Randy,

You might be using last year's numbers but Aquinas is now 5-8.

As far as what it all means though. Yes Missouri has some traditionally very strong teams that have done very well in this event. Oak Park, Oak Grove, Park Hill, and Platte County have led the way for them. Those teams still have good programs.

Overall though the margin of matches is not that great and I think the dual team margin is only 9 to 8 in favor of Missouri. Here is what I like though. First we have won 3 of the last 4. Not by big margins but still we have won three close duals out of four. Also I really liked that the overall energy of the Kansas crowd and even attendance seemed stronger on the Kansas side. I also like a resurgence that I am starting to see in our area of year around wrestling at the high school level. I think things like Baker University starting a college wrestling program in our area, Will Cokeley's barn, the freestyle program that has been going at St. James Academy, the summer wrestling folkstyle league, the Aquinas program is starting a freestyle program on March 30th, the return of experienced good ex-high school wrestlers like Alex Red Corn, Clint Slyter, Adam Venegas, Josh Carroll to name a few as coaches with their youthful energy and enthusiam are all contributing to this resurgence. You may disagree with me but I did not feel that Missouri was as dominant over Kansas on their feet as they were a few years back during their dominant period in this event. Another thing I like is the committment of the Kansas side organizers and coaches who are doing a great job in putting Kansas' best team possible on the mat and getting them ready to win.

In summary I am optimistic that Kansas will have more than its share of success in the next few years in this event and I think we are maybe starting to see a resurgence in the development of the old East Kansas Wrestling Club in our area.