Seating was not great, but I sat with some of my wrestlers and nephew by the trophy tables, so we had a nice view, but not comfortable for the finals. Parking was pretty difficult, but once 4a left, it did open things up. The 1st day it took me 1/2 hr to get in with my girl, because security was pretty intense and it seemed all the girls were there at the same time to get in. And yes, there was no reason for us to be there on Saturday for 14hrs. I would hate to think that they knew how long it was going to take when planning it out last year and did nothing to change it up. More mats or run another round on Friday, now they know. To be honest, it didn’t seem like a State tournament because you were there for 3 rounds and then gone. I didn’t really even watch very many 4a finals, because 3A is what interested me and a couple of the girls finals. It was extremely difficult to get on Track (no wi-fi) and switch from bracket to bracket. The hospitality room was not great in the am, but decent in the afternoon. I talked with some 4a coaches and they said the lunch was way better than years past. Me and my wrestlers spent most of our time in the camp area, so as long as the screen was on/correct, we were fine and could get into the arena without too much pushing. The PA announcers were doing a fantastic job of keeping everyone up to date on ranked vs ranked kids or a big match going on. My kids didn’t think the play by play was necessary. I do like that they finally seeded the regional champs, thanks to the 4a kids for that. Maybe it will be taken farther in the years to come. I thought that weight might have been picked out to be the final match. I know it’s supposed to be a random draw, but we are not that gullible.
I’m sure this was way easier on the NAIA/JUCO coaches that I visited with, but it shouldn’t be made easier just for college coaches.
I also have an issue with girls having a whole week off that the boys didn’t get. Unless they will rotate them next year so they each get that week to recover and also hold their weight.
I really thought it was going to be worse than it was, so I give KSHSAA a passing grade. I’m sure they are pleased to know that. lol
Oh, I was wanting to get in when they were doing the 2nd set of podium placers and a security guard wasn’t going to let me
in( I stepped out for a walk). I had my band/coach tag on. He kept asking if I was a medal presenter, which I wasn’t, I let my wrestlers mom do it. But I told him I was the head coach I just wanted to get a picture of my wrestler. Finally a guard that knew me, opened the gate and let me enter. Then when it was all over, #285 had their medals and pictures were done they weren’t letting people out. I explained to them that it was over, but they had to confer with people on the radio to open the gate and let us leave. I had been in and out of the arena for 3 days at my own leisure and at the end I couldn’t get in or out.
These are just my thoughts on how it was ran and what can be done different if we are in a similar situation in the upcoming years.
But, if you haven’t been to Hays, it really does have a lot of upside. Less security measures to deal with, a nice big track to camp on that’s very close to the mats, a very good hospitality room, better wi-fi, an overhead board that has matches/upcoming matches. If I didn’t have to deal with the silly roundabouts, Hays would be perfect every year.
Have a great “offseasonâ€.
