Understand a lot of little kids wrestling on smaller mat areas. Can you get 8 big mats for HS in the ExPo. Actually you should be able to do the 5A and 6A on 6 mats. Three was the number of mats per class when they wrestled at the Kansas coliseum. Bet you can get 9 to 12 mats in either the Allen Field House at KU or Bramnlage KSU by not pulling out the lower seats. I think the Missouri State WrestlingTournaments are held at the Mo. U. field house. Could probably host all four classes in either of those places. For all 4 classes I would probably have to go with KSU--to cut travel costs for and missed school days for the 321A schools from way, way out west.

The Topeka Expocenter is NOT an option for KSHSAA. The reason this is, that the Shrine Circus uses the Expocenter on the weekend of the State Wrestling tournament and has for MANY MANY years. Obviously the Expo Center is not going to tell the Shriners they have to choose another weekend, and KSHSAA most certainly does not want to change their calender.

Therefore the Expo center is not a consideration for a venue.

I highly doubt that KU will ever let anything go on in Allen Field House besides KU basketball...but i could see KSU having state at Bramnlage

Now we are talking go KSU! that would be Great if we could get it there!

I am fine with the current facility if the "customer service" issues were fixed. Topeka has issues as will any other venue. These people made the Topeka staff look like saints though.

MO does have their tournament in the new MIZZOU Arena. This was the fourth year it was held there. All four classes compete thur-sat with 2-3 sessions per day. Once a session is complete the entire building is cleared and all must leave and buy another ticket for the next session $8 a pop with no option to buy an all session pass. If you need to leave the building for something (forgot your camera in the car) you buy another ticket. KUDOS to the CL 5/6 fans forcing Intrust to modify policy. Too bad MO can't get MIZZOU to do the same.

I thought the Intrust Arena was great, I knew the rules going in and abided by them with no problems. The food was great and I thought fair priced for what you recieved. If you didn't have the footlong Brat with Kraut, onions and peppers you missed out on a little slice of heaven.

I say lets do it at arrowhead or wichita state university on the football field outside. oh yeah it might be a little chilly though but maybe they would let us bring our own heaters. we could move it to florida so we can do it in an outside arena.

isn't the Shrine Circus at Intrust Arena this year? They were advertising it.

If it is coming to Wichita it would have to be. The Coliseum is closed and being mothballed.

The reason I like KU or KSU are: could probably get all 4 classes under 1 roof--certainly 3 classes; Ku or KSU closer to the population center of Kansas (a little NE of the geographic center); either is a neutral site for all classes; either gets the kids on and around a big University campus; JC and Manhattan or Lawrence areas big enough (motels, restaurants, etc.) to support a four class event; lots of schools all classes within a shorter driving distance and could commute each day from home (save motel costs). Could probably come up with more reasons if thought about it. Oh yow, I think KSU pulls lots and lots of students from western Kansas--maybe the majority of the student body.

For all of the above reasons, plus to lighten the blow to western kansas, would probably vote for Bramblage. JC and Manhattan, or Lawrence, wrestling communities should press hard on this. A big boon to a local economy.!!!

Just added this reason: the fans ould visit that bar, restaurant, and more bars area off campus in Manhattan--forget what it is called--help me out here!!!

No you can't! Maybe not even two classes unless you use three mats per class. Both Bramlage and Allen are built as ******ball arenas and would not accomodate enough mats.

MIZZOU Arena is a B-ball arena and they find a way to fit 8 mats.

I have never been in MIZZOU arena so I can't say but take a look at any ******ball floor and judge for yourself how many mats would fit on it.

I've been in Bramlage and MIZZOU Arena. I have seen with my own two eyes 8 mats on the floor of MA. They accomplish this by keeping the floor bleacher seats rolled up. I'm sure Bramlage could do the same. I don't really care which building is used...just want to see all four classes in one place.

Some of those arenas do have lower level bleachers that slide back to make more room, but I don't have a clue as to which ones might or might not. I believe bramlage has all fixed seats, going from memory of a camp we went to there one time.

The state has made it pretty clear in rules meetings that the State sites will not change. 3A always in Hays, 4A always in Salina and 5-6A in Wichita at newest venue.

The only place you are going to be able to do that is Intrust and even then you will have to extend the tournament another day or two. Not that I would mind, but I think you would have some BOE members upset.

Whats the deal with 3 mats per class. When 456A was all at the Kansas Colosieum there were 9 mats, three per class. 3 in aline for 5A, 3 in aline for 6A. For 4A 3 mats set in a stair step (1 on 2--2 mats in line with 5 and 6A mats, the 3rd on the end splitting the 2). Wrestling flowed smoothly--no backups--everything on schedule. 4A with the 1 on 2 configuration was the best seats inthe house for watching the action--not so strung out. 5 and 6A fans globbed up down the sides and one end. If you were watching 5 or 6A from the end--behind the backboard--and you wrestler was on the end mat next to 4A you hand to watch with binos.

I agree, there was always plenty of time on 3 mats per class. I will say that it was nice getting done with the semis early on Friday and it left plenty of time to eat and raise a little cain Friday night.