Just a hunch but KSHSAA might say the coaches majorily supported the new schedule? That is the party line for having 4A apart from 5A & 6A. Why don't the parents have a say? If the coaches are doing it for the kids, which I want to believe they are, then why wouldn't they say lets do this right!

I'm not sure what you're getting at Mr. Cokeley, and I agree there are no coaches publicly jumping on my bandwagon. I have not spoken to any personally, so I don't know what they are thinking, and I can GUARANTEE you they have the wrestlers' best interest in mind or they wouldn't be coaching.

They have spent two days in motel rooms w/ a team full of high schoolers and may well want this season over as fast as the KSHSAA. Perhaps I posted this topic under selfish pretenses. I know as a former finalist, I would feel cheated under the modified schedule. I know as a fan I will feel cheated that the finals are not a spectacle of their own. I know as a broadcaster it's going to be really hard to make that DVD the state champions will carry with them for life As personalized for them as it should be. It's just my view that as we continue to put it off, we rush it's ending.

I am saying that KSHSAA may have stated that they will have to run the tournament longer to have the finals matches run in traditional fashion. They may have asked the coaches if they would rather stay to do that or run all of the matches together to get out of there. At this point, given the amount of time the coaches have been there they may have supported the latter instead of thinking about how special these matches should be. I support having the finals conducted alone, in traditional fashion.

I have been in contact with two head coaches who are in two different towns with their teams. Neither of them said anything about being "surveyed" or asked their opinion by the KSHSAA about the schedule.

Will will probably now argue they should have.

Just as an fyi the NWS is forecasting the possibility of snow "out here" on Saturday night.

We are in the same motel as three other 4A schools. All of the coaches of these teams as well as the Colby coaches are in favor of the finals on one mat. None of us were asked for our opinion by KSHSAA.

The schedule changed, so there had to be adjustments made not only by the wrestling community, but the staff at the venues had to change their schedules also and it may have affected how the wrestling schedule was adjusted.

That argument is bogus. The workers were scheduled to work the venue with the finals beginning at 4:30.

We're the scheduled to start at 4 today?

No way is KSHSAA dumb enough to give an ultimatum about pushing the tourney back. They would be talking out of both sides of their mouth. We are adding a round of semis wrestling AND moving the finals to 2:30 (all together, so everyone feels like they are in the championship match....) instead of 4:30.

Why not do 3rd and 5th at 2:30 on 4 mats, like someone mentioned earlier, and do the finals at 3:30 or 4 on one mat?

The push back of start time makes sense. Saturday's schedule makes ZERO sense.........

I swear they sit up there at KSHSAA headquarters and try to figure out what will piss the most people off, and go with that, just to show us they can.

From the posts I have been reading, seems like KSHSAA is dumb enough to do about anything.

Color me "dumb enough to do about anything" however I am proud to volunteer my time to ensure we have a quality tournament and sadly do to weather conditions beyond the control of any coach, administrator or KSHSAA changes to the schedule had to be made. Is it perfect - NO - but we will be wrestling and we will have individual state champions. What was the lyric to that song "don't worry be happy"!

Exactly,it may not be perfect but adjustments were made in order to avoid cancelling it all together. I did not mean to offend anyone with my comment, it just seems that there is a negative comment made by someone about every decision made by the KSHSAA.

I have no problems with the changes made, EXCEPT for the finals, Richard. Why did they move them up, when they can be run virtually as scheduled? Makes NO sense.

I think this will definitely be interesting to see how this also impacts team scores down the stretch. Since tons of things will be wrestled simultaneously, the team scores could be down to the wire in some cases.

First match of the day semi final matches stink. When I was coaching in Georgia that is the way it was at state. We got up early to get a good actual match in before. We had to just no way to be at your best with the added pressure and emotions going on. All will survive the unfortunate changes, but I still get so irritated when the State seems to make choices that show their power more so then doing what is best for the kids. Just proves they need to change members routinely

No dog in this fight, but for years we've heard about how those cutting a lot of weight hurt themselves in the semis due to holding weight down all day. I wonder if this changes many matches?

And talk about having to regroup your thoughts. If you've had your sights on a championship but lose a tough one in the semis, there's little time for a pitty party. You'll have to get right in the head and wrestle soon. Could mean some heads getting ripped off by a mad dog, or some big back door defeats because of the inability to regroup.

I'm not sure why the changes are what they are, and if I get a chance to ask Mr. Lentz, I will. By the way, he is a very wrestling friendly guy. We should be very happy to have him as our KSHSAA admin. I'm not a big fan of three mats going during the finals, but it's not all that different than the 5/6A tourney or the old 456A tournament. Multiple mats going, making it tough to see the championships.

Agree that the finals should be solo. You mean it's not? Are you serious? What the...!
From what I have read it still could be and should be. Dig the 3rd and 5th at 2:30 and 1st at 4:00.
Best wishes though to everyone, especially the wrestlers, and safe travels to all.

When I first read this change was going to happen I was outraged as well. 48 hours ago I would not have pictured myself saying this, but, actually it went really well. It showcased all the medalists, which I like introductions of the wrestlers competing for 3rd & 5th. The championship finalists still got their due in a special way as well with addtional music and noting of their records and past accomplishments. I know change of some traditions can be hard, but I think KSHSAA ended up getting this one right, and was a change for the good.

The only problem I had with it, which was a good problem, was trying to watch six matches at one time which was pretty hard to do (actually impossible). It was kind of like watching three tennis matches simultaneously. My head felt like it was on a swivel but I got to watch a lot of great action in a relatively short period of time. I also missed a lot of great action but still thoroughly enjoyed it.

Also, had the semifinals been run on Friday night with the 4pm start time, they would not have ended until Saturday morning (probably around 1am maybe later).

I missed the final parade. The parade with all the placers and the introduction of the state finalists. It's the state finals, it needs to be treated special, not hurry up and get it done. Honestly I kind of liked the three mats, added to the excitement. Just don't forget the introduction it adds to the atmosphere. My three wrestlers in the finals where disappointed. Great weekend of wrestling. Coach Prichard.