Swayz --

I think that might have been the Sunflower games where Karnowski blew his knee out. I'm pretty sure that injury happened right before he was going to college to play football (Highland maybe?). I remember seeing him getting carried out on a stretcher and then I talked to one of his teammates (they both would work out from time to time up at Washburn Rural for freestyle practices that summer).

Of course, I could be wrong.

Wow there are so many people who have profound influences on me as a wrestler then and as an official now.

Without a doubt the two individual most responsible for my sucess as a wrestler where my kids club coach Kirk Gable whom I have extreme respect for. He was there with me practicing during the summer months every year and never gave up on me.

And then of course my high school coach Bill Christner who has already been mentioned once before in this forum. Having spent the better part of 7 years around Coach Christner, I could have never imagined how much I could have learned from him. He is without a doubt the most classy coach I have ever known, and I'll be enternally thankful for being under his guidence.

But I can't forget the other coaches that helped me along as well. Dave Robinson, Terry Thorson,Pat Flynn,James Stout, Tim Lytle, and Shane Palmer.

Bob I think that was the next year or the year prior. I remember Karnowski finished his match. Speaking of Karnowski if you all are ever in Manhattan go to Aggieville's Crazy Dave's Herp Shack he owns that store which has all sorts or wild animals to buy.

Scaly Dave's has two coatimundis. It's some weird monkey/raccoon/dog combination that spends all day in it's little tree. It would be a pretty sweet mascot for any new school being built...

They also have turtles and hedgehogs, just in case you guys were looking for weird animals.

What a great topic! I hope it is appropriate for me to respond. Being a father, who never wrestled (except in grade school), but raised two sons who wrestled, I have an extreme admiration and respect for those individuals who give of their time to build the future minds (and bodies) of our youth. My sons wrestled in the KC Metro area and we met many, many coaches who were very influential. Coach Eller of Miege, who brought a 160lb female to a JV tournament and was so proud of her effort and courage. Coach Carbajo (sorry if spelling is wrong) of Spring Hill, who cared so much for his kids OFF the mat. Coach Hill, asst at SMNW, with his intensity and passion, always kept up with the kids. Coach Klemm, with the East Kansas Club, who pushed you to your limit and always praised first, then praised some more.

But Coach Scott Bacon was the very best and most influential of all the coaches we encountered. He quoted from Hebrews about "Run to Finish" and "Dare to Dream". He founded the Johnson County Classic, arguably the best holiday tournament in the State. I remember a post-season banquet, following a team State championship, when he put his arm around a struggling freshman wrestler, who just finished his season at 0-17, all losses by pin and talked about him as if he were a state champion. Always building you up to exceed your own expectations.

Coach Chris Paisley was/is the most instructional coach we ever encountered. His knowledge of technique and ability to teach were limitless. His tenacity and discipline were legendary, all for the good of all who came into his shadow.

Superiorsteve, of Steveville, is the person I have grown to respect for his inspiration. Although we have gotten to know the Superior one after wrestling, I have never met a man who dedicates himself more to the betterment of all those around him. He is a caring, decent, positive influence on young and old, alike. You have seen his touch demonstrated in this forum time and time again. Always leaves you better than he found you and geniunely cares about everyone.

Tony Fiscus is a great coach and a better man. He helped me mature as a coach and person while I was his asst. @ Fredonia High School this past year. Thank you Tony!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I have to admit that without my high school coaches I probably wouldn't be nearly as good as I am today. Coach Johnson, Coach Vogel, and Coach Cooper all gave me different tools that when put together, helped me become a very successful wrestler. And not only did they make me a successful wrestler, they helped me become a good person too. And that's what makes a great coach I think. It's not just the skills they teach you, it's everything they teach you.

hard to believe that no one has mentioned Gable at St Francis, Welton at Goodland and Garden City, or Baker from Hoxie, likely those three would have as many individual and team champions as any three guys I can think of, Baker has not been in the game long enough to have many coaches out there, but there are a BUNCH of guys coaching in Kansas today that were out of Gabel or Welton's corner. Once in a while you see a program that exhibits a high level of skill in its wrestlers that doesn't allow for the "tough guy "image where you see a bunch of shoving around on the mats edge, or obscene gestures or language after the match,etc. and the coaches of those programs are the ones that I have respect for. It is possible to be really good without being a total jerk to everyone around you, but some coaches seem to attach little importance to that. In my view, character is as important as skill, and it has been my experience that it is very difficult to instill that as a coach or parent. Those who are succesful at that, I rate as the best coaches.

