I too agree with the notion that a "novice" should truly be a "novice".

I suspect we've all seen and heard it. Every single tournament this season thus far, I have personally seen it and heard from several parents statements like "There's no way that (whomever) kid is a novice", or "I just saw that (whomever) kid at an open tournament last weekend (or even yesterday, or last week, etc.)"

In my humble opinion, this action from parents (the biggest villan in this scenario), and a close second, various club coaches, and a neck-in-neck tie for second would be tournament directors.

Maybe I am clueless here (no comments from the peanut gallery please!), but IMHO, a more thorough and critical look at USA cards might help out in this novice/open debate.

I totally understand the thought behind some more experienced, but not yet that successful in open tourneys wrestling in novice tournaments, because either the parent or coaches or both just want to get the kid more mat time and experience, etc. Totally understand that, but it also taints the whole concept of the novice status and thought behind a novice only tournament. Again, IMHO.