No one wants to get rid of Novice, but it is being abused. In my opinion there should be no Novice in the 6U division. They are all Novice, there may be one or two kids that really know what is going on, but everyone else is Novice. I can understand Novice in 8U, 10U and 12U. Most kids that are going out for wrestling at the 14U division are doing it because they think they will do well, or they are pretty athletic. I'm not sure these kids need a Novice division either.

What we need is some guidelines to help coaches explain to the parents that, "little Johnny does not meet the criterea for a Novice anymore, it is time to wrestle in the open division." Parents that are trying to "protect their kids until they are ready" are not doing the kid any good. Parents that are out "Trophy Hunting" are not doing the kid or anybody else's kid any good. I think some guidlines would help Tournament Directors, coaches, and parents. I don't think that the State is wanting to rule with an iron fist, but make guidlines so that if it is being abused, someone can step in.