There are only a few hours left in the last February 29 until 2020. For the record, I was born in a leap year (1976), but I didn’t experience my first February 29 until 1980, which happened to be seven days after the United States defeated the Soviet Union in the Winter Olympics at Lake Placid, better known as the Miracle on Ice. 

What nobody remembers about the victory over the Soviets is that if the Americans lost two days later to Finland, they would have not won any medal. As coach Herb Brooks told his team during the second intermission, “If you lose this game, you’ll take it to your F***ING GRAVES”. 

Kansas held its high school wrestling state tournaments over the past weekend. For the first time since moving to Kansas during the 2005-06 school year, it was the first time I was not in Hays for the 3-2-1A tournament. I thought I would miss it, but I really didn’t. I followed it on Track Wrestilng and watched some televised matches on Smoky Hills Public TV, but otherwise, it wasn’t a big deal not to be there. 

Norton won the 3-2-1A championship for the fourth consecutive season. A lot of people in eastern Kansas were hoping Rossville could win and end the west’s dominance, but it wasn’t to be. The Bluejays also had three individual champions, although they won the 2015 championship without one. 

It’s basketball’s turn to move into the spotlight tonight. Sub-state competition begins in the lower classifications. The higher classifications get stared Wednesday, with 4A holding out until Thursday. I have never been a fan of Kasnas’ structure, where eight teams qualify for each of eight state tournaments (six classifications, with two divisions in 1A and 4A). Eight is too many. Four would allow the semifinals and championship games to be played at a single location. Then again, we’re talking about the Kansas State HIgh SChool Activities Association, which apparently does not mind paying lots of facility rental fees.