Speaking of numbers and rankings.

8 (4%) out of the 200 top ranked guys in Division I wrestling are from Kansas. That is not bad for a state that has less than 1% of the U.S. population. I think 10% of the NCAA finalist the last few years have Kansas on their High School Diploma. The coaches and the kids must be doing something right.

Rank/Name/Team/Year

125 pounds
1. Dubuque, Joseph, Indiana, Sr
2. Hazewinkel, Sam, Oklahoma, Jr
3. Simmons, Nick, Michigan State, Jr
4. Nickerson, Troy, Cornell, Fr
5. Scott, Coleman, Oklahoma State, So
6. Mendoza, Jeremy, Arizona State, Sr
7. Velez, John, Northwestern, Sr
8. Ott, Kyle, Illinois, Sr
9. Donahoe, Paul, Nebraska, Fr
10. Smith, Luke, Central Michigan, So
11. Gardner, Tanner, Stanford, So - From Kansas
12. Castillo, Pat, Northern Illinois, So
13. Mendes, Chad, Cal Poly, So
14. Sees, Mike, Bloomsburg, So
15. Sportelli, Chad, Kent State, Jr
16. Blanc, Obenson, Lock Haven, So
17. Silengo, Mike, Penn, Sr
18. DeVoe, Austin, Missouri, Sr - From Kansas
19. Clair, Sean, Eastern Michigan, Fr
20. Deubel, Ricky, Edinboro, Fr

133 pounds
1. Bunch, Shawn, Edinboro, Sr - From Kansas
2. Morgan, Nathan, Oklahoma State, So
3. Reiter, Mack, Minnesota, So
4. Fleeger, Chris, Purdue, Sr
5. Vasquez, Darrell, Cal Poly, Jr
6. Clum, Tom, Wisconsin, Sr
7. Valenti, Matt, Penn, Jr
8. Keller, Matt, UT-Chattanooga, Jr
9. Strayer, Jake, Penn State, Fr
10. Preston, Robbie, Harvard, Jr
11. Moos, Mark, Michigan, Jr
12. Borrelli, Jason, Central Michigan, Sr
13. Budd, Mark, Buffalo, Jr
14. McCormick, Tyler, Missouri, So - From Kansas
15. Jorgensen, Scott, Boise State, Sr
16. Mormile, Mike, Cornell, Sr
17. Vargas, Tommy, Cal State-Bakersfield, Sr
18. Hernandez, Andrae, Indiana, Fr
19. Flores, Gabe, Illinois, So
20. Humphrey, Reece, Ohio State, Fr

141 pounds
1. Gallick, Nate, Iowa State, Sr
2. Ware, Teyon, Oklahoma, Sr
3. Cooperman, Cory, Lehigh, Sr
4. Churella, Josh, Michigan, So
5. Simmons, Andy, Michigan State, Jr
6. Tsirtsis, Alex, Iowa, So
7. Tarquinio, Ron, Pittsburgh, Sr
8. Lang, Ryan, Northwestern, So
9. Moore, Derek, UC Davis, Jr
10. Markey, Sean, The Citadel, Sr
11. Driscoll, Dewitt, Penn State, Sr
12. Wooton, Josh, Northern Illinois, Sr
13. Rivera, Manuel, Minnesota, So
14. Griffin, Charles, Hofstra, So
15. Rader, Brandon, West Virginia, Fr
16. Meltzer, Max, Harvard, Jr
17. Hoffman, David, Virginia Tech, Sr
18. Moyer, Dominick, Nebraska, So
19. McCormick, Chris, Missouri, Sr - From Kansas
20. Ettelson, C.J., Northern Iowa, So

