martialartswrestler,
I can understand why you interpreted Rick Bowden's response as applying to the entire school year. However, this issue is dealt with in Article 3 of Rule 22, which reads as follows:
A student becomes a member of a school's athletic squad, scholars' bowl or debate team when he or she first participates in a practice session.
A student ceases to be a squad member after his or her last contest for the school's athletic squad, scholars' bowl or debate team or when the membership on a squad is terminated.
Therefore, students are free to participate in outside competition before they first participate in a practice session, and/or after their participation in the school program is complete.
On a personal note, this was an issue that I grappled with this year. My youngest son is currently wrestling in a middle school program, and has had minimal competition thus far. However, he is having a lot of fun; he is practicing five days/week; and he’s benefiting from a different coach’s perspective.
I wish that KSHSAA were willing to change their rules, and have done my best to get that done, but am very pessimistic on seeing any changes in the near future.
