The ability to do that exists currently!

Develop more coaches, teachers and administrators (with a wrestling background) is just one great way to grow the sport and improve the skills of the youth and high school age student/athletes.

College Opportunities have doubled in Kansas in 11 years


College opportunities for student/athlete wrestlers has doubled in Kansas in the last 11 years. Demand is high in the state - as is evident of the addition of six - 4 year college programs and the addition of 2 more community college programs in recent years. I am not sure if the Kansas Wrestling Community is bucking national trends - but Kansas and its colleges and universities has to be one of the front runners for adding the most wrestling programs and educational opportunities over the last decade.

* Baker University
* Barton Community College
* Benedictine College
* Bethany College
* Colby Community College
* Fort Hays State University
* Kansas Wesleyan University
* Labette Community College
* Neosho County Community College
* Newman University
* Northwest Kansas Technical College
* Pratt Community College
* Ottawa University

I don't like the idea of having open districts. My son has been left home on state weekend a couple of times. With not going to state motivated him for the next year. Not going to state every year makes you appreciate and value your time at state. Earning your way to anything is always better than having it given to you. I think kids are getting to the point where they expect to be given everything. Not earn want they want. Just getting to state is a fine goal if it is your first time going. After that you are at state to get your butt on the podium.


Josh Parker

One of the things I love the most about wrestling is that it doesn't discriminate on socioeconomic status. It doesn't matter if you live in a cardboard box or if you live in a mansion, everyone has the same opportunities. If we set up the open qualification system, we are essentially saying "If you have the money, you can go to state" As a kid, there is NO WAY I'd have been able to travel to a second district tournament.

Also, isn't our kids programs supposed to be preparing them for high school competition? I've never known of a kid to go from a kids program, never wrestling in high school and go to college and wrestle, so why setup our qualifiers to a system that has limited connection to our purpose? In high school, you go to the regional that you live in, even if all 6 of the best wrestlers are in the regional.

Anyone can be beaten on any given day, therefore the 16 best are always at the state tournament.