Kansas has gone through class wrestling experiment for 40 years now. So obviously its well ingrained and what people know. But is it really the best thing for the fans, wrestlers or wrestling community as a whole. The region around Kansas had also ocommitted to class wrestling, but does Kansas have to follow. Kansas falls in the majority of states that have class wrestling or 41 of them at last count. But some large states with good wrestling pull off one state tournament such as California, Indiana and New Jersey. You have to admit quality wrestlers from these states. Could it be partially due to the competition created by the one tournament. Imagine the best guys lining up for the finals and going after the state championship with the whole wrestling community watching Theres pros and cons of both sides.
But everybody lists and heres my list of pros:
1. State finals presentation: You have one and the best and could put under the lights. Check CA or In finals and the atmosphere is electric. No competing matches.
2. You solve the problem of multiple locations. No problem with getting it all in.
3. It would add national respect or validity to state placers and state qualifiers. Cant argue anymore that its watered down. You have to admit four classes out of small population state waters the level down. Look at some of the records of the guys going to state. 32% of all potential varsity positions qulify for state and its 50% at 6a and 5a.
4. The increased competition for fewer spots increases the level of Kansas wrestling at top levels.
5. The small guys get their shot at the big guys. Wrestling is an individual sport. I understand classing football, basketball, etc is needed to the overwhelming advantage of school size. But wrestling is 1 on 1 and doesnt really matter how big your school is.
6. Overwhelming travel costs of sending so many wrestlers to the state tourmanent. So many kids go, it has to be expensive to send on budgets including food and hotel rooms.
7. Lets recognize the true effort and skill of the best wrestlers. The top guys just get thrown in with everybody else and dont get to shine for what they' ve achieved.
8. College recruiting aspect. This would give a more focused perspective on the talent and would give the college coaches a better venue to look at Kansas wrestlers.
I know there is a list of cons that go with it like it could be discouraging for small programs. But just putting out for thought.
