my thoughts - not to offend or invoke displeasure, nor are they intended to impune the integrity of any specific individual(s) - just for discussion:

1) Kansas wrestling can/needs to be more aggressive, particularly on takedowns. Still far too many head ties and headlocks, particularly in the east. Solution: start at kids level and, as difficult as it may seem, don't teach a headlock until age 13. :-)

2) Kansas wrestling can /needs to be more aggressive from the top. Far too many hip huggers and spiral riders. Yes, I appreciate one who can ride and float, but, as the high school rules indicate, the top wrestler needs to aggressively pursue scoring opportunities by moving off the hips,etc, etc. There was a reason the national federation high schools moved away from riding time.

3) Coaches teach their wrestlers how to wrestle. Far too many wrestlers, even at State level, are passive on their feet. That's fine and great if that's the way one wants to win.

4) Far too many referees in this state (and yes, I have refereed) do not call stalling aggressively or consistently. Far too many coaches continue to select referees to officiate who do so. This may sound harsh on referees, but if I've done my job as a coach and my wrestler is busting his/her tail to score but is consistently 'stalled' out, then why can't I demand that same level of professionalism from my referee? Ever notice the difference between a college official and a state one? Calling the takedown, near fall, etc is the easy part.

5) D1 wrestlers, for the most part, are better atheletes and wrestlers. That's why they're D1. That does NOT impune the ability of any DII etc, as pointed out in earlier posts, many quality wrestlers CHOSE to go to lower level, not necessarily lower competition, schools. This argument is more like ice cream flavors...which is better vanilla or choclate.

6) I would like to see an ALL Class competition. No, I don't want to walk down the prim rose path of Grand State or Team Duals. But if larger states can do it, why can't we? Yes, some kids may not get the chance to compete at a state level, but is that necessarily bad? Make it a 64 man bracket based on an All regional selection process and wrestle for 4 days...now THAT's wrestling.

7) Final thought: Kansas wrestling is just as good as any other state, if not better than many. There are particular regional styles, east, west, north, south that ARE obvious. Whether or not these styles translate into collegiate level ability is purely conjuncture...reference the ice cream argument earlier.

Tim Shea