GentleBeard

That would suck for those trying to hold their weight that long. Semi state would be held on Easter weekend, and state after spring break? You could keep things normal this year, move regionals to March 13th, and state on March 27th. If wrestlers aren’t part of the 15% capacity limit, you can find an accommodating venue(s).

Won't we be in segment 3 by February 27th? "Segment 3: * February 15 to the beginning of the region: o Limit dual/tri/quad style meets to a maximum of 12 schools. o Limit tournaments to a maximum of 16 schools OR 168 wrestlers." It appears that Segment 3 allows for state duals to be run normally, with the only caveat being no extras/jv can weigh in.

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That’s why I suggested a location that has a history of working with wrestlers in an area where local restrictions might not be as stringent as other places. I honestly don’t care where it’s held - far east, far west, or Butte, Montana - we will travel. Any and all options should be on the table at this point, IMO. What other locations are there? Has anyone reached out?

If region 1 and 2 teams are willing to make that drive, maybe KHSAA could make a sacrifice for a night. It might not be a bad thing to be open minded. There’s a lot of good input on this thread. I’m afraid this post season is setting up to be a logistical nightmare when in reality the only issue that’s needed is an appropriate venue that some have already suggested.

Yes. Nothing says "state champ" like a 4th period bell ringing in the middle of the match.

If the Appalachian Wireless Arena is donated like last year, by example, regional tournaments could be hosted on March 13th and state could be on March 27th. This gives 2 weeks between state duals (if we have them) and the region tournament; and 2 weeks between the region tournaments and state. My family in Oklahoma said the OSSAA did something similar to help those kids who qualified for state be able to compete in the state tournament while mitigating risks. This would be simple enough to do if you just preponed regionals to March 13th. If we do semi-state, of which I'm not opposed, what dates are being proposed and how will risk be mitigated to ensure those that qualify for state will be able to compete? If you have a semi-state tournament and a team catches the sickness, how many people would be affected? If we had a semi-state, I would assume the schedule would be: February 27th - State Duals March 6th - Girls State and Middle School State March 13th - Regionals March 20th - Semi-State March 27th - State From the KHSAA perspective (not mine), it seems like they would not want to do this as it would add risks, not mitigate them. Without a semi-state, I would assume the schedule would be: February 27th - State Duals March 6th - Girls State and Middle School State March 13th - Regionals March 27th - State 448 athletes = 32 man bracket 2 spectators per wrestler The numbers would work for an arena rather than a high school, especially if wrestlers will not be counted towards the 15% capacity. I'm not opposed to having a semi-state, but I think it could add more risks rather than mitigate them this year only because we are waiting so long into the season to figure it out. We really should review the qualification process in the future. It definitely needs an overhaul.

They’re probably going to lose money anyway if they can only fill an arena to 15% capacity. It’s either 10,000 seat arena for 32 man bracket or a 5,000 seat arena for 16 man bracket. Have they tried to negotiate, or increase the fan capacity? What places are they looking at?

What about Corbin Civic Center? Or the arena the middle school state tournament used last year? I bet they could get good deals on those venues without really changing the format of qualifying for state. I realize it’s not ideal, but nothing is this year.

I think a lot could be solved if we just found the right venue. Is it absolutely necessary that only 15% capacity is the limit? What’s the rationale between 15% and 25%? If they bumped the attendance allowances it would open the door for more venue options that would be more accommodative at a fraction of the horse park. I believe the goal is to have a competitive state tournament with the right kids involved. Some regions could have 4 of the top 8 kids in the state, so eliminating half of them from the jump waters it down, in my opinion. I’m definitely in favor of an additional pound allowance if state is going to be 5 weeks, or later, than normal. If we want to limit participants in the state tournament, maybe Regions 1-4 and 5-8 wrestle with the top 8 qualifying for state. State would be a 16 man bracket. I hope we don’t create an unnecessary mess, especially waiting this far in the season.

I think this idea would work. Do you think they would isolate the other half of the wrestlers somewhere?

I’m assuming they’re looking to have a venue with at least 10,000 seats to keep the 15% attendance threshold? 448 wrestlers 896 fans (2 per wrestler) the remaining population would be tournament workers?

If there is a big school/small school split, will each state tournament have 32 man brackets? The fact they don’t have a plan and won’t have one until February 17th could set up a logistical nightmare. I wish more people involved with wrestling had a bigger say in how to run it. There are people on the BOC that admitted they’re ignorant to wrestling like I am to archery. Nothing wrong with ignorance, but regulating a sport from a state of ignorance doesn’t seem fruitful.

I think an option would be to split the state tournament between big school and small school (personally, not a fan). You’d have 16 man brackets that way, as well. Then maybe have a “tournament of champions” (6-8 man bracket) to determine the real state champ. I’m not confident KHSAA has the desire to work out the logistics.

Reeves weighed in at 113. Bumped to 120 for the day and asked for the Eckman match. Ballsy move. Didn’t go his way. Came back and wrestled Jenkins in an exhibition. Definitely a fun match between 2 young, high level wrestlers.

If the CDC says that “close contact” is “within 6 feet for at least 15 minutes”, then wrestling doesn’t even meet that definition. The periods and water breaks this year is stuff you throw at a wall and see if it sticks. Also, from the matches I’ve seen, the customary hand shake before matches has been proven difficult to regulate.

Nothing was black and white. Start practice December 14th. First competition is January 4th. However, no one seems to know how many teams can compete, if there will just be duals or individual tournaments, when or where the post season will take place. It would be helpful to know this information for scheduling purposes. All in all, it felt like they kicked the can, unfortunately.

What college are you graduating from?

Message me if KHSAA postpones the season until February.

Who all is scheduling their season right now? It seems like it will be challenging to create a schedule for a season 2 weeks before the season is supposed to start. Curious if anyone has heard anything more than what we already know (which isn't much).

Being tight lipped doesn't bode well for the prospect of having a season. I feel like it's going to be difficult to get gyms reserved, transportation secured, etc. if they wait til the last minute to have a season. I've got January dates, but I don't have a positive feeling about their next decision. I suppose the concerning thing for me is that there have been multiple tournaments across the country since July, but it doesn't appear that they've looked at those tournaments to see what works and what is relevant to our state. I could be wrong, but I don't think there's another sport that has a history of dealing with and mitigating the risk of bacterial, fungal and viral infections every year. Definitely taking a toll on the emotional and mental health. I know that for sure.

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Who would wrestle right now if they could (youth, middle school, high school, girls)? What clubs are out there looking to compete? Trying to compile a list. Thanks.

I understand. That's the current regulation. Just curious who would if they could, hypothetically.

It would be a lot easier to move December tournaments to February. At least that’s what we are doing. You really only need to schedule 1 month instead of scratching the entire season and starting over. March seems pretty full of post season tournaments. So we are completely open in February if anyone needs a team