I'll try to summarize the big reasons why 6 and unders at state has been historically voted down.

1. Has your child played t-ball? You may have noticed that they do not keep score and bat around. You may have noticed that there is not a league championship for t-ball while there is for the older kids. They pay the same dues. It's not that people are against t-ball, it's just that most people feel that for the good of the kids, it should be less competitive that the older kids.

2. Space constraints at the state tournament. The state tournament is crowded. Maybe not so much in the stands, but there is little room on the floor for more mats, wrestlers and coaches.

You may think that the 16 and under division should be dropped in favor of 6 and unders, and that has been kicked around. Schroeder asked about my son and the fairness of it all. Here's my take on that. My son has been doing kids club for years. I have been coaching for years. My son helps the younger kids and I think the younger kids look forward to the older ones coming back. They look up to them and learn from them. Most of the older kids are very very good to the younger ones, and I think its a good thing for the sport. The ones who keep coming back have paid a lot of dues as have their families.

3. Space constraints at the qualifying tournaments. These are one day tournaments at much smaller venues than the state tourney. Many of them are taxed already in terms of mat space and time.

4. What do you actually remember prior to age 7? I have vague recollections of being a ring bearer, and a little bit about kindergarten. Qualifying for state wrestling at age 5 I don't think would have changed my life.

I understand this issue is important to you. I would like to explain that the "slow" people you refer to have paid more dues and volunteered more time and gone to more meetings and cleaned more mats and paid more money than you can possibly imagine. Hopefully wrestling will be as important to you and your kids when they are 14.