Mr. Isom, on your question on what makes you think tournaments are too long? Part of my question had to do with Topmiller's post about his experience in Ottawa this weekend that I referenced to at the start of this post. It appears that Ottawa did not have as good a finishing time as District III. My second reason was that too long of a tournament was part of the explanation that was given to me last year from the State tournament officials when I expressed my family's frustration about the fact that our son after losing his first match had to wait until at least noon to find out he would not wrestle again until the next day. The winners went on to wrestle 2 more times that day before he was able to wrestle his second match the next day. They said it was set up this way partially to cut the time needed on the last day of wrestling at State. Personally we did not have a bad experience at Ottawa this year since my son is in 10 & under and he was in the morning session. I would not have wanted to experience what Topmiller did though.

I thought you gave some great reasons why they can become so long and correcting those things would be part of the solution. I can say though that I do not argue with referees (I've been a referee in another sport and I know it is a tough job) and my son is always at his mat on time for his matches.

As far as the age classes, my question is really do 16 & 17 years old (sophomores & juniors) really need to be practicing and competing at the same events as these younger boys? I can see them coming to help coach the younger boys at the end of their high school season if they would like to keep involved. But do they really need to compete at the same events? I know once my high school sports seasons were done that I was ready for them to be over. I really would not have wanted to be competing at events that young kids were at. However, I did not wrestle in high school and we did not compete in one sport year around back in 1969 when I graduated. I definitely could be wrong about it but I do know three good wrestlers who would be in this group who have chosen not to wrestle in Kids and two of them are doing freestyle this spring and summer.

I definitely do not completely agree with your last statement about if we can't handle a whole day that we should find another sport. Do we want to lose new wrestlers and their families? I think there is room for families who believe in a more moderate approach and do not devote as much time as many of you who coach and administer our sport.
Sometimes, I think someone who is not as involved in an activity can give a new insight into the activity. You may be right for my family and maybe I should just have my son wrestle in just a few local meets at this age and not go to Salina, Topeka, Wichita and the State tournament playoff system. This is his sport though. This is the only organized sport that he has participated in and stuck with. He has won 10 of his 11 meets and lost just one match this year, and I would not want to take that opportunity away from him. But maybe that might really be the decision we ultimately need to make as a family. Limiting him now would probably hurt him in high school if he choses to continue with wrestling, but he could probably still do it.

I guess I do not agree with most of your reply, but I do appreciate that you did take the time to post a reply to the topic. Thank you.