I was planning on letting the 2007 season come to an end before I publicized our plans for 2008. However, to clear the air, in March of 2006 the Jr. Viking Wrestling Club began discussions with the Kansas ExpoCenter for rental of their facility the weekend of March 21-23, 2008. Our primary focus was to secure a facility to host the 2008 District One Championships. District One is fortunate to be rich in both participants and fan base. Many have complained in our District the past several years about utilizing venues for our District tournament that were grossly undersized for the event. Hosting this event in the ExpoCenter will allow for most ages and weights to be wrestled on full sized mats and will offer the fans that would like to come watch a better viewing experience.

While brainstorming the logistics for this event, it was brought up that wouldn’t it be nice to utilize this facility for the 6U Championships the following day. This will give the 6U division a more “grand” venue for their event without being thrust into the qualifying series, an issue which is debated every year. One day, as a State we may decide to make that change, but until that day why not give the kids the best experience at the conclusion of their season that is possible. I know there are flaws in my plan…and others will point them out; so I will not waist your time listing them here. After listening to the complaints on various fronts of the 6U issue, I decided that you can either sit back and complain, or you can stick you neck out and try and make a positive step forward. There are always going to be those who want to take a whack at your exposed neck…but that comes with the territory.

In addition to the District One Championships and the 6U championships hosted on Saturday and Sunday, Bob Phillips and Chad Parks are going to be organizing a “Seniors” Classic for Friday night. Our focus will be to showcase KS high school seniors in District One boundaries and we plan to match them us against a neighboring state.

I guarantee that a lot of thought has been put into this plan and it is far from a “wildcat” proposal. If any of you have suggestions on how we can make this weekend of wrestling a successful endeavor, I am open for suggestions.

Mark Stanley
Director
Jr. Viking Wrestling Club
785/286-0899

Sounds like a grand idea, Mark!

Most six and under kids were ready to be done and this tournament drags the season out far too long. I strongly support holding it on the Sunday after the High School state tournament. No early weigh in, no conflict with Districts, no arguments. It needs to be held in the central part of the state to be fair to the 380 six and under kids from District 4. The Salina Bi Center would be perfect. The mats will be there from 4A state and there is plenty of hotel space for a one age group tournament. What does everyone think of this idea? I know there is a wildcat (meaning that it is outside of the USA Supported State Tournament) proposition out there to hold it the day after districts next year in the Expo Center in Topeka. That is nice but I would love to see the wealth spread around the state. Topeka has at least three kids open tournaments, a few novice events, and Kids State. This proposal would give them three more events. We might as well rent an apartment for the month of March, it would be cheeper than the hotel rooms. The JCWC and Topeka Vikings are already hosting the District tournament, the Ottawa Wrestling Club has an open so maybe the Smokey Valley Club and some of the others can pitch in and host six and under state in Salina. On top of that someone brought up how it lessons the "specialness" of going to state. I agree with that being a major issue we should consider. If we take our kids to the same place state is held when they are five, what do they have to look forward to? Bottom line is that we need to shorten the season for six and unders and this doesn't do it.

Sounds like a good idea to me Mark.We can talk here all day about where we want the 6under tournament,but does Salina want it I have not heard anyone from Salina kids club yet so lets put it to rest,maybe we can ask Liberty to move to Wichita also.

This sounds like a great idea and "big show" for the six and unders. Its a compromise for me to say this as I always thought they needed to be the same time as the other state. This is too nice a deal for the six and unders. Its probably better than what I was asking for.

I also challenge Will Cokeley to a cage match at 170lbs, the venue can be Salina after the State Tourney if he prefers.

The third time would not be the charm for you Jeff

Hey,

Can I ref the cage match!!!!!

But it has to be Atchison, I don't want to drive to Salina.

nedly

Nedly,
You will need an assistant as the movement will be fast and furious:) I nominate The Greek God of Officiating, Mark Anderson. I am not sure where Atchison is?

