article 02/18/15 – State Wrestling Tournament Postponed

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 18, 2015

In the interest of the safety and welfare of our competitors, coaches, workers and officials, and to ensure that participation experience for the student-athletes is optimal, the KHSAA has postponed the State Wrestling Championships, originally scheduled for February 19-21, until March 9-11.

“KHSAA State events are large-scale undertakings, and with the expansion of the State Tournament several years ago, we are very limited in options for holding the event,” said Commissioner Julian Tackett. “We absolutely have to be able to put down at least eight mats to get the tournament completed in two days, and that in and of itself limits our options. We are thankful our hosting partners at the Alltech Arena on the grounds of the Kentucky Horse Park were able to work out new dates. We tried to work cooperatively with another event that is scheduled for Sunday and rearrange schedules, but that group was unwilling to move, leaving us very few options.”

KHSAA Assistant Commissioner Michael Barren, who oversees the sport of Wrestling, added, “we have been able in very short order to rebook the large block of rooms we use at the official headquarters, and reschedule vendors and secure the arena on the first available three-day period for that facility. It was critical in working with the Commissioner that we make this decision as early as possible in the interest of the safety and welfare of our competitors, coaches, workers and officials. We will allow a one pound growth allowance for each of the weight classes in an additional effort to accommodate this postponement.”

Tackett stated that a great many options were reviewed before finalizing this move. “These championships are years in the making and scheduling, and it isn’t easy to simply move any of them. I know that Mike (Barren) and his tournament staff will work with the folks at Alltech Arena to get things moved in on March 9, and utilize the regular schedule for March 10 and 11, as we work to get this event completed and allow the students their well-earned opportunity to compete. I am sure from the micro-view of the many constituents, there will be second guessing and other alternatives suggested, but my job, and that of our office, is to weigh all of the factors and make the best decision we can for the entire state. The one pound growth allowance would have been a problem in the past, but with the emphasis on safe weight management, the wrestlers are required to be at or near their normal weight and should be able to maintain without issues. It will be difficult for our office to manage this event nearly simultaneously with the start of our girls’ basketball tournament, but we have successfully managed overlapping events before and will call on our legions of volunteers and workers to ensure that both events are first class for the students and all involved.”

02/18/15 ? State Wrestling Tournament Postponed | Kentucky High School Athletic Association

I know people will complain about it being during the middle of the week but I think the right decision was made. Safety should be #1 and #2 you have to make it where kids who earned the right to get there can wrestle.

Youth state tournament is Sunday at same facility, curious whether it is cancelled too?

I know people will complain about it being during the middle of the week but I think the right decision was made. Safety should be #1 and #2 you have to make it where kids who earned the right to get there can wrestle.

KHSAA had no choice with girls' state basketball tournament starting that Wednesday. Only so many KHSAA staffers available.

Youth state tournament is Sunday at same facility, curious whether it is cancelled too?

On as scheduled.

That's a long wait.

How will the qualifiers stay sharp, other than practice with their teammates?

The event that wouldn't move was the youth state tournament.

Can't believe they couldn't get it scheduled before this date. Awful long layoff.

The event that wouldn't move was the youth state tournament.

That's a long wait.

 

How will the qualifiers stay sharp, other than practice with their teammates?

Wonder if making weight will be a challenge with the layoff.

I honestly don't know hot it's done in KY. WAY back in the day I wrestled at 135. Weight went up 2 pounds in January and another pound in February, so the legal limit at tourney time was 138.

Wonder if making weight will be a challenge with the layoff.

 

I honestly don't know hot it's done in KY. WAY back in the day I wrestled at 135. Weight went up 2 pounds in January and another pound in February, so the legal limit at tourney time was 138.

It could be. I think the biggest part will be maintaining mental focus. Everyone was prepped and primed to go this weekend, and for those that have been holding their weight down, to throw another 3 weeks on the season could be tough to handle mentally.

Wonder if making weight will be a challenge with the layoff.

 

I honestly don't know hot it's done in KY. WAY back in the day I wrestled at 135. Weight went up 2 pounds in January and another pound in February, so the legal limit at tourney time was 138.

With the way the descent plans are now, everyone is wrestling very close to their natural weight. I don't think it's nearly the challenge it would have been 10 years ago.

How about before you were born?:scared:

How about before you were born?:scared: