STA is ranked first in 6A. They've built a very good kids program, but three of their ranked kids transferred in from other schools this year. That's a lot of pts at state. Do private schools have an unfair advantage? What do you think about that?

To insinuate that parents are paying good money for tuition just to wrestle for a school is silly.

Could it be that the parents were either disatisfied with the education their son was receiving in public school, or could it be like the situation my wife and I will find ourselves in - unable to pay 14 yrs of private schooling, but are willing to shuck out the money for our children's high school education?

Well, as a general rule that might hold water. But look at the numbers. 21% of STA's varsity wrestling team (3 of its 14 spots) were filled just this year by kids whose parents wanted a better education than they could get at Johnson County Public Schools. I wonder if STA has about 21% new students who transfer in every year?

When my dad was in high school, Kapuan would recruit wrestlers by giving scholarships.

I find this topic to be very interesting.

it is a very fishy situation and one that was touched on last year when STA was rumored in approaching kids at other schools during meets to transfer. Maybe it was coincidence that 3 kids tranfer in this year. (quiality kids as well)

believe what you want to believe and remember that only STA knows if they are really earning their rankings or buying them.

Before I coached at a Catholic school, I used to think that they recruited, too. But, as was pointed out to me at a coaches meeting once, it's sort of hard to say, "Hey, your kid is a good wrestler! Come spend $4,000 a year so he can wrestle here!"

And most Catholic school schloarship programs are set up to benefit kids who have been in that school's system since elementary school, not superstar jocks.

If STA is giving these wrestlers a tuition break then that may make it affordable enough for them to attend school their. If the education is superior, they have a good wrestling program, and they their son is a wrestler, it's a no-brainer. In that scenario STA may have an advantage.

I know rockhurst does it. some 8th grade kids i know have been approached at tournaments to come play football and and told they will find some way to make it possible for that kid to pay the tuition.

very interesting stuff....i would say you have to find evidence that they are doing wrong before you accuse them. Otherwise its not fair

gutwrench1, I believe that two of the three wrestlers that transferred in have actually been part of the Aquinas kids program for quite a few years.

You might have to also consider how many good athletes a school like Aquinas loses to a public school because parents cannot afford to pay several thousand dollars in tuition a year.

Maybe some do come to Aquinas now with the wrestling program as a major motivation. That might give one school an advantage. But advantages like that are all over. Oak Park in KC now probably is gaining an advantage due to this Competitors Kids Club. I know there are several public schools in Kansas too that are currently benefiting from great kids programs. Bottom line there are advantages of different types all over the State.

i don't think anyone here is accusing, just discussing why people are talking around the KC area about this situation.

like i said, only aquinas knows the real story.

Yes, private schools have an advantage, clearly.
Huskerfan pointed out a disadvantage, but my opinion is that the advantages outweigh the disadvantages. That is why some states, like Oklahoma, do not allow private schools to compete in the state qualifiers. They can compete with anyone throughout the year but not at state. They clearly have unfair recruiting advantages. Oklahoma knows this and they are saying "if you want the "unfair" advantages that come with private schools, you must consider this....".

First, the Millstead kid transfered from another Catholic school to this one. I believe because his parents moved closer to Aquinas. The other two, Markey brothers, were at public middle school that had k-9th. They wrestled for Olathe North since the school was in their district. Why they didn't start at Aquinas until their sophomore year is a question you'd have to ask them.

I do not believe this is due to recruiting. Parents and kids ask other kids/friends all the time to come to the school. Is this recruiting?

I think the major factor that Aquinas is doing so well is due to a very talented sophomore class. Which in turn is due to (as someone said) good kids clubs.

STA's Milstead and family did not think Bishop Ward offered a competitive wrestling program and after not performing well at state last year despite a great record decided to transfer to STA. And, that is totally within their right to make that decision. If KSHAA had they known might have asked him to sit out 180 days. I think the ON coaches would be happy to tell you why the Markey's transferred and I suspect those coaches resent losing kids they put a lot into to another school. Whether from another catholic school or a public school, I think its clear that these three individuals who may enable STA to win the 6A state transferred there to wrestle. Kudos to STA to have a program that attracts student-athletes-wrestlers and an administration happy to accept transfers. But, this is not the same playing field that most schools are on.

Two points gutwrench:

1 — KSHSAA knows perfectly well who transfered, and inference that they didn't is silly.
2 — If a family moves a kid can transfer without penalty, which I believe was the case with Milsteads.

if you transfer for sports you sit out for 180 days whether you move or not. if you transfer for other reasons that sports you don't have to sit. that was the point i was making.

You mind showing us where in the rules of KHSAA it says those things?

I'm too lazy and more importantly, you're wrong.

trego's to poor to recuit even if it was a private school lol

Gutwrench,
as long as your family makes a bona fide move, there is no penalty. Who is the KSHSAA to say why the family moves, there is no way for them to know that, or even try to find that out.