GT ,
I totally agree w/ you....I grew up in Iowa, we would get out of school and bused to Des Moines for the State Tourny ( this was 18 yrs ago )...it was and still is a very big deal in Iowa to the wrestlers, families, cheerleaders, towns, etc....when I told my son this, he could not believe it....

Then when we lived in Lincoln, NE for 4 yrs...the State Tourny was at the Bob Devany Sports Center ( Uni of NEB ) every year...huge deal..the last year we lived there, was a battle between Omaha and Lincoln to host the State Wrestling Tourny...Omaha won

what I'm trying to get at...is like what GT said...it is a huge accomplishment and a great experiance to make it to State ...

...but this news is disappointing....