These seems to be a hot topic again.

A novice is typically defined as 2 years or less experience and has not placed in the top 2 of a Open tournament with 6 or more wrestlers to include themselves. Also keep in mind many tournaments classify 6U as one and try to group by rating but won't always work so you may mix novice and open there.

It is a very fine line and someone is always going to think their Johnny is getting hammered by a kid that should be in Open.

We wrestled a Novice kid a couple weeks ago and he took 1st with 2 majors, 1 pin and a decision. He is 4, was his 1st tournament and had been practicing for 2 weeks. Typical? Maybe not but I bet there were some parents saying exactly what you are claiming. He is not ready for open yet based on age and time.

I understand some people trophy hunt but you are just going to have to deal with it unfortunately. Focus on your wrestler and help them get better, don't focus on the fact that they are getting hosed. It is not the norm so if they are practicing and getting better themselves it will pay off.

So (D) Novice is defined above, (C) Average is not a novice but normally doesn't place or doesn't place very high unless in a small bracket. (B) Above average almost always places and usually high. (A) State qualifier/placer, speaks for itself. There is a difference in A and B, B could be defined smaller local tournaments and A would separate those that place at National/State tournaments.

Many different interpretations out there but I think that is close.