Kansas Wrestling Forums General Discussion High School They can do it for track . . .

I didn't know this and found it interesting - it was in the Junction City newspaper:

The 64-year old Schmoekel has announced his retirement after four decades of coaching, but first he will lead 18 Blue Jays and Lady Jays into Cessna Stadium on the Wichita State campus for the state track meet today and Saturday. Kansas is one of the last remaining states to combine all six of its classes into one state championship meet, and this weekend's two-day spectacle is the largest outdoor track meet in the United States.

*****************I know its an apples to oranges comparsion but ghez if they can do it with track, why not wrestling? Instead we got four different 'championships' at four different locations!!!!

Easy solution to the answer, unless we want to set up tents or something or can find a venue supposedly big enough it would be a no go. Plus I've heard for years that 3a loves Hays. I actually like 4a in Salina, but as a wrestling fan I absolutely hate not getting to see other talent I hear about all year, add that to the fact I have many friendships I have formed from Wichita, Topeka, Kansas City, Manhattan and Salina which basically equals 5 and 6a teams.

Hate missing out on 3a because those are the teams I recall seeing the most during the year when I go to tournaments. I would have loved to see Herington and Eureka this year as well as the team race overall! I think the Newton and Basehor tournament currently are so popular because of the potpurri of talent you can find from various facets of the Kansas wrestling world. Garden City tournament and Ark City Tournament are soon to be just as drawing in terms of fan base in my opinion because it brings some tough sons of guns together to "put up or shut up"

The most interesting thing that they do for track is a 3 day meet (gasp). The action starts on Friday and most of the finals are on Sunday. Sounds like an idea that could get 4A, 5A, and 6A back under one roof.

With all the rain and schedule delays I must have missed the third day!

As I recall the schedule was Friday (May 25) and Saturday (May 26).

State Track & Field- May 25-26, 2007

Of course even if it were a three day meet, the time of year might be a consideration. Well, that and they don't have to worry about WHERE to put 9-16 mats.

I would say the time of the year is the biggest factor.

I stand corrected.

Thanks Richard

We've had 6 classes for wrestling the last two years in Arizona all at one arena. As someone whose been in the sport since 1960 the last two years I and several friends who were college wrestlers left after the 160-pound weight class, because it was taking forever.

They had two awards stands, and after each round presented 84 medals. Even by moving as fast as they could it still took forever.

I couldn't see the finals matches for the two farthest mats. It was held at the Jobing.com Arena in Glendale, Arizona which is only about 3 years old, it is an excellent venue.

I can sit through two sessions a day for 8-10 mats going at the same time for the NCAA tournament, but each session is over in 2-3 hours. When you are going on 5-6 hours for the finals it is way too long.

I miss the Grand State Championships that were held in 1975 and 1976 at Fort Hays. I was fortunate to be a volunteer assistant for Kapaun-Mt.Carmel which won both of those tournaments.

I think what Kansas and a few other states such as Arizona that have so many classes is to advance the top 3-4 kids per weight class to a Grand State Championship the following weekend after the individual state class championships. I really don't care if they keep a team score. As a wrestling purist I want to know who is the best wrestler in each weight class in that state. So do the college coaches.

For years in Arizona we wanted all of the state tournaments at the same venue. Finally we got it. When it was 4 classes it was okay, I could see all four mats, and it didn't take all night. Be careful what you ask for, you might get it.

The Grand State format probably will not happen again in Kansas, at least not for a long time. I agree with you though that having a Grand State after these four separate Class State tournaments would be the best solution for Kansas.