NIAA to start Nevada high school wrestling in January, anticipates there will be no state tournaments

Editor’s Note: The NIAA has announced that wrestling, a winter sport, will have a six-week competitive season from January 2 through February 20. The key point in the announcement made Thursday night is this: “At this time, it is anticipated that there will not be State Tournaments.” Nevada traditionally hosts a state wrestling championships for boys and announced that it will host its first girls tournament alongside the boys next year.

To: NIAA Member Schools and School Districts

From: Bart Thompson, Executive Director, NIAA

RE: Update 11, 2020-21 Adjustments to Sports Seasons due to Covid-19 Pandemic


Owing to the covid-19 pandemic and the resultant challenges faced by NIAA member schools, the NIAA has made the following adjustments to sports seasons for the 2020-21 school year. Specific schedules for leagues and/or regions within the framework below will be created and implemented by the leagues and/or regions in each sport. Several options were reviewed. The NIAA staff, acting under authority granted by the NIAA Board of Control, is issuing these adjustments which are effective immediately. The adjustments were reviewed by and have unanimous support of the NIAA Legislative Commission which is made up of the superintendents of each Nevada school district with an NIAA member high school. The NIAA staff consulted closely with northern and southern league/region presidents of each of the classifications in crafting the adjustments.

Winter Season Sports (6 competitive weeks):

Practice begins Saturday, January 2, 2021

First contest may be held Friday, January 15, 2021

Last contest Saturday, February 20, 2021

Fall Season Sports (6 competitive weeks):

Practice begins Saturday, February 20, 2021 (all sports except Football)

Practice begins Saturday, February 13, 2021 (Football)

First contest may be held Friday, March 5, 2021

Last contest Saturday, April 10, 2021

Spring Season Sports (6 competitive weeks):

Practice begins Saturday, April 3, 2021

First contest may be held Friday, April 16, 2021

Last contest Saturday, May 22, 2021


• Out of season regulations (regulations traditionally in place during the summer) will be in place through January 1, 2021.


• These are the scheduled dates for when NIAA sanctioned sports are offered. Participation in NIAA sanctioned sports is at the option of member schools and their districts.


• Playoff considerations are at the discretion of individual Classifications, Regions and/or Leagues. The 6 competitive weeks would include any playoffs. At this time, it is anticipated that there will not be State Tournaments.


• The holding of practices and competitions are subject to government directive, orders from state and local health departments, the restrictions associated with the phase of reopening in place at the time, and local district and school mandates.