I go back and forth on some of these issues. Sometimes it is difficult to understand the reasons for certain KSHSAA rules, and they do seem oppressive in many cases. Many, most I'm sure, are there because of past abuses by coaches and programs in an effort to gain competitive advantages.

What if there were no travel restrictions? While I would really enjoy two trips to Texas for football games in the fall and 3 or 4 wrestling tournaments in Ohio and Baseball in California, there are families that would be priced out of high school sports in that environment. It's important to remember that the sports exist not only for elite competitors like your son, but for beginners and average participants also.

As to high schoolers wrestling kids club, this clearly is in place to keep high schools from circumventing the allowable practice time and competition rules. I'm fairly certain that if high school coaches were allowed to coach kids clubs and the ban on high schoolers wrestling kids club was lifted, some high school coaches would make it mandatory. Some would practice 25 hours a week, and wrestle 100 matches a year. Again, I would enjoy it, my kid would enjoy it, and some just couldn't or wouldn't participate.

I share your frustration. I am ridiculously competitive. Believe me, if shopping at Walmart was a sport, I would shove old ladies. That's why the KSHSAA exists. If extremely competitive coaches, parents and schools are left to self govern, they will sometimes lose their collective minds.

Signed,
Devils Advocate.