I've been involved with this sport for almost 40 years. I mention that not as an award or curse, only as a reference. I've seen/been around or part of great wreslting people and programs and I've seen and been around some not so good people and programs. As I read through these posts it's appears to me that there is fact in a little bit of what everyone is saying.
Will makes some great points as many of the other posters do as well. I've been to many of the same tournaments Will talks about, I see the same coaches either in the corner or leaning on a nearby matside rail. Heck you could find them at our KS youth tournaments if you wanted to.
Will (as well as many other posters) is well aware that it is usually only through extra reps against tougher competition will an athlete of any sport get better over time. We were part of program where the HS coach opened the room on the first day of the season and closed the room on the last day and was not seen again until the opening of the next season. My son, who practically wrestles year round was left to fend for himself. We've had another coach who was as dedicated to coaching as any of his wrestlers were to wrestling. If they wanted to wrestle he would be there. Neither coach was married, both were teachers, outstanding men and relativley young, but with two polarized philosophies. I think Will's point is, for a son like mine and for coach who wants to coach, why not let them wrestle and coach to their hearts content? It would have made my life as a parent/husband/coach/financier/bus driver more simple.
I also recognize that many teams can not travel to those national tournaments but, that said, why restrict those who maybe can? Some of our best wrestling memories are from the various national team competitions we've been fortunate enough to participate in. It seems to me if a team can go to the "Beast of the East" or whatever then let them go! It may be one of the most memorable times that team or those kids will ever have. KS has a match limit today, if it falls within their match limits why does it matter where they wrestle the match? Finances will always be an issue that are raised, but I ask, how many car washes or bake sales have you been to/through for little league baseball or a cheerleading camp? They tend to find a way to make it work. It's not everyday/year they go but they do find a way.
I don't know if KS is behind or not as compared to our surrounding states. Although, I must admit is was a little surprised at what appeared to be low numbber of college wrestlers
Richard Salyer had on his list in another post. Maybe it's not low, I really don't have much context to compare.
I think that we as a wrestling community should consider a little give and take instead of what appears to be a "winner take all" approach. Everyone can win IF we want it to.

Dean Watson