Galagore

Then how will we know who the best female wrestler is at those weights? Just kidding...kind of...

Track teams and cross country teams are allowed to practice co-ed. Imagine they’d also let wrestling.

Not sure I agree with the conclusion, but certainly logic that can be followed.

When you think about what the verb "wrestle" actually means, it makes sense that the highest rewards go to a) taking an opponent from the feet to the mat and b) physically controlling the opponent on top to the point that shoulders are exposed. And let's not forget, while a 2 point near fall still has the top wrestler in deficit, the top wrestler can continue scoring from that position. When you score a take down, you are done scoring take downs until you concede points to your opponent. That would seem to more than balance out the score advantage of a take down vs the lowest scoring near fall.

The reversal thing is something I struggled with initially, but in the end am fine with. Why do you think a reversal and take down should be worth the same amount? Just curious on another's perspective. This scoring situation didn't seem to cause any more stalling at the college level...in fact, it seemed to open things up. Bottom wrestlers eager to get out so they can get to closing the gap, top wrestlers eager to take chances because a) there is a bigger reward to trying to expose the opponent's back and b) if it doesn't work out, they're still up 2 points and not just 1.

It should help everyone lean into their offensive strengths. The "best on their feet" wrestler can now use take down/let up even more successfully. The "has a hard time with take downs, but can really ride" wrestler can now really take advantage of choice between periods. From what we've seen in college, this should really open up what high school wrestlers are willing to risk to score points.

Our conference is changing teams next year, and we will only have seven involved in our conference tournament. We are working on how to handle the bye in the first round. Scoring is unfair to the teams that don't draw the bye, not scoring it is unfair to the teams that do. Has/does anyone else been in this situation and/or have any suggestions on how to handle it?

No worries, thank you!

Perhaps I just overlooked it, but what time?

Almost tagged you several times, but I knew...you'd find your way....

Why is everyone OK with people longingly wishing for wrestlebacks that will never happen, but we class wrestling folks always get mocked for longingly wishing for multiple classes that will never happen? The double standard continues...

Well, wrestlebacks and classes....in reverse order:}

Really like your idea on how to class the sport in our state, and that's outstanding that your son had so much success. If any of my posts indicated that kids should be pressured into doing multiple sports, then I have misrepresented myself. All of my posts were in reference to my apprehension to pressure kids not to do other sports and instead to focus on wrestling. If a wrestler wants to go hard in the spring and the summer, I am right there to help them along the journey. If the baseball coach wants to try and convince that kid to play baseball instead of doing extra wrestling....well, that's exactly what I do do the kids who say they want to "lift for football" instead of wrestle in the fall. Never press too hard, but it's OK to make a pitch to a kid to have multiple experiences and help multiple programs growing up.

Thank you for taking the time to understand my perspective. My argument is not solely based on small school wrestlers needing to contribute to other sports in order for the other sports to exist, but it is a major factor as to why wrestling at a small school has challenges different than wrestling at a large school. If any of my arguments have seemed to indicate that a class system would have no impact on large schools, then I apologize for not being clear. Of course classing would make winning an individual title more challenging for a large school wrestler. However, if making things a little "easier" for the small schools waters down the titles, why does making things a little "easier" for the large schools not water down their titles? This is in reference to all titles and recognition one can earn along the way of a state tournament, not just the state championship. Additionally, speaking to the multi-sport athlete and the potential erosion of opportunities, maybe wrestling wouldn't die out completely. My issue is with reducing opportunity for kids to do things that help them learn life skills and keep them out of trouble when they're not in the classroom. If the small school division existed and all of those champions (now referring to the actual state champion) were considered "watered down," how does that negatively impact the large school division? And if a small school feels like they are being cheated, why couldn't they just elect to compete in the large school division? It is very difficult for me to find a group of state champions who are negatively impacted by a multi-class individual tournament.

Thank you, that was the point I was driving at.