It does not look like they are there. A candid answer is the leaders of USA KS need to step and make themselves heard that the USA summer kids system is only now for the very few. To travel for 13 hours for a regional and then another 12 hours 3 weeks later for nationals is too much for most normal families. KS numbers appear to be way down. I petitioned USA wrestling this year for either a petition process, or closer regionals and it was turned down. I was told by that would take away from the money maker regionals. My contention is that if there was more regionals there would be more participation and USA wrestling would make more money and KS and all kids would be better off. I know my son was not happy but we were unable to go to nationals this year, because he won or placed in all three styles last year, but there is only so much money and so much time off work. IF we would have been able to go to a closer regional that only took the weekend and not the $1000 we spent to go to New Mexico, my son would be at nationals now.

Here is the basic issue...How many families can afford about $2500 and almost 2 weeks of work just for these 3 weeks of wrestling? My familiy spends about $5000 a year on wrestling and even with that crazy amount I can't justify 1/2 of that for 3 weeks and two tournaments.

Kids nationals is the only national tournament without some type of petition process. It also only has one qualifier. For Fargo for example you can go to one of many qualifiers that are fairily close and inexpensive. That leaves you with your time off and most of your money to plan for the big fargo trip.

Just my thoughts,

SlamBam