I have a wrestler that is 8 and under that weighs 130 lbs. Now when we go to local events they have a 110, 120(maybe) and then a HWT division. Now I am finding out that at sub-district he has to be at 125 lbs or is unable to compete. With all the articles about cutting weight and the such the state of Kansas has dertermined that after paying dues and entry fees and the such that if he doesn't get to 125 that we go home and are unable to compete in the qualifiers or state.

I find this a bit disturbing, promote promote wrestling and then they send kids home. He will probably be able to make 125 but it is a bit disturbing that they will send kids home that don't fit their criteria.

If there are others out there with this problem please respond. Or is this a unique situation.

It's just tuff wrestling all season and then not being able to compete at the top level at the end of the year.

This happened to our club last year also. Our kid was 10U but was WAY over the cutoff weight. When he had wrestled in tournaments that year, he was usually bumped up an age, but couldn't hang with those kids. He was only first year and ended up facing kids that were 3yrs or better. The disappointments and frustration was just too much and too often I guess because he didn't come back this year. Like you, we didn't realize that he couldn't wrestle subs until all the fees and forms were turned in. Wrestling is the one sport where all kids of all shapes, sizes, ability and/or disability levels are welcome to compete. I think that if these kids are willing to put forth the effort all year, there should be a place for them at the end, just like everyone else.
This doesn't only happen to the heavy kids. I know that there are a few 56-60 lb kids at 12U that will have to wrestle in the 70lb bracket. Same story here, but at least these kids can participate. 10-15 lbs is alot of weight to give up for anyone. I know that these cases are few and far between, but I think that they are becoming more and more common. I would like to believe that USA wrestling could separate itself from the mentality of "mainstream society" and change these guidelines to remedy situations such as these. Not everyone is a size 6! In the days of x-box and gameboys, obesity is a serious issue facing our children. Sports like wrestling are one positive way to combat this problem.
Bottom line: If you are willing to work for it, the reward should be available to you, no matter what size you are!

The official bracketing splits are set for this year. They have been the same all year. However, during the regular season, tournament directors try to be more inclusive. Often times weight brackets are combined in order to allow the greatest number of kids an opportunity to participate. In order to be fair to the kids making weight in a particular weight class, more strict guidelines must be followed at the qualifying events. Unfortunately a few kids find themselves outside the limits. The weight brackets are established such that a robust bracket can be drawn for the state tournament. If an extra bracket were added, would there be anyone for your child to wrestle after he paid his entry fees?

A few years ago the 8-year old class went from 80 to 95. There were enough people asking for a class in the middle that it was changed to 80, 88, and 95. I think it took several years to get this change implemented. You took the first step by posting your comments on this site. Next let you club directors know that you want them to lobby for another class. Unfortunately, this will not help you this year.

I might suggest wrestling up an age group. However, after doing a little research I do not think wrestling up an age group would be a possibility. Article IX, Section III, Part B, Rule 4-4-1: "at no time will a wrestler be permitted to wrestle out of their age division". I believe this rule was put in for qualifying tournaments only.

Good luck. Tell your wrestler to keep their head up. Kids in this age group have a long career ahead of them. I am sure that they will carry their experiences this season with them the rest of their life, whether they compete at state or not.

Mark Stanley
Junior Viking Wrestling

"Our kid was 10U but was WAY over the cutoff weight. When he had wrestled in tournaments that year, he was usually bumped up an age, but couldn't hang with those kids."
"Wrestling is the one sport where all kids of all shapes, sizes, ability and/or disability levels are welcome to compete. I think that if these kids are willing to put forth the effort all year, there should be a place for them at the end, just like everyone else."

If you were having to move your wrestler up an age group to find wrestlers the same size at invitationals then it stands to reason you won't find any the same age at qualifying tournaments either. In order for there to be competition you must have someone to wrestle. Walking your way thru subs to a state title is NOT competition.

I will admit, I have never understood the rule about not being able to wrestle up an age group at qualifiers because we do it already with the 6yr olds. But, as you said he was not competitive at the older level. My advice would be in these situations instead of trying to change the system for one child to work with that child on proper diet and exercise. High school weights have limitations too so you might as well get used to it. I've seen high school kids work for a year or longer to get below the 275# limit so they could compete.

"instead of trying to change the system for one child to work with that child on proper diet and exercise."

Great Idea!

I personally make sure that MY children and myself eat a properly balanced diet and we "maintain" our weight throughout the season. I cannot say nor regulate how other parents handle this at thier own house. In my case, growing up I was always the "fat kid". Eating properly alone doesn't cure things. Excercise is key, especially for kids, so why not practice 2-3 nights a week? How long do you think that you can keep a kid interested in this sport if all they are allowed to do is practice?
I'm not suggesting that one kid be able to clear Subs unopposed and "walk his way" to a state title. I'm just suggesting that this is becoming a growing issue. As the population of wrestlers increases in the state, so does the need for review of policy.

"How long do you think that you can keep a kid interested in this sport if all they are allowed to do is practice?"

