I am originally from Fresno, California born and raised!!! Out in California all highschools must compete all the way to state.

The kids must advance one tournament at a time.
League
Division
Valley/Masters
State

One extra tournament in there before state!! The difference is there is no division 1 or 2 or 3! All kids wrestle at the state finals, WHY DOES KANSAS DIVIDE the state? Kansas actually has more than one state champion in every weight class yearly...
WHY NOT MAKE ONE TRUE CHAMPION? California has a tough wrestling program and I believe it is due to the ONE TRUE CHAMPION! Everyone crosses each other path eventually....

Yeah, Ghost. KS used to have a GRAND state back in like the late 70's. Slayer or others can tell you about it.

One coach told me that the BIGGER schools got sick of getting whipped by the smaller schools out west . . . So, they started their own division . . .

I guess other factors are the size of your student population. But I agree with you. It is unfortunate that we cannot have the best of the best wrestle each other in our state. Heck, this year the 'state' tourney was held at FOUR different locations! At least in years past you could see 4,5,6 at one location. Kind of a DE-evolution occured this year. Four tourneys at four different locations . . . Ghez . . . Not good for fans. And, not good for a competive kid that really wants to meet the 'best of the best'.

I hope they change it for the better one of these days . . .

WHO would be in charge of changing it back? Isn't there an person who can bring this topic into the open????????? On a bigger scale?????????????????????

I would like to watch the (Best of the best). It doesn't feel right knowing kansas has more than one champion in each weight class. My family in california asked the same question and didn't quite understand when I explained..

i wish and think it could happen in wrestling. in other sports i dont think it could work because the size of school and student population plays a greater role in sports like football and basketball. wrestling is pretty even. there are schools in 4a that could compete with 6a schools. they all wrestle each other throughout the year anyway, that doesnt happen in many other sports. it will never happen, but i like the idea.

Why will it 'never happen' here? Other states can and do do it - why not here in KS? We aren't 'smart' enough to figure it out? What is the problem?

The Grand State only happened 2 years.Mid 70s. Wichita-Kaupan won it both times.Kaupan, an all boy Jesuit school at the time, was dominant for many years, Our head coach has told the stories many many times over the years.

Ghez. Only two years huh? Thanks for the info.

Isn't kids state almost like a 'grand state'? If they can do it for the 'little dudes' - why can't they do it for the 'big dudes'? I understand that the big dudes need more mat space. Just run the tourney a day longer if a big enough venue cannot be found in the state.

Or, think outside the box. Maybe a neighboring state would let us borrow/rent their venue if none of ours is big enough . . .

It worked for 2 years in the 70's. Why can't it work now?

the reason it wont work now is the same reason 5A and 6A let half its wrestlers go to state. they want more kids to participate in a "state" championship. the more kids that go to state the more parents and relatives that travel and buy concessions and tickets. its a money thing. it doesnt matter that a true state championship would truly reward the best in the sport from the entire state, it will never happen.

If 'money' is your argument - then wouldn't a GRAND state draw MORE people? Leave the current format of multi-champs. BUT, have an OPTIONAL Grand State for those that want to attend the following weekend. Most of the champs are highly competitive and wouldn't mind one more weekend to see who is the 'best of the best' and wouldn't this ONE extra tourney draw OUT TONS of wrestling fans (and college recuiters) thereby generating lots of that precious green stuff we call 'money'? Just a thought.

Discuss please.

What about the kids that got hurt at state. Many of them wouldn't be able to compete one more tourney - my son included.

I couldn't believe that we had as many injury defaults as we did.

Anyway, there would always be something that would not make it a true Grand State, injuries, sickness or something. I think our state championship is very nice, and many of these kids meet up along the way anyway at different tournaments.

Grand State would be pretty awesome to see...

im suprised no one has put up there predictions on who would win a "grand state" this year seems like someone does it everyyear.

Isn't that kind of accomplished by Chief's all class rankings?

[quote=Mama Spangler]What about the kids that got hurt at state. Many of them wouldn't be able to compete one more tourney - my son included.


******That is OK. The 'Grand State' would be optional. People would understand regarding injury defaults and the heck with them if they didn't understand.

But, shouldn't the ones that are 'able and willing' be given the opportunity to say, "I am the BEST in the state"? Such as they are able to do in Calif? (Hence, this is why Jamal Kelley never placed higher than 4th in the state of Calif - yet, the competition was so good that he was able to later go on and represent our country through other qualifying national tourneys, at international meets).