Any advice / information on the following would be appreciated:

1. Is it better to hold back a wrestler in MS that is academically passing in order to gain an extra year of development in wrestling.

2. Does this give them advantage as a student athelete for college recruitment?

3. If you live out of school distrct for the team you want to wrestle for how can you do it without moving into the district?  Are there any options for out of district wrestlers.

4. Can you do this in Boone County in any way?  I need better options for my wrestler, any suggestions outside of moving on or off the books is appreciated?  There are risk with any under the table options so please explain them for my education.

I dont know about three or four but as for one and two i hope you are kidding.  That is the most ridiculous thing ive ever heard and i know people do it.  I think it would ruin a kids social life and if he is PASSING why would you consider holding him back????? Serious problem there, wrestling is  SPORT and that comes after ACADEMICS.  thats why its called a student athlete. 

Actually I am quite serious and want to know from parents who have actually done this.  Please feel free to send private message to me and thanks for the information.  Again, I am trying to gain knowledge and full understanding of how to best manage my child and his athletic gift.  Serious opportunity is at stake and an extra year of education is also a plus in my book anyway.  I am not so worried about the girl friends he can have all that he wants in college.

Also, any college coaches seeing this topic please let me know how it is viewed or not by recruiters.  An extra year of growth, strength training, and experience prior to college being a plus or a non issue when looking at a prospect and their stats. 

I mean no offense to anyone but the facts are it is not breaking any rules if the schools allow the parent to hold the kid back and they are still eligible to compete.  This is comming from one that had a full athletic scholarship and wants the best opportunity for his son to do the same.

If your kid is that good I suggest moving to Urbana, OH.  See St. Paris Graham thread under High School Wrestling for more information.

I tend to agree if you are looking to make your son a serious prospect he just needs to spend more time on the mat and attend some of the better camps that are offered and provide good instruction, but it still doesn't guarantee anything.  I don't see the benefit of holding him back because the kids that are good are good because they train hard and compete against the best competition to prepare themselves.  I would never hold my child back in school because of a sport, his academics, not athletics are always first.

1. Guys, I think we are disconnected here.  ACADEMICS are not being sacrificed at all.  I do not accept one without the other or he does not get to participate in sports.  He is a straight A type student.  Repeating a year of school conpromises none of that.  If anything it gives him another year of academics and athletics.

2. Not only is he academically sound, he is also gifted with athletic ability.  Make no mistake, both are just as important in my opinion.  His future has opportunity in both.  There are lots of ways to earn a living these days if you have a degree behind you in the sport world and/or the business world.  His choice, I just want him to have the opportunity to make it either way and take full advantage of his highschool and elementary years.   

3. Sports and academics both teach kids the skills and values needed to be successful in life.  All kids should compete in some type of sport in my opinion.  Enough can not be said for the values sports teach kids for life in general.  Look at our nation and the barriers sports broke down just as example of where i am comming from on that.

4. I am trying to see negatives here but honestly I am not so far.  Paris Gram is loaded with kids that have been held back and now compete at the very top of highschool wrestling.  Most of their wrestlers are already signed with D1 colleges.  If they are the example then I have my answer because they are dominating the sport nationally.  I wonder if the extra years of working in top notch environments give them an even greater edge????  Proof in the pudding kinda thing there I think. :? 

5. We currently attend Jordan's camp in the summer, golden cross club during our own wrestling season in KY and several football camps as he plays that sport as well.  Academically he is in advanced placement classes, orchestra, and several other school clubs.  Anyway, why should he be penalized or put at a disadvantage of 1 year's development opportunity for his success?

This is comming from one that had a full athletic scholarship and wants the best opportunity for his son to do the same.

Seems to me that your parents did right by you. Maybe you should ask them.

Sounds like you have your mind made up and just want someone to agree with you. Bottom line is you do what you think is best for your son and that is all that matters!!!!!!!!!!!!

