385 109 Report post Posted February 24, 2014 Other than price gouging on concessions of course, my only complaint for the most part was the MASSIVE crowd of people who ARENT coaches/wrestlers/tableworkers. Basically mothers, fathers who arent coaches, and fans. It makes it much more difficult to locate your children/wrestlers as a coach, and at one point I was in the corner coaching one of my wrestlers when the mother of the other kid who was sitting behind me grabbed me by my shirt from behind and pulled me away and told me to "move" and that she was trying to watch her son wrestle... WATCH FROM THE STANDS! And I saw countless 7 and year old girls with bright orange coaching wrist bands. Give me a break... maybe im being selfish. It just seems like whoever was in charge of running the tournament cared absolutely none because it was quite evident that it was a problem and I cant recall ever hearing a single word on the microphone about it. Maybe next year lets try to clean it up. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
raidercoach 51 Report post Posted February 24, 2014 I agree. There were way too many people on the floor that didn't belong there. However, some of the little girls you are complaining about were table workers. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MLee 68 Report post Posted February 24, 2014 Apparently, I was oblivious to this problem. I didn't think the floor was overcrowded at all, but a few people I spoke with agrees it was. Next time, feel free to let the head table know. I would have certainly addressed it if someone brought it to our attention. I can assure you it wasn't from a lack of caring. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ranger123 43 Report post Posted February 24, 2014 I was in the same boat matt. I actually thought the crowd was less than usual. Although I will agree that there were many non-coaches on the floor. After a few people expressed concern announcements were made. Without security to personally escort these folks out it is very hard to correct. The new stairs to the floor created an issue that we were not prepared to address but will next year. Ultimately I will take the hit on not clearing the floor although as matt said it didn't appear to be a huge issue. For everyone's information, this was not a northern ky run event. The KSWA ran the state tournament this year. Because a number of the board members are from northern ky a lot of help comes from their teams but teams from all over the state jumped in to run tables and awards and work the gate and clean up. This is a state event and will only continue to be successful if we get participation from everyone involved. This is an opportunity for all teams to pitch in and actually make a few bucks for your team. We really need to address setup but I am confident it will happen. A bigger issue that we need to discuss this spring is how to get this event back on the growth track. We seem to be stuck around the 900 mark. Let's set a goal of 2000 or 3000 in the next 5 years and do what we need to do to make it happen. We are seeing a lot of great things from new or revived programs like Braves, Purchase Ares Pounders, and Martin Co. A big thanks to Matt Lee, Adrienne Lee, Darren Thomas, Adam Lantman, and Sharon Brown for a ton of great work on Sunday. Also a huge thanks to Keith Rump, Butch Mayer, Carrie Mayer, Stuart Chowning, Will Chowning, and Ryan Moore for working hard late into the night on Saturday. Adam and I would literally be dead without you. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gameface 253 Report post Posted February 24, 2014 Overall, I thought the tournament went very smoothly in both sessions. We actually finished the 1st session 45 minutes earlier than expected. As for the additional people on the floor, I did hand out orange bracelets to all table workers and coaches. We had different people working both sessions so that May account for the extra arm bands seen on the floor. I do know I made announcements for people between the stands and the mats to stay clear. And all day they did. It's the middle isle where everyone gathers that stays crowded. It's the best area for all coaches to stand. With 20 surfaces and 900 kids, coaches need to stay in the middle to be ready to coach when the table calls! Great Job to Jason, Adam, Jason's wife and my team mates Matt and Adrienne!! Also thank you to Campbell County and Walton Verona for helping me load the mats on my trailer. Shout out to The Messerly Family (Braves) for their great showing at state. Purchase Pounders for their team spirit and D2 Championship and Martin County!!! And a final THANK YOU for allowing me to do face offs the last 4 years! It's an absolute blast to watch all these little guys and GIRLS get their 5 minutes of fame for all the hard work they put into the year! Between the Medals, Podium, Team Trophies, Face Offs, rolling up mats and loading them up, we left by 6 PM!!! THATS A GOOD DAY!!!!! Thank you for everyone's help working this tournament!! Already looking forward to next season!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pounder Nation 0 Report post Posted February 24, 2014 You can count on the purchase area pounders to help with any thing needed next year. I regret not helping this year we are still very new and learning more and more each year. I thought the event was great and can not wait till next year. I want to thank every one that helped and looked forward to working by your side next year. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
