Format changed
Half day added to state wrestling tournament schedule
Minnesota’s state wrestling tournament will be held over four days beginning with the 2026 event at Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul.
The Minnesota State High School League’s Board of Directors approved a change from a three-day format at its final scheduled meeting of the 2024-2025 school year on Tuesday at the League Office.
The approval will add an extra half day with Day 1 of the state tournament beginning on Wednesday afternoon. That adds flexibility to the state tournament schedule.
With the growth of girls wrestling and the planning of additional qualifiers in this division, more time is needed to create a reasonable schedule for the tournament.
Work will begin immediately to developing the new tournament schedule.
“The growth in girls wrestling is incredible to witness,” said Board of Directors President Don Peschel, the Superintendent of Sauk Centre Public School District.
“The Board of Directors and all the administrators and coaches who play a role in the activity advisory proposal process did a great deal of hard work and reflection on this. It is exciting to support the expanding opportunities for students.”
The tournament has used a four-day format in the past as one was in effect from 2007-2010.
That was one of two wrestling activity advisory proposals that was approved.
The other adds weight classes for sub-junior varsity level. The approved change creates additional weight classes at 100 pounds, 94 pounds, and 88 pounds for lighter-weight wrestlers in some of our lower levels of competition.
In other Action Items, the Board of Directors:
Approved the Glossary, Interpretations and Board Policies sections of the MSHSL Handbook to reflect the inclusion of 9th Grade Governance. This final approval of updated language was necessary to implement 9th Grade Governance beginning in the 2025-2026 school year.
Approved clarifying policy language to Bylaw 411.G (Alumni Participation) to ensure that students in MSHSL programs are not in violation of Bylaw 411 or Bylaw 208. The policy reads: MSHSL participants may only participate with or against other MSHSL participants during their MSHSL season. The participation by MSHSL participants with or against alumni members violates Bylaw 208 and their participation is not covered by MSHSL-provided insurance policies. The scheduling of contests by an MSHSL team with non-MSHSL teams or individuals, including alumni, is a violation of Bylaw 413 Scheduling of Contests.
Approved a Coaching Education Requirement Policy that brings the League’s policies and practices into alignment. Member schools and their coaches will now see clear and direct policy language that is easy to follow.