Team State Qualification FAQs: Topic #2, Team Classification

[maligned]

Just after Team State and during the Team State qualification process (during the individual state series), I am asked many, many questions "behind the scenes" by coaches and parents that want to understand the process better.  While the recent event is fresh in people's minds and qualification for next year is just around the corner, I want to post a series of "Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)" topics with basic descriptions of the qualification process.

 

Topic #2: Team Classification

 

Q: What data are used to determine teams' classification?

 

--The most recent official enrollment data from the IHSAA are used to classify teams into 1A, 2A, and 3A.

 

Q: How many teams are assigned to each class?

 

--One third of all eligible teams each year are assigned to each class.  These totals could be slightly different from year to year.

 

Q: Are all Indiana high school wrestling programs eligible?

 

--The IHSAA only counts the sectional scores of teams that have at least 3 wrestlers participating.  Therefore, only those schools who compete at sectional with at least 3 weights filled are considered toward Team State qualification and counted toward classification.

 

Q: When is final classification announced each year?

 

--In odd numbered years (i.e. 2015 individual state finals), new enrollment numbers are released by the IHSAA at the end of February or beginning of March.  Therefore, finalized classification takes place when those numbers are released.  In even numbered years (i.e. 2016 individual state finals), finalized classification assignments are announced following sectional Saturday when the eligible teams can be fully confirmed.

 

Q: Why are teams with small lineups as low as 3 wrestlers included in the process of a duals tournament qualification process?  Why not set a higher minimum threshold of participants before classifying teams?

 

--The IHSWCA selection committee coaches feel that Team State should be an "all-inclusive" event and that using the IHSAA's standards for scoring consideration reflects this purpose.

[Y2CJ41]

Q: Are all Indiana high school wrestling programs eligible?

 

--The IHSAA only counts the sectional scores of teams that have at least 3 wrestlers participating.  Therefore, only those schools who compete at sectional with at least 3 weights filled are considered toward Team State qualification and counted toward classification.

 

 

This should be at least 6 or more since it would take a 1A team having 5 returning state champions PLUS one or two more other wrestlers to even be in voting consideration.

 

Alas a few 1A coaches on the "Panel of Knowledge" do not want to face the fact that they wouldn't qualify if this were the case.

[ENoblewrestling]

This should be at least 6 or more since it would take a 1A team having 5 returning state champions PLUS one or two more other wrestlers to even be in voting consideration.

 

Alas a few 1A coaches on the "Panel of Knowledge" do not want to face the fact that they wouldn't qualify if this were the case.

Classy call-out there.  Curious which coaches are you referring too?

[maligned]

This should be at least 6 or more since it would take a 1A team having 5 returning state champions PLUS one or two more other wrestlers to even be in voting consideration.

 

Alas a few 1A coaches on the "Panel of Knowledge" do not want to face the fact that they wouldn't qualify if this were the case.

When voting on this issue happened, there were large school coaches who wanted the limit of 3 and small-school coaches who voted for other options.  Although most things in life involve conspiracies, this wasn't one of them.