You said: "The problem I see with that is there just aren't enough kids doing it to make it feel ligit. Aside from wrestling up a couple of age groups, my son prob would never have any competition in this state in his own age group. That means more travel more money and very little support from a club. Not a good formula for success, which is sad because of the experience that could be gained would be invaluable."

Some brackets, I agree, but if you don't do it "in state", you don't get an opportunity to go to the likes of the Schoolboy, cadet, or Junior duals, where you WILL have all the "legitimacy" that you want and then some. Try 16 grueling FS Greco matches over 4 days, and two things will happen: 1- your kid will be sore 2- he will be a much better wrestler.