If the student interest within the schools is not there then no they should not field teams. Correct me if I'm wrong but can't golfers compete as individuals if there are not enough golfers within a school to field a full team? Maybe they can't compete for a team crown but they can still compete for the individual championship. I am farily certain that the same holds true for track, tennis, wrestling and other sports where students compete for individual championships.

So you would prefer to tell teams they cannot compete because they use MSers and limit the pool of HS's being able to field teams?

 

You can say they need to recruit better within their school, but I am sorry sometimes for smaller schools you just simply don't have the bodies. (Notice I did not say players I said bodies. Silver Grove girls team is an excellent example. They did not have enough players.)

 

I don't have the exact figures for the whole region for girls golf, but I do know that out of the top 6 teams, 3 teams would not have been able to FIELD a team without MSers. Out of the 11 teams, I would guesstimate that 5 would not have fielded a team. I am NOT talking about being competitive, but talking about fielding a team.

 

Campbell County HS has had a horrendous problem with trying to get 5 HS girls out to play golf. They are a 4A school with over 1500 students and cannot get 5 HS girls to play.

 

Academically if a student is advanced enough to enroll at a high school and skip grades then by all means they can play high school sports. (See Cov. Latin who has students two years younger than normal playing high school sports.)

 

And once again, yes, those schools should not field HIGH SCHOOL teams in those sports that do not have enough HIGH SCHOOL students willing or able to participate. Much like just a handful of NKY schools have enough students/resources to field wrestling or swimming teams. Are the students at Dayton, NewCath, Holy Cross, Newport being discriminated against because they do not have swim teams?

 

If Silver Grove does not have enough Girls in the High School interested in Basketball then do not field a High School team. Field a middle school team if there is enough interest in the middle school. (But don't go getting K-5th graders to form a middle school team).

 

Why is it such a crazy idea that High School sports should be for students enrolled at that particular High School?

If the student interest within the schools is not there then no they should not field teams. Correct me if I'm wrong but can't golfers compete as individuals if there are not enough golfers within a school to field a full team? Maybe they can't compete for a team crown but they can still compete for the individual championship. I am farily certain that the same holds true for track, tennis, wrestling and other sports where students compete for individual championships.

You are correct, they can compete for individual champions.

 

And since we are in the public/private thread, probably a reason why the moving from school to school doesn't happen as much as in other sports. They can get their honors and recognition and the belief that they are bettering themselves for college scholarships individually.

Academically if a student is advanced enough to enroll at a high school and skip grades then by all means they can play high school sports. (See Cov. Latin who has students two years younger than normal playing high school sports.)

 

And once again, yes, those schools should not field HIGH SCHOOL teams in those sports that do not have enough HIGH SCHOOL students willing or able to participate. Much like just a handful of NKY schools have enough students/resources to field wrestling or swimming teams. Are the students at Dayton, NewCath, Holy Cross, Newport being discriminated against because they do not have swim teams?

 

If Silver Grove does not have enough Girls in the High School interested in Basketball then do not field a High School team. Field a middle school team if there is enough interest in the middle school. (But don't go getting K-5th graders to form a middle school team).

 

Why is it such a crazy idea that High School sports should be for students enrolled at that particular High School?

Crazy is probably a great word since the politicians in Frankfort ruled that it is not. And I am a little scared that I am agreeing with politicians in Frankfort.

 

Maybe a better move would be to rename the KHSAA to the KSAA and make it inclusive to everyone with limitations on physical issues and contact sports. My view is that if a 6th grader, Lydia Gumm is the 2nd best golfer in the state as she proved this year, then she should have the chance to compete for such.

 

I would also hasten, although I am not a big proponent of it, that you will have some that will say that you are hurting their daughter's chances of getting a good college scholarship because you are limiting their ability to compete against competition that will improve on their skills. For example, Lydia Gumm having to face the pressure to hit shots and finish the final day of state tournament with a 71 is different than her playing a middle school tournament and winning by 10-20 strokes.

Crazy is probably a great word since the politicians in Frankfort ruled that it is not. And I am a little scared that I am agreeing with politicians in Frankfort.

 

Maybe a better move would be to rename the KHSAA to the KSAA and make it inclusive to everyone with limitations on physical issues and contact sports. My view is that if a 6th grader, Lydia Gumm is the 2nd best golfer in the state as she proved this year, then she should have the chance to compete for such.

 

I would also hasten, although I am not a big proponent of it, that you will have some that will say that you are hurting their daughter's chances of getting a good college scholarship because you are limiting their ability to compete against competition that will improve on their skills. For example, Lydia Gumm having to face the pressure to hit shots and finish the final day of state tournament with a 71 is different than her playing a middle school tournament and winning by 10-20 strokes.

 

Then why should two 6'2" 220 kids from the Bracken County school system in the 7th grade not be allowed to play football? Aren't we hurting their chances for college by making them play middle school football. And would they not help a woefully under-manned Bracken County team this year?

 

They would obviously be able to take care of themselves more than that 5'7" 140 sophomore on the roster.

 

And if Lydia Gumm is allowed by rule to compete on a high school golf team while in 6th grade, then you would also welcome her as Prom Queen, editor of the High School paper, and captain of the Debate team?

Then why should two 6'2" 220 kids from the Bracken County school system in the 7th grade not be allowed to play football? Aren't we hurting their chances for college by making them play middle school football. And would they not help a woefully under-manned Bracken County team this year?

 

They would obviously be able to take care of themselves more than that 5'7" 140 sophomore on the roster.

 

And if Lydia Gumm is allowed by rule to compete on a high school golf team while in 6th grade, then you would also welcome her as Prom Queen, editor of the High School paper, and captain of the Debate team?

Those things can be a little different. Prom Queen is drawn from classes and only members of that grade level. You have to be enrolled in the journalism class to be editor of the paper. And when we had debate, there was a class you had to be involved in before you could be on the debate team. But I understand your point and counter with some of that stuff happens now. MSers make up part of the HS pep band. MSers have parts in the school play. A week from Sunday, my daughter will be playing with the HS band in a concert.

 

Size and strength does not necessarily correlate. You can be a 12 year old 220 pound kid but the chances of that being strength and not simply size is great. Physical pounded on a kid whose joints, muscles, bones, etc are not fully developed is dangerous no matter what their size is. Thus, the reason why are not allowing the younger kids to participate in cross country anymore. Girls were seeing a huge problem with shin splints, from my understanding.

 

I have ZERO problem that when there is a physical danger to the kid, it shouldn't happen.

 

But in golf, tennis, some track and field events, swimming, diving, possibly volleyball and basketball (I could go either way here), I don't see the problem.

 

BTW, I have enjoyed the discussion and debate. Good civil one from parties on different sides. Those in P & R need to take note.:thumb:

That may be fine in a large school. Our school has 267 students and could not field a team without the use of 7th and 8th graders for some of our sports.

If the student interest within the schools is not there then no they should not field teams. Correct me if I'm wrong but can't golfers compete as individuals if there are not enough golfers within a school to field a full team? Maybe they can't compete for a team crown but they can still compete for the individual championship. I am farily certain that the same holds true for track, tennis, wrestling and other sports where students compete for individual championships.

 

I understand that is easy to say from a large school. However when you have 267 students there are many occasions that you need to use 7th and 8th graders.

I understand that is easy to say from a large school. However when you have 267 students there are many occasions that you need to use 7th and 8th graders.

With all due respect if your school is to small to field teams then so be it.

Those things can be a little different. Prom Queen is drawn from classes and only members of that grade level. You have to be enrolled in the journalism class to be editor of the paper. And when we had debate, there was a class you had to be involved in before you could be on the debate team. But I understand your point and counter with some of that stuff happens now. MSers make up part of the HS pep band. MSers have parts in the school play. A week from Sunday, my daughter will be playing with the HS band in a concert.

 

Size and strength does not necessarily correlate. You can be a 12 year old 220 pound kid but the chances of that being strength and not simply size is great. Physical pounded on a kid whose joints, muscles, bones, etc are not fully developed is dangerous no matter what their size is. Thus, the reason why are not allowing the younger kids to participate in cross country anymore. Girls were seeing a huge problem with shin splints, from my understanding.

 

I have ZERO problem that when there is a physical danger to the kid, it shouldn't happen.

 

But in golf, tennis, some track and field events, swimming, diving, possibly volleyball and basketball (I could go either way here), I don't see the problem.