149 pounds
1. Schlatter, Dustin, Minnesota, Fr
2. Eustice, Ty, Iowa, Sr
3. Esposito, Zack, Oklahoma State, Sr
4. Tannenbaum, Eric, Michigan, So
5. Disalvo, Mark, Central Michigan, Sr
6. Storniolo, Matt, Oklahoma, Jr
7. Gillespie, Gregor, Edinboro, Fr
8. Masa, Jon, Hofstra, Sr
9. Withstandley, Douglas, Purdue, Sr
10. Jaggers, Jeff, Ohio State, Fr
11. Turner, Tyler, Wisconsin, Jr
12. Elliott, Daniel, Gardner-Webb, Sr
13. Woodall, James, Penn State, Sr
14. Grimes, Mike, Northern Illinois, Jr
15. Dragon, Matt, Penn, Fr
16. McKnight, Darren, Michigan State, Sr
17. Ciasulli, Matt, Lehigh, Jr
18. Medina, Joshua, Lock Haven, Sr
19. Cox, John, Navy, Jr
20. Baza, Anthony, Cal State-Bakersfield, Jr

157 pounds
1. Tirapelle, Alex, Illinois, Sr
2. Paulson, Trent, Iowa State, Jr
3. Schlatter, CP, Minnesota, So
4. Henning, Craig, Wisconsin, So
5. Lebe, Matt, West Virginia, Sr
6. Becker, Brandon, Indiana, So
7. Johnston, Joe, Iowa, Sr - From Kansas
8. Manotti, Dustin, Cornell, Sr
9. Stith, Brian, Arizona State, Jr
10. Cherrington, Ben, Boise State, Sr
11. Zinck, Derek, Lehigh, Sr
12. Luke, Steve, Michigan, Fr
13. Galloway, Nathan, Penn State, Jr
14. Ward, Kevin, Oklahoma State, Sr
15. Strouse, James, Hofstra, Jr
16. Hook, Tony, Oregon State, Sr
17. Martin, Seth, Lock Haven, Jr
18. Ervin, Scott, Appalachian St., So
19. Hill, Matt, Edinboro, Jr
20. Flanagan, Andrew, Harvard, Fr

165 pounds
1. Churella, Ryan, Michigan, Sr
2. Hendricks, Johny, Oklahoma State, Jr
3. Letters, Troy, Lehigh, Sr
4. Abdurakhmanov, Muzaffar, American, Sr
5. Baima, Nick, Northern Iowa, Jr
6. Pell, Matt, Missouri, Jr
7. Poeta, Michael, Illinois, Fr
8. Paulson, Travis, Iowa State, Jr
9. Nagel, Matt, Minnesota, Sr
10. Bracamonte, Joey, Oregon, Sr
11. Pitsch, Patrick, Arizona State, So
12. Erwin, David, Penn State, Fr
13. Blake, Ray, Stanford, Sr
14. Harwood, Marc, Nebraska, So
15. Anceravage, Steve, Cornell, So
16. King, Jarrod, Oklahoma, Fr
17. Donar, Jake, Wisconsin, So
18. Luedke, Eric, Iowa, Jr
19. Durkee, Will, Northwestern, Sr
20. Penn, Deonte, Edinboro, Jr

174 pounds
1. Askren, Ben, Missouri, Jr
2. Herbert, Jake, Northwestern, So
3. Perry, Mark, Iowa, So
4. Klein, Jacob, Nebraska, Jr � From Kansas
5. Patrovich, Mike, Hofstra, Jr
6. Cook, Ken, UC Davis, Sr
7. Boudro, R.J., Michigan State, Sr
8. Mason, Brandon, Oklahoma State, Fr
9. Yonushonis, James, Penn State, Jr
10. Palmer, Matt, Columbia, Jr
11. Roy, Nick, Michigan, Jr
12. Frick, Travis, Lehigh, Sr
13. Dretsch, Gabriel, Minnesota, So
14. Reynolds, Donny, Illinois, Jr
15. Roberts, Wes, Oklahoma, Sr
16. Flaherty, Kelly, Wisconsin, Sr
17. Herrington, Matt, Penn, Jr
18. Sinnott, Brandon, Central Michigan, So
19. Larson, Jeremy, Oregon State, Jr
20. Maurer, Blake, Ohio State, Fr

