Dear Editor:

Wrestling Numbers – What has happened?

When I learned that the Wagner school had only 14 young men out for wrestling this year, with some of these being 7th graders, it was a shock! I was even more shocked when I heard that arch-rival Parkston was looking at the same numbers. I suspect that if we were to add total points at State B wrestling tournaments since its beginning in 1971, Wagner and Parkston would be at the top. What has happened to these great traditions?

Granted, enrollment numbers are a part of it. Families are smaller, and farms are fewer but larger. When I came to Wagner in 1976, Coach Studelska had roughly 36 out for high school wrestling. The 9-12 enrollment was around 270. I coached similar numbers at Parkston and Burke.

In looking through my old scrapbook at the 1971 Region III B results, enrollment numbers have taken a toll. In that 1971 tournament, Burke, Freeman, Springfield, Scotland, Platte, Andes Central, Mt. Vernon, Corsica, Marion, Avon, and Plankinton had their own teams.

In looking at the Wagner-Parkston dual during the 1966-1967 season, coach Vic Koenig’s second year Wagner team defeated my first year Parkston team 31-18 in the “A” match, 22-20 in the “B” match, and 13-12 in the “C” match. The Wagner grapplers were led by Larry and Keith Smejkal, the Parkston wrestlers by Alvin Polreis and Gary Frier. Almo Gullikson defeated Cal Schoon, and Greg Weber and Stan Peters wrestled to a 1-1 tie. Rich Honke wrestled for Wagner that night. Unfortunately those days appear to be gone forever.

Coaching wise, young Wagner wrestlers will never have a better opportunity than being coached by Robert Kokesh. What has happened? I don’t know. I don’t believe that today’s youth are afraid of hard work, but I do believe that years from now, many men will regret not taking advantage of the great program that was once offered to them. See coach Kokesh. Maybe it isn’t too late.

Roger Wiltz

Wagner, SD