That was a very good post, Mike. I think you made some great points.

Personally I think it is very tough to keep the wrestlers interest up as the summer goes on. I am one of those who wish that State was earlier. I do not think they necessarily need to be wrestling tournaments in the summer and a little time off from tournaments is probably very good for most of them to give their bodies and minds a break from the grind and time to refresh. Going further is okay for the national level kids but I think it is okay for most of them to finish their freestyle greco seasons at State and to partake in some other activities during the summer. I also think it would be good for most of the wrestlers if freestyle/greco state was held earlier in May before school ends and their summer vacations begin.

I am just glad that my son is still enthused about going to freestyle practices four nights a week and I had no problem with him deciding not to wrestle at Southern Plains or any other torunaments the rest of the summer if that is what he chooses to do. I think Southern Plains was too close to our State and for our family State was more important for him to participate in than Southern Plains this year. He has wrestled at State the last two years. He did wrestle at Southern Plains in 2008 and he made the decision before State that he was not going to wrestle at Southern Plains again this year.