Preparing a kid for state is a year long struggle. Here's what works for us. I always see my son as the under dog and that's how we approach each match. From the beginning of the season I wrestle my son in a heavier weight class so he gets manhandled by a few kids. It jars his confidence and brings him down. then we go home, watch the film and work on better technique. I have always been told without loss, you can't learn to be a winner. Every time my son lost we had a new opportunity to get better. Break em down and build em back up. In the end he may not have the best record, so who cares! The important thing is that he improved week to week. In every sport it's important not to peek to early and have overconfidence going into a final. Pride and overconfidence has lost many a championships. Tournaments are practice for the big show at the end of the year, so what if he gets first. There is also many variables in each persons workout that can change this philosophy such as practice partners,coaches, ect. The one thing I can say is MOST IMPORTANT is setting a personal goal that is reachable. State champ may be to high, state qualifer may be acceptable, or top 6. If these goals are achieved then your a winner.