I have contacted KTWU Channel 11 in Topeka to see if they would be interested in showing the 4A, 5A, and 6A State Wrestling finials. They have agreed to show the state finals in a highlited form sometime in March, along with the stations in Dodge City and Hays. I have contacted Holton High School,Seaman High School, and Washburn Rural High School about helping with the video production of the fiials, and they have agreed to do so. They will be doing the filming and the finial production for KTWU. As of now Jay Harris and Travis Phippen will do the commentary for 4A, Merrick Willes and Jerry Meier will do 5A and Don Vest will be doing 6A. I will post a date of when this will air on Channel 11.

I just wanted to say thanks to Mr. Phillips for everything that he has done for Kansas wrestling. I have wrestled at meets that he helped run and they were great. Like many others I have always wanted for our (4a,5a,6a) finals to be on TV,like the Hay's finals are. Hopefully it will work out well, and continue to work for years.
thanks,
Matt Weishaar

I would like to compliment Mr. Phillips for his work with Kansas wrestling. It is super that the Wichita finals will get some air time, even in a "highlight" format. Thanks for your work, Bob.
J. D. Hand
Ass't. Coach
Augusta H.S.

Thanks Bob!!!

Are you sure about Merrick? :-)

Mike Streit

I think it is great that wrestling is getting publicity like this. However does anyone know of a Wichita station that could get the finals on the air? Just a thought.

If you are talking about on TV is is rather expensive to show any KSHSAA event live. You have to pay KSHSAA a fee to show an event for the first 72 hr after the event. I think it is about $2,500.00.

I would also like to thank Mr. Phillips, he has done a lot for the sport of wrestling. I would also like to see the 3a finals since i wont be their. their is going to be some great matches.

Travis McBurney

3-1A finals have been televised for a number of years I dont know when or what station will be doing it, but they are normally televised.

Last year we had concluded our watching day 1 matches in Wichita and stopped by our motel before going out to eat. Live on TV were the semifinals (i believe) of 3-1A in Hays, it was awesome. I had seen 3-1A tape delayed before, but that was a first for me live.

The last few years we have watched 1A,2A,3A on channel 51 in Wichita.

For those of you that are not real busy and have some free time. Please contact KTWU Channel 11 in Topeka, either by e-mail or mail and thank them for showing the 4A, 5A, and 6A State finals on their station. I think is a great thing for wrestling in our area. Below is a internet address where you can send them comments of get their mailing address.

http://ktwu.wuacc.edu/email.html

ABC Television will once again be airing live coverage of the 3-2-1A State Wrestling Championships. I believe this will be the 8th consecutive year of coverage.

Colby's KLBY will again carry the coverage and, in the past, Garden City's KUPK, Norton's cable tv network and Wichita's channel 51 have also aired the coverage. I assume KUPK and channel 51 will once again carry the coverage, but doubt that Norton will since they moved up to 4A.

During the past three season's we have provided live tv coverage of the quarterfinals, semi-finals and finals. But ABC Kansas has cut us back to the semifinals and finals this year.

Rich Epp with host the coverage for his 8th season and I (Les Brown) will provide color commentary for the 3rd consecutive year.

This has been a huge success for NW Kansas and could be equally successful for the three other quadrants of the state. But ABC-Wichita has changed ownership a few times in recent years. The corporation that now owns the station is located on the east coast of the U.S. and, unfortunately, they are less than enthusiastic about pre-empting nationally syndicated ABC programming for a regional event like the Kansas H.S. State Wrestling Tournaments.

Of course, viewer input and advertising dollars play a role in this decision making process. So....if you are serious about wanting to see live coverage of Wichita's tournament, I would encourage you to unite and document prospective viewer support and, more importantly, potential advertiser support for the coverage. Once this is documented you could approach your local ABC Kansas affiliate and ask them to join the cause.

Tape delayed is nice, but live coverage gives our great sport the attention and support it deserves.

Good luck.

3-2-1A is also broadcast tape delayed by Smoky Hills Public Television. It has all the final matches and awards presentation. Video tapes also can be purchased from them. It makes a great keep sake. The only flaw is the color commentary. They aren't too good with facts. For instance last year they said Matt Pyle moved down from 4A and never placed in the state as a freshman. (He was the state 4A champion as a freshman) Just one example of the commentary but otherwise it is really great.