Ryan,

I agree that our sport could be improved with some seperation of the oustanding individuals in each weight class. Most of the time our formula from the KSHSAA works, but when it doesn't, it would be nice to have an alternative. I have posted this before and still would like to see something similar used. I know it needs tweeked in some ways but if we start with this and then gradually make necessary changes as needed. This plan works with all classifications.
Here it is again.

State Wrestling Championship Seeding

In order to make the State Wrestling Tournament more competitive for the athletes as well as more exciting for the fans, we need to seed the participants. Many times, the most evenly matched competitors are paired in the semifinals, which takes some of the excitement from the finals.

The KSHSAA could resolve this by seeding the regional finalists and still use the current formula for all remaining placers. I realize this has been discussed in the past, but with a few specific seeding criteria, this could be accomplished without delaying the pairings. The result will be a more evenly balanced semifinal round and the opportunity for returning state finalists to meet in the finals match.

Proposed Seeding Criteria
Unlike the criteria for an invitational tournament, these criteria are specific and listed in order of preference. Only the regional champions will be seeded and all other placers from their regional will follow the formula according to their champion’s placement.

Seeding Criteria
1. Returning state champion at same weight
2. Returning state champion
3. Previous state placer
4. Regional championship over a state placer
5. Outstanding record

These criteria suggestions could easily separate opponents and help showcase our state finals. There will be individuals who meet these criteria, but may not be the regional champion. They are not seeded. They lost their seeding criteria by not placing first in their regional.

Seeding Procedure
All regional tournaments will report results to the KSHSAA and have them placed into the formula as in the past. Once pairings are made, they will be reviewed by a panel of three former coaches for each classification. This would require 12 individuals to be assigned by the KSHSAA. These 12 would meet for approximately two hours, review the pairings and make necessary adjustments to the A, B, C & D assignments in order to separate the seeds.

In some weight classes, the computer program will take care of things automatically. In most cases, it would be a simple matter of switching two regional placements into the formula.

The brackets would still show no preference to a specific location of the first through fourth seed. The goal is to separate the top competitors by use of the criteria.

The seeding criteria are only suggestions and with review, might need to be revised. We should limit the number of criteria to no more than five.

Terry Alley
Andover Central High School
316-218-4700