Maybe I just happened be looking at the right time compared to past years but is it me or was there more DQ's and Injuries than previous years? Sure seemed like it, expecially the unsportsmanlike conduct.

It sure seemed like we had a lot of scratches. I'm curious if these were largely illness related or as a result of not making weight?

There were more disqualifications this year than in past years, among the reasons, biting, inappropriate language (cursing) to the mat official, throwing headgear, and other misconduct.

In the eight and under division there was a second place finish vacated do to disqualification!

Too many refs were letting" potential dangerous" go too far.....if coaches are yelling watch his, arm, knee, neck, etc. and the kid is screaming, then you stop the match...saw multiple injuries that could have been avoided.

As for unsportsman like ...it should be called...We had a 8u get DQ' ed. after loosing in the finals.....and yes he deserved it! Lots of Huge temper tantrums thrown.

After hearing some of the comments made by some of the coaches made mat side while my son was on the mat, I am thinking unsportmanlike needs to start getting extended to coaches along with a nice escort out of the tournament. The same coach was mat side with everyone of my sons opponents and they were out to hurt my son. I have never seen my son go out and intentionally hurt anyone, he does not act like he has a chip on his shoulder or act like he is any better than any other wrestler, but it amazes me how many coaches, fans and other wrestlers show an open hatred towards him. My advice to the ones that do this to ANY wrestler, not just my son,-----GROW UP or GET OFF THE MAT AND OUT OF THE STANDS. This type of behavior is very disturbing to a mom that is beginning to doubt why I allow my kids to stay in this sport!!!!!

Some Coaches yell, watch the arm or the knee, just to keep a takedown or backpoints from being scored. The refs need to use good judgement and let it go at that.

This is a coaching and a parent problem. I saw more kids show unsportsmanlike conduct than in years past. The problem, is dad's and coaches not correcting the behavior. They are just let them walk off of the mat, and the coaches or parents blamed the official. Take some responsibility people, take the opportunity to teach proper behavior instead of excusing poor behavior.

I was going to post on this as well so I will "piggyback" on some comments. I agree with Mrs. Hayes. I was watching a match I had no interest in I just stopped to watch some of the little guys wrestle. Mind you that this was 10 and under... There was a kid that got called for unsportmanlike conduct several times in the match (once for purposely eye gouging!) and the last time he did it he was on top with legs in and brought the hammer down with his elbow to the back of his opponents head. Finally the ref DQ's the kid (meanwhile the kid was yelling at the ref), his coach gets up and says to the ref "What do you want him to do, the kid on bottom was stalling!" ARE YOU KIDDING ME!! As a Coach, it disgusted me to watch the kid act that way and even worse, the adult in the situation made an excuse for it. As coaches we are supposed to be apart of the solution, not the problem. I saw several kids get DQ'd and coaches/parents didn't say a word. There was a lot of good wrestling and I enjoyed watching everyone give it there all but there was way too many kids getting thrown out. A kid like that would not make it very long on my team, it's sad that they're not being taught better, especially at such a young age. Congrats to all the kids who wrestled hard and acted like young students athletes should, with Class. Definately a lot more positives than negatives that happened in Topeka but geez, some of those negatives were pretty disappointing.

This is coming from a very reliable source but that doesn't always mean it's true(lol) but the biggest disappointment to me was the young man that was DQ'd for a violent elbow to the jaw of his opponent when he was losing with a few seconds left. He was DQ'd, then HIS COACH/DAD WHOEVER actually appealled this and he was let back in because the ref didn't follow the protocol to DQ him. First of all, I saw this and why would any coach or parent EVER condone this and appeal something like this. 2nd, if this is true, why is there a protocol? Should be no tolerence, plain and simple.

My bad, I understand that there should be some sort of simple protocol but why is it difficult enough that it can be appealed and reversed due to this? Not trying to criticize anyone but the coach or parent who did this, just asking.

I saw a wrestlers who was being beaten pretty badly, taken down near the end of the match and the bottom wrestler intentionally numerous times used the back of his head to butt the head of the wrestler on top. The official, who may not have seen it, said or did nothing, the coaches who clearly saw it said or did nothing. Another wrestlers complained about being pinned when in fact he was from my point of view and the point of view of the official, but this wrestler used some choice language and after his loss which put him out of the tournament was thrown out of the tournament. These are two examples of the way too many incidents involving unsportsmanlike behavior. The coaches and parents have to do a better job. We all know it's an emotional time and kids are kids, but it's disgusting to see kids behavior encouraged or possibly taught by adults. Win with pride, lose with dignity and be accountable for your actions.

By rule, disqualification due to technical violation, illegal hold/manuever, stalling, unsportsmanlike conduct during a match or unnecessary roughness does not eliminate a contestant from further competion in tournaments.

Disqualification for flagrant misconduct will disqualify any individual for the remainder of the tournament.

Unnecessary roughness in a match must follow the following sequence:
First Penalty - 1point
Second Penalty - 1 point
Third Penalty - 2 points
Fourth Penalty - Disqualify

Thanks Richard. The ref actually said to the table workers to scratch him from the bracket, "he is done". The match was over, so I just assumed he meant the rest of the tournament.

i was right there and clearly heard the ref say, "he is dq'd from the match, not the tournament." there was discussion after, but that was the first thing he said to the table. he had given up two penalty points prior to this also. 1 full nelson, 1 locked hands.

The referee in question, of which I think very highly, was disgusted and surprised by the action on the mat of the young wrestler and indavertently failed to follow proper protocol. Referees also are human and will make a mistake however I am convinced this referee will never make this mistake again.

During the grievance hearing all were equally shocked by the comments of the offending wrestler's coach. If there were protocol to follow at the grievance hearing the offending wrestler's coach very likely would have been disqualified for his comments.

Thanks again for your clarification Richard!! When I heard "he's done", I obviously assumed wrong. My apologies, really don't want to be starting an rumors. This was well into the conversation.
I wasn't trying to criticize at all as I felt the official was very professional from what I seen. It all comes back to (for me anyway) the actions of the coach!! Has no business teaching young men and that is exactly what the coaches are....teachers!! Is there a process to go back and review the actions of the coach during the grievence hearing so there is some consequeces for him? Again, just asking.

Unfortunately, no!

I have heard from the father of the young wrestler disqualified after his Championship finals match and I am confident the parents will make every effort to correct this behavior.

The parents are very embarrassed over the matter and I believe enough has been said regarding this particular match.

we wrestled both young men in question here. the first one came back after his unfortunate match, and wrestled hard and clean. he is a good kid, and friends with the boys on our club. in the 8u match i stood by the young man's mother she said "he will hear about this all next week". i told her that it's sometimes hard for these young boys to be expected to handle so much pressure, AND act like adults.

The 8u kid DQed is one of our wrestlers...All in all he is a great kid and a darn hard worker...But he has a hard time dealing with losses...By no means does our club condone this kind of behavior. As a coach and parent I was EMBARASSED to say the least...last match of the day and everybody watching...Not a great way to end a season "dropping the F bomb to the ref and being DQed"....Glad the ref did it, maybe this will help with future problems...just hated to see a years worth of work shot down the drain....I guess there is always next year...If and only if his additude changes.