Life is like a guitar. @ericchurch offers a brillianct commencement address (and guitar lesson) at his alma mater, UNC, that belongs in the pantheon of addresses of this sort with those of Steve Jobs (Stanford) and David Foster Wallace (Kenyon College).
2026 3-2-1A Girls 170# State Wrestling Results
•1st Place - Lillian Garcia of Plainville HS
•2nd Place - Brooke Smith of Oakley HS
•3rd Place - Brenah Cannon of Allen Northern Heights HS
•4th Place - Sophia Kane of Norton Community HS
•5th Place - Harlie Owings of Eureka HS
•6th Place - Trynity Pope of Stafford HS
1st Place Match
•Lillian Garcia (Plainville HS) 31-3, Jr. over Brooke Smith (Oakley HS) 17-3, Jr. (Dec 6-0)
3rd Place Match
•Brenah Cannon (Allen Northern Heights HS) 32-3, Sr. over Sophia Kane (Norton Community HS) 39-8, So. (Dec 4-3)
5th Place Match
•Harlie Owings (Eureka HS) 35-8, Sr. over Trynity Pope (Stafford HS) 15-9, Sr. (Dec 7-1)
Top 6 places eligible for all-state patches from Sports In Kansas. Order at [email protected] #sportsinkansas
2026 3-2-1A Girls 135# State Wrestling Results
•1st Place - Abbygayl Jackson of Oakley HS
•2nd Place - Hayden Staab of Plainville HS
•3rd Place - Jenna Borror of Ellinwood HS
•4th Place - Mya Crabtree of Pomona-West Franklin HS
•5th Place - Eden Hill of Fredonia HS
•6th Place - Angela Barreras of Leoti Wichita County HS
1st Place Match
•Abbygayl Jackson (Oakley HS) 39-7, Sr. over Hayden Staab (Plainville HS) 33-7, Fr. (Fall 5:57)
3rd Place Match
•Jenna Borror (Ellinwood HS) 26-10, So. over Mya Crabtree (Pomona-West Franklin HS) 42-3, Sr. (Dec 8-3)
5th Place Match
•Eden Hill (Fredonia HS) 20-7, Jr. over Angela Barreras (Leoti Wichita County HS) 31-12, So. (Dec 10-5)
Top 6 places eligible for all-state patches from Sports In Kansas. Order at [email protected] #sportsinkansas
If you die without a plan...
- The government takes 40% in tax
- Probate court costs $100k+
- Your kids get the scraps
If you love your family, here's every document you need to protect them:
(from a CPA & father of two)
Good luck to all the teams blessed to play another Friday night lights.🏈 What we wouldn’t give to be playing tonight, but we know some things are greater than a scoreboard. Love the Plainsmen, especially our #8 💜@JantzLowri26081 @jordynlowrie03
After having played & coached over the years some things I’ve learned go into the “Art of Coaching”:
1) Be sure you are weighing correctly how a players play is responsible for winning, not just harping on how their play has led to losing
2) Be sure not to project your job onto a player - expecting a player to do more than their job at any given moment (you can want it but should never expect it)! The coach’s job is to motivate the team, the coach’s is to make sure the other players are accountable for their job, the coach’s job is to set tone at every moment for the team - not the players job!
3) Understand the difference between mental mistakes & physical ones - physical mistakes happen all the time & are part of an intricate game - mental mistakes: wrong reads, wrong assignments, etc… are the ones that must weigh heavier in playing time decisions
4) Don’t make rash decisions without communicating what you want first! If a player isn’t meeting YOUR expectations be sure to talk with them & lay it out for them, give them a chance to make the changes & THEN make decision related to it them
5) NEVER forget to COACH the mistakes not just expect perfection on EVERY play… I hate the 1st response of a coach being “You Can’t Do This” instead of talk me through “WHY You Did This”… understand WHY the mistake happened before simply blaming a player for making it
6) Be first to accept responsibility for the players not getting the job done… always question if something u said, taught, or didn’t say/teach may have led to the loss/mistakes in any way! So easy to just point at the player even when we haven’t truly prepared them for a particular situation!
The Toughest Decision in Recruiting: Take the Offer or Wait?
A dad recently reached out to me with a question I hear all the time:
“My son just got a strong Division I offer. Should he take it, or wait to see if something bigger comes along?”
It’s one of the hardest decisions in the recruiting process — and one that can shape a player’s entire college experience.
I’ve Been There Myself
When I was in high school, I had a couple of solid offers but wanted to go bigger.
I told myself I’d wait. I’d go the junior college route if needed.
Luckily, someone gave me the best advice I’ve ever received:
“Go where you’re wanted, not where you hope to be wanted.”
That mindset changed everything.
1. The Risk of Waiting
Recruiting is unpredictable.
If a player passes on a current offer and waits, a few things can happen:
Injury: He gets hurt and can’t showcase his ability.
Performance: Coaches might only see him once or twice — and if he doesn’t perform well that day, that might be the only impression they get.
Timing: Offers get pulled. College coaches are essentially running a business. If they need to fill a spot, they can’t afford to wait forever.
Recruiting isn’t just about talent — it’s about timing, trust, and opportunity.
2. The Benefit of Committing Early
When a player commits to the right fit, he gains something incredibly valuable: freedom.
He can go into the next season focused on development and competition instead of constantly worrying about who’s watching or what’s next.
If the staff has made a strong offer and genuinely believes in the player’s potential, that’s a big sign. The program is saying, “We want you.”
The only reason to wait would be if the player visits and doesn’t feel that personal or academic fit.
Otherwise, chasing something “bigger” can often lead to missing out on something better.
3. Comparing Opportunities
Families often want to know how to weigh different options — especially when multiple programs show interest.
Here’s what I tell them:
Don’t overthink the level or logo. Most conferences and divisions overlap in terms of player quality.
Don’t assume a new coaching staff automatically means better opportunity. There’s always uncertainty when someone is building a program from scratch.
Focus on stability, clarity, and connection.
The right fit comes from knowing who will be developing your son day to day.
4. What Development Actually Means
Having spent time in player development, I look at it differently than most.
Real development happens through playing.
Not just training. Not just practice. Actual game reps.
A player who gets on the field and competes —
especially early in his college career — will learn faster than one sitting on the bench waiting for his turn.
And if he performs, opportunities will naturally open up.
5. The Bigger Picture
What stood out most in this particular situation was how proactive the coaching staff was.
They reached out, checked in, and showed genuine interest — not just in the player’s ability, but in how he and his family were feeling about the process.
That kind of communication matters.
When the people recruiting you are also the people you’d want developing you — that’s the right combination.
Final Takeaway
If you’re a parent reading this and your son is in a similar spot, remember this:
Don’t chase logos. Don’t chase levels.
Go where you’re valued, where development is a priority, and where the staff believes in your son enough to make him a cornerstone of their program.
When the right opportunity comes along, take it.
Definitely not what you expect your first year teacher daughter to wake up to. 😨SO GRATEFUL for the administration of Inman schools, local and county law enforcement that worked diligently to keep students, staff, parents and community safe. 🙏🏼#gratefulmom@jordynlowrie03
Sweet 16….time sure is a thief, but there is nothing “sweeter” than watching a little boy grow into an amazing young man. I hope you continue to follow your own path, love the Lord and your mom, and never forgot how proud we are of you! Love you, Bubba!! #birthdayboy 💜🤍💜