MONROE - Monroe wrestling coach Jeriamy Jackson is among several area coaches who said on Tuesday that the National Federation of State High School Association's overhaul of prep wrestling weight classes didn't go far enough.
Despite a push by Wisconsin to reduce the number of weight classes, the NFHS Rules Committee Tuesday approved a plan to maintain 14 weights, but adjust 10 of them for 2011-12.
The NFHS Wrestling Rules Committee approved an upward shift in weight classes starting at 103 pounds, which will be bumped up to 106 next season. The 14 weight classes for 2011-12 approved by the committee are 106 pounds, 113, 120, 126, 132, 138, 145, 152, 160, 170, 182, 195, 220 and 285.
"I'm a little disappointed that we are keeping the 14 weight classes," Monroe wrestling coach Jeriamy Jackson said. "I wanted to see a reduction in the weight classes. There are a lot of teams that have a hard time filling the weight classes."
The last time the weight class system was overhauled was before the 1988-89 season. The last change in a weight class came in the 2006-07 season, when the heavyweight limit was changed from 275 to 285.
Andrew Melton, President of the Wisconsin Wrestling Coaches Association and Spooner High School coach, said that the association is still working with the WIAA on a reduction to 11 weight classes.
"This will throw a little twist in it," Melton said.
Melton said the WIAA will follow the NFHS rule change next year. However, Wisconsin can file for an adaptation to the NFHS weight class overhaul and could still reduce the number of weight classes.
Melton said the coaches association will still work toward a weight-class reduction. If Wisconsin comes up with an adaptation to the NFHS weight class system, the WIAA and NFHS would have to approve the plan.
Melton said that a trial period for an 11 weight class system could be implemented by several conferences before a statewide modification is made.
Jackson said the upper weight classes (182, 195, 220 and heavyweight) could be an advantage for the Cheesemakers.
"We usually have a lot of bigger kids," Jackson said.
Another concern is putting wrestlers on the mat that are not experienced and ready for varsity competition.
"I want to see someone ready out there and not just a body because there is an open spot," Jackson said.
Brodhead-Juda coach Tim Colden said he was surprised to hear the NFHS approved the overhaul.
For other schools, filling out the larger weight classes could pose problems.
"To me, I think it will be hard to fill the upper weights," Colden said. "I think it will be a challenge for a lot of schools to fill those weight classes."
Darlington coach Tom Mathias supports the NFHS' plan that narrows what used to be an 18-pound gap between 171 and 189.
"I always felt that was too big of a gap," Mathias said. "I think there are kids that got lost by the 171 to 189. They were either too big or too small. I like that spread especially at the top. We are always kind of top heavy."
Mathias said he has had mixed feelings about a weight class reduction.
On one hand, he thinks going to a 12 weight class system could benefit smaller schools, yet he said that he also can see the benefits of keeping the 14 weight classes and working harder to fill them.
Wisconsin has a two pound growth allowance in December after Christmas where wrestlers are allowed two more pounds to make weight. There also is a one pound growth allowance Feb. 1. The NFHS weight class system doesn't have the same growth rate allowances.
"Sometimes you throw kids out there who are not ready to be in a weight class," Colden said.
Despite a push by Wisconsin to reduce the number of weight classes, the NFHS Rules Committee Tuesday approved a plan to maintain 14 weights, but adjust 10 of them for 2011-12.
The NFHS Wrestling Rules Committee approved an upward shift in weight classes starting at 103 pounds, which will be bumped up to 106 next season. The 14 weight classes for 2011-12 approved by the committee are 106 pounds, 113, 120, 126, 132, 138, 145, 152, 160, 170, 182, 195, 220 and 285.
"I'm a little disappointed that we are keeping the 14 weight classes," Monroe wrestling coach Jeriamy Jackson said. "I wanted to see a reduction in the weight classes. There are a lot of teams that have a hard time filling the weight classes."
The last time the weight class system was overhauled was before the 1988-89 season. The last change in a weight class came in the 2006-07 season, when the heavyweight limit was changed from 275 to 285.
Andrew Melton, President of the Wisconsin Wrestling Coaches Association and Spooner High School coach, said that the association is still working with the WIAA on a reduction to 11 weight classes.
"This will throw a little twist in it," Melton said.
Melton said the WIAA will follow the NFHS rule change next year. However, Wisconsin can file for an adaptation to the NFHS weight class overhaul and could still reduce the number of weight classes.
Melton said the coaches association will still work toward a weight-class reduction. If Wisconsin comes up with an adaptation to the NFHS weight class system, the WIAA and NFHS would have to approve the plan.
Melton said that a trial period for an 11 weight class system could be implemented by several conferences before a statewide modification is made.
Jackson said the upper weight classes (182, 195, 220 and heavyweight) could be an advantage for the Cheesemakers.
"We usually have a lot of bigger kids," Jackson said.
Another concern is putting wrestlers on the mat that are not experienced and ready for varsity competition.
"I want to see someone ready out there and not just a body because there is an open spot," Jackson said.
Brodhead-Juda coach Tim Colden said he was surprised to hear the NFHS approved the overhaul.
For other schools, filling out the larger weight classes could pose problems.
"To me, I think it will be hard to fill the upper weights," Colden said. "I think it will be a challenge for a lot of schools to fill those weight classes."
Darlington coach Tom Mathias supports the NFHS' plan that narrows what used to be an 18-pound gap between 171 and 189.
"I always felt that was too big of a gap," Mathias said. "I think there are kids that got lost by the 171 to 189. They were either too big or too small. I like that spread especially at the top. We are always kind of top heavy."
Mathias said he has had mixed feelings about a weight class reduction.
On one hand, he thinks going to a 12 weight class system could benefit smaller schools, yet he said that he also can see the benefits of keeping the 14 weight classes and working harder to fill them.
Wisconsin has a two pound growth allowance in December after Christmas where wrestlers are allowed two more pounds to make weight. There also is a one pound growth allowance Feb. 1. The NFHS weight class system doesn't have the same growth rate allowances.
"Sometimes you throw kids out there who are not ready to be in a weight class," Colden said.
