I argued for a 6 and under addition at State for several years. Sent proposals to the board, never heard back. I think its pretty straight forward.
The six and unders pay the majority of the money in memberships to the State and then the State doesn't allow them the chance to be part of the State Tournament. They do offer them the opportunity to wrestle up an age group, really doesn't seem fair to do that to them but they do offer that option. This is something that others in different threads griped about a wrestler doing this year at another age group level. Since the venue is too small they say for the six and unders I proposed using the USAW age and weights to eliminate some of the different weight classes and make the tourney the appropriate size. I have also proposed that we take turns giving each age group the opportunity to wrestle up different years and see how that group enjoys the experience. Perhaps next year the 12 and unders would all have to wrestle 14 and under to go to state, probably not something they would enjoy but its supposed to be good enough for the six and unders.

None of this would be a problem if the State would pay someone to host a tourney for them if the venue isn't large enough to have them as part of it. But it doesn't appear that it happens that way. It appears they take their money and then tell them to wait.

Maybe I am wrong for looking at it this way. People have probably criticized how much or how often I let my son wrestle at that young age. The thought that he wrestled too much at a young age doesn't seem to be affecting him the way others say it would.

I also don't see wrestling at a young age burning out wrestlers. I don't think wrestlers get burnt out, they get beat out when hard work and proper instruction starts to beat out the kids who are athletic and could win using only athleticism at a young age.

I fully support a six and under group at state or I fully support the state giving the money they collect from the six and unders to someone else to host a touney for them.

While on the economics of wrestling, I do think more kids at the State tourney would only offer the State more financial support from parents and fans of the six and unders. When I attend split format meets it is routine to watch the gym be very empty when the 12 and under and 14 and under wrestlers are competing as compared to the 6, 8 and 10 and under groups.

Good luck on tax day, I would have given you two cents worth, but the government took it this morning.