Athletic eligibility only occurs for the 4 years of high school. Even if you live in a different county, district, etc, you can still attend and be eligible for athletics immediately if you're still in middle school or never competed in a varsity sport.

For example, 8th grade Johnny can wrestle on Monday for Team A, his district team.  On Tuesday he decides he wants to wrestle for Team B, an out of district school. Johnny can be varsity on Team B on Tuesday and be eligible according to KHSAA because it doesn't apply to non high school kids. The following year, he can still live out of district and be eligible to wrestle varsity on Team B according to KHSAA.

Eligibility starts in grade 9. KHSAA was contemplating  extending eligibility into middle school, however, as of yet, I don't believe they have done so.

Therefore, pick a school, any school, and start sending your middle schooler to that program. He will forever be eligible providing he is enrolled in that school. You will likely have to pay tuition to the public school if your district school does not release the Average Daily Attendance(ADA) money.

I can

Anyone that can achieve their goals at 18 years of age, can achieve their goals at 17 years of age with hard work and determination.  Whoever you are talking about needs to bust their ass in the weight room and more importantly, the matroom and get better. 

To ask a kid to sacrifice a year in school just to satisfy a parent's or coach's ego is just plain rediculous.

I can

If the kids excelling in the academic field he should be ok in college and not depend on the college ride. I can think of some wrestlers who have stayed back and its not panned out for them but I will not discuss names. I do know Kyle Rushchell, John Fahy, Brad Hitchings, and most of the top wrestlers in this state have not given up that year. I just feel if your that "gifted" then why are you not wanting to wrestle up at the next level instead of staying behind continuing to beat up on kids. To me it sounds like he is not so gifted but maybe behind and trying to gain a competitive edge. Holding kids back for sports is nuts. Like posted before they are Student Athletes.

Brad will be 18 when he graduates.  And if I'm not mistaken not a "just turned 18 at graudation".  In no way is that a swing at Brad who I think is a great kid.  But would you say he will be more of a D1 prospect this year or next?  He's done great things already and will probably do more great things next year.  With any kind of luck in his semis match at the Beast of the east he could have made the finals.  Instead he got 5th.  If his parents had started him in school early waaaaayyyy back in Kindergarten, before his parents even knew he would excel at sports....that would have been his only shot.  NOW..he will be able to get 1 more shot at winning the Beast of the East.  That's a big difference.  I don't think he was held back, but the point is he'll be a mature 18 year old when he graduates.  I think it does make a difference.  I think "kids" is looking for what is the pros/cons of doing this.  I just don't see what's the harm in doing that.  Of course you don't depend on the college ride.  That would be foolish.  But don't plan on it absolutely not being there.  His boy may be 6'0" 210 with washboard abs in the 8th grade. 

KIDS STRAIGHT FROM THE KHSAA HANDBOOK. A STUDENT REPEATING THE 8th GRADE MAY NOT REPRESENT A HIGH SCHOOL AT ANY LEVEL. IN ADDITION, IF PARENTS RETAIN A STUDENT IN THE 8th AFTER THE STUDENT HAS BEEN PROMOTED, THEN THAT STUDENT WILL LOSE HIS OR HER SENIOR YEAR OF ELIGIBILITY.  So if he is an "A" student the school would have no choice to promote him. Hopefully this helps in your decision.

Athletic eligibility only occurs for the 4 years of high school. Even if you live in a different county, district, etc, you can still attend and be eligible for athletics immediately if you're still in middle school or never competed in a varsity sport.

For example, 8th grade Johnny can wrestle on Monday for Team A, his district team.  On Tuesday he decides he wants to wrestle for Team B, an out of district school. Johnny can be varsity on Team B on Tuesday and be eligible according to KHSAA because it doesn't apply to non high school kids. The following year, he can still live out of district and be eligible to wrestle varsity on Team B according to KHSAA.

Eligibility starts in grade 9. KHSAA was contemplating  extending eligibility into middle school, however, as of yet, I don't believe they have done so.

