I saw this in the Baldwin newspaper and thought you guys might be interested.
KSHSAA Cuts Eleven Weight Classes From 4A
By Kit Harris
Baldwin Sports Writer
The Kansas State High School Activities Association (KSHSAA) shocked the Kansas wrestling community on Tuesday by announcing that the number of weight classes would be cut from 14 to 3. The only remaining weight classes after the cut will be 103, 112, and 119.
Rick Bowden, KSHSAA wrestling coordinator, gave clear reasons for the shocking move. “Kids are getting smaller,” explained Bowden, “It was just too tough for schools in 4A to fill those weight classes above 119.”
KSHSAA Executive Director Gary Musselman also offered an explanation to the new weight classes “I think is it a good move,” said Musselman, “Any kid who is tall enough to weigh over 119 pounds should be playing basketball anyway.”
When asked why this change would only occur in 4A, Bowden explained that this was a pilot program that would be applied to the other classifications next year if deemed a success. “If it works out for 4A as well as I think it will, we will move forward with all the classifications.”
Many avid wrestling fans were outraged by the news and were left in disbelief. One of those outraged fans was long time wrestling supporter and parent Will Cokeley. “I’d like to say I’m shocked, but this is one of about a million mistakes made by KSHSAA in the last few years.” Cokeley said. “My son was a state champ last year and I guess he will have to sit out this year because he can’t make 119.”
Most of the wrestling coaches were also outraged including Eudora Coach Bill DeWitt. “I think it is a bad move by KSHSAA and it will have a negative impact on the sport,” DeWitt said. “The only positive I can see is that Kit (Harris) and I will only have to worry about ranking three weights now.”
