Ok KHSAA thanks for wrestling the finals by them selfs but why the heck didn't you move the mat to the center? Us people on the fat end got the shaft!!!

Was told they didn't move the other mats because there is a youth tourney going on tomorrow. They wanted to save time by not rolling them up tonight only to turn around and roll them back out in the morning.

While I understand the reasoning, I don't like it either.

Dont think this is true. They roll the hs ones up and take them out after the finals. The grade school tourney brings in 10 new ones. The reason it wasnt all moved around this year is so the fans wouldnt know it was time for the finals to start. They had a bunch of injuries from people throwing things last yr. They wanted to start the finals wothout all the comotion while the mats are being rolled up.

Maybe that will be the new forum contest--guess which mat finals will be wrestled on! :-)

I actually thought it was a good location for the finals mat ... it felt a little bit "closer" to the crowd

The one mat makes it more dramatic and a bigger show feel , it did seem closer to the crowd the way it was but it could have had both feels leaving the two Mats out at the ends for finalists to warm up on removing the two center ones and leaving the finals mat as it was , that would have been perfect . !! Only thing missing was some beach balls and some silly string

And a couple less thieves would have been appreciated as well, but with police that let them stay even after being caught what do you expect .

Pitiful when the world comes to having pathetic excuses for human beings have their children go around stealing other peoples property because they know they are just kids and won't get into trouble , even sadder having police that are ignorant enough to agree that yes they stold your property but you caught them and upset them and their parents so it's all even lol , pathetic

My wife had $80 stole outta her purse last night at the arena.

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Yeah it was insane one of our kids got his beats stolen , I caught a kid stealing and the cops

Yelled at me because I was mad lol

F u world

I actually thought it was a good location for the finals mat ... it felt a little bit "closer" to the crowd

But if you were sitting on the other side of the arena, good luck seeing the mat very well.

But if you were sitting on the other side of the arena, good luck seeing the mat very well.

The other end is where the KHSAA was setup, and there are hardly any seats above their setup though? I can see your point for the back corners though

Did anyone else notice the absence of the introduction of Commissioners Tackett and Barren before the finals???  They are usually there around the medals table.

Did anyone else notice the absence of the introduction of Commissioners Tackett and Barren before the finals??? They are usually there around the medals table.

The change in the format without all the break time between rounds was wonderful as a fan.

The only things missing were the proper face offs with music and a spotlight.

Maybe they will get back to that level for the finals next year.

If the KHSAA still has concerns, all they would have to do is make them known and I believe the fans would honor their requests. The extra mats could have easily been rolled up and I'm sure the fans would have still been respectful.

I wasn't there for the final rounds on Saturday, family stuff, so I am not certain how it all went down...but if we really wanted to highlight the finals, how about this?

On Saturday, wrestle all the way back, completing the Consolation Finals, and then take a break before the Championship Finals.  (It doesn't have to be too long, but let's recognize these kids for their accomplishments and make it special!) 

During the break, elevate the Championship Mat, like the NCAAs, on risers under a center spotlight in the middle of the arena.  Before the finals, turn off the lights, other than the center mat spotlight, and allow the place-winners, in uniform, to walk around the arena floor and then line up around the Championship Mat, but not on the elevated mat.  (Third placers would be led out, then Fourth placers, etc.)  Then, have the finalists walk out in two single file lines and line up on the raised mat for a face-off under the lights.  We could then have the someone sing My Old Kentucky Home and then the National Anthem.  When the wrestlers are introduced, put their pictures (Or live images) on the large team score screen as the announcer reads off their accomplishments for the year/career.  (With some time limitations, of course.)  Then the boys walk across, shake hands, and the lighter weights could leave to warm up.  Put the actual, live, matches on the big screen as well...  Award medals between championship matches and keep the thing moving.

They may already do some of this, but these are some options. 

No Kentucky rain "Elvis "

Come on man, don't hate. That's a great song.

What do you mean I was being serious !!

LOL...I hear ya Tarzan, but we may lose some of our younger viewers!

No you don't have the feel of the younger generation my friend you have to remix it dubstep it up and mix it in with some

Evil 300 sounding epic stuff , it would work .

Maybe the wrestlers could ride to that on a horse.

Clydesdales sp

Fire-breathing Clydesdales...with warpaint...and catapults...oh, sorry.

