STATE.
When asking Chat GPT
When referring to wrestling and finals in high school what is it called? State or states?
In high school wrestling, the culminating competition is commonly referred to as the "state" tournament or "state finals." This terminology is standard across various states, including Indiana, where the Indiana High School Athletic Association (IHSAA) organizes the "Boys Wrestling State Tournament" and the "State Finals."
ihsaa.org
Similarly, other states use the term "state" to denote their championship events, such as the "State Open wrestling championships" in Connecticut.
ctinsider.com
Therefore, "state" is the appropriate term when referring to high school wrestling finals.
When is it appropriate to say states?
"States" is sometimes used informally when referring to multiple state tournaments or when discussing the event in a general, collective sense. Here are a few scenarios where "States" might be appropriate:
Talking About Multiple State Tournaments – If you're discussing multiple state tournaments happening in different locations or divisions, you might say:
"How did your team do at states?" (referring to different weight classes or divisions competing at the state level).
Regional Dialect or Team Slang – Some teams and regions casually say "States" instead of "State" when referring to their own state championship.
"I qualified for States this year!"
Comparing Across States – If you’re talking about multiple state championships across different states.
"The level of competition at States varies from state to state."
However, if you're talking about a single high school wrestling championship event in your state, "State" is generally the correct term. Hope this helps.