They are allowed to wrestle up an age group thru the season just not for qualifiers. Many years ago before we reduced the weight classes we had kids walking thru, all the way to a state title.

"Wrestling is the one sport where all kids of all shapes, sizes, ability and/or disability levels are welcome to compete."

I'm not sure where this notion was first created because I've heard it paraphrased before, but wrestling is NOT for everyone! There are weight limitations at every level, from kids to college.

I am still unclear about one thing. How can 6yr olds move up in age but no one else can?

There was discussion at last years state body meeting that lead me to believe that weight divisions could be on the table next year. I do believe our organization needs to be as inclusive as possible. This would be the year for someone with knowledge about these heavier weights to come forward.

My son has competed in the heavier weights of the 8 year old class the past couple of years. Often times, at tournaments during the regular season, weights heavier that 95# are combined or drawn up as round robins. The question would be if a bracket could be drawn at the weight in question. If the answer is yes, then I think your concerns should be addressed. I am not sure the numbers would warrant it. However, the positive benefits of this sport go far beyond a kid’s ability to compete at the state tournament. The kids we are talking about have the most to gain by their participation throughout the year. No…USAW does not support or even condone weight cutting. However, weight control can be positive part of our sport. If handled right “cutting weight” does not have to be a dirty word. This sport gets kids off the couch and into a physically active environment through the winter months. What is negative about that?

Mark Stanley
Junior Viking Wrestling

I'm the U8 130# wrestler's mom. I have read the comments posted today regarding my son's wrestling abilities and weight. Let me assure you we do monitor his diet more closely than 95% of parents. (I have a college degree in nutrition.) He is 5'3", did double time this winter playing basketball and wrestling which includes Mon and Wed wrestling practice and Tues and Thurs basketball practice. He can run 3 miles non-stop on the treadmill at any given time (yes, he can). Every kid football coach that sees him wants him to play for them. I have weighed him every single morning for the last 3 years, summer and winter and marked his height behind the door monthly, so please don't give me the "watch his diet more closely and he will not have this problem" advise.
I believe that we will get him down to 125 for the tournament, partially by dehydration I'm sure. Is this really what wrestling is all about? I have read so many articles stating that you are much better off to go ahead and move up a weight group, watch your diet and let good things happen. But in reality, the wrestling government actually tells us to cut the weight or stay home! I think one person even suggested that we find a new sport. (Thanks for the support, guy.)
Look for us at the tournaments and thanks for being interested in our problem.

cft,
The only persons that it really matters to if your son is obese or not are you and him. As to wrestling, it doesn't matter if he's obese or just big. The question is, who would he wrestle? If both of you would take pride in him winning a state medal for wrestling one match or less over a three week period, then I guess we could create another weight class. That still isn't the definition of competition and doesn't make him a better wrestler.

sportsfan02,

I'm not here to try and set up a special weight class so we can wrestle 3 times for a state medal. Thats not the point. It seems from some other responses that there have been other instances like this. He wants the chance to compete.

He wrestled up from 6 and under 2 years ago and qualified for state and made it to the second day and fell one match short of getting into the plaque or medal round so your "definition of competion doesn't make him a better wrestler" point is lost with me. He is a good wrestler.

I just think that if kids are turned away it isn't good for the sport. Wrestling needs these athletes( at least I think they do)to continue on so as to make the sport stronger instead of having problems with cutting the sport in higher education althletics. It is usually one of the first sports to get cut or have funds go to other sports.

I'm done, I dont have anything else. It is what it is and we will try to make it or he will drop it and find another sport (which he is also good at) to play.

Thanks for everyones responses.

Our club has had this same problem with one of your heavyweight who is 25lbs over. We have taken him to National Tournments and he places in them with more than 8 man brackets. This does need to be addressed since these kids work just as hard as the 52lbs kids. Since it cannot be changed this year your if your child does not make weight and was born in 1995 or before he will still qualify for the USA National Tournment in Cedar Fall Iowa. We took our hwt there last year and he could not wrestle the Kansas State Tournment.

I might suggest utilizing this site to do a poll. Keep the question simple..."Does your club have any 8 and under kids over the 125# limit." Make it a yes/no answer and address it to club directors only. It would be unscientific and may not include everyone, but it would be a start. A couple of you could also exchange information and put together a more scientific survey of Kansas Clubs, beginning with your personal knowledge. If the numbers warrant a change, I'm think you could get it implemented. However, without the evidence or data to back up your claim I do not think anything would get done. Your cause is just. With a little work you could make a positive impact. Good Luck.

Mark,
I would suggest a more complete poll be mailed to each club from the Executive Board. But, what do you do if there are 5 kids total in the whole state and they range from say 125# to 140#? Do we add one weight class or two weight classes? Then the one kid who exceeds these weights will want included.
I would suggest a better solution is to change the constitution to allow wrestlers to wrestle up one age group at qualifiers. If these kids/parents are really only looking for a chance to compete and better themselves this would solve the problem.