While I agree that many of those programs have wrestlers with club experience, the key difference is that those teams, including Lake Stevens under Coach Barnes, were able to take kids who no one had ever heard of and develop them into outstanding wrestlers. Or take really good club kids and make them way better. Athletes like Lester Barnes and Michael Gasper, who didn't even step on the mat until 9th grade, are prime examples of how effective coaching and a strong team culture can help raw talent evolve into championship-caliber wrestlers. Take George King and look at the difference between his two schools and output.

It's important to recognize that while local wrestling clubs play a role in building a foundation, it's the strong coaching staffs and the support within good high school programs that transforms athletes. Programs that are consistently strong are able to take athletes at all levels of experience and give them the tools, guidance, and opportunity to succeed. This is what sets programs that consistently fair well apart.