Ok -- this is my last post on this subject, and it's one -- as someone who's coached in Kansas and RESPECTS the coaches and wrestlers here -- that I feel I can speak to with some level of objective intelligence.

Kids like Eric Akin, Joe Johnston, Zach Robeson, Scott Coleman, Shawn Bunch, Matt Murray, Josh Carroll and others are and were exceptional talents. No one is denying that, and no matter what state they are from, they would have been exceptional talents. That isn't even the point of debate at this point.

What we're talking about here is a lack of exposure of college wrestling to the rank and file Kansas high school wrestler. During my time there I saw many talented wrestlers whose careers ended in Hays or Wichita because the idea of college wrestling probably never really occured to them.

But when you've only got one (well, two now) four-year schools with the sport, what do yo expect. Kids of this same level of talent in Iowa or Oklahoma or Pennsylania, or wherever have other options. They can easily get exposed to the sport at a higher level at a young age and can aspire to it.

Having college wrestling in your state and area does raise the level of the sport. Waverly, Iowa is home to both Wartburg College (one of the powers of Division III wrestling) and the Class 3A (combine 6A & 5A) Waverly-Shell Rock High School which won the State tournament this year. Along with being the home of the Iowa Hawkeyes, Iowa City is also home to City and West Highs, annually two of the top five to 10 teams in 3A. The University of Northern Iowa is located in the Waterloo/Cedar Falls metro area, home to Cedar Falls High and Dan Gable's alma mater, Waterloo West.

The fact is that Kansas wrestling is pretty good in some ways. Like most states there are some tremendous individuals. But for the overall level to improve, college wrestling needs to become bigger in the state. I felt that when I coached in Kansas and I feel it even stronger today. But it's not going to happen through self-justifying posts here and it's not going to happen without a lot of hard work.

Keep up the good work Kansas and then do a little more.