OK; here we go again! Why is it when a kid finds something like a cool rock or stick on the playground, a handfull of other kids want it, and try to manipulate other kids to help them get it because it's a cool thing, and they should have it, not the kid that found it. This whole issue of where the 6 & under state tournament should be held, should be over by now. Here in Ottawa we are a small community with community pride. We are not known for very many or large things. But we have found a neat little nitch in our state, and people mention Ottawa in the same breath as 6&under state, despite the arguements we here in Ottawa have great concerns about our states youngest wrestlers as well, that's why we formed this tournament. Yes it has grown, and like anything that grows adjustments are made, and we are making them. Like a child, they grow, we are building a bigger play pin here. Let us have our growing pains and adjust to them. As for a cash cow, why is that even a factor with some, is that what they think this is all about, and should we question those that are using that angle about their intentions? Personnaly I have no more children to wrestle in this tournament, so it has become a community pride thing. In our town of Ottawa, we founded this tournament,we nurtured it, we made our mistakes and corrections here, we are adjusting and growing with it here. And now we are fighting to keep our cool looking rock here. If indeed we loose this event here; you folks that have the largest ball of twine, or the deepest hand dug well, or any other smaller communities that have your pride, better up your defences. These things are special to us for what they are worth, and are worth defending.
Thank you to all that understands and backs our Ottawa community, we will be there for you to!
Ottawa wrestling coach, and Ottawa'n ---- Matt Parenti
I'm a little confused as to just exactly who "stole" this tournament from Ottawa. When this first came up, it was my understanding, maybe wrongly, that it was District 1 as a whole that was moving this tournament to Topeka and thus stealing it from Ottawa. I did not understand how that could happen without a vote of all the district clubs but it would not be the first time something has happened in District 1, that I did not understand. Now it seems as though this tournament has been "stolen" by another club, which to me at least, seems more acceptable. All of us are subject to poaching by other clubs as it pertains to a certain date or type of tournament. To act like this tournament or any other should be above that, is simply silly. It seems I have struck a nerve with my use of the phrase "cash cow", as if that isn't one of the primary considerations for all of us who host tournaments. Without profits we all would be out selling candy bars. If you don't believe that then host an entry free tournament. I say let each of these clubs host their tournament and may the better club win. But please quit whining about it and acting like you should be above the free market system.