raidercoach 51 Report post Posted February 24, 2014 I'm glad to see so much appreciation for the people who help put this event together every year. It can't be pointed out enough how hard these people work and how much personal sacrifice is made to put that tournament together and ensure it runs smoothly. I know Jason Moore, Adam Lantman, and Keith Rump were moving mats up to 2:30am Sunday morning and were back at Alltech before 8:00am helping more. Darren Thomas and Matt Lee were so busy running the tournament that they rarely had time to even sit mat side to coach their own kids. I think sometimes we forget that these guys have wives, kids, careers, and their own teams to worry about also. Yet, they somehow find the time and energy to ensure a great state tournament experience for everyone. I'm sure there are many other people involved, so a huge thanks needs to go out to all of our youth coaches, tournament volunteers, and their families for putting up with the chaos all season long and continuing to help improve youth wrestling in Kentucky. Hopefully, everyone can take some time to relax and decompress! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
385 109 Report post Posted February 24, 2014 Thanks to all for clearing this up. And again thanks for all everyone does. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Keepyourheadup 10 Report post Posted February 24, 2014 I know I ran off 2 of my parents that came down on the floor. My opinion it's up to the clubs to police their own people. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
8798 45 Report post Posted February 24, 2014 I appreciate the fact that the Youth State is held in the same venue as the High School State Championships. My son's eyes bugged out when he walked in and saw the set-up. He loved it! Thanks for all the hard work. As for growth in the state, is it possible to get some continuity among the off-season tournament organizers? We have multiple state championships in the off season...how about one sanctioned by the KYUSA or some other branch? We could have our in-state tournaments during the spring season (March and April) and end the season with a State Championship in early May. All in-state tournaments build-up to the championship in May. That tournament could also help determine some of our national traveling teams. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CoachC 115 Report post Posted February 25, 2014 I appreciate the fact that the Youth State is held in the same venue as the High School State Championships. My son's eyes bugged out when he walked in and saw the set-up. He loved it! Thanks for all the hard work. As for growth in the state, is it possible to get some continuity among the off-season tournament organizers? We have multiple state championships in the off season...how about one sanctioned by the KYUSA or some other branch? We could have our in-state tournaments during the spring season (March and April) and end the season with a State Championship in early May. All in-state tournaments build-up to the championship in May. That tournament could also help determine some of our national traveling teams. We have one every year KYUSA FS/GR & Folkstyle State tournament. This years date is April 26th at Fern Creek (tentative) Come join us!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
385 109 Report post Posted February 25, 2014 We have one every year KYUSA FS/GR & Folkstyle State tournament. This years date is April 26th at Fern Creek (tentative) Come join us!! Is that all the way up to Cadet & Juniors? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rjs4470 103 Report post Posted February 25, 2014 We have one every year KYUSA FS/GR & Folkstyle State tournament. This years date is April 26th at Fern Creek (tentative) Come join us!! If it doesn't get cancelled. After the month of March, it seems like every scheduled tournament in KY got cancelled. This is also the same weekend as The Tournament of Champions in Columbus. I'm guessing that's where most of our top talent will be that weekend. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
