JD Schaumberg might have been tough in 4A but when Fredonia dropped to 3-2-1a for the 1999 state tournament, Jack Dennis of Oakley made Schaumberg look like a rag doll in the 215 semi-finals before pinning him. I'm sure you are very familar with Jack Dennis (who later wrestled at Colby CC and earned 2 juco All-American honors), right Jalon?

I also feel that Gerrad Speer is not getting the respect he deserves.

As a freshman at 171 he entered the tournament as a Regional champ with only 3 losses. He lost in the quarterfinals to eventual state champion Steven Frakes of Douglass and then lost in the consolation quarterfinals to 5th place medalist Charlie Goetz of Lansing by the scores of 7-3 and 6-0, respectively. Both were seniors - Frakes ended up at 36-1 and Goetz at 24-6 on the year.

As a sophomore at 189 Gerrad scored 2 falls and two major decisions - including a 24-11 dismantling of Baldwin's Luke Lang in the state finals. Speer closed his season at 28-1.

As a junior at 215 he scored three falls and a major decision en route to his second state title and an undefeated record of 23-0.

As a senior he dominated the 215 bracket again and went 40-0 on the year. I believe it was a 7-2 score in the finals over the much heralded and presumably unbeatable Matt Weishaar of Atchison.

A 3x state champ with a 103-6 record in the upper weights is pretty impressive in my book. Out of curiosity did Speer and Lattimer wrestle in the 2001 East / West Dual and if so what was the outcome?

With this said, I feel Gerrad deserves a higher ranking than the one given to him by Mr. Crowley.