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This is Breyden Whorton. I am a Christian athlete with my faith coming first. I wanted to thank TJ. I wanted to thank the Larue and Walton Verona coaches for both coming out and joing the prayer. I wanted to thank anyone that joined in the prayer or stayed silent for it. This was more than just 2 wrestlers this was to show how strong his love can be to everyone and spread his message. All glory goes to the lord.

It's become abundantly clear that the KFWC is running out of control. Rules are being changed, teams are being realigned without votes, fees are increasing without approval, state flyers are released late and with bad and conflicting information, and the board has gone radio silent. I probably would too, if I found myself in this much chaos. I'd also like to say that my criticism is out of concern for the health and development of KY wrestling. I see talented hardworking kids putting in just as much work as surrounding states, and I want them to have just as high an experience as those in OH, IN, PA and other states. And these states take their youth and middle school wrestling very seriously. We have bylaws written as a guideline to keep us in check, help us maintain consistency from year to year and board to board, to avoid making old mistakes (and new), and to guide future generations through amendments. But none of that is happening now. In my time working with KFWC, I've never seen things so bad. I'd like to raise my concerns here, and I'd like to encourage our president or other board members to speak up and give us confidence that this organization hasn't lost all credibility. If the bylaws are not suitable, then they should be amended. They should not be ignored. Here is a list of bylaws that I see being ignored to the detriment of Kentucky Wrestling. ______________________________________________________________ Bylaw 1.C Every team must electronically sign the KFWC Bylaw acknowledgement form by December 17 th of the current season. But according to President Mondell Hunter in an email on 2/9/22 at 8:08 AM, he states: "We will not require you to sign the by laws like the previous years. We just need the coaches cards verified." Explanation: There isn't one. I'm curious if the reason we're not signing the bylaws anymore is because we're not actually following them? __________________________________________________________ Bylaw 3, 3.A: The KFWC will hold two statewide meetings annually. The meetings shall be held on the 3rd Sunday in April & the 3rd Sunday in September each year. Meeting site shall be located centrally within the state of Kentucky at a public location adequate in size. The time and specific location of meetings shall be announced on KFWC website (http://www.kentuckyusawrestling.org/page/show/1031369-middle-school-elementary) at a minimum of 30 days in advance. The KFWC president shall send out email notification to all member teams 1 month in advance, provided a valid email address is on file with the KFWC. All proposals will be approved at the Spring coaches meeting. Proposals that are accepted by more than 50% of teams present will be voted on at the fall coaches meeting. Teams will have the ability to vote by assigning a proxy (another member coach who will be present during the meeting) in writing prior to the meeting. All proxy designations must be submitted to the KFWC’s email (kentuckyFWC@gmail.com ) with the assigned proxy coach copied on the correspondence 7 days prior to the state-wide meetings. All proposals must get more than 50% of the vote to be accepted. KFWC officers will receive 1 additional vote in the event of a tie. KFWC officers will post meeting notes and voting results to the Committee’s website. Member teams are responsible to keep current with information posted on the KFWC website During the Fall meeting, a small minority of coaches voted 13-12 to move the middle school season (in violation of Bylaw MS-10 and with no amendment). It was not originally proposed in the Spring meeting as required. Nor was the meeting published on the website listed above, nor was it scheduled 30 days in advance. It was advertised by email only, and sent out with a few days notice. And then anyone pushing back on the decision was told they should have been at this meeting that was not properly advertised. _____________________________________________________________ Bylaw MS-10 As the KFWC season ends 2 weeks prior than KHSAA season, the first organized practice shall not occur prior to October 1. Of course, the season does NOT end 2 weeks prior to KHSAA anymore. It now ends over a month later than it used to, but the first organized practice was not pushed back. Nor were the first competitions. I suggest we either remove this from the bylaws, or follow it. _____________________________________________________________ Bylaw MS-17.A Each participating team will receive 2 free coach’s passes that will allow them access to the competition floor area. Teams will be allowed to request for 2 additional coaches passes should they have more than 8 wrestlers competing. All Coach’s passes must be for approved coaches with valid USA Coaches Cards. In the meeting minutes from 12/5, this was changed. Then when challenged, in an email from Kelly Castle on 2/28, we are told to ignore the flyer, ignore the 12/5 meeting minutes, but instead plan to follow the bylaws. Sounds good. Can we plan to follow the bylaws everywhere else also? _______________________________________________________________ Bylaw Y-7.C Entry Fees are $16 per wrestler, no team maximum' This is being ignored. No amendment was made to the bylaws, but the price changed anyways. I suggest we follow the bylaws, or amend them to remove the restriction.

