Minnesota's state tournament is held at the Xcel Energy Center (Photo/David Peterson)Some Minnesota high schools have a serious weight problem: finding enough wrestlers to fill all 14 weight classes for dual meets.
In an attempt to solve that problem, the Minnesota Wrestling Coaches Association has proposed cutting the number of weight classes from 14 to 12.
The MWCA is concerned that there are too many non-competitive duals because a number of teams do not have enough wrestlers to complete the standard 14-athlete lineup.
The association's concerns were backed up by a survey it conducted last fall, asking high school coaches about a potential reduction in weight classes. Of the 162 coaches who responded, 144 coaches said they would be in favor of eliminating at least one weight class; 61 said they would prefer cutting two weight classes.
Based on survey results, the MWCA proposal recommends a two-year trial period in which teams could take double-forfeits at 106 and 195 pounds, in essence creating a 12-weight dual meet. Large school teams with full rosters could still wrestle 14 weights if agreed upon in advance.
In Minnesota, a number of small schools have formed co-ops -- partnerships bringing together wrestlers from two or more programs into one team -- to ensure they have enough wrestlers to compete in a dual meet.
Coaches contacted by the Star-Tribune have mixed feelings about the MWCA proposal.
Brandon McAfee, coach at Minneapolis North which is in the process of building its program, said that his school has had to forfeit at least two matches in every dual meet this season. "At times, it was tough. We had a couple of spots where we had consistent forfeits. On average, we would fill out 10 to 12 weights."
McAfee believes fewer weights will be boost to the sport's overall health. "I think it would be beneficial, especially to the small schools. It might help some schools stay out of co-ops and remain independent," he said.
"I feel for the Class A schools that are having to struggle," said Dan LeFebvre, coach of the St. Michael-Albertville program that won the Class 3A championship just last week. However, he worries that cutting weight classes means fewer opportunities for high school wrestlers.
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