While checking out pictures of the JoCo Classic I noticed something that I just could not figure out. Several of the Athletes were holding $100 BILLS with their brackets. This brought up two questions for me.

1. Is Johnson County so wealthy that they were handing out $100 bills to the champions? If so, is this legal under KSHAA rules? It seems to me that this would make these athletes professionals and ineligible for participation in High School Sports.

2. Most of the Athletes were from Olathe North. Were these the hired guns that were recruited to win a State Championship? Were the $100 bills blood money they were paid to win?

Any insight that any one has would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Chad Beeson

They were throwing up the Johnny manzel money sign hand gesture after they won a match, pretty arrogant if you ask me. I didn't notice that they had the money until I looked at some of the pictures of the placers on the podium.

It seems I need to ammend my post. There was only one picture of a wrestler holding the $100 bill that I posted about. Coach Carroll called me last night and said as soon as he saw what was going on at the podiums he put a stop to it immediately. The right thing to do, Coach Carroll is a class act.

My post although aimed at the actions of Olathe North this weekend is intended for all of Kansas Wrestling. They just happened to be the group of kids acting the fool this weekend. Unfortunately it happens every weekend.

Wrestlers, especially those of you that come from High Profile programs or are High Profile wrestlers, Have some Class. People are watching you. You are under a microscope, and the more successful you are the more they zoom in with that microscope. Act like you know how to win, most of you have been winning for a long time. Throwing up the Manzel money sign, chest bumping opponents, throwing head gear, over celebrating, it all cheapens your win. Having your hand raised in most cases should be all the celebration a true winner needs.

"I don't want to give my opponent the satisfaction of watching me celebrate, which would make it look like a big deal that I beat him." - Brett Metcalf

I note you omitted hugging!

I just assumed EVERYONE KNEW it was Poor Sportsmanship to HUG an Opponent. Never Ever ever ever ever HUG an Opponent. The most disrespectful form of Poor Sportsmanship.

December 2011, TJ Stokes goes to the podium after winning his weight class at Johnson County Classic.

Standing there for the picture, TJ has his Bracket turned backward. Someone tells him to turn it around for the picture. TJ points to something written on the back and smiles. After the pictures, TJ goes to a classmate who happens to be disabled and in a wheelchair. He gives his bracket and medal to this young woman. The side facing the crowd stated "in honor of Lizzy my hero!"

That is a class act!