I think everyone is in agreement that the tournament was run well, but the venue is just not large enough. Unfortunately unless someone takes "the bull by the horns," or the SCHSL as the case may be, the tournament will be at Anderson for the foreseeable future.
That being the case, I think several suggestions have been made that could improve on the experience for fans, wrestlers, and coaches alike. Several suggestions that I liked:
Programs. Great idea, and I would certainly buy one. Think to get some wrestler's profiles included it would have to be started prior to the Upper/Lower qualifiers then "refined" after.
Raised clocks like you see at college tourneys. Think someone rented them long ago for a past state tournament. Really sucks when you cannot easily follow the score.
And, I know this won't go over well, the suggestion to "stagger" wrestling further. I agree you would probably lose revenue if kids were knocked out the first night; so instead, have the first round of championship followed by the semis. Not ideal, but I think it would allow for a couple advantages:
1) Finalists can sleep in or have more time to cut weight. Most hotels won't force you to check out until around 11 am, and some will let you stay longer if you ask. Finalist parents could also sleep in.
2) Consolation kids and fans would have the arena to themselves in the morning.
3) Separate finals rotating every year. The fans could then concentrate on one mat. As one classification ended the venue would clear out a little more. Medals awarded after each classification or between weights.
That being the case, I think several suggestions have been made that could improve on the experience for fans, wrestlers, and coaches alike. Several suggestions that I liked:
Programs. Great idea, and I would certainly buy one. Think to get some wrestler's profiles included it would have to be started prior to the Upper/Lower qualifiers then "refined" after.
Raised clocks like you see at college tourneys. Think someone rented them long ago for a past state tournament. Really sucks when you cannot easily follow the score.
And, I know this won't go over well, the suggestion to "stagger" wrestling further. I agree you would probably lose revenue if kids were knocked out the first night; so instead, have the first round of championship followed by the semis. Not ideal, but I think it would allow for a couple advantages:
1) Finalists can sleep in or have more time to cut weight. Most hotels won't force you to check out until around 11 am, and some will let you stay longer if you ask. Finalist parents could also sleep in.
2) Consolation kids and fans would have the arena to themselves in the morning.
3) Separate finals rotating every year. The fans could then concentrate on one mat. As one classification ended the venue would clear out a little more. Medals awarded after each classification or between weights.