As far as KWCA ever getting a dual state proposal passed, I think they are wasting their time.

I don't mean this in a mean and nasty way, only that they've been beating their heads on an issue that, if I'm not mistaken, KSHSAA has told them to not bother them again about this issue.

Remember a couple of years ago when the Washington Wrestling Coaches Association was able to push freestyle/greco as a sport separate from folkstyle so the high school coaches could work with their athletes during the fs/gr season? It cost the group lots time/effort, possibly money to get the issue through the court system.

When the court gave the decision, a few from the wrestling community went to KSHSAA and said, they would like to see KSHSAA look into following suit. They responded by saying, in a nice way, they wouldn't change unless the courts made them. This costing money and resources, the issue was dropped for the most part.

In a nutshell, KSHSAA will not change anything unless pressured by attourneys and court decisions. Since wrestling is not a sport with tons of money to throw around, KSHSAA holds its authority over us by nothing more than financial dollars and legal strength. I think KSHSAA has its own lawyer.

I suggested to some of those in KWCA that instead of banging our heads into brick walls, just go around it. It's quite simple. There are various conventions bureaus in the state that would look into supporting this kind of tournament I'm about to suggest.

1) Have a dual tournament of champions in which you take the top two from the year prior's regional or last year's top eight from each class and have a dual tournament in December. Sure, it wouldn't be a true dual state, but it would be an effort in the right direction.

2) The chamber of commerce of the host city would guarantee rooms for the team and coaching staff. Room for parents/fans would cost, but any forward thinking chamber/conventions bureau would see the financial dollars of hosting a two day tournament that would be spent in food and tourism.

3)I don't know of any school that would say, "no I don't want our team going to an invitational that will cost nothing from our athletic department." If in the case the tourney is on a date already scheduled, the jv could attend. I can't think of many tournament directors that would remove a team and never let them come back because they were invited to a KWCA dual state tournament.

Here's an idea, lets say we can't get any of these accomplished, what's stopping us from taking the top team from each class and having a battle of champions quad tourney on Friday, the day of weigh-in for the kids state tourney. We'll give the kids a weight allowance, say 5 lbs and the kids club coaches could be their coach, thus eliminating any chance of breaking KSHSAA rules. Oh sure, they'll have to wear their kid's singlets because KSHSAA will get upset, but at least it shows KSHSAA not only our desire to have something done, but also our ability to use their rules for our advantage.