I don't disagree with you on the need to compete at that level. I for one would love to see it happen. But I suspect that rural Kansas teams will begin traveling to those great tournaments when individuals or corporations begin sponsoring them.

It is difficult to imagine that the coach of any one of these great teams out west will be able to sell the concept of traveling extreme distances and overnight stays at a point in time when the funding for many school districts is already at risk. In fact, I've heard of a few coaches that are being asked to cut the travel expense of their existing schedule already.

Many schools have had to or soon will be forced to cut back on staffing at the teaching level just to make the budget work. If that is going on, I don't see funding for athletics increasing. And there is not enough county assessed value to raise taxes to offset the loss of state funding - especially when rural econmomics have already been hit hard by the ongoing drought and national recession.

Goodland has been able to travel to Liberal, Newton and Basehor (last year) because their local wrestling enthusiasts (booster) club picks up a significant portion of the expense. Most other rural communities do not have the luxury of that type of support.

I suspect that Garden City has a little more latitude, given the size of their enrollment. But I'd be curious to know how they fund their travel.

I know Hoxie would love to compete against a Blair Academy or an Easton, PA - as they hit many of those kids during the freestyle circuit. And I'd love to see a Norton or a Hoxie or a ...... travel to compete in the caliber of tournament you have mentioned. But in the current agricultural recession and state budget crises, I don't see it happening.

I can't afford to write a check for them to do it. Will you?

Oh.....and I never water my statistics down more than 1 part water for every 4 parts fact!