Therefore, pick a school, any school, and start sending your middle schooler to that program. He will forever be eligible providing he is enrolled in that school. You will likely have to pay tuition to the public school if your district school does not release the Average Daily Attendance(ADA) money.

Be careful of any "free advice". It is usually worth what you paid for it.

Brad will be 18 when he graduates.  And if I'm not mistaken not a "just turned 18 at graudation".  In no way is that a swing at Brad who I think is a great kid.  But would you say he will be more of a D1 prospect this year or next?  He's done great things already and will probably do more great things next year.  With any kind of luck in his semis match at the Beast of the east he could have made the finals.  Instead he got 5th.  If his parents had started him in school early waaaaayyyy back in Kindergarten, before his parents even knew he would excel at sports....that would have been his only shot.  NOW..he will be able to get 1 more shot at winning the Beast of the East.  That's a big difference.  I don't think he was held back, but the point is he'll be a mature 18 year old when he graduates.  I think it does make a difference.  I think "kids" is looking for what is the pros/cons of doing this.  I just don't see what's the harm in doing that.  Of course you don't depend on the college ride.  That would be foolish.  But don't plan on it absolutely not being there.  His boy may be 6'0" 210 with washboard abs in the 8th grade. 

As far as this helping him attend here are some names off the top of my head of wrestlers from this state who signed with any college last year. Mason Reid, Bryan Peace, Travis Sullivan, Mitch Ervin. 4 wrestlers out of the whole state who were able to gain a college scholarship from wrestling. Travis didnt even recieve one because their are no "scholarships" in NAIA. You may not see the harm in it but where are your morals, what happend to having pride and taking pride in what you earn. Holding him back to beat up kids for another year assuming he is beating up on them now is not taking pride. Will it destory this kid mentally and emotionally no not at all. But take some pride!!

"Pride in what you earn" :? :?

The rules are the rules.  If the kid is eligible if he is held back, and the parents choose to do so....if he becomes a state champ his senior year..he earned it.  That kid will have pride in what he accomplished.  He shouldn't give a crap that people come on this site and say "yea, i saw little johnny driving the school bus his freshman year".  This kid might be a very talented athlete and I'm sorry I see it differently than you, but athletics is a BIG part of a kid's high school experience not to mention an opportunity for some kids to attend schools that they would have absolutely no other means to attend.  As long as they follow the rules/guidelines set up by the khsaa, it's legit.  I think we just see don't see eye to eye on this, not a big deal.

KIDS STRAIGHT FROM THE KHSAA HANDBOOK. A STUDENT REPEATING THE 8th GRADE MAY NOT REPRESENT A HIGH SCHOOL AT ANY LEVEL. IN ADDITION, IF PARENTS RETAIN A STUDENT IN THE 8th AFTER THE STUDENT HAS BEEN PROMOTED, THEN THAT STUDENT WILL LOSE HIS OR HER SENIOR YEAR OF ELIGIBILITY.  So if he is an "A" student the school would have no choice to promote him. Hopefully this helps in your decision.

I think we can call this discussion a moot point after reading the statement from the KHSAA rule book.

but....

1) If your child is an A student then holding him back will not help him academically since he will not be learning anything new. He will be bored and unmotivated to deal with information he has already worked to learn. This can possibly lead to lower grades since he won't be challenged to learn old material. I would also imagine that the school administration won't look kindly upon this action.

2)As a Certified Athletic Trainer, I have worked at the D1, D2 and high school level. I have worked with athletes that have gone on to play professionally and I have worked with athletes that have worked hard and earned quality degrees. Only three of all the athletes I have worked with have gone pro (2 in the NFL, one played basketball in Europe). I have never had an athlete tell me that they were able to get a scholarship because they were held back for a year.

3) If you are worried about paying for college, and that is a very valid worry, then apply for academic scholarships. There are litterally, millions of dollars in academic money that can be earned. In fact most scholarships earned today are academic and not athletic.

