You run into this problem on both ends of the scale...pardon the pun.

Every year you are given the opportunity to petition the Kids Executive Director to add items to the agenda of the fall Executive Board meeting. The Executive Board reviews the request and makes a recommendation to the State Body (you and me).

Changes to age and weight classes are visited ever couple of years. If you feel passionately about this issue gather your data and request the change. Keep in mind that any changes made ultimately are voted on by the entire state body. This is not a case of "the Man" excluding anyone. I believe that last year the 60# class was eliminated from the U12 class and the HWT classes were adjusted in the U16 class to mirror those of KSHSAA.

One important point...any changes made will always have an upper end of the spectrum. There is no such thing as a Super HWT in any age classification. We have a maximum weight difference between classes in each age group to protect the athlete (8U-15#, 9&10-20#, 11&12-25#, 13&14-30#, 15&16-30#). KSHSAA also has a top end for HWT...it is 275#.

The answers to these issues are not simple. But change is possible if change is warranted. Many have lobbied for years for an U6 age classification...some want more options at the bottom end of some age classes...and as this thread points out maybe we need to look at the top end as well. However, we have a limited amount of time and space available for us to wrestle the State tournament.

Dad of son who has always carried the label "big for his age",
Mark Stanley