There is a tremendous amount of work that goes into hosting a tournament. Let alone the amount or work that goes into hosting an emotional event like Districts. Things were organized well both by the Ottawa Wrestling Club and the District 1 Tournament/Bracket Makers/Medal Awarders/State Sign-Up Crew, which by-the-way are some of the best folks I know in the Kansas Wrestling Family!

The addition of the extra mats created a better wrestling environment for the wrestlers. It also helped with the time problems we have had in the past as we were done by mid to late afternoon, which has to be a record. Things were much better than in 2003, and I think our kids benefited from the extra efforts on everyone's part!

On Sunday, we had a chance to be a part of the 6&Under "State Championship" tournament hosted by the Ottawa Wrestling Club. Again, things were organized, the concessions were top-notch, and Rick Croucher and the Ottawa crew did a super job of running a kid-friendly tournament and did the "extra" things to make this tournament a neat experience for kids from all over Kansas.

I can only imagine how tired the coaches and parents of the Ottawa Mat Masters must have been Sunday evening after a long 3 days of work, plus weeks of preparation.

Thanks for giving our Burlington Mat Cats the opportunity to do be a part of 2 great tournaments and to have many great wrestling experiences this past weekend!

Doug Vander Linden
Burlington Wrestling Club