Damon, please help me understand how/why that conversation even has to happen.

It's was the first time (and the last) that we will ever have that conversation. But ultimately, if a lot of other teams are doing it, and it provides them an advantage at the state tournament, as a coach it would be foolish to not at least discuss the option. Until there's a better system in place teams are going to continue to do it. It doesn't align with our values, but I can certainly see why people do it.

It happens in every sport at every level. If your goal is to take the toughest route, I hope it works out well for you. If your goal is to get the highest possible finish at state for yourself, your wrestler or your team, I can respect that also. It makes no difference to me, each person has there own goals and it is not my place to criticize them.

Damon, honest reply, thanks!

This isn’t just limited to 3rd & 4th, I would suggest this scenerio
exist for all placement including 1st and 2nd going into state!
And far from the sky is falling!

The original question still remains unanswered. What happens to the wrestlers at state?

As far as I can tell, we've had ONE example where this MIGHT have happened. If that is correct, then I hardly call it a problem. And if we're going to make these kind of accusations, then I see nothing wrong with naming the individual or individuals.

I know of at least 3 examples. And in one case, I know the coach and he said they forfeited to get a better spot in the bracket. So yes it is happening as a strategy

Then you certainly should be able to name names.

I’m not calling out the kids or coaches. Just look at the brackets. It’s not hard to figure out

Even having the discussion calls integrity into question.

2 kids that used this strategy made the state finals tonight

And sometimes integrity and character doesn't have to be questioned. Sometimes you just sit back and wait and the question is answered on it's own.

Mr. Dale,

I know you are not familiar with our program, and that’s ok. I also know that everyone is entitled to their own opinions on religion, politics, and injury defaults, and that’s ok. But calling into question the integrity of our staff, kids, or program on a public forum is most certainly not ok.

I do not know if you were present at the 6A state tournament or not. Even if you were, you may have missed the blood round match at 120 pounds. But if you feel the need to call the integrity of our program into question, please consider the team race at that time, the opponent in the match (who is an absolute stud in his own right), the options available and the choices that were made by our coaching staff (and most importantly, the wrestler involved). The integrity of our program is paramount; it is more important to us than any medal or trophy.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact me directly.

Look at the time my comment was posted. It was before the blood round of state. That comment was about the discussion of injury defaulting. If you'd like to discuss my comments in private send me a message and I'll be happy to call.

I can not believe that we are talking about an INJURY DEFAULT as a strategy! If you did this then SHAME ON YOU! An injury default or medical forfeit should only be used for exactly what it was intended for AN INJURY. I was all for the 2 regional system because the state bracket would be "seeded" by how well the wrestlers preformed at the regional tournament and the 2 best wrestlers have the opportunity to be on opposite sides. If you don't preform up to par at regionals that is your fault. To then have a high school student LIE because they did not do their job is absolutely WRONG! If this is occurring then again SHAME ON YOU, you are ruining the best system we have to have the athletes decide what side of the bracket they will be on.

AN INJURY DEFAULT IS NOT A STRATEGY!!!

Coach Buck,
I agree 99.9%. The part I don't agree with is this, 1- the kid doesn't lie on his own. Either a parent or coach tells him to. This is why integrity gets questioned. 2- theoretically the 2 best should be on the opposite side but of the 28 6A finalist came from the Garden City regional and 21 of the 28 in 5A came from Ark City you sometimes 3 of the top 4 on the same side. I saw a couple of weights that the top 4 were from 1 region.

Well Mr. J. Dale 1st off get rid of Ren and Stimpy please, it hurts my eyes! 2nd, I said "have a high school student lie" and I assumed others would know that their coach or parent is having them lie. 3rd, you lost me on your 2nd. 1st and 2nd of a regional are on the opposite sides of the bracket as are the 2 regional champions. So hopefully now you can agree 100%

Come on coach. Ren and Stempy will never leave. Read some of the post and rethink "I assumed others would know" as some aren't smart enough. I'm at 99.999%.

By the way. On my second point it's like this. If i'm in for 3/4 or 5/6 or 7/8 at regionals and think " I'm in a loaded region and want to wrestle my regional champ in the finals instead of semi's then Ill just default and take my chances at the champ from the other region" that's my point. So the original question is still- What happens if BOTH wrestlers decide to do this at regionals?

When I was in HS in OK we had 2 regions for each class. I was 3rd my SR year at Regionals, but I opted to take the 4th seeds place at the State Tournament and wrestle the 1st place guy from the West Region. Not sure if this is an option in KS or not, but it negates the default situation in some cases.