You really think highly of the wrestling community - the one sport where politics is largely absent. You would be correct there would likely be booing if “both wrestlers stopped the match” to do a Muslim prayer. However, these kids are Christians and the match had concluded on its own. Note: you’re the one who brought up politics and stretched the situation to its thinnest hypothetical, unrealistic conclusion.

Hello, The Kentucky Wrestling Officials Association will be hosting the Julian Finley Memorial Tournament (formerly KWOA Spring Classic) once again this year after a two year hiatus due to the pandemic. This years event will be hosted at Ryle High School on March 19, 2022 and includes all levels from youth through high school. I have attached a flyer. We are looking to have a great turnout. Thanks 2022 Julian Finley KWOA KYUSA Folkstyle State Tournament Final.pdf

I wonder if this has changed and no one was alerted. Wouldn’t be the first time KFWC has done some things under the radar and not anyone know. Any insight?

To those that want to be negative, I can attest that both of their hearts were pure and it was not Grandstanding. Check your own heart before judging others. As for Breyden, last year when he lost in the finals he walked off the mat to a hallway. Asked me to pray with him. Thanked God for the opportunity and ability to wrestle for him. As I had tears in my eyes, some feeling his loss for him and some for the good man that he is, he looked at me and said if you need a minute to gain your composure, take your time, I am heading up to be with my team and get ready for awards. When TJ beat him earlier this year, he took a moment and prayed on the mat. Win or lose, that is the heart and faith he has shown. Not disrespectful, not for you or others to give him accolades or try to tear him down. There is enough wrong in the world we live in right now, if you don't agree with him, close your eyes, turn around, or simply clear your own hate and don't judge him or others. For those saying what if another religion, I was in charge of the night shift of the largest terrorist prison in Afghanistan. I woke up everyday and said regardless of how these in prison act today, I will treat them with dignity and respect. Many humbling stories I could share. Although I fall short sometimes, that is how I try to act with everyone. Would be a greater place if we all tried the same. With that being said, as he practiced his freedom of religion, you all have the right to freedom of speech. You also have the freedom of choice and could choose to not be negative about everything in life. Congratulations to all that met their goals, keep grinding for those that fell short, and God Bless to all! JW

So we have two kids that agreed to hit there knees and give thanks for what ever they choose to and believe in and it’s grandstanding? Not in my eyes and I don’t have a dog in the fight. I have my spiritual belief and don’t hold someone else’s belief against them. This was two kids that put in a lot of work and left it all on the mat. My hats off to both and I wish I had that when I was in high school.

The Kentucky Wrestling Officials Association will be hosting the Julian Finley Memorial Tournament (formerly KWOA Spring Classic) once again this year after a two year hiatus due to the pandemic. This years event will be hosted at Ryle High School on March 19, 2022 and includes all levels from youth through high school. I have attached a flyer. We are looking to have a great turnout. 2022 Julian Finley KWOA KYUSA Folkstyle State Tournament Final.pdf

But at least they got a venue commensurate with the atmosphere a state final should create and generate.

Same.

Unpopular opinion, but I tend to agree with you.

Unfortunately, the work that Coach Wolf, his Franklin County team, and parents that were involved, were destroyed a few years back due to inadequate storing of those podiums. An “oversight” by the KHSAA. There were a lot of thankless hours put into those podiums. Thank you tiltfor3 for recognizing a man that not only made some podiums for the State Tournament, but also was a huge part in growing the sport of wrestling in KY. Proud to call him my Coach.

Very cool. Congrats to both kids on great seasons. Takes a special kid to lose a match, but still be composed enough to participate in a prayer. Parents and coaches should be proud of both wrestlers!

What a great moment.

Very proud of you Breyden. That’s a great way to let your light shine!

This gave me chills. Two of the best wrestlers in the state beat and banged on each other. Trying to force the other into the will for 6 minutes. Physical match. As soon as it was over the respect to each other was amazing. Two amazing young men who give all the glory to God.

Most amazing thing I have ever seen after a finals match. Breydon is an amazing young man. Im so blessed to know him and his family . Very special kid!!! Very Powerful moment. Kentucky Wrestling is a Family!!!

I like both of these kids because they're wrestlers. Honestly, how would you all feel if a couple Muslims or Rastafarians practiced their religion in that venue at that time? I'm calling it grandstanding.

I would disagree on the grandstanding given it that they’re kids. But I absolutely would agree that the overall gym’s reaction would have been EXTREMELY different if two Muslim wrestlers stopped the match and began their prayer ritual. I honestly wouldn’t have been surprised if those two Muslim wrestlers were boo’d and some in the stands started chanting USA. After all, Kentucky is predominantly Trump supporters in most rural counties and we all know how he feels about Muslims. And don’t come at me with that “keep politics out of sports” whining…