ok guys- everybody has a side, but why not get crazy and let my 5th grader compete with an eighth grader. He practices all year with them really, and think how much better that might make him to extend his season in competition with them. Hot Damn! Great for the stars, not always so great for growth or encouragement. We want to expand the sport not JUST make the great better.

Maybe we could try opening a highschool grand (fabulous for the sport and state/Kansas use to have one), allow 14yr old to wrestle up if they choose(for the star pupils),give this idea a year and see how the freshmen choose to compete (the few hs state placers will probably choose the hs level which is what I understand many want to see the BIG matches), then work on tweeking it. Though being called weak may already have changed what peer pressure will allow.

Kids state does not have to be thought as lesser-it is not. Exspecially if the thought is to add a Higher HS level. On one hand it is so great to have a grand tourney, but on the other it is only a lesser title to win at KIDS STATE. Which one is it?

Let's design a program that is progressive for the majority, not just the few. Just a thought!