Weight-ing Game
PIAA proposes eliminating one weight class for next winter
The PIAA wrestling steering committee has proposed eliminating one weight class for the 2020-21 season.
The committee sent a 13-weight class proposal to the PIAA Board of Control, which is expected to act on that proposal at its meeting on May 20.
The proposed weights are 106, 113, 120, 126, 132, 138, 145, 152, 160, 172, 189, 215 and 285. The 182-pound weight class has been eliminated in an effort to reduce the number of forfeits in dual matches.
Earlier, the National Federation of State High School Associations announced wrestling rules changes. But it did not act on the PIAA pilot program proposal from last spring to reduce the number of weight classes from 14 to 12.
“I can accept the 13 weight class realignment,” Upper Perkiomen head coach Steve Adam said. “I am glad they kept 106. I would’ve preferred to stay with 14 weight classes.
“If the PIAA ever goes back to 14 weight classes, hopefully they add a weight between 126-145. The data shows that weight span has the highest participation rate.”
Steve DeRafelo, whose Owen J Roberts squad is regularly able to field full lineups for matches and tournaments, opposes any reduction in the number of weight classes.
“I disagree with any change that limits an athlete’s ability to compete,” he said. “This will mean that one less student-athlete will be taking the mats for us.
“One of the reasons that I love our sport is that it gives kids of all sizes a chance to
compete on a level playing field. You don’t have to be six feet tall or weigh 250 pounds to wrestle. There are spots for little athletes and big athletes.”
Two of the biggest rules changes have to do with weigh-in procedures and the length of hair.
To weigh in, wrestlers must now wear a team singlet and will not be granted a weight allowance. The change was made so boys and girls, who will wear compression shirts, could be weighed in together.
PIAA executive director Dr. Robert Lombardi said 229 girls were on Pennsylvania high school teams last season.
The federation also eliminated the rule that put limits on the length of a wrestler’s hair.
The rule stated hair could not extend below the top of an ordinary shirt collar in the back, below the earlobe level on the sides or below the eyebrows in the front, and hair that exceeded those limitations must be covered. It was deleted from the rule book.