When I posted some of the "general" information about the state tournament, as well as a few changes, I did it as a courtesty so people would know ahead of time. We have found in the past, that SOME club directors do not pass along information to their club members, as we do.

The subject of changing the weigh-in times was discussed at our executive council meeting in September, as well as the State Body meeting in November (minutes were even posted on the web page for all to read). As many who were at the State Body Meeting have said, there were very few negative comments about changing the weigh-in times to Friday night only. We have kept track the last couple years as to the numbers of wrestlers weighing in on Saturday morning. While many of you are still in your beds sleeping, we have been up before 5:00 am getting ready to go to the Expocentre, as well as a FEW volunteers to help us do the weigh-ins. The majority of these kids weighing in on Saturday morning, were the ones running on Friday night. With all the talk of trying to eliminate cutting weight, you can't tell me these kids shouldn't have moved up a weight class or possibly watched it a little closer during the week. It's obvious to me some are cutting weight because of all the moving at our seeding meetings before it begins.

We have ran several National tournaments where we weigh in the same amount of wrestlers in 2 hours. At Southern Plains, it is done even in a shorter amount of time. At Cadet / Junior Nationals, they do it in less time than we are for our State Tournament. We are doing it for three hours (4:00 - 7:00 pm on Friday). You say tournaments have weigh-ins until 9:00 pm. I can guarantee you that don't start at 4:00 pm either.

Several are complaining about having to take time off from work. To put it bluntly, I have used MANY days of vacation for Kids Wrestling, including 1 1/2 days for the State Tournament, as well as others I'm sure do. PLAN AHEAD!!!! My family and sons give a lot up during the week of the Kids State Tournament for ALL OF THESE KIDS, so please give a little of yourselves. At times, I would enjoy being able to relax with my family the week of the State Tournament and even at the State Tournament, as many of you are able to do. Believe you me, I am not complaining about the vacation or the loss of family time during the State Tournament or Kid Wrestlings, I do it and make those sacrifices because I love this sport and ALL the other kids involved, just not my own. I am not a lawyer or doctor as one post said, I just have a very understanding employer who allows me time with my family (actually work for a CPA and this is TAX TIME).

For those of you who are complaining, I hope you will be the first ones contacting your District Director and volunteering to work tables, load, unload, tape & mop mats, as well as all the other work that goes into setting up the tournaments. We have MANY volunteers (but its the same ones year after year) who give of themselves for the Kids in our State. Maybe it's time for some others to step up and offer to volunteer at our State Tournament.

Sorry if changing the times has caused such a inconvenience for some of you. My suggestion is to plan ahead (you have over a month to do so). Make the necessary arrangements to get your child to Topeka either by yourself or with someone else. There have been years when my own children ride down with parents from our club because they know of the obligations Greg & I have with setting up the State Tournament.

It will not change for 2004! This was not a decision made by the State Tournament Committee, BUT by the State Body, representatives (club directors) who where in attendance at the State Body meeting last November.

I would suggest you talk to your club directors and be sure that that they speak up next year at the State Body Meeting when we discuss the 2004 State Tournament and changes for 2005!

Leanna Grater