I'm hoping that this is a one-time thing for KSHSAA to break up the qualifiers like this. Essentially, for 321A and 4A, they've taken the 2-day regional tournament and split it into two single-day tournaments (districts and regionals), and they've taken the 2-day state tournament and split it into two single-day tournaments (sub-state and state).

Making it to state this year is the equivalent of making it to the blood round of state any other year (except there will be imbalances due to covid, stacked qualifiers, etc.).

I'm approaching it like this -- a wrestler who makes it to the top-16 in the state is a state qualifier in my book. It'll raise some questions next year when we talk about "state qualifier" at seeding meetings, but I believe that the vast majority of kids who make it to sub-state have made a big accomplishment. Those who make it to state are in an excellent position. It just seems silly that for state, 8 kids compete, 2 kids go home empty-handed, and 6 get a state medal.

I really wish KSHSAA had consulted folks with knowledgeable wrestling backgrounds before they made these changes. I have not heard of any administrators or coaches consulted in the brainstorming / planning process for this, but that's not to say nobody had been consulted.