MLee

Not sure how doing the faceoffs at each mat would make things go faster or smoother. Either way, we're forced to stop the tournament and round up the brackets, and call each finalist. Also, we acknowledge the 3rd and 4th place finishers all together on one mat. If you continued to do that at each individual mat, that would add more time. I understand some people's frustrations about the faceoff, but they are obviously not in tune w/ the feelings of the kids. The kids love it. And as much as we (as adults) might want to leave an hour or so earlier, we need to keep in mind how exciting it is for the kids before we change it. I didn't hear too many people complaining about the faceoffs for the High School and their tournament ran later than the youth and w/ less kids. With that said, I'll propose a different idea as a possible alternative. We could have a "Team Acknowledgment" at the beginning of each session where each team is announced, w/ general info (ex. Head Coach, Team Mom, location, etc.) and ALL team participants and coaches can come to the center of the mat w/ the lights and music. This wouldn't take very long and every wrestler would be included. In addition, there wouldn't be a break in the action at the end of the semi's. Pros: all participants involved, team info announced (I'd like to know where some of the programs are from), would save a lot of time, no break in action. Cons: no individuals announced.

Top 20 team scores: 1) Ryle 120 2) Conner 76 3) N Hard 59 4) Campbell 54 5) SKY 48 6) Trinity 46 7) Riv Cty 45 8) S Oldh 44 9) F Creek 42 10) Franklin 42 11) N Oldh 42 12) Wolfpack 41 13) Walton 38 14) Fairdale 28 15) LaRue 27 16) Martin 24 17) Dixie 23 18) Hayes 22 19) Wayne 21 20) Montgomery 20

There are a few advantages w/ using the the 10% rule vs weight classes at the youth level. For starters, it eliminates weight cutting. This alone is reason enough for me to continue to support it. With having set weight classes every weekend, growing "kids" (and their parents/coaches) would have an urge to maintain a weight class for almost 4 months. I would hope parents and coaches would do the right thing and avoid this, but let's not kid ourselves, it would happen and does happen in other states. The 10% rule promotes kids wrestling different kids. We attend all the top youth tournaments in Cincinnati every week against pretty much the same teams. Every tournament used the 10% rule. Even though they are the same kids from the same teams, the brackets are different from week to week. A 60 lber can one week be in a bracket from 60-66, and the next 54-60. Setting weight classes would all but ensure seeing the same kids every week. Also, a tournament director has much more control over bracket sizes, allowing tournaments to run much smoother. I'm not saying larger brackets can't and don't work...but as an example, last year we had 29 kids that would have been in the 64 "weight class" birth year 03/02. What do we do? Qualifiers would help to a degree, but that leads me to the next problem. Getting more kids and their parents to experience the state tournament can only increase participation in our sport, which is what KY needs to continue to get better. Once these kids and parents (most of whom are new to the sport) see the spot light and the big arena, they are more likely to come back the next year. It is a show that can hook a family for life. I've had dozens of kids tell me they want to "be in the spot light next year." Qualifying tourneys are inevitable as the tournament continues to grow, but w/ the new arena, we have A LOT more room. The tournament could double the # of participants, and we'd still be ok; therefore, why do it?