Just because its allowed does it make it right? He should work his tail off to accomplish his goals in the time he is supposed to. It's OK for football players to transfer to highlands to play football so they can build an elite football team but is this fair? Is it morally correct? This is a stupid trend that should not be started. Sports are a big part of kids life in school but in 15 years or more it does not matter. When your walking around no one gives to craps if you a state champ or a state chump. School is for academics not to build athletes. If you feel that this is fair to the other kids then your wrong and thats all there is to it. How would you feel if your son was a Sr. and he never got held back worked his tail off and got beat in the State finals by a guy who had been held back. I would bet you would say its not fair. Just because people do it does not make it right. The KHSAA rules only allow you to do it in case of academic problems. Its ignorant things like this that take advantage of loop holes.

Sheldon Clark use to do this to kids all the time and they got away with it until coaches started complaining. They would hold them back their 8th grade year. A couple of them won the state middle school championship both their first 8th grade year and their 2nd 8th grade years.

The coach even sent out an email to justify holding the kids back., bunch of bull if you ask me. very bad coaching ethics. They got by with it because there was no rule in the kmswa that said a wrestler repeating a grade was ineligible.

you can do what you want, its your kid but yes it will be frowned apon and even called down right cheating by a majority of people.

I'm sorry for calling out SC but this is common knowledge that people that have been involved in KY wrestling and the KMSWA have known for years. Its not silly accusations. Its the truth.

Hey man how have those two kids done since being hold back can you tell me??? I dont think either have become state champs or on pace to! How about that competitive edge? Where is the guy who started this post?

Come on "Kids," we're talking about Kentucky wrestling.  I'm not denigrating KY wrestling, but you're barking up the wrong tree if you're trying to develop a D1 champ.  The experience my son received wrestling in KHSAA has been invaluable in transforming him from a boy to a man.  I'm glad he chose to wrestle and I'm glad we were in KY when he did it.

If you're son is as gifted as you were/you want him to be, send him to a private school like Trinity (great coaches, great program) or move out of state to pursue YOUR dream.  If not, let him dominate the KY wrestling scene with his classmates, enjoy his high school days, and graduate to become a productive member of society.

We've had a handful of wrestlers that could compete on the national collegiate wrestling level.  Good for them, and I hope your son can join them.  We've had hundreds of wrestlers who used the sport to learn the life skills to become productive members of society.  I'm just as proud of them as I am of Ruschell when he places 2nd at The Midlands.  To me , wrestling is a resource we can use to teach young men about overcoming adversity and the benefits of hard work.  If you are expecting more from KY wrestling, you may want to reassess your goals or change your address.

To me , wrestling is a resource we can use to teach young men about overcoming adversity and the benefits of hard work.  If you are expecting more from KY wrestling, you may want to reassess your goals or change your address.

Dang...that was harsh

Sheldon Clark use to do this to kids all the time and they got away with it until coaches started complaining. They would hold them back their 8th grade year. A couple of them won the state middle school championship both their first 8th grade year and their 2nd 8th grade years.

The coach even sent out an email to justify holding the kids back., bunch of bull if you ask me. very bad coaching ethics. They got by with it because there was no rule in the kmswa that said a wrestler repeating a grade was ineligible.

you can do what you want, its your kid but yes it will be frowned apon and even called down right cheating by a majority of people.

I'm sorry for calling out SC but this is common knowledge that people that have been involved in KY wrestling and the KMSWA have known for years. Its not silly accusations. Its the truth.

Trent just for the record your full of crap!!!  You will name Sheldon Clark when all kind of other schools hold kids back.  They are several schools just in our region who have more hold backs than SC.  And I also know for a fact that several schools in the Louisville are have several hold backs on their team. You need to be more informed before you start calling people out by name.  It makes you look ignorant.  And to act like people hold their children back for wrestling is even more ridiculous.  Just get your facts right before you start running your mouth on SC.

