6th Graders as IESA JH wrestlers

[cmkling14]

As being new the whole sport of wrestling, why do some schools get to "decide" or "when to recognize" when a 6th grader gets to wrestle? His school recognizes him as a jh wrestler, but some schools they wrestle against do not. I guess I don't understand what the big deal is...

[Gonzalez W&M 197]

It is not really a big deal. Some middle schools only have 7th-8th graders and the 6th graders show up to practice by bus from their school which has the 4th-6th graders of the same town say... Plano, Sandwich, or New Lenox for examples.. although the 5th and 6th graders wrestle for the Middle School Team, they are not actually considered middle school students yet because they obviously don't attend the school.. Hopefully that helps little buddy .

[tada]

IKWF is a better place for 6th graders if many schools on the IESA schedule will not recognize a 6th grader.

Just another dumb rule - they rule us half to death.

[cmkling14]

But they are allowed to wrestle some schools and tournaments but other schools won't allow them to wrestle...that's what I don't understand. Thanks for the little buddy comment!

[cmkling14]

But if he stays in club (IKWF) he doesn't have anyone to workout with...i don't get it, I figure if he wants to wrestle, let him wrestle!

[FishArt]

Originally Posted by tada

IKWF is a better place for 6th graders if many schools on the IESA schedule will not recognize a 6th grader.

Just another dumb rule - they rule us half to death.

I could be wrong, but I don't believe it's an IESA thing. I think the IESA allows 5th graders on up to participate. I believe it's a school-specific rule that changes the cut-off age. It's anybody's guess why some cut it off at different ages. I suspect in some case, lack of facilities or the inability to transport the younger kids to the practice facilities could come into play.

I don't see it as being a big issue if these 5th and 6th graders end up wrestling older kids. They'll get better! Most of the younger kids obviously come into play around the lighter weights. Some schools are at a disadvantage becuase filling some of these lighter weights can sometimes be challenging - especially if they disallow 6th graders and younger to wrestle...

[Gonzalez W&M 197]

Originally Posted by FishArt

I could be wrong, but I don't believe it's an IESA thing. I think the IESA allows 5th graders on up to participate. I believe it's a school-specific rule that changes the cut-off age. It's anybody's guess why some cut it off at different ages. I suspect in some case, lack of facilities or the inability to transport the younger kids to the practice facilities could come into play.

I don't see it as being a big issue if these 5th and 6th graders end up wrestling older kids. They'll get better! Most of the younger kids obviously come into play around the lighter weights. Some schools are at a disadvantage becuase filling some of these lighter weights can sometimes be challenging - especially if they disallow 6th graders and younger to wrestle...

Indeed, I remember being in 7th grade and watching 5th graders place at IESA State between the 65-70 pound range.

[tada]

Originally Posted by FishArt

I could be wrong, but I don't believe it's an IESA thing. I think the IESA allows 5th graders on up to participate. I believe it's a school-specific rule that changes the cut-off age. It's anybody's guess why some cut it off at different ages. I suspect in some case, lack of facilities or the inability to transport the younger kids to the practice facilities could come into play.

I don't see it as being a big issue if these 5th and 6th graders end up wrestling older kids. They'll get better! Most of the younger kids obviously come into play around the lighter weights. Some schools are at a disadvantage becuase filling some of these lighter weights can sometimes be challenging - especially if they disallow 6th graders and younger to wrestle...

I see. You are right the IESA allows them to participate - ours has 5th and 6th. So do you think its some kind of insurance glitch per each school policy?

[FishArt]

I really don't know why. Again, I suspect each school has their own reasons. Some might not have the ability to get those younger kids over to the practice location. Others might not have enough room in their facility to house more kids. Still others might choose to limit the ages so that they can focus on the older, more mature and experienced kids. And this may also be a way of others to get these younger kids over in the IKWF if that's their only option. I'm sure there's other reasons too that I may not be thinking of...

[AGD dad]

Sometimes it's a school issue. Some school districts only allows 7th & 8th graders for all sports (i.e. football, volleyball, basketball, track). Some percieve that if you allow 5th & 6th graders for one sport, you would need to offer it for all sports and most middle/JH school's aren't wanting to add all of those.

Some JH conferences have the restriction on 6th graders.

Some wrestling tournaments allow 6th graders and some don't.

Wrestling is a unique sport that requires mats and supervision but most people try to put everything in the same box.