To add onto what Mrs. Bradley is saying:

Here is a list of kids with limited or NO FS/GR experience, maybe a tourney or two at most, prior to Schoolboy duals.
Josiah Seaton
Luke Henes
Tagen Lambotte
Jake Bradley
Jaylen Padilla
Raymond Gallegos
Aaron Rafalko
Jarin "Downtown" Brown

Last year we had several similar situations of kids that performed well as "greenies".

Our kids were involved in several "war" type duals and matches. How cool it is to see someone from Team Kansas standing toe to toe with the best the country has to offer. Be it the little guys jitterbugging around, or the big boys bulling each other. But is there anything better than watching the big boys toss each other around. One of the highlights has to be Downtown Brown tossing about 300 lbs of Team Washington's heavyweight into one of their coaches on the sideline. The coach's statement was "when there is 600 lbs coming at you, there really isn't anywhere to go". He took a foot to the kidney, but was able to laugh about it afterward. Or Rafalko coming back from a deficit to pin a previously undefeated 210 lb stud. Seeing big Raymond Gallegos grow from somewhat withdrawn, to a head and arm machine. His first headlock pin was great to watch.

Another highlight is probably Kyle Huck. Undersized wrestling 175, and told that he can't get pinned against Minnesota to keep us in the match, decides that he will have none of that negative talk, and goes out and gets a first period tech fall of a very mature animal. Loses a close 2nd period, then is wrestling his heart out, going for the win, gets caught and a questionable fall is called after we felt time had expired. Talk about going from subdued, to elated, to deflated. All part of the learning experience. He'll make some noise next year, trust me.

How about drawing a very tough Indiana 1 team the first round of Freestyle, and losing our first 5 matches, down 18-2. Then the Kansas gauntlet of our 105 thru 136 reeled off 5 straight wins to take a 22-19 lead, then have 3 falls, and a tech fall in winning 4 of the last 7 to take the dual 39-33.

The intensity and drama is undescribable. I got home at 4:10 this morning, and am totally drained. I can only imagine how the boys doing the wrestling feel. My guess is they are tired but proud, sore but strong, and happy to be back in good ole Kansas.

I haven't taken the time to thank all the parents that came along and helped with room chaperone, cooking at camp, cleaning and stocking of the lunchroom, etc. Also a BIG thanks to Tom Williams for organizing all of this, without even having a dog in the fight. Coach Knox and Coach Flynn have a way of drawing it out of the kids. Also thanks to Josh Clark for going along to fulfill Kansas obligation to provide a referee, and for working with the boys on some things he saw that they needed to work on. Cokeley for allowing his barn to be used for the camp, and helping organize transportation.

Please do what you can to get your kid on this team next year. You won't regret it.

Great post Doug. There really is nothing like the duals!

I felt this was a great year for the schoolboy team. I had an incredible time coaching and becoming friends with these great wrestlers. They were truly a bunch of brawlers and I couldn’t be happier with the way they preformed. Although we had our setbacks, our kids were quick to jump back up on their feet and get right back in the grind. I would also like to thank the coaches and parents who helped out this year. They really made it an experience for this team.

words right outta my mouth coach

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

And also thanks to you Coach Williams for putting this team together.
Jared

I don't think it has been mentioned yet, but 112 lb Jared Johnson went undefeated in Greco AND Freestyle. I'd be curious to know whether any Kansas kid has accomplished that before at Schoolboy Duals.

He deserves a big hand for pulling it off.