Just thought I’d add some thoughts about our Cadet & Junior programs since we were involved for many years –

Our family was involved for many years with the Cadet and Juniors’ while Danny participated and we hope to be again with Gavin in future years if he wants to compete at this level. Danny also was a Schoolboy Team Coach in previous years and has some knowledge about what it takes to put these dual teams together. However, we also know the commitment it takes from each of these wrestlers and their families to be a part of these teams.

The coaches for both teams do an excellent job in getting wrestlers. While others may think it is an easy task, it is not. They give a lot of VOLUNTEER time away from their families during this time to put these teams together, as well as attending the tournaments and camps. It’s not just a commitment from coaches and wrestlers, but their families also. I remember one year we were ready to leave for the duals and got a phone call from one of the coaches asking if we knew anyone who could fill in at a particular weight. The vans were already on the road and the coaches received a phone call a few hours earlier (from a shopping mall) that “Johnny” would not be going!! While these coaches begged and pleaded (we also offered to go and pick the wrestler up on our way), they were still turned down. Easy for a coach to put an entire team together – I don’t think so!!!! As I believe Coach Peterman said, there phone bills were very high during the time they were putting teams together. I’m sure they worked very hard to put together a competitive team to attend these duals.

If there is a wrestler who is interested, he (or she) must be willing to commit the extra time during the summer and get out and compete in tournaments around the State. The coaches are available at the FS/GR State Tournament (Kids State too in the t-shirt stand) and I believe email addresses are available on our web page. Face it, most of these wrestlers are in high school and it's time they take some initative and contact the coaches themselves. However, as adults, let them know and help them out if you know of a wrestler who is interested. I’m sure they would be glad to know of someone. In the past, they have selected teams from our State Freestyle/Greco Roman tournament and tournaments held throughout the summer. However, remember, Freestyle & Greco are different from Folkstyle and these wrestlers need to be working out continuously and competing if they are going to be competitive at the dual and Fargo tournaments. You cannot just “walk in” and compete successfully. These tournaments are brutal and the years Danny participated, it was not uncommon to have wrestlers sitting out different times because their bodies were so “beat up” from the tournament and they needed a match or two to “heal”. It would be so nice to have two complete teams competing, but it is almost next to impossible for these coaches to put teams together and expect everyone to stay committed.

Wrestlers during Danny’s years of participation were from around the State of Kansas. They were not just from the KC and Wichita areas as some indicated. The coaches selected the best that wanted to compete from across of State, east to west and north to south.

For some, there are other issues that we may not be aware of. There are other sports camps (heaven forbid), financial issues, job related issues, family vacations, a need for a “sports break”, or they may be saving up to purchase a vehicle. The coaches may have several names in a weight class but only a few in others to contact. After making several phone calls to fill a weight, it becomes very difficult to find someone to commit, who is in shape and ready to compete at this level. Don’t be so quick to judge wrestlers and/or coaches UNLESS you know the entire situation behind it all. Even though it is hard for some of us to say, there are other things more important than wrestling in life!! Each of our lives are way to short so don’t be so quick to blame until you are 100% sure of someone’s situation or why a coach may have not selected “your” wrestler.

Our state is cheaper than most. While I was a pairer at the national tournament in Fargo and at Southern Plains, I asked around to see what other states wrestlers paid to attend these tournaments. It all varied, but Kansas was one of the cheaper states that I found. Most wrestlers were required to attend camps held prior to these tournaments and come as a “State Team”. We can be glad our State is willing to help finance these programs to some degree.

We have freestyle directors in each District at the Kids Level. Maybe this would be a good project for them to undertake and submit names to the Cadet & Junior coaches of wrestlers who are competing in their area. Coach Peterman – let’s bring this up at our Kids Exec. Council Meeting. As I said earlier, let Coach Peterman, Coach Garcia, and Coach Rieck know about these wrestlers if you know of someone. They are not hard to get a hold of and will get back with you I’m sure.

Thanks coaches and wrestlers for participating in one of the greatest sports around. Your commitment to the sport, allows you to be to best you can be. It shows your dedication to the youth in our State! Also, congrats to all who attended the Duals & the National Tournament in Fargo. While some came home as All-Americans, others came home with a lot of memories and new friendships!

Leanna Grater