Emporia's second-ranked wrestling program is a family affair

Topeka Capital-Journal, The, Jan 26, 1999 by RIC ANDERSON The Capital-Journal E MPORIA As he talked

"We've got four sets of brothers on the varsity today," he said after competing Saturday in a four-team meet on the Spartans' floor. "That's my brother (Davin) out there rightnow."

The Spauldings' dad, Fred, was on the bench, helping coach the Malones (Dusty and Brian), the Everetts (Chad and Jason) and the Nelsons (Brian and Brett). Aaron Lane was awaiting his turn in the rotation while his father, Brent, an assistant coach, cheered Davin Spaulding.

Sounds homey and nice, until you notice the blood seeping from Dusty Spaulding's lower lip, courtesy of his match Saturday with Junction City's Mike Bishop. Yes, there are a lot of family ties here, but the team isn't about running in three-legged races and drinking lemonade. There's one reason for the daily reunion of Spartan relatives, and that's to bring the Class 6A wrestling title back to Emporia. This isn't news to anybody who follows high school sports, but the school has one of the best wrestling programs in the state. There are eight state championship banners hanging in the Spartans' gym, stringing from 1980 to 1996. Since 1992, Emporia has produced a state champ every year. "There's a lot of tradition in Emporia wrestling," said Dusty Spaulding, a two-time state champ who's vying to add a third title during his junior year. "I came up here to wrestle. I wanted to be part of that tradition." The Spauldings make a 30-minute daily drive from Council Grove to compete for the team. They help make up a group that, regardless of how it finishes this season, is among the most unique in state. "We've kind of got a wrestling family here," said coach Curtis Simons. It's a family with no obvious signs of dysfunction. In fact, the Spartans are working together most effectively. They're ranked No. 2, behind 1998 state champ Garden City, in the current Class 6A rankings by the Kansas Wrestling Coaches Association. Emporia boasts top 5 wrestlers in seven of the 14 weight categories, including No. 1-ranked Dusty Spaulding at 130 pounds and senior Aaron Lane at 189. Other ranked Spartans are sophomore Dusty Malone, No. 2 at 103; his brother, Brian, a junior who is No. 4 at 112; junior Chad Everett, No. 3 at 119; senior Brett Nelson, No. 5 at 152; and sophomore Jory Adkins, No. 4 at 171. As a team, the athletes are involved in what promises to be a close battle with Garden City for the state crown. The Spartans competed against Garden City earlier this month in Newton and were nipped by six points. Dusty Spaudling said he and his teammates were eager for a chance to avenge the loss. "I think we can beat 'em at state," he said of the Buffaloes. "It's just a matter of everybody pulling together and sucking it up.