I have been reading this thread. These are just some thoughts that came to mind.

Many kids wrestle in Kids' Fed, some never wrestle at State, some wrestle at State and never place before they are in high school, some are State placers in the Kids' Fed and never reach that level again in high school, and some go on to have terrific high school careers.

High school does not have seeding from Regionals to State. They are paired against the other regions. Is this right, or could it be done better? The same thing happens in high school, you can get a good draw, or you can get a bad one. At this point, there is no challenging for 2nd. Either way, the wrestlers have to stay healthy, avoid injury, make weight, and not have a bad outing if they want to have a chance at placing.

The goal should be to make it to the next level to continue contributing to the sport, whether that means wrestling in high school, college, the Olympics, or just being an official or a coach. For those that decide their goal is to go forward and be a productive member of society because of the things that wrestling taught them, I am in their corner.

Placing 1st through 6th at State in Kids' Fed should be the other goal, just like it should be in high school. Just wrestling in Kids' Fed and high school will provide young individuals with a better opportunity to succeed at the most important goal, adult life.