My son started at 6, wrestled his first open tournaments and sub-district at the age of 8, and qualified for State for the first time last year at the age of 11 (after wreslting six years). This year, he will have his hands full just to make it back to Districts. Believe me, if your child has to wait a few years to make it to the "big show", it's not all bad. I have more passion about the sport of wrestling than I do all other sports combined. You are right when you tell your kids that wrestling is the most difficult sport that they will participate in, or at least I believe. I couldn't be any more proud of my son for what he accomplished last year. For those of you who have to wait for your child to make it to State, I can tell you that it is worth it (and more). And, if you are getting ready to categorize me into the "well, you don't have a six year old any more" group, save your key strokes. I hope to have my five year old on the mat for a few tournaments next year and I still have one that will have to wait another four years before he can give it a shot (if he wants to). I have no regrets about bringing my 12 year old along gradually, and will not do anything different for his two younger brothers.