I just posted this under a different topic. Want to highlight it so am copyiung it to its own topic.
I did a finger drill on the brackets on four regionals: Garden City 6A, Emporia 5A, Fort Scott 4A, Eureaka 321A. GC 1st round was 96% filled (108 of 112 slots filled--how did they do that), Emporia was 72% filled (31 of a possible 112 slots open), Fort Scott 4A 64% filled (79 of 224 slots open), Eureka--with 24 schools--was 76% filled (53 opens of 225 slots). In all four classes, there were 167 1st roun opens out of 672 slots. Thats a 25% vacancy/75% fill. Not good numbers. Bet the rest of the state had similar numbers!!!
Big, big problem, statewide. Not enough wrestlers statewide in any class to fill 16 team regional brackets. Not enough kids wrestler coming up to fill high school rosters. What can be done??? I suggested a reclass to 48-48-48 with biggest 16 3A schools shuffled to 4A---causes some bracket problems trying to bracket 12 schools into a 16 bracket regional tournament--plus robs a lot of strength from 321A regional. Coach Pigorsch from Clay Center suggested a 32-32-32 reclass with 32 smallest 4A schools shuffled to 3A. Does not solve the problem of opens in 6A and 5A, and would not necessarily fill the brackets in 4A--would probaly help fill out 321A.
Have to look for some drastic changes! A 32-32-32 system may provide some new opportunities. Reduce 6A, 5A and 4A each to two 16 bracket regional-do what would have to be done at 321A-- qualify only the top 4 wrestlers in in each weight class in each regional to state (state would become four 8 bracket tournaments). Bring the reduced size state tournaments to one facility--might fit into Salina. Start wrestling earlier on friday. Finish bracketed tournaments early/mid afternoon on Saturday---have a rest and dinner break and roll into a GRAND STATE Saturday evening (eight wrestlers, top two finishers in each weight class each school class)- no back side matches--medal only 1st and 2nd places eadh weight class.
Have to sell what-ever to school administrators and then to KSHSAA. Have to do something distinct to save the program. Will not be able to satisfy everyone. May just have to keep the status quo!
Last edited by Contrarian; 02/20/12 11:50 AM.
