My opinion is that only the high schoolers should compete for "All-American" status. I do not think that it is "right" for an elementary kid to be declared an All-American.

XGHSWC, I know alot of the kids that work alot harder than the high schoolers do. But they shouldn't be able to claim AA status?
Wow. that's a brave statement.

Jerry, put down the Marlboro, or whatever you are smoking, and look at it the way he probably meant to say it:

Some kids showed up at Brute and were already All Americans because they only had 4-8 kids in their brackets. When a kid can't qualify for Ks state, yet can win a "national" tourney, should it really be called a national tourney? Wichita Classic has out of state kids, but noone calls their kid an all american for placing there.

The tourneys that I call national level events are the Cliff Keen kickoff, Tulsa Nationals, Reno, Iowa Folkstyle Nationals, USJOC. I'm leaving some out for sure, but as examples these are the biggies. I think it is a disservice to the kids that have made the podium at these types of tourneys, to give All American status to kids that place at Brute by not winning a match.

It is nothing but GOOD for the kids to be on the mat, no matter the tourney, but I think the hype needs to be scaled back until they move it to a weekend that doesn't have Iowa folkstyle nationals and Reno Worlds going on at the same time.

See you at Andover Central tonight.

Doug

Wrong Jerry, totally wrong. It is not a brave statement at all. I said what it was, my opinion, and I also said no hating but you had to jump all over it. Yes these kids work hard. My son worked very hard when he was that young also, but I guarantee that he works alot harder now that he is in high school. I just think that it is kind of silly to declare an elementary kid "All-American", especially in a 4/6/8 man bracket. I would have thought that it was very silly if my son was declared an "All-American" when he was in elementary school as well. Why can't they just compete for competition sake. Again, no hating intended but you are welcome to hate on me if it please you.

Not hating at all just stating a fact. ALOT of these kids work their tales off from Sept. thru March and if it's a legit national tourny then what should the problem be. I'm not counting Brute i'm talking about Tulsa/folkstyle nationals. If they work hard enough to place then why say it's silly to call them AA. By the way, you know my name. Now who are you?

Hey you guys are hijacking my thread! This isn't about ALL AMERICANS it is about a one year contract so that we can make some changes to allow our Kids State Tournament to grow. Show up in Salina on April 19th!!

I prefer to remain anonymous because I would rather have people focus on my comments and not on me. I can tell you that you know me and hopefully you would consider me a "friend" which I would consider you. If I told you my name, you may not be my "friend" anymore which would be sad.
And now, because I do not want to "hijack" Cokeley's thread, all of my comments with regard to Brute/Improvements/"All-Americans" will appear on the Brute Improvements thread. Look for them to appear soon as I am sure they will be "controversial".

That is the "Disappointed in Brute" thread.