I had stopped bringing my son because I was tired of driving home at midnight or later from the tourney. The three hour delay in matches for the parade of champions was just too long. If the parade of champions is not going to be held next year then we will start attending again.

I didn't attend this year, but can say from past experiences as both a coach and an official, I hated the parade of champions at this tournament. The venue wasn't right for it, it wasn't a real celebration, at least didn't seem like it, and it took just far too much time. You want to see a parade of champions, go to Tulsa or someplace like that. Our state tournament also does a good job. Maybe at Hartman where everyone can see it will be okay, but if given a choice to get out of a tournament a little early, or have a parade of champions like was at the Classic, I would prefer to get out early every time. If able to be viewed and seen by all spectators, another story all together. I say look for some good things at Hartman though, it reminds me a lot of the Reno Livestock Arena in Reno Nevada, and it is a great venue for wrestling. I hope more big tournaments will consider it for future tournaments.

Oh yea, my son was in the finals at this tournament a number of times, winning it all but once, he hated the parade of champions as it took away from preperation time, and nothing like standing there for all of that time with nothing to do but wait on your name being called. At least at most tournaments that have a parade of champions, you are announced and have warm up time prior to and after the announcment.

I also raised my hand to not do the parade of champions.

Even though our club uses this tourney as a fundraiser, by providing mats, table workers, setup, etc., I have to admit that I have also seen the level of competition go down. Not to say that there weren't some NAILS tough brackets. I believe there were lots of brackets that you will see the finals participants being introduced at State in a few weeks. I believe it is mainly because there is another tourney of similar size in Hays going on the same weekend. We need to figure out a way to merge the tourneys, maybe alternate years, one year at Hays, one year at Hartman, or find different weekends to hold them. If the Classic was n't going on, we'd definitely go to Hays, and I'm sure the western Kansas people would say the same about the classic.

The argument of poor facilities will be gone next year, with the move to Hartman. The parade was not able to be seen worth a hoot, and I believe it was a good decision to eliminate it.

I think that IF they decide to go back to doing the Parade of Champions (POC) at Hartman arena it will have the lights & sound to make it a little more special.
I personally am glad they did away with the POC because it just took so much time.

I was also very excited that they announced that they planned to do a big kick off tournament as well.
I think 4 big tournaments a year would be awesome for our state and our sport. We just need to get the classic & Hays on seperate weekend.
When picking between Hays & The Classic it really is a forced choice.
We get great competition and don't have to drive a bunch of hour or spend a bunch of $ to attend. The venue is meaningless!

If the Classic has an early December kickoff tourney at Hartman, then Salina in Jan, then Hays and Classic in Feb and Early March, you would see those tourneys grow into large national caliber brackets IMO. There had been some talk of having some sort of a series to earn points toward the "ultimate championship" or something to that effect.

10u76 was loaded, and the brackett i was talking about. you are right jon disappointed is a better word. we have wrestled those oklahome kids, and wanted a shot at some ks kids, oh well. time to get ready for subs, see you there.

Josh - I just realized what I did - I was responding to the initial post about the coaches being classless for voting no on the parade - but it looks like I'm responding to yours - I hadn't even read your post yet. Sorry about that man - you and I are good!

beeson- do you not take your kid to salina? what is the difference- you get beat three times and get and award- you even get to have your picture taken! Is the classic not the same level of tournament as salina? How many other tounaments have just one bracket for the weight class? if you want to have a parade to announce the finals then award appropriatlly!

first off I never said one thing about a coach being classless (quit looking for trouble) read the entire post. I am not upset about not having a parade I COULD CARELESS the point was don't change it on the fly when kids are expecting it. I understand why coaches dont want it and i also understand why kids do.

again I called no coaches classless nor was that implied

you mean to reply to Jon lautt-right? I never said anything about coaches

My kid has been beat out of a tournament before, but never 3X in the same tournament. First of all there should only be one open bracket for each tournament. There should not be two champions for the same age and weight at the same tournament. It's like wiping before you poop...It don't make no sense. I don't have a problem with a NOVICE bracket though. I personally believe once you lose your second match you are done. I don't care how big or tough the bracket is. Double elimination means TWO and OUT. I have issues with how big the awards are getting, Parades, 6th place finishes, and how it has to be FAIR. Can't we just WRESTLE.

Like wiping before you poop. Now that right there is funny i don't care who you are.

Also not to nit pick but Kansas has 2 Division II programs now Will, as Newman University in Wichita as transitioned to DII.

I think if you have one big bracket you should give out an award for 6th place. My boy was in a 16 man bracket and missed out in getting a medal at Hays, and it was a pretty tough bracket, I told him I was sorry but next time we go harder. Thats the biggest bracket he's been in all year, and I would have to say the toughfest (he's only 8). He went 2 and 2 and really wrestled well. It was a great tournament and we will continue to go there over park city.

State University. I forgot to qualify. Newman is a private school.

I had never heard that before, I will never forget it now.

Hays was a great tournament.Its a nice venue, good refs, well ran. The only problem I have is their method of bracketing. Spreading the 'A' wrestlers over all the brackets is crazy at this point (nearing State). Either do a 16-man bracket, or put the more advanced wrestlers together and see who the winner is.

Well put, GoShoryGo. My son (not bragging) is an A wrestler and was in a B-bracket, which was loaded. I know of at least 3 A wrestlers in both brackets. Would have like to see what would happen if all were put together. Would make for some great wrestling. Not to put down the Hays tournament. What an AWESOME event. So cool for the kids and great place to watch for the fans. Very well ran. Would like to see State broke up with possible 10 & U at Hays and 12-14-16 at Topeka. Different weekends of course for the families with more than one wrestler. Hays just does such a great job at hosting these and has a very adaquate facility to do so. Also Hays is more centralized than Topeka.

Don't forget about the Southern Plains FS Greco Regional at Hays in June, which is preceded by the Southern Plains FS Greco Camp the week before. We need to load that tourney up with Kansas kids. It will also get Teams Kansas ready for Schoolboy, Cadet, and Junior Duals, and of course Fargo.

Never too early to start thinking about your kid having a goal to be a part of Team Kansas this summer.