Posted on Fri, Oct. 05, 2007

Wrestlers to relocate in 2008

The Class 6A tournament will move to Koch Arena while the 5A heads to Hutchinson, then both will reunite at the Coliseum in 2009.

BY JOANNA CHADWICK
The Wichita Eagle

A 22-year run at the Kansas Coliseum for the Class 6A and 5A wrestling tournaments ended in February. The Kansas Sport, Boat and Travel Show occupies the Coliseum that weekend in 2008.

But it won't be gone for long.

Wichita State's Koch Arena will host the Class 6A tournament in February, while 5A will be at Hutchinson High. Both will return to the Coliseum in 2009.

Class 4A will be at the Salina Bicentennial Center for the third straight year -- before that it was at the Coliseum with 5A and 6A -- and 3-2-1A continues in Hays.

"We're thrilled to have 6A in Wichita, Kan., at a great venue," City League director Bill Faflick said."... It just so happened that both (Wichita State's) men and women (basketball teams) were out of town that weekend. We had a tremendous need and (WSU) stepped up and is filling it for us."

The KSHSAA looked at other arenas to host 5A and 6A -- together or separate -- but had issues. Some high schools didn't want to disrupt classes to host, others didn't have enough space or had parking problems. Then there was the problem of finding volunteers to run the tournaments.

"People may not understand how many behind-the-scenes people it takes," Musselman said."... It's no small thing to consider relocating."

© 2007 Wichita Eagle and wire service sources. All Rights Reserved. http://www.kansas.com

So is this a 1 year deal or is it set for several at this location?

24/7

The goal is to move 5A and 6A from the Coliseum to the downtown arena in Wichita when completed.

I think this is a slap in the face for 5a wrestlers, I have been to tournaments at the Hutch High school and yes it is a nice facilty , it is not a place to hold State wrestling. I think it isn't fair for the 5a wrestlers that work hard all year to be the only ones to have to settle for a High school location for State. I think this needs to be addressed imediately.

It is unfortunate for the 5A kids this coming year, but it appears to be for just one season. State should be State wherever it is.

That is easy to say if your not the ones spending State in a High School Gym while every other class in the State doesn't.

Why won't the 4A schools unite with the 5A & 6A schools? It was awesome when all three were together. I agree with love to win. It is a crappy deal for 5A and the person who caused the problem should be losing his job since our dollars are paying his salary. I still don't understand why 5A and 6A are not both in Koch. Four mats, two days, 448 wrestlers, it would be easy to make it work.

Agree, it would be great.

I agree a State Championship is a State Championship if its in a Coliseum, or a back room a some local Bar and Grill. However, for the most part these kids who make it to wrestle at State should be shown by the KSHSAA, and their school athletic directors, and who ever else has a hand in the decision making, of where State is to be held at. That this is something to be proud of, and show these kids the respect that they have worked their tails off for to be part of.
Most these kids have built friendships throughout their wrestling careers since a young age. For most the time 6A-5A-4A are wrestling each other during the corse of the season, and putting them all back together should be the way to go. To have the support from kids that you grew up with through the ranks, from the 6 and under to High School. Being there to chear you on, for allot maybe their last wrestling match of their careers. This I guess is something that the KSHSAA must not know or understand.
We all know allot of outstanding wrestlers and wouldn't it be nice to have them ALL in the same house again so we could see the Cotton's, Disney's, Elliots, this list could go on and an just to list a few, having their hands raised in their last High School match!

RJohnson

Well why not have it at the Sports Arena in Hutch? thats where they held the hutch kids club tournament back in the day.

Was Koch determined to be too small for 6A and 5A together? Wouldn't Hutch Sports Arena be big enough for both? Just wondered

I've got news that a new arena in Junction City should be completed by 2010. I hope that it would bring a central location for 4a,5a,and 6a to get back together.

Smoky Hill Market Place - Junction City

My last communication with the Junction City/Geary County Economic Development Commission (May 2007) stated the project was still undergoing a feasibility study. It was expected the feasibility study would be completed in the near future (date not provided). Upon successful completion of the feasibility study the process to secure financing will commence.

Long story short - if the arena is completed as currently designed it will not be large enough to host the event.

The good news is, if approved, the Smokey Hill Marketplace will host jackpot roping on all Tuesday nights.