From the sidelines
As far as running tournaments go, everyone could take a lesson from Fort Hays State University.
For the 28th year in a row, schools from the 1-3A ranks traveled to Gross Memorial Coliseum in Hays for two days of non-stop wrestling.
This year 224 wrestlers from 64 schools across the state competed for 14 individual and team state titles.
Marion High School sent five wrestlers, tied for the school record, and had one medalist.
Sophomore Dillon Wildin took sixth place in the 135-pound weight class.
This was the third time I've attended the event, and every time I've been amazed at how smoothly it is run.
Especially because of the amount of people it takes for that to happen.
There are coaches, wrestlers, officials, scoreboard operators, announcers, statisticians, time keepers, team managers, event managers, custodians, ushers, fans, media, and more.
But if everyone didn't cooperate to make it a fun event, it wouldn't go off so smooth.
Everything always seems to flow, like everyone attending has been there 20 times and it's second nature.
Rarely, if ever, did it seem like things were running behind. Athletes and coaches were on their best behavior, and the only technology malfunction I saw on a scoreboard was quickly fixed.
On top of all this, there is always quality wrestling. I am convinced a lot of the wrestlers from out west and up north could compete with 4, 5, and 6A wrestlers, and probably beat most of them.
All in all, it's just a fun atmosphere. The crowd is loud from the first whistle, to the final championship match.
Spectators and media are mindful of the blue tape outside all four mats, keeping them and wrestlers from a collision.
It's just nice to see such a big event run like a well-oiled machine.
The location is not ideal for all schools, but with the reputation and respect the university has for being a great host, I wouldn't want to be the one to tell them if the Kansas State High School Activities Association decided to move the event.
With four of five state-qualifying wrestlers returning for MHS next season, it's safe to say head coach Chad Adkins and crew should enjoy the friendly confines of Gross Coliseum against next year.
