Originally Posted By: Chief Renegade
Steve,

You stated that you would hope that a competitive wrestler, responsible parent and a competent coach would choose the HS division over going for another Kids title. So now we are back to the JV level HS wrestlers supposedly helping themselves by wrestling middle schoolers. There are plenty of seventh graders that have pre 9/1 birthdates and wrestle 14U. I can think of two sophomores in the past that also wrestled 14U. Kansas is in the extreme minority that still has High School wrestlers chasing Kids medals after their season rather than advancing their skills by FS/GR competition or off season HS Folkstyle. It's not a "fair" issue. It's a competitive advancement issue.

The wrestlers are still divided into two year age divisions. The label of JV wrestler or Middle school wrestler is irrelevant! The wrestlers still fall into the same two year age division regardless of what grade they happen to be in and enjoy no more of an advantage or disadvantage then any other age division Even if you do perceive an unfair advantage for the freshman surly you understand that in the following year the 8th grad would enjoy the same advantage. And again if you think its not right, how can you accept that 14year olds would be wrestling 18year olds in the High school division? Don�t misunderstand me I like the Idea of a High school division but logically speaking you are on both sides of the fence on this issue. How does a division of wrestlers by two year increments hinder competitive advancement? I think you may be bestowing some power or influence into this issue that just doesn�t exist. You mention the High school kids should be improving their skills with off season folk style practice. Isn�t that exactly what they are doing by participating in the USA Wrestling folkstyle series?? There is plenty of time for the freestyle season and I would like to see evidence that participation in the folkstyle series negatively effects the advancement or participation level of our freestyle wrestlers!By adding the High school division we will actually be increasing the number of �High school wrestlers chasing kids medals� So does this mean you think it�s a positive or a negative change?

Last edited by Steve Earle; 09/23/09 05:47 PM.

Steve Earle