Jeff,

While I always appreciate your comments, I must point out that the state tournament is not really funded by the USAW membership money. The participants pay an entry fee of $20.00 for the state tournament, the spectators pay to enter the event, and everybody who goes pays approximately $1000 for hot dogs and
dip n dots.

The USAW membership money pays for insurance and supports the national organization, although through it's support of the state organization I suppose you could argue that a fraction of the money benefits the state tournament. It is the best dollar value we have ever spent, state tournament or not.

You could also argue that the 6 and unders are benefitting from the many years of contributions of the 14 and unders who have stuck with it and paid many years of memberships, whose families have set up clubs, hosted tournaments, coached, volunteered and created special opportunities for the 6 and unders.

Your kid has not burned out, you are very fortunate and I am happy for you. I have been told that approximately 80% of our six and unders do not make it to 14 and under. I don't know how reliable this number is, and I don't know how to confirm it, but based upon my experience, it seems possible. I do know that 50% of the 2004 six and under STATE CHAMPIONS from Ottawa did not compete at this years kids state championship. I did the math. In 5 years, one half have gone from state champs to not even there.

Like it or not, the future of Kansas wrestling is most likely in the hands of the kids who are still there at 8 and under.