High school wrestlers will compete under several new rules next winter, but they’ll remain in the same 14 weight classes.
The National Federation of State High School Associations announced 11 rules changes to the sport Tuesday. Several new or updated rules aim for better inclusivity across the sport, in both genders, prompting NFHS Director of Sports and Student Services Elliot Hopkins to call the changes “some of the most prolific modifications in the history of high school wrestling.”
Those modifications won’t include a change to the weight class structure, despite buzz surrounding such a move and proposals from state organizations like the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association.
Among the changes are the elimination of hair-length rules as well as attire changes that will allow male and female wrestlers to weigh-in during the same session with the same officials. In the future, legal uniforms will be required during weigh-ins.
“The change to the weighing-in process is remarkably timely, as schools have struggled in the past to identify adult females to weigh-in the female wrestlers,” Hopkins said. “This action accommodates transgender children as well; it respects their rights and dignity and addresses any modesty concerns for any affected children. We anticipate that the entire weigh-in process will be expedited and more efficient.”
BOB GAETANO / CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER
Hazleton Area’s Dante Matarella controls Dallas’ Andy Molitoris during their 220-pound openign round match at the District 2 Class 3A Wrestling Championships earlier this year at Hazleton Area High School. Matarella went on to pin Molitoris in 3:44.
As for the removal of hair-length requirements, Hopkins stated the “monumental change” helps to attract more participants by embracing “the current culture of young boys and girls who are expressing themselves through their appearance.
“While the hair-length restriction has been removed, the requirement that hair control devices/treatment items cannot be hard, abrasive or sharp remains,” Hopkins elaborated in his statement. “If a hair cover is used, it shall be attached to the ear guards. Additionally, the barring of oils, or greasy substances on or in the hair is still in effect.”
An ensuing update now lists “pulling an opponent’s hair” as a form of unnecessary roughness.
Current weight classes remain capped at 106, 113, 120, 126, 132, 138, 145, 152, 160, 170, 182, 195, 220 and 285 pounds. The PIAA Wrestling Committee’s proposed model included 12 new classes — at 110, 118, 125, 132, 138, 145,
152, 160, 170, 190, 215 and 285 pounds — as a way to curb vacant lineup spots and forfeits, PIAA Chief Operating Officer Mark Byers wrote in an email earlier this year.
In an email Tuesday night, Hopkins told The Citizens’ Voice the NFHS rules committee had several proposals to deliberate, and that “the model of several sets of weight classes was enthusiastically discussed. Hopkins added that the committee had to balance what’s fair for both small and large states.
“We need our member state associations to do some soul searching as to what they can handle with possible changes with boys’ weights, the publishing of girls’ weight classifications and provide the rules committee extra guidance,” Hopkins said. “The committee will discuss the weight classes again next committee meeting in April.”
CHRISTOPHER DOLAN / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
Western Wayne’s Matt Leslie reacts after defeating Abington Heights’ James Brown in the 152-pound championship match at the Lackawanna League wrestling
championships at Wallenpaupack Area High School this year.
In the meantime, Hopkins wrote that the NFHS is open to state associations that are willing to apply for a rules experiment, such as a pilot program, provided they have a valid reason to modify a rule.
“They have to have a sound hypothesis, collect and provide data after the year long experiment,” Hopkins said. “Any state association is eligible to apply for an experiment, but they cannot apply just to not adhere to a published rule.”
Efforts to reach PIAA officials were unsuccessful Tuesday.
Other rule changes approved by the NFHS include:
- The weigh-in procedure is getting an overhaul. Legal uniforms are now to be worn during weigh-ins, with no additional weight allowances. Shoes and ear guards aren’t allowed during weigh-ins. Female wrestlers can also opt to wear a form-fitting compression shirt in addition to a one-piece singlet.
- In an effort to “discourage wrestlers from requesting injury time from the official as an attempt to stop an opponent from scoring,” a referee can determine a wrestler would have scored had an injury time out not been called. In that event, the injury time out will be charged and the applicable points will be rewarded to the wrestler who would have scored.
- Matches will be automatically stopped and restarted upon a wrestler’s fourth stalling violation. Technical violations will be given whenever a shoe comes off, with injury time used to resolve the issue, in an effort to avoid intentional stoppages.
- In an effort to “avoid penalizing a participant twice for the same sequence of events,” points will not be awarded to a wrestler when his or her opponent flees the mat, if that wrestler has already scored a near-fall or takedown.
Eric Shultz, a Penn State University graduate, is a national award-winning sports writer who has worked for the Citizens’ Voice and the Hazleton Standard-Speaker. When it comes to high school sports, Eric has you covered. Contact: eshultz@citizensvoice.com; 570-821-2000; @CVEricShultz