This post is ridiculous whoever the dad is should be ashamed of himself.  Its uttrerly stupid to hold a kid back.  Part of growing up is growing with team and a class of students, and holding him back will take that from him.  In my eyes its wrong, and im sure most on this site agree withg me.  Like you said your son is "gifted", if he is truly gifted then you should teach him to work harder and surpass his fellow class of wrestlers. It will make the accomplishment better by him being a champion in the classroom and the mat at a younger age!  Enough said!!!

Snap-Drag if you know some more please tell me what they have done with the career and if it really helped holding them back thats all I care about. I can name two that it may help J.J. Jude and Josh Johnson. And Josh Johnson was good before he got held back he may be a state champ soon but who knows about J.J. Jude. My point is one year does not matter unless your just wanting the kid you cant beat to graduate and if so thats sad.

I think the point has been made the "dad" has not got back on here to defend himself so this conversation in my opinion can R.I.P.

I will grant it that i don't keep up a whole lot with middle school wrestling, but I have been coaching in Jefferson County for 15 years now and dont' know of any kids that have been held back in middle school to repeat a year.  Not saying that it hasn't been done, but I don't know of any and haven't had any other coaches say it either.  Moore is the only school in Jefferson county that has a middle school with the high school and we never have, but havent' heard of any others doing it either. i would be interested to hear about this one, do you have any ideas or are you just trying to repute the statement for Sheldon Clark?  Just wondering. 

Trent just for the record your full of crap!!!  You will name Sheldon Clark when all kind of other schools hold kids back.  They are several schools just in our region who have more hold backs than SC.  And I also know for a fact that several schools in the Louisville are have several hold backs on their team. You need to be more informed before you start calling people out by name.  It makes you look ignorant.  And to act like people hold their children back for wrestling is even more ridiculous.  Just get your facts right before you start running your mouth on SC.

Be careful of any "free advice". It is usually worth what you paid for it.

Well put coach

Wow, my son lives 60 miles and 4 counties away from the school he attends and wrestles for. I pay Average Daily Attendance money to the school every semester. Maybe I should check with KHSAA and find out if he has been eligible for the last 5 years. According to their rule book, he is eligible. Free advise that's accurate, a bargain.

I will grant it that i don't keep up a whole lot with middle school wrestling, but I have been coaching in Jefferson County for 15 years now and dont' know of any kids that have been held back in middle school to repeat a year.  Not saying that it hasn't been done, but I don't know of any and haven't had any other coaches say it either.  Moore is the only school in Jefferson county that has a middle school with the high school and we never have, but havent' heard of any others doing it either. i would be interested to hear about this one, do you have any ideas or are you just trying to repute the statement for Sheldon Clark?  Just wondering. 

No I dont have any ideas about it.  I am however offended that Sheldon Clark would be called out on this, when there are different schools who have more kids that stay back than SC!!!  (there is a another thread on kentucky wrestling right now naming one)  but nothing is said about any other schools.  If a person keeps their child back just for sports, that is stupid.  There is other reasons for holding your child back. 

Hey man how have those two kids done since being hold back can you tell me??? I dont think either have become state champs or on pace to! How about that competitive edge? Where is the guy who started this post?

Those 2 kids haven't graduated yet, so I would think how it helped them is yet to be decided.  I think you are hung up on the holding back thing.  Whether they repeat a grade or not, it is an advantage to graduate at 18+ than 17...do you see that or no?

