National rankings, as has been spelled out in past posts, take into consideration competition that some competitors do not choose to participate in. It doesn't make them any less potent in KSHAA competition. Last year at regionals, for instance, Taplin lost by 3 points or so to Schyler sharpe from Colby. If 'ol schyler had just paid attention to the national rankings, he would have just rolled over and Taplin would have won. Sickness the next weekend kept Sharpe from wrestling as well as the week before, but on that day he was better. wait until after state, and the champion in each weight class is the best. Taplin, Erissman, Kreigbaum, Grater, and the others all have some losses in freestyle or greco or high school somewhere in the last year or so. apparently that doesn't tarnish their image too much, but to come up with the one best is pretty rough-- you have to ignore some massive accomplishments by a lot of people to eliminate them and just come up with 1 or two or three guys. Most years there are a number of "bests", based on that year's competition, after present accomplishments, you would (I would think) have to go with history. Kriegbaum and Gilliland have three championships going for 4, and no one else does. also total matches won in High School folkstyle competition should be a primary factor. some competitors don't have the money or the opportunity to go all over the country wrestling who knows where and they should not be diminished for that if their record in High School competition is better.