I would like to think that over the years that my pockets have benefited from the hundreds of people that have kindly left their money at a wrestling tournament. But unfortunately all I have to show for it is the joy of watching some fine young men and women become better people for the hard work and dedication that this sport demands… loyalty and commitment to this dying sport is what it’s all about!

Parkwayred,
I think your missing the point. I'm not bashing or whining on the clubs tournament. I was only expressing my experience at the tournaments that are of topic. Saying that spending 13 hours in a gym seems ridiculous to me, if that is bashing or whining the clubs so be it. What is ridiculous is for you to say that if your child wants to go to the next level they need to get used to it. It is that type of thinking that a lot of kids don’t make it to the next level. My son’s 02/03 was his first season, he wrestled in the 6u division. It is very difficult to entertain a LL kids for 13 hours so that they can wrestle. A lot of kids look forward to wrestling but when they spend that much time in a gym, that wears on them and they no longer want to attend a tournament because the last tournament they went to was “to long”.

I do have to admit that I haven’t been to a high match since I wrestled (graduated in ’88). But I can tell you that if my son is 14 years old (freshmen in HS) and still wrestling, I don’t have to worry about entertaining my son at that age. At that point in his life he’ll understand and realize the price you pay to wrestle. Your not trying to keep him in sport at the age, he is already involved. LL kids, you have to keep it fun for them and spending 13 hours in a gym isn’t fun for LL kids.

My club put on a tournament, Border War Challenge and I spent 2 days working that tournament. Day one, setting up the gyms (mats, cleaning, setting up tables (clock, watches, paper towels, first aid kit and etc) and etc). Day two, working the table, picking up trash and removing the mats from the gym. Also my wife worked in the concession stand for a while. I worked the tournament from start (6am) to finish (don’t recall the time). I even paid my nephew $20 to help at the tournament. I paid just like everybody else and had 2 sons wrestle in the tournament. Did our tournament have problems, yes, as everyone else. I hope we learned from our mistakes and correct them. I think that is more of the point of the “whining or bashing” (as you put it), have better time restraints on the tournament.

Speaking of volunteers, the Topeka Tournament was asking for volunteers throughout the Tournament, doesn't that say that the capacity exceeded the volunteers? That would also contribute to the time spent at a tournament? Adequate volunteers would’ve kept the tournament running more smoothly.

I don’t want KS fans, wrestlers or clubs to think that I have a problem with KS Tournaments because I don’t. I just have a problem with 13 hour tournament. Outside the Topeka Tournament, 9 hours was the longest time spent at a Tournament. To me 9 hours is all day, 13 hours is too long. Remember were talking LL kids not High School kids.

Jayhayes, I will have to apologize to you about expecting a 6yr. old being able to withstand a 13hr. day… Even though I personally did not attend the Border War Challenge my youngest son did and plans on being back (I was some where with my oldest wrestling High School). The coaches from Manhattan commented on what a nice time they had. The one thing that seems odd to me is that you have made the choice to start out at some very high caliber big time tournaments for a first year wrestler. Your point is well taken about keeping your son entertained for that amount of time. May I suggest that there are plenty of novice tournaments around the KC area that are usually done by noon or 1 o’clock. Another solution is to find some small round robin tournaments. Get hooked up with someone that’s been down this road before you and ask these people what’s best for this age kid. Clubs tend to forget about novice wrestlers when they plan their tournaments. Both of my boys started when they were six. Unfortunately I had to learn the hard way bigger is not always better. It seems like yesterday but it’s been over 10 yrs ago. These days that we spent together were some best times my wife and I have ever had. My wife would always find ways to get the kids (daughter included that didn’t wrestle) outside away from the mats. They would play cards, color, game boys you name it. Enjoy these moments and make the best out of them because they will be gone before you know it.

Parkwayred,
Actually my son wrestled 5 Novice Tournaments (5-1st Place finishes). He also attended 7 Open Tournaments (4-1st Place, 1-2nd Place, 1-3rd Place, 1-No Place finish @ Liberty Nationals (went 3-2, lost to the same kid twice). All in all he finished the season 37-5. The reason he started attending Open Tournaments was because he wasn’t being challenged and we thought it would be a good ideal for him to see how he would do in a Open Tournament. To be quit honest, the toughest Open Tournament that he wrestled at on the KS side was KS TOC. He lost (4-2) to an outstanding wrestler by the name of Dayton Will from Salina who eventually won his bracket and my son finished 3rd. Taking my son to the KS TOC and Liberty Nationals made us realize that my son wasn’t were he needed to be if he was to attend those types of Tournaments and was a good experience for my family. Topeka Tournament wasn’t a high caliber challenge for my son, no offense, I’m ONLY referring to his bracket ONLY, which was a (A) Bracket. My son had 3 matches and had 2 pins and a Dec (12-0), no points scored against him in any of those matches.

I know that parents can push their kid to fast. Keeping my son in Novice Tournaments just didn’t seem right because of the way he was winning. If he was being challenged and winning or losing close matches, he would’ve done Novice Tournaments all year. His average win was by Decision was 12 points, if he didn’t pin them (in both Open and Novice). I know it sounds like bragging and it maybe it is, I’m just a proud parent. Your statement “Get hooked up with someone that’s been down this road before you and ask these people what’s best for this age kid.”, I took those people’s advice and that is why I took my son to KS TOC and Liberty Nationals. When people kept saying take your son to Liberty Nationals, I thought they were crazy. But it turned out to be a good decision.

Parkwayred I’m going to try a cherish these wrestling days with my son. I’ve filmed every match his first season. Even if he decides to stop wrestling today, I’ll at least have those tapes. Someday when we are both old and gray, we can pull up the tapes and have a stroll down memory lane.

Jayhayes, You should be proud you’ve got a stud on your hands! Nurture him, bring him along easy… my youngest was in the same boat when he was that age because big brother showed him all the tricks. Steve got older and the other kids better and now there are some dandy grudge match’s (all in fun) from years gone by. But his success in the early years set him up for something he didn’t understand “your still a winner even if you lose” for without losing how are you going to get any better. Every youngster matures at a different pace. Bring him to Manhattan in January and we’ll show you good time. Good luck to the both of you.

Jayhayes,
Why would you take your son to 5 novice tournaments when he was placing in open tournaments?

Please read my post again, Cokeley. I took my son to 5 novice tournaments first. After seeing the success that he was having, we decided to go to Open Tournaments.

I read it and it was unclear that is why I asked. As you may have read over time it is frustrating to kids who truly are novice shouldn't have to wrestle boys who are capable of competing in open tournaments. Anyway, that is another topic.