WSAZ - Land of Opportunity
Posted: Sun Jan 20, 2019 1:41 pm
The WSAZ is the greatest tournament in West Virginia. It is the "wrestling land of opportunity". The tournament director/staff force begin with a 64 man bracket. They open the doors for all to come until 64 men and women are tucked away into a bracket spot.
In my heart of hearts, I truly believe that if somehow a 65th grappler showed up, they would throw in a pigtail and let the kid hit the mat.
The WSAZ had some new schools this season and there are a few WV schools that have ceased coming over recent years. Some schools in attendance this past weekend were without a few of their wrestlers. That happens to all schools from week to week.
The bottom line is Point Pleasant had three 106 pounders finish 1st, 2nd and 3rd. HAS THIS EVER HAPPENED AT THE WSAZ BEFORE?????? I repeat, has there ever been a school to have three wrestlers finish in the top three at the 64 bracket WSAZ??? Was history made????
It is amazing what can happen when opportunities are provided. In this case, it was as simple as "we are letting you wrestle in the tournament, but the rest is up to you".
Someday this "wrestling land of opportunity" will be extended to the regional tournaments. Regional tournament byes will be reduced. The chances of only having to show up, make weight and qualify for the state tournament will be reduced. The best will be in the state tournament. The JV wrestlers will have something to look forward to all season long, thus they will stick around all season.....................and come back for next season.
The WSAZ is all about opportunity and competition. Nobody seems to whine and cry that their wrestlers get knocked off by JV wrestlers, thus hurting their team point standing.
Opportunity, making the most of the opportunity, competition and learning from the results of the competition develops young wrestlers more than anything else.
In my heart of hearts, I truly believe that if somehow a 65th grappler showed up, they would throw in a pigtail and let the kid hit the mat.
The WSAZ had some new schools this season and there are a few WV schools that have ceased coming over recent years. Some schools in attendance this past weekend were without a few of their wrestlers. That happens to all schools from week to week.
The bottom line is Point Pleasant had three 106 pounders finish 1st, 2nd and 3rd. HAS THIS EVER HAPPENED AT THE WSAZ BEFORE?????? I repeat, has there ever been a school to have three wrestlers finish in the top three at the 64 bracket WSAZ??? Was history made????
It is amazing what can happen when opportunities are provided. In this case, it was as simple as "we are letting you wrestle in the tournament, but the rest is up to you".
Someday this "wrestling land of opportunity" will be extended to the regional tournaments. Regional tournament byes will be reduced. The chances of only having to show up, make weight and qualify for the state tournament will be reduced. The best will be in the state tournament. The JV wrestlers will have something to look forward to all season long, thus they will stick around all season.....................and come back for next season.
The WSAZ is all about opportunity and competition. Nobody seems to whine and cry that their wrestlers get knocked off by JV wrestlers, thus hurting their team point standing.
Opportunity, making the most of the opportunity, competition and learning from the results of the competition develops young wrestlers more than anything else.