Alex - Your example of the Kansas wrestlers placing at Fargo, Senior Nationals, etc.. does speak for itself, you are correct. We do have kids that are as good as many in the nation.

If you will take those names and research the years back in "out of state/national level tournaments, and on Kansas National teams" guess what you will see? A majority of those same names. Wonder how they continued to improve to the level of placing at Fargo? They started wrestling the best competition they could as early as they could - OUTSIDE THE FOUR CORNERS OF KANSAS.

Friday I went to the 1st day of the Eudora tournament. It was full of wrestlers that were on the middle school duals team(s) that my son competed in and was organized by Cokely. So, keep in mind, these are the Freshmen and Sophmores competing in a very tough tournament. The results were that these Freshman and Sophmores were very impressive. I beleive every single one of them placed in the top 4, and several were champions. They had already been exposed to top level competition, pressure, nerves, etc.. High school was less of an adjustment for them, and I beleive it allows them to perform at a higher level with far less "shock" at the experience/skill of the Jr.s/Sr.s.

While I dont agree with several of Will's proposals, I can tell you I do beleive he is dead-on on this one. You do get better finding the best competition whenever/wherever possible.

(And, actually is doesnt really even need a reply, but as far as wondering why he hasnt stated this wrestler is undeserving... even though you dont know him, I do know you and you are definitely smarter than that. I would suggest that there is NO-ONE that would not have supported this young mans selection, even "Lucifer" Cokely.)