As far as the jump in groups, I think during my boy's path, 10 to 12u was the toughest. That when you start seeing kids with real meat on their bones. 12u to 14u is tough to because you start to see lots of weight cutting, and freshman with a year of solid technique. What I preach, "Keep working at your technique, you'll lose some to strength, as you will in life, but when your time comes your constant hard work at your technique will pay off."

I guess I don't know if it's paid off yet because the boy still wishes for arm pit hair, but I feel like his technique has brought him this far. I guess time will only tell, but I can say it's helped his attitude tremendously. Keep driving on, and don't worry what's in front of you, we'll deal with it if it comes. Tonight we went through his old brackets from when he was 7, and saw lots of wrestlers who were going 0-2, now placing in HS or winning kids state championships. Some not even around.

As far as HS state, I like it. Some of those kids that went 0-2 in the 2006 brackets, kept at it and are successful wrestlers battling through their bracket and placing or winning kids state. Good for them, and good for our state body giving them that opportunity.

As far as 14 year old eligible wrestlers wrestling 14u, why not. They are eligible as per decided by our state body. Don't get mad at a 14-15 year old kid for doing something that he's allowed to do. Not all were state champions, and some just want some redemption. Can't hate that. Most coaches have a similar slogan on the back of their shirts.

And some 14u 8th graders, want to wrestle them to see what is in store for them. I'd say those type of kids have a positive attitude that will carry them far!