I agree with the concept of keeping kids inolved and not limiting opportunities. With that in mind, I offer another approach....

After reading these boards it seems the issue at hand is that some regionals don't fill all the brackets. Assuming this is the real issue what about the idea of letting teams with JV kids at that weight fill in and try to qualify for state?

I know it seems a little odd but I actually have seen it work. In Montana for their 2A schools (equivalent of 6A schools in KS) they only have 13 or 14 schools that size. In order to fill the brackets for state they hold 2 divisional meets. One of the East Conference and one for the West Conference. Every school brings thier varsity and #1 JV wrestler at every weight. The top 8 kids from each conference qualifies for state.

At the state tournament there is no distinction between varsity and JV for team points. All wrestlers count towards team points. In MT they have 15 weight classes so in theory you could qualify 30 kids for the state tournament.

At first this seemed a little odd to me and I wasn't sure I liked it. After watching it in action for a few years I grew not really, for those that know me, I have never grown too much) to really like the idea.

Here are the benefits as I see them....

1. Provides kids more opportunity rather than limit them.
2. Kids don't have to cut weight or go up a weight if you have 2 studs at the same weight class.
3. Allows kids that have a really good wrestler in front of them an opportunity to place at state and build resume' for college. In fact, Kalispell team had 2 kids wrestling for the state championship this year.
4. Team championship is really determined by who has the best overall program. In order to really win the state tournament you have to have depth on your roster.

This is just another idea. I have not thought enough nor am I knowledgeable enough on the way it could be implemented for 5A & 6A schools. I just offer it as a starting point for thinking outside the box.

The bottomline is that we should not limit opportunities for the kids.

Shawn Budke