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Nice article including results for Konner Kraeszig at the Black Knight Invitational. https://www.centredaily.com/sports/college/penn-state-university/psu-wrestling/article237459309.html

I have heard Corbin as well and Freedom Hall may be too large. Some have suggested Broadbent Arena where they have the Middle School Finals, but it could be a bit tight. Something centrally located would be great so the schools in the Eastern and Western parts of the state do not have to drive forever to get there.

I believe this may be beating a dead horse, as years past have indicated, but how do we try to get the ball rolling? Contact Mike Breen? Contact Sarah Bridenbaugh? Is there a board of coaches who would do so? (There is not even a Sports Advisory Committee roster listed for wrestling) Honestly, if they gave us one hour (maybe less) to set-up before the finals we could do something great for the kids and spectators.

Great idea. Some states even allow coaches to "scratch" certain refs so they are not allowed to work the matches for their team at the State Finals. (Not certain if it is allowed here.)

When the finals were moved to Frankfort, Jack Cline modelled them after the Indiana State Finals. They were really special for the kids and the fans. That kind of thing is not too difficult to organize. It is just a matter of the KHSAA allowing someone to do so.

Thanks for clarifying MCX.

In the early 2000s St. X had two wrestlers who were Junior Varsity as Juniors and won the Varsity State Championship as Seniors. (William Rabatin and Zach Steinback)

In the lighter classes, St. X won 106, 113, 120, 132, 138, and 145. Lampe, who is a fine wrestler, is the only non-St. X wrestler to win a championship in the lower weight classes. That might have had something to do with it.

The number 10,000 comes from the KHSAA.

And then...there is that...

I will recheck my source, but if it is only 8,000 over two days Broadbent may work. It is like a larger version of the Civic Center in Frankfort.

Broadbent holds around 6,600 and I have heard that the two day attendance at the high school state finals is a bit over 10,000. There are a few questions we would need to ask just for seating purposes... 1) Is the first day larger and the second smaller as the kids who lose the first day go home? or 2) Is the second day larger due to everyone wanting to see, what typically, is the better day of wrestling? or 3) Are both days about equal in attendance?

Broadbent seemed like a good venue, centrally located with room to grow.

I saw Gameface (Ryle), Coach Strayer (Anderson Co.), and a ton of River City folks working Friday all day setting up...Saturday all day at the Middle School Championships and afterwards setting up for Youth State...Sunday all day and afterwards breaking things down and cleaning up with folks from East Oldham, Maritime, and a few others. I might be missing everyone, but is that a complete representation of the member KSWA schools and clubs? Where were all the volunteers from all the other clubs/teams who were willing to jump in so the meet could run more smoothly? Thanks to all those I might have missed who volunteered, but it is easy to complain when you are unwilling to volunteer. I am glad River City and those others picked up the slack.

I think you hit the nail on the head when you said you just didn't know about the Civic Center. It is not a high school gym. And we are certainly not at a place where we can replicate the finals of Indiana with over ten thousand spectators watching. And the match in this thread was certainly hyped. I think that what most people are saying is that this kind of setup is what was used back when the finals were in Frankfort, as I mentioned earlier, on a much smaller scale. People were talking about the pageantry of the finals in Frankfort, not necessarily wanting to go back to that venue. It can be replicated in a larger arena, but as many have said in other threads, we took a step backwards this year with the setup.

Though on a much smaller scale, the Civic Center had this type of environment during the finals. Much of the set-up during those years was modeled after the IHSAA format.

The River City Wrestling Club in Louisville, Kentucky is an excellent option. They are the 2014 and 2016 Middle School State Champions and their youth program has been runner-up the last two years. Their coaching staff has been awarded multiple High School and Middle School State Coach of the Year awards. Their website is http://www.rivercitywrestling.org. They also run top notch Spring and Summer programs.

I like the set-up of the Indiana tournament (sectional, regional, semi-state), but like the full wrestlebacks of the KY State Championships. One year the no.1 and no. 2 in IN met to go to state in the semi-state because one of them lost in their regionals and the draw put them in the blood match. (Probably has happened more than that.) One sat in the stands and the other was state champion. Full wrestlebacks throughout their state tournament series would have helped, but those folks know what they are getting when they participate. You either win or you may get that kind of draw.

River City Wrestling Club at St. Xavier has a very good Spring program and Summer camps. IK (Indiana/Kentucky or Isaac Knable) Wrestling Center in New Albany also offers "offseason" programs.

Are you sure Trinity won't have something to say about that?

Is this just guys who wrestled in State? If not, I would add Lampe.

I understand your feelings, but this was the same sentiment expressed by people when we had a sixteen man bracket. It was also one of the reasons offered for doubling the field to 32. You have to make a cut-off somewhere...

For anyone who has never been, I would encourage you to go. At least to the finals on Saturday afternoon. It is quite a thing to see!

That is correct, but the team sport is a bit different from the individual. When the team loses...the team is done. When the individual loses, he can still move on unless it is in the qualification round. I see what you are saying, however.

I was not a fan of the 32 man bracket when it was announced, but have since come to see some merit to it. More participants has led to more spectators which has led to more interest which has led to more involvement....which has been great. When you allow 1/3 of the wrestlers to qualify for the State Championship, however, it does take some of the luster out of it.