Contrarian,

I disagree with you about wrestling being an individual sport. Duals competitions are very exciting and I think help grow the sport more than individual competitions. Here are my reasons for a dual state.....(most of this I stated on an earlier thread)

1. Kids love it. To find hard evidence, look no farther than the middle school duals. That event has grown to one of the premier events in our state. The kids love to participate in that because of the comraderie and they identify with wrestling for their state. They identify with this more than when they are wrestling as individuals representing KS.

2. It helps the coaches teach important life lessons to the kids. Lessons such as teamwork, dedication, work ethic, etc. Not that individual (read open) tournaments don't do this but I don't think it does it as well.

3. Increase in fan participation and school spirit. Wrestling is a hard sport to understand and appreciate to the casual fan. The dual format offers the casual fan an easier and quicker way to get involved and appreciate the sport. It is much easier to understand the team score in a dual than it is to understand how it is done in a regular tournament. I think you would get a lot more people supporting the high school team at the dual meets and a state dual than you would at a regular tournament. The time commitment for the casual fan is limited and they can get excited and into the matches a lot easier in a dual format than in a regular tournament format.

4. The only people that really get interested in a Grand State are the people already committed to wrestling.... Hard core wrestling enthusiasts.

This is my perspective and position. I know not all agree and that is ok.

I would like to meet you sometime....since we live in the same home town. Heck, you may be someone I already know and respect but you never put your name on here.

Shawn Budke