After a couple of days to get caught up and rest I want to thank all involved with this year's Schoolboy Duals team.

1. The wrestlers. Way to go Team Kansas. You are probably the best team we have ever taken, top to bottom, and it was all pleasure watching you guys work and improve. From the first dual to the last was a tremendous improvement, and with a little good fortune here or there you would have double medaled, and Kansas has never done that. Thanks for your effort and dedication.

2. Coaches. Coach Knox, as always, a great leader and steward of young men, if anyone wants to learn how to handle young men, both on and off the mat, just follow Charlie around. Coach Flynn, thanks for taking the time from your summer to help and assist our young wrestlers, you were great. Also, staying in the barn for two days in the heat was awesome. Coach Roberson, thanks for your excellent help in the camp. Coaches Henes, assistant Delich, thanks for helping out in the barn, you guys are special.

3. Drivers, chaperones. John Johnson, Dave Langley, Sharon Henes, Mark Dulgarian, Doug Eck, the Lambottes, and special mention to Ted Huck for tirelessly helping in the barn and to and from Indy, you guys should have seen the food prepared.

4. Food/cafeteria. Sharon, Jean Rafalko, Melissa Bland, and others stepped up and made this thankless job a breeze for us.

5. Parents/family/friends. To all who attended and supported us and to all back home who did what they could to help out you have my sincere thanks and appreciation. Many times we make tough decisions about who to wrestle and who to sit or have to move kids in our lineup to help the team, and we had no complaints whatsoever. We also were short on singlets and have to order and ship to some of our kids, and not a word has been spoken in that regard.

6. Josh Clark. Thanks for coming to Indy and helping with our referee responsibilities and for offering technical and moral support.

7. Will and Beth Cokeley. I cannot say how generous and hospitable you guys are for letting us stay and use your wrestling facility. It is unbelievable that you do this over and over for wrestling in our state.

8. Doug Eck. I could not have done this without Doug, who helped recruit, organize, chaperone and coach. You were great, brother.

If I left someone out, I apologize, but you know who you are and that I am grateful.

So, Team Kansas, you breathed great success, elation, disappointment and bitter defeat all in the same breath, but you kept your heads high and made us all proud. You are a great group of young men, and I cannot wait to watch you this next few years.

Tom Williams