I would like to thank the: Bazan's, Beeson's, Buckbee's, Butler's, Deshazer's, Dryden's, Gate's, Green's, Gowin's, Hitchcock's, Koelzer's, Minor's, Murray's, Nirshl's, Phippen's, Pirl's, Priddy's, Spangler's, Strait's, Steele's Stickelman's, Turner's, Ward's, West's (and many more I could not list) of the wrestling world.

These young men were always pushing my son to be the best that he could be, ever since he started wrestling with the Junior Viking's at 5 years old. Dawson will be taking off his wrestling shoes for the last time after the State Tournament this year, as he has accepted an appointment to the Naval Academy. There he will run cross country and track with the midshipmen and pursue a degree in Engineering. I truly believe wrestling shaped my son into the 4.3 GPA student and dedicated 4 year letterman in Cross Country, Wrestling and Track.

Dawson has wrestled 663 matches (yes I kept track) with a 78% winning record and currently has a 142/38 high school record. I wish him the best of luck this weekend and more importantly, I wish him the best of luck in life.

Special thanks to Mark Stanley and the Junior Vikings Kids Club, and the Seaman High School coaches, Kelly, Ray, Horgan and Elliot for the hard work and dedication that they give every day to wrestling.

David Podlena
Wrestle, Respect, Remember

Wow!! That is so awesome!! Lots of great matches with Pod. Go getem this weekend!!!!

Thank you for the kind words. We have enjoyed the competition and friendship over the years. Best of luck to Dawson this weekend and in his future. He will do great things.

Pod, thanks for the kind words. He is an awesome young man who gives his all no matter what he is doing. I wish him nothing but the best this weekend and in LIFE.

Great kid and great family. Make your luck this weekend Dawson!

Jayson has met a lot of great kids through wrestling including your son, Dawson! Jayson and Dawson have some great battles over the years. Congrats on the Navel Academy and good luck this weekend at State.

Thank you! We will sure miss wrestling and the friends we have made along the way. When my husband and I helped Eric Akin and Travis Phippen manage East Kansas Wrestling Club we were able to be more actively involved with this great sport! We've watched a lot of young boys become great men through the years! I couldn't agree more with your words about the competition along the way and the push to do better and be better. This weekend is bittersweet as this will be our last wrestling tournament too. Dylan plans to attend K-State for pre-medicine. Good luck to Dawson this weekend and with his future endeavors!

Melissa Gowin