Never one to follow the adage, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it!” the rules committee of the National Federation of State High School Associations has once again weighed in on the subject of weight classes in scholastic wrestling.
Using a set of statistics gleaned from the National Wrestling Coaches Association’s Optimal Performance Calculator of wrestlers’ hydrated body weight, [talk about letting the camel’s nose under the tent flap!], measuring 195,000 wrestlers, the NFHS has submitted a set of proposals that would, once again, alter the landscape of scholastic wrestling.
In fairness, it should be pointed out that one of the four options is to do nothing.
What do you think the chances are of that happening?
Yah, me too.
In all three of the “change” options you can kiss goodbye the 103-pound weight class. There is no longer room for the truly little guy.
In options “A” & “B” the intent is to distribute the 195,000 wrestlers equally over 14 weights, with the target of each class to contain 7.14% of those wrestlers.
The classes for Option “A” would shake out like this: 110 pounds, 119, 125, 131, 136, 141, 146, 152, 159, 167, 177, 192, 216, 285.
Option “B”: 106, 113, 120, 126, 132, 138, 145, 152, 160, 170, 182, 195, 220, 285.
Option “C”, designed to distribute the wrestlers at a rate of 7% to 8 %, the mid 6% range in the first three classes, would look like this: 107, 115, 122, 128, 134, 140, 146, 152, 159, 167, 177, 192, 216, 285.
The thinking is that moving the low end north of 103 would greatly increase the number of eligible wrestlers for the first weight class while significantly narrowing the gap between 103 and 112.
Noble idea, yes. Especially concerning the 9-pound gap between the first two classes.
But what about the technically advanced 95-to-100 pound freshman who is just spinning his wheels in the junior high setting? Wrestling varsity at 103 he was under-sized, true. But his skill level could often offset the handicap. At 107, not to mention 110, he is going to get his clock cleaned on a regular basis!
Replacing the class eliminated at the light end of the lineup is an added class at the heavy end, largely between 160 and 195, depending on the option.
While the current weight spread is 11 and 18 pounds [160-171-189], under “A” and “C” it would be 8, 10, 15 [159-’67-’77-’92] while under “B” it woud be 10, 12, 13 [160-’70-’82-’95].
Light-heavy and heavy weight would remain largely unchanged with 285 remaining the top end while light-heavys would pick up a pound under “A” & “C”, five pounds under “B”.
No word on when these changes will be voted on, and it should be acknowledged that these are just proposals at this time.
But, like the song in Damn Yankees, “What Lola wants, Lola gets”!
