I think it is horrible putting these 8th graders against the9th graders. The 9th graders are wt training and have been training for 5 days a week under very experienced coaches. These 8th graders work hard and then are discouraged because they have to go against the high schoolers. Anyone that thinks there is not a difference doesn't understand wrestling. Also what do these 9th graders prove by coming in a beating 8th graders. You can also talk to high school coaches and they will tell that even the high school J.V. wrestlers are better than the 8th graders. It is about skill and strength. In D1N who had wrestlers like Clint Lee, George Gillespie, Sheldon Graves and J.D. McKnight that should have made it but were beat by H.S> Some of these guys dominated as 8th graders during middle school season. How is that fair? These H.S have already had their chance at H.S. state - 8th graders do not have a middle school state - Kids CLub is their state. Don't say that these 8th graders could lift. Boys should not lift until they are 14 and then only moderate wt until they are 16. Most of these 8th graders dont turn 14 until mid year and it takes weeks to build up strenght. Strenght training should be done in the off-season. I hope someone looks at this because this is just heartbreak that these 8th graders but in so much time and then dont even stand a chance.

In my opinion,if you compete at a high school level then you are done with Kids Club. Any one saying that this is whining - lets put your high schooler up against a freshman in college and see how they do.