Reducing Weight Classes

[wrastle63]

Went to the participants and counted the numbers in each weight class.

[ChargerDad]

Went to the participants and counted the numbers in each weight class.

Yea, I didn't trust those numbers because of a couple teams i saw with weird numbers, but based on the individual tournament numbers they may not be that far off... I did it on the individual tournament taking actual weights, adding the 7 pound allowance for dual format, but not everyone participated in it, and you have a bunch of very light 106's (< 100 pounds) that I suspect are MS kids (more than half are MN kids, probably 7th or 8th graders)

These are the individual numbers..  I wouldn't put a lot of stock in the low heavy numbers at a summer tourney.. off season numbers never good for big boys.. Though, to me, any weight adjustments need to be spreading out the upper and lower weights, and pushing the middle weights closer together where there are more kids typically..

106   117
113   60
120   73
126   60
132   64
138   54
145   70
152   58
160   56
170   51
182   68
195   50
220   48
285   35

[ramjet]

I went to the individual tournament looked up weight classes and counted the 4 man brackets below 107lbs. All that said there is way to do this without eliminating or showing bias against any specific weight class.

I am not going to guess where kids will be because depending on age they may move up as well as down for the season.

Bottom line is we can debate this until we are blue in the face last I checked my vote has absolutely no impact on the final outcome.

[ChargerDad]

I went back and counted all the wrestlers in all the weight classes at all the Regionals last spring.  This doesn't count all wrestlers obviously, but it's a pretty accurate reflection of a teams ability to fill a weight class.  Here is what we have across all divisions in 2018-2019.  Kind of what I expected..  numbers  in the middle are better.  A few more in the weight classes slightly below middle than slightly above because these aren't all kids the same age and younger wrestlers are more likely to fill lighter weight classes.. What these numbers DON'T say is that the 3 biggest weight classes are where the problem is which some have implied on here.. the number of wrestlers is actually more per weight class at the top than at the bottom by a total of 25 across all weight classes, most of that by fewer forfeits at 285 than 106.  Don't take this as me saying 106 needs to go.  I don't believe that.  106 needs to stay.

106   220
113   232
120   237
126   251
132   266
138   265
145   280
152   258
160   259
170   257
182   244
195   235
220   238
285   241

[TomM]

Pat Tocci @ptoc134  Jun 30

Tomorrow will be interesting and good at the NFHS Summer meeting with the wrestling specific meeting. I am sure weight classes for both boys and girls will be at the forefront of the discussion.

https://twitter.com/ptoc134/status/1145450780855623680

[TomM]

PIAA Looking to Reduce Number of Weight Classes in Wrestling

http://d9sports.com/piaa-looking-to-reduce-number-of-weight-classes-in-wrestling

[DarkKnight]

Question, if PIAA gets their reduction approved from the NFSHSA next April, does that mean we (Wisconsin) will definitely be 12 weights for the 2020-2021 season ? Or does then the WIAA have to approve it.

I approximate if we cut to 12 weights, yes there will be less byes and forfeits. There will also be about 200 less varsity wrestlers in Wisconsin (approximating losing about 100 lightweights and 100 heavier weight wrestlers from teams that have a good number of those type of wrestlers), which may cut down on fan attendance at tournies. Tournies also would run faster, which is a positive. Team duals would definitely be more interesting.

There would 32 less D1 wrestlers, 24 less D2 wrestlers, and 24 less D3 wrestlers at Individual state, effectively losing 80 wrestlers for Indy State... which would have good and bad effects... On a good side, Indy state would have an easier time shifting to double elimination for all divisions, so all wrestlers get 2 matches at state. Squeezing in another consolation round in each division at state would be definitely be feasible at that point in my opinion.

There may be less fans in attendance, as some fans just go to watch their child/nephew/niece/brother/sister/friend wrestle.

If there needs to be a change, I'm in favor of 13 weights, but I know my proposal probably doesn't matter much in the grande scheme of things.

108, 115, 123, 129, 135, 141, 147, 153, 162, 175, 190, 220, 285.

[DocWrestling]

"Under the proposal, the 12 weight classes would be: 110, 118, 125, 132, 138, 145, 152, 160, 170, 190, 215, 285."

I like the weight classes EXCEPT 170 to 190 is way to big of jump and lots of kids there under 200.  Make it 172, 185 and 200 and then 285

[DarkKnight]

"Under the proposal, the 12 weight classes would be: 110, 118, 125, 132, 138, 145, 152, 160, 170, 190, 215, 285."

I like the weight classes EXCEPT 170 to 190 is way to big of jump and lots of kids there under 200.  Make it 172, 185 and 200 and then 285

Agree, I didn't like the 170 to 190 lb jump either. I like your proposal. Back in the day was 189 then HWT i think. Obviously if there needs to be change I like my 13 weight proposal the best, but I know it doesnt carry much weight.

So if PIAA gets approved, we automatically adopt? I'm just curious, I'm not sure

[DocWrestling]

I hope the NFHS adopts new weight classes but feel like that is unlikely.  Would need a lot of states to want to drop weight classes AND agree to those weight classes to pass a vote.

I see the PIAA going with their own weight classes and just figuring it out if they wrestle out of state.  The WIAA is just going to follow NFHS and not Pennsylvania.

I would like to see them consider the option I presented for 12 weight classes for duals.  Then for individual state tournaments add 103 and 220 for 14 weight classes.

I would love to see the NFHS also come up with JV weight classes that are lighter.

I agree that shortening up in-season tournaments would be a great improvement, improving duals would help, but then go back to 14 weight classes for postseason individual tournaments.

I would also love to see them declare the weight classes as absolute for the season.  No growth allowance, no extra pound for consecutive days, etc.  Weigh that amount every day you wrestle!

[DarkKnight]

Thank you Doc for your thoughts, it will be interesting when that time comes.

[joeski]

I know this is about weight classes. But, I agree with you some on the growth allowance. I would keep it, but you have to make scratch weight for 2 consecutive events. It is called a growth allowance, not a cutting allowance. On the weight classes, it's hard for me, I come from a big school with good numbers. So it's hard to see the kids that would be left out. But I do understand that a lot of schools don't have good numbers. Football now has 2 different team sizes, how about 2 for wrestling? I am not smart enough to figure that out though.

[Barou]

I wish they would go 105, 115, college weight classes.

The WIAA will always follow the NFHS.  The WIAA is not an innovative organization.  Even with women's wrestling other states are way ahead of us in sanctioning a women's state tournament.  Sad that the WIAA would lag behind and not create the opportunity sooner.

[MNbadger]

At one point it was 185 then unlimited.........worked fine.  I should restate, adding heavier weights did not result in bigger participation numbers.

"Under the proposal, the 12 weight classes would be: 110, 118, 125, 132, 138, 145, 152, 160, 170, 190, 215, 285."

I like the weight classes EXCEPT 170 to 190 is way to big of jump and lots of kids there under 200.  Make it 172, 185 and 200 and then 285

Agree, I didn't like the 170 to 190 lb jump either. I like your proposal. Back in the day was 189 then HWT i think. Obviously if there needs to be change I like my 13 weight proposal the best, but I know it doesnt carry much weight.

So if PIAA gets approved, we automatically adopt? I'm just curious, I'm not sure

[MNbadger]

Way, way, way too high a starting weight at 110!

"Under the proposal, the 12 weight classes would be: 110, 118, 125, 132, 138, 145, 152, 160, 170, 190, 215, 285."

I like the weight classes EXCEPT 170 to 190 is way to big of jump and lots of kids there under 200.  Make it 172, 185 and 200 and then 285