I agree with 90% of Will’s suggestions. However, he and I agree to disagree when he starts “ranting” about Topeka. I believe the Topeka community has done allot for our sport, our organization and our kids. I also know that they will continue to support us in the future. They have had the only viable combination of venue, adequate hotel rooms, and volunteer base to host our State tournament for many years. Even with these advantages they have continually offered fair contracts from which to operate. With the addition of large arenas in other areas, some of these advantages may be diminished in the years to come. However, I know firsthand that Topeka is working very hard to stay our number one choice of venue for the State tournament and any other events we choose to bring to town.

Shortening the folkstyle season may help increase the draw into the international wrestling styles and it would allow those kids participating in spring soccer or summer baseball a break. This we can agree on. I know my son has a full slate of baseball tournaments on his schedule for the month of April without a break in between.

On the 6U issue one thing to keep in mind is that if and/or when the State Body adopts the notion that “6 and under” is a division of their own, you will no longer have the option of wrestling “up” in the 8U division. There is a rule that does not allow you to wrestle “up”. The only reason we see the “6 and under” competitors in the “8 and under” brackets at State now is that they are technically a part of that division. That will not be the case if and/or when they get their own status.