I have fought long and hard on this battle with USA wrestling and many others. I believe our numbers from KS will be far down going to Calsbad, NM then you have to turn around 3 weeks later and go to Green Bay, WI. I agree we might have gotten spoiled with the qualifier in Topeka and then Nationals in Enid, but as Mike states most of us cannot simply afford this anymore. In my opinion a "regional" qualifier should be within 8 hours. Many folks at USA wrestling agree. It's rediculous to have a "regional" 22 hours from KC and 5 hours from a major airport. It might be closer for some in west KS, but the majority of our population is in KC or Wichita. My son placed at nationals in all three styles last year and got alot out of the summer wrestling, but there is no way we can make that schedule, afford the time off work, or the finances to two trips like this in 3 weeks. If the regional was closer and you only had Green Bay for nationals as a big trip we would to in a heartbeat. As is you are talking $2500-$3000 for both trips
Here is another thought. This is the only USA nationals without a petition process for last years AA's, etc and such limited qualification locations . Even Fargo has a diverse local qualification process, not just one tournament 22 hours away. I even asked if we could go to another regional and was told that as well.
Just my thoughts,
SlamBam
