I think it's almost like football sub state if I'm not mistaken as well with the geography changing every other year. Like you might end up in the NW this year and then the SE next to change it up. If you are a team that falls on the middle of the geographic cut, sometimes you get tossed wherever. I personally like when leagues get split up a bit that way you don't see the same old guy at regionals.

The geography may change slightly every other year but not much. I agree it would be nice to see leagues split up a bit but in NW KS (321A) that does not happen. I do not think anyone from the NWKL has EVER gone to a SE regional although I know they would love to. I also doubt very seriously if there would be any complaints from them about a long bus trip!

"Regional trips" Of all the qualifiers we've been to I can make this one in about seven. Dan

Maybe about a few weeks or a month prior to regionals they should split up the top 10 teams so that each regional has at least 2 ranked top 10 teams. I know it still may result in some weights being stacked, but there is no real perfect solution.

i remember going to Basehor-Linwood one year for regionals, then going to Goodland the next year.

In 123A:
Stockton & Pburg go to Beloit instead of the hour or so to WaKeeney...

In 4A:
You've got Buhler, Andale (who hosted last year), Clearwater and Haven going to Colby - when Rose Hill's hosting.
Look at the fact that Ft. Scott's hosting and Labette Co., Coffeyville, Parsons & Columbus are headed to RH...

In 5A:
Topeka West goes to Salina, when Highland Park & Shawnee Hieghts go to KC-Turner...

In 6A:
Derby, Wichita E/Heights/SE all go to Emporia instead of across town to NW.
But yet theres a regional at Overland Park & Shawnee Mission???

Bowden & KSHSAA try the best they can. If you have better ideas, voice them at your regionals to the KWCA reps and let them hear it. Ain't gonna happen unless it gets pushed, and once isn't ever enough...

I must agre with Aaron and Shane-nothing is ever going to be perfect and you must push hard many times. In 321A I know several proposals have been submitted all to be shot down by the KHSAA.
I don't mean to step on any toes here but one reason given privately was that NW KS would dominate even more than they already do and that EA KS support would dwindle when it is now on the upswing. No matter what is done something for somebody is not going to be real fair.

One thing that might bear some consideration. 30 years ago up here we had the same problem with distance, but we went to a new system, and I think this might be one you could consider -- at least for 4A and 321A.

Instead of four qualifiers each from four regionals, how about two qualifiers each from EIGHT regionals. Split the exisiting regions in half and take first and second in each to state. This would give KSHSAA a great deal more flexibility in assigning teams and in all likelihood would radically cut travel time and distance for teams. Additionally, it would mean one weigh-in, not two and one day of travel, not two.

Eight team substates have been the norm in most other sports for many years, why not wrestling?

I know you guys don't like Iowa ideas all the time, but after seven years in Kansas, I know both systems well. I think this could be workable and --- once you got used to it --- a popular idea.

I think this would be doable if there was an allowance for 3rd place finisher to be able to challenge for the 2nd place spot if he(current #2) has not already beaten you at this tourney otherwise you could be sitting at home for one mistake or if placed on wrong side of bracket.

That's how we do it --- if you lose in the finals and the guy you beat in the semis wins the consolation match, you're second. If the guy who lost to the champion wins the consolation match, you have a "wrestleback" for true second. We had six of those out of 14 weights at our District Saturday. In fact, one of them cost my 275 a trip to Des Moines

Jeff, How did you end up ? Looks like Coach Dewitt having his kids wrestle the tough tourneys such as Bobcat and battle testing them paid off as I think he qualified 6 with 3 individual champs.

VS Vike Coach obviously does not know his history. Some years ago Kansas did have District Qualifiers and the top four wrestlers advanced to the Regional Finals, and the top four placers from Regionals advancing to State.

This method has been tried and is not unique to your beloved Iowa.

Richard, I did not say it was unique. What I said was that instead of using just four qualifying tournaments we use eight with two qualifiers from each. That's all I said. The two levels weren't the point, the number of tournaments was.

Are we a tad insecure here?

I would not like the top two go because that means no bad matches or you are done. Going into regionals having to win or go home would be very tough on kids and coaches alike. I like the fact that if you have a bad match you can still come back and win out and have a shot at being a state champion

Vs Vikes Coach. Iowa is about 32 years behind Kansas. Kansas did the samething in 1973 (qualifying two from each district and having 2nd and third wrestle in a wrestleback.) It lasted only one year.

Yes, but did you have eight districts or just four?

Scooby --- when you're at that level, you shouldn't be having bad matches, should you? And besides under this system, you can lose your first one, win your second, then (if the guy you lost to wins the championship) you might get to wrestle for second.

And for the record, maybe we're "32 years behind," but the 94,000 fans who went to last year's tournament in Des Moines seemed to like it (and yes, that number is right) can't all be wrong!