The NCAA Wrestling Committee modified several rules and championships administration policies at its annual meeting April 8-11 in Indianapolis. While the committee made no sweeping changes, there were several significant alterations that the committee hopes will help college wrestling overall.

The committee took note of the current state of college wrestling, which is particularly good at the Division I level. That was evidenced by the championship's success in Albany, New York, this year with sold-out crowds and unprecedented levels of television coverage and media attention -- largely due to Iowa State University's Cael Sanderson and his perfect college career.

"Certainly, what Cael did had a major effect on the amount of television coverage," said David A. Martin, chair of the committee and senior associate director of athletics at Oklahoma State University. "We feel like it started the year before, however, with getting the championship on same-day, prime-time coverage. This was clearly a major plus for college wrestling."

Weight management

The committee also focused on the weight certification program, making adjustments that allow for more flexibility without sacrificing safe weight management. The main change in the program concerns wrestlers who select the one-time certification option. Previously, wrestlers who chose that option were not allowed to wrestle at a higher weight class early in the season while making the descent to the lowest allowable weight.

Now, wrestlers using this system are allowed to wrestle at one higher weight class while descending to the lowest allowable weight.

"This change makes sense, because it allows student-athletes to systematically reduce body fat through proper training while wrestling competitively," Martin said. "This will help student-athletes safely and adequately manage their weight while allowing them to wrestle."

Student-athletes will have to establish a weight class for the season by mid-December, as in the past.

The other weight management change involves making the random draw for dual meets and multiple dual meets optional. Both coaches must agree in order to use this option.

"The committee felt that allowing a marquee match to be featured will be better for college wrestling," Martin said. "This should allow coaches to feature matches without sacrificing the integrity of the weight management program."

Once both coaches agree on a starting weight class, the classes follow in sequential order.

If the coaches are not able to agree on the starting class, a random draw will be held after weigh-ins. Regardless, the announcement of the starting weight class will come after weigh-ins are complete.

The committee also made minor adjustments with regard to coach and student-athlete apparel. Those administrative adjustments were made to ensure proper dress for meets and tournaments.

"This rule change simply gives officials more direction should a violation occur," Martin said.

The only other major rules change of note is that protective ear guards will be required any time wrestling occurs, including practice, meets or tournaments. Previously, ear guards were required only during competition.

Divisional issues

In addition to rules changes, each division's championships committee also met to discuss division-specific issues.

In Division I, the committee forwarded a recommendation to the Championships/Competition Cabinet to increase the credential replacement fee from $100 to $150. The group also forwarded a recommendation to increase the protest fee from $25 to $50.

The group also clarified the championships date formula, subject to approval of the cabinet. The modification means that regionals will be conducted two weekends, not two weeks as was listed previously, before the finals on a Friday and Saturday.

Also, the committee voted to (whenever possible) begin wrestling no earlier than 9 a.m. in Session 5 (Saturday morning of the championships). The committee feels starting any earlier is a major hardship on the student-athletes and fans.

The Division II committee discussed the championships pairing formula used this year, which the group thought was an improvement over past seeding procedures. The group voted to use the system again next year.

In Division III, the committee clarified the championships date formula, subject to approval of the Division III Championships Committee. The regionals shall take place one or two weekends before the finals (Friday-Saturday or Saturday-Sunday). If the regionals are planned one weekend before the finals, however, Sunday competition would not be permitted.

The group also voted to move the seeding meeting from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. the Wednesday of the championships.

In addition, the committee examined the current qualified allocation criteria and received input from the National Wrestling Coaches Association on the issue. The group forwarded revised criteria to the Division III Championships Committee for approval.

Other highlights

NCAA Wrestling Committee
April 8-11/Indianapolis

In addition to the rules changes discussed in the accompanying article, the NCAA Wrestling Committee made the following rules changes:

Voted to eliminate Rule 6-6 for match misconduct. The committee believes this rule is unnecessary and takes out a penalty level.

Added jewelry to the list of items wrestlers shall not be allowed to wear during competition.

Made viewing the annual rules videotape presentation mandatory for referees officiating regular-season meets or tournaments, beginning with the 2003-04 season. This requirement already is in place for championships competition, but the committee believes all college officials should have NCAA training. Additionally, the committee supported the change from a satellite broadcast to one involving the videotape and teleconference, similar to last year's clinic.

Made a recommendation to the Division I Championships/Competition Cabinet to increase the range of the specific gravity testing. The Cabinet will rule on this recommendation at an upcoming meeting.

Reduced the number of violations allowed from five to four in the penalty table. Now, four violations will remove the offender from the premises.

Voted to stop wrestling when penalizing the offensive wrestler for stalling.

Developed several items for the rules questionnaire, including adjusting the weight classes and surveying the number of tiebreaker matches won by advantage time versus the number won by scoring.

Required that weigh-in sheets should be kept on file by both coaches for dual meets and by the coach of the host institution for tournaments.