As I read the post concerning the Wichita tournament, I see a lot of people trashing the building. I have been on the floor of the state tournament for many years, and I still feel excited every time those 600+ wrestlers enter the arena, and listen to the National Anthem. This event with the 9 mats going at the same time is one of the greatest thrills for the wrestlers, and one they will remember for a long time.

Wichita has the infrastructure, the building, parking, motels, eating establishments and entertainment to handle 600 wrestlers, coaches, parents, grandparents, and 7000 fans. Where else would you have 1500 motel rooms available for the 3day weekend?

Now, the local schools, under Bob Hightree's and others supervision, have the experience of running 20 State Tournaments. They get the mats, clocks, tablehelp (excellent I might add)administration, runners, towel tappers, announcers, trainers, security, and weigh in personnel.

If you are complaining about the way the tournament is run, have you ever volunteered to help with the tournament? Why don't you get a group together and run the hospitality room, (like the good folks from Newton did for so many years, until the coaches and others abused the system and they quit) Why don't you get a meeting with the county commissioners to discuss things you would like to change, I know some people that did that this year. This is the whole State's Tournament, quit complaining and volunteer.

Yes the building is old, however, the county commissioners are reviewing plans to improve the building, what are your thoughts on what you would like to see improved? Again quit complaining and do something.

I believe the KSHSAA is posturing themselves for talks with the county to get the best lease for the state.

It would be a giant step backwards to split up one of the best run tournaments because someone peed on the floor of the restrooms. If you move and break up the tournament to individual classes you will not get the crowd, atmosphere or the spectacle that we have been treated to for over 20 years. Sure local high schools know how to run tournaments, there are many good tournaments every weekend that are larger and have more teams than the individual Class States would have. But what we have here is the closest thing we have left to a Grand State Tournament (remember those 1975-1976, congratulations to Dwane Miller and his Hall of Fame nom. Kapaun won both of these tournaments)

Ok, I'm off my soapbox. If you don't like something, quit complaining and volunteer.