I applaud Rick and Mark for creating events that give MORE opportunities for kids to wrestle but I totally disagree with calling it a STATE tournament until our State Body creates such an event. Over 1800 6U kids purchased cards last year. This tells us two things: 1. There is enough interest to create an event. 2. There definitely needs to be a qualifier to keep the state bracket to 32 kids.
Does this event crown a “true” state champion recognized by our organization? The simple answer is no. In my opinion every one of the kids who step on mat are champions, thus the name of the tournament 6U State: Kansas Tournament of Champions. But when these kids walk off the mat in the Expocentre arena after having their arm raised in victory the title they hold will mean something to them and it will mean something to me. A couple years ago wrestling for that title in Ottawa, KS was as close as these kids could get to the feeling. Now they have an option that gets them a little closer to the “real” thing. I hope it will provide the fire in their belly that keeps them in the sport for a long time to come.
We are on the same page when it comes to your two bottom line points.
