Do me a favor. Go to a High School wrestling room and tell me what you see. My guess is you will see Freshmen and Sophmores wrestling with Freshmen and Sophmores. Juniors and Seniors wrestling Juniors and Seniors. Occasionally a Senior will grab a Freshman or Sophmore, usually so he can slack off or rest. There will be a group of kids that are going out for the first year. These kids will work together most of the year working on basic moves and trying their luck every now and then against JV. Once the season kicks in, the Varsity wrestlers will be at Practice on Monday and Tuesday to wrestle. Wednesday is a slow day because of pulling weight. Thursday is Match Day. Friday and Saturday Tournament Days. All the while your beginners and Freshmen who didn't make the team or trip will be wrestling each other, 2-3 practices a week. Sounds like 8th and 9th Graders are on a pretty level playing field. Remember I have been there and know what it is like.
Why do we care about being "FAIR" to the 8th Graders but not the 9th Graders?
Beeson is pretty much right on. You always have a few freshman that are standouts and a coach will make them wrestle upper classmen in practice to get them more prepared for the highschool level, they are the exception, most freshmen are not ready for varsity competition even if they are varsity on their team.