184 pounds
1. Glenn, Josh, American, So
2. Mazzurco, Joe, Cornell, Sr
3. Wissel, Benjamin, Purdue, Sr
4. Webster, Shane, Oregon, Sr
5. Backes, Kurt, Iowa State, Jr
6. Freidl, Pete, Illinois, Sr
7. Bradley, Eric, Penn State, Sr
8. Bradley, Paul, Iowa, Sr
9. Kish, Roger, Minnesota, So
10. Tamillow, Mike, Northwestern, So
11. Dollaway, C.B., Arizona State, Jr
12. Halsey, Ryan, Cal Poly, Sr
13. Jones, Vince, Nebraska, Fr
14. Jordan, Raymond, Missouri, Fr
15. Dyer, Justin, Oklahoma, So � From Kansas
16. Camargo, Alex, Kent State, Sr
17. Clemsen, Alex, Edinboro, Jr
18. Todd, Tyrel, Michigan, Fr
19. Sinnott, Christian, Central Michigan, So
20. Picazo, Alex, Ohio State, Jr

197 pounds
1. Michalak, Wynn, Central Michigan, So
2. Cerminara, Kyle, Buffalo, Sr
3. Padden, B.J., Nebraska, Jr
4. Rosholt, Jake, Oklahoma State, Sr
5. Flaggert, Joel, Oklahoma, Jr
6. Davis, Philip, Penn State, So
7. Rinaldi, Jerry, Cornell, Jr
8. Byrd, Tyrone, Illinois, Sr
9. Bader, Ryan, Arizona State, Sr
10. Delguyd, Matt, Northwestern, Sr
11. Phelps, Casey, Boise State, Sr
12. Richardson, Brady, Indiana, Sr
13. Goodman, Ryan, North Carolina State, Fr
14. Montiero, Matt, Cal Poly, Jr
15. Foust, Jeff, Missouri, Sr
16. Cassidy, Matt, Lehigh, Jr
17. Moore, Nathan, Purdue, Jr
18. Dashiell, David, North Carolina, Jr
19. Wright, Adam, Old Dominion, Sr
20. Hopkin, Reece, Northern Colorado, So

285 pounds
1. Konrad, Cole, Minnesota, Jr
2. Mocco, Steve, Oklahoma State, Sr
3. Wagner, Greg, Michigan, Sr
4. Velasquez, Cain, Arizona State, Sr
5. Garrett, Tanner, Navy, Sr
6. Faust, Mike, Virginia Tech, Sr
7. Hager, Jake, Oklahoma, Sr
8. Ogunwole, Bode, Harvard, Jr
9. LoPiccolo, Adam, American, So
10. Zarrinpour, Payam, Sacred Heart, Jr
11. Fox, Dustin, Northwestern, So
12. Nadolsky, Spencer, North Carolina, Jr
13. Gritter, Bubba, Central Michigan, So
14. May, Jon, Nebraska, So
15. Shovlin, Tyler, UNC Greensboro, Sr
16. Sherrell, Harold, Buffalo, Sr
17. Watterson, Ty, Oregon State, Jr
18. Fuller, Ryan, Iowa, Jr
19. Edwards, Joel, Penn State, Sr
20. Sapp, Joe, Northern Illinois, Jr

Oak Park is a great program, but they do not represent the whole state of Missouri.

I seriously doubt that gutwrench needs my help. However, I�ve included my thoughts written the day after the past several Metro Classics!

2005: �Final impressions! After last years lack luster performance, I will have to say that the Sunflowers gave a good accounting for themselves this year. We held our own in the lower weights but really struggled in the middle and upper weights. Why? The obvious reason is our lack of commitment to Freestyle and Greco Roman wrestling. Missouri middle and heavy�s had tons of summer accolades. Kansas handled the wrestlers with like credentials. Kansas struggled with those who had the extra mat time.�

2004: �The final team score was 7-50! Team Missouri was dominant on their feet, beating the Kansan�s in takedowns, 50 to 5. A lot has been make of the fact that the Showme�s had one-week longer since their State tourney. In my opinion, that is just an excuse. I don�t feel it has been an issue in the past and shouldn�t be one now! It seems that Missouri made a serious commitment to the event and we � sadly � did not! That argument only holds water if; we were loosing matches in the third period.

