For 6U the season needs to be shortened. Lets say USAWKS voted to have a stand alone 6U State just like the 8u-16u but just 6U. Sanctioned and called USAWKS 6U Sate Champtionships. It would be on the Sunday after the High school state championships in Salina. The mats would be down, there would be plenty of room and plenty of hotel rooms. Which by the way is one other huge reason we cannot add it to the existing format, THERE ARE NOT ENOUGH HOTEL ROOMS IN TOPEKA for the present size of the tournament. This tournament would officially end the 6U Folkstyle season so that those who want to go on in 8U can. The season, as it stands, is far too long for the vast majority of six year olds. The length of the season, driving to practices, never having any down weekends all lead to the fact that we have a drop off from 6U to 14U. Also, six year olds need their parents and coaches undivided attention which they would not get if we just through them in with the rest at the event we have now. Another problem with the existing event is that the mat sizes for the younger wrestlers is too small!! If we add another age group this problem gets worse. I know it has been suggested that we put a couple of the full size mats for 16U in the exhibition hall and I love that idea but it always meets lots of opposition.
What does everyone think of these ideas!
