I often hear that this kid is a 2 time or 3 time All-American.. Just how does a kid qualify or earn All-American status.. Thanks

Placement at a national tourney. Some of which include:
Cliff Keen kickoff classic
Tulsa Nationals
Reno Worlds
Folkstyle Nationals
Dixie Nationals
USJOC

Just off the top of my head

Does the top of that head have a hat? Cuz.......I am baaaaaaaaaaaaaack.

Ms. Jenni

placing at just one of these tounaments? And where does one find the definition of an all- american at the kids level?

I don't think there is an official definition. As stated, kids that place at any of a number of National tournaments can claim AA status.

Think of high school sports. There are a number of different organizations that recognize AA's. No one organization has a trademark on the term. What counts is how much prestige the recognition is. In high school football the Parade All-American is generally recongized as the most prestigous. In high school basketball it is the McDonald's All-American that carry the most prestige. That doesn't mean that another organization can't come out with a AA list.

In youth wrestling you will see quite a few organizations recognizing their placers as AA. I would say that on the youth level there is no clear cut one that is recognized as the most prestigous. There is nothing that stops your local weekend tournament from calling its placers AA. Its just that no one would care. As the tournaments get tougher more people start caring.

I would say Tulsa Nationals and Reno Worlds would be recognized by anyone and everyone.

... and consider that some tournament have the top 8 placers named as All-American. This is in spite of how many entries they have per weight!

Imagine going 0-2 and still claiming All-American status!

i think I get it no, thanks.

now

I think the verdict is in, I don't know squat about wrestling but I asked a reliable source this question several years back. We had just made a pretty good run through OK. Kick Off, USJOC, Tulsa Nationals, finishing up with the Liberty Nationals and getting ready for our State Tournament. Bill told me he was working on Liberty Nationals and one might acheive All Amercian statis there now but not at that time.
He has turned that into one heck of a tournament IMHO. The reliable source in USAWKS told me placing, even winning one of the above mentioned tournaments would not make one an A-A it would however classify them as a little stud. I was told only the USA National sanctioned events carried A-A status. Folkstyle Nationals, FreeStyle Nationals, & Greco Roman Nationals were the only kids events. Cadets & Juniors are differant. A lot of ALL AMERICANS should return from Brute Nationals this weekend.
IMNSHO I agree with Randy it's pretty far-fetched acheiving A-A status in a three man bracket. About like being a State Champ in a three man bracket. Just doesn't carry much weight
IYNWIM. Thanks, Dan

A little off topic.

AA Status & State Champ - It does help kids get recogonized by college recruiters. I have seen a lot of High School and Kids All-Americans and Multiple times State Champs go to college. First things first - freshman must get through that first year of the college practice room and studies. There is a big big difference in high school vs college speed, strength, and technique. I would say that 75% of the 2 and 3 time state champs that are recruited in college never make the varisty line up. I would say that is pretty normal with a team that has 30 to 40 guys in the room on the first day that practice begins.