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
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
