I responded in the kids forum too--but the issue is a little different here. In our local program, nearly all the good high school wrestlers (and I can't think of any exceptions in the past 15 years) started as kids...usually in the 6-7 year old age group. Some of these wrestlers were not great as kids, but developed into fine competitors as a result of years of learning and practice. I can remember one high school state champ who started at age 6 and never won a match until he was in middle school. Why did he continue? Because the program--and the other wrestlers--were good to him. He will tell you that those years of trying, learning --and even losing-- taught him valuable lessons that paid great dividends in high school. There are some God-given factors that you can't dispute, and exceptional athletes can (sometimes) compensate for years of training. But many wreslters are not blessed with superior quickness, strength and balance...and that's where experience plays a big role. One last thought- just because a kid starts young in not a GUARANTEE he/she will develop into a stud. We have a number of local wrestlers who are in the average to slightly-above-average range. They will never be world-beaters..but they sure to keep our program strong.