Originally posted by Nigel Isom:
I like everyone else in wrestling in very interested in bringing back grand state for wrestling. It is an entirely possible idea and can be done, but if we want it done, it is going to take hard work and everyone's participation.

One other thing everyone needs to consider is that there is also a dual state proposal which could affect this becuase obviously KSHSAA is not going to want to drag the season on forever. As part of this initaitive I have spoken to Rick Bowden, who is the assistant executive director of KSHSAA and works directly with wrestling. here is the email that I sent to him, as well as the response I got.

>To Rick,

First let me start by givning you a little background on me. I attended high school at Abilene High School from 1996-2000. I then attended the University of Missouri this past school year, I will be attending Kansas State University in the fall of 2003. As an athlete in high school I was
active in Football, Wrestling, and Track. Although I love all these
sports, Wrestling was by far my favorite sport. I have been wrestling for 12 years
now and am still active, in fact I had an opportunity to wrestle at Mizzou
but choose not to. Any any case, as a wrestler I was a two time state
placer losing only 1 match from my Junior year on until getting hurt midway
through my senior year. Wrestling is a sport unlike any other and I personally don't believe it can ever leave a true wrestler. I am currently
a coach for our local kids club here in Abilene and will continue to coach
and officiate at least until I graduate from College. Having been so attached
to wrestling over the years and watching an competing in the state
tournament has raised an issue that seems to be the hot topic as it always
is. That of course being the idea of Grand State for wrestling. I believe
this event is not only to prove who really is the best wrestler in the
state at their weight, but an opporuntity for those restlers to see even better
competition than they have previously. Kansas previously had a Grand State
for wrestling and it seemed to be well liked. At some point they no longer
continued the event. I know as a wrestler and spectator that I and every
other wrestler, coach, and fan in the state would like to see this brought
back. The wrestling community as I like to refer to it has the full
suppport of many high shcool coaches all over he state, as well as USA
Wrestling-Kansas which of course is the feeder program for most high school
teams, and the KWCA which I know you are familiar with. I am aware of some
of the rules that govern these sort of events but no quite clear as to how
they are enforced or anything that can be done to provide this event. I
also understand there are some other issues that factor in, but at this point my question to you becomes, What would it ake from Me, Other
wrestlers, Coaches, School, ect. for KSHSAA to approve and event of this kind? I know that almost all of the wrestling community is willing to make
great sacrifices for this "dream" to come true. Any information that you
can give me would be greatly appreciated. Also you may check out this site
listed which is the wrestlers forum located on the USA wrestling Kansas
website which is where many wrestlers, coaches, and fan voice their
opinions, there you will see some of the emotions and comments I mentioned
above. here is the site in case you don't know it already. http://www.usawks.com/cgi-bin/ubb/ultimatebb.cgi
you should find the most usefull information under the KWCA forum.

Sincerely and thanks for your time,

Nigel Isom
Abilene Kids Wrestling Coach

And here is his response:

As you know for a period of two years there was a grand state in wrestling.
Although I was not on the staff of the KSHSAA at that time, I can relate a
little history as to why the idea was not continued by the KSHSAA. It is my
understanding that when the wrestling was instituted, it was the only sport
with such an event - which would identify a single winner from all classes.
Soon after adopting this event, the basketball coaches in the state
requested and the KSHSAA approved the creation of a grand state tournament
in basketball. After one year it was dropped and the KSHSAA Executive Board
decided to not continue the wrestling grand state. It is my understanding
that two elements were the prompting factors in this decision:
1) concern over which other sports would also seek such a grand state
event to identify the top team/individual in a sport. Would it be
swimming/diving, track and field, golf, soccer, etc. that would be the next
group seeking such an event. The KSHSAA Executive Board decided that it
would be best to continue with the class structure of identifying state
champions (team and individual) as opposed to identifying a single state
champion in a sport.
2) concern over the cost factors for schools. Once initiated schools
would be expected to send their teams/individuals to such events and that
would add one more cost factor to schools that are/were struggling to
balance the financial needs of academic and athletic activities. This
concern would be increased in light of recent actions by the State
Legislature to not adequately fund education needs.

As with any KSHSAA rule/policy, any KSHSAA member school could request a
change in any rule/policy. If the individuals in the Abilene
community/schools would like to propose such a change, a letter from the
school or BOE to the KSHSAA Executive Board would begin the process for
consideration. The KWCA could (and has) included such a request in the past
when it makes it's annual recommendations to the KSHSAA Executive Board.
Right now I think the wrestling coaches in the state are more focused on
having a state dual team tournament rather than an individual grand state
tournament.

Rick Bowden

So with this in mind if people are really serious about this we can get the ball rolling but we need to know if you are interested. So for right now although I don't claim to be a leader in this thing I am more than willing to be so. What I need from everyone who is interested is for you to send an email to supercowboy34@yahoo.com. This email should include your name, your wrestling status (i.e. current athlete, coach , ect.) also I will need the high school wrestling coaches name in the city where you live. If we get enough interest I will start the process of what we need to get this ball rolling. This is all I can say for the momment but I will keep everyone informed.