I think this may be my 1000th post...and I had planned on saving it for something really important (like Jhris and LancerM's wedding announcement), but I think this is too big to not post about.

I have beef with this decision. It makes me sad. I know Wichita was a bad venue, but for me it was worth sitting in an old building for two days to be able to see Earl Jones, the Devoes, Taplin, Kriegbaum, Jordan Bedore, Vogelsberg, MarrsBarrs, etc etc etc. (As I'm sure it was a pleasure for all of them to see me...)

Believe me, I know the arguments. I know it was too far of a drive for many schools, kids will get to sleep more, the tournament will go faster, the Colliseum was a terrible building, the security was mean and all had mullets, etc.

But didn't all of that add to the experience? To all of you who have wrestled there (not coaches/fans--those who have actually wrestled at Wichita), wasn't the experience absolutley amazing? Wasn't it great to meet people from other classes, watch their wrestling capabilities and size yourself up against the other competition? If it wasn't for the combined state, I never would have had the opportunity to meet The Swayze, see Earl Jones' awesome accomplishments, or make fun of everyone's stupid hair (I'm looking in your direction, Chapman). Without the combined states, how will those in 5A and 6A throw bags of poo at Nigel?

It is my impression that KSHSAA is supposed to do what is best for its students. It is not their duty Not what is best for spectators, coaches or administrators. I'm sure that 4A will have a blast all by themselves, and I'm sure the change will have some benefits. However, as a recent participant in the state wrestling tournament (that's right, I qualified. booyah.), I know how great it is to be there with all those people. In my opinion, the KSHSAA has made a huge (though well-intentioned) error.