"Aging" wrestlers for advantage

ccbig · 02-15-2008, 03:36 AM

My youngest son is a smart kid. We started him in school a year early.

He is a 7th grader and only 12 years old.

I have heard about parents who have intentionally held their kids back in 7th or 8th grade even if they had good grades so that they would be a year older before they entered high school to gain a strength and experience advantage against other wrestlers.

How common is this? Isn't that in the least bad sportsmanship and leaning towards cheating the system in some way?

If a child was held back that should not have been, should the wrestler lose a year of high school eligibility?

VonVesthell · 02-15-2008, 04:54 AM

Yeah, that sounds pretty sketchy. I haven't really heard of parents doing this intentionally, but I have seen where it has happened and it did work to the child's advantage. I think in the long run it's pointless, it really comes down to how hard the kid works, he can pick up extra wrestling in the summers. Have you seen this happen in person?

RD149-2 · 02-15-2008, 06:07 AM

Originally Posted by VonVesthell

Yeah, that sounds pretty sketchy. I haven't really heard of parents doing this intentionally, but I have seen where it has happened and it did work to the child's advantage. I think in the long run it's pointless, it really comes down to how hard the kid works, he can pick up extra wrestling in the summers. Have you seen this happen in person?

I disagree. Some kids mature a little later than others and it helps them to catch up on a growth level.
This is actually pretty common in Ohio and I do not think it has any negative impact at all. I like the idea of letting 7th and 8th grade students compete in year end high school tournaments like other states do. This would end this, "problem" for good.

Spider · 02-15-2008, 07:06 AM

Go here for an in depth discussion.

http://www.thewrestlingtalk.com/high...ntroversy.html

ccbig · 02-15-2008, 10:03 AM

Originally Posted by VonVesthell

Yeah, that sounds pretty sketchy. I haven't really heard of parents doing this intentionally, but I have seen where it has happened and it did work to the child's advantage. I think in the long run it's pointless, it really comes down to how hard the kid works, he can pick up extra wrestling in the summers. Have you seen this happen in person?

I have have some reliable sources saying it is being done here and there in Minnesota.

What happens is the kid ends up being a year older then the majority of his competition. In the case of my son (A kid who started school early) these kids could be 2 years older.

That's 2 years more of wrestling experience, 2 years more to grow muscle mass.

To me that seems like a unfair & not a sporting thing to do.

In some cases this is how we end up having varsity state champions who are in 8th & 9th grade. Because in reality some of these kids should be a year or two further along in school.

Chance174 · 02-15-2008, 12:12 PM

I have heard of this happening as well. In my personal opinion I think it is a bad thing. Not really for wrestling but for the kids. The reason I say this is that a majority of the time this is what the parents want to do and not what the kids want to do. Then they no longer in school with the kids they grew up with and was in class with for 7 or 8 years. I personally think it is just selfish on the parents part.

Just my 2 cents.

Ground&Pound · 02-15-2008, 12:58 PM

I personally know 3 families that had their son repeat 7th grade for athletic reasons. (wrestling)

I would characterize all three as over zealous parents who place way too much emphasis on winning.

One kid was a very good wrestler to begin with and is having a good high school career.

The other two are average wrestlers at best and don't seem much better off.

---------

It's my philosophy that high school kids should dedicate themselves to school and sports like their lives depend on it. But, the parents and coaches should have the wisdom to realize it doesn't.

Too many parents miss the point and the value of school sports.

They have to keep in mind that someday, their kid's wrestling career will be over. Then what?

Wrestling should prepare you for life, not be your life.

I also notice that people who have achieved success in sports and have wrestled in college are NOT the ones who tend to push their kids so much.

It's the people who have regrets from their own youth that try to relive their lives through their kids.

Flop The Nuts · 02-15-2008, 04:59 PM

I also notice that people who have achieved success in sports and have wrestled in college are NOT the ones who tend to push their kids so much.

It's the people who have regrets from their own youth that try to relive their lives through their kids.

This is 100% true, in my opinion. The saddest thing is when an uncoordinated doofus of a parent who couldn't make high school varsity in any sport expects their kid to be Cael Sanderson or Michael Jordan. Just let you kids enjoy themselves, and if they choose to dedicate themselves to something, then just support it.

Unless they want to devote themselves to crystal meth and hookers.

RD149-2 · 02-15-2008, 05:20 PM

Originally Posted by Flop The Nuts

I also notice that people who have achieved success in sports and have wrestled in college are NOT the ones who tend to push their kids so much.

It's the people who have regrets from their own youth that try to relive their lives through their kids.

This is 100% true, in my opinion. The saddest thing is when an uncoordinated doofus of a parent who couldn't make high school varsity in any sport expects their kid to be Cael Sanderson or Michael Jordan. Just let you kids enjoy themselves, and if they choose to dedicate themselves to something, then just support it.

Unless they want to devote themselves to crystal meth and hookers.

Hookers

ccbig · 02-15-2008, 05:30 PM

Originally Posted by Ground&Pound

I personally know 3 families that had their son repeat 7th grade for athletic reasons. (wrestling)

I would characterize all three as over zealous parents who place way too much emphasis on winning.

One kid was a very good wrestler to begin with and is having a good high school career.

The other two are average wrestlers at best and don't seem much better off.

---------

It's my philosophy that high school kids should dedicate themselves to school and sports like their lives depend on it. But, the parents and coaches should have the wisdom to realize it doesn't.

Too many parents miss the point and the value of school sports.

They have to keep in mind that someday, their kid's wrestling career will be over. Then what?

Wrestling should prepare you for life, not be your life.

I also notice that people who have achieved success in sports and have wrestled in college are NOT the ones who tend to push their kids so much.

It's the people who have regrets from their own youth that try to relive their lives through their kids.

Couldn't agree more. This is a win not matter what the final cost type of attitude.

In the long run I think it will hurt the kid's future.

"Aging" wrestlers for advantage

High School Wrestling