Putting that aside, Team Kansas was out-hustled and out-muscled, on the mat. The Showme�s were quicker, better technicians, and better wrestlers than we were. We gave up fifty (50) takedowns and only scored five (5). I am sorry, but that has nothing to do with conditioning. Team Missouri�s accomplishments were outlined in their bios, and they did not stop with folkstyle. The Showme�s had a breadth of experience in Freestyle and Greco. We had only a handful with the degree of experience Missouri had.

The bad news � we need to get better � in every aspect of our wrestling. The good news � we CAN get better. But it takes dedication of wrestlers and coaches alike.�

2003: �Final team score Missouri 39 Kansas 21. Impressions; as has been the case before, Kansas looked good at the lower weights, Missouri looked great at the upper weights. Missouri racked up their scores by earning bonus points; a major decision, two technical falls, and two falls.�

2002: �Kansas wins 33-19. A few surprises, a few upsets, and a few dominating performances. One factor was that, for the first time in this event, Team Kansas was led by high school coaches. Hats off to the Kansas team.�

2001: �Kansas wins 32 to 12. Overall, Kansas does appear to have improved their technique while on their feet, in contrast to a weakness that I have reported previously. Another point I must make is that now, with few exceptions, those competing from Kansas are honing their skills, wrestling during the Summer. It's quite obvious to me that USA Wrestling programs elevate the very good wrestler, into that elite status, a position previously dominated by Missouri. Yet, we still have a glaring weakness in my mind. That is, the shackling that the KSHSAA places on our scholastic coaches. Once again, the Show Me's were coached by High School coaches who know the individual talents and weaknesses of their wrestlers. The Kansans are coached by club coaches. Of course I do nothing but give high praise to Coach Kit Powell and Coach Eric DeYoe, but the deck does seem somewhat stacked given the rules differences in each state.

1999: �Final team score, Missouri 37, Kansas 19. Missouri was, once again, dominant on their feet. Their skills, developed in summer freestyle/greco programs, were clearly evident. Also evident were the apparent differences in the rules of each states high school activities associations. The Missouri bench was manned by the wrestlers regular season coach, who knew individual strengths and weaknesses. The Kansas high school coaches were cheering from the stands.�

Okay � I�ve had the privelage of attending all but one of these events. As you can tell by reading the above I, as well as gutwrench, have seen a glaring weakness in the abilities of Team Kansas. For the most part, on our feet, we are below the standards set my Team Missouri.
Just � fyi!

Dear Kansas ... We have been challenged by Gutwrench! A lot of us are very upset at what Gut has suggested. Is he right? History would say he is!

There is a saying, that if we do not learn from history, we are doomed to repeat it. There is another saying, that is, many people will doubt what you say but they can�t deny what you do.

If you don�t like Gutwrench�s bashing of Kansas wrestling � do something about it � and shut him up.

My opinion � we may be in for a long night! If you don�t like it � Showme!

Columbus sees some Missouri, and Oklahoma wrestling, and we hold our own. Two years ago we won the Claremore,OK tournament (pretty tough, cosmo has results, placed 4th this year). Also we routinely dual Seneca, Neosho, and Carl Jct, MO (Seneca and Neosho both state placers last year). We are undefeated in duals for two years now. By the way our enrollment is only around 275.

If anyone would like to come down to Southeast Kansas, I would be happy to show them some KS versus out of state wrestling.

Can we be better? Who couldn't, but we don't suck.

Randy,

No one is saying he is all wrong. But he should be concentrating his argument on the Metro side of Kansas and not including the entire state.

I think another thing is he would get a lot more respect from people and maybe an audience willing to listen if he would first identify himself and second tell us what specifically is he going to do about it other than railing about it and trying to shame the wrestlers into winning. Is he going to start a Kevin Klemm type freestyle club? To turn it around it is going to take a long term committment and action like that. Believe me all his ranting isn't going to change a thing. He needs to put some credibility to his rantings and plans for improvement by first coming forth with his identity and then by giving us his long term action plan that is going to change it. A plan that he is going to be an integral part of. Otherwise he is just a blowing in the wind.

