100 years ago, when I was in school, being a varsity, or even JV athlete, was a big deal. In a small town, people went to the events, even if they didn't have a family member participating. Wrestling had a good following, and had mat side cheerleaders. Pep rallys. All the slots were full, and there were guys in the wings waiting for their chance. I don't know that it is quite the same in north central Iowa today, but I know its still a lot bigger deal than in the KC metro area. Last time I was home, the local paper had two pages of local wrestling news with photos, scores, and stories from the several teams in the area. The kids are either farm kids or small town boys. If they are physical, they go out for sports. To get to the state tournament, you had an 8 man sectional. 2 kids advanced to an 8 man district. 2 of those went to state. So out of 16 wrestlers, 2 went to state.
I was floored when we moved to Kansas and learned that 1/2 of the kids (6A) went to state based upon a single event. What a deal. Then I was stunned and shocked to see that there weren't enough kids to fill a regional bracket and some kids could get to state by winning a single match, or better yet, no match. Kansas made it so easy, but yet the kids don't go out....
I'd be curious to know how the more rural areas do in filling their rosters. If I had to guess, I'd guess they are full, or nearly so. I don't do much rural officiating, but when I have, it seems more like Iowa wrestling. We always hear how the smaller schools have the best wrestling. (Of course there are some great wrestlers all across the state, large schools and small).
Here's my completely unscientific opinion of why wrestling in the more metropolitan areas is on the wane:
1. Sports in general are no longer the "in" thing and athletes in high school don't have the same status as they once did. Wrestling has never had the status of football, BB, or, now, even soccer. Some school districts do not have middle school wrestling. Clubs are great, but some kids need that introduction in middle school or they'll never experience the sport.
2. Wrestling is too close, too personal for many.
3. Losing is humiliating on a one-to-one level unlike team sports.
4. Seeding assures first round losses, again and again.
5. Little community support, small crowds. Long days. The don't even have cheerleaders anymore.
6. To succeed requires sustained, physical training. City kids aren't farm kids. They don't have chores.
7. There is no professional counterpart, and few collegiate teams in Kansas.
8. There are too many options, mostly much less stressful. Video "sports" can be mastered by anyone with good hand eye coordination.
9. It's not nearly as bad as it used to be, but some wrestlers still feel compelled to cut weight...a demoralizing sacrifice.
10. Its hard on families and participants. The single dual format has given way to all day tournaments...and entire day in a gym for a few short spurts of activity for the wrestler.
11. They don't even televise the state tournament live in eastern Kansas.
Is there an answer for the decline in interest? I'd like to think its possible. The kids programs seem in good shape, although I'm not involved, but there seems to be a lot of interest when the kids are young.
