Topic: Fargo-Shanley Wrestling Co-op

[Dreamwood]

Board denies Shanley wrestling co-op
Eric Peterson, The Forum
Published Saturday, January 05, 2008

The North Dakota High School Activities Association Board denied Fargo Shanley’s request to form a wrestling co-op with Kindred, which already has a wrestling program, this season.

The Board of Directors ruled on the request Friday in a conference call.

“We’ll keep exploring it,” Shanley athletic director Randy Nelson said. “There are some things we need to look at a little more in-depth. They were a little concerned about the lateness of it.”

Nelson said another board concern was having athletes from a Class A school competing at a Class B school with that program remaining at the Class B level.

[swamp donkey]

What do some class B people think about this?  Shanley definitely doesn't have many wrestlers, considering they've never (that I know of) had a wrestling team, I don't think this would give Kindred a huge advantage. 

Also, Kindred High School and Shanley are almost half an hour away from each other, that would mean a lot of travel time just to get to practice.  There was some talk a few years ago about a possible co-op with South, because one of our wrestlers transferred there, but that got turned down as well. 

[Beau Douglas]

le them join, help out Kindred

[old tornado]

I see nothing wrong with this co op other than I think it should have been done before the season started, not in the middle.

[Gar]

I think they should have allowed it. Look at how it developed the WF girls hockey team which is now on its own. Just because Shanley is a Class A school and not B and thinking this would give Kindred an unfair advantage shouldn't be a factor unless the board thinks class B schools are not as good of athletes as the A schools, which is not true, as this is the message they are sending. Once Shanley gets the bodies for a team, separate the 2 teams. This would only benefit the states wrestling program.

[storhaug]

Not sure when Shanley started wrestling but they had a program until the late 1980's......maybe this is a sign Shanley should get the program back up and running???

[mike thingstad]

I think Gar is right they should allow it. Shanley at this time doesn't have wrestling, not like they are trying to make a loaded team or anything. But they have done it before the wrestling season.

[shadow]

Shanley had wrestling back in the 70-80's they had good teams back in the 70's with a state camp or so.  But they have not had wrestling for a number of years.

[NF2]

Once again it is a numbers game and I think this would help out both schools.  Shanley probably wouldn't bring that many to the table right now but any number and the opportunity to participate is worthwhile and will only help wrestling in the long run.  If Shanley were to add their own team down the road that would be a good thing for certain and hopefully it would sterengthen Kindreds program in teh long run.  too bad tehy didn't make the request within the time line for NDHSAA and the class A or B shouldn't have a bearing on anything.  What is Shanley's enrollment?  They are most likely within the class b limits as far as enrollment goes I would be willing to bet.

[VC-double]

  Good points made here, but what about Shanley/Kindred for next year. If its too late for this year why not get the ball rolling for next year?
Then when Shanley has a team of wrestlers willing to take on the task of the toughest sport in high school. They can go out on there own and may have helped Kindred for a while. As Im sure there isn't alot of kids willing to try a tough sport like wrestling when its brand new in there school until some of their friends have some success and are excited for wrestling. It definately cant hurt either school anyway you look at it.
  Rumor had it a year or two ago Kindred was on the verge of losing their wrestling program so its good to hear co-ops like this are popping up in our state. Good Luck Shanley and Kindred make your opinions known to your school boards and your AD. 

[Dreamwood]

It would be nice if even though the Co-op was shot down for now, or this year, if any interested shanley kids could join the team for the remainder of the season at least to practice with the team and get to know the sport somewhat even if it meant they couldn't compete for the team.

[pegleg]

I dont know what changed but in the mid 90's shanley students were allowed to wrestle on West Fargo's team is this still an option for them?