Posted on Thu, Jan. 22, 2009

Campus ascending again

BY MATT BROWNING
Wichita Eagle correspondent
To say the least, it has been a challenging 10 years for Campus wrestling coach Travis Bourn.

When he took over in 1998, there were only 10 wrestlers in the program -- three of them heavyweights. It was nearly impossible to compete for team titles at the area's more competitive tournaments.

While it was certainly a difficult task to build the program to championship caliber, Bourn never shied away from it.

"Our first task was to lay down the foundation -- the philosophy we were going to take," he said. "We knew we were going to take baby steps but we persevered through it."

Bourn and his staff started to enjoy the rewards for their hard work in 2003, when the Colts finished fifth at the Class 6A state tournament. They followed that up with a second-place finish in 2004 and a fourth-place finish in 2005.

Then came another rebuilding project, as that group of wrestlers graduatd.

"We knew we were going to have to do what we did in 1999 all over again," Bourn said. "But we hung in there and now are back on the right track."

The Colts made a significant jump in 2007. The goal for this year's team was to get back to the top 10 in the coahces rankings. Campus is No. 7 in the Kansas Wrestling Coaches Association's latest poll.

For the first time since 2005, the Colts won a tournament, taking the North Dual Invitational.

There is a core group of four wrestlers that the team is built around. Junior Dalton Miller is ranked No. 2 in Class 6A at 112 pounds, sophomore Cody Beasley is No. 3 at 119, sophomore Jason Harper is No. 3 at 125 and senior Brandon Reif is No. 2 at 189.

"I think our guys really work hard in the offseason," Bourn said. "Some of them play other sports but I know they are always doing something to make themselves better."

Taking that next jump to being a contender at state may not come this year, especially with a regional that includes Goddard and Maize. But with a young team, Bourn says the Colts are taking one more "baby step" this season in order to become even better next season.

"Success breeds success," he said. "The guys are more focused and are more confident. Hopefully we can keep getting better and peak later in the year."

Its Great to see they have another Great assistant coach in the room. Campus wrestling has been in a slump since their old assistant decid.ed not to return. I am glad to see the change and winning back on track.

i think it is funny the first year they get dryden they do way better.

grant it the wrestlers are better, but coaching can make a huge difference. Dryden is a huge difference.

Great for Campus. The article by Matt Browning was nice but Campus isn't the only school that would fall in this area. There are many schools going through the same thing and are smaller in classification, with less wrestling members and fewer ranked members.

Goodland is again having an outstanding season and they are only 3A. They won the Hays tournament where Campus was at last weekend. Goodland 169 and Campus 115.

sounds like somebody is jelous?

Not to be a hater, A.K.A prick, but the article was in the Eagle wasn't it? That is the Wichita Eagle isn't it? Campus is in Wichita isn't it? How many Eagle subscribers do you think there are in Goodland? Congratulations to both teams though.

What happened to Campus?

1. Goddard
2. Derby
Wichita Heights
4. Junction City
5. Wichita NW
6. Manhattan
7. Maize
8. Olathe East
9. Olathe North
10. Olathe South

They are #11 by 2 points.

These are the next 5 ranked teams in 6A:

11. Wichita Campus - Just 2 points behind OS
12. Garden City
13. Lawrence
14. BV Northwest
15. Blue Valley

I want to add a little something here...
2003 Ryan Hartley started coaching the Haysville Kids Club and about a year or 2 later Scott Schroeder came in and started to assist him.
They have had a very active part in the development of all those guys listed above.
Since then there has also been a building relationship between the kids club, middle school, and high school program.
I think a good kids club has a big part in a successful HS program!

THERE'S MORE TO COME!!!

Being in the Haysville school district, we LOVE the fact that Jim Dryden is now active in the program. I hope the AD is smart enough to keep him around for the long haul.

And this should not be overlooked, as a feeder program is becoming one of the biggest keys to a great HS program! If you're able to start a kicking Kids program and RETAIN those kids through MS and then the mine-fields of HS, you're setting yourself up for great times come their Soph/Jr/Sr years!!!

Ryan Hartley, Scott Schroeder and all the other parents and coaches of that Kids program should stand up and take their rightful bow and be given their due props for planting the seeds of the fruit of Campus right now...