Anyone have any kind of results for Labette/Neosho/Colby's regional? I know Bob Phillips son is wrestling up there, so I thought maybe he might have some info. Let me know. Go Cardinals!

Go Trojans!

Trojans Qualify Ten

The Colby Community College wrestling team earned the West-Central Regional Championship this past weekend at Rock Springs, Wyoming and, in doing so, qualified their entire varsity line-up for the NJCAA national tournament.

Nine Trojan wrestlers earned automatic tournament berths by virtue of their top three finish at the meet and a tenth was able to procure a wildcard entry into the national tournament.

The Trojans finished the meet with 100.5 team points, which was comfortably ahead of second place Northwest Wyoming�s 79 point tally. Labette placed third, Neosho fourth and tournament host, Western Wyoming, finished fifth.

Earning tournament championships for the Trojans were Erkin Tadzhimetov at 133 pounds, Muzaffar Abdurakhmanov at 157 pounds, Alibek Pardakulov at 174 pounds and C.B. Dollaway at 184 pounds. Tadzhimetov, Abdurakhmanov and Dollaway are each ranked as the NJCAA�s top wrestler in their respective weight class. Pardakulov is currently ranked sixth, but has defeated Labette�s top ranked Aaron Meister on two occasions, including a 10-5 decision in the championship finals on Saturday.

Placing second at the meet for Colby were O.T. Johnson at 149 pounds and Rio Mayo at 285 pounds. Johnson, currently ranked second, lost a one point decision to fourth ranked Luke Salazar of Northwest Wyoming. Mayo is not currently ranked, but had a superb outing at the qualifier.

Third place medalists for the Trojans were 125 pounder Davey Dyke, 165 pounder Roshawn Haldarov and 197 pounder Derek Daugherty. Dyke is currently ranked fifth in the NJCAA poll, while Haldarov is ranked second. Daugherty, who was thrust into the varsity line-up after Christmas due to injury, had an outstanding outing and surprised the competition with his national tournament berth.

Meanwhile, the NJCAA�s top ranked 141 pound wrestler had to rely upon his reputation to gain entry into this year�s national tournament. Returning NJCAA All-American, and Oberlin product, Bryan Miller had compiled a 19-1 record against junior college competition this season, but went 0-2 on the day in what may have been the most competitive weight class at the regional.

Despite his sub-par outing, Miller was awarded a wildcard entry into this year�s national tournament. Ironically, Miller went winless at last season�s regional tournament too before securing a wildcard berth and going on to earn All-American honors.

The NJCAA�s top ranked Colby Trojans will now compete for team and individual honors at the NJCAA national tournament in Rochester, Minnesota on February 28th and March 1st.

That's great for Colby! but I don't know about Kansas

These guys: Erkin Tadzhimetov, Muzaffar Abdurakhmanov ,Alibek Pardakulovat, Haldarov are all Kansas natives right?

Go Labette!!

Ask Coach Renfro (who, by the way, is doing an outstanding job this season) how he would react to the following situation before you pass judgement.

Lets say that its late June / early July and Renfro has busted his tail recruiting but has been snubbed by nearly everyone on his list of area athletes - plus a local product who earned All-American honors has just informed you of his intent to leave early for greener pastures in NCAA DI. He is certainly looking at two, likely three and maybe four empty weight classes.

Then he gets a phone call from a world class athlete who had been ranked as the nation's best NCAA DII 125 pounder and his teammate - who placed sixth at the Midlands - who ask if they and two of acquaintances can come to Labette to wrestle.

What's he do?

They have about as much Kansan blood in them as Lassen's Vougar Ourdjav or Richardis Paulikonis had Californian. Or NW Wyoming's Robert Roskeiwicz had Wyoming. Or North Idaho's Alain DeJoumesi had Idaho. Or Neosho's Bogdan Ciufulescu, Aurel Ciufulescu or Dan Lungu had Kansan. Or Garden City's Gabe Mendez had Kansan........

Or for that matter as much Kansan blood as do the numerous Oklahoma and Missouri recruits that frequent Labette's roster each year.

Plus each of the four are aged 22 and under, which can't be said for most of those listed above.

I suspect Joe would have done the same thing.

Take a look at Colby's All American list. They have as many Kansans on there as any other school has. And Lampe is as conscientious as anyone about recruiting homegrown talent. There just were not many quality seniors out west this year and the ones he did recruit told him no.

Just so happened this year that Lampe got a timely phone call that took him from a national tournament also ran to a title contender.

Not to mention each of the four are solid citizens who are working hard to gain a post secondary education.

Good Luck to all of Labette's, Neosho's and Colby's athletes - whether Kansan born or not, as they are still representing our great state at NJCAA nationals.

Just referencing bornbad's comments regarding the lack of a Kansas flair to Colby CC's regional championship team. And if you want to split hairs in a technical sense, international students are no less foreign to Kansas than out-of-state athletes - none of them are paying in state tuition are they?

A lot of folks have chosen to ridicule this year's team instead of marvel at their ability. And as a huge supporter of Coach Lampe's program I am, understandibly, tired of hearing that.

Yes, the kids are from Uzbekistan. And, you are right, I have nothing to support their age except except their governmental documents and exit papers from Uzbekistan and Steve Lampe's belief therein. But, not that it matters as the NJCAA does not have an age restriction.

With the NCAA's rule limiting the age of DI athletes to 27, the landscape at the junior college level has changed. Now not only are you dealing with DI caliber talent forced to the junior college level by prop 48 rules, but you are seeing more and more international students joining the ranks, so that they can come to America and use their talent for personal betterment and the privilege of a college education. What used to be a novelty is now quite common, as many juco teams now sport international talent. Although it is unusual to see international talent at an age comparable to the typical college student - which is what Colby has this year.

Their arrival has been good in other areas besides wins too, as their teammates at adjoining weight classes are being exposed to techniques and styles that will only make them more competitive as they further their careers.

And the multi-cultural diversity that they have experienced first hand. The roster of individuals that at the start of the season were separated into two distinct groups have developed a sense of unity and pride - talk about a real life skill that is relevant long after a wrestling career is finished!

Plus the international athletes have been given a real education on mat wrestling by their American counterparts - Oberlin native Bryan Miller can absolutely ride them into the ground. Not to mention the benefit that college sponsored clinics and exposure these role models have provided for the local youth wrestling programs.

I guess after having watched Jack Dennis and Matt Murray compete well - and occassionally win - against international talent, I stopped caring about about the apparent lack of equity and began enjoying the sport at an elite level in which I could have never seen otherwise.

Plus, ask Ryan Phillips how it felt to defeat an international athlete en route to the regional title he won last weekend. Certainly would have to be a bit more noteworthy to tell folks that he pinned a member of the Uzbekistan senior freestyle team than just telling them he beat a two time state placer from Wyoming!

No offense taken on this end and I recognize that I am undoubtedly biased on the issue. But, I noticed Kansas kids were just as capable of beating international athletes as they were anybody else - they just have to work a little harder to do it. But, then again, thats what its all about, isn't it?

I don't think anybody who knows how much time and effort Lampe has put into promoting wrestling at the JUCO level is too disappointed that he finally caught a break. I do know from experience that his first and foremost priority is to recruit the best kids from KS. But as Les mentioned, most kids tell him no. I don't know of any coaches who would turn away good kids that want to be a part of your program. Les mentioned a few names from the past that brought back memories. I still remember the good old "you're not in Kansas anymore" welcome to college wrestling that I received from Gabe Mendez (Garden City). Regardless of whether or not the guy spoke any english, it was great to have the opportunity to wrestle somebody who was that good.