I'm glad Ryan posted this topic, because it gives us a chance to thank those individuals that molded us into the men we have become. I can only hope that we have conducted ourselves in a manor of which you can be proud. I hope its not too sappy, but it’s a great opportunity to say “Thanks Coach!”

Bill Christner - Is tops on my list. Just being in the same room with this man, makes me want to be a better person. As a young assistant at a struggling school, I admired the strength, attitude, and confidence displayed by the Abilene wrestlers. I love the way that Bill celebrated victories with his kids. He was not happy and he did not celebrate because he had accomplished something great; He was truly happy for the success that his young wrestler just achieved. He was happy for the kid, not for the result. And on the opposite end of the spectrum, he would share the pain of defeat with that young man. He would do anything to take the burden of hurt onto himself if possible. He is a religious man guided by a genuine concern for others. He always had a way of making me feel important. Without knowing it, you have given me the gift of realizing that the kids are most important. Thanks Coach.

Lee Keffer - As my first coaching boss, he taught me so much about the fundamentals of wrestling. Its such an easy sport to master. KISS IT, keep it simple stupid. A single, A double, A high crotch mixed with some foot speed and a lot of pushups and its amazing what you can accomplish.

Coach Schmiedler - Lincoln High School - A good coach, but a better man. It took some time to get to know him, but he is genuine and honest and he says what he means.

Jimmy Renfo – Some of you may know him as Joe’s older brother. He makes my list because he always reminds me that this job is supposed to be fun. Come on Jimmy, what’s wrong with blue hair?

Jim Mosely - Makes you feel like the most important person in the world, when he talks to you. He is truly concerned about you the human being.

Lastly, there are a few coaches that work in a demanding basketball conference called the MCAA but have managed to stake out a fair share of the claim with little recognition. Dave Corns of Haven is a great guy to be around. Scott O’Hare is one of the hardest working coaches I know. Jack Thaw of Halstead has forgotten more about wrestling and more importantly about life than I’ll ever know. And Doug Broadfoot of Hesston is one of the most calm and collected guys that I know. I admire these guys for two reasons: They take what life, enrollment, and lack of interest throws at them and they have turned out a quality product; and they were a classy group of guys to work with these past two years.

Jason Halling

Best High School Coach- Brook Medrano
Best Kid Club coach- my dad(Doug Malay)
Best motivational coach- Myron Flax(football)
Besat knowleged coach- Doug Malay

Best High School Coach- Brook Medrano
Best Kid Club coach- my dad(Doug Malay)
Best motivational coach- Myron Flax(football)
Besat knowleged coach- Doug Malay

Since it was mentioned, when I was young I always admired the coaches of the NWKL. Buzz Matson,Bill Pickenpaugh,Rocky Welton,Gus Garcia,Jake Durham and I am sure I have missed many more.
I occasional see there names mention here in on the forum,that tells me that they are respected by many young and old.
I get a kick out of hearing how these men left there schools and maybe helped out another school become famous with there wrestling programs....I am also amazed how many indivuals that came out of these programs to become great coaches.

Shane Miller, former head coach of eureka, the most inspirational and knowledgeable man ever known to the sport of wrestling.

I would like to mention my high school coach Ken Jones from Columbus in this topic. He was a great motivator as well as one of the most successful coaches in 4A wrestling. Wow...if im 35 how old does that make him??? haha just kidding Thanks Coach Jones!

Seeing Coach Bottorf on here reminds me of the fact that for a good 2 years while I was at Butler he opened the room to me to work out with the Circle wrestling team. He was a great ally on keeping me involved with the sport and what helped me to move back to wrestling in college.

Bottorf, I didn't know you wrestled for Jones. I was there his first year when he took over for Thompson. We won Regionals at Paola, that year. Seems like a long time ago. (It WAS!!!!). Still remember my team mates like yesterday, and the practices. That old room and the Steam Radiators.

Larry Tilton

my biggest influence was coach ken piaza who used to coach for beloit i never wrestled for him.he was gone before i reached high school.
he was my pe teacher in grade school i was always picked on in grade school and he told me to keep my head up or he always had some thing encouraging to say to me and it lifted my spirits
that is why to me he is one of the greats in kansas wrestling and he should be in some kind of wrestling hall of fame if kansas has a wresling hall of fame he would have my vote

Coach Dulgarian From Lawrence is a great influence i mean he just works w/ every one he does great things he sat out going 2 rosehill to go to JV League, and he wanted our assitant coach to get to go back home.

Also Dewitt (Eudora) & Harris (Baldwin) are great motivational coaches, they both are able to get the whole town in to the sport of wrestling. which is always great when u have community support.