Wrestling: Missouri Championships
Coaches debate new four-class system
By Joe Lyons
Post-Dispatch
If nothing else, the move to four classes in Missouri wrestling is prompting discussion.
“I don’t like it, and I didn’t talk to a single coach who does, “Francis Howell coach Mark Malawey said in the wake of the 74th annual Missouri Wrestling Championships over the weekend in Columbia. “First off, I think the added class waters down the level of competition. Plus, I thought the added class created a lot of confusion; in 15 years, it was the most unorganized state tournament I’ve seen. “
Malawey continued: “We got out of there Friday at about 11 p.m. and had to be up at 6 the next morning to get to weigh-ins – that’s not much recovery time. And in previous years, you had a chance to get away for a time to grab a bite to eat or whatever. This year, I felt like I was in Hearnes for three weeks instead of three days.
“If it goes to a vote again, I’d definitely like to see it go back to three classes. “
But not everyone agrees with Malawey.
“First off, I like the idea of four classes because it gives everybody a chance to compete with schools of similar size, “said Whitfield coach Charlie Sherertz. “And by getting more kids involved and having more kids take home medals, I think it’s a positive step for our sport in general.
“Sure, there were some long days, but I thought Dale Pleimann (Missouri State High School Activities Association wrestling championships director) and the others running the tournament did a great job, especially when you consider this was the first time with four classes.
“Maybe it was different for the Class 3 and Class 4 guys, but I thought everything moved along pretty smoothly. And honestly, I can’t remember the Hearnes Center being any louder than it was at times during the finals Saturday night.”
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