You are correct the sort has grown. The problem is not with the number of participants, it is with the level of talent. When all combined the difference between the 1 - 16 is recognizable. Separate by school size, have 32 participants and voila, first round pins are the norm. How to fix? I would say take a look at number of participants and make it smaller, going back to 16 is best. This year is going to be a learning lesson for somebody.