Steroid Use

OK so I am just going to put this out there. Don't name names please but as coaches, parents, and wrestlers, how prevalent do you believe steroid use is among wrestlers in Kansas? I had conversations with several 4A coaches this weekend and almost all of them knew or had suspicions of kids using. What could we do about it? I think the advantage it gives you as a wrestler is huge. THOUGHTS?

Crickets........

Oh I would venture to say it's definitely happening with some. I would also ask what could realistically be done about it? Schools can't afford or won't test for common recreation drugs so I don't see anything being done about potential steroid use, which I'm guessing is a way, way lower percentage than illegal recreational drugs.

Guess thinking big picture other than educating kids about it I don't see anything being done about it so not much of a discussion. Doesn't imply I don't care just probably not a big enough issue at this point to cause a major movement. Just my personal opinion.

Is Vandeventer your last name? I like to have names when people accuse others of something illegal. I know you can’t really name names in your accusations but at least put yours. That way we can put two and two together on who beat your son.

I would say as a coach if I knew one of my athletes was using steroids, I would first have a conversation with him and his parents about how it's not permitted, not healthy, etc.. etc.. and if there is continued use, dismissal from the team would be next. I do know some doctors prescribe HGH to kids to help grow, so in that situation, what can you do? It becomes an ethical issue, if coaches permit illegal use, they have to live with their decisions. There are a lot of situations in athletics that a moral compass should be able to guide us but a lot of parents, coaches, athletes, etc.. put winning above all else and that's not a good thing in the long run.

Walter Vandeventer is a very well-respected head coach for a high school program and a seasoned wrestling official who has mentored many younger officials over the years. He talks a lot of smack during seeding meetings, but other than that, he's a pretty stand-up guy.

Just seeing if he was a mad parent. Many times people accuse others when baby boy gets beat. No doubt he is a stand up guy.

Yes Vandeventer is my last name. I would never post anything on here anonymously. Probably should not have written the post in the first place. I just don't get to see a lot of the state and classes. Wanted to see if it was a concern for others. If so I think we could get the state to address it. Trust me the last thing I want to do is look at one more cup of pee. I believe one of the Topeka Schools has mandatory tests for athletes. Is that true?

Ha, Walter and whiney are polar opposites! I pick him first in dodgeball!!
I’ve ever had a kid that I thought was using steroids. I’ve had teams where I have suspected drug use. I called every parent on the team and sent paperwork home to e sure I had written acknowledgment from each parent. Slowed things down in a hurry. Whole different story on any opposing team though.

Walter is a sissy in case u all were wondering🤪

Agree with Coach Bovaird. Coach Vandeventer is a stand-up coach and official. There is a lot of speculation on that this topic and has been for years in all states and at all levels of wrestling. Is it worse now than in my era hard to say.

Now that I know the post is serious and not a whiny parent. Lol. Not sure what you can do about steroid use. I know this for sure , if my sons head coach suspected it he would put a stop to it. You would hope that all high school coaches would put a stop to it. It would be pretty obvious if one of your wrestlers all the sudden got big.

Many young kids today have the advantage of prescribed HGH which is the BEST steroid out there. These kids are documented and how would you are could you exclude them?

A bigger issue to me are kids that are on HGH and cutting weight???? That, to me, is just plain STUPID!! If you are on HGH you should not be cutting weight. The documented deaths in the 90's took place when kids were on Creatine and cutting weight. If you are telling your body to get bigger (which is what puberty is doing) and then working in direct conflict by cutting weight you are going to have negative results.

I hate the rumors and speculation that surround this topic. Everyone who goes through puberty has a surge of testosterone, naturally. Some more than others. Some earlier than others. I think there are much more important topics that should be addressed.

I think Will hit the nail on the head. How do you exclude kids based on suspicion? What if they deny it? Until there is mandatory testing (which i am not in favor of) there is nothing to be done. I would hope whatever they are doing they don't put their health at risk.

In America we should never exclude anybody upon suspicion. We should ALWAYS inform somebody that might be able to help the kid! That might be a coach, parent, family member or administration, or in some cases even the police.
There are so many scenarios where kids get in over their head and they desperately want help, but they have no idea who to turn to. That is our job. Help the kids, let somebody know who can help.

Well my family shows livestock for our hobby in the spring and summer and if we win at the state fair they take a pee test from them and check for drugs and steroids because there are people who cheat! I think they should do the same with all state placers! Make them pee in a cup and then the steroid use will quit! It is a pretty simple!

So what about the kids prescribed to take HGH? Who is going to pay for these "pee tests"? How do you REALLY know there is steroid use going on? I believe most of this is pure speculation and a complete lack of education on what can happen organically. What about kids using supplements? I know a NCAA athlete who received a ban for taking an antibiotic that, unknown to him, had a steroid on the PED list. This is a slippery slope. I don't think there is a problem, honestly.

Our High School does drug test all of our student athletes randomly. I'm not sure how many other schools do this. Our district feels that it is worth the cost, if nothing else it may give kids an excuse not to try drugs at least during the season . I don't ever remember anyone testing positive for steroids, mostly other recreational drugs and nicotine.

Aaron Dirks
Scott Community High School

I am guessing your property taxes go up every year too.