Gone, Lost & Forgotten: Bethany (KAN)

 

This marks the 486th article that I've written in my "Gone, Lost & Forgotten" series.  486 collegiate wrestling programs that I've written about that we have lost over the years.  Less than a week ago I wrote one on California Baptist, and like California Baptist, there's something that rings painfully true about Bethany.  

Kansas like California is a state that produces some very good talent.  Just off the top of my head names like NCAA DI champion Zach Roberson & NCAA DI runner-up Shawn Bunch come to mind.  The Sunflower state, much like the Golden state has held its own in producing some great high school wrestlers that have gone on to phenomenal collegiate careers.  If anything, there should be MORE collegiate opportunities for these wrestlers to compete at home.  Instead, now there is less. 

Color me confused, but does it not seem that where we need college wrestling the most, is often where we lose it?  California, especially Southern California is in a desperate need for wrestling.  If wrestling be water, they are in a drought and in serious danger of dehydration.  I'd argue Kansas is no different.  

There are ZERO NCAA DI teams, and for a state that produces talent like Kansas, that is unacceptable.  Things are better now than when I was kid though & for that I am thankful.  Two NCAA DII teams, and now with the loss of Bethany, we go from 7 down to 6 programs in the NAIA.  I know that many are trying to see the reinstatement of Kansas Wesleyan, which I would love to see.   Yet it seems to always come with a price.  Anytime we add somewhere, we drop somewhere else.  For record, there are 7 NJCAA programs. 

Before we tap into celebrating the Swedes best wrestlers, there is a point that absolutely must be addressed on this issue.  Many are seeing the situation at Bethany and making comments like, "Well they suck anyway."   I am reminded of the film HEAVYWEGHTS where a camp goer named Jerry asks his counselor, "Did this place always suck this much?"   The counselor responds, "No Jerry, this place used to suck very little. In fact, it didn't suck at all." 

Such is the case with Bethany.  There was a time when the Swede wrestling program was proud and competitive.  Like in the film HEAVYWEIGHTS, Bethany could've chosen to take a little pride, work hard and build the program up to what it used to be.  That could be the situation we're looking at.  Instead they chose to give up. Throw in the towel and give a lethal injection to a dog that still had plenty of fight left in him.   This is a program that provided a home for local Kansas kids to compete, and now they have to look elsewhere.  

Anyway....The Swedes best....

Brandon Goodwin

A native of Lawrence, Kansas, Brandon Goodwin began his career ironically enough at Sioux Falls.  Sioux Falls discontinued their wrestling program & Goodwin transferred to Bethany where he was an NAIA qualifier for the Swedes in 2012.  All these years later Sioux Falls has since reinstated their wrestling program & it is now Bethany that is discontinuing. 

Colt Rogers

A four-time Kansas high school state champion, with a 149-3 record, Colt Rogers could have also gone the football route as he was a two-time All-State player during his prep years as well.  Luckily for us, he chose the mat over the gridiron, and he earned NAIA qualification three times for the Swedes in '12, '13 & '14. 

Courtney Strauss

A two-time Kansas High School state finalists, Courtney Strauss was a three-time NAIA qualifier for the Swedes earning qualification in '12, '13 & '14.  He later coached at Bethany for a short time. 

Colby Crank

Without a doubt, the best wrestler the Swedes ever produced was Colby Crank.  While in high school, Crank was 3rd-2nd-1st at the Kansas High School State championships, as he'd also earn three All-American honors during his time at Bethany.  In 2012 he placed 4th, following it ups in 2013 with a 6th place finish.  His final season of collegiate wrestling, he would make the NAIA finals, finishing 2nd in the nation.  Now the Head Women's wrestling coach at Ottawa, he was also a three-time Academic All-American. 

Aaron Garcia

An Arizona native, Aaron Garcia came to Bethany a transfer of Menlo College. He made the NAIA R12 for the Swedes in 2013. 

