' advice to take care of his torn ACL. He was a team captain, a state qualifier at 140 lbs. in 2010, and one of the hardest-working athletes I've worked with. Tolbert began wrestling in 9th grade.

Nathan Shipley signed with Ft. Hays State. Shipley posted a 38-9 record (tying the school record for most wins in a season), was a 2-time state qualifier (was one match from placing at 160 this season), set 6 school records and is on the top-20 list for three different state records, was a team captain, and our Outstanding Senior Wrestler this year. He was Honorable Mention Academic All-State.

All three are great wrestlers -- outstanding leaders, reliable young men, and fine role models. They were the major force this season in leading the squad to achieve above and beyond what might have been expected by others. They will be sorely missed, but they'll represent Kansas well at the next level

Aaron Freeze, Marcus Tolbert, and Nathan Shipley, Congratulations on your high school wrestling and academic accomplishments. Best of luck next year with your wrestling and academics at Baker University and Fort Hays University.