BLT it is too late to do anything this year. The weight classes, age groups, entry fee, etc. for the 2009 State Tournament were all presented and voted on by the entire State Body at our Fall meeting.

To answer you second question, normal sanctioned tournaments have a different set of rules they operate under. They are given more latitude to combine and/or create weight classes within the age divisions. They may also allow a wrestler to “wrestle up”. I believe that these options have been excluded from the State Championship series because of a desire for standardization to create a level playing field when a State Title is the ultimate prize. I am not necessarily opposed to allowing a one age group bump in the State Chapionship Series as long as the bumps are regulated and only allowed on the upper end of the weight scale. I am not sure it is a good idea to allow a 10-64# kid to wrestle up with the 12-64# class just because it may be an easier road to a state medal (ie…if the 12-64# bracket isn’t full). I fear that a one age group bump could open us up for this scenario. Again…it is too late to get this accomplished this year and it would be a change that would need approved by the entire State Body.

On March 22, 2009 a group of clubs from my area are hosting the Kansas Hardluck TOC at Washburn University’s Lee Arena in Topeka, KS. The concept is to allow kids who have been eliminated from the State Championship Series at the Sub-district or District level one last chance to bring closure to their season. Kids from all four Districts are welcome. This tournament has no ties to the USAWA State Championship Series, so I have the same latitude as a normal sanctioned tournament. I would be willing to add a U8-140# class to my tourney if enough of you are interested in coming to wrestle and determine who is the top U8-over 125# wrestler in the State. That may be as close as you will get to a State Title this year. Tell your young wresters to keep working hard; wrestling is a great sport and there will be many opportunities for these young men in the future.