Posted on Thu, Jan. 22, 2009

Campus ascending again

BY MATT BROWNING
Wichita Eagle correspondent
To say the least, it has been a challenging 10 years for Campus wrestling coach Travis Bourn.

When he took over in 1998, there were only 10 wrestlers in the program -- three of them heavyweights. It was nearly impossible to compete for team titles at the area's more competitive tournaments.

While it was certainly a difficult task to build the program to championship caliber, Bourn never shied away from it.

"Our first task was to lay down the foundation -- the philosophy we were going to take," he said. "We knew we were going to take baby steps but we persevered through it."

Bourn and his staff started to enjoy the rewards for their hard work in 2003, when the Colts finished fifth at the Class 6A state tournament. They followed that up with a second-place finish in 2004 and a fourth-place finish in 2005.

Then came another rebuilding project, as that group of wrestlers graduatd.

"We knew we were going to have to do what we did in 1999 all over again," Bourn said. "But we hung in there and now are back on the right track."

The Colts made a significant jump in 2007. The goal for this year's team was to get back to the top 10 in the coahces rankings. Campus is No. 7 in the Kansas Wrestling Coaches Association's latest poll.

For the first time since 2005, the Colts won a tournament, taking the North Dual Invitational.

There is a core group of four wrestlers that the team is built around. Junior Dalton Miller is ranked No. 2 in Class 6A at 112 pounds, sophomore Cody Beasley is No. 3 at 119, sophomore Jason Harper is No. 3 at 125 and senior Brandon Reif is No. 2 at 189.

"I think our guys really work hard in the offseason," Bourn said. "Some of them play other sports but I know they are always doing something to make themselves better."

Taking that next jump to being a contender at state may not come this year, especially with a regional that includes Goddard and Maize. But with a young team, Bourn says the Colts are taking one more "baby step" this season in order to become even better next season.

"Success breeds success," he said. "The guys are more focused and are more confident. Hopefully we can keep getting better and peak later in the year."