Originally Posted by ODH

A few points to be made.
#1 The US colleges are the best in the world without a doubt, that is why students from all over the world want to come here. Look at any ranking of international universities and the US dominants. The criticism of the US education is of its elementary and secondary education.

#2. Are there top level European and Asian wrestlers who would come to the US if recruited probably. But I would suspect the recruiting budgets for wrestling are not large enough to allow international travel. In addition, with only 9.9 scholarships per team, there is not a lot of money to go around. I don't understand how top schools keep continue to recruit when the essentially have only two scholarships per year to give out (if you include a redshirt year, and spread the scholarship out evenly over five years). So would a coach spend a scholarship or even a partial scholarship on someone who has never wrestled folkstyle or would a top foriegner be willing to walk assuming that if he proves himself in a new style he will get a chance at a scholarship?

#3. I think it would be great for the sport if top juniors would come over and compete in NCAA. If we want to be the best in the world, we should be competing against the best. I think our wrestling are among the best in the world already and are just handicapped by the style we wrestle. And anyone who finishes top 8 regardless of nationality is All-American.

I agree on all three points.

I feel that in the non money making sports they should only offer scolly money to instate kids. Why should our state tax money pay for kids not from our state,and have little chance of staying in a state after school and pay taxes back.

Originally Posted by mrnokes

I feel that in the non money making sports they should only offer scolly money to instate kids. Why should our state tax money pay for kids not from our state,and have little chance of staying in a state after school and pay taxes back.

I say support the best student-athletes that will come. This isn't charity. It's merit. If someone wants to walk on and earn a scholarship with athletic AND academic excellence, give them the scholarship, whether they come from Timbuktoo, Lehigh Valley, or Moscow. Your state money should promote excellence, not subsidize mediocrity. Excellence will always pay back more in the long run. I'm also convinced that in-state wrestlers will rise to the challenge.