Wrestling is better in the Northwest for several reasons.

1. Heritage
Many of the Northwest Kansas kids today had a great grand father, grand father, and father who were successful in the sport, and striving for excellence is the norm, not the exception.

2. Program in middle / junior high schools
Wrestling programs at the middle / junior high school level have been in existence for sixty to seventy years. The public schools in Wichita do not offer the sport until high school.

3. Work Ethic
Generally there is a difference in the work ethic of kids from smaller rural areas and kids from urban areas. Contributing to this phenomenmon is lack of outside activities available in the rural areas. While many urban youth may be hanging out at the mall or swimming pool, rural kids may be assisting their fathers putting up hay, fixing fence, driving a tractor, moving irrigation pipe, and working cattle.