Bookman,

I sympathize with your position. That is why my group made the decision to take Ottawa’s concept one step further and offer the kids that fell in the lower half of the 8U division the “next best thing”. On March 21st, 2008 the first whistle will kick of the 2008 6 & Under State - KS Tournament of Champions . I will explain more about this event later in my message, but first let’s talk about the past 10 years and how this issue has been shaped into the powder keg it is today.

I have been back in USAW for ten years now. In the early days of USAW the underclassman of the 8U division had no choice but to wrestle With the 7 and 8 year olds every weekend. Gradually over the course of time, the 6U subdivision spawned at weekend tournaments and it flourished. It has been able to stand on its own for some time. In 2001 and 2002 a 6U District Championship tourney was offered as part of many of the District Tournaments. It ran the same day and in conjunction with the state qualifier for the senior divisions. I believe that every District except D4 hand a 6U tourney in 2002. With these tournaments held the same day as older division qualifier, kids had to make a choice if they wanted to compete in the 8U Championship Series or the 6U District Championship tourneys. My son still has his plaques in his trophy case; it was a nice tournament and added closure to his early seasons. Around that same time a grass root effort to add the 6U division to the slate of divisions recognized by our organization was started. The concept was added to the agenda of the State Body meeting. Periodically the state body evaluates and makes changes to the other divisions as well. Qualifying birthdates have changed, weight classes have shifted, and certain weights have been eliminated all together. The Executive board does not have the power; nor do we, as a body, want it to have the power to make this decision on our behalf. Changes to the Age and Weight classification are presented and voted on by our body at large. As Randy has stated, each and every time this issue has been presented before our state body it is voted down by a majority of the clubs present.

This fact does not change the debate, each year this issue is debated. Usually in February and March the debate becomes heated. I have watched many in this division flourish over the years. I have also seen many pushed to burn out and they are not heard of the next year. I often agree with people from both sides of the debate. The issues surrounding it are complicated and as many in this thread have pointed out it is not just about the money. My club has 35 kids that fall in the lower half of the 8U division (in other words the under six division). So I am very aware of the impact these kids have on our wrestling community. In 2003 or 2004 Ottawa began offering an end of year option for this division and invited kids from the entire State. Over the past couple years, there have been many fine wrestlers compete in Ottawa’s gym bringing closure to their respective seasons. As that tournament developed, it wasn’t one that I would send every 6U kid in my room to. Only the best and most resilient kid under the age of six can wrestle through a four month season with enough in the tank to compete with the best kids in the state and advance through a 64 man bracket. That same could be said for the 8, 10, 12, 14, and 16 year old kids.

Two years ago I was sitting with a couple couches in my club discussing this issue. As could be expected, there were three opinions about the issue. But from that conversation a thought was spawned; even if it was a reach to add these kids to the State Championship Series in a division of their own why not give them the next best thing. We researched the venue and locked them down . On March 21 of this year we will run a 6 & Under State - KS Tournament of Champions event at the Kansas Expocentre. It will be in the same arena that our State Tournament is in the week following. We will run the tournament on 10 full mats. Plaques will be awarded to the top six placers of each weight class. We will make this event a quality event to bring closure to your young wrestler’s season. That is really what it is all about and it is what brings these kids back. Is the title these kids will walk away with a State Championship in the true since of the word…NO.? Is it any less meaningful…NO.?

But even this event has spawned its share of debate. Why Topeka? Why not just leave it in Ottawa? Why not this? Why not that? I know there will be issues and conflicts with the other qualifying tournaments; I do not have all the answers. It may be that depending on your situation you will have to make a choice of whether to compete with the rest of the 8U division in the State Championship Series or to come to Topeka. What I do know is this,come March 21st at 8:30 in the morning there will be a group of young wrestlers taking advantage of another great opportunity to wrestle with their peers for a title. I hope that each walk away with a good experience that they can carry with them throughout their wrestling careers. Why don’t you join us!

Mark Stanley
jrvikingwrestling@yahoo.com
under_six_kstoc@yahoo.com
785/224-5161