Abilene 54 byes , Hiwatha 49 byes , Norton 48 byes, Hoisington 70 byes. This is all the regional information i could find on the 123a and 4a s. Is this the norm? Most of these regionals are not any stronger than 5a or 6a in 60% of the weights. If someone has information on the rest of the regionals that would be great.

I'd say that number of byes is normal with the dwindling # of kids. I know Hoxie was only able to fill 12 of 14 weights, but took 10 of those to state. With full 16-man brackets x 14 weight classes, a completely full regional would have 224 wrestlers. Excluding the # of byes you mentioned, that would leave a total of 170, 175, 176, and 154 wrestlers in the respective regionals you mentioned. This averages out to over 12-13 per weight class except for Hoisington which averaged 11 kids per weight. This means 2 out of every 3 kids at these regionals do not make it to state.

Were there any byes in the 8-man brackets for 5a & 6a?

You do have to allow for the fact — at least at Hiawatha — that 14 of the those for forfiets were automatic, since there are only 15 teams in the Regional. Granted, that still averages over three per weight, so I see your point.

The other thing is that 3-2-1A schools almost always have trouble filling weights. That's just one of those things, and is — at least to me — a great argument for going from four to three classes.

It really intrigues me these coaches always arguing for three classes instead of 4. You would think they have kids placing so high at state qualifying so many that they just have too many kids getting recognition. Kids, wrestlers anyone knows the best way to build a program is with more success, recognition etc not less. It is kind of like a kid going fishing, if they catch a few they are ready to go back. They tell there friend and they are ready to go too. Wrestling and sports is exactly the same. The way to build is more success. I grow weary of people supposedly wrestling supporters who think it is too **** easy to win it. My question does anybody from Norton, Scott City, Turner or Manhattan think it is just too easy to be succesful?

Bob Curl

What is the point of your post?
Do you expect each team to fill each weight? Some teams (3,2,1A) only had one or two kids out for wrestling (Hutch Trinity had the Hart kid) – of course there are byes so what is your point?

Fanatic,
I don't think you will find any coach in the state that disagrees with giving more kids an opportunity to place at a state tournament. It may water down the value of a state placer or champion as far as the state of Kansas goes, but that's what Fargo is for.

I know certainly the KSHSAA wants to recognize as many kids as possible.

Read BigRedCoach post

Mr,Dalefish1 I was just curious to know some of the numbers in the other regionals. I think that 123a and 4a regionals are harder for these young men,but in alot of these weights with the byes the boys are not wrestling any more than 5a or 6a.I love the sport of wrestling and have saw wrestling in all classes, the bottom line for myself is there are great wrestlers in all classes. Thank you for your response. Bob Curl

the numbers will be higher for byes in 321a and 4a, simply due to the fact it's a 16 man bracket...5 and 6a's only have 8 man brackets.

There are very few brackets in 3a or 4a that have as few kids in the bracket as 5a or 6a 8...7...6..or even 5.