ortho chances

I was thinking about a residency in ortho. I am currently an M3 at a midwestern school (not one of the big names). I am especially interested in obtaining a residency in California or another major metropolitan area (somewhere warm hopefully , but sweet home chicago would do. Step I = 240, class rank unknown (probably around upper 1/4?, Definitely top 1/2), a few honors here and there so far, highly involved in AMA and State med soc. at local, regional, and national level, involved in a few school committees, 3 yrs total basic sci research experience in cell/molec/developmental bio--> 3rd author on one project, 1 abstract and poster on another. Will be starting surg clinical research soon. Previous High school all-america athlete, one year NCAA athletics (non-scholarship).

I don't have any "big names" from out west pulling strings for me, nor do I have significant ties to west coast (or midwest for that matter since my family is scattered all over the country and/or dead)

I feel I have a decent chance of getting an ortho residency somewhere, but my questions are:

Since I can't obviously do away rotations all over Cali due to time and financial reasons, and since away rotations are so highly valued, should I use my aways at a midwestern programs where I might have a better chance of getting in anyway, and just apply to cali as a crapshoot?

Are there any "midwestern friendly" ortho programs on the left coast?

Should I answer at interview (if I get 'em) that I have no significant ties to any location? That wife and I just wanna live in Cali? (ya' know, in addition to "this program is the greatest for the following reasons, blah blah blah."

Anyways...is there anyone out there who got in from a smaller midwest school, no ties, less than superb grades, no LOR from nobel laureates, etc...
What are my chances?
What should I do?

Thanks in advance.

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ortho chances