 

BTW, I have enjoyed the discussion and debate. Good civil one from parties on different sides. Those in P & R need to take note.:thumb:

 

LBBC,

 

Consider this point also. Sometimes (not every time) when a MS student plays on a Varisty or JV or Frosh teams even it is not because they do not have enough to field a team........it is because they are talented and they are costing a high school student the chance to participate.

 

So lets say Valley has a super-talented 6th grade volleyball player and Bayside has a super-talented 6th grade volleyball player. Both have designs on playing in college and both play for national Club teams.

 

Now Valley needs their 6th grader to play so they can have enough girls to form a Varsity team.

 

But Bayside has more than enough volleyball players to form a Varsity team. And if their super-talented 6th grader plays Varsity that means Kelly Kapowski will have to play JV instead of Varsity. And the worst JV girl will be cut lose any chance to date Slater.

 

Should both 6th graders be allowed to play?

LBBC,

 

Consider this point also. Sometimes (not every time) when a MS student plays on a Varisty or JV or Frosh teams even it is not because they do not have enough to field a team........it is because they are talented and they are costing a high school student the chance to participate.

 

So lets say Valley has a super-talented 6th grade volleyball player and Bayside has a super-talented 6th grade volleyball player. Both have designs on playing in college and both play for national Club teams.

 

Now Valley needs their 6th grader to play so they can have enough girls to form a Varsity team.

 

But Bayside has more than enough volleyball players to form a Varsity team. And if their super-talented 6th grader plays Varsity that means Kelly Kapowski will have to play JV instead of Varsity. And the worst JV girl will be cut lose any chance to date Slater.

 

Should both 6th graders be allowed to play?

I agree that occurs. Our district has adopted the policy a person moves up and you don't cut a HSer for that spot.

 

Now the theory about sports is that it is not supposed to be about winning, playing time and the likes but the lessons of life that you learn from sports. So that player that is not getting PT is still learning the lessons of life.

 

And by the way, Slater is a heckuva dancer and may just win that show.

I agree that occurs. Our district has adopted the policy a person moves up and you don't cut a HSer for that spot.

 

Now the theory about sports is that it is not supposed to be about winning, playing time and the likes but the lessons of life that you learn from sports. So that player that is not getting PT is still learning the lessons of life.

 

And by the way, Slater is a heckuva dancer and may just win that show.

 

So if I'm that high school student now not getting playing time because a 6th grader has taken it.............the lesson of life that I'm learning is that sports is about winning otherwise a student that isn't even enrolled in my high school would not be playing in front of a student who is enrolled in that high school.

So if I'm that high school student now not getting playing time because a 6th grader has taken it.............the lesson of life that I'm learning is that sports is about winning otherwise a student that isn't even enrolled in my high school would not be playing in front of a student who is enrolled in that high school.

You are getting the life lesson that if a new employee is hired and they are a better employee than you, either make yourself a better employee or the promotion will go to them. Isn't that the concept of working harder that the private school supporters have been pushing?

 

Or on this issue do they want to "water down" the championships because the best and brightest are not competing?

You are getting the life lesson that if a new employee is hired and they are a better employee than you, either make yourself a better employee or the promotion will go to them. Isn't that the concept of working harder that the private school supporters have been pushing?

 

Or on this issue do they want to "water down" the championships because the best and brightest are not competing?

 

Apples and gorillas.

 

Employees are paid to perform a job by employers. Students are not paid by the school to play sports.

 

The best do not always compete for State Championships. Since you now favor 6th graders competeing for State Championships, would you also favor 19 and 20 year old students still enrolled in high school to compete as well. How about Johnny or Susie with 2 D's and 4 F's? After all sports may be their only chance to success in life. Can they play too so we aren't discriminating?

Once again, I thought this was about the kids. If a middle schooler can prove they can compete at the high school level what is the problem. Interesting that we are all for football teams "playing up in class" because of competitive issues yet we don't want the middle school athletes "playing up" for the same reasons. If Rachel Sanford can win the 3-a cross country championship as a fifth grader, more power to her. If Emma Talley can finish in the top three at the state golf meet, more power to her. It's not like the middle schoolers are bumping high schoolers from the roster spots. They are helping schools keep programs alive and gaining athletic experience as a result. I see nothing wrong with it. Again, this is about the kids being able to compete in athletics isn't it?