My son's CYO's school athletic association does not offer wrestling as a sport. I find this an interesting topic anyway.

First on national tournaments, we have never been to one other than Liberty Nationals last year and I consider that more of a regional tournament at this point. I had an e-mail communication with Cael Sanderson's father a little more than a year ago on another subject and in his response to me he recommended not having my son participate in national tournaments. He said his recommendation was to restrict him to only state and regional tournaments. He said all of his sons thanked him for doing this and that they would have never lasted if he had entered them in all those national tournaments. His concern was young kids burning out and I guess he has seen plenty of it.
Mike, I am not saying that makes your individual path incorrect but that was his advice to me.

I do also believe that sportsfan02's point about injuries is a valid one. In Kansas I believe these laws are applicable to all sports. I think that is part of the reason why there is not a wrestling Grand State. I know for a fact that high school football coaches would not want their players participating on any other type of football team during the season. I would imagine that wrestling coaches are the same way.

I also think that at this age it is time to start to give the wrestler a little more choice in the decision. I guess I disagree a little with you on this point too, Mike. I do agree that parents have to be involved, but at some point the young person has to start making important decisions for themselves. I mean they have to think for themselves when they are on the mat. Next year my son will have to make a decision as to what high school he will attend in two years. As parents we have pretty much decided on three to four acceptable schools for him. I believe we will give him the final choice on this very important decision for himself. I just believe it helps develop him as a person to learn to make choices and decisions for himself after he has listened to our input.

By the way, he probably cannot change anything about the current law but I'm pretty sure that Phil Kline the Kansas Attorney General was a very good high school wrestler.