Sportfan02-I am curious what your take would be on this...

Say your son is the 152lb HS state champ from last year. He is fired up and ready to wrestle this year at 160. The coach finds out after looking at this years team that there is one other kid who is not as good at 160 and nobody at 171. He asks your son for the good of the team to wrestle 171 because he could handle it better. This would greatly reduce your sons chances of repeating as state champ but help the team. Would you object?

My take so you know, is that your kid in this example would have earned his spot at 160 since he can beat the other kid. He would clearly help the team if he wins another state championship there. Asking him to hurt himself for the good of the team works when there are no individual winners. (like football or basketball), but in wrestling they should help the team but not at the risk of hurting themselves. I would say the kid would help his team more at 160. A kid also can help the team by his leadership, work ecthic and attitude, all of which don't hurt his individual chances.

That is my challenge is anytime kids/families want to do anything for themselves, like your exception to Cavanaugh's post, it's considered not for the team. We took my son to Missouri to wrestle all during kids club. We were told we were selfish and not looking out for the team. Now that he is in HS when it's actually a partial team sport, he helps the team quite a bit. He is a positive influence, and works hard, but he is doing his best every day to improve as an individual as that helps the team. He also works all the time with the other kids on his team to help them get better.

Let me know your thoughts,