I'm not trying to bash on anybody and I don't want this taken the wrong way, but wrestling is kind of a good ol'boy system. If you are in with certain coaches, or you are a superstar you are going to get on the team. If not, pretty much tough luck. There are so many good wrestlers out west that don't even get considered. I know a lot of these guys do not compete in as many freestyle/greco tournaments as the guys out east, but they should still be considered. I know it is not the coaches fault or the kids fault, but I have personally talked to the coaches in the past about kids that I know that are qualified in one way or another and they tell me they are interested, but that is about as far as it goes. I have coached in other states also where this is a problem, so it is not just Kansas that this happens to. The only thing that is not right is if a kid wants to give it a try, puts up the money, and does everything asked of them, then give the kid a shot. It might not be on the first team, but being an alternate could be a big deal for that kid. Everybody has to start somewhere and why not let the kid learn and wrestle with the best. I know you aren't going to get any better if you do not challenge yourself.

I think the coaches that do coach these teams do a great job and that they need help with recruiting. If a coach or parent wants their kid on the team, let them know about that wrestler. I think it is the highschool and freestyle coaches that are to blame here. (if there is anyone to blame) Show your kids that you want them to do this stuff. Get them exposed and they will enjoy it. Overall not every one's life rotates around wrestling and it is just getting harder to keep these kids involved.

Sorry to ramble on, but just some thoughts.