John,

I am going to jump in here because while making a good faith effort to help out someone asking a question, I think Lonnie may have twisted up his words and confused you. The preference he referred to in his earlier message is “preference of the wrestler”. We have six clubs in Shawnee County and all are solid. They all have high school coaches that play an active role within the clubs. So of course when someone asks about what club they should take their wrestler to the standard answer of the Jr. Viking Wrestling Club (of which Lonnie is the Assistant Director) is to first inform the wrestler of local options within their school district.

However, the Jr. Viking Wrestling Club has never “excluded” anyone. We have wrestlers participate from as far west as Junction City, north to Atchison, and a number of kids from Jefferson County, as well as many from other areas of Shawnee County. When you sign up to be a Jr. Viking we accept you as one of our own regardless of your zip code. I think there are many who could testify who have benefited by joining our club over the years and the Seaman kids have benefited in return by having good practice partners in the room!

Mark