I have a question about the quality of wrestling in the Kansas junior high program. Is the general quality more of a club wrestling novice or open division? If I recall this topic correctly from last year it seemed like it was more towards novice in general with the exception of a few school districts.

If it is more towards a club novice quality, I am not sure it is fair to either the experienced skilled wrestler or the new wrestlers. I guess I would have a little concern that the mismatches could prematurely discourage some of the new wrestlers. It has been my experience that lack of success can be a major factor in young wrestlers dropping from the sport at a very early stage. I agree with sportsfan02 that there is some great benefit to being part of your school's team but I think it probably more important at the high school vs. the junior high school level. I know in some communities it could be as important at the junior high level. I guess in this case, I would like to see wrestling participation and family interest grow and I see some potential for running off some new wrestlers and families if they are thrown into an overly competitive situation too early in their careers.

It sounds like in Kansas we are unable to participate in national or regional tournaments during the regular high school season for any sport. I thought that was true for about any State, but it sounds like I'm incorrect about that. I know though that last Spring Adam Perkins, an accomplished cross country and track star from Liberty, Missouri, gave up his senior high school track season because I believe if he participated that he would have been unable to compete at some national competitions. You often hear about this in individual sports where individuals choose to give up their high school participation to purse a higher level of competition. I have read about swimmers doing that in the Kansas City area. I know that when they do this that they are not representing their school but is it really a good situation for say the Williams sisters to be demolishing local high school girls tennis competition? Maybe in some cases it is better for both parties (the Williams sisters and their local competition) not to be competing against each other.