I think you are probably wasting your time getting him to admit who he is, and I really don't see him being an integral part of the plan if he is planning on never posting again if KS gets withing 10 points of MO.

I guess I just don't get all hung up on identity. I look at the message. Is there a great deal of value in what he says?

Clearly, Gut has taken tactics that are a bit too negative for my liking. But he has outlined an action plan and proven to me, he is very knowledgeable and insightful. Of course my opinion of him is not shared by too many.

If his �blowing in the wind� tees off our Kansas boys, enough to do something about Missouri�s dominance over Kansas in this event � I say � thank you!

Well I would like to see us win it again too and I have not given up on it happening this year either. I just think though that his message has been given and now okay do something about it.

I do want him to identify himself only because I do want him to start actually becoming part of the solution. I think that is the only way he can taking a leading role in making it happen now. I think he wants it to change but if he knows as much about wrestling as he says he does then he also knows very well this is not going to just to change overnight because he is working up the coaches and high school wrestlers in the KC area of Kansas. The type of change that is needed is going to take some hard work and time. Kevin Klemm and the others did not build that East Kansas Club overnight into the powerhouse that it became.

I would like to see gutwrench do the same for Kansas City area wrestling as Kevin Klemm. Maybe he can join forces with young Conor Fitzgerald (a young man who is actually willing to roll up his sleeves and be part of the solution) at Olathe South in building up a new East Kansas freestyle dynasty. But then again that is a little more difficult than the typing I am doing right now. Isn't it?

Bronco,

Couple of points. We need to stop wishing what if and start wrestling. Its the METRO Classic. Kansas City Kansas Metro Area against Kansas City MO Metro Area. That's the competiton area..period. Heck, why not get the States of Kansas, Nebraska, and Iowa against KC MO. Wait, lets get FHSU aginst the KC MO.

Second. While Garcia and Mundy are two of the best in the state at 140lbs, so is the Metro's 140 lbs. Flynn beat Mundy twice this year.

Stop wishing and get behind the KC Kansas Metro Team.

Mike Flynn

Fact: There is 49 other states! Break it down more and I bet Kansas is in up toward the top!

Okay Mr. Flynn-

First things first, why compare apples to oranges, frankly the "METRO" area is not Kansas strongest area. However on the Missouri side it is, therefore you are not comparing the same level of wrestling, how many nationally ranked teams/wrestlers are in the "METRO" area, on the KS vs. MO side?

Honestly I'm not sure how FHSU would fair, but again lame attempt to make me feel stupid.

Monday? I haven't seen Lorenzo Monday wrestle, where was he from? Lorenzo Mundy however wrestles for Sante Fe Trail.

I meant nothing against Sean, he himself is a fine wrestler and has earned his spot there. I was instead talking in reference to Gutwrench's remarks about how bad Kansas is/possibly going to fair in the dual. I was just stating that the dual is not a fair comparison on the same level as Kansas's best wrestling does not occur in the "METRO" area however on the Missouri side it does. That was my point.

Alex Ryan

Many of you (I won't name names) are falling into Stenches little plan. All he wants is to be able to say, "Hey, I fired the boys up and they won" or "I told you so" if they loose, he's a glory hound. Think about it - he will never make a real difference in "anyone's" life because he's all talk. All you/us so called "sucky" coaches can and are making a difference. I could care less if KS (metro) team isn't as good as the MO (metro) team, that will come as we continue to work harder. Wrestling in it's popularity isn't as strong in the KS metro area as it is else where in the state, but it's catching on very quickly - it's only a matter of time. I would prefer to have stenches talk and so called "knowledge" utilized in actual matside coaching. If he's half the wrestler he claims to be, he would step up. But of course, all he does is talk and continue to hide behind his forum handle... Good luck KS boys!!