Smoke machines and flash pods for sure . Paint is a great idea next yr when they bring back the celebration .

I say that they come in on chariots like Hunger games dressed to represent each region. I'm going to go ahead and suggest dressing like horses or houseboats for region 7.

Yeah well region six can come

Out in Chariots pulled by White lions , Black panthers , and Bengal --- Cheerleaders

Or chariots pulled by Harley's with Bengal Cherleaders riding them .

Or just carried out on sleds or whatever those things are called by Bengal Cheerleaders .

Region 5...come in sloshed or something related to the bourbon trail...Region 8...probably coal I guess.  Region 4 is all louisville so maybe all cardinals or dressed in Derby best.  Region 1 I have no idea...what is even in that area.  Youre guess is as good as mine for 1,2, or 3

1 can come in barefooted and wearing straw hats and overhauls with holes and such since they are so poor and live in towns with only one or two stop lights lol Jk

Region 1 will Air Assault in from the roof in military gear, representing the heritage of the 101^st Screaming Eagles.   Or Combines celebrating the farming heritage of the western part of the state.

Region 2 can come in on Tanks.

8 can come in on coal cars pulled by mules

This thread has taken on a life of its own...

Region 1 will Air Assault in from the roof in military gear, representing the heritage of the 101^st Screaming Eagles. Or Combines celebrating the farming heritage of the western part of the state.

Region 2 can come in on Tanks.

I say that they come in on chariots like Hunger games dressed to represent each region. I'm going to go ahead and suggest dressing like horses or houseboats for region 7.

They should have a cannon boom every time someone gets knocked out of the tournament. 

We should be able to send gifts to them during a match for a fee.

Yeah an escape , head and arm , and a prayer lol

And cannon boom every Pin !!

Was told they didn't move the other mats because there is a youth tourney going on tomorrow. They wanted to save time by not rolling them up tonight only to turn around and roll them back out in the morning.

While I understand the reasoning, I don't like it either.

Unfortunately the exact opposite Josh. Barren told me he didn't care about Sunday and did exactly what I asked they NOT do. And acted like a real jerk while doing it I might add.

Let me say this. No one is forcing Mike Barren to be over wrestling. I'm pretty sure he chooses to. That being said, every time I was on the floor next to the head table, he seemed disgruntled and not enjoying the event. Than quit your job mike!!! No ones making you be apart of our sport. He especially seemed disgruntled during semis when I saw him yelling at shaw over the walkie talkie. Get someone in there that will enjoy the job and work to bringing the High School tournament as good as the Middle School one.

Was that the guy who was yelling at Coach Knable when he asked about warming the kids up on the main floor before the tournament?

Amen Coach Diaz! I'm with you!

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I wasn't there for the final rounds on Saturday, family stuff, so I am not certain how it all went down...but if we really wanted to highlight the finals, how about this?

On Saturday, wrestle all the way back, completing the Consolation Finals, and then take a break before the Championship Finals. (It doesn't have to be too long, but let's recognize these kids for their accomplishments and make it special!)

During the break, elevate the Championship Mat, like the NCAAs, on risers under a center spotlight in the middle of the arena. Before the finals, turn off the lights, other than the center mat spotlight, and allow the place-winners, in uniform, to walk around the arena floor and then line up around the Championship Mat, but not on the elevated mat. (Third placers would be led out, then Fourth placers, etc.) Then, have the finalists walk out in two single file lines and line up on the raised mat for a face-off under the lights. We could then have the someone sing My Old Kentucky Home and then the National Anthem. When the wrestlers are introduced, put their pictures (Or live images) on the large team score screen as the announcer reads off their accomplishments for the year/career. (With some time limitations, of course.) Then the boys walk across, shake hands, and the lighter weights could leave to warm up. Put the actual, live, matches on the big screen as well... Award medals between championship matches and keep the thing moving.

They may already do some of this, but these are some options.

If the khsaa was to use this format for the finals the arena would be at capacity and khsaa would make more money. The finals should be something spectacular not a spectical.

8798 for KHSAA head prez!! I believe that not only would he be an advocate of the sport, but he just may be able to instill some morals among us as well.

Thanks IWIN...but I have no intention of running for office.  Ha.  Ha.

In some of our surrounding states, the championship finals are a sight to behold.  People will travel to see the finals even when their own school doesn't even have a state qualifier.  It is not just the wrestling they are coming to see...it is the presentation.