I think Robert (Bobby) Deleon of Leoti-Wichita County was a 3-time state champion. In 1981, at Grand State, he was runner-up at 112 lbs losing 10-12 to Ken Rogers of Wichita. I don't remember if that year was Bobby's junior or senior year.

There was not a Grand State in 1981 Chuck.

It was an invitational called the "Sunflower Classic" and many chose not to attend. In fact, I don't recall any of the Beloit wrestlers attending. It was held in 1981 and 1982 only, I believe. I don't remember how Bobby did but I do recall that in 1981 Ed Seaton won 112 and the Eric Koehler vs. Melvin Douglas match was the best match of the tournament. The tournament was in Wichita so if someone has access to the Eagle Beacon archives they could probably access an article with the results...

Oops. I meant to say that Bobby Deleon was at 119 that year.

Actually it was started in 1979 Will and it was held in Garden City that year.

I won't say for sure but since I lived in Liberal in 1979, just an hour away, I would think that I would have known it was happening. I went to Grand State in Hays just a couple of years earlier. Do you have any documentation of that tournament? 5A & 6A were held in Junction City that year.

Cokeley I was talking to my dad who was coach of Newton at that time and he informs me that his wrestler Vince Martinez won the sunflower games at 112. He was 28-0 in the regular season and finished 32-0 winning the sunflower games which was meant to be grand state but the state wouldn't sanction it.

Sorry Will it wasn't you who said Seaton won it. Just wanted it out there that Martinez from newton won 112 at the 1981 sunflower state games.

In 1981 the Kansas Kids sponsored a Grand State like event the weekend after high school state. At the time there were 12 weight classes so 24 wrestlers qualified for the finals: 6A-9, 5A-9, 4A-2, 321A-4.
98lbs Joel Rios-Emporia over Kelby Harrison-Newton 9-4
105lbs Larry Taylor-Wichita over Harmon Daniels-Leavenworth 12-5
112lbs Vince Martinez-Newton over Jim Hahn-Emporia 2-0
119lbs Bobby DeLeon-Leoti over Ken Rogers-Wichita 12-10
126lbs Chirs Marisette-Leavenworth over Chris Richards Fall
132lbs Lance Milsap-Wichita No. over Cliff Noce-Emporia 9-6
138lbs David Ray-Goddard over Troy Sporer-Oakley 9-6
145lbs Greg Unruh-KMC over Steve Levin-Manhattan 5-2
155lbs Pat Spencer-KMC over Alex DeLeon-Leoti 8-7
167lbs Eric Koehler-Nemeha Valley over Melvin Douglas 12-11
185lbs John Payne-Great Bend over Jerry Hersefeld-Belleville
HWT Steve Nave-Coffeyville over Marc Simon-August 11-3

As reported by Wrestling USA



I stand corrected. Ed won it in 1982 I believe, but not at 112. He finished third in 1981.

Not to derail this topic, but can we get some details on this match?

This was in Douglas' senior season, I can't believe he was beaten by another Kansas wrestler. Looks like it was a barn-burner based off of the score. I'd love to see some film on this one, but I'm sure there isn't any.

What happened to Eric Koehler after high school? It looks like he won 3 state titles while at Nemaha Valley, but he isn't one of the names that I've heard mentioned when discussing the great history of Kansas wrestling.

What happened to wrestling at Nemaha Valley?

I believe he may have moved into the area from the Northwest. I even thought he went to Oregon or Oregon State. There was significant bleeding during the match.

http://www.wrestlingusa.com/wusapdfvol16search/vol%2016-11%20Combined.pdf

(at the above, use Ctl + F then use the search function to read a bit about the above match)

From the article below - it appears he is now a wrestling coach:

http://www.prescottaz.com/m/Articles.aspx?ArticleID=102830

Below is one 'Don King started about the event on this very forum:

http://www.usawks.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=131112

I googled the string below:

Wrestler Eric Koehler

Time to get back to work. Darn. Grin.

Eric moved to KS from Washington State around his 8th grade year. He went to Garden City JC for two years and then onto University of Nebraska.

Nemaha Valley suspended their wrestling program after the 1988 season. I was told Eric had a younger brother who was a 2x State Champ and played football at Emporia State. Both now reside in Arizona.