To avoid any confusion, I wanted to clear the air here. The "official" Youth State Wrestling Tournament will be Sunday, February 19th @ the Horse Park. I posted the tournament information in the events category, but here is the information again. 2012 KY Youth Wrestling State Tournament Sunday February 19, 2012 Alltech Arena / 4089 Iron Works Parkway / Lexington, Kentucky 40511 Eligibility: 1. Must be at least 5 years old before 1/1/2012 and no older than 12 years old by 12/31/2011. 2. Must wrestle in one of the 2011 KYSWA Regional Tournaments and be a permanent KY Resident. 3. Must be a current USA Wrestling Member and registered on trackwrestling.com * This is a USA Wrestling Sanctioned event. * $10 USA KY League Card required and your teams trackwrestling roster will be verified at your Regional Weigh-in and with Keith Smith before the state tournament. Registration: 1. Team Roster due no later than Sunday, February 12th at 10pm. 2. The Regional Host and/or Rep is responsible for submitting the roster. 3. The roster must be submitted in an Excel Spreadsheet via E-mail to Luke Tucker wltucker@hotmail.com in an Excel Spreadsheet - Wrestlers Name (Last, First), Team, Weight, Birth Year A blank spread sheet with the headings to use will be sent. 4. No late entries will be allowed. Weigh-in: 1. Weights from Weigh-ins at your Regional Tournament will be used. Do not round weights up or down. 2. All wrestlers are subject to a Weigh-in Challenge. Age & Weight Classes: 1. Grouped by Birth Year and no more than 10% weight difference 2. Birth Year Groups: 1999/2000 2001/2002 2003/2004 2005/2006 Schedule: Session 1 � Birth Years � 1999/2000 and 2005/2006 Wrestler and Coach Check-In from 7:30am � 8:30am Wrestling from 9:00am � 12:30pm Session 2 � Birth Years � 2001/2002 and 2003/2004 Wrestler and Coach Check-In from 7:30am � 1:00pm Wrestling from 1:30 � 5:00pm Format: 1. Double Elimination; Three (3) � Sixty (60) Second Periods (for all wrestling). 2. Eight-Man Brackets; Round Robins for four (4) or less. Awards: Individuals � 1st- 4th Team Trophies � 1st- 8th Entry Fee: 1. $13 per wrestler - not refundable-make check payable to CKYWL 2. Each team must pay with one check for all kids that were submitted from the Regional at Check-In at the State Tournament. Check needs to be handed in at wrestler check in at 7:30am. Admission: 1. Adults: $6 Students: $3 2. Five (5) Coaches for up to thirty (30) wrestlers; each additional ten (10) wrestlers allows one (1) additional Coach. No one will be allowed on the tournament floor without a coaching band. Team Scoring: 1st 4 points 2nd 3 points 3rd 2 points 4th 1 point All top 4 place finishers will score points for their team

2012 KY Youth Wrestling State Tournament Sunday February 19, 2012 Alltech Arena / 4089 Iron Works Parkway / Lexington, Kentucky 40511 Eligibility: 1. Must be at least 5 years old before 1/1/2012 and no older than 12 years old by 12/31/2011. 2. Must wrestle in one of the 2011 KYSWA Regional Tournaments and be a permanent KY Resident. 3. Must be a current USA Wrestling Member and registered on trackwrestling.com * This is a USA Wrestling Sanctioned event. * $10 USA KY League Card required and your teams trackwrestling roster will be verified at your Regional Weigh-in and with Keith Smith before the state tournament. Registration: 1. Team Roster due no later than Sunday, February 12th at 10pm. 2. The Regional Host and/or Rep is responsible for submitting the roster. 3. The roster must be submitted in an Excel Spreadsheet via E-mail to Luke Tucker wltucker@hotmail.com in an Excel Spreadsheet - Wrestlers Name (Last, First), Team, Weight, Birth Year A blank spread sheet with the headings to use will be sent. 4. No late entries will be allowed. Weigh-in: 1. Weights from Weigh-ins at your Regional Tournament will be used. Do not round weights up or down. 2. All wrestlers are subject to a Weigh-in Challenge. Age & Weight Classes: 1. Grouped by Birth Year and no more than 10% weight difference 2. Birth Year Groups: 1999/2000 2001/2002 2003/2004 2005/2006 Schedule: Session 1 � Birth Years � 1999/2000 and 2005/2006 Wrestler and Coach Check-In from 7:30am � 8:30am Wrestling from 9:00am � 12:30pm Session 2 � Birth Years � 2001/2002 and 2003/2004 Wrestler and Coach Check-In from 7:30am � 1:00pm Wrestling from 1:30 � 5:00pm Format: 1. Double Elimination; Three (3) � Sixty (60) Second Periods (for all wrestling). 2. Eight-Man Brackets; Round Robins for four (4) or less. Awards: Individuals � 1st- 4th Team Trophies � 1st- 8th Entry Fee: 1. $13 per wrestler - not refundable-make check payable to CKYWL 2. Each team must pay with one check for all kids that were submitted from the Regional at Check-In at the State Tournament. Check needs to be handed in at wrestler check in at 7:30am. Admission: 1. Adults: $6 Students: $3 2. Five (5) Coaches for up to thirty (30) wrestlers; each additional ten (10) wrestlers allows one (1) additional Coach. No one will be allowed on the tournament floor without a coaching band. Team Scoring: 1st 4 points 2nd 3 points 3rd 2 points 4th 1 point All top 4 place finishers will score points for their team.

