GentleBeard

Where did you find the April 3rd date? When does post season start? State duals, regionals, state?

Well, I believe we will be trading one set of burdens for another if coaches and kids aren't able to stay busy during the winter. I'm not sure what participation looks like for wrestling in the spring. But, I read some alarming statistics regarding mental health within the state this year. How do you mitigate the risk of a mental health crisis and COVID simultaneously when people are stuck inside in the winter, kids can't go to school, and it gets dark at 6pm? Perhaps I'm too optimistic, but I took it as a good sign that of the nearly 16,000 middle school and high school aged kids who have tested positive, there's a 100% survival rate (so far). The flu, by comparison, infected fewer and killed 4. I know I'm preaching to the choir.

Only issue with that could potentially be seniors playing their last high school baseball game a week before they're supposed to report to college. I'm not sure how that would play out for those wrestlers who have already committed to college. I have a feeling a lot will be ready to move on at that point. Nothing is going to be perfect, but wrestling (of which I am extremely biased) is a voluntary sport. If a team doesn't feel comfortable wrestling in the winter, they should be able to opt out without being second guessed or judged. However, those who want to wrestle, should at least be afforded the opportunity. There have been multiple tournaments throughout the country to look at and determine what works and what doesn't. There's no reason to cancel or postpone the season - especially since masks work and each match is only 5 minutes (with a potential of 7 minutes). In other words, kids won't be within 6ft of each other longer than 15 minutes (which I think is the guideline?).

Well, here's to hoping the BoC makes a thoughtful decision on Wednesday. I'm not sure who has direct access to them, but I hope they realize there are significant unintended consequences for canceling winter sports.

You'd think we could look at how other states have hosted tournaments throughout the summer and implement what works. I'm not entirely sure how requiring everyone to have their own personal ankle bands will mitigate the spread of COVID. Perhaps the biggest issue I have with some of these regulations is the fact that the essence of the sport is being stripped. It takes a special person to embrace a sport that is dependent on making weight in the middle of winter during the holiday season while being exposed to bacterial, fungal, and VIRAL infections every year. That same individual must go out on the mat in front of a crowd and try to compress their opponents' shoulders to the mat without them letting you. It's physical problem solving with serious consequences. The fastest way for a match to end is for someone to end up in their most vulnerable position - on their back, looking at the lights. At which point, they get up and immediately shake their opponent's hand. Upon shaking hands with their opponent, they humbly walk to the opponent's coach and shake their hand as well. All of this happening in front of a crowd, after defeat. On the other hand, the victor gets praise in the form of the oldest way to declare a winner - raising of the hand at the end of a match. Perhaps more than just the physicality of the sport, it's the life lessons (respect, dignity, discipline, humility, etc) that last longer than any championship. Seems to me, most of those physical expressions have been taken away this year.

I thought North Hardin was coming to Taylor County on January 9th?

What kind of local rules?

Dabe Gean all the way. i hope these events are something to expect moving forward.

Of all the wrestling tournaments across the country, has there been a COVID outbreak as a result? I couldn’t find any.

Oy vey...

So cleaning mats between each match at a dual, but not for individual tournaments? It seems like a lot more contact with more teams will take place at individual tournaments than an individual dual? Any word on why the discrepancy?

Does anyone have any openings/events planned for December 19th?

Makes you wonder what they’ll do during flu season

!

Only thing I’ve heard is no out of state tournaments.

I maintain optimism that KHSAA will allow us to compete this year, though it will look a bit different. The fact football is having 80% of a season gives me hope. However, in the event they cancel the season, I’m concerned what impact that could have on our sport’s participation. What are some ideas, should they cancel the KHSAA season, that could keep kids engaged and competing?

That’s awesome! Were there waivers to be signed? How are they insured? Who is hosting? Any other requirements beyond what you listed?

I realize securing a place to compete may present some difficulties, however, I do know that there are tournaments being run throughout the country right now. How are they able to do it? What is their model? Could we replicate it in Kentucky if KHSAA cancels winter sports? I believe we can make it happen. The physical and mental health of our kids need it, in my opinion.

This may sound unconventional, but what about a vacant warehouse as a potential destination? Some might enjoy the extra revenue it would generate they aren’t currently getting. I know my hometown in Oklahoma used an expo center for a tournament earlier this summer. I’m ignorant when it comes to the legal/insurance stuff, so I’m not sure how it would work. The UFC has fight island. We need our version.

Lets hope with other sports starting back, wrestling season can go on as normal. This should be a state decision anyway. Only issues would be national tournaments. I hope those are unaffected.

January 2nd, 2021 - Big Brother Duals at Taylor County High School. Cost: $150/team or $250 for both. We are looking for 12 middle school and 12 high school teams. We will run 6 mats (3 mats for high school and 3 mats for middle school). January 23rd, 2021 - Cardinal Clash at Taylor County High School. This will be a high school dual tournament along with a girl's individual tournament that day. Cost: $150/team and $15/female competitor up to $150/female team ($250 if you are bringing two full teams). Both tournaments will be a well ran with a great hospitality room. Please contact Ben Ellard if you're interested in any or both. Stay safe and I hope to see the wrestling family soon!! ben.ellard@taylor.kyschools.us

The only weight that you could eliminate to get kids ready for college would be 220. I've always been a proponent of a 235lb weight class in college. It grows the sport without 220 pound kids having to make a decision to lose 25 pounds or gain at least 30. This would add 11 weight classes in college. At the end of a dual, one team will definitely have more wins than the other team. That would be an easy criteria to add. Anyway, I digress. 105, 115, 125, 135, 145, 155, 165, 175, 185, 195, 225, 285 and fill in any weight classes (probably below 145) to make 13-14 weight classes.

Taylor County has not heard of any rumblings of school and/or tournament cancellations. As it stands right now, we are still on for this weekend. There will be a conference call tonight. Any pertinent information will be relayed to everyone.

Ok. Sounds good. We would be traveling approximately 2 hours - making it difficult for us to attend practices during the week, but would like to make it to Sunday practices.

March 14, 2020 is the KWOA Spring Classic at Taylor County High School in Campbellsville, KY. Flyer coming soon.