Just thoughts:

Gutwrench -

- Don't confuse qualitative assessment with quantitative research. Your number crunching was accurate up to the point that you concluded that because CA or NY wreslters were more numerous, than they HAD to be better. That's truly mixing apples and oranges. Presumptively, more does not necessarily mean better.

- You've stated an adequate position on state classifications that, ultimately, revolves around the issues of what our state athletic board feels is paramount. Those being (and Mr. Salyer or some with more detailed research capabilities to list the goals of the KSHSAA) to provide student athletes wtih OPPORTUNITY to compete at state level.

- I don't believe that the state association should even attempt to try to designate a single champion for the state...it simply returns nothing for the effort expended other than to appease those fans -like yourself- who wish to have 'the answer'. I would like to see a state dual competition...but that's another (albeit old) thread entirely.

- Your base presumption is skewed. State high school athletics are NOT designed for the production of national collegiate competitors...regardless of how many fans wish it to be. High school athletics are EXTRA-CURRICULAR in scope and function and any benefit for collegiate programs is strictly ancillary.

- Anonymity has a price as well. Identiy lends credence to your 1) knowledge/background and 2) credibility. Absence of such tends to mitigate anything, rightly or wrongly, you might eschew.


Tim Shea