As mentioned, the NKY Youth Regional tournament is being hosted by Walton Verona on Feb. 12th. The weigh ins will be on Wednesday Feb. 1st, from 6-8 at New Haven Elementary. The weigh in date and time was moved to accommodate the Middle School wrestlers. Also, Middle School Wrestlers do not have to attend a Youth Regional if there is a conflict, however they do have to attend a weigh in.

Thanks to Kyle and everyone who put on a great youth tournament. Our kids and parents really enjoyed the face offs. We look forward to coming back next year.

Yenter and Cooper's seeds are ridiculous. I hope they prove them wrong. Good luck KY wrestlers.

Undercover, I sent you a PM...not sure if you've received it yet. I have copies of all the brackets but do not have them in a format to send via email. There are well over 100 brackets. Let me know which brackets you'd like to see and I'll gladly help.

RAIDER RUMBLE TOURNAMENT FOR BEGINNERS AND EXPERIENCED WRESTLERS DATE:Saturday December 3rd, 2011 LOCATION: Gray Middle School Gymnasium 10400 Hwy 42-Union, KY 41091 ENTRY FEE: $12.00 per wrestler and is due at the time of check-in. ADMISSION: Free admission for all spectators. ROSTERS: Team rosters must be received by Wednesday- November 30th! Please e-mail rosters to: mattlee@riterug.com , Phone: 513-258-4331 TIMES: Wrestling Starts: Birth Year (99 & 00, 01 & 02) 9am (Please arrive @ 8:30) Birth Year (03 & 04, 05 & 06) 12:30pm (Please arrive @ 12:00) WEIGHT CLASSES: TBD after rosters have been received. An effort will be made to create separate brackets for 1st year wrestlers. FORMAT: Double elimination. There will be Three-1 minute periods. AWARDS: Medals will be given to the top 3 placers in each weight class ONLY COACHES AND WRESTLERS WILL BE PERMITTED ON THE FLOOR-WRISTBANDS MUST BE WORE AND CAN BE REQUESTED WITH YOUR TEAM’S REGISTRATION.

I appreciate everyone who attended our tournament on Saturday. I saw a lot of really tough kids and some great matches. I couldn't agree more about the space issue. Next season, we're planning on getting Ryle's High School gym. If for whatever reason we cannot, we'll be sure to cut the tournament off at 400 kids.

Based on the gym capacity, we plan on cutting the tournament off at 500 kids. We already have confirmation from a couple large programs from Cincinnati and Indiana. We hope to have a good showing of KY programs. Please send me a PM if your program is planning on attending. Thanks.