Will

One question, if we redistrict and it is sorely needed, what if Topeka ends up in District 3? I am hoping our organization is smart enough to recognize a serious inequity in participant distribution and swift enough to do something about so that the kids in District 1 get an equal opportunity, from a participation population perspective, to qualify for state NEXT year.

I think evryone is forgetting that Ottawa started the 6 & u state championships & the state didnt want anything to do with it then. But now that it has become more popular they do. USAWKS didn't want to do a 6&u state because they thought the venue would be to big for the kids, but now its not??
I am an asst. coach from Ottawa and I am very proud of how our club has handled this tournament! This is my personal feelings and not the clubs!
On a lighter note I am very proud of "ALL" of our kids at pittsburgh GREAT JOB!

I think that you are mistaken. It has been a subject that has been brought up year after year and voted on, I believe, by "all" districts, not just a panel of people with "usawks".

Why is there not a 6/under division for State like everyone else?Obviously plenty of interest, more then enough participants. Too big of a tournament? Not getting it. Please enlighten me.

Well I will first start of by saying I think Taking District to the expo center is a horable idea it takes the hole drive out of kids to give it there all to make it to state and to feel the excitement to be able to wrestle in the expo center I wish people would leave well enough alone. And that brings me to my next point why would you people want to take 6 and under state from ottawa that is stupid no one wanted anything to do with 6 and under till RICK CROUCHER started the 6 and under state tournament now people want a piece of the pie . We should vote to keep 6 and under state at Ottawa foor good just like state at the expo center and when Rick is Gone I think it should be called the Croucher classic . that is all I have to say And good luck to all A District

Coach Michael Clutter

Sign me up. You know I will help.
Larry

I disagree. I went to state in Topeka as a young wrestler and was still fighting to get back there as a high school wrestler. I still remember what an honor it was to make state. I lived in district 4 and the trip across kansas only made it more special

Nobody is saying that Ottawa did a bad job. They just think this is a good idea as well.

Don't we take turns hosting subs and districts every year? There is a reason. It gives everyone a chance to host. I don't see the problem. If I offered you an apple, would someone get mad that it wasn't a pear?

So, did the Ottawa Club decide they didn't want to hold this tournament anymore? Are the Jr. Vikings trying to take it away from the Ottawa Club? Or is this a joint effort between the two clubs? This issue was not addressed in the initial post and I think is a question many people have about the "change" in venue. Why the Change? If you want a change, I would rather see the 6 & U changed to a two day event. Considering the numbers of participants it makes more sense to space out those matches out over 2 days than to wrestle 8 or nine matches in one LONG day! I don't think the kids care so much about the venue as the parents do. My opinion, take it or leave it.

Ottawa definately wants to keep it!!!!!

Here are my thoughts on 6U state as well as District 1 in 2008. I am all for providing a top level site for 6U state. The Expo Center would be a great facility for that. In no way is this a slight to Ottawa and the work that Rick Croucher has done. Rick has had a real heart for those younger kids and has done a fantastic job when nobody else stepped up. Due to the growth of the tournament and the sentiment for rewarding these young wrestlers, a premier venue makes sense. I don't think it should be held at the end of March. As suggested earlier, the Sunday following the HS State tournaments makes much more sense with there not being the qualifying tournaments for that age group. Keep the brackets big and reward these kids with a trip to an impressive venue.

The District 1 issue is another story. I would ask any coach about the reaction that their wrestlers got when they first laid eyes on the wall to wall mats at the Expo center. The "Super Bowl" feel that is a reward by itself for a hard earned accomplishment of qualifying for State. To have the District tournament at the same place waters down this just reward. I have asked many kids about this and they have overwhelmingly agreed.

I appreciate Mark Stanley and others for continuing to think outside of the box on ways to improve this special sport for our Kansas kids. I also think talking these issues out well before we get to our voting meeting helps us to be more informed. There are certainly merits to rotating the District tournament, making it centrally located etc.....but let's keep the pinnacle event of our sport at least as special as it is now.

Eric Johnson