Lorenzo,

Sorry for misspellng your name. I will do 50 pushups on my lunch break.

Mike Flynn

How bad did Flynn beat Mundy?

RJW1,

As you know, Mundy is a stud. Flynn happend to have a better day twice this year. Both were close matches.

time for a daily gutwrenching rant....

God Bless Mr. Grater who was a KS wrestling giant and tirelessly worked to give so many kids exposure to our great sport. A lot of people in our community are sad and in debt to Mr. Grater's generosity and commitment to kids.

for the record.
Kendall Burke RYPC beat Romero Cotton in the finals of the Lee's Summit Tournament. So Cotton must have had 2 losses. Zahm you're beating SW Missouri and they are way behind the rest of Missouri. I'll give you that Columbus is a very well coached program. Smokey, good stats, as always. The KC Metro side of KS leads the way in top collegiate wrestlers from KS. But, some of those kids are beginning to graduate from college where's the next generation? On the hs level we're down to 2 ranked kids in 168 nationally. In addition to a few talented elite kids you got to have several hundred more "b" and "c" kids wrestling free/greco in the off season. It's up to you coaches to get them out. Lately, wrestling in Wichita and perhaps some other areas seems to be carrying the KS flag at hs national events but those hs teams can't setup and finish a shot either. The facts say folkstyle wrestling in the state of KS is down a bit and people are defending that with a lot of bologna. So, I'm sending a message. YOU GOT TO GO HARDER. YOU GOT TO GET BETTER. YOU GOT TO GO YEAR ROUND. That goes for more coaches and more athletes. And, I'm not talking to the people who already bust their butts. KS wrestling needs to step up and quit rusting on its laurels. I've heard that when the University of Missouri, the 7th ranked team in DI NCAAs, tries to put on a camp in KC/KS metro area they have trouble getting a hs room to host it and more than 50-80 kids to attend. That's pathetic. Do you think they'd ever wrestle a dual on the KS side like they did at Oak Park this year? I know they could not sell 1000 tickets in Johnson County. When people bring talent to town for clinics, the hs coaches sit on their butts. They don't call every kid on their team, talk with their parents and say get yourself to see Brandon Slay, Ben Askren, Joe Johnston, Tanner Gardner, Kevin Stanley, etc. Frankly, I was disappointed by the wrestling I witnessed at 5A/6A state, hardly a set-up and no clue how to finish a shot on the rare occasion they did get to the legs, lots of pitiful attempts at headlocks...sloppy stuff, gents. We have to get more skilled from neutral and from bottom. Hint: you have to attack from bottom it is not a defensive position. As Mr. Hinderliter has pointed out more kids need more experience wrestling freestyle and greco matches and traveling to a few nearby states. Who offers more to coaches or kids in the off-season than Mr. Hinderliter? He obviously loves KS wrestling. One result of us being out-worked is the Metro Classic. Others are the results I've shown you where our state champ teams and champions lose to nearby states. I'v laid down a challenge to those KC KS Metro boys. Make a liar out of me and I'll go away from this forum on March 8. Just keep it within 10 pts. or if Hurla beats Graham.

It's easy to post critiques and suggestions, once again - I'll ask you to help out the KCKS area! You know I once new a wise gentlemen that said, those who talk a big game often can't play the game. I post a challenge to you - as odd as that sounds - if your concerned with the level of coaching in KS, and truly want to help beyond simple words relayed from a book, then get off your hump and get to it! Maybe we can set up a gutstench camp at my school (I know my kids would be speechless with the opt.) Beyond that your a deterant with way too much time on your hands!

According to gutwrench's philosophy:

Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Hawaii, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Mississippi, Montana, Nevada, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Vermont, and Wyoming must have terrible coaches since they don't have any ranked wrestlers.

Arizona, Delaware, Georgia, Maryland, North Carolina, and West Virginia coaches must be horrible also since they only have one ranked wrestler.

New Mexico, North Dakota, Utah, and Wisconsin and Kansas are tied with 2 ranked. How do those coaches sleep at night?

HA! Good one James!