Overall Brute was a great experience for our wrestlers and a fun weekend of competition. Kansas was in force. Thought I was at a Topeka or Wichita Tournament there were so many Kansas Kids. Slammers brought 13 wrestlers and medaled 5.

We brought some less experienced wrestlers with us this time and I think it was a great opportunity for them to participate at that level of competition. Some might have caught the wrestling bug and will pick up the intensity this spring/ summer.

The “Hard Luck” or consolation tournament was a good idea but did not pan out as planned. Hope they do it again next year, but limit entries to kids that go 0-2 or 1-2. This will cut down on numbers. Our wrestlers got 1 or 2 additional matches which was good for them.

Hotels. The event hotel, Crowne Plaza, was superb and reasonably priced at $67 a night.

Officials. I have noticed for a while the different styles of officiating by state (IA, NE, KS, MO). NE guys were quick on the pin and quick on the take down call compared to KS refs. Side note, my personal favorites is MO refs. You play with your head gear and you get called for stalling (they really force action).

The Ely Pin Call - Agree with Chad Parks...that was insane.

University of Nebraska – Omaha – Wow did you see those dorm rooms. Looked liked condos…half our team wants to go to UNO now.

Overall great wrestling, great weekend. See you in freestyle.

Speaking of Freestyle...did I mentioned the FREE freestyle and Greco rules and strategy clinic on the 6th of April.

What: Freestyle / Greco Rules and Strategy Clinic

Where: Saint Thomas Aquinas
115th & Pflumm
Overland Park, KS 66210

When: Date and Time: 6 April (6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.)

More info over on the freestyle forum.


Mike Flynn