Thanks for the response Crash99. I have a couple of additional points for everyone to consider....
I agree that we would always have a small # people that may take advantage of the weigh in at home concept. However I offer a couple of additional thoughts...
1. We have heard talk on this board about kids being given 2-3 oz. at the tournament site weigh ins. I have actually seen it happen. On a theoretcal side that bothers me, but on a realistic side it doesn't really when you are talking about an Open/Novice tournament and 5-12 year old kids.
2. I think we make weigh ins and their validity for Open and Novice too much of an issue for kids wrestling. If we want to continue to grow the sport and keep kids wrestling then we have to come up with ways that make it easier on the parents and alleviate stressers on the kids. Heck, the fact that at such a young age they are getting out there and competing is enough stress for most of them. (I know, in high school they will have to do it...in high school you are dealing with young men that can make decisions)
3. Reallistically, someone will always take advantage of the situation...ok...so be it. Eventually what comes around goes around. Let's take an example....If an adult administrator fudges a few oz. on the weigh in what is the worst thing that can happen:
1. Near Term: The kid that was .3 over pins your kid and your kid doesn't place or get a medal in an open tournament.
2. Mid Term (rest of season): The adult administrator continues to allow this to happen during the entire Open/Novice tournament schedule....kid gets to subdistrict and can't make weight...therefore can't wrestle. Too bad for the kid but it is the adult administrator that is to blame not the scales of the host tournament.
3. Long Term (lesson imparted on wrestlers): This is the most serious.....the adult administrator is setting a very bad example for the young kids. Hopefully someone will teach them right from wrong.
Now lets look at the potential benefits:
1. For the wrestler: Friday night practice now becomes fun because it means we get to play a game. Less stress about making weight. More sleep therefore potentially better wrestling. Not as much stress due to the reduction of extra travelling, increased potential to keep them around to the age where on site weigh ins matter (high school).
2. For the Parents & family members (our sports biggest fans): $$$$ savings on gas. $$$$ savings on meals (you have to feed them either after Fri or sat weigh ins). Less time travelling for tournaments. Get a chance to sleep a little longer. Extra $$$$ savings may allow another child to participate or go to more tournaments.
3. For the tournament directors and coaches: Easier to bracket and get them posted. Coaches can then get brackets on Trackwrestling that evening. Tournaments can start on time and hopefully end earlier. Now everyone is happy.
IMO, I think the benefits far outweigh the risks or the negatives. Remember, we are talking about 5-12 year old KIDS for the most part. Lets take the emphasis of the weight. That will get a hold of most of them soon enough.
Shawn Budke
PS- One of the best wrestling events I have ever attended occurred this year at the University of MO. We took about 20 wrestlers to compete with 3 other clubs before the U of MO dual against Oregon State. There were no weigh ins. There were no loudspeakers or announcer. There were no match numbers.
We submitted our kids age, weight and ability a week before. The organizer paired them up. We should up and there were 6 wrestling surfaces. The kids sat around the mat and the coaches would go around and call out their names. They would go to a mat and wrestle. College kids reffed. They got through about 100 matches in less than 1.5 hrs. It was AWESOME!
The kids loved it, the parents loved it and the coaches loved it. Everyone was wrestling just to wrestle...the award you received at the end....pizza and watching University of MO whipp up on Oregon State.
