2003 Nebraska USA Middle School
Dual Team

 We are very excited about the performance of the Team and the entire support staff including Parents , all of the generous sponsors , and all of those who pulled for the Team .

These young men were the talk of the tournament a class act that gained a lot of respect for our states wrestling community (that is all of you that make an impact on youth across the state) . Their wrestling efforts , sportsman ship , conduct , and respect for the officials will have a lasting effect on me and all that attended from any state . And yes several teams told me we had the singlets of the tournament.

We had one outstanding wrestler , 5 First Team All Americans 8-0 or 7-1 records , and 4 second team All Americans 6-2 records , but the thing that struck me was the efforts of our the Team who didn't achieve All American status . We won our first two duals by huge margins wrestled as individuals but gave up a lot of team points .

I don't believe these guys missed very many opportunities after that because of some very gutsy performances by the rest of the team that don't get the recognition they deserve . If we were down by 7 they just refused to give up that next point . If we up by 7 they gave every thing to get to 8 . They fought like tigers off their backs . And we won most of the close matches at the end . I guess what I am trying to say is this was a very good group of individuals when we started and an awesome Dual Team with huge heart when they finished .

Thank you Mike Beaty who just a few hours before we were to leave for Danville said he would step in for our 145 wrester who cracked a bone in his hand at a practice the night before we left and had some big wins for team .

Thank you Head Coach Ben Nicola for spending the time and taking the flack for doing the right thing in putting this team together in the fairest way possible under very short notice . Those of you who lead this effort next year would be wise to seek his advise and knowledge gained through this years ordeal . I would suggest that you get your Coaching Staff , application deadlines and selection criteria out to the wrestlers much earlier to hasten the selection process .

Thank you to all of the Coaches - Pat Garcia and Jim Allen , Support Staff Mike Sackett - Lee Kskywonis - Albert Rodriquez - Chris Mejstrik - And Brandon Smith , as well as all of the Parents that attended . Every time the team needed something done it just happened no one had to say a word it was just done , and I can't forget Roger Franklin supporting the boys and keeping them full of fruit when we were going one Dual after an other from 9:00 am till 8:45 pm on Saturday he must of peeled a couple of sacks of oranges to keep these young men fueled .

I wish the rest of the state could have seen the show put on in Danville . This was one of my most cherished memories in wrestling and I hope you understand that what was accomplished as a 26 MAN TEAM was very special and set a high bar for all teams that follow .

Coach Randy Smith

My congratulations to a very talented group of young wrestlers and a supportive and knowledgeable coaching/support staff. Having been involved in previous duals projects, I know that the Coaches are putting in long hours weeks before the tournament, scouting talent and putting the team together and working the logistics of the trip away from the mat. I thank all of you that made this trip possible.

I've spoken to several of the coaches and I'm proud of the way these kids represented, Nebraska Wrestling, Not only are they the future stars of Nebraska High School wrestling, but they're also great ambassadors for the youth of our state.

I hope future teams can build on this year's success both on and off the mat.

Thank you to everyone who participated in this and made this year's dual team a success.

Congratulations on a job well done!!!

C. Sherer

 
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