RAIDER RUMBLE TOURNAMENT FOR BEGINNERS AND EXPERIENCED WRESTLERS DATE: Saturday December 3rd, 2011 LOCATION: Gray Middle School Gymnasium 10400 Hwy 42-Union, KY 41091 ENTRY FEE: $12.00 per wrestler and is due at the time of check-in. ADMISSION: Free admission for all spectators. ROSTERS: Team rosters must be received by Wednesday- November 30th! Please e-mail rosters to: mattlee@riterug.com , Phone: 513-258-4331 TIMES: Wrestling Starts: Birth Year (99 & 00, 01 & 02) 9am (Please arrive @ 8:30) Birth Year (03 & 04, 05 & 06) 12:30pm (Please arrive @ 12:00) WEIGHT CLASSES: TBD after rosters have been received. An effort will be made to create separate brackets for 1st year wrestlers. FORMAT: Double elimination. There will be Three-1 minute periods. AWARDS: Medals will be given to the top 3 placers in each weight class ONLY COACHES AND WRESTLERS WILL BE PERMITTED ON THE FLOOR-WRISTBANDS MUST BE WORE AND CAN BE REQUESTED WITH YOUR TEAM’S REGISTRATION.

The Raider Rumble Youth Wrestling Tournament now has a date set. It will be @ Gray Middle School on Saturday, December 3rd. We will try to have beginner brackets again this year. A flyer will be sent out once we get a little closer. We will have a blend of OH, IN, and KY programs attending. Please feel free to send me a PM if you have any questions. Thanks

There appears to have been a minor error in calculating team scores. A Wayne County wrestler did not get credit for his 4th place finish (J.D. Criswell bracket #21/ 102.5-107.3 lbs. 1998-1999). Apparently he scratched after winning his consolation semi's and the table worker advanced the wrong kid. Honest mistake. The point went to South Oldham instead. This would give Wayne County a final score of 12 and South Oldham 52.

Raiders 133 Conner 81 Camp County 78 Fern Creek 64 North Hard 54 South Old 53 SKY 51 North Old 51 River Cty 51 Frank Cty 31 Walton 30 Trinity 29 Woodford 28 Colonels 26 Larue 26 Caldwell 25 Jaguars 25 Wolfpack 23 Dixie 22 Martin 20 Harrison 19 Fairdale 17 Bluegrass 15 UHA Cty 14 Anderson 14 Montgomery 13 Johnson Cty 12 Union 11 Wayne 11 Meade 10 Trigg 9 Moore 7 Newport 7 Taylor/Cumb 7 McCreary 6 Oldham Cty 5 Cobra 5 Christian Cty 3 Perry Cty 2 Apollo 0

There was a crew of helpers from South Oldham that took the podium pictures. I'll get in touch with them and let you know asap. Meanwhile, here is the link to the photographer we hired to take additional pics. I believe all of the face offs are posted. He has more pics to load so be sure to check back later too. http://www.44sportsphotography.photoreflect.com/

I have the individual results, but for some reason the site will not let me attach the file. If anyone wants them, PM your email address and I'll send them to you.

I'm missing bracket #33. If anyone has the results to this bracket, please let me know. Here is the list of wrestlers from that bracket: James Burris (N Old), Dylan Gregory (Con), Josh Stark (Moore),Robert Simpson (Col), Garrett McCloud (Johns), Dawson Bingham (Laur), Jordan Boschert (Camp Cty), Nathan Lopez (Harr).

JDS, You can always debate the definition of "dominate", but your "numbers, numbers, numbers" argument doesn't hold water in this case. Raiders had 63 kids and scored 133 points or 2.1 points per kid. That is 2nd only to Caldwell County's 2.7 per wrestler w/ 9 wrestlers (very impressive) who finished in 16th place.

I was on the fence whether or not to have the faceoff. I know the kids and most parents love it, I was just concerned it would take too much time and prevent us from starting the second session @ 1:30. The first session lasted about 4 hours and the second session lasted about 4 1/2 to 5 hours (both w/ faceoffs). The second session only started about 5-10 minutes late. The Convention Center was empty by 7:00 or so. All things considered, that is not too much time to ask parents to hang around for a State Tournament in my opinion. The key is not to have a long break between the last semi-final match and the start of the faceoff. Our system, although not perfect, seemed to get the faceoff started quickly. It is also nice to give the table workers, coaches, and refs a break. I know I needed one.

I'll post the results once I get them from the team in charge of the team scores. They are mailing me a copy of all brackets and team scores.