Obviously something needs to be done to improve our retention of kids who wrestle 6U and never wrestle again. However, this forum is not addressing that issue. I really think that except for a few exceptional 6U's their season should be over sometime in February. Also, most of the time 6U's should never wrestle in anything other than round robins where everyone gets medals. Maybe a few of the big tournaments could be competitive with regular brackets - like Salina for instance. Success makes for enjoyment and will keep them coming back.

The bickering on this forum is not addressing the issue. As has been stated, given the number of 6U card holders, there is a need for a 6U State. And, a qualifier is necessary. Having a 64 man bracket for six year olds and younger isn't about the kids. And, the Expo Center is not big enough to add the 6U's to Kids State. It is hardly big enough now. We already wait 4 or 5 hours between matches and there is not enough room on the floor for all the coaches to where getting coaching passes is a big issue at the end of each season. And, Ottawa does a great job of running tournaments. I have never been to the 6U State they hold, but I know they did not have enough room to do Districts last year. If this is a problem with 6U State, then Stanley may be right.

So, lets actually focus on the kids and how to reward the ones with the maturity to compete at such a level and how to keep the other ones interested in the sport into their 8U and 10U years.

Lets remember sometimes success can cause an event to grow to big to be where it is at. Topeka is probably a good place for a true state event. Maybe it should be rotated so the people in Western Kansas don't always have to drive. Putting it at the Expo Center may just be a good first move to the State taking it over and rotating it every 1 or 2 between each of the districts. I don't think Stanley is trying to steal the tournament. In fact, how do the rights to such a tournament belong to anyone. SO stop fighting and put your energy into making sure we have as many 8U and 10U card holders as we do with the 6U's.