GentleBeard

“Congrats on your state championship. You can pick up your medal on your way out the door.” And they want us to believe they treat every sport with the same respect? If we aren’t getting what’s needed from the KHSAA, when do we go to the state school board or whoever they report to?

It's the first you've seen or heard anyone bring it up because most tournaments give at least an hour between weigh in and competition. What frustrations were communicated from KYWCA to the KHSAA? What plans were proposed? What issues have been brought up?

Let me see if I got this right. We started the season at the peak of COVID. We have been on a downward trend with COVID infections since the beginning of the season. Our tournaments have increased in size and in frequency during that time. CDC says 3ft is okay, now. We have vaccines. But, the KHSAA is going to err on the side of caution and eliminate any form of tradition(s) the wrestling postseason may have. Those kids who wrestle each other can’t stand next to each other. Good time for KYWCA to step in.

You got a hospitality room? Lucky...

Why are they considered “upsets”, then? Seeds matter to the fans. We as fans want to see Fix and RBY in the finals, by example. We as fans want to see who we feel are the best wrestlers wrestling in the significant bouts. Nothing wrong with that perspective. But, I doubt seeds have the same significance to those competing or coaching. If a competitor or coach puts a lot of stock into seeds, I feel like they’re misusing their energy to get prepared for the tournament. In any event, this wasn’t my point regarding the KHSAA. Based on your last statement, it appears there are a lot of absurd wrestlers wrestling in national and state tournaments across the country this year. Some are actually winning, which is even more “absurd”, I suppose?

Seeds really are subjective, anyway. In some cases, it's pretty clear who the best wrestlers are in a bracket and for fan's sake, we'd want them to only wrestle when something was on the line (semi's, finals, etc). But, if the college national tournaments have shown us anything this year, it's that seeds really don't matter. #31 pinning #2 at NCAAs and multiple #20 seeds in the quarters, multiple major upsets in NAIA, etc. The issue I have with the KHSAA isn't regarding the seeding (though I understand where others are coming from). It's just not a hill I'm willing to die on. The issue I have is the arrogant ignorance the KHSAA brings to a sport they know very little about with no motivation to learn. The structure and senseless logic make for a bummer of an expensive postseason experience for everyone.

No. KHSAA said they would not be providing a streaming service.

32 man brackets look nice. Approximately 30% of each weight class in the state is represented - which seems to be on par with other sports’ postseasons (I don’t know the figures). I think it depends on what the goal is. If it’s to only have the best quality of wrestling present, then we probably need to narrow it down to 16. If you want to put on a show and try to get representation from all across the state, then 32 seems rational. The problem is, they’ve had 32 man brackets, but severely lack passion behind the quality of the tournament they’re hosting. If that’s going to continue, I’d rather just watch the top 16.

I think the primary complaint regarding the relationship with wrestling and the KHSAA is the lack of input they value from coaches and those of us invested in the sport. I remember the year when the state championships were wrestled on Mat 7. Not the one they pulled to the center and put a spotlight on. Mat 7. They just ran straight through the finals. It was sad. Another year, I nearly sprained my ankle due to a hole under another mat. Every tournament and organization has its soft spots, but that doesn’t mean they have to remain that way. This year was an opportunity for a much needed collaboration between the coaches and the KHSAA. There are rational solutions to every problem, of that I’m certain. There were also 10 months (!!) to come up with a plan(s) and other contingencies. What should have been used to strengthen a working relationship seems to have utterly destroyed it. The lack of communication and the lack of regard for others seems to be the primary issue. COVID did nothing but send things over the edge that were already there.

Sounds like someone got upset because someone got upset.

Then don’t lose in the first round and don’t “follow your man”. The priority would be proper seeding (which seems unlikely). I’m not confident things will change. Coming from Oklahoma and coaching for 7 years in Kentucky, I’ve never experienced such a consistently inept wrestling postseason.

You can make a 16 man bracket a single day tournament if the first round is “lose and you’re out” (ex: Indiana).

I agree. Since the basketball team competes together at the same time on the same court, there’s no need for more than 2 coaches on the bench. At the end of the day, it’s about respect and wrestling receives very little.

They could if they utilized a bigger venue. There were multiple that offered.

1) basketball teams aren’t divided into different gyms that require coaches to split up. 2) Union county and Johnson central, by example, qualified the equivalent of a basketball roster, but will have coaches pay to coach in the postseason.

The entire coaching staff of each competing team will get in free? Wish we had that luxury.

Attendance limitations have been lifted to accommodate 60%. Why are they just allowing 15%?

Logic and rationale is important to me. It's a pet peeve of mine when something doesn't make sense or I can't draw a logical line through it. A double elimination bracket where kids with 1 loss get eliminated doesn't make sense to me. An 8 man bracket at a high school that doesn't have wrestling doesn't make sense to me. Guaranteeing each semi state has 2 state placers doesn't make sense. Creating an environment where someone can end their year 0-4, yet leave with a state medal doesn't make sense to me. Making bus drivers, coaches of the competing teams, and alternates pay $20 doesn't make sense to me - especially when the KHSAA is using high school gyms - mitigating their cost of a bigger venue. Limiting the number of fans (fine), but not providing a streaming service for those who can't afford to go doesn't make sense to me. I used to be in the "I'm just glad we have a season" camp, but not when there have been better proposals that would have benefited everyone, including the KHSAA, and given the postseason its rightful value. On a side note: I do think it would be helpful to have a semi-state tournament between the Regional and State Tournaments moving forward. I really liked the proposal that essentially splits the state in half (i.e. "semi") where Regions 1-4 and 5-8 compete and each tournament qualifies the top 8. Then, wrestle it out in the same way as Indiana. This is something that has long needed to be addressed anyway, along with region realignments.

Wonder how many coaches are going to get free passes at Rupp this year?

I don’t think you should blame the kids who were ready to wrestle. Not their fault and they are most definitely not at fault. But, it does make me wonder why participation is so low in those regions? This semi state stuff also guarantees kids from every part of the state, a state medal.

Or, in some cases, go 1-5 in your last 6 and be a medalist

^^^^ and unable to advance in a "double elimination tournament" with 1 loss. $20 dollar entry fee for semi-state is a bit ridiculous as well...

In all seriousness, who does the KHSAA answer to?

The average winning percentage amongst the 108 pounders in the Region 1/2 semi state bracket is 89%. Crazy state among the 8 wrestlers that are currently seeded 1-4 in each region. If they want to do a semi state, I would like to see Regions 1-4 and 5-8 wrestle. Take the top 8 from each semi-state. 16 man bracket run just like Indiana (lose first round, you're out). Get the right kids to the state tournament and create a 1 day event as no one would wrestle more than 5 matches. This would be ideal and pretty exciting from the first round on.

They also can’t seem to count. State is double elimination, but won’t wrestle for true second (which addresses the double elimination aspect). Some kids will end their season on a winning streak with only 1 loss by placing 3rd at semi state, while others will go 0-4 and end with a state medal. The value placed on this post season has plummeted, unfortunately. Some state finals matches will work themselves out and will be exciting (as a fan, I want to see Moore vs Eckman). Other contenders will get eliminated before the 3rd week of post season.