SF02,

While I tend to partially agree with you on this issue, I do think it is important to point out the intent behind the rules. When these rules were put into place it was not the intent to harm any individual wrestler. The true intent was to protect the integrity and consistency of our brackets. There are some errors/omissions/changes that are so cut and dried that I do believe exceptions to the rules make since. However, an issue that seems like a no brainer to me may cause issues for another.

I will give you an example of an issue that I am dealing with this year. I have a kid entered at 14-75. Friday night I was doing my homework and looked at the groups of kids across the State. As of Friday night I believe there were three other kids at this age and weight. My 14-75 kid approached me last night at practice and says can I move up. I told him it was too late for that. He breaks down and says but coach I want to wrestle. I said, I don’t understand. He explains that he and his Dad were looking at the brackets published after the seeding meeting and it turns out that he is the only 14-75 left in the State. This kid has competed all year, often times against other kids as much as 25# heavier in combined brackets. I have told him many times after tough losses this year, that if he bides his time he won’t have to wrestler the 95-100# kids in the qualifying tourneys. At 14-80 there was only one kid in our sub-district and he was also from my club. I told both boys that I would request an exception to the rule, which I have done. The ruling was quick; I was denied and a full explanation was given. Moving kids after the seeding meeting is a slippery slope. As soon as you allow an exception then there will be a dozen more requesting a move for other reasons. Am I disappointed by the ruling…yes. Do I understand the ruling…yes.

I believe that many issues should be left up to each District to decide at a local level. There could be an appeal process at the State level to rule on the fairness of decisions made at the District level. But we must all follow the rules in place to the best of our ability.

Mark