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By Scott Barr, guest blogger
High school wrestling, especially in District XI, isn’t “dying” or “broken”. And while it doesn’t have to be “saved” or “fixed”, that doesn’t mean we can’t tweak it a bit. Frustrating to fans and competitors alike is that some of these are no-brainer changes that would yield huge improvements. One or two may fall into my list of pet peeves, but since Laubach gave me his blog for the week, I might as well use the forum.
In no particular order:
Realign the EPC: Last time I wrote this blog, I put my ideas out there. Find it here: https://rcn.com/atvn/behind-mic-scotts-super-scheduler/ I have had only a handful of conversations about it, but absolutely everyone sees the need to make a change. Maybe my plan, maybe somebody else’s, but can common sense please prevail?
Change the out of bounds rule: Gee whiz already. Nearly every school has a “big” mat now. One supporting point inbounds for either wrestler, we keep going. It’s the college rule, and it’s ridiculously simple. Of course, if we change this rule, it means we must . . .
. . .Wrestle on “big” mats for districts: This is a tough one. We wrestle districts, for the most part, on small mats that absolutely change the game at the most important time of the year. Of course, our current venues don’t have room for six big mats, and arenas that do have the floor room are expensive. Around we go.
Reduce the number of weight classes: 115, 125, 133, 141, 149, 157, 165, 174, 184, 197, 265. Eleven weight classes—NCAA plus one at 115. Too many benefits to discuss them all here, but consider more competitive dual meets, less “bumping” to avoid matchups, fewer forfeits, better JV development, shorter duration of dual meets, and more. The only argument presented, ever, is that 14 weight classes gives more opportunity for participation. And then, of course, we hold dual meets with a bunch of forfeits anyway.
Multiple entrants, per school, in post season: If a wrestler has a season full of varsity experience, it’s heartbreaking when they are eliminated in their own wrestling room when another wrestler—usually a close friend—bumps them out of the lineup for districts. Track, swimming, tennis, gymnastics, golf and others allow more than one participant. This is a good change.
And final…..
Enough of the “national” stuff: I am philosophically opposed to “National High School” anything. In many cases, we are pressuring 16, 15, or 14 year olds to a point that is unnecessary. No more national rankings, “who’s number 1”, “Flo Nationals” and all the rest. This year, I actually saw national youth rankings. It’s officially gone too far.
Maybe I’ve crossed the line into “curmudgeon” as Gary and I have often joked happens to old sports guys. That said, curmudgeons have good ideas once in a while.
