Wrestling decison is made: No changes
Posted on April 1st, 2008 – 11:33 AMBy John Millea
Minnesota will not change weight classes. By a 9-7 vote (with two members absent) the MSHSL board has rejected two motions to reduce weight classes.
The first motion was for 12 weights; it failed on a voice vote. The second motion was for 13 weights; after a voice vote was unclear, a roll call vote defeated the motion 9-7.
Both motions asked for a two-year trial basis, beginning next season.
12 Responses to "Wrestling decison is made: No changes"
Great news! The ensuing headaches for Mn. and the wrestlers, coaches and all would have been bigger than most realize. Wrestling is hurting in that outstate student populations are declining in many schools, and wrestling takes numbers and also different sizes of competitors. Reducing wts. helps have less spots to fill, but it certainly doesn’t increase numbers to your program or the sport itself. A good decision as far as I am concerned by the League.
This is truly a good decision from the MN state High School League for minnesota high school wrestling. Anytime you decrease participant numbers you decrease the interest in the sport as well. Keeping it at 14 weights was the right decision!
I am very happy that we did not change taking away opportunities that all other states have. Well done!
MN wrestling was not ready for this change. A good decision was reached today by the MSHSL.
Contrary to the beliefs of some this is one of the best decisions ever made by the MSHSL. Leave it alone. If they want to see a change wait until the NFHS makes it.
Thank you for not voting yes on this issue! I would like to know the names of the people who voted for this to pass.
Thank you for NOT voting yes on this issue. Wrestling is one of the few sports that a smaller kid can have a real chance to become a varsity member. Go to any HS wrestling match…its not the lower weights that are open! Great job voting this down MSHSL.
Man, the euphorians rule on this page.
This sport has become a joke, 14 wts, 3 classes, what, 700! individuals alone qualify for the vaunted “state.”
Give me a tennis or golf anyday.
i.e. tennis = 32 individuals qualify for state tourney each year, 16 x 2 classes (i.e it actually recognizes true excellence).
Why not 20 wts, and 5 classes?
And we wonder why kids arent adapting well in adult life…..there are few stars in real life. Better to learn this in high school, but, oh well…
Big schools must have weighed in on this one to influence this league decision.Why not try and be creative? Small schools have twelve weights and the big have fourteen. When the two compete go with twelve. Its hard to get numbers in a small school especially when you have basketball & hockey. Kids like to be on a winning team or at least have a chance to win the match, that’s hard to do if you have to forfeit three or four weights or put not ready for prime time kids on the varsity. Look at individual wrestler scores for a match and you will see a number of forfeits for both sides especially in small schools. Wrestling will become a big school sport and small schools will be continue to be forced to coop with numerous other schools which becomes difficult and expensive with buses, bus drivers, fuel etc: The league would also save money —— less money for small school medals.
Joeman,
If you want Tennis then comment on your own tennis forum or board. You are just mad because no one cares about tennis or watches it. How many fans did the state tennis tournament get? How many people care outside of those who have kids? Thought so. Go to bed!
Great news.
There was no evidence that cutting weight classes would help with forfeits.
It would be ridiculous to go away from the national weight classes and eliminate one or two weights. The idea would be laughed at in any other sport.
I’m sure schools like Eden Prairie would be happy to be forced to go 9-man football, Edina to 4-man hockey and Cretin to 7-man baseball because of other schools having problems with numbers.
Comparing numbers for tennis and golf teams and wrestling teams is silly and demonstrates a complete lack of wrestling knowledge. You don’t have 112 pound kids wrestling 215 pound kids. You can do that in tennis and golf. Wrestling is a little different.
Boo hoo….
Listen to the sadsacks on this page;
If you send 1,000 kids to the state tournament, how hard is it to get big crowds, just from the relatives?
It must be hard NOT to qualify for state wrestling tourney. 5 classes means everyone could go. Nirvana for Al! Good laughs.
As for comparing numbers, golf and tennis reward true individual excellence in the sport. Why is any more than ONE class needed in INDIVIDUAL wrestling when you get to wrestle someone exactly the same size.
It’s an absolute joke! I remember the 1970’s, and some of the farm kids in our area beat them all–1 class.
End of story.