As far as all the chatter on this thread about how wrong, immoral, etc that it is.  You all bring up a lot of points about what bad things could happen - bored in school, losing their social network - does it EVER work out for the better in your eyes?  Is it not possible that holding a kid back ends up with a kid having better friends, and making better grades?  

snap-drag just made a point that I've been wondering about on this....do you think these people are holding their kids back for athletics ONLY or is it possible it's a combination...yes, they are good athletes, but holding them back may end up in them making better grades in the long run.

there are advantages and disadvantages to holding a kid back, and not. just like anything else in the worl. you guys can sit here and talk about all of them all day, and you could, cause there are that many. they are all what ifs though...none of us can say for sure what is going to happen and what isnt. i mean for all we know he could hold his kid back, then the kid could get his leg cut off next year and quit wrestling. i hope that doesnt happen, but it could, just like ANYTHING else. i think when he started this thread, he wanted real known disadvantages, like being too old to wrestle your senior year. no one needs to bash on him for what he feels is best for his kid, now does anyone need to bash on anyone else view points. its an opinion for a reason, and you can state yours, without bashing anyone else in the process.

you all make no sense, school systems were designed to give kids the best education possible by people alot smarter than ourselves.  And they didnt design them for someone who is academically stable in the grade that they are in to be held back.  It not only demoralizes the kid but also keeps him fromm learning regularly with the way he/she is supposed to be taught.  Now i dont see any possible "advantages" to this scenario.  Tell your kid to wrestle in the off-season if he or you want him to have another year of experience. 

you all make no sense, school systems were designed to give kids the best education possible by people alot smarter than ourselves.  And they didnt design them for someone who is academically stable in the grade that they are in to be held back.  It not only demoralizes the kid but also keeps him fromm learning regularly with the way he/she is supposed to be taught.  Now i dont see any possible "advantages" to this scenario.  Tell your kid to wrestle in the off-season if he or you want him to have another year of experience. 

now theres a thought, off season wrestling. but what if they are holding them back for other reasons that are tottally unrelated to sports?

He has already stated in previous posts that there is no other reason.  He wants his kid to have the best shot at getting a college scholarship.  Which i dont know if they would look that far back or not but they would see he was held back and may get the wrong impression??? idk but regardless my opinion is the father of this kid needs to throw this idea out the window because its ludacris!

Oh I guess I misunderstood your first post when you said "I know for a fact that some Louisville area schools have hold backs on their team".  I thought I guess that meant you really did know and wasn't just saying it, but OK.  Don't get upset if it was true, just state that others have done it as well but don't state for "a fact" that others have that you know when you really don't.  It is stupid to hold someone back for just sports, especially for wrestling in KY, one more year won't make a huge difference. 

No I dont have any ideas about it.  I am however offended that Sheldon Clark would be called out on this, when there are different schools who have more kids that stay back than SC!!!  (there is a another thread on kentucky wrestling right now naming one)  but nothing is said about any other schools.  If a person keeps their child back just for sports, that is stupid.  There is other reasons for holding your child back. 

you all make no sense, school systems were designed to give kids the best education possible by people alot smarter than ourselves.  And they didnt design them for someone who is academically stable in the grade that they are in to be held back.  It not only demoralizes the kid but also keeps him fromm learning regularly with the way he/she is supposed to be taught.  Now i dont see any possible "advantages" to this scenario.  Tell your kid to wrestle in the off-season if he or you want him to have another year of experience. 

Mr Granby;  You are correct that schools are set up for learning.  However, what is academically stable?  My son has a late birthday (early Sept) he was scheduled to be a 17 year old graduate.  My wife started him early.  (Those with late birthdays have an option of starting school at 4 because they turn 5 in a week or two or waiting).

In the second grade he was making the grade (C's) but having to work hard for them.  We decided to hold him back in the second grade.  A couple of reasons for this.  1. He may no longer have to struggle to get only C's, 2. He would no longer be the youngest in his class, 3. He would graduate at the age of 18, the age that most graduate. 4. Finally he would not be 17 his senior year in sports (at the time I thought he would be in basketball).

Since we made this decision his academic work has greatly improved.  His attitude toward school has improved and he has made many more friends.  Not to mention he is now wrestling, but I don't know if this made a difference or not, nor will I ever know.  I do know that he is now as mature as the rest of his classmates, something he was not before we held him back.  So yes there are many possible good reasons for retaining a child in the same grade.  Don't assume that someone asked this question just because they wanted them to be held back for sports, they just wanted to make sure their child would still be eligible.

