I have to say I was really upset when I heard State Wrestling would be on Thursday and Friday and I couldn't attend in person. Open Spaces Sports and Nex-Tech did a great job so we could watch it online!!! I did watch a little of it on Smoky Hills yesterday also!! Great Job to all of you!!!
Thanks!!

It was all great, except Smokey Hills needs new announcers, these guys don't even know wrestling well Rietchek does, the other guy I am sure was a basketball player

I thought it to be mediocre. They could have at least showed the wrestlers names and the bout score on the screen. In past years Smokey Hills did way better.

James Fisher
Cimarron, KS

Too funny Alex!! You can definately tell if someone doesn't know Wrestling!!! And they can't fake it!!

I agree, somewhat disappointing compared to year's past.

Let me begin by saying I appreciate the fact that the wrestling can be watched online, but as a former wrestler, 3-2-1a coach, and now as a fan I have to voice a few points of contention.
This is one of the most important times in any wrestlers lives, and I feel like if you are going to take on the responsibility of being an announcer, you should at least do some research before going on air (I used to do radio/TV, and this was a requirement for us). On "openspaces", the announcers constantly spoke about the seeds (they were not mistakenly talking of the rankings either). Numerous times they were mistified at how the seeds didn't pan out. THERE ARE NO SEEDS AT THE STATE TOURNAMENT. Due to this, they said that Lambotte (they said Lambottee)came "out of nowhere"...really...defending state champion, 30+ wins against 1 loss and ranked #1 in the all class rankings, out of nowhere (no research whatsoever, must not even be a fan if they don't know who he is). Pleasant Ridge, Fredonia, Doniphan West, and numerous other schools were mispronounced or misspoken altogether (Pleasant Ridge was called a number of different names by the same announcer over the 2 days).
I have stood on the floor as a coach readying wrestlers for the greatest experience of their lives in the 3-2-1a finals, and for years have cringed as the announcer of the finals line-up mangles their names, says the wrong names, or' as in Eric Albers case from Oakley, DID NOT EVEN SAY HIS NAME. I watched numerous wrestlers this year as a look of disappointment came across their face as their moment of glory was tarnished by this unprofessionalism. I have listened to it for years, feeling bad for kids, and hoping for improvement but it never comes. If this is all the better he can do...FIND SOMEONE ELSE!!

I don't want to hear what a tough job it is. It is too big of a responsibility to continue to muddle through. I know some of you will tear into me, and that's fine, but I just can't take it anymore...and yes, I would take on the responsibility to do the finals announcing (for those of you who will say, "Do you think you can do better?")
Sorry for my venting, just feel like the kids deserve better...I am off my soap box.
~John Steiger
(Former Oakley wrestler/Coach,former Leoti and Herington Coach)

I too found it disappointing that Eric's name wasn't announced.

I will second this! Fantastic coverage online by Open Spaces Sports and Nex-Tech! Also TV coverage by Smoky Hills!!!

Wow...I didn't even catch that Eric's name wasn't announced. Weak! I do know Johnson from Pleasant Ridge's (first) name was said incorrectly.

I totally agree...every year the same announcer stumbles through the names and wrestler bios. Get someone who knows the kids and goes through the script a little.

Oh...and Alex Ryan....I know where you live. I'm one of the few who knows where Monument is!

Let me just apologize now for my major mess up during Calvin Ochs' finals match regarding team scores. I had written down so many scenarios in an effort to be on top of it knowing that it was gonna be very close between Hoxie & Hoisington, & also knowing that mathematically Goodland was still in the hunt. Somehow I confused them. Im disappointed in MY finals broadcast, but thought Mike did a GREAT job!! Also thought the rest of our coverage was pretty solid, and that the entire SHPTV crew was on top of their game. Again, my bad, so bash me personally and not the crew, station, or coverage in general. I wasn't on the top of my game today.

Troy Reitcheck

Are you kidding? Came straight home and started watching it all over again. Great job!

Troy,
I certainly don't include you and Mike and the entire SHPTV crew in my previous rant...you guys were good as always. Don't sweat the team score thing...all of us who have poured over team scores over the years have made a few mistakes!

I didn't think you were attacking me John, but I've seen how some anonymous people act on here & I was sure it was coming. MAJOR embarrassment on my part after 14 years of covering wrestling, but I'll own it.

As far as the PA announcer I didn't notice the Albers thing tonight but I do recall him slaughtering Gable's award last year. I don't think I do it as often or as badly, but Calvin Ochs is gonna think I'm an idiot for life after tonight. I still have my finals PBS tape.

Troy & Mike you guys do a great job and I must say you too didn't look half bad all cleaned up in suits and ties. Thanks again for covering it for those who couldn't be there.

I think the rebroadcast is on at 1:30 for anyone who missed it, or forgot to DVR it!

when you mentioned Open Spaces Sports didn't even announce Eric Albers' name, I was wondering which broadcast you were listening to? I just went back to the archives on open spaces and listened to it and the announcers said Eric Albers name numerous times during his finals match and before his match.

What is being said is that the Colisuem announcer did not announce Eric Albers name; not the OpenSpaces announcers.

I watched the rebroadcast yesterday. That's true.