Results are in, and the tourney was great as usual. Nate finished 4th, wrestled pretty well except his last match. Otherwise he wrestled a great tourney as did all of the Kansas Wrestlers. Thanks to Darren Young from WWC for helping coach in that final match alongside Nathan's old Oklahoma Kids Club Coach Rob Rogers. It just goes to show that we are all one big family.
It was great to see Kansas all together at the end. I was totally in awe at the support for Preston Weigel. He probably had more family to see him wrestle in Reno than we have ever had in our entire lifetime for Nate, I counted like 17 people there with Preston shirts and the whole bit. To see how his friends and family came out to support him was incredible. Dan Gentzler, what a man! Both of your son�s did a great job and I always enjoy your company. It was also great to be there cheering on all of the other kids from TOHK and other clubs from across Kansas. Just like the High School events this week, Kansas kids did exceptionally well for the numbers we had at this world class event with over 3,000 wrestlers from approximately 47 states and several foreign countries.
On a side note, notice has to also be given to two of Kansas Best. Mike and Steve are at so many national tournaments officiating it is unreal. We take for granted the overall quality officiating we have in our state, and these two are among the best in the country.
Twice now against Tony Ramos, a 2X trinity winner and 6X Cliff Keen All-Star, Nathan has had it come down to a very controversial ruling by an official. I have told him to do everything possible to keep it from coming to that but that is not always easy to do against a great kid, and Ramos is a great wrestler. The official at Reno was relieved of his duties after two calls in Nate's match against Ramos in the semi�s. The tournament director saw the calls and then had at least a 45 minute discussion with the official and head official after the match. The importance of a quality official is so important. I must say again, that Kansas has two of the very best, and most respected officials in the country and we don't give them enough respect. I think they officiate over 3,000 matches a year and you seldom, if ever, have controversy with them. I can't tell you how many people from across the country speak highly of these two men and the job they do. So, I would say not only great job, to all Kansas wrestlers this week, both on a high school and kids level, but great job to our officials.
