For as long as I can remember my favorite thing about 321a state wrestling was the finals.  The second-to-none Parade of Champions followed by the finals, ONE MAT... ONE MATCH!!  The exclusivity of the championships set it on a pedestal above all other state tournaments I'd been to.

I understand the weather forced some changes.  But if the consolation finals can start at 2:30, why can't the finals follow one ONE MAT?  I remember not leaving the coliseum until 10pm back in the day.  Hell, we don't start regular season duals until 5:30.  Why a watered down version of the STATE FINALS at 2:30?  The weather is supposed to be great on both Saturday & Sunday should spectators decide to stay over following the tournament.

This is a hideous organizational let down for athletes who have worked their asses off to reach the ultimate High School wrestling achievement.  The snow may have gotten your long johns in a bunch, but let's pull them out and do this right for the wrestlers.  They deserve proper recognition for their accomplishments.  What's the rush?

Probably won't even get to hear Eye of the Tiger either, we'll have suffer through an Eminem song like in 2009.

I T-O-T-A-L-L-Y agree with Troy. This is the pinnacle of their high school wrestling career. The kids, coaches, families & fans are in the respective city. The snow falling has past. Since the kids started wrestling XX years ago, most look at the state tourney as the culmination of their entire wrestling career, why is there a cattle-call for the championship matches?

I see zero benefit in rushing thru the finals.

Can the decision to rush the finals be reconsidered??

Kevin Perz

I hope Kevin, hence the post. Can anyone help? Even if there's just an exception for Hays... What would it hurt?

I don't understand this at all. The weather looks fine with a zero percent chance for additional moisture. The 5th and 3rd place matches could begin at 2:30, with the finals starting darn near the original time of 4:30.

Safety needs to be the #1 priority, and I realize this week has produced extreme weather, but with no snow expected on Saturday, let's highlight the State Finals

And why not do the semifinals on Friday night, instead of the first round of consolation matches? I would venture to gues that there are more fans in attendance on Friday night for Semis matches, than there are for the finals. 5 match per day limit, correct? So they can wrestle ALL backside matches in one day........

Good luck getting an explanation from KSHSAA.....

All are correct, this is stupid. We are basically adding the semifinals to saturday's card, PLUS we are trying to get it all done 3 hours earlier??!!!

Doug

The semis instead of 1st round consolation would not work because of the amount of matches a first round upset would have to wrestle on Saturday, but the finals decision makes ABSOLUTELY no sense!!

I just edited my post to verify that you can wrestle 5 matches per day, which is what you'd wrestle if you lost your first match in a 16 man bracket, and went clear out for 3rd or 5th.......

Fair enough. I guess that change doesn't matter as much to me as the finals, other than I wouldn't want my State championship semi-finals match to be my first match of the day... Any day.

A GREAT BIG BOO !!!!!!

We should be trying to get people out of there LATER if anything on Saturday. Give the roads more time to clear.......

Can anyone give a logical explanation for this change? Once again, it appears KSHSAA has done something completely illogical.......

I have just 14 posts under my belt. I do not know any of the advanced rules of wrestling. Unfortunately, I am as dumb as I look.

But for you smart, seasoned-guys, I'm asking "is there some method to get this questioned directed to the KSHSAA powers-to-be, for them to reconsider & hopefully change their decision?"

The short answer is .... no.

The long answer is ..... no.

Weigh in should be Saturday morning now not Friday night. They are giving an extra pound and you only have to hold your weight for a few hours. What a joke. All of those who were cutting too much are getting a free pass.

This is really a slap in the face to the wrestlers who have worked so hard to get here and have the opportunity to showcase their talent. Whether this is their first or last opportunity to stand on the podium, the 14 championship matches should take place on one mat! Remember these are the times our kids are making memories for themselves and for all of us....don't lessen the glory by rushing the introductions and the matches.....these athletes have earned their time in the limelight! Please reconsider this decision and give them this awesome moment...one they will never forget! Those of us who CHOOSE to be at the state tournaments have done so, fully aware that the hour will be late when we finish and the weather may have to be dealt with.....let us do that part and let these amazing athletes bask in, for most of them, a once in a lifetime opportunity!!

This wrestling mom feels very strong about this and I pray that the people who make these decisions will make a change to the Saturday schedule and give the KSHSAA 2013 State Wrestling Tournaments the proper pomp and circumstance to let us, the fans, show our appreciation for what these kids and coaches go through to bring home the gold! Thanks!

Well said Quiet Fan!! I personally wonder why every state tournament needs to be uniform to the KSHSAA set schedule anyhow. Same amount of rounds, admission prices... Yes. Otherwise why don't they leave it to each individual tournament director/event coordinator to create an event enticing to it's particular spectators. A little creativity and openness to those paying admission could actually INCREASE attendance and thus revenue for all involved. Not to mention enhance the product of entertainment we know as the sport of wrestling.

Will=Us in Hays/Salina/Wichita who were able to be proactive and get "in town" ahead of the storm, had no place to practice today, as our team did yesterday @ Ft. Hays St. If you look at the rule posted above, KSHSAA correctly made the change. The other posts is (rightly so) concerned with the deviation of honoring the champions in the Final matches.

Wrestle 3rd& 4th & 5th & 6th on 4 mats at same time. Could have 106 on 2 mats & 113 on other 2 mats. Would go quick, have finalists ready to go, introduce them & have finals. Wouldn't take much longer than kshsaa plan..

Feel like weather allowing we should wrestle finals matches as in the past...spot lighted in the middle of the arena! We came to town on Wednesday... Kept boys weight in check and I as a parent will feel slighted! Just imagine what the boys will feel!! If we can start placing rounds by 2:30 and finals by 4:30 let's get it done folks! For some it's thier last rodeo...let's keep it special.
Kim Lovvorn

Wow. Will I don't see the weigh in deal being changed now. And from what I understand KS doesn't follow the NFHS weigh-in rules anyway. Correct me if I'm wrong but isn't that why KS doesn't get a vote on the national level. I agree with you on the free pass but will they listen?