Perhaps I can only name a few wrestlers who have extensive credentials, but there are many good wrestlers in the 160 lb. class.

In 4A, there was:

Jon Hausserman of Norton - 32-0 going into state, took 3rd.
Aaron Pratt of Spring Hill - a two-time state medallist and wrestled a style all his own.
Troy Medill of Lansing - undefeated until the finals, also wrestled at Junior Nationals and made a run at All-American status in Greco-Roman.
Derek Corral of Clay Center - a decent wrestler from an excellent program
Adam Halford of Baldwin - spent several weeks last summer touring Central America and wrestling with some top-level wrestlers

In 5A, there was:

Nathan Payne of Paola and Mike Steinmetz of Turner
Adam Monks of Blue Valley - took 4th at state, wrestled well at the Cadet National Duals, and was a solid member of the Cadet National team at Fargo
Phil Hart of Shawnee Heights - took 3rd at state, transferred in from a school in Missouri

In 6A, there was:
Brett Stewart of Junction City (2nd in 01) and Jonathan Walter (4th in 01) of Manhattan
Josh Johnston of Leavenworth - 3rd at state, member of the junior national team
BL Chadwick of Wichita West - 4th at state, 3rd in 01
Matt Wintz of Derby - 5th in state, 4th in 01
Paul Lappin of Garden City - 6th in state, member of the cadet national team
Nick McGovern of Lawrence Free State - 5th in 00

And I don't know much about 321A, but I can recognize several good wrestlers:
Brandon Sommer of Prairie View - 4th in state
Jake Gardner of Lincoln - state champ, 2nd in 01
Jake Schenk of Smith Center - 2nd in state, runner-up in 01
Blake Pilkington of Oakley - 3rd in state, champ in 01
Jeremiah Wiley - 5th in state, 5th in 01

That's only a handful of wrestlers from each class. All I'm trying to say is that it was not a weak class. There were some young men in there with some pretty respectable resumes, and there are also many, many good wrestlers who just don't have the background. I hate to hear people call a certain weight weak - especially across all classes. That detracts from everything they've strode for all year - it takes away from the guys who worked to win state, medal at state, qualify, or even place at a tournament.


Gifted Teacher
Head Wrestling Coach, Louisburg High School
Director of Coaches Development, USAWKS