Don't assume that someone asked this question just because they wanted them to be held back for sports, they just wanted to make sure their child would still be eligible.

<<1. Is it better to hold back a wrestler in MS that is academically passing in order to gain an extra year of development in wrestling.>>

Eligible does not equal development in wrestling.

IMO holding a kid back as b-dog ldr did at that age has much more advantages not for sports but in life. But fordoing at the 7th or 8th grade i believe does more harm than good. Also ipea how can you get 5 yrs of eligibiity by living 60miles and 4 counties away?

Mr Granby;  You are correct that schools are set up for learning.  However, what is academically stable?  My son has a late birthday (early Sept) he was scheduled to be a 17 year old graduate.  My wife started him early.  (Those with late birthdays have an option of starting school at 4 because they turn 5 in a week or two or waiting).

In the second grade he was making the grade (C's) but having to work hard for them.  We decided to hold him back in the second grade.  A couple of reasons for this.  1. He may no longer have to struggle to get only C's, 2. He would no longer be the youngest in his class, 3. He would graduate at the age of 18, the age that most graduate. 4. Finally he would not be 17 his senior year in sports (at the time I thought he would be in basketball).

Since we made this decision his academic work has greatly improved.  His attitude toward school has improved and he has made many more friends.  Not to mention he is now wrestling, but I don't know if this made a difference or not, nor will I ever know.  I do know that he is now as mature as the rest of his classmates, something he was not before we held him back.  So yes there are many possible good reasons for retaining a child in the same grade.  Don't assume that someone asked this question just because they wanted them to be held back for sports, they just wanted to make sure their child would still be eligible.

You also have to take in to consideration you did this at an early age and werent thinking about high school, mifddle school, or college sports! It was for your sons welfare.  I graduated at 17 so i know the situation!

Oh I guess I misunderstood your first post when you said "I know for a fact that some Louisville area schools have hold backs on their team".  I thought I guess that meant you really did know and wasn't just saying it, but OK.  Don't get upset if it was true, just state that others have done it as well but don't state for "a fact" that others have that you know when you really don't.  It is stupid to hold someone back for just sports, especially for wrestling in KY, one more year won't make a huge difference. 

i beg to differ coachk, one year can make a huge difference in wrestling. look at all the state champs in all the weights, do you think most started as freshman? i dont.

i beg to differ coachk, one year can make a huge difference in wrestling. look at all the state champs in all the weights, do you think most started as freshman? i dont.

yes i totally agree one year can change you but whats the difference in a school season year and an off season year?...to be honest i had twice the matches in the off season and twice the training...but yes i agree with you, but im still tied in a knot over this dad i cant get over it..lol

yes i totally agree one year can change you but whats the difference in a school season year and an off season year?...to be honest i had twice the matches in the off season and twice the training...but yes i agree with you, but im still tied in a knot over this dad i cant get over it..lol

there isnt a difference between an off season year and a season year, unless he already planned on doing off season and season all four years of highschool, and wanted the extra season year. which then would result in a two year difference, with the season year, and the off season year.

there isnt a difference between an off season year and a season year, unless he already planned on doing off season and season all four years of highschool, and wanted the extra season year. which then would result in a two year difference, with the season year, and the off season year.

Obviously you have never wrestled hard in the off-season..there is a huge difference.  Most of the small tournaments are where you get the mahority of your matches and experience.  And you can find the tough competition at any national event or out of state event.  But off-season is where the GREAT wrestlers seperate themselves from the good wrestlers!

bulldog-leader - thank you for bringing up the good side of this.  Sometimes I think it helps a kid out.  Not just athletically but academically.  My younger brothers had the same exact experience as it sounds like your son has had.  The KDE recommends IF you are going to hold a kid back it should be done before the 3rd grade.  I don't know what their reasons are.

