Perhaps this is old news, but I was surprised to hear the 3-2-1A State finals in Hays are Saturday afternoon (2/28 obviously) at 4:30. I'm kind of torn. On one hand, I realize teams travel statewide and a 9pm end time on Saturday Night is late. I live in Hays, so it really doesn't affect me, but does lots of wrestlers, coaches and fans. On the other hand, 6:30 is the time finals have always taken place. I can't see 4:30 necessarily helping the crowd. Are other State sites implementing this new time?

This is what the KSHSAA Page has on it.

Time Schedule
KSHSAA State Wrestling Tournament
All Classes
Friday, February 27, 2009
Weigh-in Friday morning - @ tournament site 7:00 a.m. to 8:30 a.m.
General Admission Ticket sales begin and General Admission Gates open – 8:00 a.m.

Session I
10:00 a.m. First Round (wrestling will be on all four mats for each classification for this round)
1:30 p.m. Second-round Championship Quarterfinals (wrestling will be on all four mats for each classification for this round)

Session II
3:30 p.m. First round consolation (wrestling will be on all four mats for each classification for this round)
Championship Semifinals – these matches will begin immediately following the conclusion of the first round consolation matches but no earlier than 4:30 p.m. (wrestling will be on all four mats but only on two mats at a time – i.e., the 103# matches will be conducted on two mats followed by the 112# matches on the other two mats as soon as both 103# matches are over, etc)

Friday evening weigh-in options:
Wrestlers must weigh-in Friday evening for Saturday’s competition – a wrestler may elect to weigh-in during one of the following options but a wrestler MAY NOT participate in both options – Option 1 – During the one hour weigh-in window following the last match in the Championship semifinals for each weight class OR Option 2 during the one hour weigh-in window following the last match in the Championship semifinals for the 285# weight class.

Saturday, February 28, 2009
7:30 a.m. – 8:30 a.m. - Weigh-in (ONLY FOR WRESTLERS WHO WERE APPROVED FOR THIS WEIGH-IN AS A RESULT OF AN INJURY SUSTAINED DURING COMPETITION ON FRIDAY AND THE INJURED WRESTLER WAS ABSENT FROM FRIDAY EVENING WEIGH-IN DUE TO THE INJURY)
General Admission Ticket sales begin and General Admission Gates open – 7:00 a.m.

Session III
9:00 a.m. Consolation Cross Bracketing (wrestling will be on all four mats for each classification)
10:45 a.m. Consolation Quarterfinals (wrestling will be on all four mats for each classification)
12:15 p.m. Consolation Semifinals (wrestling will be on all four mats for each classification)
1:45 p.m. Fifth place (four mats)
2:30 p.m. Consolation Finals (two mats) (using the same format as for the Championship semifinal round)
4:15 p.m. Parade of Champions
4:30 p.m. Championship Finals (one mat)

This schedule really sucks in my opinion!!! Did the coaches have any input in the finals being held at 4:30? Or is this another bonehead move by the KSHSAA? I don't see this as being fan-friendly in any possible way.

Probably to help get teams home sooner so they don't have to drop another $500 some in hotel cost and paying cheerleading and statistician sponsors for another day.

It's a good move! Being there for two day and then having to wait two hour or so for the finals! This is a good move!