I think that I can answer this question about as well as anyone. Several years ago, I pushed very hard to have the JH season in our part of the state moved to the early season. I did this for two essential reasons. First and foremost, I feel that it is in the best interest of HS wrestling. By wrestling the JH season early, it allows the more dedicated kids to continue on to the large tournaments after Christmas. Our season is actually over on December 3rd this year, so it allows most of December as well. Just as importantly, in my opinion, it begins to instill the philosophy of TEAM at the junior high level. We were understandably losing most of our best wrestlers to the kids program, and the JH program was watered down to the point that it was tough to watch. Now, the vast majority of good kids are in their JH teams, and tournaments are MUCH tougher. To be honest, I want to puke when I hear that wrestling is an individual sport. It's not. When it gets down to it, kids will wrestle harder for their TEAM than they will for just themselves. Nothing is more important than that. I would take a team championship any day over an individual one. The philosophy of ME FIRST is a selfish one. Will wrestling the junior high season for 6 weeks in October and November with your future high school team mates hurt you when it comes to college recruiting? Give me a freaking break! An advanced kid has from the middle of December through most of the summer to wrestle for himself.

This year, most of our 31 wrestlers are first year 7th graders. We will take a beating early. We have a few experienced kids, but very few. Thats just our situation right now. Hopefully most of these kids will stay out through high school and create competition and depth in the room. That's our goal. For some kids, we put a huge emphasis on winning. For some, tomorrow we just hope that they have learned enough not to put their ankle band on their wrist the first time they step on the mat at Goodland. Either way, we are going to try convince them that the toughest sport in high school athletics has value that they can carry with them for the rest of their lives. I guess the bottom line is this. I see JH wrestling as a feeder program to the HS, and I hope to see it build and prosper. Carlos, I also think that if Michael were here, he would be in the JH program. I would bribe you!
Rick Cue
Ulysses