8798 45 Report post Posted February 25, 2014 Thanks Coach C. I know we cannot accommodate every tournament in the region, but if we can avoid conflict with other tournaments we might be able to get a better turnout for these types of state championships in our own state. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Nkawtg 137 Report post Posted February 27, 2014 I'd like to see the age groups mirror the USA wrestling divisions. This year the oldest division was for 2001 and 2002 year groups. Just too many cases of 7th graders wrestling 5th graders. 2001 birth year kids are either 6th or 7th graders (assuming no holdbacks or skipping a grade) and 2002 year kids are 5th or 6th graders. 7th graders have had two full seasons of middle school wrestling (or at least the opportunity) and are much more mature than a 5th grader. The current junior division under USA wrestling is 2002/2003 birth year. That at least gets 5th graders away from wrestling a 7th grader (and yes I understand you have the same issue with 4th and 6th graders). Overall though, it was a great tournament. Thanks to the organizers. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Nkawtg 137 Report post Posted February 27, 2014 Double Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ranger123 43 Report post Posted February 27, 2014 A 2 yr age band is a 2 yr age band. We cap youth wrestling at a max age based on birth yr and go from there. Not sure how 02/03 is significantly better than 01/02. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Nkawtg 137 Report post Posted February 27, 2014 Maybe it's just because my kid is 2002 and got beat by some 2001s!! Of course my opinion will be reversed in a year. Ky youth wrestling is doing great. Let's stay the course. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Keepyourheadup 10 Report post Posted February 27, 2014 Well I know my boy was stuck in a age group where he always got a hammer until this year it was his turn. After 3 years of being the brides maid it was nice to see him finally be at the top of the podium. Hopefully he takes that in to the off season and does off season work to keep improving. That's where it's at working hard in the off season. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dutch 178 Report post Posted February 27, 2014 I agree. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Nkawtg 137 Report post Posted February 27, 2014 A 2 yr age band is a 2 yr age band. We cap youth wrestling at a max age based on birth yr and go from there. Not sure how 02/03 is significantly better than 01/02.Because there aren't 7th graders in the 02 year group. One of our 7th graders decked a 5th grader from my old team. The kid's mom was really upset about the grade difference--Dec 02 birthday against a Jan 01 birthday. Also, it was a kid who is shaving against a typical 5th grader. I explained it to her but she freaked when she found out her baby had wrestled a 13 year old and he was only 10 at Christmas. It's a gripe and not a legit complaint. We should not be excluding kids from wrestling. I'd even say to add another older year to get the younger 8th graders involved since many are first years anyway. Organizers did a great job. At our region at St X for many weights they organized all the 2001 kids into their own bracket and 2002 in their own. At state it looked like they focused more on separating kids from the same team. They did a good job of that. There were three separate brackets with overlapping weights around 130 in the 01/02 division. Again, they focused on separating teammates instead of birth years at State while our region did the reverse. It's all good. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
plantmanky1 58 Report post Posted February 27, 2014 What does grade have anything to do with it? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bowlbear1 1 Report post Posted February 27, 2014 Ok, so there are kids that are 12 and in 7th grade with a January birthday (I've got one), but trust me everyone of the kids that have been wrestling for more than a few years have paid their dues and ended up wrestling someone who was older and a grade or 2 up from them at some point. Just as a kid who can have a birthday in December (I know a few) and be a few grades, and age below may end up beating the older kids. It's not always going to fit everyone and someone is always going to have an issue with it. And again if you want to go by USA guidelines, read them there is a 2yr gap between divisions it happens. I haven't held my kid back so he is SOL since he is 12 by the "guidelines", but he is in 7th grade. Just as a few kids who are also 13 (just after January) but in 6th grade and by the "guidelines" they can wrestle. I was witness to many 5th grader and 1 particular 4th grader this year handing out some big time matface to several 7th grade 12 and 13yr olds. Let the kids wrestle, go by the set guidelines, and what happens on the mat is what happens on the mat! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MLee 68 Report post Posted February 28, 2014 As mentioned, grade has nothing to do w/ physical development...nothing. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Nkawtg 137 Report post Posted February 28, 2014 What does grade have anything to do with it? Nothing. Why do you ask? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
