If the NASCAR rules had been tweeked just a little at todays Goody's 500 perhaps Ricky Bobby would have won instead of Jimmie Johnson.

The fact is the wrestlers are senior's in high school and high school rules apply at the KWCA Senior Classic as well as at the NHSCA Senior Nationals in Virginia Beech this coming week.

Coach...I always enjoy reading your comments and respect your opinions but not sure I can agree with these two statements. Kendric wrestled well Friday but 'never' is a long time and sometimes it doesn't matter how 'smart' you are, when you put 2 exceptional wrestlers inside the circle things happen. Case in point, I'm sure it's been a LONG time since Beard was counting the rafters during a match and I saw that happen on Friday...

Safe travels and best of luck to all of the KS wrestlers, parents and coaches heading to virginia, looking forward to hearing good things from you!

Hey, I was not trying to slam Maple. He is an excellent wrestler who in my opinion might have more potential than any other wrestler in the Senior Classic because he has the least experience compared to the other DI caliber wrestlers. When you take into account that Detmer, Napier, Beard, and Caldwell have all been wrestling kids club since there preschool days( I believe so) they would have at least six years in experience over Maple. I believe he started wrestling somewhere in between seventh and ninth grade, not really sure.

The reason I brought up the Napier v. Maple match was because it was the best example of how a few rule changes to the college format could have changed the entire outcome drastically.

Would Maple have wrestled differently on the edge escape by Napier? Probably, no one wants to give anybody points without a fight.

Would Napier have tried to ride Maple out instead of cutting him? Maybe not, he would have spotted Maple one more point by not riding him out. It puts more pressure on Napier if it is 2-1 (one possible college match scenario, Napier escape in 2nd, Maple escape via cut, and Maple possible riding time point).

Did both wrestlers give it their all and give the fans an exciting match? YES.

I just wanted to catch people’s attention by starting this topic and bringing to light that maybe college rules being implemented could help the wrestlers, college coaches, and fans to enjoy this "exhibition" even more.

A few comments so not to allow further scrutiny of the quality match Kendric and CJ wrestled. To the Napiers, no disrespect intended. On the one point escape awarded to Napier, Kendric’s shoulders and upper back landed out of bounds, therefore no back points would have been awarded in any high school or college match (and there was not enough time to pull him back in bounds). Kendric did learn a lesson for miscalculating the time and putting him self in bad position thinking the time would run out. If you’ve seen Kendric wrestle you know his style is to score, not ride out an opponent. CJ’s bottom defense did not allow Kendric to turn him. There were a lot of other subtleties in the match that one could argue however that’s for the critics.

Coach Church has been in the same practice room and mat side with Kendric for 2 years. He knows Kendric’s abilities and mindset. None more telling than the last 3 weeks of training in preparation for Sr. Nationals. Never say never, but one has to have convictions. Keep it up Church.

This was only the second time I’ve seen CJ wrestle. I was impressed by his abilities. Kendric has been wrestling since the age of 6. This is the 2nd year he actually focused on competing at a higher competitive level. Only 2 full summers spent wrestling.

Good luck to both wrestlers and all KS wrestlers at nationals.

Jeff Maple

My mistake I had not followed him through the kid ranks like the other guys. I still think he may have the most potential as he has improved more and more each year.

I can not see National Federation rules aligning with the college rules on edge of the mat calls. Almost every high school in the country would have to purchase new mats.
I realize that you could purchase and tape mats to the edge, but that would still be a lot of money, especially in this time of budget cuts. I just can't see it happening in the near future.

It's a good idea in theory though and gives us something to talk about since the season is winding down