Today I wanted to feature one of our excellent 2010 senior wrestlers who has signed to participate in another sport in college. Mark Kolmer of Emporia High School has signed to play football next year at Washburn University. I have followed this Mark's wrestling career since he has been in about the sixth or seventh grade. I have always been impressed with his athletic skills since I first saw him wrestle. I think he is one of the best all around athletes that I have seen in the last five years in Kansas high school wrestling. You just don't see the three sport star athlete as much now in high school athletics. Mark was this type of athlete.

Here is what is reported about Mark on the Washburn football website in their recruiting announcements.

Mark Kolmer, Linebacker
6-1 | 212 | Emporia, Kan. | Emporia High School

Background: At Emporia High School, he was a unanimous all-Centennial league selection as a senior while earning second team all-league honors on defense as well as first team all-state honors at running back … rushed for 817 yards as a junior en route to honorable mention all-state honors ; finished third in state wrestling … finished second in the state in the javelin … earned second team offense and defense honors as a junior … as a sophomore he was a second team all-league pick on defense … also finished second in state in the javelin as well as second in state wrestling … as a freshman he finished sixth in wrestling and in the javelin … high school coach was Bill Lowe.

To complete Mark's wrestling resume, I will add that Mark was undefeated this year in winning 5A 215 with a 37-0 record. Mark is a four time state placer for Emporia also taking 3rd in 2009, 2nd in 2008 as a sophomore and he was 6th as a freshman in 2007.

We are going to miss you in wrestling, Mark. But I want to congratulate you on your great high school total athletic career. I wish you the best of luck in college with both your academics and football. Congratulations to your Mom and Dad, too. I will update the list above to include you in the other sports category on the list.