Wrestling notebook: Opinions vary on weight classes
High school wrestling is taking on a beefier look this season.
Weight classes have undergone a slight change, most notably adding a 195-pound class after 189 to go with 215 and 285 in the upper weights. A year ago, the only classes above 195 were at 220 and 285.
Reaction from coaches has been mixed. Some favor the new classes; some don't like the change; and others say it doesn't alter much.
Bishop Carroll's Jared Vogel is a supporter. He said last week that he feels it will benefit all wrestlers.
"I love the change," he said. "It spreads out those little weight classes so it's hard for guys to change around."
Rose Hill coach Drew Anderson said he originally supported the changes, but he said Emporia High coach Dennis Charbonneau did some research that turned up interesting findings.
"Coach Charbonneau told us that research shows that 50 percent of the wrestlers are from 126 to 145 pounds," Anderson said. "When there's four or five weight classes with 50 percent of the wrestlers, that really means most of the competition is there. So, it's not doing what it was intended to do."
North's Jake Johnston concurred.
"We are really, really full between 120 and 170," he said. "They added a weight class where we really don't have anyone. I think there's plenty of guys down at 135 that want to wrestle."
It doesn't make much difference, Northwest's Eric Prichard said.
"It didn't change much for my team," he said. "I like it for our school. It's a plus for us."
Coaches will have to make changes, El Dorado's Derick McCreary said.
"I have eight kids battling for the four sports in the middle weights, and I'm thin up top," he said. "Not the best change, but we'll adjust as the year goes."
The smallest weight class has gone from 103 to 106, which likely will pit smaller wrestlers against heavier opponents.
"The funniest thing is that we haven't had a real 103-pounder at our school — except for Maria Ponce, who won 20 matches for us but she was a female — since I've been at South," coach Mike Atlee said. "This year, we have four guys in the room under 105 pounds."
Atlee said this could lead to more wrestlers getting a chance to compete.
"The more opportunities, the better," he said. "That's what it's all about.
"If kids want to make the weight, they'll make it."
Stunning opener — Defending Class 6A state champion Heights was upended at South a week ago, 40-30. Tonight, the Titans will try to stay on a roll, traveling to face Kapaun Mount Carmel.
"We've got a group of kids that for the first time have bought in," Atlee said. "We know that Heights didn't have the team they're going to have in February, but we were really proud of our kids' effort."
The victory that wasn't — Carroll won its dual opener at Northwest 37-36. A day later, Carroll announced that Scott Meyer, who won by pinfall at 138 pounds, which is greater than 8 percent of his alpha weight (151.2). He isn't allowed to wrestle lower than 145 pounds without a weight loss certification permit, which he did not have. Therefore, Meyer's victory was forfeited, giving Northwest a 42-31 victory in the dual.