I seriously doubt that gutwrench needs my help. However, I’ve included my thoughts written the day after the past several Metro Classics!
2005: “Final impressions! After last years lack luster performance, I will have to say that the Sunflowers gave a good accounting for themselves this year. We held our own in the lower weights but really struggled in the middle and upper weights. Why? The obvious reason is our lack of commitment to Freestyle and Greco Roman wrestling. Missouri middle and heavy’s had tons of summer accolades. Kansas handled the wrestlers with like credentials. Kansas struggled with those who had the extra mat time.”
2004: “The final team score was 7-50! Team Missouri was dominant on their feet, beating the Kansan’s in takedowns, 50 to 5. A lot has been make of the fact that the Showme’s had one-week longer since their State tourney. In my opinion, that is just an excuse. I don’t feel it has been an issue in the past and shouldn’t be one now! It seems that Missouri made a serious commitment to the event and we … sadly … did not! That argument only holds water if; we were loosing matches in the third period.
Putting that aside, Team Kansas was out-hustled and out-muscled, on the mat. The Showme’s were quicker, better technicians, and better wrestlers than we were. We gave up fifty (50) takedowns and only scored five (5). I am sorry, but that has nothing to do with conditioning. Team Missouri’s accomplishments were outlined in their bios, and they did not stop with folkstyle. The Showme’s had a breadth of experience in Freestyle and Greco. We had only a handful with the degree of experience Missouri had.
The bad news … we need to get better … in every aspect of our wrestling. The good news … we CAN get better. But it takes dedication of wrestlers and coaches alike.”
2003: “Final team score Missouri 39 Kansas 21. Impressions; as has been the case before, Kansas looked good at the lower weights, Missouri looked great at the upper weights. Missouri racked up their scores by earning bonus points; a major decision, two technical falls, and two falls.”
2002: “Kansas wins 33-19. A few surprises, a few upsets, and a few dominating performances. One factor was that, for the first time in this event, Team Kansas was led by high school coaches. Hats off to the Kansas team.”
2001: “Kansas wins 32 to 12. Overall, Kansas does appear to have improved their technique while on their feet, in contrast to a weakness that I have reported previously. Another point I must make is that now, with few exceptions, those competing from Kansas are honing their skills, wrestling during the Summer. It's quite obvious to me that USA Wrestling programs elevate the very good wrestler, into that elite status, a position previously dominated by Missouri. Yet, we still have a glaring weakness in my mind. That is, the shackling that the KSHSAA places on our scholastic coaches. Once again, the Show Me's were coached by High School coaches who know the individual talents and weaknesses of their wrestlers. The Kansans are coached by club coaches. Of course I do nothing but give high praise to Coach Kit Powell and Coach Eric DeYoe, but the deck does seem somewhat stacked given the rules differences in each state.
1999: “Final team score, Missouri 37, Kansas 19. Missouri was, once again, dominant on their feet. Their skills, developed in summer freestyle/greco programs, were clearly evident. Also evident were the apparent differences in the rules of each states high school activities associations. The Missouri bench was manned by the wrestlers regular season coach, who knew individual strengths and weaknesses. The Kansas high school coaches were cheering from the stands.”
Okay … I’ve had the privelage of attending all but one of these events. As you can tell by reading the above I, as well as gutwrench, have seen a glaring weakness in the abilities of Team Kansas. For the most part, on our feet, we are below the standards set my Team Missouri.
Just … fyi!
