I mentioned this last year with no results, but let try again.
Seems to me every year there are too many wrestlers and coaches (my self included) hanging around the mats at state. A significant number are warming up for matches. If there could be a warm up mat in exhibition hall, I believe many of the wrestlers and coaches would be over there preparing for upcoming bouts. Obviously this would help all involved with the tournament. In previous years we have used carpet, or floor for our preparation and have seen roll up mats that could be used. Just my observation.

what about kids who wrestle on the other end of the arena?

wishingiwerether,

Great idea, why don't you load one up and bring it with you. I will make sure there is room. You might also want to arange for someone to look after it all weekend; you know how kids are and it might not be treated how you like when you are trying to coach.

I have been moving mats all week. We are laying them out at the Expo as I type. We would welcome a small army of vollunteers to tear down and move them out on Sunday and Monday. Come on up and lend a hand.

Thanks
PS... iwishuwerehere

Mark J Stanley
Thanks for your observation. As I stated earlier, I have seen rolled up mats in previous years so no need for me to bring one. I also beleive that coaches, dads and wrestlers would use the area resposbile, not tear it up especially with hundreds of people in the area. I also felt this would help keep people out of the auditorium when not wrestling. Finally, I was making an observation that I felt (and still do) would help the tournament run a little smoother, i'm not sure how this turned into getting help moving mats on Sunday. I did work at 2 tournament this season if that helps.

PS...igettobethere. Joe Pratt

All in good fun...I couldn't resist.

We have discussed putting down a mat for warmup, but have not been able to get around the logistics of it. The schools are pretty particular on treatment of the mats while in our care and the liablility issue of it being unsupervised is a serious concern.

Good luck to you and yours this weekend.

On a very serious note...I would like to thank the following schools for letting us utilize their mats this weekend; Seaman High School, Silver Lake High School, Washburn Rural High School, Highland Park High School, Topeka High School, and Seaman Middle School. Without their support we could be wrestling on ice. Also, the following clubs had competitors, coaches and past team members who showed up in mass to move the mats in and set them up today; Bonner Springs Wrestling Club, Silver Lake Wrestling Club, Blue Thunder Wrestling Club, and Jr. Viking Wrestling Club....Thank you, thank you, thank you.

If I left anyone off the list it is because I am tired and now heading to bed. See everyone in the morning. Remember to thank your young wrestlers tomorrow for their hard work this season...win or lose.