To reiterate my original post...Craig you're doing an excellent job covering wrestling in our area. There will always be those who attempt to twist things and pick fly crap out of pepper...the only thing I know is that the coverage is much better now...regardless of who is getting the headlines! Keep up the good work!

"...those who attempt to twist things and pick fly crap out of pepper..."

Hmmm...that explains the funny taste in my chili at Wendy's the other night.

Craig...could you confirm the rumor that you will be riding to the High Plains tournament in Clarks this weekend with the Mullen wrestling team? Word is that Dan Brost has a special seat waiting for you, along with accomodations at the Silver Creek Holiday Inn Express. I'd join you on the trip, but I've already hooked up with the Louisville team and will be camping out with them at the Genoa Super 8. Maybe we can get together after Friday's session. (BTW...Ross let slip that he'll be coming up with the Rushville/Gordon team and will be crashing with them at the Polk Hilton, but don't tell anybody, OK?)

By the way...great job on covering The Clash this weekend. Even better job getting home in that ice storm.

Coach Braun. I know you endeavored to clear things up in your post. I am not trying to be a nay sayer or a basher. I just have a question. I would assume that you have faith in Shaun and figure that Shaun could handle Minardi. Is this correct? In this thinking, why not have him wrestle Minardi? You are still trying to win the duel, and in the same breath giving your a boost mentally. It has been a gazillion years since I have been on the mat, but I know my former coach would always relish the big match. He always told us that it made the win so much sweeter. You got the duel win, true, but your wrestler will always wonder what would have been if only you would have allowed him to step on that mat! By putting him out there, nobody would have been accusing you of not trying to win the duel. Just a few musings from an older than old sea dog

To the Baron:
I was determined not to add anything further to this post, but when I was notified that you posed a question, I felt obligated and honored to answer. I vividly remember watching you on tv in my younger years anticipating when you were going to put your opponent away with the dreaded "claw." That's been a few years ago my friend. Now to answer your question: As I stated in my earlier post, I look at a wrestling duel as a TEAM event. We had kids who put a lot on the line and came through to get us to that point and I knew we had the duel won by splitting 189 and 215. I guess you can accuse me of not being a risk taker. If we have a 215 lber, this is a non-issue. In no way did I doubt Shaun's abilities. Last year I moved our freshman 171 lber to 189 and Shaun to 215 to successfully win a duel. When you don't have a complete line-up, sometimes you have to be a little inventive to try to win. I only did this because of the confidence I had in my wrestlers' abilities. At some point this may not work out, but I try to weigh the best interest of the athletes as well as the team in making these decisions. In my opinion it is not any different than a coach in any other sport looking for the advantages his team to use to be successful. I feel that my athletes understand and believe in what we're trying to accomplish and for them to trust my decisions strengthens us as a team in the many decisions that we as coaches are required to make on a match-by-match basis. As I said earlier, I know these decisions are up for criticism and/or debate and I can live with that. Thank-you for your input and how interesting to know that someone like you follows this forum.

Mike...if only the Baron could have figured out a way to counter the classic Gagne sleeper hold...

Skutt's 10th place finish is actually not the highest by a Nebraska team at the Clash. Both Skutt and Lincoln East placed higher than that in the first Clash 2 years ago. Lincoln East placed 8th and Skutt placed 9th.

Skutt's finish this year was still by far the highest of the three teams that went up there.

There were fewer teams at The Clash two years ago - only 20 - so the 10th-place finish probably was technically the best showing by a Nebraska team since there are 32 teams now.

Can we just all agree that the three teams performed about as well as could be expected and represented the state of Nebraska well?

Sheesh...I haven't seen this much pickin' since the Clampett family reunion on The Beverly Hillbillies. And some of the spinning going on in here would make even Bill O'Reilly nauseous.

A job well done by all three teams. Huzzah!

Mike & NWI
I seem to remember the baron having bigger problems with Ivan Putski and his Polish Hammer.

Andre the Giant would've squished the Baron like a bug.

I have never seen so many whiny butts in my life, is this all you have in your life...? Sesker does a GREAT job!!!!!! Before you go and cry in your Wheaties take a look at OTHER States!!!!! Wrestling gets NO coverage...as far as Coach Braun, he doesn't have to answer to any of your questions, HE is the Coach, and HE makes the decisions, get over yourselves and get a life.

Amen.

Remember me? I almost beat the Baron! Even though I always lost, it was a lot of fun. They never paired me up against the likes of that dastardly, NWI McEvil Guy, or I might have a win on my record today. To Coach Braun: your response (X2) was extremely helpful. Thanks from the wrestling community. Your integrity is above reproach. I don't profess to follow a lot of wrestling, but I know you have a great team. I have trouble seeing your team lose in class A. Millard South might give you a little trouble but they don't seem to want to wrestle the type of competition you do. Go Bulldogs.

I too would like to throw in my 2 cents about Craig Sesker. GREAT JOB!!! Being a person in the media, I know the "pulling teeth" experiences to get the powers that be in media to understand that there is more than just the MAIN STREAM in our society. We all love to read about how good or bad things are going with the Huskers and how basketball is lowering itself to the level of the WWF. However, everyone I know, whether they are personally involved with a wrestler or not, will read the articles about High School wrestling. It is THE toughest sport in High School and I feel it amazes readers as to what these teen-agers can do and the scrutiny and dissapointments that they have to endure at times. Craig, I know you are very passionate for our sport. Don't let these numb skulls that write in here affect you and your pursuit to cover even more High School wrestling. These people are not the TRUE wrestling communinty. Instead of complaining in this forum about what Craig covers in the OWH, use that energy to write the sports editor at the OWH about covering more Wrestling. In unity we are stronger and if enough people get involved, they will have no choice but to do what their reader are telling them, but it will take BIG numbers to do that. Write in to the "Voice Of The Grandstand" as well. But for God sake quit your stupid whinning about 2 of the best teams in Nebraska and the coverage they get. We all would like to see our teams and wrestlers in the paper! What we need to do is help Craig, not put him down. Thank you Craig for:
*Using your own money to cover events.
*Fighting for more wrestling coverage.
*Helping wrestling become the entity that it should be and will be with your help.
I don't know ONE basketball player that would put up with the hard work, weight watching, mind games and BALLS it takes to be a WRESTLER!!!