Atticus will be starting high school this fall. I am familiar with most of the Kids Rules but since he is my first (and only) child who will wrestle in high school I have not become real familar with the high school rules. Can someone lay out the major difference between high school rules and kids rules. Specifically, I am interested in what events can a Kansas High School kid compete in without his team (like the Fall Brawl) and what are the rules on weight loss.

Barry:

Go here!

KSHSAA Frequently Asked Questions!

As for weight loss, as I recall, a wrestler is allowed 10 percent weight loss from weight recorded on the first day of practice. Kansas has not adopted the NFHS weight loss rules.

In regards to competitions, a HS wrestler can compete in any event they want as long as it is outside of the HS wrestling season (it is completely allowable for him to compete in the Fall Brawl). However, once he has joined the HS team, he can only compete in school-sponsored events. But to be safe, I would always check with KSHSAA and Rick Bowden with any questions....better safe than sorry.

Unfortunately, Kansas HS wrestlers are not allowed to compete in the Oklahoma Open in Norman because it is Thanksgiving weekend and the HS season is underway. This is unfortunate b/c it is a high quality event. The only way for a HS wrestler to attend would be to not yet join the HS team until after Thanksgiving. They would have to train on their own, but they could then compete in the OK Open. While some HS coaches may allow this for one of their wrestlers, many may not...that should be checked on with his HS coach.

Hope this helps somewhat.

In regards to weight loss, on the wrestlers first attended practice, he must weigh in an may not lose more than 10% of this weight (unless he obtains a medical provision from his doctor saying it is safe for him to lose more weight). Wrestlers must make half of their weigh-ins throughout the season at the weight class they compete in at regionals (or move up a weight). Starting this season, wrestlers will recieve a two pound growth allowance when coming back from after the Christmas break.

Kit Harris

I agree that it's a shame that Kansas HS wrestlers can't compete in this event for a few reasons. The OU Open simultaneously hosts the collegiate open and it's a good way for a kid to be seen by a number of quality teams like OSU, OU, UCO, Air Force and some others show up as well like the jucos from Kansas to name a few.

I also know that Edmond Memorial High School does a Pre-Turkey Open that happens the week before Thanksgiving which is open to anybody wanting to compete...they had schools from Texas and New Mexico show up. The OU OPEN is a bit bigger with Colorado, Oklahoma, Texas, Florida, and Missouri among others bringing in some solid high school talent. I think Kansas needs to relook at the policy to not allow their wrestlers to compete in these tournaments...In my opinion I'd like to see this reevaluated maybe at the same time State Duals are being considered.

That would be nice Aaron, but I can barely forsee a state dual being allowed, let alone out of state competition.

If I am correct, the no outside competition rules apply to all sports, not just wrestlers, so it would be a major undertaking to change it. There would probably be much support from parents of athletes in all sports. I do feel it does a disservice to Kansas and their athletes who participate in club sports, as it reduces opportunities to be seen by colleges and noticed for scholarship opportunities. I have friends whose kids suffer in the same predicament in volleyball, basketball, etc. Too bad KSHSAA can't wake up, smell the coffee and let their athletes increase their chances of getting a college scholarship. If they are there for the best interests of Kansas athletes, they are missing the boat on this one.

Of course, there would always be the argument that athletes would choose a high-profile competition over a run-of-the-mill dual meet, but this could be dealt with through regulations prohibiting outside competition that interferes with scheduled school competition. There are ways to do it sensibly.

"Of course, there would always be the argument that athletes would choose a high-profile competition over a run-of-the-mill dual meet, but this could be dealt with through regulations prohibiting outside competition that interferes with scheduled school competition."

Isn't that what we have now?

What I was referring to is not an entire season restriction as we have now, but a rule that an athlete may not miss a scheduled high school competition to compete in an outside competition. However, if your team did not have a Friday or Saturday dual or tournament on the weekend you wanted to participate in Tulsa Nationals, for example, that would be permissible.

As it stands now, once you attend a practice, you may not compete in that sport in any fashion other than on your high school team until your coach has released you for the season.

Hi M A & J
This comes out every year and won't comment much on it. It's not just competing in that sport, you can't have any kind of outside Practice, NOTHING with another club, team, etc. Dan