High school wrestling in Minnesota will be held across 13 weight classes for both boys and girls beginning with the 2023-2024 season.
That measure was approved by the of the Minnesota State High School League’s Board of Directors at its scheduled meeting at League headquarters in Brooklyn Center Thursday.
Boys wrestlers in the state went from 13 to 14 weight classes in the 2002-2003 season.
Girls wrestling is concluding its second season as an activity with 12 weight divisions.
The newly approved weight divisions come as a result of a National Federation of State High School Associations rules modification that allows each state group to select the number of weight classes for their state, but that number must be 12, 13 or 14.
The board used information from a survey of member schools and a recommendation from the League’s Wrestling Advisory Committee in making their decision. The approval brings alignment in the weight divisions between both genders of participants when enacted next school year.
“The Board of Directors are so grateful for the valued input from the member schools and the thoughtful analysis from the wrestling advisory committee,” said Board President Troy Stein, the activities director at Edina High School. “This approved plan brings alignment, consistency and continued opportunities for student participants.”
Here are the approved weight divisions for boys wrestling:
107
114
121
127
133
139
145
152
160
172
189
215
285
And for girls wrestling:
100
106
112
118
124
130
136
142
148
155
170
190
235
In feedback via surveys from member schools this past November, there was a clear preference for 13 weight classes when boys wrestle boys or when girls wrestle boys. While member schools surveyed preferred remaining at 12 weight divisions for girls wrestling, 76 percent of the responses indicated openness to moving to 13.
Jackson County Central will wrestle in each of the four states adjoined to Minnesota (Iowa, Wisconsin, North Dakota, South Dakota).
To date the only other state in that group that appears to have settled on its number of weight classes next season is Iowa, which will remain at 14 weight classes with some adjustments in those weights.
In a related wrestling approval, the Board of Directors affirmed a decision by the League’s Executive Committee for an updated competition model for Girls Wrestling at the section and state level.
Sections 1-4 will compete in two separate tournaments at Hastings and Sections 5-8 will do the same at Sartell. The first- and second-place finishers in each weight class in each of the four section tournaments will advance to the state tournament.
In other items:
A motion to approve an Football Advisory Proposal to seed Nos. 1-8 in Class Nine-Player through Class 5A state qualifiers prior to the quarterfinal round was not approved.
The number of players on the postseason official squad in volleyball increased from 15 to 18.
Running time will be used in boys and girls soccer in the second half if the goal-differential is five or more.
Eliminated overtime in regular-season games soccer when the contest is tied at the end of regulation.
A motion to approve a proposed increase in the number of classes in girls and boys tennis to three was not approved.