Jonathan Blackwell

A four-time Kansas High School state finalist & two-time Champion, Jonathan Blackwell is another who could have just as easily gone the football route.  He was a standout on the gridiron, playing both sides of the ball, earning various honors as both a defensive back & a wide receiver. Wrestling for the Swedes, he made an immediate impact finishing in the NAIA R12 both is freshman & sophomore seasons.  For the remainder of his collegiate career, he transferred to Baker. 

Jordon Ward

Jordon Ward came to Bethany College, I believe having taken some time away from wrestling for a while, because I don't believe that Hutchinson Community College had a wrestling program during the time he attended there.  Nevertheless Ward qualified for the NAIA championships in 2014 & 2018. 

Taylor Baird

A three-time Kansas high School state place-winner with finishes of 6th-3rd-1st during his prep years, Taylor Baird was an all-around athlete who also excelled as a linebacker on the football team & in the sport of baseball.  Luckily for us, he chose to wrestle in college.  He began his career at Pratt, where he was a two-time NJCAA All-American.  He would finish NAIA R12 for the Swedes in 2014. 

Zach Anderson

2nd & 1st his final two years of High School in the state of Kansas, Zach Anderson began his collegiate wrestling career for Nebraska-Kearney.  However, he felt the nearly 3 1/2 hour drive was way too far from his home in Clay Center.  He wanted to wrestle closer to home & only an hour away, Bethany provided him that opportunity.  He qualified for the NAIA championships in 2014 & 2015. 

Dane Edwards

Straight out of Dodge City, Dane Edwards was 6th-1st-3rd at the High School State championships in Kansas.  Competing for the Swedes, he was an NAIA qualifier in 2015. 

Trevor Whittaker

From Smoky Valley High School, right there in Lindsborg, Trevor Whitaker came to Bethany a High School State champion.  His desire was to stay right there in Lindsborg, and wrestle at home.  Bethany gave him that opportunity.  He was an NAIA qualifier for the Swedes in 2016. 

Victor Hughes

We all love stories of guys who won national titles who never won state titles, and Victor Hughes is one of them. 3rd & 5th in the Kansas High School state championships, also an Academic All-American, Hughes earned an 8th place finish at the NAIA championships for the Swedes in 2015.  He'd transfer to Baker for his final season of collegiate eligibility, where he won the NAIA title in 2016. 

Brandon Archuleta

Another graduate of nearby Smoky Valley, Brandon Archuleta was a three-time NAIA qualifier for the Swedes in '16, '18 & '19. 

Tyler Smith

A Kansas high school state champion for Olathe South, Tyler Smith came to Bethany because he liked the idea of being a part of new young program.  His goal post college was to one day help start a new program somewhere else.  He was an NAIA qualifier for Bethany in 2016. 

Ty Kolterman

Another graduate of Clay Center, Ty Kolterman earned NAIA qualification for the Swedes in 2017. 

Quinton Harrison

A graduate of Newton High school in Kansas, Quinton Harrison was an NAIA qualifier in 2017. 

John Risewick

A Kansas high school state champion for Norton, John Risewick earned NAIA qualification for the Swedes in 2017. 

Trey Edwards

A native of Oklahoma, Trey Edwards qualified for the NAIA championships in 2018 & 2019. 

Zach Gadbois

Zach Gadbois came to Bethany all the way from Oregon.  He earned NAIA qualification in 2018. 

Dustin Mason

Dustin Mason came to Bethany with his brother William "Trey" Mason from Oklahoma. Dustin was an NAIA qualifier in 2019. 

Brix Brickley

Another local of Smoky Valley, Brix Brickley earned NAIA qualification for the Swedes in 2019. 

William "Trey" Mason

Trey Mason as said earlier, came to Bethany with his brother Dustin from Oklahoma. He was a three-time NAIA qualifier for the Swedes in '19, '21, & '22. 

Josh Wilson

Josh Wilson came to Bethany from Texas.  He was an NAIA qualifier for the Swedes in 2020.