IHSAA Board of directors meeting
Wrestlebacks are hot topic
Proposal to add extra round to individual regionals, semistates is likely to bring debate.
By Pat McKee
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Nineteen proposals are on the agenda for the Indiana High School Athletic Association’s annual Board of Directors meeting, but none of those figures to create the most discussion Monday.
Instead, a proposal from the state wrestling coaches in the Executive Committee meeting that follows looks to be the most controversial item that the 17-member group will decide.
Two years after seeing wrestlebacks added to wrestling sectionals and consolation placement rounds added to the individual state finals, the wrestling coaches are seeking the addition of wrestlebacks to the individual regionals and semistates.
“We’re simply asking for the same opportunity as in most other individual sports, “Calumet wrestling coach Jim Wadkins said. “If we have three of the top four athletes in a weight class from one area, we want them to be able to finish that way in the state.
“This is an opportunity that’s available in every other (regular-season) tournament, the NCAA Tournament and every other state that sponsors (high school) wrestling. In the end, we want the best 16 kids to make it to state, and this would ensure that.”
Commissioner Blake Ress said the IHSAA staff does not support the proposal. He said wrestlebacks would create 56 additional matches at the regional and 70 additional matches at the semistate, making both events longer in duration and therefore more difficult to host.
“More isn’t always better, “Ress said.
Wadkins countered that wrestlebacks would not greatly extend the day. He said many of the matches could be run on mats that are idle during parts of the current format. Further, he said a survey of all varsity coaches showed 98 percent in favor of adding the wrestlebacks.
Executive Committee chairman Lee Lonzo of Carmel said the coaches made an impressive presentation at a meeting last month, but he cannot predict how the vote will go.
“Certainly no one is anti-wrestling, and we’ve got a great tournament, “Lonzo said. “But we don’t want a situation where potential hosts say, ‘This is just too much.’ “
Of the 19 proposals to the board, those likely to create debate are items that add an additional practice day at the beginning for basketball and/or all winter and spring sports; add a second moratorium week to the summer calendar; restrict out-of-season open-facility programs to the summer and the season before their playing season; add a third day of no live contact to the start of the football practice period; and add a 19th seat to the board and mandate that it be filled by someone from a private school.
Basketball coaches have pushed for the extra practice day (a Saturday start instead of a Monday) after seeing their preseason time reduced by a week in 2004-05.
“As it was, we lost six practices, but this would give us a couple back, “said Steve Witty, executive director of the Indiana Basketball Coaches Association. “It would give players more opportunity.”
Board president Pat Mapes of Delta said he doubts a second moratorium week or more restrictions to open-facility programs will pass. He said schools should be able to decide for themselves what is best.
The football proposal came from Clinton Central, where Travis Stowers died following a 2001 practice. While Clinton Central officials feel acclimating players for another day would be a plus, Ress said the proposal does not have widespread support.
Lonzo said his initial reaction to the Roncalli proposal to add a private-school seat to the board is that it might be a good idea. But Mapes said plenty of opportunity already exists through 12 open seats and two each ensuring urban, female and minority representation, although one minority seat currently is unfilled.
Ress noted that private schools comprise 12 percent of the IHSAA membership and an added seat would not be over-representation.
“You won’t change results with one vote, but it would give perspective, “Ress said. “It’s a legitimate proposal, but I’m not sure whether it will pass.”
Call Star reporter Pat McKee at (317) 444-6182.
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