There's alot of talk out there about kids using these like candy and getting into State without wrestling at districts. That will not be the case. Hardship petitions are for kids that have legitimate hardship reasons why they could not make a district qualifier. Some reasons that fall under hardship are: 1)illness, 2)family emergency 3)out of town due to a trip that was planned before district dates were set. (airline tickets already purchased etc.)

These are just examples. There is a $20 fee for the hardship petition. That fee isn't given back if the petition is turned down. The fee is given to the club that held the district tournament for that area. If the petition is accepted then the wrestler still has to register for state and pay that fee also. All of this only applies if the state bracket isn't currently full. We can have up to 32 man brackets at State.

You will need to provide proof of the hardship. Yep that's right proof. If you flew out of state, then need paperwork showing that. If you were too ill to wrestle, then doctors note saying that, family emergency....well we will need something.

We ask for these things not because we don't trust the ones asking for the hardship but because we want something to backup our decision. When another wrestling parent wants to know why they are at State we have proof that it was a legitimate hardship.

These will not be taken lightly I assure you. So Lancaster County residences if you want to wrestle at state and haven't qualified yet at districts then you better plan on being in Oakland on March 14th. It's your last chance.

The only other petition is for kids that didn't place top 4 at their respective districts but still want to come to state. They may petition in without a fee and be accepted as long as the State bracket isn't full. They need to contact Alan Pokorny cause all results from districts are going to him. He has access to State entries and knows if brackets are full or not. His contact info can be found at http://www.nebraskausawrestling.org/officers.htm

Fred Franklin
NE USA Kids Director

These hardship petitions need to be taken very seriously as not to make district qualifing a joke. Districts are a great concept but will take time to grow and these so called hardship petitions could stunt that growth.

I've only had a handful of people calling about hardships so I don't expect many. These need to get filled out and sent in right away. You can not just show up at state with a hardship petition in your hand....not going to be able to wrestle. It must be turned in by the same ending registration date that is on the tournament flier. That can be found at:

www.nebraskausawrestling.org

Fred, are there exceptions to the Friday night weigh-ins? That is a real problem for people traveling in some tough economic times. Families having to stay there just to weigh in may be just enough reason to cause them to not come, i have heard this from many parents who don't live in that area. Thanks for your time!

quote:

Originally posted by 3/4 Nelson:
Fred, are there exceptions to the Friday night weigh-ins? That is a real problem for people traveling in some tough economic times. Families having to stay there just to weigh in may be just enough reason to cause them to not come, i have heard this from many parents who don't live in that area. Thanks for your time!

Let's see, if someone lives in Scottsbluff and wants to attend this meet it is a 5 hour drive. Which means they need to leave 6 hours ahead of time to allow for stops or trouble along the way. Weigh-ins start at 7:00 and end at 8:00 so let's figure on arriving at 7:30 to be safe. That would mean 6:30 Mountain time less 6 hours drive time, they have to leave by 12:30pm. Another half day out of school and half day off work for mom and/or dad plus tryiing to figure out what to do with little brothers and sisters. You really think this bunch cares about the hardships these things place on families? By the way this whole thing has played out, I would say no. Yes they would probably still have to come in Friday night to make early weigh-ins on Saturday, but at least there wouldn't be the loss of wages or time off for mom and dad and another half day out of school for the kid or kids.

Thanks Fred, I will await word, that seems more than reasonable if they don't make weight........nothing better than watching a 4th grader run at weigh-ins, jk!......

If someone wants to weigh-in on Saturday morning they must contact me for details. If you don't email by registration deadline date then its too late.

alphasurveying@qwestoffice.net

Fred Franklin

These need to be in by March 15th.

http://www.nebraskausawrestlin...HardshipPetition.pdf

Send to Alan Pokorny

pokorny1@cox.net

This has been extended also. March 18th by 6pm. Please don't send after that. We have already extended the deadline. To ensure we run a timely tournament this deadline has to be enforced.

Thanks for understanding.

Fred Franklin