Skip to content
USA Wrestling
High School & Youth
USAW

NYSPHSAA cuts New York high school wrestling weight classes to 13 in two-year pilot program

Share:

by Various sources

Latham, NY- The New York State Public High School Athletic Association (NYSPHSAA) held its annual summer meeting of the Central Committee on July 29 via video teleconference. The primary focus of the meeting is to vote on proposals and introduce discussion items pertaining to interscholastic athletics.

Among the actions are:

* The Committee approved utilizing 13 weight classes in the sport or wrestling as a two-year pilot beginning in the 2020-21 school year.


Page 103 of the Central Committee Agenda

WRESTLING - 13 NYSPHSAA Weight Classes

Action Item


Presenter: Marty Sherman, NYSPHSAA Wrestling Chairmen

Proposal: The NYSPHSAA Wrestling Committee is recommending the following weight classes for a two-year pilot program. The weight classes would be 102, 110, 118,126, 132, 138, 145, 152, 160, 172, 189, 215, 285.

Effective Start Date: 2020-2021 season

Rationale: There has been on on-going discussion and concern at the Section, State, and National level regarding the increased amount of forfeitures during dual meets. The NFHS has been asked to address the issue by discussing the number of weight classes currently in the NFHS rulebook. This past Spring the NFHS Wrestling Rules Committee did make a proposal to address the current weight classes. Unfortunately, the proposal was sent back to the NFHS Wrestling Rules Committee. Pennsylvania is proposing adjusting the current weight classes to 13 for the upcoming school year. This current proposal is following the PA changes except the bottom three weight classes. The NYSPHSAA Wrestling Committee was very interested in addressing the lower weight classes we currently have in NY. This is the reason for the recommendation of 102, 110, and 118. By recommending these weight classes it will provide schools with smaller rosters to compete in dual meets and bring back the competitiveness and focus of our dual meets.


This past year there was 719 athletes that certified at the 99lb weight class. Out of the 719 students 532 of those students were 7th, 8th, and 9th graders. Students in these grades typically are JV athletes in most sports. Students that do not make the starting lineup for the Varsity dual meet will have the opportunity to participate in a JV dual match or an exhibition match on the day of the Varsity match. These students will still have the ability to participate at some level of competition.

Proposal Originated: NYSPHSAA Wrestling Committee

Budgetary Impact: None


The complete Central Committee agenda can be found here:
http://nysphsaa.org/Portals/0/PDF/Committees/Central/July%202020%20-%20Central%20Committee%20Meeting%20Packet%20Final.pdf

Syracuse.com article: New York state cuts 2 wrestling classes from high school lineups

Read More#