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 event is fresh in people's minds, 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. FOR THE UPCOMING QUALIFICATION FOR THE 2017-18 EVENT, WE WILL USE THE DATA THAT THE IHSAA WILL RELEASE JUST AFTER INDIVIDUAL STATE. UNTIL THAT TIME, ALL LEADERBOARDS WE TRACK WILL BE SOMEWHAT UNOFFICIAL.

 

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. this year's 2017 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. 2018 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.

Edited January 26, 2017 by maligned

[maligned]

One more clarification from another thread for this season's specific classification situation:

 

Yes, we classify every year, but two things have to happen for the teams to be officially classified:

1) The list of teams to be classified is finalized after we see who really wrestles at least 3 kids at sectional

2) The new IHSAA classification data comes out in late-February or early-March.

 

Unfortunately, in odd-numbered years, we're always in this situation of waiting for the new data just after the state finals so we can appropriately classify teams for next year's event according to the same data as all of the other sports.

 

We will post week-by-week qualification leaderboards by class during the IHSAA state series, but those lists will be unofficial because they will be based on old data (we'll do our best to post scenarios that could be in play involving schools near the class cut lines as well so final results won't be too big of a shock when the new data is released).