Bulldog Leader, is correct. I can remember a good friend of mine being held back in third grade for the exact same reason. His grades were ok, but not as good as his parents thought, and after discussing it with the teacher he was held back. He did just fine after that. It makes perfect sense to hold a child back for acedemic reasons, but for athletic reasons, I would say no, Not when you can participate in a sport year round. You can dedicate as much time as you want to the sport.

Also ipea how can you get 5 yrs of eligibiity by living 60miles and 4 counties away?

I'm not going to join in the right and wrong of the hold back, but as far as eligibility is concerned it is pretty cut and dry since he is not yet in high school.  To change schools once you have wrestled for a high school that you go muddies the waters a bit and there are bylaws on the KHSAA website that go through this in detail. 

In regards to eligibility-your kid has to wrestle for the school that they are earning their credits from.  Some counties allow transfers in, but have provisions as to how that is done.  This is the example IPEA used-unless I have misunderstood.  (By the way-I believe he was stating that his son has gone into that county school system for 5 years-I don't believe he was making a statement that his son has five years of HIGH SCHOOL eligibility.....he must have gone into that county for middle school as well.)  Some counties allow kids of their employees to attend any school within the county that their parent is employed.  They need not live in the district.  As long as they wrestle for the school that they go to, then this is perfectly acceptable by KHSAA rules. 

It is really not all that complicated in regards to eligibility.

Wrestlewatcher you are correct. Perhaps I was not clear in my example. My son was enrolled in Mason County as a seventh grader on Oct 14, 2004. On October 15, 2004, the day wrestling season started, we enrolled him into Campbell County. He wrestled varsity for CC that year. Providing he didn't participate in a varsity sport, he was immediately eligible to wrestle varsity for CC. We continue to live in Mason county and he has been wrestling varsity for CC ever since. Yes, he commutes over one hour each way.

There are a few caveats. First, the out of district school does not have to accept him as a student. Fortunately, he was a distinguished straight "A" student without behavioral issues. CC wanted him both academically and athletically. Second, I still have to pay tuition to CC each semester.

My advice, which was free, was pick a school you want your child to wrestle for. Contact the school and ask if they will accept him. This must be done prior to high school and prior to him participating in a varsity sport. He should be eligible throughout high school at that out of district school according to KHSAA.

If you want the kid to grow as a wrestler then move up with his age group.  He will not benefit from pumeling younger kids.  Also academics are affected the same way.  Hey what good is winning state if I am two years older than you at 8th grade.  I realize I dont have all the details here but jeeze common sense must take over at some point...right??

Where are you getting 2 years older?  Most kids held back are young for their grade to start with.  Seems more like catching up.  If they play sports, they can't be any older than 18 when they start their senior year.  I've not seen any 20 year old seniors playing sports.

ipea i knew what you meant but with all of the other crap on another thread . i thought have a little fun plus get the explanation to help others in that situation.

Thank you to all those that provided feedback to my post.  I have learned a lot and considered all the feedback respectfully.  I have contacted the KHSAA for information and understanding as well.  Overall, I would encourage everyone to respect that fact that the rules laid out buy the KHSAA are governed by the schools and the "smart people" running them.  If they are not right then they need to be changed.

Additionally, I remain a parent first and foremost and wanted to clarify on one point: 

My inquiry was driven more from a maturity issue I see for my son.  He already has the athletic ability and the academic eligibility needed to compete at high levels in HS.  The issue is he will most likely be a late bloomer as far as physical development.  At 13 turning 14in 4 months, he has yet to show puberty physically and so I began exploring the ideal of holding him back a year.  His doctor has expressed this suspicion as well.  That is the bottom line reason I am looking into the hold back option.

For me it is too late to act proactively.  A lesson learned for my younger son I guess if needed.

I know this is a heart felt issue and there are always strong opinions expressed on this website.  I want to be clear that this is an option I considered for my son's overall development and happiness Mr. Gran by. 

   

OK guys, I live outside of the website.  Signing off on this one going forward.  Thanks again for those that replied here and gave feedback via PM